VERONA, NY (December 31, 2010)—Former WBC Caribbean champion, Manuel Quezada will attempt to win back that crown when he takes on Mike Mollo in the twelve round main event on Saturday night, January 29th at the beautiful Turning Stone Resort and Casino.

Quezada was summoned for the fight after the man who defeated him; Jason Gavern had to pull out due to an injury.

Quezada of Wasco, California has a record of 29-6 with eighteen knockouts.

Quezada went 11-4 in his first fifteen bouts before embarking on a eighteen fight win streak with some impressive wins over the likes of Eric Boose (7-0-1); Gary Gomez (18-7-1);

He won the WBC Heavyweight title with a second round knockout over Rick Dyer (13-1) and the continued with signature wins over Teke Orih (14-1-1); a stunning first round knockout over Travis Walker (31-2-1) and a unanimous decision over Nicolai Firtha (16-6-1).

In his last bout, Quezada put up a gallant effort before dropping a twelve round unanimous decision to former world title challenger Chris Arreola (28-2) on August 13th.

Mollo is one of the toughest customers in the Heavyweight division as the Chicago native has a record of 20-3-1 with twelve knockouts.

Mollo began his career with fifteen straight wins which included victories over a pair of undefeated foes and also won the WBO Latin Heavyweight title with a sixth round knockout over Rogerio Lobo (36-13).

Mollo then stopped up the competition and was stopped in four rounds by former world title challenger DaVarryl Williamson (22-4).

Mollo went on to win four straight that included a win over the man who retired Mike Tyson, Kevin McBride (34-4-1)

Mollo was all over McBride as he scored a knockdown in round one and dropped him two more times in round two before the fight was stopped.

Mollo also defeated Art Binkowski (16-1) in two rounds in a battle of two Chicago based heavyweights that took place just outside the City limits and was a much anticipated turf war.

Mollo then took on multiple time world title challenger Andre Golota (40-6-1) as part of the Roy Jones – Felix Trinidad undercard at Madison Square Garden.

The battle was a tremendous action fight where Mollo fought very hard and was praied for his toughness as he took many big shots before dropping a unanimous decision.

Unfortunately, Mollo was stopped in two rounds by multiple time world title challenger Jameel McCline (38-9-3) in China.

Mollo came back score an eight round unanimous decision over Billy Zimbrun and in his last bout, Mollo fought to an eight round draw with Gary Gomez on August 6 in Chicago.

In the co-feature, Isaac Rodriguez (17-1, 13 KO’s) of West Berlin, NJ via Brazil will look to get back in the win column after his pro defeat will take on upset minded Russell Jordan (15-8, 10 KO’s) of Rochester, NY in a Middleweight bout scheduled for eight rounds

A full undercard has been assembled as exciting female Super Featherweight scheduled for six rounds, Amanda Serrano (7-0-1, 4 KO’s) of Brooklyn, New York will rematch Ela Nunez (9-7-1, 2 KO’s) of Jamestown, NY.

The two fought a toe to toe slugfest on November 20, 2009 that ended in a draw.

In a six round Welterweight bout, Kenny Abril (11-3-1, 6 KO’s) of Rochester, NY will take on Stephen Scott (5-2) of Albany, New York.

Ibaheim King (7-5, 2 KO’s) of West Palm Beach, Florida will take on Philadelphia Latif Mundy (9-2, 4 KO’s) in a Middleweight bout scheduled for six rounds.

Also seeing action will be Super Middleweight Andy Mejias (8-0, 4 KO’s) of Utica, NY in a six round bout against an opponent to be named.

Derrick Evans of Utica, NY will be making his pro debut in a four round bout in a Light Heavyweight bout against Steve Tyner (1-1-1) of Albany, NY.

Tickets for this championship night of boxing are priced at just $60; $45 and $ 35 and be purchased the Showroom Box Office by calling (1 800 833 SHOW) or at all Ticketmaster outlets by calling (315 472 0700)

The Turning Stone Casino and Resort is located at:

5218 Patrick Road
Verona, NY 13478
(315) 361-8248

Monday, January 10, 2011

Deliverance Evangelistic Church
2001 West Lehigh Avenue (site of the old Connie Mack Stadium)
Philadelphia, PA 19132
phone: 215-226-7600

Viewing 9-11am

Service begins at 11am.

Predictions are a lot like contract clauses, which is to say they are hard to fulfill. They fall apart faster than Jean Pascal. So don’t take them seriously, especially after a problematic 2010 left a fractured web of further trouble in 2011. But here goes anyway,15 predictions for every round in a New Year:

· Floyd Mayweather Jr. will only fight security guards and only if they undergo Olympic-style drug-testing.

· Filipino Congressman Manny Pacquiao thinks about becoming his own security guard, but decides he has better things to do. He writes and proposes legislation; raises funds for his presidential campaign; asks Freddie Roach to be his running mate; asks Bob Arum to be his Secretary of Defense; studies for a couple of movie roles; plays point guard, power forward, shooting guard, center, small forward and sixth man; negotiates for ownership of an NBA franchise; tries to sing; puts off singing lessons; speaks to the United Nations; writes his autobiography; visits Barack Obama; hosts a talk show and assures the faithful that he isn’t distracted. What, Manny, worry? He stops Shane Mosley within nine rounds on May 7.

· For a couple of rounds, Mosley looks better than expected. He pushes the Manny congregation to the edge of despair with an early knockdown of Pacquiao. A red-faced Arum can be heard screaming at Todd DuBoef, telling him to arrange an immediate rematch with either Joshua Clottey or Antonio Margarito. But like the T–Shirt says: Manny Knows. Translation: No worries. Wear and tear from a long career, combined with Pacquiao’s inexhaustible energy and speed, sap Mosley, turning him into the burned-out shell he was against Sergio Mora.

· Miguel Cotto gets in the last word against Ricardo Mayorga, everybody’s first choice for a tune-up, and then moves onto some unfinished business against Margarito. Cotto avenges his 2008 loss to Margarito. Cotto never mentions whether he suspects that Margarito wore the altered hand wraps that led to his license revocation after they were discovered loss to Mosley. He doesn’t have to. A one-sided victory says it all.

· The Arum-Oscar De La Hoya feud continues, also a safe for prediction for 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and beyond, say, until sometime after Pacquiao’s term as the Filipino president ends.

· Pascal says he doesn’t do rematches, even though Bernard Hopkins earned one in a majority draw and a contract clause entitles Chad Dawson to one. Pascal doesn’t do late rounds either, a habit which would doom him in another go-round with either Hopkins or Dawson, who figures to be smarter and much tougher with trainer Emanuel Steward.

· Juan Manuel Marquez beats Andre Berto and again asks for a second rematch with Pacquiao. Arum, already in a never-ending battle with Marquez promoter De La Hoya, is running short on reasons to avoid Marquez. But Arum re-opens a forgotten front. He tells Marquez to dump trainer Nacho Beristain, who has been a forgotten in the ongoing saga. Beristain walked out of a news conference amid an exchange of obscenities after Pacquiao won a disputed decision in their last bout. Years ago, Beristain ended his relationship with Arum after an angry breakdown in negotiations.

· Sylvester Stallone opens and concludes his acceptance speech in June for induction to the International Boxing Hall of Fame by saying “Yo.’’

· Mike Tyson tells the Hall of Fame audience in June that he doesn’t really belong in the Hall, but he has already been there in photos and memorabilia for several years anyway. Tyson’s induction, a worthy one despite the controversy surrounding him throughout his career, only makes it official.

· The Hall announces plans for a Hollywood wing. Mark Wahlberg is nominated for spot in Hall alongside Stallone for his starring role in The Fighter. Some critics continue to call The Fighter the best film ever about boxing. They must have never seen When We Were Kings, the poignant story about Muhammad Ali’s 1974 victory over George Foreman in Zaire. It’s a documentary, which means the drama is real in a sport that is so often its own screenplay.

· Evander Holyfield doesn’t retire. Hopkins, Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson don’t either.

· Beyond his boxing prime and a mixed-martial bust, James Toney has nowhere to go. He becomes a pro wrestler.

· Saul “Canelo” Alvarez calls out Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Canelo tells him: “Let’s fight at Azteca Stadium and see if we can do what your daddy did.’’ Chavez’ father, the legendary Julio Sr. and another 2011 Hall of Fame inductee, drew a record crowd of 132,247 to the Mexico City stadium for his 1993 victory over Greg Haugen..

· Amir Khan unifies the junior-welterweight title and begins talks about moving up in weight and class, possibly against Cotto.

· The heavyweights get a new name, the Euros, overrated and devalued.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Ronald Hearns will try to follow in he footsteps and capture a Middleweight championship when he takes on Felix Sturm on February 19th in Stuttgart, Germany.

“We’ve agreed in principle on the terms and we are exchanging the paperwork,” said Hearns’ promoter Lou DiBella of his deal with Arena Box promoter Ahmet Öner, who works with Sturm’s own promotional company on his fights. “We hope to have it signed by Saturday.”

“It’s a tremendous career opportunity for Ronald,” DiBella said. “It’s a shot at a title his father once held so proudly.”

“I think that Sturm is extremely talented. We all know that, but he’s been around for a long time,” DiBella said. “He’s not a huge puncher and Ronald can really punch, so it’s a great opportunity for him. It’s an opportunity he won’t get here [in the United States].

“If Ronald can go to Germany and do well, even if he loses, he can come back here bigger than when he left. He’ll go there and give it everything he has against one of the best middleweights in the world.”

Last year we picked 10 prospects who were a little under the radar, here we review how their 2010 went.

Kubrat Pulev 10-0(5) – Since last year the talented Bulgarian has progressed well, having gone 6-0(3). Beating good opposition like Matt Skelton KO4, Domminick Guinn PTS8 & Paolo Vidoz PTS 8. Next scheduled to fight on 22 January against Yaroslav Zavorotnoyy. That shouldn’t be to much of a problem, but an interesting comparison could be drawn with Alexander Dimitrenko who vanquished Zavorotnoyy in 5 in 2010.

Ismayl Sillakh 14-0(12) – He signed with Roy Jones Jnr’s Square Ring Promotional company and got a prime spot underneath Jones-Hopkins 2 in April. He dually impressed splattering Daniel Judah in two. Judah hadn’t previously been stopped adding to the lustre. Unfortunately Square Ring’s lack of dates meant Sillakh was left on the shelf for 6 months. He finally reappeared in Bulgaria home of manager Ivalyo Gotsev winning a stay busy fight. He got back into action in America fighting Rayco Saunders and for the first time went ten rounds. Overall Sillakh was 5-0(4). Rumour is that he’ll face fellow unbeaten and another standout amateur Yordenis Despaigne of Cuba on ESPN in March in what will be a real 50-50 fight.

George Groves 11-0(9) – Had a big year, he very impressively won the Commonwealth title in April stopping tough Ghananian Charles Adamu, he closed the year stopping hard nosed Scot, Kenny Anderson in six, though he tasted the canvas for the first time himself. He also made his American debut in July when he appeared on the Marquez-Diaz 2 card. He was 4-0(4) in 2010. He’s the mandatory challenger to James Degale for the British title, in truth that is one avenue he’d probably be wise to avoid for the moment if only to let the fight marinate and become even bigger. It’s one of the most anticipated fights in Britain and would be worth a fortune to both in a few fights time.

Yudel Jhonson 9-0(6) – The Cuban didn’t break out the way he had hoped in 2010. He had a fairly busy year 5-0(4), but against limited opposition, stopping three of them in the first. At 29, with his skill and background he’ll hope he can do similar things to several of his former National team mates and fight a higher level of opposition. The next year will be a big one for Jhonson, if he’s to make a name for himself he needs to make in roads in 2011.

Keith Thurman 15-0(14) – He wasn’t as active as he had hoped fighting only three times winning all three inside the distance. The opposition was a little better but they still had no answer to his power. Outside the ring Shelly Finkel who had managed him decided to part ways with Boxing for the most part so now Thurman is being looked after by Al Haymon. He’s also back training with Dan Birmingham who used to work with him in the infancy of his career. We should know more about where Thurman’s career will take him over the next twelve months, I would expect promoter Golden Boy to ramp up the opposition and match him with a few tough journeyman who will take Thurman rounds and enable us to see if there is more to Thurman than just power punching.

