Las Vegas, NV- Middleweight contender Ishe Smith is a free agent once again this week following a split from promoter of two years Lou Dibella, and Dibella entertainment. Smith and Dibella mutually parted ways following a seven month inactive streak for Smith.

“I’d like to thank Lou for granting me the opportunity to seek out a new promotional contract. I’m excited to explore the field in free agency, and as always just want to get back into the ring.” Smith noted in regards to the situation.

Smith has stated that he is open to fighting at either 154 or 160 lbs. should the right opportunity arise, and feels he is able to compete with the world’s elite at either weight class. The Las Vegas native has also expressed hope that his free agency stint might allow him the opportunity to realize his dream of fighting in the United Kingdom.

“I’d love to fight overseas, it’s always been something I’ve been interested in and they have a number of guys over there that would make for interesting fights. Martin Murray and Darren Barker are two fights that may make sense in the near future.” Smith stated.

Smith had a strong 2010, giving the undefeated Fernando Guerreo all he could handle in a disputed decision loss, and stopping Alexander Quiroz in November. Smith appeared on national television twice in his stint with Dibella, once in the Guerrero fight which was showcased on ShoBox and featured as one of the network’s top fights of the year, the other being an HBO meeting with Daniel Jacobs in the summer of 2009.

Leo Santa Cruz scored a fifth round stoppage over grizzled veteran Jose Lopez in a scheduled eight round Bantamweight bout at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California.

Santa Cruz had a distinct size advantage and that was evident early as Santa Cruz pushed back Lopez at will in round’s one and four. Santa Cruz continued to batter Lopez all over the ring as he landed long right hands and body shots. The accumulation of punches had Lopez on his heels and even looking at the referee to end things. He didnt get that and proceeded to eat fifteen punches before the fight was stopped at 2:35 of round five.

Santa Cruz, 116 3/4 lbs of Rosemead, CA is now 16-0-1 with eight knockouts. Lopez, 117 1/2 lbs of Trujillo, PR is now 39-10-2.

Luis Ramos Jr. scored a hard fought unanimous decision over Francisco Lorenzo in an eight round Lightweight bout.

Ramos used his boxing skills to offset the rugged Lorenzo who provided a stiff test for Ramos Jr.

Ramos Jr., 135 1/2 lbs of Santa Ana, CA won by scores of 79-73; 77-75 and 77-75 to remain undefeated at 17-0. Lorenzo, 136 lbs of San Cristobol, DR is now 36-10

Juan Sandoval scored a second round stoppage over Rene Torres in a scheduled four round Jr. Lightweight bout.

Sandoval dropped Torres twice in the second frame and cut Torres from the punch that caused the first knockdown. The first knockdown came from multiple uppercuts and the final blows were rights to the head as Torres was off balance. The time of the stoppage was 2:20

Sandoval, 127 1/2 lbs of San Bernadino, CA is now 4-6-1. Torres, 129 1/2 lbs is now 0-5-1

Randy Caballero remained undefeated with a fourth round stoppage over Sergio Cristobal in a scheduled six round Jr. Featherweight bout.

Caballero dropped Cristobal in the first round from a little right hand as Cristobal tried to move forward. Caballero ended things in round four when he landed a double right that sent Cristobal to seat of his pants and the fight was stopped at 2:06 of round four.

Caballero, 120 lbs of Cochella, CA is now 11-0 with seven knockouts. Cristobal, 119 1/4 lbs of Chicago is 3-2

ATLANTIC CITY– Carl Froch vaulted into the final of the Super Six world Super Middleweight tournament majority decision over Glen Johnson at the Adrian Phillips Ballroom inside of Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

Not only does Froch advance to face WBA King Andre Ward but he retained his WBC crown in the process.

After a non discript first round, Johnson started to up the pressure in round two as he came forward and landed a big over hand right. Froch had a good beginning of round three as he dipped in and out landing some swift combination’s. In the latter part of the round Johnson landed some nice right back that sent Froch back on his heels. Round four saw Froch box and move in a similar style to his wipe out points victory over Arthur Abraham where he seemed to have his timing down by landing solid combination’s while on the back pedal. Froch had a solid round six by continuing to land three punch combination’s that was sandwiched in between a big right hand that Johnson landed on the ropes.

Round seven was a terrific back and forth battle as Johnson book-ended the round with two big right hands but Froch got some of his own work done as they went back and forth on the ropes. Round eight was a crowd pleasing round to say the least as the two traded bombs to show off their granite chin’s. Johnson landed a couple of thuddding rights while Froch got through some solid lefts hooks. Froch upped his rate and timed Johnson throughout round nine by landing combination’s and in the process did-int give Johnson a great opportunity to get off. Round’s ten and eleven continued to feature great action as the round’s were difficult to score as Johnson would land the one big punch of the round wheras Froach would put together the consistent combination’s. The two traded combination’s down the stretch with Froch’s work rate being the difference

Froch of Nottingham, England is now 28-1. Johnson of Miami, FL is now 51-15-2

Edison Miranda was on his way to a comeback trail and faced off against Rayco Saunders in a light heavyweight catch-weight bout scheduled for eight rounds. Miranda, whose body looked relatively well for the higher weight. The bout started at a methodical pace. Miranda utilized a lot of movement, but was still able to maintain the aggressive nature that made him so popular. The third round changed things, as Miranda was able to land a hard right hand that staggered Saunders. Miranda followed up with multiple right hands that was able to make it through the guard of Saunders. After multiple right hands, Sunders was able to make it out of the round and regain his composure. The bout turned into a tactical affair for the rest of the fight. Miranda methodically worked his way to a 79-73, 79-73, and 80-73 scorecard giving him the unanimous decision victory.

Miranda’s record improves to 34-5 with 29 knockouts and Saunder’s record takes a hit at 28-13 with 8 knockouts.

Former light heavyweight title holder, Zsolt Erdei looked to improve his undefeated record against Byron Mitchell in a fight scheduled for ten rounds. Erdei had moved up to Cruiserweight from some time, but then realized that he had unfinished business in the division where he holds the lineal claim to the Light Heavyweight Championship of the world. This would be his second fight back, and Mitchell would serve as that stepping stone back to prominence.

The fight started extremely well for Erdei. He had no problem fighting tough against his larger opponent, as he had gotten used to being the smaller man in the ring during his cruiserweight days. Erdei landed multiple wide combinations to get around Mitchell’s high guard. As the fight progressed, Mitchell became more comfortable with his opponent and managed to throw some combinations in retaliation. Erdei then slowed the pace and instead of coming straight forward, he would simply side step and throw a straighter punch. This work very effectively for him. In the sixth round, a hard jab set up a powerful right hook that sent Mitchell down flat on his back. Mitchell beat the count, but was met from an absolute onslaught from Erdei. Finally, a right hand bomb sent Mitchell down, and the referee called a stop to the fight as he saw that Mitchell was completely out of it. The time of the stoppage was 1:58 of the sixth round.

Erdei’s record improves to 33-0 with 18 KO’s while Mitchell’s falls to 28-8-1 with 21 knockouts.

“The first fight, I was a little homesick,” said the Hungarian native, who spent most of his pro career fighting in Europe. “This time I had more preparation and more time to get used to being here. It showed in the ring.”

Looking ahead, Erdei, who held the WBO cruiserweight title from 2004-2009 before giving it up for a brief stint at cruiserweight, many possibilities in the talent-rich 175 lbs. division. A chance run-in just hour before his fight had his mind on one man in particular.

“I met Bernard Hopkins at the bakery in Caesars just before the fight,” said Erdei. “He was a real gentleman and we have a great mutual respect for each other. It would be an honor to fight him.”

In the third fight of the evening, rising prospect, J’Leon Love took on the very tough Lamar Harris in a middleweight bout scheduled for six rounds. e bout opened with Love landing combination after combination, staggering Harris on several occasions. As the fight progressed, Harris looked more confident, landing hard left hooks flush against Love’s face. Even still, Love did significant damage with his fast combinations. Towards the end of the fight, Love was in complete control and managed to land a powerful hook that sent Harris down, but not for the count. Harris was able to get his legs back under him, but it was too little too late. Love kept on the pressure and came away with scores of 40-35 from all three judges.

Love improves to 7-0 with 5 KO’s while Lamar Harris has his record pegged down to 6-8-3 with 4 KO’s.

Ivan Redkach scored a sixth round stoppage over Alberto Amaro in the final scheduled round of their Lightweight bout.

Redkach landed some hard combinations and was dominant. At the end of round five, Redkach landed a hard right hook that sent Amaro to the deck. Redkach landed three hard shots to end the round and referee Steve Smoger was close to ending it as the bell sounded. Smoger did call a halt to the action in the final round after Redkach continued his assault on Amaro at 1:46.

Redkach, 136 lbs of Los Angeles, CA is now 7-0 with six knockouts. Amaro, 134 1/2 lbs of Cantano, PR is now 6-6.

Swedish born Light Heavyweight Badou Jack scored a fifth round stoppage over Hajro Sujak in a bout scheduled for six rounds.

