Now three-time champion, Miguel Cotto talks about his win over Yuri Foreman plus answers questions about future opponents
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Undefeated Jr. Middleweight Vanes Martirosyan talks about his unanimous decision over Joe Greene in Yankee Stadium
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IBF Jr. Middleweight Cory Spinks expressed his disappointment about his mandatory defense against Cornelius Bundrage being postponed for a 2nd time and updates on the possibility of a re-scheduled date
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Former world champion Paulie Malignaggi talks about the Yankee Stadium fight experience and his future plans which may include Italy
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CORPUS CHRISTI, TEX. – All’s clear on the bay. While most boxing writers dined together and canvassed Yankee Stadium in the Bronx this weekend, I was in the heavy, salty air of South Texas. In this part of the Gulf of Mexico, it’s good to report, there’s no oil on the beaches – thank the currents – or flotillas to board, though there is an aircraft carrier.
That would be the USS Lexington, a vessel that holds the American record for “catches” – planes landed on her flight deck. Commissioned in 1943, the Lexington existed before the State of Israel did, before there were Israeli blockades or Israeli world champions. It’s not the stretch you might think; sitting on a humid beach and contemplating sea craft wasn’t a bad way at all to prepare for Yuri Foreman’s first title defense.
Saturday, Foreman, a Belarusian-born Israeli who lives and trains in New York City, met Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto in the first fight of the new Bronx edifice called Yankee Stadium, to contest the WBA light middleweight title. Cotto won at 0:42 of round 9 when Foreman, whose knee gave out twice in round 7, collected a shot to the liver, and referee Arthur Mercante Jr. waved an end to the match.
It was an odd ending that merits an oddly fashioned treatment.
Yuri Foreman came in the ring wearing a brace on his right knee. He didn’t appear to favor the right knee, though; his somewhat brittle circles seemed no harder on that side than the other. But a minute or so into round 7, his right foot hit a wet spot and slipped from beneath him. He rose and limped about. Were it not for the telltale brace, you’d have thought he’d sprained his ankle.
His knee gave out a second time, and Foreman dropped to the canvas again. It was an appropriate time to stop the fight – however badly New York officials wanted a grand show for boxing’s Yankee Stadium debut. But the referee really, really wanted the fight to go on. Mercante Jr. implored Foreman to “suck it up!” and “walk it off!” like a dad trying to make a man of his son. Foreman obliged because he’s a fighter.
The next round saw Foreman, whose mobility was his only asset against the better, stronger Cotto, rendered immobile. He limped about, straight legged, and hit Cotto hard as he was able – which wasn’t that hard even when he could still bear weight on his power leg. Joe Grier, Foreman’s trainer, threw a white towel in the ring after crying “stop the fight!” from his corner, ascended the ring steps, and said his charge was through. Mercante Jr. said he wasn’t.
Mercante Jr. asked Foreman if he wished to continue. Foreman said he did. Mercante Jr. cleared the ring of trainers, officials and hangers-on, and insisted the fight continue.
Foreman fought on, nobly, for a few more minutes. Then Miguel Cotto found him with a left hook to the liver, the button, and the fight ended. What was gained by subjecting Foreman to those additional two or so minutes of abuse is anyone’s guess. He proved his mettle and won some transient new fans, perhaps, but most of those fans were already Foreman’s – after hearing his intriguing life story and seeing him defend his title in baseball’s most-celebrated venue.
HBO analyst Max Kellerman, himself a New Yorker with what can fairly be called a rooting interest in the event’s success, was ecstatic with Mercante Jr.’s decision. HBO’s ringside scorekeeper Harold Lederman, also a New Yorker, explained that Mercante Jr.’s ignoring of the thrown towel was kosher; referees never know who throws a towel in the ring.
Fair enough. But what about a chief second standing on the apron? When did a trainer climbing in the ring and calling an end to the match become a starter’s gun for negotiations with the referee?
But Foreman said he wanted to continue! Well of course he did.
This is not a good precedent. We’ve spent years decrying cornermen who are too brave on their fighters’ behalves. We’ve said a fighter’s judgment is impaired by courage, and blows to the head, and his trainer must be willing to stop a fight he feels his charge cannot win. Then a trainer does exactly that, a referee disregards him completely, and we lionize the referee? Call me unconvinced.
And keep calling me that when it comes to the revitalized Miguel Cotto. This match’s calculus went like so: Cotto is a much better fighter than Foreman, but Cotto’s faded, and Foreman doesn’t hit hard for a man of 154 pounds, and Cotto has a new trainer and a new look. It was typically astute matchmaking by promoter Top Rank. It led to a fight that was much better than expected. Far as Cotto’s concerned, though, it proved little more than this: When a light-hitting and taller fighter retreats, Cotto is very good at tracking him down. Oh, and let’s not pretend Cotto learned to throw that left hook in this last training camp.
A lot of very knowledgeable boxing people wanted this show to work. Two large New York City ethnicities – Jewish and Puerto Rican – were represented in its main event. Attendance was announced at 20,272, a fairly good showing.
But in South Texas, we’re a bit shy of persuaded. About 400 miles north of here in Cowboys Stadium, 50,994 Texans showed up to watch a fight with no ethnic interest whatever – Filipino versus Ghanaian – in March.
Still, Top Rank’s stadium tour of the United States remains a wonderful idea that should be applauded. In fact, I think I’ll scout Padre Island for a baseball field before I head back to the Alamodome City.
Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter.com/bartbarry
It was an historic night at Yankee Stadium and Miguel Cotto joined the ranks of Derek Jeter and CC Sabathia as new stars at the new ballpark as Cotto stopped Yuri Foreman forty-two seconds into round nine to win the WBA Super Welterweight championship.
It looked like it would be an easy night for Cotto as he landed jabs and left hooks that moved the bigger Foreman with each connection. Foreman was on his customary horse but moved in and out and started to land some decent combinations to get himself back into the fight.
Cotto started to take control in round’s five and six but in round seven is when the fight turned in round seven when Foreman slipped on the ring and buckled his right knee. Foreman limped around the ring but courageously carried on and Cotto turned up the heat and landed some blistering combinations and with some wicked uppercuts being the keys blows on the face of Foreman which showed effects with blood from the nose and right eye.
In round eight the fight turned bizarre when a towel came in from Foreman’s corner. With the fight seemingly over, referee Arthur Mercante Jr. threw the towel out and cleared the ring and ordered the fight to continue. With Chaos momentarily in the ring, order was restored and the fight went on with Foreman valiantly trying to exchange and occasionally landed some shots on the heavy handed Cotto. At the start of round nine, Cotto landed a left hook to the body and Foreman crumpled to the canvas in pain from his leg and Mercante stopped the fight immediately.
Cotto, 153 1/2 lbs of Cagua, PR is now 35-2 with twenty-eight knockouts. Foreman, 154 lbs of Brooklyn loses for the first time and is 28-1.
In a battle of undefeated Jr. Middleweight, Vanes Martirosyan scored a ten round unanimous decision over Joe Greene.
Martirosyan scored well early as he worked from a distance against the southpaw Greene. Martirosyan trapped Greene against the ropes several times but could not conjure up more then one punch of a time. Greene landed well from distance with a winging over handleft but his work rate was not enough to win most if the rounds. Martirosyan capped the fight by dropping Greene with a winging left in the final seconds of the bout.
Martirosyan, 153 lbs of Glendale, CA won by scores of 98-91, 96-93 and 96-93 to remain undefeated at 28-0. Greene, 151 1/2 lbs of New York is now 22-1.
Rising junior middleweight contender Pawel “Raging Bull” Wolak of Mt. Arlington, NJ via of Poland grinded out a competitive ten round unanimous decision over New York based Irishman James Moore in the final untelevised bout of the evening. Wolak and Moore fought the duration of the bout at a phone booth pace, with Moore landing effective shots to the head in spurts, while Wolak relied on a consistent workrate, even though he landed few telling blows.
Moore briefly buzzed Wolak in the seventh with a short hook, but Wolak’s exceptional conditioning and determination ultimately proved to be too much for Moore, as the once promising prospect ran out of gas during the final three rounds.
Scores were 97-93 twice and 96-94.
Wolak, who may land a meaningful bout with the victory, improves to 27-1 (17 KO’s). Moore drops to 17-3 (10) following the setback. –Matt Yanofsky
In an exciting lightweight match up, Juan Lucio, 132 1/4lbs, took on Juan Gonzalez, 132 1/2lbs. Gonzalez, a native of Bayamon, PR, was hoping to entertain his fellow Puerto Ricans in attendance. The fight started out with Lucio pressing the action and hoping to get inside the reach of his much taller opponent. Gonzalez showcased some smart ring intelligence as he was able to maintain the distance with his jab. As the fight progressed, Lucio was able to close the distance and land some hard blows of his own, and even taking a round in the progress. Still, over the course of the four round bout, it was Gonzalez that landed the more telling blows and came away with a unanimous 39-37, 39-37, and 40-36 decision.
