Word out of Scotland is that Ricky Burns gets his long awaited World Title shot when he challenges Roman Martinez for the WBO Super Featherweight crown on the 4 September in Glasgow at the Kelvin Hall. Burns 27, steps up in class against unbeaten Puerto Rican Martinez who will be making his third defence. Martinez ironically won it on British soil when he stopped Nicky Cook back in March 2009.

Also scheduled for the undercard is an intriguing Commonwealth Featherweight title fight between experienced champion John Simpson who fights on home soil & unbeaten prospect Stephen Smith. Simpson an 8 year veteran who sports a 21-6(9) ledger is also a former British champion. For his part Smith 24, puts his 10-0(6) record on the line along with his reputation as one of the top prospects in Britain. Smith narrowly missed out on qualifying for the 2008 Olympics but has taken vengeance sweeping aside all before him in the pro ranks. This will be his acid test though.

Also appearing is Paul Appleby who makes his debut fighting for Frank Warren. It will be one time bright prospect Appleby, still only 23’s first fight in 16 months when he fought valiantly though ultimately unsuccessfully against Martin Lindsay.

With a victory over Bernabe Concepcion on July 10, WBO Featherweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez will showdown with Rafael Marquez on September 18th, this according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“The only one who doesn’t agree to this deal is a guy named Bernabe Concepcion,” Top Rank’s Bob Arum, who promotes Lopez and Concepcion, said. “But we made our deal with Showtime and we have the MGM on hold.”

“I’m really excited about this fight because I believe Marquez wins the fight,” said Gary Shaw, who promotes Marquez. “I think ‘Juanma’ is overrated. [Showtime’s Ken] Hershman told me Top Rank’s deal with him was done and Beltran told me we were all buttoned up and done. So all we are waiting for is the July fight and for ‘Juanma’ to come out victorious and healthy.”

“That’s always a big rivalry (between Puerto Rican and Mexican fighters) and we’re doing the fight on the Mexican holiday,” Shaw said. “What could be bigger?”

Said Arum, “It’s a sensational fight and a great fight particularly for that date because it’s the 200th anniversary of Mexican independence.”

“Rafael Marquez really wanted this fight,” Shaw said. “He believes he wins the fight and that it’s a great opportunity for him. If he beats ‘Juanma’ he knows that anyone who doubted that he should be in the Hall of Fame won’t be able to doubt him anymore.”

“If Marquez beats Lopez, he’s got some more really big fights in the division,” Shaw said. “The next fight I’d try to make is with [Top Rank-promoted titlist Yuriorkis] Gamboa.”

“I look at the fight like another Barrera-Morales kind of fight because of their styles and the way they’re going to come and bomb each other, and not take a backward step,” Arum said.

Sources have told 15rounds.com that highly regarded Jr. Middleweight Shawn Porter will take on Ray Robinson in a fight mandated at 150 lbs in Memphis, Tennessee and will be part of a tripleheader that will feature Fernando Guerrero battling Ishe Smith as well as Lenard Lane taking on Mike Dallas Jr.

The card will take place on July 16

Porter of Akron, Ohio is 15-0 with twelve knockouts. Robinson of Philadelphia will be looking to rebound from his first professional loss on December 3rd to Brad Solomon and has a record of 11-1 with four knockouts,

The Tripleheader will be telecasted on Showtime.

Saturday night at the Renaissance Sports Complex in Valley View Ohio, MMA pioneer Dan Bobish traded in his gloves for a suit as he presented the first, in a series of shows, entitled Ultimate Cage Battles. The capacity crowd was treated to a exciting evening of amateur and professional MMA coupled with the appearance of celebrity guests that thrilled the fans. UFC Legend Mark Coleman was in attendance along with UFC fighter Wes Sims. Coleman was a 1992 Olympian, UFC 10 and UFC 11 Tournament Champion, 2000 Pride Fighting Championships Open Division, and 3 time UFC world champion & was the first ever UFC Heavyweight Champion of the World. Coleman was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame at UFC 82. The broadcast team entertained the crowd throughout the night as Bobish hired Cleveland radio personalities Marty Allen and Paul Rado who served as the blow by blow and color commentators. George Michael Phillips served as the evening’s ring announcer.

Results

Donte Adams def. Rubin Mendez
Paul Freeman def. Victor Crenshaw
Brain Forgue def. Nate Hurst
Gino DeGiulio def. Don Kintz
Kyle Booth def. Tyler Bess
Mike Stoker def. Ryan Clark
Chris Wright DRAW Larry DeGiulio
Brandon Inskeep def. Justin Goodall
William Penn def. Bill Clifford
Matt Traylor def. Evan DeLong
Nate Jolly def. Ryan Bixler
Ryan Lang def. Noe Quintania
Rob Wince def. Kyle Gibbons

In the spirit of sportsmanship, following the main event, Kyle Gibbons presented Rob Wince with a check for $500 to the Cayden Wince Memorial Scholarship fund. An emotional Wince accepted the check as the two fighters embraced to a standing ovation showing that once the final bell rings the rivalry ends and the brotherhood begins. Bobish announced that the next show will be September 11, 2010 at the Renaissance Sports Complex with a tribute to the troops theme.

Boxing Promoters Don King, Gary Shaw, & Tuto Zabala teamed up with Jeff Gibson of Elite Promotions for and exciting night of Boxing and MMA in Miami Beach dubbed “Battle at the Beach VIII”.

24 year old Heavyweight Mike Marrone 19-1(14KO) had a very big knockout win over Joseph Rabotte 8-14. Marrone a former Florida Golden Glove champion looked a bit rusty while working his way back into action. He fought in spots early and never seemed to engage until he dropped a bomb of a right hand in round five at 1:49.

Marrone is currently promoted by Don King and trains out of Buddy McGirts Gym in Vero Beach ,FL and was coming off of his first career first defeat in 2008 in Germany against Francesco Pianeta 20-0(12KO’s) who is now ranked #10 by the WBO. At the time of that fight, Marrone was recovering from the passing away of his younger brother Chris due to a car accident and took time off and now is back.

Jimi “Ninja” Chaikong got his first MMA victory over Steven Jenetis who was making his pro debut. Chaikong caught Jenetis in his guard and swiftly maneuvered into a triangle which put Jenetis out when the referee Jorge Ortiz waved it off midway through the first round. Congrats to Jimi Ninja for his first win in over 10 years of professional fighting and breaking his back along the way.. literally in 2001.

In a female boxing attraction Marianne Chubirka 5-4(3KO) won a majority decision over Deneise Jacobs who was making her debut. Churika and Jacobs engaged often with Chukirka landing the heavier shots often finding a home for the overhand right with a come forward style. The cards read 38-38 37-39 40-36.

MMA- Channing Ward won by triangle choke over Danceton Holcom both making pro debut.

