BULL & BEARS
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Shannon Miller admits he will be facing the most dangerous fighter of his career when he steps into the ring in the 10-round main event against two-time heavyweight champion Hasim "The Rock" Rahman at "The Rock Returns" event on June 19 at the Niagara Falls Convention Center in Niagara Falls, New York. 
CAPTAIN HOOK PROMISES "HOOK CITY" AUGUST 15th
Jones-Lacy headlines “Hook City” Aug. 15 PPV show in Biloxi
Green-Dominguez Co-Feature
BILOXI, Miss. (July 15, 2009) – Two of the best left-hook punchers in boxing, 8-time world boxing champion Roy Jones, Jr. (53-5, 39 KOs) and former 2-time super middleweight title-holder Jeff “Left Hook” Lacy (25-2, 17 KOs), will square-off August 15th in the 12-round main event to determine whom the better “hooker” really is today, headlining the “Hook City” pay-per-view show live from the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi.
Roy Jones Jr. (l) Captain Hook or is it "Left Hook"
Lacy? Photo by Tom Casino/Square Ring
Jones defends his NABO light heavyweight title against Lacy in “Hook City,” presented by Square Ring Promotions in association with Left Hook Promotions.
“We are very excited to be promoting “Hook City” on August 15 in Biloxi to settle the question, once and for all, of who is the best professional hooker in the sport of boxing,” said John S. Wirt, CEO of Square Ring Promotions. “While Jeff claims to have the best left hook, come the morning of the 16th, I think he may well be in the market for a new ring name.”
The “Hook City” pay-per-view show is being distributed by Square Ring Promotions, Inc. at 9:00PM ET/6:00PM PT in North America on cable and satellite via iNDemand, TVN, DirecTV and Dish Network for a suggested retail price of $34.95.
The Hall of Fame bound-Jones, fighting out of his native Pensacola (FL), has been a world champion in four divisions – middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight – and currently ranks among the top seven light heavyweights in all four major boxing organizations (WBO #2) and The Ring magazine.
St. Petersburg (FL) power-punching Lacy, rated No. 6 by the IBF and No. 9 by the WBO, is moving up in weight to fight living legend Jones as a light heavyweight for the first time. Former IBF and IBO super middleweight title-holder Lacy is coming off of a win by 10-round decision against Otis Griffin this past April.
In the 12-round co-feature for the vacant IBO cruiserweight crown, former world champion Danny “Green Machine” Green fights in the United States for only the second time, taking on South American light heavyweight king Julio Cesar “La Furia” Dominguez (20-4-1, 14 KOs). Former WBA light heavyweight titlist Green, who was also the interim WBC super middleweight champion, is the pride of Australia. He last fought in the U.S. seven years ago, stopping Rhon Roberts in the third round of their fight in Las Vegas.
Lightweight contender Verquan “The Show” Kimbrough (21-1-2, 7 KOs), former NABA and USBA champion, is also scheduled to fight on the PPV card in a 10-round bout.
All bouts are subject to change.
Tickets, priced at $150.00, $125.00, $100.00, $75.00, $50.00 & $25.00 are on sale and available at all Ticketmaster locations by calling 800.745.3000, on line at Ticketmaster.com and at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum.
PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Roy Jones, Jr.: “As you know, when I come, I bring it like I bring it. See that guy there taking pictures (Tom Casino), he’s called me ‘Captain Hook’ for years. I thought about it and said, well, my left is like a hook. What can I say? I was chosen for the challenge. When you’re challenged, it’s simple. A lot of guys in boxing do a lot of talking, but when it’s time they don’t step up to the plate. Jeff Lacy said he wants to fight Roy Jones and we’ll get it on.
“I have the best left hook in the game. Jeff Lacy has a very good hook. So, when you get a challenge like that, how can you say no? You can’t, not where I come from. I don’t know any decent person who could, straight up. Me and Roger (trainer Bloodworth) have a long history together. I’ve watched Jeff a long time, too. I love watching him fight because he is exciting. He has power in both hands. He was labeled with that nickname but he has a very good right hand, too. I’m looking forward to a wonderful night. I’ll be in shape, fab and fit. One thing, it’ll be a war going on out there. If you can’t be at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum, check it out on pay per view because it’s going to be the battle of the hooks. Roy Jones, Jr., aka Captain Hook – the best hook in the business versus Jeff ‘Left Hook’ Lacy, who thinks he has the best hook. We’ll see.”
Jeff Lacy: “I’d like to thank Roy Jones, Jr. for taking the challenge. I’ve always watched him. He’s a great fighter. I’m glad to be one of the names on his roster. Too bad I’m going to be beating him. It still will be good to be on the roster.
“I’ve never been the type of person to do much talking. I do my talking in the ring. Come August 15th this fight is going to happen. Roy Jones agreed to it; I agreed to it. He’s bringing his hook – calls himself ‘Captain Hook,’ as you can see he’s dressed up in a captain’s uniform. I come as ‘Left Hook,’ the original, and I’m going to show that. We’re going to have a ‘Hook Night.”
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MAYWEATHER THINKS AHEAD AT PACMAN;
BUT MUST DEFEAT MARQUEZ
TRUFAN MAY 12, 2009
Former Pound for Pound King Floyd Mayweather Jr. has ended
his "retirement" and is looking to resume his career as he
takes on the Mexican legend Juan Manual Marquez this summer in
Las Vegas,
Nevada.
Some fans question why Jr. would take on such a highly regarded foe in Marquez, a fighter who has twice gone the distance, and then some, against Pacqauio, who has replaced Mayweather Jr. as the "Top Dog" in boxing.
