World Light Heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins talks to the media about his April 28th rematch with Chad Dawson

World Light Heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins and Chad Dawson meet in New York City to announce thier April 28th rematch

As expected, HBO Pay Per View will show the June 9th showdown between Pound for Pound King Manny Pacquiao and undefeated Jr. Welterweight champion Timothy Bradley according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

The announcement coincided with the day that Pacquiao and Bradley kicked off a two-city media tour in Los Angeles to promote the fight. “Manny Pacquiao’s fights are always special events and we are very excited that his June 9 fight with Timothy Bradley will be presented by HBO Pay-Per-View,” HBO Sports president Ken Hershman said in a statement to ESPN.com. “We look forward to working with Manny, Timothy and Top Rank on this major PPV event.”

CHESTER, PA (February 21, 2012)—This Friday Night, Tony “Boom Boom” Ferrante will take part in the most important bout of his career when he takes on former four time world title challenger Omar Sheika in a ten round bout for the BAM championship.

The bout plus a terrific five bout undercard is promoted by Joey Eye Boxing Promotions. This will be the sixth boxing show promoted by Joey Eye Boxing just over 12 months at Harrahs in Chester.

Ferrante of Philadelphia has a record of 12-2 with seven knockouts and is one of the most popular fighters in Philadelphia. Ferrante won his first nine professional bouts before dropping back to back bouts to Chuck Mussachio (15-1-2) and Ronson Frank (17-0).

Ferrante has responded with three consecutive victories, with two of those coming at Harrahs in Chester.

Ferrante is coming off a first round stoppage over Joe Park last August 12th at Harrahs in Chester.

Sheika of Paterson, New Jersey has been a mainstay at the top of the Super Middleweight and Light Heavyweight divisions for sixteen years. He won his first fourteen bouts and went on to beat former world champions Simon Brown and Glen Johnson.

Sheika challenged Joe Calzaghe, Eric Lucas; Jeff Lacy and Markus Beyer for world Super Middleweight supremacy but each time came up just a little bit short.

Sheika, 31-11 with twenty-one is coming off a majority decision victory over based Light heavyweight Charles Hayward on January 21st.

Two six round fights will headline the undercard.

Undefeated Naim Nelson of Philadelphia will take on the battle tested Linwood Hurd in a Jr. Welterweight bout.

Nelson, twenty-one years old has a record of 4-0 and holds victories over undefeated Korey Slone (1-0) and in his last bout he scored a four round unanimous decision over Pedro Andres on January 21st.

Hurd has a record of 3-2-4 with one knockout. The twenty-seven year old has fought and had success with solid competition. Hurd has wins over then undefeated Bryheim Douglas (2-0-2) and scored his first knockout in his last bout over Marcus Smith and has draws with then undefeated Ryan Belasco (2-0) and tough Julio DeJesus (4-2).

In a second six round Heavyweight bout, popular Radnor Police Officer Jamie Campbell takes on Lonnie Kornegay.

Campbell, thirty-eight has a record of 3-2 with two knockouts.

The Ridley Park, PA native lives just minutes from Harrahs in Chester and should have a big cheering section rooting him on.

Campbell has two big wins over Dan Mullarkey and will be looking to redeem himself after coming off a four round unanimous decision defeat to last minute replacement William Miranda last March 18th at Harrahs in Chester.

Kornegay is a thirty-three year old native of Baltimore will bring in a record of 1-5-2.

The irony of the fight is that Kornegay’s lone win is over Miranda (Miranda got even in the rematch).

The rest of the card will consists of three four round bouts.

Teneal Goyco (4-3, 2 KO’s) will take on Maurice Amaro (1-5) in a bout between two Philadelphia based Light Heavyweight bout.

Son of former world title challenger Tyrone Crawley Jr. will take on Hamid Robinson in a battle of pro debuting Welterweights from Philadelphia.

Danny Mills of Glen Mills, PA will take on Mike Haynes of Wilmington, DE in a fight between two pro debuting Welterweights.

Tickets are now on sale for $100 (VIP); $65 (Ringside) and $45 (General Admission) and can be purchased at the Harrahs Chester Gift Shop; By calling Joey Eye (267-304-9399); David Feldman (610-291-0806); 800-480-8020 or on www.webtix.net

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LAS VEGAS (Feb. 21, 2012) – Go Fight Live (www.gfl.tv) will deliver a live, Internet Pay-Per-View stream of Lion Fight Promotions’ World Boxing Council (WBC)-championship full rules Muay Thai event from Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. on Sat., Feb. 25.

CLICK TO ORDER THE FIGHT
NUTLEY, NEW JERSEY (February 20, 2012)—This past Friday night at Nutley High School, Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna returned to his childhood home and scored a third round stoppage over Daniel Crabtree to highlight an eight bout card that was promoted by Gabe LaConte’s First Round Promotions.

That fight plus an explosive seven bout undercard that featured upsets and knockouts can now be seen on-demand on www.gfl.tv for just $9.99 by clicking: http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing/First_Round_Promotions__Pro_Boxing/1327

LaManna and Crabtree waged a spirited battle with the taller LaManna fighting well from both the inside and working behind a solid jab. Crabtree got in a few a hard shots that the twenty-year old LaManna walked through and even inspired him to go toe to toe. In the pivotal third round LaManna landed a huge flurry of punches that had referee Randy Neumann stop the fight at 2:30 of round three. The trainer of Crabtree then jumped in the ring and had a few heated words for Neumann. Members from both camps tried to calm the situation before a near riot erupted in the ring before cooler heads prevailed.

LaManna is now 7-0 with five knockouts.

In the co-feature Richard Pierson returned from a year and a half hiatus by stopping Anibal Acevedo after the first round of a six round Super Middleweight bout.

Pierson dominated the action and landed a huge body shot at the end of the round. Acevedo went back to his corner in excruciating pain and the bout was stopped. Acevedo left the ring on a stretcher and was administered oxygen.

John Thompson remained perfect by scoring a stoppage over Laureno Laracuente after the third round of their four round Middleweight bout.

In a wild one round Heavyweight bout, John Lennox was shockingly sent to the deck just seconds into his six round bout with Miles Kelly. Lennox then regrouped to drop and knockout Kelly just eighty three seconds into the bout.

Godson Noel made a successful pro debut with a first round stoppage over Satchell James.

In a Mild upset, Jonathan Garcia scored a majority decision over previously undefeated knockout artist Jose Javier Calderon

FULL RESULTS

6 ROUNDS-JR. MIDDLEWEIGHTS – Thomas LaManna (7-0, 5 KO’s) TKO 3 (2:30) over Daniel Crabtree (3-4)

6 Rounds- Spr Middleweights—Richard Pierson (10-2, 7 KO’s) TKO End of 1 over Anibal Acevedo (13-9-1)

6 Rounds—Heavyweights—John Lennox (10-1, 5 KO’s) TKO 1 (1:28) over Miles Kelly (2-7)

4 Rounds—Middleweights—John Thompson (6-0, 2 KO’s) TKO end of 3 over Laureno Laracuente (7-5-1)

4 Rounds—Heavyweights—Aaron Kinch (2-0-1, 1 KO) TKO 3 over Donnie Crawford (1-4-1)

4 Rounds—Jr. Middleweights—Alantez Fox (7-0) U DEC over Fitzgerald Johnson (2-6)…scores were 39-37 on all cards

4 Rounds—Middleweights—Godson Noel (1-0, 1 KO) TKO 1 over Stachell James (0-1)

4 Rounds—Jonathan Garcia (2-1) MAJ DEC over Jose Javier Calderon (3-1)…scores were 39-37; 39-37 and 38-38

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON GFL.TV & FIRST ROUND PROMOTIONS, CONTACT:

Marc Abrams at 856 287 7611 or mabrams@15rounds.com; phillyboxing@gmail.com

About GFL

Established in 2007, The GFL is the pioneer in Internet Sports Broadcasting. Over the years GFL has broadcast more than 1100 live events with over 6000 combat sports videos in 196 countries. GFL is especially proud to have served greater than 5 million public viewers over the years with more than 250 combat sports related website affiliates in its network. GFL is also available on Roku, Android, IPhone, IPad, as well as other internet ready devices. Check the event page for details.

GFL now offers full access to over 6,000 fights for the low monthly price of $9.99 subscribe now at www.GFL.tv

If Combat Sports is your game…Go Fight-Every Night with GFL Combat Sports Network

Join us at: www.GFL.tv or twitter.com/GFL or youtube.com/user/Gofightlive or inquiries contact press@gfl.tv

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Philadelphia,PA – GFL.TV, in association with ATG Radio (www.alltimegreat.com) , will host an Ear2Ear Press Conference for the 2/25 Peltz Promotions card on Monday 2/20 at 9pm EST.

