Steve Upsher Chambers talks about his upcoming bout against Hector Alatorre on June 19th in Oakland

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The son of the legend, Aaron Pryor Jr. talks about his June 13th showdown with Willis Lockett

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Undefeated Cruiserweight Julio Cesar Matthews talks about his June 13th fight with Philly Banger Garrett Wilson

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Gritty” Garrett Wilson talks about his June 13th tussle with undefeated cruiserweight Julio Cesar Matthews

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The silence isn’t exactly deafening. But it is encouraging. Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer isn’t saying anything at all. Bob Arum is commenting only on location- location- location, which was one piece of real estate agreeable to all before negotiations for Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. got messy enough to demand that everybody go straight to drug testing.

It even looks as if Mayweather has sidestepped questions about Pacquiao by saying he has retired all over again. Yeah, right. Believe that one and you’ll believe British Petroleum’s early assertions that spewing oil from the Gulf of Mexico’s sea floor was as easy to fix as a leaky toilet.

After a noisy and abrupt end to talks late last year, the absence of chest-thumping, defiant headlines is as good a place to resume as any. The mystery is whether there been any substantive talk at all about a proposed fight on Nov. 13 in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand or Thomas & Mack Center.

The guess here: Not much.

But the beginning, a, potential foundation, of a deal looks to be in the works where it should have been all along:

The Nevada State Athletic Commission.

On Wednesday, the Commission heard from U.S. Anti-Doping Agency CEO Travis Tygart, former chief U.S. Olympic Committee medical officer Dr. Robert Voy, commission physician Dr. David Watson and others about random blood testing, the deal breaking issue in December.

Then, the Commission got about as much respect as a tar ball when Mayweather suddenly demanded Olympic-style testing and Pacquiao balked. Despite the Nevada’s agency’s regulatory duties, it didn’t appear to have much of a role months later in the USADA-supervised blood-testing before Mayweather’s victory over Shane Mosley on May 1. Mayweather and Mosley were represented by the same entity, Golden Boy, instead of feuding promotional concerns.

There was progress in Mosley-Mayweather, perhaps, because the random testing went on with few complaints from either fighter. But it will never work in negotiations between Top Rank-promoted Pacquiao and representatives for Mayweather without a supervisory agency that so far only conducts urine testing.

It will be very hard – make that impossible — to put together a deal without a buffer between USADA and Mayweather, whose demand initiated talk ,if not momentum, for Olympic style testing in boxing. If Mayweather can take himself – retire his mouth – from the process long enough for he Nevada Commission to make some kind of accommodation with USADA, then there’s chance.

Some of what was said Wednesday was intriguing. In boxing circles, random blood testing for a variety of drugs is often described in terms that make it sound unbeatable. Voy pointed out that it is not.

Testing for human growth hormone (HGH), he said, is unreliable and impractical. For anybody who has spent times at the Olympics, those are two words often used at pool side during the swimming or at the track between heats.

Instead of guarantees, there are only suspicions.

But a framework for blood-testing sanctioned by the Nevada Commission could create a springboard for negotiations between Arum and Schaefer, Pacquiao and Mayweather. The meeting Wednesday was only a beginning. Between Arum and Schaefer, Pacquiao and Mayweather, there is no room for compromise over the method or the timetable or even the concept. We already know that.

However, Pacquiao has said he would be willing to undergo a blood test within two weeks of opening bell, or within the reported window when HGH can still be detected.

Pacquiao has shown signs that he willing to compromise. But he also has shown that he will just say no to demands from Mayweather or Schaefer or Mayweather advisor Leonard Ellerbe.

For now, he must like what he is hearing.

Or not hearing.

Photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, undefeated Jr. Middleweight contender James Kirkland will be released to a halfway house on October 2nd after serving jail time for a probation violation related to buying a firearm last year.

“I think we’ll see him in the ring within two months after he gets out, maybe sooner,” Said Cameron Dunkin, who is Kirkland’s co-manager. “He’s been working out. Maybe he’ll be 165 when he’s released. He’s about 173 now. He’s kept his weight under control. You may see him six weeks after he gets out.”

