Fight fans often leave championship bouts wishing they could’ve switched the main event with the more captivating event on the undercard. On December 7th, 2013, most in attendance at the Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, would have agreed with this. After witnessing an enthralling war between James Kirkland and Glen Tapia, the crowd were treated/subjected to Guillermo Rigondeaux vs Joseph Agneko.
Rigondeaux (13-0, 8 KO), the defending WBO Junior Featherweight titlist, completely shut out his challenger and won a Unanimous Decision. In what seemed more like an exhibition, both fighters seemed to throw more faints than punches, making for a sleep-inducing bout. Matching scores of 120-108 were announced.
Granted, Agbeko (29-5, 22 KO), who had lost 3 of his last 5 bouts, probably had no place being in the ring. But most analysts would have expected him to have made the most of his opportunity that night. Instead, he landed a meager average of 4 punches per round – a statistic that leaves a bitter taste in the mouth when compared to his 28 per round average seen in his battles with Abner Mares.
Or perhaps this assessment is all a bit too harsh or misleading? In fairness, Agbeko’s low output could be due to his fear of being countered by Rigondeaux, undoubtedly one of boxing’s current master-counterpunchers? If that’s true, then Rigondeaux just caused Agbeko to almost set a world record for lowest landed punches in a 12 rounder (the record is 3.75). Perhaps Rigondeaux should receive some praise, then, for intimidating his challenger to the point where his timid offense almost became completely neutralized?
Rigondeaux vs Agbeko Undercard: Kirkland vs Tapia War!
The crowd at least witnessed some fireworks that night when a true rumble between prospect Glen Tapia and an overlooked James Kirkland took place. It quickly seemed that Tapia’s boxer-banger style was going to dominate the fight as he controlled Kirkland in the early rounds. But the action took a dramatic turn when Kirkland went ‘pure banger’ and started forcing his way forward into Tapia’s chest.
Not only did he break the unbeaten Tapia’s rhythm, he unleashed a ferocious assault that delivered many clean connects. Tapia tried to box and utilize the ring, but was constantly pushed back by his foe’s relentless attack. The ropes became awfully sticky for Tapia, and shortly after the 6th round had begun, the referee stepped in to save a brave yet severely beaten Tapia from taking further potentially career-killing punishment.
Kirkland, still possessed by murderous intent, landed a final full-blooded shot a fraction of a second after the referee waived off the contest. Tapia, who had dropped his arms, believing the contest was over, took the full force of the shot and collapsed into the referee. If the raw violence of the fight itself wasn’t hard enough to witness, then this last sickening shot certainly was. Luckily Tapia’s senses seemed to return not long after he rested on his stool.
We witnessed a brutal and dramatic upset that night, as a supposedly done-for James Kirkland administered a truly lethal dosage of punishment in the ring. It looks like the guy is here to stay, after all, and will likely be seen sharing a ring with a top contender in the near future.
And what’s next for Glen Tapia? Hopefully a long – long – rest. One which will allow him to fully recover. If this can happen, it’s very likely a superb fighter such as this can make a successful comeback – following a couple of light tune ups – and become a force again at Junior Middleweight.
Also featured on the night’s card was Matthew Macklin, who more or less made easy work of opponent Lamar Russ. Despite having to battle through Russ’s rangy jab in the early rounds, Macklin managed to close the distance in the middle and later rounds and score with some heavy shots. Russell showed his heart and discipline by surviving a knee-shaking Macklin right-hand in the 9th, and fought on to the final bell.
What did you think of the night’s boxing results? Will James Kirkland make a successful comeback and pose a big threat in the 154 pound division? And what about Rigondeaux vs Agbeko? – pure boxing brilliance, or a sleep-inducing exhibition?
The BoxingBase.com writing staff provide worldwide boxing news, coverage and analysis – they can be contacted via email and social media.
