Sunrise, FL — Fighting for Haiti was the name of the card and the name of the game tonight for WBC Welterweight Champion Andre Berto. Berto 26-0 (20KO) retains his WBC strap with an exciting KO win over Carlos Quintana 27-3(21). Berto was able to fight through an early fight torn bicep muscle to overpower the southpaw Quintana.

Berto showed blazing speed right from the opening bell in round one however, was knocked down by the southpaw early, the clean shot was called a rabbit punch, and a knockdown was not credited.

In round 2 Quintana caught Berto with a big straight left that stunned the champ and turned the boxing match into a slugfest.

Round three found both fighters throwing mean shots and Berto catching Quintana with a clever left hook mid round and putting him on the ropes with a variety of body head shots. Quintana was deducted 1 point for hitting behind the head, which he did often.

Berto answered the bell of the fourth round with fast sharp punches, but kept the southpaw in front of him creating a power punch fest. Berto’s pressure served up intense infighting that produced a barrage of heavy shots.

The tempo was just as fierce in the 5th round with several exchanges as these two warriors battled for punching positioning by doing just that, punching. In the seventh Berto came out swinging hard and caught Quintana with some crisp shots all the while being the aggressor. In the eight came the end for Quintana, who was caught with a barrage of crushing right hands. Berto’s onslaught lasted a good minute before referee Tommy Kimmons called an end to the contest at 2:16 of the eighth round with a TKO accredited to Berto’s records. This was a great showing for Berto who is coming off close to a one year layoff. Berto, some may say looked less than perfect but Quintana’s unorthodox style can make a great fighter look average. Berto retained his WBC belt and looks to move up the ladder for a possible super fight in the near future.

“My knockout was pretty vicious,” said Berto. “It may open up their eyes a little bit. But then again they have to look at I’ve been off for a long time so it’s only going get better from here.”

The card, promoted as “Fighting for Haiti” due to, part of the proceeds will benefit the Haitian earthquake relief fund. Berto was born in Florida and his parents were born in Haiti. To help rebuild Haiti, Berto started the Berto Dynasty Foundation.

In the Co-Main Event featherweight Celestino Caballero 34-2 (23 Kos) of Panama city Panama claimed the WBA World title strap with a unanimous decision win over Daud “Cino” Yordan 25-1(19KO) hailing all the way from Indonesia. The longtime WBC and IBF champion Calallero dropped Yordan in the second as a result of a Yordan falling into sharp uppercut. Caballero used his height and reach well throughout the fight keeping the Indonesian fighter at the end of his sharp punches often throwing multi punch combinations at a high connect rate. Yordan found a home for a strong left hook, however not nearly enough as the Mexican’s punch output proved to be too much for Yordan. The twelfth round was wildly entertaining when Yordan stunned Caballero with a series of hard shots, but the attack was a little to late as Caballero weathered the late storm and captured the title with a unanimous decision with the cards reading 119-108 120-107 118-108.

Antwone Smith 18-1 (9kos) from Miami Florida took it to Franklin Gonzalez 13-5 (9kos) of the Dominican Republic in the 10 round welterweight fight. Smith, who often used a George Foreman-like infighting techniques, worked uppercuts and body shot throughout the fight. The end came at 2:40 in the third when Smith caught Gonzalez with a brutal liver shot which left Gonzalez on the canvas for some time after the bell.

Jonathan ‘El Conquistador” Cepeda 8-0 (7KO) from West Palm Beach dominated Shadrack Kipruto 18-15(10KO) with constant heavy shots from the opening bell. Kipruto was dropped in the first and rounds from constant pressure on the Kenyan fighter who looked off balance and awkward. A huge left hook finally ended the bout @2:31 of the second round.

In a very entertaining fight light welterweight Joseph Elegele 6-0(4KO) stopped the game and tough Mario Hayes with a straight left hand in the third round at 2:51. Hayes was also knocked down with a perfect left hook earlier in the 3rd which ultimately set up the KO. Elegele was the 2008 National Golden Gloves runner up, who lost a close and controversial decision to Danny O’Conner.

In a one sided Jr. Middle weight bout Yhudel Johnson 6-0 (4 KO’s) completely dominated Chris Grays 9-20(2KO) who got knocked down twice in the first round did not make it out of the first. Referee stoppage at 2:04.

In a great second fight of the night Willie Monroe (8-0 3ko’s) looked both the slicker and the more powerful puncher beating Ibaheim King 7-2 (2ko’s) to a decision in the six round fight. Scores were all 60-54 for Monroe.

In the first bout of the evening, Yunier Dorticos 4-0 (4ko’s) knocked Zack Ziegler 3-1 (2 KO’s) to his knees with a well placed liver shot at 1:24 in the first in a very one sided fight. Ziegler’s 3 wins must have some by way of Ragu container.

Notable boxing attendees where, Randall Bailey Andre Dirrell, Francisco Palascios, John Jackson, and more.

Johnny Schulz and Dan Stasiukiewicz reporting ringside.

Be sure to listen to the Sunday Sizzler at 4pm with interview from the winning fighters.

Veteran Welterweight David Estrada knocked Orlando Lora from the ranks of the undefeated by scoring a very impressive stoppage after eight rounds in a scheduled twelve round bout at the Agua Caleinte Resort in Palm Springs, California.

Estrada battered Lora from the beginning of the fight as he landed hard right hands and continuously drove Lora back on his heels. Those shots began to mark Lora as blood tricked from the nose of Lora as early as round three. A round later, the blood stared coming from the left eye as a result of the many right hands that Estrada was landing. In round’s seven and eight it became evident that Lora was going to have a tough time being competitive as Estrada was laning almost everything his threw and Lora’s face was becoming a crimson mask. After those two rounds, Lora had less foght in him and the ringside doctor stopped the fight following the eighth.

Estrada, 147 lbs of Chicago is now 24-6 with fifteen knockouts. Lora, 145 1/2 lbs of Culican, Mexico loses for the first time and is now 25-1-1.

Despite taking the fight on just two days notice, Leonilo Miranda scored a sixth round stoppage over Andre Wilson in a scheduled eight round Super Bantamweight bout.

Miranda landed the harder shots as he was the bigger man and was able to impose his will. Miranda was cut in the forehead at the end of round three from a clash of heads. At the end of round five, Miranda turned up the head as he landed some hard left hands just before the bell. That was a precursor as Miranda landed a hard straight left that sent Wilson to a knee. he beat referee Lou Moret’s count but the fight was waved off at forty-three seconds of round six.

Miranda, 125 lbs of Sonora, Mexico is now 25-2 with twenty-four knockouts. Wilson122 lbs of St. Joseph, MO is now 11-4-1.

Angel Osuna handed Ruben Rivera the first loss of his career as he scored a battering first round stoppage in their scheduled four round Jr. Middleweight bout.

Osuna was relentless with right hands as he landed clubbing shots in the first minute. Osuna then unloaded a series of hard rights to the head that forced referee Lou Moret to stop the bout at 1:33 of round on.

Ousna, 154 lbs of Cochella, CA is now 4-2-1- with two knockouts. Rivera, 154 1/2 lbs of Los Mochis, Mexico is now 4-1-1.

Mark Melligen 146 -V- Norberto Gonzalez 147 10 Rounds Welterweight
17-2(13) 18-1(12)

Diego Magdeleno 132 -V- Manny Perez 134.5 10 Rounds Super Featherweight
14-0(3) 14-5-1(2)

Lamont Peterson 143 -V-Damien Fuller 143 10 Rounds Light Welterweight
27-1(13) 30-6-1(14)

Vladimir Tereshkin 241 -V- Joseph Rabotte 254 6 Rounds Heavyweight
12-0-1(7) 7-11(3)

Anthony Lenk 138 -V- Wilson Rivera 138 6 Rounds Light Welterweight
6-1(3) 3-3(1)

Cortez Bey 137 -V- Marcos Herrera 137 6 Rounds Light Welterweight
8-1(4) 5-1(1)

Jose Benavidez Jr 138 -V- Scott Paul 137 4 Rounds Light Welterweight
3-0(3) 5-4(1)

Isaac Atencio 173 -V- Hiromitsu Miura 174 4 Rounds Light Heavyweight
2-2-1(2) Pro Debut

LEMOORE, CALIFORNIA — In an entertaining ten-round affair, longtime journeyman Jason Gavern scored the biggest win of his career and upset the future plans of WBC #9 ranked heavyweight Manuel Quezada in the process, taking a split decision on Thursday night at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino.

Quezada (29-5, 18 KOs) of Wasco, California got off to a good start in the first, stalking his opponent early before finding a home with some stiff right hands. Gavern (19-7-3, 8 KOs) of Kissimmee, Florida did more playing to the crowd than anything else in the first, as he would mug to the crowd after Quezada landed a clean blow.

The momentum of the fight seemed to change in the second, as Gavern, 226.2, caught Quezada, 228, with an accidental headbutt that visibly shook up the defending WBC CABOFE Heavyweight Champion. One point was deducted from Gavern for the headbutt due to an absurd WBC rule penalizing the uninjured fighter after an accidental foul. The headbutt, and the resulting point deduction, seemed to invigorate both fighters, who went toe-to-toe to close the round. While Quezada landed his share, Gavern clearly got the best of the exchange.

Quezada was the busier fighter to start the third, but Gavern picked up the pace late which may have earned him the round. On several occasions, especially during the middle rounds, Quezada would land one solid shot at a time, and Gavern would laugh it off or play to the crowd. After some posturing, Gavern would turn offensive again and win heated exchanges.

Quezada opened the sixth with some solid straight right hands, but still Gavern turned and shook them off. Midway through the round, a normally inconsequential left caught Quezada off balance, sending him to the mat. Referee Marcos Rosales waved off the knockdown, much to the chagrin of Gavern, but the house replay suggested that it was a knockdown. Either way, Quezada was clearly not hurt by the blow, and both fighters closed the round with more gave-and-take action. Again Gavern appeared to be getting the better of the exchange.

The pace slowed in the seventh, as both fighters, Gavern especially, looked drained from the fast-paced bout. Even with their stamina depleting, there was plenty of action in the seventh and to close the eighth. With Gavern resting against the ropes, and looking to hold at times on the inside, Quezada may have won the ninth. Both fighters went all out in the tenth, but a somewhat rejuvenated Gavern got a bit more done. In the end, one judge scored the bout for Quezada, 95-94, but was overruled by the other two judges who both scored it 95-94 the other way.

“I wasn’t supposed to get this fight,” said Gavern after the bout. “I lost my last two fights, and that’s why I think they picked me.” Gavern cited personal issues contributing to defeats to unbeaten prospects, Neven Pajkic and Denis Boystov, in his last two fights. “I lost my last two fights because of my mental state, I wasn’t really ready for those fights, but this time I was prepared.” The prepared Gavern of Thursday night upset a fighter who late last year was ranked WBC #4 and could have been a fight or two away from a title eliminator or a big money fight overseas. While there was no stipulation for a rematch in the event Quezada lost, Gavern said he would be more than willing to give Quezada a rematch. “He gave me the opportunity, so I have to give him the opportunity back.”

After the fight, Quezada sounded like someone who was hoping for another opportunity at Gavern. “As soon as I can get back in the ring, I want to get back in the ring, and if it is with him I would love that,” said Quezada. “As soon as we can do it, let’s do it. If I put my hands together, and got busier, I can definitely beat this guy.” The usually busy Quezada had not fought since October, and feels that may have played a part in his performance. “I don’t take anything away from the guy,” said Quezada. “I knew he was going to be a tough guy. What didn’t help me was the sixth-month layoff. It is what it is, but we have to go back and get at it.”

Rising light welterweight prospect Mike Dallas Jr. (13-0-1, 4 KOs) of Bakersfield, California obliterated journeyman Genaro Trazancos (22-11-1, 13 KOs) of Fort Myers, Florida in the opening round. Dallas, 142.8, dropped Trazancos midway through the first and Trazancos, 140.8, never recovered. A left hook wobbled Trazancos again, this time against the ropes, which brought referee Dan Stell in close to the action. A devastating uppercut and right hook combination sent Trazancos down again, prompting Stell to leap in before he hit the mat. Official time of the stoppage was 2:51 of the first.

