“SUPER SIX” TOURNEY BEST OF YEAR?

World & WBA super middleweight (168 lbs) champion and 2004 Olympic king Andre Ward has become one of the bigger draws in America as he is becoming a star in his hometown of Oakland, CA. It is refreshing to see bright young star in the game, with not just a good smile and positive attitude, but a warrior mentality in the ring. That mentality however is currently being questioned. His proposed September 25th fight with fellow American and close friend Andre Dirrell appears to be in jeopardy because of friendship.

BE FIRENDS AGAIN AFTER THE FIGHT GUYS!

What’s important here is that both guys need to remember that this is a business and both need to conduct themselves accordingly. They get paid to fight and that’s exactly what they should do. Both Andre’s, especially Ward the tournament favorite, will show a lack of professionalism if somehow they don’t go through with this bout. Don’t want to point blame on either camp, but both knew the fight was coming and regardless if the fight can be made bigger in the future, they both need to step up now!

SERGIO MARTINEZ “FIGHTER OF YEAR?”

In a positive light there were match ups that produced some drama and excitement thus far and must be recognized. Without a clear front-runner for fighter of the year, newly crowned middleweight (160) champion Sergio Martinez was brilliant in his dispatching of Kelly Pavlik. To those who believe Pavilk was exposed are entitled to their opinion but the Youngstown, OH native was competitive and game throughout the contest before losing to the better man.

KELLY ‘NICE” GUY NOT GREAT PUGILIST

Even though Pavlik won’t ever go down as one of the best middleweights in history, he tried to bring it every time out. Martinez desperately needs to avenge his close decision loss to Paul Williams in December of last year to put himself as front-runner for fighter of the year honors.

CANADIAN PASCUAL GANGSTER SLAPPED DAWSON

Last month Jean Pascal put himself in the conversation for fighter of the year in a dominant win over unbeaten American Chad Dawson. If the Haitian born Canadian citizen can get future Hall of Famer Bernard Hopkins in their proposed bout tentatively scheduled for December 18th he has an argument that he had the best year of any prizefighter in the business.

KLITSCHKO BROS. GIVE AMERICANS NAUSEA!

As boring as many believe the Klitschko Bros. (Vitali and Wladimir) ARE in the ring, both heavyweight champs are on quite a run. It is unfair to bash the two best heavyweights in the world when they actually treat the sport with a high level of respect and integrity. They both come into bouts in tremendous condition, and despite the quality of their opposition, they take care of business. They sell out stadiums and are ambassadors for what is good about this game we love. Some of the criticism is warranted, however I can think of much worse champions form the past like some of the alphabet titleholders from the 80’s who aren’t worth mentioning.

GREATNESS ACHIEVED IS GREATNESS PERFORMED!

One thing about being considered great you must have a great dance partner to achieve that status. Imagine Muhammad Ali sans Joe Frazier, Ray Leonard without Roberto Duran & Tommy Hearns, or Marco Antonio Barerra not having Eric Morales. Well you get the picture.

MONTIEL DESERVES MASSIVE PROPS

The lower weight class fighters are often overlooked by the masses, however one little guy has resurrected his career. Fernando Montiel is a candidate for fighter of the year thus far based on unifying the bantamweight (118) titles against accomplished Japanese champion Hosemi Hasegawa. It wasn’t just the fact that he unified the sanctioning body belts, no it was how spectacular the fourth round knockout was. The Mexican went into the other champion’s backyard and made a serious statement that he is not only the best at 118, but arguably one of the top fighters in boxing.

Kevin “KP” Perry

Brockton, MA- A new wave of New England boxers will be featured on the aptly entitled “Labor Daze” card presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. at the Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, RI on Friday night. Vladine Biosse, in the main event for the first time fights out of Providence, RI. Unbeaten at 7-0, 4 KOs, Vlad last bested Joey McCreedy for the New England super middleweight (168 lbs) title. His opponent is Ibraheim King, fighting out of West Palm Beach, FL, he is 7-4, 2 KOs.

“JIMMY B” GREAT IN PROMOTING LOCALS

Many local fighters will be on the card as well. Scheduled in four round bouts are, out of Fall River, MA super welterweight Dustin Reinhold (2-1, 2 KOs) will face pro-debuting Rameil Shelton, of Providence, RI. From nearby Woonsocket, RI super middleweight Joe Gardner (5-1-1, 1 KO) takes on New Bedford, MA fighter Eric Pinarreta (2-4, 2 KOs).

“GREEN GUYS” NEED WORK TO LOSE GREEN TAG!

Also fighting four round bouts are unbeaten New Bedford, MA super lightweight Jonathan Vasquez (1-0, 1 KO) against Trenton Titsworth (3-7-1, 2 KOs) from Omaha, NE. Eric Estrada, a Providence, RI firefighter and a cruiserweight (1-0, 1 KO) faces Washington, D.C. native Tauheed Wheeler who lost his only pro fight; Barnstable, MA heavyweight Jesse Barboza (3-1, 3 KOs) battling Ryan Shay, who is from South Carolina and is winless with one loss ; Providence, RI super welterweight James Smith making his pro debut vs. Shawn Pyles from Raleigh, NC who is winless with one loss. yet to be named in bouts scheduled for four!

SEATS START AT JUST $35 CLAMS

Tickets are priced at $35.00, $50.00, $75.00 and $125.00, and can be purchased by calling CES (401-724-2253/2254), live at the Twin River’s Players Club booth, or at any Ticketmaster location. Doors open at 6:00 PM ET.

Edwin “Ace” Ayala

Skandor Akbar

San Francisco, CA- The beloved bad guy that was Skandor Akbar, a professional wrestler who found fame playing an Arab or Iranian sheik, a fixture in the days of of territorial wrestling of the 60s, 70s, and part of the 80s, passed away last week at 74. Born Jimmy Wehba, Akbar died from advanced Prostate Cancer just days after attending a National Wrestling Alliance get together in Charlotte, NC. Independent wrestler JC Bailey (Joseph Carl Bailey) was found dead Monday morning at home in Kentucky. Ex-WWE starlet Luna Vachon, 48, the second generation of the great Vachon wrestling family of Canada, died last week. Like Kentucky’s Bailey, the cause of death is still undetermined. I wrote last week about 29-year old Lance Cade (McKnaught) dying from an apparent heart attack.

