First Punch: It Lived up to the Hype

Jeremiah Artacho | TBL Writer

The hype was there, and then some. 

Team Boxing League had quite the show on Sunday, May 17, inside Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino and Racetrack. 

The Philadelphia Smoke hosted the Miami Assassins and brought in a crowd of TBL fans to witness the two best teams slug it out in the ring. The fight was electric, rowdy — fans screaming, fighters screaming, bodies dropping to the floor after knockouts and knockdowns.

It was the epitome of what TBL is. This is why people watch this new innovation of boxing — something a lot of people like to consider as the “loneliest sport.” 

That’s because boxing at its core is one versus one, and all fighters have their coach and staff waiting in the corner in between rounds — everything relies on the fighter themself. But not here, not in TBL, it’s no more lonely as a group of boxers cheer on their teammates and will them on to securing a point that could make a difference when it’s all said and done. Every point counts, especially with those additional bonuses after a knockout and knockdown. 

All of those things were on display as Smoke and Assassins fought for their undefeated records. Each team had bright spots throughout the fight. For example, Miami won seven straight rounds — stretching from round 4 during the launch rounds until round 10 in the middle rounds — as Smoke’s Stacia Suttles recorded a knockout against Sofia Viretti with a huge body shot — sending Viretti to the deck. 

Philly’s fans were yelling in excitement for every round that their team earned a point. Miami’s fanbase was hard to trackdown, considering the home advantage head coach Bob Kane had.

In the beginning, I thought Miami had a chance to win despite being on the road following seven straight decisions going their way — but Suttles’ outing changed the momentum. After round 11, Smoke went on to win eight of the 13 rounds to conclude the fight. 

Then and there, the No. 1 spot belonged to Philadelphia. All of the hype and smack talk leading up the night had ended in favor of the home team, who received a huge boost from their cheerleaders in the crowd. For those that haven’t watched Philly fight in person, their fans show up and show out — that always helps decide the outcome. 

However, regardless of the loss, Miami is still tough to beat and have plenty of pieces to make a run at the MegaBrawl championship this August. From Darrius Jackson, Yosdiel Napoles, Jeovanny Estela, Yoelys Molina, Samantha Ginithan, Victor Abreu and Yusmel Ruiz — that’s a lineup filled with talented fighters. 

Well, we have to wait for what the rest of the season has in store. These two teams are plenty of fun to watch, and it’s interesting to see who else can catch up to their level.

Las Vegas Hustle? San Antonio Snipers? These two squads seem like the best guesses, but the other eight teams are all trying to make their way toward the top of the standings. 

Personally, I think the Atlanta Attack can do some damage, who sit at 1-3, have a roster with great pieces, but have yet to find a rhythm this season — but it doesn’t help that those outcomes came after going against Philly and Miami. Though their one win on the season happened back on Friday, March 27 — beating the Nashville Smash in dominating fashion, 27-12. Ariele Davis, Amin Mitchell, and Money Powell each had a knockout. 

What will week nine bring us? Stick around and find out, TBL fans.