Not so Boxing Challenge: Inoue, Nakatani notch wins

    It comes too late to be, but I wanted to write before it was too late. The biggest fight in Japanese history appears to be on the horizon, but not without some difficulty in Riyadh.

In the main event, undisputed world junior featherweight champion Naoya Inoue retained his four titles with a dominant unanimous decision over mandatory contender Alan David Picasso.

No knockdowns scored with the champion winning by scores of 120-109, 119-109 (my score), and 117-111.

Former unified bantamweight champion Junto Nakatani made his junior featherweight bow a successful one. Still, he had to battle for it, as Nakatani barely repelled the unexpectedly firm challenge of Sebastian Hernandez by a close but unanimous decision.

Lots of action, and Nakatani's left eye was swollen shut by the end of the bout.

Scores of 115-113 on two cards (and mine) with the third an absurd 118-110 all for Nakatani.

Inoue and Nakatani are expected to meet in the spring at the Tokyo Dome for Inoue's titles in the biggest All-Japanese fight in the nation's history.

The other fight took place in Japan, where Masamichi Yabuki retained his IBF flyweight title with a final-round knockout of former light flyweight champion Felix Alvarado.

Yabuki scored knockdowns in the eleventh and twelfth rounds to cement the win.

Browns stop Steelers 13-6

   The Cleveland Browns scored ten points on their first two drives and hung on for dear life for the rest of the game to score a 13-6 upset of the Pittsburgh Steelers in Cleveland.

Harold Fannin caught a twenty-eight yard pass from Shedeur Sanders for the game's only touchdown and Andre Smzyt kicked field goals in both the initial and final quarters to complete the Cleveland scoring.

Shedeur Sanders completed seventeen of twenty-three passes for 186 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions with Jerry Jeudy catching five passes for fifty-four yards to lead the receivers.

Cleveland improved to 4-12 with the win and will finish their season next week in Cincinnati against the Bengals.

Brownie Bits

1) Shedeur Sanderrs was erratic in the win, throwing a very nice pass to Harold Fannin on the game's only touchdown but both of his interceptions were bad throws and while the Browns collected the win, the credit should go to the defense.

2) I'm still torn on Sanders.

I see some good things, poise in the pocket and better than advertised mobility.

However, for a player that was heralded for his accuracy, I see too many passes that get away from him and while this could get better as time moves along, I'm not sure just what the Browns have in Sanders.

3) BUT, I can see Sanders being a servicable starter in the league and maybe even these Browns.

He's certainly better than Dillon Gabriel and unless I fall in love with a quarterback in the draft, I won't have a problem with the Browns going with Sanders as the leader to be the starter in 2026 (I also would like a decent veteran to come in and compete with him).

4) Harold Fannin injured his groin in practice on Friday and was questionable to play at all but was out there in the first quarter to score the only touchdown.

Fannin aggravated the injury on the score and didn't return to the game but Fannin has come a long way since the beginning of the season and in case Fannin sits out next Sunday in Cincinnati, allow me to say this, I think he deserves consideration for the offensive rookie of the year award.

I'm not sure he gets it, but he may deserve it.

5) Myles Garrett didn't get the sack that he needed to break the league record for sacks in a season but he was a major influence on the Steelers tepid offensive outing.

Pittsburgh seemed almost as determined to keep Garrett from setting the record as they were in moving the football.

6) Aaron Rodgers was throwing the ball very quickly (the Browns did sack him twice as Alex Wright and Grant Delpit dumped the veteran) and the Steelers offense reminded me a great deal of the Browns in the way that the offenses worked to avoid sacks to the point of not giving their receivers time to get downfield.

Pittsburgh averaged under five yards per pass in the game.

7) Pittsburgh's receivers were about as good as the Browns without missing starters D.K. Metcalf (suspension) and Calvin Austin (injury), so the Browns didn't have to worry about downfield coverage because it was similar to playing themselves.

8) Pittsburgh was only three for fifteen on third down and were stopped on each of the three times that they attempted to convert on fourth down, including the final two drives.

