August 31, 2002
Press Release - Pendarvis Announces New Show
BOSTON, Mass. – Pendarvis Boxing Promotions has announced that its pro boxing card, "The Irish Explosion," has found a new home at the National Guard Armory in Braintree and been pushed back a week until Friday night, September 13.
Super middleweight Shaun "Big Trouble" Creegan (13-1-2, 2 KOs) is still scheduled to headline the show, originally slated for Sept. 6 in Dorchester, in the 8-round main event against veteran Lloyd Bryan (20-9, 9 KOs), of Capitol Heights, Maryland.
The card is promoted by Pendarvis Boxing Promotions, in association Rolling Rock, Coors, North Shore Pontiac & Buick, First Choice Limousine, North South Physical Therapy, Inc., and Frugal McDoogal.
Creegan, of Plainfield via Lynn, will be in the eight-round main event against TBA. In the six-round co-feature, WIBA No. 1 ranked middleweight Leaticia “Baby Girl” Robinson (8-0, 7 KOs), of Chicago, puts her unbeaten record on the line against Evelyn Holley (1-1-2), of Philadelphia.
All matches and boxers are subject to change.
Scheduled to fight on the undercard in separate bouts are Worcester
cruiserweight Roy "House of" Payne (14-11-4, 6 KOs), Taunton heavyweight Harold Rodriguez (2-1, 1 KO), South Boston lightweight Eddie McAloney (11-5, 5 KOs), New Bedford lightweight David Marmood (4-1), and South Boston middleweight Martin "The Irish Assassin" Thorton (1-0-1, 1 KO).
Ticket prices are $40.00 (limited) ringside and $25.00 general admission. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. with the first bout scheduled for 8 p.m. Call Pendarvis Boxing Promotions at 617-825-3283 to order tickets or for more information. Tickets are also available at Tara's Pub (1912 Dorchester Ave. – 617.282.5637) and will also be sold at the door.
(The National Guard Armory in Braintree is located at 275 Union St., off X17.
August 31, 2002
DeGrandis Decisions Sheehan
DeGrandis Wins Happy Homecoming
By JD Vena
TAUNTON, MA – “He’s tough as nails,” said Joey DeGrandis following his 10-round decision victory over durable Danny Sheehan. “But that is what I expected.” But what happened last night exceeded expectations when DeGrandis, 179, formerly of South Boston who now lives in Crestwood, IL on the outskirts of Chicago, battled 10-hard rounds with Sheehan of Brockton. DeGrandis who had been fighting in his home state for the first time in five years won a unanimous decision over Sheehan but it came at a tough price. Though all three judges had it in DeGrandis’ favor by tallies of 97-92, 98-92 and 99-90, this was no walk in the park.
“Look at my hands,” DeGrandis said in his dressing room following the win. “You can barely see my knuckeles.”
DeGrandis’ knuckles, though surrounded by 10 ounce padding during the fight found Sheehan’s head and body throughout the fight but, Sheehan, a hard man at 179, never wilted and came back with his own shots, enough to steel a few rounds and make last night’s card at the Roseland Ballroom a competitive see-saw contest.
“I won’t argue the decision,” said Sheehan. “He’s a tough, tough guy but I thought I won. It’s the same old story, I have more losses than I have wins. A judge is going to give it to the guy who has the better record. But (Joey) definitely fought a tough, hard fight.
DeGrandis, now 30-5 with 13 KO’s is now looking ahead to bigger or better things and hopefully another fight that is now as tough as this one.
“You can’t pay Danny or myself what we deserve for a fight like this,” said DeGrandis. “Guys like to dance around and make their money but we earned it tonight.”Sheehan dropped to 8-18 with 3 KO’s.
In other bouts:
Willie “The Galdiator” Gibbs, 158 Philadelphia TKO2 (:20) Muhammed Nuhu, 159, Accra, Ghana
Ian Gardner, 159, Brockton, MA TKO3 (:44) Kenny Stubbs, 164, Nassau, The Bahamas
Derek Ennis, 151, Philadelphia, PA W4 (38-38, 38-37 & 40-36) Houston Crayton, 155, Brockton, MA
John “The House of Rain” Rainwater, 199, Worcester, MA W4 (39-36, 39-37 & 38-37) Willie Kemp, 205, Syracuse, NY
Aaron “2-Gun” Torres, 132, Brockton, MA TKO2 (1:44) Derek Miller, 125, Nassau, The Bahamas.
Last night’s show was videotaped and will broadcast at 3:30 PM on Sunday, September 8th on Fox SportsNet New England.
Promoter – Cappiello Promotions
August 29, 2002
Angelo Dundee, 81 - Happy Birthday!
by Robert Ecksel
Birthday greetings to the world’s most famous living trainer! On Friday, August 30, 2002, the brilliant yet benign Angelo Dundee turns 81 years young. His half-century in the fight game have been exemplary and should serve as an example to us all. Light on his feet, sharp as a tack, Angelo Dundee is the sort of man who counters boxing’s sordid reputation.
Angelo Dundee is one of the few trainers of genius to have never boxed amateur or pro. Even though Angie made it a habit to avoid getting socked in the face, Dundee still came up the hard way. He began as a bucket boy at Stillman’s Gym, the fabled University of Eighth Avenue, in the tempestuous 1940s. It was during the war years, in that stinky, smelly, sacred environment, that Angelo Dundee, as he put it, "learned from the cream of the creme."
The octogenarian trainer was always more headshrinker than he ever was conditioning coach. Angelo Dundee was the preeminent master at discerning an opponent’s frailties and inspiring his fighter to exploit them. Such boxing luminaries as Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Carmen Basilio, Willie Pastrano, Luis Rodriguez and Sugar Ramos found famed and fortune under the tutelage of Angelo Dundee.
From 1950 to 1994, the Fifth Street Gym in Miami Beach was Angelo Dundee’s Harvard. Run in tandem with his brother Chris, the Fifth Street Gym was a Mecca where the devout could come and worship. The rediscovery of Miami Beach in the 1990s as a playground by the young and restless KOed the gym at Fifth and Washington Avenue. In its place now stands an art deco office building of absolutely no significance.
In addition to being steward of fifteen world champions, in addition to remaining delightfully accessible, down-to-earth and unpretentious, Angelo Dundee also possesses a heavyweight, world-caliber wit. Some of Angelo’s best bons mots have a hallowed place in the boxing quote hall-of-fame.
"Philadelphia is not a town. It’s a jungle. They don’t have gyms there. They have zoos. They don’t have sparring sessions. They have wars."
"I got so bored (in Zaire), I was teaching the lizards to do push-ups."
"Muhammad Ali is Muhammad Ali, and compared to him all other men are earthlings."
"I’m only as good as the guy on the stool."
"This kid (Sugar Ray Leonard) could feint you out of your jockstrap."
"When you’re working with a fighter, you’re a surgeon, an engineer and a psychologist."
"George (Foreman) has three speeds - slow, stop, and wait a minute."
"Those two guys have been around. They’re as old as water." (describing Roberto Duran’s cornermen, 74-year old Freddie Brown and 81-year old Ray Arcel)
"When I see things through my eyes, I see things."
"Hey, Muhammad, remember that redhead who was after me in Miami? The old broad had more chins than a Chinatown phonebook."
"Whenever a guy comes to me and talks about his wife or girlfriend, I say, ‘Look, do me a favor, go hit the light bag.’"
In a game not always known for its open-mindedness and generosity of spirit, Angelo Dundee is the exception that proves the rule. Full-fledged good guy, guardian angel and star trainer all at once, Angelo Dundee justifies using the word sweet in the phrase sweet science of bruising.
Happy 81st, Angie! We’re in your corner all the way.
robert.ecksel@gte.net
August 28, 2002
DeGrandis Gets Back
By JD Vena
CHICAGO, IL – Though he enjoys a variety of topics of conversation, nice-guy, “Ice” John Scully of Hartford most likes to discuss his desire to get back in the ring with an old-amateur nemesis, Joey DeGrandis, formerly of South Boston. The two faced each other in the 1988 New England Golden Gloves 156-pound final in Lowell, MA. After Scully had controlled the tempo of the first round, DeGrandis let loose with a right hand after the bell sounded. DeGrandis was disqualified after muttering something to the referee and/or Scully. Within seconds, the ring filled up like an Irish pub and a melee ensued for several minutes. Scully was held in the basement of the auditorium for two hours before being escorted to his car by the police. The altercation attracted national attention appearing in USA Today news the following day as well as local network television .
“I was 18 at the time,” remembers DeGrandis. “The guy had much more experience than I had. I was 4-0 and he was going to the Olympic Trials that year. Something was said after the first round. He knew how to get to an inexperienced kid like me at the time and I did the wrong thing. One of my brothers ran into the ring and all hell broke loose.”
To this day, people still recall the story and frequently ask Scully if he and DeGrandis will fight again. Though Scully wishes for the fight to happen and has even gone so far as sending e-mails to DeGrandis’ former promoter Bobby Hitz, DeGrandis is more concerned with the current fight, one that he is fortunately winning.
For over a year now, DeGrandis has been winning his battle with drugs an alcohol, a war that nearly ruined him, following his 12-round decision loss to then IBF super-middleweight champion, Charles Brewer in December of 1997.
“After I fought Brewer, I had to have surgery to remove bone chips form my elbow,” DeGrandis told the CBZ. “When you have surgery, you’re usually prescribed pain killers. I was given OxyContin, a very addictive drug to help ease the pain. The surgery didn’t go too well. My elbow ended up getting infected not once, but twice and that increased my prescriptions. What happened next was what nearly destroyed me.”
DeGrandis fell victim to addiction and drugs and alcohol took over his life like a full-time job.
“Nothing else mattered to me,” said DeGrandis. “My best days were when I would take a day off of drinking but taking pain killers and then vice versa. Addiction is a disease and it was severe enough to the point where I hated who I was looking at in the mirror every day. I hated who I became. Then one day my sister, Kathy grabbed me by the hand and checked me into a detox around Boston.”
But it was another familiar face that not only helped DeGrandis find an opening to life but true love.
“My dad had a good friend in the fire department named Lt. William Osterguy, who heads the employee services. He got me to move to Chicago where there is a halfway house called the Guildhaus. That’s what helped me get back on my feet.
His two feet was what led him to dentist to purchase a new mouthpiece. Low and behold, DeGrandis found more than something that would protect his teeth that day.
“I met a girl named Lee O’Connor and she’s the girl of my dreams,” says DeGrandis. “She got me to go running and she helped me find myself. She likes me for the fact that I’m helping myself and going to AA meetings to try and help other people. We go for runs and just last year we ran the Chicago Marathon.”
Soon the desire to fight came back to DeGrandis and he notched 6 straight wins over non-descript opposition until being overmatched against WBO light heavyweight champion Dariusz Michalzewski in his home country of Poland on April 20th of this year. Michalzewski stopped DeGrandis in the 2nd round.
“Going to Europe was an experience,” said DeGrandis. “I can honestly say that though he hit me with a good punch, I wasn’t hurt. It knocked me into the ropes and I tripped over my feet and the fight was over.”
Friday night at the Roseland Ballroom in Taunton, DeGrandis returns to his home state when he faces tough-guy Danny Sheehan in a 10-rounder, headlining a 6-bout Rich Cappiello promoted show. It will be the first time in just over 5 years that DeGrandis has fought in Massachusetts.
“DeGrandis has a good following here,” said Cappiello. “I’d like to get him some fights and then match him and Scully together. That’s the grudge match that everyone around here wants to see.”
As you might have expected someone else is happy to see Joey return to New England.
“I am going to a wedding in Easton, PA on Saturday,” said Scully. “But I am still going to make the trip to Joey D's fight to make it known to all involved that desire to fight on my part is real. I just feel that we should fight. I have had a lot of trouble getting fights in the last year after I beat Cleveland Nelson in Toronto and this is a fight that makes sense and is do-able. It is the only fight that fans in this area would really want to see either of us in.”
But DeGrandis isn’t so keen over the idea.
“Hey, I’ve proven that I’ll fight anyone on any given day if the money is right,” said DeGrandis. “I’m one of the toughest guys around but I’m in this game to make money, not satisfy this guy’s 14-year obsession. Boxing isn’t everything to me. This is a business and he should be thinking the same way. I hear Scully is a nice guy from what I’ve heard but the only way I’ll fight him is if I’m paid $25,000. If I’m not going to be paid that much then (Scully) is wasting his time. Right now I’m only concerned about Danny Sheehan and from what I’ve heard about him he’s also a tough guy, but he better bring a machine gun with him because he’s going to find out very quickly how tough I am.
Whether or not DeGrandis faces Scully in the professional ranks, he will not be moving back to Southie or somewhere in Massachusetts even.
“I’m happy to be fighting in New England again,” said DeGrandis. “I’ll always appreciate New England but the life I’ve found and my love is in Chicago.”
