When it comes to the best battling the best, the last week has been a mixed blessing.
We are only a few days away from Josh Taylor's outstanding win against José Ramirez, a match between one guy who had two of the major world championships at junior welterweight and another who had the other two. Taylor won all four titles and was crowned the undisputed 140-pound champion.
We're also coming off the dizzying news that Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua had finally reached an agreement for a massive bout that would establish an undisputed heavyweight champion — only for that match to fall through.
An arbitrator concluded that Fury must uphold his previous deal to face Deontay Wilder a third time. So, right before Taylor-match Ramirez's on ESPN on Saturday, Fury inked a deal to meet Wilder again in front of the TV cameras.
Then there's the welterweight class.
Errol Spence has two world championships and is regarded as the finest fighter at 147 pounds and one of the top fighters in the world at any weight class. Terence Crawford owns a championship belt, is often placed slightly below Spence at welterweight, and has long placed high on many pound-for-pound rankings.
They've discussed fighting. They've agreed not to fight. They may still face each other in the future, depending on the business and politics of boxing, as well as promotional and network alignments that may alter in the future.
But Spence vs. Crawford will not be the following match. Instead, Errol Spence will meet Manny Pacquiao on August 21 in Las Vegas. That battle was made public late last week.
It is not exactly the news that boxing fans were looking for. But it isn't all terrible news.
Spence vs. Pacquiao is a good event.
It pits one of the finest fighters of a generation, one of the greatest of all time, against a boxer who was dubbed “The Truth” from his early days and has worked hard to achieve his destiny in the years afterwards.
It portrays a 42-year-old man who is beyond his peak but still capable of fighting at a high level, taking on yet another risky challenge in what might wind up being his last battle, rather than departing with a definite win.
It stars a 31-year-old titleholder on the verge of becoming a celebrity, who needs one more hallmark win to break through, and who may elevate himself by defeating a legend.
It may be one final hurrah and a blast from the past, or it may be a mismatch and a swan song.
Pacquiao's bout with Spence will come more than 20 years after his debut, when he overcame 122-pound titleholder Lehlo Ledwaba on the undercard of the Oscar De La Hoya-Javier Castillejo pay-per-view.
He is the only survivor of the pay-per-view. That has been the situation for a long time. Anyone else from the program had their most recent appearance in 2014. Future middleweight champion Jermain Taylor was 3-0 when he won a four-round preliminary contest on the De La Hoya-Castillejo undercard in 2002. Taylor's most recent bout, in late 2014, was a win against Sam Soliman.
Pacquiao's successes as a professional prizefighter are well documented: he has won world championships in eight weight classes, ranging from flyweight to junior middleweight, and he is the lineal champion in four weight classes: 112, 126, 130, and 140. (Some people add 147 to that list.) He's beat a who's who of the sport, including top names and excellent top 10 candidates, as well as present and future Hall of Fame entrants.
Pacquiao has gone 6-2 since Jermain Taylor's last fight in October 2014, competing irregularly as he aged and took on a more active political role in The Philippines, but still being more active in the ring than some of his younger welterweight rivals.
Pacquiao drubbed Chris Algieri to close 2014, lost his long-awaited superfight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2015, completed his trilogy with Timothy Bradley with a rubber match win in 2016, and defended his newly gained world championship with a decision against Jessie Vargas later that year.
Pacquiao lost a shocking and, to some, controversial fight against Jeff Horn in 2017 and seemed to be nearing the end of his career. Nonetheless, Pacquiao returned in 2018 and stopped Lucas Matthysse — Pacquiao's first victory under the limit since 2009 — and fought again in 2019, earning decisions over Adrien Broner and Keith Thurman.
Pacquiao's previous fight was more than 25 months ago, when he faced Spence in August. The epidemic has kept many fighters off the field, particularly those who need a certain amount of money to compete.
A lengthy layoff is seldom nice to any boxer, and it is considerably less merciful to those who are also attempting to avoid the repercussions of age and wear and tear. Pacquiao's next bout will be his first in two years, against Errol Spence. Once the bell sounds, he won't have time to shake off the rust.
Spence was a potential in late 2014, but his journey through the ranks would begin shortly. The 2012 Olympian had fell short of a medal but was anticipated to develop as a pro. He'd live up to them.
Spence utilized his 2015 to demolish four welterweight measuring sticks: Samuel Vargas, Phil Lo Greco, Chris van Heerden, and Alejandro Barrera. In 2016, he did the same thing to peripheral contenders Chris Algieri and Leonard Bundu. By 2017, he was ready for his first championship chance and eager to go to enemy territory, going to England and defeating Kell Brook for the IBF championship.
