Michael "Lefty" Brooks lost a wide unanimous decision to Karl "Dynamite" Dargan today at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, New York. Dargan's counters and lead rights were impressive in taking the victory.
Brooks is not a pressure fighter, which was a problem in this fight, because he needed to adopt that technique to be successful. He started a majority of the rounds out strong. He'd bolt out of the corner and tag Dargan with a leaping overhand left or lunging right hook. At that point, Dargan would find range, counter effectively, and move fluidly. Brooks desperately wanted to get on the inside in the first round, but Dargan's movement was too quick. Brooks ate straight rights and check hooks before Dargan glided out of the pocket. Brooks was often left swinging at air.
In the second and third rounds, Brooks did a better job of making it past Dargan's barrage and getting to the inside. But as soon as he did, he'd throw a counter and leap out. Brooks landed an occasional overhand left or a wide right hook, but Dargan's punches were sharper and straighter. By the end of the second, Brooks began beating his stomach, hoping to induce Dargan into a toe-to-toe clash, but Dynamite stuck to the game plan.
In the sixth, Dargan changed the tenor of the fight. He suddenly began coming forward. Lefty was backing up, a dangerous position to be in. Midway through the round, Michael had changed the fight back into what it was before: Dargan sticking and moving as Brooks came forward.
Despite the obvious frustration Brooks was experiencing by not being able to tag Dargan, he never relented. Brooks's determination was inspiring. He even landed more punches than Dargan in the eighth round after being thoroughly dominated through the first seven. Dargan attempted to get the knockout in the tenth, but Brooks landed two hard lefts that made Karl change his mind.
Dargan looks like he could be a future champion. He has the ring intelligence to go for the boxing equivalent of a PhD. His hand speed and crisp punching were astounding. Brooks, who showed a good ability to take punch, is not on that level, but it was clear that he learned a lot from this fight. He often pushed his jab, rending the punch slow and ineffective. Meanwhile, Dargan's jab was biting and quick. Dargan's hooks were much shorter; Brooks threw his right hook from his shoulder, something he'll need to correct. But Michael showed the proper fortitude and perseverance to go far in boxing if he can hone his skill.
The judges scores were 99-91 twice and 98-92, all for Dargan who advances to 14-0 with 7 KOs. Brooks falls to 10-1-1 with 2 KOs. The two men hugged after the decision was read. Brooks verbally congratulated Dargan on a good fight and applauded for his opponent. Michael also smiled and gave the television audience thumbs up.
Isaac Chilemba fought earlier in the day on the card. He won a wide unanimous decision over Michael Gbenga. Chilemba outboxed Gbenga, staying away from the latter's powerful right for most of the bout. Isaac's jab was sharp and he countered well. Gbenga landed hard punches in the fifth round, Chilemba's toughest stanza of the fight.
Chilemba won with scores of 80-72, 79-73 twice. Chilemba is now 21-2-2 with 9 KOs. Gbenga falls to 16-10 with 16 KOs.
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Saturday, November 16, 2013
Friday, November 15, 2013
Wohlman Wins Second Straight
Welterweight Zachary "Kid Yamaka" Wohlman defeated Steve Conkin by unanimous decision at the Florentine Gardens in Hollywood, California. Wohlman is now 2-0 in 2013 after returning from a broken jaw.
Wohlman weighed in at 146.5 pounds, seven more than his opponent, who took the fight on short notice. The pace favored Wohlman who controlled the action from start to finish.
Sporting a thick beard, Kid Yamaka established range with his jab in the first round. At one point in the round, he threw a double jab and landed a hard right that sent Conkin stumbling backwards. Wohlman also connected with a combination that featured a left hook to the body and then one to the head.
Conkin, who showed good upperbody movement, had no answer offensively in the first round. In the second, Conkin was busier with his hands, but Wohlman outboxed him from the outside with his jab. Wohlman found Conkin's feints unconvincing because the latter did not possess the hand speed or punching power to bother Zac. Wohlman landed a couple of nice left hooks in the round.
