On September 19th Floyd Mayweather’s successful return to the ring was interrupted by a welterweight champion who commanded the respect of the boxing world by demanding Mayweather face him. The best move for Mayweather at the time seemed naturally to be taking on Manny Pacquiao. I don’t think I need to go into how Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fell apart, but it’s clear that if one man benefited from the debacle it was Shane Mosley. Mosley will have an opportunity to grab his largest pay day to date, and grab the boxing world’s respect by taking on the best in the sport on May 1. Here is a breakdown of what looks to be the toughest bout of both fighters’ careers.

Mayweather
40-0 (25 KO’s)
Age: 33
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
Notable wins: Juan Manuel Marquez, Ricky Hatton, Oscar De La Hoya, Zab Judah, Diego Corrales, Jose Luis Castillo

Shane Mosley
46-5 (39 ko’s)
Age: 38
Hometown: Pomona, California
Notable wins: Oscar De La Hoya 2x, Fernando Vargas, Antonio Margarito, Ricardo Mayorga
Notable losses: Winky Wright (twice), Vernon Forrest (twice), Miguel Cotto
Speed/Athleticism

This fight is nothing short of comparing a Ferrari to a Lamborghini. I don’t care that both fighters are well into their 30’s both men are capable of blinding combination, and both have solid reputations as gym rats. Mosley at his peak is one of the fastest fighters of my lifetime pound for pound, and he showed the world he isn’t slowing down when he dismantled Antonio Margarito in 2009.

Floyd’s hands on the pads are a sight to be seen, and at this point in his life he probably is faster than Shane, but athletically I think Mosley may have more tools. Strength and speed are a deadly combination and I think Mosley still has a world of both. It’s not often I’d give another man the edge over Mayweather in this category but I think Shane at his own weight is the guy to take it.
Advantage: Mosley by razor thin margin

Matt’s Take: Mosley-Mayweather was always a fantasy match up amongst fight fans, especially as the latter rose to the top of pound for pound lists. Shane was always one of the few men who could match him athletically. Both had lightning fast hands and were elite natural athletes. The two are arguably the most gifted fighters in the last 15 years with all due respects to Roy Jones Jr. and Manny Pacquiao. As of their last bout, both had their athleticism and speed in tact. Unfortunately for Mosley, 39, his last bout was almost a year and a half ago.

By watching HBO’s award winning 24/7 series, it is evident that Shane has aged considerably since we saw him demolish disgraced Antonio Margarito in January 09 and fighters don’t improve athletically in their late 30’s. This gives me every reason to believe that there will be SOME repercussions on fight night, especially considering who will be standing across the ring from him.

Whether you like it or not, Mayweather has shown few (if any) signs of slowing down. The snappy jab and famed shoulder roll were intact when he fought Marquez, so without serious aging issues or injuries, expect his elite athleticism to be full in effect.

Advantage: Mayweather

Power
If there is one category Shane takes the cake in its power. The fight is at 147, where Mosley has dropped some major names. A Dazzling left hook that stretched both Vargas, and Mayorga is an image that stands out when weighing Shane’s power, and that’s a weapon Floyd will have to look out for.

Mayweather is not known for his power. Despite knocking out Ricky Hatton, and putting Marquez on the canvas Mayweather probably won’t be banking on knocking Mosley out. I’m not saying he doesn’t have the ability, but with his prowess Mayweather’s best bet is aiming for a 12 round outclassing of his foe.

Advantage: Mosley

Matt’s Take: Even if my observation about Mosley’s aging is correct, anybody that knows boxing will tell you that the last thing a fighter loses is his power; just ask Michael Moorer, who was knocked out by a 45 year old George Foreman. From lightweight to junior middleweight, Sugar Shane exemplifies what “Pound for Pound” punching power.

He has the ability to finish a fight with either hand and his last two bouts ended in dramatic knockouts, putting both Ricardo Mayorga and Margarito to sleep impressively. Against Mayweather, Mosley must use his biggest advantage if he hopes to be victorious; power.

The majority of Mayweather’s offense is jabs and counter shots, giving him little opportunity to knockout a naturally bigger opponent. Mayweather’s two knockouts above 140 lbs came against blown up (perhaps literally in Ricky Hatton’s case) opponents. He was unable to hurt Carlos Baldomir, Zab Judah or Oscar De La Hoya and deep down, the six division champion knows this category isn’t one he takes the nod in.

Advantage: Mosley

Defense/Chin

Mayweather’s best weapon is his own defense. When he is in the zone he is virtually un-hittable. Mayweather’s patented shoulder roll defense has been giving opponents headaches for years and that will be Mosley’s egg to crack on May 1.

The category is defense and chin, Mosley showed the world he has a chin when he fought Miguel Cotto in 2007, but it’s hard to make up ground in this category on one of this era’s great defensive fighters. Floyd’s elusiveness could very well end up being the storyline Saturday night and with that said this category belongs to him.
Advantage: Mayweather

Matt’s Take: Mayweather’s defensive abilities rank alongside fighters such as Willie Pep and Pernell Whitaker as the greatest ever. His tremendous movement, aforementioned reflexes and shifty shoulder roll are yet to fail him. This has helped him steer clear of danger throughout his career and he has rarely been hit flush.

Mosley’s chin is amongst the best and he was only dropped twice in his 52 fight career while standing up to punchers like Fernando Vargas, Ricardo Mayorga, Antonio Margarito and Miguel Cotto. He is usually found standing directly in front of his opponent but tremendous ring awareness and staying on his toes help him avoid punches. Defensively, he is no Mayweather, but is adequate.

Advantage: Mayweather

Heart
If there is one thing we don’t know about Floyd its how would he react when he’s under fire. Mayweather’s defense is so remarkable he has not honestly been in a firefight and hasn’t had an opportunity to show the world his heart. Mosley on the other hand has shown a number of different sides, including brawler. His fight with Cotto should serve as a prime example of what the man is willing and able to go through.

It’s hard to fathom one fighter losing a category based on his excellence in another but that is exactly what is happening right now. Shane Mosley wins the heart category by default, because it’s an asset Floyd has never had to use.
Advantage: Mosley

Matt’s Take: Mayweather’s only true test under pressure was in his first fight with Jose Luis Castillo. Many considered his antics unsatisfactory due to his inability to deal with adversity down the stretch. Outside of a few rough rounds against Castillo, his exceptional skills have cleared him free of anything more than an in fight hand injury. He has never been completely knocked off his feet as a pro, yet to bleed and outside of being briefly buzzed by Demarcus Corley many years ago, hasn’t had to fight in danger. Mayweather deserves the world of credit for being able to avoid danger all these years, but at the same time, his heart remains a big question mark.

Mosley has never backed down in a fight. His ability to take shots and keep on coming is a major attribution to his heart. He stood directly in front of some of boxing’s best and is yet to be phased. Being able to overcome distractions from a nasty, well publicized divorce prior to dominating Margarito also earns him major kudos.

Advantage: Mosley
Experience

Both have taken part in highly publicized fights, and shared the ring with only the best over the past five years. Mosley has tasted victory and defeat, whereas Mayweather has seen only success. When a fight of this magnitude goes down, I almost feel like experience goes out the window.

When you have stared down Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquiao and even Ricky Hatton you’ve peaked. Both Shane Mosley and Floyd Mayweather have fought on the biggest possible stage over the course of their careers and both have been to this dance before. Neither fighter’s experience will make a difference come May 1.

Advantage: Draw

Matt’s Take: Simply put, Mayweather and Mosley, two of boxing’s top fighters in the last 15 years, have fought some of the biggest names to get to the top. Collectively they have faced Oscar De La Hoya (three times), Winky Wright (twice), Vernon Forrest (twice), Fernando Vargas (twice), Jose Luis Castillo (twice), Miguel Cotto, Diego Corrales, Ricky Hatton, Arturo Gatti, Antonio Margarito, Zab Judah and Juan Manuel Marquez. If this were chess, it would be a stalemate.

Advantage: Draw

Verdict

Shane Mosley is one of the greatest fighters of this era, and possibly of all time, but on May 1 he will face a fighter that is in that same category, and five years younger. Mayweather opponents are almost automatically labeled underdogs, but I don’t think there has been one as live as Mosley. Live as he may be, Shane is still an underdog.

If Floyd brings his A game I don’t feel like anyone in the world can beat him, and if you expect anything less than his a game for this bout you are mistaken. I see Floyd showing up in one of the toughest fights of his career and coming out on top again. Mosley will make it a war, and probably get the respect he’s sought in what may be one of his final appearances. Mayweather meanwhile will pick up a major victory and some heavy negotiating leverage for a bout with Manny Pacquiao.
Mayweather UD

Matt’s Take: Mayweather has plenty of advantages. His body is fresher. He is younger. His last bout was more recent than Mosley’s. But something tells me Sugar Shane is going to pull out one for the ages. This bout has been proposed for years and a victory moves either fighter up on the all time pound for pound list. With the huge fight just days away, Mosley is humble as always, while Mayweather is cocky as ever. Physically, Mayweather has plenty of reasons to be, as he looks to be in perfect form, but there is one major x-factor Sugar Shane has that Floyd doesn’t; Nazim Richardson.
Richardson has long been boxing’s most underrated trainer, as few give him the proper credit for helping Bernard Hopkins expose previously unbeaten opponents in Felix Trinidad and Kelly Pavlik. Those that know Richardson will tell you that he is more prepared than any trainer in the world. In his lone appearance working with Mosley, he helped him upset the highly favored Antonio Margarito in what many considered the best performance of his career.