Well, Marquez is 35, and comes off an impressive victory over Juan Diaz in February - but Diaz is a pressure fighter while Mayweather is a defensive counter-puncher who would slow down the tempo and would look to pot shot his opponent all night. So at least on paper, it looks as though Mayweather's posse made a good decision in taking this risk.
But risks aside, the main goal is to get a big payday against PacMan, and that bout may never happen. According to Ring Magazines website, Jr. is already asking for a 60-40 split, which is preposterous since the Pacman is the main draw in boxing. I know for a fact that Manny's people would never allow this to happen and if I were Manny's people a 50-50 would not suffice to climb into the ring -- it would be fair for Manny to get the 60-40. They're many fighters for the PaCman to fight, and I don't want to see "Mony" getting an opportunity to throw up a defensive stinker while throwing one punch at a time.
So fans, A) don't be fooled -- Pacquaio-Mayweather may never happen, and B) so what? Life goes on, and there will be plenty of marquee matches to see . . . and besides, Mayweather has to get by Marquez, which after a two year layoff, may not be that easy . . .
JLM
SUPER PACMAN DESTROYS HATTON
- Ron Ross May 2, 2009
Combining blinding hand speed, devastating punching power and pinpoint accuracy, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao destroyed Ricky Hatton with an attack so awesome that it had veteran ringsiders at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas blinking in astonishment. The last of three knockdowns scored by Pacquiao in less than two rounds was frightening as he nailed Hatton with a vicious left to the gritty but totally outclassed Brit’s jaw, knocking him out before he ever went thudding to the canvas, where his head struck with frightening force. There was a collective sigh of relief when he came to his senses and left the ring under his own power.
It never was a fight after the first minute and a half when Hatton tried backing Pacquiao to the ropes. Even when he succeeded, it was to no avail as Pacquiao would outfight him even from that position. With no lateral movement, coming in straight ahead at his opponent, Hatton was like a sitting duck in a shooting gallery. He would throw punches but Pacquiao’s shorter, faster more accurate volleys got there first. Midway through the opening round he shocked Hatton and the crowd with right hook that dropped the Hitman and spelled the beginning of the end. A visibly shaken Hatton got up only to run into a whistling left that dropped him again. He pulled himself up, but with the look of a beaten fighter.
When he answered the bell for the second round, he tried mounting an attack but it was becoming obvious that his fate was pretty much the same as a snowball’s surviving in an oven. The obvious became reality with that crushing left hand near the end of the second round. The win gives The Pacman the IBO light-welterweight title as well as acknowledgement in just about everyone’s mind as the #1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
The stage is now set for a mega-showdown against Floyd Mayweather, the former pound-for-pound best, who announced his anticipated retirement from retirement. Maybe he should have waited until after watching the fight.
In other fights on the card:
Humberto Soto successfully and easily defended his WBC super-featherweight crown, scoring a ninth round TKO over Canadian Benoit Gaudet, dropping him four times en route to the stoppage which came at 2:25 of the ninth round.
Brooklyn’s Danny Jacobs improved to 16-0 , scoring a lop-sided win over Chicago’s Michael Walker in a super middleweight eight rounder.
In a middleweight four-rounder, Cuban amateur sensation, Erislandy Lara , breezed to his fifth consecutive win as a pro, sweeping all rounds on all cards over Hoosier Chris Gray.
In another four rounder of interest, rising Russian star, super middleweight Matt Korobov, now residing in Lantana, Florida stopped Anthony Bartinelli, Phoenix, Arizona at 2:15 of the second, improving his record to 5-0, all by KO.
Marquez Stops “The Bull” in Nine!
By: Jason Sardelis
February 28th Toyota Center, Houston, Texas: In a match-up of the number one and two lightweights in the world “Dinamita” Juan Manuel Marquez. 50-4-1, 37Ko’s stopped hometown Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz 34-02, 17Ko’s in the ninth round of their twelve round championship fight claiming the vacant WBA and WBO lightweight titles.
The fight started at a fast pace and the usually slow starting Marquez looked to be having a problem with Diaz ten years his junior. Diaz hurt Marquez with a left hook in the second round and had the 35 year old Mexican backing up.
Marquez stayed tight and attempted to answering all “Baby Bulls” attacks but was cut above the right eye in the fifth round by a nasty Diaz left hook. Diaz continued to charge forward landing clean power shots but the durable Mexican who had picked himself up three times against Pacquiao always fired back.
Marquez began to get in sync in the sixth round zeroing in his jab and scoring underneath. Marquez cut Diaz over his right eye in the eighth with an uppercut and crashing left hook.
In the ninth round Marquez opened up landing a three-punch combination ending with a solid right hand dropping Diaz to the canvas. After beating the count “The Bull” ran into a ripping right uppercut putting him flat on his back where the fight was stopped immediately by referee Rafael Ramos at 2:40 round nine. At the time of the knockout, Marquez was ahead 77-75 on one card while Diaz led 77-75 on another with the third judges card calling it even 76-76.
In the co-featured event Chris John made his first US appearance and eleventh title defense fighting to a controversial draw with Rocky Juarez retaining his WBA featherweight title and unblemished record. Fighting in Juarez back yard the fight started with John boxing and Juarez the aggressor coming straight ahead applying the pressure. The usually slow starting Juarez fired up by his hometown crowd charging out at the opening bell. The 2000 Olympic silver medalist came straight ahead behind a pumping jab rocking side to side looking to land his patented left hook to the body. John boxed staying behind a flicking jab throwing a wide variety of punches boxing beating Juarez to the punch.
