Quote on Antonio Tarver's Power: Former Boxer, Brian Adams on FS1

On FS1, Antonio Tarver recently took apart game heavyweight journeyman Mike Sheppard. Tarver is 45-years-old and looking to make a run for a heavyweight title. He did demonstrate some stopping power against Sheppard, but he also demonstrated excessive weight. He says within a year he'll be able to beat any heavyweight, though right now he's not quite ready to take on the division's kingpin Wladimir Klitschko. What I found most interesting about the broadcast of his match was not Tarver's conditioning or demonstration of stopping power but rather former fighter Brian Adams' comments on Tarver's power.

 
Here was the exchange between fellow commentator Alan Massengale and Adams:

Massengale: 

"Sheppard is the kind of fighter that says "Well, I'm gonna go right at him. What else can I do?" And that presents challenges for Tarver, who's always been a pretty slick fighter, but you need power in this division, just to keep people at bay, at the very least."

Adams:

"Tell you a little story about Antonio Tarver's power. He never appeared to be a one-punch knockout type guy. But I remember in the amateurs, all of the super heavyweight guys, and  heavyweight guys, used to hate sparring with him. Because they all said he punched harder than other heavyweights and other super heavyweights, and he was a light heavyweight in the amateurs."



I don't think Tarver will make much noise at heavyweight, considering his age and the fact that the champion even has two mandatory opponents already lined up in recent upset man Alex Leapai and long-time Ring-ranked Kubrat Pulev. That said, Tarver's notable durability, championship experience, veteran craft and apparently not inconsiderable punching power could certainly see him get a well-regarded heavyweight name win. Personally, I would be very interested in seeing how he matches up with another man trying to make his way in the land of giants after a late move up-Steve Cunningham.




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Josesito Lopez VS Mike Arnaoutis: Mighty Mike Relatively Mighty in Defeat, Yet Again

Yet again, Mike Arnaoutis proves he isn't a shot fighter. Yet again, he's done his underrepresented Greece and himself proud, yet again with a fine account of himself in still another loss. Mike falls to 24-10-2, in one of the most deceptive records among active fighters. He dropped Lopez not only in a surprise knockdown but on a jab, and declares he'd like a rematch afterward. It's a technical decision defeat after a serious cut is opened on a headbutt. Lopez barely scrapes by on points. I think the score could have fairly gone either way. The fight itself was technically interesting, as Arnaoutis showed how decepetive his record is, and how genuinely solid an operator he can be.

His footwork had Lopez overextending himself and off balance for a large portion of the fight, unable to do what he does best. He had massive trouble setting his feet and pinning Mike down. But it looked like Lopez had finally adjusted his game and begun to get momentum on his side when the fight ended. Lopez has luck on his side through a surprisingly tough night and improves his record to 31-6-0. These men are both seemingly sitting in fringe contender territory and unwilling to quit. Mike being the supposedly done (well done) underdog makes him the star of the card, in my book.


Fight notes:

*Aired on FS1 (with commentators Mario Solis and Rich Marotta)
*Lopez claims to be working through injury troubles to his arm and knuckles (?)
*Arnaoutis says he would like a rematch



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Francisco Vargas VS Jerry Belmontes: When Your Slickness is Too Rough

Showing an astounding level of confidence in a very inefficient level of slick-styled defense, Jerry Belmontes, while taking a lot of steam off of a lot of Vargas' punches, still took one heck of a lot of scoring punches, en route to a clear and wide decision defeat. The shoulder roll lost him the fight as much as Vargas' ability won it, in my opinion. This was a strange one.

That's not to say Belmontes doesn't have solid talent, but he should've adjust when he was failing to stop the punches from scoring, despite being able to lessen their affect. That is also not to say that Vargas didn't show anything but Jerry's rough slickness. He had a good instinct for anticipating when Belmontes would dip into a left hook, he didn't get frazzled by fouls, he showed constant focus and the ability to put punches together enough to ruin Belmontes' chances of winning almost any round. But still, I didn't think he looked particularly sharp so much as Belmontes' defensive game failed and held stubbornly consistent in the worst way.


