Program Lineup Through Thursday August 26
Date Sport Event Price
Sat Aug 21 19:00PM ET MMA Chattanooga Extreme Fight Night V $FREE! More info
Sat Aug 21 19:00PM ET MMA Fight Time 1 $FREE! More info
Sat Aug 21 19:30PM ET MMA Locked in the Cage 5 $9.99 More info
Sat Aug 21 19:30PM ET Wrestling Deal with the Steel Wargames $9.99 More info
Sat Aug 21 20:00PM ET MMA IFL Fights Presents…..Vengence $9.99 More info
Sat Aug 21 21:00PM ET Boxing The Big Challenge – Adamek Vs. Grant $9.95 More info
Thu Aug 26 20:00PM ET MMA Rumble in the Cage 40 $9.99 More info

Boxing
The Big Challenge – Adamek Vs. Grant
Sat Aug 21 21:00PM ET
Click here to watch this event on GoFightLive!

Tomasz Adamek takes on Michael Grant for the first big challenge in his quest to become heavyweight champion
Live viewing is not allowed in: Poland, United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada

For full fight card and more details about this event, visit GoFightLive.tv or click here

WILMINGTON, DELAWARE (August 16, 2010)—On Friday night August 27th, a big night of boxing is planned at the beautiful Dover Downs in Dover, Delaware and the night will be a long time coming for one fighter in particular.

It was in 1997 a young Heavyweight named Amir Mansour turned pro with a first round knockout over Clifton Graham in Allentown, PA. Mansour showed tremendous speed to go along with power that catapulted him to nine straight wins with five of those victories coming by knockout.

In was that ninth fight where it became apparent that Mansour was not just a flash in the pan as he stopped thirty-four fight veteran Fabian Garcia in one round in Atlantic City.

That fight took place on June 1st, 2001.

Fast forward to the night of August 27, 2010. Instead of being a multi-time world champion, Mansour will carry that same record of 9-0 with five knockouts into his six round fight with Samuel Brown.

It has been more than nine years (111 months) since this upstart has set foot in a professional boxing ring.

Mansour was incarcerated for over eight years and is now looking capture the Heavyweight championship of the world.

“I have done a lot of thinking of the last eight years”, said Mansour

“When I was away I was locked with former pro fighter Calvin Davis and that kept me focused on boxing and this night has been a long time coming”

“What people don’t realize I don’t have any wear and tear on my body and I have not been taking any punches. When people see me, they will see how I kept in shape and they will be amazed at my speed.”

“I have had some of the best sparring possible as I have worked with IBF Cruiserweight champion Steve Cunningham and Chazz Witherspoon so I have worked with the best. Working with those guys, in a way kinda makes up for lost time. And when I spar against them it gives me a good idea where I am at and I feel I am not that far away.”

“August 27th has been a long time coming for me. There have been many nights where all I could do is stay up and visualize my next fight and for it to be just a week away really has my focus like I have never had it before.”

Former WBO Featherweight World Champion Steve Luevano has retired from Boxing according to his manager Cameron Dunkin who said the decision was made late last night. Luevano 29, finishes with a 37-2-1(15) record. He held the title from July 2007 when he claimed the belt on the road in England scoring an impressive eleventh round stoppage over local hero Nicky Cook. He went on to make 5 successful defence’s before losing his crown to JuanMa Lopez in February. Over the summer Luevano was let go from his contract with Top Rank who had promoted him for his entire career. It’s not known what Luevano intends to do next but on behalf of 15rounds.com congratulations on a great career Steven enjoy retirement.

CLICK FOR FULL EVENT INFO
Global Boxing Gym

ADAMEK vs. GRANT

“The Big Challenge”

Fight: Aug 21st
Prudential Center, Newark

Adamek & Grant sign posters – Credits: Mike Gladysz, Millenium Photo

Press Conference Quotes

Michael Grant: “I’m blessed to have the opportunity to fight Tomasz and my man Roger over there. No doubt it’s going to be a nice night for the fight community, for the boxing world period. The heavyweight division is sad right now, so I just say, don’t lose hope. Don’t lose hope, because I know the belts are over the water right now, but they’ll be back. They will definitely be back!”

“How do I see the fight playing out? Okay let’s play with this…He’s (Adamek) probably going to try to figure out the punching power for the first 3 or 4 rounds and then make a decision; ‘Okay do I want to gamble or not’. Meanwhile, while he’s thinking about gambling I’m already gonna be putting power out, dropping hands on him. So then you’re into a ‘what should I do?’ moment. You got to make sure that those decisions don’t make you delayed so bad where you start getting caught. And sometimes when you start getting caught, and getting caught, it messes all the decision making up and that can be very hurtful.”

“I don’t take anything away from Adamek, like I said he’s a helluva light heavyweight champion. But I’m an elite fighter. I’m not like a Jason Estrada or a Chris Arreola, that’s not my level.”

Grant speaking of Golota style vs. Adamek style: “In those two different styles Golota was a puncher and slightly a boxer, where Adamek is more like a boxer. You know what I’m saying, he’s not a puncher. I’m not saying the fight’s going to be easy with that. He has the strength in that. He became light heavyweight and cruiserweight champion, correct? And so God bless him.”

“My ability is basically what it (the deciding factor) is. I’m not banking on size and strength.”

Roger Bloodworth: “You can tell its going to be a good fight. We have all the respect in the world for the Grant camp and we took this fight cause Tomasz had to be able to prove he could hang with a big man. So whoever named this ‘The Big Challenge’ may be exactly correct.” “Tomasz is ready and I expect a great fight.”

“We haven’t thought about what’s next. We’re just thinking about this fight and that’s it.”

Tomasz Adamek: “Sunday we’ll talk about what’s next, but Saturday we have a job.”

“Every fight is very important. Only when you win, you go up. In boxing you can never be second. My whole career I prepare to be the best.”

“I am very excited to be back at Prudential Center. Every fight a couple thousand more people come to see me. Everybody knows me in NJ.”

“I’m ready to fight. When I’m healthy I am very quick, I am dangerous in the ring. I’ve been training very hard for 11 weeks. Size is no bother to me. I had 2 very good sparring partners. They were tall too. Roger is a very good teacher and I am learning everyday. I am ready.”

PPV Fighters:Jeremy Bryan, Sadam Ali, Grant, Adamek & Joel Julio. Credits: Kubikfoto

The “Brick City Boxing Series” card will take place at Prudential Center, Newark, NJ, and is promoted by Main Events and Ziggy Promotions in association with X-Cel Worldwide.

Tickets priced at $53, $78, $103 and $253 (ringside) can be purchased at Prudential Center Box Office, by calling TicketMaster at 800-745-3000 or www.Prucenter.com

The fight is being distributed in North America by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 9PM EST / 6PM PST on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, Avail-TVN and DISH Network in the United States and Viewer’s Choice and Bell TV in Canada for a suggested retail price of only $29.95

Adamek & Grant – Credits: Mike Gladysz, Millenium Photo

To keep up to date visit the Main Events Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Totowa-NJ/Main-Events/76572871323?ref=ts&__a=16&ajaxpipe=1
and www.mainevents.com, and www.prucenter.com

This Saturday night at Newark, NJ’s Prudential Center, former light heavy and cruiserweight champion Tomasz Adamek will meet once promising heavyweight Michael Grant over twelve rounds with the winner likely receiving a title shot.

Dubbed as “The Big Challenge”, the 6’7 Grant, who was projected to be a world champion a number of years ago, will be Adamek’s tallest opponent to date. I had the opportunity to ask various members of the boxing world ranging from journalists, fighters and trainers for their thoughts on the bout. Here’s what they had to say.

Paul Marinaccio (Retired heavyweight who fought Grant/current boxing and MMA promoter)

“Grant only threw 5 to 8 jabs a round which gave me some opportunities during (our) fight. Adamek will need to work his way in and to keep stepping to the side. Grant hurt me three times with punches to back of the head then (landed) clean shots (but) couldn’t finish me. (He was) very tentative the whole fight. I’m the only guy to go 12 rounds with Grant and I had torn ligaments in my ankle. Adamek wins but (he can’t run).”

Chris Robinson (Journalist from Examiner.com)

“I remember running into Grant earlier this year at the IMMA gym in Las Vegas. One thing I can say is that he hasn’t let himself slip and that he is still in excellent shape. Still, I really have no idea what he would have left at this point in his career. Things just never seemed the same for him after his crushing loss to Lennox Lewis

Adamek’s rise to both the cruiserweight and heavyweight ranks has been impressive. After his loss to Chad Dawson years ago I really didn’t know what he would come up with but he has shown a lot of perseverance in continuing to succeed against bigger man. I think he will find a way to defeat Grant and it will be interesting to see where he goes after that.”

Sean Sullivan (Editor-in-Chief Boxing Digest)

“Adamek should win with a mid-rounds stoppage. After a few rounds, he’ll have figured out how to deal with Grant’s size and reach advantages then will break him down physically. Grant will wilt from Adamek’s pressure and his own inactivity.”

Gary Williams (Journalist from Fight News/Boxing Along The Beltway)

“I like Adamek in this one. I know Grant’s the (bigger man), but I like the way Adamek has progressed from cruiser to heavy. I think he will stop Grant late.”

Lem Satterfield (Editor and Lead Writer of AOL Fanhouse)

“I would have to say that Adamek wins a track meet. I believe that he should be able to get in and out and as long as he doesn’t stand and trade (he could) potentially stop Grant late, if not win a decision.”

Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillan (Middleweight Contender)

“I am going with Adamek. He’s been the busier fighter. I got him by KO.”

Alan Hopper (Director of Publicity for Don King Productions)

“I liked Tomasz Adamek best when (Don King Productions promoted) him at 175 pounds, especially when he used his jab more. I was surprised when he carried his punch to cruiserweight, and I was shocked to see him become an elite heavyweight contender. Bottom line: He’s a fighter I admire with a lot of heart that you can never count out. Adamek by decision.”

Marc Abrams (Editor of 15rounds.com)

“I like Adamek to win the fight by late stoppage. He’s been more active lately against better competition. Adamek always shows heart and desire, which is one thing that has been questioned about for years. Plus he has fallen off the radar while Adamek has been fighting top competition”

Kevin Iole (Senior Boxing Writer for Yahoo Sports)

“I think its going to be a big win by Adamek. He has really turned into an elite fighter and is as good as anybody in the heavyweight division outside of the Klitschkos. His win over Arreola proved that. I think he is a very good and talented heavyweight in a division where there aren’t many good fighters out there. Grant will have to prove something. Ten years ago he was a fighter with the world of talent but when he stepped up he didn’t perform and I don’t think it will change against Adamek. I think Adamek gives him a boxing lesson and may stop him late, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he won by decision.”

