It was shocking the way Teofimo Lopez defeated the pound-for-pound kingpin Vasyl Lomachenko in their lightweight unification world title fight at the Bubble, MGM Grand, Las Vegas on Saturday night.

If it is for Lopez (16-0-0, 12 KOs) to win that fight it should have been not like that. Most boxing experts were not able to somehow predict the manner he would win.

Lopez was fighting Lomachenko as if he was the one having the experience advantage. I mean, he was there very calm, not overreacting to the feinting, side to side head movement, up and down lead right-hand movement of Lomachenko.

Every time Loma tries to set-up and throw punches, even before he can execute it, Lopez simply distracting him with jabs or a textbook one-two combo --- a stiff left jab and a right straight to the body.

One move from Lopez caught my attention too. It was a quick pivot to his left every time Loma attacks and pivot to his left. Lopez's counter move was to duck a little bit and pivot to his left at the same place.

Rigo was not able to figure that out that kind move to counter Loma's lead right foot to his side. Southpaw vs Orthodox must establish the lead foot outside the lead foot of his opponent to get that firing angle wherein it’s very difficult for the opponent to counter. Left-handed mostly execute this move with ease because they are used to it. Just like Pacman. The right-hander wound practice this move when fighting a lefty. Lopez was just excellent at that.

Lopez was really not doing anything against the extra activities of Loma as I mentioned above. He just gets ahead with his jab and body shots whenever Loma tries to set-up.

The first-half giveaway of Loma to Lopez did not pay so much in the later rounds as Lopez did not give enough info to digest. Loma is a slow starter that figures out his opponent in the first half of the fight by showing some extra movements in there as I mentioned above (feinting, side to side head movement, up and down lead right-hand movement, lead right foot tapping side to side) and if an opponent overreacts to it showing tendencies of possible openings, Loma would remember those information and the second time you’ll react to it you will receive a surprise from him.

One more thing to note, Lopez's natural or bigger frame at lightweight really was a big factor too. Loma might consider moving back down to 130 or even at 126. He can do more ass-kicking there.

Well congratulations to Lopez, he really walks the talk regarding the boxing skills he told about behind his knockout victories. A new sheriff has just been installed. A 23-year-old Sheriff.

It takes humility to be great especially in defeat. Some may have a hard time accepting defeat and would end up excuses.

Deontay Wilder's corner threw the towel in Round 7. To save him from more damaging punishment from Tyson Fury. A tough judgment call by his corner.

Wilder (42-1-1, 41 KOs) lost the rematch via technical knockout against Fury on Saturday at the MGM Grand, Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas. It was his first career loss, which he's not taking graciously.

Wilder initially questioned the decision of co-trainer Mark Breland. And then later on blamed entrance costume for his loss to Fury. Wilder was upset with Breland. And hinted Breland may no longer part of the team anymore.

I am upset with Mark for the simple fact that we’ve talked about this many times and it’s not emotional. It is not an emotional thing, it’s a principal thing. We’ve talked about this situation many, many years before this even happened. I said as a warrior, as a champion, as a leader, as a ruler, I want to go out on my shield. If I’m talking about going in and killing a man, I respect the same way. I abide by the same principal of receiving," Wilder said in a phone interview with Yahoo Sport's Kevin Iole.

Then Wilder blamed the costume which is too heavy for him.

“He didn’t hurt me at all, but the simple fact is ... that my uniform was way too heavy for me,” Wilder said. “I didn’t have no legs from the beginning of the fight.

Well, I think all these excuses will just, you know, emotionally heavy for Wilder to do the explaining about this and that.

I mean, accepting defeat would open more discussions about his future moving forward.

Well, it is damn easy for you and me, you know, to talk about accepting defeat because we're not the one in that ring and losing that "O" in the record.

But what I'm saying is instead of throwing excuses here and there, why not talk about how greater or greatest your opponent is because that will make you great.

So what's next for Wilder? I'd love to see him fight Andy Ruiz Jr as the undercard of Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua.

The main event was the winners of the rematch against the undercard. The undercard was the losers of the rematch against the main event.

I'm not saying the above will happen soon as Wilder seemed inclined to exercise the rematch clause.

In a recent tweet, Amir Khan said that he sees a problem with Adrien Broner fighting Manny Pacquiao. He told, referring to Broner "picking fights you know you can't win."

Khan (33-4, 20 KOs) suggested to Broner to have an easy fight first and then went on saying that he's done with Pacquiao first then Broner picks his leftovers then hashtag Maidana, Malignaggi, and Molina.

🤦‍♂ @mannypacquiao v the PROBLEM @AdrienBroner. Theres a real PROBLEM here bro! B you’re picking fights you know you can’t win 😂😂. Have a nice easy fight @ legreco and when I’ve done with pacman you can pick up my leftovers #maidan #malignaggi #molina 🤣

— Amir Khan (@amirkingkhan) October 5, 2018

Khan won against Paul Malignaggi, Marcos Maidana, and Carlos Molina. Broner also won against Paul Malignaggi and Carlos Molina after Khan defeated them, but Broner lost to Marcos Maidana in a decision.

Khan has been chasing big fights against Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao but none of these fights materialize.

Pacquiao vs Khan was on preliminary talks earlier but it fell apart and then boom! An announcement is made by Golden Boy Promotions that Khan is fighting Alvarez. No one saw it coming. Khan suffered a devastating knockout loss to Alvarez.

