Ricardo Mayorga did not get the memo as the 10-1 underdog who by most experts opinons was supposed to be fodder, made Miguel Cotto work very hard to earn a twelfth round round knockout to retain the WBA Super Welterweight title in an entertaining scrap at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Cotto was very proficient with his jab and boxing skills as the he was easy to land on the bar brawling Mayorga. Mayorga made it dificult at times for Cotto as some of wild but hard swing got through and even looked like he wobbled Cotto on one occasion. The two engaged in wild exchanges throughout the affair with the challenger giving as good as he received and begged Cotto to fight him in the corner a couple times during the fight.

Cotto was very consistent but had a tough round seven as it seemed like Mayorga was making his last stand and drilled Cotto with a big right in the corner. Cotto got back to jabbing and landing effective body punches over the next few round and it seemed that Mayorga was falling behind on the cards.

In the final round, Cotto and Mayorga both threw huge left hooks with Cotto catching Mayorga flush on the jaw that caused a delayed reaction knockdown scored for Cotto. Mayorga went down holding his hand but got up. Cotto landed a couple of shots and Mayorga just spread his arms out in the corner and summoned referee Robert Byrd fifty-three seconds into round twelve.

Cotto, 154 lbs of Caguas, PR will now look for a summer showdown rematch with Antonio Margarito as Cotto now sports a record of 36-2 with twenty-nine knockouts. Mayorga, 154 lbs of Managua, Nicaragua is now 29-8-1.

“I tried to finish the final round but the pain in my hand was too much,” said Mayorga. “I don’t care about my thumb; I didn’t want it to end like that.”

After the fight, the humble Pride of Puerto Rico complemented his opponent, “[Mayorga] has pretty strong hands and he could beat anyone.”

Mayorga showed a rare bit of respect in return, “As a man, I have to admit when I do well and when I do not. Give Cotto credit,” said Mayorga. “He hits hard and is a great champion.”

Jr. Middleweight Pawel Wolak scored the most significant win of his career by scoring a stoppage victory over former world champion Yuri Foreman after Foreman quit on his stool after round six of their scheduled ten round bout.

Wolak was relentless with his pressure as he continuously drilled Foreman with right hands. Foreman did not handle the all out pressure of Wolak as he landed shots at will. Foreman was not able to box and move like is his nature as Wolak would not let Foreman feel comfortable at all during the eighteen minutes of action.

Wolak, 154 lbs of Mt. Arlington, NJ is now 29-1 with nineteen knockouts. Foreman lost his second in a row and is now 28-2.

“I didn’t feel like myself tonight,” said Foreman. “From the long layoff, I didn’t feel sharp. I felt mushy.”

Baltimore Ravens safety Tommy Zbikowski scored a body punch knockout over Rich Bryant in round one of a scheduled four round Heavyweight bout.

Zbikowski landed a left hook to the chest that sent Bryant down after a delayed reaction. After he got to his feet, referee Russell Mora stopped the fight at 1:45.

Zbikowski, 193 lbs of Chicago is 2-0 with two knockouts. Bryant is 1-3.

Miguel Vazquez retained the IBF Lightweight championship with a twelve round unanimous decision over mandatory contender Lenny Zappavigna.

Vazquez boxed well using an effective jab and occasional right hand. Vazquez opened up cuts over both eyes of the challanger. Zappavigna had a little success when he tried to push the action. Vazquez closed the show by boxing as he did in the early rounds.

Scores were 118-110; 118-110; and 117-111 for Vazquez, 135 lbs of Guadalajara, Mexico and is now 28-3. Zappavigna, 135 lbs of Sydney, AUS is now 25-1.

Middleweight prospect Matt Korobov scored a first round knockout over Michael Walker in a scheduled eight bout.

Korobov landed a perfect straight left that sent Walker down and out.

Korobov of St. Petersburg, FL is 14-0 with nine knockouts. Walker of Chicago is now 19-7-2.

In a competitive Super Bantamweight bout, Jesus Rojas scored a six round unanimous decision over Isaac Hidalgo.

Rojas, 122 lbs of Caguas, PR is now 17-1 after winning by scores of 59-55; 59-55 and 58-56. Hidalgo, 122 lbs of Tuscon, AZ is now 8-7-2.

Heavyweight Eric Molina scored a sixth round knockout over Joseph Rabotte in a scheduled round bout.

Molina dropped Rabotte from a big right in round two and once again in the fifth. Clearly beaten, Rabotte was saved by referee Kenny Bayless in round six after a series of punches.

Molina, 227 lbs of Lifort, TX is now 17-1 with thirteen knockouts. Rabotte, 255 lbs of Myrtle Beach, SC is now 9-16-1.

Lightweight Juan Gonzalez remained undefeated by stopping Jeremy McLaurin in round one in a scheduled eight round bout.

Gonzlaez of Caguas, Puerto Rico is 11-0 with ten knockouts. McLaurin of Coon Rapids, MN is now 8-2.

Photo by Chris Farina/ Top Rank

WBC Welterweight champion Andre Berto will defend his title against Victor Ortiz in April 16 at the MGM at Foxwoods according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“It’s a great facility and we’re having great success with [Saturday’s] show and Berto has fought the bulk of his fights on the East Coast, so it’s a natural,” Said Lou DiBella, who promotes Berto. “This is one of the best rooms for boxing on the East Coast. About 4,000 seats, not a bad one in there. We’re having a great experience working with the property on this [Martinez-Dzinziruk] event and we’re happy we’re coming back.”

“I think styles make fights and you can’t beat it. These are two guys that throw,” DiBella said. “They both have power. For any critic who says it’s a 140-pounder versus a 147-pounder, that’s bull—- because Ortiz is actually bigger than Berto. It’s the kind of fight I like to see. You know both chins are going to get tested. There’s a lot of speed in the ring and also a lot of power. People know I like aggression and blood and guys getting knocked out, so this is my kind of fight.”

HBO will televise Berto-Ortiz on “World Championship Boxing,” along with same-day taped coverage of junior welterweight titleholder Amir Khan’s defense in his native England against Paul McCloskey of Northern Ireland.

Miguel Cotto 154 – Ricardo Mayorga 154
(WBA Super Welterweight championship)
Yuri Foreman 155 – Pawel Wolak 154
Tommy Zbikowski 193 – Ricard Bryant 225
Miguel Vazquez 135 – Lenny Zappavigna 135
(IBF Lightweight Championship)

PHOTO BY CLAUDIA BOCANEGRA

One of the top trainers in boxing, Gabriel Sarmiento will not be in the corner with his man, World Middleweight champion Sergio Martinez when he takes on Sergiy Dzinzurak this Saturday night at The Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“Gabriel won’t be in the corner because of some personal issues,” promoter Lou DiBella said, although he would not say what the particular reasons were. “It’s private, so there’s not much I can say about it. But Gabriel was with Sergio in training camp all the way, so they have worked on everything together.”