THE “TWO STARS” OF WEC CAGEFIGHTING

Judging from Internet trends and PPV buys, only two guys really matter in the World Extreme Cagefighting organization. They are Urijah Faber (23-4) of Sacramento, CA & Indiana’s Miguel Torres (37-3), the only real stars of the Triple AAA farm club of the Ultimate Fighting Championships that is featured on Versus TV. As is the case often in MMA, but rarely in boxing, both men are still mega-stars even though they lost their last fight.

BEFORE LOSING, MIGUEL WAS NUMERO UNO IN SOME MINDS

Torres will go September 30 on WEC 51 against Charlie Valencia, this after being choked out in March by Joseph Benavidez. After losing to 145 lb. (lightweight) champ Jose Aldo in April, Faber and Tekeya Mizugaki were supposed to meet this month. An injury to Urijah has pushed the match to probably December at (bantamweight) 135 lbs. According to the genius that is Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the WEC has been losing viewers, this even though the fights have been good, if not great!

COKER BRINGS STRIKEFORCE HOME TO SAN JOSE, CA

After the two biggest stars on the Strikeforce Houston card were beaten, “King Mo” and ex-TNA & WWE pro wrestling star Bobby Lashley, Strikeforce chief Scott Coker brings things back to San Jose, CA, the site of their greatest gates and Coker’s home base on October 9 with chicks on top as Sarah Kaufman and Marloes Coenen on top. Back to Lashley, who was embarrassed by full time Tuscon, AZ firefighter Chad Griggs, he just isn’t cut out to “hurt people.” Good wrestler, no striking, no killer instinct, this best describes Lashley. Strikeforce light heavyweight (205) Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal lost in a bit of an upset to Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante. One of the better speakers in MMA, “King Mo” has a pro wrestling future.

UFC’S SHANE CARWIN’S HAUNTING PAST COMES BACK

The recent revelations in the Applied Pharmacy steroid-scandal involving professional wrestlers and MMA fighters reveal that the “S.C.” listed in court documents is actually Shane Carwin, who came within a whisker of taking the UFC heavyweight (over 205 lbs & under 265) crown from Brock Lesnar in July. Carwin was prescribed four steroids, HGH, and a a water retention drug to fight off the “bitch tits” that accompany the use of some PEDs. UFC President Dana White has sidestepped the issue by saying this all took place prior to Carwin joining the UFC.

TEXAS DROPS BALL ON DRUG TESTING…AGAIN!

The Texas Athletic Commission, brilliant minds that they aren’t, did not Drug test the Strikeforce card in Houston a fortnight ago. They didn’t do any testing on a UFC show a while back either.

HERE’S YOUR BOXING NOTE

Both pro wrestling and MMA have far more interesting characters than boxing. We got a muted Filipino named Manny Pacquiao being walked around the block on Massa’ Bob Arum’s leash, loudmouth Floyd Mayweather, a heavyweight division topped by the boring Klitschko’s. The old adage, “he (the Germans) who controls the heavyweight champion controls boxing.” The Klitschko bros. have made boxing meaningless to American fans, oh woe is boxing!

Pedro Fernandez

Boston, MA- In what was a highly anticipated fight card, UFC 118 turned out on one hand to be quite predictable, yet on another not so much. The intrigues of the rematch between lightweight champion (155 lbs) Frankie Edgar (13-1, 2 KO’s 3 subs) and former champ B.J. ‘The Prodigy” Penn (15-7-1, 6 KO’s 6 subs) proved to be just that, but the outcome was nothing anyone saw coming.

B.J. PENN HAS MET HIS MATCH!

While the first fight was a very close, highly disputed decision win for Edgar, this time there was no disputing the decision. Edgar completely dominated a totally focused Penn right from the start, beating him to the punch, taking him down at will, which no one had ever done so much before at lightweight, and simply outclassed the former champion. Other than Georges St. Pierre at welterweight (170), no one had ever handled Penn so easily.

FRANKIE LOOKS TO FIGHT “BULLY” NEXT

Edgar silenced the naysayers and solidified his standing as the true champion of the weight class. Up next for the champ, the only fighter to give him a blemish on his record thus far, Gray “The Bully” Maynard. Maynard (10-0-1, 1 KO) “bullied” (no pun intended) his way to a #1 contender spot, by grinding out a workmanlike unanimous decision over previous two-time #1 contender Kenny ‘Ken-Flo’ Florian (13-5, 3 KO’s 9 subs) who was fighting in his hometown of Boston.

COUTURE WENT UNTOUCHED!

In the co-main event, what was arguably the most predicted outcome of the entire card came to pass as UFC Hall of Famer Randy ‘The Natural’ Couture (19-10, 7 KO’s 4 subs) faced Boxing legend and champion James ‘Lights Out’ Toney in what was Toney’s first Mixed Martial Arts fight. While boxing skills are a significant part of MMA, being solely a boxer would prove no match against an experienced MMA fighter, especially one whose specialty is wrestling.

COULD NOT HAVE BEEN EASIER

Couture didn’t even take one punch as he shot in on Toney for a single leg takedown and got it within the first 30 seconds. The next two minutes was Toney experiencing his worst nightmare, which was an experienced grappler in mounted position on top of him, raining down punches and working for position. Eventually Couture set up an arm triangle choke, locked it in and Toney immediately waved to the referee to let him out.

SOME DOG TONEY FOR BEING DANA’S “TOOL”

To Toney’s credit, he weathered the storm a whole lot longer than I expected as I figured he would panic, hyperventilate and tap immediately once Couture got on top of him. He did not and while the outcome was inevitable, he fought back admirably as best as he could. While he did not say that would be his last MMA fight, Dana White said it would be his last in the UFC as he stated he would not experiment with boxers in the cage in the future, regardless of who it is. “I don’t care if it’s (Floyd) Mayweather or anybody else.”

