According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, a shakeup in the boxing industry as HBO has cut ties with Golden Boy Promotions.

“I’m hardly surprised. I cannot be surprised, and I am not surprised,” said Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer told ESPN.com. “The president of HBO Sports did not have any conversations with me since last November or December about anything. It is clear that in the aftermath of the biggest names in the sport, Floyd Mayweather and Canelo Alvarez, leaving HBO for Showtime that HBO is obviously upset at [Mayweather adviser] Al Haymon and me, and this is their way of getting back at us.

“I think it’s an ill-advised strategy because the only ones that are getting hurt are the HBO subscribers, which were used to seeing the best fighters on HBO. That will obviously no longer be the case. Having said that, I wish HBO well. They’re a terrific company, and life goes on. For us, it’s business as usual.”

“In order to achieve our goal of the best fighters in the most compelling matchups we’ve decided to focus our efforts and resources on those strategic relationships where we better share common goals and business philosophies,” said head of HBO Sports Ken Hershman said in a statement given to ESPN.com.

“I see [HBO is] drinking the Top Rank Kool-Aid, and the only thing I can say is, ‘Beware, you’re drinking at your own risk,'” Schaefer said.

“HBO decided they want to go in a different direction, and I respect their decision and I wish them well,” he said, “but I saw this coming last September with the Canelo situation.”

Former world title challenger Roberto Marroquin scored a third round stoppage over Antonio Escalante in a scheduled ten round Super Featherweight bout in Thackerville, Oklahoma.

Marroquin sent Escalante to the canvas with a right hand in the third frame and the fight was stopped at the forty-eight second mark.

Marroquin, 128 1/4 lbs of Dallas, TX is now 23-2 with 16 knockouts. Escalante, 128 3/4 lbs of El Paso, TX is now 28-6.

Alex Saucedo remained perfect by scoring a second round stoppage over Norman Allen in a scheduled six round Jr. Middleweight bout.

Saucedo scored a knockdown in round two from a huge right that was followed by a left hook that sent Allen down and when he got to his feet the referee ruled him unable to continue u at 1:40 of round two

Saucedo, 149 lbs of Oklahoma City, OK is now 8-0 with six knockouts. Allen, 149 1/2 lbs of Laurel, MD is now 6-8.

Tony Lopez scored a four round unanimous decision over Manuel Rubalcava in a Super Bantamweight contest

Scores were 40-36 on all cards for Lopez of Fort Worth, TX and is now 3-0. Rubalcava, 122 lbs of Laredo, TX is now 1-3.

Orlando Cruz inched closer to a world title shot with a sixth round stoppage over Aalan Martinez in a scheduled ten round Featherweight bout in Kissimmee, Florida

Cruz dropped Martinez in round one from a short right hook. Cruz dropped Martinez in round four and in round five from a hard uppercut. Cruz scored his fourth and final knockdown in round six from a hard straight left hand and Martinez was down for the ten count.

Cruz, 126 1/2 lbs maybe in line to take on Mikey Garcia and is now 20-2-1 with 10 knockouts. Martinez, 126 lbs is now 14-2-1.

Luis Olivares scored a second round stoppage over Victor Vegas in a scheduled four round Jr. Welterweight bout.

Olivares scored two knockdowns with the finisher coming from a body shot and the bout was waved off at 1:07 of round one.

Olivares, 140 1/2 lbs is 2-0 with 2 knockouts. Vega, 141 1/4 lbs is now 0-2

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Super Featherweight Takashi Uchiyama will defend his title against Jaider Parra on May 6th in Tokyo.

“I wish to keep winning until my ultimate confrontation with another interim titlist, Yuriorkis Gamboa,” said Uchiyama, who is coming off an eighth-round knockout of then-undefeated interim titlist Bryan Vasquez on Dec. 31.

According to Dabn Rafael of espn.com, former Heavyweight title contender Dereck Chisora had his boxing license re-instated by the British Boxing Board of Control

Chisora lost a lopsided decision to world titleholder Vitali Klitschko in Germany in February 2012. At the postfight news conference he was in the mood to fight again, igniting an ugly brawl with former titleholder David Haye of England.

Haye, on hand to work the British broadcast of the bout, and Chisora got into a verbal tussle at first, but Chisora then got up from the dais and walked toward Haye in the back of the room to confront him. They wound up in a nasty fight during which Haye allegedly cracked a bottle over Chisora’s head.

“I’m glad that this whole episode is finally behind me and I can carry on with my boxing career in my own country and with a British Boxing Board of Control license,” Chisora said in a statement. “I would like to thank everyone who has kept faith in me over the troubled months and I look forward to repaying their loyalty with my performances in the ring as opposed to my action outside of it. I’d like to particularly thank the Luxembourg Boxing Federation for their support.”

“I’m delighted that the British Boxing Board Control has made the right decision and reinstated Dereck’s license, and the slate is now clean,” said Choria’s promoter Frank Warren. “He is an exciting fighter who always gives 100 percent. We will announce who Dereck will be fighting at Wembley Arena shortly, but it’s great to have him back in action, and we’ve got some big plans for him.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, WBO Lightweight champion Ricky Burns has left promoter Frank Warren in favor Matchroom Sport

“I’m delighted that my future has been resolved, and I’m really looking forward to the next chapter of my career,” Burns said. “It’s been a frustrating time since the Kevin Mitchell win in September, but now I’m just focused on May 11 and putting in a great performance.

“I would love it to be in Glasgow. My last two fights were there, and the atmosphere was just electric. I’ve got great fans in Scotland, and it means a lot to box in front of them.”

“I’m delighted to welcome the WBO lightweight world champion Ricky Burns to the team,” said Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn. “Ricky is an outstanding fighter and a hugely popular sporting figure in Scotland. We are looking forward to a massive show on May 11 in Scotland on Sky Sports [the United Kingdom subscription sports network with which Hearn has an exclusive deal] as we begin our journey with Ricky.”

“Since being promoted and managed by Frank Warren, Ricky Burns has earned just approaching three-quarters of a million pounds and has had seven world title fights in just over two years,” Richard Maynard, Warren’s publicist, said in a statement on Warren’s behalf. “Ricky Burns is under binding promotional and management contracts. Following the announcement by Eddie Hearn that Ricky Burns has signed with him, W. Promotions Limited [Warren’s company] and Frank Warren are suing Burns for substantial damages.”

“He is not under contract because Burns has terminated this agreement,” Hearn said. “If Frank wishes to argue whether Ricky has grounds to terminate, then, no doubt, this will be discussed in a court of law. It’s very similar to what just happened with Tony Bellew.”

Sad to report that former Welterweight contender and USBA champion Tony Martin was gunned down on Friday while trying to collect rent for a property he owned in Philadelphia.