Spence successfully defended his championship twice in 2018, dispatching Lamont Peterson and Carlos Ocampo. In 2019, he stepped up once again, absolutely neutralizing Mikey Garcia in an absolute shutout before winning a split decision against Shawn Porter to become the unified titleholder.
Then there was Spence's horrible automobile accident, which occurred when he reportedly drove while inebriated, lost control of his automobile, and was flung from it. He was hospitalized, and there were worries about both his health and his career.
Spence was lucky. He healed, returned to the gym, and resumed boxing. Spence's return bout came after a 14-month absence from the ring. Instead, he faced Danny Garcia, a former 140-pound champion and current 147-pound champion. Spence won a unanimous decision and looked terrific in the process.
He's still in his prime, and he's one of the world's top two welterweights.
He still hasn't taken on the other one. That might yet happen.
Spence is associated with Premier Boxing Champions and its network arrangements. Crawford has long been pushed by Top Rank and has recently been on ESPN. However, as Crawford's most recent contract nears its conclusion, the boxer has stated his displeasure with Top Rank, while the company's CEO, Bob Arum, has revealed his own thoughts.
Crawford extending with Top Rank would be shocking. It would not be shocking if Crawford went on to sign a contract with PBC.
Meanwhile, both Spence's camp and Crawford's current promoter were courting Pacquiao for a prospective megafight. Top Rank turned to offshore investors and the potential of having the fight in the United Arab Emirates in June, but they were unable to get the contract they desired. Instead, Spence vs. Pacquiao will take place in Nevada in August, likely with more spectators let in — and hence possibly higher box office ticket sales — if jurisdictions relax their coronavirus pandemic safety requirements.
Pacquiao has overcome younger opponents including as Thurman, Broner, and Vargas in his latter years. Despite Spence's physical endowments and all-around skill set, he hasn't taken on anybody in his latter years.
Spence, on the other hand, has never fought somebody like Manny Pacquiao. That's because there isn't anybody like Pacquiao. The issue is how much of Manny Pacquiao we remember will show up in August.
Pacquiao could be able to conjure the pace and style to surprise Spence. Or maybe Spence's stature, speed, power, and boxing talent will drive Pacquiao into retirement as Patrick Swayze's character (spoiler warning) did in Point Break, facing the final wave knowing he could attempt to ride it to glory but would most likely be tossed into the abyss.
Either Pacquiao will add another incredible win to his resume, or Spence will begin the next part of his career.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. became an even larger draw after defeating Oscar De La Hoya. Pacquiao felt the same way after defeating De La Hoya. It didn't matter that De La Hoya had fading when he fought Mayweather, or that he was done and depleted by the time he encountered Pacquiao. His bouts were enormous events, which helped Mayweather and Pacquiao.
In an era when boxing has emphasized overage and long-retired fighters, social media influencers, and mixed martial artists, this is a marquee event featuring the world's No. 1 and No. 3 welterweights, one of the best right now vs. one of the best ever, a younger man seeking the greatest of glory taking on an older man desiring that one last dose of it.
This isn't Spence vs. Crawford. This isn't the battle we've been looking forward to. But this is a delicious appetizer to tide us over till the main meal arrives.
The 10 Count
1 – For those of you who were unable to see the Marvelous Marvin Hagler tribute this past weekend, here is the whole video.
The film begins with a fantastic collection of photographs of the all-time great middleweight champion. The ceremony, which takes place on what would have been Hagler's 67th birthday, starts approximately 12 minutes in.
Among the live speakers were:
Mae Lang Hagler is Hagler's mother.
Bernard Hopkins is a former middleweight and light heavyweight champion.
Stephen A. Smith, an ESPN commentator
Al Bernstein, a boxing broadcaster for Showtime,
Helyn Hall was the first Black woman to promote professional boxing.
Billy Moore is the son of the legendary light heavyweight champion Archie Moore.
Journalists Ron Borges, Jim Fenton, and Mike Lynch
Robert Sullivan, Mayor of Brockton
There was also a terrific video package containing highlights from Hagler's boxing and acting careers, as well as taped tributes from Sugar Ray Leonard, Gerry Cooney, Teddy Atlas, Freddie Roach, Bob Arum, a few Boston Red Sox players, and Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker.
2 – Josh Taylor would not be the first junior welterweight to be lured by the big stars in the 147-pound category. But there is a part of me that want to see a champion, for once, endure and continue to demonstrate his authority as new competitors emerge.