BOXING & MMA LIKE FOOTBALL & RUGBY

I have a feeling Dana will come to eat those words at some point. While I think he feels content that MMA came out on top and that he has nothing further to prove, he’s still a promoter at heart. Thus, first, foremost and ultimately it’s always going to be about money. Therefore, if an opportunity to make money with a boxer in the future should present itself, well ’nuff said!

NO MORE BOXERS IN UFC?

That said, I hope Dana does stays true to his word and never let’s another boxer in the cage. I love and respect both sports deeply; thus I don’t feel there is any need for either to face each other. Yes, they are both combat sports, but they are two totally different entities. Therefore, this continuing question as to which sport or fighter is more dominant is irrelevant. It is apples and oranges and we should appreciate both for what they are and more importantly for what they bring. To us hardcore fans, that is joy.

“Slammin’ Sammy” Perez

Boston, MA- In a matchup that can best be described as Rugby vs. NFL football, Randy Couture, 220, Portland, OR, SUB 1 James “No Lights On” Toney. In roughly two and a half minutes, Couture, now 47, owned Los Angeles’ Toney who is now 42 and 237 lbs., a former boxing champ at 160, 168 & 190 lbs. The end came at 3:19 of round one with Couture catching Toney with a arm triangle choke.

TIME FOR BOXING PEOPLE TO WORRY…SORT OF..

Somebody called me almost in tears last night, “boxing got beat,” he said. This was not even a fair fight. Toney can’t spell wrestle and at 237, well let’s just say his once glaring hand speed is history. No folks, boxing didn’t get beat, a boxer far past his peak and almost 50 lbs. heavier than his prime embarrassed himself in an MMA ring trying to make Apple juice with Oranges. This was the easiest prediction to come down the pike in years, and yet some of you bet Toney! Couture, this does little for him, for at 47 somebody should have stuck a fork in him years ago. Toney, a man that burst on the scene in 1991 with a KO of then middleweight champ Michael Nunn, he needs to find a day job now!

SPEAKING OF FORKS, STILL ANOTHER IN B.J. PENN?

Frankie Edgar, 155, UD 5 B.J. Penn, 155. After having not lost a round at lightweight (155) since 2002, B.J. Penn’s loss to Edgar earlier this year in Dubai was to some a fluke. Edgar, fighting out of Tom’s River, New Jersey, simply never let up as he dominated Hawaii’s Penn for five rounds (25 minutes) in his first defense of the UFC (155) lightweight crown.

OTHER RESULTS FROM BEANTOWN

Demian Maia def. Mario Miranda via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Gray Maynard def. Kenny Florian via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Nate Diaz def. Marcus Davis via technical submission (guillotine) – Round 3, 4:02
Joe Lauzon def. Gabe Ruediger via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 2:01
Nik Lentz def. Andre Winner via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Dan Miller def. John Salter via submission (anaconda choke) – Round 2, 1:53.
Greg Soto def. Nick Osipczak via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Mike Pierce def. Amilcar Alves via submission (cross-body armbar) – Round 3, 3:11

“Ring Talk News Service”

INTEGRATED SPORTS PPV VIEWERS SEE CALDERON FALTER

Guaynabo, Puerto Rico- Giovanni Segura, (107.9 lbs) Bell Gardens, CA KO 8 Ivan Calderon, (107.8), Guaynabo, Puerto Rico (WBO/WBA 108 lb. titles) In what should be the fight of the year, WBA junior-flyweight world champion Segura (25-1, 21 KOs) scored a punishing eighth round KO over now former WBO champ Calderon (34-1-1, 6 KOs) to unify the 108 lb. championship. 

IVAN HAD A LONG RUN AT 105 & 108 LBS.

Calderon displayed his beautiful boxing skills early on and stunned Segura in the first.  But Segura turned it on and had Calderon in trouble in round five, when during the break the ex-champ complained about a thumb to his eye.  Round six saw back a forth action, where Calderon survived some difficult moments, and regained his form in the seventh.  Segura, however, continuously applied pressure to the 34 year old calderon and finally floored him for the count with a liver shot in round eight.  Time was 1:34.

PUERTO RICAN’S FIGHT FELLOW RICANS FOR BRAGGING RIGHTS

Jose A. Gonzalez, (135), Toa Baja, Puerto Rico TKO 6 Hector Marengo, (135), Arecibo, Puerto Rico. Gonzalez (12-0, 8 KOs) and Marengo (5-1-4, 3 KOs) engaged in a toe-to-toe back and forth battle with neither giving ground.  Marengo’s chin gave in finally in the fifth, although he got up at the count of nine, it was only a matter of time.  Referee Roberto Ramirez jr. couldn’t step in as Marengo fought back bravely until 1:19 of the sixth.

McJoe Arroyo, (118), Fajardo, Puerto Rico UD 6 Sigfredo Medina, (120), Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. McJoe Arroyo (5-0, 2 KOs) has a “sparring session” against a puffy faced Medina (3-2, 2 KOs).   The scores were all 60-54.

McWilliams Arroyo, (113.3 lbs), Fajardo, Puerto Rico UD 6 Jiovanne Fuentes (112.3 lbs), Puerto Rico. McWilliams Arroyo (4-1, 3 KOs) rebounded from his first loss with an easy shutout win against Fuentes (2-1, 1 KO).  Scores were 60-54 on all cards.

LUNDY TAKES OPEN SPOT ON ESPN 2

Montreal, Canada-Henry Lundy, (140), Philadelphia, PA UD 10 Omri Lowther, (138), Ontario, Canada. With only four days to prepare, Lundy (19-1, 8 KOs) took a shot and hit a bulls eye with an easy win over Lowther (14-2, 10 KOs). Scores were 98-92 and 100-90 twice.