Taking over as the head of Martinez’s corner is Pablo Sarmiento, Gabriel’s brother. Pablo Sarmiento is a regular member of Martinez’s training staff and has worked in his corner for several past fights, DiBella said.

“Gabriel was with Sergio through the close of camp [last] Friday,” DiBella said. “We knew about this, but we didn’t feel the need to announce it until we had to. We are comfortable with Pablo. This is not an excuse no matter happens in the fight, and we know this is a very tough fight. Sergio said it will make no difference and that he had the best training camp he has ever had. Both of the Sarmientos were there in camp.”

Said Martinez, the consensus fighter of the year for 2010: “Pablo is from the same school [as Gabriel], so this will be OK. It’s nothing that is a surprise. I am well-trained and ready

Newly crowned WBC Super Welterweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez will return to the ring on June 18th according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“Canelo wants to be back in June and we have to see what we’re going to do, but we are holding that date,”Said Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions. “He’s only 20 and he’s ready to go again. He’s looking forward to staying active.”

No opponent has been selected. Schaefer said he has a list of potential opponents he has discussed with Alvarez and his team, but he did not want to make it public. He said he plans to go to New York to discuss the pay-per-view and possible opponents with HBO.

“Last Saturday night was one I’ll never forget and I thank all my fans for their support,” Alvarez said. “I promise that I will always give them the fights they want to see and that I will proudly represent them and Mexico every time I step in the ring.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, former Light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson will make his first appearance since his first defeat when he takes on Adrian Diaconu on May 21st as part of a Light Heavyweight doubleheader that will be coupled with the anticipated rematch between Bernard Hopkins and JeanPascal that will most likely land in Quebec City and be televised on HBO.

“This is no walkover fight for Chad,” Said Dawson’s promoter Gary Shaw. “Diaconu is a tough fighter, a good fighter. But Chad is with a new trainer now in Emanuel Steward and I think that will make a big difference in Chad’s fight game and his strategy. I think you’ll see a whole new Chad, a guy that can finish off his opponent.”

15rounds.com is giving away two tickets to this Saturday’s World Middleweight title bout at Foxwoods and Connecticut. Fans should email mabrams@15rounds.com and write a brief summary of what fight you are most looking forward to in 2011 (besides Pacquiao – Mayweather)

Please list name and town you live in and in Subject line type the word Diamond Contest

Note–The contest is only for tickets. Not for Travel or Accommodation

Photo by Claudia Bocanegra

Joshua Clottey who was supposed to be part of the Miguel Cotto – Ricardo Mayorga undercard this Saturday in Las Vegas will not make his ring return since his loss to Manny Pacquiao according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

Former welterweight titlist Joshua Clottey suffered ankle and wrist injuries when he fell while doing roadwork, forcing him to withdraw from a fight scheduled for Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“He’s got a fracture or just a real bad sprain of the ankle and the wrist,” manager Vinny Scolpino said. “It says on the report that a fracture is possible to both.”

He was running and then it started to rain and that was it. He tripped in the pothole,” Scolpino said. “As he was falling he put his hands down to catch his fall and whacked his wrist. Unbelievable. What are you gonna do? He was by himself. He called up and we went to pick him up and brought him to the hospital.

“He’s upset. I’m upset. He wants to fight. Now he’s on the couch with crutches and splints.”

“He wants to fight, but he can’t go in there if he’s hurt,” Scolpino said.

Clottey (35-4, 20 KO’s) was scheduled to fight Calvin Green (21-5-1, 13 KO’s)

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, the much anticipate Heavyweight championship between recognized world champion Wladimir Klitschko and David Haye appears to have been finalized.

More than two years in the making — thanks to Haye’s constant verbal trashing of Klitschko and his older brother, fellow titlist Vitali Klitschko — the fight will take place either June 25 or July 2, both sides said.

However, it is not signed yet.

“It’s 99 percent,” Bernd Boente, Klitschko’s manager, told ESPN.com Sunday. “This week it will be finally signed and also announced. But it is not signed.

“We will sign it very soon. There are no question marks anymore,” Boente said. “The fighters have to sign. [Haye manager/trainer] Adam Booth has to sign. I have to sign. Wladimir [has to sign]. As long as it’s not signed, it’s 99 percent.”

“I am really pleased that we have closed a deal on this fight,” Klitschko told the Welt am Sonntag newspaper.

“The terms were right, it’s a fair deal — it’s a 50-50 split. That’s what they wanted and that’s what I wanted,” Haye told the BBC. “Here it is — end of June, beginning of July. Let’s get ready to rumble.”

“It will be in a European time zone, but England is out,” Boente said. “It could be one of three different stadiums in Germany. We also have three options outside of Germany. All these things will be discussed A to Z between Adam and myself.

“In the contract we have a paragraph that we do all of these things together because that is what is best,” he added. “Adam will be involved in the stadium deal. We will also talk to American TV stations HBO and Showtime. It could also be on pay-per-view in the U.S. if we can’t find an agreement.”

“The points are agreed to, and I think both sides are happy,” Boente said. “No options, no rematches. One fight. If we want to do another one and sit down afterward and see if it makes sense, we will do that. But this is a straight one-fight deal. It’s obvious that if there is public interest in another fight, it will probably come.”

“Our contract with Chisora says if someone is injured — Wladimir still is — there is no fight,” Boente said. “It is the same injury from December, and it has not healed properly. So the April fight is off, but June or July, that is different. I can only tell you the truth. That is what the doctor said.

“The doctor checked Wladimir and said it is not possible to fight April 30. Why should anybody question it? However it looks, I can only tell you this is the truth and he is one of the top doctors in Germany.”

“Knock on wood, nothing happens. Vitali has to win his fight in two weeks against Solis, which is a very tough fight,” Boente said. “If he comes out of that fight, he is also a possibility. In the contract it says Vitali or Wladimir.”

“Haye is now willing to fight Vitali,” Boente said. “I think it will be Wladimir to face Haye, but it’s not a precondition from Adam Booth or David Haye. In these negotiations they were very flexible. David said he was also willing to fight Vitali, which is different than last time. I think all sides acted as real gentlemen. That is why we reached the goal this time.”

“We had this door open all the time,” Boente said. “Haye walked away last time because Wladimir was going to fight Chisora. But Wladimir was always willing to fight Haye in July if they came back to talk again. They did that.”

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that World Heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko has canceled a fight with Derek Chisora for a second time citing lingering affects of the a rib injury that halted their scheduled bout in December.

This turn of a events can open the door for a much anticipated unification bout between Klitschko and David Haye

“Considering the current clinical picture, it is difficult to predict a precise time of rehabilitation,” Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt, Klitschko’s doctor, said in a statement released by Klitschko’s K2 Promotions. “The start of a training camp at this time for a fight in April would be too much of a high risk.”

