LAS CRUCES, N.M. – And you thought it was flat and dark on a nighttime drive from Phoenix to Tucson? The current view from I-10 East: Indian reservations, 18-wheelers, dust and an unobstructed view of where the sky touches the road. It is not picturesque. Still, you can understand the metaphorical appeal; a boundless expanse that enchants wandering souls.

There’s lots of time to think out here. Lots to think about, too. For boxing fans, Saturday brought a pleasant surprise worth treating. So let us.

All indications are that Floyd “Money” Mayweather will make a welterweight title match with “Sugar” Shane Mosley on May 1 at MGM Grand. Your reaction to this announcement passes for a litmus test. If you smile, shake your head and say “I never thought Mayweather’d do it, but I’m glad he did!” you’re capable of an objective view, despite Mayweather’s shenanigans. If you can’t pass even a smidgeon of begrudging admiration Mayweather’s way, though, you might be everything “Money’s” obnoxious fans say you are.

Chemist, reveal thy composition.

I will by way of a confession and a pledge. The confession? Back in December when 15rounds.com’s intrepid editor Marc Abrams sent a questionnaire that included “Fight you’d most like to see in 2010,” I didn’t choose Pacquiao-Mayweather. That fight won our survey, of course. But I chose Mosley-Mayweather and meant it.

Shane Mosley presents a more complicated challenge to Floyd Mayweather. There’s a good chance that if 2010’s most-demanded fight had happened – if it does yet happen – Mayweather would retreat to the ropes, take away much of the leap in Pacquiao’s left cross, solve Pacquiao’s timing, pop him with short rights, threaten him with a high left elbow, and then hold him till half the television sets in Manila were switched off in disgust. None of that plays with Mosley.

Mosley’s style is not complex as his speed makes it look. But it’s plenty complex. It’s also a style employed by a fighter that has seen every defense there is and knows that, often as not, physicality wins the day. Or as “Mad Men’s” Don Draper thought to put it: “At a certain point seduction is over, and force is actually being requested.”

Mosley understands force. And he will not be surprised by Mayweather’s reflexes. Mayweather, though, might be surprised by Mosley’s fearlessness. However underestimated Mayweather’s strength might be, there’s no chance it’s greater than Antonio Margarito’s. You saw how Mosley manhandled him.

Whatever the fighters’ history over the last decade, today Mosley offers Mayweather his best chance at redemption. But how in the world did a former multi-divisional champ with a 40-0 record come to require redemption? Steadily.

Whenever things first kicked-off and the name Floyd got switched to “Fraud” by a writer or two, doubts really got rolling round the time of the Carlos Baldomir fight. Mayweather bought his way out of a contract with promoter Top Rank and forwent a lucrative offer to fight Margarito – then the WBO welterweight champion – to face Baldomir instead. The fight was dreadful.

Then came the fight to save boxing with Oscar De La Hoya – a made-for-TV event that launched HBO’s “24/7” franchise and revealed Mayweather as thoroughly unlikable. Not unlikable in the professional-wrestling-heel sense so much as in the kid-who-shoplifts-a-candy-bar sense. Mayweather delighted in his own cleverness and originality while stringing together hip-hop clichés. Afterwards he retired. Then he came back. Then he retired.

Boxing fans realized they didn’t miss him. But he came back again anyway. He chose the lightweight champion for his welterweight return. He made no effort to weigh 144 pounds – as Golden Boy Promotions had promised he would – and looked three weight classes larger than Juan Manuel Marquez by the time the opening bell rang. But then Mayweather ran into R.A. the Rugged Man, a Long Island emcee, and got thoroughly outclassed on the radio; Rugged Man ran a check on Money’s credit and found him wanting.

The end of negotiations for a fight with Manny Pacquiao, combined with rumored invitations issued to junior welterweights, were the last confirmation Mayweather’s myriad of critics needed. Mayweather stood on the precipice of irrelevance, three years or so from a VH1 reality series like “Where’s my ‘Money’?”

But an earthquake struck Haiti, and the WBC’s Haitian-American titlist Andre Berto suddenly had to withdraw from his welterweight unification bout with Shane Mosley. And with Mosley and Mayweather sharing the same promoter and both available in the spring, well, redemption presented itself – cornering Mayweather. To his credit, Mayweather has met the challenge.

That brings us to the pledge. If he makes this fight with Mosley at the welterweight limit and beats him, however he does it, I’ll give Mayweather nothing but praise. I praise him today just for agreeing to the fight.

Mosley will turn 39 this year and might well be an old man by the time May 1 arrives. So be it. The assumption we must make is that Mosley is the same beast that went directly through Margarito a year ago. That also must be the assumption under which Mayweather signed, and now prepares, for this fight. Mosley is the sort of relentless body-puncher against whom making a “boring fight” would be a mark of excellence. If Mayweather makes May 1 dull, in other words, he’ll deserve our admiration.

If something happens to preclude this fight, though, scorn will be the order of the day. There likely won’t be press conferences or future “24/7” episodes enough to restore Mayweather’s standing.

The kids’ll forgive you, Money. A smug sound bite, a tour of the Big Boy Mansion, another roll of Benjamins unfurled at an HBO camera, Uncle Roger explaining why you’re better than Sugar Ray Robinson – they’ll get the job done. But remember, kids don’t write history. Adults do. And the adults are now gathered and watching closely. Your ultimate legacy is in the offing.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter.com/bartbarry

Light Heavyweight contender Yusaf Mack Joins Johnny and Dan to talk about his upcoming fight with Glen Johnson that will take place this Friday night on ESPN2. Also 15rounds.com Marc Abrams stops by to talk all things boxing.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com Manny Pacquiao won the 2009 fighter of the year and also won the fighter of the deacde award by the Boxing Writers Association of American (BWAA)

Pacquiao, who will be presented with his third Sugar Ray Robinson trophy in the past four years, heads the list of honorees who will be invited to receive their awards on June 11 in New York at the BWAA’s 85th annual banquet.

Freddie Roach, who has trained Pacquiao since 2001 and been an integral part of his success, will receive the Futch award for trainer of the year for the fourth time. He also won it in 2003, 2006 and 2008.

“Manny and I are a great team and to win this award you need a great fighter,” Roach told ESPN.com Sunday. “Hopefully, [junior welterweight titlist] Amir Khan will be my next guy. It’s my favorite award because its named after my trainer [the late Eddie Futch].”

Futch trained Roach during his fighting career before taking him under his wing as an assistant trainer.

“I give Eddie all the credit for where I am today,” Roach said. “He gave me great guidance during my apprenticeship with him.”

Lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez and former titlist Juan Diaz will share the Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier award for fight of the year. Their Feb. 28 all-action slugfest was an instant classic as Marquez went to Diaz’s hometown of Houston and stopped him in the ninth round to retain the title.

Also to be honored by the BWAA:

• ESPN’s Joe Tessitore, the longtime blow-by-blow voice of ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights,” was selected as the Sam Taub award winner for excellence in broadcast journalism.

• Jerry Izenberg, one of America’s foremost sports columnists for the Newark (N.J). Star-Ledger for almost 60 years, will receive the John F.X. Condon award for long and meritorious service to boxing.

• Alexis Arguello, the Hall of Famer who won world championships in three weight classes, will receive the Marvin Kohn good guy award posthumously. Arguello died in July at age 57.

• Showtime broadcaster Nick Charles, who is fighting a battle with bladder cancer, and former heavyweight contender George Chuvalo, will share the Bill Crawford award for courage in overcoming adversity. Two of Chuvalo’s sons died from drug overdoses and a third son, as well as his first wife, committed suicide, and now he speaks to high school students about drug use.

The Nat Fleischer award for excellence in boxing journalism, the highest award the BWAA presents to one of its members, has not been announced yet. Balloting for the lifetime achievement award is ongoing. It is voted on only by past winners.

Photo by Chris Farina of Top Rank

Cruiserweight Patrick Farrell has dominated thus far as a pro, but knows there is plenty of room for improvement.

His first four opponents were a combined 2-5, giving the Jersey City native an opportunity to develop his skills. However, Saturday night at the Prudential Center in Newark, Farrell is taking a notable step up when he meets Contender Season 4 alum Jon Schneider. Schneider, 7-4-1 (5 KO’s), is far from a world beater, but is expected to give Farrell a solid test in their four round bout on the Tomasz Adamek-Jason Estrada undercard.

“He’s a lefty and I have a couple of fights on tape”, said Farrell, who remembers watching Schneider on The Contender. “He is definitely a tough kid.”

Farrell’s last two bouts took place at North Bergen’s Schuetzen Park, a small venue that holds less than 1,000 people. While many young boxers get butterflies fighting in big arenas, especially one as loud as the Prudential Center, Farrell considers it an advantage.

“The arena is five minutes from my house and I have a lot of fans coming out.” “Boxing is an emotional sport so if anything, (the fan support) just adds motivation”.

Farrell, who has sparred with Adamek to ensure he is in top shape, trains at the Passaic Boxing Club alongside his Pound for Pound Promotions stablemates.

Duran-Davis, Tapia-Miles February 27 in AC!

Ossie Duran is one of the toughest gatekeepers in boxing, but is amongst New Jersey’s least known fighters from a local standpoint. The Ghana native never fought in the Garden State and is well traveled, spending time in England and Rhode Island before relocating to Paterson.

Duran doesn’t have a promoter or the luxury of fighting in his hometown, thus has been used as an opponent for a number of good boxers. Duran’s last four bouts came against contenders James Kirkland, David Lopez, former top ten rated Eromosele Albert and hot prospect Fernando Guerrero, who were a combined 91-14. While he was competitive in all four fights, Duran’s record in those bouts was 0-3-1, with all three defeats coming by razor thin decision.

Duran, who now trains under watchful eye of fellow Paterson native Aroz “Terrific” Gist, surprisingly received an offer to take on Philadelphian Jamal Davis February 27 at Bally’s in Atlantic City. While far from a pushover at 11-5 (6 KO’s), Davis is the least experienced opponent Duran has faced in five years. Even though Davis is not on the same level as his recent opponents, Duran isn’t taking him lightly.
“I train for every fight like it’s a world title fight”, said Duran, a former British Commonwealth Champion”. “I am looking forward to this fight and taking him out because (even with the losses) I am still knocking, so hopefully (a victory will) open doors”.

Duran and Davis meet over six rounds at Junior Middleweight.

Passaic’s Glen Tapia will also appear on the card. Tapia, 3-0 (2 KO’s), had a terrific amateur background and served as one of Joshua Clottey’s main sparring partners leading up to his fight with Miguel Cotto last summer. The junior middleweight was featured on the Cotto-Clottey card at Madison Square Garden, scoring a four round UD over David Lopez (who is unrelated to the David Lopez Duran fought)

Camden’s Tyrone Miles is scheduled to be Tapia’s opponent. Miles is 1-2 as a professional, most recently dropping a close decision to former New Jersey Golden Gloves champion Tyre Roberts. The Tapia-Miles fight is scheduled for four rounds and is also part of the Kendall Holt-Kaizer Mabuza undercard.

THE FARRELL FIGHT CAN BE VIEWED WWW.GOFIGHTLIVE.TV

for more information click www.gardenstatefightscene.com

RENO, NEVADA — In the performance of his career, Jesse Brinkley weathered an early onslaught to outbox Curtis Stevens going away and claim the IBF #2 super middleweight ranking before his loyal fan base at the Grand Sierra Resort & Casino on Friday night.

Stevens (21-3, 15 KOs) of Brownsville, New York surged out of his corner as was expected and put a hurt on Brinkley’s face in the first. A solid left hook early in the round knocked Brinkley’s mouthpiece three rows deep ringside. By the end of the first round, Brinkley (35-5, 22 KOs) of Yerington, Nevada, had a badly swollen right eye and looked to be in some serious trouble.

By midway through the second round, Stevens, 165, was in complete control of the fight. Then Brinkley, 167 ½, turned boxer and it was a whole different ballgame. Surprisingly, Stevens let off the gas pedal completely in the third, and Brinkley began landing in combination. A Brinkley flurry with Stevens against the ropes brought the crowd into the fight, and the energy in the building carried through until long after the sound of the final bell.