Luis Cruz 1-0 won a unanimous decision victory over a very game Frederico Vega 1-1(1KO) both from Puerto Rico. The two fought hard from bell to bell often slugging over boxing. Cruz who is promoted by long time promoter Tuto Zabala and showed promise in his first fight for his new promoter.

In a MMA bout Sam Jones improved to 2-0 with a unanimous decision over Guillermo Marin who was making his debut.

In an action packed light welterweight matchup Roberto Lopez 3-0-2 was relentless with punches and pressure on the way to a unanimous decision over Southpaw Xavier Burges 4-1. All three judges scored the bout 40-36, as did I.

In the second knockout of the night came by way of heavyweight Donato DeMartiis 2-0(1KO) who landed a beautiful left right combo to the head of John Ramos that put out for the count late in round one. Ramos looked determined to land the big shot with several huge handed attempts only to be knocked out himself. It was a try hard effort that got the puncher knocked out by the boxer.

MMA fighter Sidney Carlton got a walkover win over Cedric James who was a no show who showed up at the weigh in’s and not the event.

JP Reese got his first MMA win over Johanner Correa when the fight was called due to strikes at 1:45 of the second round.

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA — Andre Ward continued to prove why he is the class of the super middleweight division as he completely schooled Allan Green over twelve rounds before 8,797 at the Oracle Arena in the most one-sided fight of the Super Six World Boxing Classic thus far.

Green (29-2, 20 KOs) of Tulsa, Oklahoma claimed in the build-up to their fight that he understood jive, and that was the reason why he would do what Mikkel Kessler could not – defeat Andre Ward. That statement proved to be completely false as Green had no answers for anything Ward did inside the ring on Saturday night.

Ward (21-0, 13 KOs) of Oakland began to exact his dominance in the third, as he pressed Green to the ropes and kept him there. Ward remained in Green’s face, as he found success with his uppercut with the Tulsa native’s back against the ropes. Ward, 167 ¾, continued to do excellent work as the third round continued. Green, refusing to move away from the ropes, was hit by everything in Ward’s varied attack, including a clean right hook, body shots and the uppercut.

The fourth round looked like much the third, as Ward continued to prove to be an adept inside fighter. Ward began the fifth fighting at long range seemingly to just show that he could dominate at that distance just as much as he had done at close quarters the previous stanza. A brief exchange late in the round would give great insight to Ward’s superiority over Green. A right landed for Ward, he then blocked Green’s retort and landed a clean counter to close the round. If Green, 166, could not compete effectively on the outside, he had no shot in the fight.

Green resorted to holding for much of the sixth, especially after Ward got him in trouble early in the frame. Ward opened up a bit with Green against the ropes again, landing a clean left hook to close the round. Green was clearly a beaten and dejected fighter as he sat down on his stool before the seventh.

By the seventh round, the lead right hand thrown at long range had become a lethal weapon for Ward. The Oakland native began to utilize feints to find openings for clean blows throughout the middle rounds. Green looked completely lost, with his will to make the fight apparently depleted. With Green in survival mode, Ward picked his shots as the fight progressed.

As the fight wound down, Green would get caught clean at times, often while he looked to tie up Ward. The only question that remained was whether or not Ward would rally to score the knockout, or if Green would hang on until the final bell. To Green’s credit, he did not take the easy way out, and made it to the final bell. As the fight concluded, Oakland celebrated as their fighting son soaked in the adulation. Scores revealed the fight to be a shutout, as judges Glenn Feldman, Marty Sammon and Alfredo Polanco unanimously scored the bout 120-108 for Ward.

Somewhat expectedly Green gave Ward credit for the win, but found an excuse to justify the one-sided defeat. “Ward fought a hell of a fight,” said Green in the immediate aftermath. “I came in at 166, which was a little lower than I expected, and I feel it sapped me. I felt extremely weak. I trained hard, but I don’t feel I did it effectively.”

Despite failing to win a single round against Ward tonight, Green will fight Mikkel Kessler for his WBC Super Middleweight title later this year in Group Stage 3 of the Super Six tournament. At a press conference last month, Ward’s trainer Virgil Hunter had stated his belief that Green would go on to defeat Kessler in the next stage, but tonight’s fight seemed to curb those feelings.

“If he can make the adjustments, he’s got a style that can be successful for him against Kessler,” Hunter said. “But if he comes in like he did tonight, I think Kessler is going to cut right through him. Because of the type of fighter Kessler is. But Kessler will put himself at risk, so Allan Green does have a puncher’s chance.”

Ward had a conversation with Green after the fight that offers some insight on that Group Stage 3 match-up. “Before this fight, I liked Allan Green [to beat Kessler,]” said Ward. “But he revealed some things to me after the fight, about his weight, how he needs to go up to 175- and how he felt flat. I told him, ‘if you train smart and get the weight off smart I think you can beat Kessler and go get the belt.’ But he kind of seemed out of it, and he was like ‘yeah, well, I don’t know.’ So if that weight is that big of a deal, I would have to lean towards Kessler.”

“But if he can regroup and get the weight off the right way and still be strong, I think he has a bit more than Kessler,” said Ward, who could have a bright career has an analyst later on in life. “But he has got to prove it. You have got to stop the talk and you have got to be able to prove you can compete at this level. Kessler has proved it, he has not yet.”

Perhaps the most anticipated Group Stage 3 pairing will be Ward’s title defense against his former 2004 U.S. Olympic teammate and close friend Andre Dirrell. No fight to take place in the tournament thus far has a deeper back-story. If you have been following the Fight Camp 360° documentary series on Showtime, then you have seen them root for one another every step of the way. It was apparent at the post-fight press conference that Ward does have mixed feelings about the bout.

“It will be difficult to fight Andre Dirrell in the upcoming fight, but I am going to put that aside for now,” said Ward. “We have got to find a way to get it done. But I have never experienced it before, so I can’t really say how I am going to feel. We have just got to find a way to get it done.”

Many fight pundits have expressed concerns regarding the unnerving end to Dirrell’s disqualification victory over Arthur Abraham in Group Stage 2 in March. Dirrell, who was defenseless after having slipped to a knee, was hit by a devastating blow from Abraham. In the moments that immediately followed, Dirrell was incoherent and inconsolable. Ward believes that his good friend is in fine health, and that scary scene will have no bearing on their fight.

“I think he is ok,” stated Ward. “I think it looked bad, but I think a lot of people are a little too worried about it. It was a concussive kind of shot, but I don’t think it was a career-ending shot or anything like that. I think he is fine, he is still silly as ever. He is still Andre to me, so I don’t think it is a problem.”

Win or lose against Dirrell later this year, Andre Ward has clinched his place in the semi-finals of the Super Six with the four points he has earned after two fights. Having scored the tournament’s only knockout, Abraham is sitting pretty with three points, while the rest of the field will be fighting for their tournament existence in the third stage. What is most clear after tonight, Andre Ward is the man to beat.

