I compiled a breakdown for those that haven't been following it so far.
Round One. The middleweights
Sena Agbeko 15-0 15kos
vs.
Raymond Gatica 13-2
Result: Gatica ko round 4
Vitaliy Kopylenko 22-0
vs.
Cerresso Fort 17-2
Result: Kopylenko ko round 2
Willie Monroe Jr. 15-1
vs.
Donatas Bondorovas 18-4-1
Result: Monroe Jr. won unanimous decision
Daniel Edouard 24-31
vs.
Brandon Adams 12-0
Result: Adams ko 4
Round Two
Brandon Adams 13-0
vs.
Raymond Gatica 14-2
Result: Adams split decision
Vitaliy Kopylenko 23-0
vs.
Willie Monroe Jr. 16-1
Result: Monroe Jr. unanimous decision
Final(Friday)
Willie Monroe Jr. 17-1
vs.
Brandon Adams 14-0
Thus far the tournament has been real good presenting a few surprises. The first surprise was Adams, with limited amateur experience, fighting like a seasoned veteran and stopping Edouard who was considered one of the favorites.
However there no surprises as big as Willie Monroe upsetting the overall favorite Vitaliy Kopylenko!
Friday night should be interesting. Monroe is entering as the slight favorite but Adams should be considered a live underdog. Definitely worth checking out this Friday on ESPN2!
Yeah, it's a solid gym. Mostly pros and advanced amateurs. There's a lot of good talent flowing through there. And it's definitely a lot cleaner than about 95% of gyms I've ever been to.
As for my avi, it's Gottlob Frege, the German logician who is essentially the founder of modern logic (and thus analytical philosophy in the first half of the 20th century).
No doubt, bro. That place looks more like a fitness center than a boxing gym (I mean that in a good way).
Thanks for the info on Frege. I'm gonna look him up later. The moment I saw his picture, I started racking my brains for mental images of scientists, composers and philanthropists of the late nineteenth/early twentieth century. All those guys seem to look alike in my head. Then I compare shots and realize they look nothing alike. lol
Thanks for the report, and for sharing the pics! Seems like everyone in that gym is pretty polished. Willie came across really well on camera the last time I saw him. And that gym looks spic and span. If I showed you a pic of the gym I used to frequent, you'd hold your nose just looking at it. lol (BTW, who's the guy in your avi? He looks familiar, but I can't think of the name. I tried names like Darwin and Carnegie, to no avail.)
Yeah, it's a solid gym. Mostly pros and advanced amateurs. There's a lot of good talent flowing through there. And it's definitely a lot cleaner than about 95% of gyms I've ever been to.
As for my avi, it's Gottlob Frege, the German logician who is essentially the founder of modern logic (and thus analytical philosophy in the first half of the 20th century).
I have to put my cards on the table here and state that I am a friend of Monroe's. We trained together at the same gym as amateurs, so I don't know how relevant my undeniably biased prediction is.
That said, I was able to visit Willie on his last day of camp in Tampa, and I can report that he is very sharp, in good condition, and at weight (162 on Tuesday). Being as objective as I can be, I think he'll be a tough matchup for Adams, who looked a little unsure about how to deal with Gattica's southpaw jab in the opening few rounds. Monroe is longer than Gattica (side note: Willie's reach is closer to 76" and 74", which is what ESPN listed) and has a much better and quicker jab. Adams has had two guys who were right there for him to time with his counter. Monroe will give him angles and attempt to turn Adams, use lateral movement, etc. Adams will also be at a decided speed deficit for the first time in this tournament. It's going to take some effort for Adams to close the distance, and when he does, to get a beat on Monroe's timing.
My prediction is that Monroe will get off to an early lead and hold off a late rally from Adams to pull out a decision in the 6-4 or 7-3 range.
Here are a couple pictures from Willie's last day in Tampa. From left to right: Sherman Henson (head trainer at Legend's Gym), Jeff Lacy, Willie Monroe, Danny Akers (Monroe's trainer and my former amateur trainer).
