This Thursday, like every Thursday, I ask you to pull up a seat alongside my bulging, bulbous sack and wait for a load of gooey, salty boxing truth to be shot right into the faces of boxing’s purveyors of ignorance. This week, we have questions/comments regarding Thurman vs. Barrios, Teofimo Lopez, and the upcoming boxing schedule.
The Takeover, Part 2?
Hey Magno.
Just wondering what you think about Teofimo Lopez’s chances of making a full comeback and being dominant at junior welterweight. I don’t see it happening. I’m 50-50 on whether he has the skills and ability, but I have serious doubts about whether his strength and power can make the jump to 140. I also doubt his strength of mind. The kid has been talking crazy talk ever since he lost and he’s not showing any signs of processing that L in the right way. I saw where he went on social media and blasted fans and then wrote something that sounded like a “goodbye cruel world” message. He’ll have some success at 140. Arum’s good at matchmaking. I just don’t think he ever gets that spark back.
-- Simon
Hey Simon.
I lean towards your take on things. It’s only five pounds from lightweight to junior welterweight, but, for me, I see that move from 135 to 140 as a big one, sort of like passing the dividing point between the smaller guys and the next-size fighters. Most top guys at 140 are really welters or junior middleweights hanging at a lower weight for their benefit while they can still make the weight. Fighters moving up to junior welter from lightweight and below are those who reaped the benefit of competing at an artificially low weight and are now going to face opponents their own size. I know that’s overly simplistic, but I think it’s a fair assessment for the most part. Teofimo was very big for his division at 135, he’s not going to be able to overpower naturally larger guys so easily. He’s going to have to work a lot harder to have half the success at this higher weight. He can do it, but, like you mentioned, I don’t think his head is in the right place at the moment.
The Upcoming Fight Schedule
Hi, hope you and your family are well. There are some intriguing fights made or close to being made in the coming months, which is rare in today's boxing world. I refer to these fights: 1. González vs Martinez: Very risky fight for the veteran Chocolatito. Martinez fights in high energy and is young and fresh. 2. Serrano vs Taylor: Can't wait for this one, I see Taylor winning the first few rounds and Amanda coming on strong in the final rounds for a split decision win for my girl, Serrano. 3. Fury vs White: If Fury shows up in the same shape as he did in the Wilder rubber match, I expect White to KO him, if Fury shows up in shape like the Wilder rematch, then Fury wins by decision. 4. Charlo vs Castano rematch: I see more or less the same fight, close outcome. 5. López vs Barbosa: This one is rumored, but if it is made, very risky fight for López. He will have to box carefully like he did against Loma to win a decision. What are your thoughts, Magno?
-- Benjamin from Puerto Rico
Hi Benjamin.
Yeah, those are very good fights and intriguing matchups that are as close to 50-50 mainstage tussles as we get these days. Of that bunch, I’m most intrigued by Gonzalez vs. Martinez, for the same reason you mentioned and Fury-Whyte because I still don’t buy into the stability and long-term viability of a top of the food chain Tyson Fury. Whyte may be the right opponent to push Fury and see how far the breaking point is.
Thurman vs. Barrios
Hey Paul.
All talk aside of whether Thurman v. Barrios is worthy of PPV (it isn’t), it stands to be a pretty interesting fight and pretty much a must win for both. Thurman is a tremendous talent who has underachieved in my estimation, but Barrios is a much more modest talent who has overachieved a bit to get to where he’s at. The question will be whether Thurman’s talent, even on autopilot, is greater than Barrios’ gumption. I say it is and we’ll probably get Thurman over Barrios by decision. What do you think?
-- London Pete
Hey Pete.
I like this fight a lot. Let the market decide it’s PPV worthiness. From a boxing perspective, alone, it’s a very intriguing fight. And a big part of that intrigue is that neither fighter is coming into this one from a position of strength. Both are coming off humbling high-profile losses. Barrios was knocked out—bad—by Gervonta Davis and Thurman took 30 months off after being beaten by a 40-year-old Manny Pacquiao many felt he was supposed to run right through. This is a career-affirming fight for both and I think it’s going to be fought that way. The term “must-win” gets thrown around a lot, but if there ever was a true “must-win,” it’s this one. Put a gun to my head and I’d have to pick Thurman by decision because of his ability to move, but I can also see Barrios pulling off the win, maybe even stopping Thurman.
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