Junior welterweight Steve Upsher Chambers (22-1-1, 6 KOs) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania remained undefeated as he boxed his way to a unanimous eight-round decision over Hector Alatorre (16-10, 5 KOs) of Tulare, California in the last fight before the main event.

Chambers, 144, was cut in the third round by what was ruled an accidental head clash, but failed to allow that to bother him at anytime in the bout. Alatorre, 142 ½, hit the canvas in the fourth, possibly from a left hand, however referee Dan Stell ruled that it was slip. It was not clear from ringside what caused Alatorre to go down, but soon after the Tulare resident was clearly stunned. Chambers pressed Alatorre the rest of the round, but was unable to fully capitalize on the moment.

As the fourth round came to a close, it looked as though Chambers may score his seventh stoppage, but the Philly fighter let off the gas pedal and cruised to the decision the rest of the way. Alatorre failed to threaten at any point and was unable to solve the puzzle of the smooth-boxing Chambers. Judge Kermit Bayless scored the fight a shutout, 80-72, while Marshall Walker and Jon Schorle both had it 79-73.

Tough luck light heavyweight Billy Bailey (10-8, 4 KOs) of Bakersfield, California rocked unbeaten prospect Mark Tucker (14-0, 7 KOs) of Eldersburg, Maryland several times over eight rounds, but failed to win over the judges who scored the fight unanimously for his DiBella Entertainment-promoted opponent.

Bailey, 175, got off to a great start, as he rocked Tucker, 175, with a couple clubbing overhand rights to close round one. As the fight progressed, Bailey would get outworked by the jab-and-move style of Tucker for stretches, but then clearly land the harder shots. Tucker found his rhythm in round four, the one round that was clearly his. The pace slowed in the next two rounds which favored the boxer Tucker.

Bailey regained control of the fight in the seventh as he landed a solid combination that buckled Tucker’s knees late in the round. Tucker resulted to clutching the onrushing Bailey and even ducked his head out of the top rope to avoid shots in several instances. The eighth looked much like the final minute of the seventh, as Bailey chased down a wobbly Tucker looking to land the one punch he needed to score a knockdown. Unfortunately for Bailey, Tucker managed to grapple and move enough to avoid a potentially fight-ending blow.

Judges Marshall Walker and Jon Schorle both scored the bout 77-75, while Judge Kermit Bayless had the fight a puzzling 78-74 for Tucker. The official scores read by the ring announcer were vehemently booed by the crowd on hand. With the victory, Tucker claimed the inaugural WBO NABO Youth Light Heavyweight title.

Fight fans that made their way to the arena promptly at the five o’clock start time were treated to an entertaining four-round slugfest as Alexander Podrezov (2-0) of Los Angeles, California by way of Sukhumi, Abkhazi scored a four-round majority decision over game journeyman John Dunham (1-6-1) of Stockton, California. Outside of a dominant third round, Podrezov, 144, was pushed in every frame by the free-swinging Dunham, 142. In the end Judge Marshall Walker had the fight even, 38-38, but was overruled by the scores of Jon Schorle and Kermit Bayless, who had the fight 39-37 for Podrezov.

In the first of two walkout bouts, former amateur star Michael Ruiz Jr. (3-0, 1 KO) of Fresno, California survived the first scare of his professional career, coming off of the canvas to score a four-round unanimous decision over Juan Tepoz (4-3-1) of Santa Rosa, California. Pacheco, 118, came right at Ruiz, 117 ½, eventually landing a right hand to down him in the first round. Ruiz, likely a bit shaken by the blow, got up quick and made it to the bell. As the fight went on, Ruiz began to flash his superior boxing skills, landing his cleanest shots after countering the aggressive Tepoz. After a fourth round that clearly favored the Fresno native, all three judges, Kermit Bayless, Jon Schorle and Marshall Walker, had the fight for Ruiz by the score of 38-37.

In the final fight of the evening, welterweight prospect Willie Nelson (14-0-1, 8 KOs) of Cleveland, Ohio scored a first-round stoppage over faded former title challenger Jesse Feliciano (15-10-3, 9 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nevada. Nelson, 148, came right at Feliciano, 149, who was all too willing to engage. Nelson, who is Paul Williams-like in size, quickly landed a left jab, straight right combination to down Feliciano. The always game Feliciano got up to his feet, but was not on sturdy legs. Nelson moved in and landed a flashy combination that prompted referee Dan Stell to stop the fight at the mark of 1:23 of the first. Nelson was a replacement for former 140-pound titlist Kendall Holt, who decided he needed more time before launching his comeback at welterweight. For Feliciano, a loser of five straight bouts against high caliber competition, it appears time to call it career.

Photo by Jan Sanders/Goossen Tutor Promotions

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

Sherzod Husanov made a successful United States debut by scoring a ten round majority decision over Jhon Berrio in a Jr. Middleweight bout in Spokane, Washington.

Husanov was more effective with consistent scoring blows that got inside the hard charging but wild Berrio.

Husanov, who made a long trek from Siberia just three days before the fight showed some signs of fatigue in the middle rounds but dug deep to win some of the later rounds to solidify the victory.

Husanov, 153 1/2 lbs is now 10-0-1. Berrio, 156 lbs of Colombia is 15-7.

Maxim Vlasov scored a third round knockout over former Olympian Jerson Ravelo in round three of a scheduled ten round Super Middleweight bout.

Vlasov was effective with the right hand in the first while Ravelo tried to work the body in the second. A minute into the third, Vlasov landed a booming right that dumped Ravelo on the canvas and could not beat referee Jeff Macaluso’s ten count at 1:12 of round three.

Vlasov, 166 1/2 lbs of Samara, Russia is now 18-0 with nine knockouts. Ravelo, 167 1/2 lbs of Newark, NJ is now 20-5.

Jonte Willis scored a thirf round knockdown en route to a four round unanimous decision over Leo Bercier in a Heavyweight bout.

Willis was dominant against Bercier, who took the fight on one day notice. In round three, a series of uppercuts forced Bercier to take a knee. Willis was never threatened in the fight.

Willis, 214 1/2 lbs of Tacoma, WA won by scores of 40-35 on all cards to remain undefeated at 7-0. Bercier, 210 3/4 lbs of Lakeside, CA is 8-13-1.

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA — The build-up for the final Group Stage 2 bout of the Super Six World Boxing Classic, extended by two months due to injury, has finally reached its crescendo and all that is left is the fight itself. Andre Ward, the top super middleweight regardless of where some boxing publications rank him, defends his WBA Super Middleweight title for the first time against longtime contender Allan Green tonight at the Oracle Arena. The two counterparts got one last look at each other after weighing in Friday afternoon at the Hilton Oakland Airport.