Gonzalez’ record improves to 8-0 with 7 knockouts, while Lucio’s record falls to 4-1-1 with 2 knockouts. This was the first time Gonzalez went the distance in his young career.
Batterbaugh pushed the action and landed the more serious blows as the southpaw Rainone had very few answers for Batterbaugh’s offense.
Scores were 60-54, 60-54 and 59-55 for Batterbaught, 145 1/2 lbs of Denver and is now 6-3-1. Rainone, 147 lbs of Long Island, NY is now 12-4.
Exciting featherweight prospect Jorge “King” Diaz upped his record to 14-0 (9 KO’s) following an impressive sixth round stoppage over rugged Korean Jae Sung Lee. Diaz decked Lee with a right hand in the opening round and landed a number of precisely timed blows almost at will over the next four rounds. Diaz, who moved his head while boxing better than in prior bouts, also was successful in close quarters for both the body and head. Lee, who was game throughout the bout, got rocked by a right hand in the final round and a follow up barrage ended his night at 1:54.
“I always said I wanted to have a short and profitable career, but I have since changed (my mind)”, Diaz said about his new, more patient style. “I want to be more conservative with myself and my body so hopefully I can have a long career.”
Lee, who is now based out of NY, drops to 10-3-1 (2) with the defeat.–Matt Yanofsky
Abner Cotto of Caguas, PR won a six round unanimous decision over Midland, TX’ Edgar Portillo. Cotto controlled the majority of the bout, but Portillo was game and never stopped fighting. Scores were 59-55 twice and 58-56.
Cotto, 133.25 lbs, improves to 8-0 (4 KO’s). Portillo, 134, slides to 6-5-1 (1 KO)
In the opening bout, Christian Martinez dropped Jonathan Cuba three times en route to a stoppage in the fourth and final scheduled round of their Super Lightweight bout.
Martinez dominated the action and then landed a booming left that sent Cuba down as the third round bell sounded. Martinez came out and rocked Cuba with a right in the fourth that drove him into the ropes and a follow up right dropped Cuba. Cuba barely regained his feet only to eat a barrage of punches that sent him down again a\and that prompted referee Sparkle Lee to stop the bout at 1:18 of round four.
Martinez, 141 lbs of New York is now 4-0 with four knockouts. Cuba, 141 1/4 lbs of New York is now 2-2.
Photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank
SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA — In the ring for the fourth time since ending a nine-year sabbatical from boxing last year, Paul Nave scored a third-round stoppage over journeyman Daniel Schlienz in a return bout at the Marin Center Exhibit Hall, capping a four-fight card on Friday night.
Nave (19-8-2, 8 KOs) of San Anselmo, California had been out of the ring since scoring a six-round decision over Schlienz (7-20-1, 4 KOs) of Duluth, Minnesota last November. Nave, 146 ½, began the rematch a bit more aggressively than he had in their first meeting. Nave knocked Schlienz, 145, off balance once in the opening stanza and seemed to take the round by simply outworking his well traveled opponent.
The second round was more of the same, as Schlienz remained in a defensive posture until pressured by Nave, who had to force the fight at times. Late in the round Nave began to open up, flurrying as Schlienz looked to cover and counter. The fight turned early in the third as Nave wobbled Schlienz with a jab, right hand combination. Nave moved in to follow up, but Schlienz was already on his way to the mat when he attempted to land a hook. The punch missed over the falling Schlienz’ head and the Minnesota native made it to his feet on unsteady legs.
With referee Marty Sammon watching close, and the ringside physician already on his feet on the arena floor, Nave leaped in with an overhand right that landed flush and dropped Schlienz for a second time. Schlienz hit the mat hard and the fight was immediately called off as the doctor rushed in to check on the fallen fighter. Official time of the stoppage was 2:35 of the third round.
There was some controversy earlier in the week, as the California State Athletic Commission had reservations about approving Schlienz for the fight. Since losing to Nave in a fairly competitive bout last year, Schlienz had been stopped inside the distance in both of his next two fights. In retrospect, the concerns the Commission had regarding Schlienz proved to be warranted. Schlienz, who is 40-years-old, did appear less coordinated than he had in November, and his response to punches were not what one would hope for from a professional prizefighter.
Nave, who turns 50-years-old in September, had a differing opinion after the fight. “I think I hit him harder,” explained Nave. “I came out a little out more aggressive and eight ounce gloves and I caught him. I don’t think there ever should have been a controversy. We had gone six good rounds, I just happened to catch him.”
Nave last scored a knockout in March of 1997, putting away Jose Luis Madrid in eleventh round of a rematch in San Rafael. Nave fought six more times before stepping away from the sport, and had fought three times in his return prior to Friday’s rematch with Schlienz. “At the older age, I try to box more instead of just trading,” explained Nave. “I used to go out with a reckless abandon and I had a lot of early knockouts years ago. The idea is now, why take those punches if you don’t have to? I have a lot of experience now, so I might as well use my experience and try to outbox him. Outbox him, get the points win and go on to the next fight.”
Nave hopes to get back into the ring within the next few months. “I just need to fight more consistently before I jump up the proverbial ladder,” said Nave. “I need to fight more consistently and then go for it. Fight the best guy for the most money and I want to fight for a title if I get the opportunity.”
In addition to preparing for the fight, Nave was also the promoter of the event and he has been co-producing a documentary series about himself that airs on Sunday nights on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area. As one might expect, Nave admits the workload was challenging. “I trained real hard for this fight, and I have been doing this reality show for two-and-one-half months and it has been a lot of work,” said Nave. “I wore a lot of hats, and the last hat really did me.” Local fight fans can expect Nave to return to San Rafael for his next fight. “I love fighting in Marin. It’s a professional venue and there are great people here so I love fighting here.”
In the other rematch on the card, Jose Alfredo Lugo (10-13-1, 5 KOs) of Richmond, California by way of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico evened up the score with a six-round split decision victory over Jaime Rodriguez (5-7-3, 2 KOs) of Reno, Nevada. The two- way action started right off the bat with a back-and-forth opening round. The forward-moving Lugo, 133, landed a few clean hooks that may have earned him the nod in the second round.
The taller and more fleet of foot Rodriguez, 132 ½, began to box in the third, which would be his best and worst round. It was a solid round for Rodriguez since he was clearly frustrating Lugo by keeping his distance and landing from the outside. However the fight began to turn against him in the very same round, as he seriously injured his right hand sometime during the three minutes. Even with the injury, Rodriguez had a strong fourth round as he caught Lugo with several one-two combinations as the Mexican made his way inside.
With an injured hand, Rodriguez nearly shut his offense down in the fifth, which allowed Lugo to get in range and land his shots. Lugo would rock Rodriguez with two hooks late in the round, prompting an apparently tired Rodriguez to hang on until the ring of the bell. Both fighters summoned the strength to let loose with their punches to close out the sixth and final round which brought the crowd to their feet. In the end, Rodriguez had a wide lead on one card, 59-55, but that score was overruled by the other two judges who both had the fight 58-56 for Lugo.
Both Lugo and Rodriguez have spent most of their careers giving touted prospects tough fights. The most noteworthy result on Lugo’s resume is a six-round draw against well regarded light welterweight Mike Dallas Jr. in 2008. Likewise, Rodriguez earned a four-round draw against unbeaten former amateur star Mel Crossty in May of last year. While they may not be elite fighters, Lugo-Rodriguez III would be a welcomed bout to a future undercard. Their first fight, a decision win for Rodriguez which took place on the first Nave-Schlienz undercard last November, was an exciting toe-to-toe battle that could have gone either way.
Jason Montgomery (2-0-1) of Hayward, California spoiled the ring return of previously undefeated Ulysses Caballero (4-1-1, 3 KOs) of San Pablo, California by taking a four-round unanimous decision. Montgomery, 153, was the busier boxer and more accurate puncher throughout. Early on Montgomery found a home for his uppercut and he would go on to land it almost at will for much of the fight. After outboxing Caballero, 150, for two rounds, Montgomery landed an overhand right in the third to score a knockdown. The determined Caballero returned to his feet but had a badly swollen left eye by round’s end.
In a nearly dramatic turn of events, Caballero turned the tide in the fourth, landing a double left hook that stunned Montgomery early in the round. With his corner imploring him to throw hooks and uppercuts, Caballero chased after Montgomery for much of the round hoping to score a fight-saving knockout. Montgomery, holding an insurmountable lead on the cards, boxed and moved as Caballero continued to apply pressure. Time eventually ran out for Caballero, who had a throng of supporters cheering him on and Montgomery was declared the victor unanimously by the scores of 40-35 and 39-36 twice.