With the momentum now in Brinkley’s favor, the stage was set for one of the best rounds of the year thus far. Both fighters came out fast to start the fourth. Early in the round, both fighters decided to just stand in the middle of the ring and unleash bombs, with little to no regard for defense. While it was hard to decipher which fighter got the best of the exchange, it was Stevens that began to take a more measured approach. Brinkley resumed outboxing Stevens as the round came to a close.

In the fifth, Brinkley had Stevens against the ropes for stretches three different times. One clean right hand hurt Brinkley midway through, but the round was clearly Jesse’s. Things heated up late and both fighters kept going after the bell. Brinkley trainer Peter Manfredo Sr. rushed at Stevens, which prompted referee Vic Drakulich to bar him from entering the ring for the rest of the contest.

Early in the sixth, Brinkley wobbled Stevens, but did not pounce on his wounded prey right away. Brinkley stalked Stevens cautiously and eventually dropped him with a right hand. Stevens got up to a knee and rose to his feet. Fortunately for the New Yorker, the bell sounded before Brinkley could test how hurt he really may have been.

Midway through the seventh, Stevens seemed to clear the cobwebs and began to counter Brinkley effectively. Stevens looked good in the eighth as well, as Brinkley failed to press the action. Knowing he was behind on the scorecards, Stevens pressured Brinkley in the ninth, but seemed to get discouraged when he could not find a way to land any really telling blows.

By the tenth, the fight was back in Brinkley’s hands, as he jabbed Stevens silly for long stretches. Stevens would land some hard hooks in near desperation, but somehow Brinkley would walk through them and work over his opponent. In the twelfth, Brinkley’s conditioning seemed to outlast Stevens’. The result of a quick exchange sent Stevens down for a second time with less than thirty seconds left in the fight. To his credit, Stevens got back up and landed several hard shots with Brinkley throwing a heavy arsenal his way. But Brinkley showed his chin, and kept coming at Stevens until the bell ended the fight.

In the end, Brinkley won by deservedly lopsided scores of 117-109, 118-108 and 119-107. “I made it to this level maybe four times, and I failed every time,” reflected Brinkley. “This time I trained hard, fought a very tenacious puncher and I took him all the way and beat him nearly every round.”

Going into the fight, Stevens claimed he would knock Brinkley out early, and the Yerington native was weary of his punching-power at the outset. However, Brinkley found that he had overestimated Stevens’ knockout power during the fight. “He didn’t have the same kind of power I thought he would have,” said Brinkley, who believes Stevens would be better suited for the 160-pound middleweight division. “He didn’t have the same power as a Otis Griffin. He wasn’t as strong as a Jason Naugler.”

Brinkley, who also made a successful defense of his regional WBC USNBC Super Middleweight title, now has his sights set on IBF 168-pound champion Lucian Bute, who has an April 17th date set without an opponent. Bute is scheduled to fight at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and on HBO. “It is looking a lot like it is going to be me [on April 17th.] But if the money is not right, I am not going to hop in there with him,” said Brinkley. “It’s for the world championship. That is what I want, but I am not just going to hop in there for peanuts with him.”

The fact that Brinkley may be fighting for a world title makes his career turnaround one of the better boxing redemption stories in recent years. Winning a title would be a monumental achievement, but Brinkley understands that Bute will undoubtedly be the toughest test of his career. “Coach and I are going to have to handle a 6’1” left hander that is one of the nastiest in the world for a fight that is the exact opposite of what we just fought,” said Brinkley. “We just fought a short right hander and now I am going to fight a tall, lean left hander. I know it is coming. I am not going to turn it down. Offer me high six digits and we are going to fight.”

No matter the result, should the Bute fight come to fruition, Brinkley plans to make it exciting. “Honestly I would like to knock him out or catch a heart attack trying,” said Brinkley. Given the excitement he and Stevens provided Friday, sounds like a recipe for an entertaining fight.

In the co-feature, welterweight prospect Raymond Serrano (12-0, 6 KOs) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania boxed his way to an eight-round unanimous decision over Ronnie Warrior Jr. (13-3-1, 4 KOs) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Coming off of a long layoff, Warrior, 147, came out in a completely defensive posture to open the bout. Serrano, 146 ½, seemed to sweep the first three rounds by simply outworking Warrior.

Serrano did his best work in the fourth, as he backed Warrior into a corner and unloaded some heavy shots. The fight turned in the fifth, as Warrior finally got out of his shell and began throwing some punches. Serrano may have utilized a bit too much movement, as Warrior gained confidence and pressed the action. After two more rounds of little action, Serrano came out aggressively to start the seventh. However, one Warrior flurry seemed to bother Serrano late in the round. A close eighth closed out the fight. In the end the judges saw the fight a bit wide for Serrano, 79-73 across the board.

Middleweight prospect Brandon Gonzales (10-0, 9 KOs) of Sacramento, California flashed the punching-power that has made him one of the top prospects on the West Coast, stopping usually durable Dewey Welliver (18-20-1, 6 KOs) of Snoqualmie, Washington in the second round. Gonzales, 163, varied his attack to the body and head and Welliver, 159, was never in the fight. Early in the second round, a straight right hurt Welliver and the follow up dropped him. Referee Russell Morris immediately stopped it at 1:25 of the second.

In a pairing of pro debutants, Carlos Gayton (1-0, 1 KO) of Reno scored a brutal second round knockout of Jack Montgomery (0-1) of Dayton, Nevada. Montgomery, 173, left his chin dangerously exposed, and paid the price. Gayton, 171 ½, pressed Montgomery to the corner and uncorked a ferocious right that had him out before he hit the mat. Official time of the stoppage was 2:03 of the second.

Reno’s Tyler Hinkey (5-1-3, 4 KOs) fought to a unanimous six-round draw with William Mitch Williams (3-2-1, 3 KOs) of Jackson, Michigan. Williams, 215, weighed in with his clothes on, but Hinkey, 270, could not use his size advantage to any great success. After six rough rounds fought at close quarters, all three judges were in agreement at 57-57.

Chad Forrester (1-1) of Sparks, Nevada successfully avenged the loss he suffered in his pro debut nearly two years ago, scoring a four-round unanimous decision over Michael Goins (1-4, 1 KO) of Las Vegas, Nevada. Forrester, 220, wobbled Goins, 227, with a right in the third, dropping him with the following combination. The knockdown was more than enough to earn Forrester the nod, with scores of 38-37 and 39-36 twice.

Let’s Get It On Promotions bring both boxing and mixed martial arts back to the Grand Sierra Resort & Casino for “Reno Xtreme Fights III” on March 20th.

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortega15rds@lycos.com.

Nick Diaz scored an exciting first round knockout over Mariusz Zaromskis in a wild round to retain his Strikeforce Welterweight title at the Bank Once Center in Sunrise, Florida.

Both guys landed heavy shots that included Zaromskis landing a hard shot that sent Doaz down to the floor but Diaz popped right up and and began to pound away on the face of Zaromskis as he landed some huge shots until he landed a booming right hook that put Zaromskis down and out at the 4:38 mark of round one.

Diaz, of Stockton, California is now 20-8-1 with twelve knockouts. Zaromskis of London is now 13-4.

“I’ll fight anybody,’’ said Diaz, who has been victorious in seven of his last eight and hasn’t lost in more than two years. I felt real good fighting again at 170. But the guy I really want is Gegard Mousasi.’’

Cris Cyborg retained her Strikeforce Lightweight title as she stopped a tough Marloes Coenen in round tyhree of their scheduled five round five.

Cyborg controlled most of the action throughout the fight by Coenen showed toughness and got in some big punches for herself until Cyborg pounded her on the ground and the fight was stopped at 2:07 of round three.

Cyborg, 144 1/2 lbs of Curitiba, Brazil is now 9-1 with seven stoppages. Coenen, 143 3/4 lbs of Amsterdam is now 17-4.

I’m very happy to win this fight,’’ said Cyborg shortly the heated scrap was stopped at 3:40 of the third. “It was a good fight. I think I could have done more but she was the toughest fighter I’ve faced and has a great heart. I admire her a lot.’’

Coenen, a strikingly attractive submission whiz who couldn’t take down Cyborg, wanted the fight to continue. “This is extremely disappointing to say the least,’’ she said. “This was for a world title. It should have been allowed to go a little longer. I wanted to fight.’’

Former NFL Star and Olympic Bobsledder Herschel Walker proved that life begins at forty-seven years old as he made a successful pro debut by stopping an over matched Greg Nagy in round three of a scheduled three round Heavyweight fight.

Walker showed versatility as he was effective with strikes and on the ground and was in control for just about every second of the fight until it was stopped at 2:17 of round three.

Walker, 214 1/4 lbs looked in pronominal shape to winhis pro debut. Nagy, 210 1/2 lbs of Phoenix, AZ is 1-2

“I feel good but I didn’t do many things right and I still have a lot to learn,’’ said Walker, the 1982 Heisman Trophy winner and a two-time Pro Bowl competitor. “The experience itself was exciting and I thank my opponent for fighting me. It’s tough to fight an old man. This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

“I thought I’d be more nervous. I’m an MMA fighter now. I earned a little bit of a stripe tonight. This is one of my biggest athletic achievements ever.’

“Ruthless” Robbie Lawlor scored one of the most devastating one punch knockout over Melib Manhoef in round of their scheduled three round bout.

Manhoef dominated the fight as he was viciously kicking Lawlor’s legs and landing hard body shots until Lawlor landed a “Hayemaker” right hook that landed squarely on Manhoef’s chin and he was knocked out cold before he crumbled to the ground and for good measure, Lawlor landed a hard right to jaw the jaw and the fight was stopped at 3:33 of round one.

Lawlor of Granite City, IL is now 17-5-1 with fourteen knockouts. Manhoef of Amsterdam, Netherlands is now 24-7-1

“I knew this guy was really a killer, but I knew I would catch him,’’ Lawler said. “When he looks to finish, he really loads up. I just lured him in and got him.

“He was chopping and chopping and he was really hurting me with the leg kicks. When I felt the first one land, I knew I could get one more in and finish, and that’s what I did.’’

Former WWE Superstar Bobby Lashley remained undefeated as he pounded Wes Sims for much of their two-plus minute Heavyweight bout.

Lashley had the 6’8″ Sims on tne ground and continued to pound Sims until the referee stopped the bout at 2:06 of round one of their scheduled three round fight

Lashley, 252 1/4lbs of Coconut Creek, Fla is now 5-0 with two knockouts. Sims. 258 1/4 lbs of Lancaster, OH is now 22-13-1-2.

“Anytime you win and learn something, it’s a good night,’’ he said. “Sims is a tall guy who came in with nothing to lose, almost like he didn’t care, and those are the guys that are usually the hardest to fight.

“I want to continue to step up.

Jorge Arce captured the WBO Super Flyweight champion via a technical decision over a nasty cut was opened up over the right eye of Angky Angkota during round seven of their scheduled twelve round main event in Mexico City.

Arce continously cornered the smaller Angkota and wailed away on the game native of Indonesia. Angkota showed a lot of spunk and courage as he would try to fire back some wild shots. Angkota tried to “goad” Arce as he made body gyrations towards Arce in round seven in an effort to convince Arce that his punches were not effective.

Later in that round, the fighters clashed heads and a nasty cut started to drip blood down the right side of Angkota’s face.

When the scores were read, Arce 115 lbs of Los Mochis, Mexico was ahead by scores of 60-54, 60-54 and 58-56 to win a fourth world title and is now 53-6-1. Angkota, 115 lbs of Semerang, Indonesia is now 23-5.

“This is for my baby who was either born tonight or tomorrow”,said Arce

Former world title challenger Eduardo Escobedo scored a ten round unanimous decision over Joksan Hernandez in a Featherweight bout.

Escobedo dropped Hernandez in round three from a nice counter shot. The action was wildly entertaining especially at the outset of round’s eight and ten as the two stood toe to toe which was much to the delight of the crowd.

Escobedo, 126 lbs won his sixth straight fight since dropping a shot at then WBO Super Bantamweight champion Daniel Ponce De Leon in 2007, won by scores of 97-92, 97-93 and 96-93 to raise his record to 27-3. Hernandez is now 17-2.

Alonso Lopez scored a third round stoppage over Sergio Cruz at 2:02 of round three of a scheduled four round Super Flyweight bout featuring debuter’s.

