The “ESPN Friday Night Fights” crew of
Teddy Atlas, Joe Tessitore and Bernardo Osuna make a welcome return to the
boxing scene tonight - with a quality card to kick off their 15th season - following their yearly
college football hiatus. There is one major change from last season with Osuna
serving as an onsite reporter, doing interviews and such while Todd Grisham (a
former WWE host and current ESPN MMA commentator) takes over in the ESPN
studios for highlights and their news packages. I am interested to see how this
works out since I was extremely impressed with Osuna’s studio work and would
hate to see his talents not utilized to the fullest. The opening show of the
year features two undefeated prospects in the main event and talented but
flawed Puerto Rican prospect Jonathan Gonzalez in the opener against a live
underdog.
As always with ESPN2, if not
watching live, set your DVR to record an extra hour after the show’s close
since whatever programming they feature before boxing events usually runs over
its air time by at least 30 minutes.
At
the Magic City Casino, Miami, FL
(ESPN2) Rances Barthelemy (17-0) vs. Arash Usmanee (20-0)
(ESPN2) Jonathan Gonzalez (15-0-1) vs. Derek Ennis (23-3-1)
Derek Ennis – The
talented but erratic Ennis was raised in a boxing family - his father still
trains Ennis - with brother Farah a prospect at super middleweight while
younger brother Jaron is a decorated amateur. Derek was a good amateur as well
but learned much more through the famed Philly gym system’s sparring sessions
(against his brothers and the likes of Anthony Thompson, Demetrius Hopkins and
Mike Jones) than amateur competitions. Those gym wars prepared Ennis more for
the physical style he employs that relies on upper body strength, pressure, as
well as quick spurts of activity punctuated by well-timed flurries. Has good
feet to take advantage of those assets but sometimes stays too close to foes
smothering punches and absorbing return fire instead of pivoting out. A quick
jab and fast right hand accounts for the majority of Ennis’s connects but he does
not have the killer instinct or precision to follow up on some of the
advantages he creates to score stoppages (has a 48% kayo ratio). At his best,
reminds of Montell Griffin, where nothing is flashy but everything
interconnects and builds to a victory. Scored his most notable victory over
current title contender Gabriel Rosado, displaying grit and resilience, beating
back the charges of a more aggressive Rosado by standing his ground with
intelligent and well-timed counters. Undefeated from 2008 to 2011, including
his win over Rosado and another bruising brawl with tough former Nigerian
Olympian Eromosele Albert, Ennis showed he can compete with anyone outside of
current titleholders. Described himself to writer Matt Goldstein, “I’m a
slick boxer and I can punch. I’m a boxer-puncher and I’m very exciting to
watch. I always go for the knockout but if can’t get it, then I can take
anyone in a decision.” Then there is the other side of Ennis, suffering a shock
loss to last-minute Cuban southpaw replacement Giorbis Barthelemy (who came in
over the weight as well) by second round TKO two fights ago, in a fight where
Ennis was obviously caught cold and not mentally prepared. All three of his
losses came via stoppage, which is a definite concern against a brutish
Gonzalez. Now 32 years old, Ennis needs to make a late career run depending
more on his boxing I.Q. than will to win in wars that will further drain his
boxing odometer.
