Friday, July 31, 2009
Seminole Hard Rock Casino, Hollywood, FL
(ESPN 2) Carl Drumond (26-1, 20 KOs) vs. Derric Rossy (21-2, 12 KOs) Odds/Prediction: Rossy 6-5. Drummond lost in Germany to Ruslan Chagaev. Toss up.
Julio Diaz (36-5, 26 KOs) vs. Victor Cayo (22-0, 15 KOs) Odds/Prediction: Diaz 9-5. Dominican is unproven…but unbeaten! Diaz has faced better foes. Very slight lean towards Diaz.
Pechanga Casino, Temecula, CA
(Showtime/Sho Box) Marvin Quintero (16-1, 12 KOs) vs. Tyrone Harris (23-5, 15 KOs) Odds/Prediction: READ MORE…
DEATH OF GATTI SEEMED CRIMINAL TO THIS EX-COP!
Sao Paulo, Brazil- The following link is to an early news video on the death of Arturo “Thunder” Gatti, the 37-year old former boxing champion who was found dead in Brazil July 1. What is interesting here is that the actual murder weapons, a steak knife and a strap from a purse belonging to Arturo’s wife, Amanda R. Gatti, who was released today when authorities ruled Gatti killed himself! . CLICK FOR AP VIDEO OF GATTI’S MURDER/SUICIDE WEAPONS
Recife, Brazil- Boxing star Arturo Gatti wasn’t murdered – he killed himself in a Brazil seaside resort three weeks ago, authorities said Thursday. The rough-and-tumble fighter’s wife, Amanda Rodrigues Gatti was released from jail after the ruling that Gatti, 37, committed suicide, the Associated Press reported.
A former exotic dancer, Mrs. Gatti, who discovered the body on July 11, was arrested after police theorized she had strangled the former world champion with her purse strap. Police suggested Gatti was too drunk to defend himself when he was killed.
But Brazilian state court Judge Ildete Verissimo de Lima in the city of Recife ordered Rodrigues’ immediate release after the new finding. The 23-year-old was on a second honeymoon with Gatti and their 10-month-old baby when he was found dead inside their hotel room in Porto de Galinhas.
Gatti, born in Montreal, trained in Jersey City, N.J., and found stardom on the boardwalk in Atlantic City. He captured his first title in 1995, by defeating junior welterweight champion Tracy Harris Patterson.
Note from Pedro: From my perspective, being a former law enforcement official, I find this conclusion hard to swallow. I still think Mrs. Gatti murdered her husband.
San Francisco, CA- With the match between Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao a November certainty, the big mouths from the Philippines, they aren’t popping off too much about Cotto. No cheap shots, very little four letters, it’s as if the Pacnuts have all grown up!
OUR NEW SYSTEM ROOTS OUT KNUCKLEHEADS
The new RingTalk site, a work in progress designed by the incomparable George Tapia, has a feature that allows us to prevent malicious posts complete with four-letter words and the like.
THIS FIGHT SHOULD BE BILLED “COTTO-PACQUIAO
After Miguel Cotto taps that ass for about ten rounds, or less, the Pacman followers will realize that even Superman has limits. Will the size and weight advantage for Cotto offset by the speed of the Pacman? Seeing DeMarcus Corley dropped Cotto with an unseen right hook from the southpaw side, is this a weakness the Pacman can use to his advantage? Or will the sheer size of Cotto come fight time be simply too much for the most famous resident of General Santos City in the Philippines to handle?
UFC LEAVING SPIKE TV FOR ESPN
San Francisco, CA- In a pact that had been rumored for months, it appears that ESPN TV of Bristol, CT, and the Ultimate Fighting Championships, the fastest growing sport entity in the world, have come together on a “long term” deal to exclusively showcase the UFC. At first I was told it was a UK TV deal only. Another source stated this would in fact impact the Spike TV deal. But last I checked, Spike had a deal to air the Ultimate Fighter reality show through 2010.