Ward (21-0, 13 KOs) of Oakland will enter the ring tonight in his new role as the betting favorite to win the entire Super Six tournament. Ward found himself in that role by knocking off the number one 168-pounder in the world, and the original favorite, Mikkel Kessler in his last fight. Tonight’s fight also marks the first time in many years that a native San Francisco Bay Area fighter will be defending his world title in the Bay Area, once a thriving boxing hotbed.

Opposing Ward is the formidable tournament newcomer, Green (29-1, 20 KOs) of Tulsa, Oklahoma, who replaced Jermain Taylor after his scary knockout loss to Arthur Abraham last year. Green has been on the cusp of title contention for several years, but never before fought for a world title. Despite the lack of a big fight victory on his ledger, Green was disgusted that he was left off the original Super Six roster and hopes to show the odds-makers why he deserved the sixth spot from the beginning.

Somewhat ironically this is a fight that could have happened two or three years ago. Ward’s promoter Dan Goossen had attempted to put his promising young star in with Green then, but for whatever reason the talks ultimately broke down. Following a Ward victory in San Jose, California, Goossen even told the media on hand that he would not revisit the Green fight because of how poorly the negotiations went. In the two years that followed, advertently or inadvertently, Ward found another way of proving his superiority over Green: by beating old Green opponents more convincingly than Green had, and by beating Green’s lone conqueror, Edison Miranda.

Earlier in the week, those two other opponents, Rubin Williams and Jerson Ravelo, went on record by picking Ward to win tonight. In any event, a fight that would have been a pick ‘em contest two years ago, is not such today, but a compelling fight nonetheless. It is also a fight that could determine much of how the rest of the Super Six tournament plays out. There are too many possible what if scenarios to play out here, but the who wins and how is crucial to every participant in the tournament. On top of everything, it matches two contrasting styles in and out of the ring which should translate to compelling entertainment for those looking on at the Oracle Arena and for those watching on Showtime. Before their final nose-to-nose meeting, Ward scaled 167 ¾-pounds, while Green came in at 166.

Heading up the off-television undercard, unbeaten Steve Upsher Chambers (21-1-1, 6 KOs) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania will take on venerable journeyman Hector Alatorre (16-9, 5 KOs) of Tulare, California in an eight-round welterweight fight. Chambers, who will fighting outside of his home state for the first time in his career, has fought all but one of his pro bouts at the Legendary Blue Horizon. Alatorre, who had an accomplished amateur career, is coming off of a tenth-round stoppage defeat to Victor Ortiz in February. Chambers scaled 144, while Alatorre weighed in at 142 ½-pounds.

Former amateur standout Michael Ruiz Jr. (2-0, 1 KO) of Fresno, California will see action against the pugnacious Juan Tepoz (4-2-1) of Santa Rosa, California in a four-round bantamweight fight. Ruiz, who scaled 117 ½, fought just last month and scored a devastating second-round knockout of Jose Pacheco on the Paul Williams-Kermit Cintron undercard in Carson, California. Tepoz, who weighed in at 118-pounds Friday, last fought in April, scoring a four-round decision over the same Jose Pacheco.

Making his debut under the DiBella Entertainment banner, Mark Tucker (13-0, 7 KOs) of Eldersburg, Maryland will take on the always tough Billy Bailey (10-7, 4 KOs) of Bakersfield, California for the vacant WBO NABO Youth Light Heavyweight title in an eight-rounder. Tucker has fought almost exclusively in his home state of Maryland, but has chalked up wins over a few faded, but notable names, including the aforementioned Rubin Williams. The streaky Bailey, coming in off of a controversial majority decision loss to former title challenger Danny Santiago in Florida, has fought a slew of prospects and been known to spring the occasional upset. Tucker originally scaled 175 ½-pounds, but was attempting to work off the extra one-half pound at press time. Bailey, a youthful 32-years-old, scaled 175-pounds even.

Welterweight prospect Willie Nelson (13-0-1, 8 KOs) of Cleveland, Ohio will take on former title challenger Jesse Feliciano (15-9-3, 9 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nevada in an eight-round swing bout. Nelson, in the Paul Williams mold of a welterweight by standing 6’3” with a unique reach advantage over every opponent he meets, took the fight after Kendall Holt passed in order to give himself more time to prepare as he readies to launch a comeback. The well-traveled Feliciano is hoping to end a four-fight skid which has come against top notch competition. Nelson weighed in at 148-pounds, while Feliciano scaled 149.

Opening up the fight card, Alexander Podrezov (1-0) of Los Angeles, California by way of Sukhumi, Abkhazia will take on John Dunham (1-5-1) of Stockton, California in a four-round welterweight fight. Podrezov, who scaled 144-pounds, turned professional in March, posting a four-round decision over J.C. Saade. Dunham, who came in at 142-pounds, broke through to the win column for the first time in his career two weeks ago, as he bested debuting Herman Bacho after four-rounds in San Rafael, California.

Former WBC Lightweight Champion Jessica Rakoczy (31-3, 11 KOs) of Las Vegas had hoped to end a layoff of nearly a year tonight as she begins a campaign at featherweight, however her scheduled opponent inexplicably came in grossly overweight, prompting the California State Athletic Commission to cancel the bout. Ella Nunez (9-6-1, 2 KOs) of Jamestown, New York took the scales only to come in at 137 ½-pounds, some 11 ½ pounds over the contracted weight. Nunez, who has some solid wins on her resume, including a knockout of current titlist Kina Malpartida, may have thought close would be good enough. Nunez outweighed her last opponent, Melissa Hernandez, by eight pounds in February. A dejected Rakoczy weighed in at 124 ½-pounds, but will have to wait longer than she expected to return to the ring.

Tickets for the event, promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions, Antonio Leonard T&T Productions and DiBella Entertainment, are available online at Ticketmaster.com.

Quick Weigh-in Results:

WBA Super Middleweight Championship, 12 Rounds
Ward 167 ¾
Green 166

Welterweights, 8 Rounds
Upsher Chambers 144
Alatorre 142 ½

Bantamweights, 4 Rounds
Ruiz Jr. 117 ½
Tepoz 118

WBO NABO Youth Light Heavyweight Championship, 8 Rounds
Tucker 175 ½*
Bailey 175

Welterweights, 4 Rounds
Podrezov 144
Dunham 142

Welterweights, 8 Rounds
Nelson 148
Feliciano 149

Featherweights, 6 Rounds
Rakoczy 124 ½
Nunez 137 ½
-Fight called off due to weight disparity

*Tucker attempting to lose ½ pound at press time.

Ward-Green Photo by Jan Sanders/Goossen Tutor Promotions

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

Former four-time world title challenger Omar Sheika took out journeyman Jim Strohl in three rounds in a scheduled eight round Light Heavyweight bout at Ceder Gardens in Hamilton Township, New Jersey.