The kayo of Trazancos was the second straight impressive knockout victory for Dallas this year. Early in his pro run Dallas had more of a shoeshine style, but has made efforts in sitting down on his blows, and the results are speaking volumes. “A lot of people told me I would hit harder if I slowed it down, since I still had more of an amateur style,” said Dallas. “I have been taking my time, and it has been working in fights. I am hitting much harder.” There has been talk about a fight against Josesito Lopez for Dallas on either the Chris Arreola-Tomasz Adamek undercard on April 24th at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California or on May 8th at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California on the Paul Williams-Kermit Cintron card.

Former amateur star Michael Ruiz Jr. (1-0) of nearby Fresno, California looked impressive in his professional debut, scoring unanimous shutout over durable Jose Luis Mares (0-3) of Lompoc, California. Ruiz, 117.6, stayed in the pocket and picked Mares, 117.4, apart for the four rounds. Any offense Mares could muster was quickly countered with precise shots. Early in the third, a straight left counter busted up a discouraged Mares’ nose. By late in the third, Mares was mostly defensive, which limited Ruiz’ ability to land clean counters. Ruiz, the USA Boxing #3 ranked flyweight before turning pro, won by the unanimous score of 40-36. Ruiz is slated to return to the ring on the May 8th card in Carson.

Forward-moving Juan Tepoz (4-2-1) of Santa Rosa, California pounded out a unanimous four-round decision over game late replacement Jose Pacheco (2-12-6) of Cudahy, California. Tepoz, 122.2, was clearly the harder-puncher and was able to stun Pacheco, 125, at times in the bout. What Pacheco lacked in speed and power, he made up for in heart, as he never took a backward step. After four action-packed rounds, all three judges gave Tepoz the nod at 40-36. Tepoz was originally scheduled to take on Ephraim Martinez (4-0, 1 KO) of Buttonwillow, California, who was forced to pull out after a recent automobile accident.

In a back-and-forth corker, Paul Mendez (4-1, 2 KOs) of Bakersfield, California scored a four-round split decision over previously unbeaten Tyrell Hendrix (4-1-1, 2 KOs) of Los Angeles, California. Hendrix, 170.8, got off to a solid start in the first, as Mendez, 167.8, seemed bothered by his speed and languished on the ropes for long stretches. Action began to heat up in the second, as Mendez settled in as the counter-puncher against the aggressive Hendrix.

Mendez looked briefly winded in the third, which prompted Hendrix to open up even more. Mendez sucked it up and wobbled the onrushing Hendrix coming in late in the third. The fourth featured more two-way action, as Mendez cut Hendrix early in the round, before Hendrix got his second wind and came on late. In the end, one judge scored the bout for Hendrix, 39-37, but was overruled by the other two, who scored the fight 40-36 and 39-37 respectively for Mendez. Mendez may fight in May, but will return to the Central Valley on a June 19th card at the McDermont Fieldhouse in Lindsay, California.

In an entertaining opener, Rufino Serrano (5-3) of Santa Maria, California scored a hard-fought four-round unanimous decision over determined Eder Peralta (1-2, 1 KO) of Pasadena, California. Serrano, 126.4, pressed on the gas pedal late in the first to take control of the fight. Peralta, 127, was not the gifted boxer-mover his opponent was, but it did not stop him from pressing forward for the four rounds. Serrano countered Peralta coming in with a right hand late in the fourth to score the only knockdown in the fight. In the end, all three judges scored the bout for Serrano, 40-35.

2008 U.S. Olympic teammates Shawn Estrada and Javier Molina were originally slated for the card, but had to withdraw with nagging hand injures. Estrada, a former resident of nearby Hanford, was in attendance.

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

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, a Jr. Welterweight shown between WBC champion Timothy Bradley and WBA Interimn champion Marcos Maidana is set for June 19th in the Agua Caliente resort in Rancho Mirage, Calif.

“It’s done,” said Gary Shaw, who promotes Bradley. “It’s a tremendous fight. It’s a great fight in a great division. Great for fans, who will definitely see an exciting fight, great for HBO, great for Gary Shaw, Golden Boy, Bradley, Maidana and boxing. It’s great for all of us.”

“He asked if I had a signed agreement from Abregu and when I said I didn’t, he said, ‘I have an idea. Would you fight Maidana?’ I said, ‘In a heartbeat.'” Shaw said. “We talked about it for a few days and when I spoke to Richard we were able to get it worked out and the fight got made.”

“We’re ready to go,” said Cameron Dunkin, Bradley’s manager. “It’s what Tim deserves and what he needs. The other kid [Maidana] deserves this too. It’s a great opportunity for both of them. Tim was so excited when I told him about it. He just went crazy. He sounded like a little kid. It makes you feel good when something like this gets done and your guy is happy.”

LEMOORE, CALIFORNIA — Overlooked heavyweight contender Manuel Quezada will again be featured in the main event at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino tonight, as he looks to further his cause against venerable journeyman Jason Gavern. Their ten-round fight, with Quezada’s WBC CABOFE Heavyweight title on the line, caps a six-bout card. Fighters weighed in Wednesday afternoon at the casino’s Den Sports Bar.

Quezada (29-4, 18 KOs) of Wasco, California has not been beaten in four-and-a-half years, while looming around in WBC world rankings. Quezada last fought in October, scoring a ten-round decision over Nicolai Firtha, and is one fight removed from a surprising first-round kayo of Travis Walker. Quezada, the WBC #9 ranked heavyweight, weighed in at 228-pounds Wednesday.

Gavern (18-7-3, 8 KOs) of Kissimmee, Florida is one heavyweight used to being placed in the role of spoiler. Gavern, a pro since 2003, has been in with several top prospects, scoring the occasional upset. Gavern is on a two-fight skid, one of which resulted in his first career knockout defeat suffered at the hands of unbeaten Denis Boystov. Gavern, vying for his first pro title of any kind, weighed in at 226.2-pounds.

Moving up to eight rounds for the first time, light welterweight prospect Mike Dallas Jr. (12-0-1, 3 KOs) of Bakersfield, California will take on the well-traveled Genaro Trazancos (22-10-1, 13 KOs) of Fort Myers, Florida, United States by way of Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico. Dallas has been on an impressive run since getting a draw on his ledger after a close fight in November of 2008. In his most recent outing, Dallas scored a devastating first-round stoppage over Fabian Luque in a bout televised by ESPN2. Dallas, a 2006 National PAL Champion, weighed in at 142.8-pounds.

Trazancos, who was competitive with high level fighters at 130-pounds, weighed in at 140.8. Trazancos has been stopped in four of his last six fights, but against a high caliber of opposition. A big fight looms as a possibility for Dallas should he get past Trazancos without injury, as there have been discussions about a fight against Josesito Lopez on the Chris Arreola-Tomasz Adamek undercard on April 24th.

One of the top amateurs in the nation over the last couple of years, Michael Ruiz Jr. of nearby Fresno, California will make his professional debut against Jose Luis Mares (0-2) of Lompoc, California in a four-round bantamweight bout. The 20-year-old Ruiz is currently listed as the USA Boxing #3 ranked flyweight (112-pounds). Ruiz weighed in at 117.6-pounds, while Mares came in at a near identical 117.4.

Scrappy Juan Tepoz (3-2-1) of Santa Rosa, California will take on late replacement Jose Pacheco (2-11-6) of Cudahy, California in a four-round super bantamweight fight. Pacheco, weighed in at 125-pounds. Tepoz, originally slated to battle Ephraim Martinez (4-0, 1 KO) of Buttonwillow, California in what would have been an action fight, scaled 122.2 pounds. Martinez was reportedly in a car accident recently, which forced him to withdraw from tonight’s card.

Super middleweight prospect Tyrell Hendrix (4-0-1, 2 KOs) of Los Angeles, California will take on perhaps his toughest test to date in Paul Mendez (3-1, 2 KOs) of Bakersfield, California in a four-rounder. Hendrix weighed in at 170.8-pounds, while Mendez came in at 167.8.

In the scheduled opener, Rufino Serrano (4-3) of Santa Maria, California will take on Eder Peralta (1-1, 1 KO) of Pasadena, California in a four-round featherweight fight. Serrano, who came up just short against the aforementioned Ephraim Martinez last month, weighed in at 126.4-pounds, while Peralta came in at 127 even.

2008 U.S. Olympic teammates Shawn Estrada and Javier Molina were originally slated to compete tonight. Estrada, a former resident of nearby Hanford, California, reinjured his hand in preparing for the fight. Molina is also suffering from a nagging hand injury that may be more serious than was originally thought. Estrada will be ringside at the event.

Tickets for the event, promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions, are available online at Tickets.com.

Quick Weigh-in Results:

WBC CABOFE Heavyweight Championship, 10 Rounds
Quezada 228
Gavern 226.2

Light welterweights, 8 Rounds
Dallas Jr. 142.8
Trazancos 140.8

Bantamweights, 4 Rounds
Ruiz Jr. 117.6
Mares 117.4

Super bantamweights, 4 Rounds
Pacheco 125
Tepoz 122.2

Super middleweights, 4 Rounds
Hendrix 170.8
Mendez 167.8

Super bantamweights, 4 Rounds
Serrano 126.4
Peralta 127

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

York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, England
March 21st 2010

Miranda Carter put on her first show of the year, featuring a good looking card which saw the return of Leon Williams in his first start since losing his unbeaten record to Hastings Rasani.
A good card featured many devastating finishes, one not particuarly pleasing to the eye as you’ll read, other than that a good value for money show all round!

Navid Iran {Brighton} v Steve Timms {West Bromwich}
Result: Iran won KO 1

In the opening fight of the afternoon, Brighton debutant Iran exploded in devastating fashion as he detonated a huge left hook off of the unprotected jaw of poor Steve Timms to send him crashing to the canvas out for the full count, Timm’s who himself was coming back after a six year lay off might well call it a day after such a crushing loss.
To begin with both came out shaping up, both looking to land the left jab, as the two shaped up Timm’s {169lbs} a well muscled type backed off as Navid {167lbs} took the iniative, before darting in and out, shortly after the Brighton man came inside before he connected with a left hook that dumped Timm’s to the canvas, the ref dispensing with the count as the Midlander was out cold, the fight being stopped after only just thirty seconds of the opening gong by third man Ken Curtis!
With that kind of concussive power, Ronnie Davie’s {formerly Chris Eubank’s trainer} trained, Iran could be one to look out for in a year or two’s time, time will tell naturally!
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Martin Welsh {Swanley} v Ryan Clark {Waddington}
Result: Welsh won points
In an exciting action packed four rounder, Welsh found the range and pace to beat the tough, competitive Clark from Waddington, who tried to puzzle the Swanley man, {sorry for the pun, do Waddington’s still make puzzles? bung us a email}.
Welsh to begin with did most of the work, on his bike countering off the ropes proving a little too elusive for the never say die Clark, however the second saw Clark {155lbs} come into the contest moreso, asserting himself as Welsh hands high in a shell like guard did little to begin the session, Martin did however try to assume control and was met by a rampaging Clark that produced some lively exchanges, a nice right from the Waddington man landed on the bell and Welsh {154lbs}, it seemed Clark had evened the score mathematically.
However the last two rounds were basically hard fought encounters as each man took there respective turns to back the other up, Welsh did seem to nick the last two session’s with slightly the better accuracy, at the bell something strange happened as the ref could’nt seem to make his mind up whose hand to raise, before opting for Welsh’s glove, and though I had Martin the winner, I certainly did’nt agree with the land slide 40-36 in favour of the Swanley man on ref Kieran McCann’s card, again I’m not the judge but maybe when decision’s like this are announced I should be!!!!
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Laura Saperstein {Australia} v Lana Cooper {Wales}
Result: Saperstein won rsc 2

