Sometimes fights are decided merely on the tactics of the two men. A perfect game plan can, at times, neutralise a slight disadvantage in terms of skills. Unfortunately sometimes a bout isn't decided by a game plan but merely the natural traits of one man over another. We saw just that as WBA Welterweight "interim" champion Keith Thurman (22-0-0-1, 20) used his significantly better speed and movement to dominate the much slower, but game, Jesus Soto Karass (28-9-3, 18)
The fight started pretty well for Soto Karass who tagged Thurman in the first 20 seconds and seemed to rock Thurman. From then on though Thurman took over the bout and Soto Karass genuinely struggled just to land. Unfortunately Soto Karass was made to look 3rd rate as Thurman boxed rings around him, literally. Thurman boxed on the move landing any shot he wanted, upstairs or downstairs.
From rounds 2 through 6 it was all Thurman with Soto Karass landing very little in return. So dominant was the work of Thurman that he was really messing up the face of Soto Karass whilst looking completely untouched himself. In all honesty it seemed for vast parts of the fight that Thurman was untouched.
Not only had Thurman been racking up the rounds but he had also scored a hard knockdown 5. It appeared that Soto Karass was going to inevitably be stopped, especially if Thurman was going to keep unloading as he had been early on in the fight.
It wasn't until round 7 that Soto Karass managed to get any real success. This came one of the few times Thurman held his feet and got trapped on the ropes. Unfortunately for Soto Karass it was too little to win the round but it was finally some success for the Mexican who seemed to know that this was a 12 round fight.
Unfortunately for Soto Karass the bout didn't get to go 12 rounds and in round 9 Thurman exploded hurting Soto Karass who was effectively caught by the referee as the Mexican was finally stopped almost out of nowhere. It took just 1 big combination from Thurman to finish it but it had been a combination that he had struggled to land despite a dominant performance.
For Thurman this was a perfect bout. He had his stamina tested, his heart tested and then showed the finishing instincts that could help make him a star. Sure Soto Karass was made to order due to his lack of speed but this still a show case performance against a deserving challenger.
Showing posts with label WBA interim Welterweight. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WBA interim Welterweight. Show all posts
Saturday, 14 December 2013
Saturday, 27 July 2013
Diego Gabriel Chaves v Keith Thurman
Unbeaten American Keith Thurman (21-0-0-1, 19) successfully claimed the WBA interim Welterweight by scoring his biggest win so far, stopping Argentinian Diego Gabriel Chaves (22-1, 18).
The fight started in exciting fashion as both men traded shots with the fight starting in the fashion many expected. The fireworks, whilst not relentless where certainly exciting and seemed to suggest there was no way that the judges would be needed.
The same exciting action continued through the first 4 rounds with Thurman gradually growing into the bout and getting more success. Originally he looked to be getting tagged a fair bit more than he'd have liked and his nose was actually bloodied at the end of round 3 though in round 4 he certainly took the round, arguably his first.
After an excellent round 5 that was brilliant to watch with both men landing huge head shots from both the bout suddenly took a major turn as both men started to box. The trading had taken a break as jabs became the order of the day with both men seemingly becoming aware of the other mans power. This tactical battle seemed to suit Thurman who was longer and faster than Chaves and was getting his jab off and moving well.
The boxing continued for a few rounds as Thurman started to take control of the bout slightly with his boxing and although the men started to trade up a big more in rounds 7 and 8 it seemed neither man could really take control of the trade sequences. It appeared every time one man had success the other would come back and land their own 2 or 3 punch combination.
In round 9 the bout took a huge turn with Thurman landing a lovely body shut that sent Chaves down. Although Chaves regained his feet and saw out the round it was obvious the body shot had left lingering effects and Thurman immediately went on the assault at the start of the tenth before sending Chaves down again and forcing a 10th round stoppage.
With Thurman now the interim champion and Broner the "regular" WBA champion a bout between them two would seeming to be the logical one.
The fight started in exciting fashion as both men traded shots with the fight starting in the fashion many expected. The fireworks, whilst not relentless where certainly exciting and seemed to suggest there was no way that the judges would be needed.
The same exciting action continued through the first 4 rounds with Thurman gradually growing into the bout and getting more success. Originally he looked to be getting tagged a fair bit more than he'd have liked and his nose was actually bloodied at the end of round 3 though in round 4 he certainly took the round, arguably his first.
After an excellent round 5 that was brilliant to watch with both men landing huge head shots from both the bout suddenly took a major turn as both men started to box. The trading had taken a break as jabs became the order of the day with both men seemingly becoming aware of the other mans power. This tactical battle seemed to suit Thurman who was longer and faster than Chaves and was getting his jab off and moving well.
The boxing continued for a few rounds as Thurman started to take control of the bout slightly with his boxing and although the men started to trade up a big more in rounds 7 and 8 it seemed neither man could really take control of the trade sequences. It appeared every time one man had success the other would come back and land their own 2 or 3 punch combination.
In round 9 the bout took a huge turn with Thurman landing a lovely body shut that sent Chaves down. Although Chaves regained his feet and saw out the round it was obvious the body shot had left lingering effects and Thurman immediately went on the assault at the start of the tenth before sending Chaves down again and forcing a 10th round stoppage.