Shelly Finkel, Klitschko’s adviser, told ESPN.com that Klitschko recently began to train and the injury still was giving him a problem.

“I don’t know if he was shadowboxing or what, but Wladimir said he felt something within the last week. He had it checked out,” Finkel said.

“Canceling the Chisora fight was no condition of any deal,” Finkel said.

Exciting and popular Saul Alvarez won his first world title by capturing the WBC Super Welterweight champions with an exciting drubbing over Matthew Hatton at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

It was apparent early that it was going to be a Alvarez night as he loaded and landed thudding power punches with both hands. Hatton tried very hard and got through but simply didnt have the thunder behind his punches that Alvarez had.

It almost seemed that at least once per round that Alvarez would land a plethora of ripping power shots that Hatton not only took well but would come back with a flurry of his own. Alvarez just continued to pour on the offense for which Hatton had very little answers for.

Alvarez was docked a point in round seven for hitting on the break which proved to be the only blemish on what was an impressive performance for the young twenty year old sensation from Mexico.

Alvarez showed that in typical Mexican fashion that he could land gut wrenching left hooks to the body and had Hatton reeling several times including in the final minute. Hatton even came back and tried to the bitter end.

It wasnt enough as Alvarez, 151 3/4 lbs of Guadalajara, MX is now 36-0-1. Hatton 149 lbs of Manchester, ENG is now 41-5-2.

In his first step up fight, Adrien Broner took a closer then the scorecards read unanimous decision over former Jr. Featherweight champion Daniel Ponce De Leon in a ten round Jr. Lightweight bout.

De Leon forced the action all night as he came forward and landed some good body shots over the first three rounds. Broner was effective but not active as he landed some nice counter rights off the back foot. De Leon tested Broner with volume as Broner slowly started mixing some combinations by using his superior hand speed.

The second half of the fight picked up as Broner started to engage a little more and that may have been the difference as eked out the decision by tallies of a ridiculous 99-91 score and two others that were more in line at 96-95.

Broner 129 3/4 lbs of Cincinnati, OH is now 20-0. De Leon, 128 1/4 lbs of Mexico is now 41-3.

WBC Lightweight champion Humberto Soto cruised to a ten round unanimous decision win over Fidel Monterrosa in a ten round Jr. Welterweight bout in Tepic, Mexico.

Soto scored a knockdown in round one with a big left hook and dominated the action the rest of the way and won by scores of 100-88; 100-90 and 98-92.

This was a rematch of a bout that Soto won last September 18th that was contested for his world championship.

Soto, 139 1/2 lbs of Los Mochis, MX is now 55-7-2 and will now face Urbano Antillon on the May 7th Manny Pacquiao – Shane Mosley undercard. That fight is also a rematch of a fight that many thought could have been the 2010 fight of the year that was won by Soto on December 4th.

Monterrosa, 139 1/2 lbs of Monteria, Colombia is now 25-3

Juan Carlos Vargas scored a second round stoppage over Alexis Gonzalez in round two of a scheduled six round bantamweight bout.

Vargas dropped Gonzalez with a vicious uppercut-left hook combination and The time of the stoppage was 2:59 of round two for Vargas, 118 lbs of Lagos De Moreno, MX and is now 7-3-1 with six knockouts. Gonzalez 118 lbs of Tepic, MX is now 1-8

Manuel Beltran Jr. scored a fourth round stoppage over Roberto Tamayo in a scheduled eight round Super Featherweight bout

Beltran landed a huge right that dropped Tamayo with a big right hand for that sent him down fir the ten count at 1:50 of round four.

Beltran 135 lbs of Los Mochis, MX is now 24-1 with seventeen knockouts. Tamayo, 135 lbs of Ciudad, MX is now 11-8-1.

Rodolfo Quantanilla scored a four round unanimous decision over Fidel Lopez in a Jr. Welterweight bout.

Scores were 40-36 on all cards for Quananilla, who is now 9-1-2. Lopez of Novajoa, MX is now 0-3

Vicente Escobedo scored a seventh round knockdown en route to a ten round unanimous decision over veteran Walter Estrada in a Lightweight bout in Indio, California.

Escobedo caught Estrada with a perfect right hand that cracked Estrada on the chin and sent him to the canvas in round seven. Escobedo was very workmanlike throughout the rest of the bout

Escobedo of Pasadena, CA is now 23-3. Estrada of Monteria, Colombia is now 38-14-1.

Randy Caballero scored a six round unanimous decision over Hugo Ramos in a Super Bantamweight bout

Caballero, 120 1/4 lbs of Cochella, CA is now 8-0. Perez, 121 1/2 lbs of Palm Springs, CA is now 3-8-2.

The first six round didint go so well, but Zab Judah scored a emphatic seventh round stoppage over Kaizer Mabuza to win the vacant IBF jr. Welterweight championship an the AmeraHealth Center inside the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey

The fight started with both jabbing and by the simple fact that Judah was able to score with left hand, he took round one. Round two started off well for Judah as he landed two good body punches that sandwiched a straight left. Mabuza could have stolen the round as he landed five solid body punches over two flurries. Mabuza did well over the first two plus minutes of round three as he continued to pressure Judah and flurry. Judah landed a good straight left at the bell. In round four, Mabuza landed a couple nice right and and a third bucked Judah to the point where his glove scraped the canvas and referee Sammy Viruet ruled a knockdown that was protested outwardly by Judah. That may have awoken Judah as he came out in round five and landed some good shots with both hands and didint get backed up as much as he did in the previous four frames. Mabuza had a big round six that was highlighted by a big right that rocked and hurt Judah on the ropes.

In round seven, Judah landed a deviating straight left that slumped Mabuza between the second and third rop and was ruled a knockdown. Mabuza was severely hurt and Judah jumped on him and landed five drilling punches and the was correctly stopped by Viruet at fifty-nine seconds of round seven

Judah, 138 lbs of Brooklyn is now a four-time world champion with a record of 41-6 with twenty-eight knockouts. Mabuza, 138 lbs of Johannesburg, South Africa is now 23-7-3

In a battle of southpaws, Tarvis Simms scored an eight round unanimous decision in a middleweight tussle.

It was a workmanlike effort for Simms, who did well with all of his punches as he evenly divided up head and body shots. Mackey was tough as he he got in some good body work of his own and the two even exchanged at various times in the bout. Simms looked like he rocked Mackey on several occasions but never had him in serious trouble. Simms’ work showed as in round six Macket began to bleed from the mouth.

Simms, 158 lbs of Norwalk, CT won by scores of 80-72;79-73 and 78-74 to raise his mark to 27-1-1. Mackey, 158 lbs of Washington, DC is now 13-6-2.

Jose Peralta scored a first round stoppage over Clifford McPherson in a scheduled six round Welterweight bout.

McPherson wasnt hit when he dropped to the canvas with a injured right hand. The pain was sever that McPherson was riding in pain on the pain and the bout was stopped.

