On March 9th in Verona, NY we saw a miracle punch that almost changed the course of the Light Heavyweight division (Bivol /Smith). Six days later in  Philadelphia and broadcast on DAZN, Warrior Gabe Rosado almost came up with a magnificent comeback that would have  garnered him a world title shot and left the audience completely speechless.

Undefeated defensive wizard and Light Heavyweight Champion Dmitry Bivol was suppose to coast by power punching contender Joe Smith Jr. The Common Man (Smith Jr.) trained  harder then he has ever trained knowing that this fight is a Life Changer (his goal was to let his boxing in the ring do all the talking). After all the fanfare, the fight started with the ringing of the bell. Bivol took it to Smith paralyzing his every move with his defense powers and quick adjustments. The fight was in cruise control (or so we thought) till the 10th round. After Bivol dominated the round ( the crowd got a bit restless because they knew the fight was a forgone conclusion, “Smith lands a huge right hook at the Bell that stuns Bivol BAD. Bivol is Knocked Out on his feet, but luckily for Bivol – the Bell saves him.” (Boxing Action Magazine)

If only there was a few more seconds left in the 10th round, we would have seen the crowning of a new champion. As some call the odds of an underdog winning, “a punchers chance”.

Bivol/Smith Full Story:

Bivol Coasts to Victory Overcoming a Scare in the 10th

Six days later in Philadelphia, Gabe Rosado took on 1 loss  middleweight contender Maciej Sulecki. Coming into the fight, the fight was considered a pickem 50/50 fight. When the bell rang, it was clear that Selecki was the bigger, stronger and faster boxer. The Rosado/ Sulecki Fight (first 7-8 rounds) reminds me of the Paulie Malignaggi / Amir Khan fight that took place 9 years ago. Up and coming Star Malignaggi was suppose to be in tough with Khan. When the fight started, it became  apparently clear that Malignaggi was not in the same class as Khan. Khan had his coming out party that evening showing the United States  audience on HBO that not only was he bigger and faster, but a much more skilled boxer then Malignaggi.

Sukechi dominated Rosado dishing out major  punishment, often hurting Rosado and knocking him down. The Warrior Rosado took a beating as it appeared this fight was a huge mismatch. I was hoping the fight would be stopped so Rosado could fight another day as it’s clear he still has much in the tank. Then a determined Rosado somehow caught a second wind and started moving and boxing still eating a lot of leather. In the 9th round Rosado caught Sulecki – knocking him down twice, as the DAZN Subscribers got up of there couches and started yelling at what they were seeing,  Sukechi was reeling for his boxing career as the crowd went crazy. Sulecki managed to barely survive the rest of the fight as Rosado threw everything but the kitchen sink at him.

Rosado/Sulecki Full Story:

Rosado Stands Tall in decision Loss to Sulecki

Joe Smith Jr. and Gabe Rosado proved that, “A Punchers Chance”, is not a lucky punch. Joe Smith Jr. and Gabe Rosado’s determination, hard work ethic and laser focus gave them, A Punchers Chance.

Photos by Ed Mulholland / Matchroom Boxing