Last weekend, Robert Guerrero and Devon Alexander were successfully able to grab the rebound win whereas Chad Dawson miraculously found his way off of the couch, so what's the outlook for the returning victors? Lamont Peterson and Danny Garcia are inching closer towards a clash for Junior Welterweight supremacy, but is it the right fight for the undefeated Puerto Rican champion? All this and just the right amount of more on this week's After Action Report!
No More Soft Touches. Russell Flounders on Big Stage Against Lomachenko.
Nobody had a more impressive performance last weekend than Vasyl Lomachenko, who operated on Gary Russell Jr like a world-class surgeon in an extremely lopsided bout for the vacant WBO Featherweight title. From the moment Lomachenko landed his first big punch in round one, Russell found himself out of his league and only landed roughly 10 punches per round.
It was a shocking sight for all the fans and analysts that saw Russell as boxing's next major force, especially since Russell's opponents were so grossly over matched to this point, it almost seemed if they just paid his sparring partners a little extra to show up in front of the cameras. Russell's lack of stiff opposition in his first 24 fights did him no favors as he was dominated by Lomachenko in only his third professional fight.
By comparison, Lomachenko's two professional fights came against ranked opposition and his participation in the semi-pro World Series of Boxing had him set up for better competition than Russell. Outside of the abhorrent 114-114 score, this was a one-sided schooling that suggested that someone isn't ready for the big leagues, and it isn't the guy with only two fights.
Though Russell's hype train managed to blind the majority into thinking that he was truly ready to break out on the world stage, his loss to Lomachenko suggests that he isn't ready for it at all. What other assessment can you come up with after losing to a guy with only two fights? With the loss, Russell is probably going to revert to playing patty cake until another easy shot comes along whereas Lomachenko just found himself neck deep in a busy Featherweight division.
I Ain't Afraid of No Ghost! Is Team Guerrero Shying Away From Keith Thurman?
Usually when Robert Guerrero and his team are involved, somebody is going to say or do something outrageous or stupid. Ruben, his father and trainer, is certifiable. Robert himself thought carrying a weapon in an airport was a-okay and was on a mission from God to humble Floyd Mayweather before his fight with him. Guerrero's manager, Bob Santos, has validated that you can't have too many screws loose in a camp with this gem of a comment made to BoxingScene:
"He needs to do something like what we've done... We were in the same boat that he was in. Nobody wanted to fight us. And what we had to do was something dramatic. Keith Thurman has to do something like we did. Jump up one weight class, the weight class where you were at, and fight Erislandy Lara. Beat him and you are guaranteed a shot at Robert Guerrero..period."
This madness comes after Guerrero once against balked at the possibility of fighting Thurman. The fight was initially discussed last year with Guerrero ultimately backing out of a fight that would have taken place last December. Even with all the attempts that Guerrero's camp has made to downplay a fight with Thurman, it's getting harder for them to have a point when Guerrero is barely squeaking past guys like Selcuk Aydin and Yoshiro Kamegai.
Thurman is as ready for a big fight as anyone and Guerrero is in need of a solid win to launch him back into championship contention. This fight makes just as much sense back in December as it does now, but the unwillingness of Guerrero's team to match them up with Thurman is quite surprising for the brash-talking crew. As of right now, neither Thurman nor Guerrero are lined up for any fights in the immediate future.
Danny Garcia vs. Lamont Peterson On Deck for Fall 2014?
Danny Garcia and Lamont Peterson's next appearances this August is looking to become a precursor for a battle between the two champions. While their opponents haven't been announced, it's looking likely these two will meet by years end in a battle for Junior Welterweight supremacy. Garcia has been mentioned as a potential farewell opponent for Floyd Mayweather next year, which makes it more perplexing that they are gambling with Garcia staying at 140.
In his last fight, Garcia was beaten up by Mauricio Herrera only to be saved by the judges. It didn't seem that Garcia was looking too comfortable at the weight, and to have him at least fight there two more times with one of those fights being against Peterson is quite the risk. Peterson is no soft touch, and while he lost to Lucas Matthysse who then lost to Garcia, it would be hard to like Garcia's chances against him should he continue to struggle to make weight.
The Furious Flurries
- Chad Dawson looked hilariously out of shape, even blowing the Cruiserweight limit for his 1st round KO win over George Blades, but is hoping he can return to glory. Dawson is hoping to get another chance at Adonis Stevenson, who knocked Dawson out in 90 seconds last June, but from the looks of it, he'll be taking on a 72 ounce steak before another world champion.
- Brandon Rios will be returning to the ring against Diego Chaves this August, making him yet another fighter who tested positive under VADA testing who is fighting less than a year after being caught for a banned substance. How exactly is this working to clean up the sport?
- What is Kell Brook waiting for? The loudmouthed undefeated Brit is the mandatory for IBF Welterweight champion Shawn Porter, but is not making any steps to make the fight happen according to Golden Boy Promotions. It's looking like Brook's camp might be going the Gary Russell Jr route and waiting for an easier shot for the gold.
Potent Quotables
"Canelo is Golden Boy's boxer, that's why I'm going after him. I used to be a part of Golden Boy but now I have nothing to do with them. They gave him the best fights and me being a better boxer than him, they ignored me. They threw me to the wolves so they could take my head off. Thankfully I came out on top, always proving myself and proving myself until now and we are here facing Canelo."
-Erislandy Lara on his relationship with Golden Boy Promotions ahead of his 7/12 fight with Saul Alvarez.
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