Concern from a sponsor and Mexican television network about controversy over Arizona’s immigration law is forcing Top Rank to move a July 17 card featuring the return of Phoenix prospect Jose Benavidez Jr. out of the state, promoter Bob Arum said.

Arum said he was told by Tecate, a Mexican beer company, and TV Azteca that they didn’t want the card in Arizona since the legislation, SB 1070, was signed into law in late April by Gov. Jan Brewer.

“As a company that promotes boxing, we’re apolitical,’’ Arum said. “But I was informed by Tecate and TV Azteca that they just don’t want us to originate anything from Arizona at this time.’’

Arum had announced on April 29 that he was planning for Benavidez to fight as a pro for the first time in his home state on July 17 on a TV Azteca-televised-card at Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino in Chandler, a Phoenix suburb.

Then, Arum said he would wait to see how the law would be applied. It won’t go into effect until after the scheduled card, or 90 days after Brewer signed it on April 23. However, there have been demonstrations against the law throughout Arizona and nationally by activists who say it will encourage racial profiling.

“For me, it’s ridiculous,’’ said Arum, who said a month ago that news reports indicated the legislation, if applied as written, prohibited profiling.

There are plans to move the July card to the Mexican city of Tijuana, according to TV Azteca. Other than boxing, Arizona has been threatened with boycotts involving other sports, including major league baseball’s 2011 All-Star Game in Phoenix. Several Suns fans threatened not to renew season tickets after the NBA team, currently in a tough series against the Los Angeles Lakers for the Western Conference title, wore uniforms that said “Los Suns”. The team, whose owner had announced his opposition to the law, wore the jersey during a playoff game against San Antonio on Cinco De Mayo.

Boxing has long been popular in Arizona, which has a big Mexican and Mexican-American fan base. Hall of Famer Michael Carbajal grew up in Phoenix. Alexis Arguello, Salvador Sanchez, Julio Cesar Chavez and Oscar De La Hoya all fought in either Phoenix and/or Tucson.

Benavidez, who just celebrated his 18th birthday, is anxious to fight in his hometown. He told Anson Wainwright in a Q-and-A for 15rounds.com that “My goals for boxing are hopefully one day to be a world champion and give back to the people that were always there to support me. Hopefully have the chance to take a world title back home to Phoenix, AZ.’’

Benavidez said Thursday he was disappointed he won’t have a chance to fight in front of friends in July.

“They’ve called and told me how much they want to see me fight at home,’’ Benavidez (5-0, 5 KOs), a junior-welterweight, said before catching a flight for Chicago where he is scheduled for his sixth pro bout at UIC Pavilion against Ronnie Peterson (2-1-, 2 KOs) of Mounds View, Minn. “Either way, I’m pretty sure people would come to see me. But it’s just not a good thing with everything going on in Arizona right now.

“It’s just something I wouldn’t feel right about. I just think it’s wrong. Someday, it will happen. I’m sure of that’’

Benavidez, who has been living in Los Angeles and training at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Hollywood since signing with top Rank several months ago, plans to enter the ring wearing a T-shirt that expresses his opposition the law. The shirt is expected to say SB 1070 with a circle and slash through it. Abner Mares, a bantamweight from Los Angeles, wore the same kind of shirt before his majority draw last Saturday with Yonnhy Perez at Staples Center.

Benavidez’ father, Jose Sr., said everybody in his son’s corner will wear T-shirts with the same message.

“We’ll also have it put on my son’s trunks if we have the time and can find somebody in Chicago to do it before the bout,’’ said Jose Benavidez, Sr., who trained his son during his amateur days near downtown Phoenix at Central Boxing, just few blocks from the state capitol where crowds of demonstrators have gathered regularly since immigration became the only fight in Arizona.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, former 140 lb world champion, Paulie Malignaggi will continue his career as he will move up in weight to welterweight and campaign in his original native country of Italy.

Malignaggi who on May 15th dropped an eleventh round knockout to Amir Khan briefly considered retirement after that bout.

“Now that I need a fight for my comeback, why not do it in Italy? I know a lot of people want to see me fight in Italy,” Malignaggi said. “This would be a chance for people there to see me live. Maybe I can get the Italian welterweight title, make it interesting.

“Financially, I don’t have to fight again. I’ve done well for myself. I don’t have to fight, but you wonder what will you do with yourself? I’m a fighter. That’s what I do. I am a fighter to the core. It’s something you miss if you stay away from it, so while I still have the option, let’s see what I can do. It might be fun to go the European route.”

“He’s not ready to hang ’em up and he’s never fought in Italy and he always wanted to fight there,” Malignaggi’s promoter Lou DiBella said. “There is interest in him fighting in his hometown, Siracusa. He said, ‘I don’t want to end on that note.’ He would like to go out better than he did in the Khan fight. Paulie wouldn’t mind spending a little bit of time fighting over in Italy, going for the Italian title, maybe the European title.”

SAN ANTONIO – The son of legendary Mexican prizefighter Julio Cesar Chavez was at the Alamodome Thursday morning. He shared the stage with Mexican prizefighting legend Marco Antonio Barrera. He posed for pictures with famous American prizefighters Jesse James Leija and Carlos Hernandez. His name was the most recognizable, though. Even if his resume was the shortest.

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. can take a big step toward finally justifying his celebrity and paychecks next month when he fights Ireland’s John Duddy in the main event of Top Rank’s “Latin Fury 15.” Chavez, who dressed in an open-collared shirt and fashionable jeans that appeared bloodstained, at Thursday’s press conference, said the right things, looked trimmer than usual, and expressed a long-overdue desire to become a great fighter.

“We are going to prove that I am ready to prove that I am ready to fight for a world title,” Chavez Jr. said from the podium.

June 26 will mark Chavez Jr.’s second match in Alamodome, his first as a headliner. And the venue has been good to La Familia Chavez.

“I am happy to be coming back to San Antonio,” Chavez Jr. said. “This is where my father set the attendance record (against Pernell Whitaker). This city has been good to us.”

Top Rank president Todd DuBoef, too, had good things to say about his company’s return to the Alamo City.

“In this show, we felt, nothing better than the Alamodome,” DuBoef said Thursday. “San Antonio is an incredible hotbed for boxing.”

ENTER FREDDIE ROACH
Chavez Jr. and his people seem to realize that John Duddy is by far the best opponent Chavez has faced in his 41-fight career of beating setup men from the Midwest. To prepare for Duddy, then, Chavez Jr. acquired the services of esteemed trainer Freddie Roach and moved his training camp to Los Angeles.

“They’ve been in L.A. the past couple of days,” DuBoef said Thursday.

Asked for an early opinion of his new trainer, Chavez Jr. didn’t wait for a translation, and even switched from Spanish to English.

“Best trainer in the world,” Chavez Jr. said of Roach.

Asked how familiar he was with John Duddy’s style, though, Chavez Jr. was a bit less emphatic.

“I know he is a fighter with a punch,” Chavez Jr. said. “He is strong. He has had many fights at middleweight.”

Next month’s fight will happen at junior middleweight, though, the lowest weight at which Duddy has ever fought. That will be six pounds lighter than Duddy was the night he decisioned Yory Boy Campas at Madison Square Garden in 2006. Chavez Jr. has yet to prove himself anywhere near Campas’ caliber. What, then, does Chavez Jr. believe he’ll have on June 26 that Campas did not?

“Campas didn’t have his youth in that fight,” Chavez Jr. said. “And I am going to be in my best form.”

Finally, Chavez Jr. listed his current weight as 175 pounds. Asked if that were a normal weight for him, one month from a fight, Chavez Jr. and his manager Fernando Beltran were both adamant.

“Better!” said Chavez Jr.

“Much better!” said Beltran.

TOP RANK’S SILENCE STILL GOLDEN
Nothing newsworthy was said Thursday of Top Rank’s negotiations with Golden Boy Promotions for a November fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.

“Nothing,” said Todd DuBoef, when asked what might be new.

And those rumors that DuBoef is in constant communication with Richard Schaefer to ensure the fight gets made?

“I haven’t had a conversation with him since December,” DuBoef said.

WBC HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

MAIN EVENT – 12 ROUNDS

Vitali “Dr. Ironfist” KLITSCHKO ALBERT “The Dragon” SOSNOWSKI

3-Time World Champion and reigning WBC Title Holder Challenger & Former European Heavyweight Champion

Los Angeles, California, USA by way of Ukraine Brentwood, Essex, UK by way of Poland

39-2 (37 KOs) 45-2-1 (27 KOs)

NABF HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

CO-FEATURE – 12 ROUNDS

JOHNATHON BANKS JASON “The Sensation” GAVERN

NABF Heavyweight Champion WBC CABOFE Champion

Detroit, Michigan, USA Kissimmee, Florida, USA

24-1 (17 KOs) 19-7-3 (8 KOs)

CRUISERWEIGHTS — 6 ROUNDS

NENDAD BOROVCANIN RAYMOND OCHIENG

Banja Luka, Bosnia Nairobi, Kenya

25-0 (18 KOs) 21-10-2 (17 KOs)

(all fights and fighters subject to change)

WHAT: “Fists Of Steel” PPV

WHEN: Saturday, May 29, 2010 – 3:00 PM/ET 12:00 PM/PT

WHERE: Veltins Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany

PROMOTER: K2 Promotions and Klitschko Management Group

PAY-PER-VIEW INFORMATION: Distributed in North America by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 3 PM/ET – 12 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, Avail-TVN and DISH Network in the United States, as well as Bell TV, Shaw PPV and Viewer’s Choice in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $24.95.