Ryan Songalia (Journalist for Boxingscene.com)

“Adamek should win this fight pretty handily. He is pretty confident and has a string of good wins. The Arreola fight gave him a lot of credibility because his boxing ability and mobility helped him overcome a larger opponent. I would be shocked if Grant was able to win since his last loss (came via) devastating knockout to a small heavyweight like Adamek in Dominick Guinn. Grant’s size alone is not enough to overcome his opponents and this will be a major disadvantage for him. Adamek should stop him any time after the eighth round.”

Ryan Coyne (World Rated Cruiserweight Contender)

“I like Adamek. He is hungry and trying to move his way up the heavyweight ranks. He always steps up when he has a stiff test. Michael Grant is a mountain of a man but I think he is past his prime. The only time he really stepped up was against Lennox Lewis and Jameel McCline and he failed the test. His brief retirements, inactivity and what not will also hurt him come fight night. Adamek is taking this one by late stoppage.”

Aroz “Terrific” Gist (Trainer)

I heard Michael Grant had a great camp. This is a fight you really have to pay attention to because Grant has the chance to pull an upset due to his height and reach. If it gets past round 6 or 7, I’d lean towards Michael Grant. With that said Adamek has been fighting high quality opponents and beating them handily. He’s a very talented fighter who always comes in shape so I am going with Adamek by seventh round stoppage, but if it goes past that, watch out for Grant!”

FINAL TALLY ADAMEK: 12 GRANT: 0

It may be unfair to mention Billy Conn and Chad Dawson in the same sentence. But I just read Frank Deford’s masterful rendering of Conn in “The Boxer and the Blond,” and I can’t help make the comparison.

Conn was Light Heavyweight champion of the world. All that stood in the way of Conn being Heavyweight Champion was himself. The steel mill refugee fought Joe Louis, maybe the greatest heavyweight in the history of the sport (ask your father, or Bert Sugar), on June 18, 1941. A Pittsburgh native, Conn’s hometown baseball Pirates actually stopped their game in the middle so the crowd at the ballpark could listen to the fight. They had to. Otherwise no one would have come. Weights? Forget what promoter “Uncle” Mike Jacobs, the Bob Arum and-then-some of his time, reported to the Press. DeFord assures that Conn weighed in at 169, Louis 200. A later report from ESPN marked it as 169, 204.

Louis was more than a 3 to 1 favorite. But scheduled for 15, at the end of 12 rounds Conn had come to dominate the champion. Conn boxed, moved, slugged a little, and weathered a nasty cut. But after taking off the first few rounds to scout his opponent as he always did, Conn was up 7-5, 7-4-1, 6-6 on the judges’ cards. In the 12th round Conn hit Louis with a series of punches culminating with a left hook that rocked and staggered the champ and left him hanging on for dear life. In the corner, after the round, Louis’ long-time trainer let loose with the smelling salts and told the champ that he was losing—that he’d have to knock Conn out to win. According to Deford, the corner was only saying what everyone in America knew. Louis was beaten.

But Conn, emboldened by The Punch, went into the next round no longer satisfied with the prospect of a win. Amidst frantic protests from his corner, he told his trainer he wanted a knockout and then stood in the middle of the ring and slugged —until he didn’t. Conn failed to make the count at 2:58 of the 13th round.

Billy Conn and Joe Louis became very good friends afterwards, and Conn told Deford: “I told Joe later, why didn’t you just let me have the title for six months?’ All I ever wanted was to be able to go around the corner where the guys are loafing and say ‘Hey, I’m the heavyweight champeen of the world.’”

Louis replied: “’I let you have it for twelve rounds, and you couldn’t keep it. How could I let you have it for six months?’”

After the fight in the dressing room, Conn famously said, “What’s the sense of being Irish if you can’t be dumb?”

In the first century A.D., Julius Caesar is said to have remarked on an early encounter with Conn’s ancestors, whom he had seen knee deep in ocean attacking the waves with a sword like the fierce Irish Champion of lore, Cuchulain. “They fight just to fight,” Caesar said. Although it took England, Rome never did attempt to invade Ireland.

In a meaningless tune-up bout prior to the Louis fight, 27,000 fans showed up to watch Conn beat someone named Billy Knox in Pittsburgh. It was 1941, and the country was still in the midst of the Great Depression.

Unable to draw a crowd in his home state of Connecticut, Chad Dawson’s bout for the Light Heavyweight Championship was held in Montreal, Canada—the home town of his opponent, Jean Pascal. The doctor stopped the fight on an accidental head butt gash in the 11th round. It went to the cards and Dawson, cut bad, lost a unanimous decision. But he might have won. Having hurt a seemingly gassed Pascal, the fight that Dawson had squandered throughout the night was there for the taking. But he failed to punch; he failed to fight.

Unlike Billy Conn, who lived to 75 years old and died a legend—or even Joe Frazier, Mike Tyson or Tomasz Adamek, no one will ever accuse Chad Dawson of being Irish. Bad Chad’s primary objective throughout the bout remained just one side of the time honored equation: to not be hit. During the fight against Pascal, HBO commentator Larry Merchant asked with more than a trace of frustration and disgust: “Does Dawson ever just stand his ground and fight on the inside? Look at this.”
I’d just as soon not. No one can force another man to risk himself; but no one can force another man to buy a ticket either.

Boxing needs to Irish up.

Photo credit, Shizzy9989

A month from the biggest fight of his life Alexander Frankel 22-0(17) took time out from training to share some thoughts with 15rounds.com. Frankel 25, will be challenging Enzo Maccarinelli for the European Title on 18 September in Birmingham, England. It’s a marked step up in quality for Frankel but one he’s confident he can succeed in. So far Frankel has engaged in only 74 pro rounds thought that’s in part to his power which see’s him boast a 77% KO ratio. Originally from Kirovograd in the Ukraine he moved to Germany from where he now fights and is rated in the top 10 by all four governing bodies WBC 7, WBA 4, IBF 6 & WBO 10.

Hello Alexander, welcome to 15rounds.com

Hi, it´s a pleasure for me.

Anson Wainwright – You will be fighting Enzo Maccarinelli for his European title on 18 September in Birmingham. What are your thoughts on this fight?

Alexander Frenkel – I hope, we´ll see a fair fight. Both fighters should be in a amazing shape. The better one will win.

Anson Wainwright – Do you have any concerns in having to fight away from home? This fight is scheduled for 12 rounds you’ve only been 8 so far, is this a concern to you?

Alexander Frenkel – You are right, I have never fought this distance. But when I fought for the IBF Youth title the fight was scheduled for 12 rounds. But I feel good and I´m happy to fight in England. I hope I´ll feel good abroad. It isn´t an easy job, it´s a challenge for me. But it´s a level, I have looked for.

Anson Wainwright – What do you consider Maccarinelli’s strengths & weaknesses?

Alexander Frenkel – Enzo Maccarinelli has got my respect. He is the European Champion and a former World Champion. He came back with a great victory against Alexander Kotlobay. He is brave, I hope I can show in the ring, that he is not able to avoid all his faults.

Anson Wainwright – What do you consider your strengths & what do you think you may need to work on?

Alexander Frenkel – My strengths are also my weaknesses. So I don´t like to talk about it. But there is one thing, I can tell you. I don´t like to get punched!

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about training for this fight. Where will you base yourself, for how long and what will a typical day of training be?

Alexander Frenkel – We are training two times a day, from Monday to Friday. I also train on the weekend. I work on my faults and try to become better every time.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your team, who is your manager, trainer & promoter?

Alexander Frenkel – I really have brilliant options and possibilities in our gym, it´s the Max-Schmeling-Gym in Berlin. I have got a great team. I´m very grateful for it, because they help my in a lot of things – also outside the ring. Often things seem to be peanuts, but all in all it´s a lot. My manager is Wilfried Sauerland. My trainer is Ulli Wegner. I´m fighting for Sauerland Event.

Anson Wainwright – Your originally from The Ukraine, what can you tell us about your younger days and how life was for you growing up in Kirovograd? Also how did you first get into Boxing?

Alexander Frenkel – To be a kid in Kirovograd was really interesting. It was a fantastic time with a lot of small adventures – I climbed on trees, visited a lot of sees and swam. I had a lot of friends. That was really great. Then, when I was seven years old, I started boxing.

Anson Wainwright – Did you have a good amateur career? Can you tell us what tournaments you entered and how you did?

Alexander Frenkel: I had about 60 amateur fights. I feel, that I have got enough experience. When I was an amateur, all what could happen, happened. I fought on different levels in different conditions. It was enough to be ready for my professional career.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us a little about yourself and what you like to do away from Boxing? What your interests and hobbies are?

Alexander Frenkel – I´m a normal guy. I also try to work on my personality and my character. And I want to discover the world.

Anson Wainwright – What are your goals in Boxing?

Alexander Frenkel – Of course I want to become world champion.

Anson Wainwright – Who were your favourite fighters when you were young and who do you admire today?

Alexander Frenkel – Oh, I had a lot of favourite fighters when I was young. But Muhammad Ali was the most impressive person for me. Today I like Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for Enzo Maccarinelli?

Alexander Frenkel – I wish him all the best. I hope we can eat a pizza together after the fight.

Best Wishes and thanks for your time Alexander.

Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com

Former Cuban amateur star Erislandy Lara need under one round to stop veteran Willie Lee in a Jr. Middleweight bout at the Civic Center in Monroe, Louisiana.

Lara dropped Lee with a hard one-two just moments into the contest. Lara ended things as he landed a hige uppercut and straight left that drove Lee to the ropes and he was all over Lee until referee Laurence Cole stopped the bout at 1:48 of round one.

Lara, 153 1/2 lbs of Miami is now 13-0 with eight knockouts. Lee, 152 1/4 lbs of Gulfport, MS is now 17-7

Former Cuban Olympian Yordanis Despaigne scored a ten round unanimous decision over previously built up undefeated Frank Paines.

Despaigne dominated the action and scored a knockdown in round two from a left hook. Paines tried to come forward in spots but simply doesnt have the skills to compete with the Despaigne. In round five, Despaigne was cut around his right eye from a headbutt as Despaigne crouched down into Paines head. Over the last couple rounds, Despaigne was confident enough to showboat a little as he cruised down the stretch

Despaigne, 174 1/2 lbs of Miami won by scores of 100-89;96-93 and 99-90 and is now 7-0. Paines, 171 1/4 lbs of Los Angeles is now 11-1.

Yordenis Ugas scored a second round stoppage over Marquis Jackson a welterweight bout scheduled for four rounds.

Ugas dropped Jackson from a big right hand that was followed by a combination in the second frame. Ugas was all over Jackson as he dropped him again from a flurry of punches and the fight was stopped at 1:23 of round two.

Ugas, 146 1/2 lbs of Miami is now 3-0 with two knockouts. Jackson, 146 1/2 lbs of Atlanta is now 2-2.

On Tuesday, Erik Morales and his team held a press conference to promote his September 11 bout with Willie Limond. While the fight will take place in Mexico City, Mexico, the press conference was held in Harrison, NJ at Red Bull Arena. 15Rounds.com was there to see what “El Terrible” had to say.

