NEWS AND OPINION
http://www.boxingnewsonline.net JUNE 27, 2019 lBOXING NEWSl 9WARNING SIGNS
IF you carefully read between the
lines there was more at stake than
Alberto Machado attempting to
regain his secondary WBA super-
featherweight belt from Andrew
Cancio. It gave us an insight into
how we might expect Anthony
Joshua to fare when he rematches
with the man who relieved him of
his heavyweight titles, Andy Ruiz,
because the situations of the four are
eerily similar.
Last February, Cancio was
considered a no-hoper against
unbeaten champion Machado,
much like Ruiz was with Joshua. Both
underdogs were expected to offer
some resistance but be stopped in
the early to middle rounds. Even that
appeared to be optimistic thinking
once the matches began when
Cancio was dropped and hurt in the
first round, Ruiz in the third.
As both favourites moved in for
the finish things started to suddenly
unravel for them: Joshua was hurt
by a counter blow, Machado simply
got tired. The body language of
Machado and Joshua was poor
before they were pulled out, each
having gone down multiple times.
The one thing both defeated
fighters had going for them was
an immediate rematch clause.
Machado invoked his and Joshua
intends to, but it might be wise if he
reconsidered.
Cancio’s first victory over
Machado had been inspiring.
A technician for a gas company in
Southern California, journeyman
Cancio continued to hold onto his
day job while training for his first
defence on Friday ( June 21). A man
of great pride, Cancio, 30, wanted to
prove against all else that his victory
over Machado was no fluke.
Machado, 28, had other ideas.
He spoke of how refocused he now
was, correcting the previous errors
in his preparation. Surely a Machado
in top form would do the business
the second time around or so it was
thought. And to make regaining
the title even sweeter he’d do it atThe Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio,
California, the place where Machado
had been dethroned.
What was not taken into account
was the extra confidence winning
the belt had given Cancio, 21-4-
(16). He attacked hard from the
outset forcing Machado to box at
a torrid pace. Machado landed his
best punches and cut Cancio, but the
champion was relentless. By the end
of the second round Machado’s legs
started to betray him. A left hook to
the body then floored Machado for
a seven count in the third. When he
got up referee Raul Caiz stopped it at
1-01. Both weighed 130lbs.
The target date for the Joshua-
Ruiz rematch is November 16.
Reportedly Joshua wants to exorcise
his demons by insisting it be held
at Madison Square Garden, where
he lost his crowns. If indeed that
scenario unfolds it would be a
triumph for emotion over logic.
Returning to the same venue was
disastrous for Machado, now 21-
(17). When the going got rough,
flashbacks of the first fight had to
have resurfaced; that could have
contributed to yet another loss in
confidence.
Joshua would be stepping into
the ring again with Ruiz just a month
longer than Machado did withCancio. Machado needed more time
to psychologically recover from his
loss, Joshua might as well. Not that
the venue would have necessarily
mattered anywhere Cancio and
Machado fought, but Joshua should
take notice and understand that
rematching Ruiz at MSG will be
added pressure.
So many people have tried to spin
Joshua’s loss, the latest being Freddie
Roach who last week criticised the
Brit’s training team saying he has
seen no improvement since the
Wladimir Klitschko fight. Roach
offered his services. Whether there
would be interest from Joshua’s side
of the pond is unclear, but if there
is he should consider that Roach is
Machado’s trainer and failed to make
a difference against Cancio.
It was not a good night for San
Juan’s two favourite sons. In what
can accurately be described as yet
another massive upset, Mexico’s
Elwin Soto, 15-1 (11), came from
behind to dethrone WBO light-fly
champ Angel Acosta, 20-2 (20),
stopping him at 23 seconds of the
12th round. Both weighed 108lbs.
Acosta led on all cards (107-
101, 106-102 and 105-103) when
a counter left hurt him and it was
quickly terminated. Referee Thomas
Taylor’s stoppage can be debated.THIS Sunday ( June 30) sees Vince
Heckman walk from Eastbourne Pier
to Hastings Pier. Michael Watson
MBE will be joining Vince for the last
leg of the journey. Afterwards, they
will make their way to the Silverhill
Club in Hastings to enjoy a welcome
party hosted by Hastings EBA. This
takes place from 12 noon. On the
same day, also at 12 noon, Brighton
City ABC are holding a 101-round
‘Bagathon’ at Brighton City Gym
in the King Alfred complex. Brian
Harvey will be assisted by his wife,
Janie Brashill. Our regular donator,
Michael Thomas, is going into
hospital for a short stay and we wish
him a speedy recovery. Meanwhile,
a delivery of RR&C T-shirts has
been received and all sizes are now
available. Contact Paul on 07752 322- Many thanks for the support.
RINGSIDE REST & CARE
The fundraising events for the RR&C charity continue this weekend
Joshua should note
Machado rematch fate,
writes Jack Hirsch
SAME AGAIN:
Cancio knocks out
Machado for the
second time this yearPhoto: TOM HOGAN/HOGANPHOTOS/GOLDEN BOY