With the controversial Timothy Bradley-Nate Campbell outcome getting the attention of the weekend’s title fights, two others quietly took their place in the world title picture and collected their trinkets for the first time in their careers.
Bradley retains his WBO Junior Welterweight (140 lbs.) title via TKO 3
USA’s Timothy Bradley [25(12)-0(0)-0] vs. USA’s Nate Campbell [33(25)-6(3)-1]
August 1 (Saturday) - Rancho Mirage, CA
The stoppage in three might change in the next few days pending the appeal of Campbell’s team with the California State Athletic Commission. It has been clearly revealed in replays of the nationally televised Showtime event that Campbell was cut due to an accidental head butt by Bradley. Referee David Mendoza saw otherwise and indicated that it was a punch after the clash of heads which caused the cut. If the referee saw what everyone saw then a no decision should have been the verdict since the cut occurred before the end of the fourth. Regardless, Bradley was dominating the bout with his speed and constant pressure. He will very likely retain his title anyway. But, in fairness to Campbell, he deserves better due to what transpired and what the rules states. A rematch maybe justifiable but will not likely happen as Bradley will have better options than a Campbell sequel. Besides, the first three rounds already dictate the most probable outcome of their match-up.
As for the pending appeal, chances are it will be denied. I maybe wrong but when you looked closely at the reason of the ring physician’s stoppage, it wasn’t the cut. It was the spots behind the eye that Campbell was complaining about which prevents him from continuing. If that is the deemed reason of the stoppage then it can be disputed that that was caused by a punch. But, if it can be argued that the spots were caused by the cut due to the head butt then it’s a valid reason to act on the appeal. We’ll stay tuned on further developments. Prediction Outcome: Bottom line, Bradley still won.
Alexander wins vacant WBC Super Lightweight (140 lbs.) title via TKO 8
UK’s Junior Witter [37(22)-3(1)-2] vs. USA’s Devon Alexander [19(12)-0(0)-0]
August 1 (Saturday) - Rancho Mirage, CA
Witter claimed that he injured his right elbow in the fourth and cannot continue. He wisely quit at the end of the eighth of a fairly lopsided fight. He was already way behind in the scorecards anyway. I have it 78-74 for Alexander at that point. The official judges have it 79-73, 79-73 and 80-72. The 22-year old Alexander was the busier and more effective fighter while Witter was often wide and predictable with his swings. This will probably be Witter’s last fight in the limelight. As for the St. Louis native Alexander, expect better fights ahead of him against tougher foes. Is he ready to plunge in the deeper end of the 140-lb. pool? Swim with sharks like Bradley, Juan Urango, Amir Khan, Marcos Rene Maidana or Victor Ortiz? These are the opponents that will take him to the next level. Prediction Outcome: Alexander indeed by late stoppage.
Hlatshwayo wins vacant IBF Welterweight (147 lbs.) title via split decision
Dominican Republic’s Delvin Rodriguez [24(14)-3(1)-2] vs. South Africa’s Isaac Hlatshwayo [29(10)-1(0)-1]
August 1 (Saturday) - Uncasville, CT
This was the fight of the week as both Rodriguez and Hlatshwayo gave their all in the ring. I have Rodriguez ahead in the first half of the fight as he was busier and landed a few more significant blows. He connected a lot of combos to Hlatshwayo’s tough chin but the South African took it all in stride and even managed to rock Rodriguez in at least a couple of occasions. The turning point was after the sixth as Rodriguez seem to have gassed out. Hlatshwayo took advantage of Rodriguez’s declining work rate and connected on uppercuts and right straights. I have it 116-112 for Hlatshwayo. Official judges scored it 116-112 and 116-113 for Hlatshwayo and 115-113 for Rodriguez. Prediction Outcome: I underestimated Hlatshwayo perseverance when fighting on enemy turf and was humbly corrected for it.
Tally Update
The US regains solo lead. Isaac Hlatshwayo joins compatriot Malcolm Klassen and pushes South Africa up the standings.
|
Rank |
Country |
No. of Titles |
Title Holders |
|
1st |
USA |
10 |
|
|
2nd |
Mexico |
9 |
|
|
3rd |
Puerto Rico |
7 |
|
|
4th |
Ukraine |
5 |
-
Sergiy Dzinziruk - WBO154
-
Vitali Klitschko - WBC200+
-
Wladimir Klitschko - IBF200+;WBO200+;Ring200+ |
|
5th |
Panama |
4 |
|
|
6th (2 are tied) |
Argentina |
3 |
-
Sergio Gabriel Martinez - WBC154
-
Omar Andres Narvaez - WBO112
-
Victor Emilio Ramirez - WBO200 |
|
6th (2 are tied) |
Japan |
3 |
|
|
8th (8 are tied) |
Armenia |
2 |
|
|
8th (8 are tied) |
Hungary |
2 |
-
Karoly Balzsay - WBO168
-
Zsolt Erdei - WBO175 |
|
8th (8 are tied) |
Philippines |
2 |
-
Donnie Nietes - WBO105
-
Manny Pacquiao - Ring140 |
|
8th (8 are tied) |
Poland |
2 |
|
|
8th (8 are tied) |
South Africa |
2 |
|
|
8th (8 are tied) |
Thailand |
2 |
|
|
8th (8 are tied) |
UK |
2 |
-
Carl Froch - WBC168
-
Amir Khan - WBA140 |
|
8th (8 are tied) |
Venezuela |
2 |
-
Jorge Linares - WBA130
-
Edwin Valero - WBC135 |
|
16th (12 are tied) |
Colombia |
1 |
|
|
16th (12 are tied) |
Denmark |
1 |
|
|
16th (12 are tied) |
Dominican Republic |
1 |
|
|
16th (12 are tied) |
Germany |
1 |
|
|
16th (12 are tied) |
Ghana |
1 |
|
|
16th (12 are tied) |
Haiti |
1 |
|
|
16th (12 are tied) |
Indonesia |
1 |
|
|
16th (12 are tied) |
Italy |
1 |
|
|
16th (12 are tied) |
Nicaragua |
1 |
|
|
16th (12 are tied) |
Romania |
1 |
|
|
16th (12 are tied) |
Russia |
1 |
|
|
16th (12 are tied) |
Spain |
1 |
|
> BOXING SCHEDULE > ROY JONES JR. TORNADO FUNDRAISER > FIGHT LIFE MAGAZINE 