From the opening bell, it was evident that Saperstein was the boss, as she got off the better with her shots proving just that bit better and faster than her Welsh adversary, Cooper for her part tried but just seemed that bit off par for my liking.
Saperstein {135lbs} clearing taking the opener, came out relaxed looking in the second as she controlled the pace and tempo, keeping the blonde Cooper {137lbs} at bay, however Lana in one attack was cranking a left hook when all of a sudden, a terrible etch of pain crept across her face as she fell to the canvas clutching her left arm, obviously in agony she writhed on the canvas where ref had no alternative but to halt it there and then, medic’s attended to Cooper who also gave her oxygen and had to stretcher her out of the ring after she was attended to for a good several moments, aparently Lana dislocated her shoulder as she was throwing the respective shot, I wish her a speedy recovery and praise the medics who attended to her, they did a great job!
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Ryan Toms {Northolt} v John Paul Temple {Brighton}
Result: Toms won rsc 2

In a fight that was billed as Temple’s last engagement, he could’nt have picked a more tastier foe in the shape of Northolt’s Toms.
From the offset it was looking inevitable that Temple was way in over his head, as he could’nt even get near Ryan who basically hardly moved out of first gear, confident, even almost cocky Toms looked relaxed as he took his time before taking apart the hapless Brighton man.
Circling, Toms southpaw stance was proving too much for Temple, one straight left shaking John before the end of the round.
Round two proved no different, as Ryan moving up the gears, backed up Temple with a solid left hook before dropping him with a solid right, doing well to get up and showing some of the Dunkirk, Temple was backed into a corner where Toms unloaded with a blistering fusilade of leather, outpunched and outclassed Temple was rescued and rightfully so, the last shot almost reintroducing the Brighton man to the canvas a second time, luckily the third man Keiran McCann grabbing Temple saving him the embarrassment of another visit stopping it at the 1:06 mark, Tom’s celebrated wildly, he is certainly one to look out for, as he has a composure that certanly belies that of a guy having only his fourth paid fight, watch out for this guy!!!!
Temple retired from the sport, beaten yes, brave? certainly, a great competitor. both weighed 155lbs.
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Tony Conquest {Dagenham} v John Anthony {Doncaster}
Result: Conquest won points

In a fight that looked as good as over in the first couple of seconds by way of a short solid right hand from the handsome looking Conquest, it looked like disaster for the man from Doncaster {I know another pun, sorry!!!!}
Thing is Anthony did’nt read the script, he picked himself up from the uncerimoniuos heap he found himself in and battled back, Conquest seemed to keep his man at bay and got the better of things, until just before the bell it was Tony, and not Anthony {201lbs} who was on the deck himself, from a half decent shot to return the dose, a knockdown a piece in the opener, as I mentioned before this John had’nt read the script.
From the second onwards Conquest {193lbs} kept things at range, despite a scrappy second, Conquest piled up the points behind a nice left jab before managing to rock Anthony with another big right.
The fourth proved no different to the previuos session as Tony outboxed the Doncaster man, however in the fifth Anthony had more success as he started to land a little more frequently with rights but Conquest notched up another session.
The final session saw pretty much of the same, until that is Conquest tasted the canvas a second time, looking more embarrassed than hurt Tony got up and continued to outbox his man, and this despite being floored twice reflected in the score of 59-56 which I felt was an accurate assesment of the previous events from the last eighteen minutes boxing.
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Leon Williams {Streatham} v Tyrone Wright {Nottingham}
Result: Williams won ko 2

Making a return to the ring was Streatham’s Leon Williams returning to the ring after a points loss to Hastings Rasani in this very ring just before Christmas.
Opposing “solid” was Tyrone Wright {195lbs}, in the opener Williams seemed to be bufuddled a little by the tricky Wright who outboxed the plodding Williams, who could’nt seem to connect with anything of any real note, Wright easily taking the opener, however in the second Williams {194lbs} asserted himself as he continued to push back the taller Wright, then it came the punch that Williams needed a smashing right landed on the back pedalling Nottingham man who took the punch flush on the money and went down heavily on his back, there seemed no need to count and the third man waved it over, Williams was back as Wright was flat on his, several minutes in fact during some anxiuos moments while again the medics attended to Tyrone, it was a relief when he got to his feet, but still due to the nature of the stoppage had to sit on his corner stool almost ring centre where oxygen was administered to him for a good ten minutes, the medics did a great job and proved that how well protected the fighters are, more so especially at Miranda’s show’s
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John Wayne Hibbert {Stanford Le Hope} v Ricky Boulter {Lincoln}
Result: Hibbert won rsc 2nd

John Wayne Hibbert showed plenty of idea as he patiently stalked down his opponent grinding out a second round stoppage.
In the opener Boulter {159lbs} looked as though he had the book on Hibbert as he countered effictively off the ropes with nice short bursts of shots, and despite taking some good shots to the body seemed too quick and busy for the Essex man, however come the second Hibbert {158lbs} upped the pace and soon showed he was the boss as Boulter’s work rate dropped significantly, moreso enabling Hibbert to tee off on his man, a series of hard shots blooded Ricky’s nose, battered literally from pillar to post, Boulter was under a lot of pressure and looked on a hiding to nothing, every now and again he tried to fight back but it was a losing battle and at the end of the second session, Boulter’s corner rightfully pulled there man out of what was becoming too one sided for my liking.
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Kreshnik Qato {Wembley} v Alex Spitko {Latvia}
Result: Qato won points

It was the usual fan fare that greeted possibly the most well supported boxer in the country, when Qato fights, he ussually as back up in the form of his own army, an army of fans that make it known that our sport, the sport of boxing is far from the final count, now if only more people got behind boxers than they did footballers, we’d all be a lot happier for the experience as boxing fans and the like.
Qato got a rousing reception as he entered the ring, you could have been far away, in the far East as opposed to the East end of London.
However in the opener tough guy Spitko {166lbs} came marching in, punches flailing not taking a backward step, one right hand floored the Albanian to the shock of the Albanian and his contingent, more so to my horror if the unimaginable was to happen and he was to lose, I was preparing for a fight myself, to get out of the place alive.
Luckily Qato got up and more surprised than hurt shook off the effects, Spitko was’nt to be denied as he tried hard to catch Qato again, but Qato survived, the second was basically a carbon copy of the opener, despite there being no repeat of a knockdown, Spitko pressured and was bullying Kreshnik out of his stride and the contest and easily seemed to take the opening two sessions.
However from the third onwards Qato seemed as though he knew fighting with a guy like Spitko might not be such a good idea and so opted to box, and once he did, he seemed to have the measure of the Latvian, even as much as Spitko tried to cut the ring off Qato {163lbs} threw a series of fast accurate flurry’s that reminded me of Sugar Ray Leonard in the Hagler fight, now please for one moment don’t think I’m comparing Qato to a technical genius like Leonard, I’m not but it reminded me as such of back on that fateful night in April 1987.
Each successive flurry from Qato was met by the Latvian’s countanence and a roar of approval from the Qato faithful, the last four rounds were all fought in a similar vein from the third onwards, but outboxed as he was I tipped my hat to Spitko who did’nt stop trying to the bitter end, but the early points lead was a distant memory on the scorecard and I gave it to Qato by a similar margin to that of the official 59-57 on Ken Curtis card, Qato when the mood takes him can box nicely and with a bit more iniative could prove a hard man to beat when his on his game!

Michael Angelo Serra reporting

So it was the turn of the light middles in Barry Hearn’s Prize Fighter series.
However this particular tournament turned out to be more one for the purists, as no particular bout failed to produce a inside schedule win.
As I walked into the York Hall, I could’nt find a spare seat in the press row, so I noticed over the other side a couple of empty seats, on finding them I noticed an athletic looking chap sitting there, it was…..Anthony Small the current reigning British and Commonwealth champion, it seemed the King was here to keep an eye on his hopeful predecessors!!!!

Quarter finals….

George Hillyard {Canning Town} v Prince Arron {Manchester}
Result: Arron won points

In the first fight of the evening, George Hillyard coming back after a devastating kayo loss last time out, certainly did’nt look damaged pyschologically from that bad experience, as he came out throwing big rights as he made Arron retreat, However the second saw Prince begin to get into the contest as he began scoring as he used his natural advantages in reach, the third was no different as Arron kept Hillyard at bay with good boxing to take a fairly conclusive decison of 30-27 on all three judges scorecards, both weighed 154 lbs.
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Bradley Pryce {Newbridge} v Neil Sinclair {Belfast}
Result: Pryce won points

In what many in the trade would have considered more fitting a match up for the final ended up due to the luck or should that be bad luck of the draw a one of the opening contests, Irishman Sinclair won the opener fairly easily as he did more work as Pryce {154lbs} did very little, the second saw a change in the tide as Pryce began to land with some solid shots as he began to stamp his authority, Sinclair {155lbs} for the remainder of the bout never was allowed back in the running and Pryce sealed victory with the heavier punches to take a well earned decision winning on two judges scorecards of identical scores of 29-28, however one judge leant in favour surprisingly of the Belfast man by 29-28.
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Danny Butler {Bristol} v Bret Flourney {Birkenhead}
Result: Flourney won points

Bristol’s Danny Butler showed a lot of fighting spirit as he continuosly attacked Flourney, who contented himself by boxing on the back foot, Butler coming back from the loss to Darren Barker for the vacant British middle title, showed plenty of ticker as he had done against Barker on this night, though at times his tactics were a little kamikaze, both {154lbs} worked hard in the second though I did however think Flourney did enough to shade the second, but rounds one and three Butler seemed to be getting through the more but sadly the judges unbelievably voted in favour of Flourney 30-27 twice and 29-28.
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Martin Concepcion {Leicester} v Steve O’Meara {Wembley}
Result: O’Meara won points

Jim Mcdonnell trained O’Meara ticked all the boxes for me in this one as he did a paint job on the robust, mechanical looking Concepcion {155lbs} who for the best part of the nine minutes was looking to land the big shot, instead of looking to maintain a good workrate to possibly present those mathematicians, the prizefighter judges with a bit more of a sterner tally up afterwards, however it was O’Meara {154lbs} who was doing all the scoring through out and this reflected in the wide scoring at the bout’s conclusion as he was voted a unaminous winner 30-27 twice and 30-28 by the three wise men!

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Semi Finals…..

Prince Arron {Manchester} v Bradley Pryce {Newbridge}
Result: Arron won points

In the opener, Arron used his obvious reach and height advantage’s over the Welshman, keeping Pryce at bay as Bradley tried to get inside but was finding the target a very elusive one.
Second round action saw Pryce desparatley try to bridge the gap, but did find the target at last as he managed to get through a couple of times with big rights, one even managing to rock the gangly Arron, who did well to survive, Pryce had pulled even on my scorecard going into the final session.
The third saw Pryce tiring badly as father time seemingly was catching up with the Welshman, mother nature too has he could’nt evade the longer arms of Prince, who throughly outboxed Bradley and took his place in the final by scores of 30-27 twice and 29-28.

*******************************************************************************

Bret Flourney {Birkenhead} v Steve O’Meara {Wembley}
Result: Flourney won points

O’Meara came out looking slick, as he seemed to outbox the Birkenhead man for the first couple of rounds, and in my view there was no way O’Meara lost the first couple of rounds, that said the third was a lot closer and possibly Flourney did enough to win the session.
However it was to my surprise when Flourney was adjudged the winner as I had O’Meara one round the better man, I should be a judge perhaps I don’t know, what do you think? answers on a postcard, or better still drop me an email!!!!!!
For the record scores were 29-28 twice in favour of, and 28-29 in favour against, confused I was?

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THE FINAL…..

