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I spoke to world champion boxing coach Manny Robles last week after he was announced as the new coach of LA Elite in the Team Combat League about a variety of topics: ranging from why he decided to explore a new venture in an ever-changing sport, his corner work for Rafael Espinoza’s stunning world title win over Robeisy Ramirez to an overview of 2024 and much more besides.
Robles joining TCL as a coach, but what is that?
Manny Robles recently agreed to coach the LA Elite for the Team Combat League, in another venture seeing him impart wisdom on upcoming boxers across both genders who haven’t yet had the benefit of such expertise nor a chance on a bigger stage showcasing their talents in a sport where few make it to the very top heights.
On how this offer came about, and what his motivations are for accepting, it was immediately clear during our conversation.
“I received a call on vacation… part of something similar in the past as coach of Team USA [amateurs], the LA Matadors with the World Series of Boxing, coaches for the All-American Heavyweight program, similar as a team concept. It’s been several years since I’ve done something like this so why not? I enjoyed it, was fun and competitive, that’s what I like and is the biggest reason why.
“Boxers who need to be taken into consideration, if you will, who don’t have opportunities to showcase themselves and their talents. You get paid along the way, get noticed and recognition from the boxing community. I like the fact it’s going to benefit boxers in the US, we have 12 teams and they’ve talked about making it international if the league grows. That’s great for everyone.”
More on Manny Robles’ personal journey here
April 2017 – Whicker: Trainer Robles hammers out a career
June 2019 – McRae: We shocked the world, Ruiz’s story is lesson in hope
What is Team Combat League?
It’s a team-based boxing competition where boxers represent a US state – five on the West Coast, seven on the East – across eight weight classes: six male and two female.
Last season, it was contested over 18 three-minute rounds. The next one, launching in March, features an expanded set of 24 with 16 fighters per team appearing in a single match. Individual rounds are scored by a three-judge panel and the team with the highest total score at the end wins that matchup. Read more on it here…
Flying the flag for the US
Although there’s some conscious bias there as an Los Angeles resident, Robles pointed to LA as the best place for upcoming boxers in the country.
“LA is the best because, well, it’s the boxing capital of the world. There’s always high-level boxers, every year and four for the Olympics. The US is top of the board when it comes to producing talent, both at amateur and pro levels.”
Growth
After winning two medals as a nation (one silver, one bronze) at London 2012, the US won three in Rio and four during the rescheduled Tokyo event three years ago.
Pan American Games
5 (two gold, one silver, two bronze) in 2015, finished third as nation
10 (two gold, three silver, five bronze) in 2019, second to Cuba
6 (two gold, two silver, two bronze) in 2023, runners-up to Brazil
With a series of high-performance training camps in tow, regional and national junior competitions as well as a highly-competitive pool of youngsters in different weight divisions vying to be considered #1 at their age-group, it’s no wonder more teenage talents like 17-year-old featherweight Curmel Morton are bursting onto the scene.
Featherweights
21-year-old Jahmal Harvey (59-7), won the Pan American Games at 57kg in October; with he and heavyweight Joshua Edwards thus qualifying for the Paris Olympics.
18yo Jordan Fuentes (9-1), went 4-0 across a six-day competition stint last month to book a team USA trial spot. He beat 19yo Steven Navarro (41-5) in the finale, himself a Junior Pan American finalist (2021) and National Championship runner-up (2022).
19-year-old light-welterweight prospect Dedrick Crocklem is a three-time National champion headed for team USA trials alongside 20yo divisional rival Emilio Garcia.
Moving onto another topic but still Stateside…
Espinoza upsets Ramirez in style
- “I’m very grateful and of course willing to give him a rematch. I’ll wait for whatever my team decide, they are in charge,” Espinoza happy to run it back with Ramirez, seeing as it was a title defence he didn’t need to offer
- Espinoza climbed off the canvas in round five, scored a knockdown of his own in a decisive final round to produce an upset victory with an ankle injury that he’s rehabbing at home, unlikely to return until April earliest
- Having lost a split decision over four rounds in his professional debut, Ramirez has now lost twice as a pro after majority decision scorecards: 113-113, 114-112, 115-111 with the latter two judges favouring Espinoza
Having only boxed twice on US soil, Guadalajara’s Rafael Espinoza (23-0, 20 KOs) was relatively unknown outside his native Mexico and when he got the call to face Robeisy Ramirez before Christmas, it proved an early festive present he would seize.