Meanwhile, UK fans wanted an all British showdown between Kell Brook and Amir Khan, but it seemed Amir isn't interested. Brook also surprised the boxing world when he fought Gennady Golovkin where he suffered the same fate as Khan. A devastating loss.

What do you think about why Mayweather and Pacquiao not fighting Amir Khan?

It is with great pride to post a feature of two fellow Filipino boxers that will be sharing a boxing ring on the international stage. Jonas Sultan of Zamboanga del Norte, challenges Jerwin Ancajas of Panabo, Davao del Norte on 26 May 2018, Saturday (Sunday morning Manila) at Save Mart Center in Fresno, California for the world super flyweight title.

The last time two Filipinos featured in a boxing match on a world stage was in 1925. A fight featuring boxing great Pancho Villa, birth name, Francisco Villaruel Guilledo of Iloilo City against Inocencio "Clever Sencio" Moldes of Leyte. The fight was held at Wallace field, now called Rizal Park in Manila.

After almost a century, 93 years to be exact, two Filipino boxers will meet in one ring and the boxing world watching. This fight will be written in Philippine boxing history as the first-ever two Filipino boxers fought a world championship match held outside the Philippines. This magnitude of boxing match-up happened most of the time between two world-recognized Mexican boxers but not between two Filipinos.

The fight will be seen live on ESPN+ in the United States and ESPN 5 in the Philippines.

Many Filipinos frowned at the idea of two Filipinos fighting against each other. But it's a great opportunity to showcase Filipino boxing skills and talent at the world stage. It's a win-win for both fighters and the country they represent. Ancajas and Sultan will bring the prize back to their home country. The world championship on the line, whoever wins still remains to a Filipino.

Similar beginnings

Jerwin Ancajas (29-1-1, 20 KOs), and Jonas Sultan (14-3, 9 KOs) both came from the same place I was born and raised, in the southern part of the Philippines, in Mindanao. A place where economic growth and development are hampered by rebellion, unstable law, and order. Opportunities for decent-paying jobs were scarce. Thanks to the current president, whose primary platform in governance is law and order. The Philippine government is on talking terms with all rebel fronts.

Many young from Mindanao look at boxing as their ticket way out of poverty. For Ancajas and Sultan, boxing may not be a choice but sees the sport of boxing as their way out of poverty.

Both men were raised by farmer fathers. Ancajas father worked at a banana plantation in Panabo City. Sultan's father grows corn in Tampilisan, Zamboanga del Norte. Influenced by their respective older brothers about boxing, Ancajas, and Sultan lace a pair of gloves to punch their way out of poverty.

Tale of the tape

During Friday's weigh-in, Jerwin Ancajas hit the scales and came in at 114.8 lbs while Jonas Sultan came in at 114.4. Both fighters were below the 115-pound limit. They look strong, in top shape, brimming with confidence, and ready to go for tonight's showdown.

Ancajas has the height advantage who stands at 5 foot, six inches tall, whereas Sultan stands 5 foot, 4 inches, a two-inch disadvantage. Ancajas fights on a southpaw stance, while Sultan on an orthodox stance.

Boxing records show Ancajas has the experience advantage of having 31 total fights out of which; 29 wins, 20 inside the distance, a draw, and a loss. Sultan has 17 total fights out of which; 14 wins, 9 inside the distance, and 3 losses.

Ancajas also registers 16 consecutive winning streak starting from his lone loss back in 2012.  Whereas Sultan has only five starting from his last loss in 2015. But don't let the records fool you, Sultan's last three fights were all former champions, Makazole Tete, veteran Sonny Boy Jaro, and his last fight he scored a stunning upset against John Riel Casimero. Ancajas last three fights were all stoppages against Teiru Kinoshita, Jamie Conlan, and Israel Gonzalez.

Styles

Ancajas is a methodical, technical fighter with decent power on both hands. He has great footwork, fast hands. He can't be easily lured into a brawl as he looks for better angles, comes in and out pretty quick, and racking points on the scorecards. He's patient in the ring, not rushing things but if he senses the opponent's breaking point, he has the ferocity to finish the job with a knockout.

Sultan is a fighter who finds a way to win. His style is unpredictable, awkward, not easy to read what will be his next move. He's confident, unintimidated even on the opponent's home turf. He finds answers and counters to every type of assault, ask Casimero. But of course, he's the underdog tonight.

Prediction

Since I'm predicting, I'll go for the unpredictable. Jonas Sultan in a razor-thin decision. Why? it's because.

Flyweight titlist Juan Francisco Estrada is looking for a knockout when he faces Wisaksil Wangek for the super flyweight world title fight on Saturday night at the Forum, Inglewood in Los Angeles.

Estrada (36-2, 25 KOs) wants to leave no doubt and is looking for the knockout.

"I am a fighter who goes from less to more and we will go looking for the knockout to leave no doubt and return with that belt," Estrada said.

Estrada ranks number two in the TBRB rankings at the super flyweight division. Wangek (44-4-1, 40 KOs) ranks number one in the same division. It's a fight against number one and number two fighter in the same division. The winner is no doubt the world champion at the 115-pound division.