Peralta, 146 lbs of Jersey City, NJ is now 5-1 with three knockouts. McPherson, 147 1/2 lbs of Cleveland is now 2-4-1.

Shemuel Pegan made short work of Marcos Garcia by scoring a first round stoppage in their four round Jr. Welterweight bout.

Pegan trapped Garcia in the corner and landed twenty unanswered blows until the bout was stopped 1:33 into the bout.

Pegan, 137 lbs of Brooklyn is now 2-0 with one knockout. Garcia, 133 lbs of Camden, NJ is 0-4

Popular Welterweight Vinny O’Brien made a successful pro debut as David Navarro was unable to continue at the end of round three of a scheduled four round bout.

O’Brien, 147 lbs of East Hanover, NJ is 1-0 with one knockout. Navarro, 150 lbs of Philadelphia is 0-2

Zab Judah’s brother, Chris Crosby scored a four round split decision over Greg Hackett in a Jr. Middleweight bout.

Scores were 40-36; 39-37 for Crosby, 150 lbs of Brooklyn who is now 6-1. Hackett, 156 lbs of Philadelphia is 2-6.

In the main event of an entertaining 8-bout card promoted by Diane Lee Fischer, Cuban-born Giorbis Barthelemi (who now resides in Hialeah, FL) upset Derek “Pooh” Ennis of Philadelphia by second round TKO. Barthelemi scored a knock down with seconds to go in the opening round, and Ennis never recovered. After stagging to his corner, Ennis came out for the second with his legs still not under him. Barthelemi finished Ennis off after he pinned him in a corner and landed multiple unanswered power punches.

Barthelemi improves to 5-8-2, 10 KO, as Ennis drops to 22-3-1, 13 KO.

Atlantic City’s own Isiah Seldon (4-0 , 2 KO) pleased his local fans in attendance by scoring a third round TKO over Juan Zapata (1-5, 1KO) of Honduras. After sending Zapata to the canvas early in the round with an over hand right, Seldon forced Eddie Cotton to waive the bout off at 2:36 of the third.

Todd “Viking” Eriksson (3-5-2, 1KO), a middleweight out of Dover, NJ, won his bout against Lawrence Jones(3-5-2, 1KO) of Washington, DC by split decision in four rounds. Fighting through a cut he suffered in the first round, the hard-nosed Eriksson got the better of Jones in the second half of the fight.

Camden native Louis Cream(1-0), the grandson of the legendary Jersey Joe Walcott, won his pro debut against Yehudy Vargas (1-1) of Trenton. Cream carried the welterweight bout 40-34, with all three judges in agreement.

In what was perhaps the most entertaining and technical match of the evening, Atlantic City’s Althea “Lady Thunder” Saunders (2-0) fought Melissa St. Vil (1-1-2) of Brooklyn, NY to a four round majority draw. After the bout, it was announced by promoter Dee Lee Fisher that the two would rematch on her next card in the coming months.

Ali Santos of Camden (1-0) out-boxed Philadelphia’s Eric Newell en route to a four round split decision in their heavyweight bout. The judges scores were 40-36 and 39-37 for Santos against 39-37

for Newell.

Newark, DE lightweight and member of the fighting Tiberi family, Joey Tiberi (3-1, 3KO), rebounded from his first career loss with an easy TKO1 over Shawn Hodson (1-6, 1KO) of Franklin, IN. Tiberi floored his over-matched opponent twice before Hodson’s trainer asked for the bout to be stopped.

In the opening bout of the evening, Edgardo “El Molle Ja” Torres of Vineland needed only 43 seconds stop to Glassboro’s Marcus Smith (1-4, 1KO). A crushing right cross put Smith down, and gave Torres his first professional victory.

Ismayl Sillakh gave boxing enthusiasts reason to believe that he’s an elite rising star following an impressive beatdown of highly regarded Yordanis Despaigne in the main event of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights from the Jostens Center in Lake Buena Vista, FL.

Sillakh violently decked Despaigne with a huge right hand shortly before the bell to end the second and was mostly in control from that point forward. The California based Ukrainian displayed excellent punching power, good ring smarts, precise timing and solid footwork, making it difficult for Despaigne to develop a rhythm.

Bloodied, bruised and battered over both eyes midway through the contest, Despaigne had a few moments of success however he was unable to surmount a consistent attack. Perhaps looking to end the show early, Sillakh finished the bout by landing hard shots in the final two rounds, but the knockout never came.

Scores were 98-91 twice and 99-90. 15rounds also scored the bout 99-90.

Sillakh improves to 15-0 with 12 KO’s and is clearly a fighter to keep an eye on. Despaigne, of Coral Gables, FL by way of Cuba, slips to 8-1 (4 KO’s).

In a bout between two fighters that appeared many weight classes apart, junior welterweight contender Ray “The Emperor” Narh shutout former featherweight titlist Freddie Norwood over ten one-sided rounds. The tall and lanky Narh dominated the bout from start to finish and was the only fighter that landed meaningful punches. Outgunned, out of shape, over the hill, and looking to survive, Norwood reverted to dirty tactics and lost two points in the ninth for hitting behind the head.

Scores were 100-88 twice and 99-89.

Narh, of Pittsburgh, PA via the fighting city of Accra, Ghana, improves to 25-1 (21 KO’s). Norwood, a St. Louis, MO native who defeated future great Juan Manuel Marquez in 1999, falls to 43-4 (23 KO’s) and would be wise to call it quits.

Dan Rafael of espn.com reported that former Jr. Middleweight champion Winky Wright injured his hand and his bout with Matthew Macklin is off the April 9 Pay Per View that will be headlined by Erik Morales and Marcos Maidana.

“I hurt my hand sparring, so I’m not going to be able to fight,” said Wright, who added that he was at the doctor’s office and just about to meet with him.

Wright said he injured his left hand during a sparring session with welterweight prospect Keith Thurman on Thursday.

“I hit him on top of the head or on his elbow and I hurt the hand, but I kept working with it,” Wright said. “And then I did it again and I had to shake it off. My hand swelled up a little bit. I went to get it checked out [on Friday]. It ain’t fractured, but it’s pretty sore and swollen and the doctor said wait about a week and then we’ll see. But I’m near the end of my career. I can’t go into the fight not at 100 percent. I can’t be going in there with a hurt hand and half-trained. I want to go in there and show people I can be a champion and look good. If I lose a week, that’s a problem. So I figured let’s call it now and at least give Golden Boy a chance to get another fight.

“I know if I am out a week or two, I won’t be ready for the fight. The important thing is to be healthy when I get in the ring. I was looking forward to a good fight. This is a little setback, but this ain’t gonna stop me. This train is going to keep on moving.”

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that a summer fight between Jr. Welterweight Devin Alexander and Lucas Matthysse is being discussed by promoters Golden Boy Promotions Richard Schaefer and Don King.

