Grand Rapids' Peter Quillin beat Hassan N'Dam to win WBO middleweight crown

photo credit: Al Bello/Getty Images for Golden Boy Promotions

Peter Quillin, the undefeated middleweight who grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and is now fighting out of New York City, put on a show in the Big Apple to become the first American boxer since Kelly Pavlik in 2010 to be crowned middleweight champion of the world, via a unanimous decision verdict against tough and durable defending champion Hassan N'Dam of Cameroon.

The fight card by Showtime at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn showcased Peter Quillin's firepower as well as Hassan N'Dam's durability and recuperating power. Peter Quillin, who goes by the moniker "Kid Chocolate," failed to melt Hassan N'Dam's fighting heart as he could not put the erstwhile champion away for good despite delivering 6 knockdowns in the 12-round WBO middleweight championship fight.

Both fighters came into the fight undefeated and identical impressive resumes: Peter Quillin at 27-0, 20 KOs and Hassan N'Dam at 27-0, 17 KOs. Peter Quillin have long aspired to be a world champion, while one of Hassan N'Dam's dreams while toiling in Europe was to "fight in front of American TV."

After the 12-round ebb and flow battle, both fighters have earned their keep and the respect of the boxing world. If there is a positive light in defeat, Hassan N'dam's tough but losing stand against the explosive Peter Quillin is one.

Despite the three judges (Julie Lederman, John Stewart and Don Trella) identical lopsided scorecards of 115-107 in favor of Peter Quillin, Hassan N'Dam went down fighting and was never out of the fight. For 12 rounds, he toiled and labored and gave the fight his best shot up until the last seconds of the last round, worthy of a champion defending his belt in hostile territory.

For the first three rounds, Hassan N'Dam was having his way with Peter Quillin. Fast on both hands and feet, he used his lateral movement and jabs to keep Peter Quillin at bay. But Peter Quillin was a patient lot and bid his time as he patiently stalked his prey.

And Peter Quillin's wait was not long as in the fourth round, his first punch thrown, a left uppercut, rocked N'Dam and staggered him backwards to the ropes. Quillin stepped in for the kill but N'dam was able to evade the attacks. But with 2:08 into the round, a counter left hook to the jaw downed N'Dam, but he was back on his feet in no time.

Peter Quillin stalked and attacked. Another solid blow to the jaw by his vaunted left hand almost toppled N'Dam if not for the ropes backing him up. Hassan N'Dam found himself being outgunned and overpowered by the American's guns and unloaded his jabs to keep his distance from his opponent's range. Peter Quillin, though, remained patient and methodical in his pursuit.

And with 41 seconds remaining in the round, Peter Quillin launched another bomb and caught N'Dam in the kisser and dropped him on his back. The shot from Quillin's killer left, left N'dam still wobbly after beating the referee's count, but Hassan N'Dam was able to withstand Peter Quillin's onslaught. Two slips to the canvas later, the bell rang to mark the end of the round and Hassan N'Dam staggered back to his corner to end his ordeal.

Surprisingly, Peter Quillin went gunshy in the fifth round as Hassan N'Dam came back to fight. Showing movements and his fast hands, he jabbed and jabbed his way around that prompted Peter Quillin's corner to quip during the intermission, "This is your night, let's get rid of him. You gave that round off."

Peter Quillin's hard hands came alive in the last minute of the sixth round. A short left to the jaw dropped Hassan N'Dam in the corner of the ring. Again, Hassan N'Dam picked himself up and proceeded to fight. With 26 seconds to go, a 3-punch Quillin combo landed on N'Dam's face and dropped him on his behind. Again, Hassan N'Dam was up on his feet again in no time.

Rounds 7, 8 and 9 saw Hassan N'Dam coming to life again as he went on the offensive. He was the busier fighter as he peppered Peter Quillin with his jabs, uppers and short, choppin' shots. Peter Quillin's passive stand prompted Eric Brown, his cornerman, to remind the American, "Do you want this title? You let this guy hang around unnecessarily..."

The 10th and 11th rounds saw Hassan N'Dam eager to engage and trade with Peter Quillin. Hassan N'Dam had the moves but Peter Quillin had the power. Although N'Dam gave Quillin and his corner fits in the 10th round, Quillin's hard blows buckled his legs on at least two occasions.

