Philippines, 17 Apr 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


DE LA VEGA: THE COTTO-KAMEGAI FIGHT ? A POST SCRIPT AND PHOTOS


PhilBoxing.com




Although prize fighting is a vicious contact sport, in my very short exposure to the so-called ?sweet science?, I was always made to believe that the object in the end is for one fighter to win the match without unnecessarily exposing both fighters to injuries.

The key word here is ?unnecessarily?.

There are times however when we have seen bouts that for some reason or another were allowed to finish to the end of the scheduled rounds even when one fighter has no chance in hell to score a win even by a chance knockout of his opponent.

When I see such bouts my medical background takes the better in me because I know concussions can happen during the bout with results manifested either during the bout, shortly thereafter or even after several years. There is no point in allowing a fight to continue beyond a certain point when it is obvious that the losing fighter will only be unnecessarily exposed to injuries. I need not point out Ali and Roach who we know have suffered or are suffering from medical afflictions secondary to concussions to stress this point.

Folks directly involved during bouts should therefore be constantly reminded of these.

Perhaps, our referees should have more frequent required continuing education seminars to keep them focused on the fact that their actions on the ring dictates the future of the fighters. And, aspiring referees should pass a both a written and a practical test before being allowed to manage a fight.

We should also upgrade licensing procedures for boxing trainers, and the cornermen that works with the fighters during a bout. As it is now, anyone who can pay the fee is given a license to work the corners without the Commission's (at least in California and Nevada) determining the capabilities of these people to get their job done right. That rule needs to be changed!

It would not hurt if cornermen are required to pass a simple exams to determine their capabilities to recognize at what particular point and time they must act to stop a fight for the good of their fighter. A lesson on infection control will not hurt either, particularly to the so called ?cut-men?.





Case in point: The Cotto-Kamegai Fight

It was clear that after the sixth round, Yoshihiro Kamegai didn?t have even an iota of a chance to beat Cotto. While it is true that he never stopped charging towards Cotto, his punches carried nothing that Cotto could not handle. In the few instances when he landed a clean punch, Cotto did not even blink an eye.

On the other hand, every time Cotto connects solidly, Kamegai?s head snaps backwards or sideways. Such sudden movement from impact of such punches rattles the brain inside the skull that surrounds it causing injuries.

From the point of view of all the auxiliary media people up at the press box covering the fight, the fight should have been stopped right around round 8 when Cotto can almost hit Kamegai at will without getting hit in return.

It was amazing to watch referee Dr. Lou Moret seemed to appear unconcerned about the uneven fight happening before his eyes. From our perspective, and we hope we are wrong, Moret unnecessarily allowed a fight to continue even perhaps knowing that it's one-sided and Kamegai had no chance to win the fight.





Fighting back by throwing punches should not be the only criteria to determine if a fighter still has a chance to win, particularly when the punches no longer have power behind them.

We only hope Moret?s actions or rather; non-action will not contribute later down the line to health issues for Kamegai.

The cornermen of Kamegai should also be put on notice. We recognized their wish for their fighter to win but there are times when the safety of the fighter comes first. In this case, we felt the cornermen were hoping against all hopes that Kamegai may land a clean punch and KO Cotto. They could not be any more wrong. Their fighter was clearly overmatched and has no chance to win the fight.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Beltran faces Crenz in WBC Grand Prix
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 17 Apr 2025
  • Into to fight Jones in WBC Grand Prix
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 17 Apr 2025
  • USA Boxing International Concludes Day Two Competition
    , Thu, 17 Apr 2025
  • Little Pancho: A Filipino Fighter in the Ring, an American Soldier to the End
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Thu, 17 Apr 2025
  • Beltran ready to fight in WBC Grand Prix
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 17 Apr 2025
  • Arca stuns English GM, maintains share of top spot in Bangkok Chess Open
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 17 Apr 2025
  • Melvin’s target is Collazo
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 17 Apr 2025
  • Piala fights Choki in WBC Grand Prix
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 17 Apr 2025
  • There will be NO DRAWS at the World Boxing Council Grand Prix in Riyadh
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 17 Apr 2025
  • WBC Boxing Grand Prix set April 17-20
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 17 Apr 2025
  • ROY JONES JR BOXING PRESENTS “FIGHT NIGHT AT THE GILLESPIE” DOWNTOWN LOUISVILLE, KY SATURDAY, APRIL 19
    , Thu, 17 Apr 2025
  • Day One of the 2025 USA Boxing International Open Concludes
    , Thu, 17 Apr 2025
  • LA28 Celebrates Updated Olympic Venue Plan Showcasing the Best of Los Angeles on the World Stage
    , Thu, 17 Apr 2025
  • Memo in Navarrete’s camp
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 16 Apr 2025
  • Dubs Hold Off Grizzlies, 121-116 to Clinch #7 Playoff Spot in the West
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 16 Apr 2025
  • PH Teen Arca Upsets Super GM Gustafsson
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 16 Apr 2025
  • SMITH: I'LL PROVE WHY I'M MANDATORY FOR THE WBC WORLD TITLE
    , Wed, 16 Apr 2025
  • UNDEFEATED STANFORD SENIOR DANTE “THE INFERNO” KIRKMAN RETURNS MAY 24 IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
    , Wed, 16 Apr 2025
  • The Past Week in Action 14 April 2025: Ennis Retires Stanionis in 6, Unifies IBF/WBA Welter Titles; Spencer Defeats Suarez; Pro Boxing Returns in Cuba; Astrolabio, Nietes Win in Manila
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 15 Apr 2025
  • What Happened to the Goodman Fight? Inoue on Replacement, Mismatch Spree
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 15 Apr 2025
  • Ambuang wins 1799 Below FIDE Tournament in Tangub City
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 15 Apr 2025
  • FUNDORA VS. BADILLO UNDERCARD TO BE STACKED WITH GOLDEN BOY’S FUTURE STARS
    , Tue, 15 Apr 2025
  • NM Nika Juris Nicolas finishes fourth in Cincinnati Chess Open
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 15 Apr 2025
  • May 10: Andres Cortes-Salvador Jimenez Junior Lightweight Showdown Featured on Navarrete-Suarez Undercard at Pechanga Arena San Diego LIVE on ESPN+
    , Tue, 15 Apr 2025
  • BOOTS AND HEARN TELL WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONS – DARE TO BE GREAT!
    , Tue, 15 Apr 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.