Billy's Boxing Blog

By William Trillo
Photo: Esther Lin

The knee Gervonta Davis took in ninth round of his WBA Lightweight title defense versus Lamont Roach has been discussed and argued about since the majority decision draw was rendered Saturday night. In my humble opinion, the moment Tank took a knee, that should have been considered a knockdown.

Admittedly, I am not fully versed in the Marques of Queensbury Rules, so I reached out to a highly placed industry source who is.

Initially I inquired if my source watched the fights on Saturday night.

“Do you mean The Debacle, he asked?

I replied that I was referring to the Tank vs. Roach fight.

“Yeah, The Debacle!”, my source replied.

My next question was simple, if a fighter takes a knee for whatever reason during a round, is that considered a knockdown?

“Absolutely”, he firmly stated, “And Saturday night was no exception. Davis took a stiff punch, immediately showed signs of some sort of discomfort, and he took a knee. That’s a knockdown. Then he got up and went to his corner. It looked like they wiped his face with a towel. I am not sure what the referee Steve Willis was doing there, but the situation was not handled properly.”

Also in question were the actions of the Davis corner. “Whoever got up on the apron to wipe the gel out of Tank’s eye, was in violation of the rules. He could have been removed, and the fighter could have been deducted a point.”

As we know, the referee Willis basically let Tank break the rules without suffering any consequences at all. Hence the ensuing controversy.

Looking at the official scorecards, had the ref handled the situation properly, Roach would have left the building with Gervonta’s belts strapped around his waist.

“Look Bill”, stated my source, “Fans come to the fights to watch these fighters overcome whatever obstacles happen to them during a fight. That is what they pay to see. They do not want to hear a fighter got gel in his eye and had to stop to get it wiped out! This is professional boxing, not some schoolyard! There are no time-outs here.”

To put things into proper perspective, just a few hours before the Davis vs. Roach battle, Subriel Matias and Gabriel Gollaz were fighting in an IBF Junior Middleweight title eliminator in Puerto Rico. Early on it looked as though Matias had taken a hatchet to the right eye of Gollaz. It was an ugly gash.

But Gollaz fought on through the blood. He even convinced the ringside Doctor to let him fight on in between rounds.

Gollaz, who was on the receiving end of a real beating was ultimately forced to take a knee in round eight before his corner had no choice but to throw in the towel.

That is what fight fans expect, that is what they pay to see.

Nothing less will do.

The hordes of fans in Brooklyn’s Barclays Center booing after the Davis vs. Roach scores were announced are evidence of that.

Side note:

Did you ever see how Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) handled it when he got a foreign substance in his eyes during the first Sonny Liston fight? Just food for thought.

https://youtube.com/shorts/YvoVmSsddeM?si=Ie_xSLBST4s5uBee

By William Trillo

With a heavy heart, I am saddened to report that our Montreal correspondent and dear friend Daniel Cloutier passed away this week after a long illness. His contributions to our website will be forever missed.

I first met Daniel in March of 2008 in the Palm Springs area of Southern California. Cloutier was there to cover the Librado Andrade vs. Robert Stieglitz Super Middleweight title eliminator bout for Journal de Montréal, the newspaper he worked for over four glorious decades.

As my good fortune would have it, Daniel and I were assigned seats right next to each other in media row that night. We immediately hit it off and our friendship grew from there.

When Cloutier’s tenure at Journal de Montréal was over, he asked if he could be our writer and correspondent for boxing in Quebec. Of course we jumped at his offer. It was an honor to have such a highly esteemed and well-respected writer join our team.

During his time with Pound4Pound, Cloutier and I covered events together in Montreal, Quebec City and Las Vegas. It was always a joy to work with and learn from him. These are times I will never forget.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Sylvie Bissonnette and everyone in Quebec who was touched by Cloutier and his journalistic flair.

Au revoir mon ami.

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

By William Trillo

The boxing world was sent into a tizzy Thursday afternoon as ESPN’s Mike Coppinger posted that according to his sources, Canelo Alvarez was going to take on RuPaul on boxings most important date of the year, that being Cinco De Mayo weekend in Las Vegas.

Let’s just say that anyone who is a true boxing fan was none too thrilled about the announcement. On the other hand, every so called “Influencer” or wannabe Social Media Star must have been slobbering all over themselves after reading the errant news.

Only a few hours later, Coppinger basically posted a retraction to the earlier news stating that sources, (not sure if they are the same sources that fed him the earlier bogus news), said Canelo has done an about face and has now signed a four-fight deal with everyone’s favorite Turkey, Alalshikh.

