Bonzo
12-29-2014, 04:52 AM
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Boxing News
2014 Upset of the Year: Harris-Paez Jr. By Karl Freitag
Photo: Rafael Soto/Zanfer Promotions
Former world champion Vivian Harris (32-9-2, 19 KOs), a +1600 underdog who took the fight on short notice, won a majority decision over Jorge “Maromerito” Paez Jr. (37-5-1, 22 KOs) in March at the famed Arena Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico. The bout wasn’t televised in the United States, but it received extra scrutiny because Harris was the subject of an unflattering ESPN piece calling him a “badly shot fighter” and “damaged goods” while proclaiming Harris-Paez Jr. to be “a fight that should not be taking place” and “everything that is wrong with boxing.”
Apparently Harris didn’t get the memo. Instead he went on the road to Mexico where he convincingly beat the Mexican star — pulling off the “Fightnews.com Upset of the Year.”
Harris-Paez beat out five other worthy stunners.
In an August surprise, welterweight Jamie Herrera (12-2, 7 KOs), a +1500 underdog, ruined the comeback plans of formerly ranked IBF #2 welterweight contender Mike “Machine Gun” Jones (26-2, 19 KOs). Herrera overcame two knockdowns to score an improbable seventh round stoppage.
In another August upset, super middleweight Rogelio “Porky” Medina (33-6, 27 KOs), a +1200 underdog, scored a spectacular third round KO over previously undefeated world rated contender J’Leon Love (18-1, 10 KOs) in Las Vegas. Medina, who had lost three of his last four, connected with a left hook that dropped Love on his face.
In a February shocker, super middleweight Derreck Edwards (26-3-1, 13 KOs), a +1200 underdog, scored a completely unexpected first round KO over previously unbeaten Badou Jack (16-1, 9 KOs) in Verona, New York. Jack was down twice. The bout lasted 61 seconds.
In an October nail-biter, light heavyweight Tommy Karpency (24-4-1, 14 KOs), a +1050 underdog, ruined the homecoming of former world champion “Bad” Chad Dawson (32-4, 18 KOs) taking a split decision at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. It was Dawson’s first fight in his home state in five years.
Last but not least, in June unheralded junior welterweight Chris Algieri (20-0, 8 KOs), a +750 underdog, recovered from two first round knockdowns and a badly bruised and swollen right eye to win a twelve round split decision over WBO world champion Ruslan Provodnikov (23-3, 16 KOs) at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. Algieri parlayed that win into a showdown with Manny Pacquiao later in the year.
Boxing News
2014 Upset of the Year: Harris-Paez Jr. By Karl Freitag
Photo: Rafael Soto/Zanfer Promotions
Former world champion Vivian Harris (32-9-2, 19 KOs), a +1600 underdog who took the fight on short notice, won a majority decision over Jorge “Maromerito” Paez Jr. (37-5-1, 22 KOs) in March at the famed Arena Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico. The bout wasn’t televised in the United States, but it received extra scrutiny because Harris was the subject of an unflattering ESPN piece calling him a “badly shot fighter” and “damaged goods” while proclaiming Harris-Paez Jr. to be “a fight that should not be taking place” and “everything that is wrong with boxing.”
Apparently Harris didn’t get the memo. Instead he went on the road to Mexico where he convincingly beat the Mexican star — pulling off the “Fightnews.com Upset of the Year.”
Harris-Paez beat out five other worthy stunners.
In an August surprise, welterweight Jamie Herrera (12-2, 7 KOs), a +1500 underdog, ruined the comeback plans of formerly ranked IBF #2 welterweight contender Mike “Machine Gun” Jones (26-2, 19 KOs). Herrera overcame two knockdowns to score an improbable seventh round stoppage.
In another August upset, super middleweight Rogelio “Porky” Medina (33-6, 27 KOs), a +1200 underdog, scored a spectacular third round KO over previously undefeated world rated contender J’Leon Love (18-1, 10 KOs) in Las Vegas. Medina, who had lost three of his last four, connected with a left hook that dropped Love on his face.
In a February shocker, super middleweight Derreck Edwards (26-3-1, 13 KOs), a +1200 underdog, scored a completely unexpected first round KO over previously unbeaten Badou Jack (16-1, 9 KOs) in Verona, New York. Jack was down twice. The bout lasted 61 seconds.
In an October nail-biter, light heavyweight Tommy Karpency (24-4-1, 14 KOs), a +1050 underdog, ruined the homecoming of former world champion “Bad” Chad Dawson (32-4, 18 KOs) taking a split decision at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. It was Dawson’s first fight in his home state in five years.
Last but not least, in June unheralded junior welterweight Chris Algieri (20-0, 8 KOs), a +750 underdog, recovered from two first round knockdowns and a badly bruised and swollen right eye to win a twelve round split decision over WBO world champion Ruslan Provodnikov (23-3, 16 KOs) at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. Algieri parlayed that win into a showdown with Manny Pacquiao later in the year.