TalkingBoxing Articles
Ponce de Leon – Who Knew He Could Box?
MON March 19, BUSTER PARIS - Millions of people in unison rubbed their eyes and blinked repeatedly to make sure they were seeing what they seeing.
They were, and no matter how odd and unimaginable it was, we all witnessed it – Daniel Ponce de Leon was jabbing, employing ring savvy and fighting intelligently.
HBO’s Larry Merchant had a great comment that he was right on about – what we were seeing had that same odd disbelief, but interesting sensation as when we first saw Jim Carrey go from Fire Marshal Bill and Ace Ventura to his dramatic turn in “The Truman Show” or as Andy Kauffman in “Man On The Moon”.
Who knew Carrey could act? And here we are thinking ‘who knew Ponce de Leon could box’?
There’s never been much skill involved in Daniel’s fights. He usually fights like the old Pac Man video game, just moving forward and gobbling up whatever is in front of him. He is a human buzz saw with his arms never stopping and his fists always on the move. He’s brawler, a puncher and a destroyer. It was never about boxing or the art of pugilism for Ponce De Leon. It was about hitting anything in front of him.
Daniel will merrily punch you in the face, then he’ll punch you in the ear, then punch your neck, then your shoulder, your arm, your elbow, your stomach, your hip, your leg, your foot – whatever.
That’s what made Saturday – March 17th 2007 such an unbelievable sight, that’s why everyone in the Mandalay Bay Casino in Las Vegas, NV rubbed their eyes to make sure they were seeing what they seeing, and that’s why Daniel Ponce de Leon (W 31 - 28 ko's & L 1) has a definite future in the sport of boxing.
His opponent for the night was a very seasoned and game Gerry Penalosa (W 51 - 34 ko's, L 6 & D 2). Gerry was the better boxer and every round had the cleaner, sharper and crisper punches, but Daniel’s output was so amazingly spectacular and overwhelming that you had to give him the 10 points each round.
This had to be one of the toughest fights of Ponce de Leon’s career, and he clearly met the challenge by adapting and thinking in the ring. He went from his normal buzz saw assault style of non-stop throwing every punch imaginable from every angle imaginable, to more of a thoughtful attack, with jabbing and throwing specifically placed combinations as well as moving to his right to avoid Penalosa’s right hand.
The first third of the fight it was very weird seeing Daniel using his jab, we were uncomfortable watching it and he was uncomfortable tossing and pawing it out there.
As the fight progressed the jab got better, and became more than just an offensive weapon, it was a way of keeping Gerry where he wanted him.
Ponce de Leon not only used his awesome hailstorm of flying leather fists to win this fight, as he threw a total of 1,399 punches, but he also used ring smarts, knowledge, forethought, patience and conditioning to win.
On March 17th we got a great new look at this young, strong, and who knew – talented fighter.
What’s next for Daniel? With his raw and brutal style you forget that he is a multiple belt holder. He posses the IBA and WBO Super Bantamweight titles and is ranked #4 by Boxing Digest in the Featherweight Division (119 – 126 lbs) and #5 by Ring Magazine in the Jr. Featherweight Division (122 lbs). Maybe one or two more fights and then give him the chance to add the WBA Super Bantamweight belt and title to his collection, and at the same time avenge is his only loss to current title holder Celestino Caballero.
Whatever is next for Ponce de Leon, he is incredibly fun and entertaining to watch. He is raw, honest and compelling and it truly is always a good time watching him fight, and watching him grow as a fighter, and now, it’s tremendously gratifying watching him incorporating knowledge, technique and skill.
For those of you rubbing your eyes, yes it says knowledge, technique and skill – hey, who knew Ponce de Leon could box?
Buster Paris can be reached at: bparis@talkingboxing.com - and always enjoys receiving your thoughts, comments and questions
Forum