Martin had a record of 34-6-1 with 12 knockouts and had wins over the likes of Livingstone Bramble, Micky Ward and 2 wins over Kip Diggs and was a staple at the Legendary Blue Horizon in Philadelphia where he made 11 appearances according to boxrec.com

Martin retired in 1997 after losing a 10 round unanimous decision to Julio Cesar Chavez.

Martin was 52.

Alejandro Gonzales scored a fourth round stoppage over Alexander Acosta in a scheduled eight round Bantamweight bout.

Gonzalez scored two knockdown in round four and the bout was stopped at 2:02 of round four.

Gonzalez, 118 lbs of Guadalajara, MX is now 18-0-2 with 12 knockouts. Acosta, 119 1/2 lbs of Guadalajara, MX is now 1-8-2.

BROOKLYN, NY–At age 48, Bernard Hopkins won the IBF Light Heavyweight title with a twelve round unanimous decision over Tavoris Cloud at Barclays Center

After a first round of absolutely nothing, the action picked up in round two started trading good shots with Cloud focusing on the body and Hopkins landing some solid combinations. Cloud focued more on the bidy early because his shots upstairs were wild and Hopkins was able to avoid them with ease. Hopkins started to control the action with his patented combinations and slick defense. In round six, a butt caused a cut over the left eye of Cloud that was later checked out by the ringside doctor.

The fight went on, and the few and far between times that Cloud tried to mount any offense it either wasn’t sustained or extremely ineffective. Hopkins continued to land some terrific combinations that drew ooohs and ahhs from the assembled crowd inside Barclay Center.

Hopkins was never threatened down the stretch and won by scores of 117-111, 116-112 and 116-112 to raise his 1st ballot Hall of Fame mark to 53-6-2. Cloud is now 24-1.—–More to come

Welterweight prospect Keith Thurman scored a twelve round unanimous decision over former titlist Jan Zaveck.

Thurman came out boxing and landed a nice hook in round one. Thurman continued to land blistering power shots in the second frame. Thurman continue to mix up the power shots on the former champion and was dominant with the exception of a nice overhand right that Zaveck landed in round six.

The second half of the fight started as more of the same with Thurman controlling the rounds. Thurman had a big round ten as he rocked Zaveck several times with hard combinations. The two fought hard down the stretch but Thurman was never in any serious danger.

Thurman, 145 lbs of Clearwater, FL is won by scores of 1201-08 on all cards. Zaveck, 146.6 lbs of Slovenia is now 32-3.

Michael Perez and Lonnie Smith battled to a technical draw after a headbutt opened up a cut over Perez forehead and the bout had to be halted in the seventh round of a ten round Lightweight bout.

Perez dropped Smith with a perfect left uppercut in round two. Smith came back in the round to land solid left uppercut and and left hook. Perez was bleeding from the left eye while Smith was bleeding heavily from the mouth. In round four, Perez started bleeding from his forehead but then rocked Smith with an uppercut on the inside. Late in round six, a nasty cut formed on the right side of Perez’s head. That cut was ruled by a headbutt after originally being ruled by a punch. Scores were 67-65 Perez while two judges ruled 66-66

Perez, 136 lbs of Newark, NJ is 18-1-2. Smith, 135.6 lbs of Las Vegas, NV is now 14-4-3.

Eddie Gomez scored a sensational 1st round stoppage over Javier Gomez in a sheduled six round Jr. Middleweight bout.

Eddie drilled Javier with a nasty left hook that rocked Javier. Eddie finished the fight with another vicious left hook that sent Javier down. When he got to his feet referee Arthur Mercante Jr. stopped the bout at 1:17

Eddie Gomez, 152 lbs of Bronx, NY is now 13-0 with 9 knockouts. Javiier Gomez, 153.4 lbs of Tijuana, MX is now 14-11

2012 U.S. Olympian Marcus Browne made quick work of Josh Thorpe as he scored a first round stoppage in a sxheduled four round Light Heavyweight bout.

Browne battered Thorpe all over the ring for the first round until a huge uppercut sent Thorpe down. Browne then landed eight straight hard blows that forced referee Pete Santiago to stop the bout at 2:42 of round one.

Browne, 175.6 lbs of Staten Island, NY is now 3-0 with all wins coming early. Thorpe, 175.4 lbs of Cincinnati, OH is 1-3.

Exciting Jr, Middleweight prospect Frank Galarza scored an explosive 2nd round stoppage over Guillermo Ibarra in round two of a scheduled six round bout.

Galarza rocked Ibarra with hard shots in round one. He dropped Ibarra in round two from a hard right hand. Galarza sealed the deal with a thunderous combination that was punctuated with a hard left hook and referee Arthur Mercante Jr. stopped the bout at 2:19 of round two.

Galarza, 153.4 lbs of Brooklyn is now 9-0-1 with 5 knockouts. Ibarra, 153 lbs of Los Mochis, MX is now 7-2

Claude Staten Jr. made A successful pro debut with a four round unanimous decision over Mike Hill in a Super Bantamweight bout.

Staten dropped Hill in round one from a right hand and cruised home from there on out.

Staten, 122 lbs of Brooklyn won by scores of 40-35 on cards. Hill, 121 lbs of New Orleans is 0-2.

Stivens Bujaj hung on to score a four round unanimous decision over Zeferino Albino in a Cruiserweight bout.

Bujaj controlled the bout bu landing the harder blows over the first three-plus rounds until Albino drilled Bujaj with a hard left hook the set off a furious exchange in the corner.

Bujaj, 201 lbs of New York won by scores of 40-36 on all cards and is now 9-0. Albino, 201 lbs of Philadelphia is 4-16-3

Argenis Mendez won the IBF Jr. Lightweight championship with a fourth round stoppage over Juan Carlos Salgado at the Hanger in Costa Mesa, California.

Mendez dropped Salgado hard in round one from a thudding right hand. In round four, it was a left hok that dropped Salgado and the fight was stopped by referee Wayne Hedgepath at the forty-five second mark of round four.

Mendez of the Dominican Republic is now 21-2 with 11 knockouts. Salgado of Mexico is 26-2-1.

Oscar Molina scored a second round stoppage over Willie Walton in a scheduled four round Jr. Middleweight bout.

Molina dropped Walton in round two from a beautiful counter right. Molina then landed five hard punches on the ropes and referee Tom Taylor stopped the bout 3\thirty-five seconds into round two.

Molina, 149 lbs is 2-0 with 1 knockout. Walton, 152 lbs is 4-7

Jhonny Garcia scored en eleventh round stoppage over Oscar Ibarra in a scheduled twelve round Super Flyweight bout in Ciudad, Mexico.

The time of the stoppage was twenty seconds into round eleven for Garcia, 115 lbs and is now 17-8-3 with nine knockouts. Ibarra, 115 lbs is now 27-9

Carlos Ruiz scored first round stoppage over Angel Navarette in a scheduled six round Lightweight bout.

