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Rising star Jorge “King” Diaz of New Brunswick takes one step closer to the prize this Saturday night when he faces crafty veteran and former world title challenger Emmanuel Lucero of Mexico City, Mexico in a featherweight match up. The bout headlines an eight fight card this Saturday, October 30 at Bally’s Atlantic City.

Diaz (14-0 9 KO’s) is fresh off a KO victory at Yankee Stadium on the undercard of the Cotto/Foreman clash. The New Brunswick native’s star status started to rise when he defeated 2 time Olympian and former Gold Medalist Yan Barthelemy at Madison Square Garden last year.

Mr. Lucero (24-5 14 KO’s), a former New York Golden Gloves Champion, will look to regain the top contender form he displayed when he faced Manny Pacquiao for the IBF super bantamweight title and Daniel Ponce de Leon for the WBO NABO crown.

Highly touted Glen Tapia (7-0 6 KO’s) of Passaic, just back from Baguio City, Philippines where he served as a sparring partner for Manny Pacquiao, puts his unblemished record on the line against Quinton Whitaker of San Antonio, Texas making his fourteenth pro appearance and only the second outside of his native Texas.

In a light heavyweight matchup we will see Union City’s Jason “Monsturo” Escalera (9-0 8KO’s) take on Cleoney Fuqua (2-2 2KO’s). Escalera out of the Union City Boxing Club had only 25 amateur bouts but in that short unpaid career he managed to win the New Jersey Golden Gloves Tournament. A prolific body puncher with knock out power in both hands, he will be more than a challenge for Fuqua.
The best fight of the undercard looks to be a junior welterweight matchup featuring Passaic, NJ’s Jeremy “Hollywood” Bryan (14-1 7KOs) facing Ronald Cruz (9-0 6KOs) of Bethlehem, PA. Bryan the 2004 and 2005 national golden gloves champion’s one loss came at the hand of Vincent Arroyo at Boardwalk Hall. Cruz is no stranger to Bally’s Atlantic City having fought there 3 times in the last 2 years.

Bobby Rooney Jr. (11-3 1 KO) of Bayonne takes on veteran light heavyweight Tyler Stevens of St Louis, MO. Rooney, a fan favorite , has been around the New Jersey fight scene for almost 10 years.
In the card’s only heavyweight matchup we will see Amir Mansour (10-0 7 KOs) of Newark, Delaware do battle with Alexis Mejias (11-5 5KOs) of Paterson. The southpaw Mansour has a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies.

Pound for Pound promotions in conjunction with Bally’s Atlantic City has once again put together a top notch night of boxing featuring some of New Jersey’s elite up and coming local fighters. Fight fans are in for a treat.

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

1. Cain Velasquez: With a first round TKO victory over Brock Lesnar at UFC 121, Velazquez becomes MMA’s top heavyweight by default, for now. His toughest fight to date was against Cheick Kongo at UFC 99, a three round unanimous decision. If there is one knock against Velazquez (8-0), it is that he hasn’t faced the best. Beside Lesnar—an underwhelming stand-up fighter—and Kongo, the most talented fighter he has stepped in the cage with was a past-his-prime Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.
Up next for the thick 28-year-old Mexican American kickboxer is Junior dos Santos. The biggest thing Velazquez has going for him: he’s never lost a single round in mixed martial arts competition.

2. Alistair Overeem: The Strikeforce title-holder suffered through a string of losses in 2006-2007 to Fabricio Werdum, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Ricardo Arona and Mauricio Rua, but hasn’t taken more than a single round to win any of his last eight fights.

Like Velazquez, Overeem began his career as a kickboxer, though he has been far less busy of late, defending his Strikeforce crown only once in the past two years. He is currently fighting in K-1 and will be participating in the World Grand Prix Final in December and remains at least six months away from returning to the cage in North America. It will be interesting to see just how much he has improved. If he can take care of Werdum and Fedor in Strikeforce, it might be enough for him to be thought of as the top heavyweight around.

3. Junior dos Santos: Maybe the best stand-up heavyweight in mixed martial arts, dos Santos is 6-0 since joining the UFC. His wrestling skills will be heavily tested when the day comes to fight Velazquez for the title, but he has definitely earned his shot. Under the tutelage of fellow Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Anderson Silva, dos Santos has won ten of his twelve career victories in the first round.

Prior to the Lesnar-Velazquez match at UFC 121, dos Santos told MMA Junkie that it didn’t matter who was going to win the fight. “When they fight against me, I will knock them out.” Well, now he’ll have his chance.

4. Fabricio Werdum: Since beating Fedor, Fabricio Werdum has been recovering from elbow surgery, though when he’s cleared to fight he should get first crack at the returning Strikeforce champ, Alistair Overeem, who he beat in a Pride match in 2006. Of the top four heavyweights, he owns the most extensive resume, with other notable victories over Gabriel Gonzaga (twice) and Antonio Silva.

With black belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo, the 33-year-old Werdum has a real chance to cement his status as one of the top heavyweights of his generation, but only if he can build off the momentum gained from being the first man to ever decisively stop the great Emelianenko. But when comparing Werdum to dos Santos at this point, it’s impossible to ignore Werdum’s KO loss to his fellow Brazilian in 2008.

5. Fedor Emelianenko: It was very surprising to witness the fall of The Last Emperor play out after his error-filled loss to Werdum in San Jose in June. No mixed martial artist in history even comes close to matching Fedor’s stock, so it’s hard to discount him at this point. Until someone decisively knocks out the stoic Russian, he will remain a top five threat. And that’s not expected to happen anytime soon, with Overeem and Werdum both unavailable to fight Fedor in Strikeforce.

Meanwhile, he will remain in flux, though beating up on a lesser fighter or two might allow Emelianenko the time he needs to recapture some of that quickly forgotten legend status.

6. Brock Lesnar: Just another two and done ex-champ. Without a significant improvement in his stand-up game, Lesnar would be an underdog against any of the top five. His beating at knuckles of Shane Carwin was the beginning of the end. He was lucky to even be in the position of fighting Velazquez.

The one-time dream matchup of Lesnar-Emelianenko is now a distant memory, much like the one-time dream matchup of Couture-Emelianenko. I watched his UFC 121 loss in a huge Canadian sports bar with over 1,000 other MMA fans. The reaction of those in attendance when Lesnar was crawling around, bleeding all over the mat, spoke of one thing: he will not be missed as champ.

7. Shane Carwin: It was thought that if he could beat Roy Nelson on New Year’s Day, then he would be next in line for the winner of the dos Santos-Velazquez fight. Roy Nelson is the only fighter to date to go the distance with dos Santos, which shows you how tight the heavyweight division is. But now with the recent announcement that Carwin has pulled out of his bout with Nelson, it will take longer than expected to sort itself out.

The Engineer from Colorado will now spend the next several months rehabbing an injured back. With him and Lesnar—who will need six months to heal the gash on his cheek—both on the shelf, UFC’s heavyweight cupboard is nearly bare.

8. Frank Mir: What should be a scary thought for Mir: he may have to fight Lesnar a third time and beat his hated rival to ever have another shot at the title. A third round KO of Mirko Filipovic at UFC 119 went a little way to restoring Mir’s confidence, but he’s still a long way from re-establishing himself as a true contender.

With Dana White quickly putting an end to talks of Mir movint down to light heavyweight, it looks like the 31-year-old southpaw is here to stay, battling it out with the rest the bigs.

9. Roy Nelson: As tough as they come, he was a decision away in the dos Santos fight in August from becoming the number one contender for the UFC Heavyweight Championship.

With Carwin no longer healthy to fight Nelson on New Year’s Day, Nelson has been using his Twitter account to promote a possible future fight with Lesnar. It’s the fight he wants, but the better test would be against Carwin. Either way, Roy “Big Country” Nelson has come a long way since his early days before Ultimate Fighter.

10. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira: One of the great mixed martial artists of all-time, the 32-6 Brazilian should have at least a couple of fights left in him. He beat almost everyone during his prime, except Fedor Emelianenko, and remains a threat to anyone who opposes him. He’s beaten Fabricio Werdum, but has lost to Cain Velazquez, so it’s hard to grasp exactly where he stands, except that he stands. As long as he’s around, no one will be comfortable fighting him.

Nogueira was supposed to fight Mir in UFC 119 in an attempt to avenge a previous loss to him, but pulled out with a bad knee. Surgery will keep the veteran out of the cage until 2011.

Few countries give there fighters as tough an upbringing as Argentina. For years guys toil away in near obscurity, if you’re good enough you’ll make the grade, if not on to the next guy. By their very nature Argentinean fighters are hard men where only the toughest survive. One only needs to think of some of the warriors who have represented their country most notable the ultra macho Carlos Monzon who was arguably the greatest Argentinean fighter ever. Others include Light Heavyweight warrior Victor Galindez, Middleweight Juan Roldon & way down at Flyweight Pascual Perez.

More recently Jorge Castro springs to mind, he was a 20 year veteran of 143 fights. Back in the 1990’s Castro way behind on points bleeding from cuts around both eyes looking like he was at the point of being stopped, threw a devastating hook that some how turned the whole fight with John David Jackson on it’s head. It was voted in 1994 the fight of the year by The Ring magazine. It was a stoppage not to dissimilar to Diego Corrales-Jose Luis Castillo. The man was so tough that even after a motor accident he made a comeback to Prize fighting.

The Best fighter in Argentina at the moment is WBC Middleweight champion Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez, the 35 year old from a suburb of Buenos Aires who now lives and trains out of Oxnard, Ca.

He’s earnt his right to be the numero uno the hard way. He debuted back in 1997 with little amateur pedigree having not started to box until he was 20, he learnt his trade in the ring. By 2000 he had run his record to an impressive 16-0-1(6) when he fought the vastly more seasoned Antonio Margarito in Las Vegas. It was a step too far for Martinez who was stopped in the seventh. As a measure of his class when asked if he felt Margarito was using loaded gloves way back then he says ” I did not think he had his gloves loaded. He was the better fighter that night and he was better prepared than I was. I have no regrets and it was early in my career; I have become a better fighter because of it”

Since that learning curve he’s become a road warrior plying his trade in Spain in 2002 because of Economic reason’s. He also took his skills to England where he won 3 consecutive fights in 2003/04. Finally he caught the eye of someone in America, a certain Lou DiBella brought Martinez box of tricks to America in 2007 and fought him 3 times the first being a WBC Light Middleweight eliminator.

It didn’t help that Oscar De La Hoya fought Floyd Mayweather in a mega money fight meaning an unknown like Martinez had no chance of fighting the winner, even when Mayweather was victorious and handed the trinket back leaving Vernon Forrest to pick up the reigns and become 154 champ. Forrest had no wish to fight Martinez either and took on Contender winner Sergio Mora splitting two bouts.

So it wasn’t until late 2008 when Martinez became the Interim champion. Last year he found himself in the unusual position of not winning either of his fights but still his profile was raised first he was held to a draw by Kermit Cintron in a fight pretty much everyone believes he won.

The normally passive Martinez says of the Cintron fight “the ruling was an embarrassment to boxing, first to cancel my KO in the 7th round and then giving me a draw”

Then he stepped up to Middleweight and fought Paul Williams after Kelly Pavlik was forced to pull out through injury. Once again many in attendance and at home thought Martinez had done enough but he lost an agonising majority decision.

One of the judges handed in a laughable 119-110 card for Williams. Martinez’s take on that fight “It was a close fight and we both wanted a victory that night but, I believe I was the better fighter that night. How can we forget that horrible judges score card (Mr. Benoist) giving me only one round the whole entire fight, WOW!! That was crazy”

When then Middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik and Paul Williams again struggled to work out a deal for them to fight. Martinez on the strength of his Spartan showing in his two previous fights both on HBO was awarded a shot at Pavlik. When the fight started Martinez lateral movement was to much for Pavlik and Martinez opened up a sizeable lead over the first half of the fight until Pavlik re-adjusted and got himself back in the fight until a cut switched the advantage back to Martinez who closed the show and this time wasn’t to be denied.

Since then Martinez has been busy raising his profile attending the Mayweather-Mosley fight, heading to Canastota for the Hall of Fame induction’s & even travelling to Cardiff in Britain to attend the Night of Champions where he was one of the show piece champions.

Maravilla who lists Carlos Monzon as one of his favourite fighters but is too humble to want to be compared to Argentina’s finest will be back in action on 20 November when he faces Paul Williams in a highly anticipated rematch again in Atlantic City, NJ at the Boardwalk. If he can gain a measure of revenge by beating Williams his star will have ascended to such a height that he’ll be favourite to be named Fighter of the year. That’s quite a long way for a guy who didn’t even get into Boxing until he was 20.

In the talent Laden Light Welterweight division arguably the most exciting fighter is Marcos Maidana. Maidana is a force of nature who hits every inch of his 140 pounds, posts a vaunted 93% kayo ratio. “El Chino” sprang to prominence going 25-0(24) before he fought the more technically sound Andreas Kotelnik for the WBA 140 title losing a razor close split decision.

He was then selected to come to America where rising Victor Ortiz was expected to feast on his Argentinean foe. The kamikaze battle not to dissimilar to Naseem Hamed-Kevin Kelley saw both hit the canvas multiple times before Ortiz retired in the sixth round, really catapulting Maidana into the top end of the Light Welterweight division.

He has since stayed busy with two fights including one in Las Vegas where he battered previously unbeaten Victor Cayo into submission. Over the past few months Maidana has been injured forcing the cancellation of a fight with Tim Bradley. A fall fight beckons with Amir Khan on 11 December in Las Vegas on HBO.

It would be fair to expect anyone who has been a world champion for nearly 10 years and made nearly 20 defence’s to be some what well known amongst the fight fraternity even if the guy plys his trade at 112. That’s not the case with Omar Narvaez though. He has impressive numbers he’s 32-0-2(19), he’s a two weight champion making 16 defence’s of his WBO Flyweight title until he stepped up to Super Flyweight this year where he won a second crown. He’s also represented his country at two Olympics, during his amateur days.

However the problem with Narvaez is that in a division largely dominated by Asian fighters he’s struggled mercilessly to find an opponent who could bring out the most in his undoubted skills. When asked why he hadn’t fought some of the top guys he reason’s “I never received offers to fight with the best and I hope I will fight with them one day”

It was mentioned several years ago that Narveaz may meet Vic Darchinyan on Showtime however Narveaz didn’t see it that way telling 15rounds.com ” About Darchinyan I never received a serious proposal, all it was a supposed fight but it never came up to nothing.”

We can only hope that sooner rather than later Narvaez is given the chance to fight some of the top guys in and around his weight class.

Hailing from a Boxing family Lucas Matthysse 27-0(25) 1 no contest has always been involved in Boxing, his elder brother Walter actually fought twice in America against Paul Williams & Kermit Cintron without much joy.

It’s something Lucas will hope to better, he has already fought in America twice making quite a splash on the eve of De La Hoya-Mayweather in 2008 when he showed off his impressive power vaporising Ramon Duran in one round. Three months later he was invited back but this time his fight ended unsatisfactorily when Rogelio Casteneda Jr was cut and the fight was called off thus rending it a no contest.

Since then he has gone 5-0, he stopped Vivian Harris in 4 the stoppage appeared pretty quick and Matthysse initially declined a rematch but since then he has retracted that statement “I believe that I was going to knockout Vivian. I don’t have any problem in giving him the rematch”.

Having gone back over old ground obliterating Casteneda in a rematch he has been handed a the biggest fight of his career when he travels to Newark, NJ on 6 November to fight Zab Judah in an intriguing battle of two big punchers. The winner will fight Kaiser Mabuza likely in the first quarter of 2011 for the vacant IBF title.

Also worth mentioning is Sebastian Lujan at Welterweight, the 30 year old from Rosario hasn’t lost at 147 in five years is currently 35-5-2(22). He has been forced to leave his the more comfy confines of Welterweight to briefly try his hand at Light Middleweight where he lost in a title fight to Sergei Dzindziruk & Jamie Moore.

Once he realised his best work couldn’t be achieved at 154 and got back to his more natural Welterweight. He has got some good names on his record beating then unbeaten Robert Reuque KO9, Walter Matthysse KO5, Luis Castillo PTS10. You probably remember Lujan best for his spirited challenge to Antonio Margarito which was stopped after he suffered a horrific cut to his ear in 2005. Lujan was in the running for a shot at Berto but nothing came of that. He’s world ranked by WBC 6, WBA 11, IBF 10.

Luis Abregu got his big chance when he fought Tim Bradley on HBO back in July however he lost his unbeaten record but will of learnt more from that fight than any other. “El Potro” turns 28 in December and it seems he can rebound and build on the Bradley loss and come again.

Though he looks destined to be one of those fighters who is capable of beating most fighters just not the very best. I would expect him to to get back to work probably in his homeland before his American promoter the influential Gary Shaw brings him back to America. With his power 23 stoppages in 29 wins against just the Bradley reverse you never know.

He owns solid wins over Roberto Reuque KO3, since coming to America he’s not had it all his own way winning a split decision over David Estrada, a wild four round stoppage over fringe contender Irving Garcia which saw both men touch down. Prior to the Bradley fight he bested Richard Gutierrez over ten rounds, again in both men were again on the canvas.

All things considered Abregu is a very entertaining TV fighter because of his all action style, he’s equally likely to be dropped himself as he is to do it to his opponent. However anyone who has struggles with Estrada, Garcia & Gutierrez isn’t likely to become a world champion in the talent laden 147 weight class.

A pro since 1996 Luis Alberto Lazarte seemed destined to finish his career as a nearly man. He’d fought for World titles on five occasions from Strawweight up to Flyweight and always come up short.

When asked about fighting at 39 he offers “I know I am not a young but I am always in good shape and I love training, so I will keep boxing until I feel I can’t anymore” and currently he’s in the form of his life.

