The Saturday HBO "After Dark" offering featured Super Flyweights Jorge Arce (WBC #1) and (IBF #3) ranked Masibulele Makepula in what came packaged as a  classic meeting of puncher vs. boxer/puncher.

Was this reporters’ first peek at both - still, the expectations were there when rated small guys get it on - and while the fistic festivities opened on a cautious note, with both opting for the feeling out game in stanza one, it would change dramatically come candle two.

Opening round showed a relaxed Makepula (28-3, 18) looking to counter off the jab and Arce showing outside movement but little else, until late in the stanza when he closes the round with a flurry.

Then numero dos and the pace quickens with Arce having the edge on volume punching - still, the South African from East London town appeared able and willing to swap combos with a now wired Arce.

Then stanza three with the little man from Los Mochis, Mexico in something of an audition for bigger paydays down the proverbial road - the one named Hawk is rocked late in the round as Arce finds the mark with big right hands and left hooks to the head.

Then four with Arce on the offense and scoring with both hands early on - Makepula tries answering but the legs betray him - and referee Vic Drakulich calls it no-mas at the one minute mark with the South African beating the count but on unsteady limbs of cooked spaghetti.

Arce goes to 45-3-1, 35 KOs while the age 33 Makepula drops to 28-4, 18 KOs.

Post Scripts: Jorge Arce ~ Fits in nicely with a number of others at Flyweight-Super Flyweight - the field has depth and the kid (age 27) belongs with the rest. Cocky but not arrogant, and win or lose backs it up with an aggressive style. Not one-punch power but opens the batteries in barrages. A fun watch and good catch by the HBO promotion crew. You can make the call in any future outings with the Vic Darchinyan (112 IBF), Luis Perez (115 IBF), Montiel (115 WBO), Tokyama (115 WBC) mob of mayhem, and we’re talking quality stuff.
                     Hawk Makepula ~ may well be at age 33 this guy has seen better days. Was fine and dandy with ideal style to offset the fiery Mexican - but too willing too early in the contest to work in the trenches - and the chin failed in a hot action stanza four. The body says he can still get the job done, but the foe selections need careful picking.
                    Closing comments: The HBO BAD crew needs downloading - Lennox Lewis not up to the job. Fran Charles no world beater but maybe with a better cast will improve. Max the hysterian has got to go. Considering BAD is usually minor league talent (last noche notwithstanding) two commentators suffice.
 
Barrera - Juarez one week after:

First things first, this was all Barrera in a complete turnaround of the first one  -  the age 32-33 Barrera went the stick-pop counter mode and it worked fine and dandy, Juarez simply could not solve the subtle moves of the career proven Barrera.

Guess is Juarez, assuming he still believes - there’s multiple straps out there to vie for at Super featherweight - can still snatch one or two. Think very possibly a change in brain trust and corner personnel would be helpful.

The bad right eye swelling from the Barrera rat-tat-tat had to affect the performance, Word is politics placed the wrong cut man in the corner. Not once did the swelling show signs of coming under control. The man with the enswell worked the frozen metal like it were a shoe shine rag. Bad!

Re Barrera and a possible return with the one called Pac Man is an interesting thought - think Barrera could handle the one dimensional portside power puncher on a second time around meeting.

Says here Manny Pacquiao has gotten more than enough mileage on past performance - and the skills upgrading is likely to be more a negative than a positive to what comes naturally.

But then, time will tell.

Post Scripts: Referee Joe Cortez ~ think it time that "I’m fair but I’m firm and at times quite stupid" should swap center stage for a pencil and a seat at the ring apron. I mean, if he appears more a distraction to me watching over the magic lantern, think about the effect he must have on the fighters with all that superfluous darting about the ring and slapping at arms.
                       Lampley, Merchant, Steward ~ I prefer these to the competition, but the disappointment over Barrera not engaging Juarez in a shootout was unsettling. Steward tried, with tongue in cheek, to soothe the injured feelings of Merchant who seemingly arrived with great expectations of a pugilistic blood bath. Belatedly, or so it seemed, Barrera did manage some due, for a solid, skillful, winning performance.                       

GEL -