On Saturday night, Showtime broadcast a Showtime Championship Boxing doubleheader, live from Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
The fight card included Jermell Charlo vs. Austin Trout and finished with the highly-anticipated rematch between Abner Mares and Leo Santa Cruz.
This particular night of action was unique as both fights went the full 12-round distance and were left to the judges’ scorecards.
So what did we learn from Showtime Championship Boxing on Saturday, June 9, 2018?
The Charlo Twins Are the Most Hated Duo in Boxing
I think it’s time we come to terms with the fact that the Charlo twins have officially become those boxer’s everyone loves to hate. They are overly flashy, arrogant and their interviews are always awkward because so oddly aggressive.
Austin Trout threw all kinds of shade to his opponent Jermell Charlo, as he entered the ring Saturday night to Kendrick Lamar’s “HUMBLE,” eluding that the Charlo twins may want to take the lyrics to heart and “be humble, sit down.”
Jermell won the fight by a majority decision; however the fight actually seemed to be more in his favor than the scorecards indicated.
Charlo retained his WBC Super Welterweight world title and he even dropped Trout twice during the 12-round contest. Still, during his post-fight interview with Showtime’s Jim Gray, the crowd booed him profusely.
Charlo delivered a highlight-reel knockout in this last bout over Erickson Lubin, he is undefeated and he and his brother are both producing entertaining bouts. So what gives? Why do boxing fans hate the Charlo’s so much?
It seems like the Charlo’s are boxing’s new big-mouthed bad boys and well, let’s face it, one Charlo is enough to leave a bad taste in your mouth. And since the two come in a pair that’s a very large quantity of Charlo confidence for anyone to handle.
The Charlo twins are talented, dynamic and entertaining and whether you like it or not; they are here to stay.
Leo Santa Cruz is Ready to Unify
Leo Santa Cruz defeated Abner Mares in the main event on Saturday night and during his post-fight interview he was very vocal about the fact that he now wants to unify the Featherweight division with WBC champion Gary Russell Jr.
“I want Gary Russell. Let’s unify. I’m not scared of anybody. Whoever I get, let’s go. I’m ready,” said Santa Cruz when speaking with Jim Gray.
Santa Cruz defeated Mares for the second time by a majority decision as this rematch was very similar to their first encounter.
However, Santa Cruz seemed to show a new level of restraint in this fight and he stay behind his jab and used his reach to keep Mares on the outside for most of the fight.
Using this same game plan against Russell Jr. could play well to Santa Cruz’s favor as he has a long reach for his division. Russell Jr. is a smart fighter with exceptional hand speed and an exciting level of aggression. Santa Cruz vs Russell Jr.? Yes, please!
Real Mexican-Style; Bienvenido!
After seeing Cinco De Mayo’s proclaimed “Mexican-Style Boxing” card between Gennady Golovkin and Vanes Martirosyan, two non-mexican fighters; I was beginning to lose some hope for the greatness that is Mexican-style boxing.
Luckily, Saturday’s rematch between Leo Santa Cruz and Abner Mares lived up the guts and glory that is Mexican-style boxing. Both Santa Cruz and Mares are Mexican-American fighters that hail from the Los Angeles area, and both fighters are openly proud of their heritage and have said they wanted to be the best Mexican-American boxer in LA.
On Saturday night, in true Mexican fight fashion, the fighters gave their all, and produced a tough-and-gritty war for their loyal Mexican fight fans. Perhaps even a trilogy could be in order.
Mexican fights over the years have been legendary such as Erik Morales vs. Marco Antonio Barrera or Jesus Castillo vs. Ruben Olivares. Santa Cruz vs. Mares both 1 and 2 surely made their predecessors proud. Viva Mexican-Style!
All photos by Stephanie Trapp/Showtime
