Salido defeats Lopez in 8th round TKO
(From AP)
==============
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP)—Challenger Orlando Salido upset Juan Manuel Lopez on Saturday, stopping the WBO featherweight champion with a technical knockout in the eighth round.
Referee Roberto Ramirez ended the fight with 1:39 left in the round. Salido also knocked down Lopez at the end of the fifth.
Judges Lisa Giampa, Thomas Miller and Jose Torres all had the fight even at 66-66 when Ramirez stopped the bout.
The 27-year-old Lopez was defending his title before a home crowd at the Ruben Rodriguez Coliseum in Bayamon.
Salido improved to 35-11-2 (23 KOs). Lopez fell to 30-1 (27 KOs).
Next up for the 30-year-old Salido will most likely be a unification bout against Yuriorkis Gamboa, the WBA and IBF champion. Salido lost a unanimous decision to Gamboa in September.
----------------------------------------
Ortiz upsets Berto for title in unanimous decision
(From AP)
==============
LEDYARD, Conn. (AP)—Victor Ortiz got some advice from Manny Pacquiao before his title fight against unbeaten Andre Berto.
“Manny told me to stick to my game plan,” Ortiz said.
Ortiz listened to boxing’s biggest star and the result was three knockdowns in an upset victory over Berto in a World Boxing Council welterweight title fight Saturday night.
Ortiz (29-2-2) won a unanimous decision despite having a point taken away for hitting behind the head. The three judges scored it 114-112, 114-111 and 115-110.
“That wasn’t me in there tonight,” Berto said, adding that he hurt his right thumb in the second round at the MGM Grand at the Foxwoods Resort Casino.
Berto had made five successful title defenses since he took the WBC welterweight crown in June 2008, when he knocked out Miguel Rodriguez in the seventh round.
Berto (27-1) was nearly knocked out in the first round against Ortiz, who came out firing combinations from the bell, stunning the champion with a right hand followed by a left hook that put him on the canvas.
With Berto clearly dazed, Ortiz tried to finish his rival off. He produced another knockdown, but Berto made it out of the round.
“I noticed he was vulnerable on the inside,” Ortiz said. “Part of my game plan was to smother his shots and overwhelm him.”
Ortiz appeared to be in command in Round 2, when out of nowhere, Berto connected with a short right hand that sent Ortiz backpedaling. He didn’t go down, but took a brief count from referee Michael Ortega.
The brisk pace continued in Round 3 with Ortiz continuing to apply the pressure. The 24-year-old Ortiz continued to stalk Berto in Round 4. Berto kept waving at his opponent to keep coming forward, and Ortiz was happy to oblige.
“I wasn’t surprised the way he tore into me,” Berto said. “I knew he would come out the way he did.”
The 27-year-old Berto turned it around in the sixth round and knocked Ortiz down with a right hand. But just seconds before the round ended, Ortiz flattened Berto with a left hook. Berto got up with no trouble just before the bell sounded.
“That was a beauty of a right hand he hit me with and it was a heck of a round,” Ortiz said. “I’d vote it the round of the year.”
After three uneventful rounds, Berto landed a good right to begin Round 10. Ortiz, who had been warned earlier about hitting in the back of the head, had a point taken away by Ortega. That seemed to motivate him, and he finished the round with a solid combination.
The crowd gave both fighters a standing ovation when the bout ended.
“I would rather have won than just be in an exciting fight,” a dejected Berto said.
Ortiz now has a six-fight winning streak. He hasn’t lost since June 2009, when he was knocked out in the sixth round by Marcus Maidana.
“I think this is where I’m going to stay now at 147 pounds,” Ortiz said. “I’m the king here. “I’m the king of the welterweights.”
-----------------------------------------------------
Khan keeps WBA light welterweight title on points
(From AP)
=================
MANCHESTER, England (AP)—Amir Khan retained his WBA light welterweight title on points after Paul McCloskey was stopped by the referee in the sixth round because of a nasty cut over his left eye on Saturday.
Referee Luiz Pabon deemed the cut to have come from an accidental clash of heads, and summoned ringside doctor Phil Sahu, who believed McCloskey couldn’t continue with blood seeping into his eye and impairing his vision.
McCloskey disagreed but Pabon sent the fight to scorecards, and the Irish challenger and his team were livid.
All three judges had Khan leading 60-54 halfway through the scheduled 12-round bout, and the Englishman improved to 25-1 with 17 knockouts.
McCloskey, the European champion, was furious with the decision that cost him his first loss in 23 fights, and his team believed Khan should have been disqualified.
Khan started patiently against the challenger’s rangy southpaw style. But Khan landed a big right at the start of the second that visibly shook McCloskey, who recovered with a few shots of his own by the end of the round.
McCloskey grew in confidence, and his left crosses in the third pushed Khan back.
Another tactical few rounds followed, with Khan the main aggressor.
In the decisive sixth, a five-punch combination from Khan staggered McCloskey and moments later the pair went toe-to-toe before McCloskey wheeled away and noticed blood coming from around his left eye.
The referee immediately brought the fight to an abrupt end to a chorus of boos from the 6,000-strong crowd of McCloskey fans.
-------------------------------------------
Perez wins by unanimous decision, wants title shot next
(By Dennis Taylor)
=====================
AN FRANCISCO — World ranked super featherweight Eloy Perez used a sharp jab, crisp combinations and a left hook that couldn't miss Friday to win a 10-round unanimous decision over Alejandro Rodriguez at Longshoreman's Hall.
Perez won every round on all cards (100-90) to retain his NABO belt and improve to 21-0-2.
Rodriguez (12-2, 6 KOs) cringed from a first-round body shot and fought the rest of the bout in survival mode, backing up, circling and jabbing but refusing to engage.
Perez was ranked this week as the No. 1 super featherweight contender in the world by the WBO.
"We caught him with a great shot to the body and he was just surviving from that part on," said Max Garcia, Perez's trainer. "He was a good boxer but he didn't want to fight."
Perez also was frustrated by Rodriguez's lack of aggression.
"I felt like I had to make something happen because he kept going backward. I tried to fight smart and listen to my corner but it was frustrating," said Perez.
There were no knockdowns or cuts in the fight, though Perez sent Rodriguez stumbling backward on several occasions.
"I'll fight whoever Golden Boy or my manager Kathy Garcia want me to fight at this point," Perez said. "If I keep winning they can't keep me from a title shot."
Ricky Burns of Scotland is the reigning WBO super featherweight champion.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Kirkland Stopped in One!
(From The Sweet Science)
============================
James Kirkland hit the deck in the first round, off a left hook, against Nobuhiro Ishida, just 30 seconds into the first round of the undercard clash at the MGM Grand on Saturday night in Las Vegas.
He went down again at 1:44, and was up on shaky legs. A one-two put him on the mat and the ref Joe Cortez said no mas. The end of this middleweight "Action Heroes" clash came at 1:52 of the first, by KO.
Kirkland, the 27-year-old Texan who was in the can for two years on a weapons charge, is now 27-1, while the 35-year-old Ishida rises to 23-6-2. Kirkland said after to Max Kellerman that the knockdowns were flash knockdowns.