Jack landed some nice combination from the outset. he continued to batter the game Sujak throughout the contest. At times Sujak showed signs of life by landing some shots in between Jack rallies. In round four, Jack landed some thudding body punches that eventually came upstairs on Sujak. Sujak began to bleed badly from the mouth. In round five, Jack continued to beat up Sujak until Sujak’s corner threw in the towel that was recognized by referee Eddie Cotton at 1:30 of round five.

Jack, 174 1/2 lbs of Las Vegas via Sweden is now 6-0 with five knockouts. Sujak, 173 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is now 6-2.

Official Attendance: 2,286

Carl Froch, WBC Super Middleweight Champion/Super Six Finalist:

“Everyone is finally starting to acknowledge what I’ve done in successive fights.”

“I wasn’t 100% happy with my performance, because I’m the kind of guy who likes to unload my shots. I didn’t do that enough tonight, but I did enough to win.”

“Johnson is a big, strong light heavyweight and he can hang in with everyone. He is a proud, strong man. He was fading towards the end because I was hitting him.”

“It was a professional performance tonight, which I’m proud of. I did enough to win without taking too many risks.”

“I’m going to stay on the ball. I will have a little bit of a rest, and I’ll go back and see my baby boy Rocco. But, I will stay straight and stay fit.”

“You always learn in every fight. Tonight I solidified that I can box on my last foot and give Ward problems doing that.”

Eddie Hearn, Froch’s Promoter:

“Carl deserves the utmost respect from everyone in the world. He is a real fighter. We don’t have enough people like Carl Froch in boxing.”

“We’re going to build his fight with Andre Ward for what it is: a unification fight between the two best super middleweights in the world.”

“I don’t think there has been anyone who has fought, successively, so many top opponents. Carl is just a fighter.”

Glen Johnson:

“My team has done a wonderful job with my career every since I teamed up with them. We have come up on the short end of the stick sometimes, and they have never given up on me.”

“For me, I will just go home and put more effort into it and see what I can bring next time.”

“It was a close fight. There was a lot of give and take. He hit me with some solid, clean shots.”

“Carl can fight. He is tough. We look forward to seeing a great fight between the two men who have made it to the finals.”

Lou DiBella, Johnson’s Co-Promoter:

“If you don’t love Glen Johnson then you don’t love boxing. It is an honor and privilege to be his promoter and to be his friend. You never get less than 100% from Glen Johnson.”

“Everyone on this team respects the heck out of Carl Froch. If Andre Ward thinks he will have an easy night, he is very wrong.”

“It was a very close fight going into the seventh or eighth round. Glen tried to take him out with one punch and Carl adjusted.”

Leon Margules, Johnson’s Co-Promoter:

“People who came here tonight saw a spectacular fight between two great warriors and champions. Anyone who saw the fight and knows boxing can appreciate the kind of battle Glen and Carl had.”

“For a 42 year old athlete to fight twelve hard rounds like that is a spectacular feat.”

“I’m not disappointed in Glen’s performance; I’m only disappointed in the result.”

Former Cuban amateur star Yudel Jhonson scored a ten round unanimous decision over Jose Miguel Torres in a Jr. Middleweight bout at the Al A Carte Pavillion in Tampa, Florida.

Jhonson boxed the whole fight as it looked like a glorified sparring session as he landed a handful of good left hands in every round. Torres at times tried to come forward but his offense was few and far between Torres was docked a point in round seven for a low blow. In the final round Jhonson was deducted a point for hitting behind the head. That was the only blemish in an otherwise solid performance for Jhonson.

Jhonson, 152 1/2 lbs of Santo Carlo, Cuba won by scores of.f 96-92; 96-92 and 97-91 to remain perfect at 11-0. Torres, 154 1/2, the brother of former WBO Jr, Welterweight champ Ricardo Torres is now 21-5.

Former world title challenger scored an eight round unanimous decision over Tyrese Hendrix in a Jr. Welterweight bout.

Estrada fought well early as he landed a series of body shots in round two. Hendrix took a couple of the middle rounds as he outworked Estrada. Estrada sealed the deal in the final round as he landed a couple of hard right hooks that landed flush.

Estrada, 139 lbs of Monteria, Colombia won by scores of 79-73; 78-74 and 77-75 to raise his record 39-14-1. Hendrix, 139 lbs of Gainesville, GA is now 20-3-1.

The four fighters who’ll compete on SHOWTIME® tomorrow/Saturday (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) made weight Friday.

In Atlantic City, WBC super middleweight champion Carl “The Cobra” Froch tipped the scale at 167 1/2 pounds while former world titleholder Glen “The Road Warrior” Johnson weighed 166 1/2 pounds.

Froch (27-1, 20 KOs) will defend against Johnson (51-14-2, 35 KOs) in an eagerly awaited Super Six World Boxing Classic Semifinal from Adrian Phillips Ballroom at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall.

The Froch-Johnson 12-rounder will be preceded on the telecast by a scheduled
10-round bout from Denmark between ex-world champion Mikkel Kessler
(43-2, 32 KOs) and world-ranked Mehdi Bouadla (23-3, 11 KOs) that will be
shown on same-day delay.

Friday in Denmark, Kessler weighed in at 166.4 pounds. Bouadla weighed 166.

Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr., says he wants to create his own history, which means he will try to re-write a chapter as old as any in the family business.

Fathers fight so their sons don’t have to. Name the profession and you’ll probably find some version of that collective wisdom, passed down from one scarred generation to the next. My dad was a career soldier, a veteran of combat in World War II, Vietnam and conflicts in between.

He fought, survived and left me with a comfortable life. Yet, there was always this tug, the wonder at what the old man had done and endured. Should I have followed him into harm’s way? For me, it’s a question without an answer. I can only say thanks, dad.

For Chavez (42-0-1, 30 KOs), however, there is the determined pursuit of more than just mere speculation. The answer remains unpredictable. The only sure answer is danger, although maybe not against light-hitting German Sebastian Zbik (30-0, 10 KOs) Saturday night at Los Angeles’ Staples Center in an HBO-televised bout for the World Boxing Council’s version of the middleweight title.

But it will surely be there if Sergio Martinez or Miguel Cotto is next for Junior. I admire him for the attempt, especially under the crushing inheritance of a name that is royalty in Mexico. His dad, J.C. Superstar, was – still is — the battered face of an often angry fighter who was easy to like only in the ring.

The dad’s unblinking eyes, dark as flint, provide a glimpse at a heart of larceny. Translation: Julio Cesar Chavez, Sr., would steal the other guy’s heart and often did. Junior didn’t inherit that look, which is one part generous and another part world-weary, unlike his dad’s mix of contempt and single-minded purpose.

Junior’s father grew up seeing only an incoming punch. Thanks to how his dad countered, Junior saw wealth, comfort and – above all – options. Yet, he chose the difficult, perhaps impossible, path.

“To me, it is something that I love to do,’’ said Chavez, who hopes to become Mexico’s first middleweight with a major title. “I grew up in boxing. All my life, I saw how good boxing was to my father and I always wanted to be part of it, somehow, some way.

“I want to make a name for myself. I am very hungry to do something in this world, to be someone in this world and I think boxing has given me the opportunity to do so. I am just as hungry as any other guy and I want to win a world title just like any other boxer.’’

Junior’s relationship with his legendary dad has been complicated. In addition to impossible yet inescapable expectations that come with the name, there have been his father’s substance-abuse problems.

It’s no secret that the senior Julio has been in-and-out of rehab in Guadalajara. A couple of years ago, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum didn’t even mention the dad when introducing Junior at an undercard news conference for a Las Vegas card featuring Manny Pacquiao.

The omission wasn’t a mistake. It was intended, Arum said then. The son, apparently exasperated that his dad had fallen off the wagon, didn’t want to talk about him a couple of days before a fight. It looks as if father and son have moved on since then and found new ground on which to rebuild a fractured relationship.

“People are human and everything happens for a reason,’’ Junior said in a conference call. “I saw a lot of things with my father in my lifetime and obviously I think I am prepared to handle anything that comes my way. I am also human and you never know what is going to happen. You just try to do the best you can, not only in the ring but in your life.’’

Above all, repaired relationship is a chance to move beyond history and toward a story that the son hopes is his. It’s a sign that Junior is step closer to maturity. There’s also trainer Freddie Roach, a teacher who is turning into a father-like figure himself. Junior enters the ring with Roach in his corner for the third time. Initial results were promising with a victory over John Duddy last June. They were less so with a ho-hum performance in a decision over Billy Lyell in January.

“I actually expect a much better performance,’’ Roach said when asked about the victory over Duddy. “We had a much better training camp for this fight. We had great sparring.’’

In Junior, Roach says he sees an attentive student who knows the ring as if he had grown up in it. Delete the if. Junior did grow up in it. Growing up in it, however, is different than conquering it.

Despite the three ropes, four corners, two stools and canvas, he grew up in a place dictated by his dad’s defiant toughness. He can make it his, but only with his style and personality, both of which are a fight with Martinez or Cotto from maturing into an identity that makes him his own man.

Only then can we quit calling him Junior.

LATE LOOK AT THE TAPE
Showtime sent a preview to the media of a moment before the 10th-round of Shane Mosley’s loss to Pacquiao. The network plans to show it Saturday before the Super Six tournament semi-final between Carl Froch and Glen Johnson in Atlantic City.