Ed “Ace” Ayala

Las Vegas, NV- One match in particular at UFC 118 has piqued a lot of interest in both MMA and boxing alike as three division world boxing champion (160, 168 & 190 lbs) James “Lights Out” Toney (72-6-3, 44 KOs in boxing) steps into the world of mixed martial arts at 237 lbs tonight In Boston, MA against six time UFC champion (under 205 lbs, light heavyweight & over 205, heavyweight) Randy “The Natural” Couture (18-10, 7 KOs, 3 SUBs). For the most part, boxers have not fared too well in MMA as they typically lack several dimensions such as wrestling, grappling, submissions, and expanded striking (kicks, elbows, and knees) needed to succeed inside the cage.

THE FIGHT IS COUTURE’S TO LOSE!

Couture, an even 220 and 47 years young, will look to spoil Toney’s MMA debut most likely by closing the distance and pinning the 42-year old Toney against the cage while working his dirty boxing. Furthermore, after softening up the pugilist, Couture will probably look to move it to the mat and score takedowns from the clinch.

TALKED LOTS OF S*IT OVER THE YEARS

Toney has long been a big trash talker in boxing, and that style and bravado has moved over into his MMA career as he has consistently verbally assaulted Couture. Toney, who captured his first boxing belt, the middleweight (160) diadem in 1991, is said to have been training strictly MMA for the past nine months, but I don’t think that 270 days will hold up against Couture’s lifetime of wrestling at an elite level.

LOOKING TO DO A MERCER OR JUST GET PAID?

However, all MMA fights start on the feet and Toney has an elusive and slippery stance which could cause problems for Couture. Also, let us not forget what 1988 Olympic Gold medalist and ex-WBO heavyweight boxing champion Ray Mercer did to former two time UFC heavyweight champion Tim Silvia (26-6, 18 KOs, 3 SUBs) last year-he knocked him out with one punch in nine seconds.

NOT SO TOUGH A FIGHT TO PREDICT OUTCOME

If Toney can keep his distance, stay on his feet and check Randy’s chin with shots that have led to 42 stops in the boxing ring, the Ann Arbor, MI native could pull off a huge upset in his MMA debut. But his weight being at 237 lbs, even if he’s juicing, something Toney was caught doing in boxing, that will work against him as long as the fight lasts. There’s a chance Toney catch Couture and put him to sleep, but the most likely outcome will be a dominate Couture victory by stoppage or unanimous.

B.J. PENN SEEKS REDEMPTION IN REMATCH

It has only been four short months since B. J. Penn (15-6-1, 6 KOs, 6 SUBs) lost his lightweight (155 lbs) title via shocking upset to Frankie Edgar (12-1, 2 KOs, 3 SUBs).  For Penn, those four months have probably felt like a lifetime.  Before the loss, Penn was widely considered one of the top pound for pound fighters in the world, and hadn’t lost a bout (or a round for that matter) at lightweight since his first meeting with Jens Pulver (22-14-1, 13 KOs, 3 SUBs) back in January 2002.  Penn had allegedly been ill before his fight this past April with Edgar, which may have accounted for his slightly passive behavior inside the cage that night in the desert oasis of Abu Dhabi. 

FRANKIE DID NOT COME TO LOSE

However, all credit should be given to Edgar who used movement, speed and angles to chip away at the champion and gain himself the UFC lightweight title.  Furthermore, Edgar was able to successfully score a couple of takedowns on Penn-something virtually nobody (outside of Georges St. Pierre) has ever been able to do.  Come Saturday night, we will all find out if Edgar can prove his win was no fluke, or if B.J. Penn can regain his coveted lightweight title.  I expect to see a competitive matchup between these two warriors, but also expect Penn to press the issue more and utilize his naturally larger frame to push Edgar around the cage in route to a unanimous decision victory.

KENNY FLORIAN TOPS UNDERCARD

The card also includes other explosive fights including Kenny Florian (13-4, 3 KOs, 9 SUBs) taking on the undefeated Gray Maynard (9-0, 1 KO), Demian Maia (12-2, 2 KOs 8, SUBs) battling Mario Miranda (10-1, 5 KOs, 3 SUBs), and Nate Diaz (12-5, 3 KOs, 8 SUBs) squaring off against Marcus Davis (17-6, 6 KOs, 8 SUBs).  Be sure to check out all the action tonight from Boston.  Catch the prelims on SpikeTV and the rest of the action on pay-per-view.

Matt “All Meat” Grizzle

FIGHTING’S BEEN AROUND SINCE CAVEMEN

Combat sports have probably been around since the dawn of mankind. There are ancient artifacts and historical data that dictate hand to hand combat and certain forms of self-defense have been practiced in one form or another for thousands of years.

PRIZE FIGHTING KOSHER OR BARBARIC?

Yet, for as long as they’ve been around, the question remains, are combat sports an athletic form of competition or nothing more than barbaric brutality? For the sport of boxing, this question has lingered for well over a century, but for the sport of mixed martial arts this debate has only been going on for a little more than a decade and a half. As a fan, proponent and practitioner of both, I’m here to speak on the positive and technical aspects of each. You can call it the beauty behind the brutality.

BEAUTY IN THE MODE OF DESTRUCTION

Now some people might ask, “how can something so violent, be considered beautiful?” To answer this question, one needs to look beyond what they just see and understand the facets of the game. First of all, violence, in terms of sport, is defined as “rough or injurious physical force, action or treatment.” Therefore, one would have to define a lot of sports as violent.

DOES THE “COLOR” FACTOR IMPACT FIGHT OPINIONS?

Some of the most popular sports in this country such as football, hockey, and basketball can be construed as violent. For that matter, not so popular sports such as soccer, field hockey and lacrosse are just as “violent.” So why are these accepted forms of competition within our society, but boxing and mixed martial arts are frowned upon by so many?

OTHER CONTACT SPORTS WHERE HITS ARE COOL!