9) I've liked what I've seen from cornerback Tyson Campbell since he was acquired from Jacksonville.

Campbell played well in this game with several pass breakups and I can see the Browns being pretty satisfied with their end of the deal.

10) Pittsburgh could have clinched the AFC North with a win but their defeat means that their games against Baltimore next week will be the first unofficial playoff game as the winner will be division champion with the loser not playing in the postseason.

11) While I'm disappointed in the Browns drop in draft position with the win, I must admit beating the Steelers, while a long-term hindrance, is nice because losing to them always is awful as I hate seeing Mike Tomlin walk off the field and at his postgame press conference with his condescending sheepish grin, so that's nice.

12) While the future of Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski is in question after next week's game, I bet Mike Tomlin's could be also.

Tomlin has never had a losing season in Pittsburgh but they have been pretty average the last few seasons with late season collapses and early postseason exits.

Should Pittsburgh lose to Baltimore, I could see a parting of the ways with Tomlin having plenty of suitors and the Steelers feeling that it could be time to move on. 

PPM

 I did last week's picks but forgot to post.

Since I've already missed much of bowl season, I won't be picking bowls, but I will continue to select the college playoffs.

Last Week: 5-1 

Overall: 154-68

College Playoffs

Ohio State over Miami 24-13

Texas Tech over Oregon 41-37

Georgia over Ole Miss 27-17

Indiana over Alabama 31-21

NFL
Steelers over Browns 21-10

Titans over Saints 17-13

Games of the week

Bills over Eagles 37-29

Giants over Raiders 13-9

Merry Christmas

      Been very busy over the last week, and it's been evident here as I've written nothing-literally!

I forgot to post the PPM (I'll have the results with this week's version) and didn't even have time to write about the Browns loss to Buffalo.

That was the first time I can remember that I didn't write about a Browns game.

I still have to catch up with a road trip and others after the first of the year.

I have things to say, I only need time to write them!

Enjoy your day (I am at work) and have a Merry Christmas!

Offense frozen in Chicago, Browns lose 31-3

     The weather was cold at Chicago's Soldier Field, and so was the offense of the Cleveland Browns as the Chicago Bears routed the Browns 31-3.

Shedeur Sanders tossed three interceptions, and the Browns biggest offensive achievement was Sanders' forty-seven-yard toss to Isaiah Bond.

Only Andre Smzyt's fifty-yard field goal allowed the Browns to escape without being shut out.

Cleveland drops to 3-11 with the defeat and will host Buffalo next Sunday.

Brownie Bits

1) Shedeur Sanders struggled with three interceptions, but one was his best thrown ball of the day.

Sanders dropped back and fired a perfect pass to Jerry Jeudy in the end zone, who appeared to have the ball, only to have it stolen by Jaylen Johnson for a touchback.

Unfortunate for Sanders, who did everything right.

2) Otherwise, Sanders struggled as he finished 18 of 35 for 177 yards and the three interceptions.

Sanders shows just enough to keep you wanting to see more, which is more than I can say for Dillon Gabriel, but the jury is still out.

3) Sanders didn't have a ton of time to throw as he was harassed all day by the Bears and was sacked five times.

Sanders didn't have protection in front of him, and it showed against the Bears.

4) Quinshon Judkins finished with only twenty-one yards on twelve carries, and Shedeur Sanders had two scrambles for twenty-four yards, which allowed him to lead the team in rushing.

5) Only Joel Bitonio was on the field for most of the game of the five regular starting offensive linemen, and the makeshift line(as noted above) struggled all day against the Bears, a team not noted for its pass rush or stopping the run, although Chicago is among the best at forcing turnovers.

6) Ethan Pocic suffered an injury and will miss the rest of the season.

2024 draftee Luke Wypler will start in Pocic's spot for the last three games in an audition for the center position next season.

7) Myles Garrett finished with a sack and a half to move within one of the NFL sack record.

The current record is shared by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt with 22.5.

8) Andre Szymt's fifty-yard field goal was quite a kick in such bitterly cold conditions.

Kicking a ball in that weather is like kicking a brick.