Back in May Lazarte’s people brought Carlos Tamara the IBF Light Flyweight champion over to Argentina. It was the last throw of the dice, surely he’d never get another shot. Low and behold the the old war horse stunned the much younger Tamara and collected the world title in a close some would say controversial manner. It’s hard not to feel Lazarte 48-9-1(18) finally had lady luck on his side having lost a split & majority decision in previous attempts.

Four of the nine loses hung on his record are because of disqualification, when questioned for the reasoning behind that he said ” The fights I lost by disqualification were because I used to get nervous very often but now I have learned that lesson”

His first defence was against Nerys Espinoza again Lazarte with new found confidence kept hold of the crown with a unanimous decision.

Recently it was announced that he will make his second defence against former champion Ulises Solis on 18 December. It would be considered despite home field advantage a huge upset if he can turn back the challenge of Solis.

“El Mosquito” is an incredibly humble fighter who despite his Boxing career works a day job as a Road Sweeper on the streets of Buenos Aires.

Interestingly for a man who shared the ring with Pongsaklek Wongjongkam & Omar Narvaez two long reigning Flyweight champions when asked about who the best fighter he has fought is he added ” I think the best one was Kermin Guardia. And in my opinion, a fight between Narvaez and Pongsaklek would be very interesting as both as great boxers but I can’t give a result”

Juan Carlos Reveco wasted little time having gone pro in April 2004 he became WBA Light Flyweight champion in a shade over 3 years. After one defence he lost to talented Brahim Asloum in what was a close fight, though we don’t like to think it, home field advantage plays a significant part. Also factor in Asloum the local star having won France first Boxing medal in 64 years at the Olympics in 2000 and you can imagine Reveco had to win and win well to keep his title.

Not perturbed he won two fights before beating granite chinned Francisco Rosas for the Interim version of the WBA 108 crown making two defences both impressively inside the distance. He was due to fight Nicaraguan Roman Gonzalez in Japan on 23 October but was forced to pull out through injury. It would seem highly likely that the fight with Gonzalez will be rescheduled when Raveco is fit & healthy.

He may be at the veteran’s stage of his career but Jorge “La Hiena” Barrios is still a tough nights work for anyone. You only need to look at his 56 fight record 50 wins, 35 KO’s, 4 loses, 1 draw & one no contest to to realise that at 34 years old on the back of a 14 year pro career that only the best beat him.

First of all he lost a disqualification to Cesar Domine way back in 1997, he quickly wrote that wrong what he stopped him in a straight rematch two months later. He never lost again until 2003 when he got his long awaited title shot losing a savage war to WBA/WBO kingpin Acelino Freitus via eleventh round KO with the fight poised on the score cards with each man up on one card and the third a draw. Both men had been down twice each in the fight.

He would reign as WBO Super Featherweight champion when he beat Mike Anchondo before making two defence’s. Barrios was to lose the title to skilled Joan Guzman in a keenly fought fight on a split decision. After two years out with only one fight Barrios then travelled to Houston to fight tough Texan Rocky Juarez who after a slow start came on strong late to force the stoppage of “La Hiena” who suffered from a vicious laceration on the side of his mouth.

It was nearly a year since Barrios last fought due to problems outside of the ring but he returned to outpoint Wilson Alcorro in October that has set up a fight with ring legend Erik Morales at 138 pounds on 18 December in Morales hometown of Tijuana.

Fernando “El Vasco” Saucedo will look to do the near impossible when he heads to Indonesia to face local hero Chris John for something called the WBA “Super” World Featherweight title. It’s not that Saucedo 29, isn’t any good it’s just when you look at his record 38-4-3(1) you realise that Saucedo who was going to have a tough time leaving Jakarta with the title anyway faces that daunting task without any sort of knock out punch.

To his credit and countless rounds of practice, 279 to be exact Saucedo has managed to perform very well winning the Argentinean Lightweight title & the South American Featherweight championship. Of late he has taken to fighting shorter distance fights presumably because he knew no matter how long the fight was scheduled for he wasn’t going to get the KO

Featherweight Jonathan “Yoni” Barros proved his metal in March when he went the distance with the explosive Yuriorkis Gamboa. It was to be the first defeat of his career from which he probably learnt more than from the previous 28 victory’s. To his credit he has fought twice since winning both taking his record to 30-1-1(17) putting him in line to face Panamanian Irving Berry on 4 December for the vacant WBA title in Barros home town of Mendoza. If he can snear the title that will surely lead to further big pay days against the divisions elite.

Further down the scale and at the beginning of there professional career’s there are a few noteworthy pugilists who will do the rounds in one of the toughest if not the toughest circuits in world Boxing until they possible graduate to world level.

Ezequiel Maderna 24, fought at the 2008 Olympics where he was Argentina’s sole reprehensive has quickly moved to 11-0(8) fighting at Light Heavyweight.

Highly thought of Welterweight Diego Chaves has been a pro for just over two years, he’s only 24, has already fought over 12 rounds & fought in America on the Maidana-Cayo card in March and boasts an impressive 15-0(12).

Southpaw Featherweight Jesus Cuellar is another that has his plaudits going 13-0(10), he turns 24 in December and is currently fighting his way through tough journeyman like 29 fight veteran Claudio Tapia 16-9-4(3) notably becoming the first person to stop Tapia. Next came Miguel Caceres 20-22-4(5) only being stopped in once previously, Cuellar won a comfortable decision though.

At Super Bantamweight Maximiliano Marquez 10-0(5) warrants a mention, though isn’t as advanced as some of the others mentioned. His next fight on the undercard of Diego Chaves 30 October though still a 6 rounder will be a marked step up when he faces off with tough as nails Diego Loto 11-18-4(2) though Loto has never been stopped.

Diego Santillan at 23 seems to be a useful puncher 9-0(8) but will be a few years off any kind of fight. Until then expect him to stay busy against the usual list of Argentina hard men whilst looking to make an impression on the money men in America that could bring him over for money fights. However fighting at Bantamweight that will be tough.

To surplant those guys the next batch of talent are still in the amateurs it may be worth keeping an eye on Fabian Maidana (I wasn’t able to find out if he was related to Marcos) he won Silver at this years World Youth championships and fights at 64Kg(Light Welterweight). Brian Castano at 69kg (Welterweight), Gumersindo Carrasco Herrera at 64Kg, at 57Kg (Featherweight) Ignacio Perrin, at 54Kg (Bantamweight) Marcos Cabral, 51 Kg (Flyweight)Fernando Martinez & Junior Zarate 48Kg (Light Flyweight).

Admittedly, I am a sucker for documentaries. The past year alone, I’ve watched documentaries on crossword puzzles, mayoral elections, and the corruption that exists in America’s beer industry. In truth, there aren’t many documentaries I pass up on.

And so — predictably — on Saturday night I found myself racing home from Newark, New Jersey’s Prudential Center, where I had witnessed the Buffalo Sabres romp the New Jersey Devils, to arrive just in time to plop myself in front of my 52” Samsung TV and enjoy the first installment of “HBO’s 24/7 — Pacquiao-Margarito.”

This particular installment of the award winning series opened up with a storyline that boxing fans have become very familiar with: How will Team Pacquiao overcome all the distractions that distractions in the Pacquiao camp?

At times — such as in the “24/7” series leading up to the Miguel Cotto fight, the distractions in the Pacquiao camp centered around internal conflict (Michael Koncz vs. Alex Ariza) or the fact that Manny shares a house in L.A. with ten-plus friends.

While there still may be an internal conflict on the brink, or a distraction with regards to Pacman’s posse, so far this installment focused on Manny’s new job as a Filipino congressman. Further, Freddie Roach expressed his desire to head back to the Wildcard Gym and leave the Philippines where he feels there are too many distractions.

Fool me once, shame on you…fool me twice…well, you know the rest.

There will always be “distractions” in the Pacquiao camp; it comes with the territory. I’m not buying into the “distraction” storyline this time — no matter the origin. Pacquiao always has something going on — whether it is politics, music, basketball, or boxing.

He likes to keep himself busy, it’s as simple as that. If you’ll allow me to steal a line from modern-day baseball vocabulary, it’s just “Manny being Manny.”

On the flip side, after detailing the handwrap incident with Margarito, the glimpse into the Tijuana Tornado’s camp leads viewers to believe that everything is on-point. With the likable Robert Garcia running the show in Oxnard, Margarito looks to be in great shape, and is on pace to make weight with ease.

But no matter what storyline HBO throws at me, I won’t be had again. Pacquiao is the superior fighter and for good reason, is a 5:1 favorite. I embarrassingly allowed myself to believe Cotto would give Manny all he could handle, and I’m pretty sure “24/7” played an important role in shaping my thoughts. Never again.

I’m not going along for the ride this time and no storyline can convince me that Margarito will be victorious on the Nov. 13.

But as Bart Barry pointed out in his Monday column, “24/7” isn’t for me, it’s for the casual fans.

So with that said, it doesn’t matter if this “24/7” seems like a rerun to me, it was meant for someone else. Plus, I’m a sucker for anything documentary-esque, so I’ll be watching anyway.

What’s most important is that the casual fans buy into this installment of “24/7” hook, line, and sinker. “24/7” continually sparks an audible fistic dialogue amongst casual boxing fans — a dialogue that has been reduced to a whisper in recent years.

Perhaps this is the perfect time for casual fans to get their boxing fix. Just maybe the boxing ball will still roll beyond Nov. 13 and even pick up steam when Sergio Martinez takes on Paul Williams the following Saturday and Juan Manuel Marquez squares off with Michael Katsidis the Saturday after that.

I expect the casual fans to buy into this installment of “24/7” and hope the PPV numbers reflect their excitement. As for hoping that their excitement stretches beyond Nov. 13., well, that’s just wishful thinking.

Paterson, NJ’s Ossie Duran has every reason to believe he is one of the hungriest fighters in the sport. Dubbed as “The Ghanaian Gladiator”, Duran’s spent much of his career fighting in his opponents’ backyards and has yielded mixed results. At 24-8-2 (9 KO’s), he’s dropped close decisions against favored and well regarded fighters in James Kirkland, David Lopez and Fernando Guerrero. He also holds victories over former contenders Jaime Moore and Jonathan Reid.

On November 12, he will enter the squared circle against fellow tough luck contender Matt Vanda at nearby Schuetzen Park in a role he’s far from accustomed to; as a hometown favorite. 15rounds exclusively spoke with Duran about his journey as a fighter and future outlook.

Matt Yanofsky: This will be one of the first fights for you in quite some time where you won’t have to fight in your opponent’s hometown. How does that feel?

Ossie Duran: It feels good! I am training hard to put on a good show for my fans in New Jersey.

MY: Matt Vanda is pretty similar to you career and record wise. Both of you have some losses with a number of them coming to good fighters. Do you expect this to be a tough fight?

OD: Yeah I have seen some of his (fights on tape) and I don’t underrate any fighter. This is going to be a good fight.

MY: What do you see leading you to victory?

OD: I am going to use my jab and good defense. I am going to keep on doing what I have in training camp. I am training hard for a good performance.

MY: As mentioned, this fight will take place in your hometown, but you are a New Jersey transplant since you didn’t grow up in the area. A lot of fans and media don’t know much about you yet. What kind of crowd are you expecting to bring for your first fight near Paterson?

OD: Since I have been in New Jersey, I have gone around to a lot of different gyms, so I think people have seen (what I can do in the ring). I also have a lot of friends who come to my fights and travel to see me, so I expect a lot of people to be there cheering for me.

MY: What can fans who haven’t previously seen you expect come November 12?

OD: A different Ossie Duran! I have been in the state for a few years now and see how (they fight over here) so I have transformed my style. I am becoming a powerful puncher so fans will like what they see.

MY: Vanda is a tough fighter but is generally viewed as a stepping stone opponent. Although you’ve fallen short in the past, the boxing world knows that you can hang with a top notch fighter. If you are victorious, who is on your radar?

OD: Right now I am focused on Matt Vanda and to take him out. This is all that is on my mind right now worrying about how to take him out.

MY: I know you have trained all over the world including in Africa, England and Rhode Island amongst other places. You mentioned that there are differences in New Jersey boxing. What made you realize it is different and how have you adapted?

OD: When I was in Rhode Island, I wasn’t comfortable because I (basically worked out with the same fighters) in the same place. Here I go to different gyms and spar with different people, so it’s like a competition. I have sparred a lot of good fighters so that has made me pick it up.

MY: There is a lot of good competition in the New Jersey area between 154 and 168 lbs. Who are some of the better fighters that you have worked with?

OD: There are a lot of guys. I’ve worked with Danny Jacobs, Yuri Foreman, Omar Sheika, Jerson Ravelo and a lot of other guys such as Momma’s Boy (Denis Douglin) and all these young guys too.

MY: What is your outlook for 2010 and beyond?

OD: I want to get a piece of the cake (make significant money) and become a world champion! Right now I am hungry and everybody is going to see that on the 12th.

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

This Sunday Daniel “The Real Deal” Geale 23-1(14) will take on Roman Karmazin in an IBF Middleweight title eliminator The Olympic Park Sports Centre, Homebush in New South Wales. It’s been 18 months since Geale 29, fought Anthony Mundine in a fight that showed even in defeat that he deserves to be mention up there with the top 160 pounder’s on the planet.

Since then Geale has won two fights to set up this fight with former Light Middleweight champion Karmazin, with the winner becoming Sebastian Sylvester’s mandatory challenger. He is also currently ranked 11 by the WBO & 6 with the Ring magazine.

Hello Daniel, welcome to 15rounds.com

Hi,

Anson Wainwright – You will be fighting Roman Karmazin in an IBF Middleweight title eliminator. What are your thoughts on that fight? What do you expect Karmazin to bring to the fight?

Daniel Geale – It is going to be a great fight, great for me to step up and mix it with these guys at the top and great for boxing fans to watch. With his style and mine, it is going to be one tought fight. Karmazin has alot of experience with the top guys so he will be trying to capitalize on that.

Anson Wainwright – In his last fight Karmazin drew with Sebastian Sylvester for Sylvester’s IBF Middleweight title. What were your thoughts on that fight?

Daniel Geale – Everyone knows how tough it is to get a decision in Germany against a German, so I say he should have won that fight but I am glad that things have turned out this way because it is a great opportunity for me.

Anson Wainwright – Who is part of Team Geale who is your manager, trainer & promoter? Also what gym do you train at?

Daniel Geale – Team Geale…… I train out of Grange Old School Boxing Gym, my trainer is Graham Shaw, my manager is Bill Treacy and my Promoter is Garrie Francisco, a great team that are working hard to get me to the top.

Anson Wainwright – To date your biggest fight was against Anthony Mundine when you lost a razor thin split decision. Looking back on that fight what are your thoughts on it now?

Daniel Geale – Looking back over the tape, I still believe that I did enough to get the decision against Mundine, it was a great fight and no matter what the outcome, it was a stepping stone for me and I am moving forward to fight the best guys in the world while Mundine is fighting easier fights, not even fighting guys in the top 20! Team Geale are onto bigger fish and he can chase me if he is “MAN” enough.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your early years growing up in Tasmania, did you have the typical hard upbringing that many boxers have?

Daniel Geale – I grew up in a tough area, I wasnt handed everything on a silver platter, my family worked hard to give me the opportunities I had. I have great parents that have always been supportive of me in all areas of my life. My love for boxing has helped me with self discipline, confidence and I believe, has kept me from making the wrong decisions as an adolescent.

Anson Wainwright – How did you first get into Boxing?

Daniel Geale – My Dad introduced me to boxing at nine years old, I had been involved in martial arts and other sports but from my very first training session I was addicted.

Anson Wainwright – You had a very good amateur career that saw you fight at the 2000 Commonwealth games winning gold and then representing Australia at the 2002 Olympics what can you tell us about that? Can you tell us what else you achieved in your amateur career? Also what was your final record?

Daniel Geale – I had a great Amateur Career……I had around 165 fights for 135 wins, I represented Australia at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and I won a Gold Medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester. I won a gold medal at the Acropolis Cup in Greece in 2001 and a bronze in 2003. I was 5 time Australian Champion and 2 time Oceana Champion.

Anson Wainwright – Who was your favourite Boxer growing up?

Daniel Geale – I dont have one in particular as I had so many as a kid. Jeff fenech, Kostya Tszyu, Mike Tyson, Roy Jones Jr, and the list goes on.

Anson Wainwright – Away from Boxing what do you like to do with your time? What are your hobbies & Interests? What other sports do you follow and what teams do you support?

Daniel Geale – At the moment I am learning to play the guitar and enjoy a round of golf in my spare time. I follow AFL, NRL and my teams are Collingwood and Wests Tigers.

Anson Wainwright – The Middleweight division has several top fighters where do you feel you fit into it? What do you think of the current champions WBC Martinez, WBA Sturm, IBF Sylvester & WBO Pirog?

Daniel Geale – At the moment I feel I am as strong and ready for anyone in the world, I am ready for my next step, after Karmazin, I want all of the above mentioned fights.

Anson Wainwright – Do you have a nickname?

Daniel Geale – The Real Deal.

Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for your fans ahead of this fight?

Daniel Geale – Like my promo ad says for this fight….this IS my time and I am going to make the most of it. I am willing to take it to these guys that are the Champions and bring some Titles back to Australia and give boxing fans the fights they deserve to see.

Thanks for your time Daniel

Thank you

Best Wishes

Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com

Boxing doesn’t have seasons, or much boxing either, anymore, but it does have pay-per-view events that mark artificial seasons. These happen late in winter, spring, summer and fall. This year’s late-winter and late-summer offerings were weak and dreadful, respectively. This year’s late-fall season kicked-off Saturday with the first episode of “24/7 Pacquiao/Margarito.”

If you’re not thinking that it would be better to read a column about boxing than one about television about boxing, you should be. To such a concern I offer the merest anecdote:

One summer, after suffering through a semester of Eng102 at Arizona State University I happened on its professor in the ASU Rec Center and told him what I thought of his class. And he replied, “Boring to you? I had to teach the damned thing.”