During the weigh-in, all fighters were within the weight limits. Below is the result:

• Wangek - 114.8 pounds vs Estrada - 115 pounds


• Cuadras - 114.6 pounds vs Arroyo - 114.2 pounds


• Nietes - 111.6 pounds vs Reveco - 112 pounds

Lightweight titlist Jorge Linares will be facing Filipino Mercito Gesta to co-headline with Lucas Matthysse vs Tewa Kiram, Saturday, January 29 at the Forum, Inglewood.

For me, it is a must-see bout, as I expected a competitive match. Style-wise it appears to me that Linares (43-3, 27 KOs) is more of the technical fighter and Gesta (31-1-2, 17 KOs) seems to be the come forward guy on a southpaw stance.

Experience-wise, it favors Linares (46 total fights) also as he has more fights against his Gesta (34 total fights). Both men at their 30s with a slight difference in height and reach. Linares is also riding on momentum from his 12 winning streaks after back-to-back losses. Well, Gesta also is looking good after rebounding from a loss in 2012 but he hasn't fought in 2016 and just fought twice in 2017. It should be a motivation for Gesta to step up on this one. A chance also for Linares to start well this year.

Well, I've been busy with my day job nowadays. Maybe you could notice the erratic posts on this blog. I'm not able to watch boxing matches on a Saturday night (Sunday early morning in Kuwait) on a regular basis as the demand for work had increased drastically. But well not this 29 January as I mark this date for the Linares-Gesta fight.

Don't ask me who I'll be rooting for. You know that one already. I like Linares' fight but this time, I'll go for my kabayan. May the best man win on fight night.

Lomachenko (9-1, 7 KOs) defeated Miguel Marriaga (25-3, 21 KOs) in a very one-sided match at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, Saturday night. He was just simply multiple steps ahead in every way against Marriaga. He kept the pressure bringing the fight to Marriaga who was on his back foot throughout the course of the fight.

As early as Round 3, Vasyl started clowning around Marriaga. He stood in front of Marriaga and opening up his defense to invite the fighter from Colombia to come in. Well, Marriaga tried to, but only to get hit by a short left straight from Lomachenko that put his ass on the floor. Loma's first knockdown score of the fight.

After the mandatory 10-count, Vasyl went to the corner and tempted Marriaga to come in for a phone booth fight. Marriaga did not oblige but rather threw 1-2's and get out of harm's way.

In the fourth frame, Loma just simply overwhelmed Marriaga with accuracy, speed, volume punching, and defensive prowess. The clowning continued in the succeeding rounds; moving his face forward, positioning himself in the neutral corner, and all those stuff. Then in Round 7, the 29-year old champ from Ukraine by way of Oxnard peppered Marriaga with power punches and knocking Marriaga again.

Marriaga did not answer the bell that signals the start of Round 8. Loma for the win. His third consecutive RTD wins on his ledger.

I think those RTDs were enough. It's not good to see those on his resume lining up like five or 10 times. Time for him to step up and fight "The Jackal", or Terrence Crawford or Mikey Garcia. Of course, it is entertaining to see a fighter to showcase his talent. But it's exciting to watch a competitive fight regardless of the popularity status of the fighters involved.

I'd rather watch Omar Figueroa vs. Nihito Arakawa all over again and again than Vasyl with all his boxing skills to a non-competitive opponent.

Enough! Or simply put Orlando Salido back.

Is Anthony Joshua (18-0, 18 KOs) ready for Wladimir Klitschko (64-4, 53 KOs)?

"Any fight is the right fight. I’ve never shied away from any fight, any opponent. I started boxing in 2008; in 2009, ’10, ‘11 I was in the World Championships, and in 2012 I was representing Great Britain competing to be the best in the world in the Olympics. It doesn’t matter who I fight. I just enjoy what I do and I just embrace every opportunity," says Joshua during the final presscon on Thursday.

Joshua, 27, will face battle-tested former heavyweight king W. Klitschko on Saturday night at the Wembley Stadium, Wembley, London and can be seen live on Showtime (4:15 PM EST/1:15 PM PST) and on HBO (delayed telecast 11 PM EST). The expected crowd of over 90,000 trooped at the venue to witness who will take over the boxing pride. The young hungry lion or the returning former head of the pride?

“I don’t underestimate any opponent. Through my mistakes, I have learned and made myself right.”

Joshua showed confidence during the final presser on Thursday. He hasn't tasted defeat in pro-ranks, but he was sure that even a loss from Klitschko will not end his career.

"I don't think so, because it won’t be the end of my career."

With the above Joshua being said, I think he has the right mindset taking on Klitschko on Saturday night. He knows clearly that taking alone this fight is a big boost for his career. A competitive loss could only mean a rise in his stock and a possible rubber match. A flat-out KO loss could only mean... ah okay.. I told you, he's still young and inexperience. But I don't think it will be a walk in the park for the, accept it or not, aging Klitschko.

Size

If you look at them physically, both men have the same number. Per Boxrec.com, Klitschko and Joshua has the same height at 6 feet, 6 inches tall, and reach almost similar at 81 inches and 82 inches respectively.

So, I think, Joshua being the younger man would be stronger than Klitschko especially as the fight goes on to a distance, and it would really be competitive in the early rounds. Now, for me, it looks like it boils down to experience and the right game plan.

