Bad Left Hook Live Boxing Results and Commentary: Vanes Martirosyan v. Kassim Ouma

Opening bout: Diego Magdaleno (12-0, 3 KOs) vs. Gerardo Robles (9-8, 5 KOs). Super featherweights.

Magdaleno content to box from the outside. He moves much better than his opponent. He’s got no pop, so he’s content to just pick apart his man as Robles lunges in. Recipe for a boring fight. But as I say that, Robles starts to connect in one of his wild flurries moving to the inside. Good for him. Still a Magdaleno round.

10-9 Magdaleno.

Robles reaches in from what out, and gets countered. But it is forcing Magdaleno to work. Headbutt as the both move inside; Robles gets the worse of it. Ref gives them a break, but Robles looks a bit dazed. Magdaleno does will coming in on the inside. Robles lands a few wild punches, but his openness is his undoing. Robles rocks his hand a little bit. And they start trading with about 45 seconds left; both landing good punches. Robles is doing good in making this a fight, rather than a boxing match — he’ll lose the latter. He may lose the former too, but he’s got a fighting chance. Robles counters over the top, and I think he took the round.

Robles 10-9, 19-19 even

The methodology by which I am watching this fight is prone to some skipping. So I may miss some moments.

…for example, I missed the entire first half of this round. Picking up with 1:30 to go, it loks like Magadeleno is winning. But he’s stunned! A series of winging shots by Robles land, and Magdaleno is rocked. Another left hook lands for Robles. It’s spots for Robles versus consistent good work for Magdaleno. Great crunching body shot by Magdaleno.

Can’t score the round given how much I missed. Alas. We’ll just say it’s 10-10, and hopefully it won’t be decisive.

29-29 even

This round opens up with something new: Magdaleno stalking, and Robles backing up. They trade in the middle, Robles gets the better of it. Magdaleno misses with an uppercut. Mag is pawing with the jab, never a good sign for a small fighter with no power. Good body work by Magdaleno. Robles covers up and tries to answer with wild shots, but is easily slipped. Good work by Magdaleno. Robles looks a little discouraged, and tries to clinch. Magdlaeno starts throwing lead right hooks. Nice counter by Robles with about 15 seconds to go, and begins to come forward. Still, Magdaleno’s best round so far.

10-9, 39-38 Mag

Back to Robles being the one coming forward, and Magdaleno is trying to pick him off as he comes in. Magdaleno is showing more aggression than he did at the start of the fight, and its paying off. He likes to pump out the 1-2 as Robles debates coming in. Good in-fighting by Magdaleno. Once again, Robles is reduced to just covering up on the inside. Nice inside counter by Magdaleno, followed by a wild response by Robles that lands. And we get another break for a headbutt, one that again shakes up Robles. Robles starts throwing to the body on the inside. ‘bout time. But getting there has proven to be a dangerous proposition. Flurry by Magdaleno that doesn’t really do any damage, and he just misses tagging him with a straight right as Robles pulled straight back. Not as impressive as last round, but still clearly for Magdaleno.

10-9, 49-47 Magdaleno

No doubt about it, Robles is more hesitant to dive in this round. Nady warns Magdaleno for straying low. Robles makes like “I’m not clinching”, and Magdaleno seizes the opportunity to beat up on him on the inside. Then Nady warns Robles for holding. That’s gotta be demoralizing. BIG body shot by Magdlaeno, and Robles is hurting,. Magdaleno thinks he can get the rare KO. Robles seems to have recovered as he basically throws Magdleno off him. Magdaleno may be getting a little wild, but even at his most crazy he’s still a technician compared to Robles. Good work by Robles on the inside to the body. Robles lands the reaching 1-2. As the fight goes on, he may be able to catch a tiring Magdaleno (though Robles isn’t exactly fresh as a daisy). Robles lands an overhand to end the round, but it’s still another in the bank for Magdaleno.

10-9, 59-56 Mag

Robles gets hit coming in, which is an improvement from getting hit standing there. Magdaleno kind of stumbles back, and Robles tries to chase him. Robles catches Magdaleno coming out. Listen, it’s not that these guys aren’t trying hard, but this isn’t exactly a scintillating fight. It’s pretty sloppy, there isn’t much power … it’s just kinda blah. Magdleno tries to chase down Robles, but fails. He’s landed a few grazing blows as they dance in and out, but nothing too impressive. Enough to be winning the round, but nothing that makes me think he has much of a future.

10-9, 69-65 Magdaleno

Last round. Magdaleno flicks out the jab, Robles, paws with his. Well, Magdlaeno is coming out swinging at least, and Robles grabs at the first opportunity. I don’t think Robles is really interested in winning anymore. He’s holding a lot in close. Good combo to the body Magdlaeno. Robles can’t tell the difference between a hurt Magdaleno and an off-balance Magdaleno. More clutching by Robles after a couple more body shots by Magdaleno. Nady’s starting to get tired of the holding. Robles wings away coming in, then puts Magdaleno in a head lock. Magdaleno may not be the most skilled prospect I’ve seen, but he clearly wants it more, and that’s doing more than skill to give him the edge tonight. Robles lands one last shot at the bell, but Magdaleno deserves the round and the fight.