Also featured on Friday’s card are some of the exciting prospects. Fast-rising middleweight, “Sir” William “The Gladiator” Gibbs (8-0/7KO’s) will face Muhammed Nuhu (4-9/1 KO of Accra, Ghana in a 6-rounder and Aaron “2-Guns” Torres (9-1/5 KO’s) now fighting out of Brockton, will meet Darren Miller (3-2) of Nassau, The Bahamas. Also slated to appear are Ian “The Truth” Gardner (4-1) of Brockton against Kenny “The Jake” Stubbs (10-7) also of Tha Bahamas, Worcester’s John “The House of Rain” Rainwater (8-9/ 3 KO’s) against Willie Kemp (14-27/ 8 KO’s) of Troy NY and Houston Craton of Brockton and Derek Ennis of Philadelphia debut against each other.
The bouts will be videotaped and broadcast on Fox SportNet New England on Sunday, September 8th at 3:30. Doors will open at 6:00 and the first bout is scheduled to kick off at 7:30. For ticket information call 508-587-5554 or 508-587-3370.
August 27, 2002
Molly McConnell at Women’s National Golden Gloves
A message from Bill Meartz, coach of the West Portland Boxing Club in Oregon.
> Hi Friends! - We are home and with us we brought
>the "2002 Women's National Golden Gloves 139 pound Champion".
> > Last night, August 24th, Molly McConnell boxed the #1 ranked girl in the country (Angel Bovee, from New York) and
won a unanimous decision. This is the first time
since 1983 that someone from Oregon has won the National Golden Gloves.
The 2002 Women's National Golden Gloves took place at the Ramada Plaza O'Hare in Chicago. Molly drew a bye in the first round (quarter finals). In the semis she
boxed Lily Avetyan, California and stopped her in the
third round; to move into the finals on Saturday the 24th of August. Molly boxed the #1 ranked 139 pounds (Jr Welterweight) in the country from New York, Angel Bovee. Molly was overwhelmed with joy and shed more tears in
triumph than she does in defeat. She lost a 15-15 tie-breaker at the US Championships in Scranton, PA in early August to Jill Emery of New York who was a two time National Champion at 156 and 147. How ever Jill Emery was eliminated in the next round by Angel Bovee. Angel Bovee has beat Jill Emery
the last two times they boxed, which kind of tells you what a fluke Mollie’s loss to Jill was. Molly and I both wanted to box Jill only because we were both very confident of a victory.
We will all be home tomorrow, Monday the
26th, but will depart for Kansas City, MO on Tuesday for the "Ringside Labor Day Tournament", which is the largest boxing event in the world, drawing boxers from other countries besides North America. We will have Sammy "The Man" Perez, now ranked #2 in the US at 11 years old open, Junior (Tenacious) Martinez, 12 open, Aaron "Offense" Turner ranked #5 at 14 years old open.
Two of our boxers will be making their first appearance at a National Tournament, Scott Harrie, 14 132 lbs and Ken Christian 15 112lbs and of course Molly McConnell at 139 lb Women's Open.
I do believe Molly will attend the National PAL in Augusta, Georgia at the end of September. I will be going to Istanbul, Turkey to Coach the US Women's Team at the World Championships and Molly will not be going to that, but I am sure she will be doing some International events for USA Boxing this year.
Women's boxing has improved ten fold since its inception in 1993. In the early days the girls looked awful with swinging arms and non-stop action. Now you see some very good boxers and many of them still in the Junior division.
August 27, 2002
The Bert Sugar Archives
Well, as you guys may know, Uncle Bert is one of our good friends and you will be seeing more of him on this site in the weeks to come.
Here is a little taste --
http://www.softycentral.com/snds2002funstuf.htm
August 27, 2002
Iowa has a National Champion
Chicago, Illinios - At the 2002 Women’s National Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions, Iowa City’s Katy Klinefelter won the 119 pound junior division (13-14 year olds) to become Iowa’s first female national boxing champion. Katy won a decision over Texas’ Stephanie Martinez in the final Saturday night after defeating California’s Kaliesha West in the semifinal via a walkover.
August 24, 2002
International Boxing Hall of Fame about its Sept. 19 fundraiser in Boston
Legendary boxing writer/historian Bert Sugar to serve as event emcee
CANASTOTA, NY – AUGUST 23, 2002 – The International Boxing Hal of Fame, Canastota, New York, announced today former heavyweight champ Ken Norton, junior welterweight star "Irish" Micky Ward, female champ Christy Martin, and former welterweight champs Tony DeMarco and Marlon Starling will be guests at a "Night of Champions" fund-raiser at PHILLIPS Old Colony House on Thursday, September 19, 2002. Bert Sugar, one of boxing's foremost writers and historians, will emcee the evening's festivities.
"The Hall of Fame is very excited about hosting a 'Night of Champions' in Boston for the first time. Boston is a great fight city with great fans so this promises to be an unforgettable night for everyone," said Hall of Fame Executive Director Edward Brophy. "The Hall of Fame's mission is to preserve boxing's history and fund-raisers such as this will allow us to continue doing just that."
The evening will run from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and consist of a cash bar, buffet, silent auction, autograph and photograph opportunities and a program featuring speeches by the celebrity guests.
A key player in the heavyweight division during the 1970s, Norton was the WBC heavyweight champion in 1978. He engaged in a classic three-fight series with Muhammad Ali. Also during his career Norton scored wins over Jerry Quarry and Jimmy Young among others. In 1992 Norton was elected into the Boxing Hall of Fame.
Fighting out of Lowell, MA, Ward scored a 10-round victory over Arturo Gatti on May 18, 2002 in an amazing battle that is the leading contender for "Fight of the Year" honors. One of today's most exciting fighters, Ward has also defeated Shea Neary, Reggie Green and his victory over Emanuel Burton was one of the highlight battles of 2001.
Known as "The Coal Miner’s Daughter" Martin's aggressive ring style has made her a fan favorite and one of the most popular boxers in the world. A Sports Illustrated cover subject in 1996, Martin turned pro in 1989 and has compiled a 44-2-2 (31KOs) as a professional. She is trained and managed by her husband, Jim.
In 1955 Boston's Tony DeMarco defeated Johnny Saxton via 14th round TKO for the welterweight title. Also that year DeMarco engaged in two classic wars with Carmen Basilio, with their second battle named "Fight of the Year."
DeMarco's record reads 58-12-1 (33KOs) and includes wins over Paddy DeMarco, Kid Gavilan, Chico Vejar, and Gaspar Ortega among others.
Known as the "Magic Man," Starling posted an impressive 97-13 amateur record before making his pro debut in 1979. As a pro he captured both the WBC and WBA welterweight championships in the late1980s. Fighting out of Hartford, CT, his pro record reads 45-6-1 (27KOs) and includes wins over Mark Breland, Lloyd Honeyghan and Simon Brown.
Known for his trademark hat and cigar, Bert Sugar has been editor of The Ring, Boxing Illustrated and Fight Game magazines. The author of over 50 books, Sugar has also appeared in several motion pictures and television programs, including Play it to the Bone, Night and the City, The Great White Hype, and HBO’s Arliss.
Tickets are $75 per person or $750 per table and can be purchased by calling event chairperson Mike Vellano at 508-580-2445, Tom Clasby at 617-471-8244, Mark Carey at 617-471-3010 or the Boxing Hall of Fame at 315-697-7095. Only a limited number of tickets will be available. All proceeds will benefit the Boxing Hall of Fame.
August 22, 2002
Press Release - KUSHNER TO PRESENT 5 CARDS IN 30 DAYS
BENEFIT, FOX SPORTS NET AND TELEMUNDO CARDS
IN NEW YORK, CALIFORNIA, LAS VEGAS AND OKLAHOMA
AUGUST 31 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 29
FEATURING MASKAEV, CAMACHO JR., LEVIN,
THOMPSON, JEFFERSON, SHUFFORD, WILLIAMS
Cedric Kushner Promotions will present five cards in 30 days during August and September it was announced today.
The cards, which will be televised by Fox Sports Net, Telemundo and the Cedric Kushner Sports Network, will be held on Aug. 31, Sept. 6, Sept. 8, Sept. 21 and Sept. 29.
The card Aug. 31 is in Bridgehampton, N.Y., and features heavyweight Oleg Maskaev against former International Boxing Federation cruiserweight champion Al Cole.
The card Sept. 6 is in Compton, Calif., and features world-ranked super lightweight Hector Camacho Jr. against Arturo Urena.
The card Sept. 8 is in Lawton, Okla., and features heavyweight Attila Levin against Ross Puritty.
The card Sept. 21 is in Las Vegas and features heavyweight Derrick Jefferson against Fernely Feliz.
The card Sept. 29 is in Lemoore, Calif., and features heavyweight Jeremy Williams against Gilberto Martinez.
The cards Sept. 8 in Lawton and Sept. 29 in Lemoore are televised by Fox Sports Net, the card Sept. 6 in Compton is televised by Telemundo and the card Aug. 31 in Bridgeport is televised by the Cedric Kushner Sports Network.
The card Aug. 31, dubbed "Summer Punch," is a benefit to assist five organizations in the New York City and Long Island areas.
Three of the cards are at casinos. The card Sept. 6 is at the Crystal Park Casino in Compton, the card Sept. 21 is at the Stratosphere Hotel Casino & Tower in Las Vegas and the card Sept. 29 is at the Palace Indian Gaming Center in Lemoore. The card Sept. 8 is in the Great Plains Coliseum and hosted by the Fort Sill Apache Casino.
Also on the Fox Sports Net card Sept. 8 in Lawton will be undefeated welterweight sensation Anthony Thompson. And on the card Sept. 21 in Las Vegas is heavyweight Charles Shufford.
August 22, 2002
Press Release - CES & NESN Join Forces
CES & NESN PRESENTS THURSDAY NIGHT FIGHTS
Jimmy Burchfield's Classic Entertainment & Sports & NESN presents two special boxing events over the next two weeks. Tonight, Thursday, August 22, 2002 at 7:00 PM NESN will present the "Mohegan Sun Fight Night." Televised bouts will include world rated contender Dana Rosenblatt vs. Juan Carlos Viloria, Narragansett's Jaime Clampitt vs. Connie Becthel, Mike Culbert vs. Manny Teo and an EBA cruiserweight title fight between Rich LaMontagne and Art Jimmerson. The bouts were held in Boston, MA on June 28th and presented by CES, Mohegan Sun and Miller Lite.
Next Thursday, August 29, 2002, Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc. & NESN presents "Foxwoods Fight Night." Televised bouts will include Tim Flamos vs. Chris Brown, Joe Spina vs. Antonio Baker II, and two EBA title fights featuring Peter Manfredo, Jr. vs. Charles Clark and Gary Balletto vs. Aldrich Johnson. The fights will again start at 7:00 PM on NESN. These bouts were taped on July 27th at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet in Cranston and presented by CES, Foxwoods and Budweiser.
TV SCHEDULE
Thursday, August 22
7:00 PM
NESN
CES & Mohegan Sun Boxing
Dana Rosenblatt vs. Juan Carlos Viloria, 10 Rounds Super Middleweights
Rich LaMontagne vs. Art Jimmerson, 10 Rounds EBA Cruiserweight Title
Jaime Clampitt vs. Connie Betchel, 6 Rounds Super Lightweights
Mike Culbert vs. Manuel Teo, 6 Rounds Super Middleweights
Thursday, August 29
7:00 PM
NESN
CES & Foxwoods Boxing
Gary Balletto vs. Aldrich Johnson, 10 Rounds EBA Lightweight Title
Peter Manfredo, Jr. vs. Charles Clark, 10 Rounds EBA Super Welterweight Title
Joe Spina vs. Antonio Baker II, 4 Rounds Light Heavyweights
Tim Flamos vs. Chris Brown, 6 Rounds Cruiserweights
August 21, 2002
Results From Brazil
3 agosto 2002 - Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Acelino Freitas W12 Daniel Attah - WBO super feather
Laudelino Barros (Brasil) TKO1 Dennis Matthews
Archak Ter-Meliksetian (Brasil) KO1 Jaime Barahona
Valdemir Pereira (Brasil) TKO 4 Roberto Enriquez
Juliano Ramos peleó también ???
17 ago 2002
Berlin, Germany
Juan Carlos Gomes TKO2 Daniel Frank - heavy
Zsolt Erdei W8 José Roberto Coelho
17 de agosto de 2002
Colégio Castelinho, em São Paulo, Sao Paulo.
Nelson Lemes KO2 Humberto Conceição (welter) (4 rounds)
Jair da Silva D4 Josemar Santos (welter) (4)
Gilberto Melo W4 Eduardo França (pesado/heavy) (4)
Fábio Maldonado KO2 Jonatas dos Santos (pesado/heavy) (4)
Anderson Clayton KO2 João Pereira (welter) (6)
Amigos / friends:
Rogério Lobo - pesado/heavy - KO by 4º - Owen Beck, Cassino Mandalay Bay
(La Vegas). En que fecha ??? In which date ???
Manoel da Cruz, 35 years old - Super light - abandonou el boxeo / colgó los
guantes.