Ruiz, 133 lbs is 7-0 with two knockouts. Navarette, 134 lbs is 7-13

Roberto Pucheta scored a six round unanimous decision over Jorge Reynoso in a Bantamweight bout.

Pucheta, 119 lbs is 6-4-1. Reynoso, 117 lbs is now 5-6

Hugo “The Boss” Centeno Jr. (18-0, 9 KO’s), of Oxnard, Calif., remained undefeated with a one-sided 10-round decision victory over KeAndrae “Lightning” Leatherwood (17-3, 10 KO’s), of Tuscaloosa, Ala., in the main event Friday on ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME® from Fantasy Springs Casino Resort in Indio, Calif.

Centeno, an up-and-coming junior middleweight going 10-rounds for the first time, was triumphant by the scores of 100-89, 100-90 and 99-91. There were no knockdowns.

The 6-foot-1½-inch Centeno, a former amateur standout, was happy with the victory, but unhappy with the way the fight played out.

“I really felt I could have done a lot more, but every time I connected with a good shot or started to get something going, he would hold on to me,” he said. “The way he was grabbing hold of me it seemed at times it was more wrestling than boxing. Every time I’d land a good punch, he’d hold, or try and take me down. The worst thing that happened to me was when he got me in a choke hold.

“It was frustrating. Every time I thought I had him, he’d hold, and I definitely felt I was hurting him. In the last round I really wanted to take him out, but he just kept holding me. Overall, I did the best I could under the circumstances.

“I know I have to continue to work in the gym because I want to take it to the next level. I want to continue to step it up a notch in opposition. That I went 10 rounds in this type of fight showed how well prepared I was. My team really had me in great condition and I thank them for that.”

Braulio Santos needed less than a minute to take out Kevin Hoskins in a scheduled eight round Featherweight bout.

Santos staggered Hoskins with a left and followed it up with a huge uppercut that sent Hoskins to the canvas. Hoskins got to his feet but staggered around and the fight was stopped at fifty-four seconds

Santos, 23, was surprised the match ended so abruptly. “I certainly didn’t expect it to end this fast,” he said. “I was doing my work.”

Hoskins had spent the last two days, Santos says, trying to intimidate him. “He tried to get in my face during the weigh-in, talking all kinds of stuff to me,’” said Santos, who was a member of the Puerto Rican National team for two years before turning pro in February 2011. “But I didn’t let it get to me. I didn’t care. It’s what happens in the ring that counts, not what you say or do before.

“There’s no extra pleasure beating him like I did. I was just doing my job. I am very, very happy, though, and ready to do it again. I just fought two weeks ago. With tonight’s fast fight, I’ll be ready to go in another two weeks.”

Santos, 127 1/2 lbs of Carolina, PE is now 10-0 with nine knockouts. Hoskins, 127 1/2 lbs of Los Angeles is now 7-2

ATLANTIC CITY–Emanuel Taylor scored a terrific eight round stoppage over former world title challenger Victor Cayo in a scheduled ten round bout at Resorts Hotel and Casino

Taylor got things started in round one with a solid right while Cayo tried to work the body. Round two became a battle of the body attacks with Cayo getting the better. Late in the round Taylor landed a solid left hook and nice right on the ropes. Later in the round Taylor landed a blistering barrage of punches that sent Cayo stunned on the ropes just before the bell to signify the end of the frame. Taylor continued to batter Cayo in round three with a combination that featured hard left hooks. In round five, Cayo landed a hard left that sent Taylor to the canvas. Cayo continued to pressure and land hard shots on Taylor.

The tude turned once again in round six as Taylor rocked Cayo with a huge left hook. In round eight, Taylor landed a huge right hand that set off a hard combination that was punctuated by a hard right hand that sent Cayo down in the corner. Taylor then landed a big right that forced referee Benjy esteves to stop the bout at 1:11 of round eight.

Taylor, 142 lbs of Edgewood Arsenel, MD is now 17-1 with 12 knockouts. Cayo, 142 1/2 lbs of Santo Domingo, DR is now 31-4.

Magomed Abdusalamov kept his perfect knockout streak by halting former Puerto Rican Olympian Victor Bisbal in round five of a scheduled ten round Heavyweight bout

Bisbal came out strong as he hit Abusalamov with a series of right hands over the first two rounds.

A war broke out in round three as Abdusalamov landing some hard shots with Bisbal giving as good as he was receiving. The two continued to wage war in round four with the highlight being Abdusalamov rocking Bisbal with a hard straight left. Abdusakamov landed a huge ledt that rocked Bisbal again in round five and then dropped with a hard combination and referee Randy Neumann stopped the fight at 1:12 of round five.

Abdusalamov, 226 lbs of Russia is now 17-0 with all wins coming early. Bisbal, 245 lbs of Salina, PR is now 21-2.

Local favorite Thomas LaManna remained perfect by scoring two knockdowns en route to a six round unanimous decision over Joshua Snyder in a Middleweight bout.

Early in round one, LaManna dropped Snyder with a right hand. LaManna then got in a few shots while taking some short shots on the inside. The two traded big shots in an action filled round three. In round four, LaManna caught Snyder with a hard right that deposited the Maryland native on the canvas for a second time. Snyder began pushing the pace in round five as walked down a tired LaManna. Both guys gave a spirited final frame with LaManna getting the better of the action.

LaManna, 157 lbs of Millville, NJ won by scores of 58-54, 58-54 & 57-55 and is now 11-0. Snyder, 160 lbs of Berlin, MD is now 9-9-1.

Scott Burrell scored a six round unanimous decision over Edgardo Torres in a lightweight bout.

Burrell was sharp particularly with the overhand right which he stunned Torres numerous times. In round six, a short combination put Torres down. He recovered enough to eat a solid furry until reaching the final bell.

Burrell, 138 lbs of Brooklyn won by scores of 60-53, 60-53 & 60-54 and is now 7-1. Torres, 136 ls of Vineland, NJ is 2-2

Samuel Rogers scored six round unanimous decision over Ivan Zigler in a Jr. Middleweight bout.

Scores were 60-54, 59-55 and 58-56 for Rogers, 153 lbs of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands and is now 13-0. Zigler, 154 1/2 lbs of Virginia Beach, VA is now 7-3-1.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com the multi-time WBC Heavyweight title eliminator bout between Chris Arreola and Bermane Stiverne will e re-scheduled for April 27 at a site to be determined most likely in California.

The was due to take place this Saturday but Arreola fell ill.

“He’s not back in training yet but he’s feeling better,” said Arreola’s promoter Dan Goossen said of Arreola, whom he expects will return to training by the end of the week. “He wants to get rid of the bug entirely but he’s happy with the date, and I’m glad it’s right around the corner.”