“Nobody has any idea, but knowing James’ heart and the way he is mentally, and the way he gets in shape physically, he’s going to come back on a tear,” Dunkin said. “He’s going to be nasty in a positive way. He’s going to want to work hard and prove he’s not a screwup. He doesn’t want to lose all that he’s worked for. I think he’ll look terrific and train hard and do the right things.”

15rounds.com ace Photographer Claudia Bocanegra was on hand on Wednesday as world Jr. Flyweight champion Ivan “Iron Boy” Calderon and Jesus Iribe worked out for the media in advance of their championship showdown that will take place on Saturday Night at the Theater at Madison Square Garden.

Moments after hearing that his dreams of a world title had been confirmed, Jason Booth spoke exclusively to Frank Maloney’s press officer Andy Scott.

Jason Booth meets Steve Molitor for the IBF super bantamweight championship next month after a deal was reached to bring the title fight to England on July 23rd.

Booth explained: “I’m over the moon at the news. I knew the fight was coming and now it’s finally announced it’s like a dream come true.

“Jimmy Gill (Booth’s manager) said he wanted to fight me but it all went quiet for a while. Then we heard the news of the European title chance and then there were whispers that a world title shot could happen. But once it was actually signed and sealed I just couldn’t believe it.

Molitor is no stranger to Booth after he beat his brother Nicky in 2002 and Jason has already spoken to his brother about the 31-year-old.

“I owe him for what he did to my brother and Nicky has already given me some tips. He said ‘you better train hard because he’s good.’ I know what to expect from him though.

“He’s a class act and he’s a good fighter, Canadian fighters normally are. Carl Froch knows that, he fought a very good one.

“I know I can give him (Molitor) problems. It would be good to bring a world title back to Nottingham.”

Booth has got his life back on track after a well documented alcohol addiction nearly cost him his life and since then his form between the ropes has been nothing short of brilliant.

“With all of the problems 4 years ago, to now think that I’m fighting for a world title it’s great.

“I want to thank Frank and my manager Jimmy Gill and my trainer Tony Harris. If it wasn’t for them none of this would be possible because they have believed in me through everything.”

Booth is not just happy to be making up the numbers and genuinely believes that he has enough in his locker to conquer the classy Canadian. Manager Jimmy Gill has said that Jason will have to start fast:

“Jay’s up for it, he’s got to sensibly jump on him and try and dishearten him before he gets into gear. Nicky fought Molitor at bantam but this is up at super bantamweight so things will be different. This is a world title shot and he wants to win it.

Philadelphia, PA–Junior middleweight Derek Ennis will defend his United States Boxing Association (USBA) junior middleweight title against ‘King’ Gabriel Rosado in an all-Philadelphia showdown Friday evening, July 30, at the Arena (formerly New Alhambra), 7 West Ritner Street in South Philadelphia.

The scheduled 12-round championship fight tops a seven-bout card which begins at 7.30 p.m.

“Philadelphia’s boxing history has been punctuated by some of the fiercest neighborhood brawls,” said Hall-of-Fame promoter J Russell Peltz. “You can go all the way back to Lew Tendler in the early days of the century and run right through my career with matches like Bennie Briscoe vs. Cyclone Hart. These are the local fights that made Philly a boxing capitol for a long time.

“I hope the Ennis-Rosado fight can help to jump-start other potential local matches which can help Philadelphia reclaim its place among the best boxing towns in the country.”

Ennis, 29, is from the Germantown section of Philadelphia. He won the vacant USBA title last Oct. 16 when he earned a unanimous 12-round decision over Eromosele Albert, of Miami FL.

In two non-title fights since then, Ennis K0d Edwin Vasquez, of Santurce, Puerto Rico, and out-pointed Jose Adelaydo Gonzalez, of Garden City, KS.

A pro since 2002, Ennis has a record of 21-2-1, 13 K0s. He also holds the Pennsylvania State Junior Middleweight title which he won by beating another Philadelphian, Troy Browning, in 2008.