Richardson and Mosley will be the team to figure out Mayweather’s seemingly unbeatable style, and while Shane may get outboxed in the early going, he will be the first man to really catch “Pretty Boy” Floyd. Expect to see Mosley use feints followed by right hands to bust up Mayweather’s shoulder roll. Enough clean shots from Mosley are enough to end any opponent’s night, including Floyd Mayweather, who will get stopped in one of the most storied victories in boxing history.
Mosley by late stoppage

Former two division world champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero stepped up to the lightweight division that culminated a turbulent three months of his life by scoring a decisive eighth round stoppage over Roberto Arrietta in a scheduled ten round bout at the Tropicana in Las Vegas.

Guerrer dominated the bout as he dropped Arrietta three times including the first knockdown from a right hook in round two. Guerrero was effective was his straight left hand and that was the punch of choice that dropped Arrietta in the third round. Arrietta was game but outclassed and his night came to an end in round eight as he was dropped in the opening seconds from a hard straight left. Guerrero wasted no time and jumped over his wounded foe that forced referee Jay Nady to stop the fight just twenty-nine seconds into the contest.

Guerrero, 135 lbs of Gilroy, CA has been through turmoil in recent months as his wife Casey has had a relapse of Leukemia that she has been battling courageouslyover the last couple of years.

Guerrero is now 26-1 with eighteen knockouts and could possibly be eying a third world title as he could be in line to face the winner of the much anticipated rematch of the 2009 fight of the year between Juan Manuel Marquez and Juan Diaz that will take place on July 31st just yards away at The Mandalay Bay.

Arrietta, 134 lbs of Santa Rosa, Argentina is now 35-16-4.

“I feel great and wanted to get some rounds in. I made a statement at 135 and I want the winner of Marquez-Diaz”, said Guerrero.

“This fight means alot to me. Casey’s fight is for her life. I just had fun in there.”

Toddy Junior and Rene Torres fought to a four round majority draw in a Jr. Lightweight bout.

Scores were 39-37 for Torres and 38-38 on two cards.

Junior, 129 lbs of Las Vegas was cut over the left eye in round two is now 2-0-1. Torres, 129 lbs of Los Angeles is now 0-1-1.

In a four round Lightweight bout, Abner Cotto scored a unanimous decision over Juan Sandavol.

Scores were 40-36 on all cards for Cotto, 133 lbs of Caguas, PR who is now 7-0. Sandavol, 131 lbs of San Bernandino, CA is now 1-3.

Cotto is the cousin of former two-division world champion Miguel Cotto and Jose Miguel Cotto, who fights tomorrow night against unbeaten Saul Alvarez on the Mayweather – Mosley PPV undercard

Heralded prospect Frankie Gomez scored a second round stoppage over Ricardo Malfavon in a scheduled four round bout.

Gomez dropped Malfavon with a hard right early in round two and followed up with a barrage of punches that had referee Russell Mora stop the bout at 1:06 of round two.

Juan Velasquez scored a four round unanimous decision over Robert Gullien in a Featherweight bout.

Velasquez, 126 lbs of Guaynabo, PR won by scores of 40-36 on all cards and is now 10-1.

Gullien, 124 lbs of Glendale, AZ is now 5-7-3.

Former U.S. Olympic bronze medlaist Deontay Wilder notched his tenth consecutive stoppage in bizarre fashion as he and Alvaro Morales got tangled up in round three of their scheduled eight round Heavyweight bout.

When the two fighters tangled, Morales fell to the ground and was down for several minutes. When he got to his feet he was willing to continue but his corner threw in the towel at 1:23 of round three.

Up until that point, Wilder looked very raw and unimpressive but the 219 lb Wilder of Tuscaloosa, AL is now 10-0. Morales, 291 lbs of Las Vegas is now 4-8-5.
Gomez, 140 lbs of Los Angeles is 2-0 with bot wins coming by knockout. Malfavon, 143 lbs of Santa Ana, CA is 0-2.

LAS VEGAS – Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns were two of the defining faces of the 1980s. Floyd Mayweather Jr. calls himself the face of boxing, better than Sugar Ray Robinson and Muhammad Ali and presumably better than either Leonard or Hearns.

To Leonard and Hearns, however, that Mayweather face looks like a beaten one if it had come along during their era.

“I really think Floyd would have been too small for us,’’ Hearns said Friday at a news conference that included Leonard, his current friend and old rival. “We were big welterweights.’’

Leonard agreed and added a twist of humor when asked to say how Mayweather would have fared against Hearns.

“I don’t think anybody could have beat Tommy Hearns but me,’’ said Leonard, who scored a 14th round stoppage of Hearns in a 1981 classic and fought him to draw in a 1989 rematch.

There’s some talk that boxing would be better off if Shane Mosley upsets Mayweather Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. It would create other big bouts, including Mosley versus Manny Pacquiao. If Mayweather beats Mosley, there is doubt that he and Pacquiao will ever agree on a deal. Talks for a Pacquiao-Mayweatherfight in March fell apart over Mayweather’s demands for Olympic-style drug testing.

No matter what happens in Mosley-Mayweather, neither Hearns nor Leonard foresee a time that would approach their era, which included Roberto Duran and Marvin Hagler.

“It just happened,’’ Hearns said. “It was nothing we planned. In our day, we couldn’t pick and choose. We couldn’t duck fights. We had to fight the next guy out there. And we always did. That why, that time is remembered, even now.’’

LAS VEGAS – There wasn’t much to say about the weigh-in. In fact, Floyd Mayweather Jr. said nothing at all to Sugar Shane Mosley after the two posed, face-to-face, like a couple of predators waiting for the other one to blink. Mosley said something. But Mayweather, never known for a loss of words, had no counter.

Maybe, there’s nothing left to say. Or, maybe, Mayweather has decided that his next counter will happen tonight in the ring at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

That counter is Mayweather’s most reliable punch. It might be his biggest edge, a reason he is about a 4-to-1 favorite over Mosley in a welterweight fight that has some fans thinking about legends. A couple of those were there for Friday’s ritual trip to the scale. It was impossible to ignore Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns, who battled three decades ago in a welterweight classic.

It’s hard to argue with legends. Mayweather has said, ad nauseum, that he is one. At 40-0, he has numbers that add up to the possibility. But that 0 might as well be a doughnut hole. His unbeaten record, including 25 knockouts, is missing the defining fight that proves he is a worthy successor to Hearns and Leonard. The dangerous Mosley, who has his speed and perhaps more power than he has ever encountered, is the opportunity for him to claim ownership of a legacy he has talked about almost as if it is birthright. For the first time in his career, there’s nothing left to say. There’s just a lot to do.

Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs) looks like the bigger fighter. On the scale Friday, he was — by one pound, 147 to Mayweather’s 146. On a tale of the tape, Mosley is also taller – by one inch, 5-foot-9 to Mayweather’s 5-8. But what we know might not matter. Marks on a tape and indentations on a scale might not measure anything of significance at opening bell. Instead, it’s the unknown that has made this crossroads in the careers for both fighters so intriguing.

Already, there have been signs of some surprising role reversals. Mosley has begun to talk more than Mayweather. It makes you wonder whether more reversals will happen in the ring. Mosley is said to have more power than Mayweather.

“I’ve always had power, even as lightweight and also in this weight class,’’ Mosley said after a weigh-in that attracted a reported crowd of 6,000 fans. “Even in this weight class I’m strong and can knock anybody out.’’

In the beginning, Mosley’s power looms as Mayweather’s biggest test. That, at least, is the conventional wisdom. In the early rounds, a jab followed by a body shot represents an early warning sign for Mayweather. How will he react, especially if the body shot lands often? If the fight is prolonged and the chess match that both say it will be, the early punches figure to be nothing more than pawns on a much bigger board.

Leonard’s 14th-round stoppage of Hearns at Caesars Palace years before the MGM Grand’s addition to the Strip’s neon-lit skyline is memorable for the ebb-and-flow of personalities and punches a conflict that saw the fighters reverse roles. Hearns began as the feared power puncher. Leonard was the boxer. Midway through the fight, however, Hearns became the boxer and Leonard the puncher.

For few days, Mayweather’s surprisingly understated demeanor has hinted that a different kind of fighter might emerge. The hint was there again after the weigh-in.

“It could end in a knockout if he comes in,’’ said Mayweather, who didn’t have to say who would knock out whom in that scenario.