Photo by Chris Farina / Top Rank

Nonito’ The Filipino Flash’ Donaire,Philippines works out during a media day for his upcoming championship fight on “Latin Fury 13/Pinoy Power 3”, a Top Rank Pay Per View on Saturday,February 13 from the Las Vegas Hilton in Las Vegas. Donaire takes on top-rated Gerson Guerrero of Mexico in the main event.

Photos by Chris Farina / Top Rank

While Peter Manfredo Jr. may never be among the elite of the division, he certainly looked impressive as he took apart fellow middleweight Matt Vanda over 10 rounds. Vanda (of St. Paul, MN) looked good during the early going as he sunk body shots to the midsection of Manfredo (Providence, RI.) But Manfredo quickly answered back with body shots of his own and in the second began to incorporate his most important punch of the fight; a short right uppercut aimed at the head of Vanda. This punch would begin to land with scary accuracy over the coming rounds and seemed to completely bewilder Vanda every time he attempted it. Manfredo also began working a double jab, right hand combo that was often the starting point for 4, 5 and 6 punch combos which were the norm during rounds 3-8. Despite his best efforts, Vanda never seemed to be in range to land his punches. He was either too far out and missing wildly or smothering himself on the inside while he ate uppercuts from Manfredo. In the sixth, Vanda charged in and was met with a perfectly placed left hook to the liver from Manfredo which put him on the canvas. Vanda rose and was battered around the ring for the remainder of the round. He survived on sheer heart and at times it seemed the fight was only mere seconds away from being stopped. Vanda knew just when to throw though and was able to keep the referee convinced that he was still in the fight. The seventh round was more of the same with Vanda doing just enough to keep himself from being stopped. Vanda had his greatest success in the 9th and 10th where he truly gave it his all, throwing every punch in his arsenal in an attempt to catch Manfredo. Unfortunately for Vanda, it was too little too late and when the final bell sounded, the outcome was never in question. People were heading for the exits when the scores were announced: 99-90 and 100-89 all for Manfredo who is now 34-6 18Kos. Vanda (42-10 22Kos) showed great heart throughout the fight but at this point should probably consider hanging up his gloves for good. Neither fighter was ever among the truly elite of their weight class but if tonight’s fight showed anything, it’s that Manfredo still has reason to believe he can be among he best, while Vanda should start taking a serious look at his reasons to continue fighting.

Local Featherweight prospect Matt Remillard of Manchester, CT needed one round less to dispatch outgunned Irvington, NJ native Rafael Lora in a rematch of their bout back in September of 09. Lora seemed intent to overturn his first loss to Remillard and came out working a stiff jab which seemed to have Remillard perplexed. Lora’s success ended after the first when Remillard began to open up with a jab of his own. .Remillard used the jab as a set up to push Lora to the ropes where he would unleash vicious shots to the body. During the third, Remillard began going both upstairs and downstairs with his left hook and was soon ripping of 3 and 4 punch combos on the wilting Lora. Right at the bell for round 3, Remillard got in two punishing body shots which had Lora limping back to his corner. He wisely decided to stay there instead of coming out for round 4, handing Remillard the TKO victory. Still unbeaten, Remillard runs his record to 21-0 12Kos while Lora, having lost his second fight to “The Sharpshooter” is now 11-2 5Kos.

A swing bout between welterweights Joseph Elegele of Melbourne, FL and Chris Russel of Shaddock OK was over a mere one minute and thirteen seconds after it began. Both fighters circled and felt each other out for the first minute before Elegele snuck in a left uppercut to the body of Russel which paralyzed Russel for the full ten count. Elegele improves to 3-0 2Kos while Russel slips to 1-1.

To a cascade of boos, lightweights Arash Usmanee of Alberta Canada and Jorge Ruiz of Miami, FL fought 4 and ½ rounds mired by incessant grappling and wild, inaccurate punches. Usmanee held a slight advantage in effective punching when, in a fitting end to such an ugly bout, the fighters heads came together and prompted referee Dick Flaherty to call a halt to the fight. Because 4 rounds had been competed, the scorecards were tallied and Usmanee came out on top; winning by scores of 48-47, 50-45 and 49-45. Usmanee remains unbeaten at 5-0 2 Kos while Ruiz drops to 7-11-2.

Welterweight fan favorite Adelita Irizarry (6-4 2KOs) of Hartford, CT was on the losing end of a split decision when she was out crafted over 6 rounds by Fayetteville, NC’s Rachel Clark (5-3-1 3KOs.) In her typical come forward style Irizarry started fast and began winging punches at the head of Clark, who initially was content to retreat and counter punch from her southpaw stance. Perhaps realizing that Irizarry was not going to stop moving forward, Clark began fighting back to good effect. She began to land a straight left hand that would halt Irizarry’s attacks long enough for her to move and reset. The defining moment in the fight came in the fourth when Irizarry, charging in as usual, walked into another straight left and was dropped to the Canvas. The knockdown proved to be pivotal as Clark narrowly took two of the judges scorecards 58-55 and 57-56 while Irizarry got the nod from only one 57-56.

In a four round lightweight bout, local up and comer Joseph Perez of Hartford, CT narrowly out pointed Luis Quezada of Caguas, Puerto Rico. Perez had a good opening round in which he scored with left hooks to the head of Quezada. The middle two rounds were highly competitive as the fighters took turns backing each other to the ropes and unleashing the best they had. Perez managed to steal the fight in the fourth as he backed Quezada along the ropes and scored well with both hands. Quezada had little to offer in return and let the fight slip away in the final minute and a half. When the scorecards were read, Perez snuck by with a majority decision: 38-38 and 39-37 twice. With the loss, Quezada fell to 1-2 which Perez improved to 3-0 1KO.

In the opening bout of the evening, Detroit MI super middleweight J’Leon Love made a successful pro debut by icing Philadelphia PA’s Vince Burkhalter in under two minutes. Wasting no time, Love went straight after Burkhalter from the bell. About a minute into the fight, Love dropped a left hook to the body and followed with a crisp right hand that dumped Burkhalter to the canvas. Burkhalter rose but was quickly pinned on the ropes and ate another right hand that dropped him face first to the canvas. Ten seconds later, the fight was over and Love had notched his first professional victory. Burkhalter dropped his third in a row and now stands at 0-3.

LAS VEGAS – Beibut Shumenov, a lawyer in Kazakhstan, had a plan. Gabriel Campillo, a boxer from a country known best for fighting bulls, had the power. Put them together and you might have a good light-heavyweight. As it is, Bernard Hopkins and Chad Dawson don’t have much to worry about.

The plan prevailed.

Shumenov won a split decision Friday night and took the World Boxing Association’s version of the title from Campillo in a rematch that had a different winner, yet some of the same controversy from last August’s majority in Kazakhstan. Campillo won that one, although Shumenov has been arguing about it ever since.

This time, it is Campillo’s turn to argue.

“I got robbed and I want it investigated,’’ Campillo said as he stood in the middle of the ring at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino while his angry trainer, Sergio Martinez, had to be restrained from taking the bout into some extra-curricular rounds.

It safe to say that the left-hander from Spain won’t be getting any legal advice from Shumenov, who was bloodied, yet nimble enough to jump through enough loopholes to escape with a decision. Shumemov (9-1, 6 KOs) won 115-113 on Jerry Roth’s card. Judge Patricia Morse Jarman scored it 117-111 for the Kazakhstani attorney. On Levi Martinez’ card, it was 117-111 for Campillo (19-3, 5 KOS), who also suffered a cut over his left eye.

“I’m not surprised by the decision,’’ Shumenov said. “I thought I won.’’

There was plenty to argue about. After the opening couple of rounds, Campillo’s superior power appeared to be the ruling factor. Shumenov, often looking dazed, began to back away. If nothing else the argument figures to continue until the two fight for a third time. No matter what happens, there doesn’t figure to be much of an argument about who doesn’t belong at the top of the light-heavyweight division. Shumenov and Campillo don’t.

In time, may be. At least, that was the suggestion from Shumenov, who had former David Tua trainer Kevin Barry in his corner for the first time.

“The difference is that I have the best trainer in boxing,’’ said Shumenov, whose company co-promoted the card with Oscar De La Hoya’s company, Golden Boy. “He gave me all the directions to win this fight.’’

Directions good enough for two judges, anyway.

On the undercard:

The 10th lesson plan in junior-middleweight prospect Erislandy Lara’s education got off to a slow start, grew rocky and ended with him scoring a 10th-round TKO of Grady Brewer in the first televised fight on Fox Sports Net. Early on, Lara (10-0, 6 KOs) a former Cuban amateur, looked flat-footed and one-dimensional. He tried to set up his best punch, a straight left. In the fifth, Brewer (26-12, 15 KOs), who won The Contender in 2006, delivered some of his own reality television with rights that stunned Lara. But a head butt badly bloodied Brewer over the left eye in the sixth. Brewer never seemed to recover. He was dropped by a left late in the 10th. Referee Tony weeks stopped it 16 seconds before the closing bell.

The card’s first fight ended in front of a lot empty seats. Anybody looking for their seat would not have seen it anyway, because of a quick body shot from Gayrat Ahmedov (13-0-1, 9 KOs), a cruiserweight from Uzbekistan. Sixty-five seconds after the opening bell, Ahmedov landed a short left that dropped Harley Kilfian (8-4, 7 KOs), a Wisconsin cruiserweight who crashed onto the canvas like a wrecked motorcycle.

The body work continued in the second bout, thanks to another fighter from Uzbekistan, junior-middleweight Ravshan Hudaynazarov (10-, 9 KOs), who threw a left that sent Kenyan Shadrack Kipruot (10-13, 7 KOs) backpedaling onto the seat of his trunks and unable to continue in a TKO defeat at 1:26 of the third.

Eloy Perez beat the stroke of midnight and David Rodela.

With late Friday just a few minutes from turning into early Saturday, super-feather weight Perez (16-0-1, 4 KOs) of Salinas, Calif., battled through 10 bruising rounds for a unanimous decision over David Rodela (14-2-3, 6 KOs) in the final fight on a card that featured Beibut Shumenov’s split decision over Gabriel Campillo for a piece of the light-heavyweight title.

Rest of the undercard:
Las Vegas welterweight Jessie Vargas (8-0, 3 KOs) won a four-round unanimous decision over Rickey McKinney (3-2, 2 KOs) of Baton Rouge, La.

Featherweight Ronny Rios of Santa Ana, Calif., stayed unbeaten (9-0, 4 KOs) with a six-round unanimous decision over Wilshaun Boxley (5-4, 3 KOs) of Coons Rapids, Minn.

And a long night proved to be a short one for junior-welterweight Carlos Molina (10-0, 6 KOs), who needed only 54 seconds to score a first-round knockout of Tyler Ziolowski (12-11, 6 KOs) of St. Joseph, Mo.

Chris Avalos remained undefeated as he pounded out Jose Nieves at 2:20 of round four of a scheduled ten round Bantamweight bout at the Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

After a slow first round, Avalos dropped Nieves in round two with a hard right to the body. In round four, Avalos landed a combination that dropped Nieves for a second time. Avalos finished the fight as landed yet another flurry of punches that sent Nieves down for referee Rocky Burke at 2:20 of round four.

Avalos, 118 lbs of Lancaster, CA is now 15-0 with twelve knockouts. Nieves, 119 lbs of Carolina, Puerto Rico is now 17-2-3

“Avalos turned the fight with one shot,” said ShoBox’s expert commentator Steve Farhood. “As soon as Nieves backed to the ropes, in essence, the fight was over.

“He kept his poise and took what was given to him, and, when he turned it up, it turned out that Nieves couldn’t handle it.”

“I’m beyond happy, but I didn’t think it would end that quickly,” Avalos said. “I thought it would go into the sixth round. He was a good fighter, I take nothing from him. I was just the better fighter tonight.”

Archie Ray Marquez remained undefeated with an eight round unanimous decision over Derrick Campos in an entertaining Lightweight scrap.

Campos did not do much of anything over the first three rounds as Marquez used his height and reach to box well and stay out of the way of anything Campos could offer. Campos started to turn up the pressure in the middle rounds and had a little success.

Marquez was more consistent over the last three rounds and scored a knockdown when he landed a hard right to the head and the feet of the two fighters collided and Campos hit the ground on what was ruled a knockdown.

Marquez, 131 lbs of Albuquerque, NM won by scores of 80-71, 79-72 and 77-74 to raise his record to 9-0-1. Campos, 132 lbs of Topeka, KS is now 20-8.

