Pacquiao v Valero November 8?

From Manilla Bulletin
==========================
LAS VEGAS — Edwin Valero will be next for Manny Pacquiao, his promoter announced yesterday.

Top Rank head Bob Arum said on Saturday that Nov. 8 has been penciled for the next fight of Pacquiao, and that Valero, the unbeaten Venezuelan knockout king, has been tapped to battle the newly-crowned World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight king.

"He will fight on Nov. 8 either here or in Texas, but hopefully it will be here," said Arum after the post-fight press conference of the Pacquiao-Diaz.

"The opponent had a medical problem but he’s been cleared at least in one state and hopefully it’s going to be cleared up here, too. I have been talking with my friend (Akihiko) Honda and he’s game for the fight and I think people will love it because he’s a huge knockout guy."

Honda, who heads Teiken Promotions, which has offices in America and the biggest boxing outfit in Japan, holds the promotional ties on Valero.

Valero has a 24-0 record with all wins coming by way of knockout, including 19 in the first round.

Valero is the current World Boxing Association (WBA) super-featherweight (130 lbs) ruler and is aching to test Pacquiao’s mettle in another battle of lefties.

Arum said Valero, like Pacquiao, is also having problems getting down to 130 lbs.

"That’s (Valero) the fight we are making and if Manny is successful at that, we will look if (Ricky) Hatton is available," added Arum.

Valero, who now trains under American Kenny Adams here, is presently in his native Venezuela but is scheduled to go back to the gym in mid July, according to Honda, who staged two Mike Tyson fights in Tokyo in the 1990s.

Two weeks ago in Tokyo, Valero kept his WBA crown for the fourth time with a seventh-round TKO of Takehiro Shimada.

Pacquiao Takes WBC Lightweight Title

FromUSAToday
===========================
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Speed has been Manny Pacquiao's specialty ever since he was a scrawny 106-pound teenage brawler. When he stepped in the ring weighing 135 pounds on Saturday night, even his trainer wondered whether Pacquiao would lose some of his splendid speed with all that extra bulk.
That theory evaporated with one look at David Diaz's lacerated, bloody face, even before it hit the canvas in the ninth round. Not only did Pacquiao keep his pace while winning the WBC lightweight title with a ninth-round knockout, he got stronger along the way.

What a frightening thought for the rest of the talented lightweight division.
"I feel much, much stronger and more powerful at 135," said Pacquiao, the first Asian boxer to win title belts at four weights. "This is where I plan to stay. I did real well. I was really surprised it wasn't stopped sooner."
After winning a recognized championship fight at his fifth weight — including a nontitle victory over 126-pound king Marco Antonio Barrera in 2003 — Pacquiao (47-3-2, 35 KOs) definitely has the credentials to qualify as boxing's mythical pound-for-pound champion.

Weekend Results: Saturday June 21

By TomH
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June 21, 2008

RESULTS FROM FLORIDA

Abraham Stops Miranda.

IBF Middleweight Champion Arthur Abraham, 166, stopped Edison Miranda, 165, at 1:13 of the fourth round in a catch weight bout. Pantera was put down three times in round four after being softened up by some nice work by Abraham in the previous round.

The IBF Champ moves to 27-0 (22) while Miranda dips to 30-3 (26).

In an upset, former IBF Jr. Middleweight Champ Raul Marquez defeated previously unbeaten Goivanni Lorenzo in a Middleweight Title Eliminator match.

The judges’ scores were unanimous at 114-113. Lorenzo lost a point via a foul which cost him a draw. Marquez moves to 41-3-1 (29) while Lorenzo drops to 26-1 (18).

Also:
Kenny Galarza TKO 1 Heraclides Barrantes
Cecilia Braekhus W 6 Nicole Woods
Victor Cayo W 6 Harrison Cuello. Judges’ Scores were unanimous at 60-54.
Ed Paredes TKO 2 Maximino Cuevas
Heavyweight Elijah McCall TKO 1 Dario Moss. McCall is the son of former Heavyweight Champion Oliver McCall. This was his pro debut.


