No Ring. No Ropes. More Knockouts.
That’s the first thing you see when you log on to the BKB (Big Knockout Boxing) official site. Operating off of the premise that no one really wants to hear some announcer tell us what judges think after scribbling scores on their notepads, “BKB” aims to give traditional fans of boxing what we want.
Let’s be honest: we want somebody to get KTFO.
Tonight at 10PM ET [ 7PM PT], Philadelphia’s gritty BKB middleweight champion Gabriel Rosado will defend his belt against the grimy Brooklyn product Curtis Stevens. If you’re a major boxing fan, you probably know who Rosado and Stevens are, courtesy of wars with the iron-fisted middleweight boss Gennady “GGG” Golovkin.
Both as tough as the cities they hail from, Stevens and Rosado are simply made for the flying saucer under neon lights. Featuring dimensions roughly half the size of a traditional boxing ring (and without the benefits of ropes or corners), you won’t go very far if you’re looking for ways to get out of a fight and run. In speaking to both fighters over the phone in private conversations prior to tonight’s showdown, neither man expressed in apprehension to put it mildly.
“Man listen, I’m going in there to blow this f*cking guy out,” roared Stevens when asked how he sees things going. “He (Rosado) don’t even understand the type of ass-whooping headed his way. We had a great camp, I know what he’s all about, and he’s getting KTFO. Bottom-line. I want Golovkin again… BKB is cool, but I’m not done with boxing.”
Oh.
Steven’s renewed confidence could come as a result of the addition of the all-time great and former world champion Shane Mosley, said to have restored Steven’s aggressive mentality and commitment to the KO. Stevens, who looked tentative in a pedestrian effort against Hassan N’Dam on the heels of being bludgeoned by Golovkin, was successful when coming forward behind his powerful left hook.
In reaching Rosado a little later, he presented a total contrast to Stevens’ animated tone. Relaxed and sounding very poised in disposition, Rosado dismissed the brash Stevens as “all talk”, while looking to capitalize off his title winning effort against Brian Vera. Despite losing his last 5 boxing matches, they were all high-profile losses to some degree where he left it all in the ring. He see’s Stevens as a stepping stone and plans on making him kick rocks once things get under way.
“He’s short as f*ck and he’s not the better boxer. How’s he gonna stop me? He’s in love with his left hook and loads it up– the guy is obvious,” revealed Rosado. “All Mosley’s going to do is watch him get knocked out. He’s nothing. I’m looking to position myself for a traditional title shot by the end of the year. If BKB wants me back- I’m all for it.”
Rosada vs. Stevens
More than likely, they will want him back, because he’ll likely still be the BKB middleweight champion after tonight. Stevens is basically a one-trick pony, and won’t fair well against the more nuanced and polished attack of Rosado in BKB’s phone booth format without walls. Look for Rosado to use his height, reach and overall skills advantage to strike Stevens at will and stop him in 5 brutal rounds. Order the damn fight.