“I’m in the process of trying to finalize a site,” Goossen said. “But I’m looking to do the fight out here in Los Angeles. It’s a great fight for California. I’ve got three or four places that I’ve got in mind but nothing concrete yet.”

“I spoke to Don (King). He’s aware of everything,” Goossen said. “I spoke to the WBC (which is sanctioning the bout). Everyone’s been informed. (HBO was) anxious to do the fight in the first place and that didn’t wane just because Chris got sick. Once they knew a late April date would work that’s what we started to target.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Featherweight prospect Gary Russell Jr. fractured his left hand during his unanimous decision victory over Vyacheslav Gusev this past Saturday night in La Vegas.

“They have told him to rest it for four or five weeks and he should be good to go,” said publicist Julie Goldsticker.

“Ponce De Leon has been holding that belt for me,” Russell said before facing Gusev. “I hope he beats (Abner) Mares (on April 20) and then fights me. I also want to get my hands on Gamboa. He’s undefeated and I want to get my hands on him before anyone gives him a loss. He’s a really reckless fighter. He takes too many chances and gets hit too much.

“I would love to fight those guys. I’m on the edge of my seat every time Gamboa and Lopez fight because I don’t want anyone to beat them because I want to do it. I know Lopez lost a couple of fights already, but I want to put another ‘L’ on him. I know I have the skills and talent to beat them.”

SAN ANTONIO – When your main event is a joke, the undercard better be filled with punch-lines. Fortunately for Golden Boy Promotions and its local partner, Leija-Battah Promotions, the undercard, and the local talent that staffed it, had lots of punches in both straight and bent lines, redeeming a main event between an undefeated Texan and a man unfit for a swing bout.

Saturday at Our Lady of the Lake Gym, on a gorgeous campus in the western part of this city’s downtown area, Texas junior welterweight Omar Figueroa (20-0-1, 16 KOs), of Weslaco, leaped out his corner and obliterated frightened Floridian Henry Aurad (14-7-1, 11 KOs), dropping him once in the first half minute and stopping him decisively with an overhand right at 0:47 of round 1.

Aurad stood in the opponent corner, blue, before the match commenced, looking unprepared, spacey and nervous. If bystanders noticed this, you can bet Figueroa did. The Texan raced out his corner and assaulted Aurad, who appeared not to have any plan at all for fighting a man with 15 knockouts in 19 fights. Quickly enough, Aurad was on the canvas, rising on unconvinced legs and escaping a few seconds longer.

Figueroa’s right hand closed all exits a moment later, though, and the main event was through before it could earnestly begin.

JERMALL CHARLO VS. GILBERT VENEGAS
Houston junior middleweight Jermall Charlo (12-0, 8 KOs) made short work of fellow Texan Gilbert Venegas (12-9-3, 8 KOs), of Eagle Pass, stopping the overmatched lad at 0:24 of round 3, in the evening’s co-main event.

From the opening bell the disparity in height between the lanky Charlo and his opponent was dramatic; the fighters appeared to be from different sports more than different weight classes. Venegas did what he was able, applying pressure enough to land a left hook to the body and a right hand in each round, but against Charlo he hadn’t a chance.

Charlo did everything better than Venegas, using his enormous height and reach advantage properly, outjabbing Venegas through the fight’s full six minutes and landing crisp right hands. Charlo’s power has occasionally been questioned by aficionados, but against an opponent he dwarfed, there was little doubt what Charlo’s right cross possessed for a man at whom he could punch downwards, and who was there to be hit with it.

The two in Charlo’s 1-2 was ferocious against Venegas, dropping him for the fabled 10 1/2 count at the open of round 3.

ERROL SPENCE VS. LUIS TORRES
2012 U.S. Olympian “The Truth” Errol Spence (4-0, 3 KOs), of Dallas, decisioned local junior middleweight Luis Torres (4-3-3, 1 KO) by unanimous scores of 40-36, 40-36 and 40-36, in Saturday’s antepenultimate fight. While Spence was never imperiled by the San Antonian, he was touched more often by right hands than was expected.

Spence has a number of areas that will need steady improvement if he is to fulfill the high expectations that greet Olympians’ arrivals in the professional ranks. Spence often pushes-off with the jab more than he thrusts it, punching to get away rather than initiate attack. He throws the left cross from his southpaw stance in an almost premeditated way, appearing to put the punch behind the jab in obedience to a plan more than a moment. And finally, as evidenced by Torres being felled not once despite absorbing numerous power shots, Spence may not hit hard as hoped.

Nevertheless, Spence did what needed doing Saturday, outboxing Torres for every instant of their four rounds together.

JAIRO CASTANEDA VS. CHRISTIAN SANTIBANEZ
The night’s best match was its swing bout before the main event, when two San Antonio junior welterweights, Jairo Castaneda (2-0, 1 KO) and Christian Santibanez (0-1), fought each other like neighbors, or brothers, and relented not once in their 12 minutes of combat that Castaneda won by unanimous scores of 39-36, 39-36 and 38-37.

The otherwise even bout was decided, in largest part, by a counter right cross with which Castaneda felled Santibanez in round 2, clipping Santibanez on the way in and marking a 10-8 round that proved helpful. Santibanez, though, showing much composure in his professional debut, fought Castaneda better after being knocked down than he’d fought him before it happened. Neither man relented, and both fought with the familiarity that convinces a man the person opposite him is not his superior.

This match, along with others that featured local fighters like Emanuel Ledezma, Felipe Castaneda, Joseph Rodriguez and Kenton Sippio-Cook, filled Our Lady of the Lake University Gym with a capacity and energetic crowd. Leija-Battah Promotions, in its first year of work, has shown an inventiveness and insider knowledge every promotional startup claims but few actually possess. Its largest test will come next month, when it presents Saul Alvarez vs. Austin Trout at Alamodome.

In an ugly foul dest, Richard Abril retained the WBA Lightweight championship with a twelve round unanimous decision over Sharif Bogere at the Joint at the Hard Rock in Las Vegas.

The raggedness pace was set early was the two clutched and Bogere headbutted and Abril was even wrestled to the canvas in the first two rounds. Two traded rounds until the fight was turned in round six when a butt from Bogere opened up a cut over the right eye of Abril.

Bogere had a decent round seven and Abril was docked a point for holding in round eight but after that it was all Abril as he started to find a home with his right hand in between clinches. Rounds nine through eleven were pretty much the same as Abril continued to land pinpoint shots in between all the rough housing while Bogere tried to work the body but it was in effective. Bogere was docked a point himself for many headbutts in round twelve and by that time he was far behind on the cards. Despite cuts around both eyes, Abril dominated the last four rounds and came home with the victory by scores of 116-110, 116-110 and 115-111.

Abril, 134 1/2 lbs of Miami via Cuba is now 18-3-1. Bogere, 134 lbs of Las Vegas via Uganda is now 23-1.