Whenever Juarez would close the gap John held on neutralizing Juarez who never could establish any real infighting. The slick moving John cut Juarez in the fifth continuing to use angles keeping the challenger off balance unable to land any one real big punch. Juarez turned up the pressure in the sixth and John again held on to the dislike of the vocal hometown fans. The fight continued with Juarez pressing the fight and John boxing and moving. John was in command closing the seventh but Juarez pressed the attack in the eighth round cutting John who answered back in the ninth landing in combination, banging away with both hands. The closing rounds saw John take the beginning minute but Juarez closed hard taking 11 and 12.
All three judges scored the fight 114-114 awarding Juarez rounds 11 and 12 but the punch stats tell the story. John controlled the tempo out punching Juarez 1,190 to 797 landing more 344 to 206 with a 187 to 122 advantage in power punches. You do the math!
Do the Math Boxing, Could Be Losing It’s Draw!
By: Jason Sardelis
The John / Juarez fight was no draw. When you closely watch this fight like most fights each round has a definitive winner. You could help clarify it when a round has an even punch count or scoring blows taking in consideration aggression and ring generalship but award the round one way or the other. What are the odds there is a dead even round? Then it’s simple use an uneven number rounds and no more draws.
All three judges scored the fight 114-114 awarding Juarez rounds 11 and 12 but the punch stats tell the story. John controlled the tempo out punching Juarez 1,190 to 797 landing more 344 to 206 with a 187 to 122 advantage in power punches. You do the math!
All athletic competitions are decided by some type of specific scoring system attempting to avoid ties. Extra innings in baseball, overtime in basketball. Even hockey went to the shoot out system to avoid the controversy. A simple solution would be an uneven number of rounds like the great old 15 round championship fights. Make four rounders five, six, seven, ten, eleven and so on just do the math.
Oh yeah! Doing the math here is another simple solution to a simple problem. In the matter of Margarito’s special wraps. Have the official as already done examine the fighter as his hands are wrapped and then have the officials switch fighters after the bout and immediately remove the gloves in the ring and reexamine the wrap. Is this too simple or does boxing really want the controversy? Boxing loses every time there is a scandal like the Margarito fiasco and having fights called a draw like the John / Juarez fight doesn’t help the game. The fighters want a winner and so do the fans. Do the math!
JS
Jennings, left, with Richard
Schwartz at Bronxchester earlier this week -- can he upset Cotto?
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Michael Marley BOXINGCONFIDENTIAL EXCLUSIVE! 11/11/2008 
(Editor's Note:
Craig
Hamilton phoned back to say it was Duddy manager
Tony
McLoughlin who pulled the plug on the Nov. 21 bout,
not Duddy.)
Boxing manager, collectibles mogul and attorney
Craig Hamilton has confirmed to
Boxingconfidential.com
exclusively that undefeated junior middleweight Irish John
Duddy has asked him to help him get out of existing
promotional and managerial contracts.
Duddy has a managerial deal with Tony McLaughlin and a
promotional contract with Irish Ropes, a company headed by
Tony’s brother, Eddie McLoughlin.
Duddy, set to fight
Ronald Hearns on HBO Jan. 17, pulled out of a Nov.
21 Manhattan tuneup bout which caused promoter Cedric
Kushner to cancel the entire show Tuesday.
I asked Hamilton if, should the managerial and promotional
deals be set aside by the
New York
State Athletic Commission or a court of law, he
would take over Duddy’s career.
“John called me for help,” Hamilton said. “John has not
been happy with his situation. There have been material
breaches of both contracts. I referred John to (attorney)
Gary Freedman. I think that (hiring Hamilton) is the
direction wants to be heading. John thinks it was pretty
convenient that Eddie signed him to a promotional and
then, three days later, put brother Tony in as manager.
"I don't believe that the contracts of the McLoughlins
will hold up under scrutiny," Hamilton said. "They won't
hold up in front of a judge or the athletic commission."
Hamilton said that, although his heavyweight prospect
Kevin
Burnett is trained by Pat Burns (who also trains
Duddy), that the Miami-based trainer was not involved in
pushing the Irishman to move in a new managerial and
promotion direction. Duddy has been training in Miami with
Burns.
“Pat Burns being the trainer here is just a coincidence,”
Hamilton said.
Cuckolded promoters and managers generally don't believe
in coincidences.
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PAVLIK-HOPKINS BOUT ONLY MAKES SENSE
TRUFANBOXING JULY 18, 2008
The proposed Kelly Pavlik - Bernard Hopkins bout scheduled for October 18th only makes sense in this boxing economy, stated a boxing manager, who explained that it is a "safe bout for both, win, lose or draw."
Pavlik, the middleweight champion, has yet to defend against a guy in the top ten, and Hopkins, a veteran who can still go the limit with the best, can garnish a good payday with a name fighter before calling it a career.And who can blame them? If the money is there, why not? However is it a bout the boxing fan wants to see?
The card will be presented on HBO-PPV, and it will be interesting to see the numbers after the fact. HBO has been criticized recently on putting on sub-par bouts with questionable accounting. For more on this issue, please read Tom Hauser's article on secondsout.com*
Boxing has entered another stage in its endless revenue quest. The veterans and name fighters are boxing each other and claiming that now the best are fighting the best. But there another side to that story - yes the name fighters have the reputation but by old school boxing standards many are way past their prime. Oscar, B-HOP, Jones, Calzaghe, and even Tarver (who is probably the freshest of 'em) probably have saved boxing from the brink but now must be the new mover for a new direction the sport so desperately needs.