Part 2

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (August 17, 2010)—Some of the best local talent will be on display on Saturday night, August 28th at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City as six undefeated prospects will round out a packed card presented by Spartan Fight Promotions

The main event will feature top American Heavyweight Chazz Witherspoon battling Livin Castillo in a bout scheduled for ten rounds.

Fighting out of the GNP Gym in Atlantic City, undefeated fighters, Qa’id Muhammad (Super Flyweight), Joel De La Paz (Super Middleweight), Lavarn Harvell (Light Heavyweight) and Eugene Soto (Middleweight) will all be featured in big fights on the 28th.

Muhammad is just twenty-one years old and his style has been described as electric as he has incredibly fast hands and has produced five straight wins and all by way of knockout. This will mark the fifth consecutive appearance for Muhammad on the Boardwalk and he has appeared on some big cards.

On October 18th, 2008 he took out Samuel Gutierrez in three rounds on the Bernard Hopkins – Kelly Pavlik undercard. In his last bout, Muhammad scored a third round stoppage over Alfredo Berto on July 31, 2009 in Atlantic City.

De La Paz is twenty five years old and has developed into a big power puncher as he has won his last four bouts by way of first round stoppage.

This will be De La Paz third fight in Atlantic City and is coming off a first round stoppage over Randy Campbell on July 2nd in Vineland, New Jersey.

Harvell has a record of 5-0 with two knockouts and has the name of “Baby Bowe” due to the striking facial resemblance of former Heavyweight champion of the world Riddick Bowe.

After winning by decision on his first three bouts, Harvell has developed power as he has scored two tremendous knockouts in his last two bouts.

In his last bout, Harvell stopped then undefeated Randy Campbell in one round on February 26th in Philadelphia. This will be fifth fight in Atlantic City for the twenty-two year old Harvell.

Soto is 2-0 with one knockout. He turned pro on April 11, 2009 with a four round unanimous decision over Vernon Richardson at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. He followed that up with a first round knockout over Tony Dewey on November 20th at The Taj Mahal.

“I look at these guys as a family”, said Abdur Rahim Muhammad, who is not only the manager and trainer of these four fighters but also the father of Qa’Id Muhammad.

“Each of them possesses different styles. A couple of them are aggressive and a couple of them prefer to box, but they all have adapted to one style and we call it power boxing.”

“These kids gain more confidence in each fight. We always knew Harvell could punch but he preferred to box in his first few fights and is showing the power in his last two bouts. De La Paz is just the opposite. Here is a kid who has tremendous boxing ability but has become a great knockout artist. With Soto, he is a counter puncher by trade and now he is mixing in his punching ability. Finally Qa’Id is someone who has a lot of ability but he learns by watching everyone else and they give him a constant reminder.”

“A big part of our team is Con McMullen who is the assistant trainer. He was a former pro fighter so he brings that experience to the table with the guys and has been a huge asset to the team.”

Muhammad, Soto, De La Paz and Soto will have their opponent’s announced shortly.

Two more undefeated fighters will also see action in four round bouts as Ismael Garcia (1-0) of Millville, New Jersey will take on Stanley Harvey (0-1) of Norfolk, Va. in four round Jr. Middleweight bout.

The son of the former Heavyweight champion, Bruce Seldon, Isiah Seldon (1-0) will battle Jason Johns (0-2) of Danville, Va.

In the eight round co-feature, undefeated Farah Ennis (15-0, 9 KO’s) will now take on Anthony Shuler (20-7-1, 14 KO’s) of Indianapolis, IN.

In a six round Lightweight bout, Jose Reyes (23-7, 8 KO’s) of nearby Vineland, NJ will take on an opponent to be named.

Ticket Prices for this great night of boxing are priced at $90 / $65 / $40 and are Available at the Trump Taj Mahal Box Office or by calling Ticketmaster 1-800-736-1420 or GNP Fitness 609-348-4999 VIP Tables are also available, for more information call 609-348-4999

Doors open at 7pm with first bout at 8pm

Former Welterweight world champion, Antonio Margarito was denied a boxing license in California by a vote of 5-1.

Margarito claimed he was unaware that he had was turned out to be a plaster like substance in his glove while being taped up for his January, 2009 bout with Shane Mosley in Los Angeles.

The commissioners cited lack of remorse on Margarito’s part as one of the key reasons for denying the former champ the license.

Maragrito did fight in his native Mexico as he scored a unanimous decision over Roberto Garcia on May 8th.

There have been reports that Margarito will fight Manny Pacquiao in Texas on November 13th with Texas willing to give the disgraced fighter an opportunity to fight in their state.

When the sun arose on the morning of September 26, 2009, Cristobal “Nightmare” Arreola was an undefeated prospect, sporting an unblemished record of 27-0, and about to fight for a world heavyweight title against Vitali Klitschko. He was continually built up by and showcased on HBO and was arguably the best American-born heavyweight. By the time the clock struck midnight at the end of that autumn day, Arreola hoped to be the first world heavyweight champion of Mexican descent.

Fast forward just ten months to present day and Arreola is somewhere in southern California, walking around in his 256 pound body with two injured hands, two losses on his record, and no significant titles.

Presumably before then — but ever since the night of September 26, 2009, Arreola has not taken his career seriously.

From the opening bell against Vitali Klitschko, it was clear that Arreola would struggle against the experienced champion. Although pouring his heart out in the ring, Arreola was never able to penetrate the elder Klitschko’s jab-built wall and was continually pummeled with the 6’7” Ukranian’s pulverizing lead left hooks.

After ten rounds of boxing for the WBC heavyweight title, Henry Ramirez, Arreola’s trainer, told referee Jon Schorle ‘no mas.’ There would be no eleventh round and subsequently, no WBC title for Arreola.

During an expletive-laden post-fight interview with HBO’s Larry Merchant, Arreola burst into tears, assuring his fans and viewers that he never wanted to give up and that he “trained his a** off” for the fight.

At the time, nobody had the right to question Arreola’s words. Sure, his stomach was soft and 251 pounds was too much for his 6’4” frame, but up until that point, he had been successful in every professional bout of his career.

It wasn’t until his next fight in December of that year that it became clear Arreola was less than fully committed to his career as a boxer.

Picking up its fallen warrior, HBO came calling for Arreola, putting his bout between he and Cruiserweight-bound, Brian Minto on the Sergio Martinez-Paul Williams undercard in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Embarrassingly, the man who trained his a** off in preparation for his title fight against Klitschko weighed in for his ‘rebound’ fight at a whopping 263 pounds. In two years, during the time between his fight against Chazz “The Gentleman” Witherspoon to the bout against Minto, Arreola ballooned from 239 to 263 pounds.

His fight against the undersized Minto may have actually been the one fight where Arreola needed the extra weight to keep him grounded after Minto continually landed his strongest punches on Arreola’s chin.

After three-plus rounds of barroom brawling, the considerably bigger Arreola dropped Minto for the final time, prompting referee Eddie Cotton to step in and call a halt to the bout.

After the Minto fight, HBO tapped Arreola once again, this time pitting him against the Polish-born, Jersey-based former world champion, Tomasz Adamek. Even though a fight in Newark, New Jersey, Adamek’s home arena, would have drawn about eight thousand or so more fans than Arreola’s home arena in Ontario, California, HBO sent its crew & cameramen to the west coast to watch its fighter take on the aspiring heavyweight.

In advance of his fight with Adamek, Ramirez told the media that he hoped his fighter would weigh in at about 240 pounds — what Ramirez claimed was Arreola’s best fighting weight.

Fat chance, Henry.

Arreola weighed in at a heavy 253 pounds. Having dropped a majority decision to Adamek in front of his hometown fans, Arreola was now clinging to a number ten ranking in Ring Magazine’s top ten heavyweights in the world.

After the Adamek fight, Ramirez informed the media that Arreola had missed multiple days of camp at a time. It showed.

This past Friday night, on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights, Arreola (29-2, 25 KO) bested Manuel Quezada (29-6, 18 KO) by unanimous decision.

Coming into the fight, Arreola gave us his same old speech about how hard he worked in prepping for his upcoming bout. This time, Arreola claimed, he only missed two days of training and one of them was because his house almost caught on fire. Further, Arreola stated that Ramirez has had him “boxing” more this camp — working on his skill set.

But just because one is physically at camp does not necessarily translate into a fighter giving everything he has day in and day out during ‘practice.’ At the end of the day, Arreola gained weight during his camp, tipping the scales at 256 pounds for the Quezada fight.

Although Arreola canvassed his opponent on three separate occasions, the “Nightmare” wasn’t able to deliver the finishing blow that people have become accustomed to in Arreola victories. Unable to get Quezada out of there, Arreola had to settle for the unanimous decision in a fight that failed to showcase either Arreola’s power or boxing ability. If possible, while Arreola’s win tally rose, his stock fell.

The choices Arreola have made outside of the ring — whether it be from a dietary or a training standpoint — have not been to his benefit.

But moreso than anything written above, Arreola may have best summed up his attitude toward his career when he said, “If Michael Phelps can smoke pot, why can’t I have a beer?”

When the sun goes down on August 18, 2010, the twice- defeated Arreola will be nursing his broken hand and hopefully be thinking of ways to repair his career.

PHOTO BY Claudia Bocanegra

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that WBC Heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko will defend his belt against former WBO champion Shannon Briggs on October 16th in Hamburg, Germany.

“Contracts are signed, everything is done,” Said Bernd Boente, who manages Klitschko adding that there will be news conferences to make the formal announcement in Klitschko’s native Kiev, Ukraine, on Aug. 30 and another in Hamburg, his adopted hometown, on Aug. 31.

“I am very happy that I am finally fighting in Hamburg again. I started in Hamburg as a pro [in 1996],” said Klitschko, who hasn’t fought there since a 1999 knockout of Obed Sullivan. “The O2 World is a fantastic arena and the fans in Hamburg know their boxing, and a great atmosphere is guaranteed.”

“Shannon Briggs is an unbelievable trash-talker, but he is definitely a very strong challenger,” Klitschko said. “He has huge experience, has way more professional fights than I have and is one of the hardest punchers in the heavyweight division. I know I will have to prepare myself with my coach [Fritz Sdunek] very intensely.”

Said Boente: “It’s a very interesting matchup. Vitali has to be prepared very well because Briggs is very dangerous for the first six or seven rounds and you can’t underestimate the guy. Vitali knows this not a walkover. You know Briggs. He can show up as a really good fighter and perform on world-class level, or he can show up like he did in the [Sultan] Ibragimov fight and just walk around the ring.”

“I tried for a long time to get into the ring with one of the Klitschkos. Now it’s time to write history,” Briggs said. “Most of their opponents [expletive] in their pants before they enter the ring. But I will put a lot of pressure on Klitschko. Klitschko can look at his WBC belt for a couple of more weeks. After Oct. 16, it belongs to me.