In it, Mosley wants to quit, which is what he essentially did anyway after he was knocked down in the third. He pleads with trainer Naazim Richardson to throw in the towel, saying he can’t move. Richardson won’t let him. Richardson urges him on.

There are questions about whether Richardson or the Nevada State Athletic Commission should have stopped it at that point. A stoppage would have done the fans a favor. In the end, however, Richardson did Mosley a favor. At least, Mosley can point to his record and say that he didn’t quit on the stool.

NOTES, QUOTES
· Golden Boy’s apology to Pacquiao for allegedly linking him to performance-enhancing drugs marks an end to the defamation suit that was at the root of the rancorous split with Top Rank. It’s a relief, but not much of a surprise. Top Rank and Golden Boy were leaving too much money on the table with fights left undone by the feud. That said, the truce is also a message to Floyd Mayweather, Jr., who along with his uncle and dad are still being sued. The promoters are moving forward and perhaps beyond the Mayweather-Pacquiao possibility, which has held the business hostage.

· There’s a buzz building in Phoenix about 19-year-old junior-middleweight Juanito Gonzalez, who turned his pro debut on May 28 in Parker, Ariz., into some quick work with a first-round TKO of Anthony Garcia (0-1), also of Phoenix. Garcia is scheduled to fight on a June 11 card featuring junior-welterweight prospect Jose Benavidez (11-0, 10 KOs) in his home-state debut as a pro at Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino in suburban Chandler.

Photo by Chris Farina / Top Rank

New York, NY (June 2, 2011) – US Army Captain and undefeated junior middleweight Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson will battle durable South Carolinian Kelvin Kibler in a special four round attraction bout on the “Boricua Invasion I” card Friday, June 10 at the Roseland Ballroom in his native New York City.

On May 19, Melson, 3-0 (1 KO), destroyed Hector Rivera in 44 seconds, opening the door for a quicker than expected return to the squared circle.

It is a blessing to be able to compete again a few weeks later,” said Melson, a West Point graduate. “We had our best camp heading into our last fight in comparison to our camps for our previous two fights, and this good fortune allowed us to pick right back up where we left off without any interruption. My bond with Coach Joey Gamache is growing more and more special with each moment that we are training together. I am forever thankful for the energy and knowledge he brings to the gym each and every day.”

Melson, whose popularity continues to rise in the Big Apple, will once again donate his earnings to “Justadollarplease”, a Non-Profit organization set up through the Rutgers University Foundation to raise funds for America’s first spinal cord injury trial using umbilical cord stem cells.

“I am stopping by Rutgers today to donate my purse from my last fight. It’s good to know that I’ll have another donation to make by the end of next week.”

In association with “Justadollarplease”, Melson recently started Team Fight to Walk, whose mission is to raise awareness within the boxing community about the importance of stem cell research for spinal cord injuries. Team Fight to Walk is comprised of Melson, IBF cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham, title contender DeAndre “The Bull” Latimore, and prospects Sid “The Messenger” El Harrak, Denis “Da Momma’s Boy” Douglin, Vinny “The Lion” O’Brien and Delen “Sniper” Parsley.

Tickets to “Boricua Invasion”, which is taking place two days before the Puerto Rican Day Parade and is headlined by Puerto Rico’s top young talents, are available at ticketmaster.com.

The Roseland Ballroom is located at 239 West 52nd Street.

For more information on “Justadollarplease” and Team Fight to Walk, go to www.justadollarplease.org and www.teamfighttowalk.com.

CLICK TO ORDER THE FIGHT
Victor Vasquez 135 – Gustavo Dailey 133 ½
Tony Ferrante 175 – Joe Park 174 ½
Angel Ocasio 133 ½ – Randolph Scott 134
Rashad Brown 162 – Phillip Burnette 157
Joey Tiberi 135 – Jonathan Ocassio 132 ½
Fred Jenkins Jr. – 165 – Todd Erikkson TBA*
Naim Nelson 140 ½ – Kywame Hill 143

*Erikkson will weigh in tomorrow

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that all action star Michael Katsidis will take on Graham Earl in a rematch of one of the most brutal bout of the last five years.

The fight will take place in August in Katsidis homeland of Australia.

When they fought in 2007, Katsidis stopped Earl in five rounds to claim an interim Lightweight title in about that was non stop action from the onset.

“Earl has been chasing this since we walked out of the ring four years ago,” Brendon Smith, Katsidis’ manager and trainer, said. “He has shown up at press conferences and even tried to enter our training camp in Thailand in the lead-up to the Juan Manuel Marquez title fight to issue a challenge. We did promise him the rematch, and now his wish has been granted. What an amazing fight it will be for Australia.”

Said Katsidis: “Graham is one tough man. It will definitely be a war and I love a war. When we met in ‘07, we exchanged a lot of punches, he went down, I went down. It will be on again. From the day we embraced each other and agreed for a rematch, he has chased me and now I will honor my commitment to Graham Earl, and give him the rematch he has been seeking.”

“Ever since our last fight together I was promised a rematch and the chance to get my revenge,” Earl said.

“Obviously, I understand that there were obligations from that fight and he had the opportunities to move on. He got the win that night. He put me down a few times, then I put him down. We were having a war in the fourth and fifth (rounds) and I believe I won those two rounds, and the fight was in the balance at that stage. If the fight had continued I believe I would have won.

“Last time it was in my own backyard, this time it looks like it may be in his. I love the challenge and will do the job properly and get the result. … Most fights these days are not great at all. People are paying good money and not getting the fights they deserve. (The rematch) will give fans the kind of fight they want and deserve.”

CLICK TO ORDER THE FIGHT
NEW YORK / ALBUQUERQUE (JUNE 2, 2011)—This Saturday night two former world champions will do battle in what promises to be an action packed fight as former five-time world champion, Johnny “Mi Vida Loca” Tapia takes on former Flyweight world champion Mauricio Pastrana that will originate from Hard Rock in Albuquerque.

That bout plus a full undercard can be seen LIVE all over the world on www.gfl.tv for just $9.99 at 9pm Eastern Time. For ordering information, click:

http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing/TAPIA_VS_ARCHULETA__TRILOGY/1032

Tapia, who has been one of boxing’s most talked about fighters for the past twenty years (for a myriad reasons) is winding down and wants to thrill his hometown fans in New Mexico one more time before he calls it a day.

Tapia has an astonishing record of 58-5-2 with thirty knockouts and captured the WBO Super Flyweight title with an eleventh round knockout over Henry Martinez in 1994.

He defended that title ten times before adding the IBF Super Flyweight title when he took a twelve round unanimous decision over cross-town rival Danny Romero in one of the mist anticipated grudge matches of the 1990’s.

After two more defenses, he claimed the WBA Bantamweight title with twelve round majority decision over Nana Konadu.

Tapia then went on to win the WBO Bantamweight belt with a twelve round unanimous decision over Jorge Julio.

Tapia won his final belt by scoring a twelve round majority decision to win the IBF Featherweight title over Manuel Medina.

He has won his last three bouts which includes fourth round stoppage over Jorge Alonso this past September 24th

Pastrana has a record of 35-15-2 with twenty three big knockouts.

On January 18th, 1997, Pastrana won the IBF Light Flyweight title with a split decision over former U.S. Olympic star Michael Carbajal.

He defended that title before winning the WBA Interim Flyweight title with a unanimous decision over Jose Bonilla.

Pastrana has come up just a bit short in three more world title opportunities but he has capable of pulling off the big upset on Saturday.

There will be at least three more fights on the live broadcast.

Hector Munoz (18-4-1, 11 KO’s) takes on Jorge Reyes (21-29-3, 17 KO’s) in a Welterweight bout.

Undefeated Welterweight, Vincent Mirabal (8-0, 1 KO) battles Eric Bradford (0-6) in a Welterweight bout

Josh Torres (5-1-1, 3 KO’s) takes on Janks Trotter (4-0-1, 4 KO’s) in a Welterweight bout

CLICK TO ORDER THE FIGHT
CHESTER, PA (June 2, 2011)—Tonight at Harrah’s in Chester, the weigh-in will take place in advance of tomorrow night’s ROUND 3 boxing event that is promoted by Joey Eye Boxing and David Feldman.

THE WEIGH IN IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

In the main event, Victor Vasquez squares off with Gustavo Dailey in a six round Lightweight bout of Philadelphian’s.

Tony Ferrante of Northeast Philadelphia battles Joe Park in a six round Light Heavyweight bout.

There will be five more bouts featuring local favorites Angel Ocasio; Fred Jenkins Jr; Joey Tiberi; Naim Nelson; Rashad Brown

The weigh-in will take place at 6pm

Tickets are now on sale for $100 (VIP); $60 (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

Exciting super featherweight Guy Robb continued his unbeaten run with a victory over the rugged and experienced Noe Lopez Jr. at the Reno Events Center in Reno, Nevada this past Friday night and already has his ring return scheduled for June 24th at the Fairfield Sports Center in Fairfield, California.