It was all Sheika from the outset as he blasted away at Strohl with head and body shots that could be heard several rows back. The fight became one-sided in round two as Sheika was pounding away on a game Strohl and the underdog’s left eye became red and there were several instances where referee Lindsey Page was a punch or two away from ending things. Sheika came out to end the night in round three as he trapped Strohl on the ropes several times as he would land multi punch combinations that finally opened up at least one cut around the eyes of Strohl. One last flurry of body and head shots forced Page to jump in and halt the action in round three.

Sheika, 176 lbs of Paterson, NJ has now scored three consecutive stoppages and is now 29-9 with twenty-one knockouts. Stohl of Las Vegas is now 27-9.

Terrence Cauthen boxed his way to an eight round split decision over Cleotis Pendarvis in a welterweight bout.

Cauthen consistently beat Pendarvis to the punch by landing some solid right hooks to the head and body and garbbing before Pendarvis could gesustained offense going.

Scores were 79-73 and 77-75 for Cauthen while a third card read 77-75 for Pendarvis.

Cauthen, 148 lbs of Trenton, NJ is 35-6. pendarvis, 146 lbs of Los Angeles is now 10-3-2.

In an exciting four round Super Bantamweight bout, Benjamin Morales squeaked out a unanimous decision over Francisco Ortiz.

The bout was action packed throughout with bot guys standing toe toe and at some points did some good in-fighting on the ropes.

Morales got the better of the first two frames and maybe got the slight advantage in the final frame to win by a 39-37 tally on all three judges cards.

Morales, 122 lbs of Allentown, PA is 1-0. Ortiz, 122 lbs of Vega Baja, PR is now 1-1.

Rami Ibrahim scored a terrific one punch stoppage over Marcus Smith in a scheduled four round Lightweight bout.

Ibrahim was all over Smith in the first frame and landed a hard right that dropped Smith in the second. When Smith got to his feet he was unsteady and the referee stopped the bout at 1:02 of round two.

Ibrahim, 136 lbs of Philadelphia is now 3–1 with one knockout. Smith, 134 1/2 lbs of Trenton, NJ is 0-3.

Charles Heyward scored a systematic unanimous decision over Reshawn Scott in a four round Light Heavyweight bout

All three judges scored the bout 40-36 in favor of Heyward, 177 lbs of Philadelphia and is now 4-2. Scott. 180 1/2 lbs of Philadelphia is 2-4.

Alando Swain got into the win column with an emphatic four round unanimous decision over alil Farah in a Super Middleweight bout.

Swain buckled Farah on several occasions and won by scores of 40-36, 30-36 and 39-37.

Swain, 162 lbs of Trenton, NJ is now 1-1. Farah, 167 lbs of Philadelphia is 6-5.

Osnel Charles scored a four round unanimous decision over Ramon Ellis in a Lightweight bout.

All three judges saw the fight 39-37 for Chales, 134 lbs of Atlantic City who is now 3-2. Ellis, 137 lbs of Philadelphia is now 0-6.

The card was promoted by Nedal Boxing and can be seen this Sunday on gofightlive.tv

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, World Middleweight champion Sergio Martinez will keep his Middleweight championship and vacate his WBC belt at Super Welterweight.

“Sergio didn’t like to do it, but he gave up the junior middleweight title,” Said Sampson Lewkowicz, who is Martinez advisor. “He’s fought twice at 160 pounds and he built up muscles. He thought maybe he will have to sacrifice too much to be at 154 again.”

“By keeping the middleweight title, he would also have an ability to drop down to fight a big fight at a catch weight,” Said Martinez promoter Lou DiBella. “He bulked up for Pavlik and he knows his body. He said he would have a problem going all the way down to 154 and there is no mega fight for him in that weight class. If there is an economic reason to go down as low as 155, he’d probably do it, but he’s a middleweight now.”

“What Sergio told me was that he preferred to stick at 160 because he wants to follow in the footsteps of his great idol, Monzon,” Lewkowicz said. “It means a lot to him to have the same title as Monzon and there is more prestige he believes in being middleweight champion than in the junior middleweight division.”

Photo by Claudia Bocanegra

Renato “Babalu” Sobral scored a three round unanimous decision over Robbie Lawler in a 195 lb catchweight fight at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles.

After a good first round by Lawler, Sobral came on strong and landed numerous strikes that broke down Lawler.

Sobral, 193 1/2 lbs of Costa Mesa, CA won by scores of 29-28 on all cards and is now 36-8. Lawler, 195 lbs of Granite City, IL is now 17-6.

Sobral said he would like a rematch with Dan Henderson who defeated him eleven years ago.

“This is something I will have to think about,’’ said Babalu, who triumphed by the scores of 29-28 three times. “Yes, of course, I want to be a champion again but I’m old school and he is my friend and friends last longer than title belts. But we’ll see.’’

“I wasn’t hurt, I just wanted to make him think I was,’’ said Lawler, who suffered damage to his body from a multitude of front kicks. “It was a ploy, a decoy, for him to fight me so I could knock him out.

“I’m disappointed with the result, but I have no complaints. The two takedowns in the first round may have been the difference. I know that I could have done much more. I should have done more.’’

Evangelista Cyborg scored a first round stoppage over Mariusz Zaromskis in a scheduled three round Welterweight bout.

Cyborg hurt Zaromiskis early in round one with some hard strikes. Zaromskis made a desperate attempt at a running high knee that was thwarted by Cyborg and Zaromskis fell to the ground where Cyborg pounced on him with three hard shots and referee Herb Dean stopped the bout at 2:38.

Cyborg, 171 lbs of Brazil is now 18-13 with eleven knockouts. Zaromskis, 169 1/2 lbs of San Jose, CA is now 13-5.

“I am very happy with my performance and this fight,’’ the male Cyborg said. “I’ve had so many first-round knockouts. I can’t say if this was the best, but it was definitely one of the best.

“I want to fight (STRIKEFORCE world welterweight champion) Nick Diaz. He’s the fighter I want more than anybody right now.’’

Tim Kennedy scored a first round submission over Trevor Prangley in a scheduled three round Middleweight bout.

Kennedy, 185 1/2 lbs of Austin, TX won via choke at 3:35 and his record is now 12-2 with half of his wins coming by submission. Prangley, 185 1/2 lbs of South Africa is now 22-6-1.

“I don’t go the distance. In fact, I’m totally against going the distance,’’ Kennedy said. “I’m happy with the end result. He hit me with a good uppercut; that stuff’s not supposed to happen. I have some of the greatest hands in the sport. I just want to start fighting the kinds of opponents I can knock out and start a highlight reel on. I’m tired of fighting wrestlers.’’

KJ Noons scored a three round split decision of Conor Heun in a 160 lb catchweight bout.