Ennis is ranked No. 12 in the world by the International Boxing Federation (IBF), No. 31 by the World Boxing Council (WBC).

Rosado, 24, of North Philadelphia, got this title shot the old-fashioned way—he earned it.

Never one to duck a hard fight, Rosado first made a name for himself in 2008 when he upset then 15-0 James Moore over eight rounds in the latter’s New York backyard.

In his next fight, Rosado had unbeaten Fernando Guerrero on the floor, but lost a close eight-round decision in Guerrero’s Salisbury, MD., hometown.

After that, Rosado beat former IBF world champion Kassim Ouma, of Uganda, Philly rival Latif Mundy and fringe contender Saul Roman, of Tijuana, in his last fight Feb. 27 at Bally’s Atlantic City.

Rosado’s only setback in his last five fights came last summer when he was stopped by top contender Alfredo Angulo, of Mexico, in Primm, NV.

A pro since 2006, Rosado has a record of 14-4, 8 K0s.

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.

As Cotto returns to former glory, his fans return to full pitch at Yankee Stadium.

It was a great site to behold; thousands of fans at legendary Yankee Stadium waiting to see the once bright up-and-comer, Miguel Cotto return to glory after suffering severe losses at the (loaded) hands of Antonio Margarito and the seemingly invincible Manny Pacquiao.

People had considered Cotto down for the count after those monumental losses and the injuries endured even during his winning fight against Joshua Clottey, but Cotto came to the ring with something to prove, and he knew he had to deliver. Perhaps it was the new trainer in Emanuel Steward or perhaps it was the shiny WBA Light Middleweight title belt on the line, but whatever it was, it worked. Cotto, fighting most recently at Welterweight, seemed a natural Light Middleweight, bossing Yuri Foreman around the ring for the duration of the fight. Foreman, a game yet arguably untested world title holder did little to stave off the aggressive and powerful Cotto. Emanuel Steward’s training was evident right off the bat as Cotto’s footwork and movement seemed vastly improved since his last fight against Pacquiao, (though Pacquiao can make anyone look like they’re dancing in cement.)

It is clear that Cotto has come to fight as soon as the bell rings. Aggressively sticking his jab, Cotto turtles up only for a moment during the 1st round. The 2nd round sees more of Cotto’s jab and also a more aggressive Foreman, working his jab as well. Cotto lands more punches, working Foreman’s body with his left hook and takes the round. The 3rd round is more about the body and hooks from both fighters. Strangely enough, Foreman’s mouthpiece falls out and referee Arthur Mercante Jr. demands Cotto’s corner to clean it off while adamantly telling trainer, Emanuel Steward not to speak to the fighter.

The 4th round sees the best exchanges of the fight, with both fighters landing stiff jabs and powerful exchanges. Cotto’s defense also seems to have improved under Steward’s tutelage and it’s a toss-up as to who wins the round. Foreman seems to weaken in the 5th and 6th rounds, though there are some good hooks landed by both fighters.

A slip in the 7th round has Foreman limping and Cotto rushing in to finish the job, but Foreman’s heart wins out the round. Foreman falls and limps his way through the first half of the 8th round until a towel comes flying into the ring from his corner. Cotto’s corner comes rushing in and starts celebrating their victory until referee Mercante announces that the fight isn’t over and everybody needs to clear the ring. Apparently, Foreman’s corner denies throwing the towel in, although it was clearly a corner towel, and so the fight goes back on. Mercante gets respect for taking control of the situation and clearing the ring so quickly, even though the fight should have been ended at that point.

Slightly confused, both fighters regain composure and continue fighting until it becomes blatantly obvious to referee Mercante that Foreman isn’t in any shape to keep fighting, so the fight is stopped for real this time.

Miguel Cotto wins the WBA Light Middleweight Title and wins his fans the world over…again. Foreman gains new fans by showing incredible heart in the ring and can hold his head high. Where will each fighter go from here? Can’t wait to find out.

Congratulations on an awesome victory Cotto!!!

