Junior lightweight Jaycob Gomez (age 20; went to 5-0, defeating late, late sub Marcello Williams (age 33; 3-13, 0 KOs entering), out of Brazil. The scrap went the distance, six rounds, with the lefty Puerto Rican in against a rugged man whose record didn't hint at his true skill set, which includes a tight chin and an admirable stubbornness.
After the finish, before Gomez had his hand raised, watchers could hear Malignaggi's comfort level with his in-booth partners, and notice his growth as a media talent when he talked through Gomez highlights from throughout the six rounder. Sideline note: The hours together, on-air and doing podcasts every Monday, have made it so already there's a smoothness and at-ease vibe present when Goldberg, Jones Jr, Tarver and Malignaggi talk boxing, ringside and elsewhere.
Last aside on the announce team--Goldberg allowing for pauses...multiple seconds to pass without having to have one of them speak, is very, very refreshing. It's not meaningless, or just an announcement of my personal preference--this is a sign that there are pros working, no one's over excited, too eager to make an impression. It is a rarity, and a welcome one, in this age of over-amplication for effect.
Back to the fisticuffs...
Featherweight Jan Paul Rivera (age 21, 2-0, 2 KOs coming in), a Future Star out of Salinas, Puerto Rico, took on Cesar Martinez (age 32, 4-6-2), out of Spain, living in Los Angeles. "Rivera's definitely a beast," said Roy as he backed up Martinez early in round one. Showing a ptent jab, Rivera flurried on Martinez, with his back to the ropes, and smashed him near through said ropes. The ref jumped in and called a halt 48 seconds into the opening round. "A great looking prospect in Rivera," Tarver opined. "That jab was like a laser," Malignaggi noted. "Jan Paul has an exceptional jab," Jones agreed.
Najee might watch the bout and wished for a different punch selection when he looked to finish off Monroy in the first minute of round three. But, Jones noted, for sure Najee's punches look crisper when he's in the 180s versus the 200s.
Super flyweight Trinidad Vargas (age 19, 0-0 entering) kicked off the show, suceeding in his pro debut. The Grand Prairie, Texas prospect scored a TKO stoppage over "Thundermouse" Josh Aarons (age 33, 0-2 entering), fighting out of Pennsylvania.
Vargas sent Aarons to the mat with an overhand right/left hand follow with 39 seconds left. The loser stumbled when he rose, so the ref waved it off in round one.
ProBox TV is back with live action on July 9. "We the fighters have decided to try and give you exactly what you want as a fan. That's the only way to keep this business going, and that's what we intend to do, on ProBox TV," said the new entry into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, Roy Jones Jr to kick off this show. His declaration aligns well with the main event, which on paper looks like a coinflip fight. Panamanian New Yorker Cesar Francis (10-0) battles rugged vet Ray Beltran (37-9-1) in a 140 pound showdown.