Whatever.

I realize in this day and age of Instant News, everyone wants to be the first to break the latest “Blockbuster” report, but often times it leaves them sitting behind their keyboard with egg all over their face.

On a positive note, let’s all just be glad that Cinco De Mayo won’t be ruined with that so called, “Novelty Bout”.

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

By William Trillo

As Defined by Oxford Dictionary:
body language: the process of communicating nonverbally through conscious or unconscious gestures and movements.

No doubt about it, the battle between Serhii Bohachuk and Vergil Ortiz will go down as one of the best fights of 2024. What is in doubt by many observers is the outcome. Yes, Ortiz was awarded the victory via Majority decision, but many at ringside thought Bohachuk was robbed and should have been declared the winner.

In the moments after the final bell rang, I snapped a photo of each fighter as they returned to their respective corners.

Looking at these photos, which fighter looked as though he was victorious, and which one looked like he was concerned he was going to come up on the short end of the judges’ scorecards?

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

By William Trillo
Photo: Mark Robinson – Matchroom Boxing

I have really been trying to keep my big mouth shut as of late, but after this weekend’s fights in Los Angeles I had some concerns I just couldn’t keep to myself. As it turned out, I was not the only one. I received quite a few calls and texts from friends in the boxing community after Saturday night’s fights, who expressed similar concerns. That was all the inspiration I needed.

So, in no particular order, here I go… again:

1. As I stated in my fight report, the Crawford vs. Madrimov fight was indeed close. Yes, the 116-112 score was a tad heavy handed for Crawford, but the two other scores in favor of Crawford read 115-113 each. Had the judges just scored one more round each in favor of Madrimov, we are looking at a Majority Decision Draw and he would have retained his belt. The comments from Promoter Eddie Hearn saying, “The scores were a waste of time”, were not very well thought out, in my opinion.
2. Speaking of scores, how in the world did the one judge in the Valenzuela vs. Cruz bout score the fight 115-113 in favor of Pit Bull? Valenzuela neutralized almost everything Cruz had, turning him into a plodding one-dimensional fighter with no Plan B.
3. Can we stop arguing over who is the “Real” Big Baby now?

Jarrell Miller had every chance in the world to dispatch a beleaguered and out of shape Andy Ruiz, but due to his lack of throwing any punches, he let Ruiz back in the fight. Had he thrown just a few more right hands, Miller would not be living in the regret of a “Kiss Your Sister” Draw.

As to the other Big Baby, Jared Anderson…What the heck was that? Martin Bakole must have thought there were low flying Mosquitos in Los Angeles every time Anderson hit him with a body shot. Once he realized those were in fact Anderson punches, he clubbed him down in rapid fashion. I’m not convinced Anderson is going to be able to come back from this one.

Epic Fail for both Big Babies. Quit arguing about your nicknames and start figuring out whether or not you want to go on with your careers.

1. David Morrell should not utter the name David Benavidez, not after his performance on Saturday night.
2. No matter how many times the DAZN broadcast team told us this was possibly the greatest card ever promoted in boxing history, trust me, it wasn’t.

Can we say it was a good card?

Sure.

Best ever?

No.

As one former World Champion, who was on one of the best boxing cards ever back in the day, told me, “They, (DAZN), just need to do their homework.”

Ya’ Think?

1. Look, Riyadh Season, the Saudi Arabian company headed up by Turki Alalshikh, has brought some long overdue excitement back to the game he said was broken. No one can deny that. It’s refreshing and we wish him the best.

But… this shameless Kotowing by every Promoter, Manager, Trainer, Fighter, Sanctioning Body, Boxing Hall of Fames and a large handful of media members is just embarrassing, and oh so transparent. If you think me, and a lot of other people in the boxing community don’t see you working, you are gravely mistaken.

For example, back in April when Riyadh Season announced they were bringing their shows to Los Angeles, Golden Boy’s Oscar De La hoya angrily announced, “No promoter is coming into my territory and think they can take over “my” sport!! This is war!

Since then, not only has Oscar went into business with Turki Alalshikh, but you saw who was in the ring with Alalshikh when he was getting made an Honorary member of The Nevada Boxing Hall Of Fame. Looks like the almighty dollar has Oscar waving the White Flag.

