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Just wondering, after Canelo defeated Kovalev, why isn't he even ranked in any of the alphabets in the top 15? I know he's ranked in the super middle, and middleweight divisions, but that should exclude him from a light heavyweight ranking.
Garcia defeats Vargas by unanimous decision

By Jeff Zimmerman at ringside

In a wild Texas showdown at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, TX, next door to the worldwide headquarters of the Dallas Cowboys, Jessie Vargas and Mikey Garcia went toe to toe in front of a packed house of 10,000 +. Garcia came back from a slow start to win a hotly contested unanimous decision in an entertaining, high action battle and come away with the WBC Diamond Welterweight title.

Garcia fought for the 2nd time at welterweight, losing a one-sided affair to one of boxing’s pound for pound best in Errol Spence Jr. last March at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. While Vargas has spent a career mostly at 147 and was the bigger man entering the ring.

Vargas came out sharp from the opening bell with a strong jab and good work to the head and body of Garcia and it continued into 2nd picking up where he left off. Vargas used a strong jab and a consistent left and right hand to the body, taking the knowledge from trainer Mike McCallum aka The Bodysnatcher who was known for his vicious body shots during his hall of fame career and early on it paid off.

Garcia, however, finally got warmed up in the 3rd round as he exchanged big shots with Vargas and in the 4th, it turned into a fire fight as Vargas had Garcia first in trouble in the corner, but Garcia quickly reversed course and started to land solid shots of his own.

The 5th round was all Garcia with Vargas’ face bloodied after several combinations followed by an overhand right that put Vargas on the canvas and looked like he may be finished. But Vargas showed the heart of a champion and got to his feet as the bell rang. From the 6th-8th round, Garcia was using Vargas as target practice. Garcia punctuated the end of round seven with a bang as he tried to finish off Vargas while referee John Schorle looked on closely for a possible stoppage.

Garcia seemed to take his foot off the gas during the 8th and 9th round and appeared to be looking for a big right hand to end the fight. With Garcia picking his spots, Vargas got a second wind and started working his jab and throwing the right hand again. In the 10th round, Vargas had his best round since early in the fight and was busier than Garcia. Garcia was back in control in the 11th and the 12th was back and forth action before Vargas landed a crushing right hand followed by the left just before the final bell.

The judges scored it 114-113, 116-111, 116-111 as Garcia earned the WBC Diamond Belt.

Mikey Garcia in the ring with Chris Mannix after the fight shared the following:

“Thanks to everyone that came out. Especially my family. I love you guys. I am very happy to be back and happy to be here. I had to make adjustments early on for his height and reach. As the fight went on, I started to hurt him, pick up timing and I think it work out well. I carried the weight better; I was solid when I had to. I felt the size difference, but my talent took over. I think he felt the power. Every so often I would hurt him again. I felt my speed and power was perfect. I think I have great options, ready to get back in with the best. I’m looking to get in with Manny Pacquiao or rematch with Errol Spence. I think it is very likely with Pacquiao.”

Jessie Vargas in the ring with Chris Mannix after the fight had this to say:

“I got a little confident when I hurt him in the 4th round. Mikey fought great fight, timing was precise, and I don’t take anything from him. I think it was an entertaining fight for Frisco. I think it was close. I want a rematch. I am very happy with my team; I just didn’t follow the game plan exactly. I am thankful to Eddie Hearn for giving me a chance. I think he’s a good fighter and has a nice pop to match up against some of the top welterweight. I thought it was closer than what the judges had.”
March 28 Beterbiev-Fanlong card is cancelled

Top Rank has now cancelled the March 28 ESPN card featuring WBC/IBF light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev and IBF mandatory challenger Meng Fanlong at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Canada.

Top Rank has also called off a planned April 11 ESPN card featuring IBF junior bantamweight champion Jerwin Ancajas defending against Jonathan Rodriguez in Las Vegas, and an April 17 ESPN card featuring WBA super flyweight champion Andrew Moloney defending against Israel Gonzalez in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Floyd remembers Roger Mayweather

Floyd Mayweather talks about his uncle, former world champion and legendary trainer Roger Mayweather, who passed away after a long battle with diabetes.

“My uncle was one of the most important people in my life inside and outside of the ring,” said Mayweather, who is still grieving from the loss of his children’s mother Josie Harris last week. “Roger was a great champion and one of the best trainers in boxing. Unfortunately, his health was failing him for several years and now he can finally rest in peace. Roger meant the world to me, my father Floyd Sr., my uncle Jeff, our whole family, everyone in and around the Mayweather Boxing Gym and the entire boxing world. It is a terrible loss for all of us.

“We are thankful for all the love and well-wishes we have already received as word traveled about Roger’s passing. It helps me to see that he was able to touch so many people through his life in boxing, because he gave so much to the sport which was his first and longtime love.”

* * *

“This is a sad day for the Mayweather Promotions family because that is truly what Roger was to us,” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions who worked side-by-side with Roger for some of Floyd’s biggest fights. “On top of being a phenomenal fighter in his own career, Roger was one of the most essential parts of guiding Floyd to the incredible career he had in becoming the best ever. We hope you keep Floyd and the entire Mayweather family in your thoughts and prayers during this time.”

* * *

The Mayweather family, who will forever be part of the sweet science’s history, is asking that you respect their privacy at this time until more information becomes available.
Canelo a -260 favorite over GGG in trilogy fight

ESPN, DAZN’s unofficial publicity department, has announced that DAZN will stage the third fight between Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin later this year after both fighters have interim bouts. Canelo is expected to face Billy Joe Saunders, but not on the original date of Cinco de Mayo weekend. An announcement is expected shortly. GGG will take on IBF mandatory challenger Kamil Szeremeta. The information is attributed to “sources.”

BetOnline.ag already has established odds on Gennady Golovkin vs. Canelo Alvarez III.

Gennady Golovkin +200 (2/1)
Canelo Alvarez -260 (5/13)
Bivol calls out Canelo again

WBA light heavyweight world champion Dmitry Bivol, (17-0, 11 KOs), has once again called for the opportunity to drop one weight class and battle ‘pound-for-pound’ and super middleweight world champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, (53-1-2, 38 KOs), emphasizing that he is ready to fight on the first available date when boxing returns.

“I’ve said now for over a year that I’m ready, willing and able to move down to super middleweight and fight Canelo,” said Bivol. “I have been training throughout the COVID-19 crisis and have watched on social media that Canelo has as well.”

“I know that my team and Golden Boy Promotions have discussed this option and we are willing to make the fight on very reasonable financial terms. My team understands that unlike many other opponents my goal is not the payday but to face the best in boxing today. I know I can beat him and the real rewards will come after this fight.”

Said manager Vadim Bivol, “We are willing to work out a much more reasonable deal than what was paid to Canelo’s recent opponents to make this fight. For Dmitry it’s more about the opportunity to dethrone one of the very best fighters in the world.

“I have heard that DAZN and all other parties involved are supportive of this fight, but whenever the name is brought up to Canelo, he says he would never do it, however I don’t know how much truth there is to this. It would be great to know if he is ready to fight other top champions in his division that are on the same network and are ready to make a simple and appropriate deal as there are not that many of them. I strongly believe that Dmitry Bivol at super middleweight is the toughest test for Canelo.”