Author: Sean Crose

On Saturday night, Oscar Colazzo decided to move up to the flyweight division. His hard-won world title wasn’t on the line because he was moving to a up-to-date division, but the stakes were still high for the popular Puerto Rican fighter. Things started badly before Collazo slipped between the ropes. For Neider Valdez, Saturday’s opponent, Collazo replaced him at the last minute. Collazo’s scheduled opponent in the 10-round bout, Joey Canoy, had visa issues and, as a result, Collazo later had to jump to a different weight class. It wasn’t an ideal situation, but both Colazzo and Valdez realized the players were struggling.

Bantamweight champion Colazzo threw himself with a southpaw in the first. Valdez, however, was not overwhelmed by the world champion, his own dedication and landing. Palazzo’s impressive left shot knocked out Valdez early in the second. With that said, the man was able to quickly get back on his feet to hit the mat once again. Another series of shots knocked down Valdez for the third time. Once again he was able to get up, but his corner thought better of it and stopped the fight.

The cut low of the fight was simply a demonstration of the difference between the champion and his last-minute successor. Valdez deserved credit for showing up and giving his all, but he was wildly classless. One wondered if he would even be able to represent an airline division. The DAZN broadcast team seemed dissatisfied with Valdez’s behavior, feeling that Valdez pulled out of the fight early. That may or may not have been true, but either way it was solid to imagine Valdez having a good night to himself.

“I feel great,” Collazo said later. He had a good reason for this. He successfully won his flyweight debut in less than three rounds. “I’m ready to make history,” Collazo added. “He’s the biggest little man in the boxing world today,” said promoter Oscar De La Hoya.

There was no doubt that Colazzo looked excellent, but the quality of his opposition was so impoverished that you have to wonder how Colazzo would have fared against stronger competition in the league. Make no mistake, Valdez was a replacement opponent who wasn’t expected to have much of a chance at first. Of course, there was a chance for him to shock the world. But he just couldn’t defy expectations in such an obvious way.

There is no doubt that Colazzo is an excellent fighter. He is aggressive, hits solid and exudes confidence. It’s not effortless for anyone. Indeed, he may be one of the more hard fighters to beat in boxing right now. Oscar De La Hoya certainly had plans for him, and after Saturday’s performance, it’s effortless to see why. If he continues playing at this pace, he will have a brilliant future ahead of him.

Smaller fighters like Colazzo don’t always get a lot of love from boxing fans, but there’s a lot to like in the smaller divisions. Those who fight at featherweight have an incredible skill set and very keen and correct striking. The pace at lower weights is speedy, and the players themselves show a lot of fortitude. Fighters like Michael Carbajal and even Manny Pacquiao have helped erase the image of the little fighter that no one wants to see. Indeed, smaller weight divisions can be seen significantly on television. Perhaps that’s why De La Hoya has so much faith in Collazo.

Hrgovic questioned why so many fans were predicting a one-sided victory for the undefeated British candidate.

“People say Moses can win? People say Moses will destroy me, man,” Hrgovic told Queensberry Promotions, discussing the 21-year-old Itauma.

“Because it’s called working in the media. They praise him very much. He had a few knockouts, but the whole world is talking about him,” Hrgovic said.

“If he was from Bulgaria, no one would talk about him.”

Hrgovic acknowledged Itauma’s talent, pointing to his speed, southpaw attitude and explosiveness, but suggested much of the attention was due to Britain’s ability to promote youthful players.

“You are the best in the industry, the biggest boxing crowd in the world and you know how to sell products,” Hrgovic said.

“People like to have heroes. That’s why you always have to have a hero, and people see him as the fresh substantial heavyweight, like the fresh Mike Tyson, like the fresh hero.”

“It’s my job to end this.”

The 34-year-old also rejected suggestions that he was approaching the end of his career, claiming that despite twenty years spent in sport he remains in excellent physical shape.

“I’m still going up. I haven’t started going down yet,” Hrgovic said.

“I’m 34 now. I’m not youthful. I’m not elderly for heavyweight either. So I think I’m at my best in age, experience, and yet speed and power.”

While Itauma has quickly become one of the most talked about heavyweight prospects in boxing, Hrgovic will represent a significant step up in the competition. The former IBF mandatory challenger has wins over the likes of Zhilei Zhang, Demsey McKean and Joe Joyce, and has shared the ring with elite heavyweights throughout his career.

The winner of the August 29 event is expected to position himself for a major heavyweight bout, with Itauma looking to cement his status as a future world title challenger and Hrgovic aiming to halt the momentum behind one of the sport’s fastest rising stars.

Atif Oberlton believes the featherlight heavyweight division is within reach and says a world title shot may not be far away as he continues his climb up the rankings.

The undefeated southpaw from Philadelphia has posted a 16-0 record with 14 knockouts and continues to climb the rankings at 175 pounds.

Despite growing interest, Oberlton insists he’s taking things one step at a time.

“I fight one at a time. I trust my team and promoters to guide me in the right direction,” Oberlton told World Boxing News.

“In my division I am fifth in the WBA rankings, one in the US and ninth in the world on Boxrec. The division is shallow, I see it as wide open and I see that I am a few fights away from a world title.”

“Open Season”

While Oberlton doesn’t name specific names, he has made it clear he sees opportunities across the league beyond the established champions.

“You have the best guys with equipment and we are starting the open season.

“I know I’m the top guy in the division and whoever else they think is the top guy, put him in front of me.

“I only focus on the guy in front of me because he’s in my way. If you’re not in my way, you’re not in the conversation.”

Oberlton has no doubt where he belongs in the division and says he’s ready for whoever comes before him.

Stay energetic

The only thing Oberlton doesn’t want is inaction.

The 27-year-old has made a quick comeback after recent victories and says his main priority as he continues to climb the rankings is to stay busy.

“I just fought in February on the Claressa Shields card and fought in May in the main event, which is already a quick turnaround.

“My plan is to stay energetic and fight as much as I can to keep climbing the rankings.

“I have an announcement, so stay tuned.”

The influence of Salita and Wynn

Oberlton also credited Salita Promotions and Wynn Records with helping him become more energetic, gain wider exposure and gain more opportunities throughout his career.

“Since I’ve been with Salita Promotions, I’ve been more energetic and have more opportunities.

“I have a team that helps me take myself beyond the ring. All of these things were critical to me when I found myself in this situation. I appreciate everyone’s support.”

Oberlton added that much of his early career was spent building his reputation without the same level of exposure.

“I worked in the shadows with my head down. I did the difficult work and made a name for myself.

“You can only do so much without exposure. Salita and Wynn added this variable to the equation.

“I wrestled on DAZN, got more media exposure and was given more opportunities to showcase not only my talents in the ring, but who ‘Lord Pretty Calvo’ is outside of the ring.”

Bigger conversations

Oberlton believes that as his rankings rise and momentum gains, the coming year could be the most critical period of his career to date.

“Over the next twelve months you will see me fighting bigger fights, participating in bigger conversations and continuing to do my job.

“I’m going to continue to do my job, show up and climb the rankings.

“Who knows, maybe I’ll get some candy soon.”

For now, Oberlton is focused on staying energetic and climbing the rankings.

If the department is indeed as open as it thinks it is, the “candy” he mentioned may come sooner rather than later.

About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.