Experience

“Can you imagine my next opponent is going to fight a guy whose age is exactly the number of how long he has been in boxing – 27 years? Can you imagine that? It’s a pretty amazing task. Is it a degradation that I’m actually a challenger and underdog in this fight after 27 years in the sport? I don’t think so. I think it’s great," says Klitschko.

Well, without a doubt Klitschko got a huge edge in experience. He has seen it all dominating the division for decades. But of course at 41 years of age, how much Klitschko left in the tank? Does he still have what it takes to pull the trigger? Based on his previous fight against Fury it showed as a hint.

If Klitschko fights the way he fought Fury last time, I think he will lose. He should let his right hand go more often because the younger Joshua may have more of that sort in the ring.

Although Joshua may just have 18 fights on his sleeves and none of them push him to the limit because those opponents were not able to match him physically.

But let me tell you one thing. I can not see so much of Klitschko's tricks. His edge most of his fight is his size, jab, and power on his right hand.

Prediction

With Joshua on the other side of the ring, it is safe to remove that size advantage. Wlad got power on his right hand but at times, he's so gun-shy to fire more of them. So it's really a good competitive fight as long as the older got his tank till the later rounds.

I'm inclined to give Joshua a unanimous win. That's when Klitschko employed his hit-hug combination on Saturday night. But if both men provided more punching room, this fight is over after 6 rounds.

On Pacquiao's latest post on twitter, he mentioned that "my team and I are in negotiations with Amir Khan for our next fight" and "further announcement coming soon."

It was earlier reported that Pacquiao will face Jeff Horn in Australia. But it seemed that Pacquiao was not happy with the guaranteed purse and shifted his attention to Amir Khan. Of course, Khan is far more bankable compared to Horn. Reports also floating around that the potential fight could be held in Dubai.

In the past, every time Pacquiao planned for next fight, a lucrative Dubai offer keeps floating but nothing materializes so far.

In my earlier post, I've written about this possible Dubai fight with Amir Khan that can be found here.

My team and I are in negotiations with Amir Khan for our next fight. Further announcement coming soon. #TeamPacquiao pic.twitter.com/nW5jpmwVJs

— Manny Pacquiao (@mannypacquiao) February 23, 2017

Being an OFW in the Middle East, I really support this fight to happen in Dubai. I think Manny should fight in Dubai before retiring in boxing. He has lots of OFW supporters in the Middle East and besides, Khan also has a strong fan base there.

Earlier, Pacquiao was reported talking about another rematch with another rival Juan Manual Marquez for a fight in the Philippines before retiring. He's hoping for a Philippine government backing for a Marquez fight to materialize. Pacquiao's plans to fight again in front of his countrymen. Pacquiao last fought in the Philippines in 2006, beating Oscar Larios.

But Marquez is not interested to share a boxing ring with Pacquiao anymore. Well, a Dubai fight, which is home also of many Filipinos is a good alternative venue.

Meanwhile, Amir Khan has long been pushing for big time fight. He was challenging both Mayweather and Pacquiao in the past but was ditch twice and ended up fighting Saul Canelo Alvarez to the surprise of the boxing world. Khan lost to Canelo in a brutal one-punch knockout.

Pacquiao won his last two fights after losing to his rival Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2015.

In the 2:28 minute mark of Round 8, Bernard Hopkins fell out of the ring after a series of punches landed coming from Joe Smith.

It was a bizarre scene to end an extraordinary 28 years boxing career that began in 1988. He was stopped for the first time during the final fight of his incredible career.

The 51-year-old Hopkins (55-8-2 32 KOs) was knocked out of the ring.

This happens to boxers who hang around a little bit too long. The sport will push you out of retirement. Well for me the best time for Bernard to actually retire was when he beat Beibut Shumenov. He got a title at that time, he was 49. But well, it was really tempting to have another shot at age 50. I think that was a record also in boxing. He lost to Sergey Kovalev when he was 50.

Watch: @beastsmithjr knocks @THEREALBHOP out of the ring 53 seconds into round 8, ending the fight. #Final1 https://t.co/Pj2svLUlC9

— HBOboxing (@HBOboxing) December 18, 2016

Well, for Hopkins it may look like a "controversial" loss because of what had happened. If he did not fell out of the ring, he could have got up before the count of ten and manage to continue. In fairness, he wasn't unconscious when he landed outside the ring.

But anyway, I hope this result will convince Hopkins not to fight again any more and sticks to retiring. He should not wait to be knockout cold out there. Just like what happened to Roy Jones Jr. in one of his recent fights.

During the build-up a fight you can trash talk to the highest level you want, but after all the punches thrown and done, it's time to show what the word sportsmanship is all about.

Jermall Charlo (25-0, 19 KOs) was booed by the California boxing fans present at the USC Galen Center in Los Angeles, Saturday night after he knockout Julian Williams in Round 5 of their junior middleweight title clash live on Showtime.

Julian Williams (22-1-1, 14 KOs) went to Charlo's corner to show sportsmanship. But Charlo and his corner refused to accept it. It was too late then when they realized that it wasn't the right reaction. Then Charlo went to Williams' corner to extend his gesture of sportsmanship, but this time it was Williams and his team declined. There was a little commotion going on, but it was obvious that Charlo was in the negative end as the California fans booed in unison.

Charlo remained undefeated and successfully defended the junior middleweight title for the fourth time since capturing it in September last year.