He was asked if he might go back to training with Anne Wolfe, and he said his camp went well, and he is ready to fight, so he didn't take the bait.
============================
James Kirkland hit the deck in the first round, off a left hook, against Nobuhiro Ishida, just 30 seconds into the first round of the undercard clash at the MGM Grand on Saturday night in Las Vegas.
He went down again at 1:44, and was up on shaky legs. A one-two put him on the mat and the ref Joe Cortez said no mas. The end of this middleweight "Action Heroes" clash came at 1:52 of the first, by KO.
Kirkland, the 27-year-old Texan who was in the can for two years on a weapons charge, is now 27-1, while the 35-year-old Ishida rises to 23-6-2. Kirkland said after to Max Kellerman that the knockdowns were flash knockdowns.
He was asked if he might go back to training with Anne Wolfe, and he said his camp went well, and he is ready to fight, so he didn't take the bait.
Morales falls just short of upset of Maidana!
(From The Boxing Tribune)
===========================
MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada– There was no Cinderella story Saturday night at the MGM Grand, but Erik “El Terrible” Morales (51-7, 35 KOs) came closer than anyone imagined to pulling off the upset of the decade against a younger, bigger, and mega-aggressive Marcos Maidana (30-2, 27 KOs).
In the first round, the Argentine slugger, Maidana, jumped on Morales and put some serious hurt on the Tijuana native with a a feverish offensive output. Morales would finish the round with his right eye nearly swollen shut and the critics of the contest rallying the “I told you so” refrain.
However, as the fight progressed, Morales’ skill and craft found a way around Maidana’s physical advantages and turned an apparent mismatch into a candidate for Fight of the Year.
Moving smartly away from Maidana’s wide, looping punches, Morales was able to avoid the full force of the incoming shots while maintaining balance to score big with a bruising uppercut, an educated jab, and solid straight right hands.
Although shaken on occasion and clearly gassed from his sustained offensive output, Maidana kept coming forward and kept scoring with wide left hands that found a home on a completely one-eyed Morales.
With the score getting close, Maidana found the energy to close the show big, winning rounds eleven and twelve and ensuring the majority decision victory by scores of 116-112, 116-112, and 114-114. The Boxing Tribune also scored the bout 116-112 in favor of Maidana.
After the bout, the former three-division champ, Morales, sporting a hideously swollen right eye, boldly claimed that he should’ve gotten the decision and insisted on a rematch.
===========================
MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada– There was no Cinderella story Saturday night at the MGM Grand, but Erik “El Terrible” Morales (51-7, 35 KOs) came closer than anyone imagined to pulling off the upset of the decade against a younger, bigger, and mega-aggressive Marcos Maidana (30-2, 27 KOs).
In the first round, the Argentine slugger, Maidana, jumped on Morales and put some serious hurt on the Tijuana native with a a feverish offensive output. Morales would finish the round with his right eye nearly swollen shut and the critics of the contest rallying the “I told you so” refrain.
However, as the fight progressed, Morales’ skill and craft found a way around Maidana’s physical advantages and turned an apparent mismatch into a candidate for Fight of the Year.
Moving smartly away from Maidana’s wide, looping punches, Morales was able to avoid the full force of the incoming shots while maintaining balance to score big with a bruising uppercut, an educated jab, and solid straight right hands.
Although shaken on occasion and clearly gassed from his sustained offensive output, Maidana kept coming forward and kept scoring with wide left hands that found a home on a completely one-eyed Morales.
With the score getting close, Maidana found the energy to close the show big, winning rounds eleven and twelve and ensuring the majority decision victory by scores of 116-112, 116-112, and 114-114. The Boxing Tribune also scored the bout 116-112 in favor of Maidana.
After the bout, the former three-division champ, Morales, sporting a hideously swollen right eye, boldly claimed that he should’ve gotten the decision and insisted on a rematch.
Adamek beats McBride - Klitschko next.
(From The Boxing Tribune)
=============================
NEWARK, New Jersey (AP)
Top heavyweight contender Tomasz Adamek took a step toward a championship showdown with one of the Klitschko brothers, unanimously outpointing Kevin McBride on Saturday night.
Adamek (44-1 with 28 knockouts) has a deal in place to face either Vitaly or Vladimir Klitschko for either of their heavyweight championship titles sometime in September in Poland.
”When I moved to heavyweight, my dream was to get to fight for the heavyweight championship,” Adamek said. ”Now, I’ve made it. I’ll get that chance. I want that chance. This is my chance and I’m ready.”
Adamek dominated from the outset, using his speed to outscore and outpunch his opponent, winning every round on all three judges’ scorecards. Judge Robert Grosso had the fight 120-107 in favor of the Polish-born Adamek, who now lives in Kearny, N.J., while judges Lynn Carter and Larry Hazzard Jr. had the fight 119-108.
=============================
NEWARK, New Jersey (AP)
Top heavyweight contender Tomasz Adamek took a step toward a championship showdown with one of the Klitschko brothers, unanimously outpointing Kevin McBride on Saturday night.
Adamek (44-1 with 28 knockouts) has a deal in place to face either Vitaly or Vladimir Klitschko for either of their heavyweight championship titles sometime in September in Poland.
”When I moved to heavyweight, my dream was to get to fight for the heavyweight championship,” Adamek said. ”Now, I’ve made it. I’ll get that chance. I want that chance. This is my chance and I’m ready.”
Adamek dominated from the outset, using his speed to outscore and outpunch his opponent, winning every round on all three judges’ scorecards. Judge Robert Grosso had the fight 120-107 in favor of the Polish-born Adamek, who now lives in Kearny, N.J., while judges Lynn Carter and Larry Hazzard Jr. had the fight 119-108.
Lemieux Upset! Stopped by Rubio
(From The Boxing Tribune)
===========================
Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (ESPN2 Friday Night Fights)– Hot prospect, David Lemieux (25-1, 24 KOs) looked exactly like a 22-year-old fighter accustomed to walking through his opposition while Mexico’s Marco Antonio Rubio (50-5-1, 43 KOs) played the role of patient, well-seasoned pro in their WBC middleweight eliminator Friday night.
As expected, Montreal’s hometown hero, Lemieux, charged his veteran opponent, looking for an early ending to the contest. However, Rubio worked defense, blocking much of Lemieux’s offense and letting his younger rival blow through his enthusiasm and endurance before really going to work.
Around the fourth round, Rubio started landing a solid straight right hand and jab, bloodying Lemieux’s nose and causing a hush among the partisan, pro-Lemieux crowd at the Bell Centre.
The beginning of the end came in the final moments of the sixth round when Lemieux was clearly stunned from a couple of strong, straight right hands by the suddenly offense-minded Rubio.
The actual end came in the second half of the seventh round when a Rubio right hand behind the ear leveled his opponent in the corner and, although Lemieux managed to get to his feet, he clearly didn’t have steady enough legs or a clear enough head to finish.