A 30-minute condensed viewing and U.S. televised debut of the March 20th IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight title fight between champion Wladimir Klitschko and challenger Eddie Chambers, as well as Johnathon Banks highlights from his NABF title-winning bout on the same card against Travis Walker, will also be shown as part of the “Fist Of Steel” PPV.

PAY-PER-VIEW ANNOUNCER: Dave Farrer, former BSKYB boxing commentator

RING ANNOUNCER: Michael Buffer

OFFICIALS (Klitschko-Sosnowski): Jay Nady, USA, referee. Ken Morita, Japan, judge;

Hubert Minn, USA, judge; Sergio Silvi, Italy, judge. WBC Supervisor, Bob Logist, Belgium.

CLICK FOR FULL EVENT INFORMATION

Last year when just 17 Jose Benavidez Jr caught many people’s attention when sparring with Amir Khan and appeared to get the better of the the British Superstar. From then on Benavidez has enjoyed the attention and works out of The Wild Card with many stars but takes it all in his stride. He debuted in January and has since fought at roughly once a month schedule building his record to a perfect 5-0(5). Though he is still a work in progress and should be someone worth keeping an eye on. He has undoubted skills that will be sharpened by Freddie Roach and his team and moved along by Top Rank who build better prospects than anyone else in the game. He seems a star in waiting, with fast hands a smooth style, personable ways and handsome hispanic looks. Here’s what Benavidez had to say.

Hello Jose, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – You moved to 5-0(5) with a First KO over Arnoldo Pacheco in Aguascalientes, Mexico. What can you tell us about the fight and what it was like fighting in Mexico?

Jose Benavidez Jnr – It was great fighting in Mexico, people were nice and cheerful. The guy i fought was shorter than me and threw haymakers so i tried to keep away from them by using my jab. I caught him with a jab straight right to the head and a body shot after that he was down and no longer continued.

Anson Wainwright – While it’s early days do you know when you’ll be in action next? How many fights are you looking to have this year, what is your schedule?

Jose Benavidez Jnr – I’m actually fighting this up coming Saturday in Chicago May 29th. I probably might fight 2, 3 more then take it a little slower pace maybe start fighting every 2 or 3 months instead of every month.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your team. Who is your manager, trainer & promoter? Also what guy do you use regularly to train at?

Jose Benavidez Jnr – I have a great team consisting of Freddie Roach as a trainer, my dad Jose Benavidez Sr as co trainer and manager and also Jim Murphy as my adviser. My promoter is Bob Arum Top Rank.

Anson Wainwright – At the Wildcard you never short of sparring partners. Can you tell us how about some of the session’s with Manny Pacquiao & Amir Khan? Also what other guys have you sparred with?

Jose Benavidez Jnr – Yes you are correct Wild Card is the place to be if you want to get the best sparring. Working with Manny Paqcuiao and Amir Khan was great considering their both world champions I learned a lot from them. Their fast, strong and by far the best sparring I could ever ask for.

Anson Wainwright – What is your earliest Boxing memory?

Jose Benevidez Jnr – My earliest boxing memory would probably be the 1st time i stepped into the gym when i was 6 years ago i still remember it like It was yesterday.

Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do away from Boxing? What are your Hobbies and Interests?

Jose Benavidez Jnr – When i’m not at the gym training I go home and get on youtube to look at cars which i also love. I like working on my cars and doing research on them. As you can see, I guess I like speed and cars that are fixed up with turbo’s, superchargers etc just hearing those turbo’s spool and the superchargers whine its amazing.

Anson Wainwright – Who is your favourite fighter growing up?

Jose Benavidez Jnr – My favourite fighters growing up were prince Naseem Hamed, Diego Corrales, Sugar Ray Leonard, Julio Cesar Chavez and Oscar De La Hoya. I liked them because they all had different styles and they were all great in their own ways.

Anson Wainwright – What are your goals in Boxing?

Jose Benavidez Jnr – My goals for boxing are hopefully one day be a world champion and give back to the people that were always their to support me. Hopefully have the chance to take a world title back home to Pheonix AZ.

Anson Wainwright – Your 5’11 do you make weight easily enough?

Jose Benavizez Jnr – I’m actually 6’0 now almost 6’1 and yeah right now making weight is easy because i’m young and have a fast metabolism so I can basically eat whatever I want and wont gain weight. But when I have a fight coming up I do try to eat more healthy and try to watch what I eat.

Anson Wainwright – Do have any message for the Boxing World?

Jose Benavidez Jnr – I want to thank everybody for being their to support me and I’m gonna keep training hard and hopefully one day i can be world champion.

Thanks for your time Jose, keep up the good work.

Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com

WBO JUNIOR FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

MAIN EVENT – 12 ROUNDS

WILFREDO “WV2” VAZQUEZ, JR. ZSOLT “Mr. Lefthook” BEDAK

WBO Junior Featherweight Champion/The Ring #9 WBO # 1 Contender/European Champion

Bayamon, Puerto Rico Hamburg, Germany by way of Hungary

18-0-1 (15 KOs) 14-0-1 (12 KOs)

WBO JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

CO-FEATURE – 12 ROUNDS

ROMAN “Rocky” MARTINEZ GONZALO “El Destructor’ MUNGIA

WBO Super Featherweight Champion/The Ring #3 WBO #10/WBO Latino Champion

Vega Baja, Puerto Leon, Nicaragua

23-0-1 (14 KOs) 17-6-3 (13 KOs)

WBO FEMALE SUPER WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

10 ROUNDS

HANNA GABRIEL GARDY PENA

San Jose, Costa Rica Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

9-0-1 (5 KOs) 9-1-2 (6 KOs)

4 ROUNDS – FLYWEIGHTS

McWILLIAMS ARROYO SAMUEL GUTIERREZ

2008 Puerto Rican Olympian

San Juan, Puerto Rico Coahuila de Zaragoza, Mexico

1-0 (1 KO) 5-6-1 (0 KOs)

4 ROUNDS – BANTAMWEIGHTS

McJOE ARROYO ROBERT GUILLEN

2008 Puerto Rican Olympian

San Juan, Puerto Rico Glendale, Arizona, USA

1-0 (1 KO) 5-7-3 (1 KO)

(ALL FIGHTS & FIGHTERS SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

WHEN: Saturday, May 29, 2010 – 9 PM/ET 6 PM/PT

WHERE: Bayamon, Puerto Rico

PROMOTER: PR Best Boxing in association with All Star Boxing

PAY-PER-VIEW INFORMATION: Distributed in the United States by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 9 PM/ET – 6 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, and DISH Network for a suggested retail price of only $34.95.

PAY-PER-VIEW ANNOUNCERS: World Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Col. Bob Sheridan (blow-by-blow) and former NFL player and veteran boxing announcer Benny Ricardo (color analyst).

CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS EVENT

The Super Six remains the best thing to happen to our sport since Vazquez-Marquez III. (Bart Barry for 15rounds.com)

With the biggest mixed martial arts weekend in Las Vegas’ history just days away, the city’s premier amateur fight organization has finalized a pair of action-packed fight cards.

Fans flocking to Las Vegas for the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s “UFC 114: Jackson vs. Evans” event, as well the second-ever UFC Fan Expo, can also attend a pair of affordably priced events featuring some of the brightest prospects in the nation at the Orleans Hotel & Casino.

And for those fight fans unable to make the shows, Tuff-N-Uff has teamed up with GoFightLive.com to stream both cards to you live for one low price of $9.99.

Tuff-N-Uff invades the Orleans Hotel & Casino’s Mardi Gras Ballroom on Friday night, May 28, and then returns for even more fighting action on Sunday evening, May 30.

Tickets for both events, which start at just $25, are available at the Orleans Hotel & Casino’s box office or online at OrleansCasino.com and TuffNUff.net.

Tuff-N-Uff officials will also be distributing $5-off coupons at the UFC Fan Expo, while anyone with a Military ID is also entitled to a $5 discount on tickets.

Included among Friday’s 14 contests will be a 115-pound female title fight between undefeated Missouri resident Ashley Cummins (4-0) and the hard-hitting Gabriella Lakoczky (1-1), as well as a Las Vegas-area grudge match between wrestling stalwarts Greg Gifford (1-0) – a Las Vegas High School wrestling coach who put together an 80-1 record in his final two high-school wrestling seasons – and veteran Weston Duschen (3-6), who fought in the first sanctioned amateur MMA card in Las Vegas.

In another intriguing matchup undefeated Xtreme Couture prospect Jake Swinney (2-0) meets former NFL prospect Chris Camacho (2-0).

Also on the card are appearances by five-time Tuff-N-Uff veteran Jimmy Spicuzza (4-2) and UFC president Dana White’s cousin, Justin Vadnais (0-2).

In additional action, a pair of undefeated lightweights meet as Spiritwolf MMA’s Paul Blancaflor (2-0) faces Fasi Sports’ Dustin Bredwick (1-0).