Prince Arron {Manchester} v Bret Flourney {Birkenhead}
Result: Arron won points

In the first round Arron looked rather decidedly tired, and it was Flourney who looked fortunate to even be in the final, took the chance with both hands, looking rejuvenated he had possibly due to a lack of effort from his previous two efforts this evening, with something left in the tank as he took control, a little like Audley Harrison had done back last October in stealing the show with a workrate that was for the best part non existent in the last Prize Fighter, Flourney was’nt about to change such a trend, until now that is in the final!!!!!
The Second saw Arron make a better argument of it as he showed a big heart as he dug in and started to mount a fight back as he boxed his way back into the contest, doing enough to shade the session, in the third though, finally there was a knockdown, not that I was looking for any real drama, I’m a self confessed sad git who today’s fight fan could’nt bear to sit there and witness what I would deem a classic, Mike McCallum v Carl Jones is one, as I prefer an exhibition of boxing as opposed to the slam, bang fanfare that today’s fight fan get’s off on, hence the Prize Fighter series, sorry Baz!!!! whoops!!!! almost forgot back to the knockdown which seemed a little harsh on the Birkenhead man as it looked as if he was bundled over more than floored by a legitimate enough punch or punches, still the third man took up the count and it counted!!!!
It seemed the bow Flourney took in the form of a knockdown to the man fittingly known as Prince, proved a crowning moment for the Manchester man, as the knockdown had proved decisive in the scorecards, well after the kindness via the judges in favour of Flourney beforehand it was in true cockney idiom poetic justice, innit!!!!
Scores were 29-28 twice and 28-27 all in favour of the Prince, who could face off against the King who was ringside in a rematch for what that’s worth as Small destroyed Arron inside of two rounds back in 2006, and surely it would be a case of ‘good night sweet Prince’ again should a rematch materialise, remember there’s an old saying in boxing that goe’s ‘uneasy lie’s the head, that wears the crown’ on this night the King will sleep peacefully.

Michael Angelo Serra reporting with the King sat one seat but one, next to himself….

Any views or emails to mickyserra@aol.com if you can be bothered….????? {only kidding guys, seriously}

Attorney Daniel Pertocelli dismissed reports that Antonio Margarito’s gloves were loaded with a rock-like substance before he was ordered to re-wrap his hands before a loss to Shane Mosley more than a year ago in Los Angeles.

“Completely false,’’ Petrocelli said Monday in a conference call that included Top Rank’s Bob Arum, who is promoting Margarito’s return to the ring in Mexico on May 8.

Arum said he scheduled the conference call in an attempt to correct conclusions that he says were based on “misinformation” about circumstances that led to a one-year revocation of Margarito’s license by the California State Athletic Commission.

Margarito, who has been free to re-apply for a license in the United States since February, is scheduled to appear at a news conference Tuesday at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles.

Petrocelli said an “irregularity” was discovered in the gauze above one knuckle in the wraps when Mosley trainer Nazim Richardson asked for a closer look before opening bell of a welterweight fight on Jan 24 at Staples Center. The California commission conducted a forensic test of the wraps, said Petrocelli, who said he was not allowed to have different experts conduct a second test.

The California test turned up traces of calcium and sulfur, according to Petrocelli, who said both substances can be found in hand creams.

Pertocelli also dismissed talk that Margarito used similar wraps in the summer of 2008 in an upset of Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas. He called the speculation a “myth.”

California and Nevada rules are different, said Petrocelli, who won a wrongful death judgment in 1997 against O.J. Simpson in civil court. In California, trainers are allowed to bring their own wraps. Nevada provides the wraps. Javier Capitello, Margarito’s trainer for Mosley, also had his license revoked for 12 months. Robert Garcia of Oxnard, Calif., is Margarito’s current trainer.

Margarito has said consistently that he did not know Capetillo had wrapped his hands illegally. In an interview with 15 Rounds on March 11 in a lobby of a Dallas-area hotel before Manny Pacquiao’s victory over Joshua Clottey on March 13 at Cowboys Stadium; Margarito said; “I did nothing wrong.’’

Petrocelli said he is trying to clear Margarito’s name with an appeal in the California courts. He expects a ruling sometime this year. Meanwhile, Arum plans to apply for license in the U.S. after Margarito’s May 8 bout against Roberto Garcia in Aguascalientes.

“His next fight will be in the United States,’’ said Arum, who was unable to get Margarito licensed in Texas in time for him to fight on the Pacquiao-Clottey undercard.

On Friday night TKO Promotions & Guilty Boxing proudly presented an evening of Boxing from the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV.

In the Main Event Sharif “THe Lion Warrior” Bogare moved to 15-0(9) after a clash of heads late in the first opened up a cut on the right eye of his opponent Martin Tucker 7-6(3). When Tucker got back to his corner at the end of the round he told his corner he couldn’t see, however the referee and doctor said he was ok to continue thus meaning the fight was called off at the 3.00 mark with Bogare winning by first round KO.

As usual Bogare 21, was carried to the ring in a cage decked out as Lion surrounded by singers and dancers with to load cheers by his fans. Bogare now lives in Las Vegas but originally hails from Kampala in Uganda.

Robert “Big Rob” Rodriguez 3-0(0) kept his perfect record when he scored a comprehensive four round points win over Manuel Delgado 1-4(0) when Adelaide Byrd, Lisa Giampa & Ricardo Ocasio all scored it 40-36 in a Super Bantamweight fight.

The fight of the night was between a come backing Eddie Salas 7-3-1(5) and Mike Alexander 1-4-2(0). The last time Salas fought America was still under the administration of George W Bush & Black Eyed Peas song “Where is the Love” was number one in the Music charts.

The action started right away with Salas taking the fight to the taller Alexander from the first bell though Alexander had his moments. In the second Alexander was pinned for a large part of the second round in a neutral corner where Salas threw several hard overhand rights. The action continued through the third. By the fourth it looked as though Salas was in control only to walk into a hard left that clearly hurt him, forcing him backwards. Alexander poured on the pressure but was unable to force the stoppage. When the scores came in Robert Hoyle scored it 39-37 to Salas but was over ruled by Dwayne Ford & Lisa Giampa who both had it tied at 38-38.

Las Vegas own Bradley Blankenship failed to win on his debut when he was forced to settle for a four round draw against Abram Espinoza 0-1-1(0). The first round seemed fairly close, it then appeared that Blankenship took over in the second before having a strong third round. Again in the fourth Blankenship seemed to do enough to take the round. Dwayne Ford scored it 40-36 for Blankenship however he was over ruled by Al Leferwitz & Ricardo Ocasio who couldn’t separate either man posting scores of 38-38.

In his second bout Michael Finney moved to 2-0(2) when he blasted out Jordan Washington 1-2(1) out in 2.49 of the opener. Washington was down three times. Joe Cortez presided over the action.

The opening bout of the night saw Fidel “Atrisco Kid” Maldonado keep his perfect 2-0(2) record when he proved to much for Blake “Trouble” Franklin 3-4-1(1). Maldonado started fast and quickly dropped Franklin, two more knock downs followed before Joe Cortez waved the fight off at 1.29.

The next TKO/Guilty Promotion is on 22 May at Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT headlined by Peter Manfredo verses Angel Hernandez for the Vacant IBO Middleweight crown along with Matt Remillard making a defence of the NABF Featherweight title.

Cuban import, Erislandy Lara scored a ten round unanimous decision over veteran Danny Perez at the Joint at The Hard Rock in Las Vegas.

Lara boxed very well as he mixed in some solid combinations and dived them up between two, three and four punch quick flurries to bot the body and head.

Perez had a few moments of success as he used nice nice body work in round five. Lara then coasted down the stretch as he moved very well and showed terrific hand speed and put his hand together but he didint seem to take many chances as he felt he had the felt in hand.

All three judges scored the bout 99-91 for Lara, 156 lbs of Miami and is now 11-0. Perez, 155 1/2 lbs of San Diego is now 34-7.

Lara refused to back down and was awarded the unanimous decision with all three judges scoring the fight 99-91. After the fight he only had praise for his team and his new trainer Ronnie Shields. “I felt great. I can really feel the difference my new team has made. My preparations were strong and we executed it tonight, especially now that I have Ronnie in my corner. I know my team will guide me to my dream of a world title this year.”

Puerto Rican Super Featherweight prospect Carlos Velasquez stopped Ira Terry in four rounds of their scheduled eight round bout.

Velasquez was dominant with body work that set up some nice shots to the head. At the end of round three, Velasquez landed a hard straight right that had Terry in trouble. The momentum continued in the next round as Velasquez landed a big right hand that sent down Terry for referee Vic Drachulich’s ten count just twenty seconds into round four.

Velasquez, 127 1/2 lbs of Catao, PR is now 12-0 with ten knockouts. Terry, 128 lbs of Covington, TN is now 24-3.

Ten seconds into the fourth round Velasquez unleashed a hellacious flurry of punches that sent Terry to the canvas where Terry was counted out just 20 seconds into the round. The super featherweight bout was scheduled for eight rounds. After the fight Velasquez spoke about his victory. “I felt great in there. I worked really hard for this fight. I knew he was getting tired because I kept hitting his body with shots. This was the biggest fight of my career. It meant a lot to me because I haven’t fought in a while. But I came back strong with a big knockout.”

It took seventeen years for the rematch but when it finally occurred, Bernard Hopkins won a twelve round unanimous decision over Roy Jones Jr. in a strange at times Light Heavyweight bout at The Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

After walking out accompanied by his oown vocalist singing a boxing-themed version or I Did It My Way, Bernard Hopkins was in vintage regala donning his old school executioner mask perhaps in an attempt to intimidate Roy Jones Jr. Nevertheless, both fighters seemed ready to pounce but would not throw. Like two coiled snakes, the first round was a lot of fainting and posturing. The second, third, and fourth rounds were all similar to each other. Hopkins would spring in with a combo and tie up Roy at the end of his combo. Roy Jones simply was not active enough, not throwing many punches. Jones seemed to come alive in the fifth when he landed his best and perhaps only combo of the fight. Thus far, the fifth was Jones’ best round. Round six seemed to be an even round, both fighters had about the same level of effectivness but near the end of the round, Jones blantantly punched Hopkins in the back of the head, sending Hopkins to the canvas, sprawling in pain. The referee subsequently deducted a point away from Jones.

This fired up both fighters as they fought viciously for the last 10 seconds of the fight and even after the bell, causing chaos and members of Jones’ camp to run into the ring. Order was restored and the seventh round picked up where the last one ended. Towards the middle of the round, both fighters seemed to calm down and the chess match resumed. In round 8, Jones landed another illegal blow to the back of the head, sending Hopkins down for a short time, no point was deducted, but like before, this fired up Hopkins and he attacked Jones. In the ninth, both fighters seemed to tighten up and become hesistant to engage.

More controversy in the tenth round, Jones landed a blow which appeared to hit the belt line, but Hopkins dropped to the canvas wincing in pain. Hopkins sprung back up to his feet but was visibly tired as his output dropped noticeably. At the start of round 11, Jones finally wised up and gave

Hopkins a taste of his own medicine. Hopkins had been leading with his head the entire fight so Roy walked away and took a few seconds off due to the butt. The round, however, was mostly dominated by Hopkins

The 12th and final round, saw Hopkins charge out and land two body shorts before Jones threw any punches. The round may have went to Jones being that he lets his hands go, but the fight was fairly one sided. The judges had the fight 117-110, 117-110, 118-109 all to the winner Bernard Hopkins. Hopkins improves his hall of fame record to 51-5-1 with 32KO’s while Jones’ added his sixth loss to his stellar career to go along with 55 wins with 40 by KO. Jones’ better days are clearly behind him, but tonight he showed flashes of his old brilliance (by karen). Whats next for Hopkins, maybe more acting classes! But cagey veterans make cagey moves and Hopkinds used it to his advantage to ensure a victory.

In the co-main event, Jason Litzau met Texas native Rocky Juarez in the NABF Super Featherweight Title bout. Litzau showed tremendous footwork early as he danced around and picked off Rocky as he was coming in. As the fight progressed into the 6th and 7th rounds, Litzau seemed to tire which in turn made him stand and trade more, not a good idea. Juarez had a chance to land big shots and that he did. In the 7th round, Juarez came in with his head and clashed with Litzau face causing a huge gash. Between rounds, the Litzau camp decided they could not continue so the fight would be decided on the scorecards. One judge saw it 68-85 while the other two had it 67-66 all in favor of the champion Jason Litzau. He improves to 27-2 with 21KOS while Jaurez drops to 28-5-1.