Robb (4-0, 1 KO) of Sacramento, California put his colorful style and lightning-quick hand speed on full display over the course of four-rounds en route to the shutout decision over Lopez (7-8, 4 KOs) of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. All three judges handed in cards that read 40-36 for Robb. The only negative for Robb was that the ESPN2 audience did not get the chance to get a peak at the burgeoning prospect, as his bout came on after the main event had ended.

Lopez marked a considerable step-up from Robb’s recent opposition, and was a southpaw, which Robb’s manager Repo Ric did not come to realize until after he signed the fight. “I thought I made the wrong move by getting him a southpaw, which I didn’t know he was a southpaw until the very last minute,” admitted Repo. “So I thought I made the wrong move by not getting him enough ring experience against southpaws. He had fought one as an amateur, but he was an amateur three years ago. But I was really impressed with how he handled him and I am going to take him to the next level.”

Though he has been the superior technical boxer in every fight of his pro career, Robb has shown a predilection for mixing it up at times. For this reason, Robb’s manager draws comparison to one of Sacramento’s fighting legends. “His trainer is Ray Woods and Ray Woods is Diego Corrales’ daddy,” explains Repo. “And I am looking at another Diego Corrales, and not because his trainer is Corrales’ daddy, but it is the fact that the kid has heart. You can’t give a kid heart. The kid likes to brawl, and you can’t make a kid brawl. That’s what Diego Corrales was all about. It’s not that Ray Woods is making Guy fight like Diego Corrales, because no he is not. It’s just that I am looking at another Diego Corrales, and it just so happens that it is his daddy training Guy Robb.”

Robb credits his trainer for his adaptable fighting style, which was impressively varied and flashy on Friday night. “My trainer, Ray Woods, is the best,” proclaims Robb. “He teaches me all kinds of angles and combinations. I really know how to mix it up, it is just a matter of whether I go out and do it or not. In that fight it just came out, but we worked on all those things. I work with the man, my trainer is the man.”

Friday’s bout marked a move down from lightweight to super featherweight, which has a 130-pound limit. Robb weighed in two pounds under at 128, and his manager and trainer see him campaigning at the 126-pound featherweight division in the near future. “He’s down to 128, and eventually he’ll be down to 126,” says Repo. “He has power, and he needs to go down to where his power is really at.”

Power was definitely on Robb’s mind in Reno, as he fought for the first time on a show promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions. “I really wanted to make an impression on the Goossens and take him out, but I tried a little too hard and it didn’t happen,” said Robb. “But that is all a part of learning. You just have to just let the knockouts happen.”

Even without the knockout, Robb’s manager believes the impression was made on the Goossen team. “I got feedback from their news media person and one of their main workers,” explains Repo. “I haven’t talked to the Goossens yet, but three different people came up to me and said they called the Goossens, and these are the people that look at fighters for the Goossens. They know I am a hard worker and they figure I will bring them hard workers, so they will give me a chance. If they take a chance on Guy Robb, they are taking a good chance, because they do see the potential in Guy Robb.”

“The Gosssens’ shows – the whole experience is grand,” says Robb. “You feel important and it makes you want to do your part and help them deliver a great show. So I just went out there and tried to do that and hopefully succeeded.”

Next up for Robb is a return to Fairfield, California, just a short drive from his Sacramento home, on June 24th. Robb has fought there twice before, and quickly become a favorite of the crowd and the local promoters. “They want him on the 24th because he is a crowd-pleaser, he’s a hell of a fighter and he brings a crowd,” says Repo.

The Fairfield Sports Center has quickly become Robb’s home venue, and he looks forward to putting on another show for his local fans. “It is always the best to be a part of the Fairfield shows, because Fairfield has some great fighters,” says Robb. Paco, Don Chargin and Golden Boy, they do a terrific job putting on those shows. The Fairfield Sports Center gets packed with energy and it is always a pleasure to be a part of it.”

No opponent has been signed yet for Robb, but he vows to be ready for whoever they bring. “I always train hard, no matter what,” says Robb. “Whoever I fight, I am always training like I am fighting a monster or a giant. If I find out about the opponent, I’ll find out, but either way I will be training hard.”

Monsters and giants sign up, Robb is ready.

Tickets for the event, promoted by Don Chargin Productions, Paco Presents and Jorge Marron Productions, are available at Paco’s Mexican Restaurant in Woodland (530-669-7946), the J.L Tepito Boxing Club in Fairfield (707- 384-8420), Baldo’s Mexican Food in Fairfied (707-426-6130) and La Charrita Mexican Market in Fairfield (707-434-8344).

Photos by Stephanie Trapp

– Friday, June 3, 2011 7:30pm ET featuring Professional Boxing Fight Night Round 3 at the Harrah’s, Chester, PA. It will be an All Philly Battle as popular Victor Vasquez battles Gustavo Dailey in a six round Lightweight bout that is a rematch of a bout that took place on January 15th, 2010.In their first bout, Vasquez scored a fifth round stoppage over Dailey, the question that will be asked, will it be a repeat or revenge. Vasquez of Philadelphia has built up one of the biggest fan bases in Philadelphia due to his exciting style which always has him in the fight of the night whenever he steps into the ring. Vasquez has a record of 12-5-1 with six knockouts and has been in some memorable fights in his young career. In his last bout, Vasquez waged a terrific back and forth war with Osnel Charles before dropping a six round majority decision as part as ROUND 1 at Harrah’s in Chester. He holds victories over undefeated Thomas McCuiston (1-0); Tyric Robinson (9-4-1) as well as an exciting six round split decision over Bryne Green (5-3) on October 8th in Philadelphia. Dailey of Philadelphia has a record of 4-11 with one knockout. Despite the pedestrian record, Dailey has fought and beat some top competition. Dailey’s crowning moment to date was a six round split decision over Tyrell Samuel (12-2). Samuel took the rematch and a third fight by decisions. Dailey has been in the ring with Eddie Hyland (10-1); Brandon Bennett (3-0); two fights with Anthony Flores. Dailey is coming off a fourth round stoppage defeat to Tyrone Luckey (2-0) on February 26th in Atlantic City. Ferrante of Northeast Philadelphia won his first nine bouts which included wins over Anthony Pietrantonio (6-1) and he won the WBF United States title with an eight round majority decision over Billy Bailey.

– Saturday, June 4, 2011 7:00pm ET featuring Absolute Action MMA 14, at the Rupp Arena-Heritage Hall, Lexington, KY. In the main event, Ewa Johnson (3-1) battles Sarah Cook (2-2) for the women’s 145 lb amateur AAMMA title. Johnson makes her return to the cage after a year-long layoff and looks to pick up right where she left by scoring another victory, this time for the championship. Cook is looking to regroup and regain her momentum after suffering a tough loss in her last fight. Both women have their backs against the wall with something to prove with the winner being crowned champion. In the co-main event, veteran James Ballinger will be making his professional debut after amassing a 11-8 record on the amateur circuit. He battles Zachery Sanders (1-1) in a matchup of rising stars in the Bluegrass State. In other action, Ryan Debelak (3-1) takes on Troy Blevins, Jr. (5-3). Debelak is a formidable striker with all of his wins coming by strikes and will look to connect with his patented heavy hands again. Blevins, Jr. already holds a win over Debelak and will look to use his mental edge and cage experience to once again come out on top. Light heavyweights Brandon Stewart (6-1) and Kelly Pennigton (3-0) also square off. The undefeated Pennington hasn’t had a fight go into the second round and all 6 of Stewart’s victories have also come in Round 1. Don’t blink when these two bulls lock horns because it could be a quick and decisive victory for one of them.

– Saturday, June 4, 2011 7:00pm ET featuring American MMA Fight League presents MMA FIGHT NIGHT, at the Newtown Athletic Club in Newtown, Pennsylvania. An 11-bout card features a mixture of rising prospects and polished veterans including Strikeforce and M-1 Global veteran Kevin “K-Rod” Roddy (11-13-1) taking on Aguileno Brandao (9-6) in one of the top attractions of the night. Roddy looks to return to his winning ways, but in order to do that he will have to defeat the grappling wizard Brandao who has submission victories in 8 of his 9 wins. Roddy and Brandao have contrasting styles making for a very combustible fight. In other action, Fight Factory alum, Steve McCabe (4-10) battles Doug “The Killer” Miller (1-2). McCabe fights out of the same gym as Bellator Lightweight Champion, Eddie Alvarez, and looks to bring the same explosiveness to “The Killer”. Miller trains out of the AMA Fight Club which is also home to a pair of other Millers, Jim and Dan of the UFC.