In the third, Wohlman knocked Conkin back with a combination and then attacked the body. Conkin was pinned against the ropes as Wohlman fired away. But Conkin landed a right to the top of Wohlman's head and Zac realized the knockout wasn't coming. He spent the next round and a half controlling the fight from range with his sharp quick jab and intelligent lateral movement.
Wohlman won with three scores of 40-36. Conkin (4-7-1), from Canada, has now lost six fights in a row after starting his career with four straight victories. Wohlman advances to 6-1-1 with one knockout.
Wohlman weighed in at 146.5 pounds, seven more than his opponent, who took the fight on short notice. The pace favored Wohlman who controlled the action from start to finish.
Sporting a thick beard, Kid Yamaka established range with his jab in the first round. At one point in the round, he threw a double jab and landed a hard right that sent Conkin stumbling backwards. Wohlman also connected with a combination that featured a left hook to the body and then one to the head.
Conkin, who showed good upperbody movement, had no answer offensively in the first round. In the second, Conkin was busier with his hands, but Wohlman outboxed him from the outside with his jab. Wohlman found Conkin's feints unconvincing because the latter did not possess the hand speed or punching power to bother Zac. Wohlman landed a couple of nice left hooks in the round.
In the third, Wohlman knocked Conkin back with a combination and then attacked the body. Conkin was pinned against the ropes as Wohlman fired away. But Conkin landed a right to the top of Wohlman's head and Zac realized the knockout wasn't coming. He spent the next round and a half controlling the fight from range with his sharp quick jab and intelligent lateral movement.
Wohlman won with three scores of 40-36. Conkin (4-7-1), from Canada, has now lost six fights in a row after starting his career with four straight victories. Wohlman advances to 6-1-1 with one knockout.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Brooks-Dargan Preview
Michael "Lefty" Brooks takes on Karl Dargan on Saturday at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, New York. Heading into the bout, Dargan must be considered the favorite. These two men were scheduled to fight in August, but Dargan backed out of that one.
Dargan (13-0, 7 KOs) is a fast-handed counterpuncher from Philadelphia. When not in the pocket looking for a counter, the former amateur standout is able to box effectively from the outside. Nicknamed "Dynamite," Dargan was a sparring partner for Saul "Canelo" Alvarez when the Mexican champion was preparing to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. this past September. It was a good choice by Canelo's camp because Dargan utilizes the same shoulder roll defense as Mayweather.
Dargan is three inches taller than Brooks, has faster hands, a more notable amateur pedigree, and a more renowned trainer- his uncle Nazim Richardson. Describing himself, he told The Ring this autumn, "I have good defense, great reflexes, good hand speed, good ring generalship, and a good knowledge [of] the game." Dargan's two best punches are the counter left hook and the straight right; both are effective against southpaws. In addition, Dargan is relatively experienced against southpaws in his young career.
Brooks (10-0-1, 2 KOs) is two years younger than Dargan and has been more active of late. Brooks last fought in August while Dargan hasn't fought since March. Brooks can box or stalk and has good power to the body. Both men have a similar reach.
Dargan will want to box from the outside and counter when Brooks comes into punching range. That will allow him to use his hand speed advantage. When Dargan has fought on the inside, he's been less successful, so Lefty's plan will be to come forward and cut off the ring.
Getting to the inside will be a challenge for Brooks. If he jabs in, he opens himself up to Dargan's left hook. If he barrels his way in, Dargan will pick him apart with the straight right. Brooks will have to eat punches either way in order to get inside. Once there, Lefty will want to attack Dargan's body. Not only is a body assault Michael's best weapon, but it will slow Dargan down in the later rounds.
This fight will likely go to the cards. If Dargan can stick and move, he'll cruise to an easy decision. If Brooks can continuously throw combinations on the inside, he'll have a chance to pull off the upset. Dargan can score a knockout with a well-timed counter as Brooks rushes in. The best chance for Brooks to stop Dargan is with a liver shot.