It was a chess match early in the fight. Both fighters were too cautious to open up for offense. They were ready to unload heavy counters that could end the fight early. Both men has power to knock each other out. In Round 2, Charlo scored a knockdown. He connected with a solid jab that put down Williams.

In between the fourth and fifth round, Charlo's trainer Ronnie Shields instructed Charlo to double it up.

"Back him up, back him up with the jab don't let him rest. Double it up with the right hand and hook right back," said Shields.

Williams fired a textbook one-two combination from outside that connected to the head of Charlo. But as Williams retracted back his punches, Charlo came back with a huge right uppercut. Williams did not even saw it coming. And boom! Down went Williams.

He managed to get back on his feet, but Charlo was ready to finish him. After the referee signaled to resume the fight, Charlo was all over Williams firing combination at close range and got one clear punch in and that's it. Williams went down again and the referee did not even bother to count. The referee waived the fight off. The official time: 2:06 in Round 5.

"Sorry my emotions took over me at that time. You know what that's not me," Charlo said when Jim Gray ask about his refusal to accept Williams' handshake.

No mas!

Vasyl Lomachenco (7-1, 5 KOs) retained his 130-pound world title, after Nicholas Walters (26-1-1, 21 KOs) not able to continue after Round 6 of their super featherweight title fight, Saturday night at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, in Las Vegas Nevada.

Vasl Lomachenko just getting started to really dominate in the sixth round. But Nicholas Walters don't want Lomachenco to do just that to him in the succeeding rounds. Instead, Walters decided to pull his own plug and told the referee that he will not continue.

Well it seemed to me that Nicholas Walters really don't wanted to risk a little longer. I mean he lost hope right after the end of Round 6. I don't know if he had an empty tank after the sixth round either. Well, it was clear that Lomachenko won almost every round. But not to the point that Walters really was in the verge of getting stopped.

I mean, Walters was just simply out-boxed, but he landed some too!. It was not like a one-sided beat down. But it seemed Walters had a conclusion in his mind that the fight really go that way at the end -- he will be brutally bruised and battered and might be stopped.

So, instead of thinking to continue and keep swinging for a home-run punch in the next succeeding rounds -- he thought the other way around. He decided to quit and fight another day, which is a valid decision also. well, if he think that he really doesn't have the chance. Then what to do?

But you know, if you are in the hurt business, you are presumed to have that warriors code.

Walters is a big puncher, his record shows. There were some boxing observers think that Walters had no heart of a champion and or a quitter. But well, who are we to judge. We are not the one who absorbed those punches.

Well, of course, it will hurt his stocks. But at least he avoided more damage. But lost also chance to turn the tide if he landed a home-run punch.

But yeah a fighter will always be a fighter. And if you are not. You are not.

On a side note, let me say: Get well soon Nick Blackwell! It was reported earlier that he was rushed to a hospital after he collapse doing sparring eight months after a head surgery for the injury he suffered during his last fight.

The guy really just loves to fight. Get will soon Nick!

It's been ages since I last updated this blog. Wheww... 8-5 job really hampers me from doing the thing I love most. But what to do? At the end of the day, we need to pay the bills. Our day job does that. So at times, I sacrificed my love of writing boxing updates of any sort.

Well, it was a good boxing weekend. We saw Manny Pacquiao became world champion again. He did not just get out of that short retirement but came back and wrote another fate in boxing history books. The first fighting senator of the sport of boxing! What an achievement to add Pacman's unbelievable boxing career.

Manny Pacquiao vs. Jessie Vargas

Pacquiao (59-6-2, 38 KO's) won a unanimous decision over 10 years junior Jessie Vargas (27-2, 10 KOs) in a 12-round welterweight championship bout at the Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. It was an entertaining fight yet lack of explosiveness towards the end.

Although in the second round scored a knockdown, it is obvious that the 37-year-old former congressman and now senator Pacquiao was too cautious. According to Juan Manuel Marquez, in an interview, Pacquiao fought too cautious against Vargas who mastered a counter right hand.

It was a counter right hand from Marquez that put to sleep Pacquaio during their fourth encounter. According to Marquez, Vargas is not a hard puncher. But when Vargas hit Pacquiao with a right hand, the Pacman staggers. The knockout changed the style of Pacquiao who is known to fight relentlessly especially to a less powerful opponents. Vargas came in with only 10 TKO/KO wins on his ledger.

Well, I couldn't agree more with Marquez. Vargas really just missed several powerful counter-right hands. A counter punch that Vargas for sure practiced during training camp hoping to land a Marquez-alike counter that would stop the Pacman.

Well, Pacquiao was very much looking too much attention to that counter right hand. Even during the Bradley fight, I noticed that Pacquiao was very conscious of the right hand throughout the fight. It's not Vargas fired with less accuracy but it was Pacquiao too mindful about the right hand and avoided them effectively.

Apart from Pacquiao being too cautious, I noticed that Pacquiao is still the same vintage Pacquiao. He still has that speed at age 37, still has power with the left hand. He still has that quickness in both hands, fast footwork, and impressive stamina. Pacquiao was able to maintain those even reporting to his day job as senator and training in the evening in the early days of training camp.

In another interview also, Marquez predicted that a Pacquiao-Mayweather rematch will have the same result as the first time. He said that "it would be more of the same," referring to the outcome of the first fight.