Sunday’s 12-bout fight card is anchored by Striking Unlimited bantamweight Maurice Senters (3-2) against Legend MMA’s Chris Brady (4-6). The co-feature sees a pair of undefeated 250-pound brawlers square off as Kevin Absher (1-0) faces Chris Simmons (1-0).

Female 135-pounders Robin Hartman (2-2) and Emily Peters-Kagan (1-0) face off, while undefeated prospects Sedrick Sweet (1-0), Lee Henry Lilly (2-0) and Ahmed Sanchez (1-0) will also appear on the card.

In addition to the weekend’s featured matchups, a full lineup of aspiring amateur fighters from some of the world’s top academies, including Excel Defense, Fasi Sports, Legends MMA, Striking Unlimited, TapouT Las Vegas, Throwdown, Wand Fight Team and Xtreme Couture will compete at Tuff-N-Uff’s dual Memorial Day weekend events.

Both nights’ full fight cards are available for viewing at TuffNUff.net.

Come see the future stars of mixed martial arts.

CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE EVENT

Carlos Tamara was clearly behind against IBF junior flyweight champion Brian Viloria midway through their January 23 bout, but overcame far too much to let short term frustrations deter his championship dreams.

Tamara, like most immigrants, came to America in search of a better life. From the moment he turned pro, Tamara envisioned a world title strapped around his waist and enough financial security to provide a happy life for his two young daughters back home in Colombia.

“Since day one, my biggest goal was to make my family better off financially” said Tamara, who grew up dirt poor.

Things didn’t go as planned.

Fours years after representing his homeland in the 2004 Olympics, Tamara was in Miami, Florida wondering what went wrong. Three controversial losses and a one sided defeat to WBO flyweight champion Omar Narvaez put him in a tough spot. He received a paltry $2,000 for a 12 rounder against future world champion Giovanni Segura, while walking away with just $5,000 for fighting in Narvaez’ home country.

At a time where everything was going wrong and his career was on a downward spiral, Tamara got back on track by defeating fellow comebacking contender Juan Esquer. The Esquer fight was a huge breath of fresh air; just not financially.

Shortly after defeating the highly regarded Esquer, Tamara, now a world rated contender, couldn’t afford his rent and was hours away from living on the streets. A dispute with then manager Tony Gonzalez left him with one final prayer to avoid being homeless; a call to trainer Butch Sanchez in New Jersey. Sanchez quickly agreed to let Tamara live in his house and continued to train him along with Angel “Ping” DeJesus.

“Carlos was 24 hours away from being homeless”, said Nelson Fernandez, who now manages Tamara. “It was a bad situation for him in Miami and he was in need of help. We had to take care of him not just because he is my fighter, but because he is a human being and nobody (deserves to be homeless).”

Things in North Bergen, NJ quickly looked far brighter than they did in sunny Miami.

Even with more than a year of inactivity by the time numerous situations were sorted out, Tamara maintained a top ten world ranking by the International Boxing Federation at junior flyweight. He scored two nondescript victories in Colombia before the opportunity of a lifetime presented itself; a bout with Viloria.

Tamara knew this was his chance to shine.

Viloria was a well regarded and skilled champion, but unbalanced performances made him a vulnerable target for one of the sport’s hungriest fighters. With another defeat likely knocking him out of contention in the immediate future, Tamara had a tremendous training camp at the Hackensack Police Athletic League gym and was ready for whatever his opponent had to offer. He was an inspired fighter confident of victory, but once the bell rang, he was having a difficult time.

Viloria was boxing his way to victory, tagging the aggressive Tamara with hard punches to both the body and head. His terrific start was met by cheers from 12,000 fans at the Cuneta Astrodome in the Philippines. Although Tamara never stopped giving it his all, the champion continued to control the fight and Viloria by decision was the census opinion amongst ringsiders. This was until the bell rang singling the 8th.

Viloria’s punch output drastically decreased and he appeared to tire out from a high workrate in the earlier rounds ala Miguel Cotto against Antonio Margarito. Tamara continued to press the fight and Viloria was now struggling to keep him off. Tamara seemingly had everlasting stamina, as Viloria’s best shots couldn’t slow him down.

Viloria was nearly stopped on his feet during a dramatic 11th round, where an onslaught of punch came oh so close to ending his night in stunning fashion. With three minutes left in the biggest fight of his life and a major swing in momentum, Tamara went for the kill.

Viloria was damaged goods from the bell singling the start of the 12th. He was barely able to stand and it was evident he had nothing left to keep one off one of the hungriest fighters in boxing. The championship that he dreamed of since turning pro was as close as it had ever been. Tamara wasn’t going to let it fall through the cracks.

Tamara swarmed Viloria, who twice hit the canvas due to exhaustion. The same fighter who was cruising to victory early on was now hanging on for dear life. He wasn’t able to hang on much longer.

With Viloria lifeless near the ropes, Tamara tagged him with a multi punch combination, forcing referee Bruce McTavish to save the defenseless Viloria from further punishment. Mission accomplished.

“I am a twelve round fighter (not a four round fighter)”, Tamara said shortly after his victory. “My plan all along was to start building momentum and peak during the championship rounds.”

With the stamina of a horse and heart of a lion, Carlos Tamara officially became a world champion. The long term sacrifices were now all worth it. The same man who was close to being homeless was now in the driver’s seat and thinking about a unification bout.

“I (wanted) to fight (lineal world champion Ivan) Calderon since he has been the number one guy in the division”, exclaimed Tamara. “People (have been proposing) that fight since I took out Viloria and I am all for it”.

With Calderon tied up in the immediate future, Tamara will have to wait for his crack at the number one fighter in his division, but the show must go on.

This Saturday, Tamara returns to the lion’s den for his first title defense when he takes on hometown favorite Luis Lazarte of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Having fought for a world title five times, Lazarte is expected to present difficulties for Tamara, thus is more than just an opponent.

“Lazarte is (definitely an) extremely hungry (fighter)” said Tamara. “(This is) his last hurrah, so I (expect him to be) hungry and (do everything in his power to) take my title. I’m still hungry and I have a lot of personal goals to fulfill, (so) Lazarte better come in the shape (or he’ll have) no chance.”

The length of Tamara’s heroic run remains to be seen. A victory on Saturday night propels him into a tough mandatory defense against former titleholder Ulises Solis, but regardless of how long he remains champion or the amount of money he makes, Tamara will forever serve as a prime example of how hard work, dedication and perseverance can overcome life’s ultimate hardships.

15rounds.com Claudia Bocanegra was on hand at Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn, New York to capture WBA Super Welterweight champion Yuri Foreman workout in advance of his big title defense against Miguel Cotto on June 5th at Yankee Stadium

I’m writing a letter, not because it’s the 50th anniversary of anything, not to celebrate a birthday or any other benchmark, not because I believe you will ever read this but because I believe I am one of millions of people that owes you a thank you.

In a world where reality tv characters are pop culture icons, and we know more about our favorite movie stars than our own families, I often ask myself why we care so much about people we’ve never met nor will meet. Yet, here I am writing a letter to a man that it is safe to say I will never meet, thanking him for events I wasn’t even born t to see. What sets you apart? Easy, you shook up the world, with an aftershock so profound the trembling can be felt a half century later.

Will I ever shake up the world? Probably not. Will anyone ever do so the way you did? Also doubtful, but the image of a 22 year old Cassius Clay breaking free from his entourage, jumping onto the ropes and pointing into the crowd of critics, almost as if to count the men that doubted he could beat Sonny Liston that night never fails to give me the idea that anything in the world is possible.

Having the audacity, at age 22, to look the world in the eye and say “I told you so” is something you have to take for yourself, and that night Cassius Clay grabbed it with no intention of giving it back.
46 years after you captured your first world title, a cold reality has long been established, and a man that once bounded around the ring with an innovative grace has been dramatically slowed and withered by Parkinson’s Disease. The same hands that stunned the sports world by knocking out George Foreman are now plagued by tremors, and the feet that shuffled around the canvas in a manner that no one had ever seen at that time are now bound to a wheelchair. The mouth that had the audacity to fearlessly shoot off at the government, the business, and any man that stood across the ring from him has been all but silenced. Although you are not the same man today that you were in 1960, 1965, or 1980 for that matter, the story of a man daring to tell the world “I told you so” has been told, and can never be untold. A man that announced his greatness over and over, until it became true.

Few men have been as loved as well as hated to the degree that Muhammad Ali has, but it takes something special to evoke that kind of emotion. Mothers, fathers, husbands and wives often have that power, the ability to inspire, anger, and break a person’s heart. You have to give yourself over to someone entirely to give them that power, and Muhammad Ali was this person to the entire globe.
I write this letter as a thank you note, for changing the landscape of the sports world, and in many ways American culture. For giving boxing an icon unlike anything else. In a sport that is said to be dying a glimmer of hope can be found in the image of Muhammad Ali lighting the torch at the 1996 Olympic Games, and the realization is that one of the most influential human beings of all time was a boxer.

A thank you note, addressed to two men, Muhammad Ali, who with hands that tremble with Parkinson’s Disease is still able to grab the world’s attention, and make people fall in love with him all over again, and a 22 year old Cassisus clay. The same Cassius Clay who’s image is frozen in time as he informs the world that he is indeed the greatest of all time.