Ruslan Provodnikov 17-0(11) – He fought three times in 2010, continuing his progress. Two of the fights took place in America, the first was against former world champion Javier Jauregi back in February, after a muted fight with Bredis Prescott didn’t come to pass. No matter he dutifually stopped the old warrior in 8. In May he impressively dropped Emmanuel Augustus three times before getting the ninth round TKO. Disappointingly he didn’t maintain the same pace in the second half of the year fighting only once in his hometown in Russia. He gets back to action on ESPN2 against once beaten Mauricio Herrera for the vacant USBA 140 title. Hopefully he can get a fight with someone like Juan Urango or Julio Diaz giving him the chance to break into the top 10.

Archie Ray Marquez 11-0(8) – Not the year Marquez was hoping for as he was beset by problems outside the ring. He did remain unbeatean, going 8 rounds for the first time. Whether last year was a blip or not and if he can get back to action regular in 2011 remains to be seen. Nothing scheduled at the moment though his promoter Gary Shaw hopes to get him in the ring 5 times in the new year.

Kazuto Ioka 6-0(4) – Moved much faster than anyone else on this list, so much so that last year he’d only been a pro for 8 months when he made this list. Ioka is still only 21, but with a wealth of experience from his amateur days, he’s still only had six fights, all wins with four stoppages. His next fight is for the WBC Strawweight title against Oleydong Sithsamerchai who’s 34-0-1(12). It takes place in Ioka’s homeland of Japan and Sithsamerchai has looked a vunerable over the last year, it’s still a tough ask of Ioka however.

Luis Alberto Rios 11-1-1(6)- He came into 2010, with 11 consecuative wins and at only 19 years old word out of Panama was that he had a very bright future. He didn’t have a good year though first drawing with Carlos Melo before being upset in April by Luis Carrillo. Though he did have a shoulder injury, he hasn’t been seen or heard from since so it remains to be seen if he can bounce back. He’s still young so it can lightly be done.

Carlos Buitrago 17-0(12) – Has only just turned 19 years old, has continued his development in Nicaragua. He won something called the WBA Fedecentro title, though it’s only a junior trinket it’s sure to of given the youngster confidence from which to build. It has been mentioned by some that they think “Cochorroncito” may be better than fellow gym mate Roman Gonzalez. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Prodesa his backers take him to Japan or Mexico to fight like they have with Gonzalez, all of which would be great experience for the youngster. I expect him to be fighting on the fringes of the world scene by the end of the year.

This years 10 under the radar to look out for are.

Rakhim Chakhkiev 8-0(6) – Had a strong amateur resume in which culminated with gold at the 2008 Olympics, the previous year he won silver at the World Championships. He was a Heavyweight in the amateur’s but doesn’t believe he has the size to fight there as a pro and is campaigning at Cruiserweights in the paid ranks. He turned over in October 2009 and has progressed quickly winning all 8 in total, going 5-0(3) 2010. He’s alligned with Universum and trained by Michael Timm. Turns 28 in mid January and with his amateur credentials he should progress well in the new year.

Lateef Kayode 15-0(14) – The former Nigerian soldier has progressed well since relocating to L.A to work at the Wild Card gym under the expert tutelage of Freddie Roach, he’s managed by Steven Feder and recently signed with Gary Shaw’s promotional company who will get him regular TV exposure in the coming year. It’s a big year for Kayode, he needs to move from prospect to contender. Could fight next on 4 February.

Dominic Wade 9-0(7) – The Heavy handed Maryland prospect is still only 20 years old. In the later part of 2010 he moved upto 6 rounds though it made little difference as experienced Troy Lowry 27-9 was brushed aside easily inside a round. Nicknamed “The Blade” he’s still working his way out whether he’ll fight at Middleweight or Super Middleweight. Looked after by Prizefighter and trained & managed by Barry Hunter who also looks after both Lamont & Anthony Peterson. He won 4 consecuative Silver gloves championships in the amateurs, becoming only the second fighter to ever achieve this after Oscar De La Hoya.

Bastie Samir 7-0(7) – Sprang to prominence with a strong showing at the 2007 Worlds and then the 2008 Olympics where he fought for his country Ghana up at Light Heavyweight. In one of his matches he hit one of his opponents so hard he broke his headgear off. When he turned pro under the expert guidance of Cameron Dunkin he dropped down to Middleweight where his power is even more effective. Initially he fought and quickly moved to 3-0 before he went back to Ghana and had problems getting back into America. After 18months his team managed to sort the problems and brought him back to Las Vegas where he now trains with veteran Kenny Adams who will teach him he subtle nuances of the game. Expect him to be busy in 2011 fighting on Golden Boy shows.

Jonathan Gonzalez 11-0(11) – Has kept out of the limelight despite a perfect 11-0(11) record. Fought at the 2008 Olympics for Puerto Rico, without medalling. He’s already fighting 8 rounders, so far going only 6 due to his power. Nicknamed “Mantequilla” he’s still only 21, and fights at Welterweight, though recently been as high as 155 so perhaps may settle at Light Middleweight. Promoted by Gary Shaw who will hope Gonzalez can follow countryman Felix Trinidad or Miguel Cotto who have in recent years made a big impression at 147 & 154.

Sergei Rabchanka 15-0(11) – The Belarrusian broke through this year, he started the year as a faceless guy with a good record but finished it with an impressive win over Roman Dzuman KO6. He’s looked after by serial European stalwart manager/agent Philippe Fondu who believes the Light Middleweight to be the most gifted guy he’s worked with. He may appear in Britain as he is promoted by Ricky Hatton’s promotional company, hopefully he will be back in action in the first quarter of 2011.

Michael Finney 6-0(6) – Another youngster, only recently turned 19 who originally hails from Smith Station, Alabama but now lives in Pahrump, near Las Vegas where he like Samir works with Cameron Dunkin and trains with Kenny Adams and fights under the Golden Boy banner. He fights are the early 140’s so will likely develop into a Welterweight as he continue’s. Reminds me of a young Kelly Pavlik, in that he’s tall and powerful. Will be kept busy in 2011 while he develops his game.

Randy Caballero 6-0(4) – Of Nicaraguan decent but born and bread in Southern Californian hotbed of Coachella where he was one of America’s best young amateur’s winning 9 National titles going 167-10 in total. He opted to turn professional and also signed with talent spotter extrordinaire Cameron Dunkin who signed him with Golden Boy. Competes at Super Bantamweight and seems to have a very bright future. Next in action on 14 January in Indio near his hometown.

Alexei Collardo 13-0(13) – The young Cuban Super Bantamweight moved to Ireland along with Luis Garcia & Mike Perez but appears the better of the 3. Has a strong amateur pedigree winning the Flyweight title in 2006 World Junior title. So far despite several attempts to get him rounds he has stepped up and stopped everybody including former world champion Felix Machado KO5 & world title challenger Cristian Faccio KO4. It’ll be interesting to see what his next move is whether his people are able to back him further and bring other big names to Ireland and possibly make Collardo a champion. Seems to be talented enough and still on 22. What happens when his opponent comes to win and hits back remains to be seen.

Carlos Cuadras 18-0(16) – Is seen by some as one of Mexico’s potential stars of the future. He opperates at Super Flyweight where over the next 12 months he should be able to make a push for a world title. Not known by many because to date he hasn’t fought in America, so far all but 3 of his fights have taken place in Mexico. He is alligned with Japanese Promoter Teikken so has fought there on those three occassions. International competion will allow “The Prince” to gain vital experience on the road. The 22 year old had a solid amateur career winning the 2007 Pan-Am Games at Bantamweight then competing in the World Championship later that year. I expect him to continue to develop and crack the top ten in the next year.

Thoughts and observations – Deepest sympathy’s to the family of Bennie Briscoe one of the Best fighters to never win a world title he passed away on Tuesday aged 67…Super Middleweight prospect Edwin Rodriguez looked impressive back in November scoring his career best win stopping son of a legend James McGirt in nine. He got himself in terrific shape sparring with the likes of Carl Froch, Jean Pascal & Daniel Geale. That bodes well for him for the future. He’ll be back on 14 January on ESPN against another son of a legend Aaron Pryor Jr 15-2(11) If he keeps this up he’ll be swapping his nickname from “LA Bomba” to “The Legend Killer”…The 175 unification between Jurgen Braehmer & Beibut Shumenov has kind of gone under the radar, that should be a pretty entertaining fight.

The last 365 days of New Jersey boxing have been entertaining to say the least. We witnessed both fights that made Sergio Martinez into the sport’s newest superstar and one of the best knockouts in recent memory. Prospects such as Michael Angelo Perez, Glen Tapia, Jorge Diaz, Denis Douglin, Carlos Zambrano, Jorge Diaz and all remain unbeaten. There was also a number of shocking upsets.

15rounds’ New Jersey staff writers and a number of other ringside regulars such as Kurt Wolfheimer of Fightnews.com, Eugene Sirota, John Wall, Sean Connolly and Dylon Silversey of Gardenstatefightscene.com, Brickcityboxing.com’s Danny Seratelli, Mike Coppinger of Seconds Out and Boxing Insiders’ Scoop Malinowski, recently voted on a number of awards for 2010. All of the mentioned fights either took place in the Garden State or featured a New Jersey fighter.

Fighter of the Year: Tomasz Adamek (Secaucus):

With all due respect to every other fighter in the state, Adamek was an easy choice; easy enough that every writer polled selected him without second thought.

Adamek, a wildly popular Pole who is the biggest thing in New Jersey boxing since the late Arturo Gatti, won all four of his bouts in 2010. His victories included an impressive decision against top flight heavyweight Cris Arreola, former contender Michael Grant and 2004 US Olympian Jason Estrada. In his most recent bout, Adamek battered Vinny Maddalone before the latter’s corner threw in the towel fight during the fifth round.

His next bout is scheduled for April in Poland and it appears that he’ll be taking on hard hitting former titlist Samuel Peter. From there, expect to see him battle one of the Klitschkos or David Haye.

Prospect of the Year: Denis “Da Momma’s Boy” Douglin (Morganville)

Douglin, a 2008 National Golden Gloves Champion who is trained by his mother, had plenty of people chatting about him from the get go due to his chief second. But as they say, action speaks louder than words. During the last 12 months, Douglin was a perfect 6-0 with 5 dominant wins by kayo. In his lone decision win, he lost a single round on one of the three judges’ scorecards.

In addition to only losing one round the entire year, He moved down from middleweight to junior middleweight in March and has looked his best yet since dropping a few pounds. Not bad for a Momma’s Boy.

Honorable Mention: Glen Tapia (Passaic, 2 votes), Carlos Zambrano (North Bergen, 1 vote), Juan Rodriguez (Union City, 1 vote), Alex Perez (Newark, 1 vote), Jorge Diaz (New Brunswick, 1 vote), Lavarn Harvell (Atlantic City, 1 vote)

Editors Note: Some writers selected multiple fighters for the same award

Fight of the Year: Brian Miller SD8 Danny McDermott (Jersey City)

For eight rounds, Danny “Little Mac” McDermott and New York’s Brian Miller went at it as if there were no tomorrow, trading monstrous shots in close quarters. Both fighters kept the crowd on their feet by connecting with a number of punches in a phenomenal action bout, but the Jersey fighter came up just a bit short in this one.

Miller’s conditioning and consistency helped him pull out a close split decision in a bout that we are all dying to see again.

Honorable Mention: Jorge Diaz UD Emmanuel Lucero, Patrick Majewski (Atlantic City) TKO8 Eddie Caminero, Sergio Martinez KO2 Paul Williams

Upset of the Year: Ayi Bruce MD10 Shamone Alvarez (Atlantic City)/ Kaizer Mabuza TKO6 Kendall Holt (Paterson)

There were a few nice upsets pulled off by local fighters (more on that below) however, two of the Garden State’s top rated boxers were shockingly defeated in fights most expected them to win with ease.

In the case of Alvarez, who was one point away from earning a draw during a 2009 title eliminator, he was outfought by a man that he supposed to outfight. A victory against Bruce, a tough but beatable New York based Ghanaian, could have powered him to another meaningful fight in his boxing-crazed hometown.

Holt was surprisingly halted by virtually known South African Kaizer Mabuza. From early on in the fight, Holt didn’t appear to be himself and reportedly struggled to make the 140 lb limit following a long layoff. Mabuza took advantage of this, forcing Holt’s corner to throw in the towel immediately following round six. A victory would have lifted the former world champion to another title shot against then IBF champion Devon Alexander.

Ironically, both men were upset at Bally’s in Atlantic City.