Super Flyweight Unification vs. Mijares
Salado-Miranda co-feature Saturday night in Mexico
Munoz is a 2-time WBA super flyweight champion who originally won his WBA title belt in 2002 via an eighth-round knockout of Celes Kobayasho. Three successful title defenses followed against Eiji Kojima twice (KO2 and TKO10), sandwiched around a 12-round decision versus Hidenobu Honda (26-2), before Alexander lost a 12-round decision and his championship belt to Martin Castillo (26-1) in 2004. Munoz bounced back to capture the WBA Fedelatin super flyweight crown in a WBA title eliminator, but Castillo won their 2006 rematch by 12-round split decision.
Munoz regained his WBA super flyweight title on May 3, 2007 with a dominating 12-round decision versus Nabuo Mashiro (9-0) in Japan. In a pair of title defenses, “El Explosivo” retained his belt with 12-round decisions against, respectively, Kuniyuki Aizawa (13-1-1) and Katsushige Kawasjima (32-6) this past January in Japan.
“People all over the world, especially in my country, are going to watch two of the best fighters in our division and, pound-for-pound, in the world today,” The Ring’s No. 2 rated super flyweight Munoz said. “I can’t think about unifying against the other world champs because the first step is beating Mjirares. I know I’ll be fighting Cristian at home in front of so many of his fans.”
Undefeated former WBA Fedelatin super fIyweight champion Salado (19-0-2, 11 KOs), who fought a 12-round draw with Ulises Solis (22-1-1) for the IBF light flyweight title in 2006, is rated No. 4 by the WBC, No. 6 by The Ring, and No. 8 by the WBA. The WBC No. 3 ranked Miranda (25-3-1, 18 KOs) is a dangerous foe with 18 knockouts on his boxing portfolio.
In addition to Orr, Cappiello has officially inked to promotional contracts; Abraham Okine, Juan Lopez, Anthony LaMonica, and Phillip Miller. "These guys are going to be a great addition to the Cappiello Promotions stable," stated Cappiello. "We've increased the number of fighters fighting under our banner, but I don't want 20-plus guys fighting for me. I want a nice, small, strong nucleus of fighters, so that I can give all of my fighters the time and attention they deserve."
Orr (11-0, 5 KO's), with all of his non-knockout victories coming via easy unanimous decisions, has relocated himself from the west coast to South Boston, where he will now reside and train. "I am very happy here, thus far. I've only been in "Southie" for a week now, but I am already making relationships, and working hard in the gym. I am very excited to be fighting for Cappiello Promotions. I only hope I can live up to all the expectations they have for me here."
Orr's boxing skill, personality, and well-mannered ways are certain to make him an instant hit in the Boston / New England area...and his Irish ancestry won't hurt either! Orr is a descendant of the infamous William Orr, a member of the United Irishmen who was hanged by the British in the late 1700's, after being falsely convicted of "Administering the United Irish Oath." As a result of his execution, "Remember Orr" became the rallying cry of the United Irish. "Donnie has an incredible ancestral history, and living in an Irish city such as Boston, he will be very well embraced. Plus, he can flat out fight," Cappiello exclaimed!
Abraham Okine (14-3, 8 KO's), a former member of the Ghana National Team, has also relocated to the Massachusetts area, upon his signing with CP. Okine, also known as "The African Assasin," has relocated from Pittsburgh, PA. to Worcester, Mass. Okine holds wins over heavyweight notables Tony Tubbs and Demetrice King, and suffered a third-round stoppage loss to Shannon Briggs, back in 2005.
Anthony "The Tiger" LaMonica (5-0, 4 KO's) is a heavy-handed Boston junior welterweight. When outside of the ring, LaMonica patrols the streets of Boston, as a full-time Boston Police Officer.
Phillip "Killa" Miller (3-0, 2 KO's) A full-time member of the United States Coast Guard, stationed in Boston, Miller has limited amateur experience, but makes up for it with his heavy hands. Miller is close friends, and trains with, rising heavyweight - Jason "Big Six" Estrada, whom he is learning from each and every day.
Juan Lopez (1-0) Lopez is a result of a stellar amateur career, and, in one fight alone, has shown tremendous promise for his future as a professional. Lopez pitched a dominant shutout win over durable Edwin Rosado in his professional debut.
The five newly signed fighters are all tentatively slated for action on April 12 in Boston, MA.
“I’ve got to admit that, after the Cotto fight,” Malignaggi said, “I never thought that I’d get the chance to fight another great champion again. I believed in myself, but it was almost like I proved too much to everyone, that I had skills, but most of all, that I’m as tough as anyone who ever laced on gloves. I’m really grateful that Team Hatton looks like they’ll give me the opportunity to fight on Ricky’s big card in Manchester in May and then against him in the Fall in the United States.
“Ricky and I have a lot in common. Both our fathers were soccer players – his in England and mine in Italy – and we’ve both paid our dues and earned the respect of the fans and other fighters. The only marks on our records came against two great fighters, Mayweather and Cotto. What makes it so exciting is the big difference in our fighting styles. Ricky is rough and tough; an all-action fighter who takes advantage of everything he can to get the win. You’re never going to see a Hatton fight that doesn’t keep you on the edge of your seat. Most of my fights have been boxing matches. The excitement was dictated by how aggressive the other guy wanted to be. If they brought it, they got it back times 10. I know I’m at the top of my game right now and that’s what it takes to have a chance against a great champion like Ricky Hatton.”
“Everyone was blown away when they heard Ricky was going to fight at City of Manchester Stadium,” Paulie continued. “It’s going to be crazy over there! They’ve had a lot of quality fighters in Great Britain - Joe Calzaghe, David Haye, Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank. They also had Lennox Lewis, but nothing like what Ricky means to them. Vegas was crazy last December and I know we can bring that atmosphere back when we go at it in the Fall. This won’t be a Friendly, more like a World Cup match, wherever we fight.