He also didn’t have to say he would finally be the fighter he says he is. With a knockout, Mayweather would break out of his assigned role, which has left him typecast as a fighter primarily concerned about safety. A knockout would prove he can do something else, be something more.

Maybe, even be a legend.

Floyd Mayweather and Shane Mosley weigh-in for their mega showdown this Saturday on PPV

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Floyd Mayweather 146 – Shane Mosley 147
Saul Alvarez 150 – Jose Miguel Cotto 149

HBO Play by Play man Jim Lampley discusses Saturday Night’s showdown between Shane Mosley and Floyd Mayweather

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San Antonio’s Casey Ramos puts on a great performance Thursday night at the Texas Motor Speedway Club in beautiful Ft. Worth, TX. Promoted by Ring Magazines 1999 Fighter of the year, Paulie Ayala. Ramos headlined the five bout card against Angel Rodriguez of Houston, TX.

Ramos started the fight with a thundering right hand lead in the first minutes of round one that sent his opponent helplessly to the canvas and would set the tone for the rest of the fight. Casey was able to show good head movement and body work through out this eight round fight and didn’t seem to lose a round as he controlled the pace of the fight with his hard hooks and right hand leads. Rodriguez could night match the skill and power of Ramos but showed plenty of Mexican Machismo as there was no quit in him despite the onslaught of solid punching done by the San Antonio fighter. Ramos ended the night with a unanimous decision and improved his unblemished record to 11-0.

Former WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight Champion Kirk Johnson was the co-main event attraction as he made his comeback after more than a four year layoff against Douglas Robertson of Longview, TX. Johnson made this a very short night as he TKO’d his out-classed opponent in 1:45 of round number one. It will be very interesting to see if Johnson can make such a mark as he once did in the heavyweight division as he starts his 2010 return.

LAS VEGAS – Interpreting body language is an inexact science at best, but Shane Mosley’s camp thinks it might have detected doubt – perhaps fear — in Floyd Mayweather Jr. at a formal news conference Wednesday before their welterweight confrontation Saturday night at the MGM Grand.

“I didn’t see it, but somebody told me that Floyd turned and flinched,’’ Mosley said of a moment when the two posed for photos in the ritual face-to-face, eyeball-to-eyeball showdown. “I was told he looked a little nervous. Like I said, I didn’t see it. But it’s interesting.’’

In a roundtable with writers Thursday, Mosley and his trainer, Naazim Richardson sounded as if Mayweather’s surprisingly polite appearance was a sign that the pre-fight rounds were at least a draw.

Suddenly, there was none of the usual profane trash-talk from Mayweather, who also can play as many roles as an accomplished actor. At the final news conference, he was so polite he could have been Mosley.

“He was acting like Shane,’’ Richardson said. “He lost those early battles.’’

An accurate nickname
Here’s a very big reason Mayweather calls himself Money:

According to contracts filed with the Nevada State Athletic Commission, Mayweather’s guarantee for Saturday night is $22.5 million. It is the biggest guarantee for a non-heavyweight. Mike Tyson and Buster Douglas had bigger guarantees. Douglas’ contracted guarantee for a 1990 loss to Evander Holyfield was $24 million.

The record for earnings for a single fight is $54 million, which is what Oscar De La Hoya collected after a percentage of pay-per-receipts were added to his check for his loss in 2007 to Mayweather.

Mosley is guaranteed $7 million. Do this Mayweather is making more than three times as much, according to Nevada Commission record. No wonder Richardson said a couple of weeks ago that Mosley was a lousy negotiator.

Putting on a show
Richardson calls Mayweather a genius in the ring. But he also said that Mayweather’s reputation for trash-talk is rooted in his desire to be a showman, which might mask his real character. He behaves in a way he might not if a camera wasn’t pointed at him, Richardson said.

“Point a camera at some guys and they’’ pull their pants down and slap their cheeks against the lense,’’ Richardson said. “If somebody applauds, they’ll do it again.’’

Mayweather has been the star of the Home Box Office’s popular 24/7 series in pre-fight programming.

“24/7 is his show,’’ Richardson said. “Now, he has to win the fight. But on the night of the fight, he has already entertained us.’’

Legendary Marco Antonio Barrera discusses his “comeback” and his thoughts on Saturday night’s Mosley – Mayweather fight

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Welterweight Said Ouali discusses his bout with Hector Saldiva this Saturday night on the Mayweather – Mosley PPV Card

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LAS VEGAS – Junior-welterweight prospect Jose Benavidez Jr. of Phoenix will return to his hometown on July 17 for his first bout since the 17-year-old turned pro on a card Top Rank has scheduled amid controversy over Arizona’s new immigration law, including a World Boxing Council declaration Thursday urging Mexican boxers not to fight in the state.

Top Rank’s Bob Arum was not certain Thursday how, or if, the controversy would affect a card scheduled for Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino in Chandler, a Phoenix suburb. The fight will happen before police are mandated to enforce the law, SB 1070, in late August, 90 days after the Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signed the legislation on April 23. However, there have been protests outside of the state capitol and nationwide during the last week, including demonstrations against Arizona Diamondbacks outside of Chicago’s Wrigley Field Thursday and calls for a business boycott of the state by activists angry at the potential for racial profiling.

“We’ll find out,’’ Arum said of the possible impact on plans for Benavidez’ homecoming. “If what I’m hearing on news reports, it is innocuous. If you are committing a crime and you’re stopped and then found to be illegal, what wrong with that? I don’t think the law allows police to stand outside the venue to check on the fans. But if does, then that’s horrendous.’’

WBC President Jose Sulaiman said Thursday in a prepared release from the sanctioning body’s headquarters in Mexico City that the organization has agreed it “will not authorize Mexican boxers to leave the country to fight professionally in Arizona, United States, due to the shameful, inhumane, and discriminatory anti-immigration law, which is no other thing than a flagrant violation to the basic principles of dignity and equality.’’

Arum asked that everybody, including Sulaiman, read the bill before passing judgment.

“Obviously, Sulaiman hasn’t read it,’’ Arum said. “He may well be justified. But first, we have to read the legislation. It’s like health-care. Everybody started screaming at each other before they had read the law. I’m not going to do that. Let’s study the legislation and then we can say something intelligently.’’

Arizona’s boxing history is closely linked to Mexican boxers. Julio Cesar Chavez’ career ended there in a loss a few years ago. Mexican-American Michael Carbajal, a Phoenix native, is in the Hall of Fame after a brilliant career as a junior-flyweight. Carbajal was a Mexican and Mexican-American favorite who fought in front of capacity crowds at then-America West Arena and old Veterans Memorial Coliseum during the 1990s.

Benavidez’ father said he has been following the controversy over Arizona’s immigration law. He and his son moved several months ago to Los Angeles. Jose Benavidez Jr., is trained by Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood.

“It’s really sad to watch,’’ said the senior Benavidez, who trained his son as an amateur at Central Boxing in Phoenix, a few blocks from the state’s capitol steps. “I really feel terrible for some of the people I know. Hopefully, my son can lift everybody up. Hopefully, we can do something positive.

“Everybody needs to know that we will be fighting for them.’’

This Friday in Tokyo, Japan the Biggest Bantamweight fight in decades takes place between long time WBC champion Hozumi Hasegawa and three weight world champion and current WBO holder Fernando Montiel. It will be Hasegawa’s eleventh defence and Montiel’s second defence since he moved up from Super Flyweight. Not since the days of Alfonso Zamora & Carlos Zarate have two Bantamweight’s title holders collided, it could well be the defining fight of both guys career’s. Unfortunately as the WBO isn’t recognised in Japan only Montiel can unify the title’s. Just days before this huge fight Hasegawa took some time out to share a few thought’s with us. Here’s what he had to say.

Hello Hozumi, welcome back to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – After your last fight you said you may go up to Super Bantamweight or even Featherweight. What’s the lastest on that?

Hozumi Hasegawa – If the opportunity comes for me to move up I will go move up to featherweight.

Anson Wainwright – Would you fight countryman and fellow Teikken fighter Toshiaki Nishioka or would you prefer to go another way to a world title at Super Bantamweight?

Hozumi Hasegawa – No

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your team, who is your trainer, manager & promoter? Also where do you regularly train for fights?

Hozumi Hasegawa – Masahito Yamashita is my trainer, manager and promoter. I train at the Shinsei Boxing Gym in Kobe.

Anson Wainwright – Several fights back you looked to be a boxer and then almost over night you developed into a power puncher. What do you think happened to make this happen?

Hozumi Hasegawa – I have not changed anything. It is the result of my training.

Anson Wainwright – What do you think of the other champion’s at 118 WBA Anselmo Moreno, IBF Yonny Perez & WBO Fernando Montiel?

Hozumi Hasegawa – I believe all are skilled and good champions

Anson Wainwright – Though they are at a lower weight what is your impression of The Kameda Brothers? Do you think there

good for Boxing?

