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05/27/2004 Archived Entry: "Speedy's Coming, Part 2"
"Speedy's Coming, Part 2"
Gonzales Prepares for Junior Welterweight Showdown with Hopkins on June 18th
Chicagoan Al "Speedy" Gonzales, (14-0-1, 7KO's) takes another step on the road to becoming a world champion as he takes on Demetrius Hopkins (14-0-1, KO's) of Philadelphia on Friday, June 18th as Dominic Pesoli's 8 Count Productions' in association with Duva Boxing presents "UNDEFEATED", a huge night of wall to wall action packed boxing broadcast on ESPN 2 live from the DePaul Athletic Center in Chicago. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance by calling 312-226-5800. The Gonzales/Hopkins ten round bout headlines the terrific card.
Gonzales is preparing for this bout with renowned trainer Jesse Reid at his Los Angeles area gym with former world champion Paul Spadafora. Speaking of training outside of Chicago for the first time, "Speedy" said "its a greatexperience, we're working very hard on new things for offense and defense and I'm learning a lot of new things from Jesse. I've been running 4-5 miles in the morning and studying films of Hopkins while working on a game plan."
Regarding the move to LA, Gonzales said "its perfect out here, no distractions in camp, just concentrating on Hopkins. We've got identical records and are at the same place in our careers, its perfect that we face each otherat this time, the winner continues up the ladder, the loser takes a couple of steps down--that's what boxing needs more of."
Specifically speaking of Hopkins, the confident but typically modest Gonzales stated, "he's a very sharp fighter and I'm sure he's learned a great deal from his uncle (world middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins), I'll need to be at my best and moving camp, working with Jesse and getting better sparring out here works towards that." "UNDEFEATED" will also feature undefeated junior welterweight Kendall Holt, (15-0, 10KO's) in a scheduled eight round bout as well as local favorites super middleweight Sammy Merza (13-0, 10KO's), middleweight David Estrada (4-1, 2KO's), lightweight Tommy Pyle (1-0) and lightweight Jermaine White (2-0, 1KO) in separate bouts.
The DePaul Athletic Center is located at 2323 N. Sheffield in the Lincoln Park section of Chicago, doors open at 6pm, first bell is at 7pm.
Replies: 10 Comments on this article
Mr. Holmes,I'm a little curious about that, too. I've been following the fight game for 25+ years. The truth is, without a land base casino there's no money to support a major fight.
My guess is that it was nothing more than a publicity stunt by a local, small-time, promoter.
Posted by Boxing Fan @ 05/29/2004 12:22 PM EST
This may be the wrong time to bring this up, I'm a little new to Chicago boxing but you folks seem to know a lot about what's going on? I seem to remember reading in Crain's magazine and the Chicago Tribune about Don King coming to Chicago to put on some boxing shows. That was in January and still nothing further has been announced. Any info you folks could provide would be appreciated. Thanks
Posted by Stanley Holmes @ 05/28/2004 03:17 PM EST
It's funny how the predicitable haters, i.e. Mike "Pee Wee Herman" Falcione, come out of the wood work whenever "Speedy" is mentioned. Jealousy always brings out the worst in people.
Maybe if little Mikee and his buffoon boss had any fighters, they wouldn't have all this time to talk about other people's success.
You're all going to hell.
God
Posted by The Truth According God @ 05/28/2004 11:11 AM EST
Yes I have seen Speedy fight and get dropped by a 90 year old bum. I also saw Speedy get his ass kicked by Feliciano, he was lucky to get that gift decision. So please dont insult my intelligence by saying Al has boxing ability. Your whole post is a joke.
Posted by THE TRUTH @ 05/28/2004 08:22 AM EST
Speedy just sucks,,,,, That's it.....
Posted by AT @ 05/27/2004 11:27 PM EST
I am a fan, not a relative.
Perhaps you have never seen Speedy fight. In addition to his natural boxing abilities, he is an incredibly skilled, smart fighter. He is tremendously talented.
The person who wrote the previous comment must be a jilted lover of Speedy's. Or someone who lost to Speedy.
Besides, I thought this was a forum for fans. Not bashers.
Posted by I am a FAN @ 05/27/2004 10:18 PM EST
I am a fan, not a relative.
Perhaps you have never seen Speedy fight. In addition to his natural boxing abilities, he is an incredibly skilled, smart fighter. He is tremendously talented.
The person who wrote the previous comment must be a jilted lover of Speedy's. Or someone who lost to Speedy.
Besides, I thought this was a forum for fans. Not bashers.
Posted by I am a FAN @ 05/27/2004 10:17 PM EST
I am a fan, not a relative.
Perhaps you have never seen Speedy fight. In addition to his natural boxing abilities, he is an incredibly skilled, smart fighter. He is tremendously talented.
The person who wrote the previous comment must be a jilted lover of Speedy's. Or an someone who lost to Speedy.
Besides, I thought this was a forum for fans. Not bashers.
Posted by I am a FAN @ 05/27/2004 10:17 PM EST
Heart doesn't make you a good fighter.Its important to have heart, but skill is of way more value, and Hopkins just has way more talent. Gonzales is gonna get smoked by Hopkins. Anyone that tells you different dont know there ass from there elbow about boxing. Whoever wrote the above comment has to be a relative or a friend of Al's.
Posted by THE TRUTH @ 05/27/2004 05:42 PM EST
It is great to hear Speedy and world class trainer Jesse are working so well together.
Speedy is such a naturally talented boxer. But what stands out most in my mind about Speedy is his fierce determination, his strong will and his larger than life heart.
You can teach a fighter better defense, you can teach a fighter technique, but you can not teach a fighter heart. That is something that comes from within. Either you have it or you don't. And Speedy HAS IT!
Best of luck to you Speedy! You worked hard for this opportunity.
Posted by T @ 05/27/2004 02:21 PM EST