“I have to get to back to King with a number, but Matthysse wants to take the fight. He’s OK with going to St. Louis [Alexander’s hometown] as long as there are neutral officials,” Schaefer said. “King said no problem. We just have to work out the numbers, but I have a pretty good feeling about it.”

“I’ve discussed it with King and with HBO and there is interest from all sides,” Schaefer said.

“I think it would be a great fight, just the type of fight that Devon wants,” said Kevin Cunningham, Alexander’s trainer and manager. “He’s disappointed with his lack of execution in the Bradley fight and he wants to go right back in the ring with one of the top guys. We feel Matthysse is better than [Marcos] Maidana, but Maidana chose to go and fight Erik Morales instead of Devon. So Matthysse is there and he is one of the top guys. Most guys feel like he won the fight with Zab. He’s a very tough opponent. That’s what Devon is looking for.

Schaefer said he and King are also discussing a fight between junior middleweight titlist Cornelius “K9” Bundrage and rising contender Erislandy Lara as the televised co-feature.

Diego Sanchez scored a controversial three round unanimous decision over Martin Kampmann in a bloody welterweight bout at the KFC Yum Center in Louisville, Kentucky.

Both guys thrilled the crowd with power punches with Sanchez being bloodied all over his face in round one and Kampmann was bleeding over his left eye in round two. The two landed huge punches in every round with round’s two and three being close rounds as Kampmann won the first round.

Sanchez, 171 lbs of Albuquerque, NM won on all cards 29-28 which was booed loudly by the crowd. Sanchez is now 25-4. Kampmann, 171 lbs of Las Vegas is now 17-5

Mark Munoz needed just fifty-four seconds to pound out CB Dollaway in a Middleweight bout.

Munoz, 186 lbs of Vallejo, CA is now 10-2. Dollaway, 185 lbs of Tempe, AZ is now 12-4.

Chris Weidman as he bloodies and batterd and stopped Alessio Sakara in a Middleweight bout.

Weidman, 186 lbs of Mineola, NY is now 5-0. Sakara, 186 lbs of Rome, Italy is now 19-8-1.

Brain Bowles scored a first round stoppage over Damaico Page in a Featherweight bout from a Guillotine choke at 3:30

Bowles, 135 lbs is now 9-1. Page, 136 lbs of Albuquerque, NM is now 12-6

Igor Pokrajac scored a first round stoppage over Todd Brown in a Light Heavyweight bout.

Pokrajac pounded Brown to a pulp and the fight was stopped at the end of round one.

Shane Roller scored a devastating second round stoppage over Thiago Tavares.

Time was 1:28 of round round two.

On Saturday, March 5, at the AmeriHealth Pavillion at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, Brooklyn’s Zab Judah will clash with South Africa’s Kaizer Mabuza for Mabuza’s IBF junior welterweight title.

A final press conference was held midday Wednesday at the Brick City Bar & Grill in Newark, New Jersey, where Judah and Mabuza spoke their final thoughts before heading into this weekend’s bout.

“I appreciate everything this man has done,” Judah said, acknowledging Mabuza’s gritty road to a title. “But now is not his time, not on Saturday night.”

Over the years, whether it is deserved or not, Judah has gained a reputation of fading late in fights. This time, however, with legendary boxer Pernell “Sweat Pea” Whitaker in his corner, Judah says stamina won’t be an issue.

“I prepared myself for twelve rounds — I prepared myself 100%,” he said.

While Whitaker refused to comment on Team Judah’s game-plan for Saturday night, he did comment on his experience working with “Super” Judah.

“Everything I ask him to do, [he does it and] he does a little more,” Whitaker said. “[On fight night] If he does everything I ask him to do, he’ll win the fight.”

He went on, “Whatever Zab used to do in the past is in the past and now he has a new direction, a great direction. He’s one of boxing’s best so [on Saturday] I expect to see that.”

To that point, Judah agrees; “We prepared ourselves well for this opportunity. On Saturday night, you will see a 5-time champion of the world once again.”

While Team Judah is confident that Zab’s hand will be the one raised at the conclusion of the bout, Mabuza didn’t travel across the Atlantic to fork over his hard-earned gold to Judah.

In fact, the last time he made the trek overseas to New Jersey he demolished heavy-favorite, Kendall Holt, inside six rounds.

“I’m glad to be back in America,” Mabuza said. “It’s an honor for me to fight a person like Zab Judah.”

He continued, “I think he had his time, he’s a former world champion. I think it is my time because I’m still hungry for success. I promise him, when I take the ring I change — I become a new man. I’m hungry for success so you have to expect that there will be fireworks.”

The tough South African will be looking to extend his eight fight win streak and retain his titles on Saturday night, while Judah looks to re-claim the IBF junior welterweight title.

As they say, styles make fights, and all indications with regards to these two fighter’s is that Mabuza is right when he says that on Saturday night, “there will be fireworks.”

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The fight is being distributed by Integrated Sports PPV for a price of $29.95. It can also be purchased on UStream.tv for the same price.

The fight promoted by Main Events and Super Judah Promotions will take place on March 5th at Prudential Center’s AmeriHealth Pavillion in Newark, New Jersey. Doors open at 7:30pm. The first fight is at 8:00pm. Tickets are priced at $253, Ringside, $103 Reserved floor seating, $88 general admission in bleachers, and $53 general admission standing room only. Tickets are available at the Prudential Center Box Office by calling TicketMaster at 800-745-3000 or you can purchase them at www.PruCenter.com.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, NFL Safety Tommy Zbikowski will appear on the March 12th on Las Vegas as part of the Miguel Cotto – Ricardo Mayorga televised undercard.

“He’s coming back to boxing, assuming there’s a lockout,” Carl Moretti of promoter Top Rank told ESPN.com on Wednesday. “If there’s a lockout, at that point, he’s free to go ahead and fight. He’s fought once already and he probably has the most extensive amateur (boxing) background of any pro football player, and he really loves the sport.”

Zbikowski played college football at Notre Dame from 2003 to 2007. He went by the name “Tommy Z” during the build up to his lone pro fight, coming into the ring to the Notre Dame fight song. He needed just 49 seconds to knock out Robert Bell at Madison Square Garden in New York in June 2006 on the undercard of another Cotto fight — a junior welterweight title defense against Paulie Malignaggi.

Coming off his spectacular second round destruction over Fernando Montiel on February 19th, Two belt Bantamweight champion looks like he will engage in another Unification bout on May 28th against Anselmo Moreno according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“Bob Arum said Moreno would be the opponent and I’m fine with it. Bob said he can get Moreno, that that is not an issue,” said Donaire’s manager Cameron Dunkin. “Moreno is a really good boxer, a good fighter, but I like Nonito.”

“When I talked to Nonito about what Bob said he had a big smile on his face and said, ‘Let’s go.’ He just really wants to fight. He really does.”