You shook up the world champ. Rumble young man, rumble.

Wilfredo Vazquez, Jr.: “We are prepared to defend the title and look good to my people. That’s what we intend to do – a good job. My condition is the best from working with my dad (former world champion Wilfredo Vazquez, Sr.) and my team. I know Bedak is disregarding me because of my little experience in boxing, but everybody should know I’ve trained real hard to keep my title.”

Zsolt Bedak: “Our training has been strong (he is trained by former world champion Artur Grigorian) and I have come here to take the title. We’ve come to put on a great show and go home with a victory.”

Rocky Martinez: “All I want is the day of the fight to come because I’m in tremendous shape and I want to defend the title again. We are prepared for whatever my opponent brings (Gonzalo) Mungia has been talking a lot. He has a mouth but everything will come out in the ring.”

WHEN: Saturday, May 29, 2010 – 9 PM/ET 6 PM/PT

WHERE: Bayamon, Puerto Rico

PROMOTER: PR Best Boxing in association with All Star Boxing

PAY-PER-VIEW INFORMATION: Distributed in the United States by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 9 PM/ET – 6 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, and DISH Network, for a suggested retail price of only $34.95.

PAY-PER-VIEW ANNOUNCERS: World Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Col. Bob Sheridan (blow-by-blow) and former NFL player and veteran boxing announcer Benny Ricardo (color analyst).

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According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, former welterweight and Jr. Welterweight champion, Zab Judah has re-signed with the company that started his career in 1996, that being Main Events.

“I like to finish how I started so we teamed up with Main Events, we crossed the water to team up with Prudential Center, and I’m back,” said Judah, a Brooklyn, N.Y., native.

“We at Main Events are thrilled to welcome Zab back home,” Main Events CEO Kathy Duva said. “We were fortunate to have been involved with Zab throughout much of his early boxing career, so we know firsthand what a compelling personality and exciting fighter Zab is. Zab brings with him the kind of fan base necessary to fill a big arena and we look forward to packing Prudential Center when he makes his debut there in July.”

Aaron “The Hawk” Pryor will arrive in North Jersey, Wednesday, May 26 for a 2:00pm Press Conference to be held at 3 EAST BAR and GRILL, 217 Old State RT 3,Secaucus, New Jersey 07094, (201) 210-2094. The legendary WBA and IBF World Jr. Welterweight Champion will be accompanied by his son Aaron Pryor Jr.

The Pryor’s along with Vincent Ponte and Don Elbaum will be holding the press conference to announce an upcoming boxing event to be held Sunday, June 13 in Philadelphia. The show will take place at the Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing.

Aaron Pryor Jr 13-2 10ko, of Cincinnati OH, will headline the afternoon show, in his 2nd fight under Gulfstream’s supervision, in an 8 rd, Super Middleweight bout. North Jersey boxers will be well represented on the upcoming event and will be in attendance at the press conference. Ossie Duran 24-8-2 9ko of Paterson NJ, will see action in an 8rd Jr. Middleweight bout. Duran’s opponent Jerome Ellis 12-11-2 10ko, ranked #1 Jr Middleweight in the Bahamas now residing in NJ will also be at 3 East. 3-2-1 1ko, Featherweight Jose Ortiz of Jersey City will be at the press conference with his manager and trainer former Contenders TV star Freddy Curiel. Budding Jersey City, Cruiserweight sensation 5-0 3ko Patrick Farrell will be there as will Union City rising Super Middleweight, Jason Escalara 8-0 7ko.

The press conference will be open to the public, with an opportunity to meet “The Hawk” as well as the other fighters, Information will be provided on ticket availability for the June 13 event, the first in a series of shows. Plans are in the works for a follow up show to be held out doors in North Jersey.

PRESS CONFERENCE
WEDNESDAY, MAY 26, 2:00 PM

3 EAST BAR and GRILL,
217 Old State RT 3,
Secaucus, New Jersey 07094
(201) 210-2094

PHILADELPHIA (May 24, 2010)—On Sunday afternoon, June 13th A big day of boxing is planned for the beautiful Hyatt Regency along the Philadelphia waterfront that will be headlined by the son of the legend, Aaron Pryor Jr.

The card is promoted by Joey Eye Boxing.

Pryor of Cincinnati, Ohio has an impressive mark of 13-2 with ten knockouts will face an opponent to be named later in a scheduled eight round main event.

Pryor has followed in the footsteps of his father and hall of famer, Aaron “The Hawk” Pryor and is looking for a major fight.

Pryor, thirty-one years old, won his first eleven fights, eight by knockout until he dropped an eight round split decision to Joshua Snyder (7-3-1). Pryor holds a third round knockout over former U.S. Olympian, Dante Craig (17-7-1) as well as a unanimous decision over tough veteran Alphonso Williams (10-3).

In his last bout, Pryor scored an eighth round stoppage over Kendall Gould (12-14-1) on April 9th in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

In a co-feature bout, veteran Jr. Middleweight Ossie Duran will see action in an eight round bout against battle tested Jerome Ellis.

Duran of Paterson, NJ by way of Accra, Ghana is a very rugged customer who has fought top opposition to say the least.

In 2004, he scored an impressive stoppage over highly regarded Jamie Moore (20-1) in Moor’s home area in the United Kingdom.

In his next bout, Duran won the British Commonwealth title with a twelve round unanimous decision over than undefeated Colin McNeil (8-0). He lost that belt in his next bout to British favorite Bradley Pryce.

He then went on to win three straight including an eight round unanimous decision over former Contender Season one contestant Jonathan Reid.

Duran then stepped up the competition even further as he took knockout artist James Kirkland (18-0) the distance before dropping a unanimous decision. After a draw with capable Eromesele Albert (21-2), Duran went the distance with world ranked Middleweight David Lopez (37-12) and losing a close majority decision to hot prospect Fernando Guerrero (15-0).

In his last bout, Duran scored a four round unanimous decision over Jamaal Davis (11-5) on February 27th in Atlantic City.

Ellis of Coconut Creek, Florida by way of Nassau, Bahamas has a very deceiving record of 12-11-1 with ten knockouts as he has faced very tough competition.

Ellis won his first five bout before dropping two in a row with the latter being to currant world ranked Welterweight Said Ouali. In Ellis’ next nine bouts he went 7-1-1 with his only defeat to than 17-1 Anthony Thompson.

The last bout in that nine fight run was a upset knockout over than 28-4 Neil Sinclair that was televised on ESPN 2.

To say the sledding got rough for Ellis would be an understatement as he went 0-5-1 in his next six bouts.

That unfortunate run consisted of losses to world title challengers Billy Lyell (13-3) and Miguel Rodriguez (28-2) and undefeated prospects in Henry Crawford (18-0-1).

Ellis was able to salvage a draw against than 24-2 Richard Gutierrez.

The tough matchups have continued for Ellis as he has lost three of his last four against type-flight competition that includes a majority decision loss to hot welterweight prospect Antwone Smith, undefeated prospect Shawn Porter and in his last bout to former star of the Contender Ahmed Kaddour (21-2-1).

Undefeated cruiserweight Julio Cesar Matthews (9-0, 5 KO’s) of Reading, PA will take on Philadelphia banger, Garrett Wilson (7-4, 2 KO’s) in a six round bout.

Popular Jr. Welterweight, Elad Shmouel (22-2, 11 KO’s) of Tel Aviv, Israel will fight in a scheduled six round bout.

Undefeated Light Heavyweight, Jason Escalera (8-0, 7 KO’s) will be involved in a bout scheduled for four rounds.

Undefeated Cruiserweight, Patrick Farrell (5-0, 3 KO’s) will take on opponent to be named later in a four round bout.

In a four round Super Featherweight bout, Ryan Carson (2-0, 1 KO) will take part in a four round fight.

In a four round Heavyweight bout, Andres Gustaffson (4-0, 2 KO’s) of Norrkoping, Sweden will take on an opponent to be named in a four round bout.

Rounding out the card will be the immensely popular Elizabeth Sherman (2-0, 1KO) of Raritan, NJ taking part in a ladies four round bout.

Tickets for this great day of Boxing are priced at $45, $75 and $100 and can be purchased by calling Joey Eye Boxing at 267-304-9399 or Center Stage Tickets at 1 800 – 677-8499

1st bell is at 2pm eastern

The Hyatt Regency is located at 201 South Columbus Blvd

LOS ANGELES – In the hot blood that came immediately after his loss, blood that had streamed in his left eye and made a red mask of his face yet again, Israel Vazquez expressed a desire to fight Rafael Marquez a fifth time, to break their tie. Thirty minutes later, when everyone’s blood had cooled, Vazquez’s promoter Oscar De La Hoya shared a wiser sentiment.

“It’s 2-2,” De La Hoya said, “and that’s the way that it should be.”

Saturday in Staples Center, Vazquez and Marquez made an unusual fourth fight that ended at 1:33 of round 3 when referee Raul Caiz Jr. astutely read Vazquez’s body language and precluded any further damage from being done to one Mexico City native by the other. Before Vazquez could drop to the canvas a second time, Caiz stepped in front of Marquez and waived the end. Marquez had evened the series. There was no reason to fight any more.

