In a battle of undefeated Lightweights Sharif Bogere scored an emphatic third round stoppage over Francisco Contreras in a scheduled ten round bout at The Texas Station Gaming Hall and Hotel in Las Vegas

The two exchanged some good flurries and shots over the first two plus round until Bogere landed a right hand on the chin that made Bogere turn away. Bogere then landed a right that seemed to graze off the shoulder of Contreras that sent plummeting to the canvas where he would lay for about ten minutes before being carried out on a stretcher.

Bogere, 135 lbs of Kampala, Uganda is now 21-0 with thirteen knockouts. Contreras, 135 lbs of La Romana, DR is now 16-1.

Jermell Charlo remained perfect by scoring an eight round unanimous decision over Francisco Santana in a Jr. Middleweight bout.

Charlo controlled the distance with the exception of a hard right that landed from Santana that momentarily stunned Charlo.

Charlo regained his composure and even had a strong finish to that six round. Charlo boxed and moved and came home by scores of 79-73; 79-73 and 78-73.

Charlo, 153 1/2 lbs of Houton, TX is now 16-0. Sanata, 154 lbs of Santa Barbra, CA is now 12-3-1.

Ring Magazine Heavyweight champion Wladimir Klirschko will defends his titles against former World Cruiserweight champion Jean Marc Mormeck on December 10th in Dusseldorf, Germany according to espn.com’s Dan Rafael.

“I know that I am the favorite in all my fights but I also know that each opponent is motivated to be in the best shape ever when he fights me,” said Klitschko, who is 17-2 in world title bouts and will be participating in his 20th title fight. “Mormeck is one of the most experienced fighters I have ever faced. He has had many world title fights, has a very good technique, can take a lot of punches and is very intelligent inside the ring. To underestimate him would be a fatal mistake.”

In 2007, Haye, also a former cruiserweight champion, went to Mormeck’s native France, survived a fourth-round knockdown and rallied to knock him out in the seventh round to win the cruiserweight title.

After the loss, Mormeck (36-4, 22 KOs) took nearly two years off before returning as a heavyweight. He has won each of his three heavyweight bouts against second-tier opposition: Vinny Maddalone, Fres Oquendo and Timur Ibragimov.

“I had Haye on the canvas and shortly before a knockout, which Klitschko could not do,” Mormeck said. “What I missed out against Haye I will now do with him. Wladimir has a glass chin which I will break. He cannot stand punches. Against his brother (fellow heavyweight champion) Vitali I would have thought longer about fighting him, but against Wladimir I believe I have very good chances. On Dec. 11, I will travel back to Paris with a suitcase full of championship belts. I enjoy being the underdog in this fight and I will shock the boxing world.”

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that WBA Super Welterweight champion Miguel Cotto replaced Emanuel Steward with Pedro Luis Diaz for his December 3rd rematch with Antonio Margarito.

“I met Pedro Luis as an amateur several years ago and had the opportunity to share time with him in several international competitions,” Cotto said in a statement. “I was instantly amazed as to the vast boxing technique and conditioning knowledge that he transmitted to his fighters. I feel that together with (strength and conditioning coach) Phil (Landman), Pedro Luis is a perfect fit to bring my best potential for my next fight in December and lead me to victory.”

“It’s kind of surprising. Everything had been in place for me to train him,” Steward told ESPN.com.

“I want to take this opportunity to express my wholehearted gratitude to Emanuel Steward, who I consider a friend and mentor,” Cotto said in his statement. “Because of calendar conflicts and other matters, we were unable to work together for this next fight. He is one of the best trainers I have ever met in boxing and I will be forever appreciative for the two fights we worked together. We have both kept the doors open to maybe join forces in the future if the circumstances and timing are adequate.

“Now I will focus on my training camp. I feel happy and thrilled as ever to commence preparing for December. I will be ready and will win the fight for all of (my fans).”

This is the second high-profile fighter to replace Steward in recent weeks. Former light heavyweight titlist Chad Dawson, unwilling to train in Steward’s Detroit gym for what would have been their second fight together, replaced him with one of his former trainers, John Scully, as he prepares for his Oct. 15 challenge of champion Bernard Hopkins.

Although Dawson made the switch, he also has spoken highly of Steward in recent interviews and television appearances.

“Naturally, I thought about that,” Steward told ESPN.com, when asked about losing two top fighters in such a short period of time. “But each case is an individual case. Dawson wanted to stay closer to home and that was the last thing I was going to deal with. So he got somebody else he was comfortable with. In this case, Miguel wanted to start training already and wanted me there for longer than our unusual five or six weeks together.”

“Phil said to me, ‘Give me two weeks to get his body in shape’ and then I was going to come in for the regular camp of boxing training. I was going this weekend,” Steward said.

Worldly culture was in a surplus at the MGM Grand Marquee Ballroom on Saturday night when Rafael Marquez did battle with Toshiaki Nishioka of Japan, with Nishioka’s WBC Super bantamweight strap on the line.

The hard hitting, and hard headed Marquez started the fight strongly, dictating the bouts methodical pace with well timed combinations, not without eating a number of solo right hands from Nishioka. The Japanese world champion, making his U.S. debut carried out a strategy that centered around footwork and a carefully selected offensive attack early on, landing sporadic shots over Marquez’s cover.

Following the bout Marquez expressed frustration with Nishioka’s reluctance to bring the fight to the center of the ring, and that element seemed to give the former world champion trouble in the second half of the bout. Marquez was never quite able to develop a consistent rhythm in the later rounds. A cut on the head of Nishioka halted action in the 8th round, and prompted an offensive assault from Marquez, who seemed inspired by the sight of blood. Nishioka weathered the storm and lived to see the last four rounds, where he would prove to prosper.

The 9th round was the root of a trend that would carry on through the remainder of the fight, Nishioka’s lead left hand. Marquez simply could not find an answer for Nishioka’s go to punch, which he began to follow up with combinations as the fight wore on. Nishioka’s efforts would not go unnoticed by the judges in his Las Vegas debut, as they awarded him a unanimous decision, with a potential showdown with world champion Nonito Donaire emerging as the hot topic in the aftermath of the bout.

In other action featherweight prospect Jesse Magdeleno stopped Isaac Hidalgo with a brutal first round attack. Nicaraguan light flyweight world champion Roman Gonzalez put his superior skills on display with a two round drubbing of Omar Soto, and short notice opponent Jose Angel Beranza stunned Christopher Martin with a split decision win.

Olusegun Ajose earned a shot at World Boxing Council (WBC) super lightweight champion and Mexican legend Erik Morales with a unanimous decision victory over Ali Chebah in Friday’s main event of ShoBox: The New Generation on SHOWTIME® from Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif.

In the ShoBox co-feature, No. 5-ranked World Boxing Association (WBA) and 12th-ranked World Boxing Organization (WBO) lightweight Darley Perez scored a sixth round knockout over Oscar Meza when Meza’s corner stopped the bout following the sixth round. The win advanced the unbeaten prospect to 23-0 with 18 KOs.

In the main event, Ajose, the No. 1-ranked super lightweight contender, came out with an unorthodox yet aggressive style, landing sweeping right hooks on Chebah, the No. 6-ranked contender. Ajose opened up the third round with fireworks, landing a huge right hand to the top of Chebah’s head that send him stumbling to the canvas. Chebah beat the count but was immediately met with another onslaught from Ajose, who knocked down his opponent in 10 seconds with a brutal right hook. Miraculously, Chebah survived the round, although he lost it 10-7 on the judges’ scorecards.