Honorable Mention: Carlos Tamara (North Bergen) TKO12 Brian Viloria, Carlos Vinan (Newark) TKO8 Anthony Mezaache, Vincent Arroyo KO8 Jeremy Bryan (Paterson)

Story of the Year: Sergio Martinez KO2 Paul Williams (November 20)

With all due respect to late baseball star Bobby Thompson, who hit one of the most famous homeruns in baseball history, Sergio Martinez connected with the shot heard round the boxing world in Atlantic City last month.

Martinez, a slick middleweight, was making the first defense of his world title which he won in AC back in April against Kelly Pavlik. Opposing him was Paul “The Punisher” Williams, the same fighter who defeated him via controversial split decision in NJ’s best fight of 09’. This time, there were no judges needed.

Following an action packed first round between the sport’s top two southpaws not named Manny Pacquiao, Martinez connected with a perfectly placed left hook that sent Williams to the canvas flat on his face. The fans and media were both in awe with what they had just witnessed as was Sergio Martinez, who jumped for joy after Referee Earl Morton counted Williams out.

Every major media source to announce their 2010 awards thus far have selected it for Knockout of the Year. Martinez’ picturesque punch was even featured on Sports Center.

Honorable Mention: Adamek’s popularity at the Prudential Center, Glen Tapia serving as Manny Pacquiao’s main sparring partner leading up to the Antonio Margarito fight, Pawel Wolak twice getting avoided by Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

The fight between two New Jerseyans we’d like to see:

There were a total of six fights selected one time each:
Tomasz Adamek (Secaucus) vs Chazz Witherspoon (Paulsboro)
Jorge Diaz (New Brunswick) vs Carlos Zambrano (North Bergen)
Pawel Wolak (Wallington) vs Patrick Majewski (Atlantic City)
Denis Douglin (Morganville) vs Lavarn Harvell (Atlantic City)
Chazz Witherspoon (Paulsboro) vs Maurice Harris (East Orange)
Chazz Witherspoon (Paulsboro) vs Bruce Seldon (Atlantic City)

What we’d like to see in 2011: A fight at the New Meadowlands Stadium

Sure the Giants’ and Jets’ new home doesn’t have the mass appeal of Cowboy Stadium, but it’s a renowned building that cost a number with many zeros on the end to construct. Promoter Bob Arum flirted with the idea of hosting the Pacquiao-Margarito fight there, although it ultimately ended up at the aforementioned Cowboy Stadium.

With the New Yankee Stadium’s notoriety not attracting as many fans as expected to their first ever fight, Miguel Cotto vs Yuri Foreman, and Madison Square Garden scheduled to close down summer due for renovations, why wouldn’t a promoter want to host a fight at Meadowlands Stadium?

East Rutherford is located just minutes outside of New York City, the stadium is available, New Jersey’s evening weather is perfect for a summer sporting event and Cotto will likely take on Margarito in a rematch this summer. Hopefully, Arum considers this great venue, which seats more than 80,000 and would provide an outstanding but yet affordable evening for boxing fans.

Honorable Mention: More world championship fights in Atlantic City, The continuation of Main Events’ “Brick City Fight Series” at the Prudential Center, More New Jersey State Title bouts, the NJ State Athletic Commission assisting local promoters more on club shows

Former Two-Time World Champion to Challenge
“Jacare” Souza For 185-Pound Title Saturday, Jan. 29,

Live on SHOWTIME® From HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.

NEW YORK (Dec. 29, 2010) – One day after re-signing its world welterweight champion, Nick Diaz, to a new multi-fight deal, STRIKEFORCE announced Wednesday that exciting, hard-hitting former two-time world middleweight champion “Ruthless’’ Robbie Lawler had also signed a new, multi-year agreement with the San Jose, Calif.-based world championship Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) promotion.

One of the most lethal punchers in his weight class, Lawler (18-6, 1 NC) will challenge STRIKEFORCE middleweight belt-holder “Jacare” Souza (13-2, 1 NC) in one half of a STRIKEFORCE World Championship Doubleheader on Saturday, Jan. 29, at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast). Diaz (23-7, 1 NC) will defend his title against Brazilian powerhouse Evangelista Cyborg (18-13) in the other.

Lawler, a 5-foot-11, 28-year-old southpaw fan favorite from Granite City, Ill., is coming off one of the most devastating MMA knockouts of 2010 – a brutal, single-punch, 50-second annihilation of Matt “The Law’’ Lindland last Dec. 4 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis. Fifteen of Lawler’s 18 career victories have come via knockout or TKO.

“STRIKEFORCE has treated me good and I am happy to re-sign with them,” Lawler said. “They have given me an opportunity to fight for the title and I’m looking forward to that and to fighting any and all of the top 185-pounders.’’

Since September 2006, Lawler has gone 7-2-1 with one No Contest. Three starts ago, the athletic, aggressive crowd-pleaser registered a dramatic, come-from-behind first-round (3:33) KO over highly regarded Melvin Manhoef on Jan. 30, 2010.

Lawler, who turned pro at 19, fought Scott “Hands Of Steel’’ Smith during the first-ever primetime network telecast of MMA on May 31, 2008, on The CBS Television Network.

In other featured fights on the stacked Jan. 29 SHOWTIME televised card, football legend and MMA upstart, the incredible Herschel Walker (1-0) will return to the cage to face Scott Carson (4-1) in a heavyweight bout and undefeated Roger Gracie (3-0), will battle former South African national wrestling champion and MMA star Trevor Prangley (23-6-1) at light heavyweight (205 pounds).

About STRIKEFORCE
STRIKEFORCE (www.strikeforce.com) is a world-class mixed martial arts cage fight promotion which, on Friday, March 10, 2006, made history with its “Shamrock vs. Gracie” event, the first sanctioned mixed martial arts fight card in California state history. The star-studded extravaganza, which pitted legendary champion Frank Shamrock against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Cesar Gracie at San Jose’s HP Pavilion, played host to a sold-out, record crowd of 18,265. Since 1995, STRIKEFORCE, sanctioned by ISKA, has been the exclusive provider of martial arts programming for ESPN and, after 12 years of success as a leading, world championship kickboxing promotion, the company unveiled its mixed martial arts (MMA) series with “Shamrock vs. Gracie.” In May 2008, West Coast Productions, the parent company of STRIKEFORCE, partnered with Silicon Valley Sports & Entertainment (SVS&E), an entity created in 2000 to oversee all business operation aspects of the San Jose Sharks and HP Pavilion at San Jose. In March 2009, STRIKEFORCE signed a multi-year agreement with SHOWTIME® to stage live events on the premium cable television network. The promotion has since also produced two live, primetime events on the CBS Television Network.

Atlantic City welterweight contender Shamone “The Truth” Alvarez will journey north to battle Antonin Decarie (24-1, 7 KO) in the Canadian’s hometown of Montreal on February 11. The scheduled 10 round bout is part of a card that will be nationally televised in the US as part of ESPN’s Friday Night Fight Series. The Bell Centre, which consistently provides an electric atmosphere on fight night, will serve as as the venue.

Alvarez (21-3, 12 KO) is looking to rebound from a ten round majority decision loss to Ayi Bruce at Bally’s earlier this month. With a win on national TV, he figures to get back in the thick of the crowded welterweight division.

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

Hall of Fame promoter Russell Peltz sent word out on Tuesday evening that one of the great middleweights, Bennie Briscoe passed away after an illness

Peltz statement read “Bennie Briscoe, one of the best never to win a world title (when world titles meant something) and the man who presided over the last Golden Age of Boxing in Philadelphia (the 1970s) passed away today at 5.52pm EST. He had been in Temple University hospital for about a week before being moved to hospice. His wife Karen, who I have been in contact with over the last two weeks, called my at about 6.20pm EST to give me the news.”

Brisoce had a record of 66-24-5 with fifty-three knockouts fought all of the top Middleweights of his era as he held the great Carlos Monzon to a draw in Monzon’s home country in Argentina.

He was stopped in seven in an effort to win the WBC Middleweight title in the rematch with Monzon and then lost two more chances to win the title against Rodrigo Valdez. he also dropped a decision to the legendary Emile Griffith and then held Griffith to a draw in the rematch.

He also lost a decision to Marvin Hagler.

Among some of Briscoe’s finest wins are over the great George Benton; Tony Mundine; Future world champion Eddie Mustafa Muhammad; “Cyclone” Hart

Briscoe was sixty-seven years old

Last September Kaizer Mabuza left his homeland South Africa and headed to the Ukraine to fight then unbeaten Serhiy Fedchenko. He proved his mettle and won a majority decision, that propelled him in a fight back in February, once again he was on the road this time he made his American debut where he met former WBO 140 champion Kendall Holt. Holt was widely expected to win and win well. It didn’t come to bare as Mabuza now 23-6-3(14) posted his most impressive result so far forcing Holt to retire at the end of the sixth round. Since then Mabuza 30, has remained on the shelf largely due to politics. His next fight though without a venue or date will almost certainly be against Zab Judah for the vacant IBF Light Welterweight title. Here’s what Mabuza had to say.

Hello Kaizer, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – It took for you to come to America to really open people’s eyes of how good you are when you beat Kendall Holt in February. What are your thoughts on that fight looking back?

Kaizer Mabuza – It is amazing how life can go different ways and change your fortunes. Somehow, I been underestimated even in my own country, where I was just one of the national champions. Prior of Holt fight, I took very short notice as replacement fight in Ukraine against unbeaten IBF I/C Champion Sergey Fedchenko. It was so short notice, that we just managed to arrive in Ukraine hour prior of the weigh in. Mr. Branco (my promoter) told me I have nothing to lose, but only gain. Not that in the case of winning I will only get a belt, but IBF Rating as well, which will secure me better fights and better money. Mr. Branco was very much right. After I have beaten Fedchenko I got offered fight against Holt. Holt was former WBO world Champion, and nobody give me a chance, even home in South Africa. Reporters were very negative, making comments that my promoter doesn’t care what will happen to me. Well, I just showed to all of them how wrong they were by stopping Holt.

Anson Wainwright – How come you haven’t been in action since? Do you have anything in the works?

Kaizer Mabuza – I couldn’t fight as IBF have appointed several guy’s from the rating to fight me for mandatory position – but all of them turned fight down, including Matthysse and Kotelnik. Once you are appointed for the mandatory eliminator, you can not take other fights, as you will lose your status.

Anson Wainwright – You will fight Zab Judah/Lucas Matthysse for the Vacant IBF title next year what did you think of Judah/Matthysse in that fight?

Kaizer Mabuza – I honestly thought Matthysse would win! I was surprised when I saw internet results and comments on the fight.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your team. Who is your manager, trainer & promoter? Also what gym do you train out of?

Kaizer Mabuza – My manager / trainer is Manny Fernandez and promoter Branco Milenkovic. I know that Branco who already have 4 IBF World Champions is looking for “number 5”, and I will not let him down! The gym name is “BRD Boxing Academy”.

Anson Wainwright – How did you first become interested in Boxing?

Kaizer Mabuza – Soccer and boxing are two most popular sports among the youth in my country – I opted for boxing.

Anson Wainwright – When your not training or fighting what do you like to do? What are your hobbies/Interests?

Kaizer Mabuza – Just relaxing with music and movies.

Anson Wainwright – Although it’s a different sport back in the summer the Soccer World Cup took place in your country. What impact did that have on you and your country?

Kaizer Mabuza – It has changed the perception of South Africa worldwide! It showed to the world, we can compete with the biggest countries on the world.

Anson Wainwright – Has the World Cup left a legacy in South Africa?

Kaizer Mabuza – With out doubt. Many people see us now differently and much more in the positive light.

Anson Wainwright – What do you think of the current Light Welterweight division? WBC Alexander, WBA Khan & WBO Bradley?

Kaizer Mabuza – Bradley had a problem with Holt, it wasn’t easy. I would rate Alexander as # 1 among the three.

Anson Wainwright – Who do you think will win the up coming fights between Amir Khan & Marcos Maidana? How about Tim Bradley & Devon Alexander?

Kaizer Mabuza – Maidana can cause upset, if Khan doesn’t change something, and I THINK Alexander will be “too much” for Bradley. But again, I was wrong about Judah vs. Matthysse…This is what make boxing interesting..It is very unpredictable.

Anson Wainwright – Who has been your toughest opponent and why?

Kaizer Mabuza – It was Isaac Hlatshwayo, the former IBF World Champion. He was in his prime and I took the fight too early. Today will be different story!

Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for Zab Judah after there win before you fight?

Kaizer Mabuza – Whoever wins, they know who the man in waiting is, for Vacant IBF World Championship. I’m sure, after what I have done to Holt, they will not underestimate me!!