Heun almost had Noons out in the first as he had Noons in a rear naked choke. Heun was bloodied under his left eye in the first round and fought through heavy blood flow as he ate a lot of shots by Noons, who is an accomplished boxer.

Noons, 159 1/2 lbs of San Diego won by scores of 29-28 and 29-28 while Heun, 159 1/2 lbs of Hollywood, CA took a cardc at 29-28.

“He’s a very game guy who brought it the whole fight,’’ said Noons, won by the scores of 29-28 twice and 27-30. “I definitely feel I won the fight and I really wanted to please the fans, but I had to work for it. I haven’t used my legs in a while so if felt good to get in some leg kicks.’’

A bloodied Heun felt he’d done enough to get the nod. “I wanted to fight one of the top guys to prove to everybody that I could compete with the top ones, and I think I did that tonight,” he said. “But I’m very disappointed with the decision. Only one judge scored the fight.

“I feel I did more than enough to win although the cuts were definitely a factor. By the third round, I was aiming my punches at the guy in the middle.’’

Noons is now 8-1. Heun is now 8-4.

It will be a battle of former world champions according to Dan Rafael of espn.com when Joel Casamayor battles Robert Guerrero on July 31st as part of the Juan Manuel Marquez – Juan Diaz rematch undercard.

Casamayor-Guerrero, a scheduled 10-rounder at a maximum contract weight of 139 pounds, rounds out the four-fight telecast that will include Marquez-Diaz II, 2009 ESPN.com prospect of the year Daniel Jacobs facing Russia’s Dmitry Pirog for a vacant middleweight title and a lightweight bout between former two-division titlist Jorge Linares and perennial contender Rocky Juarez.

“I made a promise to the ‘Fight Freaks’ that this would be a freak card and I think I’ve delivered that,” Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer told ESPN.com. “I love Casamayor against Guerrero. It’s a big step up for Guerrero and a big opportunity for Casamayor. It’s one of those true crossroads fights. We have Linares-Juarez done and we have Jacobs fighting an undefeated fighter for a world title. I think the rematch of the fight of the year has become more than just that. I think it’s going to be the night of the year.”

“We are finalizing the contract, but we have an agreement by e-mail and have agreed on all the deal points,” Schaefer said.

“Joel is a veteran and he wanted a bigger fight. He wanted Khan,” manager Luis DeCubas Jr. told ESPN.com. “But if it’s not Khan, he’ll fight Guerrero. I think we’re in a different league than Guerrero. Robert is a great young fighter, but he’s never been in there with anyone like Joel. He’s real green. We’ll go through Guerrero first and then we’ll go get Khan or (junior welterweight titleholder Timothy) Bradley, or anyone else.”

“I think to have Linares back [fighting in the U.S.] and fighting a credible opponent like Rocky, I think it’s a big test for Linares, and it’s high noon for Rocky,” Schaefer said. “It’s a very interesting matchup.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, WBO Cruiserweight champion Marco Huck will make the fourth defense of his title against Matt Godfrey in Erfurt, Germany.

“Godfrey is a tough fighter, but he will not get my title,” Huck, 25, said. “I want to keep impressing the fans all over the world and I am determined to put on a spectacular performance against Godfrey.”

“I hope we (Huck and IBF Cruiserweight champion Steve Cunningham) will meet again at some point down the road,” Huck said. “There is still something that needs to be settled between the two of us.”

Hollywood Florida–The Heavyweight Factory Promotions in association with the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood Florida once again put together a magnanimous show for all those in attendance. The average boxing fan will appreciate a middleweight fight but even the casual fan appreciates the biggest of the big, banging it out for prowess amongst the biggest of men. Tonight was filled with brain shattering blows and the crowd loved the smorgasbord of pugilism it was served up.

In the main event of the night former world champion Oliver McCall 54-10 (37KO) stepped in against the game and ready to get it on, Timor Ibragimov 28-2(15KO). The ring savvy veteran McCall started off with a game plan of jabbing on his way in and trying to set up an overhand right, the same of which garnered him his boxing namesake and knocked a then world champ, Lennox Lewis to the canvas for good. As the fight progressed the younger, slicker Ibragimov used his youth and boxing skills to pepper his elder but respected opponent. McCall’s celebrated right hand opened a cut above the left eye of Ibragimov in the 5th but a culmination of ring savvy and a good cut man got Ibragimov through the fire and ultimately his good boxing and youthful exuberance gave him a majority decision.

In the Co-Feature, Haitian Dieuly “The Untamed Beast” Aristilde 7-3(1KO) faced Cuban born Henry Fuentes 11-1(7KO) in rematch of the heavily contested initial bout they had back in 2008. Aristilde had won the initial confrontation giving Fuentes his first and only loss in the square circle. This contest was one that was not the same outcome of the initial bout. Aristilde, coming off one of the most crowd pleasing fights in this writers history over the main event Oliver McCalls son, Elijah McCall; did not look like the same fighter of yore. The Untamed Beast was in an epic war with the younger McCall some time back and may have not recovered just yet as his legs were not as fresh as they once were and his oft tested chin not as granitesque as well. Fuentes had control from the get go and made a very concerted effort to show that his artillery has expanded since we last saw him. Fuentes put away Aristilde at 2:58 of the third round. Fuentes who improved his record to 11-1 as a heavyweight may need to get a bit more aggressive in order to challenge the upper echelon of boxing heavyweights.

The night began with possibly the fight of the night with Eisa Al Dah from Bristol, UK squaring off against the game Anthony Woods of Nassau, Bahamas who has been a cornerstone of South Florida boxing for some time. Both men exchanged valiantly with the Englishman ultimately rattling off a majority decision in a closely contested, crowd pleasing majority decision.

In the second fight of the night, heavyweight prodigy Clive Lowe, making his debut, of heavyweight factory lineage squared off against Tampa native Michael Greeson. Both heavyweights exchanged valiantly and often the first round with heavy blows much to the appreciation of the crowd. As the round came to a close both fighters threw heavy left hooks with Lowe getting the first and the worst of the exchange. Lowe was knocked down as the referee deemed Lowe unable to continue while administering the count.

In the third bout of the night Miami native Yasnay Consuegra 3-0 took it to Michigan journeyman Harvey Jolly 11-15(6KO). In a less then crowd pleasing bout Consuegra improved his record to 3- 0.

In a much anticipated bout with the Heavyweight Factory James Bryant 3-0(3KO), the crowd did not get their money’s worth and did not see the chiseled, former Miami Hurricanes alumna James Bryant strut his stuff. In a fight that echoed opponent versus winner Bryant came out to the inaugural bell with bad intentions but did not get to display them. His opponent fighter, Lujan Henderson was there to smell the daisy and collect a check as without being hit with so much a solid jab took a knee and was “knocked down” twice to give Bryant the TKO win. Not taking anything away from Bryant who looked the epitome of a young, hungry and ready heavyweight.