Lemieux’s corner would wave off the contest at the 2:36 mark of the round to save their fighter from more punishment.
Rubio is now in line to face the winner of the Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. – Sebastian Zbik WBC middleweight title fight in June.
===========================
Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (ESPN2 Friday Night Fights)– Hot prospect, David Lemieux (25-1, 24 KOs) looked exactly like a 22-year-old fighter accustomed to walking through his opposition while Mexico’s Marco Antonio Rubio (50-5-1, 43 KOs) played the role of patient, well-seasoned pro in their WBC middleweight eliminator Friday night.
As expected, Montreal’s hometown hero, Lemieux, charged his veteran opponent, looking for an early ending to the contest. However, Rubio worked defense, blocking much of Lemieux’s offense and letting his younger rival blow through his enthusiasm and endurance before really going to work.
Around the fourth round, Rubio started landing a solid straight right hand and jab, bloodying Lemieux’s nose and causing a hush among the partisan, pro-Lemieux crowd at the Bell Centre.
The beginning of the end came in the final moments of the sixth round when Lemieux was clearly stunned from a couple of strong, straight right hands by the suddenly offense-minded Rubio.
The actual end came in the second half of the seventh round when a Rubio right hand behind the ear leveled his opponent in the corner and, although Lemieux managed to get to his feet, he clearly didn’t have steady enough legs or a clear enough head to finish.
Lemieux’s corner would wave off the contest at the 2:36 mark of the round to save their fighter from more punishment.
Rubio is now in line to face the winner of the Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. – Sebastian Zbik WBC middleweight title fight in June.
Big Weekend Wrapup - Morales, Kirkland, Lemieux
All three in exciting fights, and all lost, and all have something to look forward to. Full recap - shortly...
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Roy Jones to fight rugged Cruiser in Russia
(From ESPN.Com)
===============
(By Dan Rafael)
Roy Jones Jr., despite losing three of his last five fights and two in a row in lopsided fashion, will continue his boxing career.
On Thursday evening, Jones signed on to face rugged cruiserweight contender Denis Lebedev on May 22 in Moscow, John Wirt, CEO of Jones' Square Ring promotional company, told ESPN.com.
Wirt said the fight, scheduled for 10 rounds, will take place at cruiserweight limit of 200 pounds.
Jones (54-7, 40 KOs), who turned 42 in January, is nowhere close to the fighter that he was when he ruled as a pound-for-pound king for about a decade, but he has continued to fight sporadically.
He has not fought since April 2010, when Bernard Hopkins easily outpointed him in their rematch. Before that, Jones was knocked out in the first round by Danny Green in Australia in December 2009.
In Lebedev (21-1, 16 KOs), Jones is facing a quality contender who is a bigger man with solid power. The 31-year-old Russian's only defeat came in his last fight in December when he lost a controversial split decision to cruiserweight titleholder Marco Huck in Germany, Huck's home country.
"I actually think he beat Huck and got ripped off in Germany," Wirt said. "I think he's the legitimate WBO cruiserweight champion and he is one of the toughest opponents in the division."
Although Jones figures to be a heavy underdog, Wirt said the fact that the fight is at 200 pounds could be a positive for him.
"I do believe the weight is to Roy's advantage," Wirt said. "Roy has had a lot of trouble getting down to 175 pounds in the last few fights. He was so dried out for the Hopkins fight and I think that showed in his performance."
The fight with Lebedev came about, Wirt said, because he was approached by a representative for Vlad Hrunov, Lebedev's promoter.
Wirt said he rejected the original offer and gave Hrunov a counter offer.
"We didn't budge and they came to our number and when they did, we signed," he said.
There is no American television deal in place for the fight, although Wirt said he was looking for one.
He also said Jones had other offers but went with Lebedev because it was the most attractive one.
"We had some different things on the table. We had an offer in Canada, something in the U.S., but this was a unique opportunity," Wirt said. "How many big fights have been in Russia? That was kind of a neat aspect that was intriguing about this. Roy has no problem and no issue with going to Russia. He is not concerned about fighting over there. We'll have fair judges and a fair referee. We've already been in contact with the Russian federation to make sure we know all the rules."
===============
(By Dan Rafael)
Roy Jones Jr., despite losing three of his last five fights and two in a row in lopsided fashion, will continue his boxing career.
On Thursday evening, Jones signed on to face rugged cruiserweight contender Denis Lebedev on May 22 in Moscow, John Wirt, CEO of Jones' Square Ring promotional company, told ESPN.com.
Wirt said the fight, scheduled for 10 rounds, will take place at cruiserweight limit of 200 pounds.
Jones (54-7, 40 KOs), who turned 42 in January, is nowhere close to the fighter that he was when he ruled as a pound-for-pound king for about a decade, but he has continued to fight sporadically.
He has not fought since April 2010, when Bernard Hopkins easily outpointed him in their rematch. Before that, Jones was knocked out in the first round by Danny Green in Australia in December 2009.
In Lebedev (21-1, 16 KOs), Jones is facing a quality contender who is a bigger man with solid power. The 31-year-old Russian's only defeat came in his last fight in December when he lost a controversial split decision to cruiserweight titleholder Marco Huck in Germany, Huck's home country.
"I actually think he beat Huck and got ripped off in Germany," Wirt said. "I think he's the legitimate WBO cruiserweight champion and he is one of the toughest opponents in the division."
Although Jones figures to be a heavy underdog, Wirt said the fact that the fight is at 200 pounds could be a positive for him.
"I do believe the weight is to Roy's advantage," Wirt said. "Roy has had a lot of trouble getting down to 175 pounds in the last few fights. He was so dried out for the Hopkins fight and I think that showed in his performance."
The fight with Lebedev came about, Wirt said, because he was approached by a representative for Vlad Hrunov, Lebedev's promoter.
Wirt said he rejected the original offer and gave Hrunov a counter offer.
"We didn't budge and they came to our number and when they did, we signed," he said.
There is no American television deal in place for the fight, although Wirt said he was looking for one.
He also said Jones had other offers but went with Lebedev because it was the most attractive one.
"We had some different things on the table. We had an offer in Canada, something in the U.S., but this was a unique opportunity," Wirt said. "How many big fights have been in Russia? That was kind of a neat aspect that was intriguing about this. Roy has no problem and no issue with going to Russia. He is not concerned about fighting over there. We'll have fair judges and a fair referee. We've already been in contact with the Russian federation to make sure we know all the rules."
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Martinez stops Dzinziruk in 8th round
(From Yahoo Sports) 3-12-11
=============================
LEDYARD, Conn. (AP)—There wasn’t a lot of trash talking before the Sergio Martinez-Sergiy Dzinziruk middleweight bout.
That didn’t mean that Martinez was without a sense of purpose.
“I had my highest level of motivation ever,” Martinez said. “I want to be the best in the world.”
Martinez sure looked the part at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods Saturday night.
Martinez stopped Sergiy Dzinziruk in the eighth round, knocking down the Ukrainian middleweight three times Saturday night at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods Casino.