Seeing his first action in nearly two years, Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora, from Contender fame, met a game Calvin Green in a super middleweight battle. The first two rounds were action packed with Mora bein cut on the side of his nose by a left hook in the 1st round. Both of the fighters seemed to tire quickly which resulted in a lot of in fighting. Mora showed a different side of his skills by moving and punching WITH POWER from angles. The tactic worked and as the punches accumulated the referee saw no reason to let the fight go on. So at 1:50 in round 7, the fight was stopped. This is only Sergio’s 6 win by KO/TKO in his 24 fights, but he improves his record to 22-1-1 with 6KO’s. Green drops to 21-5-1.

The vacant NABF Light Heavyweight Title was up for grabs when undefeated Ismayl Sillakh met Daniel Judah in a scheduled 10 rounder. However the bout didn’t make it that far. Sillakh dropped Judah with a vicious hook to the body followed by a right to the head. Judah rose, only to be knocked down again by a left hook to the head. The ref Vic Drakulich stopped the fight at :49 in the second round. Sillakh improves to 12-0 with 11KO’s while Judah dropped to 23-5-1.

The next bout was for the USNBC Super Lightweight title featuring Ray Narh versus Angel Hernandez. The much taller Narh pressed Hernandez and landed huge shots which resulted in three knockdowns in the second round. Hernandez failed to get up and the referee stopped the fight at 2:59 of the second round. Taking the title and improving his record to 24-1 with 21KO’s was Narh while Hernandez dropped to 14-5.

In the pro debut of what many people feel is the next “Golden Boy”, Frankie Gomes of East Los Angeles battled Clavonne Howard in a junior welterweight battle. Gomes impressed the crowd as he stalked Howard around the ring for three rounds until referee Joe Cortez stopped the fight at 2:45 of the 3rd round after Howard was caught with some big shots. Howard drops to 2-4.

In a battle between super featherweights, Yaundale Evans kept his record clean as he dropped Juan Baltierrez at 2:08 in the second round with a right hook to the temple. Evans is now 6-0 with 4KO’s while Baltierez drops to 2-2-2 with only 1KO.

The second bout was a super middleweight battle between Buddy McGirt Jr and John Mackey. Mackey proved to be no match as he was dropped in the second round from a perfect right hook that landed on his chin at 2:58. McGirt improves to 22-2-1 with 11KO’s while Mackey dropped to 11-5-2.

In the first bout of the evening, Craig McEwan retained his undefeated middleweight record as he improved to 18-0 with 10KO’s. McEwan controlled the action from opening bell against the over matched Kris Andrews from Canada. Landing big shot after big shot, referee Joe Cortez finally stopped the fight in the 8th and final round at the time of 2:11. Andrews dropped to 15-9-2 with 4KO’s.

POST FIGHT QUOTES

RICHARD SCHAEFER, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions

“Hopkins was taken to the Southern Hills Hospital for observation immediately following the fight.

“It was a great victory for Bernard Hopkins. Seventeen years in the making. He got the win, the victory he waited for. A lot of people counted Roy out. Roy came to fight and I want to congratulate him for that.”

JOHN WIRT, CEO of Square Ring, Inc.

“Roy is going to the hospital as well. In terms of this fight, it was obviously a longstanding rivalry between two legends of our generation. It is up to Roy. I am sure he will be making that decision down the road in terms of what he wants to do with his career.”

BERNARD HOPKINS VS. ROY JONES JR.

BERNARD HOPKINS

“It was kind of rough. He’s a warrior. He’s a veteran and a good fighter. I see spots. I have been hit in the back of the head before, but in the gym with head gear on. I was toughing it out. I was seeing spots in the sixth round.

“I felt I got hit in the back of the head and my legs went and I started seeing spots. I was mad. Weeks did a helluva job. He was doing the best he could to keep us both under control.

“I wanted to keep pressing. I’m a scrappy fighter. I might not be flashy. I might not be pretty, but I am a hard core Philadelphia fighter and blue collar worker like most Americans.

“The rematch was well worth it. It was sweet revenge for me.

“I want David Haye, the heavyweight champion of the world.”

ROY JONES JR.

“Ifeel great. Even at my age I’m still in control. I want to thank god for as healthy as I am today. Pensacola in the house. Thank all I my fans for their support. I kind of got behind. I was trying to knock him out because I was behind. He is a very crafty veteran. He was hitting me behind the head.

“I was worried the first time. I knew if I was fouled too much I would have been disqualified. I wanted to give the fans what they wanted. I tried to do that tonight.”

JASON LITZAU VS. ROCKY JUAREZ

JASON LITZAU

“This is the biggest victory of my career. Rocky is a true champion. I want to thank Square Ring and Golden Boy for this opportunity. Me and Rocky gave them a helluva show. I felt like I had another 10 rounds in me. I was so calm. I was relaxed on the inside. I was going to turn it up in the later rounds. I knew Rocky was coming. I was going to turn it up in the later rounds.”

ROCKY JUAREZ

“I felt the cut was the result of a punch, not an accidental head butt. The cut was by a short left hook. By saying it was an accidental head butt, I was disappointed. I love Jason. We know each other. I am one of the best fighters in the world.

“I felt that the decision was bull. I was going to stop him at the end of the night. We never collided heads. I made sure of it. Jason knew he was going to get knocked out towards the end of the fight.

“I do not consider this losing. I did not lose this fight. I felt that this fight was taken from me. I would like a rematch. Jason should give me that rematch because he knows it was a punch. The cut was underneath his eye. Jason just backed out.”

SERGIO MORA VS. CALVIN GREEN

SERGIO MORA

“It is great to be victorious. The rust was certainly there. 19 months out of the ring took its toll. That will happen. I started really slow. By the third round I felt more like the Latin snake. By the fourth and fifth round, I got it under control. He was always trying to counter. I gave him some good body shots. He can really take a punch. I mixed it up pretty good. I am back. I am with a good promoter now, Golden Boy. I am back.

“This guy came in at the last minute. I couldn’t find any tapes on him.

I knew he was gonna be tough. I had never seen him.

“The cut didn’t bother me. I’m used to cuts. I’m used to getting lacerated.

“It took two rounds for me to get the rust off, but I was so motivated and I just want to get back in there.

“You are going to see a lot more because I am hungry. I am ready to fight the best. I am glad I got the rust off.

“I want to fight the best. Let me get another fight. I will let Richard Schaefer get me another opponent ASAP and then I will be ready.”

ISMAYL SILLAKH VS. DANIEL JUDAH

ISMAEL SILLAKH

“I respect Bernard Hopkins, but if I fought him, I would beat him.

“I am ready for a world title right now because I trained hard. I train every day twice a day. I am ready. It is my time.”

Delvin Rodriguez retained the USBA Welterweight title with a twelve round unanimous decision over Mike Arnaoutis in a battle of former world title challengers at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT.

Rodriguez used his length and would land some nice combinations throughout the affair and he himseld was hit every once in a while with some straight lefts or right hooks from Arnaoutis but those shits were only one at a time.

Arnaoutis was deducted a point in round seven for a low. One of Rodriguez right hands caused a cut over the left eye of Arnaoutis in round eleven

Rodriguez, 146 3/4 lbs of nearby Danbury, CT will look to get back in the thick of the title picture with a record of 25-4-2. Arnaoutis, 146 1/4 lbs of Queens, NT is now 22-5-1.

Former U.S. Olympian Demetrius Andrade scored a six round unanimous decision over Geoffrey Spruiell in a Jr. Middleweight bout.

Andrade was never tested and landed the harder combination’s and was particularly effective with hard shots on the ropes. Spruiell showed plenty of courage as he stood up to Andrade’s assault and even egged on the younger on Andrade in the last round while finally getting in a a little offense of his own.

All three cards read 60-54 for Andrade, 153 1/4 lbs of Providence, RI who is now 10-0. Spruiell, 153 3/4 lbs of Pueblo, CO is now 8-9.

Roy Jones Jr -V- Bernard Hopkins
175* 175

Rocky Juarez -V- Jason Litzau
129 130

Sergio Mora -V- Calvin Green
161 161

Ishmayl Sillakh -V- Daniel Judah
175 175

*Jones Jr was initially 0.5 over but stripped naked and weighted exactly 175.

Kenny Florian scored a third round choke out over Japanese import Takanori Gomi at 2:52 of the final round in the main event at Ultimate Fight Night 21 at the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina

Florian was dominant and softened Gomi as he mounted him with a choke just before going hind Gomi for the rear-naked choke.

Florian, 156 lbs of Brookline, MA is now 15-4. Gomi, 155 lbs of Tokyo, Japan is now 31-6-1.

Reigning Ultimate Fighter winner, Roy “Big Country” Nelson landed one huge over hand right that lvirtually knocked out Stefan Struve and scored a first round stoppage in their scheduled three round Heavyweight bout.

After Nelson landed that blow he pounced on Struve and the fight was quickly stopped thirty-nine seconds into the bout.

Nelson, 263 lbs of Las vegas was giving up eleven inches to the 6?11? Struve is now 16-4. Struve of the Netherlands is now 23-4.

Jorge Rivera pounded Nate Quarry over two rounds in their scheduled three round Middleweight bout.

Rivera pounded Quarry and bloodied him in round one. In round two, Rivera quickly knocked Quarry down and then pounded on a Quarry when the fight was stopped by referee Mario Yamasaki at twenty-nine seconds of round two.

Rivera, 186 lbs of Milford, MA is now 18-7. Quarry, 186 lbs of Gresham, OR is now 18-4.

Ross Pearson scored a three round unanimous decision over Dennis Siver in a Lightweight bout.

Pearson bloodied Siver in round one but Siver showed some spunk but it wasnt enough as Pearson won by scores of 30-27 on all cards.

Pearson, 156 lbs of Sunderland, England is now 13-3. Siver, 156 lbs of Manheim, Germany

OROVILLE, CALIFORNIA — In the mixed martial arts main event of a three sport card, Jesse Brock outwrestled local favorite Chris David before a sellout crowd at the Feather Falls Casino & Lodge in on Saturday night. Boxing and amateur kickboxing rounded out a fun-filled event dubbed “Playboy Fight Night.”

What looked to be a competitive main event on paper turned into a one-sided wrestling match as Brock (11-5, 2 KOs, 5 Submissions) of Boise, Idaho took David (13-8-2, 4 KOs, 5 Submissions) of Oroville to the mat early and often, never relinquishing control in the fight. Brock, 136, took David, 135, to the mat immediately, but did little real damage in the first round.

David momentarily locked in a rear naked choke with Brock on the mat, but the Boise native quickly broke the hold while maintaining his position on top. For the most part David was either on his back, or on his face, with Brock on his back. In either position he was at Brock’s mercy, unable to get started with any sort of offense. For a brief moment, David broke from Brock’s grasp, much to the delight of his loyal supporters. However, the shift in momentum was only temporary, as Brock took David back down to the canvas. The third round was more of the same before Brock was declared the unanimous victor via shutout, 30-27 on all three judges’ cards.

Fighting for the second time in ten days, Ryan Wong (2-2, 1 KO) of San Jose, California took a hotly-contested three-round split decision over previously unbeaten Colin Hart (3-1, 2 Submissions) of Santa Rosa, California. Each fighter had their moments in a tough fight. Wong, 185, fought just last Friday in Reno, but had no problem with endurance. Hart, 184 ¼, fought hard until the end, but two judges saw the fight for Wong, 29-28. The lone dissenting judge had the same score, but for the Santa Rosa resident.

Martin Sandoval (5-2, 3 KOs, 2 Submissions) of Oakdale, California scored a first-round submission victory over Sammy Sanders (1-3, 1 KO) of Santa Rosa. Sandoval, 125 ¼, had his back on the mat, for much of the fight. Sanders, 125 ¾, looked to be in complete control before Sandoval grabbed onto his arm. Time of the submission was 1:03 of the first.