For the HBO-televised opener, plans are in the works to match Philadelphia welterweight Mike Jones against Quebec’s Antonin Decarie (25-1, 7 KOs).

“That’s the plan,” said Russell Peltz, who co-promotes Jones with Top Rank. “[Decarie] is a tough guy, but that’s not a fight you turn down. We’re talking to his people and both sides are interested in the fight.”

The pay-per-view lineup for the May 7th Manny Pacquiao-Shane Mosley event is now complete, as former middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik will return to the ring against undefeated Alfonso Lopez III in a ten-round super middleweight bout at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Though contracts have not yet been finalized, both sides have come to a verbal agreement.

Pavlik (36-2, 32 KOs) of Youngstown, Ohio has been out of action since losing his WBC/WBO Middleweight titles to Sergio Martinez via twelve-round decision last April in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Pavlik pulled out of a scheduled bout against Brian Vera on the Pacquiao-Antonio Margarito undercard last November citing a rib injury. However, it later came out that he had checked into the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, California for treatment of his chemical dependence on alcohol.

Though Pavlik has not fought above 160-pounds since his decisive decision loss to Bernard Hopkins in October of 2008, and has not won a bout contracted above 160 since his decision over Jermain Taylor eight months prior, the Youngstown native is currently the WBC #1 ranked super middleweight contender.

Lopez (21-0, 16 KOs) of Cut and Shoot, Texas is coming off of a twelve-round unanimous decision victory over Romero Johnson last November which netted him the vacant WBC Continental Americas Super Middleweight title. For the promising Lopez, the Pavlik fight represents the chance of a lifetime. “It’s a huge opportunity for me, an honor almost really,” Lopez told 15rounds.com Tuesday evening. “He’s fought some great fighters and is a great fighter himself. It’s what we have been working for. I have been giving up a lot of things for this opportunity, and it is finally here.”

Though Pavlik has had his share of problems, both in and out of the ring, in recent years, Lopez and his team are expecting the world champion version of “The Ghost” come May 7th. “I am training for the Kelly Pavlik of a few years ago,” said Lopez. “I am going to watch the tape of him fighting Jermain Taylor. I am also going to watch him fight Bernard Hopkins, because he was a little heavier and is going to be bigger at 168. I am definitely expecting the Kelly Pavlik that comes out with a fast pace, behind a stiff, strong jab and lots of pressure. That’s what I am expecting and we are preparing for a long, tough fight.”

Lopez had been in training for a bout which was to have taken place April 15th in Corpus Christi, Texas when he found out he was in the running for the Pavlik bout. “We’ve always said we were ready for something like this, but we knew we had to do some things to get us known and to be selected for such a fight,” said Felix Ramirez, who manages and trains Lopez, along with Henry Harris. “This is a great opportunity, and it doesn’t get any better than this, at least to this point in our careers.”

Considering the leap in class Lopez will be taking, some may question his readiness for such a daunting undertaking. Ideally perhaps Lopez, who has fought outside of Texas just twice in his pro career, would have had another step up before taking on an elite fighter such as a Kelly Pavlik. However Lopez’ manager believes he is up to the task. “Some people would like to have an opening fight, or maybe an off telecast pay-per-view fight [first,] but it is just a matter of how that individual is,” explains Ramirez. “Some people choke, and some people do great under pressure and show up. Alfonso is the type of individual that I don’t believe it will affect him. I think he is going to show up when the time comes and when that bell rings he is going to be ready.”

Kelly Pavlik Photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank

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

At the York Hall this coming Saturday March 5th, Steve Goodwin put’s on a marathon twelve fight show at the famed York Hall in Bethnal Green.

Topping the show is Toks Owoh who takes on former Prizefighter contestant Billy Boyle over four rounds at cruiser.
Also booked for action are unbeaten Phil Gill who drops down to light to take on Jason Nesbitt whose fresh off of a loss to North London prospect Chris Evangelou, losing a four round decision Nesbitt managed to drop Evangelou to the canvas in the opener and fought a spiteful ill tempered affair before dropping the decision at Wembley a week or so ago!
Also at lightweight Met Sekiraqa makes his pro debut against the tough Robin Deakin whose seldom in a bad fight, that one’s over four three’s!

However up at light middle Jamie Boness takes on Louis Byrne from Norwich, as doe’s unbeaten Hackney fighter Wayne Alwan Arab who takes on a tough guy in Bulgarian Danny Dontchev over four.
At super middle Eder Kurti takes on Jamie Ambler who showed good form last week to former World super middle king Robin Reid losing over four to the comebacking Reid by just a single point, also up a weight at light heavy is Margate’s Daniel Woodgate who takes on Lee Nicholson over four rounds.
Daniel will be looking to put the disapointment of his last fight a points loss to Prizefighter finalist Sammy Couzens.

For tickets please phone 07816 167137 or visit www.goodwinpromotions.co.uk for more information

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting the newly crowned WBA Lightweight champion Brandon Rios broke his hand in his title winning effort against Miguel Acosta on Satuday night.

“He said he felt it crack and pop and he knew he had broken it but that he had to keep punching,” Cameon Dunkin, Rios’ manager said.

“He knew it was injured and he kept throwing it, that’s how much he wanted the fight,” Dunkin said.

“I said to Brandon, ‘Do you want to go the hospital and get that checked out and they’ll give you some painkillers,” Dunkin said. “He said, no, that he just wanted to go up upstairs to take a hot shower and get in bed. It was a rough fight. I said, ‘Your hand is broken.’ He said, ‘I’m alright, I just want to go to bed, I’m tired. I’ll get it checked out [Sunday].’”

“He’s going to be in a cast for awhile and I know how these things go,” Dunkin said. “I don’t see him fighting again for four to five months.”

CLICK TO ORDER THE FIGHT CARD
Gabriel Rosado already knows what it feels like to be on the wrong side of a close decision in an all-Philly match-up. With the USBA light middleweight title at stake, Rosado lost to Derek Ennis at the South Philly Arena this past July. Against Jamaal Davis, with the interim NABA title up for grabs Saturday in Atlantic City, Rosado made sure he would be the one with the belt at the end of the night.

In the twelve round of a close and very entertaining fight Rosado caught Davis with a straight right that staggered him badly. With Davis off balance, Rosado took the judges out of the equation by flooring Davis with a picturesque left hook that sent him reeling into the corner. Referee Lindsey Page’s decision to halt the bout wasn’t in question as Davis clearly didn’t have his legs under him as he took several unanswered shots.

The time of the stoppage was 1:01 of the 12th round. Rosado improves his record to 16-5, 9 KO’s. Davis falls to 12-8.

In the co-feature, Bethlehem,Pa junior welterweight Ronald Cruz (11-0, 9 KO’s) knocked out Dillet Frederick (7-4-3 4 KO’s) of Frt Myers, FL in devastating fashion. With a little over a minute to go in the 3rd of their scheduled eight round fight, Cruz unleashed a left hook that sent the Floridian crashing to the canvas. Sammy Viruet waived the fight off when Frederick rose as the count reached seven and intermediately fell back down.