Referee Arthur Mercante Jr. stopped the bout at 1:43 of the eighth after Martinez (47-2-2, 26 KOs) of Oxnard, Calif., sent Dzinziruk down for the third time.
“I was able to hit the gas and accelerate,” Martinez said. “I got a new wind, That happens to every human.”
After three uneventful rounds to begin the fight, Dzinziruk (37-1, 23 KOs) briefly went down on one knee at the start of Round 4 from a tap on the top of his head.
Dzinziruk argued that he slipped. Mercante, however, ruled that Dzinziruk was hit by a punch and called it a knockdown.
In Round 5, Dzinziruk was knocked down again by a left hand just seconds before the bell rang. He got up smiling, but Martinez now firmly appeared to be in control of the fight.
Martinez had won the WBC middleweight title with a knockout of Paul Williams last November, but had that title stripped from him earlier this year.
The Martinez-Dzinziruk bout was for the WBC Diamond Championship. Martinez was awarded a diamond encrusted belt worth $50,000 for his victory. The WBC also refers to Martinez as the WBC champion emeritus.
“It is a dream of mine to be the best pound for pound fighter in the world,” Martinez said. “I’m obsessed with it. I want to fight the best fighters out there.”
It was only the second fight since November of 2008 for Dzinziruk.
Legal wrangling with promoters kept Dzinziruk out of the ring until he returned in May 2010 and scored a technical knockout victory over Daniel Dawson.
That fight was in California, marking the first time Dzinziruk had fought in the United States. Dzinziruk is the World Boxing Organization super middleweight champion, but did not have to put that title on the line against Martinez.
=============================
LEDYARD, Conn. (AP)—There wasn’t a lot of trash talking before the Sergio Martinez-Sergiy Dzinziruk middleweight bout.
That didn’t mean that Martinez was without a sense of purpose.
“I had my highest level of motivation ever,” Martinez said. “I want to be the best in the world.”
Martinez sure looked the part at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods Saturday night.
Martinez stopped Sergiy Dzinziruk in the eighth round, knocking down the Ukrainian middleweight three times Saturday night at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods Casino.
Referee Arthur Mercante Jr. stopped the bout at 1:43 of the eighth after Martinez (47-2-2, 26 KOs) of Oxnard, Calif., sent Dzinziruk down for the third time.
“I was able to hit the gas and accelerate,” Martinez said. “I got a new wind, That happens to every human.”
After three uneventful rounds to begin the fight, Dzinziruk (37-1, 23 KOs) briefly went down on one knee at the start of Round 4 from a tap on the top of his head.
Dzinziruk argued that he slipped. Mercante, however, ruled that Dzinziruk was hit by a punch and called it a knockdown.
In Round 5, Dzinziruk was knocked down again by a left hand just seconds before the bell rang. He got up smiling, but Martinez now firmly appeared to be in control of the fight.
Martinez had won the WBC middleweight title with a knockout of Paul Williams last November, but had that title stripped from him earlier this year.
The Martinez-Dzinziruk bout was for the WBC Diamond Championship. Martinez was awarded a diamond encrusted belt worth $50,000 for his victory. The WBC also refers to Martinez as the WBC champion emeritus.
“It is a dream of mine to be the best pound for pound fighter in the world,” Martinez said. “I’m obsessed with it. I want to fight the best fighters out there.”
It was only the second fight since November of 2008 for Dzinziruk.
Legal wrangling with promoters kept Dzinziruk out of the ring until he returned in May 2010 and scored a technical knockout victory over Daniel Dawson.
That fight was in California, marking the first time Dzinziruk had fought in the United States. Dzinziruk is the World Boxing Organization super middleweight champion, but did not have to put that title on the line against Martinez.
Cotto stops Mayorga in 12th
(From USA Today) 3-12-11
=======================
LAS VEGAS — Miguel Cotto successfully defended his 154-pound (70-kilogram) title on Saturday night, dominating Ricardo Mayorga throughout their bout before stopping him in the final round.
Cotto fought with discipline for 11 rounds and was ahead by five points on all three ringside scorecards entering the final round. He then unleashed a vicious left hook that sent the wild-swinging Nicaraguan to the canvas.
Although Mayorga got up, he told referee Robert Byrd when the fight resumed that he couldn't go on.
"It was a really good fight with an amazing finish," Cotto said.
Mayorga said it wasn't the effects of the left hook that made him quit, but an injury to his thumb during an exchange early in the 12th round.
"I hate the way this fight ended," Mayorga said. "I tried to finish the final round but the pain in my hand was too much."
Cotto, who is trying to resurrect his career after a defeat to Manny Pacquiao in November 2009, improved his record in title fights to 17-2. It was his first defense of the title he won from Yuri Foreman last June.
"The game plan was not to get caught up in any of his antics," the Puerto Rican fighter said. "He was very heavy handed, I felt his punches the whole fight."
Cotto was a big favorite to retain the title, but Mayorga fought a competitive bout and landed well in flurries to the head. However, Cotto outscored him 249-176 in total punches tallied at ringside.
"I told myself, keep calm and be myself," Cotto said. "He has very strong hands and punches that hurt."
Cotto, who earned $1 million with the win, improved to 36-2 with 29 knockouts. Mayorga, who has now lost five of his last nine fights and may be at the end of his career at the age of 37, fell to 29-8-1.
=======================
LAS VEGAS — Miguel Cotto successfully defended his 154-pound (70-kilogram) title on Saturday night, dominating Ricardo Mayorga throughout their bout before stopping him in the final round.
Cotto fought with discipline for 11 rounds and was ahead by five points on all three ringside scorecards entering the final round. He then unleashed a vicious left hook that sent the wild-swinging Nicaraguan to the canvas.
Although Mayorga got up, he told referee Robert Byrd when the fight resumed that he couldn't go on.
"It was a really good fight with an amazing finish," Cotto said.
Mayorga said it wasn't the effects of the left hook that made him quit, but an injury to his thumb during an exchange early in the 12th round.
"I hate the way this fight ended," Mayorga said. "I tried to finish the final round but the pain in my hand was too much."
Cotto, who is trying to resurrect his career after a defeat to Manny Pacquiao in November 2009, improved his record in title fights to 17-2. It was his first defense of the title he won from Yuri Foreman last June.
"The game plan was not to get caught up in any of his antics," the Puerto Rican fighter said. "He was very heavy handed, I felt his punches the whole fight."
Cotto was a big favorite to retain the title, but Mayorga fought a competitive bout and landed well in flurries to the head. However, Cotto outscored him 249-176 in total punches tallied at ringside.
"I told myself, keep calm and be myself," Cotto said. "He has very strong hands and punches that hurt."
Cotto, who earned $1 million with the win, improved to 36-2 with 29 knockouts. Mayorga, who has now lost five of his last nine fights and may be at the end of his career at the age of 37, fell to 29-8-1.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
David Haye: I still have time to KO both Wladimir and Vitaly Klitschko
(From metro.co.uk)
====================
David Haye believes he can still unify the world heavyweight division before retiring in October by beating both Klitschko brothers.