Hozumi Hasegawa – No comment

Anson Wainwright – What’s the best part about being a boxer?

Hozumi Hasegawa – Being able to become a World Champion

Anson Wainwright – Who was your hero growing up?

Hozumi Hasegawa – Hajime no ippo (Japanese manga)

Anson Wainwright – Do you have a message for fight fans in America who want to see you fight over there?

Hozumi Hasegawa – I want to fight in the United States, Please look for me to fight there in the future.

Thanks for your time Hozumi, good luck with the fight Friday.

Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com

Undefeated nineteen year old, Saul Alvarez talks about his American PPV debut against Jose Miguel Cotto this Saturday night on the Mayweather – Mosley PPV card

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LAS VEGAS – Only news conferences are supposed to be predictable. But one Wednesday for Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Shane Mosley wasn’t. It was tame, almost as peaceful as a church picnic.

Mayweather’s appearance at a press luncheon is almost always a screaming succession of four letters from erupting into a food fight. But Kumbaya was the main course at the MGM Grand.

Mayweather, perhaps in another one of his many roles, sprung an upset by just being nice. Who knows? Maybe, Mosley has a chance to spring another one Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena over Mayweather, a 4-1 betting favorite Wednesday afternoon and an overwhelming pick in an informal poll of writers to win by decision.

“Maybe, you’re going for the safe bet,’’ Mosley told a circle of writers after the news conference.
Maybe, safe is for suckers.

Or, maybe, Mayweather as Mr. Nice Guy is just a con, a feint before the counter.

Nobody can ever be sure what side of Mayweather will show up from day to day. It’s just that a low-key Mayweather was almost out of character for a stage that seemed to demand an over-the-top personality that has been there before.

Mayweather’s unpredictability might be one mechanism in a defense that has kept him undefeated and mostly unmarked.

“It’s not cool to take punishment,’’ he said, repeating a comment that has almost become his mantra.

When asked if he ever just wanted to abandon the defensive mechanisms and indulge in a free-for-all exchange of punches, Mayweather started chuckling.

“Ha-ha, ha-ha, ha-ha,’’ Mayweather said. “Nobody is messing up this nice face.’’

It’s hard to hit what you don’t know, and it is virtually impossible to know what move or mood is about to appear from Mayweather, who is either mercurial or maddening or both. Let’s just says that Mosley and trainer Naazim Richardson don’t sound as if they’re sweating it out. In fact, if there was a theme to the news conference it was simply the absence of nerves. Both fighters played it cool.

At 38, Mosley seems to be enjoying his moment back on the big stage. He doesn’t have to act. Unlike Mayweather, he doesn’t tell anybody he is the face of boxing or better than Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson.

“Shane Mosley is an HBO fighter,’’ Mayweather said, suggesting that Mosley has bit part in his ascendance. “Floyd Mayweather is a mega-superstar.’’

All the better, Mosley seemed to say.

Mosley has been cast in the support role often. Consider a couple of results: He upset Oscar De La Hoya and then Antonio Margarito. It’s almost as if he has spent his career rehearsing for Saturday, although even he might be surprised if he delivers the knockout he promised.

“I’d be shocked to see him there, flat on his back,’’ Molsey said. “Happy, but shocked. I’d also be concerned. Fighting me can be hazardous.’’

Safe to say, Mayweather wasn’t concerned. There’s plenty of talk about Mosley’s perceived weaknesses, including an inconsistent jab and a layoff of more than 15 months since his stunner over Margarito.

“I’ve already read him,’’ Mayweather said as if he has studied, cover-to-cover, everything there is to know about Mosley.

However, Mayweather conceded one detail remains unknown, which at a news conference was exactly what Mayweather wanted. Molsey’s widely-reported links to Balco and performance-enhancers have dogged him since 2003.

“We don’t how many fights he was in when he was clean,’’ Mayweather said. “Even against Margarito, we don’t know.’’

At Mayweather’s insistence, he and Mosley are undergoing random Olympic-style drug testing – urine and blood. As of Wednesday, Mosley had undergone eight and Mayweather seven. The testers, showed up, unannounced, at Mosley’s door.

“Eight times at my house is a little excessive,’’ said Mosley, who says he has been eating natural and feeling stronger than ever over the last several years. “This thing (Balco controversy) has been played out, over and over again. I don’t know why.

“But I’m a clean product.’’

A confident one, too.

Every great fighter who ever lived have one common opponent they couldn’t beat…Father Time. Through out the annals of Boxing history there came a time when a fighter just couldn’t “Pull the trigger” anymore. Some fighters recognise this and are able to get out with all there faculties and live a good life while the majority have to go to the well that one time to many. The fighter always seems to be the last one to know.

No man has probably tried to stave off Father time for a long as Evander Holyfield. Many believe he he was in his prime in the early 90’s. He last held an alphabet title in 2000. He has always maintained he wouldn’t retire until he becomes the Unified World champion. Even though he just beat a former world champion in Frans Botha it’s nearly impossible to see him beating any of the current holders whether it be David Haye or both Klitschko’s to win one more championship let alone all of them to realise his dream. It would probably be the greatest story in sporting history if he managed to do this.

The week before Holyfield fought two other aged greats Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr fought for the second time. In there primes Jones was one of the most gifted fighters in history while Hopkins while also skilled was incredibly perseverant and resilient.

Jones won world titles in 4 weight classes looking unbeatable from the start of his career in 1989 through 2003 when he was far to gifted for the naturally bigger John Ruiz. Losing the weight to drop back to Light Heavyweight seemed to reek havoc on his body and from that point onwards he looked and fought like a mortal man.

One of Philadelphia’s finest Hopkins now 45 defied Father time for better part of a decade winning when he wasn’t supposed to against Felix Trinidad, Antonio Tarver & Kelly Pavlik. It’s always dangerous to write of Hopkins but it appears his last great performance may of been when he posted a near shut out against Pavlik in 2008. Though he’s still a tough night out for anyone at 175 with probably only Chad Dawson a favourite against him. The thing that motivates him is winning a version of the Heavyweight against David Haye who would hold all the advantages in size, speed and power the only advantage Hopkins would have would be his experience and guile. You never want to tell him he can’t do something because you can bet he’ll move heaven and earth to prove you wrong but this looks very tough even for him.

During the 90’s Felix Trinidad was a wreaking ball through out the Welterweight division setting a record of 15 defence’s over 7 years he even moved up to Light Middleweight and in consecutive fights ruined the careers of both David Reid & Fernando Vargas. Next he moved up to Middleweight where he brutally KO’d William Joppy at Madison Square Garden in front of his adoring fans. His coronation as Unified Middleweight champion was waiting when as a 3-1 favourite he was not only stopped but routed by Bernard Hopkins. We never saw the genius that was “Tito” after that night he fought 4 more times going 2-2 before he finally admitted what we knew a few fights before that he just didn’t have that special quality to compete at the level he had previously dominated at.

It happens to all the greats, Sugar Ray Leonard was a phenom in the late 70’s and through the 80’s though he was slipping toward the late 80’s be after umpteen retirements he came back in 1991 and was thoroughly thrashed over twelve by Terry Norris. Not convinced Leonard made his final comeback in 6 years later only to be stopped in 5 by Hector Camacho. Neither Norris or Camacho both whom were very good fighters, would of lived with a prime Leonard. At nearly 42 Leonard finally realised that he just couldn’t cut it at the highest level anymore and bowed out.

Through out the 70’s Roberto Duran was one of the most ferocious fighters ever to lace gloves and arguably the best Lightweight in history. He went straight to Welterweight and won a world title and even up to Light Middleweight and Middleweight where he also rained supreme. He was unbeatable at 135 as he moved through the weights and got older, he wasn’t quite the embodiment of perfection he was at Lightweight but if properly motivated he could still mix it with the best. After going 1-2 in 1982 many believed we had seen the last of “Manos De Piedra”. They didn’t know what he was made of. He came back in better shape mentally and physically and demolished big punching Pipino Cuevas who was supposed to put the final nail in Duran’s coffin as a top fighter. Next came Davey Moore a young guy who looked primed for the big time, Duran took exception to this and beat Moore so savagely Moore was never the same again. He even gave a prime Hagler fits for fifteen rounds. That looked to of been his last stand but every great fighter has one last big fight effort and Duran saved his for 1989 when as a 37 year old he took on Iran Barkley. Duran in one last act of defiance kept coming and wouldn’t be denied. Thought it took 12 years and another 27 fights where Duran went 18-9 before he finally admitted it to himself and hung up the gloves.

Not all of the fighters go out the hard way some realise it’s time to go out at the top. Way back in the day Rocky Marciano retired while still champion and undefeated in the 80’s Marvin Hagler knew it was time to go after the controversial loss to Leonard and more recently Lennox Lewis & Ricardo Lopez retired and took up working as a commentator for various tv company’s. Only last year Super Middleweight and Light Heavyweight champion Joe Calzaghe decided to call it a day at 37 with an undefeated record.

