SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA — Promoter Nasser Niavaroni brings professional boxing and mixed martial arts back to the Red Lion Hotel for the first time in over a year-and-a-half tonight. In the featured attraction, heavyweights Yohan Banks and Hector Martinez will look to pick up where they left off in March of last year as they engage in a six-round rematch. Also, rising local lightweight prospect Maximilliano Becerra will take on unknown Christian Gonzalez in the co-feature. Fighters weighed in Thursday afternoon at JB’s Lounge inside the hotel.
Banks and Martinez Set to Do it Again
April 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Northern California Notebook
April 20, 2011 By 1 Comment
It has been both a great and busy time to be a Northern California fight aficionado or roving fight scribe in 2011. After years of sporadic events and a club scene that was almost nonexistent, professional boxing is thriving again in the region, thanks in large part to Don Chargin and his team of co-promoters, with additional shows being put on by fight promoters both new and old as well. The trend continues this week, with several other shows in the offing in the not too distant future.
Griffin-Murat Eliminator Added to Sylvester-Geale May 7th Undercard
April 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment
World ranked 175-pound contender Otis Griffin has just informed 15rounds.com that he has signed to meet once-beaten Karo Murat in an elimination bout with the IBF #2 light heavyweight ranking at stake on May 7th at the Jahnsportforum in Neubrandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany.
Introducing Larry Ward
April 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment
In today’s internet age, the way a fighter markets himself has a huge bearing on the progression of his professional career. Promoters, television producers and venues need fighters that put butts in seats in order to do business. One fighter, yet to even turn professional, has proven to have the ability to do just that. Heavyweight Larry Ward expects to pack the Red Lion Hotel in his home city of Sacramento, California this Friday night, just as he has recently as an amateur.
Perez Boxes His Way to Decision in San Francisco
April 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA — World ranked super featherweight contender Eloy Perez jabbed, bobbed and weaved his way to an utterly one-sided ten-round decision victory over Alejandro Rodriguez at the Longshoremen’s Hall on Friday night. With the victory, a crack at a world title may be right around the corner.
Perez Risks Everything against the Unknown
April 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA — The most dangerous times for leading contenders are the fights they take while waiting for that world title shot. Super featherweight contender Eloy Perez has had a top three world ranking for sometime now, but still waits for that right opportunity to come his way. Tonight at the Longshoremen’s Hall, Perez steps into the ring against unknown once-beaten Mexican Alejandro Rodriguez, risking everything he has worked so hard for in the process. Their ten-round bout headlines the Telefutura Solo Boxeo telecast. Fighters weighed in Thursday at the Radisson Hotel Fisherman’s Wharf just around the corner from where the fights take place tonight.
Russell Returns on Solo Boxeo This Friday
April 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Featherweight prospect and 2008 U.S. Olympian Gary Russell Jr. will make his second ring appearance of the year this Friday night in the televised co-main event on Telefutura Solo Boxeo. Russell, who had been slated to appear on the ‘Action Heroes’ pay-per-view event this past Saturday in Las Vegas, Nevada will take on long tenured journeyman Adolfo Landeros in a six-round bout.
Video: Morales-Maidana Post-Fight Press Conference
April 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment
This past Saturday night at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, Golden Boy Promotions hosted a highly entertaining HBO Pay-Per-View dubbed ‘Action Heroes.’ In the main event, light welterweight contender Marcos Maidana survived a surprisingly stiff challenge from aging former champion and all-time great Erik Morales. The undercard featured several other surprises and thrills, as did the post-fight press conference, thanks in large part to the emcee work of Oscar De La Hoya.
Watch Morales-Maidana Post-Fight Press Conference in Sports | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com
Morales Takes Maidana to the Limit in an Epic
April 10, 2011 By 4 Comments
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA — Marcos Maidana may have turned back the challenge of Erik Morales at the MGM Hotel & Casino tonight, but it was the Mexican legend’s unexpectedly heroic performance that will undoubtedly be remembered most.
Video: Interview with Vicente Escobedo
April 10, 2011 By Leave a Comment
IBF #6 ranked lightweight contender Vicente Escobedo is in Las Vegas, Nevada this weekend, taking in the anticipated Erik Morales-Marcos Maidana HBO Pay-Per-View event at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino tonight. Escobedo (23-3, 14 KOs) of Woodland, California is a knowledgeable observer, considering he fought both co-main event participants, Robert Guerrero and Michael Katsidis, and was in negotiations to fight Morales some time back. Escobedo, who was also presented with the Cinturon Tecate title for getting the most votes via text message during Telefutura Solo Boxeo telecasts as the boxer who displayed the most character, weighed in on both of tonight’s fights with 15rounds.com.