“My goal has always been to make the biggest and best fights, just like my great friend, Floyd Mayweather, has told me to do. A match-up between me and Ricky will be a Super Fight, one talked about for as long as there is boxing. No other fight at 140 matters. And before the fight, well, everyone knows that I talk a lot of smack, so Ricky’s not going to get any breaks there, either. Like with Floyd, me and Ricky can save seeing if we’re cool until once we’ve earned each other’s respect at the only place it counts – in the ring. There is no one, I repeat, no one I want to fight more than the No. 1 guy in the division - Ricky Hatton. Forget the money, forget the titles, this is about being the best. I know that if I get in the ring with Ricky Hatton, I’ll show him and everyone else what I’m made of, that I am the best 140-pound fighter in the world.
MIGUEL ESPINO
CALLS OUT
NABF CHAMPION ENRIQUE ORNELAS
February 23, 2008 — WBC CABOFE Middleweight Champion and Former Contender TV Series Star Miguel Espino is calling out to NABF Champion Enrique Ornelas after watching his recently televised bout on Telefutura. After listening to Ornelas say that he wants tougher competition and a fight with Kelly Pavlik, Espino stated, “Ornelas needs to beat a true fighter from the Contender series and then climb his way up to a Championship match with Pavlik and that starts with me. I’m ranked at #13 and he’s at #14 in the WBC. An opportunity for a Championship title bout just doesn’t happen overnight, you have to earn it.”
Espino also went on to say, “This would be a great fight for the Middleweight division and we both know that a shot at the Championship is going to take a few more fights. Although Ornelas is a good boxer, he has been taking on fighters that were coming up from 147 and 154 pounds such as Norberto Bravo and I just think it’s time he fights a fighter that is a natural 160 pounder. We’re also both from Southern California and I respect the fact he is one of Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy fighters. Golden Boy has always had a great stable of fighters and this would be a great win on my resume.”
Espino’s next fight against Humberto Corral is scheduled to occur some time in March after he was forced to postpone due to an illness. Espino is looking forward to a showdown with Enrique Ornelas in the near future if Ornelas is willing to accept the challenge.
####
Cardona the new welterweight gatekeeper
A FIGHT I REALLY WISH
WOULD HAVE TAKEN PLACE : KEN NORTON -VS- RON LYLE
It should have happened. It could have happened. Ken Norton and Ron Lyle, two
have the best heavyweights of the " Glorious 70's " era could have created quite
a stir if they would have met. By 1973 Ron was an upcoming, undefeated prospect
while Norton was already a contender due to his win over clever Henry Clark. In
February of 1973 Lyle made his Madison Square Garden debut and was taken to
school by veteran tough guy Jerry Quarry. One month later Norton shocked the
world when he broke Muhammad Ali's jaw and scored a well deserved upset
decision.
Norton was now a star and a close decision loss to Ali in a rematch established
Kenny as a major player. The two bouts with Ali garnered Norton a title shot
against George Foreman. This fight was a disaster for Kenny as he was halted in
the second round. In the meantime Lyle would fight his back into contention.
Only the slick Jimmy Young would sidetrack Ron. In 1975 Lyle would meet new
champion Muhammad Ali for the title. Ron did well in a slow, strategic fight but
in the eleventh Ali hurt Lyle. The champ opened up and the referee stopped the
contest. In 1976 Norton would get his rubber match with Ali with the title on
the line at Yankee Stadium. Ali got the verdict but I along with many others
thought Norton should have won the crown that night.
In 1977 Norton would be awarded the WBC version of the title with a points win
over Jimmy Young. I myself thought the hard luck Young won a close fight. In
1978 Norton would lose the crown in a classic battle to Larry Holmes. Kenny was
then crushed in one round by Earnie Shavers. He barely survived to salvage a
draw against rough and tumble Scott LeDoux. He did edge Randy " Tex " Cobb but
then came his scary one round loss to Gerry Cooney.
Ron Lyle would never get another shot at the title. After he lost to Ali he came
back to out slug Earnie Shavers in a war. Then Ron would lose in one of the
greatest heavyweight fights in history when George Foreman got off the canvas to
stop Lyle. Jimmy Young would again out smart Lyle and although Ron remained a
contender he was never again a front runner.
Why did this fight not take place ? Good question. One reason I believe is that
Norton rose to the top quicker and made a name for himself with his bone
breaking win over Ali. From that point on he had star power and he could be a
little more selective with his opponents. I don't feel that Ken feared Lyle but
I think he realized he did not have Jake LaMotta's jaw. Ron Lyle could punch.
Why take a chance against a guy like that when Ken always seemed to be in the
thick of the heavyweight picture. Lyle needed Norton more then Ken needed him.
JIM AMATO
JONES -- A BULL OR A BEAR?
Can Roy Jones reclaim the division that he once owned?
By: Phil Santos – Overhandright.com
Love him or hate him, Roy Jones Jr. appears to be back. While a blown up Felix Trinidad probably isn’t the best measuring stick, it was the manner in which Jones dominated the fight that was most impressive. Tito fought hard, banging away at Jones’s body and head, but never so much as affected the 8-time former champion. After realizing that Trinidad couldn’t hurt him Jones proceeded to taunt the pride of Puerto Rico by dancing, banging his own midsection and dropping his hands as if daring Tito to hit him. He was in full control and there wasn’t a damn thing Trinidad could do about it.