Late thoughts on a Lost Weekend

   A few thoughts on the lost football weekend.

I was away on a trip with our buddy Fred Landucci, so I watched both games with Fred in the hotel, and with the trip, I didn't have the time to write about the games, so here is a quick synopsis.

The Ohio State 13-10 loss to Indiana was one of the better games played all season in the sport, but Ohio State had a few distractions leading up to the game that wouldn't happen in a possible rematch.

Brian Hartline's announced departure for the head coaching job at South Florida, the need to re-recruit the Buckeyes' top-rated recruit, wide receiver Chris Henry Jr., and Penn State's push to interview defensive coordinator Matt Patricia for the head coaching job in State College, all were factors in a lack of focus on a good Hoosiers team.

I don't think those will be a factor in the playoffs, although I am concerned about Brian Hartline, who called a less-than-glittering offensive game against Indiana.

Even with those issues, it took a slip on a fourth and short by Julian Sayin inside the Indiana five and a missed chip shot by Jayden Fielding to lose 13-10.

The Buckeyes still could have won, and I feel good about a prospective rematch.

The referees weren't great; constantly missed holding calls for both teams in the passing game.

I wouldn't say it cost Ohio State the game, but it might have.

As for the Browns, it's all about the Stefanski as the Browns lost to the even worse Tennessee Titans at home 31-29.

I really hate the going for two down 8 thing, and the Browns did just that and then had to go for two to tie when the Browns scored late in the game.

Maybe I'm an old guy, but I'd rather kick the extra point, be down seven, and then have the decision to tie or win with a two-point conversion if needed.

I know that's cutting against the new wave, but that's my thinking.

I did like some of what I saw from Shedeur Sanders, and I'm glad that he'll be starting the rest of the year.

However, before anointing him for the future, remember his good games have come against the Raiders and Titans, who have combined for four wins this season.

I'm very interested to see how he plays in his next three games against teams fighting for playoff position in the Bears, Bills, and Steelers.

PPM

   It's a lighter PPM with the college game starts the bowl season and the NFL season hitting the final month.

Last Week: 7-6 

Overall: 142-62

College

Navy over Army 20-13

LA Bowl 

Boise State over Washington 29-24

Veterans Bowl

Jacksonville State over Troy 30-21

Cure Bowl

South Florida over Old Dominion 41-35

68 Ventures Bowl

Louisiana over Delaware 28-21

XBox Bowl

Arkansas State over Missouri State 27-19

Myrtle Beach Bowl

Western Michigan over Kennesaw State 34-33

Gasparilla Bowl

Memphis over N.C State 27-19

NFL

Bears over Browns 24-10

Panthers over Saints 30-21

Games of the Week

Packers over Broncos 31-24

Bills over Patriots 29-24

Boxing Challenge :Roach-Cruz draw

   I've been away for a few days on a trip with Fred Landucci that I have planned for a while, and I'll be writing about it soon.

However, that trip has kept me from watching the PBC pay-per-view and writing about the Ohio State loss to Indiana and the Browns loss to Tennessee.

I am deciding today (my last day off) on either deciding to write short posts on either or both games or doing one post with a few thoughts on both games.

Results

Isaac Cruz majority draw Lamont Roach for Cruz's WBC junior welterweight title.

O'Shaquie Foster Unanimous Decision Stephen Fulton, fight not for Foster's WBC junior lightweight title after Fulton missed weight.

Jesus Ramos Unanimous Decision Shane Mosley Jr/

Boxing Challenge

TRS; 150 Pts (4)

Ramon Malpica: 142 Pts (4)

Vince Samano:  61 Pts (3)

Boxing Challenge

   The boxing challenge is based in San Antonio, Texas, with a four bout card from PBC on Amazon PPV that isn't really pay-per-view worthy at its $74.99 cost but will give four interesting and mostly evenly matched pairings.

The main event is for a minor title in the junior welterweight division as Isaac "Pitbull" Cruz meets WBA junior lightweight champion Lamont Roach.

Both fighters made their names as the two fighters who pushed Gervonta Davis to the edge, Cruz losing a close unanimous decision in 2021, and Roach drawing with Davis earlier this year when a knockdown that wasn't scored as such cost Roach the win.