RESULTS FROM TENNESSEE

Arreola defeats Witherspoon

Chazz Witherspoon was dropped twice in the third round defeat to Chris Arreola. Technically a DQ, should go down as a TKO for Arreola. Now 24-0 looks to bigger and better things. Witherspoon, suffering his first loss dips to 23-1.

Andre Berto stops Miguel Rodriguez for the Vacant WBC Welterweight Title in the 7th round. Berto, 146 out punched Rodriguez, 145 by 163-79. For what that’s worth.

Berto is now 22-0 (19), while Rodriguez dips to 29-3 (23).

Also:
Heavyweight Evans Quinn W 8 Andrew Greeley. Judges’ scores were: 79-72, 77-74, 78-73.
Michael Williams W 4 Ira Terry
Farah Ennis W 4 Scott Sigmon
Jonathan Nelson KO 1 Vincent Robbins. Time 2:10
Rayonta Whitfield TKO 4 Wilfrido Valdez
Fernando Guerrero KO 1 Omid Bahreini. Time 2:10

Tom Hatheway
hathewayboxing@yahoo.com
Link: http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=16226&more=1

Weekend Results: Friday June 20

By TomH:
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June 20, 2008

RESULTS FROM CAYMAN ISLANDS

Ward stops Ravelo.

2004 Olympian Andre Ward, 168, of Oakland CA, improved to 16-0 (11) with an eighth round stoppage of Jerson Ravelo. A big right hand ended matters at the 2:37 mark. Ravelo, 166 ½, who beat Jeff Lacy as an amateur dips to 18-3 (12).

Ward, who looked good here, seems a bit limited as a prospect. It seems after four years as a pro the top tier, Kessler types, could handle him with speed and volume output.

Ronald Hearns TKO 7 Jose Luis Gonzalez. With father Tommy in his corner Ronald stopped Gonzalez at 2:01 of the 7th round. He had to work hard for this win, and worked well behind his jab.

Hearns 156, moves to 19-0 (15) while Gonzalez, 154, dips to 12-4-1 (10).

Also:
Come backing Heavyweight Eddie Chambers, 217, stopped Rafael Butler, 250, in round 6 for the USBA Heavyweight Title. Chambers moves to 31-1 (17) while Butler dips to 31-5 (24).

Wayne McCullough loses and retires with a 6th round TKO loss to Juan Ruiz for the vacant NABF Featherweight Title.

In my opinion, a weak way to go out. On his stool. He finishes with a record of 27-7 (18).

Charles Whittaker TKO 4 Troy Lowery.

Ty Barnet KO 4 Pavel Miranda. Jr. Welterweight Barnet moves to 14-0 (10) while Miranda dips to 15-2 (8).

RESULTS FROM LAS VEGAS

ESPN2 at the Thomas and Mack Center for Friday Night Fights.

Ahunanya beats Butler.

Friday Ahunanya won 10 round unanimous decision over formerly unbeaten Alonzo Butler.

Butler seemed to struggle in his first fight back after a 13 month layoff. Was knocked down in the fourth round and his left eye was nearly shut at the end of the bout. Ahunanya has now consecutively beaten an undefeated opponent.

The judges’ scores were 95-94, 96-93, 95-94. Ahunanya, 238 improves to 24-5-3 (13), while an overweight Butler, 265, dips to 26-1-1 (19).

Burnett gets by Grant. Barely.

Kevin Burnet won an 8 round decision after getting off the canvas after the final bell. Burnett, 260 was decked by a wicked right to the chin from Horace Grant, 250 as the final bell rang. Burnett, who got up at the count of nine improves to 13-1-1 (8kos) while Grant dips to 12-2 (7).

The judges’ scores were: 78-73, 79-72. 79-72.

Also:
Gregorz Kielsa won a unanimous four round decision over Alvaro Morales. Kielsa, 231, moves to 6-0 (3), Morales, 277, dips to 3-2-4 (0).

