NOTES FROM THE BOXING UNDERGROUND: ODDS AND ENDS

Right here’s a little bit bit from right here and there in our delightfully despicable world of boxing:

– So, final week, Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) revealed their March 30 debut PPV present on Amazon Prime. Predictably, a phase of boxing fandom tinkled their panties with sanctimonious rage– as they’d’ve executed it doesn’t matter what fights had been announced– and one other phase of fandom let free with a “that is superior”– as they’d’ve executed it doesn’t matter what fights had been introduced.

Actually, folks, this us vs. them shit is getting so previous. Benefit from the fights– or don’t benefit from the fights– however preserve your damage emotions and weirdo prejudices out of the general public discourse. 

For the report, I’m largely pointing the finger on the proper wing tradition warrior component within the media. Those that began having tantrums when live performance promoter Al Haymon had the nerve to return into “their” enterprise, tweaking the enterprise mannequin in a means that was not-so-beneficial to their beloved (and not-so-secret benefactor) promoters. I’ll level one other finger on the followers who swallowed what these media pantsloads had been promoting. And, then, I’ll level a 3rd finger on the blind PBC followers who got here into existence because the equal and reverse response to the anti-PBC lynch mob. Truthfully, although, I’d like to provide a MIDDLE finger to all of them.

I’ve gone into the “why they hate PBC” evaluation a number of occasions earlier than and I don’t care to revisit all that right here, however suffice it to say that there’s a weird mixture of defending enterprise pursuits and race/class/tradition bias behind the angst. 

Regardless of the case, transfer on folks. 

I’m not going to lie, I’ll in all probability nonetheless be poking enjoyable on the partisan silliness and having extra enjoyable doing so on the expense of the indignant white guys. However I do want boxing was nonetheless about boxing. 

– As for the March 30 PBC PPV card? Right here it’s: Tim Tszyu vs. Keith Thurman, Rolly Romero vs. Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz, Erislandy Lara vs. Michael Zerafa, and Sebastian Fundora vs. Serhii Bohachuk.

It’s a strong card, though the Tszyu-Thurman essential occasion struck folks as considerably random (till you understand that Tszyu is aiming for a protracted, profitable stab at stardom within the US and Thurman represents the largest out there identify to assist bounce begin that push).

As I’ve mentioned many, many occasions earlier than, I’m not a fan of paywalls and I believe passing the hat for all the pieces “good” is buying and selling long-term well being for marginal short-term acquire. However the “This present is just not PPV-worthy” laments earlier than every pay-per-view nowadays in all probability prime my brief record of issues I completely don’t care to fucking hear, ever. 

For those who don’t just like the pay-per-view, don’t purchase it. Drawback solved. When McDonald’s raises the value of the Massive Mac, I don’t really feel the necessity to bounce on social media and bitch about whether or not the 50 cents additional now makes me need extra particular sauce and an additional pickle slice. I simply both purchase the burger or not.

Truthfully, in all probability three-quarters of those persistent complainers had been going to steal the combat through unlawful stream anyway. 

– The most important in-ring story this weekend was Jaime Munguia vs. John Ryder at Footprint Area in Phoenix. Given every fighters’ strengths and weaknesses, this was certain to be an entertaining scrap and it didn’t disappoint. Munguia would drop the UK native 4 occasions and drive a nook stoppage within the ninth spherical of a fascinating combat that delivered on the predictable final result. With out Ryder having the type of pop wanted to maintain the Mexican respectful and a half-step gun shy, it was going to be powerful for him to have any form of sustained success. So, from the second the bout was signed, the story was all the time going to be how Munguia would beat Ryder and, nicely, he obtained that victory in the very best means.

Working beneath Freddie Roach, Munguia did present enhancements in approach, particularly in using his jab to better profit. However his sharpness on this bout is a testomony to the significance of top-notch sparring in a world class environment (at Roach’s Wild Card health club), one thing that issues much more than many acknowledge. It additionally helps when your opponent is tailored to be crushed to a pulp. 

By the way in which, Munguia nonetheless has hiccups in his recreation and, defensively, may be very susceptible. Ryder tagged him with some massive, flush photographs on Saturday and if he had any actual energy, there may’ve been a special story advised that night time. 

– Naoya Inoue vs. Luis Nery, Might 6? Mexico’s Nery obtained a lifetime ban from the Japanese Boxing Fee again in 2018 for lacking the bantamweight restrict by three kilos in a 118 lb. world title rematch with Shinsuke Yamanaka and “severely impairing social credibility” of the game for his actions. Nery additionally had a doping violation that didn’t assist his case with the Japanese. However none of that can matter. There’ll be massive cash in watching Inoue flip Nery right into a human plate of huevos rancheros and greater than a tinge of vengeance within the association. And, yeah, Inoue will brutalize Nery.

– Talking of sanctioned homicide, William Zepeda might be dealing with Maxi Hughes on March 16 in a WBA and IBF light-weight title eliminator. That is going to be ugly. Critically. I imply, “thug beats up previous girl on safety cam” ugly. It’s going to make folks surprise how some fighters get into spots to qualify for world title eliminators. Simply kidding. Boxing folks usually don’t surprise an excessive amount of. 

Received one thing for Magno? Ship it right here: paulmagno@theboxingtribune.com