John Dunham (1-5-1) of Stockton, California got himself into the win column for the first time with a four-round split decision over Herman Bacho (0-1) of Santa Rosa, California. Dunham, 144, caused the left eye of Bacho, 144, to swell badly by the second round. The injury may have been the result of a headbutt, as Dunham came rushing in ram style at times in the bout. By the third round it looked as though Dunham was just about out of gas, but the previously winless fighter outlasted the fatigued Bacho, downing him with less than thirty seconds to go in the fight. A left hand, followed by a looping right officially caused the knockdown, but it looked as though Bacho’s conditioning may have failed him. In the end, two judges scored the fight for Dunham, 39-36, with one lone dissenting judge having it 38-37 the other way.
Promising super bantamweight Jonathan Alcantara (4-1-1) of Novato, California was originally tabbed for the card, but after originally scheduled opponent Eder Peralta and then his replacement, Danny Pantoja, fell out, his fight was cancelled.
Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortega15rds@lycos.com.
Miami, FL (June 5, 2010)–Yudel Jhonson (7-0, 5 KO’s) wins with an eighth round TKO over Brazilian Juliano Ramos (16-4, 13 KO’s).
Yudell Jhonson, a Cuban Defector who won the silver medal in the Olympics in Athens, Greece looked much bigger than Ramos and was noticeably faster and more skilled. Ramos was reaching for the big shot early while getting countered often by Jhonson who often landed big straight left hands. Jhonson a southpaw controlled the fight with smart boxing and hard punches on Ramos who took the fight on short notice and was game in his attempt to outbox the puncher Jhonson. Ramos has been in with World Champions Kermit Cintron and up and coming superstar Mike Jones, however knocked out by both fighters. In the end Ramos was taking punishment from Jhonson and Telas Assimenios stepped in at of 2:39 the eighth round.
In the co-main event previously undefeated Puerto Rican amateur star Kenny Galarza (13-1, 13 KO’s) was beaten by sharp and impressive Brad Solomon (12-0, 4 KO’s).
Solomon controlled the entire fight by keeping Galarza away with great outside boxing and angles. Galarza, who has over 300 amateur fighters and a ton of power seemed to be waiting for his power shot while Solomon used his legs and size to keep the smaller Galarza away from him. Throughout the fight Solomon fought smart with long fast punches while frustrating Galarza who was deducted a point for a low blow in the sixth. Galarza never committed to an attack while leaving him short of his homerun punch. Solomon proved to be a contender and elevated his value in the welterweight division with this impressive victory. The cards read 99-90 and 100-89 twice.
In the first bout of the night Cleveland’s “Moneyshot” Yuardale Evans 8-0 (5KO) scored a nice unanimous decision over Chris “Smooth Operator” Green 3-2 fighting out of New Jersey. Evans controlled the fight with excellent jabs and strong punches knocking Green down in the fourth round. Green seemed not to have the punching power to keep Evans off of him and was often put back on his heels by Evans great jabs. A late fight cut over the right eye did not slow down the Cleveland fighter. The cards read 60-53 and 59-54 twice.
In the second d fight of the night, Cruiserweight Cuban Pedro Julio Rodriguez improved to 2-0 (2 KO) with a gift of an early stoppage over game Chris Boykins. Rodriguez commanded the fight early and landed a few heavy shots before Sam Burgos stepped in at 1:06 to spare Boykins, a premature stoppage in my opinion.
Former Cuban Amateur Star Jr. Middleweight Inocente Fiz Cuba 2-0 (2 KO) stopped Mario Ramos with the third punch of the fight. The early end came at 35 seconds of the first round with a perfectly placed body shot.
Welterweight Olympian Jonathan Gonzalez from San Juan, P.R. 8-0 (8 KO) looked sharp with a dominating TKO over Yoryi Estralla Santiago De Los Caballeros from Dominican Republic 10-3 (7 KO). The end came at 2:28 of round three when Sam Burgos stepped in to stop the action.
In attendance Yurkois Gamboa Randall Bailey Henry Fuentes Glen Johnson, Lara, Despanigne, Demetrius Andrade, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Joel Casamayor, Patricia Alcivar among other great boxing stars.
Seven-time world champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao poses with Hall of Fame Top Rank promoter Bob Arum(L) and trainer Freddie Roach(R) after winning the “Fighter of The Year” and “Fighter of the Decade” awards at the 85th Annual Boxing Writers Association of America dinner in New York City Friday night.
— Photo Credit : Chris Farina – Top Rank (
Program Lineup Through Friday June 11
Date Sport Event Price
Fri Jun 4 8:00PM ET MMA Central Pennsylvania Warrior Challenge 6 $9.99 More info
Fri Jun 4 8:00PM ET MMA AFL – Superheros Do Exist: Rock-N-Rumble III $9.99 More info
Sat Jun 5 8:00PM ET MMA Ring of Combat Amateurs $FREE! More info
Sat Jun 5 8:30PM ET MMA Ring of Fire 38: Ascension $9.99 More info
Sat Jun 5 9:30PM ET MMA RITC 39 $9.99 More info
MMA
Central Pennsylvania Warrior Challenge 6
Fri Jun 4 8:00PM ET
Click here to watch this event on GoFightLive!
After taking a the show to York, the Central PA Warrior Challenge is back in Lancaster at the familiar confines of the Lancaster Convention Center at Penn Square. As has become tradition with CPWC, this show will be bigger than the last. This time with the addition of a seminar by MMA legend, Dan Severn and for the first time, Warrior Challenge will broadcast live on the internet via GFL. Warrior Challenge 6 goes down Friday night and as is tradition, on Saturday WC will be running a no-gi grappling tournament which is open to all jiu-jitsu players. On the docket for WC 6 are 4 pro and 14 amateur fights.
For full fight card and more details about this event, visit GoFightLive.tv or click here
AFL – Superheros Do Exist: Rock-N-Rumble III
Fri Jun 4 8:00PM ET
Click here to watch this event on GoFightLive!
Florida’s premiere MMA promotion Action Fight League is back at the Hardrock for Rock-n-Rumble 3. On his way to becoming the best pound-for-pound MMA fighter in the world, Charles Daniel “Krazy Horse” Bennett (40-16-2) vanished from the sport. One of the most feared and naturally gifted rivaling GSP, his disappearance has been shrouded in controversy and mystery, Krazy Horse has now emerged to continue his quest. He chose the AFL and the Seminole Hard Rock to make the next grand statement and continue his rise to MMA superstardom. An Elite XC veteran, Bennett holds audacious victories over former CBS/Showtime Networks lightweight champion Karl James Noons, and former featherweight King of Pancrase Yoshiro Maeda.
Another superstar, Luis Baboon Palomino, fresh off a February victory against top-ten lightweight Jorge ‘Gamebred’ Masvidal, is sure to rock the house.
If that were not enough, For the first time anywhere in MMA, Rock-n-Rumble 3 is debuting the legendary Brazilian Jiu Jitsu extraordinaire, Pablo Popovitch. Pablo’s ready to display his third degree black belt skills and a unique style never seen before in Pro MMA. A uncanny master at the art of submission, Popovitch took first place in the ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship in 2009. Make sure not to miss this man’s arsenal live.
For full fight card and more details about this event, visit GoFightLive.tv or click here
Ring of Combat Amateurs
Sat Jun 5 8:00PM ET
Click here to watch this event on GoFightLive!
For full fight card and more details about this event, visit GoFightLive.tv or click here
Ring of Fire 38: Ascension
Sat Jun 5 8:30PM ET
Click here to watch this event on GoFightLive!
FULL TILT POKER, TAPOUT, and BROTHERS BBQ present: ROF 38: ASCENSION
The main event feature the ROF 125 lbs Womens Championship, but the card will have 3 womens bouts in total. The promotions #1 ranked female fighter, Cat Albert will square up against Rich Clementi trained fighter Ivana Coleman from New Orleans, LA.
For full fight card and more details about this event, visit GoFightLive.tv or click here
RITC 39: Rumble in the Cage
Sat Jun 5 9:30PM ET
Click here to watch this event on GoFightLive!