“I like his style, but he needs to work on his power,” said Tarver, who served as ShoBox’s guest analyst. “He needs to turn his opportunities into power shots, rather than boxing away. I look forward to seeing him again and I think he has a bright future.”

LAS VEGAS — Shane Mosley has signed to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 1 at the MGM Grand, Mosley attorney Judd Burstein said Friday night while sitting at ringside after Beibut Shumenov took the World Boxing Association’s light-heavyweight title with a split decision over Gabriel Campillo at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

Mayweather has yet to sign, but his advisor Leonard Ellerbe said he expects him to.

Burstein also said that Mosley will be willing to undergo Olympic-style blood-testing. Burstein was linked to performance-enhancing drugs in testimony to a grand-jury that investigated Balco. Mosley was listed as a Balco client.

“We’ve agreed to anything as long as Floyd is doing it,” Burstein said.

Talks for a Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao fight on March 13 broke down when Mayweather demanded that Pacquiao undergo Olympic-style blood-testing. Pacquiao refused and instead will fight Joshua Clottey on March 13 at the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas.

RENO, NEVADA — The super middleweight division has been thrust into the boxing media spotlight of late, and yet another intriguing clash of 168-pounders takes place tonight at the Grand Sierra Resort & Casino, as hometown hero Jesse Brinkley takes on Curtis Stevens in a bout with world title implications. Their twelve-round bout, with the IBF#2 super middleweight ranking up for grabs, headlines ESPN2 Friday Night Fights. Fighters weighed in Thursday evening at the casino’s Xtreme Sports Bar & Lounge.

For Brinkley (34-5, 22 KOs) of Yerington, Nevada, the last two-and-one-half years have culminated to the position he finds himself in tonight, perhaps one win away from a crack at a world championship. It was then that Brinkley ended a two-fight skid and, with the help of his promoters Terry and Tommy Lane of Let’s Get It On Promotions, righted the ship of his career by beginning the eight-fight winning run that brought him back into contention. It has been an impressive turnaround, but Brinkley needs to win tonight for it to pay off. Brinkley, the IBF #7 ranked super middleweight, weighed in at 167 ½-pounds on Thursday.

Stevens (21-2, 15 KOs) of Brownsville, New York has rebuilt his career with a four-fight unbeaten run over the past two years. The last time Stevens took center stage was his biggest a career disappointment, as he lost a lackluster decision to Andre Dirrell on HBO in 2007. Stevens, once one of the more highly touted prospects in the sport, signed with Star Boxing and worked his way back up the ladder. Most impressively, Stevens is coming off of a third-round knockout of previously unbeaten Piotr Wilczewski last July. Stevens, the IBF #8 ranked super middleweight, came in at 165-pounds.

With the IBF title one of two 168-pound championships not locked up in the Super Six World Boxing Classic tournament, the stakes could not be higher for Brinkley and Stevens, as the winner would be in excellent position to challenge reigning champion Lucian Bute. The Canadian-based Romanian Bute does not have a deep pool of challengers to choose from, especially considering two of the top IBF contenders are in the Super Six tournament. Currently both the IBF #1 and #2 rankings are vacant.

In the televised co-feature, welterweight prospect Raymond Serrano (11-0, 6 KOs) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania will take on Ronnie Warrior Jr. (13-2-1, 4 KOs) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in an eight-round bout. Serrano, who weighed 146 ½, is coming off of an up-and-down victory over journeyman Anthony Bowman last November. This is Serrano’s second appearance on ESPN2, as he scored a near shutout in a six-rounder over Jay Krupp last March. Warrior is a more experienced fighter than his record would put on, as he is a veteran of 24 fights, including several no contests. The southpaw Warrior scaled 147-pounds.

Reno heavyweight Tyler Hinkey (5-1-2, 4 KOs) will see action on the undercard against William Mitch Williams (3-2, 3 KOs) of Jackson, Michigan in a six-round heavyweight fight. Hinkey, who scaled 270-pounds, is looking to get back into the win column after going 0-1-1 in his last two bouts. For his last fight in August, Hinkey weighed 254-pounds. Williams, weighing in with his clothes on, scaled 215-pounds.

Middleweight prospect Brandon Gonzales (9-0, 8 KOs) of Sacramento, California will take on always game journeyman Dewey Welliver (18-19-1, 6 KOs) of Snoqualmie, Washington in a six-round bout. Gonzales, who came in at 163, is coming in off of a fourth-round kayo of Victor Villereal in Reno in December. Villereal had never before failed to last the distance. Welliver, who has been in with just about everybody from 154- to 168-pounds over his career, scaled 159-pounds Thursday.

Chad Forrester (0-1) of Sparks, Nevada gets a second opportunity to start his boxing career tonight against Michael Goins (1-3, 1 KO) of Las Vegas, Nevada in a four-round heavyweight rematch. In June of 2008, Goins scored a technical stoppage when the referee stopped the fight with Forrester taking a flurry against the ropes. Forrester weighed in at 220-pounds, while Goins scaled 227.

MMA competitor Jack Montgomery of Dayton, Nevada will make his professional boxing debut against Reno’s Carlos Gayton, also making his pro debut. Montgomery, a 7-7 striker in mixed martial arts, weighed in at 173-pounds. Gayton, who trains out of the Arce Boxing Club in nearby Sparks, scaled 171 ½-pounds.

Tickets for the event, promoted by Let’s Get It On Promotions and Star Boxing, are available online at GrandSierraResort.com.

Quick Weigh-in Results:

IBF Super Middleweight Championship Eliminator, 12 Rounds
Stevens 165
Brinkley 167 ½

Welterweights, 8 Rounds
Serrano 146 ½
Warrior Jr. 147

Heavyweights, 6 Rounds
Hinkey 270
Williams 215

Heavyweights, 4 Rounds
Forrester 220
Goins 227

Middleweights, 6 Rounds
Gonzales 163
Welliver 159
Light heavyweights, 4 Rounds
Montgomery 173
Gayton 171 ½

Photos by Mark Ortega

Mario Ortega Jr. can be contacted at ortega15rds@lycos.com.

PHILADELPHIA (January 29, 2010)—On Friday night February 5th one of the most anticipated area debuts in quite some time will take place as former world Junior amateur heavyweight champion Joey Dawejko will fight a four round Heavyweight bout as part of the Special Valentine’s Day card at The Legendary Blue Horizon.

The card is promoted by Vernoca L. Michael and Blue Horizon Boxing promotions Inc.

There will be members from the Red Cross at the Blue Horizon where a station will be set up for donations for relief in regards to the recent Tragic Earthquake that took place earlier this month in Haiti and the boxing community is encouraged to help those in need.

Dawejko from the Tacony section of Philadelphia picked up boxing as a youngster after his grandfather took him to the local Golden Gloves that was ironically held at The Blue Horizon and Dawejko wanted to give boxing a try.

Dawejko started to have success as a junior boxer which facilitated Dawejko to step up the competition. In 2008, Dawejko traveled to Guadalajara, Mexico to compete in the prestigious world Junior Championships.

Four victories later Dawejko captured the championship when he defeated Eric Brechlin of Germany by a score of 9-1 Dewejko won his four bouts by a combined score of 43-16, and Dewejko was anointed the future of USA Boxing.

Dewejko didn’t want to wait another four years for the next Olympics to come around and decided to turn pro after finishing his amateur career with a record of 56-12.

“The wait for the Olympics plus I felt to go out on top was the perfect ending and it was time to go pro”, said the then eighteen year old prodigy.

Dewejko received a phone call that former Heavyweight champion of the world Hassim Rahman needed a sparring partner and Dewejko jumped at the chance to work with Rahman.

“I was still an amateur when that happened. It actually was before the world junior championship. I guess he liked what he saw in those sessions and we kept in touch.”

After sparring with Rahman for a second camp, Dawejko signed a contract with Rahman as the former champ is now the manager of young Dawejko.

Since then Dawejko has sparred with former WBC Heavyweight champion Samuel Peter as he prepared to take on Eddie Chambers.

Dawejko turned pro on September 26, 2009 in Kinder, Louisiana against thirteen fight veteran Royphy Solieau. Dawejko scored a knockdown in pounding out a six round unanimous decision.

Dawejko showed that he was a throwback as he fought six rounds in his pro debut rather than the four rounder’s that most fighters take in the first fight.

Now in Dawejko’s second start he will get to perform in front of the hometown fans.

“I go to just about all the fights at The Blue Horizon and sometimes I get lost in thought as I am always envisioning being in that ring and performing for the knowledgeable crowd that Blue Horizon has and I can’t wait until February 5th to display my skills in front of them”

Rahman will be ringside to watch his protégé fight undefeated Ricardo Johnson (1-0) of Ohio in the four round bout.

In the main event, USBA Jr. Middleweight champion, Derek “Pooh” Ennis (19-2-1, 12 KO’s) of Philadelphia will take on Edwin Vazquez (22-14-2, 8 KO’s) of Santurce, Puerto Rico in an eight round non-title bout.

In an eight round co-feature, former world title challenger Israel “Pito” Cardona (36-10, 28 KO’s) of Hartford, CT takes on the upset specialist Martinus Clay (13-24-4, 5 KO’s) of Philadelphia.

In a four round Heavyweight bout of Philadelphian’s, Tim Johnson (4-1, 2 KO’s) takes on Charles Hayward (2-2, 1 KO)

In a four round Ladies Welterweight bout, Jackie Davis (3-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia takes on Cassandra Lindsay (3-4, 2 KO’s) of Columbus, MS

Andres Gustafson (3-0, 1 KO) of Norrkoping, Sweden will travel across the Atlantic to do battle with Levay King (0-1) in a four round Heavyweight attraction.

In a battle of Phildelphia based Jr. Welterweight, Clement Bethea will make his pro debut against comebacking Henry Northan (0-1).

Northan, will be making his first ring appearance in nearly seven years.

Also seeing action is exciting undefeated Ronald Cruz (7-0, 4 KO’s) of Bethlehem, PA against an opponent to be named in a four round bout.

THE SHOW WILL BE STREAMED ALL OVER THE WORLD ON WWW.GOFIGHTLIVE.TV FOR $5.99 BY CLICKING:

http://www.gofightlive.tv/showEvent.do?event=575

Tickets are going fast for this exciting boxing event. The perfect pre-Valentine gift for your boxing enthusiast.

Ticket prices for this great night of boxing are $200 for Queen Seating, $125 for Presidential Seats, $65 for VIP Seating, $55 for Ringside Seating and $45 for General Admission Seating. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-763-0500 or through PayPal by clicking here. Doors open at 6:30 PM / First Bout begins at 7:30 P.M.

The Legendary Blue Horizon™

1314 North Broad Street in Philadelphia, PA

IBF #7 ranked super middleweight Jesse Brinkley (34-5, 22 KOs) of Yerington, Nevada takes on IBF #8 ranked Curtis Stevens in a twelve-round elimination bout tonight at the Grand Sierra Resort & Casino in Reno, Nevada. The winner will move into the IBF #2 world ranking, placing them right in line for a shot at IBF kingpin Lucian Bute. Their bout headlines ESPN2 Friday Night Fights. Fighters weighed in Thursday night at the casino’s Xtreme Sports Bar & Lounge

Watch Jesse Brinkley-Curtis Stevens Weigh-in

The elements are all there for rising welterweight prospect Raymond Serrano to become a boxing star. The former amateur standout has the look, he’s just 20-years-old, comes from a fighting family, fights at the prominent welterweight class and oh yeah, he’s from Philadelphia. Serrano, a gifted boxer-puncher, tests his wares before the world tonight in the ESPN2-televised co-feature from the Grand Sierra Resort & Casino in Reno, Nevada.

Serrano (11-0, 6 KOs) was introduced to the sport of boxing by his father Ramon at an early age. “My dad used to compete as an amateur in Puerto Rico,” explained Serrano. “He got me into it and started training me when I was young, like eight-years-old.” Raymond’s uncle Ben Serrano also boxed professionally, notably defeating eventual titlist Doug DeWitt during a 21-fight career. Additionally, current junior middleweight contender Kermit Cintron is Ben’s nephew by marriage.