Professional Boxing made its return to Northeast Ohio Saturday night as Warner Promotions presented “The Jimmy Bivins Classic”. Warner Promotions, in only their second show, placed Ohio back in the boxing radar with a show that left the fans cheering for more.

In the main event, Cleveland’s Yuandale Evans improved to 7-0 (4ko) with a first round knockout over Ray Hernandez 6-8 (6ko). This was the young professionals first fight in his hometown since turning professional.

The co-main event saw the long awaited, highly anticipated professional debut of Wilkins Santiago 1-0 as he tattooed his opponent Torrence King 2-6 for four rounds winning a once sided unanimous decision. Santiago, a fan favorite, had the crowd on their feet for the entire fight and graciously thanked all those in attendance for their support through some trying times.

Julius Leegrand improved to 3-0 with a first round knockout of Francisco Portillo
Reggie Scott remained undefeated 2-0 with a majority decision over MMA fighter, turned boxer Chris Lozano.
Stephen Scott improved to 2-0 with a unanimous decision over Rogelio Sanchez.
James Hope 6-4 defeated Gabriel Morris in the opening fight.

The Jimmy Bivins Class was a complete success. Antonio Castro of Warner Promotions informed us that their next show will be in June in Youngstown, Ohio.

PHILADELPHIA (April 27, 2010)—On Friday night, May 7th at The Arena (Formally The New Alhambra) a huge night of boxing will take place that will feature undefeated Jr. Welterweight, Danny “Swift” Garcia taking on rugged Christopher “Kid KO” Fernandez in the ten round main event.

A packed undercard that will highlight some of the best fighters in Philadelphia has just been added to this great night of boxing that will be promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Joe Hand Promotions and Tecate.

The card will be televised nationwide on Telefutura.

The undercard will be headed by undefeated lightweight, Karl “Dynamite” Dargan and jr. middleweight Mike Dargan in separate bouts.

Just added with be the very popular Heavyweight sensation, Joey “Polish Thunder” Dawejko in a four round bout against come backing Charlamagne Jones.

Dawejko, from the Tacony section of Philadelphia brings in a record of 3-0 with one knockout. In his last bout, Dawejko scored a four round unanimous decision over K.C. Cunningham on March 6th in Atlantic City.

The nineteen year old has quickly become a fan favorite in the city as this will be his second start in Philly. In his lone hometown fight, Dawejko scored an explosive first round stoppage over Ricardo Johnson on February 5th at The Legendary Blue Horizon.

Dawejko is a former world Jr. Amateur champion.

Jones of Washington, D.C has a record of 2-2-1 with both wins coming by knockout.

This will be his first bout in nearly a decade and is coming off a no-contest with Dana Dunston in June of 2000 in Glen Burnie, MD.

Also seeing action will be middleweight prospect, Latif Mundy.

Mundy of Philadelphia was an amateur star and has accumulated a professional record of 8-2 with three knockouts.

Mundy won his first eight bouts and will be looking to get back into the win column after suffering back to back defeats to undefeated Patrick Majewski (10-0) and his last bout where he lost to rising Gabriel Rosado (12-4) via seventh round stoppage on November 7th in Atlantic City in what was a toe to toe war.

Mundy’s opponent will be named shortly.

In other bouts:

Charles Hayward (2-2, 1 KO) of Philadelphia will take on Andre Espuet (2-1, 1KO) of Morristown, NJ in a four round Light Heavyweight bout.

Undefeated Light Heavyweight, Andy Mejias (5-0, 1 KO) of Utica, NY will battle Todd Eriksson (1-3-1, 1 KO) of Dover, NJ in a bout scheduled for four rounds.

In a four round bout featuring New Jersey based Featherweights, Jose Ortiz (3-2, 2 KO’s) of Jersey City will take on undefeated Jason Sosa (2-0, 1 KO) of Camden.

Undefeated cruiserweight, Julio Cesar Matthews (9-0, 5 KO’s) will see action in a six round bout against an opponent to be named.

Tickets for this memorable night of boxing are priced at $100; $65; and $45

Tickets for this great night of boxing can be purchased at:

Joe Hand Boxing Gym
543-547 North 3rd Street
215-271-4263

Or

The Arena (Formally The New Alhambra)
267-687-7560
For more information, contact Joe Hand Promotions at 1 215 364 9000

The Arena (Formally The New Alhambra) is located at : 7 W. Ritner St. (Corner of Swanson and Ritner) , Phila, PA. 19148

15rounds.com was notified that Team Bryan filed a formal protest on Jeremy’s behalf surrounding the outcome of his April 17 fight with Vincent Arroyo. The Paterson based Bryan was clearly ahead going into the final round when Arroyo put him down with a solid punch. Arroyo landed a few more flush head shots that knocked Bryan out cold, giving the Amherst resident a stunning upset. That is where the controversy began.

Many ringsiders claim that the knockout blow came when Bryan was down on the canvas, while others state that the finishing shot was landed AS he was going down, therefore it was the fighter’s duty to defend himself. Referee Samuel Viruet and the New Jersey State Athletic Commission saw nothing unusual about the ending, thus treated it no differently than any other bout that ended in a knockout.

Managers Sal Alessi and Pat Lynch each notified us immediately after the bout in Atlantic City that they were going to file a protest and have now officially done so.

“He got buzzed with a hook and took a knee”, Alessi said shortly after filing the protest. “When he was down (Arroyo) hit him twice. I still have to look at the tape so I can verify what happened but (Jeremy getting hit when he was down) is what I saw as did most ringsiders.”

Even though Alessi is yet to review the official outcome, he is confident that the right ruling will be made once the New Jersey commission discusses the fight in their next meeting.

“I am sure that the tape will tell the story and they will rule accordingly.”

Bryan, who is 13-1 with 6 KO’s following his lone defeat, displayed a true fighting spirit by expressing more interest in a rematch than the official result.

“I am telling you, I want this rematch real bad!” “Right now (I am accepting it as) a loss, but he hit me twice when I was on my knee, (so) it’s up to the commission to (overrule) that.”

Alessi wasn’t willing to commit to his fighter’s next move, but did say that a return bout with Arroyo wasn’t completely out of the picture.

For more New Jersey boxing news, go to gardenstatefightscene.com

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, former two-time Heavyweight champion, John Ruiz announced his retirement.

“I’ve had a great career but it’s time for me to turn the page and start a new chapter of my life,” Ruiz said in a statement. “It’s sad that my final fight didn’t work out the way I wanted, but, hey, that’s boxing. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished with two world titles, 12 championship fights, and being the first Latino heavyweight champion of the world. I fought anybody who got in the ring with me and never ducked anyone. Now, I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family.”

“With my experiences in boxing I want to go home and open a gym where kids will have a place to go, keeping them off of the streets, so they can learn how to box and build character,” Ruiz said. “Someday, I’d like to see one of them go on to represent the United States in the Olympics. I want them to have the same opportunity to see the world that I had as an amateur. I’ve always tried to be involved in community and charity work in the past and now I’ll have more time to work with kids.

“Maybe, someday I’ll get into training, but right now I just want to spend time with my wife, Maribelle, and my children. I wasn’t around as much as I would have liked for my two oldest children, John and Jocelyn, because I was away training or fighting. Now, I’ll be around for them and my 3-year-old son, Joaquin, as he grows up,” he said.

“I’m going back to my roots in Massachusetts, where a lot of my family and friends live, and look forward to helping young boxers avoid some of the bad things that I experienced in the sport but help them to experience the good times, too. Boxing is brutal but also beautiful. As I look back, I’m happy about my career, and my future is very bright.”

“I want to thank all of my fans for staying in my corner through a long, up-and-down ride, as well as members of my family and team — my manager and legal advisor, attorney Tony Cardinale, my brother [and cornerman], Eddie, and [strength coach] Keith McGrath, who’ve been with me so long,” Ruiz said. “I also want to thank my trainer Miguel Diaz and [assistant] Richie Sandoval for teaching an old dog new tricks, and my promoter, Golden Boy Promotions, the fairest promoter in boxing.”

“Don’t be afraid of the player with a good grip and a bad swing. Don’t be afraid of a player with a bad grip and a good swing. The player to beware of is the one with the bad grip and the bad swing. If he’s reached your level, he has grooved his faults and knows how to score.” – Harvey Penick’s Little Red Book

That comes from a short but sage hardback of golf instruction. Harvey Penick was a Texas club pro who taught hall of famers Ben Crenshaw, Tom Kite and Betsy Rawls how to play. There are more than a few parallels between golf and boxing, and Penick’s warning is one that pertains well to Carl Froch. Beware the world champion who delivers punches awkwardly as he stands; if he’s got to this level, he’s somehow better than he looks.

Saturday, though, Froch wasn’t quite good enough.

In an outstanding fight broadcast from Denmark as part of Showtime’s “Super Six” tournament, and in defiance of an Icelandic volcano, Mikkel Kessler took Carl Froch’s WBC super middleweight title by unanimous decision. The official result was fair if imbalanced. Judge Guido Cavalleri’s 115-113 card was right. The others – 116-112 and 117-111 – were progressively less so.