– Saturday, June 4, 2011 9:00pm ET featuring Tapia vs. Pastrana, at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Albuquerque, NM. Former five-time world champion, Johnny “Mi Vida Loca” Tapia takes on former Flyweight world champion Mauricio Pastrana. Tapia, who has been one of boxing’s most talked about fighters for the past twenty years (for a myriad reasons) is winding down and wants to thrill his hometown fans in New Mexico one more time before he calls it a day. Tapia has an astonishing record of 58-5-2 with thirty knockouts and captured the WBO Super Flyweight title with an eleventh round knockout over Henry Martinez in 1994. He defended that title ten times before adding the IBF Super Flyweight title when he took a twelve round unanimous decision over cross-town rival Danny Romero in one of the mist anticipated grudge matches of the 1990’s. After two more defenses, he claimed the WBA Bantamweight title with twelve round majority decision over Nana Konadu. Tapia then went on to win the WBO Bantamweight belt with a twelve round unanimous decision over Jorge Julio. Tapia won his final belt by scoring a twelve round majority decision to win the IBF Featherweight title over Manuel Medina. He has won his last three bouts which include fourth round stoppage over Jorge Alonso this past September 24th Pastrana has a record of 35-15-2 with twenty three big knockouts. On January 18th, 1997, Pastrana won the IBF Light Flyweight title with a split decision over former U.S. Olympic star Michael Carbajal. Hector Munoz (18-4-1, 11 KO’s) takes on Jorge Reyes (21-29-3, 17 KO’s) in a Welterweight bout. Undefeated Welterweight, Vincent Mirabal (8-0, 1 KO) battles Eric Bradford (0-6) in a Welterweight bout Josh Torres (5-1-1, 3 KO’s) takes on Janks Trotter (4-0-1, 4 KO’s) in a Welterweight bout.

– Saturday, June 4, 2011 10:30pm ET featuring Rumble in the Cage presents RITC 43 at the Taber Ice Arena in Taber, Alberta, Canada. The jam-packed card features a bevy of top fighters from around Canada. Headlining the event is a lightweight battle between Jordan Knippelberg (5-1) and Spencer Rohovie (9-6). Knippelberg is riding a 4-fight winning streak and looks to make it 5 in a row as he fights the veteran Rohovie who has more than twice the cage experience. The crafty Rohovie needs a win after dropping his most recent bout and with all 15 of his fights never making it out of the first round, don’t blink as Rohovie look’s to use his reckless and wild fighting style to defeat Knippelberg any way he can. In other lightweight action, CJ Bagg (3-1) takes on Peter Neufeld (3-3). Both men are still new to the sport and looking to use the other as a stepping stone in this match. Bagg and Neufeld are coming into this fight both sporting winning streaks and look to continue that momentum at the other’s expense. Also slated for action are Brandt Dewsberry (4-1-1), Jared “J-Rod” Kilkenny (8-7), Brendan “Hacksaw” Blacquier (1-0), Sean “Mercenary” Merkl (1-3), Mike Neufeld (3-2) and Ian Odland (0-1).

GFL now offers full access to over 5,000 fights for the low monthly price of $9.99 at www.GFL.tv

***GFL is a pioneer in Internet Sports Broadcasting. Over the years GFL has broadcast more than 1000 live events with over 5,000 combat sports videos in 196 countries. GFL is especially proud to have served greater than 1.8 million public viewers last year with now over 150 combat sports related website affiliates in its network. GFL combat sports genres currently include Boxing, MMA and Professional Wrestling. GFL offers expanded programming to include: Daily News & Radio Shows with feature interviews and industry updates along with great Fight Photos, Fighter Videos and a robust Calendar of Upcoming Fight Events.

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

Join us at: www.facebook.com/gofightlive or for press inquiries contact press@gfl.tv

Inside the ring Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero 29-1-1(18) 2 No Contests has won world titles at 3 weight classes and is amongst the very best fighters in the world today. He recently beat Michael Katsidis to claim the WBC/WBA Interim Lightweight titles and is eager to fight the very best to continue improving himself and prove to the Boxing world how good he is. The Katsidis win was arguably the 28 year old’s best win so far in a ten year professional career. He dominated Katsidis for long spells using his considerable Boxing I.Q to claim a wide decision. However outside of the ring is where the Gilroy, Ca resident is really a fighter. Over the past few years he’s earned everyone’s respect & adulation by looking after his wife Casey along with their three young children whilst Casey battled Leukemia. Thankfully she’s doing well and now Guerrero is able to fully focus on Boxing. In this in depth interview Guerrero, who’s always got a smile for everyone and time for his fans talks about his most recent win, the future plus his various activities outside the ring.

Hello Robert, welcome back to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – Firstly congratulations on a terrific win over Michael Katsidis. What are your thoughts on that fight?

Robert Guerrero – My fight with Katsidis was one of my best performances. He was a very tough opponent and I learned a lot in that fight.

Anson Wainwright – How happy were you with your performance?

Robert Guerrero – I was happy with the win, but I know there are areas in my game that I can improve on.

Anson Wainwright – It’s early days but when can we expect to see you back in action next? Many names have been mentioned who are you looking at?

Robert Guerrero – I’m waiting to hear from Golden Boy on who will be next. Amir Khan, Victor Ortiz, Marquez and everyone at 140 are potential fights. I want them all!

Anson Wainwright – You’ve been linked with some guys at 140? Are you having trouble with making 135? Do you not want to clear things up at Lightweight?

Robert Guerrero – I have no problem making weight at 135, but it’s been difficult getting these guys in the ring. So I would like to move up to 140 and see who’s willing to step up.

Anson Wainwright – You started out at 126 how far up in weight do you think you can successfully go?

Robert Guerrero – My frame is big, so I really believe when it’s all said and done, that I can go up to 154.

Anson Wainwright – You mentioned going up to Light Welterweight division what are your thoughts on the top guys there WBC/WBO Tim Bradley, WBA Amir Khan, IBF Zab Judah, Marcos Maidana, Erik Morales & Devon Alexander even Floyd Mayweather & Manny Pacquiao?

Robert Guerrero – I think me fighting all the names you mentioned would be great fights for the fans. It’s by far the most competitive division in boxing.

Anson Wainwright – You have won including the two recent Interim titles 4 titles at 3 weights. What do you think has been to date your proudest moment?

Robert Guerrero – There are so many, but one that sticks out is when I went overseas to Denmark and stopped Spend Abazi in his hometown. Not many fighters would have traveled to foreign country to challenge for a title fight. You’re taking a big risk and you must get the KO to bring home the victory. I did just that.

Anson Wainwright – You’re always involved in various activities, fun raisers, charity work etc in Gilroy and the surrounding areas. What are you up to at the moment?

Robert Guerrero – Right now I’m getting ready for a Robert Guerrero Tribute Day in my hometown of Gilroy, CA. Money will be raised to help fund cancer research.

Anson Wainwright – How’s your wife Casey doing at the moment?

Robert Guerrero – She’s cancer free and I thank the Lord Jesus Christ everyday for her well being. She’s doing great.

Anson Wainwright – Could you tell us about the documentary that you filmed? When is it out, where will people be able to see it?

Robert Guerrero – The Ghost Documentary is in the final stages of production. We are hoping to have it released by the end of the summer. Distribution and viewing will be announced after completion.

Anson Wainwright – What goals do you have in Boxing that you still want to achieve?

Robert Guerrero – I want to fight all the best fighters in and around my weight class. My goal is to one day be inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame.

Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have any message for your fans?

Robert Guerrero – I want people to know that I’ve never turned down a fight and I’m always looking to fight the best. Fans can follow me on Twitter and Facebook @ghostboxing. Always remember that all things are possible through Christ.

Thanks for your time Robert, it’s been a pleasure as always.

Thank you Anson. Take care and God bless.

Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com

Editors Note : At the time of the Interview Guerrero was still in the running for the Amir Khan fight on 23 July. Now that Zab Judah will meet Khan in July Guerrero will fight on 6 August on HBO “Boxing After Dark” No news on who the opponent will be or the venue.

LOS ANGELES (June 1, 2011) – Rafael “Chocho” Guzman is the new opponent for undefeated No. 1 featherweight contender Mikey Garcia in the co-main event of “The Son Also Rises: Sebastian Zbik vs. Julio César Chávez, Jr. World Middleweight Championship,” this Saturday at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. The 10-round featherweight rumble will open the two-bout HBO Boxing After Dark broadcast at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast.)

Guzman (28-2, 20 KOs), of Guadalajara, México, will be making his U.S. debut when he faces Garcia. A former WBC FECARBOX super featherweight and lightweight champion, Guzman enters this fight having won 10 of his previous 11 bouts. His last three victories have been by knockout. Garcia’s original opponent, Miguel Beltrán Jr., was diagnosed with a fractured left hand and was forced to withdraw from the card. Garcia (25-0, 21 KOs), hails from Oxnard, Calif.

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

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Zanfer Promotions, Universum Media Network, TECATE and STAPLES Center, “The Son Also Rises: Zbik vs. Chávez, Jr. World Middleweight Championship” takes place This Saturday! June 4, at STAPLES Center, and marks the first fight Chávez Jr. has fought in Los Angeles in six years. HBO will televise the fight live, beginning at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast.)

Remaining tickets, priced at $100, $75 and $50, can be purchased online at www.staplescenter.com, via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone lines at (800) 745-3000, or at the STAPLES Center box office.

The world championship event will be highlighted by a celebration of the boxing career of Julio César Chávez, who will be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame the following week.

Philadelphia, PA— If Bernard Hopkins set the standard, Mike Jones would like to carry on the tradition.

Jones, the undefeated and top-ranked welterweight who boxes Raul Munoz, of Mexico, on June 25 at the South Philly Arena, has followed the same strict regimen of ring preparation as fellow-Philadelphian Hopkins, the multi-division world champion who recently became, at age 46, the oldest man to win a major boxing title.

