CANCUN, MEXICO — Jorge Linares’ plans for a July 7 rematch with Antonio DeMarco were derailed last night (March 31) after a second round cut stoppage at the hands of Sergio Thompson.
The shorter Thompson was effective with counter overhand rights over Linares’ jab. After pinning Linares against the ropes, Thompson let loose with a flurry of hooks to the body followed by a right hook upstairs as Linares spun off. Linares fired back with his own a counter left hook that briefly stifled Thompson’s attack. Thompson would land a few more hooks to the body, but under-seiged Linares would work the jab and kept distance to conclude the opening round.
The roles switched at the beginning of the second: Linares was the aggressor and Thompson fought off the backfoot. They switched tactics again by mid round with neither holding a significant advantage until Thompson drove Linares into the ropes with a flush overhand right. Thompson followed with another barrage of hooks before a Linares clinch prompted a referee break. Thompson immediately pounced with more hooks to earn a knockdown.
Linares was hurt but coherent and took the full eight count before rising. The referee noted a cut above Linares’ left eye and after a consultation with the ringside doctor, the bout was stopped.
The defeat is Linares’ second consecutive loss after being stopped in the 11th by Antonio DeMarco last October.
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What a devastating loss for Linares. The DeMarco loss was tough, but it was against a good, known fighter. This one mirrors his first loss which was a shocking upset no one saw coming. The word is out on Linares regarding his chin and fighters have no fear going after him. Thompson forced exchanges and Linares couldn’t get consistent respect with his own punching power.
With all his talent and three years into his Golden Boy contract, is this the end for the 26-year-old Jorge Linares? The short answer is possibly. Personally, I think he should still go on. The loss last night was bad, but he wasn’t knocked cold and didn’t take a bad beating (although that quite possibly was going to be the end result had it continued). Now’s the time to consider other trainer options. Freddie Roach is great, but it doesn’t look he’s getting the maximum ability out of Linares (especially on the defensive end).
What’s amazing about this turn of events is how much Golden Boy hoped that Linares was going to be their star of the future. Believe it or not, there was a time when they compared his star quality potential to Oscar De La Hoya. They thought so highly of Linares that they actually announced his signing the morning of Mayweather-Marquez back in 2009. Below is the video footage I shot of the press conference. The optimism and plans talked about below seem like a lifetime ago.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 