Thanks for your time Kaizer

Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com

Midweek Musings – Yesterday all three Kameda brothers were victorious in Japan; Koki won the vacant WBA 118 title outpointing former WBA 115 champion Alexander Munoz; Daiki barely squeezed past unheralded Silvio Olteanu retaining his WBA 112 crown & Tomaki stopped Pichitchai Twins Gym in three in Super Bantamweight action…Last Thursday also in Japan Mexican Hugo Cazares made the third defence of his WBA 115 crown. It was his third trip to Japan where he seems to be making a good living…Thought it was several days ago I’m still struggling to get remotely buzzed about Pacquiao-Mosley in May, several fights I am looking forward to in the opening few months of 2011 are Bradley-Alexander & Montiel-Donaire…Stay tuned for interviews with both halfs of “The Super Fight” Devon Alexander & Tim Bradley in the coming weeks.

If there are any fighters you would like to hear from you can contact me on elraincoat@live.co.uk

“In order to allow our employees to spend time with their families, we will be closed on Christmas Day.” Is any sign so relentlessly dishonest and ubiquitous during the holidays? A paucity of shoppers ignites merchants’ sudden interest in their employees’ families, and what could be more in keeping with the spirit of Christmas shopping season than a work furlough?

No, it was not always so. Perhaps one must return to an epoch well before his own to find a more sincere time and something more substantial. So be it, then. Back centuries we go – eight of them, actually.

We do so in the name of a boxing gym closed on Christmas Day and Christmas Eve, too, so that its employees really could spend time with their families: San Fernando Gymnasium, on the corner of Travis and Santa Rosa Streets, in downtown San Antonio.

Constructed in 1948 as part of San Fernando School complex, the gymnasium was administered by the Catholic Youth Organization. Two years later, on Dec. 3, 1950, the gymnasium was dedicated to a 12th century Spaniard whose legacy the city’s most famous plaza and cathedral already celebrated.

Fernando III, King of Leon and Castile, born near Salamanca in 1198 – known today in English-language hagiographies as “Saint Ferdinand” but known throughout South Texas as San Fernando.

This man, at whose cathedral in San Antonio Pope John Paul II prayed in September of 1987, ascended to the throne of Castile before his 20th birthday, coming to power in the throes of a time dominated by Spanish Christendom’s attempt to take back land from the Moors, Muslim conquerors who appear in Spanish literature as everything from “Saracens” to “Moorish Bands” to “Gangsters of the Frontier.”

Nineteen years into his reign and more than a century into what Spaniards would call “La Reconquista,” Fernando III won his most significant victory in a battle that started almost accidentally when skirmishers felled part of Cordova, then a Muslim city.

“The religious and administrative quarter, the Medina, held out for some time,” writes historian John Edwards for the Library of Iberian Resources Online (LIBRO). “But the ‘official’ armies of (Fernando) III of Castile and Leon were called in almost as an afterthought.”

Fernando III, like all men, learned a morality informed by the time in which he lived. Reconquest of Christian lands was the highest ethic to which a ruler of Fernando III’s era could aspire. Reconquest was goodness. Plenary indulgences were established by Pope Urban II in 1095, at the time of the first Crusade, and continued for centuries to come. To kill in the name of Christendom, then, was an act that forgave all prior sins. Fernando III led armies that did so, and well.

And once Reconquest happened, Fernando III distinguished himself with foresight, organization and a profound desire to ensure the Church’s enduring rule.

“As in the earlier stages of the Reconquest, there was no doubt in contemporaries’ minds that the absolute priority was colonisation,” writes Edwards. “Land should not go to waste and the vanished or evicted Muslims should have no chance to return to it.”

Fernando III set about converting the glorious Muslim mosques that stood in reconquered Cordova and, later, Seville.

“He turned the great mosques of these places into cathedrals, dedicating them to the Blessed Virgin,” Ferdinand Heckmann wrote in 1909 for the New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. “He watched over the conduct of his soldiers, confiding more in their virtue than in their valour, fasted strictly himself, wore a rough hairshirt, and often spent his nights in prayer, especially before battles.”

Fernando III’s rule of these reconquered lands was noteworthy for his mercy shown the vanquished, encouraging conversion to Christianity by the soldiers of defeated armies. Fernando III did not impose steep tariffs to pay for his crusades, either.

“He took the greatest care not to overburden his subjects with taxation, fearing, as he said, the curse of one poor woman more than a whole army of Saracens,” notes Edwards.

In a treatment of Fernando III for the “Santoral Franciscano (Franciscan Hagiography)” historian Jose M. Sanchez de Muniain adorns Fernando III’s governance with still greater superlatives.

“As a ruler he was at once severe and benign, vigorous and humble, audacious and patient,” writes Sanchez de Muniain, “gentile in court and pure of heart.”

Fernando III lived to father 12 children, seven by his first wife Beatriz de Suabia, and five more by his second wife Juana de Ponthieu – whom he married after Beatriz’s death. He died on May 30, 1252, and the age of 54.

“(Fernando) was buried in the great cathedral of Seville before the image of the Blessed Virgin, clothed, at his own request, in the habit of the Third Order of Saint Francis,” recorded Ferdinand Heckmann. “His body, it is said, remains incorrupt. Many miracles took place at his tomb, and (Pope) Clement X canonized him in 1671.”

Today in South Texas, the architectural tradition of San Fernando’s mosque conversions endures. Many churches here resemble nothing so much as domed mosques with crosses set on top, in a nod to the Moors’ influence on Spanish Catholicism.

As for South Texas’ most famous place of boxing, San Fernando Gymnasium, there’s this.

On Oct. 31, 1974, the City of San Antonio acquired the gym and its 0.92-acre lot for $52,100, preventing it from being razed. The gym has since been managed by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. An impressive roster of prizefighting elites have trained here: Julio Cesar Chavez, Mike Tyson, Danny Lopez, Oscar De La Hoya, Evander Holyfield, Salvador Sanchez, and of course Jesse James Leija – whose name joined Fernando III’s in the gym’s appellation four years ago.

On any weekday afternoon, today, young boxers can be seen throwing their fists in San Fernando’s gym – in a fitting tribute to a man about whom it was said: “No conoció el vicio ni el ocio (He knew neither vice nor leisure).”

Bart Barry can be reached at bbarry@15rounds.com. Additionally, his book, “The Legend of Muhammad Ali,” co-written with Thomas Hauser, can be purchased here.

It will be remembered for what didn’t happen instead of what did and for a self-proclaimed face of the game seen more often in a booking photo than the ring.

To 2010:

Bah, Humbug.

Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. didn’t happen in March, didn’t happen in November and might have its best chance at happening in virtual reality. Look for the video game in neighborhood stores, maybe next Christmas. With legal trouble multiplying for Mayweather and his future subject to a jury’s unpredictable deliberations in a domestic-abuse trial scheduled for Jan. 24, he only will be fighting to stay out of jail, at least in the near term.

There is a cynical temptation to say that Mayweather’s legal bills are the only way to ensure a fight that has become the real face of a business that can’t get its divided house in order. He’ll need the money. Whatever finally happens, abortive negotiations throughout a futile year have set the stage for more trouble in 2011, which is already clouded by Holiday condemnations for promoter Bob Arum’s decision to go forward with Pacquaio against a faded Shane Mosley on May 7 instead of worthy Juan Manuel Marquez.

If Pacquiao-Mayweather doesn’t come off later in 2011, it will be more of the same. If it does, cynics and conspiracy theorists will spin damning speculation. You can hear it now. If Mayweather is acquitted or gets probation, blogs and talk shows will be full of suggestions about how the casino industry and politicians pressured the prosecution into a deal for a fight that could be a stimulus that Vegas needs in a wager to lift itself out of recession,

At the intersection of Sin City and boxing, there is suspicion at every turn.

Reasons for optimism have been lost, trampled, in the attention to do just one fight. Blame Arum. Blame Oscar De La Hoya. Blame the he-said, she-said feud between De La Hoya and Arum. Blame the media, which pursues page views and internet hits like Arum and De La Hoya chase money, which means mentioning Pacquiao and Mayweather, Mayweather and Pacquiao gratuitously, ad nauseam and all too often at the expense of everybody else.

In November and early December, there was a chance to salvage 2010 with a string of terrific fights. There was a banquet from which to pick Fight of the Year contenders, one after another. The pick in this corner is Humberto Soto’s victory over Urbano Antillon on Dec. 4 in Anaheim, Calif. But there is no argument with Amir Khan’s gritty stand against Marcos Maidana on Dec. 11 or Juan Manuel Marquez’ comeback drama against Michael Katsidis on Nov. 27. For emphasis, there was a knockout on Nov. 20 as good as any from Sergio Martinez, the likely Fighter of the Year whose left hand in the second round sent Paul Williams crashing to the canvas like a demolished building.

But there was a disturbing sign at all of those memorable fights. Attendance was down. On good nights, crowds of maybe 5,000 showed up. For Khan-Maidana in Vegas, there were reports of ticket upgrades and giveaways.

Even beneath the big top in a ring above the 50-yard-line and below the Jerrytron on the Dallas Cowboys home field at Texas Stadium on Nov. 13, there was a crowd that failed to fulfill Arum’s expectations for Pacquiao’s dismantling of Antonio Margarito. Arum predicted more than 60,000. But the announced crowd was 40,154. Of that, paid attendance was 30,437, according to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Even with 9,717 comps, Pacquiao-Margarito fell about one-third short of Arum’s projections. On Wall Street, that would lead to a huge sell-off.

In recession-plagued Vegas, economic woes are a reasonable explanation for slow sales especially for two cards, Marquez-Katsidis and Khan-Maidana, without an American in the main event.

The Pacquiao-Margarito shortfall is harder to explain, especially with Pacquiao’s international stardom at the top of a card against a well-known Mexican, Margarito, in a city with a big Mexican and Mexican-American population. Also, Texas is reported to be one of the few states on solid economic footing. So what gives? In this era of HD television and screens that are getting cheaper by the day, there’s good reason to stay home and watch.

Nevertheless, there’s a theory that the live gate is still a good indicator of whether a fight is attracting so-called crossover fans. They’ll shed their ambivalence about boxing and show up in person to see more than a fight. They want to experience it as well. That they weren’t there in the expected numbers adds up to a problematic 2011.

One guess is that they stayed home, went to a concert or out to dinner, because of Pacquiao-Mayweather talks that went nowhere once, then twice. See ya.

There’s been lot of talk that boxing is finally making matches that matter. True enough. Soto-Antillon, Khan-Maidana, Marquez-Katsidis, Martinez-Williams, Juan Manuel Lopez’ victory over Rafael Marquez and even Bernard Hopkins controversial majority draw with Jean Pascal are all evidence of that. Those were good fights, some great,

But the crossover crowd had lost interest in the empty aftermath of talk about nothing. For the casual fan, it’s hard to believe that any fight can be a good one if the best one can’t be put together. If customers can’t get what they most want, they’ll move on, no matter what else is in stock.

This is the season to talk about awards, about who is worthy and who’s not. But 2010 will be remembered for America’s empty seats, which are beginning to look like a prize you can’t even give away anymore.

BROOKLYN, NY (December 23, 2010)—Havoc Boxing Promotions is pleased to announce the signing of undefeated cruiserweight knockout artist Santander Silgado to an exclusive promotional deal.

Silgado of Buenos Aires, Argentina has compiled a record of 18-0 with sixteen knockouts and the twenty-five year old has captured regional belts throughout South America.

Silgado turned pro with twelve straight knockouts before winning the WBA Fedecaribe and Colombian Cruiserweight titles with a third round stoppage over Jose Chiquillo.

He defended the WBA belt once before capturing the WBA Fedebol title with a unanimous decision victory over Sergio Martin Beaz.

In his last bout, Silgado stopped Cesar Dairo Herdia in one round on January 24, 2009.

“This is a big signing for us”, said Robert Diaz, Promoter for Havoc Boxing.

“We have had two great events in the past few months and the signing of Silgado shows that we are looking throughout the world for the best talent and we feel he can be a major force in the cruiserweight division. He is a young man with lots of power and he will be featured on our next show”

Silgado will make his American debut on April 2nd in Brooklyn.

North Bergen, NJ (December 23, 2010) – Undefeated heavyweight prospect Mariusz “The Polish Giant” Wach (23-0, 11 KO) has signed a promotional agreement with North Bergen, NJ-based organization Global Boxing Promotions.