Fi
nally Jones could again celebrate a marquee victory after spending the last couple of years wallowing in mediocrity. Compiling wins over Prince Badi Ajamu and Anthony Hanshaw did little to rejuvenate interest in the former pound for pound king. But perhaps that is exactly what he needed. As opposed to risking a premature return against a championship level opponent he wisely fought solid foes against which he could refine his skills while getting back on the winning track. Apparently he knew exactly what he was doing.T
he landscape has changed considerably since Jones last ruled at Light Heavyweight. Bernard Hopkins, the man he bested to capture the IBF Middleweight belt, now holds the coveted Ring Championship title. Antonio Tarver holds the IBO strap, Clinton Woods possesses the IBF belt and Danny Green holds the WBA title. While conceivably the best of the championship bunch is Chad Dawson who owns the WBC title strap. For Roy Jones another championship run is not out of the question. Particularly if at 39 Jones can continue to repeat the type of performance he exhibited against Felix Trinidad.C
onsider the fact that Jones owns wins over three of the five fighters who currently hold a title. Also worth mentioning is the fact that a rematch with Woods or Hopkins would be a mega fight that would mean big paydays for both participants. Another fight with Tarver probably doesn’t make a whole lot of sense for Jones at this point. The risk/reward isn’t there against a lesser known fighter like Danny Green even though a win would garner him a title. Least likely is a showdown with Dawson who may very well retire Jones if they were to meet.A
ll things considered Roy Jones has a good shot at reclaiming some version of the title provided he is able to secure a fight in a timely manner. He looked sharp and on his game, in fact he looked as good as he has since coming back from his last loss to Tarver. Given, he was in against a guy who was great at 147 and maybe 154 nonetheless Jones was terrific. The toughest opponent that Jones may face moving forward is father time. You can only avoid him for so long before he catches you and more times than not, like many of Jones’s punches, you don’t see it coming.A
ssuming Bernard Hopkins and Joe Calzaghe square off in the near future, win or lose for Hopkins a fight with Jones only makes sense. We’ve heard varying accounts from both fighters about how one is ducking the other. Most recently Roy Jones said, while in studio as a guest on ESPN Friday Night Fights, that Hopkins wants no piece of him so he has turned his attention elsewhere. The fact is that this is a fight that would matter to fans and makes the most sense for the fighters. For Hopkins it is an opportunity to avenge one of the few losses on his record and for Jones a win earns him another title and a chance to go out on top. Sadly many fights that make sense never get made however the winds of change have been blowing though boxing lately and maybe, just maybe, both men see an opportunity to make an obscene amount of money and the fans can benefit from a rematch that we’ve anticipated for years.PS
RESPONSE: Yes Phil, definitely Hopkins should fight Jones again, provided he gets by Calzaghe. In fact, he should fight Jones instead of Calzaghe. J The Cat
DBE and SALITA AGREE TO CUT PROMOTIONAL TIES
NEW YORK
, January 8, 2008 – DiBella Entertainment and Dmitriy “Star of David” Salita (27-0-1, 15 KO’s) have worked out an agreement by which Salita has received a release from his promotional contract with the New York based boxing promoter. Salita, an Orthodox Jew fighting out of Brooklyn, NY, fought under the DBE banner for nearly 3 years and brought dedication and excitement to every show he fought on. Over those years, Salita built up a new fan base that filled venues in Manhattan to see him fight his way up the world rankings. DiBella Entertainment wishes Dmitriy and Team Salita the best of luck in their future endeavors, both in and out of the ring.MM
Mayweather Is Too Good For Hatton
By Rick Assad
West Coast Reporter trufanboxing.com
LAS VEGAS – In the end it came down to Floyd Mayweather Jr. being too fast, too quick, too smart and too good.
With the World Boxing Council and The Ring Magazine’s welterweight championships on the line Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Mayweather was all business and then some against England’s Ricky Hatton.
A thunderous left hook put Hatton on the canvas for the first time since 2002, and seconds later a combination – again it was a powerful left hook that did the trick – halting the scheduled 12-round bout at 1:35 of the 10th round.
Relying upon incredible hand and foot speed, Mayweather (147 pounds) was ahead on all three judges’ cards when the fight was stopped.
During the week leading up to the match, at least 25,000 fans from the United Kingdom descended upon this Nevada city.
With a band serenading Hatton – a two-division champ at every turn – it’s no wonder why he had at least 95 percent of the crowd in his corner.
This didn’t seem to bother Mayweather, who hails from Grand Rapids, Michigan.
“I love all the fans that came over from the UK and my fans from the United States,’’ he said. “A true champion can adapt to anything.”
According to many, Hatton (145 pounds) took the first two rounds, but the judges saw it differently. At ringside, Harold Lederman had the Manchester, England native winning those rounds, as did this reporter.
“There is a long list of great welterweights out there. [Shane] Mosley, [Miguel] Cotto…..I have beaten the best. I am not going to let the sport of boxing retire me,’’ said Mayweather. “I am going to retire from boxing.”
We’ll see, since he made the same statement in May after his win over Oscar De La Hoya, who co-promoted Saturday’s bout.
One thing is sure, and that’s with an unblemished record of 39-0 along with 25 knockouts, Mayweather is fast approaching Hall of Fame status.
“I am a six-time world champion,’’ he said. “I fought the best in the world. I have nothing else to prove to the whole world.”
Afterward Hatton (43-1 and 31 KOs) acknowledged that the better man prevailed.
“It is a lot easier standing (as opposed to being on his seat),’’ he said when looking at the future. “Floyd was a lot tougher than I expected. He’s really accurate with his punches. In that last round, he got me. Boxing is not a tickling contest.”