ATG Prospect of the Year Ronald Cruz (15-0)and veteran spoiler Allen Conyers (12-5) will be on to discuss their fight in the Main Event. Also Garrett Wilson (11-5-1) and Pedro Martinez (6-4) will be discussing their C0-Freature battle to settle who is “Philly’s Best Cruiserweight “.

The event can be seen LIVE on GFL.TV and can be ordered on or before 2/25 right here:

http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing/Peltz_Boxing_Promotions_Cruz_vs_Conyers/1335

Who: Ronald Cruz, IBF #15 Welterweight / ATG Prospect of the Year
Allen Conyers
Garrett Wilson, IBF #9 Cruiserweight
Pedro Martinez
Marc Abrams, GFL.TV
J. Russell Peltz, HOF Promoter & Matchmaker

What: Peltz Promotions: Cruz-Conyers Ear2Ear Press Conference

When: Monday 2/20 at 9:00pm EST

Where: You can hear LIVE on GFL.TV & AllTimeGreat.com

Dial In: 347-934-0137
Press #1 to ask question

For more information on the iPPV check out GFL.TV

About GFL

Established in 2007, The GFL is the pioneer in Internet Sports Broadcasting. Over the years GFL has broadcast more than 1100 live events with over 6000 combat sports videos in 196 countries. GFL is especially proud to have served greater than 5 million public viewers over the years with more than 250 combat sports related website affiliates in its network. GFL is also available on Roku, Android, IPhone, IPad, as well as other internet ready devices. Check the event page for details.

GFL now offers full access to over 6,000 fights for the low monthly price of $9.99 subscribe now at www.GFL.tv

If Combat Sports is your game…Go Fight-Every Night with GFL Combat Sports Network

Join us at: www.GFL.tv or twitter.com/GFL or youtube.com/user/Gofightlive or inquiries contact press@gfl.tv

Pablo Cesar Cano rebounded from his first professional defeat to score a sixth round stoppage over Francisco Contreras in a scheduled ten round Lightweight bout in Cancun, Mexico.

Cano dropped Contreras in round one. Cano controlled the action until he dropped Contreras twice in round five. Contreras did not get off his stool when the sixth round bell rang and the fight was officially stopped just one second into the round.

Cano was stopped by Erik Morales when he competed for the WBC Super Lightweight title on short notice in September is 23-1-1 with eighteen knockouts. Contreras is 16-2

Mario Rodriguez scored a shocking fifth round stoppage over former world champion Gilberto Keb Bas in a scheduled ten round Flyweight bout.

Rodriguez drilled Keb Bas with a perfect left hook to the live that sent the former champ down for the ten count.

The time of the finish was 2:01 for Rodriguez, 111 lbs and is now 13-6-4 with nine knockouts. Keb Bas, 108 lbs is now 35-22-4.

Roberto Manzanarez remained perfect by taking out David Solorio in the first round of their scheduled six round Lightweight bout.

Manzanrez dropped Solorio with a three punch combination and then ended things with a big combination that dropped Solorio a second time. Solorio got to his feet but the fight was waved off just 2:09 into the fight.

Manzanarez, 130 3/4 lbs is now 17-0 with thirteen knockouts. Solorio is now 17-6.

Fernando Guerrero scored a fourth round stoppage over Jason Naugler in a scheduled eight round Super Middleweight bput.

Guerrero dominated the action but the stoppage seemed premature as he landed some solid shots but the flurries did not seem worth enough to have the fight stopped.

Guerrero is 23-1-1 with eighteen knockouts. Naugler is now 18-16-1.

Jose Mex (2-0, 2 KO’s) remained perfect with a third round stoppage over Hugo Ricandes in a scheduled four round Jr. Middleweight bout

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – If you were here in the beautiful coastal climes of the Gulf, 65 degrees with a cool saltwater wind, you felt differently about “Triple Threat” than if you were not. The ringside experience, with its emptied press-row tables, unfamiliar faces and well-lubricated fans just beyond, had none of the rabid emotion – investigate this! protest that! suspend the other guy! – sincerely expressed by those who were not at American Bank Center Arena.

Make of that what you wish, after you consider that television’s primary role is entertainment. Television succeeds when it provokes strong emotion. To assign it greater merit than entertainment is to overestimate the medium.

Saturday on the Bay brought a swirl of emotions and impressions and other happenings. They ranged from a feeling of disappointment to a narrative of injustice to an inference of unapproachable rage and ultimately ended, as these swirls inevitably do, with exhaustion and boredom. If that is unfair to a semi-rehabilitated fighter or a wronged one, or his outraged manager set to file protest Monday, it is nevertheless honest – though oblivious of what narratives shape it.

There is likely no lead here, just an unkempt swirl of hastily chosen words. But that might be the best way to express a rage that was directly proportionate to one’s distance from its catalyst.

Art Museum of South Texas, which shares a lovely spot and parking lot with Saturday’s fight venue – which had half its 10,000 seats curtained off and its upper bowl closed – is running a three-month exhibit called “Art of the Dive: Portraits of the Deep,” an appropriate subject for a collection that overlooks the Bay. The exhibit is a mild disappointment, with a few pleasant surprises that use impasto.

It has some good works of photo realism, a movement that is better than photography when done right because it accesses thrice the color palette of a lens and film. But it is a movement still subverted by a thought: Did the artist paint this or trace it?

It must not be a simple task to present subaqueous themes; what we know of them is already passed through multiple filters – diving mask, bubbles, refracted light – and anticipated for most of us by television cameras.

Do not discount the importance of anticipation; it colors what follows. If, to use a timely example, you anticipated a tightly wound knockout artist would fade against a loose-handed, stiff-legged, southpaw cutie whose mastery is regularly missed by fair judges – none of whom ply their trade in the crooked Lone Star Republic – you might see something different from a person, say, who showed up to watch the main event and didn’t think many thoughts during the co-main aside from: Yes, enjoyable!

But O, to borrow Shakespeare, for in every honest hand a whip / To lash the rascals naked through the world / Even from Houston to th’ El Paso.

Very well. But do not consider a team of broadcasters much more than a single voice. And do not cite the disapproval of a Spanish-speaking crowd deep in its cups and stirred by a black promoter’s earlier employment of an ethnic slur. Few of the thousands in attendance would recognize Tavoris Cloud in a diner tomorrow morning, but they began without hesitation a chorus of “Don King sucks!” after a Spanish-speaking challenger lost to King’s fighter.

That was in Saturday’s best match, a scrap for the IBF light heavyweight belt. Florida’s Tavoris “Thunder” Cloud defeated Spanish southpaw Gabriel “Chico Guapo” Campillo by scores (116-110, 111-115 and 114-112) that were outrageous on Twitter and TV and almost right at ringside, where an inexperienced local press corps – guys who later argued the WBC International Silver belt denoted a championship at stake – barely shrugged.

Reasonable men at ringside, too, had Cloud narrowly winning. We’ll take our lashings. But when a fighter who lost a round 10-7, never hurt his opponent, and cruised and clowned during the championship rounds, then loses a split decision, do not yell “robbery!” if you wish to be considered reasonable.

Campillo won on many viewers’ cards because he did what they thought he would do, which is to imply their scorecards were not blank when the opening bell rang. Alas, no one’s scorecard ever is.

Chris Arreola, the ticket-seller in South Texas, took umbrage with Don King’s use of the word “wetback” and then took it out on Texas heavyweight Eric Molina, making a wondrous 150 seconds of violence, punctuated by a decisive overhand right. Arreola’s gatekeeper disgust with King’s saying “wetback” at a Thursday press conference was not forced, but neither was it devoid of theatrics. Nothing Arreola does in public is.

“I’m a commodity,” Arreola said Saturday. “A big Mexican commodity.”

Arreola is a fine showman who is quieter and more approachable in reality than on television. King, a fine showman of his own who clearly did not intend offense and rebutted “We all wetbacks, baby,” chose his words poorly and got roundly booed by American Bank Center, which was justice enough – no need for a coerced apology or further gnashing of teeth.

Paul Williams, ostensibly “Triple Threat’s” main-event draw, won a decision over Nobuhiro Ishida, a sturdy Japanese super welterweight, in a fight that put the arena to sleep, regardless of its participants’ activity. Hundreds of punches were thrown and landed in 36 minutes – question never Williams’ activity or desire – and yet writers played on their cell phones and fans discussed ring-card girls’ asses, while Williams outclassed Ishida.