The Londoner hopes contracts will be signed to fight Wladimir Klitschko in July and dreams he can then fight the Ukranian’s brother Vitaly to add the WBC and IBF titles to his WBA belt.
Haye is so determined to enter the ring with his chief rivals he is prepared to give up thousands of pounds in order to make the fights happen.
The Bermondsey boxer admitted: ‘They can have their name first on the billing, they can enter the ring before me, they can do anything they want.
‘I don’t care as long as we have a referee who can count to ten. All I want to do is to fight Wladimir and then Vitaly, if possible, before I retire.
‘But if they continue to mess me about then so be it. I don’t care about that as I know my legacy will be a good one.
‘It won’t be the same as Lennox Lewis but it will be up there alongside the best of the rest, especially when you take into consideration what I achieved as the undisputed world cruiserweight champion.’
Wladimir Klitschko fights Britain’s Dereck Chisora next month while Vitaly is to take on Cuban Odlanier Solis in a fortnight.
If contractual negotiations with the Klitschkos remain in limbo the Hayemaker should defend his title against Ruslan Chagaev or Alexander Povetkin in London before calling it a day.
Haye added: ‘I’ve fought the best – the best there was in their own backyards at cruiserweight and never dodged anyone.
'I was always happy to enter the ring with the main contenders for the title and can hold my head up high, safe in the knowledge I have done myself proud by not ducking potential dangers.’
Haye can pit his skills against the best in bygone eras in a new boxing computer game he has helped develop (pictured) with EA Sports.
And he said: ‘You can only box what is in front of you and I’ve been successful in that.
'I hope I will always be fondly remembered by true boxing fans when I retire and I’ll look forward to new careers in acting and the media when I pack it in.
‘I may even have a crack at Hollywood and I wouldn’t mind a biopic of my career with Will Smith portraying me on film.
‘It would be fun, but there’s work to be done before then.’
====================
David Haye believes he can still unify the world heavyweight division before retiring in October by beating both Klitschko brothers.
The Londoner hopes contracts will be signed to fight Wladimir Klitschko in July and dreams he can then fight the Ukranian’s brother Vitaly to add the WBC and IBF titles to his WBA belt.
Haye is so determined to enter the ring with his chief rivals he is prepared to give up thousands of pounds in order to make the fights happen.
The Bermondsey boxer admitted: ‘They can have their name first on the billing, they can enter the ring before me, they can do anything they want.
‘I don’t care as long as we have a referee who can count to ten. All I want to do is to fight Wladimir and then Vitaly, if possible, before I retire.
‘But if they continue to mess me about then so be it. I don’t care about that as I know my legacy will be a good one.
‘It won’t be the same as Lennox Lewis but it will be up there alongside the best of the rest, especially when you take into consideration what I achieved as the undisputed world cruiserweight champion.’
Wladimir Klitschko fights Britain’s Dereck Chisora next month while Vitaly is to take on Cuban Odlanier Solis in a fortnight.
If contractual negotiations with the Klitschkos remain in limbo the Hayemaker should defend his title against Ruslan Chagaev or Alexander Povetkin in London before calling it a day.
Haye added: ‘I’ve fought the best – the best there was in their own backyards at cruiserweight and never dodged anyone.
'I was always happy to enter the ring with the main contenders for the title and can hold my head up high, safe in the knowledge I have done myself proud by not ducking potential dangers.’
Haye can pit his skills against the best in bygone eras in a new boxing computer game he has helped develop (pictured) with EA Sports.
And he said: ‘You can only box what is in front of you and I’ve been successful in that.
'I hope I will always be fondly remembered by true boxing fans when I retire and I’ll look forward to new careers in acting and the media when I pack it in.
‘I may even have a crack at Hollywood and I wouldn’t mind a biopic of my career with Will Smith portraying me on film.
‘It would be fun, but there’s work to be done before then.’
Monday, December 27, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Holyfield, Williams to box at WVa resort
(From SI.com)
====================
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. (AP) - The Evander Holyfield fight against Sherman "Tank'' Williams will be held at the Greenbrier Resort next month.
The fight will be held at the four-star resort in southeastern West Virginia on Jan. 22. The event will include six other fights.
Holyfield is a four-time heavyweight champion. The 48-year-old boxer says he will keep fighting until he regains the world heavyweight title.
Holyfield also is scheduled to face Denmark's 45-year-old Brian Nielsen in Copenhagen, Denmark, on March 5.
====================
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. (AP) - The Evander Holyfield fight against Sherman "Tank'' Williams will be held at the Greenbrier Resort next month.
The fight will be held at the four-star resort in southeastern West Virginia on Jan. 22. The event will include six other fights.
Holyfield is a four-time heavyweight champion. The 48-year-old boxer says he will keep fighting until he regains the world heavyweight title.
Holyfield also is scheduled to face Denmark's 45-year-old Brian Nielsen in Copenhagen, Denmark, on March 5.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Holyfield wants world champion belt one last time
(From SI.Com)
==============
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) -Evander Holyfield vowed he'll continue to fight until he regains the world heavyweight title.
The 48-year-old former four-time heavyweight champion will face Denmark's 45-year-old Brian Nielsen in Copenhagen on March 5 in a non-title bout.
"My goal is to be the undisputed world champion one more time before I let it go. Once I do that, I sit down,'' he said Thursday. "And until I do that, I continue to fight.''
David Haye and Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko hold the current world heavyweight titles.
Holyfield knocked out Francois Botha last April after losses to Nikolay Valuev and Sultan Ibragimov. He has a career record of 43-10-2, with 28 knockouts.
"The most important thing to me is to fight. I take the fights that are available,'' he said.
Nielsen, who lost to Tyson in 2001, retired in 2003 after an 11-year pro career because of a knee injury that has required several operations.
Nielsen claims to have lost 33 pounds in the past few months but says he needs to drop more weight.
"I know that I have always been fat, but for my own sake I need to look like a boxer for once ... which I have never done before,'' he said, smiling. "I will be in good shape.''
Nielsen's record of 64-2 with 43 KOs is impressive and was noted by Holyfield.
"You don't have a record like that without being good,'' Holyfield said. "I don't worry about the opponent. I am concerned more about me. I am in the best shape.''
Nielsen won the lightly regarded IBO title in 1996 when he stopped Tony La Rosa in the second round in Copenhagen. He also ended 47-year-old former champ Larry Holmes' hopes of a winning another title in a successful defense a year later.
==============
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) -Evander Holyfield vowed he'll continue to fight until he regains the world heavyweight title.
The 48-year-old former four-time heavyweight champion will face Denmark's 45-year-old Brian Nielsen in Copenhagen on March 5 in a non-title bout.
"My goal is to be the undisputed world champion one more time before I let it go. Once I do that, I sit down,'' he said Thursday. "And until I do that, I continue to fight.''
David Haye and Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko hold the current world heavyweight titles.
Holyfield knocked out Francois Botha last April after losses to Nikolay Valuev and Sultan Ibragimov. He has a career record of 43-10-2, with 28 knockouts.