Peter Quillin's corner urged him again before the beginning of the twelfth and final round, perhaps seeing that their fighter was slowing down:

"Don't let him survive, don't give him time, you can't stop punching on this kid."

But Hassan N'Dam had other plans on his mind and intensified his 12th round comeback. Looking fresher, he assaulted with everything he had and pushed Peter Quillin to the ropes. Peter Quillin was under intense attack and found himself in the corner while Hassan N'Dam was coming forward, throwing everything in his arsenal but with 27 seconds to go in the round -- Boom!

Peter Quillin snuck a counter left and landed on the target. In the blink of an eye, Hassan N'Dam was down on the seat of his pants, gloves on his side touching the canvas, more embarrassed than hurt and shocked.

Again, Hassan N'Dam showed his durability and was up on his feet again and engaged Peter Quillin again, but was dropped on one knee by a right straight to the chin with less than 10 seconds left in the final round.
The bell rang for the last time while referee Eddie Claudio was administering the count and Hassan N'Dam survived the brutal war on his feet, losing the fight but with his pride intact.

In the postfight interview, an emotional Peter Quillin looked back at his journey as a prizefighter.

"I want to thank Grand Rapids, Michigan for making me a fighter and New York City for making me a man."

Note: This article was previously posted on Detroit Fight Sports Examiner

Dazed and Confused: Donaire dazzles, Nishioka crumbles in California

photo credit: Harry How/Getty Images

When Roy Jones, Jr. speaks about Nonito Donaire, Jr.'s attributes as a boxer, the former pound-for-pound great has only positive things to say: "Donaire has the skills, speed, power, agility, great foot movement and very explosive!" He opined that Donaire has the "quality to be what a pound-for-pound fighter is" and believes the Filipino fighter is the "best fighter in the world today."

By disposing every fighter who steps in his way with ease, Nonito Donaire, Jr. was the prohibitive favorite coming into the fight to win over a supposedly tough and durable Toshiaki Nishioka, the WBC super bantamweight emeritus. On paper, the protagonists' resumes were impressive as both were on a hot win streak: Donaire has not lost a fight in 11 years while Nishioka has not tasted defeat in 8 years. Throughout their careers, they have faced quality opponents and have earned their rightful place in the sport.

And by virtue of their fearsome records (Donaire 29-1, 18 KOs and Nishioka 39-4-3, 24 KOs) and their reputations as two of the best fighters in the division, it was only fitting that the people inside the arena and those glued to their TV sets were expecting nothing but a barnburner from Nonito Donaire, Jr. and Toshiaki Nishioka. After all, they were not nicknamed the Filipino Flash and Speed King respectively for nothing.

In fact, the promoters, HBO Boxing and their rah-rah boys have bombarded the boxing sphere for weeks about the Donaire-Nishioka super bantamweight showdown for the WBO title. They were so sure about the fireworks that will explode on fight night that they were pronouncing the event as Fight of the Year (FOY) material. But some of them, though, have probably not heard of Robert Burns before, yet the Ploughman Poet's words echoed at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA on fight night: "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men."

And so the fight went on with only Nonito Donaire, Jr. showing up for the fight. Toshiaki Nishioka, the Japanese samurai, was a no-show and nowhere to be found in the biggest stage of the biggest fight of his career. No Kamikaze attacks, no Banzai charge but just a token resistance from the fighter from the land of the rising sun.

In the fight, Toshiaki Nishioka exhibited one of the worst cases of nerves in recent memory, which is quite a surprise especially for somebody who was touted as a warrior. In this particular fight, Nishioka was mentally and physically finished just seconds into the first round and probably regrets finding himself trading leather with Nonito Donaire, Jr. He was so wary and intimidated by Nonito Donaire, Jr.'s vaunted left hook that he spent the night in retreat, on the defensive and refusing to engage in battle.

With just 58 seconds remaining in the sixth round, Nishioka's worst fear came in the form of a left upper cut to the chin from Donaire that dropped him on the seat of his pants. Though he tried to put up some fights in the next few rounds after that, it was clear that he does not have the will to go to war with the Filipino.