Finally, there was little reason for Vazquez and Marquez to have made their legendary trilogy into a disappointing tetralogy. If any energy coursed through Staples Center during the Friday weigh-in and Saturday undercard, it was an obligated sort. Those of us present showed dutifulness more than excitement. The larger venue and paychecks, too, were more honorary than celebratory:

We’d like to give you guys an apt send-off and pension, but to do it, unfortunately we’re going to need you to fight once more.

Vazquez and Marquez obliged – or should it now be Marquez before Vazquez? – and made an uneven end to their fantastically even beginning and middle. But if the fourth fight had to happen, its conclusion was unexpectedly merciful. For that we should be grateful.

Throughout, there was an appropriate theme of unity. Both men were Mexicans, world champions and gentlemen. This theme happened best during ring walks, when for the first time in memory, two fighters shared the same band, a Mexican mariachi group that paid homage to “La Patria.” The Staples Center crowd of 9,236 – a couple thousand more than attended Vazquez-Marquez III in nearby Carson, Calif. – was predominantly Mexican, too, if smaller than hoped.

If there was a moment that reminded you of the last time Vazquez and Marquez fought, it came in the opening seconds. The two men touched jabs more than gloves, and then Vazquez tossed a wild right hand Marquez’s way. It said, “We both know how you were at the end of our third fight, why don’t we pick things up right there?”

That was Vazquez’s most confident moment of the night and perhaps his last. Asked afterwards when he knew his opponent was in trouble, Rafael Marquez said he felt it on the end of his jab in round 1. As he once more sunk knuckles in Vazquez’s flesh, that is, Marquez noted something less resolved, a bit softer, somewhat less steeled. Fighters do sense that sort of thing; it’s a requisite tool in the box when your craft is hurting other men.

Ringsiders would not notice the slice Marquez put beneath Vazquez’s left eyebrow till it became gruesome in round 2. But it was there. Even from 30 feet away, a redness could be seen over Vazquez’s damaged eye in the first minute. And looking at pictures from early in Saturday’s fight, you now see darker blemishes in the tissue than the rosy hue that has dusted Vazquez’s eyebrows at his public appearances since 2008. Were it anyone else, you’d wonder if some handler had taught the man how to apply makeup en route to press conferences and award ceremonies, to ward away errant inquiries from careful journalists.

Marquez’s masterful right hand, among the finest seen in a generation, instantly knew better. It quickly took the flesh over Vazquez’s eye from nick to gash to wound.

“You could see the bone,” explained Vazquez’s veteran cut man Miguel Diaz afterwards. “You cannot stop these things with the medicine that we have.”

Then you stop the fight! Well, yes. Or maybe no.

Better that you do what Vazquez’s corner did. You tell your charge he gets one more round. You give him a last chance to measure himself, and you hope nothing gets permanently altered within him but his desire to fight on. And so, in the third round of his fourth fight with Rafael Marquez, Israel Vazquez relented.

He went down differently than he’d gone down in the fourth round of their third fight. He didn’t get knocked to the canvas by a concussive blow. He blindly wandered into a Marquez right cross, instead, and kneeled hopelessly. It was a distress signal from one of prizefighting’s noblest men. All read it. And had Caiz not closed things a few seconds later, Vazquez’s corner would have.

Had the fight been stopped by a ringside physician after round 2, the prospect of Vazquez-Marquez V would haunt both men, and their managers, and their fans. Were Vazquez able to attribute his loss to an accident of some kind, chances are good some of us would have to make another trek to California and see things to their bitter end. Who, after all, would deserve another chance if not Israel Vazquez?

No, it ended better this way. Vazquez was beaten, his incredible will subdued. Pushed for a retirement announcement at the post-fight press conference, he used the Spanish verb “meditar” – to meditate. He and his family will meditate on his future, think about it thoroughly, and see what it holds for them.

Those of us who came to this city to honor Vazquez and Marquez, to stiffen the ranks on press row or stand and cheer the men’s sacrifices as they walked to the ring, could never return for a fifth fight. All the reasons that brought us to this one would bar us from another.

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

Say what you want about Peter Manfredo Jr., but even his staunchest detractors have to admit he makes a good fight. Manfredo Jr. comes to fight every time out and though he may never be upper echelon, he certainly will always be fun to watch. His fight tonight at the Mohegan Sun Casino with fellow middleweight Angel Hernandez was perhaps Manfredo Jr.’s best pure action performance ever. Hernandez didn’t come to lay down and the result was 10 rounds of back and forth action.

The first round of the fight did not go well for Manfredo Jr. as he was pushed into the ropes by the onrushing Hernandez and ate a number of good shots as he struggled to take the fight to the center of the ring. This would be a constant struggle for him over the course of the fight as Hernan

After going toe to toe in an eagerly awaited fight where neither guy lost anything and both guys helped there cause for future paydays. Both Perez & Mares former amateur rivals and good friends squared off for the first time as pro’s though not likely the last time. Over twelve fast paced rounds 2 of the 3 judges couldn’t separate them.

Proceedings started with Gary Shaw talking about Yonnhy Perez saying how fond he was of him “Yonnhy truly is one of the sweetest people i’ve ever met, he’s very loyal”

He continued with a story about Perez. “When Yonnhy won his last fight we (Shaw & Alex Camponovo who is Thompson’s general manager) said we’d come and visit him in Colombia. We flew over and stayed in a nice hotel and then drove to Yonnhy’s house. On the way the neighbourhoods got worse the streets weren’t paved. We arrived at Yonnhy’s house it was made from Cinderblock and there were curtains hanging in the door ways inside acting as doors there were openings for windows but no windows. I said we need to give him some money. If he wins his next fight he can move to a nicer neighbourhood”

To which Perez answered “I will never leave, this is my home, these are my people, this is where i live”

If that’s not enough to show how humble Perez is then Shaw added that Perez stays at trainer Danny Zamora’s home when he’s in America training and sends all his money home each month to his family except $400 which is what he uses for his rent and food.

“Danny is one of the best trainers around” Shaw added when talking about Perez long-time trainer.

Shaw continued saying he’d speak to Richard Schaefer about a rematch but also added he will also speak to Fernando Beltran who was on hand about a possible fight with newly minted WBC/WBO champion Fernando Montiel. It also came to light that Perez had hurt his hand in the fourth or fifth round the extent of the injury wasn’t divulged.

At this time it was Perez turn to take the podium “Thank you guys, you saw a great fight, Abner’s a great fighter and friend”

“Abner will become a world champion. He has four ways WBC, WBA & WBO but not by winning the IBF title”

“You guys are on about a rematch but where going to sit down and see. Darchinyan called me out and that’s a fight i want”

Next to the dais was Oscar De La Hoya turned the assembled pressroom’s attention to his guy “Yonnhy gave a great fight, but we witnessed a star in Abner, we feel we have a great fighter”

Mares next took his time to speak “You guys saw a great fight, i showed i’m a warrior but i won the fight”

“I fight for the people and the people saw i won the fight”

“Lets do a rematch”

“Yonny didn’t close like a champion in the twelfth i did”

Quick to speak up for his man Gary Shaw countered “Abner your good looking, you speak two languages. But Yonnhy came in with the belt and left with it. You need to remain humble”

At this point Rafeal Marquez & Israel Vazquez entered the press room.

It was announced the live gate was 9,200 generating gate receipts of 549,000.

LOS ANGELES – Despite bleeding profusely from both eyes before 10 minutes of combat were up, Israel Vazquez never retreated in his fourth match with Rafael Marquez. He made no backwards laps round the ring, a tactic that, in boxing parlance, is called “getting on your bicycle.”

Unfortunately, a number of local aficionados who might otherwise have been at Staples Center to honor Vazquez and Marquez in “Once and Four All” were unable to make it – mostly because so many men were on their bicycles outside.

Saturday’s crowd arrived late and, with an announced attendance of 9,236, was perhaps a few thousand lighter than hoped and many thousands fewer than deserved. Blame the Amgen Tour of California bicycle race time trials, which began just outside Staples Center, at L.A. Live, round 1:00 p.m., causing street closures and barricades all round the arena ticket office and main entrance till about 5:00 p.m.

“Parking was a nightmare” was the theme on press row. This caused one prominent scribe to ask, “How many Mexicans got within a mile of the stadium, saw the road closures, and went home to watch on television?”

A fair question. Both main-event fighters hail from Mexico City. Mexican fight crowds are known throughout boxing as “walk-up crowds” – those that buy tickets at the box office the day of a fight. That raised an interesting question: What happens to a walk-up crowd, if it can’t?

The upper deck was closed Saturday, and good seats were available for $25. But to collect a ticket from will call at 2:50 p.m., 10 minutes before doors were originally scheduled to open, required a security escort and a long stroll round the outside of the arena. Ticket buyers, too, were required to wait till their escort returned – so fearful were the Amgen organizers that fight fans might abscond with free food from one of their otherwise empty tents.

When the first bell rang at 4 p.m., fewer than 500 people were in the arena. Standard attendance for Las Vegas, but disappointing for Southern California.

One fight fan who strolled through the front door, ticket in hand, was trainer Freddie Roach, who performed as Israel Vazquez’s chief second in the first match of the Vazquez-Marquez tetralogy, in 2007.