Why a Williams fight is boring is hard to say. That it is boring, though, is not. It is difficult to read Williams’ biography or watch him politely interact with people at a weigh-in and cheer against him. It is just as difficult, unfortunately, to look forward to his next fight.

Bart Barry can be reached at bart.barrys.email@gmail.com

CLICK TO ORDER THE FIGHT ON DEMAND
Last night middleweight prospect Richard Pierson returned to action following nearly a two-year layoff, and reemerged back onto the boxing scene in an impressive fashion.

At the end of the first round, Pierson (10-2, 7 KO), caught Anibal Acevedo (13-9-1, 11 KO) with a solid right hand to the ribs, and upon the bell sounding signify the end of the round, Acevedo laid out on the canvas and was unable to continue.

Medics had to aid the boxer by carrying him out of the ring on a stretcher. Acevedo was alright, though he suffered some rib injuries.

In his first fight back, Pierson displayed poise and patience, and felt out his opponent throughout the opening round.

Midway through the round Acevedo caught Pierson with a strong uppercut that momentarily stuttered the fighter, but he was able to regain his composure and execute his fight plan.

Throughout his career Pierson has faced much adversity; countless times he has trained and prepared for a fight only for it to fall through.

“Richard is probably one of the most devastating punchers I’ve ever worked with,” said Lou Esa, Pierson’s manager and former heavyweight boxer. “This kid can hit you with either hand that’ll put you on Queer Street. He is determined to win a championship, and I think he will. This kid is not going away silently; in fact he isn’t going away at all. He is someone to be reckoned with, and nobody wants to fight him now.”

Pierson has the talent, power and drive to work his way up the middleweight rankings and can find himself going to battle for a belt by the end of the year.

Going forward Pierson is expected to step between the ropes again in April at the Robert Treat Hotel.

Stay tuned for all of the latest Team Pierson news by visiting his Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Richard-TP-Pierson-Fan-Page/251954198152149.

Los Angeles (February 17) – Seven-Time, Five-Division World Champion Floyd “Money” Mayweather and reigning WBA Super Welterweight World Champion Miguel “Junito” Cotto will officially announce their May 5 mega-fight with a press tour making stops in San Juan, New York City and Los Angeles beginning Monday, February 27.

The tour will reflect the magnitude of this highly competitive match-up between two pound-for-pound greats with one-of-a-kind press conferences in all three cities. Mark your calendars as you won’t want to miss it when Mayweather and Cotto come to town!

MAYWEATHER VS. COTTO: TOUR DATES AND CITIES

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27 SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO

2:00 p.m. AST Coliseo de Puerto Rico Jose Miguel Agrelot

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28 NEW YORK, NEW YORK

1:00 p.m. ET Famed Apollo Theater

253 West 125th Street

New York, NY 10027

THURSDAY, MARCH 1 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

1:00 p.m. PT Grauman’s Chinese Theatre

6925 Hollywood Blvd.

Hollywood, CA 90028

**ALL EVENTS WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC**

***Additional details will be announced shortly***

###

Mayweather vs. Cotto, a 12-round fight for Cotto’s WBA Super Welterweight World title, is presented by Mayweather Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions and Miguel Cotto Promotions. The 12-round WBA Super Welterweight World Championship bout will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View®. More information on Mayweather vs. Cotto, including ticket on sale date and prices will be announced shortly.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Tex. – Paul “The Punisher” Williams burst on the scene years ago as a gangly, volume-punching giant whom no manager wished to match his fighter against. That made him entertaining. He is the same man today. But no one is entertained by it any longer.

In the main event of Saturday’s “Triple Threat” card from American Bank Center Arena, Williams (41-2, 27 KOs) beat Japanese super welterweight Nobuhiro Ishida (24-7-2, 9 KOs) by shutout scores of 120-108, 120-108, 120-108. Not one of the three judges scored a round for Ishida. And not one of the fans attending Saturday’s card seemed to care.

“This win feels really good,” Williams nevertheless said afterward.

Through the opening quarter of Saturday’s main event, an awkward nine minutes that saw the fighters’ limbs entangle, dropping Ishida twice on non-knockdowns, Williams was the slightly busier and more aggressive man, though Ishida gave little ground.

Round 4 found Williams finally landing effective punches, employing several times a right hook-left cross combination that backed Ishida up. After more of the same in round 5, Williams allowed Ishida to come inside in the sixth. Once inside, though, Ishida found that wasn’t necessarily where he wanted to be, as Williams, a much better in-fighter than his frame anticipates, continued to land.

And so it went.

As the crowd slowly deflated and American Bank Center Arena’s energy went away, Williams-Ishida went from main event to walk-out bout, regardless of the concerted effort both men made. When the final bell rang, the arena was quiet as it had been when the doors opened five hours earlier.

“We’re going to make it back to the top again,” Williams said, though by then the arena had emptied.

TAVORIS CLOUD VS. GABRIEL CAMPILLO
Dressed like a tiger, IBF light heavyweight titlist Tavoris “Thunder” Cloud walked into something of a lion’s den, Saturday, fighting Gabriel “Chico Guapo” Campillo, a tricky southpaw Spaniard, before a partisan-Spanish-speaking crowd, and emerging with his title but lots of controversy.

The three official judges disagreed on what happened in many of the rounds, turning in split-decision cards of 116-110, 111-115 and 114-112 for Cloud. The 15rounds.com ringside scorecard, too, had the match for the champion, 114-113.

“He was the busier fighter, and that is what the crowd here in Corpus Christi responded to,” said Cloud, in explanation for the crowd’s vociferous disapproval of the official result.

From the opening bell, Cloud (24-0, 19 KOs) wasted no time whatever, charging out his corner and cracking Campillo (21-4-1, 7 KOs) with a lunging right cross that dropped the handsome Spaniard in the fight’s opening two minutes. Cloud would drop Campillo again with a barrage of rights and lefts, 30 seconds later, winning the first round 10-7.

“He won the first round,” Campillo said afterwards. “But after that, I dominated.”

Campillo proved his mettle in the second round. Having risen from the blue mat twice in the opening stanza, Campillo outboxed Cloud, catching him with left uppercuts and right hooks from his southpaw stance and then outclassing him with slick movement in the third.

Rounds 4, 5 and 6 found Cloud, still bemused by Campillo’s tricky style, pressing forward with greater aggressiveness, no longer retreating to the ropes and trying to set traps. Still, Campillo had the better movement and more accurate punches, while some sting appeared to come off Cloud’s blows.

The fight’s most even round, its seventh, saw a cut over Cloud’s left eye begin to bleed and cause the referee to take a double look after each clinch. The blood flowed even more loosely in the eighth, after a sustained assault by Campillo backed the champion into a corner. Cloud fought back when pressed, but Campillo’s left-uppercut lead was a riddle Cloud never solved all night.

After a trip to the doctor’s corner midway through the 11th caused Cloud to fear the fight could be stopped on account of his left eye, Cloud increased his aggressiveness three-fold, narrowly winning the championship rounds on two of the three judges’ cards.

“I felt like I won the fight,” Cloud said of his effort.

CHRIS ARREOLA VS. ERIC MOLINA
If Texans circled one match on the American Bank Center card, if there was one fight that brought them out Saturday night, it was California heavyweight Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola (34-2, 30 KOs) against Texan Eric Molina (18-2, 14 KOs), and the match was excellent while it lasted. Unfortunately for fans, it lasted only 150 seconds, as Arreola, despite being hurt early, dropped and stopped Molina at 2:30 of round 1.

Arreola, who has lost at least 20 pounds from previous fighting weights, now appears somehow less menacing in his trimmer figure but nevertheless brings a row every time he steps between the ropes. Molina learned this harsh lesson after stunning Arreola 90 seconds into their match.

“I said before the fight that if I had him hurt, I would come in and try to finish, and I did,” Molina said afterwards. “And he caught me.”

Arreola has more class than his detractors are often wont to admit. He looks and talks like a face-first brawler, but this brash exterior belies a stellar amateur pedigree and an impressive ability to land seemingly blind overhand rights on contender-caliber heavyweights. After being backed to the ropes by Molina and forced to clinch, Arreola used a pair of such right hands to get Molina off him.

And then it was a walloping right hand that put Molina’s lights out.

“I did my best,” said Molina.

Arreola did better.

MALIK SCOTT VS. KENDRICK RELEFORD
The evening’s first undercard fight televised by Showtime Extreme, an eight-round scrap between undefeated Philadelphia heavyweight Malik Scott (33-0, 11 KOs) and Texan Kendrick “The Apostle” Releford (22-16-2, 10 KOs), saw a technically superior though light-hitting Scott preserve his ‘0’, decisioning Releford by unanimous scores of 79-73, 80-72 and 80-72.