Jonathan Gonzalez – Puerto Rican banger has thudding power but will need more than that to climb
the heights his press team espouses. A naturally heavy-handed boxer with an
aggressive temperament, Gonzalez is crafted from a similar mold as countryman
Felix Trinidad. Like Trinidad, Gonzalez scores punishing, multi-knockdown
stoppages instead of one-punch, highlight reel victories. As an amateur,
Gonzalez won silver at the Pan American Games, qualified for the World Championships
and 2008 Olympics without winning a major tourney, finishing with a 132-18
record. Surprisingly dominated at the Olympics by Romanian Ionut Gheorghe, who
used angles and movement, leading Gonzalez into punches. Gonzalez needed that
extra bit of defensive ability in the unpaid ranks where avoidance and timely
single-punch counters are rewarded. Gonzalez lacks the eye-catching hand speed
you want from a contender but has an uncanny ability to land punches despite
lack of elite speed. In that aspect, is a lot like Fernando Vargas. Gonzalez
has a husky frame and his chest lacks the musculature associated with a power
puncher and is not chiseled either, carrying some baby fat. Goes to the body
remarkably well and possesses sound technique, advancing with both hands high
and chin tucked behind the guard. Besides fundamentals, Gonzalez’s accuracy is
the biggest selling point and will back up against weaker foes to create
punching room. Smartly switches from accurate single blows to volume punching
when opponents refuse to open up or languish on the ropes. In some bouts,
Gonzalez switched from an orthodox to southpaw stance, though he seemed to lack
fluidity doing it. The Puerto Rican has a tricky skip in his feet, in which
Gonzalez takes a tiny jump just before launching lethal left hooks to the liver
or head. Does not create offense smoothly out of defense yet; it is either full
offense or high guard, cover-up earmuffs. Killer instinct is evident (13 of 15
victims knocked out) with Gonzalez opening up and swinging wildly when a foe is
on the ropes. Earned a lazy reputation for his training habits, entering at 163
pounds for a fight at 154 against former champion Serhiy Dzinziruk citing
“personal problems” as an excuse for the lack of professionalism. Was lucky to
escape with a draw in that lethargic performance and is now guided by up-and-coming
trainer John David Jackson in Florida (for eight weeks) hoping to escape the
distraction of his native Puerto Rico.
Verdict – By
the time it is over, Gonzalez will know he has been up against a slugger. If
not in shape, he could lose this time since he is fighting a volume puncher
vice a fellow boxer. The winner should be decided on clean punching and smart
movement, where Gonzalez has the edge and will use both to avoid Ennis on the
inside where he likes to work. In the fourth round, Gonzalez focuses after
eating some right hands by Ennis (because of his erect stance) on the inside,
getting a strong jab going to create the space to land his straighter and more
accurate punches. That distance will limit Ennis’s active style, causing him to
lunge in with punches and otherwise fall off balance. Gonzalez sweeps the final
three rounds to win seven rounds to three in a fight that entertains but never
erupts because of Gonzalez’s grip on the pace.
Arash Usmanee – Montreal-based mauler employs a bullish style and likes to come straight at
foes but the practicing Muslim’s skill set is more diverse than a first
impression gives. Usmanee moved to Canada from his native Afghanistan at age
12, starting to box at age 17, and became a five-time Canadian amateur champion
(establishing a 140-24 record with many international bouts) but missed out on
the Olympics by one point in a final qualifier. Accomplished all that despite a
free-swinging style not suited to the precision amateur game (still beat current
contender Diego Magdaleno) but his aggression and imposing stamina helped
Usmanee grit through many wins. Obviously has worked hard to refine his game as
a pro; displaying much more balance and choosing punches better though the
placement of them still leaves room for improvement. Usmanee’s record shows
that inaccuracy through a 50% kayo ratio in a 20-0 résumé, traveling the 10-round
distance three times in 102 professional rounds. Keeps a relatively active schedule,
fighting an average of five times a year since 2010, and the level of
opposition took a big upward curve in 2012 without Usmanee looking out of his
depth or tested mentally. Faced various styles as well, defeating South
American, African, European and American competition. At age 30, is mature
physically, wearing on opponents with pressure, natural strength and bulky
upper body that allows him to finish fights strong in the later rounds. That
final kick is part of Usmanee’s mental makeup, a mindset filled with unshakable
self-belief that harkens back to Naseem Hamed without the theatrics or mocking
of opponents. Usmanee has verbally challenged everyone in his division but
without name calling or vitriol. Though confident, Usmanee is not ignorant of his
faults while lauding his own capabilities, admitting to mistakes and tendencies
in a recent press release, “My style is ‘In your face.’ I like to go to war,
sometimes even when I shouldn't. But I've learned to utilize my boxing skills
in the past couple years a lot better. My heart is a warrior. In my heart, I
want war. That's never going to go away. But my punches don't get wild anymore.