Rumble In The Cage presents live MMA action from Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
Fight Card
1. Noah Ali 135 BDB vs. Ryland Coventry 130 Fort Mac
2. Mark Poitras 170 CMC vs. Dwight Chowace 170 GP
3. Trevor Reid 180 Scores vs. Mark Belisle 170 Blarney
4. Adam Kaupp 170 CMC vs. Kyle Coleman 170 BDB
5. Dave Hollet 140 Brooks vs. Ben Jensen 140 Fort Mac
6. Maged Hammo 145 CMC vs. Corey Chambers 145 Scheers
7. Brendan Blacquier 155 CMC vs. Nigel Drapeau 155 GP
8. Sam Cameron 170 Kenora vs. Tyler Siwak 170 Scheers
9. Jeremy Smerek 220 CMC vs. TBA
10. Darby Soop 230 Edmonton vs. Terry Robertson 230 GP
11. Matt Thornburn 155 Kenora vs. Derek Gatz 155 Scheers
12. Josh Kitchen 170 BDB vs. Mike Harvey 170 Kensei
13. Peter Neufeld 170 CMC vs. Robert Curtis 170 Calgary
14. Dwayne Mombourquette 185 vs. Rob Bennet 185 Fort Mac
15. Sean Merkl 220 CMC vs. Chad Olmstead 220 Edmonton.
16. Jordan Mein 185 CMC vs. Elmer Waterhen 185 Sask.
For full fight card and more details about this event, visit GoFightLive.tv or click here
Farah Ennis 171 – Steve Walker 165 1/2
Coy Evans 126 1/2 – Babaro Zepeda 129
Van Oscar Penovaroff 136 1/2 – Kywame Hill 143 1/2
Olivia Fonseca 152 – Akima Stocks 153 1/2
Keenan Smith 130 – Rafael Montes 126 1/2
Darrell Jones 149 1/2 – Marcus Hall 148 1/2
Venue: Legendary Blue Horizon
1st Bell: 7:30 pm est
Promoter : SAM Promotions in assoc/ with Blue Horizon Boxing LLC
Yuri Foreman 154 – Miguel Cotto 153.5
Joe Greene 151.5 – Vanes Martirosyan 153 1/4
SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA — Competing for the fourth time since ending a nine-year absence from the sport, Paul Nave will take on Daniel Schlienz for the second time in a row in the welterweight main event of a four-bout card at the Marin Center Exhibit Hall in San Rafael tonight. Fighters weighed in on Thursday afternoon at the Embassy Suites San Rafael – Marin County.
Earlier this week, it appeared as though Nave would be taking on local journeyman Dario Castillo instead of entering into a rematch against Schlienz, over whom he had scored a six-round unanimous decision last November. In his two bouts since meeting Nave, Schlienz (7-19-1, 4 KOs) of Duluth, Minnesota has gone 0-2, with both losses coming inside the distance. After first approving Schlienz, the California State Athletic Commission asked Nave to find a new opponent. At the eleventh hour, the Commission relented and approved Schlienz, who arrived yesterday morning.
Nave (18-8-2, 7 KOs) of San Anselmo, California has been out of the ring since the November bout, but hopes that tonight’s fight marks the beginning of a busier schedule. Nave, who is also the promoter of tonight’s event, is the co-producer and subject of the reality television series Paul Nave: Goin’ The Distance which is currently airing on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area. Tonight’s main event will be filmed and portions will air as part of a later broadcast of the show. Nave scaled 146 ½-pounds, while Schlienz weighed in at 145.
In the co-feature Friday night, Jaime Rodriguez (5-6-3, 2 KOs) of Reno, Nevada will fight Jose Alfredo Lugo (9-13-1, 5 KOs) of Richmond, California by way of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico in a six-round lightweight rematch. Their first encounter, which took place on the Nave-Schlienz undercard, was an exciting toe-to-toe battle that could have gone either way. Rodriguez weighed in at 132 ½, while Lugo scaled 133-pounds.
Ulyses Caballero (4-0-1, 3 KOs) of San Pablo, California will end an eight-year layoff and take on Jason Montgomery (1-0-1) of San Leandro, California in a four-round light middleweight fight. In an interesting side note, Caballero is trained by Robert Salinas, who trained Montgomery for a time as an amateur. Montgomery, who currently trains out of the Kennel Boxing Gym in San Leandro, weighed in at 153-pounds. Caballero, whose last fight was a decision over then 10-1 Jesse Gonzalez in May of 2002, scaled 150.
Also slated for the card is debuting Herman Bacho of Santa Rosa, California who will take on John Dunham (0-5-1) of Stockton, California in a four-round welterweight fight. Bacho and Dunham both weighed in at 144-pounds.
Promising local super bantamweight Jonathan Alcantara (4-1-1) of Novato, California was slated to take on Danny Pantoja (0-3-2) of Fairfield, California in a four-round bout. However Pantoja was a late scratch from the card and a new opponent was not found in time.
Tickets for the event, promoted by Liberty Boxing Enterprises, are available online at Ticketmaster.com.
Quick Weigh-in Results:
Welterweights, 6 Rounds
Nave 146 ½
Schlienz 145
Lightweights, 6 Rounds
Rodriguez 132 ½
Lugo 133
Light Middleweights, 4 Rounds
Montgomery 153
Caballero 150
Welterweights, 4 Rounds
Bacho 144
Dunham 144
Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortega15rds@lycos.com
Six-time former world champion Thomas ‘Hitman’ Hearns, seven-time world champion and “Fighter of the Decade” Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and former Lightweight champion Ray ‘Boom Boom’ Mancini pose with Hall of Fame Top Rank promoter Bob Arum(2nd from left) after attending the “Friars Club Salute to Bob Arum” in New York City Thursday night. Arum is in town promoting Miguel Cotto vs Yuri Foreman, Saturday,June 5 on HBO Championship Boxing at Yankee Stadium
Photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank
Emanuel Steward in a corner is a little bit like seeing an old soldier back in uniform. It fits. Amid the clutter and craziness along the ropes of boxing’s front lines, Steward belongs there a lot more than he belongs in a tux at ringside for Home Box Office. Make no mistake, Steward is a good commentator. So is Jim Lampley.
But Lampley couldn’t train a fighter, much less guide one through adversity any more than I or anybody else could in a media section full of egos that rival the waistlines. I’ve never wondered what Lampley or Larry Merchant or Max Kellerman could have done for Shane Mosley or Juan Manuel Marquez or Ricky Hatton against Floyd Mayweather Jr. But I have wondered whether Steward might have made a difference.
I won’t have to Saturday night, not with Steward in Miguel Cotto’s corner against Yuri Foreman in a junior-middleweight fight that is historic for its place, Yankee Stadium, and intriguing for what it means to Foreman as the first Israeli champion, Cotto as a symbol of Puerto Rican pride and Steward at a crossroads in a vanishing trade. There is Freddie Roach and Nazim Richardson and Nacho Beristain. Sorry, Roger Mayweather. Floyd, Jr., is so good, he could train himself.
Great trainers are becoming as endangered as the heavyweights, who have become the Klitschko division since – and perhaps because — of Steward’s work with Wladimir. Steward will probably never get the credit he deserves for Wladimir Klitschko’s dominance because of a weight class empty of a real threat. The Klitschko division has value only in the Euro zone.
In Yankee Stadium, however, Steward takes his own trip back in time to his historical corner with the welterweight and middleweight who launched him to fame in the 1980s. Steward is forever linked with Thomas Hearns, known for classic battles with Sugar Ray Leonard and Marvin Hagler, to name just two. With his 66th birthday approaching on July 7, nobody has to ask Steward about the significance of his role in Cotto’s attempt to come back from a loss to Manny Pacquiao, whose bloody victory in November made the Puerto Rican look irreparably damaged.
“It is a major challenge to me at this stage of my career,” said Steward, whose spot on the HBO broadcasting team will be filled by Roy Jones Jr.
Steward recalled a time in the post-Hearns era when he was considered a “hired gun.” There’s a mixed message in that label. On one side, it is an acknowledgement of proven skill and accomplishment. On the other, it suggests an opportunist who sweeps in for a big fight and big payday before moving on to the next target.
Steward recalled working with Evander Holyfield and Oliver McCall. He also had one fight in Oscar De La Hoya’s corner. He came in with the ability to provide a quick fix. Sometimes, however, there is no fix. A hired gun is always in danger of getting shot down. To wit: Steward also was in Naseem Hamed’s corner on a night in 2001 when The Prince was transformed into a frog in a punishing lesson delivered by Marco Antonio Barrera.
In Cotto, however, Steward’s words and tone say he desperately walks to make this corner in his career work. There is pressure because of Puerto Rican hopes, especially in New York. Steward has always been a fan of Cotto, whose admirable honesty and toughness are as evident as his scars. But he didn’t realize how much Puerto Ricans have embraced Cotto until he left the arena in Atlantic City on April 17 after working the HBO broadcast of Sergio Martinez’ upset of Kelly Pavlik.
“I was bombarded by so many Puerto Rican fans, many of whom hadn’t even come to the fight,’’ said Steward, whose second in the corner Saturday will be Cotto’s former lead trainer, Joe Santiago. “But they were waiting for me and I never had any idea that this man was so popular with the Puerto Rican fans, even though I had known of his record crowds at (Madison Square) Garden.