Throughout the occasionally sober match, Scott tagged Releford with right uppercut-left hook combinations that snapped Releford’s braided hair upwards and leftwards but did not imperil him.

Scott has every punch in the boxing lexicon, and appears to commit to each one, too, but whatever the mysterious force that gives a prizefighter one-punch stopping power, Scott does not possess it.

UNDERCARD
The undercard ended well with a competitive four-rounder between two Texas lightweights. Corpus Christi’s Gregorio Gutierrez (5-1, 2 KOs) prevailed over Brownsville’s Hector Garza (3-5, 2 KOs) by three scores of 39-37.

Saturday’s fifth fight saw the evening’s biggest upset, when unknown New Orleans super middleweight Justin Williams (4-5-1, 2 KOs) decisioned local and well-known contender Alfonso Lopez (22-3, 17 KOs) by unanimous scores of 57-56, 58-55 and 58-55. Williams was faster and better throughout, dropping Lopez once and doing everything necessary to win a fair and well-deserved victory.

Before that, hometown welterweight Julian Barboza (2-0, 2 KOs) made decisive work of San Antonio’s Arturo Lopez (0-1). Lopez, making his professional debut, came out quickly and boxed confidently for the bout’s opening minute, but then Barboza began to take him apart with tight combinations, stopping him at 2:11 of the second round.

Saturday’s first match, a hesitant six-round affair between undefeated Washington D.C. light heavyweight Thomas Williams Jr. (7-0, 4 KOs) and Louisiana’s Kentrell Claiborne (2-5, 1 KO), went to Williams by three unanimous scores of 40-35.

Opening bell rang on a silent American Bank Center Arena at 6:22 PM local time.

Mike Dallas Jr. got back in the win column with a ten round unanimous decision over Miguel Gonzalez in a Jr. Welterweight bout in Arlington, Texas.

Dallas controlled the action with his quicker hands and worked the body of the southpaw Gonzalez. Dallas fought much of the fight with a bad cut over his left eye that he suffered due to a clash of heads in round two. Dallas doubled Gonzalez connect rate 184-92.

Dallas, 140 lbs of Bakersfield, CA had last his previous two outings but was solid as he won by scores of 100-90; 100-90 and 100-89 and is now 18-2-1. Gonzalez, 139 lbs of Cleveland, Ohio is now

Former U.S. Olympian Shawn Estrada, came in nearly twenty-five pounds overweight and scored an easy eight round unanimous decision in a Light Heavyweight turned Cruiserweight bout.

Estrada won each round easily and battered Woods especially in round’s two and seven and almost was able to stop Woods.

Estrada, 196 lbs of East Los Angeles, CA won by scores of 80-72; 80-72 and 78-74 and is now 14-0. Woods, 177 lbs of Bay City, TX is now 9-4

Follow all the action LIVE from Corpus Christie, Texas when former two division champion Paul Williams takes on former champion Nobohiro Ishida. The card will feature the IBF Light Heavyweight championship bout between Tavoris Cloud and Gabriel Campillo plus bouts involving heavyweight contenders Chris Arreola and Malik Scott. The action begins at 8pm eastern/7pm in Texas

12 ROUNDS SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS–PAUL WILLIAMS (40-2, 27 KO’S) VS NOBUHIRO ISHIDA (24-6-2, 9 KO’S)

Round 1 Williams lands a straight left…10-9 Williams

Round 2 Ishida lands a left..Williams lands a straight left to the body…20-19 Williams

Round 3 Williams lands a combination…Straight left…Ishida lands a jab…Williams lands a good straight left…Ishida lands a counter right..body shot..left hook..Right hook from Williams…30-28 Williams

Round 4 Ishida lands a good hook..Lead left hook..Counter right..Williams lands a straight left that backs up Ishida..39-38 Williams

Round 5 Williams lands a nice combinations…2 up jabs..Heavy combination..uppercut..straight left..49-47 Williams

Round 6 Williams shoeshining…3 right uppercuts…Right to the body..ishida lands 2 rights…59-56 Williams

Round 7 Lead uppercut from Williams…69-65 Williams

Round 8Williams Volume punching to the body and head..Ishida gets in a right….79-74 Williams

Round 9Lead right staggers Ishida…89-83 Williams

Round 10Williams working inside…99-92 Williams

Round 11Williams letting his hands go..109-101 Williams

Round 12 Williams punching in bunches..ishida lands a couple counter rights…Straight left from Williams…119-110 Williams

PUNCH STATS
Williams 248-934 Ishida–147-671

120-108 all 3 judges for PAUL WILLIAMS

12 ROUNDS–IBF LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE–TAVORIS CLOUD (23-0, 19 KO’S) VS GABRIEL CAMPILLO (21-3-1, 8 KO’S)

Round 1 BIG RIGHT AND DOWN GOES CAMPILLO…CLOUD ALL OVER CAMPILLO AND DROPS HIM AGAIN…10-7 Cloud

Round 2 Campillo lands a 1-2…19-17 Cloud

Round 3 Campillo lands an uppercut..28-27 Cloud

Round 4 Cloud lands a right to the chest..Campillo lands a combination..Countering..Blood from Left eye of Cloud…37-37…CUT WAS RULED FROM A PUNCH

Round 5 Cloud lands a short left hook…Campillo lands a combination..Uppercut…Cloud lands a left hook…47-46 Campillo

Round 6 Both guys trading body shots…Campillo landing combinations..57-55 Campillo

Round 7Campillo lands a combination that moves Cloud back..Cloud lands a flurry..Campillo pressuring Cloud..Cloud lands a right..66-65 Campillo

Round 8 Campillo lands a right hook…Huge jab that is followed by a combination..straight left…76-74 Campillo

Round 9 Campillo lands an uppercut…86-83 Campillo

Round 10 Campillo continuing to land combinations..Cloud lands a right…Campillo lands a straight left and jab…96-92 Campillo

Round 11Campillo beginning to land hard shots on Cloud…Doctor now looking at the cuts on Clouds face…Cloud can continue…Cloud coming forward…Campillo landing a combination..Big right from Cloud backs up Campillo…106-101 Campillo

Round 12 Campillo lands a left…Cloud outlanding Campillo…115-111 Campillo

115-111 CAMPILLO; 116-110 CLOUD; 114-112 CLOUD

6 Rounds Super Middleweights–Alfonso Lopez (22-2, 17 KO’s) vs Justin Williams (3-5-1, 2 KO’s)

Round 1 Williams lands a short right,…Good right..10-9 Williams

Round 2 BIG RIGHT AND DOWN GOES LOPEZ…20-17 Williams

Round 3 Good right from Williams…2 uppercuts…Good left has Lopez holding on…Lopez lands a left and right…double right…right to top of head..Williams lands a right at the bell..30-27 Williams

Round 4 Good jab from Lopez…Good jab…39-37 Williams

Round 5 Double left from Lopez...48-47 Williams

Round 6 Lopez lands a combination…57-57

57-56; 58-55; 58-55 FOR WILLIAMS

10 ROUNDS HEAVYWEIGHTS—CHRIS ARREOLA (34-2, 29 KO’S) VS ERIC MOLINA (18-1, 14 KO’S)

Round 1 Body shot from Molina…Right to the body…Big right Hurts Arreola…...HUGE RIGHT AND DOWN GOES MOLINA AND HE CANT BEAT THE COUNT…FIGHT IS OVER

8 ROUNDS HEAVYWEIGHTS–MALIK SCOTT (32-0, 11 KO’S) VS KENDRICK RELEFORD (22-15-2, 10 KO’S)

ROUND 1 Scott lands a combination..2 body shots…right to head..left to body..Releford lands a jab…Scott lands a nice right..nice uppercut…good tight and an uppercut…Hard lead uppercut..combination..right over top….10- 9 Scott

Round 2 Scott lands an uppercut…left…3 punch combination that ends with a great uppercut..20-18 Scott

Round 3 Scott lands a right..Relford lands a combination…Scott lands a left..right..good left to the body..good left..4 punch combination…30-27 Scott

Round 4 Good right to the body/left to the head….good right from Scott..3 punch combination..40-36 Scott

Round 5 Good left from Scott..Releford bleeding from nose…Good right from Scott..50-45 Scott

Round 6Scott lands a lead uppercut…Left from Releford…..60-55 Scott

Round 7 Double left to the body and a sharp right from Scott…uppercut…70-64 Scott

Round 8 Scott Jabbing…Good body shot..80-73 Scott

PUNCH STATS
Scott 181-530 Releford 88-523

79-73; 80-72; 80-72 UNANIMOUS DECISION SCOTT

Vitali Klitschko made the eleventh successful defense (over two interrupted reigns) of the WBC Heavyweight title when he scored a twelve round unanimous decision over willing challenger Dereck Chisora in Munich, Germany.