"The most important thing to me is to fight. I take the fights that are available,'' he said.
Nielsen, who lost to Tyson in 2001, retired in 2003 after an 11-year pro career because of a knee injury that has required several operations.
Nielsen claims to have lost 33 pounds in the past few months but says he needs to drop more weight.
"I know that I have always been fat, but for my own sake I need to look like a boxer for once ... which I have never done before,'' he said, smiling. "I will be in good shape.''
Nielsen's record of 64-2 with 43 KOs is impressive and was noted by Holyfield.
"You don't have a record like that without being good,'' Holyfield said. "I don't worry about the opponent. I am concerned more about me. I am in the best shape.''
Nielsen won the lightly regarded IBO title in 1996 when he stopped Tony La Rosa in the second round in Copenhagen. He also ended 47-year-old former champ Larry Holmes' hopes of a winning another title in a successful defense a year later.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
MARTINEZ FLATTENS WILLIAMS IN 2ND
(From ESPN)
============
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- Sergio Martinez proved his point and did it as emphatically as a fighter can do.
Eleven months ago he and Paul Williams waged an epic slugfest -- one of the best fights of 2009 -- that many believed Martinez deserved to win. But Williams got the nod on a majority decision.
In the much-anticipated rematch, however, it was a totally different story. Martinez crushed Williams, knocking him out cold with a single, massive overhand left in the second round for the likely knockout of the year on Saturday night before 5,502 at Boardwalk Hall.
The victory probably locked up fighter of the year honors for Martinez in a 2010 in which he decisively outpointed Kelly Pavlik to win the title and then iced Williams.
Martinez, of course, would love to fight either Pacquiao or Mayweather, even though the size difference would be a problem.
"My plan is to have two or three more fights before I retire and would like to have one of them against Pacquiao or Mayweather," said Martinez, wearing a crown on his head and smiling widely during his television interviews. "I want to listen to all offers and see what comes my way."
But for those believing that maybe Pacquiao or even Mayweather would make the attempt to fight him, forget about it. Sanity among sanctioning bodies will come first.
And DiBella is under no illusions that either will fight Martinez, even though he would certainly love to make either fight.
"If you're Pacquiao would you go near him," DiBella said of the eight-division champion. "Martinez will have a problem making fights because that's how f---ing good he is. I know what I got. I got the best fighter in the world."
If Martinez, blooming at age 35, isn't the best fighter in the world, he's damn close. He blew away an elite fighter with a single punch that was reminiscent of the all-time classic knockout Thomas Hearns authored against Roberto Duran -- also in the second round.
Dan Rafael is the boxing writer for ESPN.com. Follow him on Twitter @danrafaelespn
Saturday, November 13, 2010
PACQUIAO DOMINATES MARGARITO
(Iole Column - Yahoo Sports)
ARLINGTON, Texas – Manny Pacquiao was once again masterful, beating Antonio Margarito so frightfully that Margarito’s face looked as it had been pounded repeatedly by a club.
Pacquiao won a unanimous one-sided decision in a blowout from the opening seconds of the fight to capture the World Boxing Council super welterweight title before 41,734 in-awe fans at Cowboys Stadium.
Pacquiao’s title belt, coming against an opponent who had a 17-pound weight advantage when the bell rang, 165-148, was the eighth in his illustrious career. Pacquiao has won world titles at 112, 122, 126, 130, 135, 140, 147 and now 154 pounds.
Judges Jurgen Langos had it 120-109, Glen Crocker had it 118-110 and Oren Schellenberger had it 119-109 for Pacquiao. Yahoo! Sports scored it 120-107 for Pacquiao, giving Pacquiao a 10-8 edge in the 10th round when he dominated tremendously.
Margarito, fighting for the first time in the U.S. since Jan. 24, 2009, when he was caught with an illegal knuckle pad in his gloves before a loss to Shane Mosley, was never in the fight. Pacquiao’s speed was blinding and was the difference in the fight.
Pacquiao was hurt when Margarito landed a combination to the ribs, but he spun off the ropes and landed a three-punch combination to the head. Margarito’s right eye was swollen grotesquely, beginning in the fourth. By the 10th round, the left eye was a slit, too.
Pacquiao was looking at referee Laurence Cole late in the fight, asking him to stop it. Pacquiao said he eased off in the 12th round. “I did my best,” Pacquiao said. “He’s strong. He’s a very tough fighter. I can’t believe [he took those punches].”
Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, added, “We didn’t lose a round. I wish they had stopped the fight. They probably ruined his career by not stopping the fight.”
ARLINGTON, Texas – Manny Pacquiao was once again masterful, beating Antonio Margarito so frightfully that Margarito’s face looked as it had been pounded repeatedly by a club.
Pacquiao won a unanimous one-sided decision in a blowout from the opening seconds of the fight to capture the World Boxing Council super welterweight title before 41,734 in-awe fans at Cowboys Stadium.
Pacquiao’s title belt, coming against an opponent who had a 17-pound weight advantage when the bell rang, 165-148, was the eighth in his illustrious career. Pacquiao has won world titles at 112, 122, 126, 130, 135, 140, 147 and now 154 pounds.
Judges Jurgen Langos had it 120-109, Glen Crocker had it 118-110 and Oren Schellenberger had it 119-109 for Pacquiao. Yahoo! Sports scored it 120-107 for Pacquiao, giving Pacquiao a 10-8 edge in the 10th round when he dominated tremendously.
Margarito, fighting for the first time in the U.S. since Jan. 24, 2009, when he was caught with an illegal knuckle pad in his gloves before a loss to Shane Mosley, was never in the fight. Pacquiao’s speed was blinding and was the difference in the fight.
Pacquiao was hurt when Margarito landed a combination to the ribs, but he spun off the ropes and landed a three-punch combination to the head. Margarito’s right eye was swollen grotesquely, beginning in the fourth. By the 10th round, the left eye was a slit, too.
Pacquiao was looking at referee Laurence Cole late in the fight, asking him to stop it. Pacquiao said he eased off in the 12th round. “I did my best,” Pacquiao said. “He’s strong. He’s a very tough fighter. I can’t believe [he took those punches].”
Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, added, “We didn’t lose a round. I wish they had stopped the fight. They probably ruined his career by not stopping the fight.”
HAYE STOPS HARRISON - RETAINS WBA HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE
MANCHESTER, England (AP)—David Haye stopped Audley Harrison in the third round to retain his WBA heavyweight title Saturday night.
Haye proved too strong for the 39-year-old Harrison, knocking him down in the third round and causing referee Luis Pabon to stop the first all-British heavyweight title bout in 13 years to prevent further punishment.
Haye promised to spoil’s Harrison’s first major title bout a decade after winning the heavyweight gold medal in the Sydney Olympics, and he delivered quickly in his second title defense.
Harrison, bitter at Haye for ignoring him at his lowest point after helping Haye rise to the top, was more than 40 pounds heavier and two inches taller than Haye, but it didn’t matter to the champion.
