TESS VALMORE


The April PPV is in the books and if my correct prediction rate is any indication, the fights are getting more competitive. I went 15-11 which getting back to the win ratio of the old days.

There were three title fights and for once not a title changed. Strahovski had the toughest challenge, but retained her title by KOing Perry. VanCamp remained the bantam champ by ending Lilly’s comeback. T. Atkinson had the easiest challenge tuning back Kelly Brook.

Megan Fox continued her amazing win streak which is now 18 by beating Hough in a non-title bout. It was revenge for Fox who lost a previous bout to Hough.

Sarah Carter broke a four fight losing steak and inched closer to the Hall Of Fame in her 95th bout by beating Minka Kelly.   Carters win percentage is barely above the required average, so she can’t afford a couple losses in her next five bouts which could come this year Carter’s win over Henstridge probably put Henstridge’s title fight hopes on the back burner.

Cyrus' win over Keegan should advance her in the rankings but I doubt it will get her near a title match.

Vanessa Hudgens won a AMD match by KOing Lee MIchele. Quite frankly I didn’t see a lot difference from a regular bout. Do we really need another specialty title. Listing specialty titles like Ice Queen and JMD/JMDD does nothing but cheapen the real unified titles. Hudgens win was her eighth out of her last nine. I think once again she is the leader for a title bout.

I note that Frege and Seydoux were called two of the best French bantams in the world. If that is true,  French female boxing is in a world of hurt. Frege lost her 35th bout. Frege has now lost over 81% of her fights. Management doesn’t seem to catch on that this fighter is going nowhere. Of the fifteen fighters in the stable, Frege is by far the most used.

Ren’s win over Swift was the biggest win of her brief career. I think she has been under estimated by many including me. Her win should propel her into the top ten and will definitely put a hurt on Swifts rankings.

Another lightweight whose ranking is going to take a serious hurt is Adrianne Palicki who lost her fourth of her last five. This loss was particularly disastrous since she was 4 1/2 inches taller than her opponent. Management will charge it off to a “rough patch”  I think it is more serious than that. She will win fights, but I think the days of her beating top ten fighters is over.

There will be more shifting in the lightweight top ten with Decker’s win over Prinsloo, Winstead’s victory over Ambrosio and Jenner’s big win over Upton.

Two new welters are getting attention.  Goodwin and Taylor Hill won fights over formidable opponents. Neither has much experience, but they will definite take big jumps in the rankings and maybe even into the top ten.

Righetti will definitely hang in the high top ten after disposing of Krsmanovic.

There was far too much post fight activity and humiliation.   I am getting used to Lavigne’s big and profane mouth. Her stable is either unwilling or unable to shut it. Post fight activity in the Jenner win and also in Atkinson victory are examples that shouldn’t occur Humiliations do nothing for the victor except show a lack of class.