The 31-year-old Wach of North Bergen by way of Krakow, Poland will also be co-promoted by Prize Fight Promotions, with former three-time heavyweight champion Michael Moorer taking over as Wach’s trainer.

“I am very happy to have the support of Global Boxing and Prize Fight Promotions,” said Wach. “I left my family and homeland before Christmas to continue training because it is my dream to become the first world heavyweight champion from Poland. I make this sacrifice because I fight for my wife, my child and my country and I want to make them proud.

“Now with Michael Moorer in my corner, 2011 will be my year to realize my dreams.”

Wach, who cuts an imposing figure at 6-foot-7 and 260 pounds, won two gold medals at the Individual Polish Championships and a silver medal in the 2004 European Union Championships. Wach was also an alternate on the 2004 Polish Summer Olympics team that competed in Athens, Greece.

Said Global Boxing Promotions CEO Mariusz Kolodziej: “Wach is a hard-working, determined fighter and I am confident that he can become the heavyweight champion of the world. He wants it bad and I and the rest of the team are here to help him reach his goals.”

“Wach is a world class heavyweight fighter that has the potential to be a dominant champion,” said Brian Young, CEO of Prize Fight. “We will continue to build him the right way so when he does fight for the heavyweight championship of the world, he will be ready. I feel we have a great team around him and I’m proud to be part of it.”

Wach will leave next week to train at the Prize Fight Gym in Memphis, TN with Moorer, who defeated Evander Holyfield to win his first heavyweight title in 1994. Wach’s next fight will be announced shortly.

“It’s going to be a great opportunity to try and instill some good qualities and boxing skills into him,” said Moorer, who had a record of 52-4 (40 KO) as a professional. “Wach admitted to me that he never really had a trainer before, he was doing everything himself.

“To have someone to guide him and show him the rights and wrongs of the boxing game, to cultivate his punching power and improve his offense and defense will go far to making him a force in the heavyweight picture.

“If Mariusz is willing to work hard – and there is a lot of work in store for him – he can be the next heavyweight champion of the world.”

For more information on Global Boxing and Mariusz Wach, visit www.globalboxing.com. For more information on Prize Fight Promotions, visit www.prizefightpromoters.com .

NEW YORK (Dec. 22, 2010) – STRIKEFORCE World Welterweight (170 pounds) Champion Nick Diaz (23-7, 1 NC) will make his second title defense when he faces Brazilian powerhouse Evangelista Cyborg (18-13) in main event action and STRIKEFORCE World Middleweight (185 pounds) Champion “Jacare” Souza (13-2, 1 NC) will put his belt on the line for the first time when he squares off with power-punching knockout artist “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler (18-6, 1 NC) in the co-main event of a stacked Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight card at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).

In other featured televised fights on SHOWTIME, football legend and MMA upstart, the incredible Herschel Walker (1-0) will return to the cage to face Scott Carson (4-1) in a heavyweight bout. The latest prospect from MMA’s first family, undefeated Roger Gracie (3-0), will battle former South African national wrestling champion and MMA star Trevor Prangley (23-6-1) at light heavyweight (205 pounds).

Tickets go on sale Monday, Dec.27, at 10 a.m. PT at the HP Pavilion ticket office, online at Ticketmaster.com and Strikeforce.com, and Ticketmaster by phone at (800) 745-3000.

The 27-year-old Diaz, of Stockton, Calif. has been unstoppable of late, winning his last eight fights. In his last effort, the 6-foot-1 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and potent striker settled a three-year old score with arch-nemesis KJ Noons, out-striking Noons en route to a five-round unanimous decision at HP Pavilion last Oct. 9.

Five months prior to the victory over Noons, the no-nonsense Diaz, one of MMA’s most intriguing figures, ventured to Saitama, Japan, to face top-ranked rival Hayato “Mach” Sakurai in a DREAM promoted affair. To the surprise of many, the southpaw Diaz made quick work of Sakurai, submitting the Japanese fighter with an armbar at the 3:54 mark of the first round.

Like Diaz, Cyborg, the husband of STRIKEFORCE Women’s Middleweight (145 pounds) Champion Cris Cyborg, possesses tremendous striking abilities, having KO’d 11 of his 18 victims. In his last outing, the 5-foot-10 Cyborg, who hails from Rondonopolis, Brazil, scored a first round TKO (punches) over highly-touted Marius “The Whitemare” Zaromskis at STRIKEFORCE: Live at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles last June 16.

Prior to defeating Zaromskis, Cyborg scored a first round-TKO on Daniel Zarate with a head kick and flurry of punches in Curitiba, Brazil on Dec. 12, 2009.

Souza, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, captured the vacant STRIKEFORCE middleweight crown last Aug. 21 when he earned a hard-fought unanimous decision over American military hero Tim Kennedy at Toyota Center in Houston, Tex. A slick submission specialist who has tapped out 10 of his 13 victims, the 6-foot Souza surprisingly opted to stand and exchange punches and kicks with his opponent for five rounds rather than take the fight to the mat.

A resident of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Souza, who celebrated his 31st birthday on Dec. 7, earned a crack at the middleweight title by winning his first two STRIKEFORCE starts. In his STRIKEFORCE debut on Dec. 19, 2009, he submitted 1996 Olympic wrestling silver medalist Matt Lindland with an arm triangle choke at the 4:18 mark of the first round. Last May 15, Souza earned a unanimous decision over Joey Villasenor at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

Souza’s only defeats came in his first career match in 2003 and to former STRIKEFORCE Light Heavyweight Champion Gegard Mousasi at the DREAM 6: Middleweight Grand-Prix Final in Saitama, Japan, in 2008. The showdown with Mousasi came shortly after Souza had claimed victory earlier on the same night over Zelg Galesic with an armbar submission in the first round of a quarterfinal round tournament bout.

Over the course of the 2008 DREAM tournament series, Souza also triumphed over Ian Murphy with a first-round (3:38) rear naked choke and over superstar Jason “Mayhem” Miller via unanimous decision.

The 28-year-old Lawler’s title shot will take place less than two months after the former Pat Miletich protégé decimated Lindland with a single punch just 50 seconds into their matchup at Scottrade Center on Dec. 4.

One of the hardest punchers in his weight class, the 5-foot-11 Lawler is a two-time 185-pound world champion who has earned 15 of his 18 career victories via knockout or TKO.

Last Jan. 30, Lawler produced a dramatic, come-from-behind, first-round (3:33) knockout over highly regarded, fellow striking machine Melvin Manhoef at Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla.

After turning pro at age 19 in April 2001, Lawler, who was born in San Diego, Calif., relocated at an early age with his family to Bettendorf, Iowa. He fought for years out of the Miletich Fighting Systems headquarters in nearby Davenport and eventually relocated to Granite City, Ill. His UFC bout with Aaron Riley on May 10, 2002, became the first MMA bout to air on network television (FOX Sports Network).

Lawler took on Scott “Hands Of Steel’’ Smith during the first-ever, live primetime network telecast of MMA on May 31, 2008, on The CBS Television Network. After the bout was ruled a no contest due to an accidental thumb to Smith’s eye, Lawler dominated Smith in their live CBS primetime-televised rematch on July 26, 2009, scoring an impressive second-round TKO.

The matchup between Walker and Carson was originally scheduled for Dec. 4, but was postponed after Walker sustained a cut above his eye during a training session.

Healthy, eager and ready to go, the 48-year-old Walker, the 1982 Heisman Trophy winner and two-time NFL Pro Bowl competitor, is undefeated at 1-0 in his latest athletic endeavor – MMA. A 1999 College Hall of Fame inductee who was also selected to Sports Illustrated’s NCAA All-Century Team that year, the 6-foot-1, 220 pound Walker of Atlanta already holds a fifth degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and boasts additional training in the combat disciplines of Muay Thai and Kenpo.

On Jan. 30, Walker made an impressive professional MMA debut, scoring a third round TKO (punches) over 26-year-old Greg Nagy at Sunrise, Fla.’s BankAtlantic Center. Walker has been training in San Jose, Calif. with Team AKA, one of the most prominent MMA fight camps in the world that is also the home of former STRIKEFORCE world champions Cung Le and Josh Thomson.

The 6-foot-2-inch Carson, a resident of Gardena, Calif., turned pro in September 1999 and won his initial four starts through June 2001. He is a WEC veteran who scored a first-round submission victory over Bryson Haubrick at the inaugural WEC event on June 30, 2001.

After being sidelined with a back injury and due to several scheduled fights falling out, Carson, a former longtime training partner of MMA legend Chuck Liddell, was finally able to fill his desire to get back in the cage last June 12 in Los Angeles. A member of Reign Training Center in Lake Forest, he got knocked out in the first round by undefeated Lorenz Martin (3-0 going in, 5-0 now).

The 29-year-old, 6-foot-4 Gracie, the winner of the coveted ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship, holds a second degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Carlos Gracie, Jr. He made history by submitting all eight of his opponents during the tournament, a feat that had never previously been achieved.

Not surprisingly, Gracie’s highly advanced submission skills have been his key to success in all three of his MMA starts. Last May 15, he made his STRIKEFORCE debut, submitting former UFC Heavyweight Champion and former NCAA National Wresting Champion Kevin “The Monster” Randleman with a rear naked choke in the second round (4:10) at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

A native of Brazil, Gracie resides in West London, England, where he owns and operates The Roger Gracie Academy.

One of the most feared and dangerous fighters in the light heavyweight division, Prangley has proven he is capable of defeating anyone on any given night. Since his pro debut in January 2001, the 6-foot Prangley has fought some of the world’s toughest opponents, including former STRIKEFORCE World Light Heavyweight Champion “Babalu” Sobral, Jorge Santiago (his last loss) and Chael Sonnen. Prangley’s most significant victory may have come against Sonnen.

Prangley has competed in five STRIKEFORCE events, including Four Men Enter, One Man Survives, the first sanctioned MMA tournament in the state of California on November 16, 2007. During the second STRIKEFORCE event at the world-famous Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Sept. 20, 2008, Prangley was victorious over Anthony “A Train” Ruiz by way of unanimous decision.

After winning a national wrestling championship in his native South Africa, Prangley left his homeland for The United States in search of the highest caliber wrestling training, and later established himself as a force in the sport of MMA. He is a member of Team AKA in San Jose.

About STRIKEFORCE
STRIKEFORCE (www.strikeforce.com) is a world-class mixed martial arts cage fight promotion which, on Friday, March 10, 2006, made history with its “Shamrock vs. Gracie” event, the first sanctioned mixed martial arts fight card in California state history. The star-studded extravaganza, which pitted legendary champion Frank Shamrock against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Cesar Gracie at San Jose’s HP Pavilion, played host to a sold-out, record crowd of 18,265. Since 1995, STRIKEFORCE, sanctioned by ISKA, has been the exclusive provider of martial arts programming for ESPN and, after 12 years of success as a leading, world championship kickboxing promotion, the company unveiled its mixed martial arts (MMA) series with “Shamrock vs. Gracie.” In May 2008, West Coast Productions, the parent company of STRIKEFORCE, partnered with Silicon Valley Sports & Entertainment (SVS&E), an entity created in 2000 to oversee all business operation aspects of the San Jose Sharks and HP Pavilion at San Jose. In March 2009, STRIKEFORCE signed a multi-year agreement with SHOWTIME® to stage live events on the premium cable television network. The promotion has since also produced two live, primetime events on the CBS Television Network.

Jean Pascal may have escaped Quebec City’s Pepsi Coliseum with his championship belts last weekend, but he didn’t escape his execution, he simply postponed it.

Now that three days have passed since Pascal battled Bernard Hopkins to a majority draw, the dust is beginning to settle. We have weathered the immediate storm of swirling rumors and conspiracies.

We know now that there wasn’t any tampering with official scorecards, nor did the WBC issue an immediate rematch following the fight.

Pascal and his team, led by promoter Yvon Michel, intend to honor their contractual obligation to make a rematch with Chad Dawson, who Pascal outclassed earlier this year to capture his light-heavyweight titles.

Then, only after Pascal-Dawson II concludes, will Michel look to put together Pascal-Hopkins II.

In his fight with Dawson, Pascal was seemingly cruising to victory, when he allowed his counterpart to come on strong in the later rounds before a clash of heads ended the bout in the eleventh.

At the time of the head-butt, Pascal was gassed. Even with plenty of rounds in the bank, Pascal was going to struggle to make it through the rest of the fight. All he had to do was get on his bike — but there was barely any air left in his tires.

Ultimately, the cut over Dawson’s eye due to the clash of heads prevented the final four minutes of the fight from ever taking place, and it resulted in a Pascal victory.