‘I talk to Bernard when he comes to the (Joe Hand) gym,” said Jones. “He always gives me something (advice) I can use inside the ring and outside the ring. He’s a real wise dude.”

Like Hopkins, Jones is known for always being in top shape. Nutrition, along with exercise and a healthy mental outlook, forms the core of that foundation.

“Eating properly is about your well-being,” Jones said, who will be fighting in Philadelphia for the 13th time, but for the first time in more than two years. “It’s all about a better lifestyle. It’s just like repetition in the gym. You keep practicing something; it becomes second-nature to you; it becomes easy.”

“The same thing with eating habits. My dad has diabetes and lost his mobility and he can’t walk around. My dad’s situation has put my diet into perspective. It’s good for my profession and my life.”

Jones has two young daughters and he teaches them to eat properly and to drink water—no sodas, no sugary juices.

The 28-year-old Jones is coming off a big win Feb. 19 in Las Vegas where he out-pointed Jesus Soto-Karass, of Mexico, for the second time. He is currently rated No. 1 in the world at 147 pounds behind WBO champion Manny Pacquiao, as well as No. 2 by the WBA, No. 3 by the IBF, No. 5 by the WBC.

The Jones-Munoz fight is part of the Top Rank Live! series which will be promoted by Top Rank, Inc., and Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc. It will be televised live by Fox Sports Net beginning at 10 pm EST. The first of six additional bouts begins at 8pm.

Tickets priced at $50 and $75 are on sale at the offices of Peltz Boxing Promotions (215-765-0922) and through Ticketmaster (800-745-3000). They also can be purchased online at www.peltzboxing.com and www.ticketmaster.com.

# # #

Mike Jones vs. Raul Munoz, co-promoted by Top Rank, Inc., and Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc., takes place Saturday, June 25, at the South Philly Arena, 7 West Ritner Street. The scheduled 10-round contest will be televised live by Fox Sports Net at 10 pm EST as part of the Top Rank Live! series.

Famed trainer talks about Bernard Hopkins win over Jean Pascal

Number one Ranked Light Heavyweight Yusaf Mack talks about his June 25th Title opportunity against Tavoris Cloud

World Light Heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins gets an award from Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter for his historic win over Jean Pascal

Showtime’s risk taking and creativity should be applauded.

Like all networks that are still around since the late 1970s, Showtime has had to be innovative and continually come up with fresh idea — mainly to compete with another premium cable station, HBO.

Well, the script hasn’t change much at all since the tail end of the ‘70s. The two premium cable giants are still one another’s chief competitor and they both air similar programming — movies, original dramas, and sports.

And it’s sports — specifically boxing — where for a while HBO was outmaneuvering Showtime regularly; the can’t miss fights were HBO PPV.

But then in 2009, Showtime announced that it had struck a deal to start the Super Six middleweight tournament. I still don’t know the inner workings of the deal, but credit those over at Showtime for being able to put a palatable deal on the table for all five promotors and the six fighters in the tournament.

Of course, when it began in October 2009, there was a lot of buzz, a lot of hype, as well there should be. People in and around boxing also fantasize about tournaments. Finally, there was one, and in one of boxing’s deepest division, with arguably six of the seven best fighters in the weight class.

After many bumps in the road, the finals will finally be set Saturday night after Carl Froch’s bout with Glen Johnson concludes in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The winner of that, of course, will take on Andre Ward, who cruised into the finals after twelve easy fought rounds against Arthur Abraham.

While the tournament lost much of it’s steam, the effort should be applauded. Nobody knew Arthur Abraham would all but end Jermain Taylor’s career in Germany. Nor did anybody know he would end Andre Dirrell’s tournament life in Detroit — which is a statement that is still not definitive. Further, it was foreign to almost everyone that Mikkel Kessler was fighting with an eye injury.

So the tournament had leaks…major leaks. But nothing a few patches, or a tarp, couldn’t fix. So in came Allan Green and Glen Johnson — and Sakio Bika, but only sort of.

The Road Warrior proved he was the consummate professional, heading back to 168 pounds and taking care of the overmatched Allan Green — who on the same night confirmed that he is not part of the cream that rises to the top.

But now as the tournament winds down, the ship has steadied. It’s clear the patch-work held up just fine. On Saturday night we’re going to get a great fight between Johnson and Froch — and then we’ll get one more when the winner takes on Ward.

Showtime also ran a smaller, one elimination Bantamweight tournament — once again being innovative, and once again they were rewarded with delays that helped dull the excitement for a moment. This time, it was Joseph Agbeko’s health concerns before the Championship fight against Abner Mares.

No worries, though, that will now take place in August.

But it’s Showtime’s creativity and willingness to think outside the box that should be applauded — even if things don’t always work out as smoothly as planned.

A tournament with four 118 pound fighters I’m sure doesn’t seem like the best idea to less than casual fan, or to a boardroom. Nonetheless, they are taking chances.

There is also the fact that their parent company, CBS, can provide a platform for boxing to reach millions upon millions of more homes. When Showtime inked Manny Pacquiao, it was agreed that episodes of Fight Camp 360 would appear on CBS, which it did. There is hopes that CBS will continue to work with Showtime to bring actual prizefights back to basic cable, not just the documentaries about them.

There is no telling what Showtime does next, but it is clear that there are serious brainstorm sessions taking place.

Showtime has continued to think out of the box and they should be commended for their visible effort to create boxing buzz, no matter how self-interested the motivations are.

Kyle Kinder can be reached via e-mail at KyleKinder1@gmail.com or Twitter.com/KyleKinder

LOS ANGELES (May 31, 2011) — Manny Pacquiao has settled his defamation lawsuit against Richard Schaefer and Oscar de la Hoya on confidential terms. In connection with the dismissal, Mr. Schaefer and Mr. De la Hoya made the following statement:

“Richard Schaefer and Oscar de la Hoya, on behalf of themselves and Golden Boy Promotions, wish to make it crystal clear that we never intended to claim that Manny Pacquiao has used or is using any performance enhancing drugs, and further state that we do not have any evidence whatsoever of such use.

“Manny Pacquiao is one of the greatest fighters of all time, and we apologize if anyone construed our prior remarks as in any way claiming or even suggesting that Manny uses or has used performance enhancing drugs.”

Photo By Chris Farina / Top Rank

It’s a case of history in the making on Saturday the 4th of June at the historic hall that’s been dubbed ‘the spiritual home of boxing’ as Olivia Goodwin will create boxing history in the promotional sense when she become’s the youngest ever British boxing promoter!

Olivia whose only twenty years old promotes a marathon card of fifteen, yes fifteen fights!

Featured are a couple of ten round fights featuring Ryan Barrett at lightweight against Geofrey Munika who a good few years back held current British welterweight champion Lee Purdy to a disputed draw at this very venue!

The other ten rounder has Toks Owoh pitted against an opponent yet to be named oponent at cruiser.
Also booked for action on this marathon show at light middle are Sam Standing against Aaron Fox, and while with the 11st brigade Nathan Weise takes on Gary Cooper, no not the former British light middle champ from the late 80’s of the same name!, then again what with Bernard Hopkins recent performance you’d be forgiven for thinking otherwise!

A couple of welterweight fights see Brett O Callaghan and Danny O’Connor pitted against gritty journeymen Matt Scriven and Danny Dontchev respectively!

Back up to cruiser and heavy, {what with all this weight jumping I’m feeling dizzy!} you have Mitchell Balker who takes on Harri Miles a one time prospect from the Calzaghe camp! and Prizefighter contestant Ali Adams against I guy whose name I can’t spell let alone pronounce! oh by the way that’s at heavy!

Down at middle you have Mark Adam’s {no relation to Ali, Adam’s that is!} making his pro bow and also at that weight is Kris Agyei Dua who’ll be looking to do something against Luke Osman, who comes to fight, {he once escaped a car crash on the way to a fight and still fought and won against Kenroy Lambert!} Also at middle is William Cayzer making his debut has is Diego Burton against there respective oponents!

Down at lightweight Luton prospect Michael Devine takes on the well travelled and aptly named Dan Carr over four at light and then finally up at super middle transplanted Albanian Eder Kurti takes on tough Jodie Meikle who last time at the York Hall lost on points to Margate light heavy Daniel Woodgate, the Margate fighter who also fights on the show against switch hitter Sabie Monteith which looks to be an interesting affair, Monteith in his pro debut boxed fellow Margate fighter Jack ’13’ Morris back in 2008!

All fights other than the two aforementioned ten rounders will be contested over four rounds!

For tickets and show start please call Daniel on 0780 7013111 or you can order via the website which is www.goodwinpromotions.co.uk

Ticket’s are £30 and £50 ringside.

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that WBA 140 lb champion Amir Khan will take on IBF beltholder Zab Judah in a unification bout that will take place July 23rd in Las Vegas.