Luís Augusto Fernandes dos Santos - welter - peleó 5 (1-4) en USA / fought 5 times (1-4) in USA. Against who? / Con quien ?
José Luiz "Snoopy" Rodrigues, jr middle, peleó dos veces en los EUA (Las Vegas) / fought two times en Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Against who? Con quien?
Reinaldo Carrera (reinaldocarrera@aol.com) maneja los boxeadores / is the manager of Daniel Bispo (cruiser/cruzero 10-0) and Reginaldo Martins (fly /mosca).
August 20, 2002
Chauncy Welliver --- What Really Happened
Chauncy –Splat Down or Splash Down?
by Legs McGurk
Did he jump? Or was he pushed? That was the mystery swirling around the arena at the Lucky Eagle Casino in Rochester, WA on Saturday, July 13. The question mark was over Chauncy Welliver’s second and final trip to the deck at the end of the third round in his 8 round North West Boxing Association heavyweight title bout against Felipe Bojorquez.
At 3;31:49 am of July 14, 02, just hours after winning the "title" by DQ while flat on his back and apparently sleeping, Chauncy Welliver posted the following message on the CBZ message board:
"Hello this is Chauncy Welliver and tonight I won a fight vs Felipe Bojorquez on my back. That’s not the way you want to win a title.
I was knocked down by the hard punching Bojorquez in the first but recouped to win the 2nd and 3rd and at the end of the third I was walking away and the next thing I know I’m talking to the doctor. He threw 2 deliberate shots after the bell when I had my back turned about 3 seconds after the bell. I’m not sure if he deserves a rematch after 2 blatant fouls like that. One thing is that he was ready to go and the game was to take him late. But I’ll be back. I’m 19 and I have a belt and I don’t feel right about having it."
I saw this fight live and now, having watched the videotape and confirmed my impressions, I still don’t know whether Chauncy was faking or genuinely unconscious. But I am ready to say that Chauncy’s version is NOT what happened. Bojorquez did not hit Chauncy when his back was turned. Bojorquez threw that last right hand while the sound of the bell was still in the air, just as referee Paul Field was stepping between the two boxers. Chauncy was facing Bojorquez and took a single right hand to the jaw. Chauncy paused for a split second, seeming to look at the ref, and then crumpled backward, falling flat on his back with his arms flung above his head.
There he stayed. For a long time. He lay still all the while the ref walked Bojorquez back to a neutral corner, and while his own corerman came in and watched Bojorquez get yelled at. Chauncy still didn’t move while the crowd chanted "Bullshit! Bullshit!" Not because of the foul—and it was a foul—of hitting after the bell, but because the crowd believed Chauncy was faking. It didn’t look like much of a punch. And there was that moment of hesitation before Chauncy fell. Still, there is such a thing as a delayed reaction.
But the crowd had turned against Chauncy. Even after he had finally been lifted up to his stool by the doctor and his cornermen, the crowd didn’t buy it. They booed the announcement of Chauncy’s win by disqualification. They cheered Bojorquez. They cheered the announcement of a possible re-match. But when Chauncy took the microphone and tried to address them, they booed uproariously, not allowing him to speak. It was quite a turn around for these fans.
Despite his floppy, grandmotherly torso, the 19 year-old Chauncy Welliver (262 lbs) of Spokane had a following among the jam-packed crowd in the Lucky Eagle’s new boxing/bingo hall. He’s a confident Southpaw showman, and his now 12-1 record included enough fancy dancing, and pitty-pat storms to entertain. So the crowd was on Chauncy’s side when he stepped in with the taller, older and slightly less pudgy Felipe Bojorquez (259 lbs) 10-1, 10 knockouts going in, of California.
When Chauncy was floored by a major left hand in the first round, the crowd was shocked. When Chauncy got up dazed and and went to the ropes, delivering a shoe-shine flurry beneath Bojorquez’ blasts, the crowd was impressed with his rally. Bojorquez lost his mouthpiece in the last minute of the round and the fans took this as a good sign for Chauncy.
But then in the second round, the chipper Chauncy had Bojorquez on the ropes and seemed to be scraping the wrist tape of his gloves across Bojorquez’ face. This caused the scholars near me to gasp out, "Lacing! My god, he’s lacing him!" They were surprised at the revival of this classic technique by one so young. But seconds later, still inside, Chauncy ducked his head and jerked it up in a massive head-butt to Bojorquez’ face. The move was so clearly visible and so blatantly deliberate that the entire room burst out in boos. The ref hauled Chauncy into mid-ring for a severe scolding and the round continued.
But this obvious foul made the crowd suspect that the local favorite had gone over to the dark side—that he was prepared to do anything to win. And things were not looking all that good for Chauncy. His tootsies certainly twinkle but they are seldom planted. His punches are fairly quick, and occasionally numerous, but seem to lack the impact suitable for his size. He is an arm puncher. He was breathing through his mouth from the opening round. Bojorquez, on the other hand, had plodding but solid feet, a stalking shot-picking strategy, and a substantial thwock in each hand. He landed his right whenever he threw it, and that was often. Though Bojorquez was tiring, he was not visibly moved by anything Chauncy delivered.
That was the situation at the end of the third when Chauncy went down. Bojorquez’ last punch was a foul, but it was a heat of the moment item, and most likely not deliberate. I, along with much of the crowd, was convinced that Chauncy was faking to force the DQ. As the fans drifted out to the parking lot or settled in for drinks or dinner, the talk went on. "An Oscar-worthy performance" was a common phrase. And the kid had laid the groundwork for us all to doubt him with that head butt in the second round.
Now, watching the tape, I think maybe Chauncy did get cold-cocked. Maybe. But it wasn’t a sneak attack from behind and there were not two punches involved. It was face to face, just that one ballistic right hand to the left side of Chauncy’s jaw. Washington gave Chauncy a 90 day suspension to recover from the KO. We’ve all read and heard of amnesia immediately surrounding a head injury. Maybe somebody told Chauncy this weird tale of an attack from behind, and he believed them. Maybe he dreamed it that way in the fog of waking up. But for the sake of Bojorquez’ reputation I figure the record needs to be set straight on this one.
August 19, 2002
Tua Back in the Mix with 1-round Kayo
By Chris Bushnell
Exactly one year ago this weekend, boxing fans shut the book on David
Tua's career as a serious heavyweight contender. An embarrassing loss
to Chris Byrd, the result of lousy conditioning, was the third strike.
Having already walked through his shot at Lennox Lewis (strike one) and having barely escaped with a victory against Danell Nicholson (strike two), the iron-chinned left hooker looked finished. Flash forward 365
days and Tua is once again making serious waves in the heavyweight
division. His blink-of-an-eye demolition of aging Michael Moorer may
not
be a victory to boast about, but in today's heavyweight division, a win
is a win and a concussive knockout is a first class ticket to a title
shot.
Michael Moorer's southpaw stance might have given David Tua trouble had
the two-time heavyweight champion of the world not squared up on his
opponent only seconds into their fight. As the men met at center ring,
Tua threw a right to the body, and Moorer moved his right leg back to
absorb the blow. Putting his hand on Tua's ducked head, Moorer guided
the charging bull into the ropes as he landed two more rib-cracking
body
shots. Referee Rudy Battle was about to step in and call for a break
when Moorer voluntarily spun off the ropes, catching part of a Tua left
hook in the process.
Tua was on top of Moorer, following him straight back into his own
corner. Moorer stopped when his back hit the ropes. Again, he meekly
tried to tie up Tua by placing his left hand over Tua's draped neck.
With his rear semi-resting on the middle rope, Moorer had to lazily
lean
forward to attempt the semi-clinch. He leaned right into a wild Tua
roundhouse right. Fight over.
Tua's mammoth fist busted Moorer right on the mouth, and his legs
melted
underneath him. As he started slowly slumping in place, Tua clipped the
top of his head with a follow-up hook and second right hand. Neither
blow was flush, but each snapped Moorer's limp head to sideways. As Tua
turned to retreat to a neutral corner, Moorer's unconscious body fell
back over the bottom rope. Moorer's eyes were open, but were completely
blank. For a few seconds, his upper torso hovered in air. He was
motionless. Rudy Battle didn't even pretend to begin counting. Tua by
KO
in 30 seconds.
Before we all hop on the Tua bandwagon, let's remember a couple of key
facts:
First: Michael Moorer was not a suitable challenge. The former champion
was coming off a two year drinking binge, er, layoff. In his six return
fights, Moorer had failed to look impressive against
bottom-of-the-barrel competition. And let's not forget that Moorer, a
natural light-heavyweight, had never faced anyone with the size or
power
of Tua.
Second: As good as Tua looked, this fight lasted only 30 seconds. After
his fight with Chris Byrd, we wrote: "The new, slim Tua looked a lot
like the old, slim Tua... for about 30 seconds. In the opening moments
of the first round, Tua effectively cut off the ring against the
circling Byrd and caught the southpaw in a corner. Stepping in close
enough to punch, Tua quickly unleashed a left and a right to the body
and followed with a solid left hook that caught Byrd as he spun out to
center ring."
Does that sound familiar? After his 30 seconds of glory against Byrd,
Tua went on to do a whole lot of nothing for 12 rounds. Tua's weight
for
the Byrd fight: 233. Tua's weight for the Moorer fight: 243. If Moorer
could have somehow lasted a round or two, it may have been a whole
different fight. Which is not to take anything away from Tua's
impressive knockout... but it is to say that the jury is still out on
this late-career "comeback."
And even though Tua may not be fully revived in our book, we'd still
pick him to repeat his 19-second kayo of John Ruiz. And that alone
makes
him a legitimate challenger... for at least one of the titles.
.....Chris Bushnell http://www.boxingchronicle.com
August 19, 2002
Weekend Round-up: Tua KO 1 Moorer
The Tuaman kayoes Moorer in 30 seconds
Santos climbs off canvas to regain World Cup lead at 154 lbs
Puerto Rican heads total ranking, as does Joe Calzaghe at 168 lbs
by Kris Van de Velde
British super middleweight hero Joe Calzaghe (#2, v1800) made another easy defence of his WBO title, winning every round against Miguel Jimenez (#49, v166) in Cardiff. Calzaghe suffered a hand injury during the bout. Since Jimenez was not exactly the highest-ranked contender, Calzaghe remains second in the World Cup behind rival champ Sven Ottke. However, in WCOB's total ranking, he overtakes the German with a small margin.
A second WBO title fight at super welter saw defending champion Daniel Santos (#2, v1800) regain the World Cup leadership with a decision win over Briton Takaloo (#31, v283). Santos only needed five single points to better Andrei Pestriaev's leading mark and thus now has some breathing space. In addition, he is the first to get ahead of the inactive Oscar De La Hoya in the total ranking. Well-deserved for Santos as he is at least entering the ring and against decent opposition as well. It wasn't a straightforward win, though. Santos namely had to climb off the floor in round four.
Meanwhile, Joan Guzman (#23, v346) picked up the vacant WBO super
bantamweight title with an impressive third-round stoppage over Argentina's Fabio Oliva (#18, v420). Guzman produced a fierce body attack to secure victory. The Domenican is therefore set to move up from 13th to about 4th place in the WCup standings at this weight.
Samoan heavyweight puncher and former World Cup leader David Tua (#6,
v1000) is still a force to be reckoned with after scoring his second big win this year. On Saturday, Tua blew away former world champion Michael Moorer (#17, v430) in 30 seconds with a three-punch-combo in Atlantic City.
Tua therefore strenghtens his second place in the WCup and is now only 270 points short of Lennox Lewis. The Cup is not in the bag yet for the "undisputed" champion! It could be sweet revenge for the Tuaman, who was soundly outpointed by Lewis last year.
Rising-star Jermain Taylor (#58, v120 at 160 lbs) withstood his first
genuine test as a pro. Taylor dominated the entire bout against well-ranked Sam Hill (#19, v410 at 168 lbs) and increases his value considerably. The American and former Olympian is a welcome addition to the 160/168 lbs divisions.
German undefeated welterweight Michel Trabant (#11, v490) had to cope with two nasty cuts above both eyes in his first European title defence against little known Hungarian Joszef Matolcsi (#99, v11). Moreover, Matolcsi was game until Trabant unleashed some well-placed liver shots that hurt the challenger in rounds 5 and 6. He tried faking low blows, but the referee wasn't to be fooled and stopped the contest. 24-year-old Trabant is well-placed in the World Cup owing to his victory over Christian Bladt earlier this year, but Matolcsi was too low-ranked to gain places in the current ranking.
On the same show, former cruiserweight champion and now campaigning as a heavyweight Juan Carlos Gomez had no trouble in a five-pointer against Brazilian Daniel Frank, stopping him in two rounds. It will be interesting to see when Gomez is pitched against a credible heavyweight opponent.
On Friday, Ravea Springs (#28, v306) moved up to second place in the 2002 World Cup series at cruiserweight with a fine ten-round win over previously unbeaten Kelvin Davis (#17, v430). The latter hit Springs badly in rounds three and ten but Springs controlled the fight throughout. Frenchman Jean-Marc Mormeck leads the series at this weight.