For more, click www.broadcastboxing.com

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, former WBA Super Welterweight champion Yuri Foreman suffered a torn ACL in the seventh round of title loss to Miguel Cotto this Saturday night at Yankee Stadium in New York this past Saturday night.

“They’re going to rebuild Yuri’s ACL and take out the cartilage, basically give him a brand new knee,” said MurrayWilson, who is Foreman’s manager.

“We’ve been getting messages and e-mails from people from all around the world who were impressed with Yuri’s heart,” Wilson said. “I’m very proud of Yuri with the way he fought. I think he’ll come back better than ever.”

“He (The Doctor) told Yuri, ‘In six months, you’ll be able to sit down on your punches and your knee will be stronger than it ever was.’ He’ll have more power because he’ll be able to sit down on his punches better and have more leverage,” Wilson said. “The doctor said, ‘In six months, you’ll be ready to rumble.’ In four months, he should be able to walk around without a problem and exercise, but it’s probably six months to fully recover. We’re talking about maybe a fight in February.

Marc Abrams Live! Foreman/Cotto and weekend Fight recaps and upcoming fight previews! 15rounds.com’s Johnny Schulz presents: Talking BOXING with JSizzle and New York Dan NYD. And joined by Billy from Philly – A weekly Sunday boxing show covering Boxing from all angles.

15rounds.com Matt Yanofsky exclusively goes one one one with 1984 Gold Medalist/two time world champion Mark Breland. Breland, who is widely regarded as the greatest amateur boxer in history, currently serves as a trainer for 2008 Bronze Medalist Deontay Wilder.
click-to-listen-to-mark-breland

15rounds.com own Claudia Bocanegra was present this past Friday at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City for the 2010 BWAA awards dinner which honored Manny Pacquiao as the Fighter of the Decade as well as an appearance by “Smokin” Joe Frazier among other.

I.B.H.O.F., Guest of Honor and WBC Super Welterweight and Middleweight Champion Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez accompanied by his Trainer Gabriel Sarmiento and Advisor Sampson Lewkowicz will be present at the 21st Annual International Boxing Hall of Fame weekend, beginning June 10th – 13th. In addition, to being welcomed as an Honorary Guest & Marshall, Martinez will also demonstrate an exhibition work out for boxing fans alike on Friday, June 11th & Saturday, June 12th, which will include a 5K run with I.B.H.O.F. members. The fighting pride of Argentina, is keeping himself in top physical condition, as he awaits his next opponent to be announced in either Super Welterweight or Middleweight division. A separate press release will be issued to announce Martinez’s’ up coming fight that will be televised on HBO. The Argentina born Middleweight World Champion, now residing out of Oxnard, California is also being recognized by Ring Magazine and is scheduled to receive a belt.

15rounds’ Matt Yanofsky goes one on one with former world champion Luis Collazo. Collazo, who has been inactive since his thrilling bout with Andre Berto, was on hand at Yankee Stadium for Cotto-Foreman.
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It’s been a busy first year for L’Jeon Love, the Detroit native has quickly taken his record to 5-0(4) in just 5 months. It’s something he likes and is thankful to his handlers at TKO Boxing for allowing him to stay so active. His manager Cameron Dunkin hopes to keep Love active this year saying “First we wanted to fight him constantly but after this year we’ll slow him down and pick his fights against certain styles and maybe next year he’ll fight 5 or 6 times”. The award winning manager who has handled 23 world champions in his time has high hopes for his charge adding “He has a chance to be a champ, he’s got lots of ability and growing up around the Kronk certainly helps”. At just 22 Love has time on his side and will continue to develop his skills over the next few years before hopefully embarking on a title run and emulating many top fighters from yester year from Detroit.

Hello J’Leon, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – Firstly congratulation’s on your win last weekend, you went the distance for the first time. What can you tell us about that fight?