Despite the boxing bloodlines, Raymond did not inherit a love for the sport right off the bat. “When I first started boxing, I didn’t really like it,” admits Serrano. “I never wanted to fight.” Perhaps what began to change the young Serrano’s attitude toward the sport was his success. By 2005, the 16-year-old Serrano was making his mark on the national amateur scene. In June and July of that year, Brownsville, Texas played host to both the National and International Junior Olympic Championships, and Serrano won gold in both.

“That was one of the best experiences as an amateur,” said Serrano, recalling his Junior Olympic victories. “I went to a lot of tournaments before that, and made it to the championships and lost. I was determined to win the Junior Olympics, because the year before that I had won the bronze. I wasn’t that happy, so I came back the next year and won gold. It was a happy moment. After that I started traveling with the USA team and I learned a lot from that experience.”

While he went on to gain many accomplishments in the unpaid ranks, including a bronze at the World Cadet Championships in England in 2005 and a Pennsylvania Golden Gloves title in 2006, Serrano began to sour on the amateur game. The change in his outlook was due in part to the much maligned amateur scoring system. “There were a lot of fights that I thought I won, but because of the computer scoring I didn’t,” explains Serrano. “It is hard to fight four rounds and then they say you lost by one point, it is crazy. I went to the Under 19 [Championships], and I fought in the championship and lost, which I thought I won. Then I went to the Eastern Trials and lost by a couple of points. After that, I think I was 17 or 18, I decided to turn pro.”

While his three-point loss to Anthony Walker at the Eastern Trials in May of 2007 marked his final amateur contest, the controversial computerized scoring was not the only reason the young Serrano decided to make the leap to the pros. “I had over 100 fights, and I stopped getting excited when it came time for the amateur fights,” admits Serrano. “I decided I needed some excitement, so it came time to turn pro.”

That October, Serrano made his pro debut inside a hallowed Philadelphia sporting landmark, the Spectrum, making short work of Tierre King. However, it was not until his second pro contest that Serrano came to the realization of what it means to be a professional fighter. “I fought Jorge Delgado, and he had a lot of fights,” recalls Serrano. “It was my first time being in a fight and going the full four-rounds.” Serrano took the four-round unanimous decision. “That was a wake up call that it is not a game. You’ve got to train hard. It is not like the amateurs, because it is important that you don’t get any losses. The guy was tough too, he was a veteran.”

Early in his pro run, Serrano soon assembled the team that supports and prepares him to this day. Prominent promotional outfit Star Boxing, headed by Joe DeGuardia, took an early interest in Serrano and inked the young prospect. “In this business, if you don’t have someone looking out for you, no one will,” says Serrano. “And I have someone looking out for me. We got a good thing going on with Star Boxing, they are good people.”

Besides joining forces with a promoter, Serrano and his father brought in a new trainer, Danny Davis. “I knew Danny since the amateurs,” says Serrano. “We used to have Danny come give me pads in the amateurs. After my second or third fight, we brought Danny into our team. He is great.” Davis, who won a National Golden Glove title in 1991, has worked alongside Nazim Richardson, Freddie Roach and John David Jackson in the camps of Bernard Hopkins.

In addition to his experience working with the most renowned trainers and as a fighter himself, it is Davis’ approach to training that has left an indelible impression on his young pupil. “He goes out there and runs with me, and he pushes me,” says Serrano of his extremely fit trainer. “He doesn’t just tell me what to do, he actually does the workouts with me.”

Any rising young fighter could get caught up in his own hype, but Davis is not afraid bring his charge’s feet back down to sea level. “Somebody has to be grounded, and that’s me. I am the bad guy,” says Davis. “He has the people who tell him he’s great and he is this and that. I am the one that has to keep everything honest, and I do, and he respects me for that.”

In his most recent fight, Serrano moved to 11-0, but not with out some trials and tribulations. Serrano took on journeyman Anthony Bowman on November 21st in Tunica, Mississippi. The time comes in every fighter’s career that he must show he can overcome obstacles and adversity. Serrano was unexpectedly dropped by Bowman in the opening round. Although he was not hurt from the flash knockdown, a two-point round is huge in a six-round bout, and thus Serrano was behind the eight ball. Making matters worse, a headbutt had opened a cut on Serrano before the first round came to a close.

Serrano rose to the challenge, evening the score by knocking Bowman down in the following round, en route to a six-round unanimous decision victory. “My last fight, I didn’t look as good as I normally do,” admits Serrano. “But that is why I went back to the drawing board and trained harder for my fight coming up on ESPN. I also got cut, and that was my first time getting cut.”

Serrano’s trainer believes that the near slip-up against Bowman may be serving Serrano well. “He is back in the gym and I am seeing him really focused, more so than ever, and I have been with him for two years,” said Davis from camp last week. “Sometimes it takes a fight like that. I think that fight did something to him. This is a matter of life and death. I always tell him we have to treat it as such, and that it is a dangerous sport. You don’t know if you are going to come out or not. You have to take it serious.”

Serrano showed he could overcome adversity in his last fight, but his team will not rush their budding 20-year-old prospect. “He is turning into a more complete fighter, but we still have a long ways to go,” said Davis, who would like to give Serrano two or three more years before he tackles the upper echelon of the always tough 147-pound welterweight class. “He just turned 20, so people have to understand he’s still young. He is learning, and he is doing a lot of things better than two years ago when we first started. So I am definitely seeing the progress.

Next up for Serrano is an ESPN2 televised eight-rounder against venerable southpaw Ronnie Warrior Jr., tonight at the Grand Sierra Resort & Casino in Reno, Nevada. Warrior (13-2-1, 4 KOs) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma is coming off of a two-plus-year layoff and may not have the most imposing record, but Serrano has learned from past mistakes. “I don’t know that much about him,” admits Serrano. “He’s a southpaw and he’s like an inch taller than me. I know not to take anybody lightly though, so I am ready for whatever.”

“This is a great opportunity for Raymond to once again showcase his growing skills on the national stage,” said Serrano’s promoter DeGuardia. “This will be his first scheduled eight rounder, and his first nationally televised co-feature, and he is still only 20-years-old.” DeGuardia has high hopes for him, but understands that it is one step at a time, “Ray has a very exciting crowd-pleasing style, and we expect him to have a very big year in 2010, but first he must get by Warrior on the 29th.”

Raymond Serrano appears ready to meet and possibly exceed everyone’s expectations, adding another chapter to his family’s boxing history. “I want to look good and show people what I got,” said Serrano. “You will be seeing me move up the ladder. My goal is to be champion of the world.”

Photo by Mark Ortega

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortega15rds@lycos.com.

On February 6th at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, Tomasz ‘Goral’ Adamek, the IBF Heavyweight International Champion (37-1, 27 KO), will take on Jason “Big Six” Estrada (16-2, 4 KOs) of Providence, Rhode Island, in a 12 round title defense. The fight is promoted by Main Events and Ziggy Promotions in association with Classic Entertainment and Sports Inc.

Fans who cannot make it to “The Rock” to see the live show can watch it online via GoFightLive.tv, for $9.99. Visit http://www.gofightlive.tv/showEvent.do?event=581

to purchase the fight.

Three exciting undefeated fighters will also be featured on the GoFightLive show: Patrick Farrell, of Jersey City, 4-0, 3 KO’s; Saddam Ali, Olympian from Brooklyn, NY, 4-0, 2KO’s; and Denis Doughlin, of Morganville, NJ, 6-0, 3KO’s.

This GoFightLive on demand viewing will not be available in Poland or South Africa. Other may be added at a later date.

Viewing is restricted to residential homes only. Restaurants, bars or commercial establishments that wish to show the GFL on demand viewing must contact Main Events directly, 973-200-7050.

For more info visit: www.mainevents.com

It’s not exactly a comeback. Kevin Barry never really left. Home has always been in a corner, no matter how obscure. It’s just that the lights are beginning to brighten again for Barry at a post that has cornered a special place in his heart.

“Boxing is the love of my life,’’ Barry said.

That life, like marriage, tested Barry with familiar controversies, starting with his 1984 Olympic silver medal won in a disqualification of eventual heavyweight champ Evander Holyfield and including a split with David Tua in the courts of his native New Zealand.

Barry wasn’t sure he ever wanted to venture back toward the biggest stage, which in boxing can be as upside-down as the Down-Under in his homeland. In fact, he needed some convincing. But he’s glad he listened to a persuasive Beibut Shumenov (8-1, 6 KOs), a light-heavyweight from Kazakhstan who will have Barry in his corner Friday night in a Fox-televised rematch of his disputed loss by majority decision to World Boxing Association champion Gabriel Campillo (19-2, 6 KOs) of Spain at the Hard Rock in Las Vegas.

Initially, Barry wasn’t interested. He was content and busy in Las Vegas, training kick boxers, mixed-martial-arts fighters, kids who hope to box and old guys who think they still can. But Shumenov, also a Las Vegas resident, proved to be irresistible, perhaps because Barry saw some of himself in a 26-year-old fighter who decided to go pro three years after fighting for Kazakhstan at the 2004 Olympics.

“I actually had him work with a few young fighters of my own some time ago,’’ said Barry, who grew up in the in Christchurch on New Zealand’s south island and has been living in Las Vegas since 2004. “So I saw him early on. I saw the strength, the power, the hand speed. He had all the makings of a good fighter. He’s a real physical specimen. Very quick. Very explosive.’’

Also very smart and very sure of what he wants, Barry says.

“Over the last couple of months that I’ve spent with him, I found out so much more about the man,’’ Barry said. “He is so disciplined. He really lives the life of a professional athlete.’’

It’s a commitment that might have been forged during his years away from boxing, a sabbatical that also explains his record of only nine fights. The self-managed Shumenov worked as a businessman in Kazakhstan after the 2004 Games, Barry said.

“I’m not sure a lot of people know, but he is a lawyer in Kazakhstan,’’ Barry said. “He’s very intelligent. It’s really a privilege to work with somebody who has actually got something in the top six inches. You’re not having to beat it into him, day in and day out. He makes small adjustments. He does his homework. He corrects flaws. He’s a pleasure to work with.’’

Still, it’s early. Bright lights can blind with self-imposed, often unforeseen pressures. Then, there’s always that one, unseen punch that can scramble the top six inches of the best and the brightest.

“Of course, when the lights go on and the bell sounds on live TV, sometimes things change,’’ Barry says.

In 1984, they changed for Barry. Barry never got a chance to fight for the light-heavyweight’s gold medal. Silver was the color of consolation. Holyfield was repeatedly warned for hitting on the break. When the referee yelled break, Holyfield landed a flurry of combinations that put Barry on the canvas, knocked out and out of the gold-medal bout. That was the end of Barry’s career, at least inside the ropes. Twenty-six years later, the 50-year-old trainer has no regrets.

In some ways, he says his unique moment in Olympic history led to friendships and created opportunities that continue to this day.

He became friendly with Holyfield, although he is saddened that the ex-champion continues to fight. Holyfield’s bout with Frans Botha in Uganda, scheduled for Feb. 20, was canceled Thursday because the promised money came with no guarantees. There are reports that it will be re-scheduled, possibly for March 6 in Miami.

“It’s sad,’’ said Barry, who believes Holyfield is damaging his legacy. “He’s fighting, but as a shadow of the great fighter he was. That’s the sad part.’’

In the controversy immediately following the 1984 Olympics, there was an offer that might have made a difference in Barry’s life. A Barry-Holyfield rematch as pros was discussed. But the deal never came together, Barry said. He went home to New Zealand where, he said, “there wasn’t a lot of love for Americans’’ because of the Olympic controversy.

Meanwhile, pro boxing just wasn’t an opportunity in New Zealand in 1984. Eight years later, that changed with David Tua, a bronze medalist at the 1992 Barcelona Games. Tua was washing dishes in an Auckland restaurant when Barry decided to approach him with an offer.

“In my day, that just wasn’t there, not in New Zealand,’’ said Barry, who added that he lacked power, yet was quick and had a terrific jab. “Then, there wasn’t anybody who could put together a professional package to make it work.’’

Tua’s power and entertaining Down-Under persona became an immediate hit in the U.S. that was punctuated by explosive stoppages of John Ruiz and Michael Moorer. But he fell short of a major title in disappointing performance against Lennox Lewis. Barry and Tua were together for 12 years before they headed to divorce court in messy proceedings that lasted six years. The case was finally resolved in October.