Mosope: Last month one of your fighters shocked many to become the new WBO featherweight world champion. Talk to me a bit about that fight and how you were guiding him through the rounds, given everything unfolding that night…
Manny Robles: Of course, I’m happy for him. A 10-1 underdog, preparation is key and that’s what we do here – I don’t give anyone any slack, anyone who joins my team has to put in the work and it’s not given, it’s earned.
Rafael earned that and like they say in boxing, you win your fights in the gym. Put in the work, get good results and with his whole situation, twisting his ankle after getting knocked down and coming back up, shows his resilience, what he’s made of.
Having a good corner can guide you to victory, did the best I could in there to motivate him, stay focused and stick to the gameplan, do what was working.
The taller fighter with a longer reach was very beneficial, had to take his mind off the ankle and [encourage him to] stand properly.
If you wanna be a world champion, then just get over it [the ankle injury] and focus on the fight… that’s exactly what happened, came out blazing in the 12th and sometimes that’s what it is, you can’t teach a fighter that. Technical abilities sure but heart, you can’t, so it’s definitely something he has.
Revisionist history, what should be next for Rafael?
MO: There’s been a lot of revisionist history since, saying Ramirez wasn’t that good to begin with… Espinoza represents a bad style matchup for him, but in the same vein we [the fans] want to see a rematch because it was competitive and entertaining. What does Rafael have to do, ensuring it’s not close a second time around?
MR: What he was doing for the first five rounds, before he got knocked down and twisted his ankle. He was boxing beautifully, putting on a masterclass on Robeisy – the better boxer, two-time Olympic gold medallist world champion – doing great and him being 100%, if there is a rematch, you’ll see what you saw for the first five.
He made the fight exciting for the public, that’s who came out winning, people wanna see these type of matches, we wish we’d get more such as this one, that bring glamour and fans back to attending fights such as these, or watching on TV.
MO: In terms of what’s next, what would you like to see next for Rafael in 2024?
MR: I would like to see, there’s no rematch clause in the contract, that’s something promoters and managers have to talk over between themselves. If not [the rematch next], I’d like to see… someone from the world’s top-15.
As you know, win a world title and you get an optional fight.
Let him pick someone from the top 10-15, defend his title then go for a bigger one, either the #1 contender or look to unify. I don’t say what’s next, I just get the fighter ready – I let the promoter and manager do their jobs, let me do mine.
For argument’s sake… here is WBO’s top-10 list at featherweight after Dec. 17 update, excluding Ramirez (#4) should an immediate rematch not happen next:
1. Ukraine’s 31-year-old Arnold Khegai (20-1-1, 12 KOs)
2. Mexico’s 29yo Sergio Sanchez (21-1, 21 KOs)
3. USA’s 29yo Stephen Fulton (21-1, 8 KOs)
5. Mexico’s 25yo Mauricio Lara (26-3-1, 19 KOs)
6. Britain’s 26yo Nick Ball (19-0, 11 KOs)
7. America’s 26yo Ruben Villa (21-1, 7 KOs)
8. Mexico’s 25yo Brandon Benitez (21-2, 9 KOs)
9. Japan’s 30yo Reiya Abe (25-3-1, 10 KOs)
New Jersey’s 24-year-old talent Raymond Ford (#10) is set to box Otabek Kholmatov for Leigh Wood’s now-vacated WBA title on March 2
MO: Featherweight is a division in flux at the moment, who would you say is the #1 at 126lbs right now?
MR: That’s a hard question to be honest, because it’s very competitive. I like Venado [Luis Alberto Lopez], Leigh Wood – he’s moving up to 130lbs – of course Robeisy is one of the top dogs, you have the WBC champion Rey Vargas. It’s very competitive and interesting, one of the hottest divisions in boxing right now. I can’t pick one…
Beterbiev-Smith, Mayer-Jonas and the world’s best
MO: Okay then, talk to me a little bit about you personally, what are you doing right now? Training with your stable, what’s going on?