J’Leon Love – Well i fought Fernando Calleros and that was my first time going the distance. I felt pretty good, i’m used to the four rounds from gym and the amateur’s. My body is used to that, i’m in shape. I fought a tough a very tough guy, he was a very awkward opponent. He was very strong, he was there to be hit, but he could take a punch. After the first round i knew i was in for the distance. I was setting him up for so many great shots with precise punches and it was catching him off guard where he didn’t know they were coming. But he took every shot whether it was a body shot or head shot. I was happy to get the rounds in. I enjoyed it and had a lot of fun fighting him.

Anson Wainwright – It’s early days but when can we expect to see you fight next?

J’Leon Love – I was supposed to of had a fight on June 4th in Tampa, Florida but that was cancelled. I’m just waiting to hear when i’ll fight next.

Anson Wainwright – You’ve been very active so far fighting on a roughly once a month schedule. How have you found fighting this often?

J’Leon Love – I think it’s great it keeps me busy. I’m glad because TKO has done a great job of promoting and keeping me busy. A lot of fighters get shelved and they fight every few months or don’t fight so often. I’m glad and happy that TKO Boxing has given me a chance to show my talent and keep me busy.

Anson Wainwright – For those who perhaps haven’t seen you fight, how would you describe your style and best attributes?

J’Leon Love – I’m a typical fighter. A brawler at times, when the time is needed i can sit and exchange and box and be smart and use my skills i can do that also. Either way it depends on the opponent or the style of guy in front of me.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about the team that you have? Who is your manager, trainer & promoter? Also what gym do you use to train at? How did you meet those guys?

J’Leon Love – It started off where i was training in Detroit at the Kronk gym and i was being trained by Javonn Hill the amateur trainer there and i had competed in the 2008 Golden Gloves and i wanted to take the next step to turn professional. Things were moving real slow for me after the amateurs, i had a lot of pro debuts set but things didn’t follow through. But god had blessed me with Cameron Dunkin & TKO Boxing Productions, they came through almost like word of mouth. They heard about a good fighter out of Detroit, which was me. I received a call from Cameron Dunkin who was interested in signing me. It went from there, and i got put with a great promotional team TKO Boxing. That’s how I landed with them. My trainers are Angelo Cabrio & Nelson Figueroa. Nelson is more for strength and conditioning and speed. Angelo is more for basics, working on my punches and my mistakes. I train at the Detroit Boxing Jungle, it’s about a mile from the Kronk gym.

Anson Wainwright – What can you tell us about your amateur career?

J’Leon Love – My first was a Silver medal at the 2007 Golden Gloves that was the first National tournament i ever fought in. I fought Shawn Porter in the final. It was a close fight but his experience kicked in the last round and he outpointed me but it was a pretty good fight. I was in the mix with Danny Jacobs though we never fought and all these prospects. I think we’ll all meet down the stretch, the top champions fighting each other. I had a great amateur career i had 125 fights maybe, i say about 10 loses at most. I fought at the National PAL, Olympic trials. I trained at the Olympic training centre.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your younger years in Dearborn Heights and how you got involved in Boxing?

J’Leon Love – I grew up in a small town right next to Dearborn. I was a typical kid, i had a few street fights. I asked my mum one day of i could box, i saw the Army and Navy competing on TV and she told me no not to ever ask her again. As the years passed i had an allowance from my mother and i was saving up and i had a cousin who took me down to the Kronk gym in Detroit i paid my monthly fee. I started training, my mom found out and was pretty supportive of me and over protective of me but protective as a mother would be.

Anson Wainwright – In your first 3 fights you fought at 165 in the next two you have got down to as low as 156. Are you looking at fighting regular at Light Middleweight?

J’Leon Love – My ultimate goal is to get to 160 that would be a better weight for me. 168, or Light Middleweight is great for me. I athletic, i’m in shape, i’m working hard so you know it just takes time. I’m still growing. Eventually i will fight at 160 though.

Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do away from Boxing? What are your hobbies? What do you think you’d be doing for a living if it wasn’t for Boxing?

J’Leon Love – I have a girlfriend, i’m always hanging out with my brothers and my girlfriends brothers we do whatever Bowling, swim, horse riding. We’re real competitive with each other whether it’s video games or Bowling. I’m all for fun, i’m not a club type of guy.