BOXING RATINGS ON ESPN ARE STAGNANT
With Friday Night Fights doing sometimes less than 500,000 viewers, ESPN, like a lot of outlets have realized that MMA is the future, while boxing lives in the past. Unless the two parties reach a last minute setback, details are to be announced tomorrow at a press conference.
Camden, NJ- I don’t think I need to belabor the fact that former champ Rocky Lockridge is in bad shape. Living on the streets of this New Jersey city, this was not the future Rocky had in mind when he retired from boxing in the 90s. They say a picture says a lot. If that is the case, this picture speaks volumes. Photo courtesy The Star Ledger.
FLOATING AT TOP OF US TALENT POOL
New York, NY- 22 year-old undefeated St. Louis native, Devon Alexander (18-0, 11 KOs) will take on Britain’s Junior Witter (37-2-2, 22 KOs) this weekend in a junior welterweight (140 lbs) bout on August 1st in Rancho Mirage, California. Alexander represents the next generation of young American talent ready to move into the spotlight. Alexander compiled an excellent amateur record of 300-10 and is also mentored by current junior middleweight (154) belt holder, Corey Spinks. Alexander emerged on the scene when he appeared on the television underneath the Roy Jones-Felix Trinidad bout in January 2008.
ALEXANDER CHOPPED UP “CHOP-CHOP”
During his most important fight to date, Devon did not disappoint. He easily defeated Demarcus Corley (34-11-1, 20 KOs), an opponent who he and his opponent Witter both have victories over. Corley, a very solid fighter is known for being the only man who apparently had Floyd Mayweather Jr. hurt in the ring. Corley also gave Miguel Cotto trouble in a very tough and dangerous fight. Cotto was also hurt badly against Corley before a questionable stoppage rescued Cotto from a potential loss.
VICTOR ORTIZ LOSS OPENS DOOR FOR DEVON READ MORE…
WASHINGTON, DC- Funeral services for Vernon Forrest will be held on Monday, August 3 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. ET at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Georgia, 6400 Woodrow Road, Lithonia, GA 30038.
LESNAR CAPABLE OF BEING “BILLION” DOLLAR ATHLETE
San Francisco, CA- With UFC 100 and Brock Lesnar nabbing 1.3 million homes on pay per view against Frank Mir a fortnight ago, all I can say is that is only the beginning for if Lesnar keeps on winning, he in time might become the first fighter to generate a billion dollars! That’s what I said, a billion US greenbacks. At one point and time, Gerry Cooney was looked at in a manner that would have made him the richest athlete alive, only he couldn’t beat Larry Holmes. In stunning fashion, Lesnar beat Frank Mir with a quick KO.
FEDOR A “STEPPING STONE” OR LARRY HOLMES? READ MORE…
GINA KHAN SALON PACKAGE EXCLUSIVE FOR GIRL’S NIGHT OUT!
San Francisco, CA- In an event sposnored by Green 960 AM, a progressive radio talk station, the incomparable (beautiful too) Stephanie Miller, radio talk show host, political activist, and comedianne, made a special appearance Saturday night at J La’Chic Productions’ Theater 39 on Pier 39 in San Francisco. Billed as “Girls Night Out,” there were a handful of males in the house who were either Gay, or like me they had connections and wanted to see the country’s funniest radio fem in the flesh. That being said, I’ve got a $50 gift certificate for the Gina Khan Hair Salon (www.GinaKhan.com) and a “Goodie” bag with Gina Khan products.
THIS PRIZE IS FOR YOUR BETTER HALF
With two Gina Khan locations, one in SF, the other in Walnut Creek, this is a prize for Nor Cal residents and listeners of EXTRA Sports 860, where “Ring Talk Radio” airs LIVE Sunday night at 8:05 PM PT. To enter, leave your name in the comments section.
Pittsburgh, PA- Outside of boxing’s four major sanctioning organizations themselves (WBA-WBC-IBF-WBO), you’ll have a hard time finding anyone to defend their practices of creating a mind-boggling number of “champions,” and for good reason. ESPN’s Dan Rafael constantly rails against them, particularly the WBA & WBC, in the harshest possible terms. But Steve Kim of MaxBoxing.com, who deserves credit for being the unusual independent thinker, reopened an interesting debate this week by arguing that “The Belts Matter” (July 22, 2009).