“I had to tell Larry Merchant and Jim Lampley to go ahead and I had to walk on the boardwalk, in the rain.’’
Soaked by the downpour and surrounded by Cotto fans, the talk was Cotto, only Cotto. Seward’s hotel was only about a 10-minute walk away. But not on this night
“It took over an hour to get there,’’ Steward said. “They were telling me that Miguel was all that they have and it really has put a burden on me. So I have put my heart and soul into this training camp, not just to win the fight. There is a lot on the line in this fight for Miguel Cotto. It is a very emotional fight in a lot of ways for our camp.’’
Emotional enough, perhaps for Steward to be more than a hired gun. His long-term relationship is just another example of how trainers and fighters are linked almost like a left jab and a right hand. It is an inseparable combination that woks instinctively. But instinct isn’t immediate. It takes time to evolve as it has with Roach and Pacquiao.
Steward knows that as well, perhaps better, than anyone. It’s why he is forever linked to Hearns. It’s why he belongs in that corner.
At tonight’s Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) Dinner at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City, 15rounds.com writers Norm Frauenheim, Bart Barry and Adam Berlin will be cited for their excellence as they will take home Barney Awards.
The following awards for 15rounds.com
Best Column honorable mention for Bart Barry, Norm Frauenheim and Adam Berlin
Best News Story: Norm Frauenheim took home 1st place honors
Best Feature under 1750 words: Norm Frauenheim-Honorable Mention
Mt. Arlington’s Pawel Wolak is a man on a mission to throw his name in the hat of top 154 pound fighters in the world. Wolak, 26-1 (17 KO’s), is amongst the most popular fighters in the Garden State and feels he is on the cusp of a big fight.
This Saturday, Wolak looks to take another step in the right directions since his lone defeat to Ishe Smith when he battles fellow brawler James Moore in a highly anticipated ten round bout as part of the Miguel Cotto-Yuri Foreman untelevised undercard at the new Yankee Stadium.
MY: You are going to be taking on James Moore Saturday on a big card at Yankee Stadium. Tell us about it.
PW: I am excited for the fight and am definitely ready for it. I have trained extremely hard for seven weeks, have done the proper weight training and proper running, so this should be a great fight for me. I can’t wait!
MY: What is your assessment of James Moore? Have you watched any tapes?
PW: Yes I have seen a number of tapes. James is tough and he definitely brings the fight, but I have seen some mistakes so I am going to try and expose them.
MY: James Moore is somewhat similar to you in the sense that he likes to come forward and has bleed in past fights. With that said you have been boxing a lot more lately and did a good job doing so in your most recent bout against Ishmail Arvin. Against Moore, are you planning to fight fire with fire or box and move like Yuri Foreman did when he defeated him?
PW: I am going to do a little bit of both and adjust as the fight goes on and we will see what works better. I am definitely a fighter that likes to come forward and land big shots but it all depends how the fight goes.
MY: A fight between Moore and yourself had been discussed over the last few years locally. Both of you have since suffered defeats and are somewhat on different paths at the current moment. Do you feel this is a good time to face him or do you wish you faced him earlier?
PW: It’s definitely a good time! This is the first card at the new Yankee Stadium plus its taking place in New York where it should be.
MY: Both Moore and yourself are big ticket sellers. This is a huge card with Puerto Rican fans coming for Cotto, Jewish fans supporting Foreman, the Irish backing Moore, and of course, the Polish fans who follow you. Will the crowd size play a factor since it’s such a big card?
PW: There is always pressure, but the pressure for me is to win and be impressive in doing so. The stadium isn’t going to add any extra pressure, but I just have to win and that’s it.
MY: I know you work with trainer Aroz “Terrific” Gist in Paterson. Yuri Foreman also trains in Paterson with Joe Grier. Have you two ever sparred?
PW: I have been in the gym with him but we haven’t ever sparred together. I have been doing a lot of work with (unbeaten prospect) Steven Martinez for this fight.
MY: Tomasz Adamek is the biggest draw amongst Polish fighters. Being that he is a heavyweight on the cusp of a huge payday, he is likely going to have to fight in a casino or over in Europe, so Newark may very well be out of the picture. Would you feel comfortable being billed as the next big time Polish fighter and do you think you can draw sizeable numbers in Newark like Adamek?
PW: Of course that is the whole point! I want to move into that spot. Hopefully my fights can be exciting and the fans will want to come and see them.
MY: Shortly after your bout against Moore ends, a junior middleweight match up between Vanes Martirosyan and Joe Greene will air on HBO. If Vanes wins, do you see a match up between you two happening since you have been working with Top Rank?
PW: Definitely! I would love to face Vanes for a title or in an eliminator or something of that nature. I am not looking past Moore, but if I look good, the next step is going to be a top guy at 154!
MY: In your only defeat, you were outpointed by a slick boxer in Ishe Smith. What have you learned since then?
PW: I learned that at the top level, I have to be smarter. I knew that I was strong but I made some changes since then and my style has changed since training with Terrific. I am definitely going to be ready for a big shot a few months after the Moore fight.
MY: What do you most likely see happening next? Is there a specific fight or scenario in your mind?
PW: I see a title eliminator coming next.
MY: You are in a 154 lb division which does have some good fighters along with guys moving in and out of the division such as Paul Williams and Sergio Martinez. There is also Sergiy Dzindiruk, Yuri Foreman and Cory Spinks along with exciting contenders like Alfredo Angulo. Where do you feel that Pawel Wolak fits in?
PW: The division is tough and there are a lot of good fighters, but I also believe it is anybody’s division. Whoever prepares properly and lives the best outside of the ring (amongst the elite) will be on top. I definitely feel I belong with the elite at 154 lbs!
MY: As a fan of the sport, what is your take on the main event?
PW: I don’t know what is going to happen, but I am good friends with Yuri so I wish him the best. Yuri has to box and move, while Cotto will have to cut of the ring, fight on the inside and bang to the body to slow Yuri down, so whoever executes better will be the victor.
MY: Pawel, thanks for the interview. Do you have anything to add in closing for your fans and the readers of 15rounds.com?
PW: Thanks to all my fans out there and make sure to come out to Yankee Stadium Saturday night.
For more New Jersey boxing news, go to gardenstatefightscene.com
PROVIDENCE (June 3, 2010) – Fireworks will be delayed but only for a few days, exploding in the four-cornered ring July 9 when ESPN Friday Night Fights comes to Twin River Event Center for the “Let Freedom Ring” pro boxing card, presented by Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), in Lincoln, R.I.
The main event features NABO lightweight champion “Hammerin’” Hank Lundy (18-0-1, 10 KOs), rated No. 13 by the World Boxing Association, in his first title defense against challenger John John “The Hammer” Molina (20-1, 16 KOs), ranked No. 9 by the NABO.
“We’re bringing ESPN here to this beautiful casino,” CES president Jimmy Burchfield announced. “We want to thank ESPN. We’ve switched things around a little to have Hank Lundy defend his NABO title against John John Molina. It’s going to be an unbelievable fight. We’re very excited about this fight. Molina comes to fight and this will be the toughest fight of Hank’s career.”
New England and EBA super middleweight champion “Irish” Joey McCreedy (11-4-2, 6 KOs), trained by “Irish” Micky Ward and fighting out of Lowell (MA), makes has first middleweight fight in the 8-round co-feature against an opponent to be determined.
The potential Fight of the Night could turn out to be a special 6-round bout in which Providence’s Vladine Biosse (6-0, 4 KOs), a former University of Rhode Island football player, puts his undefeated record on the line in his stiffest test to date against Quincy (MA) light heavyweight Chris Traietti (8-2, 5 KOs), a college graduate and Iraq War veteran.
“We’re building New England boxing back to where it once was years ago when intense rivalries were developed between fighters from neighboring cities and states,” Burchfield added. “Pride and bragging rights were always at stake and that’s where we’re at now. Some of the best young talent in New England will be featured July 9 on ‘Let Freedom Ring.’ We’ll celebrate the birth of this great nation with another evening of competitive, entertaining fights. Fireworks will be going off all night in the ring.”
Quincy (MA) welterweight Aleksandra Magdziak Lopes (2-1, 1 KO) plans to avenge her only loss against Providence’s Kali Reis (2-0 1 KO), who won a hotly-contested 4-round decision in their first meeting, in a 6-round rematch.
Providence firefighter Eric Estrada makes his long-awaited pro debut as a cruiserweight in a 4-round match versus TBA. Estrada, whose brother is 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada, was perfect as an amateur with a 6-0 record, including victories in the New England Golden Gloves Tournament and Rocky Marciano Tournament.