We make a mistake if we discount the need for boxing on television, though, and that is why we take a look at HBO’s “24/7” program and its effect. Much as we make of competitive undercard matches and b-side fighters in main events, network researchers snicker at our concerns because they know what we do not believe: Once the a-side fighter is in place, the success of a pay-per-view is determined by “24/7.”

Mayweather-Mosley in May was a more compelling spectacle than Pacquiao-Clottey in March, as we all knew it would be, but not twice as compelling. The difference in pay-per-view sales these shows garnered, if those numbers are to be believed, was roughly 100 percent. That is, Mayweather-Mosley sold about twice as many pay-per-view buys as Pacquiao-Clottey. One had “24/7.” One did not.

Look, “24/7” is not for you, the serious fan. It is for the wife or father of a casual fan. It is about helping a casual fan attain $50 of permission from his spouse or guardian by offering variable plotlines. That’s how Pacquiao’s puppy featured prominently in “24/7” before the fight with Miguel Cotto; that’s why we now know Margarito’s wife hates her husband’s flatulence.

Super fights need that sort of promotion today because there are no longer a million serious boxing fans in the United States. Boxing lost most of its fans when it left network television, though it still pretends otherwise. It lost more fans when it put an additional purchase price on meaningful fights. And it lost another healthy chunk this year when it promised something real, failed, then delivered, instead, something broken.

Which gets me thinking about Mexico. Today, having backed away from the failed American model, Mexico has great fights on basic cable. It’s a new thing. Mexicans are embracing it enthusiastically. When I talk to folks in Tamaulipas or Jalisco, now, I hear about fights in Germany and Poland I did not know about and could not have seen if I had. Beyond that enthusiasm, though, is a coming sadness.

Boxing did not suffer too much when American kids could no longer watch it on public airwaves. That is, American boxing suffered, suffered terribly, but the sport wasn’t ruined. Because of prosperity, Americans were destined to supply boxing’s audience, not its participants, soon, anyway. Not so with Mexico.

Boxing was not on Mexico’s public airwaves for most of the last decade because of the same shortsighted greed that afflicted, and afflicts, things here in the U.S. Mexican great Marco Antonio Barrera, in fact, cites the renewed availability of boxing in Mexican homes as a reason for his comeback: None of his countrymen saw his glory days. Unless you were a Mexican with a satellite dish or access to a sports bar that had one, then, you probably gave up on boxing sometime after 2001.

Ten years is a long time. Imagine a Mexican who turns 20 this year; he’s spent half his life without boxing. Now imagine that Mexican was to be the next Barrera. Whatever else he may be, he’s not the next Barrera anymore.

Today, we are told Saul Alvarez and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. are among Mexico’s greatest young fighters. The troublesome thing is that it might be so. Expect just as many Mexican “greats” to be fed to us by promoters in the next decade as we had in the last, but don’t expect many actual great fighters out of Mexico for 10 years to come.

Oh, enough of the dreary prognostications already! Very well. Back to pay-per-view season.

The first episode of “24/7” was better than it could have been. There were the same old overwrought and overproduced elements, sure. Freddie Roach’s pursuit of anonymity in a mall – while accoutered in bright Team Pacquiao garb and followed by a camera crew – was the best example. But anyway.

The first episode dealt fairly with the issue of Margarito’s hand wraps. It reported the facts of the case; the discovery of the pads, the result of the California State Athletic Commission’s investigation, the revocation of Margarito’s license, and the restoration of Margarito’s license in Texas. Then it gave Margarito his chance to convince potential buyers “he didn’t know” – that he still “doesn’t know!” (not in subtitled translation) – anything was wrong with his wraps the night he faced Shane Mosley.

And then “24/7” went to Roach casually saying Margarito is lying before showing Pacquiao, in an uncommon bit of satire, pantomiming Margarito’s path to obliviousness – complete with covering his eyes with one hand while extending the other to an imaginary trainer. Yes, Margarito’s explanation remains, in the strictest sense of the word, unbelievable.

But he still won’t make much of a villain. He has a sleepy-eyed humility that makes him pretty hard to hate. He is not going to cut it as a Mexican hero, either, though; wherever they found those extras for the car-wash plot, Margarito now cuts things a little too fine, in both beard and palliation, to be a working-class hero.

But this is good as it gets right now. Take it or leave it.

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

Photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank

On the bumper Zab Judah-Lucas Matthysse card in Newark, NJ local Michael “The Artist” Perez 9-0-1(4) makes his fourth appearance of the year in a Lightweight battle with experienced Colombian Hevinson Herrera 14-6-1(9). Perez 20, will be looking to add another victory in his march to the top.

Hello Mikey, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – You have a fight with Veteran Hevinson Herrera. What can you tell us about this fight and what do you expect from Reyes?

Mikey Perez – I’m expecting a explosive fight

Anson Wainwright – You’ve been a pro for two years now. How have you found it so far?

Mikey Perez – I found the pro’s to be more comfortable for me.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your amateur career, what titles you won and what your final record was?

Mikey Perez – I won the 2003 Silver gloves nationals and the 2008 golden gloves nationals, and my record was 112-10.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your team, who is your manager, trainer, promoter & what gym do you regularly train at?

Mikey Perez – My manager is Jesus Perez my father; My trainer is Aroz Gist, who everybody calls Terrific. I’m signed to Golden Boy Promotions and train at Global Boxing.

Anson Wainwright – You’ve already been on a couple of big cards including Maidana-Ortiz & Mayweather-Marquez. What can you tell us about those experiences?

Mikey Perez – Being on such big cards has been a blessing and all there doing is preparing me for the future.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about how you first got into Boxing?

Mikey Perez – My father put me in boxing as a birthday present at the age of seven and I just fell in love with the sport.

Anson Wainwright – What are your hobbies and Interests away from Boxing?

Mikey Perez – My hobbies and interest away from boxing is school; I’m currently going to Essex County College and majoring in physical therapy.

Anson Wainwright – What are your goals in Boxing?

Mikey Perez – My goals in boxing is to make history, keep the sport alive and become an undisputed world champ.

Thanks for your time.

Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com

The Super Six represents a blueprint, a plan instead of another accident on a haphazard road littered with the same old mishaps and anarchy. The super-middleweight tournament and concept continue, first with Allan Green and Glen Johnson in a Stage 3 substitute on Nov. 6 at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand and then a version featuring bantamweights in December. It’s a reason to applaud. Good ideas need to survive.

After injuries scrambled the 168-pound roster and forced Showtime’s Ken Hershman to look for backups like an NFL coach suddenly in need of a healthy quarterback, there were some inevitable suggestions that the network abandon the idea and move on, which doesn’t mean forward. Business-as-usual is a fast lane down the drain.

“If we’re not creative, if we’re not innovative, if we don’t take chances, we’re going to head more into the shitter than we already are,’’ promoter Lou DiBella said Thursday on a conference call that included Johnson, Green and Showtime spokesman Chris DeBlasio.

There’s no reliable way to tell whether there’s any way out. Boxing’s inherent nature – injuries, feuding promoters and greed- greed- greed – might flush the tournament concept into the sewer along with everything else.

“I think there will always be challenges for the sport because anything that takes any length of time presents difficulties,’’ DiBella said. “You have your legitimate difficulties with injuries. But you also have your political difficulties with guys’ fortunes changing, other opportunities popping up and people hesitating. This tends to be a sport of immediate gratification. People don’t have to look down the line. They look for tomorrow, they look for the immediate payday.

“So, a tournament, a tournament concept, is a difficult undertaking.’’

About the attempt, however, DiBella left no doubt. Without one and a sustained effort to make it work, there is only the undertaker.

Showtime’s concept offers possibilities and even punches instead of tired methods that create headlines, rancor and not much else. The Super Six isn’t what it was intended to be. But chances that it will produce fights and a winner are a lot better than any chance of Manny Pacquiao fighting Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

Yeah, the 168-pound tournament has lasted too long for an impatient public. But at least there were fights, a few dramatic upsets and the emergence of Andre Ward, who has used the Super Six as a vehicle to real stardom. Compare that to the ad nauseam produced by the Mayweather-Pacquiao talks that, once again, sums up Jerry Seinfeld’s defining line about his sitcom. It was about nothing. Give me something.

The Super Six has, especially with Ward, who faces Sakio Bika in a non-tournament bout on Nov. 27 after Andre Dirrell, his 2004 Olympic teammate, withdrew from the round-robin because of troublesome neurological symptoms in the wake of his March victory over Arthur Abraham. Based on a scoring system that includes points for knockouts, Abraham and Carl Froch, who face each other on Nov. 27 in Helsinki, also are already in the semifinals.

Meanwhile, Green and Johnson will fight for the last spot in the semifinals. Johnson, who is more experienced and comfortable at light-heavyweight, moved into the round-robin in place of Mikkel Kessler, who withdrew because of an eye injury. Green, a one-sided loser to Ward, is a sub for Jermain Taylor, who dropped out after a knockout delivered by Abraham.

In effect, the Super Six became Five. There are lessons in that, perhaps. The bantamweight tournament, scheduled to begin on Dec. 11 in Leon, Mex., starts with four – Abner Mares, Vic Darchinyan, Yonnhy Perez and Joseph Agbeko. It’s a Final Four scheduled to be decided in 2011.

Fewer fighters might mean fewer chances at injury and all in less time, which might mean sustained interest.

Will the second time around work? Are tournaments the way to go? Nobody knows. But if DiBella is accurate about where the business is now, everybody knows it will just go, go away.

“I honestly believe we have to take these kind of chances, we have to go for this kind of innovation,’’ said DiBella, who has looked down and seen no other choice.

Carbajal’s battle continues
Michael Carbajal, a Hall of Fame junior-flyweight from Phoenix, was back in court Wednesday with companion Laura Hall for a hearing in a battle to retain an order of protection against his neighbors, niece Josephine Carbajal and Jose Espinal.

Hall, who continues to wear a cast on her left arm from an alleged assault on Sept. 6, testified. Josephine Carbajal, acting as her own attorney, cross-examined. There were several contentious moments. When Josephine Carbajal approached the stand, Hall asked if she was trying to intimidate her. The acting judge admonished both parties several times.

The lengthy hearing included some comedic relief. Josephine Carbajal tried to establish a pattern of domestic abuse within Michael Carbajal’s residence. She produced a tape recorder that she said included evidence of a fight between Hall and Michael Carbajal. But nothing decipherable could be heard. The acting judge and attorneys gathered around the stand at which Hall was seated, leaned over and tried to listen to the hand-held recorder, almost as if it included a lost Beatles tape. They tried three times and heard only the sounds of static.

The case was continued for a second time. The third session is scheduled for Nov. 2 when the featured witness is Michael Carbajal, who is battling to recover assets worth about $2 million that he says was stolen from him by brother ex-trainer Danny Carbajal. Danny Carbajal, convicted of felony theft and fraud, is in prison. He is scheduled for release in October, 2011.

Notes, quotes
· Glen Johnson and Allan Green are longtime friends and sparring partners. Green sparred with Johnson in 2004 before Johnson’s upset of Roy Jones, Jr. Johnson sparred with Green in 2007 before Green’s loss to Edison Miranda.

· Johnson is 41, but still young enough to dream. “I’m still searching for greatness, no doubt about it,’’ he said. “I’m still waiting for somebody to shout out ‘Glen Johnson is a great fighter.’ ‘’

· And Johnson lost an 11th-round TKO to Bernard Hopkins in the last century, 1997. Hopkins, who faces Jean Pascal on Dec. 18, turns 46 on Jan. 15. When asked what he would have said in 1997 if he had been told he and Hopkins would still be fighting in 2010, Johnson chuckled and said: “I’d be laughing, just like I am right now.’’

The Boxing world scours Mexico for the next great Mexican to bestow him as the Numero Uno. That honour has been passed on through generations, currently that honour looks like the next holder of the mythical crown could be champion in waiting Saul “Canelo” Alvarez however another name not as well known but equally talented is Carlos Cuadras. He sprang to prominence as an amateur when he won Gold at the 2007 Pan American games. Now just 22, the Super Flyweight hopes to have a similar impact on the world scene amongst the pro’s currently he’s 17-0(15) and training for his next fight in November when he will be making his third appearance in Japan.

Hello Carlos, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – You won a split decision over 8 rounds against Alberto Chuc a couple of fights ago. That would appear a closer fight that you’d of liked going into it. What can you tell us about that fight?

Carlos Cuadras – It was a hard bout and I lacked preparation, also I faced a tough rival who has even fought in the Featherweight division; I only trained for two weeks after the previous fight.

Anson Wainwright – Do you know when we can expect to see you in the ring next and where it may take place & against who?

Carlos Cuadras – On November 26th, in Japan; my rival is to be announced.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your team, who is your manager, trainer & promoter? What gym do you regularly train at in Mexico City & then in Japan when your there?

Carlos Cuadras – My manager is my father Rosario Cuadras, I have trained with Tiburcio Garcia and Jose Luis Bueno. My promoter is Teiken Promotions. When I am in Mexico I train in my own gym or at Bueno´s Gym. When I am in Japan I train at Sendai Tanaka.

Anson Wainwright – You have fought twice in Japan as a pro, what can you tell us about that experience?

Carlos Cuadras – Those were good bouts against good fighters; thank God I won. I felt great. People do not know me but like me.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about when you were young and growing up and how you became interested and then involved in Boxing?

Carlos Cuadras – I was very restless, hyperactive and mischievous. I would frequently get into fights in Junior High School. Later I started the discipline of boxing.

Anson Wainwright – You had an impressive amateur career in which you won the Pan American games in 2007 at Bantamweight. Can you tell us about that and your amateur career, what other tournaments you won, fighters who have since gone pro that you fought in the amateur’s and how they fights went & what your record was?

Carlos Cuadras – I also took part in the Junior Olympics, I was the champion and received the award to the best fighter. I faced Juan “Churritos” Hernandez and Arturo Santos (he participated in the Olympic Games), both of whom are professional now. My amateur record is of around 160 fights with only ten losses.

Anson Wainwright – You were a Bantamweight in the amateur’s as a pro you have fought around 115 to 118 which division are you targeting for a title shot?

Carlos Cuadras – First Super Fly, but perhaps later, in the Bantam or Super Bantamweight division.

Anson Wainwright – Fernando Montiel stopped Hozumi Hasegawa in Japan that must of been strange for you because presumably you know Hasegawa as a Teikken stablemate and Montiel as a Mexican. What are your feelings on that and the fight?

Carlos Cuadras – Hasegawa got distracted and Montiel defeated him. I would root for both, as Hasegawa is my team-mate and Montiel is Mexican, but I was happy that Montiel won.

Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do away from Boxing to relax & what are your Hobbies?

Carlos Cuadras – Playing X-Box, watching movies and dating young ladies.

Anson Wainwright – What is your Nickname?

Carlos Cuadras – “The Prince”.

Anson Wainwright – What are your goals in Boxing?

Carlos Cuadras – To become a world champion in one or many weight divisions. To retire being undefeated.

Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have anything you like to add?

Carlos Cuadras – Just that I am training very hard, and that it is very nice to have a Promoter like Mr. Honda who has always supported me.

Thanks for your time Carlos, keep up the good work.

Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com

There is a reason that New Yorkers have garnered a reputation for being tough. On Saturday, Brooklyn’s Shannon Briggs embodied that reputation by going the distance with WBC heavyweight champion, Vitali Klitschko.

In doing so, Briggs became just the third fighter to ever go to the scorecards with the dominant Ukrainian. Unfortunately, his doing so also meant paying a steep price, one that could have and should have been avoided.

A first round bicep injury to Brigg’s left arm went undetected by ESPN3.com’s broadcast team of announcer Jon Anik and analyst BJ Flores, but surely not by Briggs, who didn’t come out as aggressive as anticipated. Post-fight knowledge of the injury puts the pieces together as to why Briggs shied away from throwing the haymakers he promised the pre-fight press conferences.

From the opening bell, Briggs was never in this fight. Klitschko controlled the action throughout, using his stiff jab to keep his shorter opponent on the outside. The big Ukranian effortlessly landed crushing rights at will, repeatedly finding on the left side of Brigg’s face. By round six, it was clear that Klitschko would retain his title. The only question left unanswered was whether or not Briggs would make it to the final bell.

As I watched Klitschko dominate round after round, I was brought back to September 2009 when “Dr. Iron Fist” battered Chris Arreola around the Staples Center ring for ten full rounds.

Klitschko easily won all ten rounds against the “Nightmare”, continually landing his vicious rights against Arreola’s ever-swelling face. While Arreola sat on his stool waiting for the round eleven bell to sound, trainer Henry Ramirez stepped in and told referee Jon Schorle to stop the bout.

When Ramirez stopped the fight, Arreola’s immediate reaction was one of devastation and disappointment. As he got up from his stool, Arreola screamed “No!” at Ramirez and raw emotion in the form of tears began to stream down the “Nightmare’s” red puffy face.

Although it was against his fighter and good friend’s will, Ramirez saw that Arreola didn’t even possess a fighter’s chance by the time round ten had ended and consequently threw in the towel.

Conversely, with regards to Brigg’s courageous efforts against the elder Klitschko, the “Cannon” was apparently calling his own shots.

“Despite prior reports, throughout the contest my trainer, Herman Caicedo wanted to stop the fight, but I made it clear that stopping was not an option. Thank you for all of your support and hopefully I showed you the heart of a lion and the perseverance of a Champion,” said Briggs in a released statement following the bout.

Nobody questions the heart of Briggs or Arreola (at least when he is in the ring). If Arreola had his way, he would have fought the championship rounds against Klistchko.

While Ramirez stepped in and saved his fighter from taking excessive, unnecessary abuse, Caicedo stayed quiet, letting his defenseless fighter take absorb a cringeworthy amount of punishment.