My card did not concur with the official result. I had it 116-114 for Froch, to whom I awarded rounds 1, 4, 5, 9, 10 and 11. I gave Kessler rounds 2, 6, 7 and 8. I had rounds 3 and 12 even. But if you gave the rounds that were close enough to be even to Kessler, my card was a draw. If you gave Kessler the first round, too, my card was the same as Cavalleri’s. I’ll not file any protests.

Nor will Carl Froch. That’s both troubling and reassuring. The former WBC champ was yielding in his post-fight interview, conceding that he’d not “put it on (Kessler) more,” that he’d “sat back a little bit,” and that he might have been tardy in “biting down on (his) gumshield.” It did not escape Froch that, after the fifth round, it was his fight if he wanted it badly enough.

Froch’s post-fight demeanor also reassured, though, because of the dignity he showed in defeat. It was not a challenge to Froch’s class to fear what might be uttered by an expressively proud man who’d just lost his title in a close fight on foreign soil. Or, for the Yanks in attendance: Does anyone think Floyd Mayweather will react so temperately if his first loss happens that way Saturday night?

Froch was not stunned by losing to Mikkel Kessler. It seems Kessler was the man Froch had circled in his mind as one who might be worthy of vanquishing him. Froch may have seen that Kessler was “quite conclusively outboxed” by Andre Ward, but he didn’t absorb it. He didn’t infer the possibility Kessler was not the same man he’d been a couple years ago.

Because Kessler is not that guy any more. He is no longer the agent of a classic 1-2 that battered Librado Andrade in 2007. As noticed immediately by Antonio Tarver – a fantastic new commentator, by the way – Kessler no longer blasts you with his 2, a straight right cross. Now it’s alternately looped and pushed. Among Kessler’s best punches Saturday was a right hand in round 7 that landed to the back of Froch’s head. Froch is awkward, yes, but a prime Kessler never floated his right elbow enough to hit someone there.

Unsurprisingly, Kessler’s power has gone with his form. His most effective punches Saturday were the ones Froch ran into. Kessler won on determination and hustle. He outworked Froch. He did not outhit him. Kessler used Froch’s momentum to supply his power, the sort of power Kessler once had from a standing start.

There are no standing starts for Froch. So here comes another golf analogy. Carl Froch throws right crosses the way Gary Player used to hit fairway woods. He crosses over. Froch commits all of his weight, all of his person, to the right hand. He starts in an orthodox stance and finishes as a southpaw. If he doesn’t hit you with the right cross, he fires a left hand while correcting his stance, then tries the cross-over right again. It’s combination punching in its most awkward sense and hardly what you’d teach a beginner.

How the hell does it work, then? Partially because it’s planned, partially because Froch believes in it, and partially because combination punching – however it’s accomplished – is never a bad thing. Froch’s stellar run as an amateur makes him the embodiment of Penick’s warning: He has a bad grip and a bad swing, but he’s grooved it. He knows how to score.

He also knows a way to keep you from scoring. How does he barge into a puncher like Kessler’s wheelhouse, arms dangling at his sides, and keep from getting beheaded? The secret is in the dangling. After he tags you with his cross-over right, Froch’s entire body goes limp. Anything but a direct hit, like Kessler’s in round 8, gets harmlessly absorbed by Froch’s body. It’s like punching a sponge.

Still, a little more overall tension from Froch after round 5 likely would have won him the fight. He knocked Kessler backwards with a right hand in the final minute of the fifth. Then he held his glove up and showed it to the Danes, without deigning to press his advantage. He should know better next time.

What happened Saturday made a great tournament better. Kessler-Froch was the best fight of the “Super Six” thus far. And round 12 was the best three minutes in prizefighting’s first third of 2010. What’s next? Kessler may get stretched by Allan Green, the quirky Oklahoma slugger, or he might not. And Froch against Arthur Abraham? No earthly idea.

But know this: “Super Six” will continue to surprise and satisfy.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter.com/bartbarry

St. Paul, MN (April 25, 2010) – Minnesotans “Golden” Caleb Truax and Phil “The Drill” Williams battled to a spirited ten round draw in front of a standing room only crowd Friday night at the St. Paul Armory.

The story line was one that those in attendance clearly bought into, as Truax looked to avenge an amateur loss to Williams, while the latter was gunning for a knockout over an unbeaten opponent.

In one of the more heralded fights in Seconds Out Promotions’ history, Truax got off to a solid start by effectively outboxing the heavy handed Williams in the early rounds. Both fighters continued to pick their spots in the middle rounds, with Truax starting to press the action, while Williams began to work his jab. With a sudden sense of urgency, Williams rallied late and stunned Truax in the last round, leaving fight fans at the edge of their seat until the final bell.

Scores of 97-94 Truax and 96-94 Williams were met by a 95-95 tally, forcing the draw while leaving the Minnesota State Super Middleweight crown vacant. Truax remains unbeaten at 14-0-1 (9 KO’s). Williams’ professional ledger is now 11-3-1 (10 KO’s).

“I thought it was a close fight”, said Seconds Out’s President and CEO Tony Grygelko. “Caleb won the early rounds and Phil made it very close down the stretch, but I think Caleb proved his toughness by taking on such a dangerous opponent.”

In the co-feature, fan favorite Joey “Minnesota Ice” Abell of Coon Rapids demolished Josh Gutcher of Albia, IA inside of two rounds. The cement fisted heavyweight violently dropped Gutcher with a monster right hook, prompting referee Mark Nelson to stop the contest without a count.

Abell improves to 26-4 (25 KO’s) while Gutcher falls to 18-12 (13 KO’s).

Local prospects Ismail Muwendo and Charles Meier also scored thrilling victories, while James Owen upset crowd favorite Antwan Robertson.

The undercard also featured two action packed MMA bouts.
When retired professional boxer Tony Grygelko found himself unable to stay out of the gym, he realized that his passion for boxing was undeniable. At age 29, Grygelko formed Seconds Out Promotions. By utilizing the vast boxing knowledge of world-class trainer Ron Lyke, Grygelko and Seconds Out quickly became a hit.

Through determination, integrity and hard work, Seconds Out strives to become a top promotional firm by giving young fighters the ability to showcase their talents to a worldwide audience, along with offering fans the highest quality of entertainment. Seconds Out is committed to recruitment and development of the best and brightest young fighters to help achieve our mission.

Seconds Out Promotions’ current stable of pugilists includes undefeated prospects “Golden” Caleb Truax, Marcus Oliveria, Michael Faulk, Ismail Muwendo, dynamite fisted Heavyweight Joey “Minnesota Ice” Abell, Willshaun Boxley, Charles Meier, Jon “The Ironman” Schmidt, and Mohammed Kayongo.

For more information, go to www.soboxing.com or text “fights” to 95495.

On Saturday night from the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California in front of 6,256 patrons the pride of Poland Tomasz “Goral” Adamek 41-1(27) proved he belongs amongst the Heavyweight elite when he posted a majority decision over hometown favourite Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola 28-2(25) in his second defence of the IBF International Heavyweight title.

Both guys came out in the first round and took a look at the other for a minute or so, by the end of the round both guys had exchanged several blows as they looked to make a statement of intent. The second saw Arreola bring lots of pressure and by the end of the round it was noticeable that Adamek’s left cheek was growing redder and a little swollen. Adamek has evolved from his days in the Light Heavyweight division and more recently Cruiserweight where he was more of a seek and destroy fighter, at Heavyweight he knows he has to fight smarter and that’s what he started to do in the third when he gave Arreola movement and picked away at the local native, landing one eye catching left hand. The fourth was similar with Arreola starting to bleed from his nose. One thing Arreola can never be criticised of is showing heart and in the fifth he let it all hang out when his pressure finally told as he rocked Adamek twice, Adamek showed he too isn’t lacking in heart too when he managed to see his way through both barrages of punches. In the sixth frame Adamek again stayed away from Arreola’s vaunted power only to be rocked late on. After some frenetic action both guys took things a little easier in the seventh which only set them up for a big finish. Adamek won the eighth & ninth with his skills. The topsy turvy nature of the fight swung back Arreola’s way when he managed to walk Adamek into a monster right hand, the tough New Jersey based Pole wouldn’t be denied and some how stayed on his feet and away from Arreola’s desperate late charge in the twelfth.

When the scores were in Tony Crebs scored it 114-114 but was outvoted by Barry Druxman & Joseph Pasquale 115-113 & 117-111 respectively for Adamek. The 117-111 looked a little of base. 15rounds.com scored it 115-113 Adamek from Ringside.

Afterwards thankfully there was no trouble as both sets of fans disbursed the auditorium.

At the Post fight press conference it was revealed Arreola had hurt his hand in the fifth and it got worse in the ninth or tenth. Though he graciously acknowledged that he had no problem with the decision.