The bout can be seen at 2:30pm eastern time on NBC in the United States (NBC, not NBCSports the cable channel). It is scheduled for ten rounds. Dargan has never fought beyond the sixth round; Brooks has fought one eight rounder, in scorching heat, and he stayed strong throughout that fight.
Dargan (13-0, 7 KOs) is a fast-handed counterpuncher from Philadelphia. When not in the pocket looking for a counter, the former amateur standout is able to box effectively from the outside. Nicknamed "Dynamite," Dargan was a sparring partner for Saul "Canelo" Alvarez when the Mexican champion was preparing to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. this past September. It was a good choice by Canelo's camp because Dargan utilizes the same shoulder roll defense as Mayweather.
Dargan is three inches taller than Brooks, has faster hands, a more notable amateur pedigree, and a more renowned trainer- his uncle Nazim Richardson. Describing himself, he told The Ring this autumn, "I have good defense, great reflexes, good hand speed, good ring generalship, and a good knowledge [of] the game." Dargan's two best punches are the counter left hook and the straight right; both are effective against southpaws. In addition, Dargan is relatively experienced against southpaws in his young career.
Brooks (10-0-1, 2 KOs) is two years younger than Dargan and has been more active of late. Brooks last fought in August while Dargan hasn't fought since March. Brooks can box or stalk and has good power to the body. Both men have a similar reach.
Dargan will want to box from the outside and counter when Brooks comes into punching range. That will allow him to use his hand speed advantage. When Dargan has fought on the inside, he's been less successful, so Lefty's plan will be to come forward and cut off the ring.
Getting to the inside will be a challenge for Brooks. If he jabs in, he opens himself up to Dargan's left hook. If he barrels his way in, Dargan will pick him apart with the straight right. Brooks will have to eat punches either way in order to get inside. Once there, Lefty will want to attack Dargan's body. Not only is a body assault Michael's best weapon, but it will slow Dargan down in the later rounds.
This fight will likely go to the cards. If Dargan can stick and move, he'll cruise to an easy decision. If Brooks can continuously throw combinations on the inside, he'll have a chance to pull off the upset. Dargan can score a knockout with a well-timed counter as Brooks rushes in. The best chance for Brooks to stop Dargan is with a liver shot.
The bout can be seen at 2:30pm eastern time on NBC in the United States (NBC, not NBCSports the cable channel). It is scheduled for ten rounds. Dargan has never fought beyond the sixth round; Brooks has fought one eight rounder, in scorching heat, and he stayed strong throughout that fight.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Chilemba-Gbenga Preview
Light heavyweight Isaac Chilemba takes on Michael Gbenga at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, New York on Saturday. This is Chilemba's first fight since two controversial decisions against Tony Bellew last spring.
Chilemba battled Bellew to a draw in their first fight in March and a unanimous decision loss in their second fight in May. The Jewish Boxing Blog was not the only publication that thought Chilemba deserved the victory both times. Bellew is now scheduled to take on light heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson on November 30 on HBO, while Chilemba faces a journeyman in order to get back on the winning track.
Though Gbenga, who was raised in Ghana and now lives in the Washington, D.C. suburb of Gaithersburg, Maryland, is not in Chilemba's class, he's a dangerous opponent. Gbenga is 16-9 and all of his wins have come by knockout. But those 16 KO victims had a combined one win when they faced Gbenga. Nevertheless, Gbenga has a heavy right hand and possesses a lot of power when he sits down on the punch.
Chilemba (20-2-2, 9 KOs) is a slick boxer from South Africa by way of Malawi. He is a slithery defender and is best offensively when he's coming forward. Isaac holds a number of advantages in this fight. At 26, Chilemba is eight years younger. He's two inches taller, has faster hands, and is more skilled in the ring. Gbenga, for his part, has one more fight of experience and his wingspan is four inches longer.