Perhaps Caicedo let him go because he — and Briggs — are both well aware that the fighter is well onto the back nine of boxing’s golf course, only a hole or two away from heading into the clubhouse and calling it a career. For the former WBO heavyweight champion, it was do or die, and Caicedo knew it.

Conversely, when the “Nightmare” was stopped by Klitschko last September, it can be presumed that it was Ramirez’s intent was to preserve his young fighter’s future, learn a lesson, and move on.

When thinking about the two fights and how both played out, I wondered if Briggs was in Arreola’s position at the time of the Klitschko fight — a young undefeated contender — would Caicedo have thrown in the towel and saved his guy for another day? My honest guess would be yes — the logic be that you’ll work your way back into contention down the road. But with this being a last hurrah type fight for Briggs, Caicedo let his guard down and failed to appropriately look after his fighter’s safety, as did British referee Ian John-Lewis, for that matter.

There is no doubting the heart of Briggs, who fought thirty-six minutes with Klitschko and was never sent to the canvass. Unfortunately for Shannon the Cannon, he went from spending time with “Dr. Iron Fist” to spending time with German doctors afterwards as he was found to have a suffered torn ligament in his left arm, multiple facial fractures, and a concussion.

Let this be a lesson in unnecessary punishment. There was no way Briggs was going to quit on his stool — he has too much pride, too much courage. But as a trainer, part of your job is protecting your fighter — not only preserving your boxer’s future in the sport, but also a healthy future outside of the ring.

Kyle Kinder can be reached at Twitter.com/KyleKinder

Photo by Claudia Bocanegra

On Tuesday 12 October Rendell Munroe 21-1(9) left Britain to head for Japan in a bid for Toshiaki Nishioka’s WBC Super Bantamweight crown. The fight takes place on Sunday 24 October in the Japanese capital Tokyo. Munroe 30, did what not every fighter can say they do these days, he earnt his title shot by fighting the best available fighters. In March 2008 Munroe beat then unbeaten Kiko Martinez for the European title making five defence’s along the way repeating his win over Martinez and outpointing teak tough Italian Simone Maludrottu who himself fought for a world title in Japan though down at Bantamweight where he lost a decision to Nishioka’s stablemate Hozumi Hasegawa. In his one fight this year Munroe stopped Mexican Victor Terrazas in an eliminator. He hopes to return from “The Land of the Rising Sun” having conquered Nishioka though maintains it wont change him and he’ll continue his day job working as a rubbish man. Here’s what the humble Midlander had to say.

Hello Rendell, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – You will be challenging for the WBC Super Bantamweight title in Japan on 24 October against Toshiaki Nishioka. What are your thoughts on thi s fight & how what do you think of him as a fighter?

Rendell Munroe – My thoughts are I’m going there to become the champion, obviously he’s a champion himself and I respect him. We’re in there for the same thing. Two good fighters in there and we’re both fighting to be the champion of the world, he defending it and I’m gonna win it.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us a little about your training for this fight? When do you head off to Japan? Are you expecting many fans to travel?

Rendell Munroe – Yeah, everything has gone well. I follow what Jason (Shinfield) says I need to do. Everything is going well everything is perfect. I’ve been in camp for 8 weeks, I went to Portugal for a week to train. They reckon over a hundred fans are coming over which is good.

Anson Wainwright – Do you think you’ll have to put in your best performance to date to win the title away from home in Japan?

Rendell Munroe – Yeah I would say. Every time I step in the ring I look to put on my best performance. I’m going in there to win. Every time I prove I can be that bit better.

Anson Wainwright – If you are able to win the title in Japan what do you think this would mean to you and your family? How would it change your life?

Rendell Munroe – It’s not if I’m able to it’s when I win the title in Japan. That’s the main thing, Obviously it’ll mean a lot to me, it’s my dream of becoming a world champion, it’s what I want to do. So for my family it’s a good thing for them the same. My missus and my two kids can’t come out there but they’ll support me and give me credit when I get home. It might do (Change his life) but I’ll still go to work and be the same Rendell Munroe.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your team, who is your manager, trainer & promoter? Also what gym do you use to get ready for upcoming fights?

Rendell Munroe – My manager is Mike Shinfield and my coach is Jason Shinfield who’s his son from the same area and my promoter Frank Maloney obviously a lot of people know his name from managing Lennox Lewis. I use the gym in Summercote which belongs to the Shinfield’s.

Anson Wainwright – Outside of the ring your known as a very humble guy who still works a day job as a Bin man, can you tell us a bit about that and how you manage to train & fight whilst also working a day job?

Rendell Munroe – Just work isn’t it like everyone else, I go to the gym when I’ve finished work. I would say a big thanks to work for giving me the time off to train. They give me time off when I have a fight coming up so I can dedicate 100% of my time. Apart from that I go to work like an every day man.

Anson Wainwright – Will that change when you win the World title?

Rendell Munroe – No no, I’m glad they gave me the time off. My intention is to win the world title and go back to work.

Anson Wainwright – Though you obviously have a hectic life between your job & Boxing what do you like to do to relax away from Boxing?

Rendell Munroe – I like to play a bit of football (Soccer) with my friends. My eldest boy plays for Leicester football team so I go and watch him as well, he’s in the academy. I relax and chill with my family go to the park and things like that.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us a bit about your younger days and how they took you into Boxing?

Rendell Munroe – I first got into Boxing through an argument with my mum, I went to the gym with my uncle and it went from there.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your amateur career. What titles did you win and what was your final record?

Rendell Munroe – I think I had 40 fights I won about 30. But as an amateur it was just a hobby, something to do. It wasn’t until the later years that people started to say you have potential to go far so give it a proper shot and I have done and that’s where I am now.

Anson Wainwright – You started out your pro career and fought at Featherweight and on occasion even higher. How easily do you make the weight?

Rendell Munroe – No no no, I never started out at Featherweight no one would fight me at Super Bantamweight I had to fight at Featherweight. I make the weight easy, I’m 2 weeks out now and I’m already at the weight. The weight isn’t a problem, it’s not an issue.

Anson Wainwright – The Super Bantamweight division has undergo a transformation in the last year with JuanMa Lopez, Isreal Vazquez & Rafeal Marquez moving to 126. How do you see things? Who do you view as the top guy at 122?

Rendell Munroe – I don’t really look to much into it, I’m one of those fighters who concentrates on myself and what I’m doing I don’t really start looking at the weight division and start thinking. If my teams say who I’m fighting next and I concentrate on myself.

Anson Wainwright – What did you think of your stablemate Jason Booth’s fight for a world title against IBF Champion Steve Molitor?

Rendell Munroe – Yeah he aint in the stable anymore. It was a good fight he (Booth) had the ability to beat him (Molitor) with the skill but the size might be a factor for him which it was but like I say no disrespect to the guy gave it his best shot and he did look good for the first half of the fight then the size and strength showed a bit more for Steve Molitor. It went the way I said it would

Anson Wainwright – Does it bother you that Booth got his fight at home whereas you have to travel to Japan for your world title fight?

Rendell Munroe – No I don’t deal with any negativity, I just do what I’ve got to do. At the end of the day it goes how it goes I let everyone do there thing we’re doing ours and it’s working so keep it that way.

Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for your fans in Britain who loyally support you?

Rendell Munroe – Big thanks for the 100% support I’m looking to make England proud and become a world champion on the 24 October.

Thanks for your time Rendall, keep up the good work.

Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com

Cowboys Stadium is not in Dallas or anywhere near Grapevine, Tex., home of the Gaylord Texan – official hotel of the Dallas Cowboys. The stadium is in Arlington, a half hour west of Dallas and a half hour south of Grapevine and one parking lot from Rangers Ballpark. Let’s pause for a moment to celebrate stadiums named after teams that play in them and not corporations that don’t.

There. That’s the end of homage to the House that Jerry Built. Manny Pacquiao’s last prizefight was about seeing him in Cowboys Stadium. That trick won’t work twice.

Pacquiao hasn’t changed. He’s perhaps more of an icon in the Philippines for having won a congressional election since his March fight with Joshua Clottey, but saying Pacquiao is more of an icon in the Philippines is like calling him “perfecter.” Which means that for Pacquiao’s fight on Nov. 13 to succeed, Tijuana’s Antonio Margarito is going to have to draw better than Ghana’s Clottey did. Piece of cake – preferably tres leches – right?

Not so fast. If Spanish-language emails coming to bbarry@15rounds.com can be believed, not all of Mexico is buying the Margarito line. They have not forgiven or forgotten. And they are right not to.

If you are reading this, you have considered and reconsidered the Margarito case. I don’t plan to persuade you of his innocence or guilt; I’m too conflicted about it, myself, to do a creditable job. But I will be in Cowboys Stadium next month and wonder if watching someone wrestle with his own ambivalence mightn’t prove cathartic to you.

I worry about the precedent Margarito will set in November: Break the rules (wittingly or otherwise), receive banishment, go into exile, miss a fight, take a tune-up match, shop for a sympathetic commission, enjoy your richest payday. It’s obviously unfair, but adults don’t whine about unfairness.

It is troublesome too, though, because this precedent begs for a copycat effort. Why shouldn’t some other fighter, or his trainer, try it?

Still, Margarito will not fight in November with any foreign substances smeared across his hand wraps because Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach will be an incredible pain in the ass during the hand-wrapping that HBO’s cameras will cover like it’s part of the undercard. But here’s something to consider.

If we take Margarito at his word – that he was oblivious of his trainer’s transgressions – we’re left to determine when Margarito’s trainer began tampering with wraps. Margarito cannot help us answer that question because he recused himself from the case by expressing complete ignorance of his trainer’s comportment, numerous times before the California State Athletic Commission.

In other words, was Margarito ever honestly better than the 10-3 journeyman he began his career as?

Well, if the answer is no, we’re in for a bloodletting to make Pacquiao’s unraveling of Ricky Hatton look civilized.

Boxing is a theater that requires suspension of disbelief much as any other. Let us suspend our disbelief, then, and imagine Margarito’s hands were coddled in the softest of gauze and tape the evening he beat Miguel Cotto in 2008 and th’t that same Margarito will be in Arlington four Saturdays from now.

Manny Pacquiao is far too quick for Margarito to find early. Margarito will lope forward, hands low and wide, smiling as Pacquiao hits him 50 times every round. Pacquiao will have spent weeks sparring before Freddie Roach, who probably will have stopped the action each time Pacquiao’s back touches the ropes. Pacquiao, in other words, should come off those ropes like they were an electric fence. And Margarito is none too effective in the center of the ring.

Why not? Because Margarito has a signature crossover move that requires space and time. It goes like this. He puts his jab out to start the combo in motion. He brings his right foot forward with his right cross, which is a loopy, corralling punch thrown to trigger the left uppercut/hook hybrid. Then from a southpaw stance, he pulls on his right shoulder and launches his left fist upwards, with all his being behind it.

But Pacquiao is three things that foil this crossover: Small, quick and southpaw. He will be able to parry the looping cross and move away from it by pivoting quickly on his lead right foot in a tight circle that makes Margarito’s hybrid punch wider than usual. Margarito will hit mostly air, turn leftwards and taste a left cross or four. And he’ll be down 60-54 on all three judges’ cards when the seventh round commences.

But he will not be discouraged.

He will be the largest man Pacquiao has faced. He will be a man who fights with a special kind of resentment. He will be outclassed but not outwilled. And he will weigh more than Joshua Clottey did in March – when the Ghanaian proved that if a welterweight is hell-bent on not getting hurt by Pacquiao he needn’t be.

Margarito has a chance because of physics. Pacquiao’s power above 147 pounds is unproved. Boxing history is rife with great fighters who went one weight class too high. Margarito’s relentlessness would not be enough if he were Pacquiao’s size. But he is not. He is much bigger.

One of two things is likely to happen in November. Margarito never finds Pacquiao, chasing him in hopeless circles round the center of the ring and collecting the 36-minute beating so many Americans, and Mexicans too, believe he deserves. Or Margarito finds Pacquiao late in the fight and makes it a dramatic spectacle indeed.

So I ask myself, would I go to this match if it were in Las Vegas and not my home state of Texas? I think so, but I’m not sure. Would I buy it on pay-per-view, otherwise? Yes. Should you come see this match in Texas? Yes. Should you buy it on pay-per-view, otherwise? I think so, but I’m not sure.

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

Union City, New Jersey, a city with a long history of producing pro fighters, has given fans a new up and coming slugger to look out for by the name of Juan “The Beast” Rodriguez. An articulate soft spoken 24 year old southpaw sporting a 3-0 record with two knockouts, Rodriguez surprisingly does not like to be called heavy handed. Tomorrow evening, Rodriguez makes his fourth pro appearance on a card in his hometown headlined by Jonathan Maicelo (13-0) vs Oscar Cuero (13-2).

2009 was a break out year for Rodriguez’s amateur career. He won the New Jersey Golden Glove tournament, made it to the semifinals of the National Golden Gloves, and the quarterfinals of the USA Boxing National Tournament before starting his pro career on December 4th with a one punch KO victory over Bobby Bynum. I was fortunate enough to catch up with Rodriguez. Here’s what he had to say.

John Wall: Juan, you had a very successful amateur career, tell me how your style has has changed now that you are a pro?
Juan Rodriguez: Amateur boxing is all about scoring blows. In my pro career I’m showing another side more of a box and brawl style. People think of me as a puncher, I’m a combination puncher.
JW: So you don’t look to land the big left?
JR: No man, the knockouts just come
JW: Any thoughts on tonight’s opponent Marqus Jackson?
Juan: I don’t research my opponents. I don’t care who I fight my manager (Joe Botti) picks my opponents. I fight them.
JW: I know you are focused on tonight’s fight but what is your big dream and who is your dream opponent?
JR: That’s easy I want to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. My goal is not money. My goal is to be a legend and be the best champ there is.

CLICK TO ORDER THE FIGHT
WBO JUNIOR FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

MAIN EVENT – 12 ROUNDS

Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. (19-0-1, 16 KOs), WBO Jr. Featherweight Champion, Bayamon, Puerto Rico,121 ¾ LBS.

Vs.

Ivan Hernandez (28-4-1, 17 KOs), Challenger, Ensendada BC, Mexico 121 ¾ LBS.

WBO YOUTH MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

CO-FEATURE – 12 ROUNDS

Raul Casarez (15-2, 8 KOs), Reynosa, Mexico, 158 ¼ LBS.

Vs.

Antony Greenridge (14-5-1, 5 KOs), Orlando, FL 159 ¼ LBS.

8 ROUNDS

Patrick Majewski (13-0, 8 KOs), Atlantic City, NJ by way of Poland 161 ½ LBS.

Vs.

Joseph Gomez (17-2-1, 8 KOs), Bloomfield, NM 165 ¾ LBS.

6 ROUNDS

McJoe Arroyo (5-0, 2 KOs), 2008 Puerto Rican Olympian, Fajardo, Puerto Rico 117 ¼ LBS.

Vs.

Israel Rojas (3-1, 2 KOs), Aguas Prietas, Sonora, Mexico 116 ½ LBS.

Time permitting, highlights of other fights will be shown including:

4 ROUNDS

Anthony La Porte, Jr. (Pro Debut), son of former world champion Juan La Porte, New York, NY 125 ½

LBS.

Vs.

Hipolito Rivera (0-2), Hato Rey, Puerto Rico 126 126 ¾ LBS.

4 ROUNDS

Israel Vazquez (Pro Debut), son of former world champion Wilfredo Vazquez, Sr., brother of world champion Wilfredo Vazquez, Jr., Bayamon, Puerto Rico 108 ½ LBS.

Vs.

TBA

(ALL FIGHTS & FIGHTERS SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

WHAT: “The Rising Son Returns” PPV pro boxing show

WHEN: Saturday, October 16, 2010 – 9 PM/ET 6 PM/PT

WHERE: Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, FL

PROMOTER: All Star Boxing, Inc. “The New Generation” & Felix “Tuto” Zabala, Jr.

It is the indispensable medium. Bob Arum and Oscar De La Hoya need television as much as Bill O’Reilly needs to shout into the cameras. But it is also a dilemma for young fighters impatient to get onto that rich stage as quickly as possible. Mike Jones is about to step through those ropes and into that light, which can be as unforgiving as it is bright.

That Jones has yet to do so can be viewed through a prism that casts a varied spectrum of interpretation. Prospects with less experience, a lesser record and a lot less potential have already been there. Fair or not, Jones has been waiting his turn, which finally comes on Nov. 13 beneath a screen that enriches as much as it exposes at Dallas Cowboys Stadium.

The wait, however, represents another opportunity, one which has been swept aside in the headlong rush to cash in before dues have to be paid. Jones, a Philadelphia welterweight who faces Jesus Soto-Karass on the HBO telecast of Manny Pacquiao-versus-Antonio Margarito, has served an apprenticeship. That’s a quaint notion, I know. Maybe, it’s even been forgotten. But forgotten fundamentals are a sure way to foreclosure.

While listening to Jones, promoter J Russell Peltz, Arum and Top Rank matchmaker Bruce Trampler on a conference call Wednesday, I couldn’t help but think that Jones hasn’t been allowed to forget lessons presented, reviewed and repeated at the rhythm and rate of a speed bag over the course of his 22-fight resume (22-0, 18 KOs).

A negative turned into a positive, Peltz said of Jones’ classroom away from HDTV’s defining portrayal.

“You can’t be beholden to the television networks,’’ Arum said. “If you are, you’re doing a disservice to your fighter.’’

More than a disservice.

It is irresponsible to both fighter and fan to push a prospect in front of the HBO cameras before he has a chance to discover whether he really wants to enter the crosshairs in pursuit of a living. Too many have. I still recall a former heavyweight, Danell Nicholson, saying that he wanted to be famous. Nicholson never said he wanted to be a fighter. Fame was his only objective. But it’s not a commodity. You can’t pick up a couple of pounds of it at the corner store

It was as if Nicholson had calculated that boxing was the quickest way to claim his share. But dangerous punches can get in the way of fame, money and common sense. A willingness to take those punches, endure them and counter them is the priority. Fame or money is the windfall, but it is only there if the prospect discovers that he likes to fight — first, foremost and mostly for himself. The cameras are incidental, almost like that windfall.

