Showtime Boxing, Golden Boy Promotions, Robert Guerrero, and Yoshihiro Kamegai Put On Quite A Show For Combat Sports Fans All Over The World

Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (32-2-1, 18 KO’s) bested Japan’s Yoshihiro Kamegai (24-2-1, 21 KO’s) in a majority decision at the Stub Hub Center in Carson, California in what is sure to be considered a front runner for 2014 Fight Of The Year!! Guerrero and Kamegai battled with little regard for defense and put on an action packed fight that was on par with the battle that Jose Luis Castillo and the late Diego Corrales put on in May 2005.

Just like the thriller from 2005, Guerrero and Kamegai threw defense out of the window from the opening bell and went toe to toe in a phone booth slugfest that left fans on their feet during every exchange. It was evident that Guerrero’s new fitness program, Crossfit, sharpened up his cardio and his body was sculpted like never before. Kamegai had his share of moments in the fight where he hurt the native of Gilroy, California. Kamegai cut Guerrero’s left eye with a headbutt/uppercut combination in round six. Guerrero’s eye was swollen shut within a minute and the cut on his eyelid looked pretty serious.

At the end of the twelfth round, the ringside judges scored the fight for Robert Guerrero via scores of 116-112 and 117-111 (twice). We scored the fight 117-111 for Guerrero over Kamegai as well.

The co main event saw an excellent display of A-grade boxing between Ukrainian star, Vasyl Lomachenko (2-1, 1 KO) and former undefeated star, Gary Russell, Jr. (24-1, 14 KO’s). Vasyl Lomachenko easily defeated Gary Russell Jr (which we were wrong about in our prediction), he captured the vacant WBO featherweight boxing belts, and became the second person in boxing history to win a major world title in only three pro fights (tying the record with Saensak Muangsurin, who accomplished the same feat on July 15, 1975 against Perico Fernandez).

Lomachenko was brilliant in his offense and equally brilliant in his defense. The Ukrainian boxer made Russell Jr miss most of his shots and he countered the American constantly throughout the fight. Vasyl Lomachenko never allowed Russell Jr to get going and he also showed the vigilant American that his own speed was on par with the his opponent. Vasyl’s combinations were beautiful and his landed his shots at will tonight. There is no one in the featherweight division right now that I believe can defeat Lomachenko. The man was an allstar tonight.

Lomachenko defeated Russell Jr via majority decision in another example of absurd scoring of 114-114 draw (Lisa Giampa) and 116-112 (twice) by Pat Russell and Max Deluca. We scored the fight 118-110 for Lomachanko. Lisa Giampa should never judge a fight again. She clearly has no comprehension of the sport of boxing and it’s a shame that she is in a position to judge anything.

Devon Alexander (26-2, 14 KO’s) defeated welterweight gatekeeper, Jesus Soto Karass (28-10-3, 18 KO’s) via unanimous decision via scores of 97-93, 99-91, and 99-91. We scored the ten round fight 99-91 as well. Surprisingly, Devon Alexander and Jesus Soto Karass put on an excellent fight for fans at the Stub Hub Center and those at home watching Showtime boxing.

In undercard bouts (per Fightnews.com):

“Bad” Chad Dawson (32-3, 18 KOs) defeated George “Honey Boy” Blades (23-6, 16 KOs) via knockout in the very first round. Dawson came in at 202 pounds and dropped Blades twice. Blades was counted out at 2:35.

In a battle of U.S. Olympian heavyweights, 2012 Olympian Dominic “Trouble” Breazeale (11-0, 10 KOs) scored an entertaining third round TKO against 2004 Olympian Devin Vargas (18-4, 7 KOs). Breazeale punished Vargas in round one, driving him back with thunderous shots. Breazeale dropped Vargas in round two. Vargas had a pretty good round three until turning his back to Breazeale after taking a shot over the ear. Time was 2:26.

In an ugly six round light heavyweight bout, Vyacheslav Shabransky (9-0, 7KO) won a unanimous decision victory over Michael Gbenga (15-15, 15KO). Shabransky forced the action but Gbenga chose to hold a lot including after any punches he threw, providing flashbacks of John “The Quiet Man” Ruiz. Shabransky scored a fknockdown in the first round from an accumulation of punches mostly on Gbenga’s gloves but Gbenga was never in serious trouble. Judges scored the bout 60-52, 59-53 and 69-52 in favor of Shabransky.

Sharif “The Lion” Bogere (25-1, 17KO) easily overpowered Miguel Zamudio (28-5-1, 16KO) to win a TKO victory at 3:00 of the third round when the bout was stopped by the ringside physician following the third round of a scheduled eight round junior welterweight bout. Bogere hurt Zamudio early and often with body shots and then went headhunting in the second and third rounds staggering him at various times.

Michael “The Bounty” Hunter (5-0, 3KO) easily outboxed Jerry Forrest (7-2, 6KO) en route to a shutout unanimous decision victory. All three judges scored it 80-72 in this eight round heavyweight bout although at 207 pounds, Hunter is just barely a heavyweight and looks better suited for the cruiserweight division.

In a four round welterweight bout, debuting Fabian Maidana (1-0), younger brother of Marcos Maidana, won a unanimous decision victory over fellow debutant, Eddie Diaz (0-1). Judges scored it 40-36 (twice) and 39-37 and there were no knockdowns.

Mark Hernandez (2-0) easily outboxed Dante Spinks (0-5) to earn a shutout victory of 40-36 on all three judges scorecards in a four round super welterweight bout.