Ajose (30-0, 15 KOs), of Nigeria, continued his showmanship yet he slowed his pace and failed to inflict much damage as the 12 round contest wore on. Chebah never relented in coming forward but an injured right hand prevented him from landing any damaging punches while the majority of Ajose’s power shots were high and wide.

Chebah (33-2, 26 KOs), of France, came on strong in the championship rounds, winning the crowd over in the 12th as they chanted his name. In the end, Chebah didn’t do enough to win over the judges, who scored the bout 120-106 and 119-107, twice.

“I have to give respect to him – he was a good opponent,” said Ajose. “I wanted to stop him in the third but he’s strong and he kept going. I had to be careful. I think I hit him well but he trained hard. I hurt my hand in the middle rounds and wasn’t able to finish him.”

Ajose, who was making his U.S. debut, now has his sights on Morales and the WBC title.

“I am the mandatory challenger so there isn’t any reason I shouldn’t fight him,” Ajose said. “He’s the champion so let’s get it on. They need to keep their promise and let us fight. I’m ready as soon as possible. I’d fight him tomorrow if they let me.”

While Chebah didn’t protest the decision loss he did think the scores should have been a little closer.

“I think I lost but not by as much as the judges had it,” Chebah said. “I wasn’t able to compete at the level I wanted. The gamep lan was to get him tired as the rounds went on, but in the third my hand swelled and I didn’t get any body shots. I just didn’t have any power in my right hand and that was the difference.”

Boxing legend and ShoBox commentator Antonio Tarver was impressed with Ajose’s performance.

“Ajose seemed like the real deal tonight and I don’t blame Morales if he doesn’t want to fight him,” Tarver said.

Darley Perez remained perfect by scoring a stoppage after round six of a scheduled ten round Lightweight bout.

Perez was solid over the first few rounds by jabbing and working the body. Meza was keeping Perez honest by landing a shot here and there. In round three, Meza was bleeding from the nose.

Perez continued to work the body and pump the jab and mixed in a good left hook. In round six, Perez stepped on the gas and pressed Meza to the tune of opening a cut over his left and that gave Perez even more cause to continue the systematic beating.

After round six, Meza looked beaten and the fight was stopped by his corner.

Perez, 133 1/2 lbs of Argentina is now 23-0 with eighteen knockouts. Meza, 136 lbs of Mexico is now 22-5.

“I was just getting into rhythm when they stopped it but I’m really happy with my performance,” Perez said. “I usually get warmed up after the sixth round so I think I would have knocked him out.”

“I thought they would have stopped the fight in the fifth. I could see it in his eyes – he was hurt. It was a good stoppage.”

While disappointed with his performance, Meza disagreed with his corner.

“I thought I would do more damage in the fight,” Meza said. “After I got hit in the left eye I couldn’t see the punches coming. I was hurt but I think I could have rallied. I’m not happy with the stoppage but I’ll live to fight another day.

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ–Sergio Martinez retained the undisputed Middleweight title with a eleventh round stoppage over previously undefeated Englishman Darren Barker at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

Martinez boxed well over the first two frames using his quickness. Barker got into the fight in round three as he landed a couple nice right hands but probably wasnt enough to take the round. In round four, Barker landed numerous right hands that had blood squirting out of the nose of the champion. Martinez settled in once again by flicking shots from his unorthodox “Hands Down” defense. Martinez started putting more punches in bunches in round six only to have Barker land a big right at the bell.

Martinez started getting comfortable by sticking and moving while Barker was looking for the one big score. Round eight was an action filled fight with Martinez and Barker standing toe to toe for much of the last ninety seconds of the frame with Martinez landing four and five punch combinations while the challenger landing a solid left hook and yet another good right.

Martinez had a big round nine as he rocked Barker with a huge right hook that buckled Barker across the ring. Martinez threw and landed some of the twenty some odd punched that were to follow and had Barker in trouble for the first time in the fight.

Martinez ended things with a huge right hook to the side of the head that sent Barker down on his back and he could not beat referee Eddie Cotton’s ten count

Andy Lee got even with Brian Vera by scoring a ten round unanimous decision in a Middleweight bout.

Lee started round one trying to establish the jab. In round two Landed a huge left that sent Vera sprawling to the canvas just before the bell sounded to signal the end of the round. Lee continued to dominate in round three as that frame was highlighted by a monstrous left uppercut that Vera took well. Round four saw the effects of Lee’s work by a cut that was formed around the left eye of Vera. The fight was fought at a fast pace with both guys getting good shots. Despite the cut, Vera came back to have a strong round five as he blasted Lee with a couple of hard right hands.

Lee landed a beautiful check hook that sent Vera head first into the corner post in round six and then buckled Vera with a hard left in round seven. Round was a great action round with Lee continuing to land solid left hands while Vera pounded away with a handful of right hands.

The two continued to slug going down the stretch and it was Vera who continued to land the bigger shots but a visibly exhausted Lee hung and was able to avenge his only career loss

Lee, 163 lbs of Limerick, IRE won by scores of 99-90; 99-90 and 98-91 to raise his mark to 27-1. Vera, 160 lbs of Austin, TX is now 19-6

In a mild upset, Daniel Lugo scored a four round unanimous decision over Kevin Rooney Jr. in a Jr. Middleweight bout.

Scores were 39-37 on all cards for Lugo of Harrisburg, PA and is now 1-1. Rooney of Catskills, NY is now 2-1.

J’Leon Love remained perfect by scoring a six round unanimous decision over Eddie Hunter in a Middleweight bout.

Scores were 60-54; 60-53 and 60-53 for Love of Detroit and is now 9-0. Hunter of Kent, WA is now 5-7-2.

In the first bout of the evening, Troy Artis sprun an upset by dropping Israel Dufus three times in round three to gain the stoppage in that round which was a scheduled four round Middleweight bout.

Dufus controlled the first two round with good boxing skills.

In round three, Artis dropped Dufus with a hard left-right combination. He dropped him a second time from a straight right. Dufus was reeling when he ate several unanswered blows and dropped to his knees and referee Steve Smoger stopped the bout at 2:03.

Artis of Bronx, NY is now 3-2-1 with two knockouts. Dufus of Panama is now 2-1.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, one of the candidates for Fight of They Year will have it’s sequal on the December 3rd Miguel Cotto – Antonio Margarito undercard as Jr. Middleweight Delvin Rodriguez and Pawel Wolak will attempt to pick up where they left off their July 15th slugfest that ended in a draw.

The card will take place at Madison Square Garden.

“The rematch is a little sooner than I wanted as I wanted a title to be in place first, but the fans deserve this and this is the right stage,” Wolak told ESPN.com on Wednesday night after agreeing to the fight. “You know it will be another classic.”

“I want the fight. It’s a great fight and a great opportunity,” Rodriguez said. “It is definitely a tough fight, but I enjoyed our first fight and I know I have to be 150 percent in shape, the best I can be. He brought out the best in me. He’s a guy you have to be prepared for to be able to keep up. I see the fight going even better for myself this time.”

“It’s turning out to be, on paper, the perfect night,” Top Rank president Todd duBoef said. “What a way to come back to the Garden after not having a big fight there for a while. There is a slow process that occurs when making matches but for this one, everything ended falling into place perfectly.”

Wednesday, Top Rank’s Carl Moretti worked it out with Dunkin and DeGuardia while Ramos-Rigondeaux is headed for a purse bid.

“Adding this fight to the card, they’re going to need a renovation from the renovation with the place being so crazy,” Moretti said, referring to the ongoing overhaul at Madison Square Garden. “Delvin brings a crowd, the Polish fans will be there to support Wolak and you have a big main event, it is going to be crazy. It’s going to be a special night at the Garden.”

