Billy's Boxing Blog

By William Trillo

As defined by merriam-webster.com
the dust settles: used to talk about what happens when things become clear or calm after a period of change or confusion

There is a big boxing weekend ahead of us here in Southern California, but before the proverbial dust settles on Canelo and Bivol, I have a few odds and ends I’d like to get off my chest. In no particular order, here we go:

So, why are we already talking about a rematch? Do you think that when Team Canelo reviews the video they are going to want to do this all over again?

Did Bivol really say he would take on Canelo at 168 pounds for all his belts? If Canelo does in fact agree to a rematch, I would say the chances of him doing it for all his Super Middle belts is Nada.

Can we stop with all the Bivol vs. Zzzurdo Ramirezzz hype? Please? There is a reason I will always spell his name with three Z’s front and back.

If you are clamoring for a 175-pound title unifying fight, how about the undefeated Artur Beterbiev? Dude is a beast and there certainly ain’t any Z’s in his name, front or back. Yes, I know Beterbiev is set to face Joe Smith Jr. next month. I’m picking Beterbiev by KO in 5 in a fight that should be a Barn Burner while it lasts.

It may not be fair, but Refs normally only get a mention when they screw up, then the media and fans are all over them like stink on a monkey. So far I haven’t heard anyone say a peep about the third man in the ring that night, Russell Mora. Allow me to be one of the few to say, “Nice work Russell. You did a fine job.”

We can go ahead and assume the name Usyk will never spill out of Canelo’s Pie Hole ever again.

What are the chances that the WBC suddenly conjures up some Catchweight belt somewhere between 168 and 175 pounds and then dangles that trinket in the faces of Bivol and Canelo like a dirt farmer dangles a carrot in front of a mule?

And before I shut the door on the Canelo/Bivol topic, allow me to play Devil’s Advocate for a moment.

I don’t think it’s any big secret that Canelo despises the idea of being other fighters ATM machine. Just ask Demetrius Andrade and David Benavidez. They have been shouting from the rooftops they want a piece of Canelo. But because of his disdain for both guys, it’s highly unlikely they will ever get a sniff.

Another fighter who Canelo has no love for is Gennady Golovkin, he has made that point pretty clear. So, with a GGG fight looming if Canelo beat Bivol, do you think it’s fathomable that Canelo took his foot off the pedal just enough to lose a close fight, force a rematch with Bivol and in doing so ace out GGG and the paycheck he would receive?

Before you say I am crazy, go back and look at the body shots Canelo was landing on Bivol. Normally Canelo digs deep to the ribs with wicked blows. Against Bivol most of the body shots he threw were open handed slaps. Don’t take my word for it…go look for yourself. Then ask yourself how often in the past did you see Canelo simply lay on the ropes and literally do nothing? Over and over again.

How about never!

I know that’s a bit farfetched, but hey, this is boxing. Nothing is outside the realm of possibility. Nothing!

And in the “putting your foot in your mouth” special of the week, check out what Oscar De La Hoya had to say in regard to the Canelo/Bivol matter, “It was the stupidest move … whoever allowed Canelo to fight Bivol. I would’ve never allowed Canelo to fight Bivol,” De La Hoya said. “Look exactly at what happened. Canelo’s on the top of the world. He’s the king. Why fight a guy that if Canelo fights 10 times, he loses 10 times? And he has nothing to gain. Nothing to win. Nobody knew Bivol.” 

That tells you everything you need to know about the Modus Operandi behind the walls at Golden Boy. In other words, “Why give the fans what they want by putting the best against the best? Why not milk the system and make fights like, oh let’s say… Gilberto “Zzzurdo” Ramirezzz vs. Dominic Boesel? Talk about a guy nobody knows. Who the heck is Dominic Boesel? And let’s be frank here, Zzzurdo is a great fighter for insomniacs to watch, but if you are looking for action…forget about it. You can milk Ramirezzz until the cows come home, he will never be a box office star.

…”I would never have let Canelo fight Bivol.”

Huh?

Thanks for admitting what everyone already knew. Giving the fans what they want is not on your “to do” list.

Without further doo doo….that’s all I have to say.

Check out www.Pound4Pound.com for all the latest boxing truth.

By William Trillo
Photos: German Villasenor

Okay, let’s be honest here. When the judges’ scorecards were getting read by David Diamante after the Bivol vs. Canelo fight and he announced identical scores of 115-113 by all three judges, how many of you immediately thought, “Uh oh! No way, they are going to give this fight to Canelo.” I know I did. In fact, Dmitry Bivol himself said he was worried when he heard those 115-113 scores.

But as we found out moments later the unanimous decision was rightly given to Bivol. As it should have been.

At the time none of us knew that if Canelo had found a way to win the last round, the fight would have been scored a draw.

What?

Now, I am the last one to suggest there might have been some shenanigans going on here, (why did you just blow your soda out of your nose), but c’mon. Did you know that the scorecards were 100% identical in every way, shape and form? Like Carbon Copies. And they wonder why at times we suggest that maybe the scorecards were written out in advance.

It’s scores like this that have most of us scratching our heads.

Look, I had a wonderful Birds Eye View of this fight. I watched it without the sway or slant of any “Home Team” announcers. I jotted down notes in between rounds and scored the fight in real time, live.

As I saw it Bivol was in complete control for all but a few rounds. I gave him the fight by a score of 117-111. Outside of rounds 1, 2 & 9, I don’t see how anyone could give Canelo another round, even if they were being generous.

With the footwork of a Ballerina, superior head movement and a set of extremely large Cajones, Bivol stayed in the pocket almost the entire night. He smothered, blocked and parried any and everything Canelo was attempting, and he did that all night long.

The look of frustration was plastered all over Canelos face by round 4 and without a Plan B, the best Canelo could do was lay against the ropes and hope Bivol would make a tactical error. As we know that never happened.

I digress…let’s get back to Dewey, Cheatem & Howe.

Assuming they didn’t really write out the scorecards before the fight one has to wonder… “What the heck were these guys looking at?”

Bivol schooled Canelo, plain and simple. The evidence was that look of utter frustration on the face of Canelo when the final bell rang. That look said it all.

I rest my case.

Check out www.Pound4Pound.com for all the latest boxing news.