Among other things, Jones has had a chance to discover that, yeah, that willingness is within him like a heartbeat. Throughout his apprenticeship, he supported two daughters, aged four and six, with a day job at Home Depot. It would have been easy, even understandable, if he had decided to punch-in, punch-out and forget about punches at the gym.

But he didn’t. In the gym and away from the cameras, Jones, who has been compared to Thomas Hearns, learned that the brutal trade was his trade. He’s still learning and re-applying some of the fundamentals, including a more effective jab. He calls himself “a work in progress.’’ But it doesn’t sound as if there any doubts or looming identity crisis about where that progress is headed.

HBO is just a natural step in the progression.

NOTES, QUOTES
· Pacquiao fans must be getting nervous. According to reports from the respective camps, Margarito’s has been single-minded and his work uninterrupted. Meanwhile, Pacquiao has suffered from the flu and a slight foot injury. It might not matter; Pacquiao might win as expected. In the long wake of hand-wrap controversy in a loss Shane Mosley in January, 2009, however, Margarito has much to prove, He is armed with motivation to redeem himself. That’s powerful. Meanwhile, Pacquiao has a new career as a Filipino Congressman and an opponent not named Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

· More Margarito motivation: Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times reported Thursday that Margarito has a bet with clothing manufacturer Affliction. He will wear the company’s T-shirt during HBO’s 24/7 series and into the ring. If he loses, he’ll only have the shirt. If he upset Pacquiao, he’ll win a renewal of his endorsement deal. It’ll be worth five figures.

· Two more reasons to forget about the heavyweight division are on the schedule, first Friday and then Saturday. Antonio Tarver is old enough for a cinematic rematch against Sylvester Stallone. Yet, he will make his heavyweight debut on ShoBox against Nagy Aquilera in Miami, Okla. On Saturday, Shannon Briggs faces Vitali Klitschko in Hamburg, Germany. Tarver, an insightful commentator for Showtime, and Briggs are personable. They’re great talkers. If only they could have talked their way out of these fights.

North Bergen, NJ resident Jonathan Maicelo is accustomed to being a massive draw. All 13 of his professional bouts have taken place in front of adoring fans in his native Peru and hundreds of thousands more have viewed his fights on YouTube. Best described by Manager Nelson Fernandez as “a fighter who lives to entertain the crowd”, the always confident Maicelo enters uncharted territory on Saturday when he battles Oscar Cuero at Washington School in Union City, NJ.

The bout will be televised in his homeland and a preview series similar to HBO’s 24/7 has been airing to hype his American debut. I had the opportunity to catch up with Maicelo, who is putting the finishing touches on his preparations for the ten round showdown.

Matt Yanofsky: This is your first time fighting in America, which is thousands of miles away from your native Peru. How are you feeling leading up to your first bout?

Jonathan Maicelo: I feel pretty good and although my training here in the USA for this fight has been only 3 weeks I’m in great condition.

MY: In Peru, you have fought in front of thousands upon thousands of fans on multiple occasions. Your fight Saturday is as a small venue. Many view you as a crowd fighter. Will the smaller crowd perhaps take away some of your in ring pizzazz?

JM: Remember that although I am going to fight in a small venue I have the responsibility in front of all of my very critical fans in Peru of everything I do inside and outside the ring but I will give a good account of my fight not only to the American fan in the USA in the arena but all of my fans back home in Peru.

MY: What has life been like for you living and training in New Jersey? Do you like it here or are you homesick?

JM: This is my second time around here in New Jersey and I’m living in an apartment with 3 other fighters that are not only my friends but we get along very well and I love them dearly and yes, I love the USA and I shall stay here to continue my career become a world champion with the best boxing trainers and the best manager in the world.

MY: America is regularly referred to as the “Land of Opportunities.” What opportunities have you had here or you expecting that may not have come in Peru?

JM: The “Land of Opportunities” is going to create new markets for me as well as new fans, a better future for me and my family, and climb in the world rankings as a boxer that would have been very, very difficult in my country, Peru.

MY: What do you know about your opponent Oscar Cuero?

JM: I know he is very strong and likes to go toe to toe but I do not like to fight my opponents fight I like to fight my fight establish my rhythm, impose my will and I shall finish him because what I want in my first fight here in the USA is to start with a KO.

MY: Currently, you are the WBC Latino lightweight champion. Do you plan on defending that belt or fighting for different titles in the near future?

JM: I would love to defend my title here in the USA but I would also like to fight for other titles as well but that is the job of my manager Nelson Fernandez who knows when, where and with whom I should fight in the future.

MY: You live in North Bergen with three of your stablemates Juan Zegarra, Carlos Zambrano and Carlos Tamara. Zegarra and Zambrano are both from Peru and are extremely serious about their career, while Tamara was recently a world champion. How does living in this kind of environment help your career?

JM: As I had said before Zegarra and Zambrano we all know each other since we were kids and we love each other but more than love is our respect for each other and as they are serious about their career so I’m I.
Carlos Tamara and I speak daily at length and he has given me a lot of good advice but we also speak a lot about boxing strategies he has been like a teacher, professor to me outside the ring since we met each other he is tremendous.

MY: What can all the local fight fans who haven’t seen you expect this Saturday and beyond?

JM: They are going to see Maicelo the fighter that first conquered my city of Callao (with my style of fighting) and then with all that same intensity, dedication and guts conquered the rest of my country who I love very dearly EL PERU.

Editors Note: Special thanks to Nelson Fernandez for translating the interview.

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

Several years ago A.J “Bazooka” Banal was widely touted as one of the top young fighters coming through. After being a pro for 3 years Banal was thrust into a fight with Rafael Concepcion for the Vacant Interim WBA Super Flyweight title, it proved a bridge to far as the more battle tested Concepcion ground out a tenth round stoppage. It was a tough defeat to take but to his credit Banal still only 21 took some time off moved up to Bantamweight and has reeled off 5 straight wins with all but one of them being inside the distance. Most recently Banal now 22-1-1(18) showed that the loss hadn’t diminished his fans support when an incredible 30,000 turned up to see him stop Big Yoo in five. With that win he has been catapulted into a fight with former world champion Luis Alberto Perez which takes place in the opulent splendour of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel, Cebu. Banal is currently ranked WBC 11#, WBA 4#, IBF 3# & WBO 3# at Bantamweight.

Hello AJ, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – You have a tough fight coming up at the end of October when you face former World champion Luis Alberto Perez. What are your thoughts on that fight?

A.J Banal – I think it will be a great fight because Luis Perez is a former world champion and he is a very good fighter as well. It will be a great fight and I hope a lot of people will support and watch our fight live.

Anson Wainwright – In your last fight you beat Big Yoo when you stopped him in five. What can you tell us about that fight? Also how happy were you with that performance?

A.J Banal – It was a great give and take fight with Big Yoo and he is a great fighter. My performance was okay. What made me happy was to see and please the 30,000 that came to watch our fight. It made the win sweeter. Many thank you’s to all that supported us.

Anson Wainwright – That’s a fantastic support. What can you tell us about fighting in front of so many fans was like?

A.J Banal – The experience was overwhelming. It was amazing. I was just so ecstatic after the win knowing that I did not disappoint everybody who came and supported me that night.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your team, who is your manager, trainer & promoter? Also what gym do you use regular?

A.J Banal – My manager is Michael Aldeguer who also happens to be the President of ALA Promotions. My trainer is Edmund Villamor and I fight under ALA Promotions. One very important person in my life is Mr. Antonio Aldeguer who I consider my second father. He has guided me not just in boxing but in life as well. I have been training under his wing since I was 9 years of age.

Anson Wainwright – The ALA gym is well know through out the world what can you tell us from your first hand experience of it? What other fighters train there?

A.J Banal – ALA Gym is my home and for me is the greatest gym in the world. I started training there since I was 9 years old. A lot of world class boxers train there like World Champ Donnie Nietes, Milan Melindo, Boom Boom Bautista, Michael Domingo and Mark Melligen to name a few. It is where boxing greats Gerry Penalosa, Rodel Mayol, Malcolm Tuñacao and Edito Villamor also trained.

Anson Wainwright – Your last few fights have been at Bantamweight whereas the Perez fight will be at Catchweight 120. Are you looking to stay at Bantamweight or are you moving up to Super Bantamweight? Also who are you targeting for a title shot?

A.J Banal – I am staying at bantamweight and i feel comfortable here. I feel I still have a lot to learn and in the future maybe challenge Fernando Montiel or the WBA Champion.

Anson Wainwright – It feels like you’ve been around for years already and your not 22 till December. You’ve been a pro for just over five years now, how happy are you with how your career has gone so far? What would you like to achieve in the coming years?

A.J Banal – I am happy with my career and I feel I still have a lot coming for me. My ultimate goal like every boxers dream is to become a great World Champion.

Anson Wainwright – You lost when you faced Rafael Concepcion a couple of years ago, looking back do you think that fight was a little soon for you?

A.J Banal – I don’t think it was too soon. We had a game plan but I failed to execute. I have learned a lot after that fight.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your early years growing up in Bukidnon? Were things tough as they are for many boxers or did you have a good childhood?

A.J Banal – I was only born there but grew up in Cebu. It was tough growing up in downtown Cebu with the gangs and all around. Good thing I got into boxing that taught me a lot especially discipline.

Anson Wainwright – What are your thoughts on what Manny Pacquiao has achieved and what it means to your country?

A.J Banal – Manny Pacquiao brought a lot of pride and honor to our country and opened the gates of other Filipino boxers to fight abroad.

Anson Wainwright – When your not Boxing what do you like to do with your time? What are your Interests?

A.J Banal – I just love to relax and play games on my laptop and hang out with my friends during our free time.

Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for your fans around the World & your people in The Philippines?

A.J Banal – I would like to thank God for everything and thank all the boxing fans who have supported me with their prayers. I can only hope they will continue that support not only to me but all other Filipino boxers around. Thank you to all once again.

Thanks for your time A.J, keep up the good work.

Thank you Sir.

Anson Wainwright

At age 41, Antonio Tarver is two days away from dipping his toes into heavyweight waters.

After suffering back to back losses to Chad Dawson, Tarver spent about a year and a half away from the ring. He will make his return inside the ropes as a heavyweight when he takes on 24-year old Dominican, Nagy Aguilera, Friday on Showtime.

Tarver, who in an October 5 conference call insisted that his walking around weight was 225 lbs., is foregoing fighting as a cruiserweight and making the jump from light heavyweight to heavyweight.

A few thoughts come to mind with regards to Tarver’s decision:

It must be REALLY hard to step away. REALLY REALLY hard.

We see it all the time in every sport and boxing is no exception. Sometimes athletes don’t know when to “hang it up.” Or they do know, but refuse to leave the game (Hello, Brett Favre and your 1-3 Vikings. Hello, Roy Jones, Jr.).

For what it’s worth, Tarver is neither Favre nor RJJ. In fact, with only 33 professional fights under his belt, Tarver’s body is less spent than either of the aforementioned aged legends.

But Tarver was seemingly content with life after boxing, doing a more than capable job as an analyst on Showtime. His rich analysis and insight offer viewers a refreshing take on the bouts; plus the “Magic Man’s” personality meshes well with the likes of Steve Farhood, Al Bernstein, and Curt Menefee.

If he never set foot in the ring again, Tarver would be remembered as an outstanding amateur boxer, an Olympic bronze medalist and the first man to knockout Roy Jones, Jr. (and beat him twice), as well as for his role as Mason “The Line” Dixon in the movie “Rocky Balboa,” among other things.

Now, Tarver, who won’t have to worry about losing weight, will add another chapter to his career when he throws his hat into the ring of heavyweight contenders. From the long list of athletes that came before him, it is definitely not easy to give it up.

Tarver feels his name alone will get him a title shot in the near future.

And that might be accurate. In a diminished, European-owned heavyweight division, perhaps Tarver would do a more admirable job than Chris Arreola or Eddie Chambers as the elite American heavyweight.

“I just need about two or three fights to show I’m a real threat,” Tarver said on the conference call. “You just look at the name. If it’s Tarver-Klitschko, Tarver-Haye, that’s a big name, that’s big business.”

But no matter the reasons for his foray into the heavyweight division — be it because he is opportunistic or he simply got the itch to fight again — Tarver’s experiment at the very least is something to keep an eye on.

The best result that Tarver can hope for is a carbon-copy of Tomasz Adamek’s career as a heavyweight. Like Tarver, Adamek also left the light heavyweight division after losing to Dawson. Difference is, however, Adamek made a two year pit stop cleaning out the cruiserweight division before he decided to step up and bang with the big boys.

Further, while Adamek’s transition to the heavyweight division has been a well-calculated, elongated process ultimately aimed at getting him a shot at a Klistchko brother or David Haye, it is unlikely Tarver will enjoy that same luxury.

Without father time in the 41 year-old Tarver’s corner, the “Magic Man” must rely on his name and hope it puts him on the fast track to a title shot.

Kyle Kinder can be reached at Twitter.com/KyleKinder

A head of his toughest challenge to date Eloy “The Prince” Perez took time out to speak to 15rounds.com about his fight with Dominic Salcido which takes place on 15 October live on Telefutura from the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, Ca. Unbeaten in 21 contests with the only blotches 2 draws & a no contest compiling an 18-0-2(5) ledger. He knows that he needs to keep building and add to his 3 wins this year already to improve his rankings. Currently he’s the NABO Super Featherweight champion and only ranked by sister organisation the WBO at number 2. A win over Salcido could see him edge into the other top organisations rankings. Here’s what the pride of Salinas, Ca had to say.

Hello Eloy, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – You have arguably the biggest fight of your career to date when you fight Dominic Salcido on 15 October. What are your thoughts on that fight? Will it be on TV?

Eloy Perez – Yes it will be on TV on Telefutura, I think Dominic is a slick fighter I’ll be aggressive and hope to implement the style my coach Max Garcia wants me to. If Salcido stays back and tries to counter I’ll freeze him with feints and work, but if he decides to come forward I’ll pick him off with crisp straight punches either way my team has many plans we can adapt.

Anson Wainwright – How tough an opponent to you see Salcido as? He’s known as a skilled boxer who as never lost at 130? He looked pretty good last time out against Guillermo Sanchez what did you think of his performance?

Eloy Perez – I didn’t see his performance against Guillermo but I know he is skilled, he has fast hands but so do I. I don’t think he’s as versatile or as crafty as I am, but he does have good power he’s pretty tough and like I said has fast hands. I’m not so much thinking or worrying about Salcido as I am working on my own game, honing my skills and getting better. I know I’m not going in there taking on chumps or cupcakes these are real fights against skilled guys, going back all the way to Dannie Williams i’ve been in tough. I expect to be in tough October 15 but I also expect to win like 18 times before.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us a little about your training for this fight, how are things going so far? Also where are you training and who are you sparring with?

Eloy Perez – Training is going as planned we settled in Oxnard California, and are sparring with Brandon Rios, Alfonso Blanco, and Aris Ambriz. I’m in great shape sparring 8-10 hard rounds and running my butt off with road work. My team has me ready I’m on weight things couldn’t be better.

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

Eloy Perez – I have the best team on the planet and maybe the universe, my manager is the hardest working woman in boxing Kathy Garcia she’s the heart of our team, she works everyday to make us all comfortable in the right hotel rooms, she plans everything without her my team wouldn’t be here getting the incredible training I’m getting from Max Garcia Kathy’s husband. He keeps me disciplined, he’s a great trainer, conditioning and boxing strategy. His son Sam Garcia is his assistant and helps with all training. Dean Familton helps with strategy he and Max come up with game plans for every fight, his father was originally part of the team (Don Familton,) he was a southern California legend he passed last year, I fight every fight with him in my heart and his name on my trunks. Melissa Garcia, Max and Kathy’s daughter is always supportive she handles most charity events for the Garcia Boxing Organization. The whole Garcia family is just as hungry for a title and to prove themselves as I am we want a world title!

Anson Wainwright – You fought on the high profile Mayweather-Mosley card in May, what was that experience like for you?

Eloy Perez – It’s was great to be on a card like that the buzz the people the electricity in the crowd, it’s something you dream of as a fighter it’s why we fight for moments like that. I hope next time I’ll be the fight that ends the show.

Anson Wainwright – What was your amateur career like? What title did you win? What top fighters did you fight and what was your record?

Eloy Perez – My amateur career seems like ages ago I’m a completely different fighter than I was lol. I fought about 60-70 fights winning all but 6. I fought Victor Ortiz, Shawn Porter Mike Chippers. I won the ringside worlds in 2004. It wasn’t a long amateur career I couldn’t wait to turn pro.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your early years and how you first got in to Boxing?

Eloy Perez – I was a big chubby troublemaking kid so my dad got me in the gym at Jim Dougla’s gym in my hometown of Rochester Washington, the rest is history.

Anson Wainwright – When your not Boxing or training what do you like to do with your time?

Eloy Perez – When I’m not boxing I like going hiking, fishing, hunting, I like the outdoors. I enjoy football, and other sports.

Anson Wainwright – Your currently ranked at number 3 by the WBO and there were a few rumours that you could face Roman Martinez for his title he lost to Ricky Burns a few weeks back, what did you think of that fight? Would you like to fight Burns? or are you looking at the other 3 titles?

Eloy Perez – I think the Burns/Martinez fight was fight of the year so far, both are deserving to be as high as they are. Of coarse I would love to fight Burns for the title it would be a dream come true that’s why I moved to California that’s why I sacrificed all I have for an opportunity to be the best in the world at what I do. With that said I am only thinking about one guy right now that’s Dominic Salcido. I have no other plans other than meeting him in the middle of the ring October 15, at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio California. I let my manager work her magic she knows I’ll take on anyone anywhere.