“People want the fight. This fight needs no promotion,” Rodriguez said. “Fighting under Cotto-Margarito, I know the crowd will be jumping. People have been waiting for this fight since right after the first fight. Everyone keeps asking, ‘When is the rematch?’ It’s something people keep telling me about, something boxing needs.”

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that Brandon Rios will defend his WBA Lightweight title as part of the Miguel Cotto – Antonio Margarito II undercard in December 3rd in New York.

The bout will replace a previously announced WBA Super Bantamweight title clash between Rico Ramos and Guillermo Rigondeaux.

The Ramos – Rigondeaux bout was pulled from the card after a miscommunication between promoter’s Bob Arum and Dan Goossen of terms of the bout.

“We’re happy to get Brandon back in the ring. He has a telegenic personality, but it’s not just about being able to put Brandon on a major pay-per-view card that is so good. It’s about being able to put him on in Madison Square Garden and in front of a big New York crowd,” said Top Rank president Todd duBoef. “They will eat up his personality and his fighting style.”

“He was begging us at the press conference, telling us how much he wanted to be on the show,” duBoef said. “Well, he got what he wanted.”

“It’s great. We’re going to have the whole team together with Margarito. It’s pretty cool,” Rios said.

“It’s an honor to fight at that venue,” Rios said. “I’ve been told there’s something special about fighting at Madison Square Garden and I’m training hard to give fans a great fight.”

Jorge Arce proved once again that he is one of the most exciting fighters in the past twenty years as he avenged an earlier defeat to stop Simphiwe Nongqayi to defend the WBO Super Bantamweight tile in Mexicali, Mexico.

Arce dropped Nongqayi in round onw from a left hook and then continued to back the challenger up. In round four, Nongqayi caught Arce with headbutt which opened up a terrible cut around the left eye of the champion.

As usual that only inspired Arce as he came back to freeze2:01 of round four. Nongqayi on the ropes that opened the gates for an unanswered combination on the defenseless challenger and the fight was stopped at 2:01 of round four.

The fight was a rematch of a September 15th, 2009 fight that saw Nongqayi win the IBF Jr. Bantamweight title with a unanimous decision over Arce.

Arce, 122 lbs of Los Mochis, Mexico is now 58-6-1 with forty-five knockouts. Nongqay, 122 lbs of London, South Africa is now 16-2-1.

Victor Terrazas scored a fourth round stoppage over Eduard Becerril in round four of a scheduled ten round Super Bantamweight bout.

Terrazas dropped Becerril in round three from a left hook. Becerril fought back in an effort to stay in the fight but that only lasted another round as Terrazas landed a big uppercut that set off a huge exchange on the ropes for which Terrazas landed a barrage of punches and fight was stopped at 2:12 of round four.

Terrazas is now 31–21 with eighteen knockouts Becerril, 123 lbs is now 13-10-2.

Francisco Kinkin Rios (6-1-2) and Abraham Alvarezozuna (14-1-1) fought to a majority draw in a four round Welterweight bout

Hate him or love him, Jon Jones is here to stay. Proving the evolution of mixed martial arts, Jon Jones (14-1) established himself as the current and future of this ever growing sport. Displaying an array of diverse striking, defense, and grappling to complete tonight’s mission, Jones impressively retained his light heavyweight crown over the charismatic Quinton Jackson at the Pepsi Center in Denver, CO.

In the opening seconds, Jones crouched down and crawled, attempting to go for the single leg. Jackson, weary of his opponent’s grappling strength averted and tried to force a boxing contest. It didn’t matter however, as Jones’ freakishly long reach allowed him to strike from the distance, landing a variety of leg kicks from all angles to keep his stalking opponent at bay.

In the third, Jones was able to take Jackson down and secure a full mount, followed by devastating elbows to the head. Jackson was cut above the eye and looked visibly worn out. Jones, aided by his plethora of tools, had his way by the fourth round. Again, securing a takedown, Jones went for the rear naked choke, and successfully sunk it in, forcing the former champion to tap at the 1:14 mark of the round.

It was another flawless performance by the young champion, who has now dominated Rampage, Shogun Rua, and Ryan Bader in his last three outings. With the win, the twenty-four year old former junior college wrestling champion moves on to face yet another tough opponent in Rashad Evans possibly slated for early 2012.

Jackson (32-9) was humble in defeat, crediting and recognizing his conqueror as a great fighter.

Two welterweights collided in hopes to rebound from their disappointing losses in previous bouts, but it was Josh Koschek (16-5) who got back on the winning track, stopping welterweight legend Matt Hughes in the first round. Both wrestlers kept the fight standing from the start of the bell and Hughes seemed to have the advantage in the early going. However, Koschek, the former NCAA Division-I champion began to find his mark, repeatedly landing hard right hands to buckle the hall of famer. Hughes valiantly fought back and went for a knee, but fell down, which cost him dearly as Koschek jumped on him immediately to land unanswered punches to the ear and temple area prompting the ref to call a halt to the fight.

With another knockout loss, it’s unclear where the former two time welterweight champion’s career stands. In the post fight interview, Hughes, now 45-9, refused to announce his retirement.

The effects of the Colorado altitude clearly showed in the heavyweight slugfest between Mark Hunt (7-7) and Ben Rothwell (39-8), as two big men somehow finished the grueling battle in three exhausting rounds. Rothwell’s takedown attempts were denied by Hunt, the former K-1 Grand Prix winner, who was able to utilize his superior boxing throughout the fight. In round two, Hunt, who’s notoriously known for his lack of grappling skills, managed to force takedowns against his tiring challenger and also landed blows that cause a cut above the eye. The Super Samoan pursued for the knockout in round three and nearly pulled it off with several hard shots, but Rothwell, seemingly out on his feet, somehow managed to survive and finished the fight. Hunt won unanimously on all three judges’ scorecards.

Faded veteran and former Pride lightweight champion Takanori Gomi (33-8) suffered yet another loss, this time by the hands of Stockton’s Nate Diaz, who was able to outstrike his shorter opponent and then later finishing the living legend with a modified arm bar in the first round. Gomi , who hasn’t had much to offer since his arrival in the UFC, looked sloppy as he did against Clay Guida back in UFC 125 and succumbed to another submission loss. With the win, Diaz breaks his two fight losing streak and improves his ledger to 14-7.

September 23, 2011 (Hollywood FL)–Tonight’s main event with former NABA lightweight champion Edner Cherry 28-6-2 and former IBF lightweight Champion Eric Aiken 16-8(12KO) ended in bizarre fashion at the end of round one. Seconds before the bell the two got into a mean exchange that lasted just beyond the bell. As Cherry kept punching Aiken relaxed at the bell and Cherry threw an extra punch, a beautiful left hook ala Mayweather sucker punch that floored the former champion and he was out on the canvas for a few minutes. Frank Gentile had no choice but call a stop to the fight as Aiken was clearly affected by the huge power shot after the bell. Clearly unintentional but a good call in the end. The fight was officially delcared a No Contest. On February 17 2007, Cherry lost a competitive decision to former Junior Welterweight world champion Paul Malignaggi in an HBO Boxing After Dark main event. In 2008 he dropped a decision to undefeated WBC and WBO Junior Welterweight champion Timothy Bradley and has come back with 4 KO wins since the most recent coming in January of this year.

