First Punch: There’s Only One Way to Settle

Jeremiah Artacho | TBL Writer 

It had to be this way, right?

It had to be that the Miami Assassins won against the Boston Butchers.

It had to be that Philadelphia Smoke won against the Atlanta Attack. 

Week seven did not have any spoilers. 

All to set up a date for the two undefeated squads in Team Boxing League to settle it all on Sunday, May 17 in Pennsylvania. 

TBL fans are in for a treat. The atmosphere could arguably be the best it has been all-season for any fight, and one thing I’ve learned going to these fights in person is that Smoke’s fans come out and support.

Will Miami’s fanbase make the trip up North? If so, then the overall crowd is going to be absolutely incredible — making for one of the best days in TBL history during the season. It’s not even the postseason, but yet it feels exactly like that. The anticipation. The hype. The excitement that the two teams bring will be unique. I wonder what the trash talk from the fans will be like (flashbacks of that one fan in Chester, Pennsylvania during Smoke’s contest against the Las Vegas Hustle of week three come to mind). 

So, all things considered: Yes it had to be this way.

It couldn’t have been any other way, because with how the Assassins and Smoke have been fighting — it looked like nobody could stop them. Both rosters are so well-rounded up and down each weight class — unless you’re nit-picky, it will be hard to find any flaws with what’s wrong with each team. Miami and Philadelphia are prime examples of what separates them from the Las Vegas Hustle and the San Antonio Snipers.

They just have the extra kick. In this case, that extra punch. 

As far as who will be featured in this contest, while Miami has the best pound-for-pound fighter in the league in Yosdiel Napoles of the lightweight division, Smoke has four fighters listed in the top-10 within the same category: Jesse Hart (light heavyweight), Stacia Suttles (super lightweight), Rasheen Brown (featherweight) and Shakilya Ellis (featherweight). However, as a whole, Miami has point differential of 42 in comparison to Philadelphia’s 28, that’s a 14-point gap — something to keep in mind. And for reference, Hustle, who currently stands in third place has a point differential of 10. 

For head coaches Herman Caicedo of Miami and Bob Kane of Philadelphia, how will they prepare for this epic showdown? What are they going to tell their fighters? 

It may not be the MegaBrawl championship, but this could be a preview of what’s to come in August. One team has to give and by the end of the night, there will be one winner and one loser. 

This matchup will be remembered for the ages. Personally, I don’t expect there to be a whole lot of knockouts in comparison to other fights this season, but instead plenty of split-decisions that leave the judges scratching their heads and thinking, “Who the heck won that round?” 

Miami-Philly will be thrilling. The crowd will be there to support the intensity, and whatever else may happen during the night. 24 rounds, three minutes each will decide the winner of this battle.

So, TBL fans, what do y’all think? Who do you have winning this week eight matchup? The final score will be close, that’s for sure, and the scoreboard will change hands quite a bit I’d imagine. I can’t imagine this being lopsided, unless Miami, based on the numbers, has a huge outing during the launch rounds. 

Regardless, there’s one thing that’s for sure: We are in for a treat. 

Buckle up, everyone.