Anson Wainwright – What do you think you’d be doing if you weren’t a professional boxer?

J’Leon Love – I’d be a computer graphics designer. I was very good with computers in school. So that would be my second plan after boxing because i know i wont be a boxer for ever. I want to be an entrepreneur i want to own my own business. To be something big, i want to be something inside and outside of the ring. So i have a lot of plans.

Anson Wainwright – Who are your Boxing hero’s?

J’Leon Love – I like Marvelous Marvin Hagler he was a destroyer, it didn’t matter who was in front of him he gave them his best and most of the time his best was destroying guys. There’s a lot, Felix Savon the Cuban he was great.

Anson Wainwright – Can you say Hagler being being from Detroit after what he did to Thomas Hearns? Haha

J’Leon Love – I like Tommy Hearns he was also a great fighter but not one of my favourite’s. I look up to him, i actual saw him a few times and sparred with his son a few times.

Anson Wainwright – Finally what are your goals in Boxing?

J’Leon Love – To become the undisputed pound for pound world champion. Also to be just a great fighter for people to say J’Leon Love from Detroit was a great fighter. If that’s how i can have people remember me like a Muhammad Ali or Mike Tyson or Floyd Mayweather at the top of Boxing.

Thanks for your time and good luck next week.

Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Daniel Jacobs will take on Dimitry Pirog for the recently vacated WBO Middleweight crown on July 31st in Las Vegas as part of the PPV undercard that will be headlined by the rematch of the 2009 Fight of the Year between Juan Manuel Marquez and Juan Diaz.

“Whenever Al(Haymmon who is Jacobs advisor) calls me it’s usually with good news, so when he called me and he also had Richard on the line, too, I knew I was going to go crazy,” Jacobs told ESPN.com on Monday. “They gave me the word and I screamed. I was so excited. It was a really good feeling.”

They told Jacobs (20-0, 17 KOs) that he would be facing Russia’s Dmitry Pirog (16-0, 13 KOs) for a vacant title on July 31 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

“We are all done,” Schaefer said from London. “I think it’s a tremendous opportunity for Danny. He’s come along very nicely. He’s a well-spoken and charismatic fighter. He had a great amateur career and we have built him up nicely. We all feel he is ready to fight for a title. We are excited he will have the opportunity. We will see how he will do.”

“The WBO ordered negotiations since Danny and [Pirog] were the next contenders, and Artie Puello and me very quickly put a deal together,” Schaefer said. “We finalized it over the weekend.”

“I feel blessed,” said Jacobs, who is from the tough Brownsville section of Brooklyn, N.Y., that also produced former heavyweight champs Mike Tyson and Riddick Bowe. “A lot of people in my position, coming where I come from, to get an opportunity like this is one in a million.”

“I feel like I am ready for a world championship fight,” he said. “I don’t think there are too many threats out there. I think if I get this world championship come July 31, I think we’ll have more improvements to do, like getting experience and such. But if anyone has an opportunity to get a world title I don’t think anyone would decline.”

“I know they’ll call me a paper champion when I win,” Jacobs said. “But look at it from the other standpoint — anyone in my position, they wouldn’t decline it if offered. Believe me, if I had the opportunity to fight Sergio Martinez and win the title from him, I would want to do it that way. I would want to take the belt from him, but the opportunity hasn’t been presented to me. This one was. I took it.

“I’m a fighter but I am also a boxing fan as well, so you never really like paper champions. You have to make a name for yourself and then I will get respect as a legitimate world champion down the line when I do fight those other top guys. I want to be a true world champion, but this is my opportunity to start down that road.”