In a very competitive welterweight match up Miami’s Damian “Devo” Frias 19-4 10KO) fought hard to a TKO victory win over Henry Crawford 22-2(9KO) fighting out of Patterson New Jersey. Frias, a southpaw, was the more accurate puncher in a chess match that brought boos from the crowd early on, however in my opinion did not deserve it as the two fighters fought hard and showed nice skill and great defense prowess. Frias was steady at chopping his opponent down through the 10 rounds slowing Crawford down making his punches land hard while closing the NJ based brawlers left eye with a steady right jab and hook. This was not the most pleasing fight for the casual fan, but very competitive and a bit of a true boxing fan’s delight of a fight. Going into the ninth round Frias was bloodied and Crawford was bruised and his left eye nearly swollen shut while having taking more of the punishment throughout the fight. Frias saw his chance and turned on the heat and overwhelmed Crawford with big shots as he could not see them coming with his eye swollen shut. Frias’s unleashed the fury in round nine prompting referee Frank Santore Jr to stopped the fight at :57 seconds of round nine, officially scored as a TKO.

Miami’s women’s flyweight Marisol Miranda improved her record to 5-4 (1KO)in a tough split decision win over Chantel “Gorgeous Babe” Cordova 8-3(3KO). The southpaw Miranda pushed the action throughout the fight leaving Cordova to counter punch and often switching her stance to try and slow down the pushing Miranda. Cordova caught the Hollywood Fl based Miranda in the fourth round with a straight right hand that knocked her down but more off balance than a power punch that put her down. The cards were very close and read 57-56 Cordova 57-56 Miranda 57- 56 Miranda.

Light Welterweight Juan Copado 2-0(1KO) fighting out of Richmond Texas, was in for a rough fight when he met Tommy “Gun” Bryant 2-3-1 from Naples Fl. Braynt was very aggressive from his southpaw stance consistently attacking but was clearly out skilled by the Texan Copado who was accurate and remained calm under the attack of Bryant. The judges score 40-36 and 39-37 all in favor of Copado.

In a very action packed Super Featherweight brawl, Arron Chavez 2-2-1 from Vero Beach battled a tough Larry Yanez 2-4-1, who has been very busy to the start of his career this being his fifth fight of ‘11. This was an excellent battle between two very determined pugilists laying it on the line for the love and honor of the sport. Watching these two fighters was a pure joy from a fans standpoint to press row where no one was disappointed in the effort by these two warriors. The cards read 39-37 for Yanez 38-38 twice for a majority draw.

In the fight of the night Junior Middleweight clash Clarence Booth 2-0(1KO) and Cletus Sledin 2-0(1KO) got DOWN! These two combatants went to war and put on a hell if a show for the crowd here in Hollywood Florida. The fight started out very steady with both fighters picking their shots and it all got heated up in round two when Sledin knocked out Booths mouthpiece and the two got into a rough grappling match that resulted in Sledin body slamming Booth in which he was deducted a point. A fierce battle then ensued following the deduction where the intensity greatly increased with a ton of pressure from both fighters and Booth showing his natural boxing skill counter punching and moving nicely defending Booths raw attack. However the skill was not enough as Sledins’ pressure and will outdid Booths skill and won a close unanimous decision despite the point deduction. All three cards read 38-37.

Light Middleweight Jamal “Hitman” Charlo 8-0(4KO) unloaded a spectacular one punch knockout over Eric Draper 4-6 at 1:32 of round 1. Charlos’ speed and superior skill was evident from the opening bell and he was ever impressive with a beautiful right uppercut that landed perfectly and laid Draper out flat on the canvas without movement for a couple minutes. Great knockout!

Vicente Escobedo slammed the door on the career of Rocky Juarez as a top level fighter by scoring a ten round unanimous decision in a Jr. Lightweight bout of former U.S. Olympians at The Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, CA.

Escobedo scored a knockdown in round three from a jab. Juarez best moment came in round six when he rocked Escobedo with a hard left hook that had Escobedo stumbling back to his corner.

Escobedo used his height and reach to be more active and land some solid combinations to outwork Escobedo by scores of 98-91; 97-92 and 96-93.

Escobedo, 130 lbs of Woodland, CA is now 24-3. Juarez, 130 1/4 lbs of Houston, TX is now 28-9-1.

Adam Carrera scored an exciting six round unanimous decision over veteran Adolfo Landeros in a Jr. Lightweight bout.

Carrera dropped Landeros in round two from a blistering right hook. Landeros came back later in the round to land a big left hook of his own that buckled the knees Carrera. The two waged a back and forth war for much of the remaining fight that saw Carrera take the advantage and land hard shots and won by scores of 58-53; 58-53 and 57-54.

Carrera, 129 1/2 lbs of Ciudad, MX is now 20-4. Landeros, 129 1/4 lbs of Ciudad, MX is now 20-22-2.

David Reyes scored a four round decision over Raymond Chacon in a Bantamweight bout.

Reyes 117 1/2 lbs of East Los Angeles, CA is 2-0. Chacon, 116 3/4 lbs of Carson, CA is now 3-1

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that two fights have been agreed upon for the November 12th Pay Per View undercard that will be highlighted the third fight between Manny Pacquiao – and Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas.

One of the bouts will have junior welterweight contender Mike Alvarado (31-0, 22 KOs) of Denver facing Colombia’s Breidis Prescott (24-3, 19 KOs).

“That’s a pretty good fight isn’t it? I think so. It’s a good test for Alvarado and a good fight,” Arum said.

In a fight that will open the PPV broadcast, Arum said that Puerto Rican junior lightweight Luis Cruz (19-0, 15 KOs), who recently signed with Top Rank as his co-promoter, will face Juan Carlos Burgos (27-1, 19 KOs), a former featherweight title challenger who is moving up in weight.

Dan rafael of espn.com confirmed a video interview with Bob Arum on www.15rounds.com that undefeated Mike Jones will take on rough and rugged Sebastian Lujan plus Guillermo Rogondeaux will take on Rico Ramos as part of the Miguel Cotto – Antonio Margarito undercard set for December 3rd in New York.

Russell Peltz, who co-promotes Jones (25-0, 19 KOs) with Arum, said everyone on their team realizes it is a dangerous fight. Known for having a strong chin, Lujan (38-5-2, 24 KOs) is riding a 12-fight winning streak, including a dominant ninth-round knockout of promising Mark Melligen on ESPN2 on July 1.

“I think it’s a lot tougher fight than Mike had with (Jesus) Soto Karass,” Peltz said of the most difficult fights so far in Jones’ career, back-to-back competitive decision wins against Soto Karass in November 20010 and in the February rematch. “(Jones) says if fighting this kind of fight is what he has to do to get a title shot, it is what he has to do. He has to be in better shape than he was for the second Soto Karass fight.”

Said Jones: “Lujan puts on pressure, but not constant pressure like Karass. He moves his head a lot more than Karass but throws wide punches, which I will take advantage of. This will put me in line for a money fight.”

Arum said the third televised undercard fight has not been set yet but that Top Rank president Todd duBoef “was working on it and I can’t say what it is yet because it’s not done.”

Also back in action on the undercard will be junior middleweight Pawel Wolak, although his bout is not scheduled to be part of the HBO PPV broadcast. Wolak’s opponent is not set, but manager Cameron Dunkin said they are OK with the fight not being on the telecast.

I’m trying to do certain things with him but it’s been tough. We wanted (titlist Cornelius) Bundrage, but there wasn’t the money to deliver it and Bundrage is with (promoter) Don King, which is never easy,” Dunkin said. “So I’m trying to get him back out there and keep him active. We wanted him on TV but there wasn’t a spot for him. This fight is the start and we’ll keep him going from here.”

“Excited,” Wolak said. “Unfortunately, (Bundrage) was scared. Canelo (Alvarez) and (Julio Cesar) Chavez (Jr.) aren’t available and worried and there was no (premium) network interest in a rematch with Delvin, so we are going to Plan B. That is why I signed with a competent manager as he knows how to get me where I want to go.”