It is a lack of knowledge and understanding. On the football field, when a player is gang tackled by a host of players, it is referred to as great team defense. In hockey, when a player is checked hard into the wall or the ice, it is looked upon as exciting. Even in baseball, when a player slides directly into the shortstop or second baseman in an effort to break up a double play, it is understood as an accepted part of the game.

DIFFERENCE OF OPINION: BEAUTY OR BEASTLY?

Yet, when a fighter throws a jab at another fighter’s head, it is considered “violent.” Many others and I on the other hand look at this as a thing of beauty. It is why boxing has long been referred to as the “sweet science.” When heavyweights such as Muhammad Ali can dance gracefully around their opponent’s attack or Larry Holmes spitfires a jab through someone’s defense with such speed and precision, it is something to behold.

LIKE SHORTHAND, FIGHTING IS A LEARNED CRAFT

It is a skill, an art form they were able to master after years of long and arduous training. Granted, back in the days of bare-knuckle fighters there probably wasn’t much skill, but that is not the case today. Boxing has had over 100 years to hone its craft and develop a system and standard that should be respected and marveled at.

MARGARITO LICENSE DOESN’T HELP CAUSE

Yet, after all that time boxing is still fighting an uphill battle. Like any other sport, it’s had its setbacks. The reality that, professional fighters have died or suffered career ending injuries in the ring does exist. Then there is Antonio Margarito, a man caught cheating in a most heinous manner, being licensed this week in Texas.

HATE THE “G” BUT BOXING STILL NEEDS FED COMMISSION

However, I’ll argue that most of these are due to the ineptitude of referees that are employed by the various states boxing commissions. Independent state commissions are probably the biggest problem; a uniform set of rules and regulations set forth by a national commission needs to and should be implemented.

MMA HAS MADE INCREDIBLE IMPACT

Mixed martial arts, on the other hand, has only been in existence, as a sport for less than 17 years. It initially developed as a spectacle pitting combatants of various martial arts against each other to see which self-defense system could be considered the most effective. While I’ll admit in the beginning it was nothing short of brutal. Inevitably its initial champions Royce Gracie, Dan Severn and Oleg Taktarov all showed that technique, not brutality, is what eventually would work in a fight.

THE CAGE THROWS THE SQUARES OFF!

Their masterful backgrounds in jiu-jitsu, wrestling and Sambo respectively is what worked, yet in time even they realized their skills were limited against someone who knew a little of everything. Thus, cross training in the various forms of self-defense began and “mixed martial arts” was born. Because it takes place in a cage versus a ring some observers consider it barbaric and have gone so far as to refer to it as “human cock-fighting.” I beg to differ.

MMA HAS LOTS OF TECHNIQUES TO LEARN

I’ve been training in martial arts for over ten years now. While the base of my training has been in taikwando, submission grappling, boxing and Muay Thai, among others, has also been a substantial part of my training. My participation in all these forms of discipline has introduced me to the scientific aspects of each and thus a deep appreciation of what goes on in the cage or the ring.

RARE DEATHS & LESS BRAIN TRAUMA THAN BOXING

Regarding MMA, rules and regulations have been set in place and only two deaths have been documented in its nearly 17 year history. Both of those took place at the lower level of promotion and competition where standards of regulation may have been compromised. Unlike boxing where a fighter depends on the referee to stop a fight, in MMA, besides the ref, a fighter can respectfully and gracefully “tapout,” which means they give up, to live and fight another day.

MMA, LOVE IT OR….?

Yet, with all these rules in place along with skill and training involved, many people continue frowning upon these sports as nothing more than simplistic brutal forms of competition. Beyond that, a debate is forming as the media, fans and even the fighters themselves are now beginning to form a divide as they question whether the rapid growth of MMA will supersede boxing in terms of popularity. Some even question whether MMA will be the death of boxing.

ANCIENT BOXER VS. ANCIENT MMA FIGHTER

Thus, this weekend’s fight between Couture and Toney is not just about two competitors, but rather it has become a fight between the two sports. As a fan of both, I am happy to see each continue to prosper financially because as long as they do, neither of them is going anywhere. Thus, the only battle these two sports will continue to wage is the one against mainstream acceptance of each as such.

“Slammin’ Sammy” Perez

LITTLE GUYS LOOKING TO MAKE A BIG STATEMENT

Feather fisted, but gifted pug Ivan Calderon (34-1, 6 KOs) will meet  Giovanni Segura (24-1-1, 20 KOs) over 12 scheduled rounds of throw down in unification showdown to claim supremacy in the light flyweight (108) division in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, Saturday night at 9 PM ET on Intergrated Sports PPV.

SHOW ME SOMETHING KID

Aside from not capturing a knockout win since 2006, Ivan Calderon is a spirited craftsmen who controls his opponents with effective lateral movement and superb technique. Despite holding his WBO title for over two years, Calderon hasn’t dazzled fans in a fashion to be credited as a must see fighter. Aware of his critics, to gain positive public appeal, Ivan seeks to deliver an impressive performance in effort to change his publicly labeled lackluster imagine.

GOT THE GOODS, BUT IS IT GOOD ENOUGH?

Having dealt with adversity by avenging his lone loss to Cesar Canchila by way of 4^th round disposal in their rematch, heavy-handed thug Giovanni Segura is no stranger at stepping up to a challenge. Even though Segura holds the WBA belt, and despite his extremely impressive 11 knockouts in his last 12 wins, questions loom as to how well his “free swinging” style of reckless abandon will hold up against his tactical counterpart.

ESPN JOINS THE PARTY

Changing up their regularly schedule format of a Friday presentations, ESPN delivers a “cross roads” lightweight (130) affair on Saturday when once beaten prospect Omir Lowther (14-1, 10 KOs) battles once promising former title challenger Edner Cherry (25-6-2, 15 KOs) in Quebec, Canada, at 9 PM ET on ESPN 2.

BOXING VS. MMA IN UFC 118!

Former supermiddle (168) and cruiserweight (200) champion James “Lights Out” Toney makes his cage debut against sure fire mixed martial arts hall of famer Randy “The Natural” Couture (18-10, 7 KOs, 3 SUBS), in a scheduled heavyweight (over 206) 3 rounder at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, Saturday night at 10 PM ET on PPV.