Klitschko basically won the fight with one hand as as he landed some solid right hands in every round. Unlike most Klitschko opponents, Chisora actually fought hard and came to win for all twelve rounds but he was unable to land the big shot as he was caught time and again by the right hand. Klitschko used his size to cut off Chisora but the champion was better in all aspects.

Klitschko of Ukraine won by scores of 118-110; 118-110 and 119-11 and is now 45-2. Chisora of England is now 15-3.

NUTLEY, NJ — In the very gymnasium where Martha Stewart once took phys. ed, Nutley native Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna TKO’d Ohio’s Daniel Crabtree igniting the hometown crowd, as well as almost starting a riot.

The first round was favorable for the taller LaManna, who showcased his impressive arsenal of offensive weapons. He worked well behind his stiff jab and pieced together crisp combinations.

The second round, however, proved to be a bit tougher for LaManna, who increasingly on the receiving end of Crabtree’s punches.

When the bell rang to signal the start of round three, LaManna once again began to press the action. Cornflake landed a hugh right hand that sent Crabtree off balance, forcing his glove to touch the canvass in order to keep him on his feet. Referee Randy Neumann, however, didn’t witness the glove scraping the mat, and never ruled the knockdown.

LaManna showed great natural instincts immediately rushing to finish off the injured Crabtree. He chased the Ohioan from corner to corner until finally, referee Randy Neumann stepped in to call a halt to the bout.

Immediately after Neumann’s stoppage, which was arguably premature, Crabtree’s trainer rushed into the ring to give the New Jersey Hall of Fame ref a piece of his mind. He then got into it with LaManna’s father, Vinny LaManna, who engaged him in a brief shoving match before authorities intervened.

With the win, Thomas Cornflake LaManna stays undefeated and improves to 7-0, 5 KO, while Crabtree falls to 3-4, 3 KO.

Richard Pierson v Anibal Acevedo — 6 Rounds, middleweight

Anibal Acevedo is a 38 year old Puerto Rican fighter who looks 48, at best. He sports a mostly-gray head of hair and a somewhat lengthy goatee for a boxer. His skin on his face, neck, and chest were wrinkled and a bit rubbery — think Ric Flair circa 1998. His opponent, Richard Pierson, although only 8 years his junior, sports a baby face and is in phenomenal shape.

The first round was rather interesting. Acevedo, a southpaw, exhibited craftiness — sneaking uppercuts here and there, landing some impressive shots along the way. But the round ultimately belonged to Pierson, who kept sticking his stiff jab in Acevedo’s face. As the round came to conclusion, Acevedo walked back to his corner, sat on his stool and immediately began wincing in pain. The referee almost instantly signaled the bout was over and motioned for the EMTs to enter the ring.

The word ringside was maybe a rib, or even his testicles. But whatever happened to Acevedo, it had him in what looked to be unbearable pain. An oxygen was placed on his face, his shorts were cut open, and he was placed on a stretcher and taken to a hospital for further examination.

Acevedo’s record now reads 13-9-1, 11 KO, while Pierson improves to 10-2, 7 KO.

John Thompson v Laureno Laracuente — 4 Rounds, middleweight

Newark’s John Thompson battered Puerto Rico’s Laureno Laracuente for twelve straight minutes en route to a TKO 3 victory. From the onset it was clear that Laracuente would be overmatched and that Thompson was the more skilled, more athletic boxer. After twelve minutes of being on the receiving end of Thompson punches, trainer Jose Rosario stepped in and saved his fighter from suffering any more punishment. With Laracuente failing to answer the bell for 4, his record fell to 7-5-1, 2 KO, while Thompson stays undefeated and moves to 6-0, 2 KO.

John Lennox v Miles Kelly — 6 Rounds, heavyweight

In an extremely strange heavyweight bout, local attraction John Lennox scored a first round KO over Arkansas’ Miles Kelly. Much like the night’s other heavyweight scrap, Lennox and Kelly came out guns-a-blazin’. About thirty seonds into the first round, Kelly sucked the air out of the Nutley High gymnasium when he landed a crushing right hand on Lennox’s left cheek that wobbled the big man’s legs. Kelly followed up until Lennox collapsed to the canvass. After beating Randy Nuemann’s ten count, Lennox still stood on wobbly legs. He moved slowly and his steps were deliberate — it was as if his feet were in two buckets of cement.

Kelly didn’t take advantage, however, and Lennox soon recovered. Towards the end of round one, Lennox landed a massive right of his own sending Kelly to the canvass where we would remain until Nuemann reached the count of ten.

The time of stoppage was 1:28 in the first round. Lennox improves to 10-1, 5 KO, while Kelly drops to 2-7, 2 KO.

Godson Noel v Satchell James — 4 Rounds, middleweight

In his professional debut, Bloomfield, New Jersey’s Godson Noel disposed of Alabama’s Satchell James via first round KO. James seemingly punched himself out in the first 90 seconds or so, and paid the price for the last 90 seconds. Noel battered James during the final minute of the first round, ultimately sending him to the canvass where he was unable to beat referee Sparkle Lee’s 10 count.

The time of the stoppage was 2:59 into the first round.

Noel’s professional career begins with a record of 1-0, 1 KO.

James, who was also making his professional debut, starts his career 0-1.

Alantez Fox v Fitzgerald Johnson — 4 Rounds, middleweight

Fitzgerald Johnson will likely have trouble sleeping tonight.

Heading into the fight — on paper — this looked like a mismatch. Alantez Fox — who is managed by Cameron Dunkin — entered the ring with at least a 4” height advantage over Fitzgerald and he also sported a perfect record of 6-0, 3 KO.

At the conclusion of the first stanza, it was clear that this wouldn’t be a one-sided fight, but Fox was in control; he was snapping his jab, maintaining distance between himself and his shorter foe.

But midway through round three everything changed with one short, crisp hook delivered on Fox’s chin courtesy of Johnson’s left fist. Fox stumbled backward, his legs turned into Jell-O. Fox’s knees bent funny and he quickly found himself with his back against the ropes. When he stepped forward, his legs almost gave out again.

Instead of immediately rushing forward to try and finish off his opposition, Johnson nonchalantly walked forward and allowed himself to get tied up. As Fox retreated to the other side of the ring, Johnson stalked him, but with no urgency. By the time Johnson let his hands go again, Fox had enough of his legs back under him to survive the round and ultimately win the fight.

All three judges had Fox winning 39-37, giving him rounds 1, 3, and 4.

Fox improves to 7-0, 3 KO, while Johnson falls to 2-6, 1 KO.

Aaron Kinch v Donnie Crawford — 4 Rounds, heavyweight

Brick City’s Aaron Kinch treated his hometown crowd to a third round KO victory over West Virginia’s Donnie Crawford. The two big men traded wild punches right from the opening bell — like two lumberjacks hacking away at a Redwood with a dull axe. Their swings were wild, aggressive, and with purpose. While both men had success at times, it was ultimately a sweeping right hands to Crawford’s gut that sent the Mountaineer down to a knee wincing in pain. Before referee Randy Nuemann could even reach the count of 10, Crawford waved Nuemann off to signal that he wouldn’t be able to continue. Kinch improves to 2-0-1, 1 KO, while Crawford drops to 1-3, 1 KO.

Jose Calderon v Jonathan Garcia — 4 Rounds, junior welterweight

In the night’s opening bout — a battle between two Boricuas — Jonathan Garcia scored a majority decision victory against Jose Calderon, who suffered his first professional loss. Judges Larry Layton and John McKaie scored the contest 39-37, while judge Julie Lederman saw the bout a draw, 38-38. With the majority decision victory, Garcia improves to 2-1, 1 KO, while Calderon tastes defeat for the first time and now possesses a record of 3-1, 3 KO.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Tex. – The banner behind the scale on the hastily erected stage read “Three of boxing’s biggest threats, seeking world supremacy.” Far as promotional taglines go, it wasn’t a most-ridiculous claim, though of course it was exaggerated. California heavyweight Chris Arreola then took the stage, and the force of his mass, or personality, made the centerpiece banner fall.

“It’s the spirits!” cackled promoter Don King.

“Motherf-ckin’ Zapata!” said Arreola, identifying exactly whose spirit he believed had dropped the embellished banner. Arreola’s guess was good as any.

