HBO: Miguel Ángel Cotto vs. Sadam Ali & Rey Vargas vs. Oscar Negrete RBR.

Those cuts are pretty gnarly, by laymen standards. For a boxer, hardly the worst I've ever seen. Would be surprised if they had elected to stop the fight because of them. Now, if Negrete had been able to get enough leather on Vargas consistently enough to open them up, different story...but he was facing too many disadvantages to do so. Too short, too slow, too much of a gulf in skill. Not for wont of heart, though, for sure.

 

Vargas kind of a ***** there after the bell. Show some respect man.

 

The way Kellerman described Vargas' style just now (saying that he looks equally hittable no matter the level of competition he's facing, because he is most comfortable in the sort of fight that involves both men getting hit a good deal, while hoping that his physical advantages in height/reach/stamina/chin will carry the day) reminds me that I used to describe him when he was an obscure prospect as the second coming of Leo Santa Cruz.

 

The way Kellerman described Vargas' style just now (saying that he looks equally hittable no matter the level of competition he's facing, because he is most comfortable in the sort of fight that involves both men getting hit a good deal, while hoping that his physical advantages in height/reach/stamina/chin will carry the day) reminds me that I used to describe him when he was an obscure prospect as the second coming of Leo Santa Cruz.

 

Lederman has it a shutout.

 

Official cards:

Kevin Morgan 119-109
Carlos Ortiz 119-109
Alan Rubenstein 120-108

UD for Rey Vargas

 

Yeah, the big flaw for Vargas is that he leaves his chin sitting out there way too often. He can be hit for sure.

I'd like to see Negrete at his real weight class again and see if he learned some things from this fight. Ton of heart.

 

Easy work for Rey. Shame about the cuts.

 

That was the second zero snatched by Vargas in this calendar year, and third in his career. (he beat 16-0-2 Gavin McDonnell via MD in February to capture the belt he defended tonight; and in 2010 in his fourth pro bout knocked out 2-0 Jose Luis Medellin)

 

Yeah, same with Santa Cruz he depends on his punch resistance a bit too much and hopes to wear opponents down and win a war of attrition just because he can throw a lot without gassing and is moderately heavy-handed. Neither of them would ever be accused of being overly burdened with hand speed, nor defensive instincts (nor one punch KO power)

 

Vargas UD12 Negrete was no way to warm up a crowd at MSG for a big event. WTF exactly was ODLH thinking???

 

Miguel Ángel Cotto vs. Sadam Ali, 12 rounds @ light middleweight

 

Born & raised in Brooklyn and fought a third of his career in the empire state (half if you broaden the Metropolitan area to include Jersey); still getting booed in the Garden, damn. Poor Sadam.

 

Sweet! Just in time. Took a chance watching Eddie Alvarez/Justin Gaethje fight. Glad I didn't miss this.