Former Philadelphia high school football star Bryant Jennings (6-0 3 KO’s) beat up on Chicago’s Theron Johnson (5-4, 1 KO) over six rounds in the heavyweight division. The scores were 59-55 and 60-54 twice.

In a South Jersey/North Jersey match-up, Millville’s Julio DeJesus (5-2-1 3 KO’s) scored three knockdowns en route to a four round unanamous decision over Union City’s Hector Collado (0-3-1) in a junior middleweight bout.

Middletown junior lightweight Tyrone Luckey (3-0 3 KO’s) maintained his perfect record by stopping Philly’s Gustavo Dailey (4-11,1 KO) in the third round of their fight scheduled for four. Luckey staggered his opponent with a well placed left hook, then jumped on him to force the referee stoppage.

Atlantic City’s DeCarlo Perez (3-0-1 1, KO) just managed to get past Dontre King of Cambridge, Md, scoring a four round majority desicion.

Brandon Rios won the WBA Lightweight title with an exciting ten round stoppage over champion Miguel Acosta at the Pearl Theatre in The Palms in Las Vegas.

Acosta boxed very well over the first four rounds as he showed a nice mixture of movement, boxing and power shots. Rios started to get into the fight in round five with his relentless pressure and landing power shots with the right hand.

Rios dropped Acosta for the first of three times with a jab and in the process opened up a cut around the right eye of Acosta. Acosta steadied himself to box well in round eight. Rios scored a second knockdown in round eight with a pair of left hands that sent Acosta on the seat of his pants. Rios landed some nice power shots in round nine. In round ten, Rios landed a big right in the corner that sent Acosta down for a third and final time as Acosta’s corner saved their man from any more punishment at 1:14 of round ten.

Rios, 134 1/2 lbs of Oxnard, CA is still undefeated at 27-0-1 with nineteen knockouts. Acosta, 134 1/2 lbs of Caracas, Venezuela lost for the first time in nine years (nineteen fights) and is now 28-4-2.

“A star was born tonight,” said Hall of Fame Top Rank promoter Bob Arum as Rios (27-0-1, 19 KOs) thrilled the crowd with an action-packed performance and 10th round knockout victory over Acosta at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. The 32-year-old Venezuelan had the early upper hand over Rios by moving around the ring and landing hard punches to the head. Acosta (28-4-2, 22 KOs) was able to stifle Rios’ game plan by boxing the brawler with a strong jab through the first several rounds. But by the end of the fifth, Rios finished with a flurry and walked back to his corner with a sense of confidence that shined throughout the rest of the fight.

In the sixth, Rios, 27, was finally able to force Acosta to engage in an inside scrap. Rios, the naturally larger fighter, started unloading his heavy hands and eventually dropped Acosta with a left jab. “I’ve got a pretty good jab … when I use it,” joked the predominantly come-forward fighter.

With tears of joy in his eyes after the fight, the newly-crowned champ showed tremendous modesty in his reaction. “I proved I’ve got a good chin now,” Rios said with a smile. As for what’s next for Rios, the determined fighter said he would fight anyone in the lightweight division. “Whatever Bob Arum wants,” said Rios as Arum looked on with a proud smile.

Following his first loss since 2003, a disheartened Acosta admitted, “I’m more sad than hurt. I prepared for the fight but Brandon Rios has power.”

Antonio DeMarco scored a twelve round unanimous decision over Reyes Sanchez in a twelve round Lightweight elimination bout at The Heartland Events Center in Grand Island, Nebraska.

DeMarco cut Sanchez in the first minute of the fight as a right jab opened up a cut over the left eye of Sanchez. DeMarco took the early rounds as he landed the harder blows. Sanchez came back in the middle rounds as he applied great pressure as he landed some good shots but with little power behind it. There were some great exchanges at the end of the middle rounds. DeMarco steadied himself to win enough of the late frames to hold on the victory by scores of 117-111; 116-112 and 115-113.

DeMarco, 134 1/2 lbs of Tijuana, Mexico is now 25-2-1. Sanchez, 134 1/2 lbs of Mexico City is now 24-2.

Said DeMarco: “Sanchez is a great fighter and he threw a lot of punches. It was a great fight. I love fighting in Nebraska. The crowd was really into it. That really motivated me.”

Jesus Pabon scored a scintillating first round stoppage over Americo Santos in a scheduled twelve round bout at the Palm Bay Center in Palm Bay, Florida

Pabon dropped Santos with a perfectly times straight left hand and then with a with a left right combination and referee Frank Gentile stopped the bout at 2:45 of round one.

Pabon, 139 lbs of Carolina, Puerto Rico is 17-1 with eleven knockouts. Santos, 140 lbs of Garland, Texas drops to 26-4-1.

Francisco Ginorio scored two knockdowns in route to a four round unanimous decision over Franklyn Gonzalez in a Jr. Middleweight bout.

Ginorio scored knockdowns in round’s three and four to win by scores of 39-35; 38-36 and 38-36

Ginorio, 155 lbs of Palm Bay, FL is now 8-0. Gonzalez, 154 lbs of the Dominican Republic is now 13-8

RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA — Despite the close final tallies of the ringside scorers, Ana Julaton was impressive in a mostly one-sided ten-round unanimous decision over game veteran Franchesa Alcanter in defense of her WBO Super Bantamweight title on Friday night at the Craneway Pavilion.

Julaton (8-2-1, 1 KO) of Daly City, California was both the aggressor and the superior boxer over the course of the ten-round affair. To her credit, Alcanter (18-10-1, 9 KOs) of Kansas City, Missouri did not come to lie down and fought hard until the ring of the final bell.

Julaton, 116 ½, applied pressure from round one, and had Alcanter, 118 ½, backing up as the opening round closed. Julaton settled into a boxer-mover style for rounds two and three, before upping her output in the fourth. Late in the round, Julaton let loose on Alcanter in a corner. The Kansas City resident showed some bravado as she smiled at Julaton after the ring of the bell.

In the fifth, Julaton continued to beat an apprehensive Alcanter to the punch. Despite her natural size advantage, Alcanter did not fight like the larger woman in the bout. Just as was the case in the round before, Julaton pressured Alcanter near the ropes to close the fifth.

Alcanter landed perhaps her best shot in the sixth, a straight right that snapped Julaton’s head back. Alcanter had some success in the round, but Julaton made have stole it with a lead left hook that landed flush late. After a letdown in the action in the seventh, Julaton came right out at Alcanter in the eighth. Landing punches in combination, Julaton forced Alcanter into retreat and drew blood from the veteran’s nose.