“I am very happy to get the win, but I’m not happy at all with the way the fight went,” said Abril after retaining his WBA 135-pound title with a unanimous 12-round decision over previously undefeated Sharif “The Lion” Bogere in the main event of Saturday’s SHOWTIME BOXING – Special Edition live on SHOWTIME® from The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

“I was hoping for and expected a much cleaner fight,” Abril said. “It’s hard to show your skills in a fight against a dirty fighter. I kept getting warned for holding, but I really didn’t feel like I was holding. He was shorter and kept coming in head-first.”

“I definitely knew I would get the decision. I landed all the cleanest shots,” said Abril, who connected on 35 percent of his punches (152 out of 433) according to SHOSTATS provided by CompuBox. Bogere, who was busier but less effective, hit on only 15 percent (93 out of 614).

The right eye of The Tiger was cut from an unintentional head-butt in the sixth. “He used his head to come in on me the whole fight,” Abril said. “The bleeding made it hard for me to concentrate.”

Bogere said he felt the fight was much closer than the scores indicated and that he had “done enough to win.”

“He was taller and that made it difficult for me to get inside,” said Bogere, who fell short in his quest to join fellow Ugandan fighters such as Cornelius Boza-Edwards, John Mugabi, Ayub Kalule and Kassim Ouma to capture a world title. “But when I did get inside, all he did was hold.

“This is very, very disappointing. My dream was to win the world title. I’m not happy now and I’m pretty down, but I know I’ll come back. You haven’t heard the last of The Lion.”

Super prospect Gary Russell Jr. struggled with his hand and gloves more than he struggled with Vyacheslav Gusev en route to an ten round unanimous decision in a featherweight bout.

Russell got off to a blazing start as he showed his world class hand speed over the first three rounds which culminated with a knockdown in round three from a combination that made Gusev’s glove touch the canvas. After that it seemed that Russell hurt his left hand sometime in the middle rounds and threw nothing but jabs and hooks with the right hand.

Fortunately Gusev proved no threat and didn’t take any chances and Russell’s superior ability showed in what basically turned into a sparring session that Russell dominated to the tune of 100-89 on all cards.

Russell, 127 lbs of Capitol Heights, MD is now 22-0. Gusev of Russia is now 20-1.

The talented Russell fought the last several rounds with a bruised left hand. “I think I hurt it in the third round,” he said. “The last few rounds I was tentative with it and only showed it to him. My corner knew I’d hurt it and did a great job between rounds coming up with different strategies, like starting off with a stiff jab and maintaining it, and slowing down the pace.

“My right hand is bruised too, but I don’t think it is anything serious. I fully expect to fight again in three months.”

According to SHOSTATS, Russell landed 229 of 797 punches (29 percent). Gusev, making his second start in the United States, connected on just 15 percent. Of the 214 punches he delivered, he landed only 33 times, the lowest total in the history of CompuBox for a 10-round fight.

Knockout artist Jorge Melendez lived up to just that, a scintillating fourth round stoppage over Ryan Davis in a scheduled eight round Middleweight bout.

Davis had a nice first round as he tried to push the big punching Melendez on the ropes. Melendez got things going in round two by starting to land power punches. At the end of round of three, Melendez landed a hard right to the body that sent Davis to the canvas. It wasn’t long, actually just thirteen seconds into round four, Melendez landed a devastating right uppercut that sent Davis down with a thud and the fight was waved off immediately.

Melendez, 156 lbs of Vega Baja, PR is now 26-2-1 with 25 knockouts. Davis, 158 lbs of Granite City, IL is now 24-10-3.

Lightweight Jeffrey Fontanez scored a six round unanimous decision over former world title challenger Daniel Attah.

Fontonez won with activity over the first five rounds to built up an insurmountable lead and coasted home and won by scores of 60-54, 59-55 and 59-55.

Fontanez, 134 1/2 lbs of Caguas, PR is now 11-0. Attah, 135 lbs of Washington, DC is now 28-14-1.

Thomas Williams Jr. scored a third round stoppage over Kevin Engel in a scheduled eight round Light Heavyweight bout.

Williams was dominant throughout as Williams mixed up the shots with both hands and used a good variation of punches from jabs to uppercuts. Engel tried but was overmatched and in round three, Williams landed a hard combination that dropped Engel along the ropes. Referee Tony Weeks stopped the bout at the count of six at 1:31 of round three.

Williams, 175 lbs of Washington, DC is now 13-0 with 10 knockouts. Engel, 174 1/2 lbs of St. Louis, MO is now 20-8.

It was a mauling 12 round fight between featherweights Billy Dib and Evgeny Gradovich; ending with Gradovich taking a split verdict over the more well known Dib. Gradovich often was able to get the best of the exchanges; typified in round 5 which he stunned Dib with a hard left hook. Dib recovered and had his moments throughout the 12 rounds, but the tone of the fight was set. Despite Dib’s aggression, Gradovich was the one to consistently land the harder and cleaner shots. Gradovich was deducted a point in round 8 for holding but Dib was dealt the same; also losing a point in the same round for holding. Despite his best efforts, Dib was unable to break the pattern throughout the fight. Gradovich was simply the harder and cleaner puncher throughout and it earned him a split decision victory by scores of 114-112 (twice) to 112-114 for Dib. Both fighters gave their all and neither backed down so perhaps a rematch is in order. Gradovich improves to 16-0 (8kos) while Dib drops to 35-2 (21kos).

For junior middleweight Wille Nelson, only one round of the scheduled 10 was necessary for victory. Nelson blitzed foe Michael Medina in only 2 minutes, dropping him once with a counter right hand along the ropes and finishing with a right hand, left hook combo. It was a quick and brutal finish, and referee Arthur Mercante Jr. was wise to stop the bout at 2 minutes of round 1. Nelson improves his record to 20-1-1 (12kos) while Medina drops to 26-4-2 (19 kos.) Scores were 36-40 across the board.

Making his pro debut, light welterweight Luis Olivera blitzed through his opponent Rafael Munoz with ease. Olivera knocked Munoz down with a beautiful lead left hook early in round one and didn’t let up. After Munoz rose and was cleared to continue, Olivera jumped on him and stunned him with another lead left. As Munoz backpedaled toward the ropes, Olivera caught him for a third time with the left and finished with a flurry, dumping Munoz to the canvas and forcing referee Johnny Callas to call the fight. Time of the stoppage was 1:38 of round one. Olivera notches his first win and stands at 1-0 (1ko) while Munoz drops to 1-2.
Welterweight Jimmy Williams outworked Ray Younger over 4 rounds to earn himself a unanimous decision. Williams scored far more often with his jab and body attack and limited Younger to an ineffective defense of potshotting and moving. The fight played out mainly the same over the 4 rounds and Williams picked up an easy win, improving to 2-0 (1ko) while Younger dropped to 0-2.