“I have been in touch with [ESPN programmer] Doug Loughrey and hopefully we can work something again for Vitali’s fight,” Boente said.

Cleveland, Ohio – August 17th, 2010 – Warner Promotions is proud to present a heavyweight Championship fight in Cleveland on Friday, August 20th live from Nautica Pavilion in the Flats! The star studded night of boxing will feature Akron’s own and newly crowned NABA U.S. Heavyweight Champion Nick “The Stoneman” Firtha in the main event as he will defend his title against “Lightening” Mike Sheppard of Palestine, West Virginia in a ten round bout. The Vacant Ohio State Heavyweight Title will also be on the line! Firtha (18-7-1, 8 KO’s) is coming off the biggest win of his career as he dismantled Tony Grano in June at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut to win the title. Firtha scored a second round technical knockout over Grano, who came into their bout as the favorite and had a professional record of 17-1-1, with 13 KO’s. Sheppard (15-10-1, 8 KO’s) comes into this fight having won four of his last five bouts. His lone loss was a ten round decision to the WBO #10 ranked heavyweight in the World, Chauncy Welliver.

Firtha has been busy on the Cleveland media scene, having been a guest on Tony Rizzo’s “Really Big Show” on ESPN 850 WKNR, Mark “Munch” Bishop’s “Lunch With Munch” show on ESPN 1540 KNR2, and News Channel 5’s Sports Sunday program with Andy Baskin. Firtha is scheduled to appear on Michael Reghi and Kenny Roda’s “Afternoon R & R” show on ESPN 850 WKNR, Bruce Drennan’s “All Bets are Off” show on Sports Time Ohio, and the Fox 8 Morning show this week as well.

Firtha also threw out the first pitch for his hometown Akron Aeros last Thursday.

In the Co-featured bout of the evening, undefeated Cleveland Junior Middleweight Dante Moore will battle his toughest opponent to date, Corey “Collateral Damage” Rodriguez of Minneapolis, MN in a six round bout. Moore (6-0, 4 KO’s), a former United States Junior Olympic National Champion as an amateur, will bring his powerful style to the bout against Rodriguez (4-1-1, 3 KO’s) and will be fighting in a six round bout for the first time in his career. These two were scheduled to face each other in April before Moore had to withdraw due to a training injury.

“The Pride of Lorain” Wilkins Santiago (1-0), coming off a scintillating pro-debut in April will also see action in a four round middleweight bout against Matt “The Celtic Warrior” Keglovic (1-1, 1 KO) in a Lorain versus Cleveland showdown. Santiago is one of the area’s best middleweights and is a promising prospect with a hard-punching style to please all fans. Keglovic, a former Cleveland Golden Glove Champion, is a full time licensed union electrician and will be looking to electrify the crowd and shock Santiago!

The fight of the night could be the four round all Cleveland heavyweight affair between Jason “Big Daddy” Massie (5-0, 4 KO’s) and Mujaheed “King Dia” Moor (4-3, 3 KO’s). Massie will be looking to stay unbeaten, but will be facing his toughest opponent to date in Moor, who was a two-time Cleveland Golden Glove Champion and has fought extremely tough opposition.

Rounding out the card will be Cleveland junior middleweight Michael Moore (2-0, 2 KO’s) against Indiana’s Eric Draper (1-3). in a four round bout.

Three bands, Jackie, Tenafly Vipor, and A Punch’s Pilot will open the show at 5:00. Doors open at 4:00. The first bell will start at 7:30.

Tickets for Friday Night Fights are on sale at all Ticketmaster locations, Livenation.com, or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. Tickets start at just $25 for general admission. There are also tables seating eight for $600, Tables seating four for $300, Ringside for $75, and floor seats for $50. For more information please call 216-854-0485.

About Warner Promotions

Warner Promotions is a boxing promotional company, based out of Cleveland. They served as the co-promoter for the ESPN Friday Night fights event at the Wolstein Center on February 19th. A newly formed, Cleveland based company, owned by Ron Warner, and run by Antonio Castro, Warner Promotions has two more boxing events planned for 2010, and will be signing the top local boxers to compete in their events. For further information, please visit www.warnerpromotionsllc.com.

Decades ago when there were only 8 weight classes, not the 17 that exist today with only 1 champion per division and titles weren’t handed out like social security, things were much simpler. The World over knew who the Heavyweight champion was. There was no confusion. Slowly but surely as you went lower and lower in weight classes the names of the champions became less familiar to the general public. In those days the Flyweight division was the lowest; unless you were a real aficionado of the game you most likely hadn’t heard of whom even the champion was at that time.

Some fantastic fighters throughout the years have passed through the land of the 8 stone men: Jimmy Wilde, Pancho Villa, Benny Lynch, Pascal Perez and more recently Manny Pacquiao even reigned here in the 1990’s.

It’s not a division that has produced many big fights. If you head 3 pounds North to the Super Flyweight division in recent memory Johnny Tapia & Danny Romero met in as much of a Superfight as you get below Featherweight on Showtime back in 1999. Drop 4 pounds and the Light Flyweights have Chiquita Gonzalez & Michael Carbajal who will forever be linked together like the Yankees & the Red Sox or Siegfried & Roy. They made a million dollars in their rematch. Even at Strawweight the Great Ricardo Lopez fought Rosendo Alvarez.

The closest there is at Flyweight is Koki Kameda-V-Pongsaklek Wongjongkam.

As recently highlighted in The Ring magazine 4 of the top 5 Flyweight’s reside in Tokyo, Japan. More’s the pity that some of them couldn’t pair off and fight each other. Back in March the aforementioned Kameda & Pongsaklek clashed. It appeared going in as though Kameda would cement his place as top man at 112 and further add to his growing reputation. Pongsaklek, 32, was the long reigning former WBC champion who was ready for the taking and would allow Kameda to win and add his name to his ledger. Only someone forgot to tell Pongsaklek, as he soundly outboxed Kameda over twelve heats to reclaim his old title from Kameda. The win made him the Best Flyweight of his Generation and also most certainly sealed his place in Canastota.

Instead of the brash young outspoken Japanese fighter we got the grizzled veteran from Thailand. While Kameda may have reigned for several years and brought plenty of attention to his division, it’s unlikely Pongsaklek will reign for many years. However, hopefully what Pongsaklek may do is look for the biggest and best fights he can get.

Interesting future options for Pongsaklek would include a fifth fight with Naito. Recently Edgar Sosa moved up from 108 where he was the WBC champion, Sosa has said he wants a title shot after two more fights. Also the winner of the Light Flyweight unification between Ivan Calderon & Giovani Segura would also make for a pretty sizeable fight.

A quick look at the Top Ten according to the Ring.

C Pongsaklek Wongjongkam (Tha) 76-3(40) WBC Made a record 17 defences in his 2001-07 title reign. Appeared to have slipped when he lost the title to Naito then drew with him, only to rededicate himself and bounce back with a terrific away win in Japan over Koki Kameda back in March. Now 33, will hope to make a successful first defence against Suriyan Por Chokchai 14-4-1(4).

1 Koki Kameda (Jap) 22-1(14) Brash Japanese fighter was supposed to beat Pongsaklek and add his name to his resume, but that didn’t quite work out. Looks like Kameda may jump to 115 and look to do something no Japanese fighter has ever done by becoming a three-weight world champion.

2 Daisuke Naito (Jap) 34-2-3(22) You have to admire his resilience, if at first you don’t succeed try, try again. Lost in a record breaking 34 seconds to Pongsaklek, came back, lost a Technical decision before winning the third time, later drew with his Thai nemesis. At 35, he likely has only one more title run in him whether that be at 112 or 115.

3 Daiki Kameda (Jap) 15-2(11) WBA The second of the three Kameda Brothers. Only 21, will likely out grow 112 in the next few years if his recent non title fight where he fought up at Bantamweight is anything to go by. Has a tricky title defence with former champion Takefumi Sakata coming up on 25 September.

4 Denkaosan Kaovichit (Tha) 50-2-1(20) Another former champion fights Concepcion in Panama in October. A win and he’ll be a shoe-in for a WBA title fight; a loss will likely move him out of the top 10.

5 Takefumi Sakata (Jap) 34-5-2(15) Like Naito, third time was lucky when he finally beat Lorenzo Parra to claim the title. At 30, he’s a 12 year veteran hoping to reclaim his former title against Daiki Kameda in what will be a huge fight in Japan.

6 Luis Concepcion (Pan) 19-1(14) The best Flyweight outside of Asia. Has an interesting changing of the guard fight with Kaovitchit. A win there would establish him amongst the top 3-4 Flyweights in the world. Claimed the Interim title with a twelfth round stoppage, followed that with 2 more KO’s.

7 Moruti Mthalane (RSA) 25-2(16) IBF Gave Nonito Donaire trouble before being stopped on cuts, rebounded to beat Julio Cesar Miranda for the vacant crown and has an intriguing title fight with Tete at the end of August.

8 Zolani Tete (RSA) 13-0(11) Heads to Mthalane’s hometown of Johannesburg for a title shot very early in his career. So far only has 42 rounds as a pro. The Southpaw can punch in what is sure to be a big fight in South Africa.

9 Cesar Seda (PUR) 18-0(14) Puerto Rican hopeful is only 24 and squares off with compatriot Jose Lopez at the end of August in a changing of the guard fight. Rated highly by all four sanctioning bodies.

10 Julio Cesar Miranda (Mex) 32-5-1(25) WBO Bounced back from losing to Pongsaklek & Mthalane in 2009 title fights to soundly thrash Richie Mepranum for the WBO crown. No wasting anytime he gets back into action on 4 September against Columbian Ronald Ramos.

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that former Jr. Welterweight and Welterweight world champion Zab Judah will take on Michael Clark on October 2nd in Newark, New Jersey.

“I know he’s coming to win,” Judah told ESPN.com on Monday from Las Vegas, where he’s training with Eddie Mustafa Muhammad. “I’m just excited. I’m back in training. Me and Eddie have been in the gym putting in the work. I am looking to go in there and show the world that I am back and that I am the best 140-pounder in the world.”

“I felt great in the Santa Cruz fight,” Judah said. “For this fight here, I will come in at 140. I’m feeling good. Whenever I step in the ring, it will always be an exciting night. I’m making a promise that it will be a dynamic performance. I am mentally and physically ready.”

“With the performances of Bradley and Alexander [in their recent fights], I consider myself the best guy in the division,” Judah said. “Those guys know with me back at 140 that my eyes are set on them, Devon, Bradley and Khan. I don’t know when or which order they will be taken in, but there will be order in the court. I am looking to be undisputed champion at 140 pounds.”

“We offered the fight to Juan Urango, Victor Cayo, Paulie Malignaggi, Lucas Matthysse, Julio Diaz, Kendall Holt and Joel Casamayor,” Said Main Events promoter Kathy Duva. “None of them were interested.”

