- The most exciting fight of this past weekend was the brutal war of wills between Lucas Matthysse and Ruslan Provodnikov. Fans in attendance, and watching at home, expecting to see a Fight of the Year candidate and they got just that with the fight being the current frontrunner to win the award for 2015. Both fighters showed a lot of heart and toughness and in the end it was Matthysse who got the majority decision win. It looked like Matthysse might dispatch Provodnikov after an accidental headbutt caused a bad cut over Provodnikov's left eye but the "Siberian Rocky" never stopped coming forward and made it a real close fight. Provodnikov was even able to hurt Matthysse in the 11th round but the powerful Aregntine held on for the win. The winner didn't matter much though because it was one of those bouts where win or lose, both fighters come out looking like winners.
- The co-feature of the HBO telecast was a bout between rising star Terence Crawford and the skilled Thomas Dulorme. Through the first five rounds the fight looked very close, and neither fighter really took control. It looked as if the fight would continue to be a highly skilled chess match until Crawford caught Dulorme with a right hand in the 6th round. Dulorme was badly hurt and was dropped three times in the round, the last forcing the ref to wave the fight off. It was Crawford's first fight in the junior welterweight division and he looked great. Crawford seems to have it all, he can outbox opponents until he sees an opening and lands his power. Crawford has a similar style to that of Mikey Garcia and a fight between the two would certainly be a fun affair.
- On Showtime, the long awaiting return of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. headlined the telecast. Chavez Jr. took on the talented light heavyweight Andrzej Fonfara, who Chavez Sr. said was a bad choice for his son's first fight back after a long layoff. Chavez Sr. proved to be right as his son quit on his stool in between the 9th and 10th rounds after being dropped by a Fonfara left hand at the end of the 9th round. Chavez Jr. is at a crossroads now, if he continues to only fight once a year and continues to fight in different weight classes he should really considering hanging up his gloves now. However, if Chavez Jr. can get his act together, find an appropriate weight class, and fight two to three times a year, he could still be a star. As for Fonfara he showed that he is a highly talented fighter who will give anyone trouble. Fonfara called out lineal light heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson after beating Chavez Jr. and that is a rematch Fonfara certainly deserves.
- Also on Showtime the hot prospect Amir Imam stayed undefeated. Imam looked fantastic against Walter Castillo and nearly pitched a shutout. Imam looks like he has the talent to become a star and he is certainly ready for a step up fight. Over on Showtime Extreme Moises Flores got the win over Oscar Escandon in a good back and forth fight. Escandon represented a step up for Flores who impressed and looks ready for bigger things. Also on Showtime Extreme was the younger brother of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Omar Chavez. Chavez looked good against Richard Gutierrez in a fight he was supposed to win. Chavez may never be an elite fighter but he is fun to watch and should find himself on TV again soon.
- On Friday night there were three separate fight cards but only two names that really mattered. The first of those names is Tony Harrison, who stayed undefeated after beating Pablo Munguia, looked spectacular. Harrison dropped Munguia at the end of the 2nd round and had him in bad shape. The doctor and referee took a close look at Munguia between rounds and after Harrison landed a few heavy punches in the 3rd round the referee waved off the fight. While the stoppage wasn't great at the moment it happened, it was only a matter of time before Harrison finished him off. The other name to pay attention to is Murat Gassiev, who was in action on Fox Sports 1. Gassiev scored the 9th round stoppage victory over Alex Cora Jr. and looked fantastic. Gassiev is a young fighter who already looks ready for big fights, in part because of his bruising body work.
WEEKLY RECORD: 6-4
MONTHLY RECORD: 15-5-1
OVERALL RECORD: 460-137-14.
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