Jeremiah Artacho | TBL Writer

Let’s think for a moment. 

NYC Attitude over the San Antonio Snipers. 

LA Elite over the Dallas Enforcers. 

Phoenix Fury over the Houston Hitmen. 

For me, at least, two of those outcomes I didn’t expect, at least not the way they happened. I mean, the Attitude coming out on top against one of the four best teams in Team Boxing League was not on my bingo card heading into week 11. NYC was rolling so hard that it went undefeated during the middle rounds. 

How often do you see that happening? I can answer for you: Not often at all. 

I’ll Be Right Back Fire Department 

Elite had recorded three knockouts — all three with supreme authority — all by the hands of Jonathan Rice, Patrick Mailata and Raul Salomon. The Dallas Enforcers, at least in the beginning throughout the launch rounds and the beginning of the middle rounds, looked like it was going to be a shutout. 

Zilch on the scoreboard for head coach Tony Mack’s squad. 

“You’re not going to hear me celebrating until the team I’m with, we’re up on that podium and we got that end-of-season strap,” Mailata shared in a phone interview. “This is only the battle.” 

Mailata spent some time away from the boxing space, working toward getting into the local fire department — last fighting on August 31, 2025 in season three. The heavyweight’s return gives head coach Manuel Robles plenty of experience and skill, now holding a 19-8 record after two bouts with Dallas’ DaCarree Scott. In the past, Mailata has defeated Travorus Vigne, Naga Aguilera, Zachary Spiller and others. 

“I’m a Dad first, that’s what my life is all about,” Mailata said. “Everything I do is for my family, regardless of how tough things get in the ring.” 

Hey there, Javier Martinez 

NYC’s new quartet of fighters played a big role on the night, contributing a total of seven of the 18 total points. That’s 38 percent, and while that number may not jump as, for example, 50 percent, it’s still a whole lot more than what the Attitude were receiving before the night of June 5 occurred. 

In particular, Javier Martinez, who scored a knockdown in round 13 — throwing an overhand left — dropping Raphael Igbokwe — spent two years before participating in TBL. 

“I was going to camps, training — hoping to get a fight,” Martinez said during a phone call. “Nothing really went through, and so a lot of disappointment in those last two years.” 

After those two bouts for Martinez, there was no disappointment with the outcome in each of them — giving the 30-year-old an opportunity to continue boxing on a big stage, and in this case, TBL is still in its early stages with a boat-load of things to come in the future. From Manny Pacquiao’s involvement, eight new teams and so many more events. 

“It gave me a reason to train harder,” Martinez said about the victories. “These past two years, I haven’t been really in full camps, stuff like that. I’ve been taking off. 

With two victories under Martinez’s belt, there’s a new path ahead for NYC’s newest up and coming member, who also holds a 10-1-1 record outside of the league.  

Judah Yisrael’s Growth 

Judah Yisrael has been a mainstay for the Phoenix Fury, considering all the constant changes that may happen throughout the season, but was unable to achieve a victory until this past Sunday, June 7 against the Houston Hitmen. Yisrael, who came off two losses against Ahavat Gordon, a notable Israeli muay thai and combat fighter in Long Beach, California on Sunday, May 24. Though, entering two bouts against Jose Sosa Mendez for Houston, the 20-year-old looked like a completely different boxer — one with much more poise and confidence than previously. 

“In the first round, the moment we stepped out, I could see he couldn’t match my speed,” Yisrael shared in a phone call. “And throughout the whole first round, when I would throw flurries or combinations, he wasn’t able to match my tempo, or my speed, or my strength.” 

I was there myself, and as someone sitting ringside, the improvement was evident — it was really cool to watch in person. If Yisrael is able to continue trending upward, then Phoenix will be able to receive a whole lot more points on the scorecard equating to more wins. 

“What coach told me is, ‘Be the Judah I see during tryouts, and I know you’ll come out with the victory,’” Yisrael said when detailing the pep talk prior to entering the fight.

That version of Judah showed up for the Fury, and it will need to see a whole lot more of that for any chance at a MegaBrawl championship to happen. 

Da’Marrius Watson’s Contributions Spark the Phoenix Fury 

Okay, okay, last boxer for this edition of First Punch, but Da’Marrius Watson is someone who has caught my attention as of late. Watson, who first made an appearance in Long Beach, California with Phoenix, defeated Osvaldo Lopez, and just recently against Houston while fighting Elijah Williams — boom — another pair of wins. 

Before joining TBL, Watson worked up an undefeated 11-0 record, according to BoxRec. Watson last fought Luis Gerardo Perez Salas this past April — ending the fight in a TKO in the fourth round. 

“It’s something that makes me very confident,” Watson said during a phone call. “Nobody is beating me. Some of those guys on a TBL roster have losses, and I know that there’s ways to beat them. Nobody [has] found a blueprint to beat me yet. And God willing they never will.” 

11-0. 4-0. Who’s going to make a dent in Watson’s record first? 

Based on Watson’s fights thus far, that’s something that will be tough to do. 

“Shoutout to Team Boxing League for allowing me to perform on this platform, and I want everyone to pay real close attention to me,” Watson said. “I plan on dominating. I plan on being the first fighter in TBL to never lose in a single season.” 

I Hope You Enjoyed

Alright, TBL fans. 

I know this was a long one, but I hope you enjoyed the different perspectives. There’s more to come in the future with this column.

I’ll see you again soon.