I get wild in my heart now but stick to what I've learned: technical aggression.”
Probably lacks world-class hand speed and power but, otherwise, Usmanee seems a
difficult riddle to solve.
Rances Barthelemy – Lanky Cuban, stands 5’11” tall, will remind many of Diego Corrales with his
tenacity and offense-first style. The 26-year-old grew up in a boxing family;
his older brother, Yan, won an Olympic gold medal and younger brother Leduan is
an undefeated prospect. A hyperactive child, Rances focused that energy into
boxing through the famed Cuban boxing system, becoming a national champion.
Engaged in nearly 200 amateur bouts and was a favorite to make the 2008 Cuban
team at the Beijing Olympics. Barthelemy saw an opportunity to defect instead,
forgoing an Olympic opportunity for freedom. Like many Cubans, moved to Miami
before moving to Las Vegas to receive pro guidance from trainers Orlando
Cuellar and Miguel Diaz. Has since moved on to John David Jackson to train in
Florida and be near his family. Unlike other Cuban prospects, has not
disappointed in the gym, understanding its role in a professional’s career,
“The person who works the hardest in the gym always gets the victory on fight
night. I have dedicated myself to this and live a Spartan and athlete’s
lifestyle.” In most impressive win, dominated fellow undefeated prospect Hylon
Williams Jr. in an eight-round distance fight, though he did look a bit
frustrated when his power failed to register a stoppage. A snappy puncher,
stopping 11 of 17 foes, gaining “Kid Blast” nickname. In recent training camps
(sparring Mercito Gesta, Sharif Bogere and Marcos Maidana), they have focused
on increasing his power through shifting balance to make use of his elongated
frame. Barthelemy describes himself thusly, “I am a good athlete and bring
outstanding condition, endurance, speed and power with me into each contest. I
can box well from the outside and bang inside as the fight may dictate.”
Presses advantages he sees and is relentless trying to force opponents to
engage. Jab is excellent (a converted southpaw) but underused and Barthelemy
throws a lead left hook from a low trajectory that could be exploited by
speedier foes. Falls forward at times because he overcommits to power punches and
given his amateur pedigree, Barthelemy punches wide. That could be because
Barthelemy is chasing opponents, rarely landing blows at full extension. On
defense, holds hands high and sports decent head movement and upper body
agility to avoid punches. This Barthelemy has question marks and tonight’s
fight will tell if and where he rates among recent young Cuban imports.
Verdict – The
duo sparred in Vegas a couple of years ago; since they know each other, it
could provoke early fireworks without the need for a feeling-out process. Given
the pair’s amateur pedigrees, they should be able to adjust during the fight,
so Barthelemy’s advantages in size and speed are key intangibles that Usmanee’s
strength and drive will have a hard time overcoming. Another factor is that
Usmanee is not a natural counterpuncher and will not be able to take advantage
of Barthelemy’s inaccuracy aside from this stiff jab. Usmanee is better than
advertised on defense but leaves holes concentrating on offense and will have a
tough time getting combinations off because of Barthelemy’s octopus-like arms.
Patience is the key to victory - especially over 12 rounds. Barthelemy has more
and will use it to bring Usmanee’s punch output down. Barthelemy boxes off his
back foot and splits the first six rounds with Usmanee, later using his larger
body and youthful reflexes to frustrate an onrushing Usmanee into his right
hand repeatedly. Barthelemy wins 116-112, perhaps gifted an extra round or two
thanks to his hometown advantage.
Prediction
record for 2013: 0-0
Prediction record in 2012:
84% (128-25)
Prediction record in 2011:
88% (138-19)
Prediction record in 2010:
85% (218-40)