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

Eloy Perez – If I wasn’t boxing I have no idea what I’d be doing this is all I know lol

Anson Wainwright – What are your goals in Boxing?

Eloy Perez – My goals are to become a world champion and fight mega fights that entertain the audience with skill and bravery. We have a new motto we stole from the Stanford University football “we’re here to win with character and cruelty” that pretty much says it all.

Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for the Super Featherweight division?

Eloy Perez – My message to the rest of the division is let’s not be like the other divisions that are deep with talent let’s all fight each other and bring respect back to the Super Featherweight division. If everyone fights each other the top guys against the top guys this can be a fun and exciting division.

Thanks for your time Eloy, good luck with your upcoming fight.

Thanks 15rounds and Anson Wainwright keep up the good work boxing is the best sport in the world let’s not forget that.

Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com

In following the sport of boxing, fans get well acquainted with all sorts of different personalities and types of people. To succeed in boxing, or most professional sports, it takes a minimum amount of ego and self-confidence. Fighting in the spotlight and making it to the upper levels of the sport can inflate those attributes in some, while others are able to keep themselves in check. This past September, two prominent fighters again proved which side of the coin they are on.

Sugar Shane Mosley is one of the greatest fighters of his era. His accomplishments are too plentiful to list in this space, but include legitimate titles at three weight classes from lightweight to junior middleweight. He notched two wins over Oscar De La Hoya and Fernando Vargas to go along his victories over other noteworthy names, such as Antonio Margarito, Ricardo Mayorga, Jesse James Leija, Phillip Holiday and others. Time and again, Mosley has also proved to be one of the great class acts in boxing.

Paulie Malignaggi has proven himself to be a world class boxer, but he has usually tripped up at the elite level. His accomplishments can be listed in this space. Malignaggi ran up an unbeaten record against the usual suspects into a junior welterweight title fight against world class Miguel Cotto. In that fight, Malignaggi surprised many by showing incredible heart and lasting the distance. Two fights later, Malignaggi picked up a title against Lovemore Ndou and made three successful defenses before losing to Ricky Hatton. Malignaggi split two with undersized, but world class Juan Diaz, losing the first one controversially, and then was completely outclassed by Amir Khan.

Time and again, Malignaggi’s emotions have got the best of him at inopportune times, which has precluded him from consideration for the class act label outside of the ring. A glaring occasion in the recent past was his post-fight temper tantrum after the loss to Hatton, which was beamed nationally by HBO. Soon after that fight, his trainer Buddy McGirt, who stopped the uncompetitive fight, was thrown under the bus. Another event to point to would be Malignaggi’s “Boxing is full of shit” rant after the loss to Diaz, which also aired on HBO.

Mosley has had to deal with very public setbacks, but has managed to do so in a professional manner. Mosley parted ways with his father/trainer Jack Mosley twice, but you would be hard pressed to find any quotes from Sugar Shane blasting his father. Quite the contrary, Mosley has repeatedly given his father credit for shaping him into the fighter that he has become. There was BALCO and a divorce from his wife/manager Jin Mosley. Shane never took the easy way out and blamed a conditioning coach for the BALCO scandal, nor can I recall him publicly tearing down his ex-wife.

Recently, Malignaggi exercised his ego and emotions again by blasting his former promoter Lou DiBella shortly after signing with Golden Boy Promotions. DiBella was the promoter that steered Malignaggi’s career from its infancy and somehow managed to get a light-hitting, trash talker with brittle hands eight fights on premium cable and two fights against money players, i.e. Cotto and Hatton. The public digs at DiBella would be surprising had they come from another source, but for Malignaggi it seems par for the course.

On the other side of the coin last month was Shane Mosley. The vast majority of experts and critics believed Mosley was wronged when three California judges scored his fight with Sergio Mora a draw. It would not have been out of line for Mosley to claim he felt he had won the fight, but it would have been out of character. Even weeks later, with public sentiment clearly in his favor, Mosley refused to trash the decision when the fight was brought up with him at the commentators’ desk during a Fox Sports Net telecast.

It may not be fair to Malignaggi to hold him to the standard of a Shane Mosley. There are not many fighters today that would look favorable when compared to one of the more genuine class acts the sport has seen over the years. It is a bar few could attain with such longevity, but it is one that should be strived for. If more fighters attempted to duplicate Mosley’s example, our sport would be much better off.

Photo by Tom Hogan/Golden Boy Promotions

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

SAN ANTONIO – If you walked along the remnants of Chalk It Up on Houston Street, Saturday, hundreds of drawings in dusty pastel colors underfoot, then came to a staircase for the River Walk – no, not the tourist loop but the one that takes you to Brackenridge Park – and exited at Navarro Street, heading eastwards, you were on your way.

Municipal Auditorium was on your left. A majestic stone building erected in 1926, during the period that saw most of the city’s enduring stone landmarks constructed, Municipal Auditorium stood before, but cast no shadows on, two war memorials. Korea then Vietnam – the latter housing, in an air-tight compartment, the names of all 60,000 San Antonians who served in Southeast Asia.

Inside Municipal Auditorium were the National Association of Police Athletic / Activities Leagues boxing championships, known universally as “The PALs.” This year’s championships were especially important because the winners in each weight class qualified for a berth at the Olympic trials in Colorado Springs. Ten dollars, in other words, bought you a seat at ringside where you got to see 40 of our country’s best boxers.

It was a good respite from another lousy week in an astoundingly bad year for prizefighting. Last week’s announcement that Andre Dirrell would not fight Andre Ward in November changed Showtime’s “Super Six” tournament to a Super Three. More about that in a bit.

Back to Municipal Auditorium. A few minutes after I took a random seat, Saturday evening, good fortune sat a teacher one row behind me. He was Tom Mustin, Team USA’s 2000 Olympic coach, mentor to future stars like Jermain Taylor, Jeff Lacy, Rocky Juarez and Brian Viloria. And along with being a fine conversationalist, Mr. Mustin was a pair of reminders.

First, no matter how much you know about professional fighters and their trainers, no matter how many fights you’ve seen or stats you’ve memorized, beside a career amateur coach you don’t know much. Men like Tom Mustin or Kenny Weldon teach eight year-olds how to box, travel the world with their kids and act as surrogate fathers as much as trainers.

And second, you should temper your criticism of USA Boxing’s results with an appreciation for the sacrifice its teachers make. The hours are brutal. The pay is low. And the responsibilities are many more, and deeper, than what professional trainers, gunslingers by comparison, take on.

Watching a national amateur championship also affords you insights into someone like Rau’shee Warren. A two- and likely three-time Olympian, Warren is probably America’s best amateur. Among his feats is maintaining the same weight at age 23 that he had at 17. The training grants he continues to win from USA Boxing are superior to the purses he’d earn as a 114-pounder, so why turn pro?

He is now, in both age and skill, a man among boys. His Saturday bout matched him against San Antonio’s Adam Lopez, a boxer now trained by Jesse James Leija. Lopez opened the first minute of the first round with an interesting tactic. He punched at Warren’s right arm. Warren, a southpaw, carried his lead hand low, and the theory was that by targeting the middle of his arm, Lopez might disrupt Warren’s up-jab and activity. It worked.

For about 60 seconds. Then Warren came alive with quickness, accuracy and unexpected ferocity, and everything stopped working for Lopez. The final line – “Warren dec. Lopez, 20-2” – squashed further description.

The evening’s most curious spectacle came a little later in the 201+ division, and he came complete with pink headgear and an infuriating style. Lenroy Thompson, originally from Florida but now boxing out of Kansas, does everything technically wrong en route to beating everyone he faces. I asked Mr. Mustin if someone like Thompson might actually represent our country in London in 2012.

“Why not?” said Mr. Mustin, and he began to chuckle. “He’s the type that could win a gold medal.”

Thompson’s style and achievement are a good place to turn and start back towards the matter of Andre Dirrell. Amateur boxing is a meritocracy based on computerized scoring, which has its own logic. If you know where to position yourself on the canvas and how to hit your opponent in a way three of five judges can see, while precluding your opponent from doing the same – à la Lenroy Thompson – you become a champion.

Professional fighting is a different sort of meritocracy, one adhering to box-office receipts. Just as being exciting does not win you amateur titles, being able to hit your opponent twice in a round in which he hits you but once does not win you lucrative purses, or many fans.

Of the two meritocracies, Andre Dirrell came closer to mastering the amateur than the professional. He was an Olympic boxer whose style was so displeasing to so many people in his first title fight, with Carl Froch, that many doubted the sincerity of his injury when Arthur Abraham fouled him in his last match. I did not.

Last week, though, after Showtime had rescheduled Dirrell’s match with Andre Ward for November – location “TBA” (Ticket Buyers Absent) – most fans doubted the sincerity of the “neurological issues” that caused Dirrell to be the third man to drop out of the Super Six.

If I were Dirrell, I would have offered some medical documentation with my press release.

Which brings us to the Super Three. Something else we can borrow from amateur boxing is the “walkover” result. Let’s use that and say Ward “walked-over” Dirrell, leaving Froch-Abraham to decide who’ll fight Ward in the finals. Those are the only two fights anyone wants to see now, anyway.

Finally, while Ward and Dirrell were Olympic teammates, only one of them – in style, charisma and box office – made a successful transition to pro. There’s really no shame in that for Dirrell. But now that we realize it, we must move on.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter.com/bartbarry

His name alone provides Michael Angelo Perez the perfect segue to each time he enters the ring. Just as Michelangelo provided every time he engineered another masterpiece, Perez does that with his boxing ability. Armed with an arsenal of the right skills, great work ethic, and the drive to be a champion, this Newark native has grabbed the attention of boxing experts.

Growing up in the streets of Newark isn’t the easiest thing in the world, and as with some of the boxing greats today, Perez had the perfect outlet to keep him away from the evils that surrounded him. “For my 7th birthday, my father took me down to the gym as my gift. That was it; I fell in love with it. It really kept me busy” Perez said. The humble 20 year old knows all about the paths that he could have taken in life, and acknowledges the talent that he has been blessed with, along with no shortage of confidence. “I want to become the pound for pound greatest in the world, unify the titles, and in different weight classes.”

On November 6, he will embark on one of the greatest of achievements so far in his short, yet busy career. Perez will showcase his talents on the same night Zab Judah will match up with Lucas Matthysse at the Prudential Center. The card will showcase Judah continuing his comeback, and Perez starting his own legacy. “I want to perform well out there. It’s a long time coming.” With the recent uprising in events being held in Newark, showcasing current headliners such as Judah and Tomasz Adamek, Perez aims to be right there, in a main event of his own one day.

Perez also has the eye of another former champion, not to face him in the ring, but to be alongside him on his journey to become champion. Signing to Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions is of noticeable merit for any boxer, being put in a stable of current superstars like Shane Mosley and Bernard Hopkins, and future stars such as Victor Ortiz and Amir Khan.

Most of Golden Boy’s clients are seemingly from the west coast, and with the recent signing of Paulie Malignaggi, it seems that De La Hoya and his partners have taken notice in the bevy of talent in the east coast, particularly in the tri-state area, and Perez hopes to be part of that east coast movement. “This is a big opportunity for boxing in the tri-state.” Perez says about the recent up rise in amount of prospects in the area.

Along with the hype and publicity that come along with being signed to the Golden Boy brand, it comes with its opportunities to give back to the community. Just like last week when De La Hoya, Malignaggi, Brooklyn’s Danny Jacobs, and Perez, amongst others, hosted a boxing clinic at the world famous Gleason’s Gym.

“It was a great experience, we taught defense, how to throw combos. It was a pleasure to work with those kids. They look at you like a role model and that is just a great feeling.” Perez noted about the experience.

With less than a month now to go until Perez’ next bout, he still awaits an opponent. So instead of concentrating on a certain style to fight against, Perez’ challenge is improving himself. “I need to stay in the ring, gain more experience. That is how I am going to get better now, testing my skills in the ring against an opponent.”

That may also be Perez’ greatest quality, he boxes to win. If he needs to be technical in a fight, he can do that, if he needs to bare down and get into a brawl, he will do that. That alongside his humbleness may just be what Perez needs to excel at the professional level. November 6th is a night that will be special for Perez and he wants to make it special for the city of Newark. “I just want to make everyone proud, my family and my city. I can’t wait.”

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

The International Boxing Hall of Fame ballot is a formality. Mike Tyson is a lock for induction. Fact is, Tyson is virtually in the Hall already. The building near a freeway exit in Canastota, N.Y., already includes Tyson photos and memorabilia.

But the induction ceremony, which on June 12 will also include Julio Cesar Chavez and Kostya Tszyu, promises to be an event that goes beyond the usual parades, handshakes and hangovers. The unpredictable Tyson is liable to say anything when he steps to the podium. When Tyson speaks, controversy or comedy or outrage or insight or nonsense or all-of-the -above is sure to follow. So, too, do headlines, blogs and video.

If his boxing career were the only factor in the boxing writers’ vote for the Hall, there might be a reasonable debate about whether Tyson merits induction. In his biggest bouts, he was simply unable to fight through adversity. Not against Evander Holyfield. Not against Lennox Lewis. Without an early knockout scored by frightening power and set up by an innate ability to intimidate, Tyson couldn’t adjust and often couldn’t avoid an emotional meltdown.

Five years after his final fight, his name doesn’t appear in many ratings of history’s greatest heavyweights. He is not this corner’s top 10: 1.-Joe Louis, 2.-Muhammad Ali, 3.-George Foreman, 4.-Rocky Marciano, 5.-Joe Frazier, 6.-Gene Tunney, 7.-Holyfield, 8– Jack Dempsey, 9.-Ezzard Charles, 10.–Archie Moore. An argument can even be made about whether Tyson should be considered among candidates for an unranked list of the second 10: Lewis, Sonny Liston, Billy Conn, Larry Holmes, Jersey Joe Walcott, Jack Johnson, Max Schmeling, Jim Jeffries, Sam Langford and – someday – Wladimir Klitschko.

What’s undisputed, however, is Tyson’s celebrity. Long after an almost perverse blow-by-blow account of the way he bit off a piece of Holyfield’s ear, Tyson continues to fascinate. When he repeats, ad nauseam, that his life is “a waste,’’ it’s a headline. When he appears in Hangover, he is Hollywood schtick. When he examines his own life in Tyson, there’s dramatic acclaim from sophisticated critics.

Perhaps, Tyson continues to capture public interest because he is that proverbial accident-about-to-hit-the-wall. But there is also a child-like, naive quality that has always been there, impossible to obscure or even disguise despite scars, a facial tattoo and predictable profanity. Genuine spontaneity is hard to find these days. In Tyson, however, it is there, like a force of nature. Unlike so many who emerge from the media hothouse with painful lessons on how to choreograph every word, step and gesture, there is still Tyson.

That’s why he belongs in the Hall of Fame, which already is full of actors who understood that boxing’s power is defined by more than deadly punches. It’s also about theater. Tyson is real-life drama, complete with a plot full of lines that only he could say.

Here’s another top 10 list, a personal favorite of Tyson quotes:

1. – “I’m not Mother Teresa. But I’m also not Charles Manson.”

2. – “I’m just a dark guy from a den of iniquity. A dark shadowy figure from the bowels of iniquity. I wish I could be Mike who gets an endorsement deal. But you can’t make a lie and a truth go together. This country wasn’t built on moral fiber. This country was built on rape, slavery, murder, degradation and affiliation with crime.”

3. – “I really dig Hannibal. Hannibal had real guts. He rode elephants into Cartilage.”

4. – “My style is impetuous, my defense impregnable. I want to rip his heart out. I want to eat his children. Praise be Allah.’’

5. — “Everyone in boxing probably makes out well except for the fighter. He’s the only one that’s on Skid Row most of the time. He’s the only one that everybody just leaves when he loses his mind. He sometimes goes insane, he sometimes goes on the bottle, because it’s a highly intensive pressure sport that allows people to just lose it.’’

6. — “I can sell out Madison Square Garden masturbating.”

7. — “I’m the most irresponsible person in the world. The reason I’m like that is because, at 21, you all gave me $50 or $100 million, and I didn’t know what to do. I’m from the ghetto. I don’t know how to act. One day I’m in a dope house robbing somebody. The next thing I know, ‘You’re the heavyweight champion of the world.’ …Who am I? What am I? I don’t even know who I am. I’m just a dumb child. I’m being abused. I’m being robbed by lawyers. I think I have more money than I do. I’m just a dumb, pugnacious fool. I’m just a fool who thinks I’m someone. And you tell me I should be responsible?”

8. – “I’m on the Zoloft to keep me from killing you’all.’’

9. — “Fear is your best friend or your worst enemy. It’s like fire. If you can control it, it can cook for you. It can heat your house. If you can’t control it, it will burn everything around you and destroy you. If you can control your fear, it makes you more alert, like a deer coming across the lawn.”

10. – “I guess I’m gonna fade into Bolivian.” Bolivia, maybe. But fade or oblivion? Never. On June 12, Tyson will remind us why all over again.

It was 1982, when I first moved from East London to further afield, Essex to be more precise in Gants Hill, a mostly Jewish area, I did’nt really want to move further out but my stepfather Richie Ward was bettering himself, business was booming and his small motor spares shop in the Mile End road was getting bigger, his wallet fatter and he wanted a better life for his co habitar, my mother and her son, me!

I remember telling my great uncle Alf a former pro flyweight boxer back in the 30’s that going to such an area the kids there would be posh and I wouldn’t fit in, “Mick some of those Jewish kids are good little footballers, and they used to be pretty good boxers” but that was a long time ago in a bygone era back in 1930’s East London, a majority I would guess of those Jewish kid’s from the 1930’s would move out to area’s similar to that of Gants Hill and settle down with there family’s and the new generation, some of whom would be my new classmates, if you could call them my mates!

