This “Boxing After Dark” doubleheader is
one step beyond (as an aside, the title of a great Madness album) a “ShoBox”
feature since three boxers are familiar to fans but have yet to reach the world
title plateau. The winners will earn title shots as the co-main events are
elimination contests for the alphabet sanctioning bodies. The main event,
between Erislandy Lara and Vanes Martirosyan, is an intriguing pro match-up of
former elite amateurs who could have met in an Olympic setting. The Mikey
Garcia – Jonathan Barros fight could be a fun scrap. Over the last decade,
Argentine boxers have risen to an elite level and let it be known they are no
longer pushovers on the world stage. Can Barros continue that trend?
At the
Wynn Resort, Las Vegas, NV
(HBO) Erislandy Lara (17-1-1) vs. Vanes
Martirosyan (32-0)
(The
Ring magazine #4 junior middleweight vs. #5)
(HBO) Mikey Garcia (29-0) vs. Jonathan
Barros (34-3-1)
(The
Ring magazine #3 featherweight vs. unranked)
Jonathan
Barros – Awkward Argentine is a battle-tested veteran at 28 years
old and Barros will be desperate having lost two of his last three fights
against elite foes. Many only know Barros because of a controversial win over
Celestino Caballero (in which Barros was knocked down in the first and ninth
round) last year. Those who took time to watch the fight saw neither man did
much to distance himself with judges in a sloppy fight featuring little flow or
sustained action. At 5’9” with a 70-inch reach, Barros has good size though he
just moved up to super featherweight in his last fight, losing to a mauling
Juan Salgado by decision in Mexico. Barros’ feet enable him to be dangerous,
making up for average hand speed by moving in and out of position, varying from
short, quick steps to long, striding leaps as other boxers would switch up the
jab and short hook. Offense can be schizophrenic, sometimes pressuring with
abandon in straight lines while at other moments, wavering on an attack, waiting
for openings or content to hold and maul on the inside. Shows stunning if not
overwhelming power when he gets to the target. Has good defensive reflexes and
quality chin but his recuperative skills are key, twice getting off the canvas
to get back in the fight and drop a split decision to Caballero in their first
outing. Has a sneaky left hook/uppercut thrown on the inside, along with good
bodywork, not letting his positioning go to waste. A right hand (not always
straight) is Barros most powerful punch, as well as his awkwardness that sees
Barros off-balance, sometimes throwing at untraditional angles. Can get out of
control and lose focus, opening up with wide shots against Caballero and Yuriorkis
Gamboa when pressured and unable to escape their reach or speed. Timing is
better than average, voluntarily backing up to lead challengers into straight
right hands up the middle. Will make things ugly with rabbit punches behind the
head and holding if he feels at a strength disadvantage but it takes a lot to
get him to that point. In setbacks, Barros only threw one punch at a time and
he is not accurate or quick enough to get away with that strategy. Overall, a
generally aggressive fighter who will not go more than three rounds without
trying to lead or press the fight, even against larger, more powerful or
speedier foes.
Mikey
Garcia – Garcia keeps law and order inside the ring and outside
will do the same in time as a graduate of the Ventura County Police Academy.
Enjoys a great boxing background and team, starting with his trainer and older
brother, Robert Garcia, manager Cameron Dunkin and Top Rank’s promotional
backing. Oxnard product grew up in a gym, lending Garcia an innate sense inside
the ropes that cannot be taught. As an amateur, was 58-7 despite using fights
to further his pro style instead of hunting for trophies on a national level.
There is no hesitation throwing punches; they come at sharp and straight angles
with a velocity born of perfect balance. Displayed early promise, outboxing
world title challenger Walter Estrada despite breaking a finger. Improved
measurably since, stopping 13 of his last 14 opponents. Mature beyond his
years, aided by sparring champions Edwin Valero, Israel Vazquez, Brandon Rios
and Manny Pacquiao. Still developing a ring persona but has shown the ability
and diversity to beat opponents with speed, power or movement. That offensive
arsenal allows Garcia to break down foes before shooting for the stoppage,
showing ring intellect in choice of punches. Calm demeanor is unnerving for a
young fighter (he is only 24), reminiscent of how Marco Antonio Barrera hunted
down opponents behind an emotionless poker face. Displays real stopping power
in his right hand without overusing it, using his lanky 5’6” frame and a
70-inch reach to maximum impact. Is solid on defense but has not been pushed in
this regard either. There could be holes to exploit for championship-caliber
opponents who do not shrink in the face of Garcia’s offense. Steadily increased
his level of opposition, fighting four times a year, and needs to be sharp to
cope with Barros. Went into double-digit rounds against veteran Cornelius Lock
and fellow prospect Matt Remillard but has only been eight rounds on two other
occasions. The 12-round distance is less of a concern after stopping Lock and
Remillard late; Garcia built momentum and increased his connect rate as the
rounds ratcheted up. Only hiccup was a knockdown against Estrada but it can be
forgiven considering the lefty power-puncher entered with a 34-6 record.
Defeated slick boxers like Olivier Lontchi and Remillard as easily as pressure
fighters Tomas Villa and Estrada. I rate Garcia (29-0 with 25 stoppages) the best
young boxer without a title and perhaps a star in the making.
Verdict
– Barros is the underdog in terms of skills and athletic gifts and his one chance
lies in getting Garcia’s respect early to establish a slower offensive pace.
