Keith Fitzgerald Thurman Jr vs. Mario Thomás Barrios & Léodegario Santa Cruz vs. Keenan Carbajal RBR

Classic case there of a "bad but also good stoppage".

Bad in the sense that none of those shots were sat down upon and Ramos never quite matched the intensity or power of that initial left hook with any of the follow-up shots, and Hernández may not have wound up even going down before the bell...but good in the sense that holy hell was that a lot of clean punches in a short time.

 

Absolutely not bad at all, especially since you could argue it as a come-from-behind KO (depending on how you scored the close 2nd and 5th, you could even have had Hernández up 4-1).

Being a southpaw with real power gives you two legs up on the competition, and in an overall weak/shallow weight class no less. How much that can compensate for his many flaws and carry him remains to be seen.

 

This white chick is turning so pink through her tan. She just addressed Shawn Porter as "Keith" by accident. So awkward.

Like, okay, that haircut is a little similar (I think One-Time had that exact one back when he fought Bundu), maybe, but...not a great look to mix up two black dudes (one just half-black) that really bear zero resemblance to each other.

 

Léodegario Santa Cruz vs. Keenan Carbajal, 10 rounds @ super featherweight

 

Crazy to realize that I've been watching this family box on TV for just shy of two decades (José Armando Santa Cruz for the first half of that, and his little brother Leo since).

I'll never forget JASC getting robbed against Joel Casamayor, probably the first time a favorite of mine was the recipient of a horrible indefensible gift.

 

Round 1

Santa Cruz is throwing big wide hooks at the body coming forward and spearing rights up top. Carbajal staying tall and circling behind a down-jab from a starting position up in front of his own eyes. Carbajal is leaving a lot of real estate open below his elbows, and Santa Cruz is taking liberties, slashing at the ribs when near enough, jabbing his way in when Carbajal steps up. Carbajal tries some body shots of his own but Santa Cruz maneuvers his arms in the way to deflect.

10-9 Santa Cruz