So ended the prefight buildup of a week that saw a few open workouts and a Thursday press conference that featured a meandering history of Texas provided by none other than King, who referred to Mexicans as “wetbacks” in a sort of slave-ship-to-White-House way King intended to be evidence of empowerment but to which others later lent their own bad faith. Arreola seemed to respond, in small part, to King and his mini-controversy, Friday, when he shouted Emiliano Zapata’s name in a tribute to a Mexican revolutionary hero whose umbrage was nevertheless reserved for Mexican hacienda owners, not Texans.

The entire spectacle was a bit confusing. Originally scheduled to happen on the outdoor patio of a nearby restaurant, Friday’s “Triple Threat” weigh-in was moved, unbeknownst to any but friends and familiars, to a spot off the staircase of American Bank Center, the host venue for Saturday’s fight. There, the fighters mingled with the crowd, sitting in chairs and posing for pictures anxiously while awaiting a chance to make weight.

First on the scale was main-event opponent Nobuhiro Ishida of Japan, who weighed 155 pounds for his super welterweight match with Paul “The Punisher” Williams, who weighed 153 1/2. The fighters’ registering two different weight classes raised some quiet confusion about where on the scale the fight would happen. Super welterweight, apparently. Though, as Williams and Ishida will not be fighting for a title, Ishida did not have to make 154.

Following them were IBF light heavyweight titlist Tavoris “Thunder” Cloud – who made 175 pounds – and Gabriel “Chico Guapo (Handsome Boy)” Campillo, who weighed 173 1/2. Cloud, who is not a prohibitive favorite in their Saturday match by any means, was all dignity and composure before and during the weigh-in, belying the storm he brings with him in the ring. “Chico Guapo,” meanwhile, took the post-scale stare down as a good chance to look over the hundred or so gathered, with his dreamy eyes.

The card’s biggest draw, the aforementioned Arreola, was sixth on the scale, weighing 245 pounds. He was preceded by Texas heavyweight Eric Molina, who made 228. Immediately after Arreola cited Zapata and appeared trimmer than the man who was once a premium-cable headliner, he got in a stare-down shouting match with Molina that was 99 percent shtick and perhaps one percent genuine animosity. Arreola, for his Mexican roots, is expected to attract whatever crowd attends Saturday’s card.

Doors open at 5:30 PM local time, with first bell scheduled to ring at 6:30. 15rounds.com will have full ringside coverage.

CLOUD – CAMPILLO WEIGH IN

ARREOLA – MOLINA WEIGH IN

Tacoma, WA (February 17, 2012) – Legendary ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr. will serve as the master of ceremonies for “Cagesport XVIII”.

The card takes place Saturday, February 25 at the Emerald Queen Casino and is promoted by Halquist Productions. Tickets starting at $35 are available at the casino box office or on EmeraldQueen.com.

A member of the World Boxing Hall of Fame, Lennon Jr. has announced numerous big-time fights for the most respected networks, appearing on Showtime, HBO and Fox Sports amongst others. Globally recognized for exclaiming “It’s Showtime!” prior to the main event, he also called five cards in 2011 for Halquist Productions.

“We are always excited to have Jimmy announce our shows,” said Halquist Productions’ CEO Brian Halquist. “It’s truly an honor to have the best in the business working with us.”

Known as “Classy”, Lennon Jr. is thrilled to be back in Tacoma and passed up other opportunities to make it happen.

“I am fortunate enough to be asked to announce shows all over the world,” said Lennon Jr. “(The same weekend as Cagesport XVIII) I was asked to announce a show in London, but I chose to be in Tacoma with Halquist Productions. I love the atmosphere, I love the fights and I love the fans in Tacoma. It’s truly something I am proud to be a part of.”

Cagesport XVIII has a total of ten world-class mixed martial arts bouts, headlined by a five round welterweight title match-up between local favorite “Fast” Eddy Ellis and David “Hollywood” Hulett.

Doors for CageSport XVIII open at 6 pm and the first match takes place at 7 pm. For more information, go to Halquist Productions.com

LAS VEGAS, NEV (February 17, 2012) — Boxing fans can expect many happy returns this tax season. Former world lightweight champion BRANDON “Bam Bam” RIOS and former featherweight champion YURIORKIS GAMBOA will collide in a battle of the undefeated for the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight championship, Saturday, April 14, at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Arena Box U.S., the fight will be televised live on HBO as the main event of World Championship Boxing, beginning at 10:15 p.m. ET.

Rios (29-0-1, 22 KOs), the former WBA lightweight champion, from Oxnard, Calif., enters this fight having won 10 of his previous 11 fights by knockout. Gamboa (21-0, 16 KOs), the former world featherweight champion who won Olympic gold in 2004 for his native Cuba and now resides in Miami, Fla., will return to the ring having won eight of his previous 11 by stoppage. In short, these warriors have never met a chin they didn’t want to smash.

“Rios and Gamboa are two young and hungry fighters in their prime looking to make a leap to stardom,” said Todd duBoef, president of Top Rank.

“Gamboa has been constantly referred to as a ‘rising Cuban star’ throughout his career. But on April 14, the word ‘rising’ will finally be eliminated. Gamboa will be a superstar,” said Ahmet Öner, president of Arena Box US. “Gamboa is so special and though he has been fighting at 126 pounds, 135 pounds is where he belongs. He will be so much stronger fighting at lightweight.”

“Brandon Rios versus Yuriorkis Gamboa is a spectacular fight and we’re excited to present this showdown live on HBO World Championship Boxing,” said Kery Davis, Senior Vice President, Programming, HBO Sports. “Both fighters deserve recognition for stepping up and saying ‘let’s do it.’ ”

Details on tickets sales will be announced soon.

SANTA YNEZ, CALIFORNIA – Puerto Rican welterweight rising star Thomas Dulorme continues to impress ringside observers as he quickly disposed of Aris Ambriz inside of one round in the Showtime-televised main event at the Chumash Casino Resort on Friday night.

Dulorme (14-0, 11 KOs) of Carolina, Puerto Rico dropped Ambriz (16-3-1, 8 KOs) of Azusa, California hard with a sweeping left early in the first round. Ambriz, 144, rose from the mat, but was quickly backed against the ropes. Dulorme, 143, dropped Ambriz with the ensuing combination. Referee David Mendoza stopped the bout without a count at 2:12 of the opening round.

With the victory, Dulorme, the WBA #3/WBC #9/WBO #15 ranked welterweight, claimed the vacant NABF Welterweight title and appears ready for a step-up in the level of his competition.

In the televised co-feature, world ranked contender Jonathan Gonzalez (15-0, 13 KOs) of San Juan, Puerto Rico scored a ten-round unanimous decision over pugnacious Billy Lyell (24-11, 5 KOs) of Youngstown, Ohio.

Gonzalez, the WBO #8/WBA #9/WBC #13 ranked light middleweight, looked to be a full weight class bigger than Lyell in the ring – an advantage that largely told the story of the fight. Gonzalez, 156, was able to walk through the offense of Lyell, 153, and even when out landed, it was the Puerto Rican’s power shots that did most damage.

Through the first half of the fight, Gonzalez pressed Lyell back, eventually bloodying the Youngstown native’s mouth in the third. Even when in retreat, Lyell traded with Gonzalez punch-for-punch, but the young prospect would usually smirk in response.

Late in the fight, Gonzalez, who had hit the scales five times in order to make the contracted weight limit, went into a shell and allowed Lyell to have some moments.
Lyell controlled the ninth, even playing to the crowd, as Gonzalez mostly followed him around the ring.

Gonzalez snarled at Lyell’s opening volley to start the tenth and turned up his output level from the three previous rounds. In the end, all three official judges scored the late Lyell rally, but still had Gonzalez the winner by the wide margin of 98-92 and 97-93 twice.

Roman Morales (9-0, 6 KOs) of San Ardo, California scored five knockdowns en route to an impressive fourth-round stoppage of late replacement Ernie Marquez (9-10-2, 3 KOs) of Fort Morgan, Colorado.

Marquez, 120, took the fight on Wednesday and by the second round it was clear he was in over his head. After the fifth knockdown, referee David Mendoza waved off the fight at 2:23 of the fourth round. Morales, 120 ½, appears ready to tackle the next level.

Former amateur standout Roy Tapia (3-0, 2 KOs) of East Los Angeles, California made short work of Brice Yeniki (0-6) of North Las Vegas, Nevada with a devastating first-round knockout. Tapia, 123, pressured Yeniki, 120 ½, to the ropes, where he eventually uncorked a hellacious left hook. Yeniki was clearly out, and referee Marcos Rosales stopped the bout without a count at 2:34 of the first round.

