THE week comes to a close, leaving much to ponder for boxing’s veterans. There was controversy in the Caribbean, a night of ups and downs in Glasgow and a world title defence in Japan, leading to bigger and brighter things. Let’s look over the winners and losers.
Boxing winners of the week
Ekow Essuman
A fantastic win for Essuman who previously hunted after Jaron Ennis and is now targeting Brian Norman Jr. The Nottingham boxer has paid his dues, suffered a setback and fought back to this opportunity. Whether he deserves a world title fight or not, he certainly deserves better.
Nathaniel Collins
This time last year, Nathaniel Collins revealed news that he had undergone an eight-hour surgery on a twisted bowel. It goes without saying that the Glasgow fighter was in “unbearable pain” before, during and after the procedure.
On Saturday evening, it took considerably less time than eight hours to remove Scottish rival Lee McGregor. The former amateur rivals, sparring partners, and friends put personal matters aside to battle on the step stones to world class. Collins was excellent in his fourth-round knockout win.
Angelo Leo
Nine months after upsetting Luis Alberto Lopez with a huge left hook, Angelo Leo took to the road to defend his IBF featherweight title. Travelling to Japan, on challenger Tomoki Kameda’s home turf, the crowd and promotion up against him, Leo prevailed. Next, a unification shot at one of his fellow titleholders could be on the cards.
Boxing losers of the week
Josh Taylor
The big comeback stalled badly as Josh Taylor’s poor run of form continued. Even if he had got past Ekow Essuman on Saturday evening we’d perhaps seen enough to suggest that any world level aspirations were over.
Manny Pacquiao
It’s official, Manny Pacquiao is returning to the ring against Mario Barrios. Much has been said about this move. Pacquiao is a seasoned professional and capable of making cognitive decisions. However, the stark reality is that he is just another former boxer who doesn’t know when to hang up the gloves and preserve his legacy.
The referee’s attackers in Dominican Republic
Even though it’s uncommon in boxing, attacking officials is not unheard of. Grainy video footage occasionally appears on social media of a fighter or his entourage going rogue and venting their anger on the wrong target.
Referee Smaylin Valdez was disgracefully assaulted after a recent bout in the Dominican Republic. The “losers” who attacked him make our list this week.