Former WBA Super Welterweight champion Yuri Foreman talks about his disappointing loss to Miguel Cotto

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Now three-time champion, Miguel Cotto talks about his win over Yuri Foreman plus answers questions about future opponents

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Undefeated Jr. Middleweight Vanes Martirosyan talks about his unanimous decision over Joe Greene in Yankee Stadium

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IBF Jr. Middleweight Cory Spinks expressed his disappointment about his mandatory defense against Cornelius Bundrage being postponed for a 2nd time and updates on the possibility of a re-scheduled date

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Former world champion Paulie Malignaggi talks about the Yankee Stadium fight experience and his future plans which may include Italy

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CORPUS CHRISTI, TEX. – All’s clear on the bay. While most boxing writers dined together and canvassed Yankee Stadium in the Bronx this weekend, I was in the heavy, salty air of South Texas. In this part of the Gulf of Mexico, it’s good to report, there’s no oil on the beaches – thank the currents – or flotillas to board, though there is an aircraft carrier.

That would be the USS Lexington, a vessel that holds the American record for “catches” – planes landed on her flight deck. Commissioned in 1943, the Lexington existed before the State of Israel did, before there were Israeli blockades or Israeli world champions. It’s not the stretch you might think; sitting on a humid beach and contemplating sea craft wasn’t a bad way at all to prepare for Yuri Foreman’s first title defense.

Saturday, Foreman, a Belarusian-born Israeli who lives and trains in New York City, met Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto in the first fight of the new Bronx edifice called Yankee Stadium, to contest the WBA light middleweight title. Cotto won at 0:42 of round 9 when Foreman, whose knee gave out twice in round 7, collected a shot to the liver, and referee Arthur Mercante Jr. waved an end to the match.

It was an odd ending that merits an oddly fashioned treatment.

Yuri Foreman came in the ring wearing a brace on his right knee. He didn’t appear to favor the right knee, though; his somewhat brittle circles seemed no harder on that side than the other. But a minute or so into round 7, his right foot hit a wet spot and slipped from beneath him. He rose and limped about. Were it not for the telltale brace, you’d have thought he’d sprained his ankle.

His knee gave out a second time, and Foreman dropped to the canvas again. It was an appropriate time to stop the fight – however badly New York officials wanted a grand show for boxing’s Yankee Stadium debut. But the referee really, really wanted the fight to go on. Mercante Jr. implored Foreman to “suck it up!” and “walk it off!” like a dad trying to make a man of his son. Foreman obliged because he’s a fighter.

The next round saw Foreman, whose mobility was his only asset against the better, stronger Cotto, rendered immobile. He limped about, straight legged, and hit Cotto hard as he was able – which wasn’t that hard even when he could still bear weight on his power leg. Joe Grier, Foreman’s trainer, threw a white towel in the ring after crying “stop the fight!” from his corner, ascended the ring steps, and said his charge was through. Mercante Jr. said he wasn’t.

Mercante Jr. asked Foreman if he wished to continue. Foreman said he did. Mercante Jr. cleared the ring of trainers, officials and hangers-on, and insisted the fight continue.

Foreman fought on, nobly, for a few more minutes. Then Miguel Cotto found him with a left hook to the liver, the button, and the fight ended. What was gained by subjecting Foreman to those additional two or so minutes of abuse is anyone’s guess. He proved his mettle and won some transient new fans, perhaps, but most of those fans were already Foreman’s – after hearing his intriguing life story and seeing him defend his title in baseball’s most-celebrated venue.

HBO analyst Max Kellerman, himself a New Yorker with what can fairly be called a rooting interest in the event’s success, was ecstatic with Mercante Jr.’s decision. HBO’s ringside scorekeeper Harold Lederman, also a New Yorker, explained that Mercante Jr.’s ignoring of the thrown towel was kosher; referees never know who throws a towel in the ring.

Fair enough. But what about a chief second standing on the apron? When did a trainer climbing in the ring and calling an end to the match become a starter’s gun for negotiations with the referee?

But Foreman said he wanted to continue! Well of course he did.

This is not a good precedent. We’ve spent years decrying cornermen who are too brave on their fighters’ behalves. We’ve said a fighter’s judgment is impaired by courage, and blows to the head, and his trainer must be willing to stop a fight he feels his charge cannot win. Then a trainer does exactly that, a referee disregards him completely, and we lionize the referee? Call me unconvinced.