Asked if he’d had to buy his ticket, Roach gave a big smile.

“No,” he said. “They gave it to me.”

Pressed for an insider’s view of what might happen, Roach was quick to concede he was no insider at Vazquez-Marquez IV.

“I don’t know,” he said. “I don’t know anything you don’t.”

Shortly before Vazquez-Marquez II, when he was no longer training Vazquez, Roach said that he wished Vazquez would retire. He felt his former charge was taking too much punishment and no longer the fighter he’d previously been. Vazquez would prove his old trainer wrong a few months later.

Saturday, fans learned that Roach was not wrong – just early.

LOS ANGELES – In the end, a fourth time meant most of the punches and all of the momentum were there for Rafael Marquez.

For Israel Vazquez, there was only blood, which flowed like tears from deep wounds near both eyes.
For their memorable series, it was the fourth and probably the final time. A fifth isn’t necessary, although both said they would agree to another chapter if the fans asked for one.

If the fans don’t demand another encore, however, the end came Saturday night at Staples Center with two victories for each. The fourth, this time at featherweight, belonged to Marquez (38-6, 35 KOs) for nearly three full rounds of one-sided violence for which Vazquez (44-5, 33 KOs) simply had no counter.

Before opening bell, the theory was that Marquez would win, outlast, Vazquez because he had endured less damage in the first three fights. Only the outlast part was wrong, horribly wrong. Long-term damage to Vazquez erupted quickly.

A sharply-thrown right, laser-like in accuracy and effect, from Marquez opened up a huge cut above Vazquez’ left eye at the end of the first. Throughout the second, Vazquez struggled to see through the flood of blood that collected like a pool in an already scarred eye that had been damaged in his prior fights with Marquez.

“That was the plan,’’ Marquez said. “Go directly to the eyes.’’

Only the sight of blood, his own, told Vazquez that he was in trouble

“He hit me with a good shot and my eye just opened,’’ said Vazquez, whose cut-man, Miguel Diaz,said the cut was so deep that he could see bone.

After the second, Marquez knew he was close to finishing the fight and probably the rivalry with his own kind punctuation. Before heading to his corner before the start of the third, he stopped along the ropes and said something to his management team, Gary Shaw and Fernando Beltran. But Shaw and Beltran didn’t have to look in Marquez’ eyes to know what was about to happen. They could see it in Vazquez’s eye.

In the third round, a clash of heads, a butt, wounded Vazquez above his right eye. More blood flowed He went down to one knee, as if to forestall the inevitable. Moments later, referee Raul Caiz, Jr. stepped in, ending it and perhaps the series with a stoppage at 1:33 of the third.

Before Marquez’ quick stoppage of his old rival, Yhonny Perez and Abner Mares put together a performance that would have been worth a rematch regardless of the scores on the judges’ cards. Their brilliance through 12 rounds screamed for an encore. So did the fans. As it turned out, a rematch was – is – in the cards. The judges virtually guaranteed with a majority draw.

Gwen Adair of Beverly Hills, Calif., and Regina Williams of Atlantic City, N.J., each scored it 114-114. Marty Denkin of of West Covina, Calif., gave it to Mares, 115-113.

“I’m really sad,’’ said Mares (20-0-1, 13 KOs), who grew up in Southern California and was the crowd favorite. “I thought I won the fight and I’m not the only who thought that.’’

In the twelfth and final round, It looked as if Mares was close to knocking out Perez (20-0-1, 14 KOs), a Colombian and the International Boxing Federation’s bantamweight champion. Mares rocked Perez with a beautifully-executed, left-right combination.

During the middle rounds, however, Mares backpedaled as though he was wary of Perez’s power, which was displayed with an uppercut that hurt Mares in the third. Mares on the run angered fans, who booed him. But he quickly won them back over in the later rounds when the two fighters switched styles. Mares moved forward and Perez began to back away.

“I won this fight,’’ said Perez, who waved a Colombian flag at the predominantly Mexican and Mexican-American crowd after the final bell. “It was not a draw. I’m willing to fight a rematch. But it’s up to my promoters.”

There’s not much to decide. Promoters do more than count. They can read too. They know what’s in the cards.

Off TV, but on the undercard:
The best came from Los Angeles junior-middleweight Rodrigo Garcia (7-0, 5 KOs), whose hands were as heavy as they were unstoppable for the second third and fourth rounds in a stubborn assault that left Taronze Washington (14-13, 7 KOS) of Dallas with a bloody nose and a loss by unanimous decision.

The rest: Unbeaten junior-lightweight Ronny Rios (11-, 5 KOs) of Santa Ana, Calif., got the show started with unanimous decision over Guadalupe De Leon (8-11, 4 KOs) of Weslaco, Tex., hours before Vazquez and Marquez turned their trilogy into a four-peat. Rios scored in the early moments with sharp combinations, then sustained his pace and advantage.

And in a junior welterweight bout, Carlos Molina (12-0, 6 KOs) of Los Angeles threw the sharper punches for a unanimous decision over Mexican Humberto Tapia (15-13-1, 8 KOs).

15rounds’ Matt Yanofsky exclusively goes 1 on 1 with unbeaten 140 lb contender Joan Guzman. Guzman, a former two division world champion, also informed us of his upcoming bout July 31 against Joel Casamayor. Here is what he had to say.
click-to-listen-to-joan-guzman

Sharif Bogerie dominated and stopped Ilido Julio in round five of a scheduled ten round Super Lightweight bout at Sundance Square in Fort Worth, Texas.

Bogerie was all over Julio and dropped Julio through the ropes at the end of the first round but referee Laurence Cole ruled it a slip. Bogerie was the naturally bigger man as the he used that to his advantage and this bout was never competitive. Cole stopped the bout ten seconds into the fifth round.

Bogerie, 138 1/2 lbs of Kampala, Uganda is now 16-0 with ten knockouts. Julio, 139 lbs of Carepa, Colombia is now 41-17-1.

In a terrific back and forth brawl, Eddie Ramirez scored a unanimous decision over Arthur Trevino in a four round Super Featherweight bout.

Both guys were rocked throughout the bout with Ramirez landing more consistent.

Scores were 39-37 on all cards for Ramirez, 130 lbs of Laredo, TX and is now 5-2-1. Trevino, 130 lbs of Fort Worth, TX is now 5-5-3.

In a battle of Fort Worth based Featherweights, Steve Gutierrez scored a four round unanimous decision over Jose Ortiz.

Scores were 40-36, 40-36 and 39-37 for Gutierrez, 126 lbs and he is now 3-1-1. Ortiz, 126 lbs is now 0-2.

At the Capitale New York ballroom in the SoHo district of Manhattan a night of rugged boxing was expected in a luxurious venue. Shannon Briggs (49-5-1, 29 KO’s; 268lbs) headlined the event as he expected to take another step towards regaining the heavyweight crown he once held.

His opponent, Dominique Alexander (19-8-1, 9 KO’s; 228), was terribly outweighed and totally outclassed. The opening bell rang and Briggs came out and immediatly tested his opponents will…with a very light flurry that hit nothing but arms. Alexander responded by hitting the deck and refused to get up. It was an absolutely pathetic showing that will likely bring about an investigation. Briggs scored a first round TKO in one of the most uneventful fights ever.

The co-feature of the evening featured prospect Mike Faragon (10-0, 4 KO’s; 136 1/4lbs against Francisco Palacios (4-10-5, 1 KO; 137lbs). Faragon controlled the bout from the onset. His nickname is “Baby Face” and he really does have the face of a child, but his ring smarts coupled with a variety of offensive weapons shows why he is a man amongst men in the early goings of his career.

Faragon was able to land hooks to the body and upstairs around Palacios’ weak guard all night. Despite and occasional flurry, Palacios did not have much to offer in response. After the third round, Palacios voiced to his corner that he felt discomfort in his right arm. The ringside physicians took their time in assessing the matter and eventually allowed him one more round to see if the discomfort would subside.

In the fourth round, Faragon pounced on his hurt opponent and tried to take advantage. Despite the beating, Palacios made it out of the round only to see the fight waved off as his discomfort continued. Faragon was credited with a TKO victory at 3:00 of the fourth round.

Hot prospect and former Olympian, Saddam Ali (6-0, 3 KO’s; 151lbs) was set to face the very experienced, Martinus Clay (13-25-4, 5 KO’s; 154lbs) over a scheduled four round bout. You read it right… This is Ali vs. Clay. The bout started out with both fighters establishing their rhythm. Ali worked a strong jab to the body, while Clay utilized the journeyman technique of ducking low, rolling his shoulder, and exposing his back so as to take punches easily and hopefully surprise his opponent when he tires. Ali has fought many styles as an amateur and during sparring sessions with world champions.

Midway through the round, Ali was able to land a right uppercut that put Clay on the defensive. The second and third rounds were all about Ali’s right hand, as he was landing them at will. Clay had nothing in response.

In the fourth round, Ali worked his left hook; hurting Clay and putting him in an even more defensive posture than before. He survived the round but lost it, and every other round. All three judges ruled it 40-36 in favor of Ali.