Taylor's victory against Jose Ramirez on Saturday night established him as the undisputed 140-pound champion. It awarded him all four world championships and victories against four of The Ring's top ten junior welterweights (Regis Prograis, Ramirez, Viktor Postol, and Ivan Baranchyk), including three of the top five (Prograis, Ramirez, Postol).
The rest of the names aren't quite as significant as what may entice Taylor to 147: Jose Zepeda (more on him later), Arnold Barboza, Mario Barrios (who will shortly fight Gervonta Davis), Batyrzhan Jukembayev, Shohjahon Ergashev, and Robert Easter Jr.
In comparison, Errol Spence, Terence Crawford, Manny Pacquiao, Keith Thurman, Shawn Porter, Yordenis Ugas, Danny Garcia (more on him and his projected move to 154 later), Jaron Ennis, Kudratillo Abdukakhorov, and Vergil Ortiz Jr.
Taylor will most likely face one of his required challenges next, an undefeated but unheralded Jack Catterall. Or something greater may happen, and Taylor may forego a belt (or more) in lieu of higher rewards and reputation.
That may be Crawford, who will share a promotional stable with Taylor at Top Rank for at least a little while longer. Or it may be lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez, who has showed interest in going up to 140 pounds.
3 – Boxers Behaving Well: José Ramirez did not leave the ring with the win and four world championships on Saturday night, but some good will come from his defeat to Josh Taylor.
That's because the now-former unified champion had promised to give his boxing gloves, as well as a poster autographed by him, Taylor, and Top Rank president Bob Arum, to a charity auction.
According to Goldin Auctions, the goods sold for a total of $7,500.
According to a press release from Top Rank:
“The revenues will be split between two organizations Ramrez supports: The V Foundation for Cancer Research and The Bautista Foundation, which promotes community, education, and health projects in California's Central Valley, where Ramrez was born and now resides.”
Stephen Foster, the owner of Fresno Coin, made the winning offer.
“José is a leader in our community and stands for so many positive things, and we at Fresno Coin stand with him in the battle against cancer,” Foster said in a news statement.
4 – Kenny Bayless was once regarded the top referee in Nevada and one of the greatest in boxing. He still had bad nights, but they appeared to be the exception rather than the usual.
Bayless had a bad night refereeing Taylor vs. Ramirez this past Saturday in Las Vegas.
He was refereeing the battle like he was chaperoning a junior high school dance.
Bayless was extraordinarily swift to separate the fighting. He was exceedingly sluggish to let action to begin after Taylor's two knockdowns. And he unknowingly contributed to a major turning moment in the game. Taylor and Ramirez temporarily clinched with roughly 34 seconds remaining in Round 7. Taylor quickly yanked his right arm free and was about to do the same with his left.
Bayless took a step forward and whacked Ramirez's right arm. When the referee saw Taylor throw a punch, he halted whatever he was doing. A huge left uppercut landed on Ramirez's chin, discombobulating the American and knocking him to the canvas.
If a referee wishes to halt the play, he or she must deliver a vocal instruction. Despite the referee's approach, Taylor did the correct thing by continuing to fight in the absence of an order.
Ramirez should have continued to defend himself. But he should never have been placed in that situation in the first place.
5 – It was always going to be hard for Jose Zepeda's next battle to live up to his last one.
Nothing could compare to Zepeda's all-out clash with Ivan Baranchyk last October, when they swapped knockdown after knockdown, eight in all, in only five rounds. The conclusion was an appropriate conclusion. Baranchyk pushed Zepeda down, who came back up and knocked Baranchyk cold, folding him backward into the canvas.
There's significantly less nice to say about Zepeda's comeback on the undercard of Taylor vs. Ramirez. It was a lackluster bout versus late substitute Hank Lundy, and I'm probably being too fair with that statement.
Zepeda, who aspires to compete for world championships against top-tier opponents, often let Lundy dominate the proceedings. He needed to make a statement. Instead, he battled to establish authority against a fading veteran. Zepeda was victorious by unanimous decision. He squandered a lot of momentum.
They won't all be Baranchyk bouts. They shouldn't be. They shouldn't, however, be like this battle.
6 – As unfortunate as it is that we will not be witnessing Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua next, I am looking forward to Fury's third bout with Deontay Wilder.
Fury vs. Joshua was set to be a major match for all the marbles, with the victor becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion. Unfortunately, Fury's decision to back out of a third Wilder fight resulted in legally mandatory arbitration proceedings. The arbitrator recently ordered that Fury must face Wilder. And Fury's team didn't want to give Wilder a large step-aside fee.