Roxbury (MA) super middleweight Maceo Crowder (2-0, 1 KO), whose brother is 2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrius Andrade, takes on Worcester (MA) mixed martial arts fighter Ralph Johnson, making his pro boxing debut.
Also slated to fight in 4-round bouts against opponents soon to be announced are Warwick (RI) super middleweight Keith Kozlin (5-1, 3 KOs), Woonsocket (RI) super middleweight Joe Gardner (4-1-1, 1 KO), Lincoln light welterweight Diego Pereira (4-0, 2 KOs), and Fall River (MA) middleweight Dustin Reinhold (1-1, 1 KO). All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets for “Let Freedom Ring,” priced at $35.00, $50.00, $75.00 and $100.00, are available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going online at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, at Twin River’s Players Club booth at Twin River, or any TicketMaster location.
Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or the Twin River Event Center (877.82.RIVER/ www.twinriver.com) for more information. Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout at 7 PM/ET.
(Twin River has waived its 18+ rule for “Let Freedom Ring.” Anybody under the age of 18 must be accompanied at all times by an adult and they must enter through the West entrance.)
Press Conference Quotes
Joey McCreedy: “I’m fighting at 160 and that’s where I’m going to stay for the rest of my l career. My career has been a rollercoaster ride; I let a lot of people down because I didn’t train right sometimes. Come July 9th my career is going to change. I’m young, only 25. I fight like Micky (Ward) and Vinny (Paz). I don’t back up. I will knock out my opponent – I don’t care who it is – and make a statement July 9th on ESPN.”
Vladine Biosse: “I’m always excited to know I’m on a card and putting on a good show. That’s what I enjoy doing – showcasing my talent. I want to be world champion. A lot of people have doubts and don’t think I can do it, but all my life I’ve come out on top. To the top I’m going and nobody can take that away from me.”
Keith Kozlin: “There a lot of talent up here. It’s a good card and I’m proud to be part of it. My last fight didn’t go the way we would have liked. You learn from mistakes and I’m going to get back in the win column.”
Diego Perreira: It’s been awhile since I last fought. I can’t wait to get in the ring. I believe everything happens for a reason. I’ve been out for over a year. I have a new coach and new manager. For those who’ve seen me fight, I’m aggressive and hit hard. Now you’ll see hard jabs, good movement and a better Diego on July 9th.”
Maceo Crowder: “I’m focused on July 9th. It gets better for me every fight. It doesn’t matter who I fight, I’ve always been like that.”
Joe Gardner: “I had been trying to get back into boxing for a few years. I finally did against Vlad – he’s a tough guy – but I’ll be better this time.”
Kali Reiss: “It’s been over a year since I last fought. This is a redemption fight, my first 6-round fight. I’m coming to fight and show my skills. I’m stronger and better.”
Eric Estrada: “I’m excited to be making my pro debut July 9th at Twin River. I’m proud to represent the Providence Fire Department, CES and the Big Six Academy. Training camp has been doing well with my father training me and brother always supporting me.
Dustin Reinhold: “I’m very excited to finally be fighting on one of these cards. I’ve seen so many fighters on these shows and I was supposed to fight a few times. I broke my hand and re-broke my hand, but I’m finally fighting on this card. I’ve always dreamed of fighting professionally. I’m happy to be doing this.”
PHILADELPHIA (June 3, 2010)—Two highly regarded fighters will take part in the two co-featured bouts this Friday night at The Legendary Blue Horizon that will headline a seven bout card promoted by SAM Promotions in association with Blue Horizon Boxing LLC.
Farah Ennis (13-0, 7 KO’s) will take on forty-eight fight veteran Steve Walker in one six round co-feature of Super Middleweights while undefeated featherweight, Coy “Pretty Boy” Evans (8-0-1, 2 KO’s) will do battle with thirty-two fight vet Barbaro Zepeda in the second co-feature.
Ennis of Philadelphia has been making a steady climb up the ranks and has prepared for this fight under the watchful eye of his father and renowned trainer, Derrick “Bozy” Ennis.
“I really don’t know his name or know his record”, said Farah.
“I am coming in prepared and looking for a victory. Even though I don’t know much about my opponent, I never sleep on anyone as I know they are always looking for a fight but I am coming to fight too.”
Like Ennis, Evans (8-0-1, 2 KO’s) is trained by “Bozy” Ennis and has looked explosive recently as he has racked up highlight-reel knockouts in two of his last three bouts.
“I don’t know much about Zepeda”, said Evans.
“If I listen to my corner and do what I have to do, I will come out victorious on Friday night.”
“I love to fight at The Legendary Blue Horizon as this is the place where a lot of the greats fought and on Friday I am looking to have a great performance”
Both Evans and Ennis are managed by Moz Gonzalez and Eddie Woods.
The remaining five bouts are as followed:
Van Oscar Penovaroff (5-0, 4 KO’s) vs. Kywame Hill (1-3-1, 1 KO) in a six round Lightweight bout.
Keenan Smith (1-0) vs. Alex Monte (1-0) in a four round Super Featherweight bout
Olivia Fonseca (3-2-2, 2 KO’s) vs. Akima Stocks (3-0, 3 KO’s) in a four round female Jr. Middleweight bout
Ismael Garcia (1-0) vs. Damion Reed(0-1) in a four round Jr. Middleweight bout
Darrell Jones (3-0, 1 KO) vs. Marcus Hall (3-1, 2 KO’s) in a four round Jr. Middleweight bout
Tickets for this great night of boxing are scaled at $45, $55, $65, $125, and $200 and are available at The Legendary Blue Horizon (215) 763 0500 and the Muhammad Ali Boxing Gym (267) 979 2163.
The Legendary Blue Horizon is located at 1314 North Broad Street
Ward, Green Talk up Title Fight
On June 19th at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California, Andre Ward will defend his WBA Super Middleweight title for the first time against longtime contender Allan Green as part of Group Stage 2 of the Super Six World Boxing Classic. Ward and Green, a replacement in the Showtime-televised tournament for the departed Jermain Taylor, discussed their upcoming fight at a press conference held in Oakland on May 10th.
Green (29-1, 20 KOs) of Tulsa, Oklahoma decided against making the cross country trip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida where he is training to Oakland for the presser, but appeared on screen via a live stream. The normally self-aggrandizing Green was a bit more subdued than was expected, but he still exuded confidence in regards to the June bout. “Andre Ward is a good young fighter. Very skilled, very talented and I do respect his skills. But against a fighter like myself, he is going to have to bring a lot more to the table than he did against Mikkel Kessler,” said Green referring to Ward’s title-winning effort. “I did admire what he did to Kessler; no disrespect there, but at the same time, come June 19th I will be WBA Super Middleweight Champion.”
Ward (21-0, 13 KOs) of Oakland refused to talk down Green in anyway, and if anything built up the Tulsa native. “In my opinion, Allan Green is a beast,” said Ward. “That’s what I am preparing for. That’s what I am eating, sleeping and drinking. I’m getting ready to fight a monster, that’s how I am looking at it.”
Fighting in Oakland for the third time in a row, which accounts for all of the fights he has had in his hometown, Ward sounded eager to get back in front of his supportive fan base. “We have a date, June 19th. When you have a date and you got a dancing partner, there not much else that needs to be said. We have that, and I look forward to putting on another tremendous performance for the fans and, believe it or not, I am going for three points in this fight,” said Ward in reference to the points a knockout victory would earn him in the tournament.
Ward’s reserved, but well stated trainer Virgil Hunter was a bit more tongue-in-cheek in his assessment of the June 19th fight. “We understand what we have to do,” claimed Hunter. “It didn’t take much to go back to the drawing board because, basically, you are getting ready to fight a guy that specializes in knocking out people that have been knocked out before several times. So you have to ask yourself that when you are making your preparation. How do you prepare for a guy that specializes in knocking out people who have been knocked out? So it gets pretty simple after that.”
Tickets for the event, promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions, Antonio Leonard Productions and DiBella Entertainment, are available online at Ticketmaster.com.
Schlienz Out; Nave Lines up New Opponent for Friday
Paul Nave, three fights into his return to boxing, was tabbed to rematch journeyman Daniel Schlienz this Friday, June 4th at the Marin Center Exhibit Hall in San Rafael, California. Nave defeated Schlienz by decision back in November, and had hoped to improve upon that outing by taking the rematch in more decisive fashion. However, Schlienz was ruled out after suffering a stoppage defeat last month, which left Nave and his matchmakers looking for a new opponent to fill the slot.
Two weeks and three days before the fight, Nave received a phone call from Assistant Chief Athletic Inspector Che Guevara informing him that his opponent would not be approved by the California State Athletic Commission. Nave was especially frustrated with the ruling coming so close to fight date, and because he disagreed with the commission’s decision.
