Thread: FNF: Fortuna-Cruz, Abdusalamov-Byarm

Couple of impressive showings by two great prospects.

Heavyweights

Russian "Mago" Abdusalamov (now 15-0 with 15 KO's) made short work of Washington D.C.-based Maurice Byarm (now 13-2-1 with 9 KO's). Although why Byarm chose to stay in the corner at the end of the first round and take those big bombs is beyond me. Someone should've shoved him forcefully out of the corner. At the last second of the round he took a huge shot from "Mago", and was basically dead meat when the bell sounded for the 2nd round.

Featherweights

And Javier Fortuna from the Dominican Republic (now 20-0 with 15 KO's) blew veteran Mexican Cristobal Cruz completely out of the water. It was supposed to be a tough test for Javier... but from the outset it looked like a total mismatch. Knockdown in Round 1... and then a tremendous left cross that broke Cruz's nose and ended the fight.


With "Mago" it's too early to tell... and he's still pretty raw. But Javier looks like he'll be fighting for a belt pretty soon. He'll give anyone problems.

Byarm had zero head movement and had no clue what to do once he was hurt. He got off to a good start, but once he got rocked he was done.

Fortuna looked awesome even tho I was rooting for Cruz. The Dominican is explosive and very fast.

He could be a world champion in the near future. I'd like to see him against Broner down the road.

I enjoyed the show Byarm started well until he got cornered at got hammered.

Fortuna finished off his opponent really well.

Pablo Sarmiento has put together quite a stable in Oxnard, California, with Martinez, Fortuna, Campillo and Magomed.

Magomed looks like he has a lot of punching power. Fortuna looks explosive and disciplined. Both have upside.

Not use to seeing Cruz face first on the canvas and motionless until recently but, that was impressive! Saw Byarm before and think is the son of Holyfields first pro opponent. Great finish on him.

Best part of the night had to be Teddy taking Cortez to task over his phrase "I'm fair but I'm firm" and yelling, 'this ain't about YOU, fans don't come to see the REF'

Sad note is that ESPN is seeing fit to put a shot up Jose luis Castillo on next weeks card. Don't understand that.