And keep calling me that when it comes to the revitalized Miguel Cotto. This match’s calculus went like so: Cotto is a much better fighter than Foreman, but Cotto’s faded, and Foreman doesn’t hit hard for a man of 154 pounds, and Cotto has a new trainer and a new look. It was typically astute matchmaking by promoter Top Rank. It led to a fight that was much better than expected. Far as Cotto’s concerned, though, it proved little more than this: When a light-hitting and taller fighter retreats, Cotto is very good at tracking him down. Oh, and let’s not pretend Cotto learned to throw that left hook in this last training camp.

A lot of very knowledgeable boxing people wanted this show to work. Two large New York City ethnicities – Jewish and Puerto Rican – were represented in its main event. Attendance was announced at 20,272, a fairly good showing.

But in South Texas, we’re a bit shy of persuaded. About 400 miles north of here in Cowboys Stadium, 50,994 Texans showed up to watch a fight with no ethnic interest whatever – Filipino versus Ghanaian – in March.

Still, Top Rank’s stadium tour of the United States remains a wonderful idea that should be applauded. In fact, I think I’ll scout Padre Island for a baseball field before I head back to the Alamodome City.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter.com/bartbarry

It was an historic night at Yankee Stadium and Miguel Cotto joined the ranks of Derek Jeter and CC Sabathia as new stars at the new ballpark as Cotto stopped Yuri Foreman forty-two seconds into round nine to win the WBA Super Welterweight championship.

It looked like it would be an easy night for Cotto as he landed jabs and left hooks that moved the bigger Foreman with each connection. Foreman was on his customary horse but moved in and out and started to land some decent combinations to get himself back into the fight.

Cotto started to take control in round’s five and six but in round seven is when the fight turned in round seven when Foreman slipped on the ring and buckled his right knee. Foreman limped around the ring but courageously carried on and Cotto turned up the heat and landed some blistering combinations and with some wicked uppercuts being the keys blows on the face of Foreman which showed effects with blood from the nose and right eye.

In round eight the fight turned bizarre when a towel came in from Foreman’s corner. With the fight seemingly over, referee Arthur Mercante Jr. threw the towel out and cleared the ring and ordered the fight to continue. With Chaos momentarily in the ring, order was restored and the fight went on with Foreman valiantly trying to exchange and occasionally landed some shots on the heavy handed Cotto. At the start of round nine, Cotto landed a left hook to the body and Foreman crumpled to the canvas in pain from his leg and Mercante stopped the fight immediately.

Cotto, 153 1/2 lbs of Cagua, PR is now 35-2 with twenty-eight knockouts. Foreman, 154 lbs of Brooklyn loses for the first time and is 28-1.

In a battle of undefeated Jr. Middleweight, Vanes Martirosyan scored a ten round unanimous decision over Joe Greene.

Martirosyan scored well early as he worked from a distance against the southpaw Greene. Martirosyan trapped Greene against the ropes several times but could not conjure up more then one punch of a time. Greene landed well from distance with a winging over handleft but his work rate was not enough to win most if the rounds. Martirosyan capped the fight by dropping Greene with a winging left in the final seconds of the bout.

Martirosyan, 153 lbs of Glendale, CA won by scores of 98-91, 96-93 and 96-93 to remain undefeated at 28-0. Greene, 151 1/2 lbs of New York is now 22-1.

Rising junior middleweight contender Pawel “Raging Bull” Wolak of Mt. Arlington, NJ via of Poland grinded out a competitive ten round unanimous decision over New York based Irishman James Moore in the final untelevised bout of the evening. Wolak and Moore fought the duration of the bout at a phone booth pace, with Moore landing effective shots to the head in spurts, while Wolak relied on a consistent workrate, even though he landed few telling blows.

Moore briefly buzzed Wolak in the seventh with a short hook, but Wolak’s exceptional conditioning and determination ultimately proved to be too much for Moore, as the once promising prospect ran out of gas during the final three rounds.

Scores were 97-93 twice and 96-94.

Wolak, who may land a meaningful bout with the victory, improves to 27-1 (17 KO’s). Moore drops to 17-3 (10) following the setback. –Matt Yanofsky