Dan Goossen said he’d like a rematch but Kathy Duva said if so this time it would have to take place in New Jersey. Kathy Duva continued adding that HBO want Adamek back on the airwaves in the fall.

Fellow Heavyweight contender Tony Thompson who attended the fight and then visited the press conference asked if he could fight Adamek next to which he was told only in New Jersey.

In chief support Alfredo “Perro” Angulo upped his record to 18-1(15) when he stopped the very game Joel “The Love Child” Julio 35-4(31) at 1.39 of the eleventh round to retain his Interim WBO Light Middleweight title. Angulo did what he does best he kept coming while Julio backed up and potshoted from the outside landing his share of punches swelling Angulo’s face. By the middle rounds Angulo had started to take the steam out of Julio and charged after him. Finally when the fight looked heading for the cards Angulo landed a monster right hand that dropped Julio. To his credit the game Colombian got to his feet but Benjie Esteves had seen enough and waved of the fight, which in some people’s eye was a little early. A disgruntled Julio was pacing the ring less then 30 seconds and clearly thought it was premature.

At the time of the stoppage Angulo was up 96-94 on Adelaide Byrd’s card & 97-93 on both Pat Russell & Steve Morrow’s cards. All three judges had given Angulo the last three rounds prior to the stoppage.

Punch stats showed Angulo had thrown 880 and landed 167 a 19% accuracy while Julio had thrown 762 landing 175 a 23% hit rate.

Afterwards Gary Shaw said he’d like to match his man Angulo with Miguel Cotto if he beats Yuri Foreman or Antonio Margarito if Margarito beats Roberto Garcia.

In an 8 round Super Bantamweight fight Rico “Suavecito upped his ledger to 16-0(9) when he out pointed Reynaldo Lopez 29-9-2(21) from Colombia 80-70, 79-71 & 78-72. Lopez was down at the end of both the second and seventh rounds.

Californian Chris Avalos 16-0(13) continued his impressive form bludgeoning Colombian John Alberto Molina 27-13-3(18) into defeat when Molina retired in his corner after two rounds. With the win Avalos picks up the vacant WBO NABO bantamweight title.

John Molina Jr 19-1(15) impressively stopped Cuban Jose Antonio Izquierdo 17-6-1(14) at 2.55 of the second round in a scheduled eight round fight at Lightweight.

In Light Middleweight action Raul Rodriguez 2-4-1 and Marquise Bruce who was making his debut fought to a majority draw over four stanzas.

Natu Visinia moved to 4-0(3) when he won a four round technical decision over debutant Geovani Sarran at Heavyweight.

Also at Heavyweight Nate James 3-0(1) won a split decision over Alvaro Morales 4-7-5(0).

In attendance were new Middleweight king Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez, the legendary Sugar Ray Leonard & Lennox Lewis who worked the broadcast for HBO.

On Monday April 26, 2010 , Cestus Management’s 168 pound contender Don “Da’Bomb” George is slated to throw out the honorary first pitch, as Chicago’s beloved Cubs begin a home stand against the Washington Nationals at the famed Wrigley Field. It is an honor that any sports fan would want but few ever get to experience. George, who is on the rise in his chosen pugilistic profession feels that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. “This is absolutely amazing for me, I grew up watching the Cubs” with the rest of Chicago and i cannot put into words how i feel, I’m speechless said Donovan George as he winds down training for his fight next Friday.

Mike Michael, who is Cestus Management’s Chief Advisor, added, “ Chicago has always been a great sports town rich in baseball, football, basketball, and boxing traditions. On Monday Baseball fans across the country will watch Donovan throw out the first pitch and four days later boxing fans across the country will watch Donovan represent Chicago when he fights on national TV; what more can be said.

Donovan George fights Asumanu Adama on THE NEXT GENERATION OF SUPERMIDDLEWEIGHTS which will take place at the UIC Pavilion on April 30th 2010 in Chicago, Illinois.

Advance Tickets starting at $31, can be purchased through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com Tel 1-800-745-3000); Cestus Management (Tel 856 690 9095) and 8 Count Productions (Tel 312 226-5800). Doors open at 7pm, first bout starts at 7:30pm.

THE NEXT GENERATION OF SUPERMIDDLEWEIGHT: will be televised live on ShoBox The New Generation at 11pm EST, 10PM CST and 8pm PST.

Jorge Arce tuned up for a world title shot this June with a seventh round stoppage over Cecilio Santos in a scheduled ten round Bantamweight fight in Ciudad, Sinaloa, Mexico.

It was an action filled fight with the bigger Arce getting through and trying to impose his will but Santos, who has three times fought for a world title washitting Arce and even caused a cut over Arce’s right eye.

The two came out firing in round seven until Arce caught Santos with a thudding left to the body that sent Santos on his knees for the ten count at fifty-eight seconds of round seven.

Arce, 119 lbs of Los Mochis, Mexico will now face Eric Morel for a Bantamweight crown on June 26th on the Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. – John Duddy card in San Antonio with a record of 54-6-1 with forty-one knockots. Santos, 119 lbs of Mexico City is now 24-14-3.

Joksan Hernandez got through two first round knockdowns to score a stoppage victory over Miguel Beltran in the tenth and final round round of their Super Featherweight bout.

Beltran dropped Hernandez in round one with a left hook and then a left to the body dropped Hernandez for a second time as Beltran seemed to be in control of the contest. Hernandez seemed to be coming on late in the bout as in round seven he got through with two hard uppercuts that knocked out the mouthpiece of Beltran. In the final frame, Hernandez just continued to move his hands and a tired Beltran crumbled to the canvas and took the ten count at 2:08 of the final round.

Hernandez, 131 lbs is now 18-2 with eleven knockouts. Beltran loses for the first time and is now 22-1.

Alonso Lopez remained undefeated with a close unanimous decision over debuting Misael Juarez.

Lopez, the son of former minimumweight king and Hall of Famer Ricardo Lopez, is now 4-0.

Mikkel Kessler won the WBC Super Middleweight championship and muddled up the Super Six World Boxing Classic standings as he took a twelve round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Carl Froch at the MCH Arena in Herning, Denmark.

The fight was a boxing match early as Kessler tired to establish his jab by coming forward in an effort to make an imprint on the awkward style of Froch. Froch’s punch of choice was the right hand and he landed several of them early including a thudding right in round four. Froch had a solid round five as he was dominant with the right hand as he landed at least three good ones in that frame. The punches were starting to show their effect as blood appeared on the face of Kessler in the sixth round.

The fight turned in round eight as Kessler landed his own right hands and staggered Froch with a big shot. That punch caused bleeding on the bridge of Froch’s nose. Kessler landed some nice counter shots over the next few rounds with Froch landing hard looping rights but one at a time. Kessler opened up round eleven with a nice three punch combination. Froch answered that with a nig right of his own. The fight picked up in that round as Kessler would gain some advantage by landing a big right/left hand combination. Round twelve was frenetic as both fighters went for it as they put everything on the line as they stood at war toe to toe. They both landed huge shots and rocked each other in desperation, Froch to keep his title and Kessler fighting to still be a factor in the Super Six Classic. These two great champions fought hard and with the class right until the final bell with back and forth action.

“There was a lot of desperation coming off the Ward fight,” said Kessler, who resides in Copenhagen, Denmark. “But this was my night. I had a lot of people from my country say that I was finished. It is nice to get my belt back and show them.”

“I (studied) his fights and he isn’t good fighting backwards,” Kessler continued. “I hurt him with the straight right hand (eighth) and I saw it turn. Then he fought my fight instead of his.”

“In my last two fights I’m starting to look like a fighter,” joked Kessler after the fight. “No more modeling! I have to be careful of the cuts. I have to move my head more.”

“I thought I did enough to win,” said Froch, a proud Englishman who showed little sign of disappointment. “I had him hurt two or three times. Actually, I know I had him badly hurt three times. It’s my fault though. If I had put it to him more and if I had sustained the pressure I could have gotten him out of there. No one has been able to do that. I wasn’t able to do that.

“It was very close but if we were in my hometown in Nottingham, it would have gone my way with the same scores. There will be people who say it was robbery but I won’t take anything from Mikkel Kessler. I thought I did enough but that’s boxing.”

Kessler, 167 lbs of Copenhagen, Denmark became a three-time champion as he won by scores of 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113 to raise his impressive mark to 43-2.

Froch, 167 1/4 lbs of Nottingham, England loses for the first time and is 26-1

SUPER SIX WORLD BOXING CLASSIC SCOREBOARD

Record Fighter Points

1-1 Arthur Abraham 3

1-1 Mikkel Kessler 2

1-1 Carl Froch 2

1-1 Andre Dirrell 2

1-0 Andre Ward 2

0-0 Allan Green 0

Reno, Nevada — The Grand Sierra Resort & Casino and Let’s Get It On Promotions are pleased to announce “Reno Xtreme Fights IV”, May 22nd. Reno’s own Joey Gilbert (18-2, 14 KOs) will make his return to the ring against veteran Anthony Bartinelli (20-13, 13 KOs) in an eight-round middleweight bout. Tickets are on sale now.

