Baha Mamadjonov KOs Angelo Santana, Amir Imam Goes Boom
Photos by Tom Casino for Showtime
by Gautham Nagesh
Uzbek lightweight Baha Mamadjonov (below) stopped unbeaten Cuban import Angelo Santana in the ninth round on a stellar edition of ShoBox from Treasure Island Casino in Las Vegas on Friday night.
When we last saw Santana on ShoBox, he was tearing the head off Stiff Jab favorite Johnny Garcia. Santana’s destruction of Garcia was so complete, I didn’t even have the heart to write it up. Many expected a similar result this time against once-beaten Uzbek Baha Mamadjonov.
Mamadjonov’s lone loss came via a tight split decision on ShoBox last year against talented Colombian Darley Perez. We scored that fight for Perez, mostly because of a late knockdown, but Mamadjonov impressed with his technique and awkwardness. He found himself on the mat again early against Santana, but this time the knockdown helped compel Mamadjonov to victory.
[[MORE]]Mamadjonov was wary of his opponent’s vaunted left hand early on, and a little uncomfortable fighting a fellow southpaw for the first time. Santana seemed in control for the first round, and forced Mamadjonov to take a seat with a hard jab in the second. Baha might have been a bit careless at that point, but he had also started using lateral movement and angles to confuse his opponent. He had also figured out that Santana was strictly a one-trick pony, and began focusing on taking away the Cuban’s left hand.
From the third round on, Mamadjonov executed his game plan flawlessly. He bounced in and out, from side to side, while the Cuban inexplicably holstered his jab instead of using it to steady his foe. Mamadjonov started jabbing to the body, and was soon going downstairs with power shots from both hands. He also began finding a home for his left hand upstairs, without allowing Santana to counter in response. Whenever Santana seemed in any danger of landing, Mamadjonov would smartly tie him up.
The Uzbek used the next few rounds to deliver a masterclass in boxing, while Santana failed in his quest to land a big punch. Santana is unusually one-dimensional for a Cuban, and lacks much subtlety to his craft. He had no other approach aside from following Mamadjonov around his left hand cocked. Santana also refused to move his head, which made it a ripe target for increasingly stiff shots from Mamadjonov.
When Santana did mount an attack, Mamadjonov would hold. This served the dual purpose of neutralizing the danger and frustrating the Cuban further. Still, Mamadjonov was mostly on the attack, and smartly controlled distance between his flurries. The result was Mamadjonov teeing off on Santana, and then escaping or holding before the response. By the 7th round, the Uzbek was firmly in control
Santana had never been further than six rounds, so perhaps scheduling him for 12 was ambitious. Mamadjonov made it a moot point, starting in the 7th with his concerted body attack. Mamadjonov has real variety in his game, and an admirable commitment to the body. His investment downstairs paid off as Santana slowed and noticeably dropped his hands. Santana made like he was playing possum, but in reality he was fading quickly, with Mamadjonov’s body attack hastening the decline.
Mamadjonov began sitting down on his punches in the 8th, landing hard combinations with both hands while Santana only flailed in response. The hooks and straight lefts to the body finally broke the Cuban’s spirit, and he sought the comfort of a count before the bell. Mamadjonov smacked him in the gut with a right hook and then sent several more body shots after it, forcing Santana to his knees to stop the barrage.
To his credit, Santana came out for the 9th round and never showed any signs of quitting. But Mamadjonov was teeing off on his with both hands to start the round, and sent Santana down again in the corner after a hard left. Santana rose and traded for a few more blows, but Mamadjonov slipped a punch and slammed his left directly into Santana’s chin. Santana rose, but referee Kenny Bayless had seen enough. He stopped the fight, correctly sensing the Cuban’s heart was gone.
We warned after his loss to Perez that it was too early to write off Mamadjonov, and this win is hard evidence. This was a tremendous win for the Uzbek, one that demonstrated real growth and the discipline to fight at the highest level. Santana was slated for the fast track thanks to his thrilling style; Mamadjonov’s stoppage at least entitles him to another meaningful fight. Hopefully he will get a shot at a contender in the shallow lightweight division before the end of the year.
Albany junior welterweight prospect Amir Imam (above left)introduced himself to the national audience in spectacular fashion, scoring a highlight reel, second-round knockout of Jeremy Bryan in the co-feature. Imam nailed a wide open Bryan with a left hook-right hand combination that had Bryan out before he hit the mat. Bryan’s backward fall to the canvas, where he lay still, had even Manny Pacquiao wincing.
Imam was a decorated amateur, but is largely unknown after nine professional fights. That can likely be traced to the fact his career is in the hands of aging promoter and convicted murderer Don King. Here’s hoping Imam can free himself from King’s clutches before his immense potential is squandered. With Santana’s loss, Imam now likely represents the crown jewel of King’s fallen empire.
How fitting would it be for Imam to ditch King just when he seems destined for bigger things. Not much about boxing is fair, but one truth is universal: stick around too long, and you’ll go out flat on your back.