Roach, who hasn't defended his title since June 2024, will be making his first attempt at 140 pounds, while Cruz has won decisions over Angel Fierro and Omar Salcido since losing his WBA version of the title to Jose Valenzuela.

Roach could outbox Cruz, but standing and fighting off the aggressive Pitbull would be an exciting capper to the evening.

The co-feature will unify three-quarters of the middleweight titles as IBF and WBO champion Janibek Alimkhanuly faces WBA titleholder Erislandy Lara.

Alimkhanuly has yet to meet a top-quality opponent in his five title defenses, but I don't blame him, as the 160-pound division is very weak right now, and I think he would fight anyone placed in front of him.

Lara has been one of the most derided champions since winning a minor version of the WBA title and being promoted to the full version.

Since winning the minor title with a one-round KO of the lightly regarded "Cornflake" LaManna in 2021, Lara has defeated journeymen Spike O'Sullivan and Michael Zerafa before a battering of former junior welterweight and welterweight champion Danny Garcia, who was fighting for the first time in the division.

As the 42-year-old Lara has aged, he's used his legs less and fought in the pocket more, but that would surely spell doom against Alimkhanuly, yet if he tries to move for twelve rounds, he'll likely fade and be hunted down.

I think Alimkahnuly wins in the most lopsided fight on the card, but the chance for a three-title unification and the biggest name on his resume, make it interesting.

Editor's Note: Janibek Alimkhanuly failed a PED test and has been replaced by Johan Gonzalez.

Gonzalez's biggest win was over former junior middleweight champion Jarrett Hurd.

No word on the status of the IBF and WBO titles held by Alimkhanuly at this writing.

Another interesting fight is O'Shaquie Foster defending his WBC junior lightweight championship against Stephen Fulton, who holds the WBC featherweight title.

Foster regained his title last November from Robson Conceicao by split decision after losing the title to him by a very controversial split decision earlier in 2024.

Fulton held the WBC and WBO junior featherweight titles before a knockout loss to the Monster Naoya Inoue in 2023, and when his next fight saw him get a really bad split decision over Carlos Castro, Fulton looked like his best days were behind him.

Instead, Fulton beat Brandon Figueroa for a second time in February to take the WBC featherweight title and revitalize his career.

I like Foster in this one, but Fulton has surprised me before!

The opener is a middleweight eliminator between Jesus Ramos and Shane Mosley Jr.

Ramos has scored three knockouts in a row since his only loss, a controversial unanimous decision that I thought he deserved to Erickson Lubin in 2023.

Mosley Jr. has won five straight since his last loss and defeated the washed-up Daniel Jacobs in his last fight in July 2024, but is a cut below Ramos in my opinion.

Boxing Challenge

Junior Welterweights. 12 Rds

Isaac Cruz vs Lamont Roach

Ramon Malpica and Vince Samano: Roach Unanimous Decision
TRS: Roach Split Decision

Unification WBA- IBF and WBO Middleweight Titles.

Erislandy Lara vs Janibek Alimkhanuly

R.L: Alimkhanuly Unanimous Decision
TRS: Alimkhanuly KO 8
V.S:

WBC Junior Lightweight Title

O'Shaquie Foster vs Stephen Fulton

R.L and TRS: Foster Unanimous Decision
V.S: Foster KO 9

Middleweights. 10 Rds

Jesus Ramos vs Shane Mosley Jr.

All: Ramos Unanimous Decision

PPM

 It's time for the conference championship games, and the NFL enters its final five weeks of its season in the PPM!

Last Week: 10-6 

Season: 135-56 

College

Big Ten Title

Ohio State over Indiana 27-13

Big 12 Title 

Texas Tech over BYU 36-24

SEC Title

Georgia over Alabama 23-21

ACC Title

Virginia over Duke 31-21

Mountain West Title

Boise State over UNLV 34-28

American Title

North Texas over Tulane 41-36

Sun Belt Title

James Madison over Troy 35-17

Conference USA Title

Kennesaw State over Jacksonville State 39-33

MAC Title

Miami Ohio over Western Michigan 28-25

NFL
Browns over Titans 20-10

Buccaneers over Saints 24-15

Games of the Week

Packers over Bears 32-24

Jaguars over Colts 26-21

49ers throttle Browns 26-8

    The Cleveland Browns kept the game close in the first half and even led until the final play of the first half when San Francisco's Matt Gay kicked a field goal for a 10-8 lead by the break.

