Over the past weekend, we saw a handful of young stars take a step towards stardom. Friday, January 20, 2012, we saw Guillermo Rigondeaux take a huge step up in competition and completely dismantle his opponent. Rico Ramos, the former champion, was undefeated against pretty good opponent. Rigondeaux was the glorified amateur with wins as a pro that could be counted on ones fingers. Regardless, the Cuban amateur looked as though he had been fighting on the big screen for years. He was comfortable and exciting, finishing Ramos with a beautiful body shot in the sixth. Rigondeaux elevated himself quickly into the mix of top 122 pounders.
On NBC fight nights inaugural event, we saw light middleweight Gabriel Rosado become the first man to stop Jesus Soto-Karass in an entertaining co-main event. Rosado, who was best known for his knockout loss to Alfredo Angulo now brings an exciting element to the light middleweight division. With shorts that look like they were grabbed from Paulie Malignaggi’s closet, Rosado brings a swag and interesting look with his skills. I hope to see Rosado against top opposition as an exciting opponent.
On the utmost top level of heavyweights, competition is poor. The Klitschko brothers are great champions. All contenders are sub par. Below that level, there are many fighters who can provide action. Bryant Jennings proved to be one of them. With a game opponent in Maurice Byarm, Jennings and Byarm put on an exciting scrap. Note that this fight was taken on one week notice. What many fighters have lost is the hunger to jump at any opportunity. Fighters tend to get out of shape, wait for the perfect fight for them and end up on the shelf for too long.
Byarm and Jennings, both stay in shape and have shown that they are willing to take any opportunity at any given moment. Jennings, who was the leaner fighter who landed cleaner shots, earned a hard fought decision. Although it may be time before he gets another television slot, it’s nice to know we still have old school style fighters, willing to fight at any time and risk their undefeated records.
NBC’s Fight Night got off to a good start and I look forward to the next show. Shobox has been very solid and Friday Night Fights had a great 2011 and will hopefully continue to a great 2012. Boxing needs these shows to continue and deliver the bigger the shows get the more exposure prospects will have to casual fans.
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