Harrison barely brushed Haye in a cautious opening and took more than a minute to even throw a punch as the first round ended in jeers from the sellout 20,000-crowd in MEN Arena.
The second round was marginally better as Haye landed a couple of rights on Harrison, who looked fearful and hesitant.
Haye finally unleashed hooks and cuts at the start of the third round, knocking down Harrison, who took an eight count.
When Haye landed more unanswered heavy blows, Pabon moved in to end a lopsided contest at 1 minute, 53 seconds.
“I was patient,” Haye said. “I knew the jeers would turn into cheers.”
Haye gave Harrison a hug as they met for their post-match news conference and said: “Whatever differences we had, that’s in the past.”
“We made sacrifices to get in the ring,” Haye said. “I came off the better man and was always confident I would do. The fact he wouldn’t look in my eye when I got into the ring told me he didn’t want to engage. I like to look in their eyes and say ‘Let’s do this.’ He wouldn’t do that and was looking everywhere but my eyes.
“I put a lot of money on the third round and lot of my friends and family did.”
Harrison left to more boos, but said his defensive style was part of his tactics.
“I went in there believing I could win. I felt it was my moment but wasn’t to be,” he said. “I thought the crowd were booing both me and David Haye and I was comfortable my plan was coming together. But give credit to David. He’s a puncher and we know that. I didn’t freeze out there. I’m not going to put my chin out there. I’m not a gung-ho type of fighter.
“It’s disappointing, but I’ve no excuses. I had a chance at the world title, but I’ve come up short.”
The knockout was Haye’s 23 in 25 wins, against one loss. Harrison dropped to 27-5.
Haye has set his sights on a unification bout with the Klitschko brothers. Wladimir, the IBF champion, looks a more likely option before WBC champ Vitali.
“Once they see the numbers and that I am the main man and there’s nobody else to fight,” said the 30-year-old Haye. “I can’t promise anything. I’ve dealt with these guys before. But I will do everything in my power to make this happen. It has to happen in 2011.”
Haye proved too strong for the 39-year-old Harrison, knocking him down in the third round and causing referee Luis Pabon to stop the first all-British heavyweight title bout in 13 years to prevent further punishment.
Haye promised to spoil’s Harrison’s first major title bout a decade after winning the heavyweight gold medal in the Sydney Olympics, and he delivered quickly in his second title defense.
Harrison, bitter at Haye for ignoring him at his lowest point after helping Haye rise to the top, was more than 40 pounds heavier and two inches taller than Haye, but it didn’t matter to the champion.
Harrison barely brushed Haye in a cautious opening and took more than a minute to even throw a punch as the first round ended in jeers from the sellout 20,000-crowd in MEN Arena.
The second round was marginally better as Haye landed a couple of rights on Harrison, who looked fearful and hesitant.
Haye finally unleashed hooks and cuts at the start of the third round, knocking down Harrison, who took an eight count.
When Haye landed more unanswered heavy blows, Pabon moved in to end a lopsided contest at 1 minute, 53 seconds.
“I was patient,” Haye said. “I knew the jeers would turn into cheers.”
Haye gave Harrison a hug as they met for their post-match news conference and said: “Whatever differences we had, that’s in the past.”
“We made sacrifices to get in the ring,” Haye said. “I came off the better man and was always confident I would do. The fact he wouldn’t look in my eye when I got into the ring told me he didn’t want to engage. I like to look in their eyes and say ‘Let’s do this.’ He wouldn’t do that and was looking everywhere but my eyes.
“I put a lot of money on the third round and lot of my friends and family did.”
Harrison left to more boos, but said his defensive style was part of his tactics.
“I went in there believing I could win. I felt it was my moment but wasn’t to be,” he said. “I thought the crowd were booing both me and David Haye and I was comfortable my plan was coming together. But give credit to David. He’s a puncher and we know that. I didn’t freeze out there. I’m not going to put my chin out there. I’m not a gung-ho type of fighter.
“It’s disappointing, but I’ve no excuses. I had a chance at the world title, but I’ve come up short.”
The knockout was Haye’s 23 in 25 wins, against one loss. Harrison dropped to 27-5.
Haye has set his sights on a unification bout with the Klitschko brothers. Wladimir, the IBF champion, looks a more likely option before WBC champ Vitali.
“Once they see the numbers and that I am the main man and there’s nobody else to fight,” said the 30-year-old Haye. “I can’t promise anything. I’ve dealt with these guys before. But I will do everything in my power to make this happen. It has to happen in 2011.”
Friday, October 29, 2010
Trainer hints at Pacquiao loss vs. Margarito
(From Manilla Bulletin)
=======================================
If Manny Pacquiao’s showing against Ghanaian Joshua Clottey will be used as a gauge of how he’ll measure up against Antonio Margarito next month, then the Filipino boxer might find himself on the losing end this time.
This is what famed boxing trainer and ESPN sports analyst/commentator Teddy Atlas sees when Pacquiao and Margarito meet each other for the first time at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Texas on November 13.
"Manny Pacquiao is going to get beaten by Antonio Margarito on November 13," Atlas said in his Boxing News episode. "I wouldn't be surprised if Margarito knocked him out.”
Pacquiao retained his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight belt via a unanimous decision over Clottey last March, also at the Cowboys Stadium.
"Clottey, during the whole fight — and of course I'm exaggerating to make a point — during the whole fight if he threw six punches, maybe it was 10 — but if he threw six punches, four of them landed. And they were uppercuts. Pacquaio's eye was almost closed,” Atlas continues.
Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach continues to believe that the upcoming fight against the taller and bigger Margarito will be a breeze for his prized fighter as he (Pacquiao) starts getting back into his old, deadly self after resuming camp at the Wild Card Boxing gym in Hollywood.
“Margarito is tall and strong and he fought his entire career at welterweight and middleweight, but that does not matter for Manny. Manny’s speed is going to win this fight. Margarito is slow,” Roach says in an interview cited by Jhonny Gonzales. “It’s true that he (Margarito) is strong, but he’s very slow. This is going to be an easy day for us.”
Pacquiao, however, has a different opinion.
“Margarito has a record that I respect. He is big and very strong. He has a good chin and he’s very aggressive, but I’ve fought bigger fighters and I’ve managed to win these fights,” the 31-year-old Pacquiao tells. “I respect Margarito. It will not be easy, but I know I will win.”
Pacquiao even emphasized that his life as a boxer isn’t hampered by his dual duty as congressman of Sarangani province in Mindanao.
“My political career is something I do with great responsibility. I didn’t fight since March but I’ve always been in the gym without losing sight of what I have to do,” he says.
“For me, boxing is my job, and Congress is a public activity.”
=======================================
If Manny Pacquiao’s showing against Ghanaian Joshua Clottey will be used as a gauge of how he’ll measure up against Antonio Margarito next month, then the Filipino boxer might find himself on the losing end this time.
This is what famed boxing trainer and ESPN sports analyst/commentator Teddy Atlas sees when Pacquiao and Margarito meet each other for the first time at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Texas on November 13.
