Every Thursday, FightHype makes some space among its video content to host boxing’s most NSFW mail bag column-- Mine. In this week’s Sack, I address comments/questions regarding Riyadh Season, Crawford-Madrimov, and Canelo-Berlanga.
Riyadh Season
Correct me if I'm wrong. I don’t think Riyadh Season has ever promoted an event in Nevada. Kind of odd that they went out their way to honor his “excellency” in LA. As the saying goes desperate times calls for desperate measures.
However, the card wasn’t that bad. In all fairness to his “excellency”. He put on a decent card.
What do you think about the results from the card? I think Pitbull Cruz beat Valenzuela 115-113. It was a close fight, but Pitbull landed the meaningful punches and was the aggressor all night. Valenzuela did some good stuff, but he didn’t do anything to disable Pitbull.
As for Crawford v Madrimov it was clear that Madrimov was naturally bigger and stronger than Crawford.
Crawford did what he had to do to earn the victory. But it wasn’t easy and it’s obvious that he’s barely a welterweight. Great matchmaking by his handlers for his first fight at 154.
I think his “excellency” should revisit the Crawford v Ennis fight. Crawford needs to vacate the 154 lb. strap and dip back down to 147.
– Na'-il Rahman
Hey Na'-il.
The card was decent, but the Saudis really need to learn pacing and the concept of less sometimes being more. For instance, the Andy Cruz and David Morrell fights were not necessary at all. Maybe those fights could’ve been left for a free preview or, maybe, that public workout card. And that Eminem “concert” was straight ass. Nobody’s trying to sit for an eight hour show. I was pissed and frustrated by the time Eminem started his set. And, btw, if you’re in your 50’s and have your pants sagging like that, it probably means you had a stroke and can’t cinch up your belt anymore.
I thought Pitbull-Rayo was close and I wasn’t mad at the result. Cruz’s offense was showier, but Valenzuela landed a lot of the better shots.
Jarrell Miller should’ve gotten the decision over Andy Ruiz.
And Jared Anderson getting starched had to have Bob Arum twisting his brittle nipples in frustration. That Bakole fight was absolutely not the kind of bout he’d have normally made for a young, relatively inexperienced young prospect with wavering focus. But, by all accounts, Arum’s not entirely running the show at Top Rank anymore.
As for the main event, I think some of the narratives are way off. Madrimov was beyond awkward and never really let his hands to go. In my opinion, he was fighting more not to lose than to actually win.
This is what I wrote about that at my other gig as Managing Editor at BoxingNews.co:
“Madrimov landed 84 of 275 punches, compared to Crawford’s 95 of 433. That’s minuscule output for someone not generally regarded as a boxer/mover.
By comparison, the frequently-maligned Shakur Stevenson, who is pegged as a boring, negative fighter, landed 170 of 446 punches versus Artem Harutyunyan in his last fight. Even in his wildly-derided sleep-inducing performance against Edwin De Los Santos, he put up comparable output numbers (65 of 209) to Madrimov’s.
Granted, again, level of opposition matters. Competing against Crawford is way different than competing against Harutyunyan and De Los Santos. But Crawford wasn’t on his bike, making himself hard to touch. For the most part, he was right there in front of Madrimov, looking to counter shots that just weren’t coming– because Madrimov wasn’t really letting his hands go.
There’s only so much you can do against a skilled opponent content to play it safe, not really fighting to win as much as fighting not to lose. Crawford did about as well as could be expected.”
I thought it was shitty matchmaking for Crawford’s first fight at 154 if the goal was to make him look good. He was never going to look good against that version of Madrimov. I still thought he won decisively, though, and I agree that the Boots bout is where to go, but there are also some good fights to be had at 154 (many more than there are currently at 147). So, bringing Boots up would be the ideal move.
Riyadh Season Turki Shoot
Magno.
Big props to you for being the only member of the media to lay the smack down about the digusting ass kissing on Saturday and the shady media that is all in on being bought off by Turki. I don’t have a question, I just wanted to say thanks for being that one real voice. In a media world where talent, insight, and bravery were rewarded, you’d have a feature spot on ESPN. Keep up the good work my man.
– Johnny C.
Hey Johnny.
Thanks for the kind words. I try.
It was nauseating how quickly and enthusiastically boxing people turn to cucks, lapdogs, and salad-tossers.
I said everything I wanted to say about all of that in this past Monday’s Notes from the Boxing Underground. But, yeah, it was a bit of a spotlight on boxing’s general lack of integrity and rubbery backbone.
I mean, seriously guys, have some dignity.
Canelo-Berlanga Fake Mexico vs. PR Rivalry
Hi, Magno:
As always, wishing you and your family the best. I get sick to my stomach when they try to con the fans by promoting the Canelo vs Berlanga fight as Puerto Rico vs Mexico. For the fight to meet the standard of this rivalry each fighter must have their respective nation behind them. And of course, this support must come from their achievements in the ring or their skills. How can Puerto Rico be behind Berlanga, when no one in Puerto Rico except for hardcore boxing fans knows who Berlanga is? Even those hardcore boxing fans like myself, know Berlanga. but believe, based on his performance that he is all hype. Ask anybody in the street in Puerto Rico, about Berlanga and they don't have a clue. So please, DAZN and PBC stop it, we are not falling for it and the numbers will show it, Canelo will make its guarantee due to his Mexicans fans, not the Puertoricans. This fight is a money grab for both fighters, and since they don't have anything positive to say to sell the fight they bring up the rivalry.
-- Benjamin from Puerto Rico
Hey Benjamin.
There’s a lot of fakeness around this whole card.
Canelo deriding Berlanga during the press conferences and making comments about how unqualified he is and how dealing with him will be easy work makes him look like a gigantic tool. After all, he’s the one who hand-picked Berlanga! If the guy’s easy work (and he is), he got this fight because Canelo wanted easy work.
There’s also the busted logic of having only one Mexican (Canelo) on the Mexican Independence Day pay-per-view card. PBC has several high-end Mexican fighters available to them, but none were given the call.
And I don’t doubt you for a second that Berlanga is an unknown entity in Puerto Rico. He’s unknown up in the mainland US as well, despite his claims of being a superstar.
That whole card is a gigantic turd wrapped in red, white, and green ribbon.
Got a question (or hate mail) for Magno’s Bulging Mail Sack? The best of the best gets included in the weekly mailbag segment right here at FightHype. Send your stuff here: paulmagno@theboxingtribune.com.