Ulises Lara scored a suprising second round stoppage over former four-time world title challenger Omar Soto in Mexico City, Mexico.

Lara dropped Soto in round two from an upper cut. Soto never full recovered and was sent to the canvas two more times with the third knockdown sending Soto down for the ten count.

Lara, 112 lbs is now 12-13-2 with seven knockouts. Soto, 111 lbs is now 23-10-2.

Pedro Melo scored a six round unanimous decision over Angel Rezago in a Bantamweight bout.

Melo is now 13-2-1. Rezago is 15-4-1.

Jose Zuniga won a four round split decision over Pablo Arias in a Jr. Welterweight bout

Zuniga is 2-1-1. Arias is 0-2.

Omar Gonzalez scored a second round stoppage over Oscar Gonzalez is a scheduled four round Featherweight bout.

Omar is now 1-1 while Oscar was making his pro debut

IBF Welterweight champion Devin Alexander will defend his crown against mandatory contender Kell Brook on May 18th in Atlantic City according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

The bout has been postponed twice due to injuries.

I like Atlantic City. There are great boxing fans there,” Said ALexander’s manager/trainer Kevin Cunningham. “I’ve been out there working with Adrien Broner [as an assistant trainer last month] and there’s a great boxing atmosphere. I always had pretty good luck there.”

“He started back in the gym on Monday, so he’s basically at 90 percent, and so we’ll step it up a little more next week,” Cunningham said. “Within the next couple of weeks, he should be back to 100 percent and we’re expecting to do some sparring in the next couple of weeks. We’ll be ready, and Kell Brook will finally get his wish to be in the ring with Devon Alexander — but that’s about as far as that wish will go.”

The bout will be televised by Showtime and could be the co-feature to IBF Jr. Welterweight champion Lamont Peterson defending against Lucas Matthysse

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com Victor Terrazas will meet former world champion Cristian Mijares on April 20th in Mexico.

“I am excited because soon I will go for the title of the world,” Terrazas said. “I will go through a great moment in my career and it will be reflected that night. I fought hard for this opportunity. In a fight with Cristian Mijares, I will go for the knockout. We must go in there well prepared to beat him. He was the world champion and has a lot of experience, but I want to be champion and nobody will stop me from reaching my goal.”

The bout will be televised bu Uni Mas

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Featherweight champion Daniel Ponce De Leon will defend his crown against Abner Mares as part of the Floyd Mayweatherf – Robert Guerrero card on May 4th in Las Vegas.

“We got it worked and both fighters are excited, we are excited,” Golden Boy chief executive Richard Schaefer told ESPN.com. “It’s a great platform for Abner and Ponce to be on. They will be on the biggest pay-per-view and it is on Cinco De Mayo weekend, which is big for them as Mexican stars.”

“Once it became known that Canelo was not going to be on card, Floyd called me himself and said, ‘Please go get the best fight you can for the card,’ and I discussed with him the possibility of Ponce and Mares, and he was excited about it. He said, ‘Go out and get it done,’ and that’s what I did,” Schaefer said.

“I had numerous conversations with (Mares and De Leon Manager) Frank (Espinoza) ,” Schaefer said. “I told him to look at some of the great fighters who had big fights — George Foreman, Oscar (De La Hoya), Manny Pacquiao, Floyd. Those cards all had young fighters gain tremendous exposure on their undercards. So I told him this was a great opportunity for his guys to be in high-profile card.

“He realized that and was excited about it and then couldn’t wait to talk to the fighters. He did a great job to look out for Ponce and Abner. Frank’s a smart guy, a great poker player. He knows the benefits of them being on this card, so what he did was he negotiated for more money. He did a good job.”

“We’re very excited about appearing on the May 4 card,” Espinoza told ESPN.com. “The addition of Abner and Ponce De Leon will make an explosive night for boxing fans all around the world. We know it’s big. There’s no question. To be showcasing both of their talents on a worldwide platform, to have worldwide media and fans from around the world seeing them, it’s just the greatest exposure for both of them, and they can’t wait.

“Being on Cinco De Mayo and you have two of the finest Mexican fighters, it’s perfect. People were already excited about this fight happening on April 20, and now it just adds more being on Cinco De Mayo.”

“We finalized the fight and it’s the kind of fight you know can be a fight of the year candidate because of how these two guys fight,” Schaefer said.

Former Middleweight beltholder Julio Cesar Chavez Jr was fine $900,000 and suspended for nine months for his positive post fight drug test following his loss to Sergio Martinez in September that showed that Chavez had marijuana in his system.

“I’d like to apologize to everyone in boxing,” Chavez told the commission. “I know this has been a very bad thing for me and my career. A lot of things have been said about it and my reputation. I respect boxing a lot. I’ve been in it a long time. I try to do the best I can and will continue to try to do the best I can because I love boxing more than ever.”

“The nine months is fine, but a 30 percent fine on a purse of $3 million, that’s extortion,” Chavez promoter Bob Arum told ESPN.com. “That means Julio has to make a decision — is he going to contest the fine in court or he can elect not to fight ever again in Nevada. There’s no question the nine months is the nine months, but it’s ridiculous money, particularly since you already take out 30 percent for taxes.

“I was hoping for nine months, that worked out. The fine is an absolute stunner. You don’t do that to an athlete. Which athlete in any sport has been fined as much as $900,000?”

Under questioning from the commissioners, Chavez admitted that he smoked marijuana “eight or nine days before the fight.”

“I feel very bad about the situation,” Chavez said. “I know I committed a big error, a mistake. I wanted everyone to know this has hurt me and that I let a lot of people down. It was a big mistake and I know it has damaged me.”

Chavez was asked why he thought the commission should be lenient on him.

“I’m asking for leniency so I can fight as soon as I can, but I am willing to take my punishment,” he said. “I know I committed an error.”

Asked why he decided to smoke before the fight, Chavez said, “I was told it would help my stress. I was tense for the fight and someone mentioned it to me and that’s why I did it eight or nine days before the fight.”

Chavez would not say who suggested he smoke marijuana other than that it was a “personal friend of mine from Los Angeles.”

Chavez was asked if he had felt pressure before previous fights and answered, “Never like this time.”

On why he smoked marijuana before this fight and not any other, Chavez said, “I couldn’t tell you the exact reason why I did it. I just can tell you I was under a lot of stress and had family problems, a lot of things going on in my life. Just something I did. It was the biggest mistake and I’ll never do it again.”

Chavez said he never smoked before any other fight, but declined to answer whether he had ever smoked marijuana at all, answering only, “I wasn’t myself. I was not thinking properly

“He didn’t answer if he had smoked before and that has an impact on me making a decision,” commissioner Pat Lundvall said.

“He’s well aware of the rules of the commission,” Lundvall said.