Jonte Willis W 4 Clarence Tillman. Willis, 214, is now 4-0 (2). Tillman, 285, loses his pro debut.


RESULTS FROM CHICAGO

Valdez decisions Laryea.

In an entertaining bout Jr. Featherweight Alejandro Valdez won a 10 round unanimous decision over Anyetei Laryea. The judges’ scores were: 97-93, 97-93, 98-92. The taller Valdez improves to 21-2-1 (150 while Laryea dips to 17-4 (9).

Landeros upsets Perez

Adolfo Landeros 122 ½ , won a narrow 8 round split decision over previous unbeaten Alejandro Perez also 122 ½ of Salinas, CA. This was a very competitive bout. The judges’ scores were 75-77, 77-75, 77-75. Landeros improves to 18-10-1 (8) while Perez dips to 12-1-1 (7).

Juan Bailon W 4 Gerardo Alarcon. Bailon basically controlled the action with his jab and effective combinations. The judges’ scores were unanimous at 40-36.

Also:
Montell Griffin W 10 Corey Cummings. Cummings down in round three. The judges’ scores were unanimous at 100-89. Griffin 176 ½, moves to 49-7 (30).

Almazbek Raiymkulov TKO 4 Leo Martinez
Ivan Popoca TKO 1 Khristian Geraci
Frederico Flores W 4 Gustavo Palacios


Tom Hatheway
hathewayboxing@yahoo.com
Link:

ESPN 2 Wednesday Night Fights from Sacramento

June 18, 2008

By TomH

LOCK STOPS GONZALEZ IN 10TH

ESPN2 returned to the Arco Arena in Sacramento, California for this week’s edition of Wednesday Night Fights. The Don Chargin promoted card consisted of four bouts.

The bout start with Lock coming out jabbing and circling with Gonzalez in pursuit. Lock, 127, Detroit MI, was the taller, speedier boxer despite Roger Gonzalez’ nickname (Speedy). After nearly getting floored by a straight right, Southpaw Lock came back strong and landed two good lefts to the chin to put Speedy on the canvas.

Rounds two through four belonged to Lock as well as he was the bigger, quicker fighter who was able to control the pace and land the better punches.

Gonzalez, 127, Chino CA, came back and took rounds five through eight. He was basically more aggressive, more effective than Lock. He also landed many combinations along with some good body work.

Round seven actually saw Lock, 18-3-1 (11kos), ready to go. It was all Gonzalez, 27-2 (18). A big flurry stunned Lock, after which his legs were gone. Fortunately for him he was able to turn things around in the last 45 seconds of the round. Lock continued to look fatigued in the eighth.

Round nine saw Lock turn things around again and land two big rights to stun Gonzalez who spent the remainder of the round plodding, trying to slowly counter his opponent. A four punch combo put Gonzalez into the ropes near the end of the round. Gonzalez looked spent.

Early in round ten Lock landed two glancing blows to a shot Gonzalez that put him on the canvas for a seven count. These were not hard shots. Gonzalez struggled up and looked very tired. Another single left to the body put him down again and this was enough for Referee Jon Schorle to stop the action at the 1:27 mark.

Television announcer Teddy Atlas had it 86-85 for Gonzalez, while I had it 86-84 for Lock. A very close and entertaining fight that saw the momentum switch several times.
Gonzalez’ previous lone loss was to former WBO Bantamweight Champion Jhonny Gonzalez.

In the semi-main bout:

2004 Olympian Vincente Escobedo, Woodland CA, took a unanimous 8 round decision over Christian Favela, Los Mochis MX. Even though Escobedo, 18-1 (11), was effective with the jab and able to control the durable Favela, 15-16-4 (9), he will have some problems with the upper echelon of the division with his wide open style. He has a tendency to fight short and not use his height to his advantage. The judges’ scores were: 78-74, 80-72, 80-72. The referee was Ray Balewicz.