And speaking of The Nevada Boxing Hall Of Fame…has Riyadh Season even promoted a card there yet? And why are they presenting him this award in California? Or was this just a pre-emptive strike aimed at Alalshikh’s pocketbook for when he does inevitably arrive in “Sin City”?

And lest I forget, I am wondering if the WBC tried to charge Alalshikh a sanctioning fee for that somewhat drab look belt they presented to him this weekend? I mean…That is the Modus Operandi…correct?

As to my peers, well, a lot of you guys are quite frankly “Tools”, just hoping a few crumbs will somehow land at your feet. You know who you are. Feel free to implement Social Distancing when you see me. Thank You.

As one of my associates said, “This is all just very weird to me, and I get the feeling that this is going to end badly and abruptly at some point.”

My sentiments exactly.

Someone had to say it.

Ahh, It’s good to be back.

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

By William Trillo

By now we all know the news; Lyin’ Ryan’s B-sample returned the same finding as the A-sample for the banned substance. He was dirty before the fight with Devin Haney. The evidence is irrefutable. As reprehensible as that is, what I find equally detestable is the people that are rallying around the disgraced fighter.

If you’re his Promoter or his management, his team members or his family, Ryan is your “Meal Ticket” There is no way any of them are going to jeopardize stuffing their pockets full of cash, even if that means turning a blind eye and ear to the truth. Never mind a man’s life is on the line here, as long as your share of the Purse isn’t jeopardized…who cares? Right?

And then there is a good portion of the media who already appear to be coddling this cheater. Websites like Fightnews still choose to refer to Ryan as a King. It’s time to drop that self-proclaimed monicker, unless of course you are hoping that throwing that name in a headline will garner you a few more views on your page. This boy is the king of nothing, stop bowing to his ass holiness.
I got my start with Fightnews, and I will always thank them for that opportunity, but c’mon guys, grow a pair.

And then there is these so called “Influencers”. They are basically hopeless. Most of them would scrub Ryan’s Chonies with their toothbrush just to get two minutes of video time with him to post on their “Look at Me” Social Media platforms. It will be near impossible to get these Jesters not to do whatever it takes to please their master. You know who you are!

It’s a sad state of affairs when someone can get caught clean in the act of a crime and still somehow garner supporters. Sound familiar?

And lastly, Garcia’s crack legal team has announced that Ryan submitted hair and nails samples to some Paris Clinic, and they were found to be negative of the banned substance. They also stated the Garcia team will move to have “the natural supplements Ryan was using in the lead-up to the fight” tested for possible contamination.

Wait a minute. I am certainly no expert here, but something doesn’t sound right.

Can someone ask “Slippin’ Jimmy”, Why do they need to test the natural supplements Ryan was using in the lead up to the fight for contamination since the hair and nails results from that Paris Clinic showed no signs of anything illicit at all?

Someone? Anyone?

It’s All Good Man…LOL

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

By William Trillo

Uh-uh, too much monkey business, too much monkey business
Too much monkey business for me to be involved in – Chuck Berry

As per my usual Las Vegas roadie pit-stop, I paid a visit to “Elvis the Soothsayer” to get his thoughts and predictions on the big Cinco De Mayo boxing event that has become somewhat of a staple in Sin City.

Much to my amazement, Elvis did not make a prediction this time, (and since he is almost always wrong, it’s probably a good decision), but instead was more concerned about the pre-fight “Sour Grapes” banter that was pointed directly at the champion Canelo Alvarez.

In the eyes of Elvis, Canelo vs. Munguia is a legitimate Super-Fight. With the face of boxing, going up an undefeated challenger, and with all four 168-pound belts on the line, how could it get any better? How about the fact that two fighters from Mexico are going to take center stage on the weekend of one of their nations most celebrated holidays?

So why all the posturing from Canelo’s former promoter Oscar De La Hoya?

Although Canelo has made some very pointed accusations at and about De La Hoya, it was Oscar himself, who at the press conference admitted his life has not always been glitter and gold. So, what’s the beef?

And how do we get past this so we can focus on the fight?

The solution according to Elvis? Shut-Up and let the boy’s fight. That’s what everyone is paying to see. Just too much monkey business! No one cares about your Cease-and-Desist orders…No One! And that includes some people uncomfortably close to De La Hoya.

Elvis also found it amusing that The Golden Boy was calling out Canelo for failed drug tests only to have Karma rear up and bite him on his butt a few hours later when it was revealed that Oscar’s on again, off again pet, Ryan Garcia, tested dirty prior to the Devin Haney fight and is now being labeled a fraud.

