'Fatal Fury' at Times Square on Friday night came with much fanfare and hoopla. But it has to be said, this event was a critical and commercial failure. Instead of being a fight card that would elevate the sport, and bring more eyeballs to the game, it was one that was catered to the VIP's and the elite. Making it worse, it alienated the hard-core fans of the sport.
And the fights were bad, to boot. (And yes, this matters, because if there was a bout like Chris Eubank Jr-Conor Benn on this bill, it would've made the night much more satisfying.)
Ring Magazine
The general public who made the trek to New York City wasn't even given the opportunity to watch the fights as there was draping along the fences that surrounded the ring. Honestly, they didn't miss all that much. Here's a look at what took place.....
- In what was the first of the three 'main events' Teofimo Lopez successfully defended his WBO/Ring 140-pound title by clearly out-pointing Arnold Barboza by the scores of 116-112(twice) and 118-110. It was a sharp and focused performance by 'the Takeover'.
Perhaps it wasn't quite the overwhelming effort that the DAZN broadcast was stating (and welcome back Jim Lampley!!)) but he was certainly much more dominant than he was last year versus the likes of Jamaine Ortiz and Steve Claggett.
DAZN
It's clear that at 140 and beyond that Lopez does not have the bone crushing power he possessed at lightweight, but he still has his cat-quick reflexes and sharp counter-punching skills. You get the sense that from this point forward against world-class opposition that Lopez will score many more decisions than stoppages.
If there was someone on this show that looked like a true world-class fighter, it was Lopez.
- And what can really be said about the contest between Devin Haney and Jose Ramirez? Simply put, one guy wouldn't pull the trigger (Haney) and the other guy simply couldn't (Ramirez). It was understandable that Haney boxed and circled the ring early given his long layoff and the nature of his fight with Ryan Garcia last year. But as the rounds went on, you got the sense that he's now a gun-shy boxer. As for Ramirez, his pilot light has been flickering for awhile as a prizefighter.
DAZN
This was quite frankly, one of the most boring and uneventful fights in recent memory. If Larry Merchant was on this broadcast he would have uttered something to the effect, ''that fans who were stuck outside the fence and couldn't see this fight -- they are the lucky ones."
- Then in what was the night's main event, Rollie Romero pulled the upset by decisively beating the aforementioned Garcia over 12 rather slow paced rounds. One guy did little, the other guy did even less. But there was one eye-opening moment as Romero floored Garcia in the second round with a left hook, and then proceeded to methodically win rounds the rest of the way. It wasn't particularly entertaining, but Romero was effective.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KihGo9jd2As
Romero is certainly no stylist inside the ring, but he had a disciplined approach on this night as he had his right glove glued around his cheek to cushion any oncoming left hooks that have become the trademark of 'KingRy'. But Garcia for the most part was listless and ineffective for much of this bout. In the past he would overcome any technical defiencies with his eraser in the form of that lighting left hook. But it was dormant for whatever reason on Friday night.
DAZN
This card was designed to jump start the promotion for the rematch between Garcia and Haney, and instead of fanning the flames, it doused them with these respective performances. Could it be that both aren't the same after the night of April 20, 2024?
CANELO
And what can really be said about the 36 minute snoozer between Saul Alvarez and William Scull. 'Canelo' re-added the IBF super middleweight belt to his collection and tens of millions to his bank account, as he chased around the reluctant (to say the least) Scull over 12 uneventful rounds in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
There is a troubling trend of Alvarez opponents not even trying to win -- outside of Dmitry Bivol, who is above such things -- who act as if just getting the payday is the victory for them.
DAZN
In the immediate aftermath of this bout, it was announced that Alvarez will face Terence Crawford on September 12 in Las Vegas. Say whatever you want about that match-up, at least 'Bud' will, to paraphrase Herm Edwards: fight....to...win...the...game.