“HBO knows we are willing to fight any of them, but I was told the only way I was going to get Zab on HBO was to fight on one of Golden Boy’s dates since they have the dates and they have most of those fighters,” Duva said.

“Zab came down from welterweight because he had been fighting in a division he was too small for for a long time and he isn’t going to make that mistake again,” Duva said. “I told Lou (DiBella) if Berto wants to come down to 140, we can make the fight right now. But that isn’t something he’s interested in, which is fine. But we are not going to wait until these guys are willing to fight Zab. We went after just about everyone in the top 10, so it’s frustrating. So we give Michael Clark a lot of credit because he’s willing to fight Zab. He should be given credit. People want to fight Zab at 147, but not at 140, so that’s where we are.”

“Zab needs to just keep putting together wins like he did in July with the idea to get a fight against one of the big guys in the division and eventually his marketability will trump their reticence to fight him,” said Duva, who added that television plans for the Oct. 2 card were in the works. “Outside guys who have belts, he’s the best in the division and we’d like guys to fight him. That’s what this is supposed to be about, fighting the best fights, not looking for an easy fight.”

SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA — Immensely popular amateur Muay Thai kickboxing star Jenna Castillo showed her heart as she outwilled and out-skilled tough challenger Tiffany Van Soest in the main event of a fight card featuring mixed martial arts, boxing and amateur kickboxing at the San Mateo County Event Center on Saturday night.

The San Jose, California-based Castillo found herself facing a bit of adversity early in the fight. When she and San Diego, California’s Van Soest got tangled up and fell to the mat, it forced Castillo’s left shoulder to pop out of place. While still on the mat, Castillo, 122, signaled to referee Dan Stell that she was injured. Castillo was brought to the corner to see the ringside doctor and calmly proved she was fit to continue by rolling her shoulder and arm in several directions.

Seconds after the bell to end the first rang, Castillo landed a straight right then left combination. Van Soest, 121.5, simply grinned and it looked like a tough fight may lay ahead for Castillo. The second round featured two-way action and could have been scored either way. Castillo likely stole the round as she capitalized on a wild swing from Van Soest just before the bell. The third was unquestionably Van Soest’s best round, as a quick combination had Castillo holding on briefly.

Van Soest grasp of momentum was completely stripped away in the fourth. Castillo implemented an all out attack on Van Soest’s abdomen, with her knees serving as the main weapon of choice. After a relentless series of knees forced Van Soest across the ring, the referee decided to give her a standing eight count, making it a two-point round for Castillo. Van Soest was physically drained, but was still trying in the fight as the fifth and final round came to a close. In the end, all three judges had the fight for Castillo, with scores of 50-44 and 49-45 twice.

With the victory, Castillo successfully defended her IKF Muay Thai Bantamweight title and earned a spot on the September 11th card to be held at the Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills, California.

MMA


A.J. Fonseca (5-3, 2 KOs, 2 Submissions) of Roseville, California completely dominated Joey De La Cruz (1-2) of Lemoore, California en route to a three-round unanimous decision victory. Fonseca, 141, took control in the second half of the first round and never relinquished his advantage in the fight. De La Cruz, 141, found himself on his back for much of the contest and suffered a badly busted up left eye late in the second round. De La Cruz’ injury was the result of a vicious Fonseca elbow.

The third round of the fight looked much like its predecessor, with Fonseca proving his dominance on that mat. In the end, all three official scorers came to the same conclusion in scoring the bout a 30-27 shutout for Fonseca. The win ends a two-fight skid for the Lemoore resident.

It only took three punches for Tristan Arenal (1-1, 1 KO) of Milpitas, California to end the night of Josue Tirado (1-1) of Fresno, California. Arenal, 155, threw two jabs and a straight right. The second jab stunned Tirado, 155, and the straight right laid him out. It took only 17 seconds, as referee Marcos Rosales did not need administer even the beginnings of a count.

Crowd favorite Phil Baldacci (2-2, 1 KO, 1 Submission) of San Francisco, California did not disappoint his vocal supporters as he ended a one-sided bout with Rene Gabaldon (1-2) of Riverside, California in under two rounds. Baldacci, 145, made just one mistake in the bout, as he got caught by a hook as he went for a takedown early in the first. Baldacci quickly attempted another takedown on Gabaldon, 145, and got it. From that moment, Baldacci controlled the fight.

The first ended with Baldacci reigning down with blows on a flat on his back Gabaldon. Quickly in the second, Baldacci gained the same position and came down with a series of well-placed forearms. Before two long, referee Dan Stell had no choice but to end the one-sided beating at the 1:09 mark of round two.

Moses Lira (2-2, 1 KO) of Oakdale, California spoiled the professional debut of Geoffrey Quares (0-1) of Vallejo, California via second-round submission. Quares, 166, managed to bloody the nose of Lira, 169, early in the fight. However, Lira quickly gained control and by the end of the opening stanza, it was Quares’ face that looked the worse for wear.

Quares landed a couple good hooks early in the second, but eventually found himself falling through the middle ropes onto the ring apron. Soon after the fight resumed, Lira gained control of Quares on the mat and landed several shots before cinching in a rear naked choke for the tapout. Official time of the stoppage was 1:20 of the second round.

Boxing

Making a statement in his professional debut, Juan Hernandez (1-0, 1 KO) of Redwood City, California needed just 22 seconds to halt Seth Keeling (1-1) of Escondido, California. Hernandez, 194, landed a merciless right uppercut that literally lifted Keeling, 192, off the ground. The punch had Keeling out before the left hook that came next expedited his descent to the mat. Somehow Keeling rose on unsteady legs, blood dripping from his mouth and he stumbled into a neutral corner.

Referee Ray Balewicz immediately stopped the fight, which delighted the strong gathering that came out to show their support for Hernandez. The Redwood City resident is a cruiserweight built in the mold of former 200-pound champion Kelvin Davis. Hernandez’ amateur career was highlighted by two California Golden Gloves Regional titles. Keeling, who managed to leave the ring under his own power, had scored a mild upset of Mike Lee (0-1) of Sacramento, California in his debut in March.

Unfortunately for boxing fans in attendance, originally scheduled bouts involving two locally-based prospects were cancelled when suitable opposition was not found in time for the event. Former amateur stars Richard Hargraves (2-0, 2 KOs) of San Francisco and Bruno Escalante Jr. (1-0-1) of San Carlos, California were slated to fill those two spots on the card.

Amateur Kickboxing

In the night’s semi-main event, Skylr Penna of San Francisco retained his IKF Muay Thai North American Super Welterweight title with a unanimous five-round decision over free-swinging Jon Pryor of Sacramento, California. Penna, 147 ½, controlled much of the action in the first, before Pryor, 150, landed a two-punch combination late. Beginning in the second round, Pryor focused on throwing and landing punches and found a fair amount of success with that plan. Penna was much more effective with his legs and knees throughout the bout.

After Pryor, the IKF Muay Thai West Coast Super Welterweight Champion, briefly had his rival in trouble in the third, Penna turned the tide with a vicious series of knees to his abdomen. A right kick from Penna was the most telling blow of the fifth and final round which helped lead to a unanimous 49-46 win for the San Francisco native.

Kristina Alvarez of San Diego claimed the IKF Muay Thai West Coast Super Lightweight title with a four-round unanimous decision over the powerfully built Katie Toliao of Dublin, California. Toliao, 137, used her apparent strength advantage early, as she and Alvarez, 134.5, engaged in a rough inside fight in the first. After a strong opening round for Toliao, Alvarez came out for the second with renewed vigor. After taking some hard knees to the body, Alvarez landed a strong series of hooks out of nowhere to force a standing eight count just before the end of the round.

As rounds three and four continued, Alvarez fought fatigue, but still landed clean hard punches and stunned Toliao at various times. Toliao was only effective at range, where she could touch Alvarez with her kicks. However, Alvarez had little trouble finding her way inside to land her telling blows in the final half of the fight. In the end, all three judges had the fight for the scrappy Alvarez by the scores of 39-35 and 38-37 twice.

In an injury abbreviated bout, Kevin Arceo of San Francisco scored a first-round technical knockout over Sean Ueda of San Diego. Arceo, 149, controlled the fight early, as his knees continually made the midsection of Ueda, 144, home. Very early in the first, both fighters got tangled up near the ropes which led to a left arm injury for Ueda. With Ueda obviously in pain, apparently from a torn left bicep, referee Dan Stell called the fight at 1:43 of round one.

Anthony Gonzalez of Dublin, California scored a three-round unanimous decision over Ryan Mazon of Upland, California. After a back-and-forth opening round, Gonzalez, 143, took control of the fight in the second. After feinting a right kick, Gonzalez dropped Mazon, 144, with a left hook. Mazon regained his composure, but would have a badly bloodied nose by round’s end. Gonzalez maintained control in the third, dropping Mazon with a four-punch combination that ended with a right hand. To his credit, Mazon never stopped trying and pressured Gonzalez late in the final round. In the end, all three judges scored the bout a shutout for Gonzalez, 30-26.

Gary Archuleta of San Diego took a three-round unanimous verdict over Arturas Barkauska of San Francisco. Archuleta, 137, stunned Barkauska, 134.5, with a left hook midway through the first. Barkauska seemed to regain his composure before a looping overhand right dropped him to the mat right at the bell. Barkauska did his best work as the fight came to a close, as he kept Archuleta on the end of this kicks and landed a hard right to end the fight. In the end, Archuleta won over all three judges by the scores of 29-27, 29-28 and 30-36.

In the opening fight of the night, Dereck Leung of San Francisco scored a three-round majority decision over Phil Devera of San Jose. Devera, 136.5, caught Leung, 136.5, with a hard two-punch combination against the ropes early in the fight. However, Leung quickly turned the tide, rocking Devera with a right and dropping him with a left late in the first. Leung rebounded nicely in the second, before the fight turned into a boxing match in the third, as each fighter landed their fair share of shots. One judge had the fight a draw, 28-28, but was overruled by the other two who both had the fight for Leung, 29-27.

Saturday’s event was part of the national “Fight Night to the Mansion” series. Events have taken place at several locations across the United States, all leading to the September 11th date at the Playboy Mansion. At each event, local females serving as ringcard girls compete in hopes of advancing to the Playboy Mansion event next month. The final winner will be featured in an issue of Playboy. Adding additional entertainment value were the Playmate Dancers, led by 2006 Playmate of the Year Kara Monaco. The next “Fight Night to the Mansion” event will be boxing-only and take place at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington on August 28th.

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

LAREDO, Tex. – A great Texas writer named John Graves once wrote a great Texas book named “Goodbye to a River” in which he described South Texas as “a piece of country with four or five different breeds of men and a consequent easygoing messiness of tone.” He got that right.

We honor Graves’ description with a stroll through this historic place and the prizefighting that happened in its confines Saturday.