“In the position I was, I had pretty much given up at getting back to the highest level in boxing,’’ Barry said. “Even so, things had gotten a lot better. But then this happened with Beibut. I feel extraordinarily privileged. It’s rejuvenated my life. I just feel very lucky.’’

Lucky enough, perhaps, to also be in the corner for his first fighter with a major title, the only thing missing in the home his heart has always occupied.

NOTES, QUOTES

· Phoenix 17-year-old Jose Benavidez Jr., 1-0 after winning a stoppage a couple of weeks ago in Las Vegas, was back in his hometown a week ago after an impressive debut in his 10-fight deal with Top Rank. As a high school senior, he still needs time and bouts to prove he is a true prospect. But he already has captured the imagination of a Phoenix community that hasn’t had real boxing star since Hall of Famer Michael Carbajal. Kids stood in line at Central Boxing for nearly two hours just to get an autograph from Benavidez, who resumed training in Los Angeles at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in anticipation of a possible appearance on the Manny-Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey undercard March 13 in Dallas.

· If he could do it over, Pacquiao probably would never have posed like a body-builder in those photos that are all over the internet. One look and it’s hard not to think about Floyd Mayweather Sr.’s allegations about performance enhancers.

· And speaking of second thoughts, Wizard guards Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton flashed guns in a NBA locker room for a Washington franchise which used to be called the Bullets.

LOS ANGELES, January 25 – A pair of unbeaten prospects from Uzbekistan, light heavyweight Gayrat Ahmedov and junior middleweight Ravshan Hudaynazarov, are set to make their United States debuts in separate bouts on January 29 on the Gabriel Campillo vs. Beibut Shumenov II card at The Joint at Hark Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Ahmedov (12-0-1, 8 KOs), a four-time Uzbekistan National Amateur Champion, and Hudaynazarov (9-0, 6 KOs) a 2007 World Military Games Gold Medalist, have been training in North Carolina with veteran trainer Don Turner in preparation for their January 29 bouts. Both fighters are promoted by Las Vegas-based KZ Event Productions, owned and operated by the Shumenov brothers, January 29 main event challenger Beibut and Chingis.

In his last fight, Ahmedov knocked out Douglas Otieno (19-2, 9 KO’s) in the opening round on the Campillo-Shumenov I card, capturing the PABA light heavyweight belts that Shumenov relinquished prior to challenging Campillo in their WBA Light Heavyweight Championship match last August in Kazakhstan.

“I’m excited for this fight because one of my goals has always been to fight in Las Vegas,” the personable Ahmedov explained. “I have trained in Las Vegas, but this will be my first time fighting there. The Shumenov brothers are the reason I am fighting in the United States and I’m thankful to them. Beibut is a fighter himself, so he knows what it takes to be a champion and understands what a fighter goes through so he treats us like people.”

Ahmedov continued, “If everything goes as planned and I win this fight, Beibut has talked about getting me a shot at a world title in 2010. Because Beibut and I are like brothers, so even though we are in the same weight class, we will never fight each other. We want to both be world champions together, just for different organizations.”

Ravshan also fought on the Campillo-Shumenov I event, stopping veteran Joseph Miyumo (30-7-5, 17 KO’s) in the sixth round to keep his perfect pro record intact. “I’m very happy to be fighting January 29 in Las Vegas,” Ravshan said. “It’s been one of my dreams to fight there. I want to thank my promoter, KZ Event Productions, for giving me the opportunity to fight in the United States. I want to wish Beibut luck in his bout and that I hope that he wins the world title. This is a very important fight for him and all of us with KZ Event Productions and I’m very happy to be promoted by KZ and grateful for what they’ve given me. I will not let them or the fans down on January 29 as I’m going to give everybody a good fight to watch, so don’t miss it.”

Ahmedov and Hudaynazarov are scheduled to be in 6-round bouts versus opponents to be determined.

“Campillo vs. Shumenov II” features the 12-round WBA Light Heavyweight Championship rematch between the defending champion, Spain’s Gabriel Campillo (19-2, 6 KOs), and IBA World title-holder, Beibut Shumenov (8-1, 6 KOs). The evening of boxing will be presented by KZ Event Productions and Golden Boy Promotions with Campillo vs. Shumenov presented in association with Sampson Boxing LLC. The bout will be televised live on Fox Sports Net (FSN) and its regional sports network affiliates beginning at 11 pm ET / 8 pm PT (check local listings). Doors will open at 6 pm and the first bell rings at 7 pm.

In the event’s opening televised fight, former Cuban amateur star Erislandy Lara (9-0, 5 KO’s) takes on veteran junior middleweight Grady Brewer (26-11, 15 KO’s), winner of hit reality television show The Contender II, in a 10-round bout.

Tickets for this action-packed night of boxing are priced at $150, $125, $100, $50 and $40 (general admission standing room tickets). Tickets may be purchased at the Hard Rock Hotel Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.Ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.

For more information, visit www.kzeventproductions.com or www.goldenboypromotions.com or follow Golden Boy on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing

Whether it’s in the ring or the kitchen Carlos “El Olímpico” Tamara 21-4(15) has been cooking up a storm of late. Last week the Columbian went to The Philippines and as a heavy underdog scored the best win of his career sensationally knocking out home favourite Brian Viloria to claim the IBF Light Flyweight title in the final round whilst narrowly behind on points. Now back in his adopted home of North Bergen, NJ made famous by former Heavyweight champion James J Braddock. He’s enjoying life and hoping to do just the same as Braddock and provide a better life for his family. He may only weight 108 pounds but Tamara certainly doesn’t starve himself when not in camp. The mighty mite who by his own admission loves to spend time in the kitchen cooking knock out food for all the family. It’s just one of a number of things he does to care for his family. To go on the road to another country the other side of the world and win a world title and in dramatic fashion says a lot about a fighter and you get the impression that this is just the beginning of what may just be another Cinderella story. James J Braddock would be proud.

Hello Carlos, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – Firstly congratulation’s on winning the IBF Light Flyweight. What can you tell us about that fight?

Carlos Tamara – Thank You. It was a very hard fight and a fight that I knew shortly after I signed the contract that I would have to be in the best shape of my life and I was not wrong about that. Viloria is a very, very, very good fighter and very strong.

Anson Wainwright – Looking back how proud do you feel now about that win? Have you received any congratulations as yet from your homeland?

Carlos Tamara – I feel very proud and I have to thank my team. (Butch Sanchez, Angel De Jesus, Nelson Fernandez and my promoter Universal and it’s president Javier Bustillo) Yes, I have gotten a lot of phone calls from my country and they are all waiting for me to go back so they can congratulate me in person and give me a giant party.

Anson Wainwright – It’s always tough to go on the road and take the title you did this and showed a huge heart by stopping a great champion Viloria late in the twelfth. This is likely something that has been instilled in your from a young age. Can you tell us a bit about growing up in Columbia and how it took you on your path into Boxing?

Carlos Tamara – Thank You it was a great opportunity and Viloria gave me that opportunity and I thank him for that and hopefully he will come back and show everyone why he is one of the best in this business. It’s funny you ask me about how it was instilled from a young age by my mother and father and they did the same when we moved from Sincelejo to Barranquilla when I was 12 and that opened the path for my boxing because when I got to Barranquilla for 3 years I was getting beat up by kids so I decided I better learn something QUICK or they going to kill me and I took up boxing.

Anson Wainwright – You had a very impressive amateur career that saw you fight in the 2004 Olympics can you tell us about this experience? What titles you won in the amateur’s and what your final record was?

Carlos Tamara – Never thought I could get there as an amateur but my silver medals in the Pan Am Games got me to the Olympics and I was very happy but back then I did not think I could win a medal or even place. I won my first fight and I thought I won my second fight but the judges and the point system did not favour me.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us who your team is your manager/trainer & promoter and where you regularly train?

Carlos Tamara – My team is Butch Sanchez and Angel De Jesus my main trainers, my manager is Nelson Fernandez and he oversees all of the training and strategy for training and the fights and my promoter is Universal Promotions in Ponce, Puerto Rico. We train five days a week at the Bergen County PAL in Hackensack, New Jersey and when we are close to fight day we train 6 days. For the Viloria fight we trained even on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day there were no breaks for that fight.

Anson Wainwright – You live in New Jersey now, what brought about you moving from Columbia?

Carlos Tamara – Needed to be here in the USA were the purses were more lucrative and the training a lot better, sparring and everything is a lot better in the USA.

Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do away from Boxing?

Carlos Tamara – I like to write and listen to music and I’m an excellent cook as well maybe someday you can come over and I will make you a nice Bandeja Paisa.
.

A dish from Antioquia, it is made with several ingredients making necessary to use a platter (Bandeja in Spanish, hence the name). it is made of beans, rice, fried eggs, chorizo pork rinds and other ingredients.
As well as my family’s specialty TAMALES.
A corn “cake” is wrapped in a banana leaf and steamed. They can be filled with everything from chicken, potatoes, peas, carrots, to rice. Many consider the Tamales from Tolima, which are made with a female pig, a roast pig, to be the best.

Anson Wainwright – Though you have only just won the title. What do you hope to be able to achieve with the title?

Carlos Tamara – Be able to give my family a nicer house and a better life for my 2 daughters, my mother, my father and my 5 siblings.

Anson Wainwright – Who’s the best fighter you have fought in either the pro’s or amateur’s and why? How did the fight go?

Carlos Tamara – THE VERY BEST WITHOUT A DOUBT BRIAN THE HAWAIIAN PUNCH VILORIA – HE IS AWESOME!

Anson Wainwright – What do you make of the other champions at 108 WBC Rodel Mayol, former opponent WBA Giovanni Segura & WBO Ivan Calderon?

Carlos Tamara – They are all extremely good and that is the reason they are World Champions – Rodel Mayol paid his dues and had a few cracks at the title and finally did it – I like that! Giovanni Segura, a good fighter, very strong, very intelligent, tremendous team and very respectful champion. Ivan Calderon “the very best of all times” when we all get old and a little heavier we are going to then appreciate his talents, determination and domination of this weight division – FUTURE HALL OF FAME! My manager’s favourite fighter of all times!

Anson Wainwright – Who was your hero growing up?

Carlos Tamara – My mother and father who always gave us everything! Even if times were bad we had a good life.

Anson Wainwright – Do you have a message for your fans in North Bergen, NJ & back in Columbia? Also do you have a message for Brian Viloria who was hurt after the fight?

Carlos Tamara – Thank You so much for all of the support everyone has given me in the past and present and hopefully in the future. We tried to go and visit him in the hospital in Manila and his manager Gary Gittelsohn told us that was not necessary because he was OK and that he was going to make sure that we were concerned with his well being. Brian Viloria is a TREMENDOUS FIGHTER and he should stick to this game and I can guarantee that he will again become World Champion – he is AWESOME.

Congratulations again & thanks for your time.

Thank You very much for the time and the great questions.

Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, The historic heavyweight bout between former undisputed Heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield and Francois Botha slated for Uganda has been postponed and may be revived in the United States.

Holyfield’s Feb. 20 fight against Francois Botha in Kampala, Uganda, is off and plans are in the works to reschedule it, the former heavyweight champion told ESPN.com on Wednesday.

Holyfield was scheduled to face South Africa’s Botha in a 12-round bout at Nelson Mandela Stadium, where organizers predicted a crowd of 80,000. However, Holyfield said the promoter failed to make a scheduled payment, forcing him to scrap the idea of going to Africa.

“I’m not going over,” Holyfield said. “We’re moving the fight to the States, but they haven’t got a site yet. But I’m still supposed to fight Botha.”

Ken Sanders, Holyfield’s manager, told ESPN.com that Miami was a possible location for the fight. He also said that besides trying to reschedule the Botha bout, Holyfield would also fight April 24 in Las Vegas.

“But the guy never did come up with the money,” Holyfield said. “They were supposed to pay us before we went over there, put the money in an escrow account. And they missed the payment. Three months we been waiting and we never did get it. So we made the decision.”

“We sat down and had a good conversation and I asked Evander if he wanted to do this and he said he did,” Sanders said. “I asked his trainer, Tommy Brooks, the same thing and he said he’ll have no problem, that Evander just needed two or three weeks after the first fight and he’ll be ready to go for the second one. He’s already in great shape.”

Between Holyfield’s age — 47 — and the number of rounds he’s boxed professionally, it could be difficult for him to get a license in Nevada, where the commission has rigorous standards. However, Sanders said he was not worried about it.