American super featherweight Steve Forbes scored 430 points in Temecula, California, with a hard-fought split decision win over #17 David Santos, but ironically lost his IBF belt nonetheless. Forbes weighed in over the limit and the title has been declared vacant. Two judges had it 117-111 for Forbes, whereas the third saw Santos in front with 115-113. In any case, Forbes will enter the WCup standings in about sixth place and could even move up to third place in the total ranking.
James Toney (#7, v900) secured a showdown with IBF cruiserweight titlist Vassily Jirov after knocking out Jason Robinson (#31, v283) in seven rounds. Toney had his man on the floor in the fifth already, but Robinson survived two rounds more until a left hook flattened him. Toney has been scoring quite well this year and the extra 283 points may put him in third place in the current WCup series.
WORLD CUP OF BOXING
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August 18, 2002
Dog Track Matinee Results
By Katherine Dunn
Saturday, Aug. 17, 02
Multnomah Greyhound Park,
944 NE 223rd, Wood Village, OR.
Promoter: Oregon Trails Promotions
Matchmaker: Bob Oleson
In a main event scheduled for ten rounds, John Egge, of Gresham, Oregon. Egge stopped Robert Ryan of Spokane, WA cold in the first round.
On the undercard:
Junior middleweight Jeff Horan of Seattle won a six round decision over Chris Huntwork, of Portland.
At Super Middleweight, Louis Lopez of Othello, WA TKO’d Dominic Rivera of Portland in the third round of a scheduled six.
Welterweight Reggie Lowe of Tacoma drew over four rounds with John Rodriguez of Boise, Idaho.
Also welterweights, Frank Bybee of Plumber, Idaho won a four round decision over Tony Jimenez of Boise.
---30---
August 16, 2002
WCOB Weekend Preview
Calzaghe leaves Ottke in peace
Santos and Takaloo fight for WCup lead at 154 lbs
by Kris Van de Velde
Undefeated super middleweight Joe Calzaghe (#2, v1800) steps into the ring in Cardiff on Saturday for another defence of his WBO title. Calzaghe is lying second in the World Cup competition but misses a golden opportunity to overtake leader and rival belt holder Sven Ottke. Indeed, Calzaghe's opponent on Saturday, American Miguel Jimenez, is only ranked #49, which corresponds to 166 value points and the Welshman needs 340. It is even more sad when realizing that Ottke himself is facing an even lower-ranked challenger next. However, in any case the WCup will remain undecided in this weight division for the time being. There is a slightly different scenario concerning WCOB's total ranking. Here, Calzaghe can earn just enough points to overtake Ottke until the latter climbs in the ring next week.
On the same show in Cardiff, Daniel Santos (#2, v1800) is making his first defence of the WBO super welterweight title against Briton Mehrdud Takaloobighashi (#31, v283). A potentially treacherous task as Takaloo is known to be a dangerous puncher. The winner of the fight will become the provisional World Cup leader at this weight. Former leader Santos only needs 5 points to regain his status at the expense of Andrei Pestriaev, and Santos is worth so much that Takaloo could immediately jump to the front if he causes an upset. Interestingly, after almost eight months of inactivity, Oscar De La Hoya will finally lose his number one slot in the total ranking as well.
On Friday there is a good match-up between two well-ranked cruisers. Ravea Springs (#28, v306), coming off an upset win over Willie Guthrie, squares off against Kelvin Davis (#17, v430). Both feature high up in the current WCup standings. Davis is fourth, Springs seventh. Second place behind Jean-Marc Mormeck is a potential reward.
The Trump Taj Mahal is the scene for what could be a dramatic showdown at heavyweight. Former World Cup leader David Tua (#6, v1000) will be trying to close down the gap to Lennox Lewis with a win over former "world champion" Michael Moorer (#17, v430). Tua put his career back on track earlier on this year with a shocking knockout victory over high-ranked Fres Oquendo and could secure another megafight if he overcomes the 34-year-old Moorer, whose present shape is a question mark. After years of inactivity
and problems outside the ring, Moorer launched a comeback in January. For him the Tua fight is definitely a make or break situation.
On the undercard, unbeaten former Olympian Jermain Taylor (#58, v120 at 160 lbs) meets Sam Hill (#19, v410 at 168 lbs). A good chance for both to improve their respective rankings.
Over in Berlin, Germany, Michel Trabant (#11, v490) is set to make the first defence of his European welterweight crown against Joszef Matocsi (#99, v11). Trabant did not look impressive when winning the title against Dane Christian Bladt and needs to show that he is worthy to be put against a world class opponent. In Wcup terms, little will change as Matocsi is pretty much down in the ranking.
Light heavyweight Thomas Ullrich (#21, v360) continues on the road back after his defeat against Glencoffe Johnson with a tough task versus Rodney Moore.
WORLD CUP OF BOXING
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August 13, 2002
Match Made In Heaven (Tua vs. Moorer)
by Robert Ecksel
David Tua and Michael Moorer are unusual men. Unlike most of us, they use their fists to earn a living. This sets them apart from the bulk of humankind. It gives us a reason to focus on their triumphs.
Although both prizefighters are on the downside of their careers, fine careers they were, full of accomplishment, full of prizefights, full of knockdowns and knockouts. They may not have realized every ounce of their potential, but make no mistake about it: these men are winners, they are tough guys, the genuine article, from their head down to their toes. They may spend the sunrise dreaming of jousting draped in silk pajamas, but they still have this hunger to risk their lives trading punches inside the squared circle.
Hosted by Atlantic City’s Trump Taj Mahal, David Tua vs. Michael Moorer on August 17 looks like boxing as it ought to be. Two hombres slipping but not over the hill see a heavyweight division bereft of towering talents. Lennox Lewis remains an obstacle by any standard, but he’s an obstacle considering retirement. Evander Holyfield remains a vital presence, even though he’s almost forty. The Klitchkos and Rahmans and McClines and Byrds don’t take dives for nobody. A few good men, and only these men, separate David Tua and Michael Moorer from the crown.
The controversial deeds of professional pugilists seem embodied in the psyches of men like Michael Moorer. Watching Moorer in the ring is an anything goes proposition. One never knows which Michael Moorer will ever show. He usually masters his self-doubt to win most of his fistfights, but sometimes he’s a shadowy sleepwalker.
Michael Moorer (43-2 34 KOs) was light-heavyweight champion from 1988-1993, before deciding it was time to stop dieting and time to move up in weight. On April 2, 1994, Michael Moorer met Evander Holyfield in the biggest fight of his life, a fight for the heavyweight championship of the world. Who could ever forget that evening? The Man from Georgia was having an off-night. Holyfield couldn’t punch. Evander could barely stand. (After the fight, he was diagnosed as having a noncompliant left something or other, Holy had a hole in his heart, an injury later healed by Jesus, with a little help from Benny Hinn, and confirmed by Ray Mercer and Riddick Bowe (1995), Mike Tyson (1996), and by Hasim Rahman just this past summer.)
Michael Moorer was one lucky pugilist that singular, starry night. Not only was Holyfield out of it, but Moorer’s corner was graced by hall-of-fame trainer Teddy Atlas. Atlas was stunned by Moorer’s nonperformance in the ring against Evander Holyfield. Atlas begged and pleaded with Moorer to wake up and snap out of it. Teddy Atlas was magnificent. He was like a cornerman in a boxing movie. What a night it was! No one expected the prizefight to end the way it did. Who would have ever believed it? Teddy Atlas won the heavyweight title (with a little help from his fighter Michael Moorer).
Michael Moorer’s next fight was on November 22, 1994 against a elderly gent staging a comeback named Big George Foreman. Fighting in his usual cautious manner, Moorer got careless or clumsy or overconfident - and Foreman’s booming right knocked Double-M down and out. Quite a moment in the career of Big George Foreman. An earth-shattering moment, it’s fair to say, in the life of Michael Moorer.
David Tua (43-3 35 KOs) has been around the block a few times himself. Samoa’s number-one pugilist has fought John Ruiz (1996), Oleg Maskaev and Ike Ibeabuchi (1997), as well as Hasim Rahman (1998). More recently, and more significantly, the pug from Polynesia suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Lennox Lewis (2000). Like other warriors emboldened by traditional tribal customs, Tua eats lots of leather in his quest for the big kahuna.
David Tua’s last outing, on April 13, 2002, catapulted him back into the heavyweight picture. After taking shot after shot to the temple and head for round after glorious round, Tuaman caught up-and-comer Fres Oquendo and turned the Puerto Rican into mincemeat. Tua sucked it up all night, alright, but David Tua is no glutton for punishment. Like Joe Frazier and Jerry Quarry and George Chuvalo and a Panzer Division, David Tua only fights moving forward. Punches bounce off Tua the way a ball bounces off a wall. Pain is the price Tuaman pays to get close enough for a knockout.
Michael Moorer is psychology in action. He’s a tiny African American boy clinging to decades-old resentments while living inside a big, strong, black man’s body. David Tua, by contrast, is ethnology in action. He’s a real-live headhunter. And just because he’s not cooking missionaries in a pot doesn’t mean he’s not licking his chops at the thought of Michael Moorer. To psyche himself for battle, Moorer dresses in camouflage, locks himself in a dark room, and watches videos of Bruce Lee, Dirty Harry, and the Director’s Cut of COPS. David Tua builds a bonfire and summons ancestral Samoan spirits to help him grok an evening of damnation. Michael Moorer is one tough cookie. The same must be said of David Tua. We know one punch can take out Michael Moorer. Nothing allowed by the Marquis of Queensberry seems to bring down David Tua.
robert.ecksel@gte.net
August 13, 2002
Forbes v Santos On FOX Sunday Matinee
By Katherine Dunn
Stephen "2 Pound" Forbes, 25, has been out of the ring for eleven months but he steps in to defend his IBF 130 pound championship on Sunday, August 18 against his former foe David Santos, who is 31. The 12 round title bout will be broadcast on FOX Sports Net Sunday, August 18 at ………… The fight takes place at the Pechanga Casino in Temecula, CA.
This duo met two years ago in a US Boxing Association title fight in which the clever, crisp boxing Forbes dominated the sturdy Santos on points and battered him into the blood zones before the final bell.
Santos lost his first world title challenge in November of 1999 when Joel Casamayor out-slicked him for the WBA "Interim" title. Santos climbed back on the horse with a tough decision win over Luis Lizzaraga in a title elimination bout in February.
Forbes has been tangled in contract disputes with his former manager since his first title defense and second win over John "The Eastern Beast" Brown back in September of 2001. Originally from Portland, Oregon but fighting out of Las Vegas, Forbes record is 20-1, 5 KO’s. Santos, of St. Petersburg, FL is 41-4, 26 KO’s.
On the undercard, an IBF cruiser eliminator match between savvy war horse James Toney ( 64-4-2, 40 KO’s) and southpaw Jason Robinson (16-2, 10 KO’s).
August 12, 2002
WCOB Weekend Results
Weekend Round-up
Samaniego shocks Thiam
Miguel Barrera joint World Cup leader after beating Roberto Leyva
by Kris Van de Velde
It was a weekend coloured by two upsets. At strawweight, Colombian Miguel Barrera (#29, v298) unexpectedly had the better of Mexican Roberto Leyva (#2, v1800) in an IBF title fight in Las Vegas on Friday. After a thrilling contest, Barrera earned a unanimous decision: 116-112, 115-113 (2x). His victory translates into 1800 World Cup points, putting him alongside Noel Arambulet at the top of the standings.
An even greater surprise took place in Marseille, France, where Argentine super
welterweight Santiago Samaniego (#32, v276) halted big favourite Mamadou Thiam (#6,
v1000) in the last round of a WBA interim title affair. Puncher Thiam controlled the first
half of the fight easily but could not find the finishing blows. As the rounds went by, Thiam gradually ran out of steam, allowing Samaniego to come into the fight. In the 12th round, Samaniego suddenly started a fierce attack on the Frenchman, which prompted Thiam's corner to stop the fight!
The Argentinean thus earns 1000 World Cup points, as many as Daniel Santos currently has and only five fewer than leader Andrei Pestriaev. Good perspectives for Samaniego, who in theory should face the winner of De La Hoya and Vargas next.
On the same show, Jean-Marc Mormeck (#2, v1800) delivered a decent performance against Dale Brown (#26, v330), defending his WBA cruiserweight title and premier WCup position successfully. Mormeck needed a few rounds to get into the rhythm, but eventually stopped his American foe in round 8.
Mormeck therefore extends his WCup leadership with another 330 points and also overtakes Vassily Jirov in WCOB's total ranking.
At super bantam, unranked Gerardo Espinosa outpointed Omar Adorno (#39, v227) in San Jacinto. Scores were: 117-110, 117-111 and 117-112. It puts Espinosa just inside the WCup top 10 in this division, by two single points at the expense of Shigeru Nakazatu.