Regarding Garcia, Elvis wanted to make it clear, Presley is the one and only “King” and that the cheater might want to find a new nickname for himself. He suggested the monicker, Lyin’ Ryan.

About the Main Event on Saturday night, all Elvis would say is that Munguia should not be counted out and that he would make a good account for himself in the ring. Is he predicting an upset? Not really, but he believes if Munguia goes down, he will do so on his sword.

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

By William Trillo

One of my favorite local fighters to cover in recent years was Carlos Morales, AKA The Solution (19-5-4, 8 KO’s). He was a talented fighter, who took on some of the top names in his division during his career. That list includes: Jorge Linares, Mercito Gesta, and Ryan Garcia. Carlos was always ready to test his skills against whatever challenge was put in front of him.

Recently, I had become aware that Morales had a teenage son who was making some noise in the amateur ranks and was garnering a lot of attention. His name? Carlos Morales, of course.

Having done some enjoyable interviews with Carlos Sr. in the past, I wanted to reach out to the Morales family to talk to both Solutions. As it turned out, I was welcomed with open arms to the Carlos Morales Boxing Stables, and had a chance to speak with father and son.

I think you will find this dual Q and A interesting. Let’s start with Carlos Jr.:

Pound4Pound: First off, I want you to tell me exactly what you’re known as in the ring. Is it Little Solution or Solution Jr. or simply Carlos Morales, Jr.? How do you prefer to be known in the ring?

Carlos Morales, Jr.: Oh, well, I’ll say outside the ring, Carlos Morales. You know, I’m a shy, nervous boy. But, the moment I get inside the ring, my persona takes over, I’m Little Solution. I’m a beast. I want to win. I’m going to do whatever it takes to win, and I go by Little Solution.

P4P: Okay. That’s what I wanted to know. How old are you?

CMJ.: I’m 15 years old.

P4P: When did you start fighting?

CMJ.: I started fighting when I was nine years old, but I’ve always been in the ring since I was six.

P4P: What is your ring record right now?

Carlos Jr.: My record is 80 wins and 10 losses.

P4P: I know you’re starting back training now. Tell me, when and where is your next fight. What’s that all about?

CMJ.: My next fight is going to be in Mexico for the Nationals to qualify for an International tournament. I really have big hopes for that.

P4P: I will be watching for that. Tell me about when you told your dad you wanted to box. How old were you, and how do you think he felt about it?

CMJ.: I don’t really remember. I don’t remember really saying that I wanted to box. I remember showing up one day, then showing up again. And, I started to like it because I had my friend with me. So, I just ended up having a fun time with my friend learning boxing. And, we weren’t taking it serious, but we were in the ring. You know, I was learning dedication. I was learning that I had to come every day, and eventually, I picked up good habits. And, then, I started to take it seriously, and I fell in love with boxing.

P4P: During that time, when did you realize that you were probably better than a lot of the other kids that were at the gym, and that you had more talent?

CMJ.: In the beginning, I used to box with a bunch of kids. We were all pretty evenly skilled. But, then, during COVID is when I really started to get better. During COVID, me and my dad and my uncle would just stay in the gym all day. We were just doing nothing but fundamentals. And, then, I came back after the lockdown, and I was like a whole different fighter. I was ahead of the game.

P4P: That is very interesting how you made the best of a bad situation. Good for you. Compare your style with your dad’s. What do you feel are similar traits when you box?

CMJ.: When I box, I feel like I’m similar to my dad because I’m able to move around the ring, jab, and am able to use my jab. But, personally, I really love to do everything. It just depends on what I want to do that day. If I want to go for it, I’m going to go for it. If I want to move around, I’ll move around. But, truthfully, my style was heavily inspired off my dad.

P4P: That said, what’s your biggest difference?

CMJ.: My biggest difference is that I’m willing to do whatever it takes to win. And, even if the game plan messes up, I will adapt to it, and I understand what to do inside the ring.

P4P: Of all your dad’s fights, which is the one that most inspires you?

CMJ.: The one that inspires me the most is the Jorge Linares fight. That really inspires me because I don’t like to see my dad lose. And, watching that fight, really adds fuel under my fire. I really want to win. And, I saw my dad lose. That, obviously, gave me a drive. I don’t want to lose. I don’t want my kids to see me like that either, so I want to win.

P4P: Okay. What are your short-term goals?

CMJ.: My short-term goal is to be an Olympian. That’s what I plan on doing. That’s the plan, and I will achieve that if I keep working hard.

