Amazon’s Prime Video era in boxing has begun » April 2, 2024

By Mauricio Sulaimán
Son of José Sulaimán / WBC President

This past weekend, the first boxing card broadcast by Amazon and its Prime Video platform took place.

Spectacular boxing card unlike anything seen in a long time. My memories took me to that golden era when Don King created wondrous galas, with three, four, and even five world championship fights on the same card. Very similar last Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena, and the World Boxing Council was present with three memorable battles. A thrilling crescendo.

Our flyweight world champion, Julio César “Rey” Martínez, retained his championship for the seventh time, against a Venezuelan warrior, Angelino Córdova, who sold the defeat dearly, since this was by majority decision, where two judges scored 114-112, and the other 113-113. It was a close, nonstop action, and dramatic fight. Martinez scored two knockdowns in the third round, which at the end proved to be the difference to allow him to retain his green and gold belt.

Another spectacular battle was the interim super welterweight championship in which the Ukrainian Serhii Bohachuk won in a slugfest with iron jawed former monarch Brian Mendoza. It went to a 12-round decision and Bohachuk won unanimously. This victory will bring a beacon of encouragement to that country, which is suffering from the war with the Russian invasion, which over the course of two long years, has killed countless innocent people.

Ukrainian boxing will be on the worldwide scene as Vasiliy Lomachenko will travel to Australia to face George Kambosos Jr., Oleksandr Usyk will fight WBC champion Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia, and Oleksandr Gvozdyk will do so against David Benavidez in the U.S.A. Will this victory by Bohachuk inspire his countrymen in their respective fights?

Back to last Saturday night. In addition, two more world championship fights. Erislandy Lara won by knockout against the official challenger. Nobody can explain how Michael Zerafa was the mandatory challenger. He was knocked out in just two rounds by Cuban Lara.

Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz swarmed, overwhelmed, and knocked out Rolly Romero, who had tried to ridicule him with insults during the months prior to the fight. Champion Rolly Romero made fun of the Mexican, who was simply smiling and tersely advising him: “We will talk in the ring.” Romero even called Cruz a Chihuahua dog. The eventual tale was very different.

Well, Pitbull won categorically and in a spectacular manner, electrifying the fans. This fight reminded me of one of Julio César Chávez, when Edwin Rosario insulted him and J.C. demolished him, or that great one when Salvador Sánchez did his thing against the loquacious Wilfredo Gómez. Mexico has a hero in the making who made a resounding statement, winning an all-out battle against a brave Romero.

The main fight was one of the most dramatic and bloody fights ever seen for many. Australian Tim Tzsyu, son of the legendary champion Kostya Tszyu, faced the…