WORLD CUP OF BOXING
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August 12, 2002
Todaka KO 4 Mahasapcondo
By Joe Koizumi
Ex-WBA 115-pound champ Hideki Todaka (19-3-1, 10 KOs), 119.25, displayed an impressive one-punch KO of former Thai champ Saencharoen Mahasapcondo (8-8-1, 2 KOs), 117.5, with a smashing right at 0:48 of the 4th round in Nagoya, Japan. Having had his jaw broken by Venezuelan Leo Gamez in forfeiting his WBA belt via 7th round KO in October 2001, Todaka was forced to take a long layoff without fighting in the previous year.
Todaka, a rugged puncher, decked his second comebacking bout as he showed his previous form in producing a flattened pancake.
Undercard: Japanese #5 super-feather Tsuyoshi (Kinzo) Nakamura (17-3-1, 8 KOs), 132, almost swept all rounds without the final session to earn a unanimous decision over Filipino Raffy Aladi (27-20-1, 12 KOs), 131, over 8.
Promoter: Midori Promotions.
8/11/2002
August 9, 2002
WCOB Weekend Preview
Mormeck and Leyva aiming for the top in total rankings
French cruiserweight can also extend World Cup leadership
by Kris Van de Velde
It's quiet in boxing circles these days. Yet two people could become the most valuable fighter in their respective weight divisions. Most of our attention will go to southern France, where two WBA title fights will be held in Marseille. Cruiserweight World Cup leader Jean-Marc Mormeck can extend his already comfortable lead with an extra 330 points if he defends his belt successfully against #25 Dale Brown. He would then be 1330 points ahead of Johnny Nelson, meaning that the Briton already needs to beat someone in the top four in order to get by Mormeck. In addition, Mormeck can also cruise past IBF titlist Vassily Jirov - who has been inactive since February - in the total ranking. The Frenchman captured the title against Virgil Hill earlier on this year, and a good performance would further enhance his growing reputation.
On the same card, super welterweight Mamadou Thiam (#6, v1000) squares off against Santiago Samaniego (#32, v276) for the WBA "interim" belt. The true WBA champion Fernando Vargas has been out of the ring for a long time, but as his fight with Oscar De La Hoya is scheduled for 14 September there seems little need to allow an "interim" title fight one month prior to that date. It means that four different fighters are going to contest the same title within a month's time with the winners of both matches unlikely to ever face each other! Nevertheless, it's a good pairing for the on-going World Cup competition, currently led by Andrei Pestriaev. If Samaniego causes an upset, he will be right at the Russian's heels. On the other hand, the Argentine is a little too low-ranked to really boost big favourite Thiam's ranking.
The undercard also features match-ups with French prospects Brahim Asloum (118 lbs), Christophe Canclaux (154 lbs) and Mehdi Sahnoune (168 lbs).
Besides Mormeck, strawweight Roberto Leyva (#2, v1800) can likewise become the new number one in WCOB's total ranking. The Mexican defends his IBF belt against fellow-unbeaten Miguel Barrera (#29, v298) at the Orleans Hotel in Las Vegas. A win would put him back in front of World Cup leader Noel Arambulet, who rushed to the top last month by beating Keitaro Hoshino. Leyva can also improve his WCup ranking. He is currently 7th, but could make it to fourth behind Arambulet, Hoshino, Kim and Bustos.
WORLD CUP OF BOXING
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August 9, 2002
Results From Thailand
July 22 Wonchana Chuwattana KO1 Satandej Sithsopa BKK not shown weight
July 23 Pikartsuek Sithsothorn KO2 Sakchai Or.Siamchai BKK not shown weight
July 24 No Competitions
July 26 Ole Tor.Sitthichai W6 Kola-Lek Kiatpoonpol BKK 107 lbs.
July 28 Damrong Sithsoey TKO1 Tanongsak Kiatpailin BKK 114 lbs.
July 29 Maengpong Kiat Thor.Bor.Ubol TKO1 Slaton Vor.Sakavee BKK 113 lbs.
July 30 Yodkraiwon Buayai 2000 W6 Buriram Muangsurin BKK 106 lbs.
July 31 Siangtip Sithsoey KO1 Tawon Por.Surasak BKK not shown weight
Aug 1 Singsiam Or.Chiangkarn KO1 Adulsak Singklongsee BKK 105 lbs.
Aug 2 Kwanthai Chor.Nor. Pattalung KO1 Daoloi Sakmuangkrabi BKK 105 lbs.
Results Provided by Tassanu Ussawabhop of Songchai Promotion's Co-ordinator
August 7, 2002
Jones beats Jenkins at Light Heavy
Tuesday Night Fights
by Barry Hanley
The Buchmuller Ice Rink in Sacaucas, New Jersey played host to the last of the Summer's installments of Tuesday Night Fights on 'the Deuce.' The main event of the evening featured Light Heavyweights Demetrius Jenkins and George Jones. Jones won by unanimous decision. The undercard had Junior Welterweight Demetrius Hopkins beating Edwin Vazquez also by the unanimous thumbs up from the judges in attendance. 2000 Olympian Dante Craig won by the same route against fellow Welterweight Najal Turpin.
The triple header was hardly worthy of a ringside apparition by the ghost of New Jersey's favorite son but it proved to be an interesting evening nonetheless. The first fight of the evening featured the nephew of the Executioner himself, Bernard Hopkins. Demetrius Hopkins was given his first pair of boxing mitts at the tender age of four by the undisputed triple belt holder. Despite the pedigree and Lou Duva's lofty expectations Demetrius Hopkins has a long way to go before he could pose a threat to the elite of the Junior Welterweights. Judah and Tzyu have little to fear from the younger Philadelphia pugilist. On this night Hopkins ( 10-0-1) squared off against Juan Vazquez ( 19-7-1), a talented journeyman from Puerto Rico who hadn't fought in two years. Hopkins had a higher connect percentage throughout the fight but Vazquez was the more aggressive fighter, constantly coming forward preventing Hopkins from the domin! ant performance that Duva needed for some credibility. While his more illustrious uncle roared encouragement from his corner, Hopkins showed flashes of talent but failed to exploit the ring rust and looks like a rough hewn gem that needs serious polishing. Hopkins by unanimous decision
Next up , a pair of Welterweights squared off for six rounds of action. Former Olympian Dante Craig (4-0-0) faced Najal Turpin (6-1-0 ). This proved to be a pretty uneventful fight. Craig dominated throughout and took the unanimous decision.
The main event of the evening highlighted the fragility of all of us, including those who take the three steps onto the ring apron. Traumatic events can knock anyone sideways and fighters are no exception. Light Heavyweight George Jones ( 17-1-0)killed an opponent last year. James Scotland died because of injuries sustained by Jones fists. Understandably, Jones now looks at his livelihood in an entirely different light. According to his rambunctious trainer 'Nettles' Nasser, Jones had a nervous breakdown after the tragedy. The feelings of guilt overwhelmed him and his psyche was forever altered. Credit to Jones. He got back into the ring in a valiant attempt to conquer the demons that almost sent him to the funny farm. This took a courage that few of us can contemplate. It can be summed up in two simple words..........true grit. He suffered his first defeat perhaps in the hope that a good beating wou! ld atone for what he perceived as his cardinal sin.
When many would hang up the gloves and look for saner ways to make a buck, Jones went back to the gym and forged a new, more mature approach to the fight game. Much like DeNiro in 'The Deer Hunter' he no longer takes pleasure in the kill but rather has reverence for the whole process.
George 'Caliph' Jones knocked Demetrius Jenkins down at 2:01 of the second. Rather than pour on a vicious assault to close the deal, Jones settled for single straight left shots. Demetrius Jenkins ( 21-1-7) was wild early on. He had no chance handling a crafty Southpaw like Jones. Jones had replaced killer instinct with stealth and economy. He cruised to an easy victory and had Jenkins teetering on the edge of oblivion on more than one occasion, a ticket that he'll reluctantly, if ever, punch again.
August 6, 2002
Fedelatin rankings
Fedelatin Rankings
August 6, 2002
Golden Boy Has New Date for Rose Garden
By Katherine Dunn
Some whining was heard among the fans in Portland, Oregon when the Rose Garden Arena announced that the scheduled September 19 date for the next Golden Boy, Inc. fight card was postponed. Golden Boy spokesman Ed Steinfeld says this was, understandably, because "The Rose Garden did this great thing in bringing in the Roy Jones Jr. title defense on September 7. " Steinfeld says they wanted "some decompression time for the fight fans between shows." The new, still tentative date is Thursday, October 3. "That’s the date we all nodded our heads over and said yeah, let’s aim for that," says Steinfeld. The promotion company and the arena were satisfied with the 3700-plus fans they drew for their first card in July. Steinfeld says, "considering the last attempt at a big fight card in that arena drew 1200, we thought just under 4,000 was doing alright. And as the word gets out, particularly among the Latino community, we think we’ll do even better….We’ll be there for a long time."
---30---
August 6, 2002
2002 U.S. Women’s National Championships (results)
by Adam Pollack apollack11@hotmail.com
This year’s U.S. Women’s National Championships were held in Scranton, Pennsylvania, July 28 - August 2. The following is not an exhaustive list of results, but representative and interesting bouts that captured my eye in each division.
Junior 147
Final
Keriann McNulty RSC 3 Nasheba Thomas
I am not really discussing the junior division (15-16 year olds), but
McNulty deserves a mention because the skill, conditioning, and speed she demonstrated in the final was excellent. She will eventually be a force to be reckoned with in the senior division.
Senior (17-34 yrs.)
100
Final
Linda Carillo dec. Dana Dudley 30-1
Former 1998 and 1999 106 pound champion Carillo is a calm boxer who throws her punches in a compact manner. Not much power, but good footwork and well timed punches, especially with the jab, enabled her to comfortably outbox Dudley, who demonstrated determination and toughness, but whose skill and defense were not quite on Carillo’s level. In fairness to Dudley, she certainly landed more than once, and was never hurt, despite what the score suggests.
106
Qtrs.
Carina Moreno dec. Alicia Avila 19-5
Semis -- Carina Moreno dec. Samantha Sanchez 24-5
Good bout where Sanchez constantly pressed with big punches, but Moreno demonstrated nice footwork and timing, quickly hitting Sanchez on the way in, then gracefully moving away. Moreno’s well of conditioning was too much for this very tough and aggressive opponent.
Final -- Carina Moreno dec. Monay Mincy 13-12
Very competitive and close bout. Mincy demonstrated beautiful outside boxing with fast counterpunches and essentially controlled the bout for the first two rounds. However, 2000 and 2001 Champion Moreno maintained her poise and kept the bout close with compact punches that weren’t flashy, but
were probably scoring. Moreno’s conditioning won her the bout as the tiring Mincy was hit a fair amount in the 3rd round. If it had been a rounds scoring system, Mincy probably would have won, but with computer scoring, Moreno just edged it. Mincy definitely has a future.
112
Rd. of 16
Eileen Kuwaye dec. Vanessa Greco 30-6
Sacred Downing dec. Angela Duran 12-1
Karen Davis dec. Camille Casson 14-6
Emily Klinefelter dec. Krystel Cordova 16-10
Heather Donoho dec. Anna Marandi 8-5
2001 National Champion Eileen Kuwaye was patient in defeating Greco.
Although Kuwaye clearly deserved the decision, she did not land as many as
the score would indicate, while Greco did not seem to receive credit for the
many counter punches she landed. Greco received a standing 8 in the 3rd
round that seemed unnecessary.
Sacred Downing, 2001 Junior Champion, demonstrated a quick boxing style a la
Floyd Mayweather and looks to be a comer.
Qtrs.
Mandie Mutigli dec. Becky Garcia 18-6
Eileen Kuwaye dec. Leanna Romero 27-1
Sacred Downing dec. Heather Donoho 3-2
Karen Davis dec. Emily Klinefelter 14-10
Kuwaye gets in gear and really puts it on Romero with a nonstop attack.
Downing and Donoho engage in a mental war, each utilizing footwork and
attempting to get the other to lead so they could counterpunch. Good
matchup, but Downing’s speed and better punch form gave her a slight edge.
Semis
Eileen Kuwaye RSC 1 Mandie Mutigli
Sacred Downing dec. Karen Davis 12-1
Kuwaye really rolling now. Not the prettiest in terms of skill, but has
good chin, willingness to step into range, heavy clubbing hands, and sets an
excellent pace to literally impose her will on opponents.
Downing’s skillful headmovement, speed, counterpunching, and footwork make
her an interesting contrasting matchup against Kuwaye for the final.
Final
Eileen Kuwaye dec. Sacred Downing 18-8
Kuwaye was impressive, constantly attacking with an array of punches,
countering and stepping in on Downing, maintaining a better pace than
Downing was prepared for. Downing fought hard, but Kuwaye’s experience and
determination were the difference.
In terms of overall ability, talent, skill, and depth of competition, 112
was one of the tournament’s better divisions.
119
Rd. of 16
Anju Reejhsinghani dec. Deborah Stein 9-2
Anju defeats last year’s champion and looks strong and well conditioned.
Qtrs.