All in all another win for South Florida boxing its fans and what the Heavyweight factory is manifesting.

Dan Stasiukiewicz Contributed to this report

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA — Boxing returned to the City by the Bay for the first time in several years, as local welterweight prospect Karim Mayfield kayoed Sergio De La Torre in the main attraction before nearly 2,000 of his vocal supporters at the Kezar Pavilion on Saturday night.

Mayfield (13-0-1, 7 KOs) of nearby Daly City, California brought his home crowd to their feet early and often in five rounds of one-sided action. De La Torre (11-14-3, 1 KO) of Escondido, California had been stopped just three times prior to Saturday night, but he was clearly feeling Mayfield’s punches beginning with the first overhand right that was landed early in the first round. Mayfield jumped on his opponent right away, landing a flurry of clean punches with De La Torre leaning against the ropes. Clubbing overhand rights were the weapon of choice for Mayfield, 146.5, as he closed out a dominant first round.

De La Torre, 147, continued to show off his durable chin in the second round as a vicious right, left hook combination landed for Mayfield early on. However, it appeared a Mayfield overhand right forced a knockdown late in the round, but referee Jon Schorle ruled it was a push. Finally in the third, De La Torre began to crack, as a looping left scored the first official knockdown in the fight for Mayfield. De La Torre was downed again, this time by a three-punch combination, just before the end of the third.

To his credit, De La Torre kept coming forward, proving his gameness as the fight continued. Another overhand right stunned De La Torre in the fourth. Mayfield followed up with a left and right that forced the Escondido native to fall into the corner. While it was clear the turnbuckles kept De La Torre off of the mat, a knockdown was not ruled.

The knockdown count would prove to be academic, as a solid right would get De La Torre in trouble again late in the fifth. With the crowd anticipating the stoppage, Mayfield landed an overhand right and a left hook to prompt Schorle to call a halt to the bout at the 3:00 mark of the fifth. As Mayfield found himself hoisted on the shoulders of his team, much of the crowd rushed the ring to celebrate with their emerging boxing star.

Despite competing with San Francisco Giants-Oakland A’s interleague game taking place simultaneously down the highway at AT&T Park and the Andre Ward-Allan Green WBA Super Middleweight title fight which takes place across the Bay next weekend, Mayfield showed he could become the first boxing draw San Francisco has had in many years. That fact, coupled with his exciting style and flair for entertainment, could go along way in making him attractive to a major promoter – something he has been seeking since he turned professional in 2006.

In the co-feature, Tony Hirsch (12-3-1, 5 KOs) of Oakland, California scored a second-round knockout over pudgy journeyman Jovanni Rubio (6-12, 5 KOs) of Santa Rosa, California. Hirsch, 163, controlled the fight from the outset, continually finding a home for his thudding overhand right. Rubio, 167.5, was roughly a foot shorter than his opponent, and was never able to get inside Hirsch’s long reach to do any damage.

After dominating the action with his right hand in the first round, Hirsch turned up the aggression in the second, unleashing flurries with both fists. Finally late in the round, with Rubio retreating from corner to corner, Hirsch unloaded his arsenal with referee Dan Stell standing in close looking for a reason to stop the fight. Hirsch gave the referee the reason he was looking for by landing a big right to stagger Rubio and force the stoppage. Time of the bout was 2:34 of the second round.

In the most competitive bout on the card, former National PAL Champion Bruno Escalante Jr. (1-0-1) of Waimanalo, Hawaii moved up in weight to score his first professional victory over Jonathan Alcantara (4-2-1) of Novato, California in an exciting four-rounder. Alcantara, 120.5, started out well, as he found a home for his straight right against his southpaw opponent in the first round. Escalante, 118.4, turned the fight in the following round with quick flurries and lateral movement.

Fast-paced, high quality fight action continued through the final two rounds and until the final bell. In a fight that could have gone either way, one judge scored the fight 39-37 for Alcantara. That tally was overruled by the scores of the other two judges who had the fight for Escalante, 39-37. Escalante turned pro at 112-pounds, fighting to a draw against Takashi Okada in February. Okada upset the highly touted McWilliams Arroyo in New York on Saturday night.

In the curtain raiser, Benjamin Rivera (1-3) of Fresno, California moved into the win column for the first time in his pro career with a unanimous four-round decision over the still winless Shawn Wate (0-5) of Los Angeles, California. Wate, 138, may have been slowed down by the large afro he sported in the ring, since he was consistently outworked by Rivera, 138.5, for much of the four rounds. In the end, all three judges scored the bout for Rivera by the scores of 40-36 and 39-37 twice.

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

Ivan Calderon retained the WBO and recognized Jr. Flyweight championship with a unanimous decision over Jesus Iribe at the Theater at Madison Square Garden

In round two, Iribe landed a big right hand that put the champion on the seat of his pants that stunned the onlookers at ringside. The fight eased into a flow of Iribe being the cat and the diminutive Calderon playing the roll as the hard to find mouse.

The traded off rounds with Calderon countering very well in spots and Iribe trying to land the one big punch that would change the flow into his favor. In round nine, Calderon had his best round of the night as he landed some solid combinations and made Iribe miss badly on several occasions which prompted the 2,150 in attendance to start “O Lay” chants.

Iribe found it extremely difficult to land anything down the stretch as Calderon was ducking and moving on every attempt Iribe made to land any significant offense while being countered enough for Calderon to win the rounds.

Calderon basically took the latter half of the fight with his defensive and finally in round twelve he felt enough at ease as he had frustrated Iribe to the point where Calderon danced around the ring with his arms raised for the balance of the last minute of the contest.

Calderon, 106 lbs of Guaynabo, PR won by scores of 118-109, 118-109 and 116-111 and is now 34-0-1. Iribe, 106 lbs of Culican, Mexico is now 17-7-4.

In a very entertaining four round bout, Takashi Okada scored a big upset when he scored a unanimous decision over former Puerto Rican Olympian McWilliams Arroyo.

The two fought a spirited brawl as each was rocked on numerous occasions. The difference of the fight came in round two when Okada landed a little right while the fighters feet were entangled but referee David Fields correctly ruled a knockdown as Arroyo was stunned when he got to his feet.

Scores were 39-36, 38-37 and 38-37 for Okada, 113 lbs of Sagamihara, Japan and is now 2-0-1. Arroyo, who along with his twin brother McJoe are highly touted prospects is now 2-1.

Gabriel Bracero scored a six round unanimous decision over Julius Edmonds in a Jr. Welterweight bout.

Although Edmonds tried to press the action he was picked off on most of his attempts to make the fight an inside tussle.

Scores were 60-54 on all cards for Bracero, 141 1/4 lbs of Brooklyn, NY and is now 10-0. Edmonds, 139 1/2 lbs of Philadelphia is now 7-7.