Vargas stays undefeated, and probably a little bit confused by his opponent's game plan. It might be a better fit if Belmontes chooses to put his hands up next time he gets in at this level. Both to block shots and to avoid making his opponents infertile. He landed several low blows. He had one good enough round where I thought he looked a bit like Miguel Vazquez (who is, by the way, still a titlist, still undefeated, and still not fought in 2013) but it was still a lot of confidence for not a lot of substance, in that, the ninth round. It was a bit too little and a bit too late. Francisco Vargas UD10 Jerry Belmontes. He earns the well regarded NABF Super Featherweight title for his fine effort.


Fight notes:
*The fight aired on FS1 (with commentators Mario Solis and Rich Marotta)
*A Golden Boy Promotions card
*Belmontes was cautioned multiple times for low blows and other fouling



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Jermall Charlo VS Joseph De los Santos: Charlo's Jab Unstoppable

Claiming in the lead-up that he really wasn't "impressed or threatened by him at all" and that his training camp was "great"/"the hardest camp I ever had" to Fight Hype, you got pretty much what he seemed to expect against Joseph De los Santos. DLS, a fighter with quite a few notables on his list of opponents, including Glen Tapia and Eddie Gomez (in losses), still comes with a double digit win and loss column and is on the south side of his thirties. It's no wonder Charlo didn't feel threatened, despite the experience quality gap.

He came in and used his significant height advantage and beautiful jab to control his opponent and hammered him with his powerful right hand until he got a stoppage. It was a jabbing clinic for the most part. Body jab? Double jab? Triple jab? Whatever you want. Charlo is a jab artist. Nothing DLS did could stop it from finding the mark. Charlo KO5 De los Santos on one of several massive overhand right deliveries and the last of three knockdowns. Charlo can hit, he has speed, accuracy and patience. I would really like to see what would happen between him and Demetrius Andrade for Boo Boo's title. . .

Notes:

*The fight aired on FS1 (with commentators Mario Solis and Rich Marotta)
*A Golden Boy Promotions card
*The commentators point out that the ref will have to pick up De los Santos' slipping trunks to prevent an X-rated show. Shortly thereafter, referee Raul Caiz Junior obliges.




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JoJo Diaz VS Carlos Rodriguez: JoJo is Too Big, Too Quick, Too Strong, Too Skilled

JoJo Diaz, a pro for less than a year and already finishing his eighth fight tonight was in a showcase match, despite the very best efforts that Carlos Rodriguez could give. The 35-fight veteran Rodriguez gave Diaz good experience rounds and all his best attempts to adjust, but, in short, Rodriguez was outsized, out-skilled, out-sped, out-gunned, and outmatched in every way but that extra pro experienced. Diaz, a sharp boxer puncher, did essentially as he pleased and showed the crowd he was a man to watch. At 21, he's looking as professional, confident and collected as you can possibly expect a prospect to be. A very good show from the southpaw former 2012 Olympian. Diaz TKO 7 Rodriguez. While Diaz did himself every favour with this performance, Rodriguez did himself no disservice. The stoppage call by Raul Caiz Junior was very warranted. Further fight was only further punishment for the game Rodriguez.


Notes:

*The fight aired on FS1 (with commentators Mario Solis and Rich Marotta)
*A Golden Boy Promotions card
*Commentators mention that they thought they overheard talk of Diaz hurting his hand, but it's assumed to be minor if anything.







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Errol Spence Junior VS Pipino Cuevas Junior: A Sickening Stoppage For Spence

Hot and well-supported prospect of the welter and light middleweight divisions and former Olympian, Errol Spence Junior comes on strong in the first round to show once again his body punching ability and earn a stoppage over a sloppy looking Pipino Cuevas Junior. Cuevas offered very little for Spence and looked quite soft at this higher weight. He went into his corner immediately after surviving a knockdown and it was reported on camera while he sat on his stool that "He's gettin' ready to throw up" and referee Pat Russell, in his infinite wisdom, decided that was absolutely not made for TV. I'm glad we didn't see that, but it was good to see Spence back in the ring. He's promising. Spence TKO1 Cuevas, it's listed. It might be changed to an RTD2.

Notes:

*A Golden Boy Promotions card
*Aired on FS1 (with commentators Mario Solis and Rich Marotta)


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