You can’t start much better on the messiness of tone than with the climates you find in South Texas. There’s San Antonio – “Deep in the Heart” – that’s tropical as any city in the country. There’s Corpus Christi and Padre Island, which comprise some of Texas’ hundreds of miles of Atlantic coastline. And then there are the green and brown grasses and sturdy oaks that line the Rio Grande, a treacherous river that divides old Laredo from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico.

It’s all Old Mexico, though, whatever arbitrary lines mapmakers eventually drew, whatever today’s overheated immigration debate says about it. A secret well-kept from legislators thousands of miles to the north: Laredo was here before there was a United States or Mexico; Laredo will be here whatever comes of them.

San Agustín de Laredo cathedral, a Catholic church a couple hundred meters from the Rio Grande, was founded in 1755 – 21 years before the American colonies declared their independence, 33 years before nine states ratified the Constitution and made ours a country of its own. The cathedral’s steeple still makes it Laredo’s second-tallest building.

Across Zaragoza Street sits something called the Republic of the Rio Grande Museum. It was closed three hours early, Saturday, locked up though its shudders were open. But the kindly concierge of the palatial La Posada Hotel next door knocked on the windows and insisted the proprietor must be round here somewhere.

That’s good a place as any to wade into the prizefighting that happened a few hours later in the Energy Center, a 10,000-seat edifice miles northwest of San Agustín, near the international airport. Its marquee had to compete for viewers with both a larger boxing telecast in Montreal and a local card from eight days before.

Energy Center’s director of marketing, Anissa Trevino, who deserves high marks for the hospitality she shows out-of-towners, said that local card bit into South Texans’ willingness and ability to support a second event in two weeks’ time.

Attendance was sparse – generosity said 2,000 folks were there – for “Top Rank Live,” a two-fight broadcast headlining a seven-fight card of mostly Texans. Among the visitors that acquitted themselves best, Oxnard, Calif.’s Mikey Garcia merits first mention.

Garcia went against Detroit southpaw Cornelius Lock, a man whose nickname could have become “Conquistador de Los Garcias” had he been able to handle Mikey well as he handled Juanito in 2008 and Jorge and Luis in 2002. Lock, you might remember, fought Juanito Garcia, a then-undefeated prospect out of Phoenix, on Telefutura’s “Solo Boxeo” program, on two-days’ notice, and starched him in the fourth round.

He had nowhere near so much luck with Mikey Garcia, Saturday.

Garcia appears to have every tool you look for in a prospect cum contender. At 22, he’s young. In 23 prizefights, he’s undefeated. And having now beat up Lock in an IBF featherweight eliminator, dropping him twice and making the referee stop the match early in the 11th round, Garcia’s 19 knockouts are validated. Keep an eye on him.

Writing of eyes, or perhaps views, we come to some of that South Texas messiness Graves told us about. “Top Rank Live’s” main event was a scrap for the vacant IBF lightweight title between Mexican Miguel Vazquez and South Korean Ji-Hoon Kim. The ringside judges scored the fight widely for the Mexican: 119-109, 120-108 and 118-110.

I wasn’t close to the action as they were, but my scorecard varied wildly from theirs. I had it 116-114 for Kim, and the Mexican beside me had the South Korean by an even wider margin. I scored rounds 1, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12 for Kim. I had Vazquez winning rounds 3, 4, 6 and 11. And I made rounds 2 and 5 even.

Way I saw it, Vazquez was all head and shoulders and clinching, while Kim did the clean punching. If you haven’t seen him – and now, regrettably, you might not get the chance – Ji-Hoon Kim is fun to watch. He starts every round with a 1-2. He puts a light jab out there then launches a right cross. It’s thrown from the shoulder, correctly, and with so much intent that Kim’s right foot sometimes comes wholly of the mat. It takes some extra fortitude to expose yourself that openly time and again.

But Vazquez was bigger and stronger. He walked Kim 10 feet backwards in every extended clinch, as the South Korean unsuccessfully tried to free his arms and find space enough to punch. Vazquez wore Kim down, yes, but he didn’t land 20 consequential punches in 36 minutes of trying. And that 120-108 scorecard unfortunately says more about officials approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation than either fighter.

As someone who was in Energy Center Saturday, I can say I’d love to watch Kim fight again and will likely have to be reminded who Miguel Vazquez is when promoter Top Rank puts him in its upcoming lightweight tournament.

Which brings us back to the “Streets of Laredo” – old and Nuevo – and the Larry McMurtry novel that bears that famous title. You didn’t think I’d drive 150 miles each way without a literary soundtrack, did you? Augustus McCrae is dead by the time we get to the final audio book in McMurtry’s deservedly esteemed “Lonesome Dove” tetralogy. And Woodrow Call is an old man chasing a bandit through South Texas.

A bandit in Laredo, eh? Seems a good place to end things.

Bart Barry can be reached at bbarry@15rounds.com

LAREDO, Tex. – The Lone Star State has developed an unfortunate reputation for awarding hometown fighters inexplicably wide decisions. But Guadalajara is not in Texas, and so it was very hard to understand Saturday’s scorecards.

In a fight for the vacant IBF lightweight title at Laredo Energy Center, one that was part of Fox Sports Español’s “Top Rank Live” program, Mexican Miguel Vazquez (26-3, 12 KOs), of Guadalajara, defeated South Korean Ji-Hoon Kim (21-6-1, 18 KOs) by unanimous-decision scores of 119-109, 120-108 and 118-110.

The 15rounds.com scorecard did not concur, scoring a very close match 116-114 for Kim.

While Vazquez was the physically stronger fighter and at times the more aggressive one, Kim was clearly the better puncher and landed the evening’s more-telling blows, from opening bell to closing. The South Korean began each round with a 1-2 combination whose right cross often missed but always succeeded at putting Vazquez on his heels for at least the next 30 seconds.

After that, in many rounds, Vazquez closed distance, grinding Kim with clinches and wide hooks. Still, despite having his punches smothered, Kim was often the only one in the ring trying to make a fight.

Because each round in the match’s second half was close, it was nearly impossible for any professional scorekeeper to mark every single one for the same fighter. And yet, that’s exactly what one official did, scoring the fight 12-0 for the Mexican.

Kim, for whom Saturday’s match marked his third appearance in Laredo, handled the unreasonably lopsided decision with dignity, congratulating the new IBF champ and leaving the ring to applause from his adopted hometown.

OXNARD HAS A NEW STAR: GARCIA STOPS LOCK
Oxnard, Calif.’s Mikey Garcia came to South Texas with a simple plan: Corral Detroit’s Cornelius Lock with left hooks and blast him with right hands. Garcia knew it, Lock knew it, and after the second round, everyone in Energy Arena knew it, too. That a crafty veteran like Lock was powerless to prevent it says a whole lot about Garcia’s class.

After assaulting Lock (19-6-1, 12 KOs) for 10 rounds with right crosses, at 1:09 of the 11th, Garcia (23-0, 19 KOs) stretched Lock with a right-hook lead, and the fight was over. In beating up Lock, Garcia did something that no other prospect has been able to do recently. And Garcia looked fantastic doing it.

After an even first round, in the second Garcia’s corralling left hook paid off quickly, as he persuaded Lock to leave his chin directly in the line of a right cross, one that put Lock’s sparkly trunks on the blue mat. Lock rose, though, and fought back with sledgehammer overhand rights, punches the Detroit southpaw has used in the past to upset other prospects.

But Garcia might just be what baseball aficionados call a “five-tool” player, as he appears to have everything one looks for in a future world champion, including an excellent chin to complement his ferocious right cross.

After a couple of competitive middle rounds, Garcia caught Lock at the end of the sixth – again with a left hook followed by a right cross – that made Lock wobble and clinch. Then Garcia showed a veteran’s composure, stomping after Lock while keeping his combinations and footwork tight and well-balanced.

Lock, though, continued to show all the attributes that have made him such a successful spoiler in the past, straightening Garcia up with right hands whenever he was imperiled. But finally, Garcia was too much, causing the referee to wave an end to the match in the 11th, with Lock swollen and bruised and once more on his back.

BUDLER DANCES TO SPLIT DECISION OVER PRIMERO
Top Rank knows better than any outfit in boxing how to develop a young prospect. It has an apparently unlimited stable of tough Mexican opponents – journeymen with strong chins and pride – from which to choose, as charismatic and undefeated South African Hekkie Budler learned Saturday night.

In a 10-round junior flyweight scrap the judges scored 98-92, 93-97 and 96-94, Budler (17-0, 5 KOs) narrowly defeated El Paso’s Evaristo Primero (14-14-1, 7 KOs) by split decision. It was a stern test for the strong but light-hitting South African, a test that he passed, if not with flying colors.

The match began on a surprisingly even footing – given the men’s records – with Primero touching and testing Budler’s chin. Right uppercut-left hook, the combination Juan Manuel Marquez made famous among Mexicans, was the mix with which Primero had the most luck. Budler, though, did not budge, controlling distance effectively despite the Texan’s pressure.

Reminiscent of a small Paulie Malignaggi, Budler displayed quick hands and decent defense. He also entered the ring to a World Cup-themed Shakira song, written especially for his native land. And in the ninth round, a Primero low blow indeed had him dancing the “Waka Waka” as his knees weakened and he dropped to the blue canvas, writhing.

But Budler rose soon thereafter, like a professional footballer, and boxed his way to a win.

UNDERCARD / OVERCARD
Saturday’s opening fight was an uneventful heavyweight match – originally scheduled to be at cruiserweight till the scales intervened – that featured two Texans fairly uninterested in attaining a first professional victory. Fort Worth’s Zakariah King (1-2) swapped a few blows with Aleda’s “Cool Hand” Luke Vaughn (0-3) and did just enough to win a unanimous decision all three judges scored 39-37 for King.

The evening’s walk-out fights featured six Texans and for the most part lived up to their billing.

San Antonio bantamweight Issac Cantera (1-0, 1 KO) won his professional debut with a knockout, stretching Laredo’s Antonio Pena Jr. (2-4) at 0:15 of round 3.

Laredo lightweight Javier Luna (1-1) decisioned Edinburg’s Gino Hernandez (0-2) by split scores of 40-36, 37-39 and 39-37.

And Laredo junior lightweight Enrique Rodriguez (2-0, 1 KO) made quick work of Alice’s Raul Almeida (0-2), stopping him at 1:33 of the first round.

The evening began at 7:30 sharp, local time, and opened to a small but vocal Energy Arena crowd. By the time of the main event, attendance was estimated at 2,000.

Jean Pascal retained the WBC Light Heavyweight title and picked up the Ring Magazine championship with a back and forth technical decision over Chad Dawson at the Bell Center in Montreal.

Pascal took the early rounds as he used his speed or quickness that had Dawson befuddled over the first part of the bout. Dawson got in the fight in round nine as he rocked Pascal from a perfect right hook. Pascal steadied himself to take round ten. Knowing he was down on the cards, Dawson came out hurt Pascal on two separate occasions. First Pascal was hurt from a hard combination on the ropes and then from a perfect uppercut that froze Pascal.

