Dubois, Sanchez and other victories on the undercard of the tournament in Saudi Arabia

On December 23, a huge tournament was held in Saudi Arabia, which looked perhaps the best in boxing history in terms of the number of challenging doubles. Apart from the tournament’s top two pairs, we will briefly talk about the main events.

Frank Sanchez TKO 7 Young Fa

Cubans Frank Sanchez (24-0, 17 KOs) and Junior Fa (20-3, 11 KOs). The confrontation between a giant and a small but very technical boxer. Although they are quite similar in terms of standard characteristics such as height and arm span, the weight difference between them is more than ten kilograms.

It was clear that Sanchez was the more technical boxer. But the important question was whether he could stop a heavier opponent who was willing to fight and clinch his opponent. This is how Fa turned the confrontation with Joseph Parker into an unwatchable brawl.

Surprisingly Junior’s opening rounds were good. I didn’t lose much in the face of blows, but I didn’t allow him to use force. He looked even better than the favorite in some episodes. It looked weird. The technical Cuban shot with his front hand, but the foreign player was unsuccessful while trying to take advantage of this opportunity.

But in such inactive fights, the class difference still becomes apparent, even when everything seems to have gone wrong from the beginning. Frank needed to boot up and start working. But as soon as this happened, the Fa began to disintegrate. The first is a classic with a left to the body followed by a straight right – a sixth-round knockdown. Then a calm but very long finishing move – technical knockout in the seventh round.

There was a feeling that Sanchez could have won faster, but he didn’t want to. The important thing is that when the time comes to fight a truly top-level fighter, this confidence that there is time does not work against the Cuban.

Filip Hrgovic TKO 1 Frank De Mori

In fact, it is not clear why Philip needed this fight. A much smaller rival. Even less than Usik. He is not left-handed like Alexander, which the Croats claim. There is nothing similar to the next possible rivals.

After the victory, Hrgovic explained: He said he just wanted to stay active. But if this program is about staying active, then it would be nice for someone to tell the Croatian that this is not the case. He just came out and beat a smaller opponent.

Frankly, without any obstacles. A few strikes, a takedown, a finishing move, end of the fight. It wasn’t even an epic knockout.

Jay Opetaia TKO 1 Ellis Zorro

To be honest, I never believed in Zorro’s victory. He’s a good boxer but nothing more. There is no blow to stop Opeta, who does not stop even though his jaw is broken, but misses the blows.

However, the fight was not expected to end quickly. The rule here is whether someone is lucky or not. Zorro had to apply himself more often and harder to defeat his opponent, but Jay had to try too. At least it looked that way before the meeting started and throughout the first round.

Zorro was not amazed by his moves because in general there was nothing else besides them. However, on several occasions Ellis allowed his opponent to miss with his strength, so much so that it looked as if concentration and caution would be his way to victory.

Both were down to the final seconds of the round. Opetaya put pressure on him without fanaticism, but he pushed his opponent a little. I was looking for a way to hit him harder. And then how I installed it! A left kick to the chin ended the fight instantly. There is no chance of continuing. It was scary to look at Zorro, lying on his back on the ropes and not even blinking.

Ellis lost not because he was a bad boxer, but because he recovered from the blow. This happens, and this is only Opetai’s merit.

Agit Kabayel TKO 4 Arslanbek Makhmudov

I didn’t want to remember the Russians, but it is definitely possible here. Makhmudov promised to defeat all the elite. He offered to fight Fury and even mentioned Alexander Usik’s name. So what did this give?

The first fight, not against a boxer whom everyone had defeated before, ended exactly as you and I wanted.

Kabayel didn’t break down in the exchanges, he just did what he had to do. At one point, feeling that Makhmudov’s body was really suffering, Agit took action and did not let go. A series of knockouts and the referee’s final signal looked great.

Congratulations to Agit from all over the country.

Daniel Dubois TKO 10 Jarrell Miller

In terms of potential rivalry, this fight was almost on par with the matchup between Joseph Parker and Deontay Wilder. Dubois was coming off a defeat against Oleksandr Usyk. Miller had his first truly strong opponent.

Dubois was expected to give boxing lessons. In general, he knows how to do it. Focusing on the needle and waiting for the moment to come. However, this time he decided to prove to Jarrell that he was stronger.

The Briton had a mediocre fight. Just like an American. They both pushed very hard. They both pressed their heads tightly to each other’s foreheads. They both committed a lot of violations, but Dubo committed more violations, especially below the belt.

Daniel looked good when he started boxing. When you fight, he is mediocre, just more accurate than your opponent. It wasn’t easy to watch because the Briton certainly did better but couldn’t. But Miller doesn’t know how to do this. That’s Jarrell’s point; Constant pressure and trying to hit. He can’t do any better.

But Dubois still scored an early victory. Did the referee stop you early? Yes instead of no. Jarrell did not fall and showed that he could continue with all his strength. Another question is that he really missed a lot.

Dubois won, but he did it in mediocre fashion against an average fighter. Could it be because he doesn’t know any better? The following fights will be shown. Daniel says he’s ready for the top of the league.