Carlito Gonzalez scored a first round stoppage over U.S. Army Representative Steven Badgley in a scheduled four round Light Heavyweight bout.

Gonzalez was hurt early on after he fell to the canvas after hurting his right leg. The only seemed to fuel Gonzalez as he dropped Badgley twice before referee Gary Rosato stopped the bout at 1:55 of round one.

Gonzalez, 172 1/2 lbs of Yonkers, NY is 1-2. Badgley, 172 lbs of Wattertown, NY was making his pro debut.

Badgley will be leaving for Afghanistan for a tour of duty in the next few days.

Will Rosinsky remained undefeated by battering Angel David Gonzlaez over three round of their scheduled six round Light Heavyweight bout.

Each round was the same as Rosinsky landing hard thudding shots on Gonzalez who tried gamely to fight back but was overmatched. The first round was particularly one-sided as Rosinsky landed several hard uppercuts and combinations and the onslaught was on.

Gonzalez failed to come out for round four so the fight went into the books as a stoppage at the end of round three for Rosinsky.

Rosinsky 178 1/2 lbs of Queens, NY is now 12-0 with seven knockouts. Gonzalez, 178 1/2 lbs of Guaynabo, PR is now 6-8-2.

Glen Tapia opened the show and remained undefeated with a second round stoppage over Nick Runningbear in a scheduled six round Jr. Middleweight bout.

Tapia dropped Runningbear early in round two from a hard left hook. Tapia kept the pressure on until he landed a series of unanswered blows that forced referee Gary Rosato to stop the bout at 1:36 of round two.

Tapia, 150 lbs of Passaic, NJ is now 7-0 with five knockouts. Runningbear 153 lbs of Bismarck, ND is now 4-3.

Photo by Claudia Bocanegra

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA — For the first time in over four years, professional boxing returns to San Francisco tonight as local welterweight prospect Karim Mayfield headlines a four-bout card at the Kezar Pavilion. Mayfield, who found boxing growing up in the Fillmore section of the city, will take on journeyman Sergio De La Torre in the eight-round main event. Fighters weighed in Friday afternoon at Gussie’s Chicken & Waffles.

Mayfield (12-0-1, 7 KOs) of Daly City, California has fought in the Bay Area eight times in his thirteen fight career, but never before in San Francisco. In his last fight, this past March, Mayfield scored a razor thin six-round majority decision over Mario Jose Ramos in Reno, Nevada. Known for his entertaining style, Mayfield will look to be more impressive in front of his home crowd against De La Torre tonight. Mayfield, who has often fought at junior middleweight to get fights, weighed in at 146 ½-pounds Friday.

The well traveled De La Torre (11-13-3, 1 KO) of Escondido, California has won just twice in his past fifteen fights, with many of those fights coming against touted prospects. De La Torre comes in off two tough losses to well regarded light welterweights Mike Dallas Jr. and Josesito Lopez last year. Despite his lopsided record, De La Torre does come to fight and has only been stopped in three of his defeats. In a site note, De La Torre fought in the main event of one of the few events held in San Francisco in recent years, and was stopped in eight by Juaquin Gallardo at the Cow Palace in December of 2003. De La Torre weighed in at 147-pounds Friday.

In the co-feature, former San Francisco Golden Gloves Champion Tony Hirsch (11-3-1, 5 KOs) of Oakland, California will take on Jovanni Rubio (6-11, 5 KOs) of Santa Rosa, California in an eight-round super middleweight fight. Hirsch, who played for the San Jose SaberCats of the Arena Football League, weighed in at 163-pounds. Rubio, who began his career as a light welterweight, scaled 167.5-pounds Friday.

Somebody’s “O” must go, as Benjamin Rivera (0-3) of Fresno, California will meet Shawn Wate (0-4) of Los Angeles, California in a four-round bout pairing winless light welterweights. Rivera, who turned professional last year, weighed in at 138.5-pounds. Wate, who dropped his opponent twice in his pro debut and still managed to lose a four-round decision, scaled 138.

In the fight that may steal the show, all-action Jonathan Alcantara (4-1-1) of Novato, California will take on former amateur standout Bruno Escalante Jr. (0-0-1) of Waimanalo, Hawaii in a four-round super bantamweight fight. Escalante, the 2008 National PAL Champion at 112-pounds, trains out of the same Undisputed Boxing Gym in San Carlos, California as fellow Filipino and current Interim WBA Super Flyweight Champion Nonito Donaire Jr. Alcantara, the naturally larger fighter, has experience against former amateur stars, with upsets over both Aaron Alafa and David Clark. Alcantara scaled 120.5-pounds, while Escalante weighed in at 118.4.

Advertised bouts involving San Francisco-based young pros Richard Hargraves, Miguel Lopez and Cynthia Talmadge were unfortunately cancelled when their opponents fell out and replacements were not found in time.

Tickets for the event, promoted by Mo’ Betta Entertainment and Hard Knox Promotions, are available online at Vbotickets.com.

Quick Weigh-in Results:

Welterweights, 8 Rounds
Mayfield 146.5
De La Torre 147

Super Middleweights, 8 Rounds
Hirsch 164
Rubio 167.5

Light Welterweights, 4 Rounds
Rivera 138.5
Wate 138

Super Bantamweights, 4 Rounds
Alcantara 120.5
Escalante Jr. 118.4

Photos by Junior Beronilla

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

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Top Rank was the only bidder for the WBO Bantamweight title fight that will feature champion Fernando Montiel and Interim champ Eric Morel.

Top Rank’s Carl Moretti said the fight will be televised on “Top Rank Live” (Fox Sports in Espanol) and most likely take place July 17 in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico.

“That is the most likely scenario,” Moretti said. “It’s not definite because the contracts have to be sent out, but that is the most likely scenario.”

Montiel, 31, of Mexico, is entitled to 80 percent of the purse offer, meaning $82,000. Puerto Rico’s Morel, 34, a former flyweight titlist, will receive 20 percent ($20,500).

If Montiel-Morel takes place July 17, welterweight Alfonso Gomez, the former world title challenger and former “Contender” star, will face an opponent to be determined in the co-feature.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, former WBA Super Welterweight champion Yuri Foreman had successful surgery on his right knee. He injured the knee last Saturday night when he dropped a ninth round stoppage to Miguel Cotto in Yankee Stadium.

“It was a success. Yuri was released and starts rehabilitation on Monday,” said Dr. Laith Jazrawi in a statement. “If all goes well, he should be fine in six months. This was from a chronic injury and we didn’t find anything unusual. There were no surprises and nothing we couldn’t repair.”

“I’m pleased the surgery went well,” Foreman said in a statement. “Being on crutches is not the fun part. I thank my fans for their outpouring of good wishes.”

Photo by Claudia Bocanegra

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Scores were 97-93 twice and 96-94.

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