Anju Reejhsinghani dec. Melissa Davis 24-13
Stella Nijhof RSC2 Raelina Shinn (18-0 score - outclassed)
Anju rolling in her Aaron Pryor-esque pressure style.
A 2000 champion at 125 pounds, Nijof is a skilled southpaw with beautifully
controlled footwork and good counterpunching, but little power. The bout
probably should not have been stopped because Shinn was still competing and
was not in danger of being hurt.
Semis
Anju Reejhsinghani dec. Wendy LaMotta 16-11
Stella Nijhof dec. Alison Fasano 12-4
Final
Stella Nijof dec. Anju Reejhsinghani 9-1
Excellent style matchup. Anju did all the work, forcing the pace with her
nonstop attack, but had difficulties landing on the constantly moving much
taller matador southpaw Nijof. 2000 Champion Nijof did not throw very
often, choosing to carefully pick her punches, but her minimalist style seem
to be effective with the judges. Close bout could have gone either way.
The judging here seemed one-sided, because it was obvious Anju landed many
more punches than she was given credit for, Nijof did not throw very often,
and this was a much closer bout than the 9-1 score would indicate.
125
Rd. of 16
Mary Barrett dec. Christina Munski 27-4
Qtrs.
Amber Gideon dec. Teresa O’Toole 11-5
Mary Barrett dec. dec. Rebecca Rodriguez 18-2
Semis
Amber Gideon dec. Maia Kahaunaele 6-2
Mary Barrett dec. Lisa Martin 10-5
Final
Amber Gideon dec. Mary Barrett 6-6 (32-24 tiebreaker)
This final was another interesting matchup. Taller Barrett appeared to be
more fluid and skilful, throwing her punches with the better form and speed.
However, former 2000 and 2001 132 pound champion Gideon was a bull with
large thighs who at times attacked ferociously, swinging at her opponent
with quick charges that often had Barrett on her heels. However, when
Barrett attacked, she appeared to control the action with her quicker and
more compact punches. The bout was close, but the decision went to Gideon,
a tough and hard worker whose pressure style seemed to impress the judges.
Barrett’s smoother style impressed the crowd, which slightly booed the
decision.
132
Rd. of 16
Caroline Barry RSCO 2 Paula Linman
Kattlin Diaz dec. Rhonda Luna 7-7 (37-34)
Jennifer Han dec. Denise Bowers 10-3
Barry with a ferocious body attack, the best of the tournament.
Han demonstrates smooth outside boxing.
Qtrs.
Naquana Smalls RSC 1 Tara Opislowski
Caroline Barry dec. Christy Slone 21-9
Kattlin Diaz dec. Jennifer Han 9-7
Diaz upsets 2001 125 pound champion Han. Han a good boxer with a future,
but seemed a bit thrown off by Diaz, who stayed low with her chin tucked,
then would suddenly charge in with combinations. Han was a bit too straight
up and went straight back, enabling Diaz to land. Han picked it up in the
3rd, but Diaz had controlled the bout and established too big a lead to
overcome.
Semis
Naquana Smalls dec. Anca Neagu 15-11
Kattlin Diaz dec. Caroline Barry 11-10
Diaz proves to be the master of winning the close one, winning one on a
tiebreak, and two others by a combined three punches. Quite frankly, it
looked as if Barry had pulled it off, and a likely explanation for the
outcome is that the judges failed to score Barry’s good right counterpunch
to the body, which landed quite often. Barry was given a completely
unnecessary standing 8 count in the 3rd by a jumpy referee.
Quite often in the tournament, some referees seemed to look for any excuse
to administer an 8 count and to stop a bout. This essentially can ruin a
boxer’s chances because women are only allowed one standing 8 per round -
upon their second 8 count, the bout is automatically terminated.
In contrast, men are allowed two per round and the bout is stopped on the
third. Quite often, the referees seemed to be more cautious with women’s
safety than they would be with men’s. One premature 8 count can essentially
cost the boxer the bout because if they are in fact a bit hurt or knocked
down later in the round, then the bout will have to be stopped.
If the women are only allowed one freebee, then the referees need to ensure
they are administering only truly necessary 8 counts. I witnessed bouts
stopped that should not have been, but because a referee was quick to
administer the 8 count, the second one came prematurely, costing the boxer
her opportunity to compete.
Final
Naquana Smalls dec. Kattlin Diaz 10-6
Smalls’ hard working style a bit too much for Diaz. Smalls a bit raw, but
tough, very busy and spirited. Again Diaz manages to keep the score close.
139
Qtrs.
Jill Emery dec. Molly McConnell 15-15 (64-60)
Very close competitive bout that truly could have gone either way. Tall
long-armed Emery a 2000 champion at 156 and a 2001 champion at 147, moving
down in weight.
Semis
Toni Keese dec. Cassandra McFerson 7-6
Angel Bovee dec. Jill Emery 6-5
Battle of the former champions. Bovee a 2001 champion at 156, just a bit
more relaxed and compact with her punches, edges this very close bout.
Final
Angel Bovee dec. Toni Keese 9-1
Bovee’s experience comes through. She deserved it, but the bout was
probably closer than the score reveals.
147
Qtrs.
Natalie Brown RSC 1 Tammy Evans
Semis
Elizabeth Quevado dec. Elizabeth Mooney 21-16
Natalie Brown dec. Vikki Marlow 19-6
Final
Natalie Brown dec. Elizabeth Quevado 10-9
Brown is tough and a hard worker, and did deserve the decision.
156
Semis
Yvonne Reis dec. Roselin Morales 8-4
Jennifer Thyssen dec. Adreinne Lugg 8-6
Final
Yvonne Reis def. Jennifer Thyssen 9-5
Southpaw Reis a bit better boxer.
165
Qtrs.
Janaya Davis RSC 3 Jenna Johlin
Semis
Kimico Pugh dec. Emilia Longoria 8-4
Jenaya Davis dec. Elizabeth Stecki 20-10
Final
Janaya Davis RSC 1 Kimico Pugh
Odd final where Pugh just seemed to fall apart and cover up, not wanting to
fight. Davis to her credit took advantage with a constant attack.
178
Qtrs.
Marisol Jimenez dec. Angela Hanrahan 10-2
This is one bout that truly demonstrates the sketchy and inconsistent
judging. Some bouts, the judges went wild, hitting the button for anything
that even appeared to be scoring, regardless whether it was partially
blocked. However, in contrast, for this one, both boxers obviously scored
quite often with clean blows, yet neither seemed to be given proper credit.
This bout was also closer than the score revealed.
Semis
Faye Jacobs Hollins dec. Tricia Turton 7-5
Marisol Jimenez dec. Erica Garcia 13-3
2001 champion Hollins landed a whole lot more, but properly, the judges did
not score her many slapping blows that did not land with the white portion
of the gloves.
Final
Faye Jacobs Hollins dec. Marisol Jimenez 22-2
Hollins a bit taller, quicker, and slightly better conditioned. Her right
hand won her the bout. However, the score seemed more lopsided than was
proper.
201
Semis
Devonne Canady dec. Alisa Hollis 11-7
2001 National and World Champion Devonne Canady and Hollis in a good bout.
Hollis competitive and built solid as a rock, but Canady lands strong jabs
and good rights to take it.
Final
Devonne Canady def. Sonya Lamonakis 18-3
This one was much closer than the score indicates. Lamonakis seemed to have
Canady’s number, boxing well and throwing off Canady’s rhythm with
combinations, outworking her. Canady did manage to land a big right that
dropped Lamonakis in the 2nd round, but she recovered well and continued to
box effectively. The bout could have gone either way, but Canady just edged
it in the 3rd. Again, the judging does not reflect the true
competitiveness of the bout. In fairness to the judges, Canady’s blows were
harder and more obvious, and were therefore more likely to be noticed, but
certainly Lamonakis landed a whole lot more than three punches.
More often than not the judges would get the right winner, but quite often the scores were more lopsided than was proper, suggesting that they were watching one boxer more than another.
201+
Semi
Celia Villacres dec. Samatra Doyle 1-0
Villacres completely outworks and owns the highly defensive Doyle, and
despite the fact that most of her blows were sloppy, probably should have
been given credit for more of them, given her hard work ethic and the fact
that Doyle did almost nothing.
Final
Yvette Tatum def. Celia Villacres RET 2
Tatum’s bit of footwork and boxing was somewhat effective, and she appeared to be winning. Villacres retired in the corner, seeming to claim a leg injury.
August 5, 2002
Dog Track Show...Aug. 17
PRESS RELEASE
RING RAGE X
Saturday, August 17, 2002
Multnomah Greyhound Park
944 NE 223rd
Wood Village, OR
First Bell – 3:00 pm
Doors Open at 2:00 pm
10 Round Heavyweight Main Event
Gresham’s Own – John Egge
-vs-
Robert Ryan
Featured on the undercard:
Jeff Horan, Chris Huntwork, Louis Lopez, Dominique Rivera, Frank Bybee,
Angelo Torres, and Reggie Lowe
Tickets available at all Fastixx locations
For additional information and press passes contact:
Nanci James at Oregon Trail Promotions, Ltd. 503.233.0286
Card subject to change and approval of the Oregon State Boxing and Wrestling Commission
August 5, 2002
The Heavy Wait
by Dave Iamele
July 2002
Because casual fight fans are more included to watch two
big guys trying to knock each other’s block off than two little guys
trying to outbox one another, the heavyweight division has long
been boxing’s “crown jewel.”
Reasonably, heavy’s get paid the most because they bring
in the most pay-per-view money. That being said, heavyweight
aficionados will be pining for the good ol’ days of Tyson, Holyfield,
and Lewis soon. The heavyweight division of today (and the
foreseeable future) is a barren wasteland that could only possibly
be rivaled by the cruiserweight division. Tyson, Holy, and LL have
been the division’s Big 3 from the mid 80’s until present day, but all three are in the twilight of their careers.
Tyson, even after Double L retires, will never again be able
to compete with the upper echelon—even in its current sorry state.
As for Evander, he looked great pounding Rahman, but, alas, that is
simply too little and too late. He had three opportunities against
John Ruiz, and he could not rise to the occasion enough to secure
one convincing victory. Lewis faces an IBF-mandated defense
against feather-fisted and fleet-footed Chris Byrd (yawn) or he will
be stripped of one of his two titles. Also, he could face WBA
champion John Ruiz (double yawn). Lewis doesn’t want to face
Byrd or Ruiz because there is no money to be made since no one is
interested. Either of the giant, robotic Klitschko brothers probably
would make for the best challenge, but Lewis states he isn’t
interested in either one. That certainly doesn’t leave many viable
challenges out there for him.
A glance through the division’s top-ten provides only one
name worth mentioning: Jameel McCline (28-2-3). “Big Time”
McCline is a powerful heavyweight who is making up for his late
start in boxing by taking on the toughest opponents. Although
McCline is an interesting prospect who is still learning on the job,
he doesn’t seem to possess the intangibles that make for a great
heavyweight champion. McCline undoubtedly will be involved in
intriguing matches in the future—and may even capture a portion of
the title—but I doubt he could be a long-reigning champion. The
same thing probably could be said about the Klitschko’s.
When Lennox hangs up the gloves, we will go through a
period of time similar to that of post-Larry Holmes and pre-
Tyson—in other words, a void. Possibly, the fighter who is poised
to take over the heavyweight division isn’t even boxing now. I refer
to the incarcerated Nigerian Ike Ibeabuchi. Before being sent to the
slammer, “The President” ran roughshod over the big guys, beating
both rugged David Tua and slippery Chris Byrd. In fact, he gave
both their first loss. Ike may be out of jail by next year, and I can see only one obstacle preventing him from defeating any and all
heavyweights and reigning for years: he’s nuttier than a fruitcake.
He makes Mike Tyson look like Mr. Mental Health in comparison.
To give you an example of Ike’s state of mind, here’s one
of my favorite Ike stories. When he was with promoter Cedric
Kushner, he told him he wanted to go shopping. Kushner sent Ike
out with one of his lackeys to accompany him. Ike spent several
hours in the finest haberdasheries in New York City picking out
material, getting fitted, etc. After a great pile of packages was
prepared, Mr. Ibeabuchi was presented with the hefty bill and
promptly went ballistic. It seems in his mind he believes he should
not have to pay for any goods or services. You can only imagine
why he’s in jail.
So, my advice to boxing fans is to look to the little guys to
provide the big action. While it is unfortunate the heavyweight well
has temporarily run dry, we are lucky to have plenty of boxing
talent in the lower-weight classes: (from smallest to largest)
Ricardo Lopez (50-0-1), Eric Morel (31-0), Rosendo Alvarez (31-2-
1), Tim Austin (24-0-1), Rafael Marquez (27-3), Clarence “Bones”
Adams (41-5-3), Johnny Tapia (52-2-2), Paulie Ayala (34-1), Erik
Morales (41-1), Marco Antonio Barrera (55-3), Floyd Mayweather
(28-0), Acelino Freitas (31-0), Joel Casamayor (27-1), Paul
Spatafora (35-0), Zab Judah (27-1), Shane Mosley (38-2), Kostya
Tszyu (29-1-1), Vernon Forrest (34-0), Oscar de la Hoya (34-2),
Fernando Vargas (22-1), Bernard Hopkins (41-2-1), Joe Calzaghe
(33-0), Roy Jones (46-1).