"Mayweather boxing, and you saw Manny was more eager, had more power but did nothing, said Marquez.

The scorecards: Glenn Feldman 118-109, Glenn Trowbridge 118-109, Dave Moretti 114-113

Nonito Donaire Jr. vs Jessie Magdaleno

I watched the replay of the fight. I was not able to watch it live because I woke up late. Just woke up just in time with the main event that Sunday morning Kuwait time. Well, I had no doubt that of course Magdaleno (24-0, 17 KOs) won the fight. I thought Magdaleno controlled the fight, dictated the tempo, he chose when to engage and not to engage Donaire. He did make use of the entire ring to find advantage position and angle to fire offense without worrying that the vaunted Donaire counter left hook lands a home run.

But what I don't agree with or am not convinced about is the scoring. I thought that was a close fight than what the official scorecards appeared. I mean, two things you have to weigh-in in that fight; the telling effects of the Donaire's punches or Magdaleno's jab, bodywork, and generalship. Well, I'll give those rounds to Donaire where he was able to connect more than two clean telling punches. Remember that Donaire was the champion and he was the aggressor the whole night. That for me would negate Magdaleno's ring generalship.

But of course, what was the problem with Donaire's performance was his tendency to wait for an opponent's move for so long... looking for counter opportunities. In the process of waiting he was hit first, then reset... then he will be hit again... then reset... till he lands one. But the opponent got him twice or thrice already.

The scorecards: Steve Weisfeld 116-112, Burt A. Clements 116-112, Adalaide Byrd 118-110.

That 118-110 was way too wide a margin for me.

I found the below video on Youtube and embedded it here:

The Pacquiao-Bradley III promotion revolved around the idea that this would be the last fight of the great Manny Pacquiao.

Well, the fight itself wasn't the craving of boxing fans to happen. They wanted Pacquiao to fight the young up and comer in the 140 to the 147-pound division. These include Terrence Crawford, Keith Thurman, Jessie Vargas, and even Adrien Broner.

It was actually a useless rubber match. Pacquiao had nothing to prove against Bradley. He beat the guy up twice, although on the paper it was actually even at that time. Bradley won the first bout in a controversial decision. Pacquiao clearly beat Bradley in the rematch. But according to his promoter, Bob Arum, it's the best option Pacquiao had at that time -- business-wise.

The promotion believed the fight will sell by pushing that this will be the final fight of Pacquiao. Who would of course miss the final fight of one of the greatest boxing in this generation? There's an upcoming Philippine election also during that time, wherein Pacquiao planned to run as a senator. Pacquiao said that he will retire if he will win and focus on his job as a senator. He eventually won last May 2016 as one of the senators of the Philippine Republic. While as a congressman prior to being elected as senator, Pacquiao was heavily criticized at home for so many absences in congress.

I voted Manny Pacquiao for senator. Thinking that he will retire in boxing if he won the May election in the Philippines. He won. But the retirement was short-lived. Pacquiao reportedly taking on Jessie Vargas next. I said what? Manny really wanted to be called the "first in everything". The "first fighting congressman," the "first fighting senator," and who knows the "first fighting president." Such a fate! But isn't it ridiculous?

There's no question that Pacquiao is a generous man.

He wanted to help his countrymen. I voted for him because I wanted him to continue his service to the country. If he retired and had no tools to continue to help the people, then it's hard. He can't give his own personal resources all the time while retired in boxing. Boxing is his major source of income. Being a senator, he can continue to help and serve his people.

Well the millions of Filipinos that voted for him might be thinking the same, that's why he won the elections. But yet he un-retires! I don't know for what reasons why he wants to fight again?

Let me speculate, maybe because his entire boxing team is still intact, and he needs to finance their payroll? It's outright corruption if he funds the salaries of the entire boxing team from his senate funds. Mr. Duterte will not be happy. Well, sounds unfair for the Pacman if this is one of the reasons to fight again. I hope not. My unsolicited advice is that: he better streamlines his boxing team and terminates unnecessary services, and focuses on his team in the senate.

On an ecstatic Saturday night, few days removed from the 4th July celebration, the Filipino-American crowd at the San Mateo Event Center in California was silenced by a thundering punch combination from tough and rugged Mexican Cezar Juarez that sent "Prince" Albert Pagara down to the canvas for good. A painful first career loss of a promising Filipino prospect is often tagged as the next big thing in Philippine boxing.

Pagara (26-1, 18 KOs) was in control early in the fight. He scored the first knockdown of the fight in the very first round. Pagara landed a counter left hook that betrayed Juarez his knees.

But I know Juarez very well. He will get up.

Juarez (18-5, 14 KOs) found notoriety when got up several times from the floor and mounted a spirited rally in the second half of the fight against Fil-Am Nonito Donaire when they fought in Puerto Rico. Donaire survived Juarez's rally and won on three scorecards.

The knockdown boasted Pagara's confidence. But Pagara went to the neutral corner obviously aware of how tough Juarez is, and expecting Juarez to continue. As expected, Juarez got up and ready to continue but the bell sounded signaling the end of the first round.

In the second round, Pagara is still in control. He landed clear counters, as Juarez continued pressing forward.

In the succeeding rounds, Juarez was able to pin Pagara to the ropes and landed power shots to Pagara's head and body. Although Pagara connected a few good counters too, those counters didn't have enough power to deterred Juarez's attacks. It seemed Juarez's body punches took the steam out from Pagara's punches.

