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Mexico vs the World Early Action: World 4, Mexico 1

Gayle Falkenthal, Boxing Editor
Gayle Falkenthal, Boxing Editor
10 Min Read
In an upset, Carl Martin will take the WBC Silver title back to the Philippines with a victory over David Picasso. Photo: Mark Robinson, Canelo Promotions
In an upset, Carl Martin will take the WBC Silver title back to the Philippines with a victory over David Picasso. Photo: Mark Robinson, Canelo Promotions
by Gayle Falkenthal, Boxing Editor

What To Know

  • Early undercard fights from Riyadh went well, with morning coffee to start the Mexico vs the World card.
  • Promising prospects delivered action fights and several impressive knockouts.
  • If you are keeping score in the Mexico vs the World competition, it’s 4-1 for The World.

Boxing action from Riyadh started earlier than anticipated on Saturday, especially for boxing fans in the United States who had to be in front of their screens at 7 a.m. on the West Coast. They were rewarded with a look at several impressive young prospects worth watching in the months ahead.

Contents

NOTE: If you missed the early Mexico vs the World undercard fights, they are available on demand on DAZN Boxing or free on the DAZN Boxing YouTube channel.

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Upset Win for Carl Martin over David Picasso

In the main event of the before the bell action, David Picasso of Colima, Mexico and Carl “Wonder Boy” Martin of the Philippines battled from bell to bell in a close, competitive fight with two different styles clashing.

In an upset, Martin (29-0, 21 KOs) won the biggest fight of his life over Picasso (33-2-1, 18 KOs)  in a narrow split decision, 96-93 and 95-94 for Martin.

Martin and his team were emotional hearing the scores in their favor. After fighting for the first eight years of his career in the Philippines, Martin made his way to the U.S. and is now getting the opportunities he always dreamed about.

“I learned a lot in the U.S. I trained so much. I found so much good sparring. I won, I won, the WBC Silver title!” said Martin.

It is a difficult loss for Picasso against an opponent he was expected to look good against in a new weight division.

Martin came out with guns blazing. Picasso didn’t appear entirely prepared for the activity and started the fight going backward. It wasn’t where he wanted to be. Picasso couldn’t get his jabs in gear to stop Martin from coming in.

In the third round, Martin threw a straight left down the middle, breaking Picasso’s nose. Cutman Stitch Duran had his hands full but managed to keep the worst of the damage at bay to keep Picasso in the fight.

Picasso has experience on bigger stages, with his only previous loss coming to Naoya Inoue. He settled down in the second half of the fight and found more success landing body punches, slowing Martin down.

Martin’s corner worked to try and keep him loose and relaxed. “You’re having a lot of fun. Don’t get careless. Be smart! Make him miss, make him pay!”

In the seventh round, Picasso turned the tables with a knockdown. Martin complained that Picasso had stepped on his foot, but a replay showed Picasso caught him with a clean punch. Picasso gained ground, winning the later rounds. Going into the tenth, both fighters and their corner knew the tenth round might make the difference. Martin won that tenth round, neutralizing the knockdown and taking the win.

Martin said he offered Picasso a rematch, who said he’d be up for it.

Team Mexico or Team Kazakh? Bek Murmaganget Claims KO for Both

The world has another charming heavy-handed puncher out of Kazakhstan to keep an eye on. Bek Nurmaganbet of Kazakhstan (17-0, 15 KOs) blew out Marcos Vazquez Rodriguez of Tijuana, Mexico (21-4-1, 10 KOs) in one vicious round, the highlight of the early session.

“I’m Team Mexico, but I’m Kazakh,” smiled Nurmaganbet after his win. He said the knockout wasn’t in his original game plan. “My plan was to start boxing, not knockout. But this is boxing. One punch changed my decision,” said Nurmaganbet. It was his 13th straight knockout win in his first fight scheduled for ten rounds.

Rodriguez was able to get up and leave the ring under his own power to the relief of Nurmaganbet who held off any celebration due to his concern about Rodriguez.

Marcos Rodriguez took a nasty right hook from Bek Nurmaganbet, but he was able to get up and leave the ring. Photo: DAZN Boxing Mexico vs the World
Marcos Rodriguez took a nasty right hook from Bek Nurmaganbet, but he was able to get up and leave the ring. Photo: DAZN Boxing

Nurmaganbet has been brought along quietly, appearing on deep undercards in support of champions like Canelo Alvarez and Stephen Fulton, but also quietly getting experience on regional cards around the world. You might not have noticed him before, but it’s time to start paying attention.

“Of course I want the big fights,” said Nurmaganbet. “I’m right now IBF ranking nine. IBF champion, Iglesias Cuban guy. I want this fight. I want to say to him, save my belt, I’m coming for you!” said Nurmaganbet in improving English. “Viva Mexico, Viva Kazakhstan!”

Nurmaganbet will inevitably be compared to his countryman Gennadiy Golovkin, and there’s plenty of Triple G in him to like. The 28-year-old southpaw has a longer reach, and he uses it well.

Al-Mohammed Showing Good Form in Win

Lightweight Sultan “El Nino” Al-Mohammed of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (6-0, 4 KOs) thrilled his local fans with a power punching clinic over durable Erick Villegas of Mexico (5-3-3, 1 KO). In his first-round fight, Al-Mohammed wins by decision with scores 60-54, 59-55, 59-55.

“This is just the beginning. I will continue to be better and to be a world champion one day,” said the 18-year-old talent from Syria. “I feel good, I feel so proud to be here.”

Now trained by Eddy Reynoso after starting his career with Abel Sanchez, the “Mexican Style” approach was on display with heavy handed power jabs and impressive body shots. He is cutting off the ring well and putting on pressure nicely at this early stage.

Villegas had only been stopped once and wasn’t afraid to stand and trade with Al-Mohammed, even if it wasn’t the best idea. His legs, toughness, and a solid chin prevented Al-Mohammed from getting the knockout he wanted, but the rounds of work will be more valuable in the long run for Al-Mohammed. He’s a work in progress and making progress.

Wins for Vazquez and Leon

Emiliano Rojo Vazquez of Mexico (23-0, 9 KOs) scored Mexico’s only undercard win in the “Mexico vs the World” event over Flavius Biea of Romania (24-4, 12 KOs) in their super middleweight bout. It took just one round to get the TKO win.

Vazquez had too much strength and firepower at 20 years old for the 37-year-old veteran Biea. After just one round of pounding, the referee stopped in just before the bell in the first round to prevent any more unnecessary damage to Biea.

Super middleweights Brayan Leon of Cuba (13-0, 9 KOs) and Hector Aguirre of Mexico (7-1, 3 KOs) opened the card with undefeated records to protect. Fans up early enough were treated to a fun all action fight between two heavy-handed opponents.

It was Leon’s power and precision versus Aguirre’s volume punching and pressure. In a close fight, Leon prevailed on the scorecards. Two cards read 78-74, but the third card of 77-75 was much more representative of this close contest. Leon is trained by Eddy Reynoso, and he is adapting his style well to maximize his power.

 

 

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ByGayle Falkenthal, Boxing Editor
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Gayle Falkenthal is an award-winning boxing journalist with more than four dozen awards for both written and video coverage from the Boxing Writers Association of America, Society of Professional Journalists, and San Diego Press Club, where she is the past president. She is the only woman journalist who is a full voting member of the BWAA. She is the Boxing Editor for NY Fights based in San Diego, California.

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