DO THESE GAUDY BELTS MATTER?
Kim contends that these belts bring fighters the status and name recognition they need to lure big and lucrative fights, saying “the reality is that those who capture the belts almost always make more money afterwards and… attract opponents. And regardless of what certain networks claim, they absolutely recognize and covet world title fights.” He goes so far as to call them “vital to a fighter’s career prospects.” Much as I loathe to come across as an alphabet defender, Kim is correct, and HBO and Showtime’s premier series are both called “Championship Boxing” – those “championships” must derive from somewhere. The flaw in Kim’s argument (and for those who take the opposite stance) is that he’s asking the wrong question: it isn’t whether the belts matter, it’s the amount they hurt boxing because they do matter.
READ MORE…
Friday, July 24, 2009
El Paso, TX-(ESPN 2) Antonio Escalante (21-2, 13 KOs) UD 10 Cornelius Lock (18-4-1, 11 KOs) In a gross mismatch Antonio Escalante was in complete control throughout over Cornelius Lock. Escalante knocked his foe off of his feet twice in #3 and rocked him on several other occasions. In the end the cards read 100-88 twice & 98-90.
UIC Pavilion, Chicago, IL- Fres Oquendo (31-5, 20 KOs) TKO 9 Bruce Seldon(40-8, 26 KOs)
Fres looked impressive like he always does when he faces a lesser opponent. This time it was former WBA champ Seldon. Oquendo out boxed an in shape Seldon throughout the fight. And when he pushed forward, his aggression was ineffective against the quicker Oquendo. Fres’ strategic combinations had Seldon in serious problems in #7, but was saved by the bell. Seldon then took a knee in the 8th after absorbing punishment, and again in the ninth when he was counted out at was 2:35. Oquendo has never been able to fight in this manner against class upper echelon competition.
Saturday, July 25, 2009 READ MORE…
San Francisco, CA- “Ring Talk Radio”
This week’s show for July 26, 2009!
Atlanta, GA- Former two-division world champion Vernon Forrest was shot and killed Saturday night during an attempted carjacking, promoter Gary Shaw said.
“It’s 100 percent confirmed. He’s dead,” said Shaw, who had two stints as Forrest’s promoter. “I will say this about him — he was a decent human being. His work with kids, I think people knew how much he cared for kids, underprivileged and mentally challenged people. He was a real decent human being outside the ropes.”
WSB Radio in Atlanta first reported the shooting, citing a police spokesman. Forrest, who was 38, lived in Atlanta and was an Augusta, Ga., native. He was shot seven or eight times as he chased at least two men who had tried to steal his Jaguar as he put air in his tires at an Atlanta gas station, Lt. Keith Meadows said, according to the radio
But Forrest had a gun and confronted the men, police said.
“The victim and suspect became involved in a brief foot chase,” Meadows said. “At some point, gunfire was exchanged between the two of them. The victim was shot at least once in the head.” Forrest was fatally wounded by two semi-automatic weapons, according to police.
“At this point we have a general description of at least two black males driving a red Monte Carlo,” Meadows said, according to the report. Police said the suspects likely didn’t know Forrest, whose girlfriend’s young son was in the car when he was shot. READ MORE…
Friday, July 24, 2009
Don Haskins Center, El Paso, TX-(ESPN 2) Antonio Escalante (20-2, 13 KOs) vs. Cornelius Lock (18-3-1, 11 KOs)Â Odds/Prediction: Escalante 12-5. Both guys are nothing to write home about. Lean to Escalante due to locale.
UIC Pavilion, Chicago, IL Fres Oquendo (30-5, 19 KOs) vs. Bruce Sledon(40-7, 26 KOs) Odds/Prediction:Fres 4-1. Seldon hasn’t trained since he took what many thought was a dive vs. Mike Tyson in 1995.
Saturday, July 25, 2009 READ MORE…