In the 7th round, Juarez mounted an all-out attack that pinned Pagara to the corner. Juarez poured power shots that Pagara tried to block but few landed. Pagara managed to escape from the corner to his left, but he was caught with a solid punch escaping out. He was stunned!

He was cornered again to the ropes and fighting using the famed rope-a-dope technique, but obviously, he didn't have enough toughness to withstand more power shots from Juarez. He managed to escape again and landed few counters that momentarily stopped Juarez on his track. But Juarez came back strong and finished the round having Pagara again pinned to the ropes, landing power shots.

In the eighth round, Juarez came out smoking. Pagara, obviously, still trying to recover from the rough seventh round, was greeted by a combination of power shots that sent Pagara crashing to the floor. He tried to get up, but he was not able to make it.

A gruesome scene followed. Pagara was taken out of the ring through a stretcher and was sent to a nearby hospital. He was later cleared from any life-threatening injuries. But Pagara was advised to take a two-month break from boxing.

“Naunahan lang po ako! (He just got me first.)”, said Pagara of his 8th round knockout defeat against Juarez.

One thing I noticed on Pagara throughout the course of the fight. He was actually battling distraction throughout the fight. I noticed from Round 1 that he kept on clearing his hair with his right hand. The Justin Bieber-inspired haircut didn't do good on Pagara while battling the toughest opponent of his career. His hair draped down to his eyes distracting his focus. Instead of finding an opportunity to land a counter right hand--instead, he's using the right hand to clear his hair that obstructed his vision.

A loss may not define a boxing career. But on how a devastating first loss is being taken. If the young Pagara takes it positively and moves on from there. I'm sure he'll come back stronger and better than his last win.

Juarez, on the other hand, could be well in place to secure a rematch with Donaire. Donaire was also at ringside serving as a commentator for Philippine broadcast media.

Dodong Donaire, father, and trainer of Nonito told Boxingscene.com that ABS-CBN is willing to broadcast a rematch between Donaire and Juarez.

Keith Thurman vs Shawn Porter Full Fight Boxing... by usamasterman

You know what? Blogging boxing at times can be very tough. I mean you should take a considerable amount of time dedicated to update, read and watch fights. Well, watching would be the easy thing to do as this is what I like. I like to watch boxing matches. I'm a lifelong boxing fan. But, of course, putting your two cents into writing is the tough part. Well to be honest, the toughest actually is to keep this blog with up-to-date content. That's why if you are a boxing fan and you wanted to say something about anything boxing. Shoot me an email at rey.tecson@theboxingdiary.com I'll have it published here.

Well, last week, I wasn't able to post any fight recaps. But it doesn't mean though that there were no significant fights last week. Last week, instead, there were good quality fights. Just like the above bout between Keith Thurman (27-0, 22 KOs) and Shawn Porter (26-2-1, 16 KOs) fight last Saturday night on PBConCBS at the Barclays Center, in Brooklyn, New York. But because of those things that I've been going through with life nowadays; tough time at day job, family and relationships, you know, just at times too harsh to juggle.

Anyway whatever it was, it will never rocked my love of the sport of boxing. I mean, this sport really just ran through my veins like blood. I may die without it.

Enough with the dramatic intro. Well, the above fight was really one of the best match-ups in boxing I've seen. Thurman-Porter was not just relentless action throughout the whole 36-minute slug-fest. The bout showed interesting style match-up and ring IQ. Although style makes fights, and the one that would tweak his style keeping in mind finding way to eke out game plan to edge the style presented by the opponent.

With the above said, that's why Thurman won upon the eyes of the three judges at ringside who scored it 115-113 across the board. And I agree with the verdict. I have it too close but of course Thurman winning. Thurman was able to find a way in every engagement with Porter to land effective clean counters. Thurman was able to tweak his style. He thought of defense first, because he knows that the style of Porter will initiate and engage in exchanging leather from start to end.

Porter on the other hand really stuck to his style, which is all out aggression using his physical strength. Although at times he was successful especially when he was able to plant his head on the chest of Thurman, and pinned Thurman to the ropes. And then firing combinations with all his might. But most of the time the aggression were not enough to warrant an effective aggression to win rounds in those close competitive stanzas.

Thurman was able to smothered some of those punches, ducked and come back with left and right counter hooks upstairs -- few of them rocked Porter and momentarily stopped from his track.

As a boxing fan, I can say that: I'm, at times, at the edge of my couch watching the fight. Many already considered the bout a strong "Fight of the Year" contender. Well, it should be considered. The fight never lack the action a fight fan would love to see. But of course we love knockdowns or knockouts. The absence of  KO and KDs of the Thurman-Porter fight will not drop from being considered as serious contender for this year's Fight of the Year honors.

But hey! If I will watch side-by-side the Thurman-Porter fight with the Magsayo-Avalos fight last April---of course I'll be incline to give the Magsayo-Avalos fight of the year trophy. Magsayo and Avalos exchanged knockdowns. Both in the verge to be taken out by each other. Whewww!

Well, the Thurman-Porter fight really had an impressive viewership on free-TV on PBConCBS Saturday night.

