Anthony Dirrell gets back on winning track, handles Marco Antonio Rubio
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Coming off his first loss as a professional against Badou Jack in April, Anthony Dirrell wanted to prove he was still an elite 168-pound fighter. Despite Marco Antonio Rubio's best efforts to prove him wrong, Dirrell had to leave the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi feeling as if he had accomplished his goal.
Dirrell dominated Rubio from the opening bell during Sunday's PBC on CBS offering in front of 2,195 fight fans to win a wide 10-round unanimous decision. All three judges at ringside scored the bout 100-90 for Dirrell - a shutout.
"I had an off night when I fought Badou Jack," said Dirrell. "Everyone saw tonight my jabs and straight punches. I was moving, and I was really catching him."
While the 35-year-old Rubio fought with grit and determination, the disparity in athleticism between the two fighters was apparent from the start. Dirrell landed flush power punches from the first round to the last. Rubio vainly struggled forward to make the fight, but he was unable to get very much accomplished offensively.
Dirrell was smart. He didn't fight with reckless abandon. The former champ stayed behind his jab and fired his right hand behind it to the head and body of his opponent for all 10 rounds.
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"Rubio is tough fighter, but I was able to control the fight with my speed," said Dirrell.
Rubio was courageous. He walked toward his opponent every round, but Dirrell's quickness allowed the 30-year-old from Flint, Mich. to potshot his opponent at will, ducking and dodging out of the way of Rubio's return fire any time it came.
Dirrell opened up more offensively in the third round. He leapt forward with sharp rights and clubbed Rubio to the ribcage. The Mexican shook his head in disdain after each of the telling blows landed as if he hoped to convince Dirrell his punches were not having any effect.
But behind Rubio's eyes were the pain and confusion of a veteran fighter who may be closer to the end of his career than he hoped. But he pressed on.
Rubio landed hard left hooks in the fourth round after forcing Dirrell up against the ropes. His left hook to the head and body suddenly became his weapon of choice, and what appeared a one-sided beat down suddenly became a bit more competitive.
But it wasn't enough. Dirrell's harder blows were still landing, with higher precision and in great volume.
A head butt in the fifth round briefly halted the action, but the two touched gloves and continued the fray shortly thereafter.
After a lunging hook by Rubio brought a boisterous cheer from the pro-Rubio crowd, Dirrell shrugged his shoulders at the lauders to dissuade them. If that didn't work, Dirrell's precise punching to Rubio's head and torso likely finished the job.
"He was a very fast fighter," said Rubio. "I tried to push and push but I could not find him."
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When the bout ended with both men on their feet, after 10 one-sided rounds, Dirrell did a standing back flip to signify his superiority. Rubio jovially raised his hands to his admirers as if he was waving goodbye, but said afterward he'd be back in the ring again soon.
"I love boxing," said Rubio after the fight. "I will get back in the gym and train for another fight because this is what I love to do."
Dirrell is likely in line for another title bout. A rematch with Jack is plausible considering both men fight under the PBC banner and Jack still holds the WBC title he won off of Dirrell in his last fight. Jack defends the strap against George Groves on Saturday, and Dirrell wants to face the winner.
"I deserve another shot at a world title," said Dirrell.
Rubio, a former middleweight contender, is still tough enough to test young fighters making their way up the ranks. His stubbornness as a fighter who wants to continue his career is nothing new in boxing, and he will likely find promoters willing to help him continue his life as a boxer.