There were a pair of shows that were broadcast on ESPN and DAZN this past weekend that were brought to you by Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions, respectively, that featured a host of familiar names. Here's some quick thoughts on what took place...
- OK, since I was at the Fountainebleau in Las Vegas for this show, I'll start off with this night's main event that featured the rematch between Mikaela Mayer and Sandy Ryan. Back in late September Mayer won a contested majority decision to capture the women's WBO title.
This time around, Mayer was much more dominant (especially in the early rounds) and won a unanimous decision by the scores of 98-92 and 97-93 (twice). The heat was turned up by Ryan in the late rounds, but her rally was much too little, much too late. But it was a solid fight, especially down the stretch.
Mikey Williams/Top Rank
Getting in good scraps is nothing new for Mayer, who in the past has had memorable battles against the likes of Maiva Hamadouche, Alycia Baumgardner and Natasha Jones. Win, lose or draw, she generally is in entertaining bouts.
- The co-feature on this card was the first title defense for WBO welterweight titlist, Brian Norman Jr, who was paired with the rugged Derrick Cuevas. For Norman, it was his first fight since he took that title from Giovanni Santillan last May.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vshMwSX7VeU
He took care of Cuevas in three rounds. Norman showed he is a twitchy athlete with speed and power. At age 24, he seems to be coming into his own. It will be interesting to see if he'll ever really be in the mix to face Jaron 'Boots' Ennis, who will try and unify versus Eimantas Stanionis on April 12.
Mikey Williams/Top Rank
- Bruce Carrington is a featherweight who is rated very highly by all four major sanctioning bodies. Well, with the way he destroyed Enrique Viva in three rounds showed that he's now fully marinated for a title shot.
'Shu Shu' put on a James Toney-esque display of counter-punching off the ropes in the second to floor Vivas -- who had never been halted in 26 previous contests -- and then battering him the rest of the round. Carrington then forced the stoppage early in the third.
Mikey Williams/Top Rank
If he wanted to make a statement, well, consider it mission accomplished. Afterwards, Carrington made it crystal clear he wanted to go belt hunting in his next bout.
- Meanwhile in Cancun, the main event was the rematch between WBC interim lightweight champion, William Zepeda, and Tevin Farmer. The two met back in November with Zepeda coming out with a razor thin split decision.
This time around, this bout was a 12-rounder, and it looked like a more definitive victory for 'Camaron' who jumped out fast as he touched Farmer often with his trademark activity. Farmer looked visibly bothered by a physical ailment throughout the fight. But he still fought back pretty gamely in the second half, but didn't do nearly enough to win this return bout.
Golden Boy Promotions
These 22 rounds versus the slick southpaw from Philly should serve Zepeda well moving forward. Yet you wonder if they actually prepared him for Shakur Stevenson (the WBC champion at 135) or just really exposed him? Regardless, it's time for Zepeda and Golden Boy to pull the trigger on a title shot.
He's got 33 bouts under his belt and 28 years old, if he's not ready now, when?
- Also on this card was WBO/WBA/Ring minimumweight champion, Oscar Collazo, who took care of Edwin Cano in five dominating rounds. Once again, he showed why there are pound-for-pound lists that have his name on them.
Make no doubt about it, Collazo is a highly skilled boxer who is also a crowd pleasing fighter. He has quickly become must-see TV. Now it's time for Golden Boy to showcase him on the island of Puerto Rico.
Golden Boy Promotions
If Ivan Calderon was popular there, 'el Pupilo' certainly can be.