That’s over 20 great boxers all under 175 pounds! With all
these top boxers and the dozens more that are near the top (or
just very good practitioners of the sweet science), boxing should be
able to get by without a dominating heavyweight champion. It
depends on whether boxing fans (you) tune in to see the lighter
guys compete. So, please do, you won’t be sorry.
Anyone who watched this past Saturday’s HBO boxing program already knows what I mean. The show opened with 118-lb. champion Tim Austin vs. Adan Vargas. The bout was a rock ‘em, sock ‘em affair before Austin’s championship class emerged.
Austin eventually won by 10th-Round KO. In contrast, the show’s
main event pitted WBA heavyweight titleholder John Ruiz vs. Kirk
Johnson. This bout was a clinch-filled snooze-fest that Ruiz “won”
after Johnson was disqualified for repeated low blows. Now, which
bout seems more interesting to you?
Of course, this is not to say that any lower-weight bout will
be more exciting than any heavyweight match. Obviously, there
have been numerous thrilling heavyweight bouts, but in today’s age
of “B” class big guys, you will unquestionably get more bang for
your buck with guys under 190 lbs.
“Tito” Finito?
The boxing world was set on its cauliflowered ear when
Puerto Rican superstar Felix “Tito” Trinidad recently announced his
retirement.
Trinidad (41-1) exploded on the boxing scene in 1993 with
a crushing 2nd-Round KO of 147-lb. champion Maurice Blocker. In
1999, Tito challenged boxing’s Golden Boy, Oscar de la Hoya. Felix
captured Oscar’s WBC title by winning a controversial 12-round
decision. Trinidad also has scored impressive victories over former
champions Pernell Whitaker, David Reid, Fernando Vargas, and
William Joppy. In addition to winning portions of the welterweight
(147 lb.) title, Felix also held titles at 154 and 160 lbs.
Trinidad received his lone loss at the hands of now-unified
middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins in September of last year
in the final round of the middleweight unification tournament at
MSG in NYC. Although Felix rebounded from his sole defeat by
bludgeoning rugged Frenchman (an oxymoron if ever there was
one) Hacine Cherifi earlier this year, he became increasingly
frustrated by his inability to persuade either Hopkins or de la Hoya
into a big-money rematch. With seemingly no worthwhile foe on
the horizon, Tito simply decided to walk off into the sunset.
Many have speculated that Tito’s retirement is simply a
ruse to lure either Hopkins or de la Hoya back to the bargaining
table or even to escape his long-term contract with Don King. I
don’t buy into either one of those theories; I think Tito will simply
pull a Marvin Hagler and fool everyone by staying retired.
If he does remain inactive, look for him to return to
Canastota to be inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in five years.
It’s a lock. I hope you enjoy your retirement, Tito, you’ve earned it.
Boxing fans worldwide will miss the brilliant banger, but it’s nice to see boxers retire with both their finances and the facilities intact.
Saratoga Fight Card Update
Last time out I alerted fans to the fact that big-time boxing
was returning to the area this August. I can now happily report
that on August 16 at the Saratoga Springs City Center, ESPN2 will
televise its Friday Night Fights program.
The main event features always-exciting Julian “Mr. KO”
Letterlough (18-3-1) vs. Ravea Springs (24-2-0) in a ten-round
bout. Letterlough is the 13th-ranked light heavyweight and was a
participant in last year’s ESPN2 “Fight of the Year.”
The co-feature pits Saratoga’s own Gary “The Whip” Wilcox (17-3-1) vs. Rochester’s Jermell Barnes (15-2-0), also for ten rounds, in the cruiserweight division. There also will be a minimum of five other bouts ranging from four to eight rounds. Tickets are on sale now for $20 to $50. For more information, call (518) 286-9199. The first bout starts at 7:30, and doors open at 6:30.
I’m thrilled to see big-time boxing return to our area, and
hopefully The Turning Stone will see that this caliber of a card can
be profitable. Maybe they’ll kick their boxing program back into
high gear and out of neutral. Hey, what can I say? I’m an optimist!
Local Latest
Julian “Mr. KO” Letterlough fractured his left index finger
sparring Tuesday and will be out of action for at least six weeks.
Local promoter Don Cepiel is scrambling to find a suitable
replacement to step into the ring with Ravea Springs. Two names
mentioned by Don Cepiel were O’Neil Bell and USBA cruiserweight
champion Calvin Davis. Look for further details in days to come.
August 4, 2002
Michael Grant KO3 Robert Davis
Grant Continues KO Streak
By Glenn Brooks
MASHANTUCKET, Conn. – Michael Grant’s rebuilding year continues.
Grant notched his fourth straight knockout win after suffering
back-to-back losses to Lennox Lewis and Jameel McCline, stopping Robert Davis at 2 minutes and 10 seconds of the third round in a scheduled 10-round heavyweight bout Saturday at Foxwoods Resort Casino.
“I’m not ready to launch off into space,” said Grant, who is now 35-2
with 26 knockouts. “But I can get off the ground.”
Grant opened things up at the start of the third round, punishing Davis with one uppercut after another until he put Davis on the canvas. Davis got up and took a few more seconds of punishment before referee Mike Ortega stepped in and stopped the fight.
“The way we were working in the gym, we were trying to make the first
round more like the third round,” said Grant on the eve of his 30th
birthday. “We wanted to push it a little more.”
Grant took a conservative approach to the first round, controlling the action, but not applying too much pressure. Davis (27-5, 15 KOs)
dominated the second round, ripping several left hooks into Grant’s
body.
“I didn’t think he hurt me,” said Grant. “I just had to keep going
forward like a professional.”
After the stoppage, Grant celebrated by lifting his trainer, Teddy Atlas over his shoulder.
“I’ve been in camp since January,” said Grant. “He’s giving me August
off.”
Grant weighed 256 to Davis’ 231.
In the co-feature, Bulgarian lightweight Tontcho Tontchev won a
six-round technical decision over Peruvian Luis Villalta. At the end of the sixth round, Dr. Joseph Carpenteri advised referee Steve Smoger to stop the fight due to a cut next to Villalta’s left eye that was opened in the third round. Arthur Mercante, Sr. and Tom Kaczmarek scored it 60-51 and Robert Paolino had Tontchev leading 59-52.
In the last round, Tontchev (27-1, 16 KOs) drilled Villalta with one
right hand after another. Only Villalta’s clinching kept him from
hitting the mat. Villalta pushed Tontchev down and hit him in the back
of the head and tackled Tontchev, prompting Smoger to take two points
from Villalta (27-2-1, 23 KOs).
Chad Dawson of New Haven, Conn. had a difficult time with Miami’s
Faustino Gonzalez, but took control of the fight in time to score a
six-round unanimous decision. Dawson is a 6-foot-, 2-inch southpaw, as is Gonzalez, though Gonzalez appeared to be the taller fighter. The judges’ scorers were 59-54, 58-56 and 59-55. Dawson, who weighed 170 ¾ to Gonzalez’s 170 ¾, improved to 8-0 with 5 KOs. Gonzalez dropped to 9-6 with four stoppages.
Albert Erosomole, 159, Miami, won a four-round unanimous decision over
Tommy Attardo, 159, South Boston. All three judges scored it 40-36.
Erosomole is now 6-0 with 2 KOs, Attardo 10-10-1 with 2.
In a battle of Connecticut featherweights, Manchester’s Angel Torres
scored a six-round unanimous decision over Luis Rivera of New Haven. The scores were 60-52, 60-51 and 59-53. Torres improved to 7-2 with 3 KOs, Rivera left the ring at 6-7 (1 KO).
Tanzanian heavyweight Mshaka Mululu, 237, won a four-round unanimous
decision over New York’s Barry Lineberger, 250. The scores were 40-36
(twice) and 39-37. Mululu is now 2-0 with 1 KO; Lineberger is 3-2 with 2 KOs.
Promoter: Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing
Matchmaker: Ron Katz
TV: ESPN
August 3, 2002
Brewer TKO6 Pemberton
Hatchet Wins in a Wild One
By JD Vena
MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT RESERVATION (Ledyard, CT) – You know, I’ve been called a homer time and time again but if you frequent the fights, then there isn’t a better place to live than in New England. It’s a place where great fights take place fairly often. You had Ward-Augustus and Tackie-Oliveira last year, Ward-Gatti this past May and now last night’s Brewer-Pemberton fight at Foxwoods Resort & Casino, the venue that is saying will host the Ward-Gatti rematch on November 17th. But last night’s super-middleweight brawl between Charles “The Hatchet” Brewer and Scott “The Sandman” Pemberton and the rest of the card was something to relish, controversy or not.
Brewer, 169, of Philadelphia and the former IBF super-middleweight champion nearly knocked Pemberton out in the second round but then found himself in a world of trouble during the following few frames. In the 6th, Brewer miraculously turned the tide and scored a come-from-behind stoppage win in what some felt was a controversial stoppage. Brewer was the victim of a similar ending in an exciting brawl with fellow contender, Antwun Echols two years ago but like in that confrontation, there were few complaints from the fans who knew they saw a great battle.
After a cautious first round, Brewer staggered Pemberton in the 2nd and then nearly knocked him through the ropes, a moment when referee Steve Smoger deemed that a knockdown had been scored. Brewer battered Pemberton for the remainder of the round but it was his last good moment until the 6th.
Midway through round three, Pemberton lashed out just as he has in all of the fights he has been hurt in and had Brewer in serious trouble. From rounds three through five, Brewer absorbed a beating more severe than his loss to WBO champ Calzaghe. Pemberton worked brilliantly behind the jab and mixed in a debilitating head and body attack that kept you wondering how long he’d last. Before the fifth round began, Smoger allowed the ringside physician to examine Brewer for a laceration over his left eye and when the fight resumed, Pemberton kept pounding him. After five rounds had elapsed, it seemed that Brewer had weathered the worst of it.
“I didn’t hit him with many clean shots because if I hit him with one clean shot, he would still be laying on the canvas,” said Pemberton. “He hit me with some good body shots and that really slowed me down and hurt me but not to the point where I was out of it. I'm in great shape and knew I could recover."
Brewer agreed with Pemberton’s assessment:
“I had made this fight tough for me but I knew I could let him punch himself out and hit him with some body shots,” said Brewer. “I love going to the body more than anything. I’d rather hurt someone to the body instead of the head.”
Brewer followed the body attack with a barrage of punches midway through the 6th and Smoger issued another mandatory 8-count when Pemberton was stuck in the ropes. When the action ensued, Brewer began to pour it on and Pemberton hit the deck for the first time in the fight. Perhaps the weakened look in his body prompted Smoger to halt the fight when he fell to his knees because when Pemberton jumped to his feet, Smoger stopped the fight at 2:03 of the round
“I felt he stopped it too soon,” said Pemberton, now 24-3-1 with 20 KO’s. “Maybe he saw something but I could have continued. I want to go out on my shield.”
Though Pemberton was upset with his performance, as was Brewer, there wasn’t an unsatisfied patron in the Fox Theater last night. But don’t expect to see it again.
“I don’t plan on fighting this guy again,” said Brewer now 38-9 with 27 KO’s. “No one gives me rematches. I’m taking this victory and moving on.”
But the way it's been going, whether it happens again or not you can rest assured knowing that we'll probably see and exciting fight in New England.
In a rousing co-feature with a memorable finish to a fairly crude fight, Richard LaMontagne, 193, of Everett, MA scored a sensational 11th round knockout over 2000 Olympian, Michael Bennett, 194, of Chicago in what could go down as this year’s knockout of the year. Bennett scored most of the telling blows early on but it was LaMontagne who did all of the hurting throughout the fight. Bennett tired badly after the fifth round, a round in which he had never fought past, but he hung in there landing crisp shots but mainly holding LaMontagne whenever he was in close.
Towards the end of the 11th round, Bennett was tardy with a wide left hook and LaMontagne shot a right cross down the middle. The punch caught Bennett flush on the chin and folded him lawn chair. Bennett’s legs were underneath his butt when referee Charlie Dwyer halted the fight at 2:57 of the round.
Up until the stoppage, LaMontange led on one card by a tally of 95-94, but trailed by 96-93 and 95-94 by the other two scorecards. “I planned for 12 rounds,” said the victor who improved to 27-4-1 with 22 KO’s. “I conserved too much early on because I felt a pop in my right pec(toral) when I was throwing an uppercut. That’s why I let him muscle me around in the clinches. But I got pissed off at his headbutts and his rabbit punching. I don’t care about points being taken away, I just wanted him to stop but I knew I was going to get him late.
LaMontange who was the first man to extend IBF champion Vasily Jirov the 12-round limit, said he wants the Russian again. Asked what he would do differently?
“Fight harder! I want him and I know I can beat him.”
