Photo: Esther Lin/MVP – ‘Prince’ Lucas Bahdi (17-0, 15 KOs) could very well have achieved the KO of the year, last Saturday, against Ashton ‘H2O’ Sylve (11-1, 9 KOs).
Jake Paul (10-1, 7 KOs) delivered a serious beating to the king of bare-knuckle fighting – but very limited boxer – Mike Perry (0-2), last Saturday, at the Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay. On the undercard, the Canadian ‘Prince’ Lucas Bahdi can, however, boast of having achieved a knockout much more impactful, and so, against an elite boxer.
I don’t want to repeat what everyone has already said, but WOW.
Until that split second in the 6th round, American hopeful Ashton Sylve was in full control. Many people, especially commentators, had given up Bahdi, but the pride of Niagara Falls never stopped believing; creating a possible knockout of the year in a heartbeat.
What’s next will be interesting for the 30-year-old ‘Prince.’ After his victory, he called to face another American prodigy, the one of Golden Boy, Floyd Schofield (17-0, 12 KOs), who was initially scheduled to face Sylve on the undercard of Paul-Tyson.
The Real Deal Is Back
Between Bahdi’s fight and that of Jake Paul, in the co-feature, Amanda Serrano (47-2-1, 31 KOs) made a successful comeback by taking only 2 rounds to downgrade the American Stevie Morgan ( 14-2, 13 KOs). The legendary Puerto Rican is now expected to face Katie Taylor next November in a highly anticipated rematch.
Talking about a rematch, on the same card, in a duel of undefeated prospect, Corey Marksman (10-0-1, 7 KOs) won the rematch against Tony Aguilar (12-1-1, 4 KOs). The two prospects fought for a draw last February.
Finally, true to form, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr (54-6-1, 34 KOs) was very unimpressive in winning a unanimous, but competitive, decision against former UFC fighter Uriah Hall (1-1). It’s a moral victory for Hall, who, entering the ring against the son of the legend, had only a points victory over former NFL star running back Le’Veon Bell as his only experience.
Another One for Parker
Earlier in the day, in England, Brad Pauls (19-1-1, 11 KOs) inflicted a first defeat on Nathan Haeney (18-1-1 KOs). The two men also fought for draw last March. But, this time by stopping Haeney in the 12th round, Pauls thus got his hands on the British 160 lb title.
The local English fight that interested us the most, however, was the one between Zach Parker (25-1, 18 KOs) and Jack Arnfield (26-4, 6 KOs), on the undercard. The result was unsurprising, Parker hammered and stopped Arnfield in 4 rounds and we will be watching what’s next for him very closely.
This is Parker’s third straight victory since losing to John Ryder due to injury. Since then, he has talked about moving up to light heavyweight, but has never exceeded 172 lbs. If he ends up going all out, several local fights could be available to him; Anthony Yarde, Joshua Buatsi, Dan Azeez. But if he stays at 168 lb… Mbilli, Iglesias or Bazinyan will perhaps cross his path one day…
Amazing Junto
Even earlier in the day, in Japan, Junto Nakatani (28-0, 21 KOs) only took one round to stop his Filipino mandatory challenger, Vincent Astrolabio (19-5, 14 KOs). O.). It was a devastating straight to the liver that did the job.
Nakatani is still little talked about in America, as is customary with the lower weight divisions. The fact remains that the king of 118 lb is ranked 10th in the Ring Magazine pound for pound’s ranking. He is one division below that of Naoya Inoue (122 lb) and one above that of Bam Rodriguez (115 lbs). I dream of a fight with any of these combinations…
A tremendous knockout
Finally, on the Junto undercard, the American Anthony Olascuaga (7-1, 5 KOs) became WBO 112 lb champion by stopping Riko Kano (22-5-2, 11 KOs. ) in 3 rounds.
I didn’t need to say that about Bahdi, being convinced that everyone saw it, but I advise you to go see the K.-O. by Olascuaga on YouTube (HERE). It may not have been as impactful, but it was technically splendid. The Californian swept his opponent’s guard with his right… and used the free space to knock him out with his left!
The PG agenda:
These are the fights to watch this week:
Shields vs. Joanisse
It’s this Saturday, in Detroit and on DAZN, that Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse (7-1, 2 KOs) will try to get her hands on 2 additional belts, but above all to shock the world against Claressa Shields (14-0, 2 KOs). I won’t say any more for the moment, because to highlight this enormous fight, Laurent Poulin and I have concocted two splendid texts to be published in the days to come!
Joyce vs. Chisora
Also on DAZN, but earlier today, Joe Joyce (16-2, 15 KOs) takes on Derek Chisora (34-13, 23 KOs) in a crossroads British heavyweight. In fact, it applies especially for Joyce; otherwise, Chisora would have crossed the road 20 times. Regardless, it’s a great fight!
Itauma vs. Wach
On the undercard, another heavyweight fight promises to be interesting. Laurent Poulin’s prospect of the month of May 2024, Moses Itauma (9-0, 7 KOs) defends his WBO Inter-Continental title against the old Polish vet Mariusz Wach (38-10, 20 KOs. ).
Bueno vs. Alvarez
OK. I’m having a little fun here, but the most dedicated Quebec boxing fans will understand. Do you remember the guy who took everything during 4 rounds during Moreno Fendero’s professional debut in Gatineau? It’s Uziel Bueno (4-4, 2 KOs). Well, in a local Mexican fight, he will face the 39-year-old guy who hung Wilkens Mathieu for 4 rounds in Quebec, Jose Arias Alvarez (3-2, 1 KO). I’d put 2$ on Bueno if anyone wants to bet…
Found on BoxRec
Speaking of Wilkens Mathieu, I wrote a text about him saying that only one other boxer under 20 was in the top 200 super-middleweights on Boxrec. It was the Colombian Juan Narvaez (8-0, 8 KOs). On Saturday, this 19-year-old Colombian gem will try to take his career to the next level by fighting Jose Espinoza (15-3, 12 KOs). Above all, it will be for his first title, the WBA Fedecaribe belt. It will be fascinating to follow his evolution in parallel with that of our local prodigy.
Have a great week, y’all!