Said Top Rank promoter Bob Arum: “Wolak wants a title fight. Rather than argue with him we said, ‘We’ll put you in with a second-level guy, but it won’t be on television’ and that way he stays active and I don’t embarrass myself with the televised undercard.”

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that a rematch of one of the more controversial bouts between IBF Bantamweight champion Abner and former champ Joseph Agbeko will take place December 3rd at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California and will be telecast live on Showtime.

The first fight was marred in controversy after referee Russell Mora missed in upwards of twenty low blows committed by Mares and one of those resulted in a knockdown which helped Mares eek out a majority decision earlier this Summer.

In the co-deature, Bantamweight titlist Anselmo Moreno will make his Golden Boy Promotions debut when he takes on former world champion Vic Darchinyan.

“We have finalized it,” said Golden Boy’s Richard Schaefer. “I’m thrilled about it. It’s a much-anticipated rematch.”

Vinny Scolpino, Agbeko’s manager, said they were just pleased to get the deal done and get a another chance against Mares.

“I think Joseph goes back in there and beats Mares. He knows what he did wrong the first time and I think he’ll take the title home,” Scolpino said. “This is a great opportunity. I’m glad Showtime stepped up to the plate and made it happen. They needed to get some extra money for their budget, but they did the right thing. I’m happy that Joseph gets another opportunity to get his belt back. That’s the bottom line, whatever happened in the first fight.”

“I really think when it comes to this weight class that this is Abner Mares’ time,” Schaefer said. “When you watch him and how he has developed the last year or so, he has really developed into a top bantamweight. The first time he beat Agbeko it wasn’t a fluke. He will confirm that and remain world champion in an impressive manner. That is what I expect from him. This is his time.”

“Abner is looking forward to clearing up any doubt that took place in the first fight,” Frank Espinoza, Mares’ manager, said. “It’s the right call for Abner and the right call for Agbeko. It’s the right thing. Golden Boy and Team Mares just want to clear up any doubts in the rematch. Abner is excited and looking forward to starting training on Monday. These guys are both warriors. They will give a great fight again and please the fans.”

“Dec. 3 was the only date we had to work with so it is what it is, but this is a much-talked about rematch, especially in Los Angeles, and it will be a much covered event. The fact is that the first fight did well on Showtime and we think it will do well again. It is an event that stands on its own. In today’s day and age, with the economy the way it is, I think that it is going to be a welcome gift from Showtime to boxing fans that they can see it without having to pull out their wallet.”

“Moreno and Darchinyan, that’s another interesting fight,” Schaefer said. “You have two really exciting bantamweight fights on the same night, so I think it will do extremely well.”

Philippine Lightweight Mercito Gesta scored a closer then the scores unanimous decision over Manny Perez in a ten round bout at the Blue Water Resort and Casino in Parker, Arizona.

Getsa, a southpaw boxed very well and mixed up body and head shots while Perez looked like he took more then one or two rounds with some solid flurry punching.

Scores were 99-91; 98-92 and 98-292 for Gesta, 136 lbs of Lobogan, PHIl is now 23-0-1. Perez, 136 lbs of Denver, CO is now 16-7-1.

Super prospect Jose Benavidez Jr. drilled out Dedrick Bell in round of a six round Super Lightweight bout.

Just seconds in, Benavidez landed a huge right that dropped Bell in the corner. Bell was clearly hurt when Benavidez landed a big shot to the body and and then to head that put Bell down and out 1:29 of round one

Benavidez, 141 lbs of Phoenix, AZ is 13-0 with twelve knockouts. Bell, 139 1/2 lbs of Memphis, TN is 6-10-1.

Heavyweight Andy Ruiz scored a second round stoppage over Ken Frank in a scheduled six round bout.

Ruiz dropped Frank with a left hook AFTER the bell in round one and was correctly ruled no knockdown. Ruiz opened round two by landing a barrage of punched that rocked Frank. With Frank hurt, Ruiz landed a huge flurry for which Frank’s corner threw in in the towel at 1:53 of round two.

Ruiz, 253 lbs of Mexicali, MX is now 12-0 with eight knockouts. Frank. 293 lbs of Lethbridge, CAN is now 6-4-1.

Good looking Lightweight prospect Jose Roman remained perfect by scoring three knockdowns on left hooks to the body and ending Baudel Cardenas nigh in the opening frame of a scheduled six round bout.

The time was 2:44 of round one.

Roman, 135 1/2 lbs of Garden City, CA is now 12-0 with ten knockouts. Cardenas, 131 lbs of Los Mochis, MX is now 19-23-2.

LAS VEGAS – LAS VEGAS – Don’t ever say sorry to Floyd Mayweather Jr. He’ll make you feel sorry, very sorry, if you do.

Victor Ortiz found out just how sorry Saturday night at the MGM Grand.

Mayweather had no apologies for the way he knocked out Ortiz and no apologies for a tantrum he threw after a question asked by HBO’s Larry Merchant in the aftermath of a crushing left-right combination that caught Ortiz as he was looking at referee Joe Cortez at the end of the fourth round.

“You don’t know shit about boxing,’’ Mayweather screamed at Merchant, who must have felt like Mayweather’s dad, Floyd Sr. “HBO should fire you.’’

Merchant was at ringside before the 34-year-old Mayweather was born. He knows boxing. He also knows enough about good manners and sportsmanship to realize when a line has been crossed. Mayweather was way beyond it.

“If I was 50 years younger, I’d kick your ass,’’ the 80-year-old Merchant said.

Only Merchant didn’t have to say sorry. No apology was necessary for his counter, the best of the night.

It all happened as Mayweather (42-0, 26 KOs) was beginning take control of the bout for Ortiz’ WBC welterweight title. Ortiz (29-3-2, 22 KOs) tried to get more aggressive late in the fourth round. He threw a flurry of punches at Mayweather, whose back was on the ropes. In stepping inside, Ortiz threw his head in attempt at a butt. Cortez stepped in and penalized him a point.

Ortiz appeared to reach over and plant a small kiss on Mayweather’s cheek. As they then moved toward the center of the ring, Mayweather and Ortiz touched gloves. Cortez looked toward the scorer’s table when Mayweather threw a long left that landed with Ortiz’ gloves down and still at his side. Ortiz then looked at Cortez. That’s when Mayweather threw a right that landed like a baseball bat on a stationary baseball.

Ortiz went down, knocked out at 2:59 of the fourth. After he regained some of his consciousness, Ortiz smiled with the look of a victim who had to ask about had just hit him. A few days ago, Ortiz trainer, Danny Garcia, had called Mayweather a dirty fighter. After the bizarre ending, Garcia stood behind his fighter, smiling almost as if he couldn’t believe at how right he was.

At the post-fight news conference, Garcia seemed to blame Cortez more than Mayweather. According to the Nevada State Athletic Commission, Cortez said “Box.” Ortiz said he never heard him.

“He made a mistake as a result of Joe Cortez’ instructions,” Garcia said in Spanish translated into English by Ortiz manager Rolando Arellano. “Floyd took advantage of that.”

However, Garcia also said that he believes the fight-ending blow will prove to be illegal.

“But we have to review the tape to make sure,” said Arellano, who apologized for Ortiz’s attempted head butt.

Mayweather was as unapologetic a few days ago as he was Saturday night when told about Garcia’s accusation that he was dirty, Mayweather shrugged his shoulders. He countered that boxing has always been a dirty business.