“He’ll pass all the tests,” Sanders said. “I’m not concerned.”

Holyfield said he was looking forward to fighting in Uganda.

“I was kind of excited about it when they talked about 80,000 people,” he said. “The point is to be able to go to different parts of the world. The U.S. is a great place to fight, but it’s not the world.”

“There are so many places that want to have the fight,” he said. “We’re trying to find out the best place.”

When asked about his weight and Cruiserweight vs. Heavyweight:

“This weight is natural for me, very comfortable. I am eating more, I am not hungry. For the fight maybe I will weigh what I weigh today, 222lbs. This is my natural weight. This time I am happier when I go into training.”

“Cruiserweight was more difficult for me. I always had a problem getting to the weight, especially when I was 175. I feel very good at this weight. I feel faster. The difference in training is the sparring partners are heavier, 240, 250lbs. But I feel stronger because my weight is natural.”

“My dream is to be champion in the heavyweight division. Estrada is a good boxer; but I am serious about this fight. I need to win. It is very important in order to move up for a heavyweight title.” “Estrada is a technical boxer. If I see opportunity to knock him out I will, but if not, I prepared to go 12 rounds.”

When asked who would he like to fight next:

“I will fight everybody. We have this fight on February 6th right now I concentrate on that. Maybe in April Arreola, we will see. Maybe a one more fight after that and then I will ready for a championship fight. Right now I must win against Estrada.”

“Every guy when he comes into the ring wants to win, but I believe I will win this fight. I am stronger, I am healthy. When I am healthy I am very fast. I have power. I feel good!”

Jason Estrada commented that you will have a problem with his hand speed:

Tomasz – “I’m fast too! I think I am stronger. He must know this. My jab is very strong and my right has the most power.”

Commenting about being a local favorite:

“I am so happy to be fighting at Prudential Center. I feel like this is my second home. My first home is in Poland. But now my second home in United States is Prudential Center. I won my second belt here, Cruiserweight, but I need to win 1 more belt here, Heavyweight. There are many Polish people in this area. I am happy when I come back to Prudential.”

Comments from Trainer, Andrew Gmitruk – “You know Estrada is a big guy with a very special style, but Tomasz Adamek is very quick, very comfortable. He is very strong. He is extremely well conditioned. We expect a hard fight, but we expect to win this fight.”

“Adamek has extremely good movement. It comes from the body, from the legs. His speed is like light heavyweight or middleweight division. Good left hook and right hand. He has not lost his speed or coordination (stepping up to heavyweight). Every day he is getting stronger. He is very well conditioned. I think he is a complete boxer now. Most heavyweights have lost the power, the coordination, and the speed. They are only thinking about the hard punch. Tomasz has everything together with the hard punch. That is why I think he is very dangerous for everybody in the heavyweight division.”

Tomasz Adamek and his trainer Andrew Gmitruk responded to Jason Estrada comments

Trainer Andrzej Gmitruk about the “who has fastest hands, disrespecting” issue:

“It’s not about who has fastest hands. It’s about who has the quicker mind in the ring. I have no doubts that both answers are the same: Adamek. We are not disrespecting Jason – on the contrary – we know how important this fight is if Tomek wants to be a world champion. He (Estrada) wants to play a spoiler role, but it does not work against somebody with such a strong psyche and determination like Adamek. Maybe Estrada wanted to be disrespected; maybe he was hoping we are not serious about this fight. Unfortunately for him – we are dead serious”.

Adamek:

“I just smiled when I read Jason quotes. First of all I had no idea he has so much free time on his hands to pay such close attention to what I’m saying and who I’m sparring against. I on the other hand have no idea who he is sparring with and have no desire to know it. I just don’t care. I care about my training camp, my preparation. Maybe he has to speak with one of my three sparring partners, 18-1, 15 KO, Travis Kauffman, who could not believe how fast and accurate I can be in the ring.“

THE FIGHT BETWEEN ADAMEK AND ESTRADA WILL BE STREAMED LIVE ON WWW.GOFIGHTLIVE.TV ON SATURDAY FEBRUARY 6TH AT 8PM EASTERN FOR A PRICE OF JUST $9.99 BY CLICKING:

http://www.gofightlive.tv/showEvent.do?event=581

On Saturday 13 February Frank Warren presents “The Night of the Champions” from Wembley Arena in London. In total 9 bouts are currently scheduled. With Nathan Cleverly, Kevin Mitchell, Danny Williams featuring in title action plus an Olympic Gold medallist as well as World Amateur champion & several of the top prospects..

In one of the three headline bouts Wales Nathan Cleverly 18-0(8) attempt to add the vacant European Light Heavyweight crown his British & Commonwealth titles. He will square off with the tough experienced Italian Antonio Brancalion 32-7-2(8).

It promises to be another step up in class for Maths student Cleverly who will be looking to take the title just days before his 23 birthday. The fight was originally due to take place in Italy as Brancalion’s backers had won the purse bid but when the proposed date fell through the fight was added to this already impressive bill.

Cleverly told Frankwarrentv “I’m really excited about this fight because it’s a step up. In 2008 i won the Commonwealth title, in 2009 it was the British and in 2010 hopefully it’ll be the European”

For his part Brancalion 33, will be hoping it’s third time lucky having come up short for the same title against Stipe Drews on points 2006 & in his last fight in June 2009 when he was stopped in one by Juergen Braehmer. Interestingly both Drews & Braemher soon after went onto win world titles.

Popular local Kevin “The Dagenham Destroyer” Mitchell 30-0(22) will be looking to build on his emphatic win over former Amir Khan conqueror Breidis Prescott when he makes the first defence of the WBO Inter Continental Lightweight title against dangerous Columbian Ignacio Mendoza 27-5-2(18).

For Eastender Mitchell it’s a chance to keep busy and maintain his lofty place as WBO number one contender and hopefully get a title opportunity before the years out against either modern day great Juan Manuel Marquez who maintains the honour of full champion though he seems likely to look else where leaving Interim holder Michael Katsidis who is no stranger to a British ring as a very possible future foe for Mitchell.

Mendoza has once previously fought on British shours when he lost an eighth round technical decision to current British Lightweight champion John Murray back in 2005.

In what could be a changing of the guard fight between two Londoners. Danny “The Brixton Bomber” Williams 41-8(31) makes a defence of his British Heavyweight crown against Derek “Del Boy” Chisora 11-0(6).

This fight was originally due last summer before Chisora inexplicably bit Paul Butlin and received a ban that meant the fight was cancelled. However when Sam Sexton pulled out Chisora stepped up to the mantle.

Williams who at 36 is 10 years older than his opponent came up with an amusing anecdote when he told franwarrentv ” Chisora has got a repuation as a bit of a biter, but then so did Mike Tyson and look what happened to him”

Williams has already said that no matter what the result this will be his last fight before he retires. Maybe Williams has one last chapter to add to a storied career that has seen him win British & Commonwealth titles, stun the world when he KO’d Mike Tyson and fight Vitali Klitschko for the WBC Heavyweight title.

The rest of the undercard is made up of 2007 World Championship winner “Funtime” Frankie Gavin who’ll be looking to take improve his 5-0(5) record against grizzled vet Peter McDonagh 14-15(2) who has only been stopped once in those loses & is less than a year from having fought Lenny Daws for the British title.

2008 Olympic Gold medallist James “Chunky” Degale 5-0(3) also gets his 2010 campaign off and running with his first fight in his home town when he takes on Matthew Barr 14-5(6).

Also returning to action are the 3 Walsh Brothers. Liam 6-0(5) fights at Lightweight, while twin brother Ryan 8-0(3) see’s action down at Featherweight. Leaving elder brother Michael 6-0(6) a former ABA champion to fight at super Bantamweight. Opponents will be announced nearer the time.

Kevin Mitchell’s younger brother 22 year old Vinny 11-0(2) rounds out the show at Super Featherweight. No opponent is know as yet.

Ticket are priced at £40, £50, £75, £100 and £150.

They are available at 0871 220 0260 www.seetickets.com & from the venue 0844 815 0815 www.wembleyarena.co.uk.

On Saturday February 6th, Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing will present its “Super Saturday” boxing show, on the eve of the Big Game Sunday, from the Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City, NJ. Headlining the card is Atlantic City’s, Shamone “The Truth” Alvarez (20-2, 11KO) taking on hard hitting, Lou Duva trained, Alexis Camacho (17-2, 16KO) in a ten round welterweight showdown. In the co-feature bout of the evening, exciting heavyweight fan favorite, Vinny Maddalone (32-6, 23KO) squares off against Dominique Alexander (19- 7-1, 9KO) in a heavyweight special attraction. The entire card will be broadcast live on GoFightLive.tv.

Fans can view the show

http://www.gofightlive.tv/showEvent.do?event=589

Fighting for the first time in 2010 will be Star Boxing’s highly touted up and coming prospect Yathomas Riley (7-0, 5KO) when he takes on Walter Foster (4-1, 4KO). The bout is scheduled for six rounds in the light heavyweight division. The 2006 National Golden Gloves, and PAL Champion, has tore through the competition since turning pro in 2008. The Florida native, now living and training in the Bronx, has gained valuable experience serving as one of the lead sparring partners for former light heavyweight champion Glen Johnson on multiple occasions.

Wildwood, New Jersey’s prospect Chuck Mussachio (14-1-2, 5KO) looks to make it back to back victories in Atlantic City when he takes on Richard Dalphone (2-5-3, 2KO) in a six round light heavyweight contest. Mussachio, a Special Education Guidance Counsler at Middle Township High School, last fought in Atlantic City in November, winning an eight round decision over Bobby Rooney, in turn boasting his record to an impressive 9-0-1, when fighting in Atlantic City.

Also on the card, making his fourth straight appearance as a professional in Atlantic City, will be Cape May, New Jersey native, Josh Mercado (3-0, 1KO) taking on Millville, New Jersey’s Ismael Garcia, in Garcia’s pro-debut. Mercado-Garcia is scheduled for four rounds in the welterweight division. Mercado is a Lower Cape May Regional High School alum and former amateur National Collegiate Champion out of Lock Haven University.

Rounding out the card is Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna, making his pro-debut against New York’s Fasika Bezabeh, in a four round middleweight contest. The 18-year-old LaManna, currently in his senior year at Millville High School in New Jersey, turned to boxing at just eight years of age, after previously studying martial arts.

The Tropicana Casino and Resort is located at 2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ and can be contacted by calling 609 340-4000. Tickets are priced at $100 (ringside), $50 and $30 with a limited number of V.I.P. packages available at $200. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Star Boxing office at 718 823- 2000. Tickets may also be purchased at any Ticketmaster outlet, www.ticketmaster.com, or at the Tropicana North Tower Box Office.

ABOUT STAR BOXING:
Star Boxing, Inc. has been in operation since 1992. Star Boxing has worked to produce some of the most exciting and memorable boxing events in recent history. Star has continued to work with and develop a number of very exciting world champions, world rated contenders and young prospects. Star has consistently brought credibility, integrity, and exciting fights to the boxing industry. For more information on Star Boxing, visit the official website at www.starboxing.com.

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NEW YORK (JANUARY 25, 2010)– Hot lightweight prospect “Hammerin” Hank Lundy brought a touch of his Philadelphia fighting to Boston last night, defeating former Cuban amateur standout Richard “El Tigre” Abril by a 10-round split decision, in the “Boston Pop” main event at The Roxy.

Lundy (17-0-1, 10 KOs) remained unbeaten, even though he suffered a knockdown in the midway through the fight, that appeared to be more of a slip causing his glove to briefly hit the canvas. The judges scored 98-91 and 96-94 in favor of Lundy, 95-94 for Abril (12-2-1, 6 KOs).

FANS ALL OVER THE WORLD CAN WATCH THIS GREAT FIGHT FOR $4.99 BY CLICKING:

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“He didn’t frustrate me but he kept moving around,” Lundy said after the fight. “Once he felt my power he ran. I clearly beat him. He didn’t do nothing but hold. That was a slip, not a knockdown. He can’t punch.”

Fans can always witness the co-feature, as power-punching Eddie “Thunder” Caminero lived up to his nickname, stopping Chris Traietti in the second round, after flooring him in the first and later hurting him with a right hand before referee Bob Benoit halted the action.