P4P: Long-term?

CMJ: Long-term, I would like to be a World Champion. I would like to dip my toes into the pros, and maybe, potentially, get three or four World titles. I’m probably going to try to go for more.

P4P: When you’re not in the gym, and you’re just out there with family or friends, what are your other interests?

CMJ: To be honest with you, boxing is my life. I don’t really have anything else. I mean, of course I’m interested in other things, but I just simply can’t do them because I’m dedicated to the sport. I can’t hang out with my friends because I don’t have time. I can’t play video games anymore because I don’t have time. All I do is school. (He is a straight-A student, by the way). That’s basically my only break, and it’s not really a break. It is by itself stressful.

P4P: What grade are you in?

CMJ.: Nine, in high school.

P4P: Okay, last question: Ryan Garcia or Devin Haney?

CMJ: I personally think Devin is going to win. I think he feels good at 140. He is big, you know. He is going to keep flicking that jab out, and Ryan Garcia is going to keep eating it. They’re going to get aggressive. Devin will keep calm under pressure and keep moving. I think Devin could catch and maybe drop Ryan because I feel like at 140, he has a little bit of a pop. I feel like at 135, he was drained. So, he didn’t really have that pop at 135, but I think at 140 he does.

P4P: Okay, great job. Looking forward to talking to you again.

Carlos Jr.: Thank you.

And now let’s see what the proud father has to say about his son:

Pound4Pound: How old was The Little Solution when he told you he wanted to fight?

Carlos Morales, Sr: He must have been nine years old when he told me he wanted to fight, or to start competing, because he was already sparring and training.

P4P: What was your reaction when he first told you he wanted to fight?

CMS: At first, I didn’t want him to start fighting, and I knew that he didn’t really want to do it. But, I pushed him a little, asking him, “When are you going to fight?” But, then, he found a friend that trained with him. He liked boxing, and my son started to enjoy boxing. That’s when it all started. I said, “Okay, you want to be a boxer? There are terms you must follow because it’s not an easy sport. You don’t play boxing. You got to take it seriously!”

P4P: So, you did encourage him once he made the decision.

CMS: Yes, that is correct. I encouraged him to fight.

P4P: Did you know he was talented right away? Did you think he was going to be as good as he is?

CMS: I knew that if he trained hard, he would definitely be good. He comes from a fighting family; it’s in his blood. He just has to stay focused and train hard.

P4P: What are the similar characteristics of you two?

CMS: He’s disciplined. I think when we take something serious, when we like something, we take it seriously. He looks like he likes boxing competitively, so I explained to him, everything else has to go. You have to be disciplined. You have to do your running. You have to train hard. And, so, I kind of laid out the foundation for him, and he understood. That’s pretty much the same thing that Joey Olivera, my trainer, did for me.

P4P: What are the biggest differences between you two?

CMS: That he started younger than I did. I think that’s the only difference. Sure, I was really talented as well, but he has an advantage. He has me as his trainer, and, you know, he’s my son.

P4P: Two questions: As you are guiding his career, what are his short-term goals?

CMS: Short-term goals are to qualify for the Olympics in 2028. That’s his short-term goal. Hopefully, he wins a medal. We’re hoping for gold, so we are training hard right now, and investing a lot of time in him. Hopefully, he comes back with a gold medal.

P4P: And the long-term goals?

CMS: In the long-term, I really don’t want him to turn professional. I would prefer him to go to school. But, I’m sure that if he gets a medal, there are going to be a lot of promoters giving us a call trying to sign him. And, I’m sure it’s going to be worth a lot of money then.

P4P: Outside of boxing, what are you up to these days?

CMS: What I’m up to? Work, I have a full-time job. My manager owns two restaurants. So, I’m in charge of them. That’s what I’ve been doing ever since.

P4P: Where are the restaurants located?

CMS: We have one in Downtown L.A. called Nick’s Cafe, and one in Eagle Rock, which is called Rock’n Egg Cafe. Nick’s and Rock’n Egg Cafe | American Restaurants in Los Angeles, CA (nickscafela.com)
So, I am jumping back and forth to both restaurants. But, mostly focusing on my son right now. Basically, just making sure that everything goes to plan, and he becomes the best he can be.

P4P: Last question: Devin Haney or Ryan Garcia?

CMS: Oh, that’s a good question. It depends which Ryan Garcia shows up (chuckles). They both have a lot of good qualities, but I say Devin. He looks like he has a better work ethic. Yeah, Ryan Garcia, he doesn’t have that part. It will be a decision; Devin won’t knock him out.