And with 1:54 in the 9th round, Nonito Donaire, Jr.'s right straight landed into Nishioka's kisser that snapped his head and put him on the seat of his pants for the second time in the fight. Although the Japanese fighter was able to beat the count, it was the prelude to the end of the ugly fight as his corner finally threw in the towel shortly thereafter to end his pitiful night.

Nonito Donaire, Jr., the Filipino Flash dazzled us with his power and quick hands, his double-fisted attacks, his purposeful movements and solid footwork inside the ring. We can even say that Donaire's offensive arsenal is one of the best, if not the best in the business. Yet, to some people watching the fight, the masterpiece that Donaire was painting against Nishioka inside the ring seemed to lack the proverbial explosion of color and soul that many expect from him.

From all angles, it was a clinical demolition administered by Nonito Donaire, Jr. on the hapless and bewildered Toshiaki Nishioka. But despite outclassing his opponent, the Filipino Flash failed to put on the requisite fireworks that were needed in the fight. Some people even believed that Nonito Donaire, Jr. could have ended the fight early if he wanted to, just to save them from the agony of watching a one-sided fight.
And Nonito Donaire, Jr.'s post-fight statements supports their belief.

"We know that we can end the fight with one punch. And that what's happened. We just want him to make a mistake and well get him. And he made a mistake."

"When you do engage, Nonito is a surgeon. The demolition man comes in and knocks you out."

For all of Nonito Donaire, Jr.'s talent and skills, time and again and sometimes through no fault of his own, he has uncannily found himself in boring one-sided fights. Because of Nonito Donaire, Jr.'s huge talent and skills, the bar for his exploits inside the ring was set way up high. Thus, even if Nonito Donaire, Jr. would ultimately end up knocking the lights out of his opponents, many fight fans would sometimes not be satisfied with the way he fights.

For example, this writer has watched the Donaire-Nishioka fight with five other boxing fans over some pizzas and beer, and these guys are no ordinary or run-of-the-mill fight fans, for they know their boxing well. They have been around and witnessed the Kronk and Tommy Hearns era in Detroit.

But despite watching Nonito Donaire, Jr. running rings around Toshiaki Nishioka and giving the Japanese a neat boxing lesson, and eventually stopping him in the 9th round, they were of the opinion that there was something lacking in the fight. They compared the fight to the food offerings typically found in a fast food chain -- bland, hard to swallow and no flavor at all.

And there lies the rub.

Note: This article was previously published on Detroit Fight Sports Examiner

First Take: Larry Merchant sells his take on Mayweather-Pacquiao megafight

photo credit: HBO Boxing

This morning, respected boxing analyst Larry Merchant graced ESPN's First Take in what host Stephen A. Smith called as "ESPN collaborating with HBO on boxing," that was hailed by many boxing observers as a move in the right direction for the networks.

For people who regularly follow the show, the guest appearance of Larry Merchant was like a breath of fresh air after being exposed for far too long to the daily diatribes of the two hysterical, loquacious, and hilarious motormouths in Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith. On a side note, the addition of Cari Champion as the moderator between the two protagonists is a welcome addition, too.

Larry Merchant, a hard-hitting veteran of the boxing circuit, who is not afraid to speak his mind on any topic, knows his boxing really well. He will not hold any punches to dish out verbal jabs, hooks and straights on anyone if he deems it necessary to convey his point. He is a straight-shooter inside and outside the ring and is probably one of the greatest, if not the greatest, TV boxing analysts of all time.

The topic of the discussion was: "Running Scared: Is Floyd Mayweather really afraid of Manny Pacquiao?", showing video snippets of Pacquiao proclaiming on one of his earlier appearances on First Take that he is willing to accept a lower percentage of the fight revenue (45%-to-55%) and that his earlier objection to random drug testing is now a non-issue ("No problem even at the night of the fight, no problem").

But the most telling piece was when Manny Pacquiao was asked whether Floyd Mayweather, Jr. is afraid of him. Manny Pacquiao laughed at the question and seriously stated that he believes that Floyd Mayweather, Jr. is really afraid of him -- "I think it's kind of that."