PROVIDENCE (Jan. 25, 2010) – As he prepares for his February 6 showdown in Newark against former world light heavyweight and cruiserweight champion Tomasz Adamek, 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada’s nose is out of place and it doesn’t have anything to do with sparring sessions gone wrong.

Estrada (15-2, 3 KOs) feels disrespected by Team Adamek but not, surprisingly, for Adamek looking past him to a reported April 24 fight against Chris Arreola, rather their apparent belief that Adamek (39-1, 27 KOs) has faster hands than Estrada, whose lightning-like hand speed for a 240-pound heavyweight has been his calling card.

“Looking past me towards Arreola doesn’t really bother me,” Estrada said. “I think it’s silly and they’ll hear about it after the fight. I never talk too much but I’m going to talk like never before after this fight. I hope they keep thinking about fighting somebody else. I’m keeping track of everything and got names of people to talk about after I beat Adamek. I’m going to shutdown his plans.

“I’m in the gym with sparring partners that are similar to him – tough, stand-up with decent hand speed. They made a big mistake offering me this fight and an even bigger mistake thinking he has faster hands than me. I’ve heard that they’ve brought in guys to work with who are big but don’t have fast hands. That makes me laugh. How, all of a sudden is he going to have faster hands than me? I am bigger, stronger, faster, quicker and younger than him. I’m just a better all-around fighter.”

Estrada also notes that he’s never been down and Adamek was floored twice as a light heavyweight. “I know he likes to pressure his opponents but how is he going to do that against a bigger guy like me,” Estrada rhetorically asked. “I’m a heavyweight, not a light heavyweight. I’ve never taken big hits like he has. They say he has a great chin, but so do I, and we know he has been hurt at least twice….by light heavyweights! They weren’t flash knockdowns, either. I’ve never been hurt in my whole career. I don’t see him changing his come forward, tough guy style at this stage. He was a good light heavyweight, good cruiserweight, but I’m a real heavyweight.”

Providence-native Estrada was one of the most highly decorated American amateur boxers ever, compiling an amazing 261-14 record in U.S. competition. He was the first boxer to win both the U.S. Nationals and U.S. Challenge three years (2001-2003) in a row.

During his 5-year pro career, the 29-year-old Estrada has beaten solid heavyweights such as Lance Whitaker, Zuri Lawrence, Derek Bryant, Charles Sufford and Robert Hawkins. Adamek’s lone win as a heavyweight, Estrada noted, was against an over-the-hill Andrew Golota.

“Jason has had his best training camp,” his promoter Jimmy Burchfield (Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc.) remarked. “He’s never been in better shape, mentally or physically. He’s going to surprise a lot of people February 6th. Not me, though; I’ve always believed in him and I know what he’s capable of doing.”

By fight night, Estrada will have trained a full eight weeks for “Heavy Artillery,” much longer than ever before, and “Big Six” doesn’t mind fighting in Adamek’s backyard. “Training camp has been smooth,” Jason explained. “I’ve never had this much time to prepare for a fight, maybe five weeks and a couple of days, at best. There’s been plenty of time to get over little physical problems suffered in camp, not like in the past when I’d go straight from doing very little to hard training. I’m much more comfortable than I’ve ever been because of this extended time in camp. Mentally, it really helps.

“This is a big fight for me. Beating Adamek should take me to where I thought I’d be by now in the heavyweight division. Fighting in front of all his Polish fans doesn’t bother me at all. I’ve never had a problem being the villain. His fans will have nothing to do with the fight. It’s just going to be me and him in the ring. I’m half Puerto Rican with a lot of family, friends and fans coming to the fight, especially from New Jersey and New York. I know there will be a lot more Polish fans there for him, but my Hispanic fans will be loud, too.”

PHILADELPHIA (JANUARY 25, 2010)–When Coy Evans went to a nearby gym in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, he was looking for a hobby. Nearly ten years later that hobby has turned serious and Evans looks to be the next in the long line of potential world champions from the “City of Brotherly Love”

Evans went to the gym at age sixteen where he was looking for a hobby. One thing led to another and Evans started his amateur career.

Evans had an outstanding record of 42-3 and won Philadelphia Novice Golden Glove tournaments between 2001-2004 and Evans decided to turn professional.

Coy Evans has established himself as one of the top prospects in boxing talent rich Philadelphia. The Featherweight turned pro on October 22nd, 2004 with a four round majority decision over Edward Valdez at The Legendary Blue Horizon.

Evans then sat on the sidelines for four years as other fighters continued to get opportunities.

“It was hard to get fights with no management behind me”, said Evans.

“I quit a couple of times out of frustration but I am not a quitter so I knew if I stuck it out good things would start to happen”

Evans then hooked up with E & M management team consist ting of Eddie Woods and Moz Gonzalez.

The management duo have been managing fighters for the better part of two decades and almost instantly young Evans started getting fights.

The first fight after the hiatus, he came back to score a four round unanimous decision over Elias Castillo .

In that fight, Evans had some ring rust and showed his inexperience but was able to push through for the victory.

After a disputed draw with Jason Rorie, Evans began to regained focus and started a run of four straight wins that was culminated by a second round stoppage over the durable Vineash Rungea on January 15th, 2009 at The Arena in Philadelphia

“I knew I had power. I wasn’t sitting down on my punches and combined with my hand speed I believe that more knockouts will start to come”

Evans has quickly developed two reputations. first being that he may have the fastest hands in Philadelphia and the other being that he has become a man that nobody wants to fight.

“Finally good things are starting to happen”, said Evans

“I was sitting back and now it’s my turn”

Gonzalez agrees with his fighter.

“He deserves it. This year will be a real stay busy year for Coy and he will finally start to get recognition I know he deserves as one of the best up and coming Featherweights anywhere. He is such a good kid. He works, goes to the gym and goes home.”

Evans works as an assistant to an attorney in Center City Philadelphia. He has a six year old daughter and just recently, Evans inked his first endorsement deal as he is now is sponsored by Unleashed Beverage Company and is also promoted by Greg Robinson’s Power Productions.

Before you put all your money on the single toss of Yuriorkis Gamboa over Juan Manuel Lopez in a featherweight superfight, consider this: Gamboa just razed a guy with 13 losses coming up (or not) from a weight class below; Lopez just rose four pounds to take the WBO belt from a titlist with one career loss. Sobriety is warranted.

But not much. Gamboa’s ruination of Rogers Mtagwa in their WBA featherweight title tilt at Madison Square Garden’s theater, Saturday, was a good show. It was improved by Gamboa’s needing only 5 1/2 minutes to stop Mtagwa, a feat Lopez didn’t pull off in 36.

Lopez, for his part, was not idle. In the main event of HBO’s “Boxing After Dark” doubleheader, “Juanma” outfought Steven Luevano to claim a second title in as many weight classes, stopping the veteran Californian at 0:44 of round seven.

The more telegenic display belonged to Gamboa. Every time he saw Mtagwa’s right shoulder twitch for a cross, Gamboa fired a left hook. And he didn’t miss. Mtagwa was a pitiable target for the fight’s duration, leading referee Steve Smoger’s TKO signal to get the old “merciful” label.

How much was Mtagwa affected by what he and Lopez did to one another in October? Why didn’t Mtagwa come within 3 1/2 pounds of the featherweight limit for this fight? Good questions, both. But we’re not much interested in the answers. We’re interested in how Gamboa’s undoing of Mtagwa helps ensure Gamboa’s next opponent is Lopez. Saturday’s action helped.

Puerto Ricans were always going to turn out for Lopez in a world title fight. Now many of us can turn out for Gamboa, a 126-pound Cuban version of Mike Tyson with better habits in the ring and out.

Thoughts of Tyson had to have gone through a few minds Saturday. The spite for an opponent’s primitive skills combined with well-leveraged short hooks, quick feet and a brutal ending. Such thoughts will go through many more minds if Gamboa finds a way to make Juanma into Michael Spinks – a prospect by no means impossible and by all means unlikely.

Because he’s been kept on Top Rank pay-per-view undercards and long lacked a ringside identity, Steven Luevano has not been properly appreciated. By extension, few fans will credit Lopez properly for what he just did. Luevano hasn’t concussive power, incalculable speed or impenetrable defense. But he has wiles. And he’d had class enough to make it through six title fights without being beaten, much less stopped. He was not, then, the sort of prizefighter you hammer with a right uppercut.

Yet that’s what Lopez did early in the seventh round. Once he saw Luevano’s chin rise and eyes grow, Lopez, a southpaw, threw a left cross, stepped his back foot to the front, and blasted Luevano with a right hook. That was a finisher’s move.

Lopez had a lot of reminding to do Saturday, and he accomplished most of it. But after Rogers Mtagwa took him cruising up and down “queer street” – that GPS coordinate old timers employed before there was GPS – just 105 days ago, Lopez now has a somewhat scuffed image in most serious fans’ minds. That’s fine.

We turn to the fairer sex for an idea about scuffing things. Women have a learned distrust for the smooth. Dollar bills and shoe soles, specifically. Until you’ve roughed-up a newly minted bill, it has an unfortunate tendency to adhere to other bills. And until you’ve roughed up the underside of a sole, it has a dangerous tendency to treat dust and water like ice. Both bills and shoes, though, retain their value long after you’ve scuffed them.

Lopez is now scuffed and trustworthy. We know that when he is semiconscious from fatigue and blows to the head, his impulse is to swim at an opponent, forsaking unreliable reflexes and raising the stakes for both men.

Norm Frauenheim captured something like this idea a few years ago in The Arizona Republic when he wrote “undefeated is untested” then disqualified any unvanquished fighter from his all-time Top 5 list. There’s wisdom in that, which is probably why it incites young fans.

About a decade ago when Roy Jones Jr. terrified civil servants in the light heavyweight division, RJJ was fond of dismissing fans’ pleas for larger challenges by saying, “Y’all just wanna see me bleed.” Today he wishes he could have those bloodless days back.

While it behooves managers and promoters to demand the highest pay for the slightest risk, ultimately it cheats both fighters and aficionados. If you are a fan of prizefighting – not merely your favorite prizefighter’s cheerleader – you want to see a fighter bloodied, roughed up, scuffed. It reveals his character and worthiness of your devotion.

If you love an athlete too much to bear the sight of his being bludgeoned by another man’s fists, that’s understandable. Boxing isn’t your sport.

To date, Yuriorkis Gamboa has been dropped several times but never hurt. He’s taken a fantastic amateur career and used its lessons to see wide openings and exploit them completely. Gamboa has not yet had to create openings against an equal. He’s not yet had to clip someone like Steven Luevano with a right uppercut in the seventh round of a competitive fight. Does Gamboa know how to do this? Yes. Can he land that punch on a veteran titlist? We have no idea.

But we should desperately want to find out. Gamboa contends Juan Manuel Lopez is not in his category, and he may be right. It’s hard to think of anyone currently at 126 pounds who’s better capable of matching Gamboa’s speed, power, technique and experience than Lopez, though.

If Lopez-Gamboa happens, even with Vazquez-Marquez IV already on the docket, there’s good reason to think it will be the best mix of violence, class and consequence we see in 2010.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter.com/bartbarry

Photo by Chris Farina/ Top Rank

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com,. former three-divison world champion Erik Morales will comeback after a two and a half year retirement to take on former Lightweight beltholder Jose Alfaro on March 27 in Mexico.

“I think he’ll sell pretty good, but not like he did last time,” Said Nacho Huizar, who will co=promote the fight along with Morales, referring to Morales’ onetime position as a significant pay-per-view attraction.

“After I heard he was going to come back, he called me and begged me to be his partner,” Huizar said. “It’s an honor to me for him to pick me. If I don’t do it, somebody else will.”

Morales-Alfaro will be televised in the United States via Integrated Sports pay-per-view.

“We’ll see what happens,” said Huizar, who said he promoted Morales’ first five pro fights before Morales went on to become a major star under the guidance of co-promoters Top Rank and Fernando Beltran’s Zanfer Promotions.

“That’s it,” Morales said at the time of his loss to then WBC Lightweight champion David Diaz . “No more fighting. I am done. Too many punches, particularly to the head area.”

15Rounds.com Matt Yanofsky caught up with with unified 122 lb champion Celestino Caballero at Saturday night’s Lopez/Gamboa doubleheader
interview-with-celestino-caballero