Posts by Guest Writer:
A Review of ‘Mexican American Boxing in Los Angeles’
April 17th, 2014By Dan Hanley
West coast boxing and its rich history has long been a favorite of mine. So, when Gene Aguilera completed his book, Mexican American Boxing In Los Angeles, I hunkered down as any fight fan would with a favored subject and immersed myself in text.
I was not disappointed. Read the rest of this entry “
Full Circle: A Re-assessment of Ali’s Greatness
April 3rd, 2014By Karl Hegman
Sam Ibrahim, at left, with “The Greatest” Muhammad Ali at Deer Lake, Pennsylvania in 1980.
HOUSTON, TX — Spring has finally made its belated way to the Bayou City, replete with mosquitoes, junebugs, and the cockroaches that are part of life in the tropics. Being the rank sentimentalist that I am, I always get reflective during this time of the season that signifies change and second chances. I took a drive out to where I spent the majority of my teen years, to soak in the fresh air and take another look around where I spent some of the best years of my life.
I grew up and ran the streets in Quail Valley, a beautiful suburb that was constructed in the 70′s decade which featured a terrific golf course that hosted the Houston Open at the time. But my interests always concerned the Recreation Center where the boxing team was based out of. Read the rest of this entry “
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Stivens Bujaj Impresses in Tacoma, Stops Barragan in Seven To Claim Cruiserweight WBC USNBC Title
March 24th, 2014
By Ricardo Ibarra
Photos by Mike Blair
Bujaj lands a right on Barragan.
TACOMA, WA — Undefeated cruiserweight prospect Stivens Bujaj kept his perfect record intact last Saturday night, claiming the WBC USNBC Cruiserweight title and impressing Northwest fight fans with a resounding seventh round TKO over the durable Victor Barragan at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington. Headlining Brian Halquist Productions’ 95th installment of the Battle at the Boat, the former amateur standout put on a methodical, patient exhibition, displaying a solid set of boxing skills while battering his opponent en route to the stoppage.
New York City’s Bujaj (12-0 9KO’s 196.5 lbs.) took a measured approach early on in the bout, choosing to lay back and allow his opponent to press the fight while he measured what Barragan (12-8 3KO’s 192.5 lbs.) would bring to the table. In the second round Bujaj began to step up his work rate, countering with greater regularity and finding his mark with hard left hooks in close. Read the rest of this entry “
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Touching Gloves with…Adolph Pruitt
March 20th, 2014By Dan Hanley
Adolph Pruitt (right) working the mitts at the Long Beach Boxing & Fitness Gym.
The old boxing adage, ‘He fought everyone!’, has been used and abused down pug-alley so often over the decades, it’s a wonder it’s publicist hasn’t been arrested for pandering. But despite its loss of luster, when one is eyeballing the professional ring record of Adolph Pruitt, the phrase somehow slips off the tongue quicker than a politician’s promise. Not surprisingly, Pruitt fought in an era without promotional contracts or Pay-per-view deals. And to get anywhere in his day, one had to toe the mark with the very best and had to be extraordinarily good at what they do. Read the rest of this entry “
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Randell Corpuz Scores Hard Fought Win in Toppenish, WA
March 17th, 2014Story and photos by Ricardo Ibarra
Randell drops Phillips
TOPPENISH, WA — Corpuz Promotions had scheduled a full line-up of six professional and six amateur bouts for last Saturday night at the Toppenish Community Center. But, as can sometimes be expected in boxing, the show was marred by cancellations and pull-outs in the week leading up to the show. Still, the new promoter managed to scramble and pull together a solid card at the last minute. Though only one pro fight managed to stay intact, nine amateur bouts and three exhibitions left the robust crowd satisfied with a fun night at the fights.
In the main event, local fan favorite Randell Corpuz (5-2-1 2KO’s 140 lbs.) kept his winning streak alive as he claimed a tougher than expected unanimous decision win over Ryan Phillips(0-1 140 lbs.). Corpuz came out strong in the opening round, pressing the action and bringing the fight to his taller opponent. Phillips, an MMA fighter making his pro debut in the professional boxing ranks, responded well, firing back with hard, looping shots in close, giving the crowd some wild exchanges.
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