MR: Oh, I’ve got another world title fight coming up next weekend [Saturday, January 13th]. Saul Sanchez boxing for the WBO bantamweight world title, travelling to Quebec against Australia’s Jason Moloney, another underdog fight – not favoured to win – I love these challenges, prove people wrong.
Tough task ahead, but I believe in Saul, he’s in great shape, looking forward to that then after coming home I immediately fly to Liverpool for another world title with Mikaela Mayer as part of the coaching staff.
I’m her cutman and wrap her hands, excited to be working with her again fighting for the IBF welterweight title against Natasha Jonas. Obviously I’ve got the League soon afterwards too, fighters in my gym, there’s always something going on, always busy!
MO: Speaking of Quebec, I have to ask your thoughts about next weekend’s Artur Beterbiev vs. Callum Smith main event?
MR: It’s a good fight man, but Artur Beterbiev is a beast and the man to beat at light-heavyweight. Smith has never been in a bad fight, he’s good but we’ll see what he brings to the table – should be entertaining.
MO: I spoke to Mikaela and her manager, George Ruiz, they told me she wanted it to be 10×3-minute rounds… but it was rejected in negotiations. What are your thoughts on that, moving from 10×2 for these big fights, especially?
MR: I believe it’s a good idea, why not? They can fight three-minute rounds, maybe start with 10×3 and go from there but it’d help a whole lot more. I’ve worked with women, obviously, being in the corner time flies.
Half the time you’re on the stool! One minute of rest and two minutes’ work isn’t enough. They need to more opportunity to showcase their talents and it’ll result in more competitive fights, especially when the rounds are close to score.
MO: Okay and who is the world’s best female boxer, regardless of division?
MR: Claressa Shields. I think most people would agree that she’s definitely the woman to beat, most talented, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and beaten everyone that’s been put in-front of her – different weight classes, done it all, all power to her. She’s pound-for-pound the best.
MO: She’s set to make her PFL return by April time, before going back to boxing. There’s been a lot of talk in recent weeks about a potential fight with Alycia Ba-
MR: That’s interesting [her PFL journey] and I know what you’re going to say so I don’t see anyone beating her to be honest, not Alycia Baumgardner.
I don’t know what’s going on with her, she tested positive and is still holding onto the [super-featherweight] world titles.
I’m not sure what the sanctioning bodies are thinking, respectfully, if they let her get away with this then might as well let everyone get away with testing positive. It’s a shame but last I heard, she was holding the belts.
MO: She said on social media that she’d got a team of her own to investigate, they’d done so and cleared her but it’s not up to her to decide, it’s a grey area…
MR: Innocent until guilty at the end of the day, but it’s just a bad look.
MO: Agreed. Just a few quick-fire ones before I let you go… thoughts on Naoya Inoue’s Boxing Day performance against Marlon Tapales?
MR: Inoue is an incredible fighter, to me pound-for-pound the best.
Shields and Inoue, those are my picks. He’s well-rounded, strong, technical, moving up in weight to become undisputed in two divisions and thinking about featherweight — reminds me of Manny Pacquiao but even better!
MO: What were your thoughts about the Day of Reckoning card?
REWIND – Joshua forces Wallin into submission after Parker upsets Wilder
MR: Interesting, y’know I’ve been to Saudi Arabia a couple of times before, it’s incredible to see what they’ve been doing with boxing and the shows they’ve been able to put up… first-class and you talk about levels, it’s class.
Reminds me of Don King, when he used to promote and put 4-5 world title fights on one card, you don’t see that nowadays. All heavyweights, any could’ve been their own main event, it’s incredible and definitely good for boxing.
MO: Would you prefer fights in Saudi Arabia (Riyadh, Jeddah etc) or Las Vegas?
MR: I don’t know, it’s hard to say.
Every place is a good place, you’ve got to stop and think about New York’s Madison Square Garden – the Mecca of Boxing – Las Vegas has the T-Mobile and MGM Arenas, here in LA, but Saudi Arabia is just different. You experience something different, it’s an interesting country and definitely a good place to hold megafights.
MO: Speaking of megafights, Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury on Feb. 17?