Richard Schaefer, Khan’s promoter of Golden Boy Promotions offered the fight to resurgent former three-division champion Erik Morales, who works with Golden Boy, but he rejected the fight. That left Judah, a big name and owner of a world title, as the obvious choice. “We’ve agreed on the terms and the contracts are being drawn,” said Judah’s promoter Kathy Duva

“I told Zab I’d rather just get the promotion going and get him in the gym and we’ll make money at the site in Las Vegas if we promote it well,” Duva said. “Zab agreed. At some point you stop quibbling over a couple of points. Zab will make money when he beats this guy. That’s where the upside is. They each have a world title, but the thing Khan has that Zab doesn’t is a multi-fight agreement with HBO. That’s where his strength comes from. And when Zab beats him, HBO will be seeking out Zab Judah for a multi-fight contract. He’ll be the man at that point.”

“I got what I wanted, so I am happy. Now it’s time to go work,” said Judah, who was on his way to the gym for a training session. “I’ve been praying on this fight. My goal is to be undisputed champion at two weights. I did it at 147 and I’m gonna do it at 140 starting with Amir Khan. I’m gonna work hard. I’m very experienced, so whichever way he brings the fight I can deal with it and take it from him.

“I know Amir wanted the Bradley fight, but who wouldn’t? Bradley can’t break an egg. A fight with ‘Super’ Judah is not a fight Amir wanted. Don’t let him lie to you.”

“Zab’s a good fighter. He’s strong, he’s fit. All the stuff on Twitter is fun, but we’re both professionals. It’s just spicing things up,” Khan told ESPN.com a couple of days before the deal was agreed to. “He was undisputed champion at 147 and now he’s a champion at 140. … If Bradley don’t want me, I’m happy to take Judah on and beat him.”

“You see Bradley and Morales turning down this fight with Khan and, at some point, you just say, ‘OK, thank you.’ Zab is very excited to get the fight. So is Whitaker,” Duva said. “This leads Zab to a very nice position in the fall where he’s got major fights and nothing but major fights when he wins. We’re all very excited about it. We believed since he came back to junior welterweight that he could beat everyone in the division. He’s already taken out Matthysse and Mabuza and now it’s Khan.”

Said Judah, “My trainer, Pernell Whitaker, will have a great game plan for this fight. I knew this fight was coming and I’ve been preparing myself. I have already been training. I wish we could do a press conference tomorrow so I could take off my shirt and show everybody how ready I am already.”

“Freddie Roach against Pernell Whitaker, that’s a helluva trainer matchup,” Duva said. “It will be really interesting to watch them go head to head and try to outdo the other guy’s game plan.”

Golden Boy and Main Events will share the undercard and Duva said she intends to put welterweight contender Joel “Love Child” Julio (37-4, 31 KOs) on the card in one of her company’s fights. Julio scored a lopsided decision win against Anges Adjaho on ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights” on May 20.

“Our plan is to put him on the card,” she said. “We’re looking for somebody interesting for him to fight. Maybe we can match him with one of Golden Boy’s fighters.”

Atlantic City, NJ—It’s official!

The fight they said couldn’t be made has been signed and sealed as junior middleweights Harry Joe Yorgey, of Bridgeport, PA, and Gabriel Rosado, of Philadelphia, PA, meet in a scheduled 10-round contest Friday evening, July 15, at Bally’s Atlantic City.

No titles are at stake and none are needed. This is for bragging rights in the area and this is a fight that has been talked about in the gyms and on local internet websites for quite some time.

Yorgey, 33, has a 23-1-1 record, 11 knockouts. A pro since 2002, his lone setback came by knockout to world-rated Alfredo Angulo on Nov. 7, 2009, in Hartford, CT. That match was televised by HBO.

In his only fight since, Yorgey knocked out Mexico’s Donovan Castaneda last Feb. 25 in Tulsa, OK.

Yorgey also has beaten Ronald Hearns, of Detroit, MI, and Jason LeHoullier, of Nottingham, NH. He has not boxed in the area in more than two years.

Rosado, 25, is 16-5, 9 K0s. He has won his last two fights, out-pointing Jose Medina, of Tilton, NH, over eight rounds and knocking out fellow-Philadelphian Jamaal Davis in 12.

A pro since 2006, Rosado also was stopped by Angulo. He lost a 12-round majority decision last summer to another Philadelphian, Derek Ennis, for the USBA junior middleweight title.

Rosado, rated No. 15 in the world by the IBF, has defeated ex-IBF world junior middleweight champ Kassim Ouma, of Uganda, and Saul Roman, of Mexico.

Tickets priced at $50 and $75 are on sale at the offices of Peltz Boxing Promotions (215-765-0922) and through Ticketmaster (800-745-3000). They also can be purchased online at www.peltzboxing.com and www.ticketmaster.com.

It’s been 8 months since we last saw Paul “The Punisher” Williams in action. On July 9th he makes his much anticipated return. For several weeks several guys were linked with Williams before it was announed he would be fighting Japan’s Nobuhiro Ishida who was coming of a stunning first round KO over James Kirkland, however many felt this wasn’t a fight worthy of HBO who promply brought in unbeaten Cuban Erislandy Lara instead. It’s not something that concerns him, he’s hungry to get back to doing what he does best and wants to make a statement following his brutal loss to Sergio Martinez. Still only 29, with an imposing 6’1 frame to go along with a wing span of 82 inches, he’s a southpaw with a high work rate making him a nightmare for pretty much everyone from 147-160. Here’s what Williams had to say ahead of his comeback.

Hello Paul, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – You’re returning to action 9 July on HBO. Can you tell us about this?

Paul Williams – I’ll be fighting the Cuban Erislandy Lara in Atlantic City. I don’t want to say to much about him. I respect his ability and am looking forward to the fight but wont get caught up in a war of words with him. I am a professional and will handle myself like a gentleman. I’ll let my fists do my talking.

Anson Wainwright – What are you looking at from your performance in this fight to move forward?

Paul Williams – What I’m looking for is me to go out there and put on a good show. Like that last fight I had with Sergio Martinez they wanna know how I’m going to perform after that. I’m going to go in there and do my thing. I got caught, the best get caught. It’s not like I got beat up. For me I know there’s a possibility that can happen in a fight so I’m not worried. I just want to get in there and go to work again.

Anson Wainwright – What weight will this fight take place at? What weigh class are you intending to fight in for the foreseeable future?

Paul Williams – I don’t know it could be 54 or 60 for me it really don’t matter.

Anson Wainwright – What weigh class are you intending to fight in for the foreseeable future?

Paul Williams – I want to keep doing what I’m doing now go up and down the weight classes. Wherever we can get a big name fighter, if the money’s right and everything. If that’s the move we’re gonna make I’m game for it. I’m a fighter that’s what I do, that’s how I make my living.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your team; who is your manager, trainer & promoter? Also what gym do you train at?

Paul Williams – My manager is Mr Peterson, my trainer is Mr Peterson. Everybody knows him as George “Jumbo” Peterson and Al Haymon and Dan Goossen there my promoters. Well we’re down here in Washington D.C and we go to every gym around. Right now we’re actually at Club 150 Center. We go to different gyms, where the works at, we keep on the move.

Anson Wainwright – Last year you fought Sergio Martinez in a rematch, he stopped you in the second. What are your thoughts and feelings on that looking back? How difficult was this for you to deal with?

Paul Williams – After the fight we still had our party as we would if we’d won, nothing changed. I joked around with the guys. You know when you play Fight Night video games and you try to get up and put everything back together that’s how it is. Line everything back up, by that time they’d stopped the fight. I was like I’m good. I saw the doctor to make sure I was clear. Right after that fight everything went out the window, I was like it is what it is. I wasn’t crying or sad, I would have been mad if I wasn’t in shape but I was in the best shape. That first round was going to be like the second round, third round, fourth round and pick it up till the fight was over but I got caught and I have to live with it. But did I dwell on it or beat myself up on it? No I went out had my fun just like when I lost to Quintana, I had my fun. When I get back in there you better believe who ever it is is going to pay for it. As I tell everybody you can’t accept winning if you can’t accept losing. I deal with it, its business. I’d of been happy if I’d of won just like he was its competion.

Anson Wainwright – You’ve lost twice in 41 fights but have victories over both Carlos Quintana & Sergio Martinez who beat you. You have beaten Margarito, Cintron, Winky Wright etc who would you say has been the best fighter you have ever fought to date?

Paul Williams – To be honest I put all them in the same category. Not down playing their skills or anything. I never got in the ring with a guy I couldn’t do anything to, I never got in with a guy I couldn’t get off with , I always get mine in. They all have their skills. I really don’t know I just go in there to fight.

Anson Wainwright – What goals do you have in Boxing?

Paul Williams – The goals I have in Boxing. I’ve accomplished just about all my goals, becoming a world champion, that’s the main thing you want to do. And becoming a 2 time champion. Now I want to fight the best out there. I’d love to get in there with Manny Pacquiao. I call out these guys’ names but you never hear these guys call out Paul Williams’s name. You know he’s (Pacquiao) the best out there and my thing is who else can you fight who is a big name besides me only Martinez and Martinez ain’t no big name. He got a big win over me but his last fight not to down play it, I saw it on TV it seemed like the whole building could of fell in and it wouldn’t of hurt anyone cos there wasn’t that many people there.

Anson Wainwright – You were born in Aitken, South Carolina. Can you tell us about your younger days and what it was like for you growing up?