Hatton has nothing to be ashamed of. He fought hard and furious, but this tactic may have tired him out at the end.
Hatton admitted that he was reckless, especially after the sixth round. In the round, Hatton pushed Mayweather’s head and shoulders through the ropes, and a point was deducted.
On the undercard, Jeff Lacy (23-1) knocked down Providence, Rhode Island’s Peter Manfredo Jr. (28-5) early in the fourth round of their 10-round super middleweight bout, and earned a unanimous decision.
“I was boxing with him, and I should have continued, but then I punched with him,’’ said Manfredo, the runner-up on season one of “The Contender.”
Manfredo added: “It was a close fight, but I didn’t do enough to win. It was a Golden Boy fight and he is a Golden Boy fighter. I knew I would have to win convincingly. They told me not to pull back and I did and I got caught (on the knockdown).”
When asked his immediate plans, Manfredo had a quick response. “I want to spend time with my family during the holidays,’’ he said. “I was in training during Thanksgiving.”
In a four-round middleweight clash, Brooklyn, New York’s Daniel Jacobs (1-0) made his professional debut.
Coming out with a purpose, Jacobs made quick and easy work of Jose Hurtado, scoring a technical knockout twenty-nine seconds into the opening round.
The sudden ending had the fans’ attention, and big things are predicted for him.
Danny Garcia, who hails from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, had a fine outing against Jesus Villareal in a four-round junior middleweight match.
Garcia (2-0) claimed the first round on two of the three judges’ cards, and dominated the next round, getting a TKO at 2:28.
RA
TWO-TIME WORLD CHAMP FERNANDO VARGAS
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Thursday, Nov. 15, 2007,
Big John McCarthy’s Ultimate Training Academy, Valencia, Calif.
Fans that have purchased over $1 million in tickets to see two-time world champion “El Feroz” Fernando Vargas (26-4, 22 KOs) and three-time world champion Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga (27-6-1, 22 KOs) in what is anticipated to be a street-style brawl at STAPLES Center will get their chance when the two meet on the day after Thanksgiving on Friday, Nov. 23.
Tickets priced at $300, $150, $100 and $50 are on sale online at ticketmaster.com, via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone lines at (213) 480-3232 or (714) 740-2000 and at all Ticketmaster ticket centers. The bout is scheduled for 12 rounds at a catch weigh of 166 pounds.
Vargas and Mayorga will fight in a highly-anticipated main event of a card that begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and is being distributed by SHOWTIME® PPV.
Here is what Vargas had to say during a near-75-minute open media workout Thursday:
FERNANDO VARGAS
“I don’t like anything about Mayorga. He has a face only a mother gorilla would love. I’m going to beat the (poop) out of him. He’s a stupid fighter. He doesn’t get it.
“Mayorga says that I’m going to run. I’m not going to run. He’s a stupid (butt). I’m going to knock him out. He’s going to feel the heat.
“I’ve never really hated anyone this much since I fought Ross Thompson. Mayorga has a big mouth and I’m going to shut it for him.
“When I knock him down I’m going to look down at him and say ‘don’t act stupid, it was not that hard.’ That way he’ll get mad and get up, so I can knock him back down again.
“As we get ready for Friday, my trainer, Eduardo Garcia, keeps asking me three things: (1) Is Mayorga more talented than you? No he is not; (2) Is he stronger than you? No he is not; and (3) Does he have more defense than you? No he does not.
“So, plain and simple, that means he is not going to beat me.
“My fans know I’m a smart fighter, but there are also times I have to put myself on the line to make it an exciting fight. Trust me, I’m going to make sure I leave it all in the ring and walk out victorious.
“I told Garcia I wanted to start working out again. He made me who I am, so he knows everything I can do. He, more than anyone, knows my full ability and potential.
"I’m so excited this is happening. He says I am ‘good’ so that I’m so that means that I’m back. He won’t kiss my butt; he tells the truth.
“If he’s happy, I’m happy. He is the father I’ve never had. I have more respect for him than anything. I come to him for advice for more than just boxing, but for life.
“I’ve been working out since January. I’ve been in the gym non stop.
“(The postponement) was very difficult because we had great momentum. But everything happens for a reason. I was taking too many Aspirin and I started bleeding from my stomach.
"I’m a fighter, and I was losing the equivalent of two pints of blood. It took me two months to get back to normal.
“(I can’t forget) what happened at the press conference. The cat tried to sucker punch me. He doesn’t know I’m a counter puncher.
"You try and back hand me at a press conference, that’s the wrong thing to do, I’ll tell you that much. I’ve been in one or two street fights in my life. I let him slip off my jacket and he didn’t land anything.
“I feel good. This is it. I know I’m going to look great in this fight, but that’s it. This is my last fight. I’ve got other things I got to do. I’ve got other business ventures.
“I’m focused. I won’t really think about it being my last fight until I wrap up my gloves for the last time. I am ready to go out on a bang.”
SHOW
DOW GOES UP, FIGHTERS GO DOWN
- Ron Ross
-all photos by Lisa Ross
Numbers are what Wall Street is all about so it was apropos that’s what it was - a night of numbers at Wall Street’s elegant Cipriani’s where they came dressed to the nines, paying a thousand dollars and up, thirsting for the count of ten and being treated to a fight-of-the-year candidate four rounder, one of the best brawls you could ever hope to see in a ring, highlighting a night of eight exciting bouts.