Late in the eleventh, Pascal and Dawson banged heads that opened up a huge gash that dripped blood from the right eyelid of Dawson.

The fight was immediately stopped and the fight went to the cards.

Pascal won by scores of 108-101, 108-101 and 106-103 to raise his record to 26-1. Dawson of New Haven, CT suffers his first defeat and is now 29-1.

Patty “Boom Boom” Alcivar improved her record to an impressive 3-0 with 3KO’s with a dazzling TKO win over tough Denise Jacobs in Tampa. Fighting at a feverish pace Alcivar overwhelmed the former kickboxing contender with grit, determination, and a vicious flurry of combinations. Jacobs came to fight but could not withstand the constant pressure of Alcivar. Alcivar, fighting in her new division of super Flyweight said after the fight she had excellent energy, and felt very comfortable fighting at 115. The fight was stopped midway through the third round after a barrage of unanswered punches by Alcivar who is living up to her moniker Boom Boom.

Chris Arreola scored a twelve round unanimous decision over Manuel Quezada in a Heavyweight bout at the Citizens Business Bank Business Arena in Ontario, California.

Arreola was very busy over most of the fight seemed a bit slow as he came in at 256 pounds. His size and strength plus the volume was too much for Quezada who was very tough in the defeat.

Arreola took the early rounds on punching that wasn’t pretty but came in bunches which started to fatigue both fighters. Quezada was tough and in the middle rounds Quezada started getting in a few shots. Both guys were bleeding with Arreola bleeding from the mouth.

Over the final four rounds, Arreola put a stamp on the bout as he dropped Quezada twice in round nine and once again in the final round. Arreola showed plenty of guts as he told his corner he hurt his hand before the final three minutes.

Arreola dropped Quezada from a big uppercut in round nine from a uppercut and again from a flurry of punches. Arreola sent a tired Quezada to the canvas again from a flurry in the final thirty seconds of the bout.

Arreola, 256 lbs of Riverside, CA won by scores of 118-107; 118-107 and 117-108 to raise his record to 29-2. Quezada, 228 lbs of Wasco, CA is now 29-6.

Josesito Lopez scored an eight round unanimous decision over Marvin Cordova in action filled and competitive Welterweight bout.

Lopez worked the body early in the fight and built up a nice lead on the cards. Despite bleeding from the mouth, Cordova fought very hard in round’s six and seven ad he landed some solid combinations. With the fight possibly on the table, Cordova was deducted a point in the final round for a low blow.

The point was not as costly as first fears because Lopez won by scores of 78-73; 78-73 and 77-74. Lopez, 141 lbs of Riverside, CA is now 27-3. Cordova, 144 lbs of Rocky Ford, CO is 21-2-1.

Jesus Pabon scored a stoppage over Ernesto Zepeda after Zepeda failed to answer the bell for round eight in a scheduled twelve round Welterweight bout at the A La Carte Pavilion in Tampa, Florida.

It was a rough fight as Zepeda landed hard shots below the belt and in round three he was docked a point. The southpaw Pabon kept getting through with straight left hands and those shots resultsed in some nasty swelling around the left eye of Zepeda.

The swelling got so bad that Zepeda could no longer continue and the fight was halted before the eight bell rang.

Pabon, 147 lbs of Carolina, Puerto Rico is now 15-1 with nine knockouts. Zepeda, 146 lbs of Tijuana, Mexico is now 39-14-4.

Former Cuban Olympian, Luis Franco scored a fifth round stoppage over veteran Yoglii Herrera in a Super Featherweight bout scheduled for six rounds.

Herrera actually dropped Franco in round three from a left hook. That was just a flash knockdown as it awoke Franco as he started to put the pressure in following being dropped. In round four a sharp right to the head dropped Herrera. Things only got worse for Herrera in the next frame as he was docked two points for holding in round five. He then ate a counter left that sent him down for a second time in the bout. He got to his feet and took the eight count the referee stopped the bout.

Franco, 127 lbs of Miami is 6-0 with five knockouts. Herrera, 128 lbs of Miami is 22-12.

In a scheduled four round Flyweight bout, Daniel Lozano scored a sensational knockout over Gabriel Cruz just one second before the end of round three.

Lozano caught Cruz with a left that spun him around before he hit the canvas.

Lozano of Bowling Green, FL is now 5-0 with four knockouts. Cruz of Oceanside, CA is now 3-3-1.

Eloy Perez remained undefeated as he scored a fifth round stoppage over rugged Derrick Campos in a scheduled eight round Super Featherweight bout at the Sports Arena in Pico Rivera, California.

Campos had a few moments but Perez dominated the action and in round five battered Campos all over the ring until referee Jose Cobian stopped the bout at 2:02 of round five.

Perez, 129 1/4 lbs of Salinas, CA is now 18-0-2 with five knockouts. Campos, 133 1/4 lbs of Topeka, KS was stopped for the first time and is now 20-9.

Carlos Molina also kept his undefeated mark in tact as he stopped Glen Gonzalez at the end of round five after Gonzalez could not continue due to a bad cut around his right eye.

Molina dominated the action but the cut was caused by a headbutt.

Molina, 136 3/4 lbs is now 13-0 with seven knockouts. Gonzalez, 136 1/4 lbs of Salinas, CA is 8-2-1.

Anthony Martinez stayed undefeated and went the distance for the first time as he scored a hard fought split decision over veteran trial horse Cristian Favela in a four round Welterweight bout.

The fight was spirited with Martinez, 144 1/2 lbs of Las Vegas won by scores of 39-37; 39-37 while Favela won a card at 39-37.

Martinez is 5-0. Favela, 144 3/4 lbs of Los Mochis, Mexico is now 19-29-1.

He’s back, the good, the bad and the hair-do.

If there’s any doubt that Don King has been missed, just listen to Bob Arum, who sounds positively giddy at the prospect of again doing business with an old rival whose booming voice, mangled metaphors and taunts defined a promotional feud that was boxing’s 30-years war.

It’s hard to say for certain whether King’s reality television-like courting of Floyd Mayweather, Jr., over lobster two weeks ago and at ringside for Devon Alexander’s victory last week will lead to a contract. At his best, King says lots of things. Meanwhile, Mayweather doesn’t say much anymore. Buyer beware. But a vintage King indicated Thursday on Stephen A. Smith’s radio show on Fox Sports that a deal is imminent.

From this corner, it’s not exactly clear how a King-Mayweather alliance makes it any easier to finally put together a fight with Manny Pacquiao. There’s still the matter of Roger Mayweather, Floyd Jr.’s uncle and trainer. Roger is facing a trial on Oct. 25 in Las Vegas on charges he assaulted a female boxer. If convicted, Roger could go away for as long as 10 years. The legal process is already underway. It doesn’t look as if a re-energized King, even with his persuasive powers reborn, can do much about that.

Above all, Mayweather is known for not taking chances. Pacquiao would be his riskiest fight ever. Barring a fundamental shift in his character, it’s not likely he would agree to fight Pacquiao when there’s uncertainty about the availability of the trainer he trusts. Could King talk him into allowing his father, Floyd Sr., into his corner if Roger goes to jail? Possibly. But the guess is that Floyd Jr. would want at least one tune-up, a test flight, with his dad, Floyd Sr., before agreeing to the biggest fight in years.

The hope is that will happen in May. King’s emergence as a Mayweather suitor sparked renewed enthusiasm for moribund negotiations because Arum and King have talked — know how to talk — to each other. That, however, wasn’t always the case at the height of a rivalry as bitter as anything in Arum’s standoff with Golden Boy Promotions.

After the then-Arum promoted Oscar De La Hoya lost for the first time in 1999 to King-promoted Flex Trinidad, Arum had a member of his staff pull the plug on a crowing King during the middle of the post-fight news conference. The electric outlet powering the audio at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay was yanked from the wall, which didn’t silence King as much as it surprised him.

Amid the battered game’s ever-shifting alliances, Arum and King are apparently back on speaking terms, mostly because Arum refuses to speak to Mayweather representatives Al Haymon, Leonard Ellerbe, Golden Boy President De La Hoya and his CEO Richard Schaefer. Arum went through an intermediary, HBO’s Ross Greenburg, to speak to Mayweather’s reps during the last round of reported talks, or non-talks, or whatever they were.

The terms that tie Mayweather to Haymon, Ellerbe and Golden Boy haven’t been disclosed. But it hard to believe that there won’t be some kind of legal fight if Mayweather decides to sign with King in anticipation of a Pacquiao agreement that could be worth between $40-to-$50 million for each fighter.

That’s not ghetto-ese, the common language that King said he shares with Mayweather and a term ridiculed by Schaefer, who called septugenarians King and Arum a couple of dinosaurs in a story by AOL FanHouse’s Lem Satterfield .

It’s money-e$e.
From dinosaurs to dollars, everybody understands that one.

Mayweather model
Light-heavyweight Chad Dawson hopes to follow a path to stardom blazed by Mayweather.
“Call him an asshole if you want, but he definitely gets it done in the ring,’’ Dawson said a couple of weeks ago in Las Vegas as he trained for a significant test of his skill and star power Saturday night against Jean Pascal (25-1, 16 KOs) in an HBO fight in Montreal.

Like Mayweather, Dawson says he will rely on brain power.

“Usually, guys who look for the knockout, get knocked out,’’ said Dawson, whose 27-0 record includes 17 KOs.

Notes, anecdotes
· Former heavyweight champ Evander Holyfield plans to fight again on Nov. 5 against Sherman Williams at Detroit’s Joe Louis Arena. There’s a tired debate about whether Holyfield should be licensed to fight. But the market p[lace is making it own decision. Holyfield victory over Frans Botha at Las Vegas Thomas & Mack Arena on April 10 drew a reported crowd of fewer than 2,000. The public is saying it won’t watch Holyfield anymore.

· And business, including boxing, has been staying out of Arizona because of the angry debate over a tough new immigration law. Sponsor Tecate and TV Azteca forced Arum to pull a July 17 card featuring Phoenix prospect Jose Benavidez out of the state. The Mexican companies did not want to do business in Arizona, Arum said. But TeleFutura is scheduled to televise a card on Friday, Aug. 20 at Tucson’s Casino Del Sol. It will feature Filipino lightweight Mercito Gesta (18-0-1, 8 KOs), now of San Diego, against Genaro Trazancos (22-11-1, 13 KOs), who was born in Mexico City and currently lives in Fort Myers, Fla.

Atlantic City, NJ–Undefeated Teon Kennedy and battle-tested Alex Becerra meet for the vacant North American Boxing Association (NABA) super bantamweight title on Saturday evening, Sept. 25, in the Grand Ballroom at Bally’s Atlantic City.

The scheduled 12-round championship fight tops a seven-bout card which begins at 7.30 p.m. The card will be televised by www.gofightlive.tv.