Morales-Maidana: Is the Mexican an ‘Action Hero’ or a Superhero?
April 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Beloved Mexican boxing icon Erik Morales returns to Las Vegas as a long shot to knock off fearsome puncher Marcos Maidana with a vacant interim title at stake to headline an event dubbed ‘Action Heroes’ at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino tonight. Fighters for the HBO Pay-Per-View event weighed in Friday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, where the fight will be taking place tonight.
Vivian Harris Retires via Facebook
April 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment
PRIMM, NEVADA — Former world champion Vivian Harris remained on his stool after a rough first-round against Jessie Vargas Friday night at the Buffalo Bill’s Resort & Casino. When referee Joe Cortez made his way into the corner, Harris informed the official he was not continuing in the bout. Moments after the loss, his third in a row, Harris announced he was hanging up the gloves on his Facebook page.
Vargas Ends Harris in Primm
April 9, 2011 By 1 Comment
Rising light welterweight Jessie Vargas announced his arrival with a stoppage of former world champion Vivian Harris in the televised main event of Telefutura Solo Boxeo emanating from the Buffalo Bill’s Resort & Casino in Primm, Nevada on Friday night. The bout ended after the first round when Harris remained on his stool, a decision that may effectively end his career, or at minimum its relevancy.
Video: Interview with Vivian Harris
April 8, 2011 By 1 Comment
Former WBA Light Welterweight titleholder Vivian Harris takes on undefeated Jessie Vargas tonight at the Buffalo Bill’s Resort & Casino in Primm, Nevada. Their ten-round bout headlines Telefutura Solo Boxeo. Harris (29-5-1, 19 KOs) of Brooklyn, New York by way of Georgetown, Guyana is in need of a victory if he hopes to remain relevant. The former champion spoke to 15rounds.com about the fight and his desire to campaign at welterweight just before stepping on the scale Thursday night. It would take Harris four attempts, but he did make 145-pounds, which was one pound over the contracted weight. In Nevada, fighters are allowed be one-pound over in non-title bouts.
Video: Interview with Jessie Vargas
April 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Light welterweight prospect Jessie Vargas has his sights set on a top ten ranking, and a victory over former titleholder Vivian Harris tonight at the Buffalo Bill’s Resort & Casino in Primm, Nevada would go a long way in making that goal a reality. Vargas (14-0, 7 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nevada spoke to 15rounds.com about the ten-round Telefutura Solo Boxeo main event just before weighing in Thursday night.
Vargas Meets Harris at the Crossroads in Primm
April 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment
PRIMM, NEVADA — Rising light welterweight prospect Jessie Vargas aims to add the name of former world champion Vivian Harris to his resume before a hometown crowd at the Buffalo Bill’s Resort & Casino. Their intriguing ten-round clash is the featured main event of tonight’s Telefutura Solo Boxeo telecast. Fighters weighed in Thursday evening at the casino’s Star of the Desert Arena, where tonight’s action takes place.
Perez Shocks Escalante in One
March 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment
FAIRFIELD, CALIFORNIA — Three years ago Alejandro Perez was an emerging undefeated prospect with the backing of a powerful promoter, but one slip up derailed his rise. With an eye-opening first-round stoppage of world ranked Antonio Escalante Friday night at the Fairfield Sports Center, Perez appears ready to fulfill the promise of years passed.
Potential Shootout: Escalante Meets Perez in Fairfield
March 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment
FAIRFIELD, CALIFORNIA — An intriguing crossroads battle headlines tonight’s edition of Telefutura Solo Boxeo, as world ranked contender Antonio Escalante attempts to rebound from a devastating kayo against fellow exciting action fighter Alejandro Perez at the Fairfield Sports Center. Fighters weighed in Thursday evening at the Courtyard by Marriott Fairfield Napa Valley Area in Fairfield.
Alejandro Perez: Opportunity Knocks Twice
March 24, 2011 By 37 Comments
One of the biggest letdowns a fighter could have is finding out their scheduled bout has been cancelled because their opponent is unable to go for whatever reason. Their disappointment level is greater the closer to the fight the pullout comes. More often than not, their weeks or months of preparation are all for not. There are exceptions of course. Featherweight Alejandro Perez had been scheduled to take on touted prospect Ronny Rios last Friday night in Costa Mesa, California before he got one of those calls fighters dread. Fortunately another call came soon thereafter, and now Perez finds himself in a televised main event against world ranked Antonio Escalante tomorrow night at the Fairfield Sports Center in Fairfield, California.