Taylor McCorriston (4-0, 2 Submissions) of San Ramon, California remained unbeaten via first-round stoppage over Bryant Munoz (4-3, 4 Submissions) of Oakdale. McCorriston, 135 ¼, looked to be in some trouble on the mat, but was able to grab a hold of the arm of Munoz, 135, and forced the submission. Time of the stoppage was 1:33 of the first.

Rounding out the MMA portion of the card, Rafael Rios (2-0, 2 Submissions) of Stockton, California forced Junior Villanueva (1-1, 1 KO) of Oakdale to tap out in the first round. Rios, 149 ½, cinched in with an armbar and submitted Villanueva, 147 ¾, at just 1:11 of the round.

In the first boxing match on the card, former amateur standout Richard Hargraves (2-0, 2 KOs) of San Francisco, California scored his second consecutive stoppage victory, this time over J.C. Saade (0-2) of Los Angeles, California. Hargraves, 151 ¾, punished Saade, 151, throughout the first round, flashing hand speed that his opponent could not compete with. Before the bell to begin the second round, Saade told the referee that he could not continue due to fatigue which prompted the stoppage.

In the other boxing match on the card, heavyweights Yohan Banks (3-3-3, 1 KO) of Redwood City, California and Hector Martinez (5-4, 4 KOs) of Broderick, California let loose in an action-packed four-rounder. Banks, 264, dropped Martinez, 228 ¾, with a clubbing overhand right midway through the second. Martinez was clearly dazed, but managed to pull himself up with a little help from the turnbuckle. With some clever footwork, Martinez was able to get out of the round and clear his head.

Banks may have punched himself out going for the knockout, which allowed Martinez to punch his way back into the fight in the third. Two-way action closed the fight out in the fourth, with Martinez getting the best of it over the tired Banks. In the end, two judges liked Banks by the score of 38-37. One dissenting judge favored Martinez by the same score, 38-37.

In the first of two amateur kickboxing bouts, Ignacio Zambrano of Stockton, California scored two knockdowns in the third round en route to a unanimous decision over Mike Spatz of Sacramento. Zambrano, 197 ¾, may not have been body beautiful, but he was able to outslug the reluctant Spatz, 187, for the three rounds.

Gaston Bolanos of Pleasanton scored the stoppage victory over Mitch Thompson of Sacramento, California in a welterweight amateur kickboxing contest. Bolanos, 141 ¾, was the superior fighter and it was fairly evident from the outset. Thompson, 144 ¾, did not give referee Dan Stell the response he was looking for after a standing eight-count in the third. Time of the stoppage was 1:44 of the third-round.

Tonight’s event, promoted by ESMG World, was taped to air at a later date. Adding some spice to the evening was the Playmate Dancers, including 2006 Playmate of the Year Kara Monaco, and a bevy of ring card girls. Former contender Juan Lazcano worked the corner of Hector Martinez and current WBA Interim Super Flyweight Champion Nonito Donaire Jr. was ringside taking photographs.

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

Marcos Maidana retained the WBA “Interim” Super Lightweight title with a sixth round stoppage over previously undefeated Victor Cayo at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

The bout was competitive over the first four rounds as each guy accomplished what they set out to do. In Cayo’s case it was to move in and out and mix it up when need be while Maidana was looking and at times imposed his will on Cayo.

At the end of round two, Maidana landed a left to the top of the head just as the bell sounded that put Cayo on the canvas. Replays showed that the punch may have come a split second afher the round finished but was still was ruled a knockdown by referee Joe Cortez.

Round five saw the most action with fighters having success with Cayo landing the flurries and Maidana landing the hard shots.

In round six, Maidna landed a good right hand that was followed up by a right to the body that sent Cayo down to the canvas for Cortez ten count at the 1:38 mark of thr round.

Maidana, 140 lbs of Santa Fe, Argentina is now 28-1 with twenty-seven knockouts. Cayo, 140 lbs of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic loses for the first time and is 24-1.

Joan Guzman made amends (sort of) for his poor performance last November when he was bludgeoned by Ali Funeka only to get a gift draw. This time Guzman showed the skills that many boxing insider praised throughout the last half decade as Guzman defeated Funeka by split decision in a fight that was tainted by Guzman’s in ability to make the weight for the bout which originally to be contested for the IBF Lightweight title.

Guzman showed his elusiveness early by showing lightning handspeed and reflexes as he would make Funeka miss and then make him pay. Funeka came forward to throw more then 250 more punches then did Guzman and had some success as he pressed the action but Guzman was efficient was his countering and body punching.

In round six, Guzman landed a huge right to the top of the head that sent Funeka to the canvas. Funeka had some moments going down the stretch but they werent enough as Guzman was very consitant with his combinations and movement.

Guzman won by scores of 116-111 and 114-113 while Funeka took a card by a 114-113 tally.

Guzman was unable to compter for the IBF crown as he weighed in a staggering NINE pounds overweight at Fridays weigh-in. After a financial deal with Funeka’s camp, the fight went on. Guzman, 144 lbs of Brooklyn, NY remains undefeated at 30-0-1. Funeka, 135 lbs of East London, South Africa is now 30-3-3.

Andre Dirrell fought the most polished fight of his career and and even had the most satisfying result but he deserved to win with the flare that he demonstrated over the balance of his eleven beat down of Arthur Abraham as Dirrell was awarded the victory via disqualification as Abraham knocked Dirrell out cold while Dirrell was on the ground during the eleventh round of their Super Middleweight clash at The Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.

Dirrell was brilliant throughout as he befuddled Abraham with quick combinations to the body and head. Dirrell kept up the boxing skills that Abraham had no answer for as the German contined to come in with his hands up eating punches. In round four, Dirrell landed a left off the ropes that sent the former IBF Middleweight champion to the canvas for the first time in his career. Abraham shook it off and sporadically would get through with one shot at a time.

Every time it seemed that Abraham was changing momentum, Dirrell would use his athleticism to land some solid combionations on Abraham. In round seven, a nasty cut opened over the right eye brow of Abraham which seemed to spur the visitor on.

In round ten, Abraham landed a big right that sent Dirrell to the canvas for which referee Laurence Cole ruled that it was a slip as the fighters’ feet were close but replays showed that it should have been ruled a knockdown. That was a foreshadow of the craziness to come.

In round eleven, Abraham landed a big right that was combined with Dirrell slipping on the ring and Dirrell went to his knee. While Dirrell was prone on the ground, Abraham wound him and drilled Dirrell with a vicious right that knocked Dirrell out with Dirrell’s legs beginning to tremble and Cole waved the fight off immediately at 1:13 of round eleven.

“He did not go down. I shouldn’t be DQ’d for this,’’ the favored Abraham told SHOWTIME’s Jim Gray in the ring afterward.

Later, at the post-fight press conference, Abraham added, “I was not looking at his feet. I was looking at his eyes.

“If you are a professional boxer, you look for every opportunity to knock out your opponent. You do not wait for him to recover. But I wish Andre Dirrell well and hope he is OK.’’

After order was restored in the ring, Dirrell believed he was knocked out and therefore he left the ring and to the hospital while Abraham thought Dirrell was acting.

Dirrell of Flint, Michigan is now 19-1. Abraham of Berlin is now 31-1.

Lisa Brown scored a ten round unanimous decision over popular Ana Julaton to claim the WBA Super Bantamweight championship.

Brown dominated the action throughout the fight as she landed the more telling blows and cut Julaton in two places around her eyes. Julaton never really got into the fight as Brown basically took every round as she won by scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 99-92.

Brown of Scarbough, ONT is now 17-4-3. Jualton of Daly City, CA is now 6-2-1.

Fabian Ramirez scored a vicious first round stoppage over Justin Fountain in a six round Welterweight bout.

The two tradedd shots until Ramirez dropped Fountain with a hard right uppercut. Fountain got to his feet only to engage in a toe to toe flurry where he was rocked several times until a huge right hand put Fountain down and out at 2:59 of round one.

Ramirez, 147 lbs of Culican, Mexico is now 10-1-1 with seven knockouts. Fountain, 145.2 lbs of Hamilton, ONT is now 6-2-3.

Stephan Boyd scored a six round unanimous decision over Jason Douglas in an entertaining battle of Super Middleweights from Ontario.

The two traded good shots over the first four round until Boyd landed big uppercut that rocked Douglas that set up a big barrage that had Douglas rocked and barely made it out of round five.

Douglas furthered his demise as he was docked two points for low blows in the final round.

Scores were 59-53, 59-53 and 59-54 for Boyd, 165.6 lbs of Toronto and is now 10-3-1. Douglas, 165.8 lbs of Kitchner, ONT is now 7-2-2.

Felix Mercedes hung on to win unanimous decision over Ivan Flores in a six round Featherweight bout.

Mercedes dominated the first five round even though he took a nice nice right hand in round four. Flores landed two huge shots in the final round that had Mercedes holding on but he built up a big lead and made ito the final bell for victory.

Mercedes of Buffalo, New York won by scores of 59-55, 59-55 and 59-54 to raise his record to 5-0. Flores of Culican, Mexico is now 6-5-2

OROVILLE, CALIFORNIA — Three combat sports will be on display tonight at the Feather Falls Casino & Lodge. In the mixed martial arts headliner, veterans Chris David and Jesse Brock square off in an important crossroads bout. Boxing and amateur kickboxing are also featured on the “Playboy Fight Night” card. Fighters weighed-in Friday evening at the casino showroom where they will fight tonight.

David (13-7-2, 4 KOs, 5 Submissions) of Oroville will be looking to continue his winning steak, which stands at four fights, in front of his hometown crowd tonight. Brock (10-5, 2 KOs, 5 Submissions) of Boise, Idaho will be looking to bounce back from a knockout defeat this past February. Brock, a Urijah Faber sparring partner, weighed in at 136-pounds, while David scaled 135.

Colin Hart (3-0, 2 Submissions) of Santa Rosa, California will take on Ryan Wong (1-2, 1 KO) of San Jose, California in a three-round middleweight fight. Wong, who fought just last Friday in Reno, Nevada, scaled 185, while Hart weighed in at 184 ¼-pounds.

In a three-round flyweight bout, Martin Sandoval (4-2, 3 KOs, 1 Submission) of Oakdale, California will meet Sammy Sanders (1-2, 1 KO) of Santa Rosa. Sandoval, nicknamed “Tarzan,” weighed in at 125 ¼, while Sanders scaled 125 ¾-pounds.

Oakdale’s Bryant Munoz (4-2, 4 Submissions) meets Taylor McCorriston (3-0, 1 Submission) of San Ramon, California in a three-round bantamweight fight. Munoz, looking to rebound from a tough stoppage loss to Alvin Cacdac last October, scaled 135-pounds, while McCorriston came in at 135 ¼.

Rounding out the MMA portion of the card, Junior Villanueva (1-0, 1 KO) of Oakdale will take on Rafael Rios (1-0, 1 Submission) of Stockton, California in a three-round lightweight bout. Villanueva, weighed in at 147 ¾-pounds, while Rios scaled 149 ½.

The boxing side of the card consists of two fights. In a four-round light middleweight fight, former amateur star Richard Hargraves (1-0, 1 KO) of San Francisco, California will meet J.C. Saade (0-1) of Los Angeles, California. Hargraves, the USA Boxing #3 ranked amateur welterweight before turning pro in December, weighed in at 151 ¾-pounds, while Saade scaled 151 even. Saade is fighting for the first time since 2005.

Heavyweight boxer, and MMA fighter, Yohan Banks was not sure who he would be fighting tonight, or even which rules his bout would be fought under, until sometime shortly before the weigh-in last night. Banks (2-3-3, 1 KO) of Redwood City, California will be boxing 6’5” Hector Martinez (5-3, 4 KOs) of Broderick, California in a four-rounder. Banks weighed in at 264, while Martinez scaled 228 ¾-pounds.