10-9, 79-74 (keeping in mind my made up third round score card) Magdaleno.

78-74
78-74
80-72

Magdaleno UD

Jose Benavidez (debut) vs.Steven Cox (1-0, 1 KO), Junior Welterweights.

I know Steven he lived like two houses down from me when i lived in Independence, small world.

Benavidez is apparently a decorated amateur, and Cox is from Missouri. Clues about how the fight will go. Cox looks tiny and scared in there, and he’s dancing around the ring. BOOM. Floored with a straight. He’s wiping at his nose, but he’ll get up and fight on. Benavidez jumps on him, and Cox basically runs away, I like how Benavidez is trying to finish him. It’s a flurry, but it’s mixed up and not wild. And the ref steps in and waves it off — less, I think from the damage done or danger, and more because Cox clearly wasn’t interested in fighting anymore.

Benavidez TKO-1

Obviously, this fight says nothing, but I liked Benavidez more than Magdaleno. It wasn’t just quality of opposition — he looked far more polished.

This is going to be tough for me to watch. Ouma was my favorite fighter, but he hasn’t looked any good since the Taylor fight (which is odd, since he wasn’t really beat up badly against Taylor — he was just too small). And Martirosyan would be a tough challenge even for a prime Ouma — he has a ton of talent (beat Berto and Tim Bradley in the amateurs).

Oh, what the hell: GO OUMA! Yeah, I’m going to be a sad kid tonight.

Vanes dwarfs Ouma size-wise. Ouma hasn’t fought in 9 minths, maybe the rest will do him good instead of just making him rusty. Ouma coming in 1-2 and connects, Vanes is backing up. Ouma is at least throwing, which is good to see. Vanes looking to counter with the uppercut as Ouma lunges in. I think Vanes is a little surprised by Ouma’s aggression. He’s not panicking, he’s just resetting a bit. Vanes misses with a big overhand right. Vanes may be cut from a headbutt.

Ouma again catches him with a lunging 1-2. Ouma slips a hook that would have led to a big counter if this was Fight Night Four. They’re trading at the center, both land big! Ouma lands a lead right jab.

Hey, what do you know. Ouma 10-9, on aggression.

Ouma clips Vanes with a jab. Vanes definitely does not look comfortable. However this turns out, this was a test. Vanes lands with an uppercut, he’s looking to use Ouma’s aggression against him, which is smart.

Ouma continues to brush Vanes face coming in, but the punches don’t have any force on them. Vanes is throwing with far nastier intentions. Vanes with a nice counter right. And another, that briefly stops Ouma in his tracks. Ouma tries to fight on the inside, but Vanes does a good job tieing up. Ouma loves to lunge inside throwing, but it’s still a better position for Vanes given his superior wingspan. Ouma lands a stiff jab that snaps Vanes head back.

10-9 Vanes, 19-19

I’m not writing “Vanes” out of disrespect, it’s just a pain to spell out Martirosyan.

Ouma loves that up-jab, and he’s been landing with it. The pressure is definitely having an affect on Vanes. Ouma misses with an uppercut, and they tie up. I’d love to see Ouma do some body work to slow Vanes from dancing all around the ring. An Ouma who can catch up with you is an Ouma who is dangerous. And as I say it, good body flurry from Ouma. 1-2 from Ouma! GOOD left from Ouma and Vanes fires back with a right of his own. Vanes gets warned for straying low. I’ll say this about Vanes — when he does get hit, he responds like a fighter. Right by Vanes lands after a 1-2 in the center, and Vanes tries to take the initiative. Another right lands by Vanes. Good, close round.

10-9 Vanes, 29-28 Vanes.

Ouma tries to trap Vanes against the ropes, b ut he gets away. It’s a good thing Vanes is moving backwards, becaus it really takes alot away from his power. Ouma catches him with a jab. Vanes catches Ouma coming in and lands with a nice 1-2 of his own. Bet that felt good to turn the tables. Another stiff 1-2 by Vanes, and Bayless warns Vanes for something.

Nice hook by Vanes. I don’t think he wants to be fighting on his back foot, but he really does move nicely. Sign of a versatile fighter. Vanes kind of jujitsu throws Ouma as he comes in; Bayless disapproves. Another 1-2 for Vanes. Ouma’s punches have no snap on them, and I think Vanes is realizing he’ll win any exchanges. Nice body shot by Vanes. He’s pawing at his face now like he has a cut.