Paul Williams – I was born in Augusta, Georgia but raised in Aitken, South Carolina. I didn’t really have a tough upbringing. My mom raised us good, working 2 jobs to keep me and my two brothers and sisters. I can’t say any of my family were locked up or any bad stuff. We’re a pretty good family. My mom did the best she could. When I started to get to my teens I started hanging with my friends a little more but we never had any issues with the law or anything like that. I had a good upbringing, it made me who I am today, I wouldn’t change it for the world. I had a few street fights with my friends and other friends coming up in the neighbourhood that made me tougher like any normal kid would go through but nothing bad like real poor or anything like that. My mom did her best and put food on the table for us.

Anson Wainwright – How did you first become interested and then take up Boxing?

Paul Williams – I used to be on the school bus and the driver called Lee Wells was a friend of the family, my mom knew his wife. I used to get on the bus be bad fighting and he thought I had a lot of energy. (So he said) Hell put him in Boxing. He asked me and my older brother if we wanted to box. I was like sure I’ll do it. Then we got into it and I fell in love with it.

Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do away from Boxing. What are your hobbies & Interests?

Paul Williams – I like to get in my old school car and ride up and down the highway. Go to the gun range, shoot my gun you know a little fishing. Ride my bike, be out clear my head away from Boxing. Actually I plan on doing 3 more fights then hang them up. Do my Real Estate; I’ve got some houses and apartments that’s my plan. That’s what I’m already doing so I’ll keep with that.

Anson Wainwright – Would you stay involved in Boxing in some capacity?

Paul Williams – To be honest I probably wouldn’t. I don’t want to get the urge to comeback and not be hungry and get hurt. Right now I’m hungry and want to get what I can get out of it before I get old. I’ve been doing it since I turned 17 and now I’m 29 about to be 30 on July 27. This sports for the young guys. I’ve got Mr Peterson we have a good thing going on he taught me the business side and what to do with my money. So I’ve got a good nest egg with my Real estate and Property I’m renting out. I feel like 3 more big fights then I can hang my gloves up. I’d rather be home with my kids.

Anson Wainwright – You’ve had 2 fights with Martinez would you like to do a third? Who would you like to fight?

Paul Williams – My fans would like to see it, I ain’t got to say I want him. He knows if he wants big money there ain’t nobody but me, he knows that I beat him the first time and he beat me the second time. Let’s make a third fight. There’s no way he set that punch up. It was just a lucky punch that landed but I can’t knock him for it, it landed. Don’t go saying you set it up, everybody knows that bull. It is what it is. I’d love to do a Pacquiao fight a Martinez fight.

Anson Wainwright – How about Floyd Mayweather Jnr. I know he’s with Al Haymon is that a doable fight?

Paul Williams – Everything is doable I think, lets make it.

Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for your fans ahead of your return?

Paul Williams – Oh to my fans, I’m doing good. I’m blessed. I bought some more property to rent out to people who want to live down south. They’ll see the same Paul Williams, doing the same thing putting on a good show for my people and fans, you’re going to see a good fight.

Thanks for taking time out to speak to us Paul.

Anson Wainwright

15rounds

Prizefighting now draws near to completing its most innovative concept in ages. Showtime’s Super Six World Boxing Classic is days from matching its finalists. It is a tournament that has fully altered the professional paths of its every participant, including the network that hatched it. Whatever pundits opine of its anfractuous path, the Super Six has satisfied the praise it initially garnered.

Last week Englishman Carl Froch, whose career might well be the one most dramatically altered, by tournament’s end, captured what has made the Super Six different and essential:

“People are seeing fights that would not have been made.”

Has any sport been undone more completely by the events it didn’t make than boxing?

Saturday at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, Froch will make a fight with Jamaican Glen Johnson to determine who faces Andre Ward in the Super Six final. Johnson, a late sub who earned his place by stretching Allan Green, an unfortunate sub, in November, will face one of the tournament’s original super middleweights. Froch is in the semi-final by virtue of his shutout of Arthur Abraham in November and his aesthetically displeasing points victory over Andre Dirrell in 2009.

The latter was a victory over an opponent Froch dismissed on a Thursday conference call thusly: “I’ve done more damage training myself than Andre Dirrell did.”

Dirrell is the fighter whose career will have suffered the most from this tournament. A fighter who was put in the tournament because of talent, not accomplishments, Dirrell is now in a small cadre of fighters for whom knowledgeable fans feel actual contempt.

Of the tournament’s initial participants, Jermain Taylor was retired by the tournament, Kessler was knocked out of the tournament by Ward and Froch, and Abraham was exposed as a one-dimensional strongman. But Dirrell is the only person to whom a tincture of fraud adheres.

Nothing fraudulent adheres to either of Saturday’s men. They both make honest fights. Despite the integrity of his attack, though, Johnson is somehow less knowable than Froch. Johnson is mysterious more than complicated. Froch is no mystery at all and only complicated as a question to him is dumb.

“Glen Johnson is not the sort of guy you knock out,” Froch explained Thursday, when asked if he’d be looking for a knockout. “At the top level, to go in there looking for the knockout is a little naïve or stupid.”

To ask a top-level fighter such a question, Froch implied, is a little naïve or stupid.

There is an authority in Froch’s words that comes with his British accent. Americans, whether we realize it or not, and perhaps especially when we don’t, infer great authority from British diction and word choice. Froch makes proclamations to us more than he answers our inquiries.

He is not prepared for a match; he is “ready to do the business Saturday week.” He does not underestimate his opponent, but rather says “without being cheeky at all towards Glen Johnson, he can’t beat me.”

Johnson’s English, a searching choice of words seasoned by Patois, is hesitant. Courtesy wins its highest premium. Johnson calls himself “Gentleman”; Froch calls himself “Cobra”; both men’s alter egos come through in their speech.

What also comes through, what is most important to Saturday’s fight, is a collection of qualities Froch and Johnson share: Ruggedness and politeness.

Both men understand that boxing is the one combat sport that requires an opponent’s assault. There is no championship fighter with defense so complete he will not be beaten upon by his every challenger. Thirty-six minutes across from a professional puncher is a brutal test. Froch and Johnson appreciate this and take greater umbrage with an opponent who will not punch than one who tries to separate them from consciousness.

Johnson has fought all round the world, often as a b-side, and been jobbed in numerous decisions on foreign soil. Still, he insults no opponent. Froch derides only Dirrell – the one man who didn’t hit him.

Neither man considers deriding the other. That is how you know their fight will be a fine one.

The ability to see what inverse proportionality ever exists between prefight venom and sanctioned violence is what separates aficionado from casual fan. The champions who are politest to their opponents are those that impart the greatest cruelty. They are the men who understand this question: Why get angry when you’re going to fight anyway?

The aficionado is attracted by the orderly attack to which championship prizefighters subject one another. The casual fan, meanwhile, gets giddy over buffoonery and trash-talk. The aficionado comes to boxing from his own time in gyms or other contact sports. The casual fan came on boxing the day he couldn’t find professional wrestling to watch. One demands character; the other demands characters.

Froch and Johnson promise character. There is no chance either will feign injury or shrink from conflict. Johnson will come forward and hope to find a spot on Froch’s chest to rest his forehead while he does the man bodily harm. And Froch will target Johnson’s low, charging head and try to dissuade the Jamaican forcefully as possible. Neither man expects the other to break. Each man, though, would be euphoric at leaving the other broken.

“I am fresh, fit, strong, powerful,” said Froch, Thursday. “I’ll be honest, I wish this one was 15 rounds.”

No man asks for 15 rounds with Glen Johnson. Froch might well get what he desires and not know what to do with it. Something tells you, though, that Froch wants exactly what he requests.

Those who appreciate symmetry can’t help but cheer for Froch to advance to the finals against Ward; the last two men standing of the original six, as it were. But no aficionado ever cheered against Johnson.

I’ll take Froch, UD-12, then, while cheering for both men.

Bart Barry can be reached at bbarry@15rounds.com

Omar Chavez remained undefeated with a dubious fourth round stoppage over Genaro Tazancos in a scheduled ten round Welterweight bout.

Chavez controlled the action with exception of a couple brief moments on the ropes. In round four, Chavez landed a left hook and the fight was stopped at fifty-six seconds of round four.

Chavez, 147 lbs of Culican, MX is now 26-0-1 with twenty knockouts. Trazancos, 149.9 lbs is now 22-15-1.

Alejandro Lopez scored an eight round unanimous decision over Eduardo Arcos in a bloody Featherweight bout.

Arocs was bloodied over his right eye from an accidental clash of heads in round one. He was deducted a point in round three for throwing Lopez down. Lopez landed the better shots throughout the fight which lacked rhythm.

Lopez, 126 lbs of Tijuana, Mexico won by scores of 79-72; 79-72; and 78-72 to raise his record to 21-2. Arocs, 126 1/2 lbs of Tijuana is now 16-4-1.

Moises Fuentes scored a four round split decision over Sergio Nunez in a Light Flyweight bout.

Scores were 39-37 on two cards for Fuentes while Nunez won a third card by a 39-38 Tally.

Fuentes is now 13-1. Nunez is 3-7