“He’s going to fight June 16, we cleared that with the commission,” Arum said. “They told us we can promote the fight during the suspension as long as the fight takes place after the suspension is up. But we were not going to take this fight to Las Vegas anyway. We have a hold on a building in Texas or we may do the fight in the new arena in Mexico City. One thing we won’t do is have Chavez fight in Mexico during the suspension [where he could get a license].”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com the much talked about Super Welterweight unification bout between WBC champ Saul Alvarez and WBA champ Austin Trout is just about finalized to take place on April 20 in San Antonio at The Alamo Dome and will be broadcasted on Showtime.

“It’s the biggest fight for Canelo, a big step up for him and a world title-unification bout,” said Richatd Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions, who promotes Alvarez. “It’s two undefeated fighters against each other, two of the best in their weight class.

“Austin Trout is coming off the big win against Miguel Cotto and can get another big win. Canelo wants to shut up all of the doubters. He wants to show he is the best at 154 pounds.”

“I was trying not to get too excited about the possibility of the fight,” Trout said when a reporter broke the news to him that the fight had been set. “Not Canelo personally, but his handlers were 100 percent against a fight with Austin Trout. Canelo would go out there and say this was the fight he wanted, but [Golden Boy promoter Oscar] De La Hoya would shoot the fight down.

“Canelo put his foot down and said this was the fight he wanted. He said he was ready. God bless him. I’m here to show the world he’s not. But he made the people who work for him make it happen, and boxing and the fans thank him.”

“I’m not worried about what he will do,” Trout said. “If I beat his brother or not, it doesn’t matter to me, but it was something I was using to entice him to fight me. But I am after his name and legacy. I got my own legacy to push out.”

“Canelo’s not making it to a Mayweather fight,” Trout said. “Our fight is a great matchup not just for me, personally, but for boxing. I know it won’t be easy, but we’re not here for easy. We’re here to be the best. The harder the challenge, the greater the victory. This is the ‘Cinnamon’ test.”

“I would have fought on the Floyd undercard because I’m happy for the opportunity, but I’m also happy that we have our own card and venue,” Trout said.

“I kept saying all along that I would work on it and see if it can be done,” he said. “People were saying it was done, but I never said that. But I’m not disappointed. I am happy for the sport of boxing to have Floyd Mayweather back against Guerrero, a guy I consider the most dangerous guy out there. I’m happy for Robert to get this opportunity against Floyd and I am happy for Canelo and Trout, as well.

“Canelo will have his own date and fight in Texas, which he has wanted to do for a long time because he has so many fans there, and he’s in a huge fight. So I have Floyd Mayweather fighting a Mexican-American on Cinco De Mayo and I got Canelo-Trout done. Hallelujah for fight fans. So the two fights will be spread out a little bit. The [Mayweather-Alvarez] fight eventually is going to happen, but right now, let’s enjoy two unbelievable fights.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, featherweight beltholder Daniel Ponce De Leon will defend against fomrwe Bantamweight and Super Bantamweight champion Abner Mares on April 20th at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California and will be televised on Showtime.

“Ponce De Leon versus Mares is signed, sealed and delivered,” said Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer, who promotes both fighters. “That’s a big-time fight. It’s a big opportunity for Ponce De Leon to fight against one of the best young fighters in boxing and a great opportunity for Abner to move up to yet another weight class to challenge for the world title.

“Ponce De Leon versus Mares is signed, sealed and delivered,” said Schaefer, who promotes both fighters. “That’s a big-time fight. It’s a big opportunity for Ponce De Leon to fight against one of the best young fighters in boxing and a great opportunity for Abner to move up to yet another weight class to challenge for the world title.

“It’s funny how things work out sometimes,” Schaefer said. “We’ve had some fights fall out and some are being rescheduled and some aren’t, but everything happens for a reason. With this fight, once [the Velez fight] dropped out, and with Abner moving up, it made sense. It’s definitely a great fight, a great showdown. Abner is very excited and loves the challenge and Ponce De Leon can’t wait. You will see two highly motivated guys.”

What made the fight more delicate to put together than most was the fact that Ponce De Leon and Mares are both managed by Frank Espinoza. Managers usually don’t want to match their fighters with each other, not to mention the complicating factor of it being illegal to take full percentages from both purses.

“Everything was worked out,” Espinoza told ESPN.com.

“Abner’s goal has been to win a third world championship and this is that opportunity and Ponce, as well, knows fighting Abner can only benefit his career.”

Said Schaefer, “We talked to Frank and explained to him that it was the right thing to do for both of his fighters and that he has to look at it like that, that he has to represent each one of them, but it was the right fight to make. It’s the biggest challenge for them so why stand in the way? Frank was immediately on board. He said, ‘Let me talk to the fighters and see if we can get it done.’ Frank did a terrific job getting it done with each one of them.”

Espinoza said he will keep everything even between the two in the lead up to the fight.

“It’s a difficult situation for a manager to be involved with both fighters, but I plan to be neutral,” he said. “I respect both fighters. I will not be in either corner at the fight. I won’t walk with either fighter to the ring and I won’t be in the ring. I’m just going to have a seat and watch and enjoy the fight. This is a great fight for the fans. Adrenaline will be flowing at the Home Depot Center.”

The proposed co-feature could be a Welterweight clash between Marcos Maidana and Josesito Lopez

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, The March 9th WBC elimination bout between Chris Arreola and Bermane Stiverne has been postponed due to Arreola contracting Bronchitis.

“He got sick over the weekend,” said Arreola’s promoter Dan Goossen of Arreola. “We were hoping for a quick recovery but it just didn’t happen. He’s still out of commission and hasn’t gotten any better. For a fight of this magnitude you have to have a healthy fighter.

“He’s certainly disappointed. It’s a big blow to have to delay it. It is what it is and we’ll just reschedule it and go from there.”

“I talked to HBO and, hopefully, within four or five weeks we can get it back on,” Goossen said.

“I don’t think anyone can take this any other way other than disappointment,” Goossen said. “We hoped to have this heavyweight fight on March 9, but we’ve all been around this business long enough to know these things happen.”

“I’m working with HBO to keep the rest of the show together, including the title fight,” Goossen said. “We’ve got some good fights on the show.”

Chris Avalos scored a fourth round stoppage over Jose Luis Araiza after a headbutt caused a huge gash over the left eye of Araia in a scheduled ten round Super Bantamweight bout in Hawaii Gardens, CA

The time of the stoppage was 1:42 for Avalos, 122 lbs of Lancaster, CA and is now 21-2 with 16 knockouts. Araiza123 1/2 lbs of Tecate, MX is now 32-8-1.

Trevor McCumby scored a six round unanimous decision over Ricardo Campillo in an exciting Light Heavyweight bout.

There was a lot of action in the contest that saw McCumby, 174 3/4 lbs of Chicago win by scored of 60-54, 60-54 and 60-53 and is still undefeated at 10-0. Campillo, 176 lbs of Ciudad, MX is now 7-6-1.