But true to form, Larry Merchant had a different opinion on the matter: "Mayweather is not afraid of fighting Manny Pacquiao. I think, number one, what's held up this fight, and I've been in the 'yes it's going to happen' category when the nos have been carrying the day for a few years, is that there's a disincentive financially."
He further explained that both fighters are "making upwards of 40-50 million a year: Pacquiao by fighting twice, Mayweather by fighting once. There's no urgency. It's a business as well as a sport."

Stephen A. Smith then offered his 'solution' of "stop buying the pay-per-view other than a Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather, Jr." fight and went on to say that he believes that Floyd Mayweather will win it because "he is the best boxer on the planet."

Larry Merchant went on length to convey his views on Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. -- "They are the heavyweight champions in America in terms of their popularity, in terms of reaching beyond boxing to the casual fans."

"I think Floyd Mayweather thinks he's going to beat Manny Pacquiao. He will be the favorite. What Mayweather is afraid of more than anything else is an L, a loss. He has marketed himself as this unbeaten and unbeatable fighter, and to a lot of new fans or unsophisticated fans, they think that's a big, big deal, which it never has been, because if you fight enough good, young fighters in their prime, somebody's gonna beat you. It happened to Pacquiao even in a bad decision, but against a tough, good kid."

Skip Bayless pressed Larry Merchant further, "Does Floyd think he'll win or lose to Pacquiao?"

"I think he thinks that Pacquiao is the greatest threat to him. Why take, in the risk-reward equation, if I can make $40 million for fighting some guy (and) I've only got to give him $3 million to take the fight, why am I going to do that (fight Pacquiao)? There have been comparable situations in the past. Lennox Lewis and Tyson didn't fight 'til well into their careers and broke records; they were past their primes. So, it's business. Will the heat still be there? Will they both have maintained their star status? Will they lose it? It's not unprecedented in boxing. Hopefully it'll happen someday. Meanwhile, we've got 3 big pay-per-view events in boxing in a year instead of one big blowout."

And Stephen A. Smith, not to be outdone, posited this silly question to Merchant-

"Who's the best boxer on the planet right now?"

"I think Mayweather is on top and I think Pacquiao is right there." Merchant then confessed though that he "likes Pacquiao's style as a puncher-boxer."

Then Larry Merchant added this nugget of a wisdom on the possible Mayweather-Pacquiao scenario:
"The old expression "good defense beats good offense." It was the pitcher for the Pirates Bob Veale who said, "good pitching beats good hitting" and vice versa. It's the good hitting that sometimes beats good pitching."

The round-table discussion continues with Skip Bayless interjecting that he is on record that Floyd Mayweather, Jr. is "ducking Manny Pacquiao because he fears that Manny is equal to him in hand quickness but has more punching power, and for the first time in Floyd's career, not only does he stand to take the L but he stands to get hurt, to get caught."

Larry Merchant, in his own irrepressible way, delivered the counterpunch: 'I'm surprised that Skip has such strong opinions on this thing" that elicited laughter among themselves.

"My attitude about the fight is I wanna see it happen. Mayweather fought Cotto; it was a good fight, a better fight than expected, and the 4th Marquez-Pacquiao fight may be a better one than the first three, all of which were good fights."

Cari Champion then asked that if Mayweather and Pacquiao get together, "Who do you think is gonna win the fight?"

Larry Merchant refused to answer the question directly but has this to say:

"I'm gonna wait 'til it happens. And because things happen between now and then, there's no doubt that Mayweather will be the favorite. And that if you go by the history of these things, the boxer, the guy who comes out of the dressing room with his first and second thoughts are 'I'm not gonna get hit' and is a master at that," and in Merchant's opinion, "it's hard to beat him."

Many fight fans are hoping that Larry Merchant's first appearance on the show will not be his last. And even if we do not agree with some of his views, it is refreshing to listen to somebody as knowledgeable and eloquent as Larry Merchant sharing his thoughts regarding some of the issues plaguing the sport.


Note: This article was previously published on Detroit Fight Sports Examiner

Jorge Linares stings Hector Velazquez in Sacramento

In Saturday's FOX Sports Championship Boxing, held at Sacramento Memorial Auditorium in California, for 10 full rounds in their lightweight bout, former WBC featherweight/WBA super featherweight champion Jorge Linares duked it out against Mexican veteran Hector Velazquez to earn the nod of the three judges 100-89, 98-91, 97-91.