Video: Interview with James Kirkland
March 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Competing for the second time in two weeks after a two-year absence, former world ranked light middleweight James Kirkland stopped Jhon Berrio in the second round at the Orange County Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, California. Kirkland (27-0, 24 KOs) of Austin, Texas spoke to 15rounds.com about the fight and his future plans.
Ramos Moves Past Hernandez; Kirkland Stops Berrio in Costa Mesa
March 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment
COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA — Both prospect Luis Ramos Jr. and recently returned contender James Kirkland notched victories as expected on Friday night at the Orange County Fair & Event Center, but neither appear ready for the names they have been linked to in recent weeks just yet.
Ramos, Kirkland Look to Impress
March 18, 2011 By 2 Comments
Rising lightweight prospect Luis Ramos Jr. faces perhaps his stiffest test to date in rugged Jose Hernandez in the main event of tonight’s edition of Telefutura Solo Boxeo at the Orange County Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, California. In the co-feature, James Kirkland attempts to continue the rebuilding of his career following a self-inflicted layoff against journeyman Jhon Berrio. It is imperative for both Ramos and Kirkland to look impressive in order to keep proposed money fights on the table for later this year. Fighters weighed in Thursday at the fight venue.
Introducing J.J. Ambrose
March 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The name J.J. Ambrose is likely familiar to those who closely follow mixed martial arts, but if you only follow the older combat sport of boxing, you probably have not heard of him. That is because the young MMA veteran will be making his professional boxing debut this Friday night at the Orange County Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, California.
Pavlik Opponent Named
March 2, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The pay-per-view lineup for the May 7th Manny Pacquiao-Shane Mosley event is now complete, as former middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik will return to the ring against undefeated Alfonso Lopez III in a ten-round super middleweight bout at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Though contracts have not yet been finalized, both sides have come to a verbal agreement.
Julaton Dominant in Decision Victory
February 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment
RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA — Despite the close final tallies of the ringside scorers, Ana Julaton was impressive in a mostly one-sided ten-round unanimous decision over game veteran Franchesa Alcanter in defense of her WBO Super Bantamweight title on Friday night at the Craneway Pavilion.
Julaton, Alcanter at the Scales
February 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment
DALY CITY, CALIFORNIA — WBO Super Bantamweight Champion and media darling Ana Julaton defends her title against respected veteran Franchesca Alcanter tonight at the Craneway Pavilion in Richmond, California. Their ten-round title clash, which will be televised in both the United States and the Philippines, headlines a four-bout card as part of a sports and music expo geared towards the Filipino-American community. Fighters weighed in Thursday night at the Mink Bar & Lounge in nearby Daly City.
Julaton Returns Home
February 24, 2011 By 1 Comment
Back in December of 2009, Ana Julaton defeated veteran Donna Biggers before a raucous and supportive crowd in San Jose, California to claim the vacant WBO 122-pound title. Now, a little over a year later, the wildly popular Julaton returns to the Bay Area, defending the title against veteran Franchesca Alcanter at the Craneway Pavilion in Richmond, California this Friday night.
Perez Pitches Shutout; Gesta Dominates Trazancos Again
February 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA — On the cusp of world title contention, super featherweight contender Eloy Perez scored a comprehensive eight-round unanimous decision over veteran Roger “Speedy” Gonzalez in the main event at the Longshoremen’s Hall on Friday night. In the co-main event, Filipino prospect Mercito Gesta lit up journeyman Genaro Trazancos for the second time in six months.
Introducing Joe Gumina
February 18, 2011 By 2 Comments
There are few things the casual fight fan-ticket buyer would rather see than a knockout. Power is a funny thing. No matter how many times you hit the bag, or how many rounds you spar, you either have it or you don’t. It is the one attribute even the elite boxing trainer cannot teach his fighter. By his own account, Joe Gumina knocked out 16 of his 26 amateur opponents, which translates to an obscene knockout percentage, especially considering there was headgear involved in all of those bouts. Tomorrow night, Gumina’s opponent will not have the benefit of such equipment, as the unapologetic puncher turns pro down the street from his childhood stomping grounds at the Longshoremen’s Hall in San Francisco, California.
Northern California Notebook
February 17, 2011 By 38 Comments
The busy month of Northern California fight cards which began last week in Fairfield continues this Friday in San Francisco and concludes the following Friday in Port Richmond. Not in several years has the region hosted three cards in as many weeks.