Tommy Gallagher and Lou DiBella co-promoted a show in which they served up an array of delectable delights, not to mention, some pretty good food also. When Bronx heavyweight Israel Garcia, 245, 17-1, 10 KO’s, stopped 290 pound Mike Jones of Jackson, Michigan at 59 seconds of Round Two after felling him with a crunching left hook, no one would have believed that the best was yet to come.
Well, New York’s Mex-Irish darling, Maureen O’Shea, slammed away with a most unladylike two-fisted walloping of Jessica Mohs who came all the way from Chandler, Arizona to be treated in most inhospitable fashion. After slapping a very game but what-was-she-doing-in-the-same-ring Miss Mohs around for nearly five minutes, referee Sparkle Lee very mercifully halted the carnage at 1:42 of the second round. Okay, maybe I’m a male chauvinist, but I do not think any woman – young, old or in between – should be permitted to take such poundings. I don’t like to see their male counterparts take excessive beatings either, but a woman-lady-girl going nowhere with a 7-16-2 record who gets hit more than a batting practice pitcher needs a strong, firm guiding hand to lead her away from the ring, permanently.
Take a look at what’s happening to you, Jessica. It’s happening too often.- photo, Lisa Ross
Michae
l Grant fought like Michael Grant is expected to fight for the first twenty seconds of the fight then down-shifted as though he were a disciple of Al Gore’s, designing his own energy conservation program. And so it went through the fifth round in his scheduled eight-rounder against Kevin Montiy, Flat Rock, Michigan, 241, sporting a 17-3-1 record with 13 KO’s. Montiy won only the third round on my card as he seemed to gain a bit of confidence, getting inside the taller Grant’s reach and coming alive with a couple of earnest flurries that had little effect on the plodding Grant.
It wasn’t until the sixth round that finally Grant opened up the throttle and let loose with a terrific barrage, dropping Montiy near the bell. To everyone’s surprise Grant did not come out for the seventh as though he was looking to finish off an opponent that seemed ready to crumble under an attack. He plodded after his man for more than a minute and a half, then let go with an overhand right and followed with an icing-on-the-cake left. It was all over at 1:59 of the seventh round.
Grant, of Norristown, PA, 262 pounds, improved to 43-3, 33 KO’s.
Then Ronney Vargas, highly acclaimed Bronx amateur who was making his pro debut set himself in a most unenviable situation. His career-opening performance, a 20-second, one punch knockout of Flint, Michigan’s Ricky Dew, 146 ¾, 0-2, is an act he may never be able to top. Poor, poor Ronney Vargas.
The knockout punch by Vargas! - Photo by Lisa Ross
But the real show-stealer of the night pitted undefeated Englishman Jimmy Campbell, 159, 10-0, 7 KO’s against Ariel Espinal of the Bronx, 162, 5-2 and only 1 KO. It was four rounds of total back and forth you-hit-me then I’ll hit you warfare. They were both proponents of the best defense is a good offense school. In fact they took it a giant step further – Defense? Fahgedaboutit! Espinal heard the first round bell and was off to the races, throwing non-stop roundhouse blows with all four fists. Well, it looked that way, anyhow. After slowing down a bit from arm-weariness he started catching hell from Campbell.
By the second round, the crowd was yelling itself hoarse, raising and rattling their rack of lamb bones in the air as now Campbell was winging away with both hands, now Espinal tags Campbell with wild, arcing right hand bombs. Back and forth, forth and back!
If you thought the second round was enough to leave you breathless, you had to get out a nebulizer for the third round. Every time it looked as though Campbell had solved this tough, little nut who swung for the fence with every punch – BANG! – he would get tagged and now began wobbling when Espinal landed right after right. Just before the bell Campbell was stunned and dropped by one of those from-the-bleacher bombs and went down hard.
Espinal (r) nails Campbelll in seesaw slugfest - Photo, Lisa Ross
E
veryone was worn out as the bell rang for the fourth and final – very final round; the fighters, the crowd – as their dessert melted – the waiters, the promoters and the cornermen. Exhaustion had overcome the house. Campbell was winging punches, but now Espinal was firing lefts and rights in wide arcing circles without letup. The difference was that Campbell was finding it more and more difficult to get out of their way. One after another they rained upon him, but somehow he continued winging back. Then the final bomb! A huge right exploded upon Campbell’s temple. He went down like a tree toppled by a lumberjack. There was no count. Dr. Barry Jordan jumped into the ring and halted the fight at 2:27 seconds of the fourth round. It took about two or three minutes for Campbell to revive. The crowd could not revive. Everything else – which were the three main bouts had to be anti-climactic, so about half the house left after the Great War.
Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillen, New York, NY, 162 ¾, 15-0, 12 KO’s, had no trouble defeating Jesse Orta, Dallas, Texas, 162, 7-11-1, 4 KO’s. He dropped Orta in the second round of a scheduled six with a left hook and outboxed him the rest of the way, taking all six rounds.
Kid Chocolate scores 2nd round knockdow - photo by Lisa Ross
Jorge Teron, Bronx, lightweight also had a clean sweep victory in an eight rounder against Mike Gonzalez, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Teron, through slightly lethargic, used his height to good advantage in outboxing the willing, but outmanned Gonzalez.
DiBella congratulates Teron - photo, Lisa Ross
In the main event, fought before a near-empty house, super-middleweight Buddy McGirt, Jr., sporting a stylish Mohawk hairdo, provided the third straight sweep victory of the night, taking all eight rounds from veteran Thomas Reid, Covington, Tennessee, 35-19-1, 13 KO’s. The fighters were willing and able, but the crowd was winded and gone. It was a night for the undercard warriors.
-RR-
WORLD BOXING CARES IS finally reaching out to the Public in their first New York Event.