It will be a challenge to boxing promoter out there to produce fights like this quality to happen. I really hate marinating match-ups. It is not necessary really to build superstars. All boxing fans need is quality fights with regards to action and fireworks inside the ring. Maybe we can lure fans to watch a well-hyped and marinated bout. But end of the day if it will not deliver the qualities of a good fight, well there will be repercussions. Mayweather-Pacquiao really did not worth more than a decade of marination. Oppps! I should have moved on from this. Like a lover boy left behind by his girl for already more than a year now. Time will heal. But oh still thinking of the $99.

The GGG-Canelo should be made. But anyway if the marination process would involve GGG versus Chris Eubank Jr. then so be it. So Tom Loeffler, start putting on soy sauce to the marination process because for sure Eubank Jr. is the chili that will really add the spice of the marination. Just make sure it will not end up Canelo-Eubank in the end.

Former world champion Orlando Salido stated during media workout that the winners will be the fans, when he meets undefeated Francisco Vargas for their world super featherweight title fight, Saturday, at the StubHub Center, in Carson, California.

Salido (43-13-3, 30 KOs) is a warrior, a spoiler, and a very exciting fighter to watch. He’s a heckler who harasses an opponent using only both hands. He's the underdog most of his fight, but he's not a walk in a park when paired with any favorite fighters.

He spoiled the soaring career of a supposed Puerto Rico's 'next big thing' in boxing Juan Manuel Lopez. He took the precious 'O' in the record of Vasyl Lomachenko and took a vacant title, throwing out the window Loma's chance to become a world titlist in his second pro-fight.

"I'm a warrior and Vargas is a warrior. The ones who will win will be the fans,” Salido said.

Salido, 35, without question, has a heart of a lion.

Phoenix, Arizona resident went down thrice and got back up thrice and continued an epic battle with Terdsak Kokietgym. Expect Salido rolling on the floor, but never count him out soon.

"When you get into boxing, you are mentally prepared to get knocked down. Every time I've been knocked down, I just get back up again and fight. I like to prove everyone wrong and that's what I plan to do when I go in and fight this young undefeated fighter," said Salido.

With Francisco Vargas in the opposite corner of Salido an all-out war is expected as both men are warriors.

Vargas (23-0-1, 17 KOs) said that he’s a “technical fighter” but it will come down to his “intelligence”.

"The only thing on my mind is to win this fight on Saturday. It's up to the fans to decide if I'm number one. I'm a technical fighter but it will come down to my intelligence. This will be a very difficult fight on Saturday."

There were pretenders and over-hypes. Those were fighters that look good in the early going of their careers, because they're well-promoted.

I'm very excited to know that Albert Pagara (26-0, 18 KOs) demanded his handlers to get Cesar Juarez of Mexico in the opposite corner when he climbs back into the ring on 9th July 2016, at the San Mateo Event Center, in San Mateo, California.

Cesar Juarez

Cesar Juarez (17-5, 13 KOs) is a tough opponent who gave Nonito Donaire the fight of his life. Tasted the deck twice in Round 4, he came with all might in the final two rounds of their 12-round title match in December 2015 at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Donaire survived the most dangerous championship round of his career and won a hard-earned decision.

Pagara, 22, facing Juarez next is a real step up in competition. A corrosive acid test of his career.

I really started to feel worried about how Pagara was being matched earlier. I felt that two or three nights ago, he should have fought opponents of the same caliber as Juarez. At this point of his career, he should have stepped up already with regards to the quality of opponents.

Pagara is still young, but another young prospect Mark Magsayo gets past world title challenger Chris Avalos in his 14th pro fight. With 26 fights, Pagara is still not able to face a Chris Avalos caliber fighter.

Now is the time

Enough has been established. Pagara has power in both hands. He can slug it out or box around if he needed to. He has the patience of a veteran and sound offensive/defensive skills. But there were still questions that remain unanswered. How Pagara handles things if he's fighting with adversity? Can he absorb clean shots from a puncher? Can he maintain calmness and composure from the pressure and roughhousing tactics of an opponent?

Facing Juarez, Pagara will be forced to answer these questions outside his home turf. And then, we can find out what are his chances to the elites of the 122-pound division. As a boxing fan, I'm happy for Pagara. I'm excited about this fight!

More and more signs were coming up of a possible Floyd Mayweather Jr's come back in the ring.

During the latest PBC fight card on FOX featuring one of Floyd's fighters, super middleweight titleholder Badou Jack, he hinted of a possible comeback.

"As of right now, some crazy numbers have been thrown my way -- upwards, of course, of nine figures. But I'm truly blessed beyond belief, and I really don't know what we're going to do. But right now, I'm really happy being on this side helping our fighters," Mayweather said.

He admitted that he's been talking to CBS and Showtime. "I've talked to CBS and SHO, sometimes you never know, Mayweather said. This is his first hint on coming back. Here's a clip of that interview, click here.

A couple of interviews earlier, Mayweather maintained that he's happy about being retired. He said that he's earning "6-figure" monthly from his investments.

It was also reported that Mayweather Productions filed for trademarks to "TMT 50" and "TBE 50" on April 21 according to ESPN.com's Darren Rovell. The US Patent and Trademark website confirms the filings.

So it looks like the preparations for his comeback is in place. Expect the official announcement coming soon. But the interesting question is who he will fight? Spence Jr.?... Garcia?... Pacquiao?... Golovkin?