Perhaps looking for the opportunity to do what several other top flight females have been unable to, stop Alcanter, Julaton continued to force the fight in the ninth. Alcanter bravely fought back and did not appear to be in any serious trouble, but she did absorb a good amount of punishment in the round. Julaton closed the fight well in the tenth and appeared to be headed for a wide decision victory.

In the end, all three official scorers had it for Julaton by the scores of 96-94, 97-93 and 98-92. “I thought that is was at least eight to two,” said Julaton advisor and lead cornerman for the night Angelo Reyes. “It was an extremely dominant performance. I mean six to four? That is just silly.” Julaton’s promoter Allan Tremblay was in agreement with Reyes. “If you watch the tape, you will find out that [Ana] forced the action,” said Tremblay of Orion Sports Management. “She was the aggressor.”

Due to a scheduling conflict, Julaton’s famed trainer Freddie Roach was unable to work the corner Friday night in Richmond. After the clear-cut decision win, it was obvious that the missing person in her corner had little effect on the outcome, but still the press was curious about the situation at the post-fight presser. “He was definitely with us in spirit,” said Reyes, who has worked with Julaton since her amateur days. “I did what I am sure Freddie would have told me to do, ‘Hold the water, and let Ana do her thing.’ Freddie Roach is the best trainer in the world. He has I believe three world champions right now: Manny Pacquiao, Amir Khan and Ana Julaton. We completely understand.”

Though most of what fight observers notice is the action in the corner, the work of a trainer is most valuable in camp. “All the work had been done and I have a strong corner,” explained Julaton, who had worked with Roach through Wednesday. “We all have the same focus and game plan, and we just go out and deliver.”

As for what comes next, Julaton’s promoter is already close to finalizing her next date. “We are going to fight in the Philippines, probably on April 9th,” said Tremblay. “I can’t announce it just yet, but I have already secured the opponent. I am assured from the doctor here that she could fight next week, so I think we are good for the ninth.”

Taking into account the four main sanctioning bodies, there is one other world champion at 122-pounds, WBA title-holder Lisa Brown, who holds a win over Julaton. The other two titles are currently vacant, but those positions will soon be filled. The vacancy of the IBF title is about to be filled by the winner of the upcoming Melinda Cooper-Ada Velez bout, while the WBC kingpin will be decided by the Yesica Marcos-Fredee Gonzalez fight.

After a series of rigorous distance wins against formidable opposition, Julaton’s promoter does not have designs on throwing her at one of the other title-holders just yet. “We’ve fought champions and number one contenders, and every fight is a tough one, but you don’t have to go to the extreme every time,” explained Tremblay. “So I think it is time for us to step back and fight a voluntary defense if you will, and not one of the killers.”

In the other boxing match on the card, exciting Filipino prospect Bruno Escalante Jr. (2-0-1, 1 KO) of San Carlos, California by way of Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines rolled over Martin “Tarzan” Sandoval (0-1) of Oakdale, California in under two rounds.

Escalante, 122 ½, was a ball of energy and Sandoval, 124 ½, did not have an answer for his attack. Sandoval, an accomplished professional mixed martial artist, was downed in the first by a straight left hand he probably did not see coming. Escalante, a former National PAL Champion as an amateur, came out at Sandoval in the second and eventually landed the same straight left to score a second knockdown. This time Sandoval got up much slower and referee Ray Balewicz waved off the fight at the 1:05 mark.

Amateur Kickboxing

Gaston Bolanos of Dublin, California scored a second-round stoppage of Ike Spears of Fresno, California in a light welterweight bout scheduled for three. Bolanos, who fights out of the Combat Sports Academy in Dublin, forced a standing eight count with a barrage of kicks in the second round. Referee Dan Stell allowed the fight to continue, but urged Spears to “show him something.” Spears, who trains out of the Fresno Kickboxing Academy, looked to be fatigued and not on steady legs. Bolanos proceeded to score a knockdown, which is not what Stell was looking for and the fight was stopped at the 1:30 mark of the second.

In a competitive and action-packed bout, Dee Alhadi of San Jose, California scored a three-round unanimous decision over Marc Talledo of Milpitas, California. Talledo, who trains out of the Unlimited Training Center in Milpitas and Alhadi, who trains out of the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, each had their moments over the course of the three rounds.

In the second round, Talledo, 134 ½, and Alhadi, 130, stood in the center of the ring and exchanged power shots, pleasing the fight crowd on hand. In the end, all three judges scored the fight a shutout for Alhadi, 30-27. The final tallies are a bit misleading, as Talledo traded on even ground with Alhadi for much of the contest.

Xavier Vigney of Pleasant Hill, California prevailed by first-round stoppage over Gary Grant of Antioch, California in the final fight of the evening. The much taller Vigney, who trains out of Team Black in Pleasant Hill, forced a standing eight count early in the bout, as Grant, who trains out of Guila Hawaiian Kajukenbo-Kickboxing in Antioch, covered up against a series of unanswered blows.

Vigney, 206, landed a swift kick that downed Grant, 222 ½, soon after the rendering of the standing eight. With Grant up, but wobbly and potentially injured, referee Ray Balewicz called the fight. Grant, either angry with his performance or the stoppage, kicked the stool in his corner as the ringside doctor attempted to observe him.

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

Hotshot prospect Danny Garcia remained undefeated by scoring a second round stoppage over John Figueroa in a scheduled eight round Jr. Welterweight bout at the Four Points Sheraton in San Diego, California.

Garcia landed a hard left hook that wobbled Figueroa back to the ropes and then some hard straight right hands with a couple of left’s to the body forced the referee to stop the bout at fifty-two seconds of round two.

Garcia, 141 lbs of Philadelphia is now 20-0 with fourteen knockouts. Figueroa, 141 1/2 lbs of Salinas, PR is now 7-9-3.

In a battle of undefeated Super Middleweights, Marco Antonio Periban needed just one crushing right hand to dispose of Dion Savage Jr. in a scheduled eight round bout.

Periban landed the right that dropped Savage. Savage got to his feet but the referee called the bout off at thirty-three seconds

Periban, 169 lbs of Mexico City is now 11-0 with eight knockouts. Savage, 168 lbs of Michigan is now 10-1.

Pablo Armenta scored a four round unanimous decision over Alejandro Cruz in a Lightweight bout.

Scores were 40-36 on all cards for Armenta, 133 lbs of San Diego and is now 5-0-1. Cruz, 133 lbs of Mexico City is now 3-13-2.

Adrian Vargas made a successful pro debut with a four round unanimous decision over Fanky Martinez in a Jr. Welterweight bout.

Scores were 40-36 on all cards for Vargas, 139 1/2 lbs of National City, CA. Martinez, 138 1/2 lbs of Costa Rica is 0-2.

Hanzel Martinez remained undefeated with a four round majority decision over Alejandro Solorio.

Martinez, 121 lbs won by scores of 39-37; 39-37 and 38-38 to go to 10-0. Solorio, 118 lbs is 4-3.