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INGLEWOOD, CA – JANUARY 27: Jorge Linares of Venezuela celebrates his victory over Mercito Gesta at The Forum on January 27, 2018 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-911253550.jpg?width=600)
via Getty
INGLEWOOD, CA – JANUARY 27: Jorge Linares of Venezuela celebrates his victory over Mercito Gesta at The Forum on January 27, 2018 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
The searing pain of a body shot is an awful experience in and of itself. But to have received it from a former boxing champion is just another level. One might as well ask the person who received a punch from Jorge Linares. Though retired, the former three-division, one might say, still ‘packs a punch’.
The clip featuring celebrity barber Leopoldo Infante, otherwise known as Leo ‘God is Good’, has been going places. Fans and followers have been thronging the post, sharing their thoughts, mostly digs as they watched Linares and a young volunteer, a ten-year-old talent who goes by the name Giovanni ‘Nyquil’ Nickelz, taking turns hitting body shots.
Jorge Linares, amidst playful punches and banter
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Medellin, Colombia-born Camilo Gaviria, perhaps decided to check whether he could absorb Jorge Linares’ body shot. Needless to say, the YT comedian with over 1.5 million followers couldn’t say a word once ‘El Niño de Oro’ proceeded with one. But Gaviria deserves all the credit for enduring all the pain. The next sequence shows him going again, this time against Nyquil’, who delivered a body shot with his left.
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-911242114.jpg?width=150&blur=15)
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INGLEWOOD, CA – JANUARY 27: Jorge Linares of Venezuela has a crown placed atop his head following his victory over Mercito Gesta at The Forum on January 27, 2018 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
The Columbian, whose recent post showed him celebrating his country’s entry into the Copa America finals, was once again at a loss for words as the pain tore through his body. Next, it was Leo Infante’s turn. There are no prizes for guessing what would have happened. Despite being a fellow Venezuelan, Jorge Linares didn’t show any mercy, and the celebrity hairdresser just sat down. Camilo Gaviria, in the meantime, showed everyone the mark on his stomach.
Then Infante versus ‘Nyquil’ with his vicious left hand. It appears the first shot didn’t have that much of an effect, so the former asked for one more. This time, it worked. There was wholesome laughter around the area. ‘Nyquil’ then went to hit Gaviria once again, first with his left and then with his right hand.
The pain perhaps became a bit too much for the comedian. For a moment, it looked like Leo Infante would also try hitting someone; he had a glove in his right hand.
What’s your perspective on:
Would you let Jorge Linares test his body shots on you? Brave or just plain crazy?
Have an interesting take?
Just some casual ‘Rib’bing
Most fans found the whole footage just on the goofy side. Gaviria himself said, “Why we men live shorter.” The Copa America finals are around the corner. So a few took their digs around the weekend showdown between Columbia and Argentina. Let’s check what others had to say.
The following fan acknowledged the kind of difficulty and effort one would need to absorb a shot from a world champion like Jorge Linares. They stated, “My respects, it’s not easy to hold the right of a world champion (the Linares boy).” Echoing similar sentiments, the next fan believes that people should consider themselves lucky since Linares avoided hitting with his left hand. The story would have been different then. “And be grateful that Linares didn’t hit them with the left hahahaha,” the fan said.
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For the next two followers, it appeared that the whole shenanigan was to make some money for the Copa America finals. One laughingly said, “Making dollars for what’s coming on Sunday.” Then another quipped, “All because of those tickets for the Colombian final.”
One fan, though, was able to turn the pages of history. They reflected on Linares’ formidable strength and skill right from his early years. Seemingly certain that the former champion was deliberately not hitting with force, they said, “I’m sure Linares didn’t give 100%.“. Then, recounting what he had done at age 16, the fan shared how ‘El Niño de Oro’ had broken a neighbor’s ribs and then defeated another boxer called Benny Perez. “At 16 years old, before going up to professional, Jorge Linares broke a neighbor’s rib and a competition to Benny Perez. @jorgelinares he must remember the chamo is to kill,” they added.
Thankfully, no one appears to have been hurt in the playful event about which so many are talking now.
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Though he retired after the loss to Jack Catterall last year, Jorge Linares makes an appearance by speaking about key boxing fights and events. Recently, he gave a few insights on how Devin Haney should be proceeding after the loss (now a no-contest) to Ryan Garcia. Then he also shared his view of the potential match between Gervonta Davis and Vasyl Lomachenko.
Which is your favorite Jorge Linares fight of all time? Please share your views with us in the comments below.
Debate
Would you let Jorge Linares test his body shots on you? Brave or just plain crazy?