As if a professional debut is not pressure enough, Sean Monaghan (173 1/2lbs) made his professional debut in front of hundreds of his loud hometown. He was set to face Simeon Trigueno (0-3; 167lbs). Both fighters started the fight hoping to lure the other into making a mistake by feinting often. It did not take long before what appeared to be a body shot sent Trigueno down to a knee for an eight count. He was back up and seemed fine as the round continued. As the round neared to an end, a crushing right hand from Monaghan sent Trigueno down and flat on his back.

He beat the count, and the bell to end the round, but the ringside doctor put an end to the bout citing an injury. Monaghan was credited with a first round TKO.

An exciting back and forth brawl took place between Hastings Bwalya(2-0, 2KO’s; 149 1/4lbs) and Ashante Hendrickson (2-6; 148lbs). The fight started out as a very physical one. Both fighters wrestled often and butted heads often. Bwalya took the early lead, as he was able to land his right hand more frequently than Hendrickson. It was a scrappy affair throughout the six rounds. Bwalya maintained control with his more precise shots and better defense, but be had some tough moments in the third and fifth rounds. After the bout ended, the judges ruled it 59-55, 58-56, and 58-56 for Hastings Bwalya.

In a heavyweight bout, Alexis Mejias (10-4, 4 KO’s; 238lbs) took on Bowie Tupou (18-1, 4 KO’s; 254lbs). The fight started out in thrilling fashion. Both fighters took turns landing hard hooks in combination. Out of nowhere, Mejias was able to land a right hook that was near the back of Tupou’s head, and score a flash knockdown. Tupou was no phased, but it was quite a surprise. In the second round, both fighters continued their fast paced fight, and Tupou was landing hard hooks to the side of Mejias’ head. Late in the round, Meijas landed a flurry that hit nothing but Tupou’s arms. As the round ended, Meijas was showing discomfort.

As it turns out, he was injured and a discussion took place as to how to rule the bout. Eventually, Tupou was credited with a second round TKO due to a stoppage by the ringside physician.

In the first bout if the evening, cruiserweights, Angel Concepcion (179lbs) made his professional debut against Charles Wade (1-5, 1KO). Wade began the fight looking confident. His physique was especially good for a fighter with such a dismal record. Not long into the first did we find out why Wade holds the record that he does. His defense is non-existant. Over the course of four rounds, Concepcion was able to land right hand after right hand. His connect rate was amazing. The action remained one sided over the course of four rounds and all three judges 40-35 for Concepcion.

PHOTOS BY CLAUDIA BOCANEGRA

LOS ANGELES – A place called the Star Plaza outside Staples Center on a Friday afternoon was a curious spot to stage a weigh-in between two of the era’s least-frilly, least-flashy and least-assuming prizefighters, but there it was. Under a hot sun and before a black backdrop, the “Once and Four All” fighters took the scale and completed a collective journey from underappreciated craftsmen to stars.

Mexicans Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez each made the featherweight limit for their Saturday fight, the fourth in their rivalry, with a half pound to spare. Vazquez took the scale first, looking fitter than he’d appeared in his previous fight, and marked it at 125.5 pounds. Marquez followed immediately behind and made an identical 125.5.

Then the men turned and faced one another. Their expressions were serious and no words were exchanged. But that was expected. No trash-talking, no faux rage, no unseemly shtick. On the eve of what could well turn out to be the finest boxing tetralogy in 50 years, the combatants stuck to a formula they’d employed in their previous three encounters.

Honorable to a fault, Vazquez and Marquez might have arrived at Staples Center earlier if they’d joined hands and lunged at the promotion of another tired blood feud, like so many lesser combatants have in recent years, but that has not been their way. And because they did things the right way, a crowd gathered to celebrate them.

Round the press area in Star Plaza, a common sentiment was expressed by scribes. Vazquez-Marquez IV might be good as its predecessors, or it might not, but either way, attendance was mandatory to honor the sacrifices the men had made and would make at least once more.

Those sacrifices have been, and will remain, brutal. The terrible prospect of facing the same man a fourth time is one few prizefighters have confronted. The last American to do it, San Antonio’s Jesse James Leija, addressed the hardest part of the feat, earlier this week.

“You know him so well,” Leija said of his four-fight series with Ghanaian Azumah Nelson. “You know he’s not going to give up. Knowing they’re not going to give up, I’d say, is the hardest part.”

Adjustments can be tried in training camp, and the rumor of a new strategy can be dangled before fans and media, but according to Leija, none of it matters much.

“Not really,” Leija said about the likelihood of either fighter making significant stylistic changes. “Nothing is going to happen that’s going to change who you are once the fight starts.”

That hasn’t stopped Rafael Marquez from making one rather large change going into this fight with Vazquez. Saturday night, Marquez will fight without legendary trainer and instructor Nacho Beristain in his corner, for perhaps the first time since Marquez began wearing gloves. In a quiet homage to Beristain – the man who taught him to box – though, Marquez has selected Mexican Daniel Zaragoza to be his chief second.

But Zaragoza, a hall of famer who was also trained by Beristain, does not expect to provide Marquez with much that Beristain did not.

“Nothing more than attention,” Zaragoza said Friday, when asked what more he could offer. “Solely attention.”

Zaragoza was also quick to assert that no strain exists between Marquez and Beristain.

“All is well between them,” Zaragoza said. “And, of course, all is well between (Beristain) and me.”

But when asked if there was anything he might have changed in the 12th round of Vazquez-Marquez III, had he been in Marquez’s corner, Zaragoza was emphatic.

“Right hands, right hands,” Zaragoza said, and he punched his left palm. “More right hands!”

Certainly, that was the strategy that worked for Vazquez, was it not?

Saturday’s card will be broadcast by Showtime at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. Its co-main event will feature an intriguing fight for the IBF bantamweight title between Colombian Yonnhy Perez – who weighed 117.5 pounds Friday – and California’s Abner Mares, who made 116.8.

Staples Center doors open at 2:55 p.m. local time, with the first fight, of seven, expected to commence at 3:00.

GOLDEN BOY FANS SEE ONLY BRONZE
Any local fight enthusiasts who attended Friday’s weigh-in hoping to catch a glimpse of Golden Boy Promotions’ Oscar De La Hoya had to content themselves with a statue in Star Plaza. De La Hoya, whose company is a co-promoter of “Once and Four All” and who has not been seen at events recently, was not present at Staples Center though his bronze likeness was.

Ji-Hoon Kim scored an explosive one punch knockout over Ameth Diaz in a scheduled twelve round Lightweight bout at The Laredo Energy Center in laredo, Texas.

It was actually Diaz who was winning the first frame as he landed a couple of nice rights and booming uppercut that got Kim’s attention early in the round. With just seconds remaining in the round, Kim landed a crunching right to the top of the head and Diaz went down on his stomach. Diaz got to his feet but referee Robert Gonzalez ended the fight with just one second remaining in the round.

Kim, 132 1/4 lbs of Goyang City, Korea has now won thirteen in a row with twelve by knockout and his record is now 21-5 with eighteen knockouts. Diaz, 135 lbs of Panama City, Panama is now 27-10.

Ruslan Provodnikov scored an impressive ninth round stoppage over late-sub Emanuel Augustus in a scheduled ten round Jr. Welterweight bout.

For the first four-plus rounds the fight was competitive as Provodnikov landing a series of rights while Augustus jabbed and moved well in spots. In the middle of round five, Provodnikov landed a booming right hand that sent Augustus to the seat of his pants. Provodnikov landed some vicious shots in an effort to end the fight but the grizzled vet Augustsus got in a right of his own that briefly sent Provodnikov back. Augustus was able to survive the round but things did not get any better.

Provodnikov won the subsequent rounds as he was effective with hard right hands and Augustus began to leak blood from his nose starting in the sixth round. In the ninth frame, Provodnikov landed two huge shots to the head and Augustus slumped in the corner. Augustus showed guts be getting to his feet but he would only endure a vicious assault that included a flush right-left-right combination that put Augustus down for a third and final time as the referee stopped the bout at 1:50 of the ninth frame.

Provodnikov, 141 1/2 lbs of Berzova, Russia is now 15-0 with ten knockouts. Augustus, who took the bout on four days notice after original opponent Francisco Figueroa dropped out is now 38-32-6.

Orlando Gomez scored a four round majority decision over Jose Martinez in a four round Jr. Middleweight bout.

Scores were 40-36, 39-37 and 38-38 for Gomez, 136 lbs of Houston, TX and is now 2-1. Martinez, 140 lbs of San Antonio, TX is now 5-1.

In a battle of Luna’s, Rafael Luna, 129 lbs of Corpus Christie, TX scored a four round unanimous decision over Rene Luna, 129 lbs of Laredo, Texas.

Rafael Luna scored a knockdown in the first round in the battle of pro debuter’s.