MR: Oh man. You’ve got to base yourself on the fighters’ last performance, Fury didn’t look too hot and Usyk has been impressive – it was a tough one against Daniel Dubois but it’s about how you win, so I’d pick him.
Quick-fire round: Word association
MO: Okay time for a game of word association. I say a boxer, you tell me what their next move should be… let’s start with Devin Haney?
MR: So many decisions in another hot weight class, there’s a lot of good competition at 140lbs. Ryan Garcia if that ever gets made, any of the world champions – Teofimo Lopez is a great fight there – take your pick, Shakur can move up, he’s a big boy and was big for 126lbs. Whether it’s 135 or 140, he’s the man to beat, an incredible fighter.
MO: You still very high on him after that last display?
MR: Yeah, even after his last performance. He knew he had to adjust against someone [Edwin de Los Santos] who carried power, careful and cautious but he did what he had to do. I’m a boxing purist, the name of the game is to hit and not get hit, he’s masterful man, it’s poetry in motion when you see him.
A lot of people might not agree but you can’t hit what you can’t see, very special and he’ll be around for a long time, at the end of the day, he’s already the man at lightweight – eventually pound-for-pound the world’s best.
MO: Bam Rodriguez?
MR: Bam is great, he can bang and box, sit there and duke it out with you, run circles around you – got the total package. You know what else too?
It’s interesting that they put fighters in that weight class, light-fly, fly, super-fly, bantamweights… those are the lighter weights, him and Inoue are putting the lower weights on the map, making fans take notice.
Anthony Joshua anecdote
MO: A lot of people in the UK are getting excited about Anthony Joshua again after his performance last month. Thoughts on him, changing of coaches and how the last twelve months have gone?
MR: It’s hard to say, Anthony’s trying to find someone he’s comfortable with.
An incredible fighter, someone I’m definitely a fan of – even before we fought him with Andy Ruiz and Dominic Breazeale in his first title defence – we’ve known each other since back in the amateurs.
I met him at the World Championships in 2011, great humble kid, quiet… we were sharing a bus ride back to the hotel after he’d won silver, came up short but he was fighting an Azerbajani [Mahammadrasul Majidov] in Azerbaijan… the guy was just sitting there all quiet there, silver medal wrapped around his neck, didn’t say a word.
You just won a silver medal son, you’re not excited?!
Struck up a conversation with him, super humble and down-to-earth, took a picture and I still have it somewhere today. It’s memorable because a year later, he wins Olympic gold and becomes unified world heavyweight champion.
You always wanna cheer for the good guys, he’s a great guy and a great fighter too which is the most important thing. Despite the losses, it’s not what you do when you get knocked down, it’s about proving people wrong and doing it again.
MO: Andy Ruiz, you just mentioned him. What do you see for him going forward?
MR: I don’t know man, he’s had two fights in the last five years. Inactivity will kill you, it’s not good for any boxer – you’ve gotta ask him that himself, what’s on his mind? Being inactive isn’t beneficial for any fighter.
MO: Speaking of… is Deontay Wilder done then?
MR: Good question, again I don’t know. He’s got to ask himself that, just because you get a loss it’s not the end of a career, you’ve got to go back in the old days – 3-5 defeats and still competing – we’ve got to get that back.
It’s good to stay active, otherwise people will forget about you.
MO: Vergil Ortiz Jr is back, thoughts on his potential and not making up for lost time too quickly up a weight class?
MR: He’s moving up like you said, hopefully everything goes well for him, has to make weight and he’ll go back to being the great fighter he’s always been – continue the 100% knockout ratio – an exciting fighter, hope that continues.
MO: Lastly, tell me someone we don’t know a lot about but will by the end of 2024?
MR: Ukraine’s Serhii Bohachuk (23-1, 23 KOs).
He’ll be fighting for a world title real soon so you’ve got to keep an eye on him. An exciting light-middleweight fighter to watch, he’s just fun – never in a bad fight – all of his wins by knockout tells you something.
Bohachuk is scheduled to make his 2024 debut in a ten-rounder against an opponent TBA come January 27, making the third defence of his WBC Continental Americas title set to be televised on UFC Fight Pass.
Picture source: Getty Images unless stated
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