“I got hit with a dirty shot,’’ Mayweather said of Ortiz’ attempted head butt. “He does something dirty. We don’t have to talk about what he did dirty or I did dirty.’’

Sorry, but somebody does. At least, Merchant tried, making him the only winner on a sorry night.

Erik Morales (52-7, 36 KOs) was in against a substitute, somebody named Pablo Cesar Cano (22-1-1, 17 KOs) instead of Lucas Matthysse, who withdrew because of a shoulder injury. But there was no substitute for what Morales faced in winning a TKO after 10 rounds.

Blood stained Morales’ white trunks like butcher cloth. Blood poured from a cut above his left eye, suffered in the seventh. But blood and guts are what have always defined Morales. That’s why he is called Terrible and that’s what he was all over again in the ninth and 10th rounds of a fight for a vacant and controversial 140-pound title.

But the WBC’s version of the championship doesn’t matter much. It’s just tinsel. But Morales is not. He’s still the stubborn, dangerous fighter he has always been, regardless of opponent and no matter what the title. In the middle rounds, Morales looked as if he was in trouble. But then it was clear that he been there, done that. He rocked Cano, a fellow Mexican, with a wicked left hook in the ninth. He busted a cut wide open above a Cano eye with a thundering right in the tenth.

Morales looked at the gushing blood, looked at referee Kenny Bayless and knew it wouldn’t go on much longer. It didn’t. Cano’s corner ended before the 11th.

Las Vegas junior-welterweight Jesse Vargas (17-0, 9 KOs), a Mayweather Promotions fighter, escaped his first loss and retained his prospect status with a split decision over Josesito Lopez (30-3, 17 KOs) in the first televised fight Saturday night on a card featured by Floyd Mayweather Jr.-versus-Victor Ortiz at the MGM Grand.

Lopez, of Riverside, Calif., appeared to be much stronger than the much-hyped Vargas, who began to back away after the first two rounds. For the next few rounds, Lopez delivered body shots and a wicked right hand without much resistance from Vargas, whose punches appeared to have no effect on a California fighter trained by former Oscar De La Hoya cornerman Robert Alcazar.

In the eighth of 10 rounds, Vargas threw a low blow. It appeared to be intentional. It might have been out of frustration. Whatever caused it, it cost Vargas one point, a penalty assessed by referee Tony Weeks. But Vargas began to mount a rally in the ninth and backed up Lopez with an uppercut in the 10th. Apparently that was enough for two judges, who scored it 96-93 and 95-94 for the hometown fighter. The third judge had it 95-94 for Lopez.

Floyd Mayweather’s trainer and uncle, Roger, began his day with a defeat. Oklahoma City welterweight Carson Jones (32-8-2, 22 KOs) won a TKO over the Mayweather-trained Said Quali (28-4, 20 KOs) when the fight ended after the seventh round with Quali still on his stool. Jones knocked down Quali, of Las Vegas, in the fourth. Then, stinging uppercuts from Jones for the next rounds turned Quali’s face into a bloodied, twisted mess.

Super-middleweight Dion Savage (10-2, 6 KOs) had Free Dion on the belt of trunks that were prison-like – black-and-white stripes. Canadian Adonis Stevenson (15-1, 11 KOs) freed him from having to go through eight punishing rounds. Stevenson dropped Savage with a right uppercut about 90 seconds after the opening bell. At 1:57 of the first and Savage hanging on the ropes, referee Tony Weeks stopped it for a Stevenson victory by TKO.

British lightweight Anthony Crolla (22-2, 9 KOs) of Manchester had a dollar sign on his trunks and some luck with him against Juan Manuel Montiel (6-5-3, 1 KO) of Mexico City. With a solid hook, Crolla split open a cut above Montiel’s right eye. Montiel fought through the blood, rallied late in the seventh round and throughout the eighth, but was left with a loss by split decision.

About six hours before Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Victor Ortiz were expected to step into the ring, Marco Antonio Periban and Dhafir Smith were there to answer a first bell that echoed through an arena as vacant as a foreclosed home.

The seats were empty.

Then again, there wasn’t much to see.

Periban (15-0, 10 KOs), a super-middleweight from Mexico, walked forward and almost over Dhafir Smith (24-22-7, 4KOs) of Upper Darby, Penn., to win a decision Saturday at the MGM Grand in an 8-round matinee on a card that would end at night with Mayweather and Ortiz for the World Boxing Council’s welterweight title.

Periban celebrated his country’s Independence Day by raining shots off Dhafir’s body and head with little resistance. Dhafir tried to back away behind a long jab. Other than a spot under a row or two of empty seats, there was nowhere to hide.

He had the name and an offer. But when it was over, Las Vegas junior-lightweight Cassius Clay still had the name, but a defeat instead of an offer. A contract possibility with Mayweather Promotions was lost in Kyrone Butler’s four-round victory by unanimous decision. Clay couldn’t seal the deal, because he couldn’t overcome the quickness possessed by the shorter Butler (1-0), also of Las Vegas.

LAS VEGAS – Devon Alexander introduced his intentions Friday and made them official Saturday morning with a formal announcement that he has left Don King for Golden Boy Promotions in a move that also signals a move up in weight, from 140 pounds to 147.

“One-forty-seven is where I’ll take over,’’ Alexander said at a news conference that included Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer, his trainer Kevin Cunningham and manager Drexel Stith. “I know Richard will put me in a position to do what I’ve got to do at 147. That’s why I made this transition.’’

Alexander’s jump from King to Oscar De La Hoya’s company was evident Friday at the MGM Grand when he was introduced before the weigh-in for Saturday night’s Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Victor Ortiz fight, a Golden Boy promotion.

Schaefer said the negotiations were conducted over two to three weeks.

“It was very easy,’’ Schaefer said. “We wanted him to come to Golden Boy and they wanted to come to us.’’

The signing of Alexander adds further depth to the quality of Golden Boy’s fighters at junior-welter and welterweight. Schaefer said he would approach Showtime and Home Box Office next week about the possibility of staging tournaments at 140 and/or 147. There is a wide-range of possibilities at either weight, he said.

However, it will have to be at 147 for Alexander, who says he won’t fight again at 140. Alexander (22-1, 13 KOs) lost a technical decision in January to Timothy Bradley and won a controversial split decision in June over Lucas Matthysse, has struggled to make the junior-welterweight limit.

Schaefer says the heavier weight could transform Alexander the way it did Ortiz against Andre Berto in a dramatic win that earned him the shot at Mayweather.

“Victor was more aggressive,’’ Schaefer said. “We are convinced Devon will make some noise in the 147-pound class and also become a world champion at 147.’’

There already has been some noise. More of it was heard Saturday several hours before opening bell for Mayweather-Ortiz. Welterweight Paulie Malignaggi, a Golden Boy fighter, sat in the back of the room. He and Alexander already have been involved in a trash-talk exchange via Twitter. It continued Saturday in person.

“I’m not a trash-talker,’’ Alexander said.

Malignaggi, who has never ignored a chance to talk, countered: “You started it. If you don’t want to trash-talk, let sleeping dogs lie.’’

But it sounded as if Alexander wanted to sidestep rhetoric that might be the prelude to an actual fight.

“I’m at the top of my game; he’s on the downslide,’’ Alexander said. “I want to fight the best. He’s not at the top of the division.’’

Alexander said he hopes to fight for the first time under the Golden Boy banner in either December or January. Schaefer mentioned Berto as one possibility. As Schaefer talked early Saturday, he could only wonder whether another one might emerge later that night.

“If Ortiz would lose, then that would be a possibility,’’ he said.

Rising Heavyweight prospect Seth Mitchell stopped trial horse Hector Ferreryo in round three of a scheduled ten round Heavyweight bout at the Texas Station Gaming Hall in Las Vegas.