I wouldn't expect Wilder to accept it either. There's more money in it today to take on Fury.
I still want to see Fury battle Anthony Joshua. I'd also want to watch Fury vs. Wilder again. I'd want to see Joshua face Wilder at some point. I don't care who fights who. I simply want to see them go back in the ring and battle each other.
Yes, Fury is 1-0-1 versus Wilder — some feel he should be 2-0 — and is coming off a spectacular technical knockout win in their rematch. Fury has vowed to do the same in this third battle.
Fury definitely has two options for victory: boxing or going for the knockout. Wilder still has one road to win, which is his fight-changing ability. That continues to pique my interest. The third bout may easily go the same way as the second. Or it may be something entirely else.
You have every right to be angry or unhappy that Fury-Joshua isn't coming next. As for me, I'll be tuned in for Fury vs. Wilder and then looking forward to the victor taking on Joshua, preferably sooner rather than later.
7 – Of course, Anthony Joshua will have to do his bit to get past whomever comes next.
It may be Aleksandr Usyk, a former cruiserweight champion who has been fighting at heavyweight for the last several years and has been in line for Joshua's WBO championship. But Dillian Whyte, the mandatory for the WBC crown, has also been waiting a time.
Whatever happens, I'm curious.
Usyk hasn't looked terrific at heavyweight so far, and he had to overcome some tough times in his decision win against Dereck Chisora in October. I'd want to see how much Usyk has developed since then, as well as how Joshua handles Usyk's style and capabilities.
Joshua and Whyte had a good scrap in 2015, soon before “AJ” went on to win his first heavyweight belt. I'd want to see them change it up again.
8 – Weighty Matters, Part 1: Danny Garcia has announced that he will be going up to the junior middleweight class, and I'm not convinced it's a smart idea.
“I feel that at this stage in my career, I can't put that burden on my body to go down to a lesser weight,” Garcia told Damichael Cole of The Philadelphia Inquirer. “My ambition is to become a three-division world champion, and I believe that now is the ideal moment to go on this new adventure.” You'll witness a revitalized, powerful Danny Garcia.”
Garcia claims he will have an edge in experience and speed over the current generation of junior middleweights, who he claims “starve themselves, dry up to get that 154.” He, on the other hand, weighs between 165 and 170 pounds.
It's natural for Garcia to leave welterweight behind if reaching 147 has began to wear on him after more than five years in the division. And it's not like he was outsized at welterweight. His only losses have come against three elite fighters: Keith Thurman in a tight fight, Shawn Porter in a tight battle, and Errol Spence.
However, Garcia's power hasn't been as effective against the best 147-pounders. It's difficult to picture it making a mark on the naturally larger fighters who fight at junior middleweight. He'll need the speed he described. However, some fighters who gain weight wind up losing part of their speed as a result of the extra weight on their bodies.
Garcia might return to the ring as soon as September. He should be commended for putting himself to the test at 154. It's already a chasm. We'll soon find out where he fits in.
9 – Weighty Matters, Part 2: Speaking about naturally heavier junior middleweights, Jarrett Hurd has already shocked everyone with his ability to make 154 pounds.
His first fight since January 2020, however, will be at middleweight, when he takes on Luis Arias on the undercard of Floyd Mayweather vs. Logan Paul.
“I fought just before the pandemic came, so I took some time off, and not only that, but I was moving out of my parents' house,” Hurd said on a recent edition of The Last Stand Podcast with Brian Custer. “I'm taking some time off after my previous fight, no gyms open, nothing, I'm just lounging around in the home, and I look in the mirror and my weight has risen to approximately 217!
“That's a massive drop from there to 154, so we're going to jump up to 160 for this fight,” he stated. “We don't want to lose too much weight, but it's only for one fight.”
All of this makes sense, considering how heavy Hurd became, how he and his family are still struggling with the loss of Hurd's father in March, and how Hurd doesn't have to be at junior middleweight to shake off some rust and get back in the ring.
Even if you lose 57 pounds, it is still a significant amount of weight. But I'd rather drop 57 pounds than strive to drop 64.
10 – Weighty Matters, Part 3: I can't say we've spoken much about Nkosinathi Joyi in this space — as far as I can tell, this is the first time the former strawweight champion has appeared in Fighting Words in his 19-year career.
Unfortunately, this will not be a happy debut. Joyi arrived for a bout with Ayanda Ndulani overweight.
I suppose he N. Joyi'd a bit too much...
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