Two amateur kickboxing bouts will open the card. Mitch Thompson of Sacramento, California will take on Gaston Bolanos of Pleasanton in a three-round welterweight fight. Thompson weighed in at 144 ¾, while Bolanos came in at 141 ¾.

Mike Spatz (1-0) of Sacramento will fight Ignacio Zambrano of Stockton, California in a three-round cruiserweight fight. Spatz weighed in at 187, while Zambrano came in at 197 ¾-pounds.

Tickets for the event, promoted by ESMG World, are available by calling the casino at 530-533-3885 ext. 510.

Quick Weigh-in Results:

Mixed Martial Arts Results:

Bantamweights, 3 Rounds
David 135
Brock 136

Middleweights, 3 Rounds
Wong 185
Hart 184 ¼

Flyweights, 3 Rounds
Sandoval 125 ¼
Sanders 125 ¾

Bantamweights, 3 Rounds
Munoz 135
McCorriston 135 ¼

Lightweights, 3 Rounds
Villanueva 147 ¾
Rios 149 ½

Boxing:

Light middleweights, 4 Rounds
Hargraves 151 ¾
Saade 151

Heavyweights, 4 Rounds
Banks 264
Martinez 228 ¾

Amateur Kickboxing:

Welterweights, 3 Rounds
Thompson 144 ¾
Bolanos 141 ¾

Cruiserweights, 3 Rounds
Spatz 187
Zambrano 197 ¾

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

Pound 4 Pound Promotions’ maintenance crew would have been wise to remove ring following the co-feature as Jersey City, NJ’s Danny “Little Mac” McDermott and Brian Miller seemingly fought in a phone booth throughout the eight round main event.

Miller came into the bout with a boatload of confidence as did McDermott. Both men were looking to stamp their ticket as a rising prospect in the lightweight division. Neither wanted to lose. Each refused to quit. But following eight competitive rounds, Miller’s consistency and conditioning helped him score the minor upset.

Miller of Schenectady, NY improved to 8-0-3 (3 KO’s) after pulling out an entertaining eight round split decision over the popular McDermott. McDermott got off to a solid start over the first two rounds, landing a number of hard head shots on his hard charging opponent. Miller controlled the pace of the third round by volume punching and crowding McDermott, as the latter began to show signs of fatigue.

Rounds four through six were action packed, with the heavier handed McDermott landing hard shots while Miller continued to keep his hands busy from bell to bell. Neither fighter gave an inch and the majority of the standing room only at North Bergen’s Schuetzen Park remained on their feet.

McDermott had difficulty regaining his wind in the seventh, as struggles making weight and consecutive action packed rounds can be torture for any fighter. The multi time Golden Gloves champion fired heavy hooks, but Miller slipped under a majority of the punches and remained busy in close quarters. With the fight up in the air, the two exchanged leather as if there were no tomorrow, with McDermott landing the bigger punches and Miller once again keeping his hands moving in a definite Garden State Fight of the Year candidate.

The first two scorecards read 77-75 McDermott and 78-74 Miller. The third judge somehow scored the bout a ridiculous 79-74 but unlike the majority of asinine scorecards, this one didn’t go to the hometown fighter. GSFS scored the ultra competitive contest 77-75 for Miller, who won the WBF All Americas title in the process.

“It was definitely a tough fight and knew it was going to be, but I give 110% every time I enter the ring”, Miller said after the fight.

As a fighter who received two questionable draws in his opponent’s hometown, Miller initially thought the final scorecard was going to be responsible for his first defeat.

“I fought twice in Jersey before and this is boxing. If you fight in the other guys hometown and the fight is close, the decision can go against you. Fortunately this wasn’t the case tonight.”

McDermott drops to 8-2-1 (3 KO’s) after the tough defeat.

Hard hitting Union City, NJ based super middleweight Jason “Monstruo” Escalera embarrassed previously unbeaten Jesus Torres, stopping him inside of one round. Torres entered the squared circle for the first time in 11 years, but would have been better off staying away for good. From the moment Escalera landed his first shot, Torres was clearly looking for a way out. His opponent had no problem giving him one. Escalera dropped him three times en route to a TKO victory at 2:14.

“I was very disappointed with my opponent”, Escalera said after a quick night of work. “I figured he was going to give me more of a challenge because of his record but as you saw, I got him out of there quickly.”

Escalera moves to 8-0 (7 KO’s). Torres heads home at 5-1-1 (4 KO’s)

Newly signed super bantamweight Elion “Nono” Kedem of Queens, NY via Israel earned a hard fought six round unanimous decision over Puerto Rico’s Pedro Salcedo. Kedem controlled the majority of the action and was the busier fighter, but the game Salcedo had his moments as well. Scores were 60-54, 59-55 and 58-56. Kedem improves to 11-3-4 (7 KO’s). Salcedo falls to 3-3 (2 KO’s).

In an all-Jersey matchup between two raw fighters, Todd “Viking” Eriksson of Dover viciously stopped Newark’s Eddie Edmonds. Both fighters missed with a number of wild shots in the opening two rounds, but Eriksson managed to briefly hurt Edmonds. Eriksson lined up a huge right hand in the third, sending his opponent tumbling to the deck. Edmonds, who has a striking resemblance to actor Luis Guzman, got up on unsteady legs, forcing the stoppage 59 seconds in.

Eriksson wins his first bout and is 1-3-1 (1 KO). Edmonds, whose father is a local promoter, drops to 1-1-1

With former world champion Paulie Malignaggi guiding his ring walk, welterweight Christian Martinez of The Bronx impressively stopped debuting Union City native Hector Collado in three rounds. Martinez was clearly the more polished fighter and needed little time to prove it, decking his counterpart seconds after the opening bell. Martinez controlled the second round and ended Collado’s night with a big right hand at 1:09 of the third. Martinez is now 3-0 with all 3 coming by way of KO.

In the opening bout of the evening former National Amateur Champion Steven Martinez destroyed debuting North Carolinian Michael Ransome in 1:59. Martinez, a talented Bronx based Middleweight, put Ransome down twice. Martinez is now 4-0 with all four wins coming by way of kayo.

Dubbed as “March Badness”, last night’s card was Pound 4 Pound’s seventh consecutive show at Schuetzen Park. Notables on hand included New York Giants running back/boxing manager Brandon Jacobs, former IBF Cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham and the aforementioned Paulie Malignaggi.

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

This great show can be seen by clicking:

http://www.gofightlive.tv/showEvent.do?eventId=658

From Downtown Los Angeles at LA Live, Golden Boy Promos put together another card in an attempt to bring boxing back to Los Angeles.

In the nights main event, the local favorite and upcoming star Abner Mares clashed with Felipe Almanza in a scheduled 10 rounder in the junior featherweight division. The first round was fairly uneventful with Abner giving chase and Felipe running the entire time. In the third round, Mares dropped him with an uppercut right on the button as Almanza slowed down for a slight second. The fight came to an end in the 5th round, when Abner finally trapped Almanza on the ropes and landed a variety of shots to the body and head. Jabs, hooks, and many power punches to the body, finally dropped Felipe and the ref called the fight at 2:23 in the 5th round. Abner Mares improves to 20-0 with 13KO’s while Almanza drops to 19-16-3.

In the first bout of the evening, Dion Savage of Las Vegas, by way of Flint, MI, kept his record clean as he dropped Danny Stainislavjevic of Los Angeles twice in the first round of a light heavy battle. The referee stopped the fight at 2:53 in the first. Savage goes to 7-0, with 5KO’s as Stainislavjevic drops to 8-18-4.

The second bout of the evening ended even faster than the first, at 1:08 in the first round. Anatolly Dudchenko, out of Ukraine defeated Harley Kilfian of Wisconsin with a short, straight right hand that dropped him. Kilfian could not recover and the ref waved the fight off. Dudchenko improved his cruiserweight record to 8-2 with 6KO’s while Kilfian dropped to 8-5.

The third fight was the first bout of the night to escape the first round. Undefeated local favorite Ronny Rios met Andres Ledesma of Miami, in a 6 round, welterweight bout. In the first two rounds, Rios showcased his power as he stalked Ledesma around the ring, landing powerful jabs and big right hands. The next few rounds featured more of the same. While Ledesma showed a ton of heart, he had nothing on his punches, therefore he couldn’t keep Rios from pressuring him. The fight ended when Rios landed a vicious body shot at 1:45 in the 5th round (by karen). Rios improves to 10-0 with 5KO’s while Ledesma drops to 15-17-1.

The next bout was a 4 rounder in the junior featherweight division. Two very talented, lightning fast fighters, Derrick Wilson (5-1-1, 2KO’s) and Adam Ochoa (2-1, 1KO) dazzled the crowd with their equal display of speed and accuracy. The first two rounds featured many big shots by both fighters, no one seeming to have any sort of edge. In the third round, Wilson seemed to take a slight edge, landing big power shots but Ochoa came back in the fourth, winning that final round in my opinion. On the scorecards, one judge had it 39-37, the other two both had it 38-38 , a majority draw.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, a rematch of the 2009 fight of the year between Juan Manuel Marquez and Juan Diaz is almost fonalized for July 10th in Las Vegas in a bout that will be aired on Pay Per View

“It’s very close,” Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions said. “We are getting everything signed, but we have agreed on terms.” Willie Savannah, Diaz’s manager, told ESPN.com that he had received the proposal from Golden Boy and that their side wants the fight.

“It looks like that is what will happen,” Savannah said. “I told them we would like to have the rematch.”

Marquez, of Mexico, went to Diaz’s hometown of Houston to face him at the Toyota Center in February 2009 in what turned out to be an all-action slugfest, one that Marquez won via ninth-round knockout.

“The first fight was a great fight. These guys are both coming off losses, but they are still great fighters,” said Willie Savannah who is the co-manager of Diaz. “Doing this rematch, which you know is going to be great fight, is the biggest fight for both of them right now.”

One of the pay-per-view undercard bouts for the July 10 card Schaefer said he is working on is a middleweight match between former undisputed junior middleweight champ Winky Wright (51-5-1, 25 KOs) and former junior middleweight titlist Sergio Mora (21-1-1, 5 KOs).

Pound 4 Pound Promotions returns to the elegant Schuetzen Park Ballroom for what looks to be a solid night of boxing topped by one of the Garden State’s most entertaining up and comers. Tomorrow night’s card is Pound 4 Pound’s seventh consecutive show in North Bergen, NJ and one of their first featuring a title bout.

Jersey City’s Danny “Little Mac” McDermott (8-1-1, 3 KO’s) is taking a step up in competition to challenge unbeaten Brian Miller (7-0-3, 3 KO’s) for the vacant NABC Lightweight title over eight rounds. McDermott, a crowd pleaser making his seventh appearance at Schuetzen Park, is fighting eight rounds for the first time. The multi time Golden Gloves champion won his last four bouts comfortably since his lone defeat, most recently stopping Italian import Floriano Pagliara inside of two rounds.

Miller also has a reputation for coming to fight and has been in hostile territory before. The Schenectady, NY based 24 year old battled to a draw against both Ryan Belasco and Linwood Hurd in their hometowns.

Hard hitting super middleweight Jason “Monstruo” Escalera takes on unbeaten Jesus Torres (5-0-1, 4 KO’s) in the six round co-feature. Escalera, 7-0 (6 KO’s), has been a regularly discussed prospect since viciously knocking out Alan Lawrence in the amateurs a few years back. This is his first bout since August 09, but considering he has an opponent who has been out of the ring more years (11) than he has months, Escalara looks to be in position for a quick knockout victory.

Newly signed featherweight Eilon “Nono” Kedem (10-3-4, 7 KO’s) makes his Pound 4 Pound debut against Puerto Rico’s Pedro Salcedo (3-2, 2 KO’s). Kedem, who hails from Israel looks to rebound from a second round knockout loss to Eden Sonsana.

Also featured on the card is former amateur standout Steven Martinez against Michael Ransome, Christian Martinez batteling Hector Collado and a local match up between Newark’s Eddie Edmonds and Dover’s Todd Eriksson.