Since it had already been a knock on Pascal that he fades in the mid-to-late rounds of fights — and seeing how strong Dawson came on late in his most recent fight before Hopkins — you would think Pascal and his team would address his stamina and make it a non-issue.

Not the case. After sending the old man to the canvas twice in the first three rounds, albeit — never hurting Hopkins, Pascal seemed to be befuddled by Hopkin’s work-ethic and work-rate, almost in awe of what the soon to be forty-six year old was doing.

The charges forward that had been so successful against “Bad Chad” in June were few and far between in the Hopkins fight. B-Hop played matador to Pascal’s bull.

Pascal’s punch output, which was never something to awe at anyway, was limited to only 30 per round against Hopkins. He averaged slightly over forty against Dawson.

The Philadelphia native battered Pascal’s body with vicious punches, no doubt contributing to Pascal’s minimal punch output.

When the final bell concluded, after a both fighter’s went at one another for the full three minutes,

Judge Steve Morrow of the United States scored the match 114-112, Hopkins. While Canada’s Claude Paquette and Belgium’s Dan Van De Wielle saw the bout a draw, 114-114 and 113-113, respectively.

From my seat in front of my 52” TV, I scored the bout 114-112, Hopkins. I gave the first three rounds to Pascal, two of them 10-8 due to knockdowns. I also gave Pascal the eight round.

The other eight rounds went to Hopkins, all by scores of 10-9.

But with that said, had I given Pascal round twelve, which was as close as close can be, or any other round I scored for Hopkins, my score card would have read like that of the Belgian judge’s.

So did I think Hopkins won the fight, absolutely. Do I think a draw was highway robbery? No, not really.

To be honest, I fully expected Claude Paquette’s card to read something like 116-111, Pascal, and was pleased when Jimmy Lennon Jr. announced he saw the fight even.

But the unfortunate fact in all of this is that Hopkins cannot fight on forever. He’s been playing the 18th hole of his career for a few years now. At some point, all athletes have to leave Neverland.

At his age, another eight months or so before he gets another crack at Pascal could mean a lot. You never know when or if Hopkins will one day look old overnight.

Even still, there is little doubt in my mind that if the two meet again next year, Hopkins will best him again.

The problem is, I’m not sold Pascal-Hopkins II happens.

Hopkins is well-versed in boxing history, he is a true student of the game. Leading up to this bout, the Executioner was motivated by history — working hard to become the oldest champion in boxing history. That record meant everything to Hopkins.

“I’ll walk through fire with gasoline shoes on to get that,” Hopkins said before the fight.

And he pretty much did. Besides touching the canvas twice, Hopkins did all that could be expected of a fighter his age. His resiliency and performance undoubtedly earned him a rematch, if not an outright victory.

But the scorecards will forever remained unchanged and BHop will have to be patient for another chance to “execute” Pascal.

Only problem is, when that time comes around, Dawson may have already done the honors.

You can reach Kyle Kinder at Twitter.com/KyleKinder or KyleKinder1@gmail.com

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com terms for the May 7th showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Shane Mosley have been reached.

“We came to a meeting of the minds,” Top Rank promoter Bob Arum told ESPN.com on Tuesday night after a final meeting with Mosley and his adviser, James Prince, at the Top Rank offices in Las Vegas. “[Top Rank matchmaker] Bruce Trample says it’s a very difficult fight. I believe it will be an exciting fight. Shane knows how to fight and how to deal with the speed. Manny is in for a hellacious fight. I really believe styles make fights.”

“I know that they think I’m an old man and that Manny is going to beat me. Let them think that,” said Mosley, a former lightweight, welterweight and junior middleweight champion. “I still have power and speed. They thought I was done before I knocked out [Antonio] Margarito, too. So they can think whatever they want. I know what I can do.”

“I hurt Floyd in our fight, but he’s a great fighter and has great defense,” Mosley said. “What can I do about Mora? Do you really think that was a draw? Come on. I won that fight. He ran from me all night. But Pacquiao? Come on, man. I’m a bigger guy than him and he gets hit. And you saw how I hurt Floyd. Manny is going to come forward and I will hit him on the chin at some point. His defense is not like Floyd’s. Manny will come at me, and I will knock him out.”

“I thought Mosley was the best draw of the three and it would do the best business,” Arum said.

“They had to be insane, putting Shane in the ring with Mora,” Arum said of Golden Boy’s decision to match Mosley with a fighter with a tough style who usually makes fights with little entertainment value. “With Floyd, Shane had him in real bad trouble in the second round, so he’s capable of doing a really good fight with Manny and Manny knows that. He’s talking to [trainer] Freddie [Roach] about doing five weeks of training in the United States rather than four weeks here and four weeks in the Philippines.”

“He’s getting a little older, which is in our favor, but I expect Shane to be at his best because he’s wanted this fight for a long time. I will get Pacquiao well prepared for this one.”

Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer was disappointed to hear that the deal for Pacquiao-Mosley had been made without even receiving a call from Mosley or Prince.

“Good luck. He’s obviously no longer part of Golden Boy. That’s all I’m going to say,” Schaefer said. “I wish him luck.”

Several years ago Jhonny Gonzalez 47-7(41) won the WBO Bantamweight title he defeated Marc Johnson & Fernando Montiel and the future appeared rosey. He stepped up to 122 and fought Isreal Vazquez for the WBC crown in the main event on the Mexican Independance in 2006 and was performing incredibly well, ahead on points and having dropped Vazquez. However the fight took a drastic U-turn in the tenth when Vazquez stormed back and pulled victory from the jaws of defeat. That lead to Gonzalez now 29, returning to Bantamweight after one more successful defense he lost to Gerry Penalosa who stopped him in the seventh with a debilitating liver shot. He did what his body had told him for awhile and moved up in weight, after 6 wins he once again fought for the WBC title this time against Japan’s Toshiaki Nishioka, despite a good start in which he dropped the champion Gonzalez was stopped in the third. Gonzalez has since moved up to Featherweight and is on a seven fight winning streak with all of them by knock out, proving he maintains his power even at 126. It is widely rumoured that Gonzalez will face Hozumi Hasegawa for the WBC Featherweight championship early in 2011. He is currently ranked WBC 1, WBA 2 & IBF 4.

Hello Jhonny, welcome 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – Just a few weeks back you beat Jackson Asiku, what can you tell us about that fight?

Jhonny Gonzalez – The fight of Jackson was an important fight for me as for all the Mexicans because it’s a very special date September 15 Is the Independence of Mexico.

Anson Wainwright – Though it’s early do you think you’ll be back in action? If so can you tell us when & against who it maybe?

Jhonny Gonzalez – I just fought against Santos Marimon. I am going to dispute the world championship of the WBC against the champion Hozumi Hasegawa of Japan there are plans that be in the month of February in Mexico.

Anson Wainwright – Who are members of team Gonzalez, who is your manager, trainer & Promoter? Also what gym do you train at?

Jhonny Gonzalez – My managers are Oswaldo and Reginaldo Kulche. My coach is Ignacio beristain, my brother Miguel Angel Gonzalez and Ulysses help too. My promoter is Promociones Del Pueblo & I train in the La Romanza, Mexico City.

Anson Wainwright – Your campaigning in the Featherweight division which has many talented fighters at the moment what are your thoughts on that? Are you targeting anyone in particular?

Jhonny Gonzalez – The division is very tough, there are Juanma Lopez, Yuriorkis Gamboa, Chris John, Elio Rojas,etc. I feel capable to face any of them in the 2011

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your early years growing up in Hidalgo? Were things tough growing up and how did you first become interested in Boxing?

Jhonny Gonzalez – There is an error, I am from Mexico City. My first fight was there and it appears on my record.

Anson Wainwright – You previously reigned as a Bantamweight World champion from 2005 to 2007. Looking back what are your thoughts on what it was like to be champion and what it meant to you?

Jhonny Gonzalez – My dream was achieved because every boxer dreams of that I was fortunate to achieve it and to be able to face tough fighters.

Anson Wainwright – Having fought down at 118 you quickly moved through 122 and now fight at 126 how do you find making weight now? What weight are you between fights?

Jhonny Gonzalez – Well I believe that my body needed me to rise from division because I struggled with those pounds, now in 126 I feel better I believe that this is my natural weight at this time.

Anson Wainwright – You have fought Israel Vazquez in 2006 on the Mexican Independence card it was a fantastic give and take war, you were ahead at the time of the stoppage. Looking back what do you think of that fight now? How good do you think Vazquez was?

Jhonny Gonzalez – It was a great experience for and in my career as a boxer, I was on the verge of winning a tough fight but he actually went on to win.

Anson Wainwright – When your not Boxing or training what do you like to do with your time to relax? Do you have any hobbies or interests?

Jhonny Gonzalez – I like to be with my family because when I have a fight I feel very tired and it’s very difficult to be able to be a lot of time with them. I have a business in Mexico City a rostiseria. I like the video play

Anson Wainwright – I remember reading that your father spelt your name wrong when he registered your birth can you tell us exactly what happened?

Jhonny Gonzalez – By an er. ror, but he never went to change it.

Anson Wainwright – What do you consider you best performance so far? Who do you think is the best fighter your have shared a ring with & why?

Jhonny Gonzalez – When I won my first world championship in Tucson Az. There have been various one’s Vazquez, Fernando Montiel and the but recent to Jackson Asiku.

Anson Wainwright – Do you have a message for the Featherweight division?

Jhonny Gonzalez – That the champions fight Jhonny Gonzalez to make it a better division over the next year. I want to achieve big things. Many tough Mexican’s they command a greeting to all the people that trust my profession.

Thanks for your time Jhonny.

Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com

Midweek Musings – Bernard Hopkins certainly looked to have done enough to beat Jean Pascal on Saturday. Pascal looked devoid of ideas and seemed to have no plan B. He couldn’t figure out the puzzle that is Bernard Hopkins. Hopefully we get the rematch, not sure Pascal is in any rush, seems like he may exercise the rematch clause with Chad Dawson…Canada wasn’t the only place where the home guy was given the benefit of the doubt seems like Luis Lazarte did against Ulises Solis in Argentina…Word out of Britain is Frank Warren has offered Amir Khan an undisclosed amount to face Kell Brook.

The always exciting Jorge Arce took out Adolfo Ramos inside of one round of their scheduled ten round Super Bantamweight fight in Campide, Mexico

Arce dropped Ramos with a nice counter right midway through the first frame. Arce jumped on Ramos and froze Ramos with a big right on the ropes and the referee stopped the bout after three more unanswered punches at 2:06 of the round one.

Arce, 121 1/2 lbs of Los Mochis, MX is now 56-6-2 with forty-three knockouts. Ramos, 121 1/2 lbs of Monitos, Colombia is now 16-11-1.

Ramon Garcia remained the WBO Mini Flyweight championship with a twelve round unanimous decision over Omar Soto.

Garcia scored a flash knockdown in round four and hard knockdown in round ten and cruised to the unanimous decision by scores of 120-106; 119-107 and 118-108.

Garcia, 107 lbs of La Paz, Mexico is now 16-1-1. Soto, 107 lbs of Guaynabo, PR is now 15-7-1.

Former world title challenger Jorge Lacierva scored three first round knockdowns en route to a ten round unanimous decision over Joksan Hernandez in a Super Featherweight bout.

Lacierva is now 38-7-6. Hernandez is now 22-3.

There’s irony in every Bernard Hopkins controversy. No one, that is, means exactly what he says. Hopkins talks and talks and sees what sticks in his admirers’ collective craw. He plays them like umbrage-tuned fiddles. Except that he doesn’t, not quite, because for all their hectoring, his fans rarely care enough to buy tickets.

That is why a man who calls himself legendary had to travel to Canada to find his first packed house in ages. His opponent sold tickets. And so his opponent, the champion, got the benefit of most every doubt. Welcome to life.

Saturday at Quebec City’s Pepsi Coliseum, American Bernard Hopkins likely did enough to win his challenge for the Ring magazine’s light heavyweight championship against Quebec’s Jean Pascal. But the judges saw things differently, scoring the fight a majority draw: 113-113, 114-114 and 114-112 (Hopkins). Since that last card cannot act as a tiebreaker, Pascal remained the champion, and Hopkins’ effort to break George Foreman’s record as the oldest man to win a title fell a spot short.

My card? I had Pascal retaining his title a conventional way: 115-113. An odd tally, that. How did I get it? I gave Pascal rounds 1, 3, 8, 10 and 12. Hopkins won rounds 2, 4, 6, 7 and 11. I had rounds 5 and 9 even. And rounds 1 and 3 went to Pascal 10-8 because he scored knockdowns in both.

