My take on this weekend's fights. GRJ-Gonzalez/Vanes-Charlo/Brook-Dan

Brook-Dan: Brook looked smooth and sharp. But I'm still not sure what to make of dan. If dan was a mandatory #1 contender, I wanna believe he did something to deserve it. But not impressed by what I saw...maybe it's just that brook is that badass? Some of those punches just didn't look like they'd be so damaging based on the angles they were thrown from. Still brook had dan reeling all over the ring everytime he landed. If brook is really as good as he looked in his last two fights, he's almost a complete fighter...he'd be a serious threat to thurman, bradley, anyone at 147.

Charlo-Maritiroysan: I had no problem with the decision...vanes just didn't do enough. Not that charlo did a whole lot more, but charlo landed the showier punches and was more effective in spots. My assessment of vanes is, he might be a top 154 pounder, but he's got some glaring defects. Very stiff and lacks fluidity and ability to improvise and adapt.

This was a huge step up for charlo and I was interested in how he would handle the moment. He did OK. He won...overcame the huge disparity in experience..But I didn't like that charlo looked winded in the last couple of rounds and didn't finish strong ...instead of going to work and trying to solidify his lead, he basically took the last minute and a half of the final rd off. I don't understand that approach...i can only estimate he was probably drained from the mental and physical effort of what was by far his biggest test to date and the only world-class opponent he's faced. Vanes is a legit world-class talent, so charlo proved he belongs at the elite 154 level.

GRJ- Gonzalez: A lotta build-up for this fight....I had picked GRJ to win, but expected it would be somewhat competitive. But after the first round I knew GRJ was gonna demolish him. Gonzalez has a lotta power and he can beat a lotta top fighters....But against guys like GRJ he's gonna pay the price for them long, slow looping punches and that non-existent defense. It was devastating KO...best of the year so far. Russell also showed a lotta class...he showed some things I hadn't seen before from him...he's growing as a fighter an learning and developing new skills and techniques....he's a future superstar iif he can keep it up.

Russell has a low-key personality and he's a well-spoken guy. he talked like he expected to be champ no problem....great family support and a stable lifestyle...all important qualities for boxing longevity.