Rufino Serrano (12-3) of Santa Maria, California by way of Morelia, Michoacan de Ocampo, Mexico boxed his way to his second career victory over longtime journeyman Rodrigo Aranda (8-17-2, 2 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nevada by way of Tabasco, Zacatecas, Mexico.

Serrano, 126, fought at close quarters in the first few rounds, which Aranda, 128, welcomed. However, Serrano’s edge in hand speed won out over Aranda’s determined attack. By mid fight Serrano settled into the jab-and-move style his following has been accustomed seeing over the years at the Chumash Casino Resort.

After a point deduction in the sixth for a low blow on Aranda’s hip, Serrano was awarded the unanimous six-round decision by scores of 57-56 and 59-54 twice. In December of 2010, Serrano dropped Aranda in the first round en route to another six-round decision.

In his second attempt at gaining a victory on U.S. soil, Azat Hovhannesyan (2-1, 1 KO) of Glendale, California by way of Yerevan, Armenia punished William Fisher (0-5) of Victorville, California before scoring the stoppage in the fourth round.

Hovhannesyan, 126, opened up in the second round with right hand leads against the southpaw Fisher, 128, to great effect. Hovhannesyan routinely rushed inside without caution, while Fisher pushed most of his punches. Hovhannesyan pummeled Fisher throughout the third as referee Marcos Rosales looked poised to stop it. Finally in the fourth, Hovhannesyan dropped Fisher near the ropes with a two-handed attack. When Fisher gamely rose, he was soon met with a right uppercut that snapped back his head and pressed Rosales to leap in and call a halt to the contest at 2:43 of the fourth.

Two amateur exhibitions opened the card, as Daniel Flores of the Paso Boxing Gym in Paso Robles, California took on Manuel Romero, also of the Paso Boxing Gym and Oscar Mendoza of the Santa Maria Boxing Club in Santa Maria, California met Manny Flores, also of Santa Maria Boxing Club.

Two additional amateur exhibitions took place later in the evening, as Evander Augustine of the Paso Boxing Gym took on Brandon Gutierrez of the Central Coast Boxing Club in Santa Maria and Rocky Natartez of the Santa Maria Boxing Club met Freddy Perez of Ray Baca’s Boxing Academy in Lompoc, California.

Photos by Tom Casino/Showtime

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

CLICK TO ORDER THE FIGHT LIVE
NEW YORK (February 17, 2012)—TONIGHT!!! Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna looks to remain perfect as he takes on Daniel Crabtree in the six round main event that will highlight a nine bout card at Nutley High School.

The show, promoted by Gabe LaConte’s First Promotions can be seen LIVE all over the world on www.gfl.tv for just $9.99 and can be purchased by clicking: http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing/First_Round_Promotions__Pro_Boxing/1327

LaManna of Millville, New Jersey is returning home to the place he was born and grew up as he will be fighting in front of a lot of family and friends and will look to thrill them by putting on a great performance.

He has a record of 6-0 with four knockouts and has built up a strong following in the Garden state.

He is coming off a second round knockout over Ivory Joyner on December 16th in Batesville, Arkansas.

Crabtree of Hilliard, Ohio has a record of 3-3 with all of his wins coming via knockout.

In recent weeks Crabtree has not only said he would end the undefeated streak of LaManna but vowed to knock him out.

Crabtree has scored two consecutive knockouts which includes his last foray into New Jersey when he stopped Danny Terrill on December 15th and then he followed that up with a second round stoppage over Aaron Luckey on January 13th.

In the co-feature, Middleweight Richard Pierson makes his return to the ring when he takes on Anibal Acevedo.

Pierson of Newark, New Jersey has a record of 9-2 with six knockouts and has faced top competition and has wins over Ray Smith, Jimmy Campbell and undefeated Raynaldo Rodriguez.

Acevedo is a grizzled veteran with a record of 13-8-1 with eleven knockouts.

The native of Moca, Puerto Rico is a eighteen year veteran and has faced the likes of contenders Randy Griffin, Jermain Mackey, Emanuel Gonzalez and Jose Medina

John Thompson (5-0, 1 KO) of Newark, New Jersey will see action against battle Laureano Laracuente (7-4-1, 2 KO’s) in a four round Middleweight bout.

Popular Heavyweight John Lennox (9-1, 4 KO’s) takes on Miles Kelly (2-6, 2 KO’s) in a six round bout.

In another Heavyweight bout, Aaron Kinch (1-0-1) battles Donnie Crawford (1-3-1, 1 KO)

Nineteen year old Light Heavyweight Alantez Fox (6-0, 3 KO’s) will fight Fitzgerald Johnson (2-5, 1 KO)

Former Iraqi veteran Godson Noel will make his pro debut against Satchell James in a four round Middleweight bout

Leandro Acevedo will make his pro debut against Marcus Clay (0-1) in a four round Super Middleweight bout

Jose Javier Calderon (3-0, 3 KO’s) will look to remain perfect when he takes on Jonathan Garcia (1-1) in a four round Jr. Welterweight bout

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SANTA YNEZ, CALIFORNIA — Touted rising welterweight Thomas Dulorme aims to impress in his West Coast debut as he takes on Aris Ambriz in the ten-round Showtime-televised main event emanating from the Chumash Casino Resort Friday night. Fighters weighed in Thursday evening for the six-bout card.

After turning professional in Florida in 2008, Dulorme (13-0, 10 KOs) of Carolina, Puerto Rico returned to the States for three fights in 2011, highlighted by a comprehensive decision over former titleholder DeMarcus Corley in June. Dulorme, the WBA #3/WBC #9/WBO #15 ranked welterweight, capped his year with a nine-round unanimous decision over former title challenger Charlie Jose Navarro in Panama in October.

“I feel I got tested and taken into deep, deep water in my last fight against Navarro, but I learned to swim that night,” Dulorme told Showtime on Friday. Dulorme, who scaled 143-pounds Thursday, had been scheduled to begin his 2012 campaign against Jose Reynoso, but a training injury forced a change in opponents just ten days ago.

In stepped Aris Ambriz (16-2-1, 8 KOs) of Azusa, California (who had gone 0-1-1 against Reynoso) for Friday’s vacant NABF Welterweight title bout. Ambriz, who has rarely fought above 140-pounds, rebounded from a loss to well regarded Pier Oliver Cote with a six-round decision over Juan Santiago last June. Ambriz weighed in at 144-pounds at Thursday’s weigh-in.

In the televised co-feature, 2008 Puerto Rican Olympian Jonathan Gonzalez (14-0, 13 KOs) of San Juan looks to add former title challenger Billy Lyell to his list of credentials in a ten-round light middleweight bout.

Lyell (24-10, 5 KOs) of Youngstown, Ohio has become a favorite opponent of matchmakers since his shocking 2009 upset of John Duddy. The win over the previously unbeaten Irishman eventually landed Lyell cracks at the IBF and WBC Silver Middleweight titles, which the Ohio native lost fairly one-sidedly in distance bouts to Sebastian Sylvester and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in 2010 and 2011 respectively.

Gonzalez, the WBO #8/WBA #9/WBC #13 ranked light middleweight, impressed as he stepped up in class last time out with a one-sided ten-round unanimous decision over former contender Richard Gutierrez in June. Gonzalez had been scheduled to fight in November, but an illness forced his lengthy hiatus. “I got very sick and was in bed for two days,” said Gonzalez. “I probably still could have fought in November and I wanted to fight, but my team said ‘no’.” Gonzalez weighed in at 156 after several attempts, while Lyell scaled 153-pounds on his first try.

Super bantamweight prospect Roman Morales (8-0, 5 KOs) of San Ardo, California will make his fifth appearance at the Chumash Casino Resort against late replacement Ernie Marquez (9-9-2, 3 KOs) of Fort Morgan, Colorado in a bout slated for either eight or six rounds, depending on how long previous bouts last.

After a decorated amateur career, Morales had a stellar rookie year in 2011, posting eight mostly dominate victories. Despite his professional inexperience, Morales has shown the poise of a veteran throughout his early career. Marquez, who scored an upset of previously unbeaten former Olympian Yan Barthelemy back in 2008, took the fight on Wednesday. Morales’ original opponent Jonathan Alcantara had withdrawn with a wrist injury. Morales weighed-in at 120 ½-pounds, while Marquez scaled 120.