“Their job is whether, in their eyes, the fight is safe or not,” said Nave (18-8-2, 7 KOs) of San Anselmo, California. “Is it a mismatch or a blow out, or is it safe. I already fought the guy. There was no knockdowns and it went all six rounds. He is not suspended and I had a competitive fight with him, it was no blow out.”
At the time of our interview, local journeyman Dario Castillo (5-10-1) of Pittsburg, California was tabbed to replace Schlienz in the main event. Should Castillo be the guy, Nave will have some adjustments to make. “He is left handed I hear now, and I have probably not fought a left hander in twenty years and now I will be fighting a left handed kid,” said Nave about the southpaw Castillo. “My preparation is going pretty good, but it is just frustrating that I am not sure who I am fighting now.”
Nave is not only preparing for a fight, in which his company Liberty Boxing Enterprises is the promoter, but he is the co-producer and subject of the reality television series Paul Nave: Goin’ The Distance which airs on Sunday nights on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area. The series has followed his family life and documented all the preparation it takes to promote and get ready for a fight. For many, this would be an impossible workload and balancing act. “It is a lot of work, and it is not easy,” admits Nave.
In the co-feature Friday night, Jaime Rodriguez (5-6-3, 2 KOs) of Reno, Nevada will fight Jose Alfredo Lugo (9-13-1, 5 KOs) of Richmond, California by way of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico in a six-round lightweight rematch. They originally met in a highly entertaining bout on the November undercard, with Rodriguez taking a contested six-round unanimous decision.
All-action super bantamweight Jonathan Alcantara (4-1-1) of Novato, California will take on Danny Pantoja (0-3-2) of Fairfield, California in a four-round bout. Alcantara is coming in off of an upset unanimous decision over former amateur standout David Clark on April 1st. Pantoja, who has been matched quite tough in his career, comes in off a decision loss to former National Golden Gloves Champion Efrain Esquivas on April 23rd.
Ending an eight-year layoff, Ulyses Caballero (4-0-1, 3 KOs) of San Pablo, California will take on former amateur standout Jason Montgomery (1-0-1) of San Leandro, California in a four-round light middleweight fight.
Also slated for the card is debuting Herman Bacho of Santa Rosa, California who will take on John Dunham (0-5-1) of Stockton, California in a four-round welterweight fight.
Tickets for the event, promoted by Liberty Boxing Enterprises, are available online at Ticketmaster.com.
Julaton Takes on Villalobos June 30th
Looking to rebound from a decision loss to Lisa Brown in March, Ana Julaton will return to the site of that recent defeat, the Casino Rama in Rama, Ontario, Canada to take on Maria Elena Villalobos on June 30th. Their fight, for the vacant WBO Super Bantamweight title, will be shown live nationwide in Canada on TSN.
Julaton (6-2-1, 1 KO) of Daly City, California is not only returning to the Casino Rama, but the June bout will mark the return of Freddie Roach to her corner. Julaton had been trained by either Nonito Donaire Sr. or Rick Noble before her past three fights. At a recent press conference Julaton sounded excited to return to Rama and rejoin Roach. “I am hoping to provide amazing boxing,” said Julaton. “I feel that is what the fans want. On June 30th that is what I provide, especially with Freddie back in the corner. He is the first guy I started out with for my first six professional fights. Just to be reunited with him. The chemistry is not only there, it is a lot stronger.”
Villalobos (6-3, 3 KOs) of Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico is coming off of a failed attempt at the WBC Super Bantamweight Champion Marcela Acuna in Argentina in April. In that fight Villalobos went the full ten round distance, but lost a unanimous decision to perhaps the top fighter in the division.
Tickets for the event, promoted by Orion Sports Management, are available online at Ticketmaster.com.
Two Strong Showings at 2010 National Golden Gloves
Northern California was represented by two boxers at the 2010 National Golden Gloves in Little Rock, Arkansas last month. Eros Correa, a 108-pounder out of San Jose, California, and Eric Altamirano, a 132-pounder out of Concord, California, both advanced to the quarterfinals at the national tournament.
Correa, who fights out of the San Jose PAL Sports Center, notched a decision victory over David Carlton of Cincinnati, Ohio in the preliminary round. In the quarterfinals, Correa was defeated by Santos Vasquez of Sun Valley, Nevada by decision.
Altamirano, who trains at the Community Youth Center in Concord, scored two victories en route to the quarterfinals. In his first bout, Altamirano scored a decision win over Ryan Martin of Knoxville, Tennessee. The following day Altamirano scored a first round stoppage of Christopher Singleton of Gonzales, Louisiana. In the quarterfinals, Altamirano lost a decision to Duran Caferro of Helena, Montana.
Photo by Jan Sanders/Goossen Tutor Promotions
Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortega15rds@lycos.com.
Moments after Amir Khan dominated Paulie Malignaggi in his American debut in mid May he declared he wanted to fight again and soon. He even went as far as to say his preference would be at the end of July or early August before he begins his religious fasting for Ramadan begins.
On the same day as Khan’s beatdown of Malignaggi two possible future foe’s collided when Michael Katsidis and Britain’s Kevin Mitchell clashed. Katsidis proved to strong and to good stopping Mitchell in the third round thus very much putting himself in the box seat for a fight with Amir Khan.
However as time has passed in the ensuing weeks word was the Katsidis had turned down the fight. Not so according to Katsidis manager/trainer Brendon Smith who would say.
“Michael Katsidis has never pulled out of a fight with Amir Khan. I don’t believe a fight can be made because Michael is too much of a risk for Amir Khan”
Before continuing “I am confident in saying team Khan has viewed the tape of Michael with Kevin Mitchell and a cross would of went through Michael’s name immediately as an opponent as it did before when Malignaggi was selected for Amir’s US debut and therefore Joel Casamayor has now become a much safer choice”
British newspaper The Sun is reporting that Golden Boy have offered Casamayor in the region of £400,000 (Just short of $600,000) to face Khan on 31 July at London’s 02 Arena.
A disappointed Smith added that “I have never received an offer to fight Amir Khan with Michael, but I did have a discussion with Richard Schaefer who would love to put this fight on and knows we are available on the proviso that Michael is paid accordingly and trust me on this, only paid fairly and not over priced”
It’s not only Khan who isn’t safe from Smith’s broadside, European champion John Murray was also brought up.
“I am also sad to say that i am right on this one too. I have never heard back from his camp with any offer whatsoever. But this is not the first time this has happened as well. I have on a couple of occasion’s in the past (pre Mitchell fight) been contacted by team Murray but that is as far as it goes!”
The shame as Smith puts it is that neither British fighter will step up and fight Katsidis who is also popular in Britain having fought there twice previously when he KO’d both Graham Earl & recently Kevin Mitchell. Though he believes Katsidis must be doing something right if both are using Katsidis name to promote there own. He ended with this message for British fight fans.
“England your two great fighters have temporarily lost their balls and unless they find them quickly, you won’t be seeing Michael Katsidis in the opposite corner and that is the truth!!”
Just encase you missed it Michael Katsidis is available for a fight and he’d love it to be in Britain so he can attempt to complete his hatrick of victories over British fighters.
Bonus footage of Allan Green as he prepares for his June 19th showdown with with WBA Super Middleweight champion Andre Ward as part of the World Boxing Classic
15rounds.com Claudia Bocanegra was at Yankee Stadium as WBA Super Welterweight champion Yuri Foreman and former two-division world champion Miguel Cotto met the media just three days before thir historic battle at Yankee Stadium. Also see photos featuring the televised co-feature between undefeated Jr. Middleweights Vanes Martirosyan and Joe Greene
According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, the June 12 IBF Jr. Middleweight title fight between Cory Sprinks and Cornelius Bundrage has been postponed due to event conflicts in the city of St. Louis.
The most notable, according to Don King, was that St. Louis radio station, Hot 104.1 FM, which has helped him promote past fight cards, recently announced its “Super Jam 3” concert for the same day as the fight.
King said he preferred to not compete with a radio station that already has a commitment to be somewhere else on June 12, especially when both events draw from the same urban community and the boxing event was reliant on ticket sales because there was no television outlet.
“Cory told me he has been receiving messages from his fans saying they were disappointed that they could not attend both events,” King said. “On top of that, I have now confirmed that I will be coming back to St. Louis with a world championship card in August, so it’s really not best to have two boxing events competing with each other in the same market.