With Thurman now the interim champion and Broner the "regular" WBA champion a bout between them two would seeming to be the logical one.
Tuesday, 25 September 2012
Diego Gabriel Chavez v Jose Miranda
Argentinian Diego Gabriel Chaves (22-0, 18) successfully made the first defense of his WBA "interim" Welterweight title as he swiftly and easily dispatched of over-matched Panamanian Jose Miranda (12-12-3, 8).
The match, a mismatch from the day it was signed really was just a pointless defense for Chaves who had all the advantages-speed, power, skills and size and it showed from the off. Miranda started badly looking totally outclassed as Chaves looked to land hard shots one after the other and actually wobbled Miranda late in the round.
Chaves' power showed early in the second round as he dropped Miranda hard. Whilst the Panamanian recovered to his feet after the knock down he never really recovered and Chaves went in for the finish forcing referee Roberto Ramirez Sr. to step and in finish the bout with Miranda defenseless on the ropes.
Despite the fact I like Chaves I really don't like matches like this and hopefully the Argentinian will be looking for a tougher bout next as this really was a mismatch to be ashamed of. With genuine power and a fun to watch style Chaves has the potential to make his name in the US, following in the footsteps of contemporaries Lucas Matthysse and Marcos Maidana, in fact a Chaves v Maidana fight may well be a bout that fight fans would view as a treat. For now however Chaves will still be celebrating his first title defense.
The match, a mismatch from the day it was signed really was just a pointless defense for Chaves who had all the advantages-speed, power, skills and size and it showed from the off. Miranda started badly looking totally outclassed as Chaves looked to land hard shots one after the other and actually wobbled Miranda late in the round.
Chaves' power showed early in the second round as he dropped Miranda hard. Whilst the Panamanian recovered to his feet after the knock down he never really recovered and Chaves went in for the finish forcing referee Roberto Ramirez Sr. to step and in finish the bout with Miranda defenseless on the ropes.
Despite the fact I like Chaves I really don't like matches like this and hopefully the Argentinian will be looking for a tougher bout next as this really was a mismatch to be ashamed of. With genuine power and a fun to watch style Chaves has the potential to make his name in the US, following in the footsteps of contemporaries Lucas Matthysse and Marcos Maidana, in fact a Chaves v Maidana fight may well be a bout that fight fans would view as a treat. For now however Chaves will still be celebrating his first title defense.
Monday, 23 July 2012
Diego Gabriel Chaves v Ismael El Massoudi
Back in April popular American Paulie Malignaggi went to the Ukraine and scored an upset win by stopping the previously unbeaten Vyacheslav Senchenko to claim the WBA Welterweight title. What many boxing fans (even the hardcore fans) may not have known was that the WBA also had an interim champion at Welterweight, the little known Ismael El Massoudi (36-4, 16). Massoudi had claimed his "title" back in July 2011 by beating French Souleymane M'baye via 12th round TKO when M'baye injured his knee with less than a minute of the bout remaining but hadn't fought since.
Over a year after winning the title El Massoudi went to Argentina and attempted to defend his title for the first time against the fearsome punching Argentinian Diego Gabriel Chaves (21-0, 17). Whilst Chaves hadn't mixed in world level company he was seen as one of Argentina's most promising young stars and had been dubbed "La Joya" (The Jewel).
The unbeaten Argentinian set off from the first bell with nasty intent and banged away at El Massoudi straight from the off intent to make a statement. Whilst the defending champion saw out the first round he had already felt the power of the young and hungry challenger who went straight back to work in the second round. Early in the second round El Massoudi was dropped for the first time and Chaves flirted with a point deduction, or even disqualification for landing a punch on his downed opponent. Although El Massoudi did manage to recover to his feet the damage was already done and it wasn't long until Chaves scored one of the outstanding KO's of the year with a beautiful straight right hand down the pipe.
At just 26 years old Chaves has just thrown his hat into the Welterweight division with a statement that perhaps should have others, such as Kell Brook at least a little bit worried.
Over a year after winning the title El Massoudi went to Argentina and attempted to defend his title for the first time against the fearsome punching Argentinian Diego Gabriel Chaves (21-0, 17). Whilst Chaves hadn't mixed in world level company he was seen as one of Argentina's most promising young stars and had been dubbed "La Joya" (The Jewel).
The unbeaten Argentinian set off from the first bell with nasty intent and banged away at El Massoudi straight from the off intent to make a statement. Whilst the defending champion saw out the first round he had already felt the power of the young and hungry challenger who went straight back to work in the second round. Early in the second round El Massoudi was dropped for the first time and Chaves flirted with a point deduction, or even disqualification for landing a punch on his downed opponent. Although El Massoudi did manage to recover to his feet the damage was already done and it wasn't long until Chaves scored one of the outstanding KO's of the year with a beautiful straight right hand down the pipe.
At just 26 years old Chaves has just thrown his hat into the Welterweight division with a statement that perhaps should have others, such as Kell Brook at least a little bit worried.
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