Kennedy, 24, of Philadelphia, PA, is ranked No. 8 in the world at 122 pounds by the International Boxing Federation (IBF).

A former National Golden Gloves flyweight champion, Kennedy has beaten Thomas Snow, Andre Wilson, Lucian Gonzalez, Francisco Rodriguez and Jose Angel Beranza en route to a 15-0-1 record, 6 K0s.

Kennedy’s 10th-round knockout last year over Rodriguez netted him the vacant United States Boxing Association (USBA) super bantamweight title and he successfully defended that crown with a 12-round decision over Beranza in his last fight May 22 at Bally’s.

The Kennedy-Rodriguez fight earned the coveted Briscoe Award as Philadelphia’s 2009 Fight of the Year.

Becerra, 29, of El Paso, TX, is 20-8, 9 K0s.

A former NABA super flyweight champion, Becerra ended a 15-month layoff Aug. 6 by scoring a six-round decision over Francisco Dominguez in El Paso.

The only foe common to both men is Francisco Rodriguez, who beat Becerra via 10-round decision in 2008 in Chicago.

Tickets priced at $50 and $75 are on sale at the offices of Peltz Boxing Promotions (215-765-0922) and also can be purchased online at www.peltzboxing.com.

While World title’s are doled out far to easily these days and they don’t mean as much as they did in bygone years. A look at the top 10 guys provides a useful insight into some of the best fighters to ever lace gloves. While some fighters like Sugar Ray Leonard, Oscar De La Hoya & Manny Pacquiao to name but three made names for themselves winning world title’s in multiple weights others like those on the list below achieved just as much but went about it in a different way.

Many fighters can win World titles and even make a few defence’s before being found out. Not many guys can take part in a better part of a Quarter of a century of World title fights without being seriously gifted.

Here’s a closer look at the Top 10 Fighters to engage in the most World title fights in History.

37 Julio Cesar Chavez 31-4-2(21) Mexican Icon engaged in 10 more World title fights than any other fight in history. Won the titles at 3 weighs from 130 to 140 stretching a mammoth 16 years from 1984 to 2000.

27 Joe Louis 26-1(22) “The Brown Bomber” holds the record for most title defence’s 25 and the longest uninterrupted reign 13 years 3 months in one weight class.

26 Ricardo Lopez 25-0-1(19) Half of the long reigning WBC Strawweight champion’s fights were World title fights. Even stepped up late in his career to become a two weight champion.

25 Roy Jones 22-3(15) Many believe the 4 weight former World Champion is one of the very best fighters ever beating Hopkins, Toney, McCullum, Tarver amongst others in Championship bouts.

25 Muhammad Ali 22-3(14) The self proclaimed “Greatest” enjoyed two lengthy reigns that help him post the numbers he needed to get on the list. Beat a who’s who from the Golden age of Heavyweights.

25 Bernard Hopkins 20-3-1(13) 1 No Con. Like Frank Sinatra he did it his way. Pretty much untouchable at Middleweight for 10 years when he cleaned out the 160 class.

25 Larry Holmes 20-5(14) Many unfairly believe he bridged the heavyweight division between Ali & Tyson. He was a highly competent Heavyweight in his own right who fought behind one of the best jabs ever.

25 Terry Norris 19-6(14) Supremely gifted Texan beat many top fighters during three championship reigns at 154 only let down by ill discipline and his chin.

25 Henry Armstrong 22-3(17) Did the almost unthinkable winning titles at 126, 135 & 147 in the days when there were on 8 weight classes.

24 Azumah Nelson 18-4-2(12) “The Professor” lost his first title fight but rebounded to become a 2 weight champion and one of the Greatest fighters ever from Africa.

24 Hilario Zapata 18-5-1(4) Smooth boxing southpaw had just 8 of 24 championship fights at home in Panama, fighting regularly on the road. Twice held the WBC 108 belt before moving up to claim the WBA 112.

Narrowly missing the cut were a host of other greats including Wilfredo Gomez who had 23 world title fights going 20-3(18) & Pernell Whitaker 19-3-1(4). On 22 were Sven Ottke 22-0(5), Eusebio Pedroza 19-2-1(11), Alexis Arguello 19-3(17), Ratanapol Sor Voraphin 19-3(16) &Roberto Duran 16-6(13). Still active Pongsaklek Wongjongkam will hope to add to his 21 championship bouts where he’s gone 19-1-1(8),with Felix Trinidad 20-1(16). On 20 Khaosai Galaxy 20-0(17), Wilfredo Vazquez 16-3-1(9) & Shane Mosley 15-5(11) who will hope he can still climb higher. Just a couple of fights away is a certain Floyd Mayweather on 18-0(9) who could also climb higher.

The first time I heard the name Sadam Ali it was in fear. And a sort of wide-eyed resignation. I was walking into a weigh-in at the Prudential Center in Newark and had struck up a conversation with a boxer who was entering the doors the same time I was. When I asked him who he was and who he’d be facing he looked at me in disbelief. Slightly skittish, he seemed to not understand how the opponent who now consumed his every thought was not on my mind too. “Sadam Ali,” he said, pausing a moment to look me over again and see if I really was that stupid. “The Olympian,” he added with a stammer and a pained look as he had to hear from his own mouth the shibboleth he’d been trying to avoid. He walked away with his shoulders sagged under the weight of “The World Kid” Ali. Since his three round dismantling of Julius Edmonds on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights, Sadam “World Kid” Ali is having trouble finding fights. The 21 year old boxer glides through the ring—fast, fluid and effective— with what can only be described as Promise. Boxing fans talk openly of the beauty of his style.

As an amateur, Ali was PAL National Champion, Under-19 National Champion, two-time New York City Golden Gloves Champion, and two-time National Golden Gloves Champion. The first Arab-American to represent Team USA in the Olympics, he turned professional in January of 2009 and after 8 fights is still undefeated. Half his bouts have ended in knockouts. He is a tall and respectful young man with an easy smile and a look of determination. I caught up with him and one of his four coaches, at Havoc Boxing’s well matched card in Brooklyn’s Aviator Sports Center. He may be the World’s Kid, but his voice is all Brooklyn.

Q: You’re 8 and 0. And in your recent fight on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights on the Zab Judah undercard, commentator and boxing trainer Teddy Atlas talked throughout the bout about how smart and versatile a boxer you are—and the right uppercut that knocked Edmonds down in the first round was featured as part of ESPN’s Boxing Highlights for July. Do you think that has something to do with you not being able to find an opponent for tonight?

SA: Yeah. [laughs] If anyone saw that fight that could be why. We just couldn’t get anyone for tonight. It’s always been a little hard, but after doing so well on national television it got harder. Now, to step into the ring with me, opponents want more.

Q: You’re next scheduled to fight on the Adamek vs. Grant undercard at the Prudential Center in Newark on Aug. 21, do you have an opponent for that match yet? Any idea of who you’d like to fight after that?

SA: We’re working on that right now and we’ll definitely have an opponent. It’s going to be a great night of fights with a packed house—and there’s no way we’ll miss that opportunity. As far as who I’d like to fight, anyone my team puts in front of me. I’m ready.

Q: Since turning pro in January of 2009, you’ve weighed in between 141 and 151 pounds. How much weight do you typically gain back after a weigh-in?

SA: Usually around 6 or 7 pounds, but lately a little less. I like to go in hungry. Eat just enough to be strong and fast.

Q: At what weight division are you most comfortable fighting, and in what division do you see your future?

SA: Anywhere between 140 and 147 pounds. I fought once at 151 but that was because the only opponent we could get weighed in at 154, light middleweight. I ate a bunch right before the fight just to put on some weight. I beat him in a unanimous decision, but I’m more comfortable in the 140s. As for which division I’d prefer, I really can’t say. It just really all depends on where the opportunities are.

Q: What are some of the most important things you’ve learned since turning pro? And what do you hope to accomplish in boxing?

SA: Boxing is about hitting and not being hit. Adapting. The boxing greats knew that. I learned a lot in the amateurs, I had over 200 fights. But I also learned a lot going pro, and still have a lot to learn. Pro has twists …. like smaller gloves and no headgear to get in the way. And anything can happen at anytime. I still have to throw a lot of punches. But I’m aware that anything can happen.

Accomplish in boxing? Insha’ Allah [“God willing”], I’m going to be a World Champion, a super star making a lot of people proud. I’m World Kid Ali – I see myself entertaining the world. I want to bring boxing back to the world— back to life.

Q: Some of the all time great boxers were defensive fighters, Benny Leonard, Sugar Ray Leonard, Muhammad Ali in his early prime, and Willie Pep, who was said to have once won a round without throwing a punch. Who are some of your favorite fighters?

Coach : The Kid can bring life back to boxing. He’s got that—defensive ability—but like those greats you mentioned, he has the ability to switch up. To bring the fight from outside, to move and slip, but also to come forward and throw. Take the fight inside. You have to switch it up—a lot of boxers don’t know that.

SA: My favorite boxers? Muhammad Ali, definitely. Prince Naseem Hamed when I was little— he made me want to start boxing–and to become a World Champion. And Floyd Mayweather—he has everything you need to be a World Champion. He can punch, he has speed. He has heart, he can adapt and he can take a punch– he has a chin.

I have a lot to learn. I have a lot of heart and can change it up. I’m there to hit and not get hit. Not that i’m afraid of being hit. But hitting and not getting hit – that’s smart boxing, that’s the heart of boxing.

Q: You fight as “World Kid Ali.” Your parents are originally from Yemen, you were born in Brooklyn and became the first Arab-American to represent Team USA in the Olympics. What is the significance of the colors of your boxing trunks?

SA: My trunks are red, white and blue and red, white and black, the colors of the American Flag and the colors of the Yemeni Flag. It’s the two countries I represent and it means a lot to me—and for the people who know it’s there, I think it means a lot to them too.

Q: You are said to be a religious young man. How do you balance your religious requirements with your profession?

SA: It’s hard sometimes, but it’s all I’ve ever known. I grew up in a very religious household and I’ve been boxing since I was eight years old. But it’s also a joy and a blessing. God means a lot to me. I pray. And whatever success I’ve had is His.

Q: You recently opened The Sadam Ali Boxing and Fitness Center in Brooklyn, where trainers are offered free of charge to amateurs. Why?

SA: I want to give back to the community as much as I can. I’m happy to be in the position I’m in in life, and when kids come in it’s really a beautiful thing. We have to charge a monthly fee for membership, but a lot of places charge extra money for coaches and trainers. We don’t do that. It’s good for the community and it’s good for boxing.

Coach: Just opening a gym in that neighborhood was good for the community. A lot of kids in Brooklyn come from difficult situations—a lot of boys without fathers and positive role models. Just the streets. But when they come in to the gym, they see all of the Kid’s trophies and medals— and him— working hard doing something with his life—going after his dreams in a positive way— and now they look up to Sadam Ali as role model.

SA: [Laughs] The other great thing about owning a gym is that I can train now anytime I want.