You agree? I don’t care. You disagree? I still don’t care. The fight was excellent. It was entertaining the entire way, even when it wasn’t entertaining – because of what that implied – and there’s something else: My scorecard for a Hopkins fight affects my identity not in the slightest.

Pascal-Hopkins I was much better than most believed it would be. Hopkins was much more fun to watch than even he believed he would be – as evidenced by his smile in the final round.

I hope they do it again. And unless Hopkins can suddenly locate 10,000 new fans to complement his usual draw, I hope they do it again in Quebec City.

Let me guess. You hate Canada now. Very well. But realize, as you rail against Canadian injustice, that your hatred of Canada says much more about you than it says about that land of polite, decent people who happen to support boxing in a way that makes American prizefighters envious. And don’t pretend for a moment you weren’t more enticed by the moments before a Hopkins fight, Saturday, than you have been in years.

Oh, the electricity in that building; like a celebration of our sport. And Hopkins’ approach in round 1 was perfect for it. He expected overenthusiasm from a young, emotional opponent. And how do you foil such an action fighter? With a backwards step, of course.

Forward-pressing guys like to get you lined-up and throw themselves at you, regardless of consequence. You hit them, they hit you, whatever. Pascal wanted to make contact with Hopkins, and make it on his terms. Once Hopkins showed the mien of a man willing to engage, making his own forward presses, Pascal should come forward, and when he did, like all action guys before him, he’d get his weight wrong-shifted. Then he’d be vulnerable.

But then you noticed Pascal had an interesting counter to that. He’d imagined correctly beforehand how a man of Hopkins’ experience and craft would undermine a forward-press from a younger man. The solution Pascal hatched was novel.

He would show Hopkins all the enthusiasm expected from the first punch in his combo. But it would be a punching feint, as it were; the first punch wouldn’t be much at all. Hopkins would relax or counter. Then Pascal would blast him with the committed part of his combination – the second punch.

Hopkins looked fragile in those opening 12 minutes, make no mistake. His body softer than before, his legs not set sturdily beneath him, Hopkins went down three times in the opening four rounds. The last was called a push. The first, caused by a right hand to the back of Hopkins’ left ear in round 1, was properly called a knockdown. The second, from a short left hook that caught Hopkins coming off the ropes in the third, was indisputable.

Didn’t stop Hopkins from disputing it, though, did it? Nah. He stood, blamed a wet spot on the canvas, said he’d slipped, even checked the mat for moisture with his boot. Irony everywhere.

But by round 6, Hopkins had Pascal completely solved. With left hooks to the body and right crosses, Hopkins put Pascal in a place that frightened the champ. Pascal responded honorably if not effectively. Then instead of chasing Pascal’s unconsciousness, Hopkins sensed Pascal’s weakness and decided to clown around.

Not exactly the way Foreman set the record against Michael Moorer.

The ending to the fight was wonderful, though. Both men traded like maniacs. Rounds 10, 11 and 12 could have gone to either.

After the final bell sounded, Hopkins began to campaign for his victory. He protested a bit too much – almost like Marvin Hagler dancing after his final round with Sugar Ray Leonard. It was for the judges, you figure. The cards they returned, really, were fine. Hopkins’ reaction was the usual. But he’d have made a more sympathetic figure of himself if he had tried harder for a knockout in the sixth, seventh and eighth rounds.

Anyway, he now has a chance to be an even older man when he beats Pascal in a rematch. I think he will if the fight happens. Still, he just made a far more compelling spectacle against Pascal than others have.

Should Bernard Hopkins retire? Not unless Chad Dawson does first.

Bart Barry can be reached at bbarry@15rounds.com. Additionally, his book, “The Legend of Muhammad Ali,” co-written with Thomas Hauser, can be purchased here.

Last Tuesday, Bernard Hopkins walked through Quebec City’s airport wearing a hunting cap with ear flaps, his face exposed the way it was never exposed when he used to make his ring walks wearing an executioner’s mask. Perhaps it’s a sign of age that “The Executioner,” whose 175-pound body is all muscle, tapered down to a twenty-seven inch waist, had refrained from wearing costumes in some of his recent fights. While he once complained that he didn’t receive the respect or recognition he deserved, while he once needed to rely on a killer’s finery to hype the killer inside him, Hopkins is now one of the most recognized and revered fighters in boxing. Of course, Hopkins still talks tough, and as he strutted into the city that would soon deny him a historical win, he exclaimed, “Saturday night you will see something unique. A 45-year-old man in a young man’s body is an amazing thing.” Hopkins, a master of his anatomy and a master of his art, knows his boxing history, partly because he has fought and beaten many of its modern legends; Roy Jones, Jr. (the second time around), Oscar De La Hoya and Felix Trinidad, have been felled by this executioner’s sharp axe. Going into his fight with Jean Pascal, Bernard Hopkins was well aware that a victory would break George Foreman’s miraculous record and that he’d become the oldest man in history to win a title.

For his ring walk into the Colisee Pepsi, Hopkins wore a ski mask, the Canadian version of an executioner’s hood, but when the mask was lifted his eyes appeared calm. And why not? He was coming into the fight with 51 wins, and in his 5 losses he had never been stopped, hardly hurt. He was the notoriously crafty fighter who knew every trick inside the ropes and many tricks outside the ropes, the sign of a veteran who has been there and done that. He had won titles in three weight divisions and reigned supreme in the middleweight division for an impressive ten-year stretch. And waiting for him in the ring was Jean Pascal, hardly a household name. The number in Pascal’s win column was half the number on Hopkins’ ledger, and Pascal’s only big win was against Chad Dawson, who appeared lackluster and frustrated when the two met in August. But Pascal had two advantages going into the fight. He is an awkward, often unorthodox fighter and Hopkins has been troubled by such fighters in his past. The second advantage: youth. Pascal is 28, seventeen years younger than Hopkins, which is the equivalent of two boxers’ lifetimes.

Before referee Michael Griffin signaled the fighters to the center of the ring, Pascal stayed in his corner, getting his face greased, stretching against the ropes, as if he had all the time in the world. Intentional or not, this cocky display suggested a young man’s ignorance about the passage of time. The elder Hopkins was ready to get things started, a seize-the-day mentality that comes from knowing time doesn’t hang around. Finally, instructions were given, gloves were touched on the second attempt and the time keeper rang his bell, starting the clock’s inevitable tick forward.

For the first three rounds, it looked like the inevitable would finally take place; that is, for three rounds Bernard Hopkins looked a little too old, a little too vulnerable against the younger man. Round 1 saw Pascal moving around the large ring, a home court advantage that favored the more fleet-footed Canadian, landing one crisp left, then another and then a big right hand that seemed to bother Bernard. In the final seconds, Pascal hit Hopkins with a right behind the head, the part of the head Hopkins offered him, and the older man went down for only the second time in his career. It had been sixteen years since Hopkins tasted the canvas, and it had to taste bitter, but Hopkins got up immediately, unhurt, unfazed and smiled like it was all sweet, just another day at the office. In Round 2, Pascal moved confidently, keeping his distance, now and then jumping into Hopkins’ territory and landing looping left hands. Pascal stayed with the left in Round 3 and connected with a shorter punch that put Hopkins down. Again, Hopkins quickly stood. Again Hopkins smiled, unfazed. With thirty seconds left a street fight broke out and Hopkins landed some hard shots before the bell rang

Three rounds down and Hopkins was five points down. Another knockdown and the fight would pretty much be over on the scorecards if it went the distance. But between rounds, having tasted some bitterness of his own served by Hopkins, Pascal’s young face revealed much. His eyes looked concerned. He had a welt under his right eye. He certainly wasn’t smiling.

The fight changed in Round 4. As if injected with water from the fountain of youth, Hopkins came out hard and stayed busy. He launched a body attack, he kept the fight rough, and while he slipped to the canvas for a moment, Hopkins mostly stood tough and tall. Round 5 was all Hopkins. He kept the tempo his tempo, a seasoned jazz player’s slow and steady rhythms instead of a kid’s hip-hop rush, and continued to punish Pascal downstairs, knowing the dividends a long-term investment might pay. When the fifth ended and Hopkins went back to his corner, Nazeem Richardson told his fighter, “We will put small shots underneath. We’re not going big. He’s going big and that’s why he’s going to get tired.” Sage words from an experienced trainer. And a round later, after Hopkins won the sixth, Richardson quietly declared, “This is the round we go to work.” The halfway point was over, and the long night for Pascal that Hopkins had promised before the fight, was indeed starting to look long.

The work was body work. Hopkins didn’t look like the older man anymore. The younger man had stopped fighting and it was Hopkins moving forward, Hopkins landing body shots, Hopkins mocking his opponent, face forward, chin out, Hopkins being Hopkins, fearless. There were moments when Pacal got in the pocket and traded, but only moments. In Round 9, Hopkins moved from ground work to head work, landing a vicious right that stunned Pascal and tattooed more doubt behind Pascal’s eyes. The round ended with a good exchange, but the ninth was clearly Hopkins’. This time Nazeem’s assessment was even more succinct. “This kid is bullshit.”

Round 10 was close with Pascal pushing the fight, hoping to get the crowd back on his side, but Hopkins landed some hard lefts at round’s end. Round 11 was a good one for both fighters, Hopkins resuming his forward motion, Pascal willing to trade more, Hopkins going upstairs and down. With one round left, Pascal’s corner was worried, admonishing their fighter that he needed the last round. But it was Hopkins who came out strong in Round 12, his legs still alive, his eyes still clear, and Hopkins stayed busy, as he’d stayed busy since the fourth, especially impressive because Hopkins has never been known for his work rate. In a reversal of age, it was the old fighting hungry and the young man holding onto the old. Pascal had his moments, and there were flurries of action, but Hopkins was the aggressor. Hopkins took the twelfth.

I’m not a fan of punch stats, which often don’t tell the true story of a fight, but this fight’s stats were impressive if only because they quantified the youthful exuberance of a 45-year-old man, who many predicted, including myself, would turn old on this cold Canadian night. Young Jean Pascal threw 353 punches. Old Bernard Hopkins threw 445. As for the numbers that truly counted, I had the fight scored 115 to 112 for Hopkins, who dominated from the fourth round on. History, it seemed, was about to be made and Hopkins would become the oldest man to win a title.

Then the scores were announced. First a teaser, 114 to 112 for Hopkins. Then two dampeners. 113-113 and 114-114. A majority draw. One of the draw judges is Canadian. The other is Belgian—a country where forty percent of the people speak French. This wasn’t quite home-cooking since the fight was close, but if the boxing public is the true barometer of winners and losers, I believe Hopkins will have his hand raised, if only figuratively, by the fans. While the crowds’ boos that followed the decision could be interpreted as disappointment that their Canadian son had not won, the better read is that the boos were aimed at the judges, who snatched history from a veteran’s gloves.

There’s a famous poem by Andrew Marvell titled To His Coy Mistress about an experienced man who convinces a young woman, partly through flattery, partly through scare tactics, to seize the moment with him, to carpe the diem, but the poem really speaks to the reality of mortality right from its first hypothetical phrase, Had we but world enough and time. Hopkins has seemingly been everywhere and fought everyone and, by boxing’s standards, he’s been fighting forever. But forever runs out for mortal men. Not so tonight. In an impressive performance, Hopkins did not look old. He did not look ready to retire. He surprised us once again in a surprisingly entertaining fight. Hopkins was disgusted with the decision, but he was also stoical. He has seen it all in boxing and he knows the disappointments and dangers of this hurting business. “I had the guy beat up. I dominated the fight. Look at his face and look at mine. I’m too dangerous for anybody. It was a robbery. He should get some good shots in on an old guy. But you don’t see Pascal jumping around happy.”

The poet Marvell ends his poem by comparing time to a winged chariot hurrying near, a chariot that inevitably runs all men down. On this Saturday night, the inevitable was put on hold; Bernard Hopkins continues to outrun time’s chariot. The tough man who started fighting in the tough streets of Philadelphia, who learned life lessons in prison, who had the strength to break the statistics of recidivism, who had the stamina to forge a long career in a profession that quickly cuts men down, and who had the talent and perseverance to become a champion and stay a champion, continues to give time a run for its money.