Teon Kennedy 122 – Jose Angel Beranza 121
(For Kennedy’s USBA Super Bantamweight Title)
Patrick Majewski 161 – Loren Myers 163
Anthony Flores 130 – Carlos Vinan 130
Ryan Carson 131 – Marcos Garcia 131
Ronald Cruz 142 – Juan Ramon Cruz 142
Josh Mercado 143 – Joel Nieves 146
Troy Maxwell 166 – Rafael Jastrzebski 167

TO BE BROADCAST LIVE ON www.gofightlive.tv at 7:30 pm est

CLICK FOR FULL EVENT INFORMATION

Vazquez – V- Marquez
Hometown Huntington Park, Ca Mexico City, Mexico
Record 44-4(32) 38-5(34)
Rounds Boxed 278 192
KO% 66.67 % 79.07%
Age 32 35
Height 5?4 5’5
Reach 66 68
Nickname Magnifico
Titles IBF Super Bantamweight IBF Bantamweight
WBC Super Bantamweight x2 WBC Super Bantamweight

World title Record 8-2(6) 9-2(7)

The odds with the Bookies have Marquez a slight favourite at -162 Vazquez while is +125.
Tickets are still available ranging from $250 down to $25.
Doors open at 3PM with Perez-V-Mares scheduled for 6PM

He sat at a table a year ago in a New York restaurant, dressed in a conservative suit and unknown to most in a crowd that was there to honor him. Israel Vazquez didn’t care. It also didn’t bother him that the plaque, the symbol of his honor, was not there either. It, like him, had apparently been overlooked

But Vazquez was there.

He was happy for the honor at the Boxing Writers Association’s 84th annual dinner and business-like in his acceptance of a professional milestone, the 2008 Fight of the Year, on a night when rival and partner Rafael Marquez couldn’t be there because of an auto accident near the Mexico City airport earlier that day.

It was a moment when other fighters might have felt insulted and angry enough to complain loudly and often. Vazquez didn’t. Celebrity has never been part of a job definition that he and Marquez will define and refine for a fourth time Saturday night in a Showtime-televised encore at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Vazquez-Marquez, already a memorable trilogy, is about to become further entrenched in historical lore, although both approach it without any of the tired hyperbole attached to Fights of the Century that now seem to happen every other year.

“It is the biggest day of my life,’’ said Vazquez, who won the two rematches, yet also looms as the underdog in the fourth because of scars that include a broken nose and damaged retina. “With this fight, Marquez and I will definitely be part of boxing history, even more so than now.’’

History speaks for itself, although Floyd Mayweather Jr. often speaks as though it has yet to say enough about him and how he belongs alongside Sugar Ray Robinson, or Muhammad Ali, or Julius Caesar. But Vazquez and Marquez aren’t trying to talk their way into history. They are only trying to make some.

“There are no words to say,’’ Marquez said. “There are no introductions to make. Everybody knows us.’’

Their understated fashion leaves no room for role playing or mind games. What everybody knows about Marquez and Vazquez is that they what to be known for what they do and not what they say. Imagine that. I’m not sure what old-school means anymore. If there is a face book for what it was, however, the defining faces are Vazquez and Marquez. In part, that’s why so many historical parallels are being drawn to their four-peat.

It’s rare and evocative with names from black-and-white newsreels of Ezzard Charles-versus- Jerry Joe Walcott and Willie Pepp-versus-Sandy Saddler. Boxing was big in those days. It might never be again. For one night, however, Vazquez and Marquez will explain why it was with workmanship that says it all instead of the words that say so little.

More Four
The former King of the Four Rounders, Eric “Butterbean” Esch, is attempting to become a heavyweight promoter. How heavy? He is somewhere near 400 pounds. Esch, whose promotional interest and personal preference is in mixed martial arts, is promoting a pay-per-view MMA card, Moonsin, Friday night (9 p.m. ET) at the DCU Center in Worcester Mass., featuring Tim Sylvia against Mariusz Pudzianowski.

Esch also had planned to fight. But the Massachusetts commission reportedly wouldn’t approve an exhibition between him and former Boston Bruins enforcer Lyndon Byers. Apparently, Esch’s ring experience, which includes everything from boxing to sumo wrestling, was cited as a factor. No truth to the rumor that nobody could find a stool big enough to support 400 pounds.

The entertaining Esch, now 43, hasn’t abandoned boxing, even though his former division, heavyweight, almost has. He would like to promote a boxing card featuring 2008 Olympic bronze medalist Deontay Wilder in Birmingham, Ala., not far from his home in Jasper. Wilder, an unbeaten heavyweight in the initial stages of his pro career, is from Tuscaloosa.

“But nobody in the state Alabama knows who he is,’’ Esch said. “I’d like to get him some recognition in his home state.’’

Notes, anecdotes
§ Esch grew up in Alabama, but there isn’t a hint of a Southern accent in the many interviews he does with the media. “At home with my family, you’d hear it,’’ he said. “But not in the media. If the accent was there, they might have to include those subtitles.’’

§ Marquez promoter Gary Shaw thinks his fighter will stop Vazquez. “My prediction is that this fight does not go the full five rounds,’’ he said.

§ And there’s been some talk that a fourth fight between Marquez and Vazquez is one too many. There’s fear that the fighters will suffer long-term damage because of the series, already 25 rounds long and noteworthy for its sustained violence. “I recognize that,” Vazquez said Thursday at a news conference. “I don’t have anything against people who think like that. But I’m very sure that May 22, they’re going to feel different. I’m going to prove it. Honestly, of course the three battles that we had took something from us. Something from Marquez, something from me. This is boxing. This is a contact sport. You are expecting that. It is normal.”

He maybe widely regarded as the best Super Featherweight in the world but it’s an honour that has been bestowed on Roman “Rocky” Martinez more so because other fighters have left the weight class than what he has actually done himself. This year both Humberto Soto & Robert Guerrero abdicated their throwns as WBC & IBF champions to move up to Lightweight. Martinez 27, wants to prove he’s the top man at 130 and will look to catch the publics eye with his second defence of his WBO championship defence against Gonzalo Munguia who’s rated at number 11 by the WBO. Having been a pro since December 2001 Martinez has seen many things along the way to taking his record to 23-0-1(14) he’s beaten several very good fighters but now he wants to prove he’s worthy of being called the best and that campaign starts on 29 May against Munguia in Puerto Rico.

Hello Roman, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – Firstly you have a fight with Gonzalo Munguia on 29 May. What can you tell us about this fight?

Roman Martinez – Well, it’s going to be a difficult fight because it’s a fighter that likes to come forward and place his punches strategically. I’ve watched some videos of him and we have already have planned out our attack.

Anson Wainwright – Where are you training for the fight? What’s a typical day in the gym?

Roman Martinez – I’m training in the Dorado Puerto Rico municipal gym and my head trainer is Raul “Papo” Torres. A typical day of training starts at 4:00am with my 55 minute run, and then I rest till 11:30 am and then head to the Dorado Gym where I strength train and box for about an hour and a half. I am currently sparring with two 140 pound prospects from the Island.

Anson Wainwright – You were due to face Ricky Burns from Scotland. What happened to prevent that fight happening?

Roman Martinez – The fight didn’t happen because there were some differences in the economic side of things but in the warrior side I’m willing and able to fight him. I loved Britain, the people there are gentle and treated me with a lot of respect I’m looking forward to going back. I also would like the opportunity to give a shoutout to Shannons Gym who helped us keep in shape for the Cook fight.

Anson Wainwright – Since you went to Manchester and won the title against Nicky Cook how has life changed for you? How much more popular have you become? Do you get asked to do more things than previously?

Roman Martinez – Life’s been good, but it has been a result of my hard work and dedication. Nicky Cook gave me a chance to face him and I gave it my all and got to fulfill my lifelong dream: become a World Champion. Yes, becoming a world champion has given me a lot of exposure and its direct result of the high quality of opponent that I faced to win my championship and my dedication.

Anson Wainwright – Who is part of team Martinez?

Roman Martinez – Raul “Papo” Torres-is the head trainer
Dennys “Sensei” Rivera- is the assistant trainer (From Philadelphia, helping Rocky to improve his head and lateral movement)
Ricardo Rodriguez-Rivera-Publicist

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your early years in Vega Baja and how it took you into Boxing?

Roman Martinez – I remember that I always loved boxing and I wanted to start practicing it but at the moment I had bad grades and I remember that my father and uncle told me that if I didn’t get good grades that I wasn’t going to be able to start. So I improved my grades and then I was able to start boxing and now here I am having the privilege to be talking to you.

Anson Wainwright – What are you goals in Boxing?

Roman Martinez – First I would like unify my weight class and become its Super Champion and then go up to light weight and do the same. And be able to become a pound for pound best.

Anson Wainwright – Who has been your toughest opponent to date and why? What do you think is your best win?

Roman Martinez – They have all been tough; I’m just not able to pick one in particular. They all have been great wins but if I have to pick one I would be Nicky Cook because of the level of difficulty that I had to encounter in him, he’s a great fighter.

Anson Wainwright – Who was your Boxing hero?

Roman Martinez – Félix “Tito” Trinidad and Julio Cesar Chavez they’re both just amazing.

Anson Wainwright – What can you tell us about you as a person and what you like to do away from Boxing?

Roman Martinez – I always like to rest a lot and have fun with my family. Speaking of family I just started training my 6 year old son Luis Antonio who is already showing his skills.

Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for Gonzalo Munguia? Do you have any prediction?

Roman Martinez – Just to come in his best condition because we’re fighting in front of my people and we should give them the spectacle they deserve. No predictions, I’m just going to give it my best.

Thank you for the opportunity and my best to all the 15 round staff and people from England who always have shown great support to my career.

Good luck in your upcoming figtht Roman.

Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com