Gilbert is coming off of an impressive fifth-round knockout victory against Ivan Stovall in August. The Bartinelli fight will be Gilbert’s first fight back in his hometown since his twelve-round unanimous decision loss to local rival, Jesse Brinkley.

“I just want to get in the ring again,” said Gilbert. “I felt great in my last fight, and I would like to have a shot at a big name at middleweight.”

Bartinelli is a tough veteran from Phoenix, Arizona who is known for taking fights with the best middleweights in the world. Bartinelli recently went the distance with middleweight world title challenger Elvin Ayala and contender Albert Onolunose. Although he has traveled the world and faced off with the best fighters around, Bartinelli looks at this fight as being his chance to make a name for himself in boxing.

“I’ve wanted this fight with Joey Gilbert for a couple of years now,” says Bartinelli. “This could be my big break.”

Both fighters are known for being brawlers with power and good chins.

“This fight has the makings of a war,” says Let’s Get It On Promotions’ Tommy Lane. “Both stand toe-to-toe and are not afraid to get hit while trying to knock the other out.”

This will be the fourth installment of “Reno Xtreme Fights,” the successful professional boxing/MMA series. Other boxers slated to fight on the card are Brandon “Flawless” Gonzales (11-0, 9 KOs) and Chad “Chadillac” Forrester (1-1). Mixed martial arts fighters currently slated are Reno’s own Rick “The Holy Terror” Reeves (9-2) and Kristin “Barbie” Molina (1-1).

Fight card subject to change. More details will be announced shortly. Ticket information is below.

Reno Xtreme Fights is a boxing and mixed martial arts series of events between Grand Sierra Resort & Casino and Let’s Get It On Promotions. Doors will open at 7 p.m. for the fight on Saturday, May 22nd with the first bout at 8 p.m. in the Grand Theatre. Tickets are $75, $55 and $35. Tickets for a King’s Row Booth for four are $1,000 which includes an exciting spot to get close to the action with light appetizers and one bottle of alcohol included. To purchase tickets or for more information: please call 1.800.648.3568 or visit www.grandsierraresort.com.

ABOUT LET’S GET IT ON PROMOTIONS:

Reno, Nevada based Let’s Get It On Promotions was founded in 2000 by legendary boxing referee Mills Lane. In early 2005 he was joined by sons Terry and Tommy in the operations of the company. Along with super middleweight contender Jesse Brinkley, Let’s Get It On Promotions also promotes middleweight prospect Brandon Gonzales, lightweight contender Rustam Nugaev, lightweight prospect Bayan Jargal and highly regarded brothers Tyler and Derek Hinkey. They have consistently promoted world class boxing events on a national basis.

About Grand Sierra Resort and Casino:

Grand Sierra Resort & Casino (GSR) is in the heart of Reno/Tahoe. GSR is northern Nevada’s most complete resort destination with nearly 2,000 guest rooms and suites. The property offers a wide variety of accommodations for the everyday business traveler to the complete family vacation with amenities that include 200,000 square feet of meeting and convention space, branded retail shopping, headliner entertainment, a cinema, a 50-lane championship bowling center, outdoor thrill rides, aqua golf driving range, an 85,000 square foot casino with 24 hours of heart-pounding action plus so much more. GSR is a proud member of Summit Hotels and Resorts, a prestigious brand of Preferred Hotel Group. For more information, please visit www.grandsierraresort.com or to make reservations call 800-648-5080.

Tomasz Adamek is just one day away from what is literally the biggest test of his career. The former light heavyweight and cruiserweight titleholder jumped to the heavyweight division in October 09′ with dreams of capturing a belt in a third division. The Secaucus based Pole has had success thus far in the 201 plus pound weight class, stopping badly faded countryman Andrew Golota and earned a competitive decision over 2004 US Olympian Jason Estrada.

Tomorrow night many think his heavyweight run could come to an end against hard hitting contender Cristobal “The Nightmare” Arreola at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, CA. The bout, which will air at 11:15 pm, looks to be a fight of the year candidate with the winner likely securing a title shot. Heres what Adamek had to say about his toughest fight since his lone defeat to Chad Dawson in 2007.

MY: Tomasz, in your last bout, you scored a tough decision over crafty boxer Jason Estrada. Tell us about the fight as well as what it was like to have 10,000 fans backing you at the Prudential Center?

TA: The fans are something that I always cherish, without the fans boxing means nothing. I of course fight for money, this is my job, but I would never fight in empty arena. Hopefully I will be back in Prudential center soon.

MY: Tomorrow you are taking on a top ten heavyweight in Cris Arreola. What do you think of him as a fighter?

TA: He is one of the best I will have ever fought, although you never know before you fight somebody. I never wanted to take the easy way. If you want to be the best, you fight all of them.

MY: Cris’ weight ranges from 240-260 lbs and he is heavy handed. Are you worried at all/planning to change your game plan since Cris is naturally bigger and you are known for slugging it out with your opponents?

TA: In(the) heavyweight division everybody hits with power. Arreola wants a slug fest, but I always believed that you win in the ring with your head first. I will impose my way of fighting. He will have to fight my way. Weight doesn’t matter. What I will do (in the ring) does.

MY: On the contrary, you have a terrific jab for a brawler. Is the jab going to be one of your main weapons on the 23rd?

TA: Speed and ring movement will be my weapon. Plus everything I have. Let him guess (what I will do).

MY: Arreola refused to fight you in New Jersey and now you have to fight him his backyard. Is the possibility of getting robbed by the judges something you are worried about?

TA:. You cannot think about what you cannot control. IBF is in charge, millions will be watching. I expect fair judging.

MY: Even though you are always in exciting fights, this is your first fight on premium cable (HBO/Showtime) in a few years. Does it upset you that both networks have put on insignificant fights and left you off the schedule previously?

TA:. Again, it was outside my control but I knew they have to acknowledge what I’d doing in the ring, why people wanted to see my fights. Somebody told me that last year only Mayweather and Pac man brought more people to arenas. I can live with this comparison.

MY: For the last few years, fight fans were anxious to see a match up between you and current WBA Heavyweight Champion David Haye. If you get by Arreola, is David Haye somebody on your radar?

TA:. Haye talks a lot and now he’s got a title. We both started as a cruiserweight, both have entertain styles. It’s up to TV to put us against each other. They know I will be ready.

MY:. Does a fight with either of the Klitschko’s interest you at this point in time or do you want a few more fights before facing either of them?

TA:. I already had 2 offers to fight Klitschkos but my team decided that we need more time before we fight them. Two more fights, maybe. I will fight them not for a payday but to win.

MY: What is your outlook for 2010 and beyond?

TA:. This year could be crucial for me, so I don’t really think about what happens in 2011. Winning brings more interest, it takes care of everything else.

MY: Tomasz, thanks for stopping by. What do you have to say in closing to all your fans and the readers of 15rounds.com?

TA. I would like to say a warm “thanks” for all the support. I wanted to fight in Prudential Center, Newark, but Arreola declined, maybe he decided it would be too much to face me and my rabid fans in my home arena.

For more New Jersey boxing news, check out Gardenstatefightscene.com

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com the proposed Welterweight showdown between former WBA champ Luis Collazo and Selcuk Aydin will not happen due to Collazo not feeling he can make the weight plus he is unhappy with the financial terms of the fight.

“We are not fighting at 147 [pounds] anymore,” daid Collazo’s trainer Nirmal Lorick. “We told Don (King) a couple of weeks ago he was having trouble with the weight and that we’re not fighting at 147 anymore. The inactivity has been a real problem for Luis. He feels his body has been through enough and he’d rather move up in weight to fight someone else. We’re looking for a fight with [junior middleweight titlist and new middleweight champ] Sergio Martinez.”

“We waited around for months thinking we’d have the rematch with Berto while the purse bid kept getting rescheduled,” Lorick said. “Then Berto got an exception to fight Mosley [in a January fight that was ultimately canceled] and we were supposed to fight Aydin for the interim [title].

“Then the fight was delayed over and over,” Lorick continued. “It’s ridiculous. Now, they say Luis should go over there, lose the weight and fight for no money? By the time Don gets paid, they take out the taxes, Luis ends up with nothing. Training camp alone costs us $15,000 to $20,000. But the weight is really the issue. We are not going to put Luis’ health in danger by making that weight anymore.”

Caleb Truax 162.5 Phil Williams 163 (Minnesota State Super Middleweight Championship)
Joey Abell 241 Josh Gutcher 245
Ismail Muwendo 130 David Laque 131
Antwan Robertson 117 James Owen 121.5
Charles Meier 158.5 Dan Copp 158

MMA:
Zach Juusola 160 Shaine Emmons 160
Elias Jones 142 Travis Reddinger 142

Promoter: Seconds Out Promotions
Venue: St. Paul Armory
Tickets: ticketweb.com