Mitchell was all over Ferreyro from the outset as even the first jab of the fight knocked Ferreyro back on his heels. Mitchell battered his foe all over the ring in round two. After a good round two for Mitchell, He came out hard in round three had him reeling all over the ring with rights and lefts. Ferreyro’s right eye was swollen badly and then he was rocked to where he was draped over the top rope and referee Robert Byrd ruled a knockdown. Mitchell then jumped on a helpless Ferreyro and the fight was stopped under an onslaught in the corner at 2:17 of round three.

Mitchell, 242 lbs of Brandywine, MD is now 23-0-1 with seventeen knockouts. Ferreyro, 221 1/2 lbs of Laredo, TX is now 21-11-2.

Former 2008 Olympic Gold Medal winner Felix Diaz scored a workman like eight round unanimous decision over Larry Smith.

Diaz was more active and was able to penetrate the guard of Smith with straigt lefts and body shots. Diaz gritted the effort out despite having an eight inch height disadvantage.

Diaz, 150 1/2 lbs of Santo Domingo, DR won by scores of 80-72; 79-73 and 79-73 and is now 10-0. Smith, 147 lbs of Dallas, TX is now 10-6.

Despite suffering a cut over his left eye, Terron Grant made a successful pro debut over Alonso Loeza with a four round unanimous decision in a Super Lightweight bout.

Scores were 40-36; 39-37 and 39-37 for Grant, 139 1/2 lbs of Brandywine, MD and is now 1-0. Loeza, 141 lbs of Gilroy, CA is now 0-1-1.

According to TMZ.com, Manny Pacquiao’s L.A. house has been burglarized … law enforcement sources tell TMZ — and we’re told 4 people have been arrested.

It happened minutes ago. Someone ransacked Manny’s Hancock Park mansion.

Police are on the scene. They are not sure what was taken … they’re trying to contact Manny.

Pacquiao was out of town

Finding an opponent for Phoenix prospect Jose Benavidez Jr. is little bit like searching for a blind date. You never know who’s going to show up.

A roulette wheel of possibilities for a Benavidez foe Saturday night at BlueWater Resort & Casino in Parker, Ariz., appears to have finally stopped on Dedrick Bell (6-9, 4 KO’s) a junior-welterweight from Memphis, TNwho got the call after a couple of other opponents fell through.

Bel steps in for Adrian Hernandez who stepped in for Mexican Jorge Pimentel, who was forced off the FOX-televised card by an Arizona State Boxing & MMA Commission rule that disqualified him because he was stopped in his last three bouts within the last 12 months. Pimentel had been a replacement for Puerto Rican Angel Rios, who lost a decision last Saturday to Terence Crawford in Atlantic City.

Schedule changes are part of the learning process for any young prospect. The 19-year-old Benavidez (12-0, 11 KOs) has yet to encounter one that has dropped him from the head of the class. After a change before his last fight in June, he remained unbeaten with a stoppage of Corey Alarcon in Phoenix.

Against Bell) in a scheduled 6-rounder, Benavidez is expected to work on the lesson plan he continues to pursue in sparring at trainer Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym with Shane Mosley, Paulie Malignaggi and Mercito Gesta (22-0-1, 12 KOs), who faces Manuel Perez (16-6-1, 4 KOs) in the main event of at BlueWater. Seven fights are scheduled for a card put together by Top Rank and Showdown Promotions. First bell is set for 5 p.m. (PST).

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that IBF/WBA 140 lb champion Amir Khan will face mandatory challenger Lamont Peterson on December 10th in either Washington, Detroit or Montreal in a bout to be televised on HBO.

Peterson does not have a promoter, so Golden Boy Promotions Richard Schaefer said he made a deal with Barry Hunter, Peterson’s manager, trainer and father figure.

“I’ve been talking to Barry for the last couple of weeks and we were going back and forth between what they wanted and what the Khans wanted, trying to bridge the gap and agree on a number,” Schaefer told ESPN.com at the MGM Grand, where he is promoting Saturday night’s Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Victor Ortiz fight. “And we were finally able to do that, so as a result we have informed the IBF and called off the purse bid.”

“A dream come true,” Peterson told ESPN.com about the prospect of fighting for a world title in D.C.

“Lamont Peterson is a very skilled fighter with a different skill set than fighters like Maidana or Judah,” Schaefer said. “It’s going to be interesting. Lamont was dropped a couple of times in the fight with Ortiz, but showed the heart, the smarts and the skills to have the fight end up in a draw.”

“Lamont is a credible opponent. He got a draw with Ortiz, who is now fighting Mayweather,” Khan said in an interview with ESPN.com last week, while negotiations were ongoing. “Now he’s my mandatory and it would be a good fight. He wants to fight and I am willing to fight him. That’s probably the best fight for me before I move up to welterweight.

Victor Ortiz 147 – Floyd Mayweather 146 1/2
(WBC Welterweight Championship)

Jhonny Gonzalez retained the WBC Featherweight title with a second round stoppage over Rogers Mtagwa at the County Coliseum in El Paso, Texas

The first round was competitive until Gonzalez started working the body of Mtagwa. That set up the second round that saw Gonzalez began to pound away on the challenger with a two fisted assault that had Mtagwa wobbling around the ring. Gonzalez then ripped off a three punch combination that forced the referee to stop the bout at 2:15 round two.

Gonzalez, 125 lbs of Mexico City celebrated his 30th birthday today and notched his second defense of his title and his record now stands at 50-7 with forty-four knockouts. Mtagwa, 124 lbs of Philadelphia falls to 27-15-2

Antonio Escalante took out Pipino Cuevas Jr. in round one of a scheduled ten round Lightweight bout.

Escalante landed a huge flurry of punches and fight was stopped.

Escalante, 137 lbs of Ciudad, MX is now 25-4 with sixteen knockouts. Cuevad, 136 lbs of Ciudad, MX is now 14-8.

Miguel Roman scored a one punch body shot knockout over Antonio Meza in the first round of a scheduled ten round Lightweight bout.

The time was 2:09 of round one for Roman, 135 lbs of Ciudad, MX and is now 36-8 twenty-eight knockouts. Meza, 136 lbs of Mexicali, MX and is 25-11-1.

Former U.S. Olympian Javier Molina remained perfect with a six round unanimous decision over John Revish in a Welterweight bout.

Scores were 60-54; 59-55 and 58-56 for Molina, 148 lbs of Commerce, CA and is now 9-0. Revish is now 10-5-2.

Carlos Villa remained perfect with a first round stoppage over Javier Nunez in a scheduled four round Welterweight bout.

The time was 1:09 of round one for Villa of El Paso, TX is 3-0 with two knockouts. Nunez, 141 1/2 lbs is 0-2

Joel Garcia stayed perfect with a four round unanimous decision over Ricky Lacefield in a Flyweight bout.

Scores were 39-37 on all cards for Garcia who is 3-0. Lacefield is 0-2

LAS VEGAS – An experienced opponent for prospect Jose Benavidez, Jr., Saturday night at BlueWater Resort & Casino in Parker, Ariz., was forced off the FOX-televised card Wednesday because he suffered successive stoppages in his last three bouts.

Benavidez’ trainer and father, Jose Benavidez Sr., was told Wednesday as he was traveling to Parker that Jorge Pimentel would not be able to fight his 19-year-old son. Benavidez’ dad said Top Rank was searching for a new opponent.

An Arizona State Boxing & MMA Commission rule knocked Pimentel, a Mexican journeyman, off the card. Commission executive director Dennis O’Connell said it prohibits a boxer from fighting in Arizona if he has been stopped three straight times within a year.