Despite the scorecards, the unanimous decision victory did not come easy as the durable 37-year-old Hector Velazquez made it hard for Jorge Linares to easily run away with the victory. Hector Velazquez never backed down and engaged Jorge Linares tit-for-tat the entire fight.

The victory may have earned Jorge Linares a rematch with erstwhile tormentor Antonio DeMarco, who in October 2011, rallied from being behind in the scorecards, and despite being outlanded 216 to 97 in total punches, stunned the favored Venezuelan in an 11th round TKO at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA to claim the vacant WBC lightweight title.

Jorge Linares (32-3, 20 KOs), who showed battle scars all over his face, stated in the post-fight interview that he would "like to fight again this year if his doctor would allow him" and "wants a rematch with deMarco" next year.

But seeing Jorge Linares in action last Saturday and the trouble that Hector Velazuez caused him, this writer believes that he needs to work more on his defense if he wants to avenge his embarassing loss to Antonio DeMarco.

Jorge Linares, dubbed "El Niño de Oro," or "Golden Boy," has a very good boxing pedigree. He is a well-skilled, two-fisted fighter who can knock the lights out of any opponent on any given day. Yes, he is a talented fighter but a very vulnerable one. He possesses a very good offensive arsenal but also has very poor defense and a certified glass chin. Alas, all of his losses were knockouts to power-punching opponents: Antonio DeMarco, Juan Carlos Salgado and Sergio Thompson.

In his fight against Hector Velazquez, Jorge Linares had all the statistical advantages on his side: younger (27 y/o to 37 y/o), taller (5'-8 1/2" to 5'-7"), weight (135 1/5 lbs to 134 1/2 lbs) and reach (72" to 69") yet the older Hector Velazquez took him into deep waters.

The fight was on right from the opening bell. Both fighters negated the traditional 'feeling out' process as they elected to just get it on and pounced on each other, testing their resolve early.

It was a give and take affair in the center of the ring: Jorge Linares would launch a two-fisted attack digging into his opponents belly while Hector Velazquez would use his right hooks to connect upstairs.

Jorge Linares started strong and was winning the trade-off early as he used his speed, reach advantage and footwork to confuse Hector Velazquez. He speared from a distance, landed the harder shots and easily moved out of range of any counterattack from Velazquez.

But Hector Velazquez would not be denied as he imposed his presence onto Jorge Linares. Hector Velazquez narrowed the gap, forcing himself into Linares, smothering, crowding and pinning him against the ropes while doing damage in close-quarter combat.

The fight was intense and hard-fought. Jorge Linares had the edge in offense as he peppered Hector Velazquez with combinations, but the Mexican would take them all in the chin and continue his attacks, probing and penetrating Linares' porous defense.

And this is why Jorge Linares is vulnerable. For a fighter gifted with a vast array of offensive firepower and a very good footwork to boot, the guy loves to trade shots with his opponents thereby negating his advantages. Jorge Linares is hittable and his glass chin would be his downfall especially if his opponent can walk through his punches and posseses the power to shatter his chin. If Hector Velazquez (52-18-3, 35 KOs) was 10 years younger, he probably could have pulled the trigger. But father time has diminished his ability to do that.

However, Antonio DeMarco, a young lion who packs power in both hands and endowed with a granite chin, will be a very different animal for Jorge Linares. Antonio DeMarco proved it before and he will surely prove it again the moment their paths will cross in the future. And as the old saying goes, "be careful what you wish for."


Note: This article was previously published on Detroit Fight Sports Examiner

Flashback: Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier

October 1, 1975
Araneta Coliseum
Quezon City
Philippines

HBO Boxing After Dark: Antonin Decarie chops down Alex Perez in 6 rounds

photo credit: Edward Diller/DiBella Entertainment

Alex Perez has the so-called pedigree; a highly-touted undefeated prospect who hones up his chops in the mean streets of Newark, New Jersey and with a fearsome record on paper of 16 wins, 9 inside the distance (although on closer examinations he feasted on patsies to pad his resume) is on the way up, and coming into the fight, maybe in his mind, grabbing the NABF welterweight belt is nothing but just a formality of his promise as a prizefighter.

