Editor’s note: This will be my final Good, Bad, Worse column. I will continue to post similar commentaries on the previous week’s action most Sundays but in a different, looser format, which will be called “Weekend Review.”
GOOD
Gervonta Davis has demonstrated that he isn’t afraid to fight anyone. Ryan Hafey / Premier Boxing Champions
Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia intend to fight in April, it was announced last week, but there are no guarantees it will happen.
Davis and Garcia must win interim fights first, Davis against more-than-capable Hector Garcia on Jan. 7. Garcia hasn’t revealed his opponent. Plus, Davis goes on trial next month on hit-and-run charges, which could alter his plans.
All that said, the fact the young stars came to an agreement on their 136-pound catch-weight showdown is proof that potentially difficult negotiations can produce fruit in the wake of the failed talks between Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr.
Davis and Garcia took the lead in their negotiations, pushing their reportedly reluctant handlers to make a fight both men wanted badly. A key to the success was the willingness of competing TV/streaming companies to work together, which is unusual.
Fans reportedly can watch the pay-per-view fight on both Showtime (Davis) and DAZN (Garcia). Why not? There will be plenty of money to go around in the matchup of two knockout artists and social media sensations.
Of course, matchups that are projected to be unusually lucrative have a way of bringing people together, even competitors. That’s one reason heavyweights Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder have been able to do business on three occasions.
And make no mistake: Davis-Garcia would generate a lot of money, probably more than Crawford-Spence would. That makes compromise easier to swallow.
Now we can only hope that Crawford, Spence and all the other stars in the sport will be inspired by Davis and Garcia’s agreement and build on it. The fans, who are disappointed so often, deserve it.
BAD
Jaime Munguia is looking for bigger challenges. Zanfer Promotions
There was nothing “bad” about Jaime Munguia’s performance in his third-round knockout of Gonzalo Coria on Saturday in Mexico. It just never should’ve happened.
Munguia, highly ranked by all four major sanctioning bodies, was in talks to face titleholder Jermall Charlo but they couldn’t come to an agreement. The Mexican had expected to face respected John Ryder last month but that also fell through.
As a result, to stay busy, he ended up facing a grossly overmatched journeyman, his third fight against a pushover this year. Coria realized the futility of his mission when he refused to get up after he was hurt in Round 3, putting a merciful end to a horrible matchup.
Let’s hope Munguia’s next outing is different. He’s an excellent, strong fighter and only getting better under coach Erik Morales. And the former 154-pound titleholder has earned the right to fight for a belt at 160.
He called out 40-year-old champ Gennadiy Golovkin after his victory on Saturday, suggesting they could meet in May. That’s a makable and marketable fight, as well as a genuine challenge for both men.
Let’s hope Munguia gets his opportunity.
WORSE
Crawford said last week that his legacy won’t be impacted if he doesn’t fight Errol Spence Jr because he was undisputed champion at 140 and then became a titleholder at 147.
I beg to differ.
I personally care less about titles – even unified ones – than the men or women you beat. And Crawford’s resume is thin in that department.
He had gone the first 12 years of his career without a defining victory, which obviously limited his legacy. His biggest win might’ve been a decision over Viktor Postol before he stopped Shawn Porter in an important matchup last November.
And even the victory over Porter doesn’t have as much weight as it would’ve a few years earlier because Porter obviously had one foot out of boxing going into the fight. He retired afterward.
That’s why the Spence fight was so important for Crawford. A victory over the unbeaten pound-for-pounder would’ve left no doubt about his place among the best welterweights of the modern era.
Now he must seek other comparable opportunities, assuming he and Spence don’t resurrect negotiations.
Crawford mentioned contenders Vergil Ortiz and Jaron Ennis as potential opponents. I like both of those matchups. A victory over either talented, young challenger would be a strong addition to Crawford’s resume.
At the same time I can hear the criticism now: “Ortiz/Ennis was too inexperienced for Crawford. Of course, Crawford won the fight.”
Indeed, the opponent Crawford needs is Spence.