Under card Action:

Christopher Martin, 123 ½, Majority Draw 4 with Gregorio Torres also 123 ½. The judges’ scores were: 39-37 Martin, 38-38, 38-38 Draw. Martin, a 2004 California Golden Gloves Champ goes to 10-0-2 (2) and Torres 5-1-2 (4).

Heavyweights: Ashanti Jordan TKO 2 Eric Pippen. Jordan, Fairfield CA, moves to 4-0 (4) while Pippen, Little Rock AR, dips to 3-2 (3). Jordan had about a 30 lb weight advantage.

Tom Hatheway
hathewayboxing@yahoo.com
Link To Article:http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=16181&more=1

Valero Retains WBA Jr. Lightweight Title - Now 24-0 (24kos)

Valero defeats Shimada for WBC belt
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thursday, June 12, 2008

TOKYO - Edwin Valero of Venezuela defeated Japan’s Takehiro Shimada by technical knockout Thursday to retain his WBA super featherweight boxing title.Valero sent Shimada to the canvas with a right hook at one minute 55 seconds of the seventh round, prompting referee Guillermo Perez Pineda to stop the bout.Valero, who is based in Japan, improved to 24-0 with all wins coming by way of knockout.Shimada dropped to 22-4-1, with 15 KOs.
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TomH: Valero retains title for the fourth time. May fight Manny Pacquiao later this year or in 2009.

Holmes Inducted to Hall of Fame

Holmes moved to tears by induction in boxing hall of fame.

By WILLIAM KATES, Associated Press Writer

CANASTOTA, N.Y. (AP)—With a precise, powerful left jab, Larry Holmes reigned as heavyweight champion for more than seven years, successfully defending his crown 20 times—the second longest title run in heavyweight history.

But on Sunday, the “Easton Assassin” needed a moment to compose himself before accepting his induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame along with 11 other champions and ring personalities.
“I’m sorry. I’m choked up a little bit. Why not?” Holmes said, receiving a sustained ovation from the crowd of nearly 1,000.
“When you get to this point, when people come out to salute you like this … it makes you want to cry. So if I cry, cry with me because I feel good,” said Holmes.

Holmes headlined the 2008 induction class, which also included junior welterweight champion Eddie Perkins and late middleweight Holman Williams. All three are in the hall’s modern-era category.

Middleweights Len Harvey and Frank Klaus and welterweight Harry Lewis were honored in the old-timer category, and 19th-century Irish heavyweight Dan Donnelly in the pioneer class.
A seventh-grade dropout who forged his body in eastern Pennsylvania’s steel mills and honed his boxing skills in a Police Athletic League gym, Holmes compiled a record of 69-6, with 44 knockouts. He was heavyweight champion from 1978-1985. His 20 successful title defenses were surpassed only by Joe Louis with 25. Holmes nearly matched Rocky Marciano’s perfect 49-0 mark when he was upset by Michael Spinks for his first loss.
Despite his impressive resume, Holmes always has been under-appreciated— mostly because he defended his title against any fighter, regardless of ranking or name.

“I wanted to defend the title properly. I wanted to give everybody the opportunity to fight,” Holmes told the crowd, which included a large contingent of family and friends from Easton, Pa., among them his 3-week-old great granddaughter and 1980 Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers.

“I didn’t get into boxing to become the heavyweight champion of the world. I didn’t get into boxing to get into the hall of fame. I got into boxing to make money and pay the rent,” said Holmes, now 58 but just five years removed from his last fight.

Holmes said his detractors were his greatest motivation—including famed sportscaster Howard Cosell, who Holmes remembered said “my legs were too small, I couldn’t punch and I was just a copy of Muhammad Ali.”

Holmes had thanks for many people who helped his career, even singling out his sparring partners. But he gave special credit to promoter Don King for taking a chance on him on the start.

“When I was coming up, no one thought about Larry Holmes. Everybody I went to turned me down. No one would give a dime for my career,” Holmes said.

“I told people I was going to be the heavyweight champion of the world. They said I was crazy. People said you can’t be the heavyweight champ. Muhammad Ali is out there. Joe Frazier is out there. Ken Norton is out there. George Foreman is out there.