LIGHTS OUT?

Having fought the best boxers in his weight classes for the past 20 years, without question, James Toney (72-6-3, 44 KOs) has always been one of the more capable fighters to rise to the occasion. Possessing his inimitable style of defense and accurate counter punching throughout his illustrious career, James impressively has only hit the canvas thrice in 81 fights and has never been counted out. Although not known as a huge puncher, James is one of only two men to defeat iron jaw ring legend Evander Holyfield by way of knockout. Proven boxing bravado aside, at the age of 42, and without any professional MMA bouts to his credit, is James in over his head against an established full contact fighter?

WHAT DOES RANDY HAVE LEFT?

A 13-year veteran of the cage, former UFC light heavy (186) and heavyweight champion Randy Couture has faced every possible opponent of note offered to him. His legacy of memorial wars against the best of the best has established him as one of the sports trademark pioneers. By displaying breath taking submissions, Couture has been best known through his career for his crafty wrestling style. However, at the age of 47, Randy has been apprehensive to expend energy by rolling around on the mat and has shown a willingness to stand and trade, will this be to his undoing against a savvy boxer?

John Signorella

Salvador Sanchez

After going 18-0 with 17 whacks, Sanchez lost a split decision for the vacant Mexican bantamweight (118) title to Antonio Becerra in 1977. It would be Sal’s only loss. A bit of trivia, in 1979 Sanchez knocked out Felix Trinidad Sr. in five, he being the father of Puerto Rican icon Felix Jr. Besides a draw with Juan Escobar in 1978, getting dropped in the process, Sanchez’s resume is pristine.

TOOK WBC THRONE WITH FORCE

Defeating champion Danny “Little Red” Lopez (TKO 13) to snag the ‘BC diadem, Sal demolished “Little Red” in a rematch, this before beating Patrick Ford, Ruben Castillo, Juan Laporte, Roberto Castanon, and Nicky Perez, all top ten guys at the time, this before signing to fight Puerto Rican KO king Wilfredo Gomez. After a draw in his debut, Gomez was 32-0-1, 32 KOs.

BACK WHEN PROMOTERS PROMOTED FIGHTS!

Sanchez and Gomez would engage in Don King’s “The Battle of The Little Giants” in Las Vegas at the Caesars Palace Sports Pavilion in August 1981. Leading up toi the fight, Gomez was a 2-1 favorite in the betting parlors of Sin City. Then came the weigh in, the one where Gomez showed up at 130 for a 126 lb. title fight. Wilfredo would return to the scale twice, but he never made the weight. Officially, he was listed at 126 lbs.

GOMEZ BACKERS CHANGED THEIR WAGERS

With “wise guys” making a run on Sanchez, this after seeing Gomez’ weight woes, the odds drew closer come fight time. Gomez, knowing full well that he needed to stop Sanchez, he came out throwing bombs. On the flip side, so was Sanchez and the opening round kept the people on their feet, having never sat down after the introductions.

BEATEN AT SCALE, GOMEZ WAS STILL GAME

Gomez would suffer a fractured cheek bone in that round, still he fought on as gamely as an over matched fighter could. When it was all said and done, a TKO 8 win for Sanchez, he had slain the Puerto Rican fire breathing dragon. This would be Sal’s biggest win. With one more win in 1981 over Pat Cowdell (UD 15), Sanchez fought Jorge Garcia and in August 2002, he faced the great Azumah Nelson.

LAST FIGHT IN AUGUST 2002 VS. AZUMAH

Undefeated in just 13 fights, Azumah Nelson pushed Sanchez to the point where a possible upset was in the making, this before Salvador stopped a tired Azumah in round 15. This was his last fight as he died one month later.

TRAINING FOR ARGUELLO FIGHT THAT WOULD’VE BEEN BIG!

The big talk at the time of Sanchez’ death was a fight with then lightweight (135) kingpin Alexis Arguello, which obviously never occurred. Looking at his resume, when he became of age, Sal fought everyone there was. But was he that great a fighter? The win over Gomez wasn’t that telling because of Wilfredo’s weighty issues. Sanchez was life and death with Azumah for 14+ rounds, this when Nelson was green like quacamole.

WAS HE AS GREAT AS THEY CLAIM?

That being said, do we overrate Sanchez because he died at 23?

Pedro Fernandez

San Francisco, CA- The latest count according to MMA TV is that there are over 4,000 registered MMA training facilities in the USA…Fabrice Werdum, the Brazilian who upset Fedor Emelianenko in April on Showtime in what has been called, “the tap heard around the world,” had elbow surgery and he’s out until January or February. Looks like Strikeforce heavyweight champ Alistair Overeem will face Fedor with the winner to meet Werdum. The real fight for Fedor is with UFC champ Brock Lesnar, but his manager Vadim Finkelchtein of M-1 Global knows that probably means a KO loss and then having to admit to UFC supremacy, something they are deathly afraid of.

DAVE BAUTISTA “DIFFERENT ANIMAL” THAN SISSY LASHLEY

Although he has yet to ink a Strikeforce deal, (or at least announce it publicly) one has to wonder what ex-WWE star Dave Bautista was thinking as he watched Bobby Lashley “punk out” last Saturday night? Pathetic performance for Lashley who left the WWE, then TNA to go MMA 24-7. Better go back to the fake stuff Boooby! As for Dave Bautista, the now 240 lb. (down from 290) Filipino-American, he beat the snot out of Booker T (Huffman) in a “real” locker room fight.

11,000 MMA FANS TURN OUT IN ST. CHARLES, MO!

Local MMA product Jesse Finley had 11,000 paid in the house for his clash with ex-UFC star Josh Neer. The last boxer to do this was Joe Mesi in Buffalo, NY. That was before the Nevada State Athletic Commission did a number on Mesi, ending his career after a fight with Vasilily Jirov. To show you how things change when people change hats, Mesi had a small brain bleed, Mark Ratner and the Commission decided to “prevent” him from getting licensed because of such. Now a UFC VP in MMA, Ratner’s stance on this issue is a bit contrary now.

