Denis Douglin Upsets Steven Martinez on ESPN
by Gautham Nagesh
“Da Momma’s Boy” Denis Douglin was one of the East Coast’s brightest prospects at junior middleweight before losing to veteran hardman Doel Carrasquillo last February in Salisbury, Md., in part because he ignored the advice of his mother and trainer Saphya.
The 23-year-old Douglin righted his career trajectory by upsetting unbeaten Bronx prospect Steven Martinez on the ESPN Friday Night Fights season opener in Key West. Douglin squeaked out a split decision by counter-punching and boxing over eight rounds in a highly competitive contest.
I spoke to Douglin before the Carrasquillo fight when he was still buoyant from signing with influential manager Al Haymon. He’d enjoyed a good six-week camp and was focused on making weight heading into fight week, an early warning sign. Denis told me Carrasquillo was “definitely a step up” but “not too good.” He was clearly looking past the fight to a future at the top level.
“I’m an exciting fighter and a fun, good person,” Douglin said over the phone. “People think boxers are tough, mean a-holes but I’m just a fun, cool guy who likes to beat people up for money.
He predicted a third-round knockout, which unfortunately proved correct. Five days after the loss we spoke again.
“When I went out into the fight, the game plan was to outbox this guy. Don’t sit there and exchange, he’s a hard hitter, but no match for me skill-wise,” said demure Douglin over the phone. Contrary to our previous conversation, he said he hadn’t gone in looking for the knockout.
“He’s a tough dude,” Denis explained.
The opening stanza went according to the plan laid out by Saphya, a former amateur boxer herself. But an early knockdown prompted a change in mindset from Denis.
“The first round, I did exactly what I was told. I pretty much just beat him up,” Denis said. “I dropped him with a body shot, a right hook, and it messed me up. I felt then I could knock this guy out and switched up the game plan.”
Denis then began throwing only hard shots, one at a time and stopped following with combinations. As Douglin launched haymakers the durable Carrasquillo caught him with a hard right hand.
“I was going for it with every shot and he caught me with a shot between punches. I was coming with a left hook to the body and he hit me with a right hook to the head that landed first,” Douglin said.
“It made me wobble a little bit and he caught me with five to seven punches. One landed, I felt like I could have kept going but the ref thought I was hurt a little bit,” he finished, insisting that with a few more seconds he could have sorted out his trouble.
“Emotionally and mentally I was messed up, crying and things like that,” Denis said, blaming his lack of conditioning and poor training habits for the loss. He promised to get in better shape and stop trying to cut weight at the last minute by starving himself. But most of all, he promised to start listening to his mother.
“My mother told me after the second round, ‘you’re not doing what I said. Why are you standing there and exchanging?’" Douglin said.
“I got a little excited and didn’t listen. I felt I had him hurt, I should get him out. It backfired. You’re in the ring and you think there are certain things you see that from the outside they can’t see.
Mom is good at strategies, at picking up an opponent’s flaws and advantages,” he concluded. “It was my fault, but not something I need to work on. I messed up this time and learned a valuable lesson. I gotta do what I’m told.”
Against Martinez Douglin was facing a taller and stronger fighter, but one lacking the same refinement and all-around skill set. Douglin bobbed and weaved, using his greater speed to land right hooks and straight lefts from the southpaw stance.
Martinez may have had more raw talent in the matchup of 2008 National Golden Gloves champions thanks to his frame and edge in punching power, but Douglin is two years older and farther along in his development. Martinez landed a number of strong shots but despite his reputation as a puncher, Douglin’s chin held up.
Martinez appeared to control the action at times but his attack is extremely conventional and he mostly ignored the body. Douglin showed much better timing and ring-savvy, helping him overcome his lack of power.
The fight was extremely close and difficult to score, depending whether you prefer the pressure of Martinez or the cleaner, shorter punches landed by the slick Douglin. Both showed potential but also plenty of evidence they need seasoning. The judges all scored it 77-75, twice for Douglin and once for Martinez.
Steven should learn the lessons of this fight and but also take heart in the fact many believe he won. He is currently managed by New York Giants RB Brandon Jacobs, a fan of the sport unlikely to abandon a prize prospect after a single setback. Martinez should be able to recover from the loss and continue his development into a large, durable junior middleweight.
But for Douglin the victory is a coup and proof his career still holds promise. It resurrects his reputation and gives him much-needed national publicity after only fighting twice last year. Most of all, the win is proof that Mother knows best.
Saphya was there to spur him on after seventh round when he showed signs of flagging, lifting his chin and exclaiming “Really? Really dude?” into his face. No one was happier after the verdict was announced. She danced a circle in her high heels as the ref raised Denis’ hand. Mother and son have earned their way from sideshow to the spotlight. Perhaps a strong maternal presence is just what boxing needs.