“I was determined to be the heavyweight champion of the world because I wanted to prove to those who said I couldn’t do it, that I could do it,” Holmes said.

After an early career that included 18 months as Ali’s sparring partner, Holmes beat WBC heavyweight champion Ken Norton in Las Vegas by decision on June 9, 1978, winning the fight with a final round cited by many as one of the greatest in boxing history.

Holmes’ string of successful title defenses ended in 1985 when he was upset by Michael Spinks in a 15-round decision. He retired in 1986 after losing a rematch with Spinks.

In 1988, the then 38-year-old Holmes was lured out of retirement by a $3 million purse to challenge Mike Tyson, the undisputed champion. Tyson knocked out Holmes in the fourth round, the first and only time Holmes would be knocked out in his career. Holmes again retired.
He returned to the ring again in 1990. In 1992, he upset undefeated 1988 Olympic heavyweight champ Ray Mercer, but lost a 12-round decision to Evander Holyfield in a title fight. Holmes got a last title shot in 1995 at 45, losing the WBC title by decision to Oliver McCall.

Since retiring, Holmes has become a successful businessman in his hometown and has helped fund numerous youth organizations.

In honor of Holmes’ induction, Easton Mayor Salvatore Panto read a proclamation that recognized Holmes for his humanity.

“It’s not just his boxing accomplishments were are so proud of. What we are more proud of is what he has down with those accomplishments,” said Panto, who grew up in the same projects as Holmes and has been a lifelong friend.

Also inducted Sunday as non-participants or observers were trainer Bill Gore, promoters Mogens Palle and Frank Warren and journalists Dave Anderson and Joe Koizumi.

Results From San Jose!

FIGHT NIGHT AT THE TANK

Results from San Jose June 5, 2008:

Promoter: Goosen Tutor Promotions
Attendance: 3,012
Card: Scheduled 7 bouts, 36 rounds.
Next Fightnight at the Tank:

September 11, 2008.

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==========================

==========================

Manuel “El Toro” Quezada, W 8 John Clark
Quezada, 223, decisioned Clark, 289 via 8 round unanimous decision.
Judges’ scores were: 80-72, 80-72, 79-73. Quezada’s record moves to
23-4 (15kos). Clark, a former Defensive End with the San Francisco
49ers is now 12-13-1 (7).

Eloy Perez W 8 Jorge Pimentel
Local Perez, 129½ of Salinas CA decisioned Pimentel, 129½ via 8 round
unanimous decision. Judges’ scores were 80-72, 79-73, 77-75. Perez’
record improves to 11-0-2 (2) while hard punching Pimentel dips to 13-7 (11).

Jason Peterson TKO 2 Steve Martin
Making his pro debut, Peterson 163½ stopped Steve Martin, 165 in the
second round of their scheduled four rounder. Martin’s record dips to
1-2 (1). Peterson is next scheduled to fight at the Playboy Mansion on
June 25.

Carlos Herrera KO 1 Anthony Chavez
Herrera, 132½, stopped Chavez, 129½ at 1:21 of the first round. Herrera,
getting is first victory improves to 1-2 (1) while Chavez takes his first
loss and dips to 1-1 (1). The bout was scheduled for four rounds.

Keith Spencer KO 2 Theron Johnson
Heavyweights. Spencer 263, flattened Johnson 230, at 2:29 of the second
round. Spencer’s record improves o 4-0 (3) while Johnson is now 1-1 (0).
The bout was scheduled for four rounds.

Mike Dallas W 4 Marlo Cortez
Dallas, 144, decisioned Cortez, 144½ via four round unanimous decision.
The Judges’ scores were 40-36, 40-36, 40-36. Dallas’ record improves to
2-0 (0). Cortez is now 2-5-2 (1).

Rico Ramos TKO 2 Jerry Mondragon
(opening bout)
Ramos 123, stopped Mondragon at 2:43 of the second round. The bout
was scheduled for four rounds. Ramos’ record improves to 3-0 (2) while
Mondragon suffered his first loss and is at 3-1 (2).