Tickets are available by calling 561-503-9948. and can be seen via tape delay on www.gofightlive.tv by clicking:

http://www.gofightlive.tv/showEvent.do?eventId=658

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

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, disgraced former welterweight champion, Antonio Margarito will make his return to the ring in Mexico on May 8th against Roberto Garcia.

Maragrito still has not been licensed in the United States following being caught with a Plaster of Paris like substance in his handwraps just before being stopped by Shane Mosley last January in Los Angeles.

“He’ll fight at junior middleweight and then, depending on who he will fight in his next fight, he might get back down to welterweight,” Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said. “Margarito really wants to fight Manny Pacquiao and that would be at welterweight. If the Pacquiao fight isn’t there, he might face the winner of the [June 5] fight between Yuri Foreman and Miguel Cotto.”

Photo by Chris Farina/ Top Rank

Manager Nelson Fernandez informed 15rounds that North Bergen based Colombian Carlos Tamara will make the first defense of his IBF Junior Flyweight championship May 29 against four time title challenger Luis Alberto Lazarte in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Tamara, 21-4 (15 KO’s), captured the title January 23 by scoring a dramatic stoppage over Brian Viloria in the Philippines. The 2004 Olympian was hoping to take Viloria’s spot in the proposed title unification with WBO champion Ivan Calderon, but the unbeaten Puerto Rican signed to face another opponent.

Lazarte, who has challenged for belts at 105,108 and 112, looks to make the most of his fifth opportunity ala Jose Lopez, and will have the hometown advantage. The Buenos Aries native is currently 46-9-1 with 18 KO’s and has won his last six bouts since dropping a decision to Daniel Reyes. His in ring antics however must be questioned, as four of his nine professional defeats have come via DQ.

For the record, Tamara will next have to face the winner of this Saturday’s IBF eliminator between Ulises Solis and Bert Batawang. According to IBF rules, Tamara will have to fight Solis or Batawang by October 24 2010.

International television rights for Tamara-Lazarte are currently in the works, but the bout is expected to be aired in Colombia and Puerto Rico.

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According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Manny Pacquiao’s lopsided unanimous decision against Joshua Clottey generated 700,000 pay-per-view buys and $35.3 million in domestic television revenue, HBO PPV’s Mark Taffet said Tuesday.

“We are extremely pleased with the pay-per-view performance of Pacquiao-Clottey. Fights like this traditionally do not exceed 400,000 buys,” Taffet said. “It is a testament to the popularity of Pacquiao and the vitality of the sport, and it gives us great encouragement as we look toward the May 1 Mayweather-Mosley pay-per-view fight.”

Photo By Chris Farina / Top Rank

RENO, NEVADA — Northern California-based prospects Brandon Gonzales and Karim Mayfield passed perhaps the toughest tests of their professional careers thus far, notching decision victories over tough journeyman opponents before a standing room only crowd at the Grand Sierra Resort & Casino on Friday night.

Rising middleweight Gonzales (11-0, 9 KOs) of Sacramento, California outboxed rugged gatekeeper Darnell Boone (16-15-2, 6 KOs) of Atlanta, Georgia, topping the veteran via eight-round unanimous decision. Boone, 163, has been in with just about everyone from 154- to 168-pounds, but Gonzales, 163, proved to be the more complete fighter.

Gonzales flashed power early on, landing a clean left, right, left hook combination that rocked Boone late in the first. Luckily for the Atlanta resident, the bell came seconds later, before Gonzales could really follow up. Gonzales landed well in the second, but was in no rush to try and force a knockout. Boone woke up a bit in the third, but he could not match the varied attack Gonzales threw at him.

Boone changed up his approach in the fourth, bouncing on his toes at a distance and leaping in with the occasional well-timed punch. The pace of the fight slowed in the fifth, which made it easier for Gonzales to settle in and control the fight with his superior boxing skills. Outside of the two-way action that closed the fight, Boone was content to stay in a defensive posture for the final few rounds. Gonzales took what he could get and cruised to the decision. Scores read 80-71, 78-74, 79-73 for the undefeated “Flawless” Gonzales.

When Gonzales buzzed Boone late in the first, it looked as though the Sacramento prospect may become only the second fighter to stop the durable journeyman. “You have got to give credit to his experience,” said Gonzales after the fight. “I got him hurt, dug down to the body, but he dipped down low and survived those final seconds in the round. I couldn’t get him out of there, he survived, and you have to give him credit for that.”

While a knockout win would have been an eye-opener, Gonzales seemed satisfied with the decision victory. “I think we made the adjustments, and maybe if we had a ten or twelve-rounder, we possibly could have got him out of there,” said Gonzales. “He is an experienced guy, we got the rounds in, and I think I passed the test.” Gonzales is slated for a May 22nd card back at the Grand Sierra Resort & Casino in Reno.

Unbeaten light middleweight prospect Karim Mayfield (12-0-1, 7 KOs) of Daly City, California edged Mario Jose Ramos (17-7-1, 3 KOs) of Phoenix, Arizona to win a six-round majority decision. Mayfield, 150, had trouble with the awkward style the southpaw journeyman Ramos, 150, employed throughout the fight. It was mostly one at a time for Mayfield, but he still landed the clean, more telling blows each round. Scores read 59-55, 58-56 for Mayfield, with one even score at 57-57.

Perhaps some of Mayfield’s difficulties with Ramos could be explained with the brief amount of time he had to prepare for the southpaw, after originally scheduled orthodox fighter Jason Davis withdrew two weeks ago. “He had an awkward style,” admitted Mayfield. “We had a southpaw switched to us within the last two weeks. With the change of opponents, we had to make a different transition. I only had two sparring sessions with a southpaw, so combinations weren’t rolling the same way. Nevertheless, he was real durable opponent, and it was a learning experience.”

Very few fighters have ever looked good against Ramos, but Mayfield was hoping for a more decisive conclusion to impress those watching ringside. “I wanted to make a statement and get him out of there, but he was real durable guy and been in with some top guys,” said Mayfield. “I hit him with some good shots, but we will go back to the drawing board. It was my first fight against a southpaw as a professional and we came out with the victory, so I am happy about that.” Mayfield hopes to land a fight by May, but is slated to fight in June in San Francisco on a card promoted by his brother LaRon’s Mo’ Betta Entertainment.

Rounding out the boxing portion of the card, debuting Omar Zaldivar (1-0) of Reno scored a four-round unanimous decision over Tom Peterson (0-1) of Modesto, California. A mixed martial artist by trade, Peterson, 154, displayed a raw fighting style that was likely better suited for that combat sport. The hard-charging, more technically sound Zaldivar, 154, pressed the fight from the outset and had Peterson in trouble for much of the fourth. Peterson lasted the distance, but lost the fight by scores of 40-36 three times.

MMA

In a quickie, Adam Albright (4-1, 3 Submissions) of San Francisco, California disappointed the home crowd as he submitted popular local attraction Josh Turner (2-2, 2 Submissions) of Reno in the opening round in the night’s main MMA attraction. Albright, 175, quickly gained control of Turner, 175, eventually cinching in with a guillotine choke hold. Seconds later Turner asked the referee for relief at 1:30 of the round.

In the highly-anticipated female MMA bout, Nicole Johnson (2-1) of Roseville scored a three-round unanimous decision over Jenny Trujillo (1-1) of San Jose, California.
After a brutal, back-and-forth first-round, the pace slowed and Johnson, 140, gradually took control of the fight. Trujillo, 145, was determined and had her moments in the fight. However, all three judges scored the bout 29-28 for Johnson.

Rick Randolph (5-3, 3 KOs, 2 Submissions) of Roseville, California scored a first-round submission win over Ryan Wong (1-2, 1 KO) of San Jose in the opener. Randolph, 205, took Wong, 205, to the mat early in the first and held positioning control through nearly the entire round. At 4:05 of the round, Randolph locked in a triangle choke to secure the submission victory.

“Reno Xtreme Fights IV” is scheduled for May 22nd at the Grand Sierra Resort & Casino, with Reno native Joey Gilbert slated for the main event. Let’s Get It On Promotions also holds a July 3rd date at the Reno Events Center to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the Jack Johnson-James J. Jeffries fight.

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

RENO, NEVADA — Two of Northern California’s most promising young fighters, Brandon Gonzales and Karim Mayfield, top the bill against experienced opponents at the Grand Sierra Resort & Casino tonight, as Let’s Get It On Promotions hosts the third edition of their boxing/mixed martial arts series “Reno Xtreme Fights.” Fighters weighed in Thursday at the casino’s Xtreme Sports Bar & Lounge.

Heading up the boxing side, Brandon Gonzales (10-0, 9 KOs) of Sacramento, California will be taking on potentially his toughest opponent to date in Darnell Boone (16-14-2, 6 KOs) of Atlanta, Georgia in the night’s eight-round middleweight main event. Gonzales has stopped his last four opponents, the last two coming at the Grand Sierra, but could likely be headed for a distance bout Friday. Boone has beaten four previously undefeated prospects, and drawn with another. Furthermore, Boone has been stopped only once, and that came five years ago. Gonzales and Boone both scaled 163-pounds.

In the main supporting bout, unbeaten Karim Mayfield (11-0-1, 7 KOs) of Daly City, California will take on venerable journeyman Mario Jose Ramos (17-6-1, 3 KOs) of Phoenix, Arizona in a six-round welterweight fight. Mayfield is coming off an impressive fifth-round knockout of Francisco Santana last November. Santana’s only previous defeat came at the hands of Mayfield in a close bout in 2008. Originally Mayfield was readying himself to fight Jason Davis, but a third-round stoppage defeat earlier in the month ruled the Washington-based journeyman out of the fight. Ramos, a sturdy southpaw, presents a different challenge. Ramos has been in with the better competition, including Lamont Peterson and Demetrius Hopkins. Few have looked good against Ramos, and a convincing win would be a great notch in Mayfield’s belt. Mayfield and Ramos both weighed-in at 150-pounds.

The first boxing bout of the evening pits two debuting light middleweights, as Reno’s Omar Zalvidar takes on Tom Peterson of Modesto, California in a four-rounder. Peterson, who has fought professionally in mixed martial arts, weighed in 154-pounds, as did Zalvidar.

The MMA portion of the card is comprised of three fights. Ryan Wong (1-1, 1 KO) of San Jose, California will take on Rick Randolph (4-3, 3 KOs, 1 Submission) of Roseville, California in a three-round light heavyweight bout. Wong and Randolph both scaled 205-pounds.

In the evening’s female bout, Jenny Trujillo (1-0) of San Jose will take on Nicole Johnson (1-1) of Roseville in a three-round featherweight fight. Trujillo weighed in at 145, while Johnson scaled 140-pounds.

Rounding out the card, Josh Turner (2-1, 2 Submissions) of Reno will meet Adam Albright (3-1, 2 Submissions) of San Francisco, California in a three-round middleweight fight. Turner and Albright both scaled 175-pounds Thursday.

Tickets for the event, promoted by Let’s Get It On Promotions, are available online at GrandSierraResort.com.

Quick Weigh-in Results:

Super middleweights, 8 Rounds
Gonzales 163
Boone 163

Welterweights, 6 Rounds
Mayfield 150
Ramos 150

Light middleweights, 4 Rounds
Peterson 154
Zalvidar 154

Mixed Martial Arts Weigh-in Results:

Light heavyweights, 3 Rounds
Wong 205
Randolph 205

Featherweights, 3 Rounds
Trujillo 145
Johnson 140

Middleweights, 3 Rounds
Turner 175
Albright 175

Photos by Mark Ortega

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

Word out of Chris John’s camp is that the 30 year old WBA Featherweight champion will return to the ring on 22 May in his native Bali, Indonesia against an as yet named opponent. who will be selected from the WBA top 15. John 43-0-2(22) will be making his 13th defence of which 6 have taken place on home soil, though this will be his first since January 2008. It will also be John’s first fight since he came down with Dengue fever after his last fight.