Nearing 37 and fighting for the first time this year, Lawrence Clay-Bey, 246, of Hartford, CT shook off some ring rust and stopped Brian Nix, 263, of Rochester, NY, at 1:47 of the 3rd round. The two fought competitively up until Clay-Bey landed a crisp one-two combo, which dropped Nix for a count of 6. Referee Steve Smoger stopped the fight when Nix was staggering on his feet. Clay-Bey, the captain of the 1996 US Olympic team still showed hand speed but plenty of girth at this weight, the heaviest of his career (by a pound). He improved to a 16-1, with 11 KO’s, while Nix, slipped to 17-9 with 3 KO’s.
Heralded amateur star, Mike Oliver, Jr., 119, of Hartford, CT knocked out DeMario Crittenden, 117, of Niagra Falls, NY at 2:56 of the 3rd round. Oliver is now 4-0 with 2 KO’s. And in the swing bout, Bernard Dunne, 126, of Dublin, Ireland another amateur standout won in devastating fashion when he stopped Christian Cabrera, 127, of Providence, RI at 2:03 of the 2nd round.
Promoter – Sugar Ray Leonard
August 2, 2002
Sergio Carlos Santillan en la mira de Narvaez
SERGIO CARLOS SANTILLÁN EN LA MIRA DE NARVÁEZ
El actual campeón argentino super mosca Sergio Carlos Santillán (11-0-2, 4 ko's) podría ser el próximo rival del campeón mundial mosca WBO Omar Andrés Narváez (12-0-1, 7 ko's), si la Organización Mundial de Boxeo aprueba el pleito.
El empresario Osvaldo Rivero ya habría iniciado las gestiones para intentar realizar dicho combate a mediados de septiembre en Chubut si se descarta el choque entre coprovincianos con Horacio Chicagual.
August 2, 2002
David vs Goliath….. Fight Manager vs HBO for the hotly disputed "Heart & Soul of Boxing."
By Katherine Dunn
Just as HBO is preparing to broadcast from his hometown, a boxing manager in Portland, Oregon has filed a lawsuit against the huge cable networks’ parent company.
The September 7 Roy Jones Jr vs Clinton Wood title defense scheduled to be aired by HBO from the Rose Garden Arena of Portland, Oregon will have no more interested viewer than John Brune, a publicity and advertising specialist with an interest in managing boxers. Brune is suing HBO for trademark infringement for the use of the slogan "The Heart And Soul of Boxing." The cable network has been using the slogan to advertise its boxing programming since 1999. Brune asserts that he created the slogan and has been using it in advertising and publicity consistently since 1994. Brune owns the service mark ,"The Heart And Soul Of Boxing," as registered with the U.S. Patent Office. Brune says a subsequent application for the service mark by HBO was denied by the Patent Office.
The filing states that, beginning in march of 2000, Brune made written and telephonic efforts to communicate with HBO regarding its use of his slogan.
Brune’s attorneys filed his lawsuit in late July in the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of New York.
Michael Lennon, an attorney with the Baker Botts LLP law firm of Houston and New York, says the company has 20 days to respond to the filing of Brune’s complaint. A spokesman for Time Warner Entertainment was not available for comment.
Back in the early 1990’s, Brune entered into a partnership to assist in managing and publicizing boxers with long-time fight manager Michael "Motormouth" Morton of Portland. Brune told the CBZ that the slogan "The Heart And Soul of Boxing," was inspired by Morton and was designed specifically to use in Morton’s advertising of his fight management business. Morton’s ads using the slogan started running in 1994 and have appeared in many boxing publications, sometimes on a page facing a big HBO ad.
The complaint filed in federal court describes Mike Morton this way:
"Born in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn and nicknamed "Motormouth" by boxing promoter Don King for his fast-talking, Mr. Morton has been managing boxers
since 1935, and his experience and skill in managing boxers is well known in the boxing world. Six of the more than 60 professional boxers he's managed
have fought in world championship bouts: Ray Lampkin against Roberto Duran for the lightweight title, Mike Colbert against Marvin Hagler for the middleweight title, Marcellus Allen against Michael Moorer for the
light-heavyweight title, Andy Kendall against Bob Foster for the light-heavyweight title, Jesus Pimentel against Ruben Olivares for the bantamweight title, and most recently, in 1996, Miguel Arrozal in a World
Boxing Association featherweight title bout against Eloy Rojas."
Morton has suffered health setbacks in recent years, but still manages several Oregon fighters.
John Brune says he will be at the Rose Garden on September 7, "selling "Heart and Soul of Boxing" apparel."
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August 2, 2002
New England Chatta - By JD Vena
Ah you tiyid of hearing it? No not my spiel about Ruiz being a legit heavyweight with a chance to defeat Lennox Lewis (which by the way, I was right about him beating Johnson). In fact, I’ll save that faw latah. What I’m referring to, is the hosscrap that has been shoveled into owa eahs by the HBO boxing broadcast team for the past several yeahs.
Last Satiday’s heavyweight championship title fight between WBA champ, John “The Quietman” Ruiz and #1 challengah, Kirk Johnson proved to be an unexciting contest between two top heavyweights. And HBO did everything in theya powah to belittle the event once they realized that Ruiz was the bettah man. After all, a boring fight doesn’t mean that a fight isn’t a significant one. In the Ruiz-Johnson fight, theya wah few punches thrown by both men, few that landed, rabbit punching, low blows (all thrown by Johnson) and frequent clinching. Aside from the names I just mentioned in this paragraph and the low blows, you’d think I were talking about the recent Forrest-Mosley rematch two weeks ago. And in case you fawgot, Forrest and Mosely fought for the designation of best welterweight on the planet. So why was Ruiz, who won faya and squaya and appeahed to be on the verge of winning by a late rounds stoppage, criticized so hahshly by HBO’s people?
It could have to do with Ruiz’ association with managah, Nahmin Stone who voiced his disgust with HBO and its staff last week (saying that HBO, Merchant and Lampley suck) priyah to the fight. But the real blame could be directed to HBO’s devotion to Lennox Lewis.
Theya were a numbah of comments and questions the othah night that you should have noticed as biased propaganda. One was the gross statement that spewed out of Merchant’s mouth regahding the third lob blow, which resulted in the second point deduction. Aftah it was replayed in between rounds, Mechant had the audacity to say that the punch, “may have been borderline,” as if tyring to insinuate that Ruiz was faking the injury. Larry, maybe it wasn’t directly on the nuts, but it was cleahly low. And anyone who knows that that once you’ve been hit with a low blow, the second, aw God fahbid the third, will hurt a lot maw. Nevahtheless, I’m shoowa that Ruiz’ toilet looked like a giant Mahgarita after the fight.
Merhcant and Emanuel Stewid also tried to mitigate Johnson’s fault by blaming Ruiz faw “bending down.” Guys, it would have been Ruiz’ fault if Johnson was bending down and/aw Ruiz was pushing aw pulling down on him. I don’t remember George Foreman rifling low blows at Joe Fraziah when Fraziah was bending in half. Maybe, just maybe, Johnson’s low blows had to do with his uttah frustration with his opponet as was the case in his first encountah with Al “Ice” Cole a few yeahs ago, another foulfest that should have ended in a DQ.
You’d think that all of his connah experience would make Stewid microphone-friendly when it came to analyzing fights and techniques but I’m seriously beginning to doubt his overall credibility. And why in the blue hell would he be analyzing a John Ruiz or Kirk Johnson fight in the first place? That’s like Papa Trinidad being a commentatah for De La Hoya’s fights.
After the fight Satahday night, you may remembah Lampley questioning Stewid whethah Stoney’s account of Ruiz getting the bettah of Lewis in sparring was accurate, as if Stewid (who chastises Lewis in his corner but compliments him after his fights) was going to say so. Well predictably, Stewid dismissed it saying it nevah happened and although I wasn’t theya to attest to Stoney’s account, neithah was Stewid, who should have admitted that he wasn’t training Lewis at the time and can’t comment about it. That would have been the honorable thing to do. HBO should be ashamed of the unprofessional mannah in which they tried to distort the facts.
One last comment, which stuck me, was when Merchant mentioned Lewis as being “the heavyweight of the 90’s,” when analyzing past Canadian heavyweights. Well if you can remembah back on June 1st, Merchant said the same thing about Evandah Holyfield. Maybe that got to Lewis. It’s this writah’s opinion that HBO wants only what Lennox Lewis wants and it’s cleahly not John Ruiz.
Which reminds me, there is no way that you can tell me that Ruiz, who is now 12-1-1 with 10 KO’s since his loss to David Tua a century ago is not the most deserving challengah to Lewis’ title. He is 2-1-1 in his most recent fights and his opponents were Holyfield and Johnson, legitimate challengah’s in the division. That’s compared to Chris Byrd’s 4-0 versus a fat Tua, Jeff Pegues, Maurice Harris and David Veddah (Vedder) or Wladameah (Wladamir) Klitschko’s 5-0 against Mercah, Botha, Chahles Shuffid and Byrd. Though those ah nice wins to have on yaw resume as a young contendah, those names ah not Holyfields.
Ruiz’ performance on Satahday wasn’t pretty, but he won faya and squaya no mattah what kind of angle HBO tried to create. Right now Micky Wahd deserves a title shot or should be a consideration faw a crack at Tszyu. But if boxing awahded title shots to the boxis who wah the most exciting, then Wahd should have got one aftah his fight with Reggie Green in ’99, aw his fight with Neary in ’00 or his wah with Emanuel Augustus in ’01. Even after waging perhaps the most exciting fight ever waged against Arturo Gatti, there could be maw deserving challengis in the 140-pound division. And in getting back to the heavyweights, Ruiz should be viewed as the logical opponent faw Lennox Lewis, whethah it’s good for HBO aw not.
I hope you got yaw tickets faw tomorrow night’s action at Foxwoods. Scott “The Sandman” Pembahton (24-2-1/ 20 KO’s) of New Bedfid, faces his toughest test in former world champion and perhaps the best American supah-middlweightm, Chahles “The Hatchet” Brewah (37-9/ 26 KO’s) of Philadelphia. Pembahton is a spitting image of Brewah stylewise and in terms of physical abilities. Both ah explosive powah-punchis in the Tommy Hearns mold, have shaky chins but enormous heart. Both have been in tough moments in theya careah and came back to win in thrilling fashion. Pembahton was down and nearly out against Le’van Easley two yeahs ago, but stormed back to stop Easley and win the NABF title. His reign was shortlived due to legal problems but you have to admire the prospect of going after Brewah who like Pemberton is dangerous when hurt.
Brewah, was nearly out of it while defending his title against Herol Graham a fee yeahs back but came back to stop Graham by knockout. The fight is a main event and will be shown on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights and a win for eithah man should create another title threat, especially if it’s Pemberton since Brewah has lost in his last three title fights.
In an interesting cruisahweight match-up, nice-guy Richie LaMontange (26-4-1/ 21 KOs) of Everett, MA will battle 2000 Olympian Michael Bennett (9-2/ 9 KO’s) in a make or break fight. With all 4 men being power punchers, you should have a good night’s worth of fiyaworks. Speaking of Olympians, Lawrence Clay-Bey (15-1), the oft-injured heavyweight of the 1996 Games will meet Brian Nix (17-8) in an 8-rounder. Hot female sensation, Jaime Clampitt, formerly of Calgary will also be featured on the card.
On Satahday night at Foxwoods, Michael Grant (34-2/ 25 Kos), will try to rebuild himself back to HBO’s standards when he meets the courageous Robit Davis (27-4/ 15 KOs), who recently avenged his latest loss to Terrence Lewis. Hot Hartfid prospects, “Bad” Chad Dawon and Mike Olivah will also be featured. Sugar Ray Leonard is promoting both shows. Faw ticket info to eithah show call 1-800 PLAY BIG.
August 1, 2002
Yakama Nation Joins ABC
By Katherine Dunn
On Thursday, Aug. 1, the Yakama Nation Athletic Commission was admitted to full membership in the Association of Boxing Commissions, during an afternoon session of the annual ABC meeting in Miami, Florida. The executive director of the Yakama tribal agency is Bruce Anderson, the retired former executive director of the Oregon Boxing and Wrestling Commission. Anderson, a founding member of the ABC, presented the Yakama application for membership. The Yakama Nation Legends Casino in Toppenish, Washington has presented many boxing events, including shows broadcast by ESPN2 Friday Night Fights.
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August 1, 2002
Rose Garden Postpones 2nd De La Hoya Promotion
By Katherine Dunn
On the morning of Thursday, Aug. 1, the Rose Garden Arena in Portland, Oregon announced the postponement of the scheduled Sept. 19 fight card promoted by Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy, Inc. The date was to be the second show in a three fight series with the third event in November. All three cards were to be promoted by Golden Boy, Inc. The decision was revealed just 2 days after a press conference at the Rose Garden announced a Roy Jones Jr title defense to take place in that arena on Saturday, Sept. 7, which will be broadcast on HBO. No new date has been set for the De La Hoya promoted show.
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