Quick Hits: Premier Boxing Champions Guerrero vs Figueroa Jr.

As this is my first article, I figured it would be prudent to start off with an explanation of how I will be covering boxing on this site. From now on, I hope to be covering most major boxing matches and some general news about the sport on top of my usual wrestling coverage. Don’t be surprised to see some new articles out soon that talk about the Mayweather vs McGregor, Canelo Alvarez vs Gennady Golovkin, and the impending rematch between Wladimir Klitschko and Anthony Joshua. With that said, here’s some quick reactions on all the action on the latest primetime showing of Premier Boxing Champions:

Adam Kownacki vs Artur Szplika

• This was a somewhat sloppy match that ended up experiencing a boost in excitement due to the hot crowd
• Despite Kownacki’s solid knockout of Szplika, I don’t see a future for him in the Heavyweight division. He fights very tall and doesn’t seem to generate much power in his blows. The knockout on Szplika appeared to be more due to his volume of punches and somewhat awkward style than his power. That style won’t fly against the much taller Wladimir Klitschko or Anthony Joshua and his lack of head movement will leave him a sitting duck for someone like Deontay Wilder
• This match definitively shuts the door on any future title opportunities for Szplika who looked rather bad in this matchup

Marcus Browne vs Seanie Monaghan

• This was an incredibly impressive performance for the former olympian Marcus Browne. He blew through the 29-0 Monaghan who appeared to have been nearing the front of the line for a potential Light Heavyweight title opportunity
• Browne nearly had a first round knockout in this match. The only reason he didn’t put the fight away then was because of a shot on the belt that the referee called as a low blow. Monaghan was able to recover and survive the round only because of that momentary timeout
• Browne would appear to be nearing a number one contender’s berth against either Adonis Stevenson or Andre Ward
• This match probably put Monaghan out of the title picture although stranger things have happened. Chicago favorite Andrzej Fonfara recently received a title match against Adonis Stevenson despite a devastating loss under a year earlier to the relatively unknown (at the time) Joe Smith Jr.

Omar Figueroa Jr. vs Robert Guerrero

• In the most exciting fight of the night by far, Figueroa Jr. put away Guerrero in very convincing fashion
• Figueroa Jr. destroyed Guerrero with a variety of punches, mostly uppercuts, that Guerrero never saw coming. With five knockdowns in three rounds, it was clear who had the upper hand in this match
• Figueroa Jr. started off slow in this match, something that former Welterweight champion Danny Garcia had predicted would happen on commentary. It only took one round though for Figueroa Jr. to hit his stride
• Guerrero had a never say die attitude in this match and looked like a real warrior. He had Figueroa Jr. in trouble at the onset of the third round delivering a wicked punch that backed Figueroa Jr into the ropes. Guerrero has nothing to be ashamed of with this performance
• Guerrero should be proud of his efforts tonight, and his illustrious career as a whole, after he announced his retirement today
• Figueroa Jr should be in line for a title match in whatever division he chooses to fight in next after that amazing performance against one of the best in boxing

All together, this was a pretty enjoyable show. It would have been nice, however, if the first two fights had lasted a little longer, considering no match lasted longer than 4 rounds. Guerrero vs Figueroa Jr. was by far the highlight match of the show. It was a true war that both men should be proud of. I look forward to seeing what’s next for Figueroa Jr., and the incredibly talented Marcus Browne, in the future.