UFC LEGAL NOW IN TORONTO

The Ultimate Fighting Championships, they estimate that 17% of their fan base is Canadian. That being said, Toronto, long an opponent of sanctioned MMA has now legalized the sport. The aforementioned Mr. Ratner, his job is to get the UFC and MMA into new jurisdictions. With the 17% figure coming from Dana White, you know this Toronto deal that Ratner facilitated means big returns!

YOUNG PRO WRESTLER DEAD OF HEART ATTACK

Lance Cade, who had two WWE runs, the last ending in 2008, died recently from a massive heart attack. Cade seemed to have everything going for him, including a push by the WWE. But there was “something” missing and that might have come from his problems with prescription drugs which brought about his second and final departure from the company two years ago.

“SUPERSTAR” BILLY GRAHAM

With a body wrecked from steroid use, ex-WWF (now WWE) star Billy “Superstar” Graham has called out to several friends of late asking that they be pallbearers. Now 67 and with more body replacement parts (including a liver) than a still running 1965 Chevy, Graham, born Wayne Coleman, is a devout Arizona preacher who senses the end.

Pedro Fernandez

San Francisco, CA- With Texas apparently willing to license him, disgraced Mexican boxer Antonio Margarito, the guy that had been caught with “loaded hand wraps” meant to disfigure his opponent Shane Mosley. That being said, why doesn’t Manny Pacquiao fight Mosley? He beat Margarito like a drum. In addition, Mosley is the man that went 12 rounds with Floyd Mayweather, rocking him once in the process.

OLD SLOW SHANE “STILL TOO” FAST FOR MANNY?

Mosley can still move around the ring, glide at times, this even though he is 38. But the reason why Manny Pacquiao has never, and I mean never mentioned Shane Mosley as a foe, is that Shane fights Black. Yes I said it again, and Pacman needs a guy with cement-like feet to stand there and let the Philippine phenom chop him down.

MARQUEZ-PACQUIAO FIGHT: “WHAT FANS WANT”

The way Manny Pacquiao has looked since his last dance with Juan Manuel Marquez, he would be a big favorite were they to meet a third time. Marquez, the fighter that has tested and pushed Manny the hardest, he is old and seems to pose minimal threat, yet Manny won’t mention his name either.

ARUM’S HATRED OF OSCAR IS KILLING FIGHTS

Instead of dealing with the fact that Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions got a “sweetheart” deal with HBO, just like the one I believe he had with ESPN in the 80s, Bob Arum is keeping his fighters out of lucrative matches with GBP fighters. It was Arum who think week dismissed any thought of Pac-Marquez III.

BIGGEST FIGHT OUT THERE & NO MANNY!

Most certainly Pacquiao-Marquez III is a bigger fight than Pac-Margarito. It is second only to Mayweather-Pacquiao in meaningful super fights for the Filipino. Taking some bad advice (or just going along like a pawn does) Pacman, who’s looking a little plump these days, should realize that unless Margarito is slated to take a dive, fighting Marquez is a hell of a lot easier than the much bigger (5’11 & close to 160 come fight time) windmill throwing Margarito.

Pedro Fernandez

Los Angeles, CA- Last week, the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) held a hearing for former welterweight (147 lbs) champion Antonio Margarito (38-6, 27 KOs), in regards to whether or not they would reinstate his boxing license. Margarito’s license was revoked for a year by the commission in 2009 for loading his hand wrap with a plaster like substance before his fight January 29th against “Sugar Shane” Mosley (46-6, 39 KOs) at the Staples Center.

CAUGHT CHEATING IN THE MOST HEINOUS MANNER

The block that was found inserted into the Mexican’s hand wrap when hardened would have given him an unfair advantage and could quite possibly have permanently injured and or killed his foe. The Tijuana native has a November 13th fight scheduled against boxing’s ‘pound for pound’ king Manny Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KOs). By law, before fighting again in the United States Margarito had to go before the commission for a hearing in an attempt to regain his license. Under rules of the Association of Boxing Commissions, the governing body over all state commissions in the United States, Margarito was not allowed to fight in any state for one year starting at the time of the revocation which began January 29, 2009.

ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID MARGARITO’S “PIECE OF WORK”

In a 5-1 vote the CSAC decided not to reward Margarito a license. What’s puzzling is that the ABC released a statement to Association of Boxing Commission members on August 19, 2010 stating that, “At this time Mr. Margarito has fulfilled his obligations per the ABC (which was to appear before the CSAC before applying for a license to another state/tribal commission in the United States) and thus he is now free to pursue a license with any ABC member commission. There is nothing under the federal law that would prohibit consideration for licensing.”

ABC CAN’T SPELL A-B-C UNDER “PUKEY” LUECKENHOFF

Impotent ABC President Lueckenhoff

If that is the case here, what is the point of the ABC if they are not willing to enforce their obvious authority as the ASSOCIATION of Boxing Commissions. What type of unity really exists if Margarito was rejected from obtaining a license in California and Nevada, but can legally go to any state he chooses (in this case it will be Texas) and apply for a license?

CAUGHT IN THE ACT, THERE’S NO DEFENSE!

The irony here is that the people who have the authority to stop Margarito, a professional prizefighter who was caught cheating (whether or not you believe that he knew what his trainer put into his wraps, as he claims no knowledge or personal wrongdoing), are actually showing no authority whatsoever. If Margarito can literally go and apply in any state that he wants, what is the point of the ABC, and more importantly what was the point of the revocation especially after further review by the CSAC resulted in a denial?

ABC REMINDS ONE OF BOXING BIZ AS USUAL

Why not just have the states decide who they want to license regardless of the circumstances? In essence that’s what they are doing anyways, so why pay people who actually are doing nothing to enforce their power when the opportunity presents itself? Isn’t that the essence of their job to be the governing body of all state commissions to bring some form of unity, whether it be rules or regulations that all states follow?