“It’s clear,’’ O’Connell said.

Pimentel (23-12, 17 KOs) was stopped in eight rounds at Panama City on Nov. 30, in two rounds in Mexico on April 2 and in three rounds in Carson, Calif., on July 9.

The third of the three came at the hands of Mercito Gesta (22-0-1, 12 KOs), who is featured at BlueWater in a 10-round main event against Manuel Perez (16-6-1, 4 KOs) of Denver.

Benavidez (12-0, 11 KOs), a junior-welterweight, had to wait on a late change in opponents for his last victory, a fourth-round stoppage of Corey Alarcon on June 11 in Phoenix, his hometown.

Benavidez has returned to trainer Freddie Roach’s famed Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, Calif., after training for several months in Phoenix. He has sparred with Gesta, Shane Mosley, Rey Beltran and Paulie Malignaggi.

“The sparring with Gesta brought us back to the top,’’ the senior Benavidez said of recent sparring that became a YouTube hit.

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that a rematch of one of the leading front runners for Fight of the Year that will pit Flyweight champion Hernan Marquez and Luis Concepcion will take place on October 29 in Mexico.

“I will come very motivated to Hermosillo, Mexico, to the land of ‘Tyson’ Marquez (and) I will recover what is mine — the world title belt,” Concepcion said. “I have been working on all the errors that I committed in the first fight and this time things will be different. I am going to defeat him in his own house and then the title will return to Panama.

“It does not matter to me that he has thousands of fans who will be against me. That will be my motivation.”

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that IBF/WBA 140 lb champion, Amir Khan is looking to fight on December 10th and may fight his IBF mandatory Lamont Peterson

“Dec. 10 I will be back. I’ve got a TV date with HBO and I am looking forward to it,” Khan told ESPN.com, adding that the fight would take place in the United States. “Opponents are quite hard to get. We asked about (Erik) Morales, but he said no. Bradley (titlist Timothy Bradley Jr.) has said no, just refused to fight me even though we offered him everything he wanted. I really think he just doesn’t want to fight me no matter what’s on the table.

“It’s too bad because the fans want to see it. But I know I am No. 1 in the division and that’s what most other people say also because Bradley has not been active and he just won’t fight me.”

Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions said he is negotiating for Khan to face Lamont Peterson of Washington, D.C. Peterson is one of Khan’s mandatory challengers.

“That’s the fight we are pursuing,” Schaefer said. “We are having conversations with Barry Hunter (Peterson’s trainer, manager and father figure). “They’re interested in the fight. Now we have to see if we can agree on a purse. If we can’t, I guess we will go to a purse bid, but we are working on the numbers.”

Said Khan, “I think it’s a good fight. Peterson is skillful and a good fighter. But I will leave the negotiations to Golden Boy. This will probably be my last fight (at) 140.”

“Lamont is a credible opponent. He got a draw with Ortiz, who is now fighting Mayweather,” Khan, 24, said. “Now he’s my mandatory and it would be a good fight. He wants to fight and I am willing to fight him. That’s probably the best fight for me before I move up to welterweight.”

“I know I will give him a tougher fight than Victor Ortiz will,” Khan said. “He’s never faced anyone as slick as me.”

“I love fighting in the U.S. My fan base is growing,” said Khan, who trains with Roach at his Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, Calif. “I’d like to do another fight in New York or Las Vegas or have a fight in Los Angeles. Los Angeles would be a good place. I train there, so it would be like home for me.”

“It was good to come to Washington and meet Hillary Clinton,” Khan said. “She shook my hand and mentioned me on the podium when she was giving her speech. She called me a good role model for Muslims. That was nice to hear. She had nice words to say to me. We got to take a picture together. It was exciting.”

Yuriorkis Gamboa scored an eight round technical decision over Daniel Ponce De Leon after De Leon Suffered a cut from an accidental headbutt. The bout was a scheduled twelve round Featherweight bout at The Adrian Phillips Ballroom inside of Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

As expected Gamboa proved the be the faster man and that was the difference in the fight. After a feel out first round, Gamboa showed the rare god given ability as he landed some good right hands that landed flush on the chin of De Leon.

In round three, Gamboa landed some solid right hands and flush left hooks. Gamboa landed a hard right in round round five which the combination of the punch plus De Leon’s balance buckled the Mexican.

Gamboa continued to win every round emphatically against De Leon who fought a spirited fight but was second best by a lot on this night.

The two clashed head in round eight which caused a bad cut over the left eye of De Leon and the fight to be stopped on the advice of the ringside doctor at 1:28 of round eight

Gamboa, 127 lbs of Guantanamo, Cuba won by scores of 70-63; 70-63 and 69-64 and is now 21-0. De Leon, 127 lbs of Mexico is 41-4

Photo by Chris Farina / Top Rank

Vitali Klitschko continued the two headed monster of Heavyweight dominance when he stopped Tomasz Adamek in round two of their WBC Heavyweight title in Worclaw, Poland.

Klitschko was never in any trouble as he used his nearly six inch height advantage that kept Adamek on the outside and in the process eating bean-pole stiff jabs from the champion.

Klitschko landed a big right hand in round two that wobbled Adamek into the ropes that could have been ruled a knockdown but wasn’t. Klitschko did get credit for a knockdown in round six when another booming right sent him into the corner and was ruled ruled that only the ropes kept him from touching the canvas.

The beatdown continued over the next few rounds as a bloody Adamek continued to take punishment and the fight started to take on the same script that many Klitschko (Vitali and Wladimir) have taken on over the past half decade.

The end came with Vitali drilling Adamek all over thr ring by sticking jabs and right hands in Adamek’s face and the fight was correctly stopped at 2:20 of round ten

Klitschko of Kiev, Ukrane is now 44-2 with forty knockouts. Adamek of Gilowice, Poland is now 44-2.

Vincent Arroyo continued his impressive run as he scored a ten round unanimous decision over Hector Sanchez in a Welterweight bout at the Grand Hinckley Casino in Hinckley, Minnesota.

It was the taller Sanchez who controlled the action over the first third of the fight as he used his range and countered well with the right hand. Arroyo was cut around the left eye in round one. Sanchez rocked Arroyo in round two from long right. Arroyo started landing some good power punches in the middle rounds and he was pulling even on the cards.

Arroyo was very effective in round five with his left hook and picked up the momentum as they came towards the late rounds. Arroyo had Sanchez in big trouble in round eight has he landed a perfect left hook that buckled Sanchez to the ropes. Arroyo jumped on Sanchez and landed a flurry of punches but not the one big shot that would have ended things.

The two slugged down the stretch in what seemed to be a close fight but two of the three judges disagreed as the voted for Arroyo by a wide 98-92 scores while a third judge was closer to the consensus 96-94.

Arroyo is now 12-1. Sanchez, 143 lbs of San Cruz, PR is now 19-2.

World ranked Lateef Kayode hung to score a ten round unanimous decision over Felix Cora Jr. in a Cruiserweight bout.

Kayode landed the harder shots over the first half of the fights as he got through with his vaunted right hand. He started working the body with the right hand. Cora suffered a cut from a but over his left eye.

Cora finally got started in the ninth round by landing multi punch combination’s that seemed to bother Kayode and even backed him off. With Cora having a solid round ten, Kayode landed his third low blow and was docked a point by referee Steve Smoger.

It was too little too late as Kayode, 198 lbs of Lagos, Nigeria won by scores of 98-92;97-92 and 96-93 to remain perfect at 18-0. Cora, 198 lbs of Galvastan, TX is now 22-6-2.