"Manny Pacquiao is going to get beaten by Antonio Margarito on November 13," Atlas said in his Boxing News episode. "I wouldn't be surprised if Margarito knocked him out.”
Pacquiao retained his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight belt via a unanimous decision over Clottey last March, also at the Cowboys Stadium.
"Clottey, during the whole fight — and of course I'm exaggerating to make a point — during the whole fight if he threw six punches, maybe it was 10 — but if he threw six punches, four of them landed. And they were uppercuts. Pacquaio's eye was almost closed,” Atlas continues.
Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach continues to believe that the upcoming fight against the taller and bigger Margarito will be a breeze for his prized fighter as he (Pacquiao) starts getting back into his old, deadly self after resuming camp at the Wild Card Boxing gym in Hollywood.
“Margarito is tall and strong and he fought his entire career at welterweight and middleweight, but that does not matter for Manny. Manny’s speed is going to win this fight. Margarito is slow,” Roach says in an interview cited by Jhonny Gonzales. “It’s true that he (Margarito) is strong, but he’s very slow. This is going to be an easy day for us.”
Pacquiao, however, has a different opinion.
“Margarito has a record that I respect. He is big and very strong. He has a good chin and he’s very aggressive, but I’ve fought bigger fighters and I’ve managed to win these fights,” the 31-year-old Pacquiao tells. “I respect Margarito. It will not be easy, but I know I will win.”
Pacquiao even emphasized that his life as a boxer isn’t hampered by his dual duty as congressman of Sarangani province in Mindanao.
“My political career is something I do with great responsibility. I didn’t fight since March but I’ve always been in the gym without losing sight of what I have to do,” he says.
“For me, boxing is my job, and Congress is a public activity.”
Saturday, September 11, 2010
KLITSCHKO DEFENDS AGAINST PETER IN REMATCH!
By Tom Hatheway
==================
September 11, 2010
KLITSCHKO STOP PETER!
Ring Heavyweight Champion Wladimir Klitschko dominated Sam Peter via 10th round TKO in a rematch from 2005. He also defended his IBF, IBO, and WBO titles.
The bout was basically a mismatch; with the champ in control all of the way. In the end Peter’s eyes were heavily swollen, and is now 0-3 against the brothers from Ukraine. The score here was 90-81. Klitschko, 246 is now 55-3 (49), while Peter, 241 drops to 34-4 (27).
Who is up next this year for Wladimir, 34? Possibly Adamek or Valuev. They are the only possible choices unless he wants to wait until next year for Haye or Povetkin who have bouts already lined up for this fall.
As for Peter, 30, it’s back in line with the slew of other contenders. Maybe a matchup with Haye or Holyfield sometime next spring? Could be possible. Especially if Haye keeps dodging the Klitschkos.
Report of the Bout
Round 1:
WK comes out jabbing, pawing with it as SP was ineffective. WK landed a nice right late in the round: Score 10-9 WK.
Round 2:
SP comes out more aggressive, WK nice jab right combo, another big right stuns SP. Another right again, WK in the flow now. Great round for WK as he worked off the jab-right combo. Score 20-18.
Round 3:
SP can’t get close to the champ. WK lands a nice combo as he’s finding his range. This is more of the same. Score: 30-27.
Round 4:
Bout is reminiscent of Vitali-Peter from 2008. Dominance. WK lands a nice overhand right, and is busier though out this round. Score: 40-36.
Round 5:
WK blocks SP’s left with his right effectively and then continues to control the action for the remainder of the round. Score: 50-45.
Round 6:
SP lands a nice body shot early. WK continues with his plan. Score: 60-54.
Round 7:
Pace starts out much quicker this round. WK lands nice 1-2 combo. SP’s right eye is swelling to the point of hindrance. A good round for WK. It’s just a matter of time now before this is over. Score: 70-63.
Round 8:
Peter looks done. Another round for WK. Score: 80-72.
Round 9:
WK continues on with some nice short punches to control the action. Score: 90-81.
Round 10:
Klitschko starts with a nice combo. Follows with a good left. Then a big left, then right. Multiple combinations of hooks and uppercuts. Peter is down. And out. Fight is over as referee Robert Byrd stops it at 1:22.
Stats: This was Klitschko’s 9th defense of his IBF title dating back to 2006. He also held the WBO title from 2000-2003, making 5 defenses. Sam Peter was briefly WBC champion in 2008 before losing his title to brother Vitali.
Tom Hatheway
hathewayboxing@yahoo.com
==================
September 11, 2010
KLITSCHKO STOP PETER!
Ring Heavyweight Champion Wladimir Klitschko dominated Sam Peter via 10th round TKO in a rematch from 2005. He also defended his IBF, IBO, and WBO titles.
The bout was basically a mismatch; with the champ in control all of the way. In the end Peter’s eyes were heavily swollen, and is now 0-3 against the brothers from Ukraine. The score here was 90-81. Klitschko, 246 is now 55-3 (49), while Peter, 241 drops to 34-4 (27).
Who is up next this year for Wladimir, 34? Possibly Adamek or Valuev. They are the only possible choices unless he wants to wait until next year for Haye or Povetkin who have bouts already lined up for this fall.
As for Peter, 30, it’s back in line with the slew of other contenders. Maybe a matchup with Haye or Holyfield sometime next spring? Could be possible. Especially if Haye keeps dodging the Klitschkos.
Report of the Bout
Round 1:
WK comes out jabbing, pawing with it as SP was ineffective. WK landed a nice right late in the round: Score 10-9 WK.
Round 2:
SP comes out more aggressive, WK nice jab right combo, another big right stuns SP. Another right again, WK in the flow now. Great round for WK as he worked off the jab-right combo. Score 20-18.
Round 3:
SP can’t get close to the champ. WK lands a nice combo as he’s finding his range. This is more of the same. Score: 30-27.
Round 4:
Bout is reminiscent of Vitali-Peter from 2008. Dominance. WK lands a nice overhand right, and is busier though out this round. Score: 40-36.
Round 5:
WK blocks SP’s left with his right effectively and then continues to control the action for the remainder of the round. Score: 50-45.
Round 6:
SP lands a nice body shot early. WK continues with his plan. Score: 60-54.
Round 7:
Pace starts out much quicker this round. WK lands nice 1-2 combo. SP’s right eye is swelling to the point of hindrance. A good round for WK. It’s just a matter of time now before this is over. Score: 70-63.
Round 8:
Peter looks done. Another round for WK. Score: 80-72.
Round 9:
WK continues on with some nice short punches to control the action. Score: 90-81.
Round 10:
Klitschko starts with a nice combo. Follows with a good left. Then a big left, then right. Multiple combinations of hooks and uppercuts. Peter is down. And out. Fight is over as referee Robert Byrd stops it at 1:22.
Stats: This was Klitschko’s 9th defense of his IBF title dating back to 2006. He also held the WBO title from 2000-2003, making 5 defenses. Sam Peter was briefly WBC champion in 2008 before losing his title to brother Vitali.
Tom Hatheway
hathewayboxing@yahoo.com
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