=================

By: TomH

Photo: Armando Roldan

Pavlik Stops Lockett - Retains Titles

From Reuters
==========

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Kelly Pavlik dominated Gary Lockett of Britain to retain his WBC and WBO middleweight titles with a third-round stoppage in Atlantic City on Saturday.

Pavlik rattled Lockett in the first round with two left-right combinations.
In the second, a right hand to the temple caused Lockett to stagger backwards and drop to one knee. Lockett went down to one knee again shortly afterwards and by the end of the round the challenger's face was swollen and reddened.

Another right hand in the third sent Lockett (30-2, 21 KOs) to the canvas one more time, prompting trainer Enzo Calzaghe to throw in the towel.

"All he did was try to wait for me to get lazy with the jab," Pavlik, 34-0 (30 KOs), told reporters. "He did catch me with one right hand in the first, but we took care of it."

Upcoming June TV Fights

June 7 - HBO, Pavlik 33-0 v Lockett 30-1, Ponce De Leon 34-1 v JM Lopez 21-0.
June 7 - Showtime, Forrest 40-2 v Mora 20-0-1, Quintana 25-1 v Williams 33-1.
June 11 - ESPN2 - Two good bouts.
June 13 - ESPN2 - Two good bouts.
June 18 - ESPN2 - From Sacramento.
June 20 - Showtime - Andre Ward and Eddie Chambers.
June 20 - ESPN2 - Good bout.
June 20 - Telefutura - Montel Griffin.
June 21 - Showtime - Pantera v Abraham rematch.
June 21 - HBO - Two good bouts.
June 25 - ESPN2 - Julio Diaz 34-4 v David Torres 20-0.
June 26 - Versus - Two good bouts.
June 27 - ESPN2 - Frans Botha.
June 27 - Telefutura - Julio Cesar Garcia 40-3 kid.
July 2 - ESPN2 - Minto 30-2 v Poore 20-2.

Pavlik v Lockett

From The Plain Dealer
================

What: Kelly Pavlik (33-0, 29 KOs), Youngstown, vs. Gary Lockett (30-1, 21 KOs), Wales, for Pavlik's WBC/WBO middleweight titles, 12 rounds.

When: Today.

Where: Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, N.J.

TV: HBO broadcast of two fights starts at 10:05 p.m. The first is Daniel Ponce DeLeon (34-1, 30 KOs) vs. Juan Manuel Lopez (21-0, 19 KOs) for DeLeon's WBO junior featherweight title, 12 rounds.

A look at Lockett: "The Rocket Man" has not lost since dropping a split decision to Yuri Tsarenko in April 2002. He has won 14 bouts since, including a decision against Tsarenko in 2003. Unlike Pavlik, Lockett's résumé is filled with wins against unheralded fighters. He is being asked to take a huge step up in class. He will have to deal with Pavlik's jab to get inside against the taller man, going to the body to slow him. A counter-puncher, he has to find an opening over Pavlik's sometimes-lazy left and land with a right-left combination. If Lockett cannot move forward, he is in big trouble.

A look at Pavlik: There is no mystery to the champion. He attacks every round, starting with the pace-setting jab to set up the solid right hand. He can throw up to 100 punches per round. Lockett has the tendency to counter and then step back. That looks to be a huge advantage for Pavlik, who has shown he can take a punch and respond in kind. Pavlik has been dropped twice when he lets his left hand slip to his side. He has constantly worked on his defense to avoid the mistake. The champion applies pressure and more pressure. It should work once again to break down and finish the overmatched Lockett.

Joe Maxse's prediction: This should not be considered a stroll on the Boardwalk for Pavlik. Still, he has been in with much tougher, especially during the past year, and holds all the advantages in size, strength, speed and skills. Lockett has the puncher's chance and Pavlik does leave himself open at times. But with bigger bouts and paydays on the horizon, all the advantages point to a Pavlik knockout in three. Tune in early.