So it was the March of 1982, that I had my first day at my new school, mum packing me off with a light brown brief case, sent her little boy to this new place, the other classmates had heard of this new kid joining there school, an East end kid, thought’s of a right handful in the newcomer were dismissed clearly when they saw me walking up to the classroom situated just outside the main school, the classroom a mere outbuilding my other classmate’s felt threatened no more when they saw me for the first time a curly haired eleven year old holding a brief case, more an object of laughter than of fear, those Jewish kid’s would make my life a little uneasy for the next few year’s…. until that is, one day when one decided to crack more than a joke and more of an egg in my pocket came unstuck when I finally kicked off properly, offering two of the bastards out, they both backed down and funnily enough Jay was there looking amazed at what he was seeing, let’s put it this way they did’nt bother me no more!
Let’s get back to around April of 82, and after a month at my new school I’m in the changing room after a Physical Education lesson, me a skinny little kid amongst plenty of other skinny little kid’s are changing into our school uniforms when all of sudden I notice a black man in the corner of the dressing room and can’t believe how well developed he is, thinking to myself that must be one of the P.E teachers, thing is though he never took our lesson, and then I figured he must have been the teacher taking the next class or year above for there daily grind on the playing field!
Conversation sometime after that lesson got onto about the hardest kid in the year, a fellow pupil mentioned about some black kid who wears glasses, some kid called Ingleton, I could’nt place him and I’d never heard of him before or even seen him, and then one day I did and soon I realised something?
You know that black bloke getting changed in the dressing room I was talking about a good few second’s ago, well who I thought was one of the P.E instructors was’nt!
See that black man was a twelve year old child, with legs bigger than that of a man and a physique that many a grown man would envy, Jay Ingleton was his name and I’ll never forget the time down on the playing field when twenty or more kids attacked him only for him to punch and kick them off like a kung fu master just like the arcade game character Thomas did from the classic arcade game Kung Fu Master, that was also known originally as Spartan X in Japanese arcade’s and was the first arcade video game from my knowledge to be based on a novel that also made the transistion onto celuloid which Jackie Chan starred in, however for Jay bashing up almost a class of kid’s, this I saw with my own two eyes and he would have made some teacher surely!
Some years later I’d be passing by on a bus and see that same black kid now a fully grown man running bare chest in the pouring rain four or five times to neighbouring Ilford and back on the same run, also a friend going to work one morning would tell me ‘oh yeah I know him, I’ve seen him running out in the snow!’ whatever?, whoever this guy was?, he was one thing for sure a dedicated, comitted athlete who has I recently put it to the interviewee as such “Jay, you just don’t live the life, you’ve lived it all your life!”

So with out further a do, let me introduce you to one of a kind, not just another personal fitness trainer but some one a little bit special and I can vouch for this through personal experience, talking to myself on a Sunday evening Jay told me of the time he proved too much of an handful for the top martial art’s club in London The Shootfighters, if not Britain and was subsequently kicked out, even the instructor’s wouldn’t allow there pro’s near this man, nuff said!
So I during the conversation wanted to find out what made this machine of a man tick, and what with machines I wanted to press the right buttons, I dare not press the wrong ones!
Readers please let me introduce Jay Darrell Ingleton…..

Michael Serra: So where did it all begin, your early life for example?
Jay Ingleton: I was born at King Georges {hospital} so I’ve been a Essex boy my whole life, born and bred and I’m proud of that, especially now I’m starting to build my name internationally.
I always believe I been some kind of fighter even before I kind of knew what that is, I used to play fight {when younger} but always had a kinship for it, this is what I love doing, I’ve always been inclined naturally that way to be involved, looking back now I wished I’d done more because now I realise it is my path way but back then I did’nt know, I guess I felt a bit out of place a little bit because I had such a passion for it but no one else did around me and you feel your the odd kid out because you got this huge passion, I obviously didn’t unleash it as much as I would have loved too if I could go back right now, I’ve always been a fighter, always thought about it, always been on my mind no matter what from reading super hero comics from Spiderman to the X men, something was always going on in my head regarding super athletes, my imagination was the same at school has I used to have daydream’s about being some kind of super hero, being the toughest, something or whatever, this was on my mind all the time and at the time I was thinking is this normal? and looking back now and where I am in my life it all makes kind of sense.
I believe I’m a natural athlete, a natural fighter

M S: So tell me about your early fighting memories?
J I: It’s funny because I talk to some people and for some reason have got it in there head that I was a kind of bully {I can offer that Jay never bullied anyone simple as, he got picked on and they might have been picked off and up from the floor!, but Jay never bullied anyone to my knowledge} I may have messed around a bit yes, but I never remember myself being a bully {one bully who did mess with Jay was thrown to the floor, getting up and laughing, the bully walked out and saw blood, he never laughed after this!} I was a competitive kind of guy I think, if pushed and if push come to shove you know I would explode I guess, I had a temper on me but for me to actually go off, you’d really have to push me or wind me up or something.
I liked fighting a lot, but was always fair, I was’nt like a dirty fighter I would’nt take a bat to you or a weapon to you or anything, I might throw the odd chair here and there but I wouldn’t do anything under hand, I had some kind of principle’s, keep some kind of principle honour, but has I got older I though wait a minute, ‘other people don’t have that, so if I keep that kind of principle honour I’m might get hurt, you can only fight the same rules and if your sticking to fighting fair where someone else is’nt your going to get hurt, so I remember thinking has I got older with all the weapons that you’d see around, you think ‘it’s changed now’ you don’t expect to just fight someone and walk off, they could come back with other people or with weapon’s or whatever, so you got to expect the unexpected, but in the early day’s it was just fun and I used to enjoy it, I liked the competing, but I never {got really viscous} there was only one time I got really viscous was with {a kid at school} Steven Donald, he was racist, it was funny because we used to be mate’s but I did’nt realise he was racist, after we all found out he was National Front, has was his father {the equivalant of today’s racist organisation BNP} it was quite surprising because we used to hang around with him and he was okay and all of a sudden he just changed into this racist thug, he was very violent, he did drugs and shit, but you know I remember beating him up, I beat him up quite bad, but only because he pushed me that far I guess you know, so that was the reason why, when I swept him I tripped him up on Lord Avenue, he fell his head hit the floor and he knocked himself out and I jumped on him and pounded his face with some punches and bruised his face up, I remember that clearly and after that some people thanked me for doing that and a lot of people liked me for doing that, because no one liked him you know, thing is we used to be mates and then he just changed, and I thought about out of principal we used to be mates and you just change into this racist thug, the principal of that really pissed me off, it just drove me mad I guess, well not mad but just pushed me to that extreme.

M S: He brought a crowbar to school the next day, didn’t he?
J I: Yeah, he was a headcase, drugs and all that shit, in actual fact I saw him after I left school once, he saw me but he didn’t say nothing, he just walked right past, but I could tell he was high on drugs, he got a lot bigger after school {physically} and got into a lot of fights but it was purely out of being on drugs by then, it was just a crazy period back then but he was just basically a thug you know what I mean?, a thug and I did’nt realise that then, me with all my principles and I’m fighting a thug, it’s a different ball game.

M S: So Donald would pick up anything to attack someone with?
J I: Yeah.

M S: Today’s black youth possibly don’t suffer that much racial abuse as they once did, please tell me what it was like a black kid growing up in the seventies and eighties, in a mostly white area like Clayhall, Essex?
J I: A mostly Jewish area, I used to go to the Redbridge Jewish club, so I was always hanging around with whites and Jew’s, yeah at times I felt it {Racism}, Yeah at times I definately felt it, people would say things and you’d be ‘what, what was that about?’ you know what I mean?, they’d get funny and you’d think ‘what you getting funny for?’ you just try and reason with them, and if they were unreasonable you’d think ‘okay alright’ I used to try and reason with them and hoping it’d work, and then just walk off and just be fine or whatever, I’m trying to be nice and your being nasty, my feelings would get hurt of course, I did try and reason with it, if that did’nt work I’d just walk off, looking back on it, it’s kind of funny, but when the Tottenham lot came down {Tottenham a notoriuosly tough place some miles from Jay’s home, famous for the riots at Broadwater farm, a council estate where Police officer Keith Blakelock was killed in 1985} with Horace {another black kid} and a lot of things changed, I would’nt say for the better, but there was a bit of trouble for them too because they saw me differently also, they’d come down drinking there Tennant’s {beer} and all that rubbish, I don’t know I guess that was just me and I dealt with things because of my fighting and my mind was elsewhere and I was always the toughest or the fastest so I had something to focus on I guess, so it did’nt hit me that way because I ignored a lot of it {racism}, sometimes I was like a sore thumb {the only black guy}

M S: So tell me how long have you been involved in physical culture?
J I: Since the age of thirteen, fourteen so your talking twenty six, twenty seven years.

M S: What was it that first got you interested in martial arts?
J I: Probably this older kid Anthony Joseph, I used to look up to him has he used to talk about karate and stuff, but he never knew what it was but he pretended he did, he pretended he could teach us and that he fought also, he was about four years older than me and pretended he was a karate master and we thought he was, we did’nt know any different, so he was my first real entrance into a fake {person} but it planted a seed into me, a seed of interest, also the Kung Fu series from tv with David Carradine, also hearing Bruce Lee’s name for the first time, his films then Chuck Norris, he was my biggest influence watching Chuck Norris, then I was thirteen, fourteen I was trying stuff out before I tried my first karate class, it was Hayden Joseph {no relation to Anthony} who took me to my first karate class and there was a guy called Dave Slapper from the East London karate school, it was Hayden who introduced me there and to my first proper martial arts training, and it went on from there really, I remember that clearly and then from karate I went into kung fu, into mugendo, jujitsu and then into win chun, then some kick boxing, thai boxing, then later on Brazilian jujitsu, submission wrestling and some other stuff also, but I was trying stuff out before I knew it technically, some things came to me more naturally than others.

M S: You were quite a good all round athlete, but what sport did you particulary excel in?
J I: I was a good sprinter, I was good at cricket, also rugby when I could be bothered to play, I was probably a better rugby player than a sprinter {I remember at the sports days, the school would film and the 100m that Jay ran in, the camera solely was on him and him alone, such was the impression he caused amonget the sports teacher} I once scored four tries in a row and everyone got jealous of me because I would’nt pass the ball to them I just scored all by myself and they hated me for that, and I remember my rugby teacher Mr Wookie telling me “just keep doing what your doing, don’t worry about what they say, just keep doing what your doing” because I kept scoring all the time so I’d say at school level rugby was my best but I was a good sprinter too I’d say now it’s running long distance outside of martial arts has I’ve done marathon’s and stuff, fitness running I absolutely love.

M S: What martial art would you say you excel in?
J I: I consider myself freestyle, they call it mixed martial arts but I been doing this {mixing} for years, so I just call myself freestyle.

M S: So what did you do when you left school?
J I: I went to college and studied acting for two years at Redbridge tech, theatre class and now I’m hoping to put it too use {laughs} I wanted to be an actor back then but I did’nt have the confidence then I came out of there and drifted around and was doing bit’s a pieces like assistant lift engineer, you know all kinds of odd jobs, until I started teaching when I was twenty six has a fitness instructor.

M S: So you have studied and practised and studied many different fighting styles, is there any particular one that you prefer?
J I: Right now I’d say Thai boxing.

M S: Have you ever had any competitive fights, though I know you had plenty streetfights {laughs}?
J I: I fought in karate competitions, semi karate competitions and I always fought the winner of the tournament but I never saw my talent right the way through, I could have been but my mind wondered off, if mixed martial arts, ufc had been around then I think I would have been in to it, but because of the time there was’nt anything like that around but like I said I did try semi contact karate but got bored a little bit and did’nt really bother with it.

M S: So what was your record in karate?
J I: Fightwise I never won any competitions, but I must have fought about three or four competitions and each time I either fought the winner of the tournament, got beaten by the winner, but one time I fought the area champion and was kicking him all over the place and for some reason I just lost my focus and just because of that and not because he was better than me, not a great record not at all so I’m not going to say it was, but the ability was there but I did’nt focus on it really so I’m not going to claim anything there.

M S: I seem to remember at school, you wanted to be a stuntman, did you ever do this and also did you ever have any involvement in films?
J I: I didn’t do it, but I’m doing it now but not as a stuntman as a such, more of a martial arts stuntman, so I can focus more, anything to do with martial arts, I don’t really want to fall into buildings!, anything to do with fight choreography, that’s what I’m doing now {Jay has a showreel on his facebook and youtube, type in his name then take a look and see for yourself the kind of guy I’m talking too and about on the respective aforementioned websites} and pursuing acting, my first acting gig was for I.B.M and that was for an I.B.M video, I got paid for that professionally for playing a boxer, and right now I’m pursuing it more seriously.
That really was my goal before but I never saw it through, my friend Steve Spiro went on to become one of the youngest stunt men in the country while I went off course a bit and I was teaching but now I’m a martial arts stuntman, well we’ll see if someone wants to hire me and pay me to do something and it’s within my ability then I may do it.

M S: I once heard you starred in a film?
J I: I did one film, but I didn’t get paid for it, I acted my part out well but the rest of it {the film} didn’t come together well, so I think the film got locked away somewhere.

M S: What was the name of the film?
J I: Furor, nothing came of it, it had someone in it who was a thirteen times World champion, I was supposed to have got a showreel from that, I didn’t get a copy of it, yeah I did that but my real start was the I.B.M video, that was a professional guy who filmed Jackie Chan in Shangai Knights, the director has worked with Benicio Del Toro, and it’s a company that is known World wide, so I’d say I’m happy that this was my first professional job, so the next payday I hope will be for something like that, plus I got an agent whose on the look out for me.

M S: So in the film what part did you play?
J I: Just an extra, I was a karate extra, one of the bad guys, an henchman, just a small scene really, I thought it was going to be bigger.

M S: So if there’s a film producer etc….reading this and they want to contact you how would they go about this?
J I: I now have an agent, Sheila Foley who works for the Extra Mile agency and she can be contacted by her email which is Sheilafoley@theextramileagency.com

M S: So Chuck Norris named you the awesome kicking machine, is this true and if so how did that make you feel?
J I: It’s incredible, my friend’s a good friend of Chuck’s and he literally talks to him every week, his that good a friend of his, he sent him the video link {of Jay} and told him {Chuck} you got to check this guy out, this was like two or three years ago before when no one was talking about me, now everybody is, but Chuck was the first person to say anything about me, so I’m like ‘oh my God’ Chuck said what? you kind of disbelieve it a bit but his been sent my latest show reel, but now I’m waiting on his latest response, but it made me feel great to be recognize by a guy like that who had a show that was number 1, Texas Walker Ranger that was the number one network show in the {United} States, the number one martial arts show, his contacts, his brother’s producer who produced all his films, I’m hoping if I can impress him that maybe, I mean he helped Van Damme out, he gave Van Damme his first break, I’m not bragging or anything but if your good enough, you can open up a door and I’ll jump through it so I’m hoping when he see’s this showreel that something may come up and pass it onto someone who may want to use me, and to be honest with you and to be totally honest with you that’s where I’m at right now, that I can be that pro active that I can get him to say ‘well look maybe I can pass this guy onto someone’
I mean like two years ago when he said that about me I was like ‘great’ but I never pursued it, but now I’m pursuing it, and now that’s the difference, now I’m pursuing.

Michael Angelo Serra speaking to Jay Darrell Ingleton.

Oh yeah you might also want to check out Jay’s own website at www.jaydarrellingleton.com

Also be sure to look out for the second part of this interview in the next month or so!

The USSR disbanned in 1991 forming 15 new countries, one of them being Belarus. From a Boxing stand point Belarus has only produced one World Champion Sergei Liakhovich who reigned as WBO Heavyweight champion briefly in 2006. Up and coming Light Middleweight Sergey Rabchanko hope’s to follow in Liakhovich footsteps and become his homeland’s second champion. So far Rabchanko 24, who hails from the Belarus capital of Minsk has been perfect going 14-0(10) however he put his record on the line in a significant step up fight on 21 October when he fight’s battle hardened Roman Dzhuman. It will be the main event on a show promoted by Hatton Promotions billed as “Clash of the Titans”. One of Rabchanko’s managers Philippe Fondu who has an eye for talent happily waxes lyrical about his new charge and says he believes that Rabchanko is the best you fighter he has ever worked with. Now it’s for Rabchanko to prove his managers faith is well founded.

Hello Sergey, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – You will be back in action on 23 October against Roman Dzhuman what are your thoughts on this fight?

Sergey Rabchanko – It is a big step for me indeed, I know very well that Dzhuman has a huge experience in boxing, he fought against many big names like: Lukas Konecny, Zaurbek Baysangurov, Jamie Moore, and his last win against Christophe Canclaux shows that he is still a very dangerous opponent, but I will be ready for it and I’ll do whatever I can to win this fight in style.

Anson Wainwright – It seems to be a step up fight for you, he is well known for going rounds, is that how you see this fight?

Sergey Rabchanko – It will be hard fight, but I’m confident I’ll win.

Anson Wainwright – Though you obviously don’t want to take anything for granted but what is your plan for the next 6 months to a year?

Sergey Rabchanko – I always dreamed to box in UK, and I am proud to have the opportunity to join the Hatton Promotion stable. I hope, after this fight, that the British fans of boxing will see me in action regularly in the UK.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your team, who is your manager, trainer? Also what gym do you train at?

Sergey Rabchanko – I am training in the boxing gym “Golden gloves” in Minsk. My trainer is Sergei Pitilev, and my managers are Valery Kaplia and Philippe Fondu.

Anson Wainwright – For those who perhaps are familiar with your what could you tell us about your style of fighting?

Sergey Rabchanko – Aggressive style but in the same time I’m always looking for a key to knockout opponent

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your earlier years growing up in Minsk?

Sergey Rabchanko – Perfect job of my managers, who help me growing up very well. All fights in Minsk gave me good experience and I think now I am ready for a new level.

Anson Wainwright – How did you first become interested and then take up Boxing and how old were you?

Sergey Rabchanko – When I was young I always liked to fight in the street, that is why I started boxing at the age of 10.