However, the second half was a different story as San Francisco shut the Browns out on their way to a 26-8 win in Cleveland.

Quinshon Judkins rushed for 91 yards and scored a two-point conversion while Shedeur Sanders threw a touchdown to Harold Fannin in the first start of Sanders' career.

Cleveland drops to 3-9 with the loss and will meet 1-11 Tennessee at home next week, with Sanders meeting fellow rookie quarterback Cam Ward for the first time in what appears to be the most likely chance to win in the Browns' final five games.

Brownie Bits

1) Two key plays destroyed the Browns in the second half.

The first came with the Browns still down only 10-8 in the third quarter.

It's fourth and one on their own 33.

I have no problem going for it here, you are 3-8, try some things.

2) I don't even have an issue with a gadget play, but considering the wind is blowing fiercely, the cold weather, and a little thought should go into that factor.

It's a direct snap to Harold Fannin, who is not a quarterback or running back and not accustomed to catching snaps, let alone in bad weather, so of course, Fannin fumbles.

Eight plays later, San Francisco scores on a Brock Purdy run.

3) Then in the fourth quarter, Cleveland forces a punt, still down only 17-8, but it's fumbled by Gage Larvadain at the Browns eighteen and recovered by San Francisco.
Six plays later- touchdown.

4) The coverage unit allowed a sixty-six-yard punt return to Skyy Moore, and Malachi Corley caught a kickoff at the ten while he fell out of bounds, rather than allow the ball to go out of bounds.

Yet, Bubba Ventrone still gets a pass on the constant mistakes from his units.

I don't believe firing him now would make a difference, but Ventrone cannot return next season.

5) Shedeur Sanders made his first start and threw a touchdown without an interception.

Sanders is handicapped by lousy receivers as Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel were but he managed to avoid the big mistake, even at the expense of only moving the ball on one occasion.

6) On that one occasion, Shedeur Sanders showed a glimpse of what he could be with an excellent throw to Harold Fannin, who dragged two defenders into the end zone.

It was the only throw of the day that made you think and hope of a possible future.

7) Sanders also overthrew an open Jerry Jeudy in the first quarter for what would have been a likely touchdown.

The two had a salty exchange on the sidelines during the game and there needs to be some work on the  "chemistry" between the rookie and the veteran, both of whom have had their rocky points this season.

8) The Browns wasted another good effort from their defense as the three 49ers touchdowns came on drives of sixteen, eighteen, and thirty-two yards.

I don't care how good your defense is, when you have to defend the short field all day, scores are going to happen.

9) Cleveland's defense took a shot with the loss of  defensive tackle Maliek Collins, who had been having an excellent season and the injury looked pretty serious.

Losing Collins and his play up the middle would be a major setback for a defense that has carried this team all season.

10) The Browns offensive line hasn't been great this season but I was surprised to see Kevin Stefanski rotate Wyatt Teller and Tevin Jenkins at guard from series to series.

Of the possible veterans that are able to leave next season (Jack Conklin, Ethan Pocic, Teller, and Joel Bitonio, who may retire), Teller would be my choice as the one to keep, if I had to choose one.

I'm wondering why the decision was made and could it hurt the chances of keeping Teller for 2026?

11) The Browns should beat an even worse Tennesssee team (one win) at home next week.

But what if they don't?

The Titans aren't as good as the Browns and should Cleveland somehow lose this game, this will be another three win season as I don't see them winning any of their final four games against three playoff contenders (Bears, Bills, Steelers) and on the road against the Bengals and the returning Joe Burrow.

In my opinion, if the Browns lose at home to the Titans, Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski will have sealed their eventual fate.