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Oim64lkg704/U3v5AIBsorI/AAAAAAAACLY/f0USVZK55_4/w1008-h567-no/20140520_205313.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-B5Z6xV2yddo/U3v5CIjdd-I/AAAAAAAACLk/PMh65mLFfn8/w1008-h567-no/20140520_205321.jpg
Thanks for the report, and for sharing the pics! Seems like everyone from that gym is pretty polished. Willie came across really well on camera the last time I saw him. And that gym looks spic and span. If I showed you a pic of the gym I used to frequent, you'd hold your nose just looking at it. lol (BTW, who's the guy in your avi? He looks familiar, but I can't think of the name. I tried names like Darwin and Carnegie, to no avail.)
Especially looking forward to this Friday's middleweight finale. Willie Monroe Jr looks real good. But I became an instant fan the moment I caught sight of that Cuban flag on his trunks. :lol1:
I have to put my cards on the table here and state that I am a friend of Monroe's. We trained together at the same gym as amateurs, so I don't know how relevant my undeniably biased prediction is.
That said, I was able to visit Willie on his last day of camp in Tampa, and I can report that he is very sharp, in good condition, and at weight (162 on Tuesday). Being as objective as I can be, I think he'll be a tough matchup for Adams, who looked a little unsure about how to deal with Gattica's southpaw jab in the opening few rounds. Monroe is longer than Gattica (side note: Willie's reach is closer to 76" and 74", which is what ESPN listed) and has a much better and quicker jab. Adams has had two guys who were right there for him to time with his counter. Monroe will give him angles and attempt to turn Adams, use lateral movement, etc. Adams will also be at a decided speed deficit for the first time in this tournament. It's going to take some effort for Adams to close the distance, and when he does, to get a beat on Monroe's timing.
My prediction is that Monroe will get off to an early lead and hold off a late rally from Adams to pull out a decision in the 6-4 or 7-3 range.
Here are a couple pictures from Willie's last day in Tampa. From left to right: Sherman Henson (head trainer at Legend's Gym), Jeff Lacy, Willie Monroe, Danny Akers (Monroe's trainer and my former amateur trainer).
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Oim64lkg704/U3v5AIBsorI/AAAAAAAACLY/f0USVZK55_4/w1008-h567-no/20140520_205313.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-B5Z6xV2yddo/U3v5CIjdd-I/AAAAAAAACLk/PMh65mLFfn8/w1008-h567-no/20140520_205321.jpg
I think you are correct about this being how you run a tournament in boxing, it is spread out enough to build some hype as it goes on but nice and tight unlike the Super 6 which was much too drawn out.
I think ESPN did get kind of lucky though that no real injuries or bad cuts took place to derail any of the later matches.
Willie Monroe has looked like a stud but Adams has looked very good also, so that is the final I am more interested in, but the lightweight one should still be fun even if I think those guys have less upside potential.
The lightweights
Round one
Yakubu Amidu 21-4-2
vs.
Chris Rudd 12-1
Result: Chris Rudd won split decision
Fedor Papazov 14-0
vs.
Petr Petrov 32-4-2
Result: Petr Petrov by unanimous decision
Miguel Angel Gonzalez 22-3
vs.
Miguel Angel Mendoza Delgado 21-2-1
Result: Miguel Angel Gonzalez by split decision
Samuel Kotey Neequaye 21-0
vs.
Fernando Carcamo 15-5-1
Result: Fernando Carcamo by second round ko
Round two
Chris Rudd 13-1
vs.
Petr Petrov 33-4-1
Result: Petr Petrov by fourth round ko
Miguel Angel Gonzalez 23-3
vs.
Fernando Carcamo 16-5-1
Result: Fernando Carcamo by majority decision
Final(Friday)
Petr Petrov 34-4-1
vs.
Fernando Carcamo 17-5-1
I would imagine Petrov would be the favorite Friday but Fernando Carcamo has not let us down so far!
This, in my opinion is how pro tournaments should be run in boxing. No three round amateur like matches, all on the same day. Professional boxers fighting in professional matches. ESPN2 has scored a hit with this Boxino tournament!
I have not seen all of it, but what i have seen has been very enjoyable. I love seeing up and comers and prospects, and this is a good avenue for them to get exposure.
12y ago
Boxino What a tourney so far. | BoxingScene Community