Jeremiah Artacho | TBL Writer

Are you surprised that the Miami Assassin’s Luis Ortiz got another knockout in his second Team Boxing League outing? 

My answer: Nope, not even a one bit. Ortiz has tremendous experience in the boxing world and has even gone up against one of the best heavyweights in Deontay Wilder — not once, twice. Sure, Ortiz may have lost both fights by way of knockout. This is Wilder we’re talking about here. Let’s be real. 

Miami Assassin’s Darrius Jackson and Luis “King Kong” Ortiz

Other than Oritz's vicious knockout against NYC Attitude’s Edward Millard in the eight and final round of the launch rounds on Sunday, June 14. Darrius Jackson, the 22-year-old for head coach Herman Caicedo, had two duels with one half of the Zempoaltecatl siblings, Ryan Zempoaltecatl. 

The two faced off in rounds five and 23, ending in Jackson’s favor. Zempaoltecatl and Jackson exchanged constant blows, but Jackson’s effort drew more attention from the judges. 

The Assassins hold the second spot on the standings firmly, right behind Philly, who still have yet to lose (I’ll get to that later). 

With that said, given how the Assassins are fighting, and Ortiz’s presence and knockout ability, don’t be surprised if this season’s Battle of the Undefeated meets in the MegaBrawl championship. 

Isaiah Elrod’s Standout Performance for Nashville Smash 

I really enjoyed watching Isaiah Elrod’s bouts against Raul Eliazar Garcia. Both bouts in rounds seven and 19 were close, finishing in split-decision fashion. Elrod is 6-4 on the season after bouts with Boston Butchers’ Rashidi Ellis, Miami’s Jeovanny Estela, LA Elite’s Martin Saldana and Attack’s Edwin Romero (including one knockout against Romero). 

Elrod has a +5 in net points, sitting at fifth on the Smash’s roster in statistics based on record, according to TBL stats. 

Elrod will be a key piece for Nashville, if it wants to keep its eight place spot for the playoffs and make a run. At the top of Nashville’s list of fighters are cruiserweight DeAngelo Leachman, welterweight Jasir Riley, welterweight Kiael Waldon and featherweight Josh Johnson. 

Let’s see if Elrod can continue the momentum in Smash’s last two fights against Miami (Friday, June 26) and the Houston Hitmen (Friday, July 17). 

Jesse Hart and the Philadelphia Smoke Keep on Winning

Jesse Hart. 

One of TBL’s notable fighters, and a character himself outside of the ring with his love for Taylor Swift’s “Anti-Hero” single, proudly calling himself a Swiftie (a fan of Taylor Swift, for those who aren’t exactly sure).

But for head coach Bob Kane, it’s not just Hart’s professional status that helps keep this team afloat. Fighters like Lisandra Contreras, Rasheen Brown, Steven Cunningham Sr. and Jr., Stacia Suttles, Shakilya Ellis, Conja Nathan — the entire roster, is what helps bring this roster together. 

Hart fought twice against Steven Sumpter in rounds 14 and 19 and won by unanimous decision. 

Hart puts the heart in this Smoke team and is why I believe they have what it takes to win it all in season four’s MegaBrawl championship. Smoke has one final fight in Harrah’s Casino and Racetrack in Chester, Philadelphia against the San Antonio Snipers on Sunday, July 12. 

Philly, Miami, the Las Vegas Hustle and the Snipers have already secured their ticket into the playoffs — standing above the Phoenix Fury, Los Angeles Elite, the Butchers and the Smash. 

Bow Tie

Okay, y’all. That’s all I have for this week’s column. Philadelphia and Miami have proven why they stand as the two best teams in the league, and the Nashville Smash has possibly found some late season momentum that could be game-changing (we’ll see in week 14 against the Assassins). 

That’s a wrap.

Thanks for reading.