It?s a rare commodity that a boxing match labeled as a possible Fight of the Year actually lives up to its expectation. For months, boxing pundits and pugs alike had been proclaiming Brandon Rios? 140-pound challenge of Mike Alvarado as a lock to capture FOTY honors up the conclusion of 2012. To many this bout had Gatti-Ward I written all over it due to both men?s tendency to hit and be hit. However, in the final hours before the bout, I threw another classic battle into the mix by comparison and that was Gatti-Ruelas, a shorter battle involving a bit more technical savvy, but replete with barbaric aggression. I think my comparison was the closer of the two since the favored fighter, Rios, fell behind early to the smarter boxing of Alvarado, who set-up his power-shots with an educated jab or at least one that finished high school and enrolled for courses at a community college. However, the insurmountable will of the favorite would not be denied and his own power-shots broke through to save a fight that was seemingly slipping away from him. Now, this is where I hope the comparison ends and the Gatti-Ward similarities prevail. You see, Gatti and Ruelas only fought once. Brandon Rios and Mike Alvarado have lots to still give to the sport and it would be a shame to deny fans a bout they truly want in favor of something less meaningful with a trinket attached to it. As Rios and Alvarado move on with their careers let?s hope they are on the move together.
On Saturday, October 13, at Home Depot Center, Carson City, California, USA: Brandon Rios scored a sensational seventh round TKO of Mike Alvarado in a light welterweight bout. Alvarado jumped to an early lead, but Rios turned the tide of the contest within the confines of a single round. The bout ended at 1:57 of the round with Alvarado rocked, but still on his feet. Rios enhanced his dossier to 31-0-1 (23). Alvarado dipped to 33-1 (23).
Rios climbed from sixth to fifth in the SecondsOut 140-pound rankings. Josesito Lopez was pushed from fifth to sixth. Alvarado, in spite of losing, held his number seven ranking.
In the main event of the same card, Nonito Donaire remained masterful with a ninth round TKO of Toshiaki Nishioka in a WBO super bantamweight title bout. Donaire controlled every second of the bout with smart boxing, but was able to hurt Nishioka each time he opened his own offensive attack. Nishioka was felled in the sixth by an uppercut and the ninth round by a straight right hand counter. Nishioka?s corner saved him upon regaining his footing at the 1:54 mark. Donaire raised his record to 30-1 (19). Nishioka fell to 39-5-3 (24).
Donaire affirmed his number one ranking among SecondsOut?s top performing super bantamweights. Nishioka fell from second to fourth due to the loss and a prolonged inactivity reaching one year prior to the bout. Abner Mares and Guillermo Rigondeaux rose to second and third respectively.
Also on this date, at Galich Hall, Krasnodar, Russia, Alisher Rahimov got back into the win column with a lopsided decision over Yauheni Kruhlik. Kruhlik was twice penalized for holding in round six. Rahimov upped his record to 24-1 (12). Kruhlik fell to 10-17-3 (2).
Rahimov held his number nine ranking among SecondsOut?s top lightweights.
Also on the move, Kazuto Ioka has moved up to the 108-pound division and will no longer be the top-rated strawweight. Ioka emerged as the number five contender at junior flyweight. Raul Garcia exited the 108-rankings for the time being. The previously ranked two through ten 105-pounders advanced one ranking, making Denver Cuello the top dog. Jesus Silvestre climbed aboard at ten.
Also on the move to bigger and better things, Tomonobu Shimizu has retired from the sport and will no longer be ranked at super flyweight. The seven through ten ranked fighters all elevated one ranking. Carlos Cuadras climbed into the top ten to fill the void.
Also on the move back to super middleweight is Mikkel Kessler, who briefly campaigned at 175. Kessler returned to the number two spot, dropping Carl Froch and Andre Dirrell one spot. Also of note, Lucian Bute was pulled from the 168 ranks to campaign at 175 pounds. Bute claimed Kessler?s sixth place ranking at light heavyweight thus completing an even trade between the divisions.
Also on the move out of the rankings is Antonio Tarver after his appeal was denied for testing positive for banned substances. He was issued a one-year suspension. Guillermo Jones and Mateusz Masternak each climbed one ranking. Lateef Kayode once again climbed back into the top ten.
SecondsOut ranked fighters in action through Sunday, October 21:
On Wednesday, October 17:
At Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal, Argentina: Omar Andres Narvaez versus Johnny Garcia in a twelve round WBO super flyweight title bout
On Saturday, October 20:
At SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines: AJ Banal versus Pungluang Sor Singyu
At Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield, Yorkshire, United Kingdom: Kell Brook versus Hector David Saldivia in a 12 round welterweight bout
At Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA: Danny Garcia versus Erik Morales II in a 12 round WBA/WBC super lightweight title bout; Paulie Malignaggi versus Pablo Cesar Cano in a 12 round WBA welterweight title bout; Randall Bailey versus Devon Alexander in a 12 round IBF welterweight title bout; Peter Quillin versus Hassan N?Dam N?Jikam in a 12 round middleweight bout
To check out Derek?s SecondsOut rankings click on the link below http://www.digenie.net/sorankings/p_so_world.asp
For further boxing discussion, contact Derek DBO Bonnett on Facebook or at [email protected].