Gbenga is an awkward fighter, but so is Chilemba. Gbenga is awkward because he's often out of control and off balance; Chilemba is awkward precisely because he's in control. The Ghanaian utilizes a wide stance and constantly paws with his jab. He lunges forward with his right at certain moments and cannot box off the back foot. Gbenga's lunges can produce three results: 1) he lands a big right hand, 2) he connects with his head, or 3) he bends at the waste and is forced to hold his opponent around his midsection.
There are two ways Chilemba can attack Gbenga and hurt him. Isaac's hand speed will be a huge advantage. If Chilemba throws quick combinations- something he didn't do against Bellew- and then moves to his right, away from Gbenga's right, and continues to throw, Gbenga won't last long. Chilemba can also throw uppercuts as Gbenga lunges in. Otherwise, Chilemba will likely coast to a comfortable unanimous decision.
Gbenga's best hope is to land a big right hand and knock Chilemba out, but that will be difficult against an athletic defender such as Isaac. Gbenga will need Chilemba to lose focus for a moment. Michael will also want to make it a rough fight by leading with his head and hitting on the break, infractions he has committed repeatedly in recent fights.
Whatever happens, Gbenga will try to win as long as the fight is still going on. After former world champion Andre Dirrell sent Gbenga to the canvas at the end of the first round of their clash in February, Gbenga never went into survival mode and kept throwing punches.
Chilemba-Gbenga is scheduled for eight rounds.
Chilemba battled Bellew to a draw in their first fight in March and a unanimous decision loss in their second fight in May. The Jewish Boxing Blog was not the only publication that thought Chilemba deserved the victory both times. Bellew is now scheduled to take on light heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson on November 30 on HBO, while Chilemba faces a journeyman in order to get back on the winning track.
Though Gbenga, who was raised in Ghana and now lives in the Washington, D.C. suburb of Gaithersburg, Maryland, is not in Chilemba's class, he's a dangerous opponent. Gbenga is 16-9 and all of his wins have come by knockout. But those 16 KO victims had a combined one win when they faced Gbenga. Nevertheless, Gbenga has a heavy right hand and possesses a lot of power when he sits down on the punch.
Chilemba (20-2-2, 9 KOs) is a slick boxer from South Africa by way of Malawi. He is a slithery defender and is best offensively when he's coming forward. Isaac holds a number of advantages in this fight. At 26, Chilemba is eight years younger. He's two inches taller, has faster hands, and is more skilled in the ring. Gbenga, for his part, has one more fight of experience and his wingspan is four inches longer.
Gbenga is an awkward fighter, but so is Chilemba. Gbenga is awkward because he's often out of control and off balance; Chilemba is awkward precisely because he's in control. The Ghanaian utilizes a wide stance and constantly paws with his jab. He lunges forward with his right at certain moments and cannot box off the back foot. Gbenga's lunges can produce three results: 1) he lands a big right hand, 2) he connects with his head, or 3) he bends at the waste and is forced to hold his opponent around his midsection.
There are two ways Chilemba can attack Gbenga and hurt him. Isaac's hand speed will be a huge advantage. If Chilemba throws quick combinations- something he didn't do against Bellew- and then moves to his right, away from Gbenga's right, and continues to throw, Gbenga won't last long. Chilemba can also throw uppercuts as Gbenga lunges in. Otherwise, Chilemba will likely coast to a comfortable unanimous decision.
Gbenga's best hope is to land a big right hand and knock Chilemba out, but that will be difficult against an athletic defender such as Isaac. Gbenga will need Chilemba to lose focus for a moment. Michael will also want to make it a rough fight by leading with his head and hitting on the break, infractions he has committed repeatedly in recent fights.
Whatever happens, Gbenga will try to win as long as the fight is still going on. After former world champion Andre Dirrell sent Gbenga to the canvas at the end of the first round of their clash in February, Gbenga never went into survival mode and kept throwing punches.
Chilemba-Gbenga is scheduled for eight rounds.
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