10-9 Vanes, 39-37 Vanes

Same start to every other round, Ouma stalking. Vane starting to throw the one two before Ouma starts in with his lunge, which is probably do his advantage. Ouma cactches up with a 1-2, Ouma psuhes away. A better, 1-2 and another one, then an uppercut by Ouma. That was the closest thing I’ve seen to the old punches-in-bunches style he had, and it worked well (natch, it won him a title).

1-2 by Vanes and he dances away. Ouma lands a right hand. Vanes hits on the break, and is warned by Bayless. They touch gloves. Counter right by Ouma. Is that his power hand? He fights southpaw, but he relies on his right far more. Vanes is starting to get a little lunge-y, and it’s letting Ouma slip him more. Ouma catches a 1-2.

I think Ouma snuck that round. The aggression paid off.

10-9 Ouma, 48-47 Vanes

Ouma is throwing now, and I think he’s found his rhythm. Some nicebody work, and throws a few extra after Bayless calls the break for good measure. Ouma is not here to just be a pretty name on Vanes resume, that’s for sure. Ouma lands with another 1-2. Nice right by Ouma, Vanes tries to fire back. Good body shot by Vanes, and he decides to commit to it. Strays low again, Bayless gives a stern warning. Next time will get a point. Shame for Vanes, it was working well for him.

Ouma tries to meet with 1-2s of his own, then mixes in an uppercut. Good flurry by VOuna. GOOD flurry by Ouma, and Vanes fires back. Ouma opens up to close the round. VERY nice late work by Ouma.

10-9 Ouma, 57-57 even

Ouma is, at the very least, hanging tough, and I have it even. It’s the sort of fight that I can see the house fighter taking by a too wide margin; but it’s not like Ouma is some random unknown. I’m hopeful that if he deserves the win, he’ll get it.

Ouma rushes in and they tie up. Vanes lands some good 1-2s, then backs away. That’s the story of the fight; whether Ouma can catch up. Ouma lands a good overhand as Vanes tries to run away. Vanes snaps Ouma’s head back with a jab backing off. Did Ouma ever know how to cut off the ring, or is that another casualty of the post-Taylor collapse?

Less active from Ouma, and Vanes is exploiting. He landed the far solider punches this round, including a good combo late.

10-9 Vanes, 68-67 Vanes

Ouma lands with an overhand, and presses the action. Hopefully his trainer has convinced him that he needs to throw to have any shot in this fight. Ouma lands a few punches as they get tangled on the inside. The pace of this fight has slowed, and that’s bad for Ouma, but he is pressing the action this round.

Vanes just misses with a straight right. Ouma’s punches are purely from the arm, and you need to have volume if that’s going to do anything at all. Good right from Ouma, Vanes clips Ouma on the riposte. Nice right hand by Ouma late.

10-9 Ouma, 76-76 even (my last round total was wrong)

Ouma lands on the inside, Vanes pushes off and then catches Ouma falling out. Ouma fighting aggressive in this round. Nice uppercut by Vanes BUT THEN HE GOES DOWN! OUMA SCORES THE knockdown.

Vanes isn’t hurt, he actually, literally springs to his feet, but this could be a major turning point. Ouma smells blod and starts flurrying, and I think Vanes is a little off-kilter, more mentally than physically. Oh, Kassim, don’t break my heart tonight. Ouma catches Vanes with a jab. I think Vanes has a cut above his left eye. Vanes is deinitely deciding to fight it out, which is commendable, but it’s making him get a bit wild and Ouma is taking advantage of that. 1-2-3 by Vanes, crowd loves it. Tons of fun this round.

10-8 Ouma, 86-84 Ouma

Man, that was a nice counter by Ouma. I was sure he wouldn’t score a knockdown. Let’s see how Vanes responds this round — so far this fight he’s turned up the aggression when ever Ouma hurts him.

And yep, that’s what we see — both exchange in the middle of the ring. Ouma catches Vanes going backwards, and after they break up Vanes backpedals way across the ring. Another counter left by Ouma, and Vanes fires back! This is a fabulous fight. Ouma lands on the inside, Vanes counters, but then Ouma lands again. This is the Ouma of old — pressure breaks pipes, baby.

Vanes plants his fight and throws a nasty 1-2 that lands. But Ouma fires back. GREAT work by Vanes at the bell and he thinks he has Ouma hurt. Bell rings, Ouma might have been saved.

10-9 Ouma, 96-03 Ouma

Ouma is going to lose this fight. It’s close enough so the house fighter will take it, and it won’t look crazy. And that makes me sad. I’m in agony here.

Alright, time to be miserable.

97-92
97-93
97-93

Martirosyan UD. That’s a bit wide for my tastes — that’s 8 rounds to 2.

I wouldn’t have been upset by a close Vanes win. Well, I would have been upset, because I like Ouma, but I wouldn’t have said “robbery”. But this is like the Van Hoy card — the judges knew who they were voting for before they sat down tonight.

Can anyone get accesss to www.Suljos.TV because I can’t. This should be a pretty good fight between two hard hitting Mexicans.