Nicknamed the "Brick City Bullet", Alex Perez has the compelling backstory that the boxing media loves: shot twice and survived right after his pro debut in 2004; charged with armed robbery and aggravated assault in 2008. He was a young fighter who was given a second lease in life by finding boxing.

It was supposed to be Alex Perez's coming out party and a showcase of his talent and skills until the so-called sacrificial lamb spoiled his grand plans big time.

Nobody thought Antonin Decarie, the 29-year old journeyman from Canada, could pull the upset against Alex Perez. Nobody would have believed that the fighter from Quebec would dismantle his favored opponent inside the ring. But by doing so, Antonin Decarie made the most of his opportunity to appear on the HBO Boxing After Dark fight card at the Foxwoods Resort in Mashantucket, Conn.

In all 7 years of his professional boxing career, Antonin Decarie was known to be decent albeit a feather-fisted fighter. His record of 7 knockouts in 27 fights speaks for itself. But his record also shows that Antonin Decarie knows how to win and can hold his way inside the ring by compiling a 26-1 win-loss record, a fact that was probably overlooked by Alex Perez and his handlers.

The plot was supposed to be an easy one for Alex Perez. Thus, he was favored to steamroll over Antonin Decarie. It was a fight dubbed by some quarters to be between a streetfighter and a gym denizen; a puncher and a pitty-patter; a future star and a cannon fodder.

But as it always happens, the championship fight did not follow the right script as the boxing gods played a cruel spell on Alex Perez's quest for glory. He was not only outclassed but was stopped in stunning fashion by Antonin Decarie (27-1, 8 KOs) who took home the title via a 6 round TKO.

It was a painful loss for Alex Perez as he was really never in contention during the fight. Antonin Decarie did not give him the chance to get on track. Decarie disrupted Perez's rhythm right after the opening bell.

Antonin Decarie made himself an elusive target for Alex Perez's power shots. He moved constantly and used the entire ring wisely. He would dart in but maintain his distance, potshotting his opponent, and backtracking before Alex Perez could react to counter.

Antonin Decarie invested heavily into Alex Perez's body, digging deep inside while not neglecting to unleash the occasional hammers upstairs. These small things Antonin Decarie did with uncanny accuracy.

And so the story of the fight goes...

Antonin Decarie would continue to chop Alex Perez's body while hammering his head in increasing fashion. On the other hand, Alex Perez was only contented with throwing the occasional power shots during the fight.

In the interval between the 5th and 6th rounds, Alex Perez's corner was egging him to "make a fight" since they know that he is "down on the scorecards." But his corner's prodding was to no avail as it was in the 6th round when Antonin Decarie unloaded his best shots to damage Alex Perez's name and reputation as a fighter.

And with time down to 25 seconds, Antonin Decarie landed a crushing left hook flush on Alex Perez's chin that made him dance the "Paso Doble" in slow motion for a moment before getting hit by a huge right follow up on the chin again, as he went down on his back spread-eagled on the canvas.

Alex Perez struggled to get up on his feet and beat the count but Antonin Decarie, seizing the momentum, did not give him the chance to recover as he immediately moved in for the kill and unloaded several wicked rights as Alex Perez, glassy-eyed, his back on the ropes and visibly dazed, took them badly.

And with just 6 seconds on the clock, Antonin Decarie connected again on two successive right bombs on Perez's temple as Danny Schiavone, the referee, stepped in to stop the carnage.

The fight was a major disappointment for the favored Alex Perez, but a coronation for Antonin Decarie, the underdog who followed his game plan to the letter and used his ring smarts to stun his opponent and the crowd.

The statistics showed Antonin Decarie's workmanlike dominance of Alex Perez: 110/229, 48% versus 56/313, 18% in total punch output while more than doubling his edge in the power department by landing 99/150, 66% against 46/165, 28%.

We do not know how long Antonin Decarie can hold on to his NABF welterweight title but the realities of the business are stacked against his favor. But for whatever its worth, last Saturday night, he was just magical and he earned the right to call himself - 'Champion.'

Note: This article was previously published on Detroit Fight Sports Examiner