Anson Wainwright – Did you have much of an amateur career? What titles did you win? Did you fight anyone of note who is now in the pro’s & what was your final record?

Sergey Rabchanko – Yes I had a big career in amateur. I was Belarusian national champion many times in different divisions. Participated in several international competitions. But I was always dreaming to be a professional, so for me amateur boxing was just a small step for a future. I had a lot of amateur’s fights (over 100), but never counted the exact number..

Anson Wainwright – Who is your Boxing hero? What fighters do you admire and think set a good example to young fighters like yourself?

Sergey Rabchanko – I do not have a hero…Good example to young fighters : I think Manny Pacquiao, Oscar De La Hoya, Marvin Hagler

Anson Wainwright – What do you hope to achieve in your Boxing career? Do you have plans away from Boxing with what you’d like to do when you retire?

Sergey Rabchanko – The maximum…first European title then World!!! After, I’d wish to become the jeweller .

Anson Wainwright – The Light Middleweight division is stacked with talent what are your thoughts on some of division at the moment and what fighter impress you?

Sergey Rabchanko – Yes, a lot of good boxer but no one impress me in this division in Europe…

Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for the Light Middleweight division?

Sergey Rabchanko – Wait for me…I am coming…

Thanks for your time Sergey good luck with your upcoming fight.

During his reign as tsar of Russia some three hundred years ago, Peter the Great created his own social experiment with the city of St. Petersburg. Knowing full well that his beloved Russia was technologically and culturally lagging in comparison to powerful European nations, Peter turned St. Petersburg into a modern European city. He made sure that European ideas, goods, and merchandise infiltrated the Russian city so that his citizens could get a glimpse of what the rest of Europe looked like with the hopes that his country would ultimately change for the better. For this reason, St. Petersburg was dubbed the “Window to the West.”

This past Friday, in the Bowery section of Manhattan’s Chinatown, the extravagant Capitale banquet hall served as a modern day St. Petersburg. Except this time it was the Chinese, not the Russians, involved — and this window peered into the East.

Friday’s “Empires Collide” fight card, presented by Dino Duva and Global Sports Entertainment, featured eleven bouts between Team USA and the Chinese national team. Duva, who has traveled to China fourteen times in the past two-plus years, has taken special interest in the development of Chinese boxing, developing a strong working relationship with the Chinese Boxing Federation.

The successful New Jersey-based businessman and promoter certainly senses that the next great generation of fistic superstars may emerge from the Middle Kingdom. He tapped his father, the legendary Lou Duva, as well as accomplished trainer Al Mitchell to help train the Chinese nationals while he showcases them in duals across the United States.

Heading into the 2008 Beijing Olympics, China had earned only one medal in boxing. That medal was a bronze one, earned by Zou Shiming in the 2004 Athens games.

Fast forward to present day and China has added four more Olympic medals to its resume, as well as two bronze medals at the 2009 world championships in Italy. Further, it just bested Team USA in the eleven bout dual by the score of 6-5 at Capitale Friday night.

In Beijing in 2008, Shiming became the first Chinese boxer to ever win multiple Olympic medals when he captured gold in his home country. Xiaoping Zhang also earned a gold medal for the Republic, while both Zhilei Zhang and Silamu Hanati added to their country’s medal count, winning silver and bronze medals, respectively.

Much like the Russian tsar before him, Duva has ‘great’ instincts. Peter wanted to show his country what the rest of Europe had already become. St. Petersburg offered Russian citizens a glimpse into what their country could potentially be.

Similarly, Duva wants to show the world what Chinese boxing has become over the last decade. Seven years ago, China had zero Olympic boxing medals. As the 2012 London games near, China has five — and counting. As Duva continues to showcase the Chinese national team, he offers the rest of the world their “Window to the East.” He gives them a glimpse of what is to come from a country with potential to be the next boxing mecca.

Historically, the Chinese have focused their energies on martial arts such as kung fu or tai chi which honor the country’s rich past. However, with the recent success of Chinese boxing, especially the national team’s success in Beijing, it appears that a boxing undercurrent has been created and it is that is pulling more and more Chinese youth towards the sweet science.

Duva plans to continue to promote the Chinese national team as they prepare for the 2012 Olympics. As he showcases them around the United States and rest of the world, I encourage you to take advantage of watching them fight, take a look through Duva’s “Window to the East.”

Kyle Kinder can be reached at Twitter.com/KyleKinder

PHOTO BY CLAUDIA BOCANEGRA

Yes it’s that time of the year again almost, the annual boxing memorabilia fayre.
I attended last year has I did the year before and can say on each occasion as a boxing collector that I was amazed at what was on offer, as I entered the hall and paid my entry fee of hat goes to a worthy cause to the ex boxers charity, I was in awe of the huge amount of various items for sale, everything from old fight posters, program’s art prints, vhs tapes, books, photos….etc….etc…. to everything boxing related that you could imagine and hey it’s very reasonably priced also.

I must say though that the fair that’s run by Chas Taylor is well worth the admission fee alone even if you not interested in collecting, it’s a day out on it’s own and what with the huge amount of collectibles, it would take you the allotted four hours that the fayre’s open for to look through everything that’s on offer.

And there’s always a famous face or four at the fair, for example in 2008 former British and Commonwealth welter champ Slyvester Mittee was in attendance as a guest, and then last year was none other than former World welter champ John H Stracey who even had his own stall believe it or not!
However not only will you see many a famous face from the inside of the roped square, there many boxing personality’s also to be found looking through the many stalls of memorabilia, the usual suspects in attendance are avid collectors like Frank Warren’s longest serving team member, corner man Lennie Lee as well as fellow corner man Mick ‘Red’ Brennan and writers and commentators such has Eurosport’s Steve Holdsworth who himself has a huge fight library for sale via his website that Steve has filmed himself from the ringside, go to www.steveholdsworth.com for more details and his lists, another seasoned collector and true gentleman is George Zeleny who once even produced his own magazine ‘boxing outlook’ so be sure to look not only through the many collectibles but out for a few famous faces also.
I’ve got one problem with the fair, it’s only on once a year!

So the questions you’ll be asking me

WHEN………OCTOBER 23RD 2010
WHERE……ST ALOYSIUS HALL, EVERSHOLT STREET, EUSTON, LONDON, NW1
STARTS……1.30 PM
CLOSES…..5.30PM
PARKING…YES ALL DAY.
BAR AND FOOD…..YES THERE’S A BAR AND SNACKS
ADMISSION…….0

For event information please phone organizer Chas Taylor on 01707 654677 or 07956912741, but please do so at a respectable time.

At six foot eight & nearly 250 pounds David Price 7-0(5) commands respect from his piers. It hasn’t all been plane sailing for the 2008 Olympic Bronze medallist since going pro, he endured a frustrating wait before finally getting started only to find that start was to be stunted while others from the 2008 Olympic team were getting regular action. After Setanta crashed and David Hayes’s Hayemaker company no longer had TV dates Price decided to go with Frank Maloney who had among others successfully moved Lennox Lewis to the Heavyweight title. It’s something Price hopes will rub off on him, since signing with Maloney Price has been kept far busier. He fights this Saturday in London and hopes to use the win as a spring board to a big 12 months in which he hopes he can win his first title’s as a pro.

Hello David, welcome back to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – It’s been awhile since we spoke, how are things? What’s news?

David Price – Things are great my girlfriend just gave birth to our second child, a little boy David. That was August so I’ve been busy over the summer. I knuckled down now in training for my next fight which is 16 October, so I’m working hard in the gym with my trainer Frannie Smith and also my strength and condition trainer James Morton at the John Moore University in Liverpool. It’s going well, I feel I’m progressing in this camp physically & technically.

Anson Wainwright – What about away from the ring?

David Price – I’ve been doing bit’s of work with Liverpool F.C TV going on chat shows, phone in’s & debates little things like that because I’m a big Liverpudlian and have a bit of a profile in the City being an Olympian so they invite me on from time to time. Just that type of thing really.

Anson Wainwright – As you say you’ll be back in action on the 16 October who will you be fighting? Is it a 6 rounder or 8 rounder?

David Price – It’s due to be an 8 rounder so I’m hoping we can get a suitable opponent. We’ll be ready for a 8 rounder but it’s 1 and a half weeks out and still no sign of an opponent. A couple of names have been mentioned but I’ll have to see what happens, but I can’t really mention them.

Anson Wainwright – Will they be a step up for you would you say?

David Price – Yeah definitely. One name that has been mentioned if it goes through will definitely be a step up. Whether it happens we’ll see. All I can do is keep training in the gym and sparring up & train as if it’s a world title fight. I’m leaving nothing to chance no matter who the opponent is. So hopefully I’ll get in and they’ll extend me a bit at least.

Anson Wainwright – Though you don’t want to look past this fight, what are your plan of where you’d like to be in the next 6 months to a year?

David Price – I definitely want to be knocking on the door for the British title. Looking at what’s out there there’s nothing for me to fear at all. So I’m confident that in the next six to twelve months as long as I get there right learning fights. The next two or three fights are going to be important to me as far opponents are concerned because they could stand me in good stead for title fights which I’m expecting in 2011. That’s what I’m looking for British level then move on from there.

Anson Wainwright – You’ve been a pro now for 18 months how do you think you have adapted to the pro game?

David Price – At first it was a big transition, I concentrated on my power base punching and things like that. But the more we’ve delved into things. We’re working on a lot of different things. Some times we even work on the things that gave me success in the amateur’s like my speed, my speed of feet but what we’re trying to maximise my height, that’s a big advantage we’re trying to take a lot on board from what the Klitschko’s do because I’m a similar size and similar build to them. We’re trying to take there good points and bring them into my game. Obviously it’s more of a marathon than a sprint so I’m having to pace myself a lot more. When I first turned pro, in my first fight I think every single shot I threw was a power shot and I realised I can’t do that these fella’s are tough and you can’t just take them out you need to punch pick a bit more. We’re working on a lot in the gym. That’s why I’m hoping for someone who at least stands up a few rounds and show what I’ve worked on in the gym and what’s in store for the future.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your team who is your manager, trainer & promoter? Also what gym do you train at?

David Price – Frank Maloney is my promoter & manager, Frannie Smith is my trainer he was head trainer at Salisbury ABC through out 1990’s and early 2000’s and it was the regarded as the best amateur club in the country. The reason I took Frannie on board is because when I first turned pro Adam Booth wanted me to have a Liverpool based trainer at the same time as him being my main trainer so I asked Frannie Smith if he’d do it. Out of all the coaches in the amateur’s he was probably adapted to the pro’s better than most. So I asked him to come back and he did. We ended up working more together after the split with Hayemaker, but it seems to be a great decision he’s got a good boxing brain, he’s forward thinking in his training methods. He’s learning all the time taking things on board off every trainer he speaks too. It’s just me and him, there’s no one else involved so i get a 100% of his attention, it’s working well I think. We use Long Lane ABC the club I very first started with and I’ve kept a good relationship with them over the years. They’ve got good facility’s good full size ring, loads of equipment, showers everything we need really. We just go in there first thing in the morning when no one’s there do our thing. Then later on we use Liverpool John Moore University which has better facilities than most I’d say as regards weights and conditioning equipment so we all use that and James Morton who’s a doctor in sport science, he works for Liverpool FC as a nutritionist so he’s held in high regard, it’s good to work with someone as professional as him. So we use that in the night. We use the track (Running track) at Wavertree.

Anson Wainwright – Do Hayemaker still have any part of you interms as promotional rights etc?

David Price – I’m completely with Frank Maloney now.

Anson Wainwright – You have previously said you have sparred with several top fighters at Heavyweight can you name some of the guys and how did those sessions go?

David Price – I sparred with obviously David Haye, Kali Meehan the Australian Heavyweight who fought for the World Heavyweight title, Vladimir Virchis and I sparred with Albert Sosnowski. Out of all of them David Haye was the best. I’d still say i held my own, i never felt out of my depth with Haye. They all have nice things to say about me, obviously sparrings different but it’s been good scope for the future.

Anson Wainwright – The British scene while not in a age is pretty hot with several interesting fights further down the road including Dereck Chisora, Sam Sexton, Tom Dallas, Tyson Fury, Matt Skelton to name a few how do you see things on that front?

David Price – All those guys aren’t bad fighters, i’d rate Chisora highest out of most of them, i’d put myself above all of them. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a fighter being confident in himself, i think we should all believe. I was number one in the country as an amateur for a long time, i know it’s a different game but i’m going to adapt to what needs to be done. That’s my belief in myself as a fighter.

Anson Wainwright – What are your thoughts on Chisora’s win over Sexton?

David Price – I thought it was a good win. I thought Sexton’s fights with Rogan might of stood him in better stead. But Chisora dug deep and i think it was battle of wits and he was the stronger one on the night. But still the type of fighter Chisora is style wise might suit me but it remains to be seen. I’m confident i could beat anyone at domestic level, which is why it’s important Frank Maloney gets me the right opponent’s in my next fights to get me that learning experience and move on from there.

Anson Wainwright – How do you see the Haye-Harrison fight going & what do you think of that fight?

David Price – When I first heard about it I though maybe this was Audley Harrison’s time but I’ve though about it properly and my conclusion is that David Haye’s going to win the fight within five rounds I think he’s better in every department that Audley Harrison and it’ll show on the night.

Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for your fans?

David Price – Thanks with being patient with things, because a couple of my last opponents have been not up to scratch but keep that little bit of belief, keep the faith. And thanks for the support.

Thanks for your time Dave, good luck on with the fight.

Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com

Heretofore, sincerity has not been a hallmark of the Golden Boy brand. Both as a fighter and promoter, Oscar De La Hoya has often used borrowed words to transport his statements someplace other than where his thoughts would steer them. But that changed last week.

In an interview with Broadcasting & Cable, one that was deeper and more honest than anything boxing writers have come to expect from the man or his company, De La Hoya spoke of a desire to take over boxing. He implied all would be better if he were granted sole authority over the sport.

In his words, and despite the semi-retractions that followed, De La Hoya set the truth free. Lacking an adequate lexicon of meaningless expressions, he spoke without his betters’ nuance. Bless him for it.

De La Hoya’s candor brought clarity. Golden Boy Promotions will no longer be able to hide in the silly, one-for-all costume that aspiring monopolists tend to don. And other promoters will no longer be able to make unsatisfactory efforts, lose to Golden Boy Promotions, and then feign victimhood. They now know De La Hoya wants to eat their children – to borrow another fighter’s timely candor.

Oh, but they were taken aback. “Is this not America!” they thundered. Along with a goodish number of commentators, Golden Boy Promotions’ rivals reached for the flag and free market. It was that reaction – indeed reactionary – that made De La Hoya’s unguarded statements provocative.

While some were boning up on MBA-speak in their twenties, De La Hoya was imperiling, and being imperiled by, others. Today, he wishes to obfuscate better than he’s equipped to do. Undoubtedly, he thinks capitalism is just a cool system for making him rich – like most everyone who prays at the altar of the free market. Frankly, you could name the system “potatoes” and not budge their faith.

And then there’s the idea of competition. Does any businessman ever celebrate it until he’s certain of the outcome? Only the winner erects a monument to competition. That doesn’t make it untenable, of course, it just means you should be suspicious of anyone in business who claims to love the idea.

What may well be untenable, though, is capitalism itself. The very system promoters and writers summoned against De La Hoya’s plot last week is what facilitated De La Hoya’s plotting in the first place. Contrary to 30 years of literature on the subject, capitalism is a great destabilizing force that devours itself and eventually puts us all on the same side of the ledger.

So long as one does not openly speak about driving others out of business, though, so long as his only sin is offering customers a better product – with that rubbery definition of “better” stretching to fit any circumstance at all – he is merely a market participant, blameless for the fate of his competition. Everyone purchases his product because he competes and wins, and we’re all better for it. Look at the innovation!

Except that we are not all better for it. Imbalances beget imbalances until no one is left on the other side of a trade. That is why boxing, for all its unscrupulousness and poor execution, still manages to reward 10 percent of its participants with 90 percent of its revenues.

Then it plays the poor ones off against one another, saying that they, too, could be rich one day. Though of course they can’t be.

De La Hoya’s plans for Golden Boy Promotions are not too dissimilar from Todd DuBoef’s plans for Top Rank.

“We need to sign all the talent and get all the TV dates,” De La Hoya said last week. “Then you can have your own agenda and have a schedule for the fans and the sport.”

“In boxing, virtually all of the publicity is keyed to a specific fight and, on a few occasions, to a specific fighter,” DuBoef said in June, by way of explaining a major impediment to his “brand of boxing” concept.

The biggest difference between those two statements? Polish.

Both De La Hoya and DuBoef cite as a model Major League Baseball, an entity which – as Norm Frauenheim pointed out Friday – enjoys an antitrust exemption. How about those animal spirits!

So let’s consider for a moment this “commission” of De La Hoya’s and “brand” that entices DuBoef, while the two men gaze longingly at professional baseball’s model. MLB is, of course, a league. And that league has a union to protect the interests of its employees.

Now ask yourself, is there a boxing promoter in this life or the next who wants prizefighters to unionize?

Until someone can answer yes to that question, let us have no more talk from promoters about being in the business to help fighters. Promoters are in boxing to enrich themselves, and whatever benefits accrue to outside parties are at best ancillary and usually accidental.

The bad news out of last week’s candor from De La Hoya was that nothing is new in boxing. Golden Boy Promotions is not the transformational entity it said it was years ago. The good news, too, is that nothing is new in boxing. There is little chance of one promoter gaining power enough to deal our sport a deathblow.

Whither Oscar’s vision, then? In 2003, columnist George Will ridiculed our President’s rosy prediction by writing: “Iraq needs only four people to achieve post-Saddam success. Unfortunately they are George Washington, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Marshall.”

Well, Oscar needs only three people to achieve his stated goal. Unfortunately they are Bob Arum, Bruce Trampler, and Lee Samuels.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter.com/bartbarry