Local favorite Rufino Serrano (11-3) of Santa Maria, California by way of Morelia, Michoacan de Ocampo, Mexico will take on journeyman Rodrigo Aranda (8-16-2, 2 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nevada by way of Tabasco, Zacatecas, Mexico in a six-round featherweight contest. Serrano, appearing in a Chumash ring for the tenth time, scaled 126-pounds. Aranda, a loser of nine straight, weighed-in at 128-pounds. In December of 2010, Serrano dropped Aranda in the first round en route to a six-round decision.

Roy Tapia (2-0, 1 KO) of East Los Angeles, California will meet Brice Yeniki (0-5) of North Las Vegas, Nevada in a four-round super bantamweight bout. Fighting at the Chumash Casino for the third straight time, Tapia, the 2007 National PAL Champion at 125-pounds, appears to be easing into his pro career. If there is something to shoot for in tonight’s bout for Tapia, perhaps becoming the first to stop Yeniki would be the goal. Yeniki has gone the distance in all five of his defeats, including one against a then 3-0 Christopher Martin back in 2006.

Hoping his second appearance in the States goes better than his first, Azat Hovhannesyan (1-1, 1 KO) of Glendale, California by way of Yerevan, Armenia will take on winless William Fisher (0-4) of Victorville, California in a four-round featherweight bout. Hovannesyan retuned to Armenia to stop a no-hoper last September, having had lost a unanimous decision in his debut on U.S. soil in April. Hovhannesyan weighed-in at 126-pounds, while Fisher came in at 128.

Tickets for tonight’s event, promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, are available online at StarTickets.com.

Quick Weigh-in Results:

NABF Welterweight Championship, 10 Rounds
Dulorme 143
Ambriz 144

Light Middleweights, 10 Rounds
Gonzalez 156
Lyell 153

Super Bantamweights, 6 or 8 Rounds
Morales 120 ½
Marquez 120

Featherweights, 6 Rounds
Serrano 126
Aranda 128

Super Bantamweights, 4 Rounds
Tapia 123
Yeniki 120 ½

Featherweights, 4 Rounds
Hovhannesyan 126
Fisher 128

Photos by Tom Casino/Showtime

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

PART 2

History will have the last say on where Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko rank among great brothers. Their unprecedented reign is either a reflection of a fading heavyweight division full of more clowns than Ringling Brothers or an enduring statement about their power, skill and smarts. If they were American instead of Ukrainian, they might be more appreciated. Then again, they might have been NFL defensive ends instead of fighters.

The good news – good sense, too – is that neither Klitschko is in a race with time or Floyd Mayweather Jr. to define their place. Can’t win that one. But they can beat the next guy in front of them, Dereck Chisora for Vitali on Saturday in Munich and Jean Marc Mormeck for Wladimir on March 3 in Dusseldorf in an EpixHD.com trilogy that includes lots of autobahn miles and Alexander Povetkin-versus-Marco Huck on Feb. 25 in Stuttgart.

“My career is not over,’’ Vitali said in a conference call.

At 40, it is a lot closer to the end than it is the beginning. Even with a political career in his future, however, there was no spin about when he might quit or how he hopes to be remembered.

“It’s always very difficult to talk about myself,’’ he said. “It’s you, as boxing experts, who know about that better. You can be objective, much more objective.’’

Okay, maybe some spin. With his own political party, The Punch, and talk about a third run for mayor of Kiev, his political footwork is as artful as any he employs in the ring. A little flattery for the media is a beautiful feint. Nevertheless, there was a tone that says he knows he will encounter an emerging, perhaps surprising, new face in what looks to be a division that is dormant, if not near extinction.

“Lennox Lewis was a big star, a big star,’’ said Vitali, who nearly upset Lewis in 2003 at Los Angeles’ Staples Center. “Right now, all the big stars have retired. Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson are not there. Lennox Lewis is not there.

“No big names, and that’s why everyone from the new generation who challenges the Klitschkos gets stopped. Any moment, there can be a new guy. He can be tough. He can give us a tough challenge. One of them is Dereck Chisora.’’

But Chisora’s experience doesn’t add up to much of a chance. With only 17 pro bouts including two losses and nine knockouts, Chisora is an apprentice on a master’s canvas that includes the World Boxing Council’s title, 43 victories, 40 knockouts and two defeats. There nothing new about that, at least not during a Klitschko reign that some say has been suffocating.

“For a real challenge, it would have to be somebody who can beat a Klitschko,’’ Vitali said. “But we don’t give anyone a chance inside the ring. We leave no room for doubt that we are stronger than our opponents. That’s why everybody is talking about a crisis in boxing because nobody can beat us.

“No, it is not a crisis, although somebody told us the name of the crisis is the Klitschko brothers, because nobody can beat the Klitschko brothers.’’

Barring an upset Saturday or on March 3, only they can. But that’s a fight that will happen only as a computer game. Vitali said they promised their mom that they would never fight each other. Besides, it would be biblical-like spectacle offensive by even boxing’s elusive standards. That’s not to say there isn’t a sibling rivalry. It happens on the ping-pong table. It’s there again in the swimming pool when Vitali makes it sound as if he is trying to beat Michael Phelps.

“Other than a hairy chest, he’s much better than me,’’ Vitali says of heats in a 50-meter pool. “Sometimes in ping-pong, but it is more difficult.’’

Wladimir, 35, is the athlete in the family, Vitali says.

“My brother has a big talent in boxing and in sport,’’ he says.

Only at the chess board and as a dad does Vitali say he has an advantage. Vitali has three kids. Wladimir has none.

“I dominate him, three-to-zero,’’ he said.

Dominant is the only way to describe the both of them.

Gonzales puts a grudge into his Montreal date with Stevenson
Phoenix super-middleweight Jesus Gonzales’ challenging trip to Montreal for a bout Saturday against Adonis Stevenson exploded Wednesday into a nasty grudge match.

At a Montreal news conference, Gonzales (27-1, 14 KOs) talked about Stevenson’s criminal past, which includes an 18-month jail sentence for assault and his role in a Quebec gang that forced young girls into prostitution. Gonzales’ public comments enraged Stevenson (16-1, 13 KOs), who used a series of expletives in a promise to knock him out.

Stevenson, who was charged with the crimes 14 years ago, also went to his Facebook page and alleged that Gonzales used a racial slur, the N-word. Gonzales denied it. It’s not clear why the Haitian-born Stevenson waited to write the allegation in a Facebook missive. A racial slur usually sparks an immediate, face-to-face response.

Gonzales is a Mexican-American who has heard many slurs. In my years around him, however, I’ve never heard him make one. But it’s evident he has angered Stevenson, who might be further angered at the sight of a logo – APECA — that Gonzales plans to wear on his trunks. It stands for the “Protection of Exploited Children and Adults.” Gonzales, who took the fight on short notice, says he will wear it in support of Natalie’s House, a women’s shelter near Phoenix.

The bout for the No. 2 spot in the International Boxing Federation’s 168-pound ratings is scheduled to be telecast by Fight Now TV, which can be accessed by cable and satellite distributors.

AZ NOTES
Arizona’s first card in 2012 is scheduled for Friday night at Celebrity Theatre. At least eight bouts are planned, including two amateur, on Iron Boy Promotion’s first event in the state. Roger Mayweather is scheduled to work a couple of corners for young fighters from the Mayweather gym in Las Vegas. First bell is scheduled for 7 p.m. (MST).

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that the May 5th showdown between Floyd Mayweather and WBA Super Welterweight champion Miguel Cotto will be distributed by HBO PPV

“It’s the best working with the best,” Leonard Ellerbe, one of Mayweather’s advisers, told ESPN.com. “We’re looking forward to the numerous platforms they stepped up and brought to the table to make this deal happen. The fans won’t be disappointed.”

“We’re thrilled that Floyd Mayweather’s fight with Miguel Cotto will be presented by HBO Pay-Per-View,” HBO Sports Head Ken Hershman said in a statement to ESPN.com. “We look forward to working with Floyd, Miguel, Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions on this special event.”

CLICK TO ORDER THE FIGHT
Thomas LaManna 15.1.8 – Daniel Crabtree 148.7
Richard Pierson 166.6 – Anibal Acevedo 165.5
John Thompson 158.4 – Laureano Laracuente 157.4
John Lennox 227.7 – Miles Kelly 199.3
Godson Noel 158.2 – Satchell James 158.7
Alantez Fox 155 – Fitzgerald Johnson 158
Aaron Kinch 258.2 – Donnie Crawford 223
Leandro Acevedo 163.5 – Marcus Clay 166.6
Jose Javier Calderon 141.5 – Jonathan Garcia 142.3

PROMOTER: Gabe LaConte’s First Round Promotions
VENUE: Nutley High School
First Bell: 7pm
BROADCAST: www.gfl.tv