Call the Mountie Police, because a robbery was committed at the Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec City, Canada as Bernard Hopkins overcame two knockdowns to comeback and dominate the remainder of the other ten rounds and yet was held to a draw in an effort to wrestle the WBC Light Heavyweight title and a win would have sent Hopkins into the history books at the oldest man ever to win a major boxing championship.

Things did not start out well for Hopkins as at the end of round one he caught a counter left behind the head that sent him to the canvas for the first time in sixteen years. The shot was a debatable shot as it could have been ruled a Rabbit Punch. Hopkins steadied himself to begin his effective countering but that was interrupted in round three as Pascal caught Hopkins coming off the ropes with a left hand that dropped the legend for the second time in the first three frames. Hopkins showed his old tricks at the end of the round as he fired and landed three shots after the bell and the tone was now set for the rest of the fight as Pascal was much less aggressive and paid for it.

Over the next eight rounds the forty-five year old Hopkins put on a boxing clinic that even the best professors would not have a syllabus that would equal to what Hopkins was teach Pascal as he ripped hard body shots and straight right hands that had the eighteen years younger “champ” on his heels and having no answers to Professor Hopkins questions. Hopkins had trouble missing the baffled Pascal with any shots as he showed impressive handspeed for a man twenty-five let alone forty-five. Hopkins was so in control that after landing a hard right he stuck his tongue to Pascal. In the next round, a big right sent Pascal back towards the ropes and he appeared a bit dazed. Pascal showed little offense with the exception of an occasional uppercut on the inside that was sandwiched between Hopkins pinpoint shots that seemingly should have put rounds in the bank.

The twelfth round saw both guys go for the win as it was a close fight. The most telling shot may have saved Pascal’s belt as he landed a good right that landed on Hopkins head. Both guys fought hard until the bell sounded to the delight of the boisterous pro-Pascal sold out crowd.

The official scores read 114-112 Hopkins, 113-113 and 114-114. 15rounds.com card (off-tv) favored Hopkins 115-111.

Hopkins, 174 1/2 lbs of Philadelphia is now 51-5-2. Pascal, 174 1/2 lbs of Montreal may have received an early Christmas gift and is now 26-1-1.

“I got up and fought like a champion,” said Hopkins after the fight. “Look at his face. Look at mine.”

Clearly annoyed by the outcome, Hopkins said, “[I’ve] got no reaction. The world [has] seen it. I had the guy beat up.” He continued, “You don’t see Pascal jumping around happy. I am not going anywhere. You saw a young man in an old man’s body. I still have the fight in me.”

Proudly donning his Light Heavyweight belt, Pascal stated after the fight, “Of course I thought I won. I stood there. I dropped him twice. We’ve got fair judges in Canada.” Though he did admit, “That wasn’t my best fight.”

When asked about going another 12 rounds with The Executioner, Pascal responded, “If he wants a rematch, any time.” Hopkins later added, “The closest I will ever come to Canada again is Niagara Falls.”

15rounds.com Claudia Bocanegra was ringside to capture the images of Dmitry Salita’s third round stoppage of James Wayka plus an exciting undercard that took place at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City.

Ronny Rios remained undefeated by defeating veteran trial horse Adolfo Landeros in a eight round Super Featherweight fight via unanimous decision at the Four Points Sheraton in San Diego, California.

Rios, 128 lbs of Santa Ana, CA won by scores of 80-72 on all cards to go to 13-0. Landeros, 128 lbs of Ciudad, Mexico is now 20-17-1.

Christopher Martin remained undefeated by scoring an eight round unanimous decision over Yogli Herrera.

Scores were 80-72; 80-72 and 78-74 for Martin of San Diego and is now 21-0-2. Herrera is now 22-14.

Miami FL – Undefeated Cuban Olympic heavyweight gold medalist Odlanier “La Sombra” Solis (17-0, 12 KOs) earned the right to face WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko at American Airlines Arena in Miami when he won by disqualification over World Boxing Council No. 1-ranked Ray “The Rainman” Austin (28-5-4, 18 KOs). Solis fought the fight in a defensive come forward counterpunching style that edged the 6’6” Austin. Solis rocked the giant in round five with a brutal uppercut and an onslaught of punches that put him down to the chants of Solis by the Cuban contingency. Austin rose to the count partly due to referee Tommy Kimmons taking a couple extra seconds to direct the excited Solis to the neutral corner. Austin slowly started to fight his way back in the following rounds staying on the outside and landing uppercuts. Then the fight got real excited and bizarre in the 10th round when Austin threw Solis down after an exchange in which he was deducted a point. The two fighters met in the center of the ring, Austin clearly out of gas and threw bombs on each other with Solis getting the better of the two. The fighters tangled up against the ropes with Solis back to the ropes when Austin then leaned on him causing the Cuban to be bent over the top rope with both fighters nearly falling out of the ring over the top rope. Ringside officials tried to hole the two huge fighters back from falling out all the while with Austin holding on to a rope securing the position, in what appeared to be a bid to buy time. When Referee Tommy Kimmons finally got the two giants off of the ropes while the bell rang, Austin then punched the Cuban on the final break prompting the referee to raise Solis hand in victory and awarding him the right to Klitschko. After the fight Austin said “Solis will beat Klitschko, he is accurate and has great defense, if there is any doubt it would be his chin.” Austin was actually winning on one of the cards and tied on another. The official time was 2:59 of the 10th.

Scores at the time of the disqualification:
Judge: Rocky Young, Fla. 94-93 S After 9th: 86-84 Austin
Judge: Ged O’Conner, Fla. 95-93 S After 9th: 85-85
Judge: Mike Ross, Fla. 98-90 S After 9th: 88-82 Solis

Undefeated IBF Light Heavyweight champion Tavoris “Thunder” Cloud 22-0(18KO) looked sharp while defending his strap in a great fight versus the tough and tested iron chinned Colombian Fulgencio Zuniga 24-5(21KO). Cloud controlled the fight with sharp and heavy punches and winning the exchanges but not without taking shots himself. Zuniga had a decent fourth round catching the champ. Zuniga was knocked down in round five with a big right hand and Cloud poured it on to finish the round with Zuniga still standing but on unsteady legs. After taking off round six Cloud answered the bell of round seven by ringing Zuniga’s bell with a brutal right hand that was easily heard in the three hundred section of the Miami Arena. Cloud built on his lead round by round by often staggering the tough Colombian with crushing right hands and double and triple left hooks. Cloud dropped Zuniga in round twelve with a brutal left uppercut but once again the resilient Colombian survived the onslaught of the rugged Floridian Cloud. This was a great fight that left both fighters faces bloodied and beaten. As the final bell rings with both fighters swinging for the fences the great crowd in the Miami Arena went wild. The cards read 116-109 117-108 118-108. Previous to this fight, Cloud faced the stiffest test of his career in his last fight on Aug. 7 in St. Louis against Glen “Road Warrior” Johnson, the former IBF light heavyweight champion and 2004 Fighter of the Year. Cloud won the vacant IBF title from Clinton Woods at the Seminole Hard Rock on Aug. 28, 2009. Woods, always a consummate boxer, had held the IBF crown from 2004 to 2008. He held his own against Cloud, but it wasn’t enough as Cloud won the decision. Zuniga’s most notable wins came against rugged contender Antwun Echols and against a tough Mexican veteran, Jose Luis Zertuche. Zuniga has fought in world championship matches at 154 pounds, 160 pounds and 168 pounds. Last year he moved to the 175-pound limit and has notched two wins.

Former three-time world champion Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga (29-7-1, 23 KOs) from Managua, Nicaragua, returned to the ring at middleweight to stop Michael “Midnight Stalker” Walker (19-6-2, 12KOs), from Chicago. Mayorga landed huge frequent shots from the opening bell and often fought inside taking unnecessary shots from Walker while maintaining his usual ring play tactics of taunting and playing to the crowd who was entertained by the 37 year old Mayorga. Round five was a good round for Walker and for the fans as the two brawled often and Mayorga inviting walker into the corner just to be met with a barrage of heavy shots. Walker hurt Mayorga in an entertaining round six with a huge overhand right where the Nicaraguan had to hold on to get his senses and feet back, and had momentum. Mayorga came back at the end of the round right after lying on the rope playing to the crowd and opened with heavy shots that dazed Walker. In round 9 Mayorga dropped walker but hit him while he was down and was deducted 2 points. After the deduction Mayorga hurt him with a huge uppercut that back the Chicago fighter into a corner and bombarded him with shot prompting the referee to step in at 1:09 of the ninth round.

The New York State Heavyweight Champion Darrel “King David” Madison 16-1(4KO) won a WBC elimination bout over Mike “The Sunshine State Brawler” Marrone 19-2(14KO). It was a very close first round where Marrone worked his jab well following up with an occasional combination and Madison landed with a couple nice straight lefts. As the fight wore on, it totally favored Madison who was more active and accurate leaving Marrone a bit flat footed, hesitant, and standing right in front of Madison’s punches. Madison, a slick southpaw had no problem hitting Marrone as he could not seem to reach the slick Kind David. Some great jawjacking before the fight proved to be nothing more than smack when Marrone said he was going to rename Madison from “King David” to “Burger King “when in the end… Madison served up a happy meal, as he said he would. Madison won by unanimous decision with the cards reading 100-90 98-92 99-91.

In an exciting female bout Eileen “The Hawaiian Mongoose” Olszewski 7-2-2 retained the WIBA flyweight title and gained the GBU strap with a dominate unanimous decision win over Anastasia Touktalova 13-11(2KO) from Russia fighting out of Tampa. Throughout the bout, Olszewski beat Toktoulova to the punch and counterpunched great often landing nice power shots. Olszewski controlled the center of the ring with sharp punches and when inside used great footwork to quickly get out. During her three year reign in the amateurs, Olszewski dominated the 112 lb. division, with a record of 28-0 (7 TKO’s) in the national level amateur competition and a 3-4 (2 TKO) record at the international level. All three judges 80-72

Undefeated lightweight prospect Angelo “La Cobra” Santana (10-0, 7 KOs), from Cuba and now fighting out of Miami, was impressive while he stopped John David “J.D.” Charles (6-2, 1 KO), from Corpus Christi, Texas in the third round. The official time as 2:59 of round three.

Heavyweight Erkan Teper 3-0(3KO) easily outmatched Donato DeMartiis 2-1(1KO) with a knockout win at 1:49 of round one.

In the first fight of the night on the undercard of Don Kings “A Tribute to Freedom” Cruiserweight Pedro “Machine Gun” Rodriguez 4-0(4KO) stopped Thomas “TJ” Cook 1-1(1KO). Rodriguez overwhelmed Cook at the end of the second with the referee stepping in to stop the bout at 2:59 of the second round.

Post-Fight Ring Quotes

Odlanier Solis: “I wanted to make Austin suffer for the things he said at the press conferences leading up to the fight. I didn’t like it when he said that when he was done with me, they were going to send me back to Cuba. Now I sent him back to Cleveland where all they have are cows.

“I wasn’t tired at all. It was my strategy to fight the way I did tonight. What’s the worst thing that could have happened? I could have knocked him out or made him look ridiculous, which I did.”

At the post-fight press conference: “I don’t think I’m fat. What I would like to do is slap around some of the newspaper writers that say I’m fat.”

Ray Austin: “Solis will beat Vitali Klitschko. He’s accurate and has a good defense. He rests and recovers well, too. The only downside I see might be his chin.

“He showed a lot. I see him being the next WBC heavyweight champion. He’s good.”

Tavoris Cloud: “I got hit with a headbutt in the second round that caused a cut over my left eye, but Zuniga was a tough guy. I knew I had better skills but he came into this fight in good shape.

“I only give my performance a “B” tonight. I will tell you I took this man seriously because I knew he would come to fight.

“I want the winner of Pascal-Hopkins tomorrow night, or Chad Dawson if he ever decides he wants to fight me.”

Fulgencio Zuniga: “Both times I went down were from headbutts. I thought I did enough to win.

“Cloud was a strong guy, a champion and a hard puncher. But I was still proud of my performance.”

Ricardo Mayorga: “I showed tonight that I can still fight. [Michael] Walker thought he had something for me, but the outcome was never in doubt. El Matador is back.”

Floyd Mayweather was arrested on Thursday night and charged with offenses related to an incident with a security guard last month.

According to TMZ.com, Mayweather arrested at a casino on the strip when a security guard recognized him and called the Las Vegas police.

Mayweather, who was all smiles in his latest mugshot, is still in custody.

A security guard patrolling Floyd’s gated community claims the boxer poked him in the face when confronted about a parking violation.

If convicted Mayweather faces a maximum of 6 months in jail