Since Garcia is not a fast starter, he will gauge Barros, spotting tendencies
and judging incoming velocity before unleashing his arsenal late in the third
round. Barros will endure body/head combinations when coming up the middle or
backing straight out. There is little Barros can do about this since his
punches are sometimes wide, unless he gets inside to try and make it a mauling
affair. Here again, Barros runs into trouble with the naturally bigger and
stronger Garcia able to push Barros out and into his punches. Garcia will parry
Barros’ attacks and push punches down the middle to maintain distance while
spotting and ducking looping punches. It will be hard work from the fourth
round on with Garcia knocking down Barros twice in the middle rounds before getting
a stoppage around the 10th.
Vanes
Martirosyan – American Olympic representative in the 2004
Olympics, this intelligent boxer has attracted the likes of Freddie Roach and
Ronnie Shields to guide him to a title. From all reports and given results,
they have plenty to work with in terms of talent and attitude. Martirosyan’s
work ethic is as impressive as his amateur résumé of 120 wins and 10 losses,
which includes a National Golden Gloves title and victories over professional
champions Timothy Bradley, Andre Berto and Austin Trout. The 26-year-old was
born in Armenia, moved to America at age four and started boxing at eight (his
father was a boxer as well), rounding into the perfect size for the junior
middleweight division at 6’0” with a 73-inch reach. Martirosyan uses that size
properly, muscling smaller guys on the inside and reaching others with a stiff
jab followed by combinations of straight punches. Viewing film, you’ll notice
Martirosyan has a natural sense of the ring, knowing when to wait and when to
force his own openings with forward momentum. Sharpens those senses sparring
familiar names like Peter Quillin, Serhiy Dzinziruk, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and
even tried to corner Manny Pacquiao. Some of Martirosyan’s gloss was tarnished
when Kassim Ouma gave him a much tougher match than expected with some
ringsiders and fans of the belief Ouma beat Martirosyan on volume. Best win
came over fellow prospect and undefeated Joe Greene, serving up the first loss
for the Bronx bomber in 23 professional fights. Stopped six of his last 10 foes
but his level of opposition has stagnated, only facing one foe with world title
experience. Freddie Roach thinks Martirosyan is ready to chase title dreams
starting tomorrow, “Vanes has progressed a lot. He’s starting to be a better
puncher, setting down on his shots a little bit better. He can really move when
he wants to but I’m getting him to settle down and he’s delivering his punches
with much more authority. He’s knocking a lot of people out now. I’d like to
get a world title fight for Vanes now.” Martirosyan is not particularly fast of
hand or foot but like a Fernando Vargas or Kelly Pavlik, finds ways of getting
close to land precise and well thought out punches. Against Ouma, Martirosyan
did not handle the big-stage mental pressure and a main event HBO slot is a big
step in this contender’s journey.
Erislandy
Lara – The busy Lara is on television as often as beer
commercials, fighting seven times in 2009, five times in 2010, and this will be
his fourth appearance of 2012. This Cuban cutie has avoided the dreaded
“lackadaisical” tag, fighting often and working hard between fights, staying at
the right weight and even taking bouts on short notice. Lara garnered a lot of
praise defeating Grady Brewer and Danny Perez early in his career, displaying
classy moves and instincts beyond his pro experience in those 20 rounds of
action. When faced with inferior opposition, destroyed them the way a contender
should and when faced with world-class foes, only suffered one disputable
setback against Paul Williams by decision. To avoid the pitfalls of other Cuban
boxers based in Miami, Lara leaves to train under the tutelage of Ronnie
Shields in Houston. The impressive junior middleweight is a three-time Cuban
and one-time world amateur champion, favored to make an Olympic appearance
before defecting. Showed sporadic, one-punch kayo power since turning pro and
boosted his reputation with insiders, manhandling Ricky Hatton during sparring
sessions, employing smart tactics and timely punching he translated to real
fights. A mature 29-year-old, Lara’s power (58% kayo ratio) and amateur
pedigree shone through when faced with highest level foes. Is rarely off
balance and does not retreat mentally if success does not materialize early,
working divergent punch sequences until one pays off. A well-rounded southpaw,
I would not classify him a great puncher since Lara does not look for power
punches from the opening bell. He is not a speed merchant either; I would call
Lara cunningly fast and exceedingly accurate. Stands 5’9” and his body looks
like it could make the jump to middleweight if a title opening presents itself.
Because of intelligent fists, has been able to avoid physically depleting wars
against maulers like Carlos Molina or a puncher of Paul Williams’ skill. Lacks
the flash, brilliant hand speed, power or cocky persona of fellow Cuban
Yuriorkis Gamboa but shown he is fine without it. Instead, is a controlling
boxer in the vein of Joel Casamayor or - dare I say - Jose Napoles. Shows a lot
of variety in punches despite being right on top of opponents with pressure.
Lara seems as comfortable countering as leading with only his finishing skills
still in doubt. The question from this point forth is whether Lara progresses
from rock-solid to sensational.
Verdict
– As much as I praise Lara and enjoy his fights, the Cuban’s playbook can be
matched by Martirosyan’s own ability to adapt in three-round stretches. Given
the duo’s similarity in size and amateur background, I believe this comes down
to reflexes and physical ability. Here, Lara has small advantages in speed,
footwork and countering reflexes. They are very small advantages but in boxing,
a little means a lot! The extra three or four connected punches those edges
afford Lara can swing the bout in a judge’s eyes. So will Lara’s more accurate
punches that rock Martirosyan’s head back vice Lara’s head rolling with a
Martirosyan punch. So, it is aesthetics that this bout comes down to and when
it comes to which boxer’s punches and movement looks better, it favors Lara. A
split decision, by two points in both directions, for Lara will be argued by
partisan sides but accepted by boxing fans not tuning in with a favorite
beforehand.
Prediction
record for 2012: 84% (111-21)
Prediction record in 2011: 88% (138-19)
Prediction record in 2010: 85% (218-40)