Undefeated Heavyweights Vyacheslav Glazkov and Malik Scott battled to a ten round draw at the Paramount Theater in Huntington, New York.

Scott controlled the action early with a pin point jab and solid movement. Glazkov was only able to muster up some combinations on the ropes. Glazkov was moving forward but really didin’t have a consistent output. Scott continued to jab and move while mxing some solid hooks. Glazkov tried to come on late but it looked like Scott would be rewarded for his solid boxing.

That wasn’t the case as the scores read 98-92 for Scott, 96-94 for Glazkov and 95-95.

Scott, 225 lbs of Philadelphia is now 35-0-1. Glazkov, 220 lbs of Lugansk, Ukraine is now 14-0-1.

In a terrific back and forth fight, hometown kid Chris Algieri scored a ten round unanimous decision over Jose Peralta in a Jr. Welterweight tilt.

ALgieri was the boss early as he mixed up some good jabs and body shots. With Peralta squatting to try to get inside, Algieri also featured a solid uppercut throughout. Peralta did well in round’s five and six as he landed hard left hands that momentarily shook Algieri. Algieri then seized control in round seven as again it was a high volume of punches that had him counted at over 1000 punches with some solid uppercuts and body shots.

Algieri, 143 lbs of Huntington, NY won by scores of 96-94, 97-93 & 98-92 and is now 16-0. Peralta, 143 lbs of Jersey City, NJ is 10-2

DETROIT (Feb. 23, 2013) – Ishe Smith captured the IBF Junior Middleweight World Championship and became the first Las Vegas native to win a major world title when he scored a split decision victory over Cornelius “K9” Bundrage in the main event of a special edition of SHOWTIME BOXING at the Masonic Temple Theatre in Detroit, Mich.

The fight was scored 116-111 Smith, 114-113 Bundrage and 116-111 Smith, who became the 48th ShoBox: The New Generation alum to win a world title.

In a fight that started slow and was tough to score in the early rounds, Smith (25-5, 11 KO’s) was the more active fighter and took over in the second half of the bout. With Bundrage backing up and mostly on the defensive, Smith moved forward and found success with his right hand.

The 34-year-old Smith, a protégé and close friend of Floyd Mayweather, whose Mayweather Promotions promotes Smith, seemed to be the hungrier fighter and fought with a sense of urgency, knowing that he had to capitalize on his first championship opportunity in his 13th year as a pro.

“Thirteen years, man. That’s all I can say,” said an emotional Smith fighting back tears of joy immediately after the bout. “It means everything. Five years ago I was about to kill myself and I thought about my children growing up without a dad and I didn’t do it. I don’t know what to say. I didn’t think I’d be here. I’m so happy for the opportunity.

“I got hurt in camp and Floyd asked me if I wanted to pull out, but I knew I couldn’t give up. This was my chance to become a world champion.”

The 39-year-old Bundrage (32-5, 19 KO’s) was disappointed in his performance in front of his hometown fans.

“Ishe fought a good fight, he won fair and square,” Bundrage said. “He was the better fighter tonight. Of course I’ll fight again. I just need to take it to the next level like when I won the world title. I didn’t listen to my trainer tonight or follow my game plan.”

In an interview with SHOWTIME reporter Jim Gray, Mayweather explained his loyalty to his fellow Las Vegas resident.

“Ishe is my guy. I love him,” Mayweather said. “When everybody turned their back on Ishe, I stuck with him. Everyone turned their back on him and I don’t believe in turning my back on anyone. SHOWTIME gave him a chance and I have to thank K9 for giving him a chance, too.”

In Saturday’s co-main event, undefeated middleweight prospect J’Leon Love kept his undefeated record intact with a hard-fought unanimous decision victory (100-90, 99-91 twice) over the tough Derrick Findley.

After three fairly even rounds, Love (15-0, 8 KO’s), of Las Vegas, Nev., by way of Detroit, stepped on the gas in the fourth and staggered Findley with a series of punishing combinations that opened up a cut under Findley’s right eye. While it seemed as if Findley (20-9, 13 KOs), of Gary, Ind., barely survived the round, the bulking boxer bounced back and looked to gain momentum in a few of the latter rounds.

In the 10th, Love, who was pushed past the eighth round for the first time in his career, kept the pressure on and closed strong with a steady dose of right hands and shots to the body.

“It was a tough learning experience,” Love said. “Derrick Findley is a tough fighter, but we asked for Derrick Findley. We asked for a tough fighter. I’d rather have a tough fighter on my resume than some slouch.

“He was very, very aggressive. He gave me some close rounds. but keeping your composure and sticking to the game plan is what I learned.”

The 25-year-old Love had his promoter Mayweather also working as his trainer between rounds in the absence of his usual trainer Roger Mayweather for what proved to be the toughest fight of his career.

“He knows the experience and he knows what I’m going through so there’s nobody better than that,” Love said.

Findley, 28, complained that he got caught with a thumb in his eye early in the bout and that affected his vision.

“I couldn’t’ see after that,” Findley said. “He can’t punch. If he could, I wouldn’t’ have gone forward like I did, but no excuses, he’s the better man tonight.”

Said Mayweather: “It was rough fight. We chose Findley because he’s a rough fighter, but when J’Leon faces a tough fight later on down the road, he’ll be ready for that.”

Middleweight J’Leon Love was taken to ten rounds for the first time but remained perfect by scoring a unanimous decision over Derrick Findley.

It was a good learning experience for Love as he was very effective with the jab early and mixed in some good body punches. Love’s corner was headed by Pound for Pound king Floyd Mayweather who was stepping in for his ill uncle Roger.

Love, 161 lbs of Las Vegas won by scores of 100-90, 99-91 & 99-91 and is now 15-0. Findley, 161 lbs of Merrilville, IN is now 20-9.

Jose Nieves scored a ninth round stoppage over Danny Flores in a scheduled twelve round Bantamweight bout in Palm Bay, Florida.

Flores dropped Nieves in round three from a combination. Nieves recovered and started taking control in the middle rounds until a heavy flurry hurt Flores and the bout was stopped.

Nieves, 118 lbs of Carolina, PR is now 22-2-3 with eleven knockouts. Flores is now 14-3.

In a sloppy Heavyweight bout scheduled for ten rounds, Yunier Dorticos remained perfect by stopping Willie Herring after the third round.

Dorticos was docked a point for low blows. After that Herring kept falling to the canvas and he finally could not continue after the third round.

Dorticos, 202 lbs of of Miami is now 14-0 with all wins coming by knockout. Herring, 202 lbs of Orlando, FL is now 14-13-3.

In a battle of pro debuting Super Flyweights, Ariel Vega dropped Jose Rodriguez in round two and round four with the latter leading to a fourth round stoppage victory