Last Saturday in Primm, Nevada, HBO introduced three undefeated contenders on Boxing After Dark, and by night’s end the trio had proven that young prospects, matched tough, could quite conceivably create a more entertaining evening than a star champion paired with a relative cupcake. The concept of a tripleheader of tough, hungry, young fighters in fights that aren’t slam dunk victories is a natural for BAD, and more of the same is encouraged here for future viewing.
There’s a certain amount of drama set in place to see if the phenoms can rise to the occasion, if they really have the goods, and will they prove worthy of another look or fizzle out like a wet firecracker when performing under the bright lights of HBO.
“Night of the Rising Stars,” as the promotion was dubbed, was promoted by Gary Shaw Productions and Arena Box Promotions. Shaw is the same guy who created ShoBox for Showtime, so he knows a little bit about the concept of featuring prospects. You have to give him some credit; he’s written off as dead at least twice a year yet continues to reload and flourish. It seems as if every time someone calls him a jerk he signs another blue chipper.
Shaw’s stable includes titlists Antonio Tarver, Chad Dawson, Vernon Forrest, Timothy Bradley, Nonito Donaire, along with former champions Rafael Marquez and Vic Darchinyan, and a host of others, including “Rising Stars” James Kirkland, Alfredo Angulo, and Yuriorkis Gamboa from Saturday night. He’s also the president of EliteXC MMA, which premieres on May 31 on CBS, a major network coup that boxing could use.
The southpaw Kirkland, 22-0 (19), opened the show, much to his chagrin as we wrote last week. Highly motivated to prove that he was a headliner, Kirkland demolished Eromosele Albert, 21-2 (10), in 66 seconds flat in the first round. Albert had been on a three year, 11 fight winning streak, and was thought before the fight to have a solid chance.
But Kirkland came out roaring, dropping Albert twice, first with a right to the left temple, and then with a left uppercut before referee Joe Cortez stopped the carnage. Albert, who only landed three punches in the fight, had the “Where am I, Who am I” look on his face as his seconds tended to him in the corner and also suffered a cut to his forehead.
Fortunately for Albert, Kirkland only connected with 10 shots, all power punches.
Kirkland won the vacant NABO 154 pound title with his blowout victory, one of three meaningless trinkets handed out on the night. Where do they come up with all of these titles?
But mainly, James served notice that he is a main event fighter. It was a sizzling performance for the 66 seconds that it lasted, and you just can’t help but want to see him again soon against a top contender. He started the night off on the right foot, and more than earned an opportunity to make a bigger payday next time.
One of the fighters that Kirkland wants most to fight is stablemate Alfredo Angulo, 13-0 (10), the 2004 Olympian from Mexico. Kirkland told us in an interview last week that he has been asking for a shot at “Dog Chain,” as he calls Angulo, known as “El Perro,” or “dog” in Mexican.
That’s an idea that I can certainly support, but I have a feeling that demand for the fight will grow over time because it will potentially be a big one. So we might have to wait while it blossoms.
Angulo, a right handed puncher, methodically broke down the formidable Richar Gutierrez, 24-2 (14), before referee Tony Weeks stopped it at 2:48 of round five, giving Angulo the vacant WBO Intercontinental junior middleweight title.
Previously, Richar’s lone loss was to Joshua Clottey by majority decision.
Both fighters started fast with good toe to toe action, much of it fought in close. (HBO expert analyst Lennox Lewis said that Angulo liked the “middle of the phone box.”)
Angulo received a cut on the right side of his head in round two. By round four, “Perro” was killing the body, punching in volume and Gutierrez was noticeably tiring.
In round five, Gutierrez made one last charge with a left hook that sent Angulo reeling into the ropes. Richar closed for the kill but got caught with a right that shook him and Angulo opened up a relentless barrage of power punches that had Gutierrez helpless. Though Gutierrez showed a good beard and refused to fall from the onslaught, referee Tony Weeks stepped in and stopped it at 2:48 of round five.
It was not a premature stoppage and no one had reason to complain.
According to Compubox, Angulo was 167 of 585 total punches in less than five rounds of fighting. 129 of 412 of those were power punches. Gutierrez showed heart and grit but was held to 83 of 323 total shots and 56 of 196 power punches.
In the main event, 2004 Cuban Olympic Gold Medalist Yuriorkis Gamboa, a very highly touted super featherweight with 450 amateur fights and a 10-0 (8) pro record, won the vacant WBC International super featherweight title over the dangerous and determined Darling Jimenez, 23-3-2 (14). I was present when Jimenez knocked Mike Anchondo cold in April 2007, so I can personally attest to his punching power.
But that was Darling’s last fight, and only combat since August 2006. And when you’re fighting someone with the athleticism and elusiveness of a Gamboa, (or Gamboga as Lennox said in pre fight chat), you have to bring your “A” game.
Gamboa entered the ring wearing trunks with advertising for Padrone Cigars, a nice touch, and he was lightning fast from the opening bell. Jimenez was already swelling under the left eye after the first round, and developed more welts on his face as the fight went on. By the seventh round, both eyes were swollen.
But, as mentioned Jimenez is dangerous and in the fourth round Gamboa was decked by a right hand. Gamboa, despite his blazing hand and foot speed, was caught yet again in round eight and was wobbled.
But by that time Jimenez was beginning to look like Ashley Wilkes trudging home to Tara, and his follow up was feeble. Still, the fact remains that despite all of the body movement, speed, and natural ability, Gamboa still needs a lot of work.
He likes to throw eye blurring combinations, then stops and stands to admire his work. He keeps his hands down and at 5’5” the law of averages catches up to him when an opponent keeps punching and he leave his chin raised for a target.
Gamboa was the most ballyhooed in the Night of the Rising Stars, but he appeared to have the furthest climb to the top in an often amateurish performance. Still it was exciting, and I’m sure fans will be looking forward to seeing him again, and checking his development.
Gamboa easily won the unanimous decision, 97-92 (twice) and 99-91.
You had the feeling that Gamboa, who outlanded Jimenez 232 to 98, could and should have finished his opponent and simply wouldn’t because he was having too much fun in his debut.