Joined by new trainer Emanuel Steward, former two-division champion Miguel Cotto works out for the media at Trinity Boxing Club in New York City just four days before his big showdown with WBA Super Welterweight champion Yuri Foreman in Yankee Stadium–Photos by Claudia Bocanegra
WBA Super Welterweight champion Yuri Foreman works out for the media at the Trinity Boxing Club in New York City in anticipation of his big showdown with Miguel Cotto this Saturday night in Yankee Stadium–Photos by Claudia Bocanegra
Earlier this year Vitali Tajbert 20-1(6) achieved his goal when he was named WBC Super Featherweight champion. Based in Germany but of Kazakhstan decent the 28 year old had beaten Mexican puncher Humberto Gutierrez on points late last year for the Interim title but when another Mexican Humberto Soto abdicated his thrown Tajbert was declared full champion. A few weeks back Tajbert made the first defence of his crown when he turned back perennial contender Hector Velazquez on points when the fight was stopped due to an accidental headbutt in the ninth. Tajbert is a tough European fighter with solid skills who despite a quality amateur resume wasn’t highly though of and had lost his biggest fight when he fought European champion Sergei Gulaykevich in 2008. But you know what they say about what doesn’t break you makes you stronger it worked for Tajbert who while others dismissed him refocused and rebounded to win a world title. Here’s what Tajbert had to say after his recent fight with Velazquez.
Hello Vitali, welcome to 15rounds.com?
Hello, it’s nice to be here and thanks for having me.
Anson Wainwright – Congratulations on making your first defence, what can you tell us about the fight with Hector Velazquez?
Vitali Tajbert – It was a tough job. I was under pressure and the cut in the beginning confused me a little bit. At some point it was difficult to see something with my left eye. But I was lucky as i have two eyes. Sure, it’s a handicap to get such a cut so early but I focussed on my boxing, especially starting from Round 5. Before the bout, I was afraid of a headbutt because of that I wanted highly variable.
Anson Wainwright – How is the cut from that fight healing? Will you need plastic surgery?
Vitali Tajbert – Directly after the bout I went to a hospital. The cut needed 14 stitches. The cut was very deep. But anyway, there are always a solution. Cut or no Cut. A real fighter have to survive everything. That is my attitude.
Anson Wainwright – You were awarded the WBC Super Featherweight title. What can you tell us about the moment you were told you were the full champion? How does it feel now?
Vitali Tajbert – It was the luckiest moment in my life. I worked more than 17 years to win this belt. Many people ask me how it feels to have this belt. It is still amazing. The last 5 years as a pro I worked so hard to get this belt. Now I am the champion and you can be sure that I want to keep this belt for a long time. To me it is the oldest and best boxing association in the world. They’ve had Champions like Muhammad Ali and Joe Louis.
Anson Wainwright – How were you received in Kazakhstan after becoming the WBC Super Featherweight champion? How popular are you at home?
Vitali Tajbert – Sure, the people know me but they see me as a German not as a Russian. And my German is a little bit better like my Russian. I am German, but i’m very happy about the support from Kazakhstan und Russia too.
Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your team. Who is your manager, trainer & promoter? What gym do you regularly use to train at?
Vitali Tajbert – First of all my promoter is Universum Box-Promotion and I am very happy about that. I feel like a million dollars. Dietmar Poszwa is my manager. He is great. My trainer is Magomed Schaburow. If I would have had Magomed Schaburow at the Olympic Games in 2004, I’m sure that I would have been the Olympic champion. Usually I train in Stuttgart if I have no bouts. During the intensive stage I train in Hamburg.
Anson Wainwright – Do you make 130 easily? What weight do you walk around at? Can you tell us about your dieting for a fight?
Vitali Tajbert – I quit my dinner. I only eat in the morning and after my first training in midday. Of course i eat a lot of un-greased food with vitamins.
Anson Wainwright – You were a successful amateur boxer, you won the bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics. Looking back on that what do you feel about your experience of having fought at the Olympics?
Vitali Tajbert – Olympic Games are fantastic. It’s a very special atmosphere. It is very difficult to describe this feeling.
Anson Wainwright – What other titles did you win in the amateur game? What top fighter that are now in the pro’s did you face?
Vitali Tajbert – As Amateur: x 7 German Champion, Junior World Champion 2000, Gold medal International Chemie-Pokal / Halle 2001, Vice-World Champion / Bangkok 2003, European Champion 2004, Bronze medal Olympic Games in Athens, Gold medal European Championship in Pula / Croatian 2004, Gold medal Military Championship Pretoria / South Africa (Best Boxer of Tournament) 2005
Anson Wainwright – Away from Boxing what do you like to do with your time? Do you have any hobbies you can tell us about?
Vitali Tajbert – I love Soccer. I am a very hard-running and a good midfielder. My friends and i meet us once a week to play soccer together. Some Friends playing in the 3rd German League and i keep up with them. I like the club of my hometown VFB Stuttgart and Hamburger SV too. I am very interesting in international soccer like Barcelona, Madrid, Chelsea etc. But my decision pro boxing was the right decision. Boxing 1st everything for me and gave me a lot.
Anson Wainwright – How did you first get into Boxing?
Vitali Tajbert – I started Boxing when i was a young boy in Stuttgart. My first box-club was VFK Germania. Later, i changed to Velberter BC. Next was the German armed forces and my contract with Universum Box-Promotion.
Anson Wainwright – What do you hope to achieve from Boxing? Who are your favourite fighters to watch?
Vitali Tajbert – I don’t have a Idol or something like that. Everyone is on his or her way unique. I like Boxer’s who are not punchers. I like to watch technical boxing on a high level. Of course, i love to see fights in my weight class.
Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for your fans in Europe and anyone who may see this in America?
Vitali Tajbert – Thanks for your support. I really appreciate that. I hope that i still show great bouts for and with you. I want to show the most proud boxing as possible. If you are satisfied, i am double satisfied. Still believe in me. I will return a blow of interest to you guys. Take a look on Youtube.com/UBPboxing and watch all my Fights in Full Length. And keep clicking on 15rounds.com!
Thanks for your time Vitali, keep up the good work.
Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com
Hollywood, Florida – On Friday Night June 4, 2010 at the Fuchs Pavilion at the famed Miami-Dade County Fairgrounds, home of the Miami-Dade County, BLUE WAVE GROUP in association with Caribe Promotions, DeCubas Presents and Warriors Boxing and ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights”, presents an evening of World Class Boxing in honor of Cuba’s “Ladies in White”.
The main event features Cuba’s 2004 Olympic Silver Medal winner Yudell Johnson (6-0, 4 KO’s) against hard hitting Brazilian contender Juliano Ramos (16-3, 13 KO’s). The Co-Main Event features undefeated Puerto Rican Contender Kenny Galarza (13-0, 13 KO’s) against also undefeated US contender Brad Solomon (11-0, 4 KO’s).
In addition to these 2 action packed fights, there will be 6 additional bouts featuring Cuban and Puerto Rican Olympians and other up and coming international boxers.
“Blue Wave Group is very excited about presenting this event. We promise everyone who attends they will be thoroughly entertained as we have several surprises in store for the live audience in addition to the great fights scheduled” said Derek Jackson, CEO of Blue Wave Group, LLC.
“I cannot think of a better group to honor during our boxing show then our beloved “Ladies in White” said Boris Arencibia, President of Caribe Promotions.
Yudell Johnson, a Cuban Defector who won the silver medal at the Olympics in Athens, Greece in 2004, is fighting his first main event. Despite having only 6 professional fights, Yudell believes he is ready to step up to the big time because of his extensive amateur background and Olympic experience. He faces a fighter in who Juliano Ramos who has 13 knockouts in wins, 16 wins, and who brings more professional experience. Ramos who has been on ESPN, and has been in with World Champions Kermit Cintron and up and coming superstar Mike Jones. Ramos is coming off a 1st round knockout of previously undefeated Jarred Leblanc (12-0) in his last fight.
In the Co-Main event Kenny Galarza tries to keep his knockout streak going against an undefeated Brad Solomon in a true “pick-em” fight.
Tickets are available on www.ticketcaliente.com or by calling 954-985-1155 for other ticket locations. The prices are as follows: $35 and $75, VIP table seats are also available at $100, $150 and $200 per seat, or on the day of the event at the Fuchs Pavilion Box Office. Doors open at 6:30pm and first fight will start at 7pm. Fuchs Pavilion at Miami Dade County Fair Expo Center, 109th Avenue and Coral Way, Miami, Florida 33316.
For more information please call Warriors Boxing at 954-985-1155, Ricky DeCubas at 305-586-1330 and Luis Fernandez at 786-216-8633
Nate Campbell Live on air Interview! – This past weekends Weekend Fight recaps and upcoming Cotto/Foreman fight preview! 15rounds.com’s Johnny Schulz presents: Talking BOXING with JSizzle and New York Dan NYD. And joined by Billy from Philly – A weekly Sunday boxing show covering Boxing from all angles. Alongside and boxing aficionado Danny “NYD” Stasiukiewicz, RTB will cover: • All of the week’s top boxing stories from results to fight previews.