In this world of so-called Social Media Superstars, it is refreshing to speak with a young fighter who just wants to work hard to become the best he can be. Carlos Morales, Jr., The Little Solution, is that hard working young man. We wish him the best of luck, no matter what path he chooses.

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

By William Trillo

What can you say about a boxing press conference that was devoid of foul-mouthed tirades and childlike name calling? For starters…Thank Goodness! The Undisputed Super Middleweight Champion Canelo Alvarez (60-2-2, 39 KOs) and Jaime Munguia (43-0, 34 KOs) met in Beverly Hills to make the announcement of their May 4th date in Las Vegas official.

No harsh words needed here to hype this battle, just two men who respect each other’s skills and expect to see the best from each other on the Cinco De Mayo weekend. Speaking about the fight Canelo said, “This fight is a great source of pride for me, because it’s all about Mexico. I’m proud to have my country featured this way in front of the whole world. The fans are going to be the biggest winners on May 4, and we invite everyone to what’s gonna be a big party for Mexico.”

Addressing his opponent, Canelo noted, “Jaime Munguia is a respectful person and a great fighter who’s earned this fight again and again. Everyone will see how great this fight is for Mexico on May 4. Munguia is a disciplined fighter who hits hard. He’s a power puncher, and I like a challenge.”

For Munguia, this is like a dream come true to be fighting against a man he always wanted to emulate. Munguia stated, “Canelo has always been a source of pride and motivation for me. I used to say when I was coming up in the sport that I want to be like him, and now we get a chance to face him and hopefully be where he is soon.”

After 43 fights without a loss there are still some doubters out there who don’t believe Munguia has a chance. To those people Munguia announced, “We’re ready for this stage. We’re ready for everything and we’re going to have a great fight that night. We’re very confident. This is just the beginning of the best part of my career.”

While fighters like David Benavidez and Demitrius Andrade have disqualified themselves by trash talking their way completely out of the Canelo Sweepstakes, Jaime Munguia is well aware, it’s Canelo’s world and we all live in it. If you want a piece of that pie, it’s better to keep your mouth shut and let your talking be done in the ring.

On a side note, if there was any tension at all during the press conference, it was when Oscar De La Hoya took the podium to utter a few words. Although Canelo sat quietly through the De La Hoya mumblings, it was obvious by the sour look on his face, he still has no love for his former employer.

The May 4th fight is set for The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be aired on Prime Video PPV.

Check out www.Pound4ound.com for all the latest boxing news.

By William Trillo

This past weekend I took a break from my normal boxing coverage in order to get my yearly dose of The Professional Bull Riders Tour. Without a doubt, the PBR is a must-see Adrenalin rush that would satisfy the palette of rabid boxing fans looking for an off-boxing weekend fix.



In a nutshell, the “Unleash The Beast” event is two nights long. The first night riders take to the bulls looking to make the eight second ride to qualify to go to the final round the following evening. Night number two culminates with the top qualifiers mounting up on the toughest bulls on the circuit.

From the top qualifying rider on down, the cowboys get to choose which bull they will take on for the final ride of the event. Just like the riders, bulls are ranked, so there is no secret about which one would pose the most difficult challenge. The field of bulls is impressive, but some of them are clearly leaps and bounds stronger, meaner, and tougher than others.

On this particular evening the tour’s top rider, Cassio Dias, made it to the final round. When it was his turn to choose a bull to ride, instead of “Cherry Picking” a lesser bull in order to keep his tour lead intact, Dias looked over the field and picked the toughest bull in the country, his name is Man Eater. For the record, Man Eater had never been successfully ridden. Every rider to a man was dispatched in less than eight seconds by the world class bucking fireball.

But this is what Champions do. If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. No ducking for a lesser opponent here. No looking for a foe that is a bit too old, or a bit too small to provide a real challenge.

The result of the head-to-head battle you ask?

Not only did Dias conquer the dreaded and up until then unridden Man Eater, but he posted the best score seen on the PBR tour in the last four years. Needless to say, with the bold move and his fourth win this year, Cassio tightened his grip on his standing as the number one rider on the planet. To put that in boxing terminology, Cassio Dias is currently the best Pound4Pound rider on the planet.

That’s how it’s done boys and girls.

Do you feel me?

For more on The Professional Bull Riders tour and to find out when they are coming to a city near you log on to PBR | Professional Bull Riders

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