ABC’S “PUKEY” HAS BEEN BUFFOON FOR YEARS!

Blame has to go to Tim “Pukey” Leukenhoff, President of the ABC. Under his direction, the ABC hasn’t done s*it! “Pukey,” a nickname given Leukenhoff by a fellow scribe, was a crack whore in the movie New Jack City. In closing, this “Pukey” seems to be of the same vocation, only his clients are the fat cats that are the boxing establishment.

Kevin “KP” Perry

WAS THE BOUT AS HYPED AS THE CROWD?

No, but if you ever had the privilege to witness an event at “The Rock” where Adamek is adored by his legion of fans, you’d be hard pressed to find anything to live up to that type of electricity. Nonetheless, the fight was a bit more compelling then most experts, including myself, thought it would be.

BREAKDOWN OF THE SCRAP

After a “feel out” first two minuets, a fight broke out and Grant landed a crisp right on Adamek’s chin which seemed to cause some difficultly for the house favorite. Over the next few rounds of “phony” warfare, Adamek settled into a boxing posture, and oddly enough, as the shorter man, Tomasz began to have his way with the much taller Grant from the outside. In round six, Grant was able to shake Adamek once again with a sharp right that opened up a cut over his right eye, but again, Michael’s onslaught came toward the end of the round and was to no avail. Over the next few frames, Grant loosened up and delivered descent combination’s in attempt to rise to the occasion, but a stubbornly resistant Adamek stuck to his boxing, used lateral movement to evade such tactics, and regained control of the ring. Both fighters appeared gassed going into the 12 stanza, but credit goes to Grant as he came out like “a house on fire” in effort to burn Adamek to the ground. Though a credible notion, it wasn’t to be. The scrap went to the score cards which read 117-111, 118-110, 118-111, all for Adamek. I had the bout 1116-112, Adamek.

POST MORTEM

During the press conference, a very humorous Michael Grant explained to the public that it was very difficult for him to break down his shorter opponent due to the mobility that Adamek displayed throughout the bout. After fielding a few pertinent questions, Granted offered that he has no intent on hangin’ up the gloves. Thereafter, a seemingly physically drained Tomasz Adamek approached the podium. Tomasz stated that Grant was the biggest puncher he had ever faced, and that he had prepared for 12 taxing rounds to earn a victory and was happy with his performance. Based on needed time to recover from injuries he suffered to both eyes, Adamek was reluctant to disclose any information in regard to his next contest.

MY THOUGHTS

This was a surprisingly entertaining affair. In a war of attrition, the 38 year old Michael Grant was able to sustain a measured pace of attack in attempt to break his man down. Also, Grant was able to administer shots a whole lot better then he was able to in previous battles, and showcased a bit more grit then we’re used to seeing from him. Having said that, I was impressed at how well Adamek fought a much larger man from the outside. Tomasz peppered Grant with jabs which kept him off balance and at bay while using foot movement that was in concert with solid hand combinations. Does this mean Adamek has the tools to blast out a Klitschko? No. A viable concern for Tomasz is that he couldn’t knock out a guy that has been known to be knocked out simply by just looking at him. In other words, Grant has no chin, and perhaps Adamek has no punch either. Sure, you can make the argument that one of the Klitschko’s chin is suspect and that Adamek can possible get to it, but you got to have somewhat of a crack at the end of the whip to tame a bull.

UNDER CARD DELIVERED SOME HURT

Jr. middleweight (154) Joel Julio (36-4, 31 KOs) bounced back from his loss to Alfredo Angulo with a commanding ten round unanimous decision over Jamaal Davis (12-7, 6 KOs). Scores were 97-93, 98-92, 99-93.

Former Olympian welterweight (147) Sadam Ali (9-0, 5 KOs) blasted out journeyman Lenin Arroyo (20-13-1, 4 KOs) with a pulverizing body shot in round five.

Five-time New York Golden Gloves champ, jr. lightweight (130) Shemuel Pagan (1-0) picked up a win in his pro debut against Raul Rivera (0-3), Scores read 40-35, 40-34, 40-34.

Jr. lightweight Osnel Charles (4-2) and Hector Collado (0-2-1) fought to a close controversial decision 38-37, 38-37, 39-37, in favor of Charles.

In a pro debut for both men, jr. lightweight Tyrone Luckey (1-0, 1 KO) destroyed Larry Yanez (0-1) in 54 seconds of round 1.

John Signorella

INTERGRATED SPORTS DOES PPV

Newark, NJ-Tomasz Adamek, (217 lbs), Gilowice, Poland UD 12 Michael Grant, (261), Atlanta, GA. Adamek (42-1, 27 KOs) shows he can bang, hang, and defeat a big heavyweight, but it wasn’t easy.  It was a good paced hard fought twelve round unanimous decision over former title challenger Grant (46-4, 34 KOs).  Grant came out slow as is his norm, as Adamek landed clean shots hurting Grant in round one.  At the end of 12, the scores were a predictable 117-111, 118-110, and 118-111.

COLOMBIAN PUNCHER FIGHTS JOURNEYMAN

Joel Julio, (152), Monteria, Columbia UD 10 Jamaal Davis, (153), Philadelphia, PA. Julio (36-4, 31 KOs), after suffering a cut under his right eye from a punch in the third round, rebounded by landing big shots and hurting an iron chinned Davis (12-7, 6 KOs) on several occasions.  Especially in the fifth round, Davis for his part stayed on his feet but was outgunned.  The cut was not a factor and there were no knockdowns.  Scores were 97-93, 98-92 and 99-93.

Sadam Ali, (145), Brooklyn, NY KO 5 Lenin Arroyo, (146 lbs), San Jose, Costa Rica. Ali (9-0, 5 KOs) has his way with a willing but unable Arroyo (20-13-1, 4 KOs).  Ending the night at 2:46 of the fifth round with a perfectly executed body shot.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

ESPN 2 HAD MID-WEEK OFFERING

Monroe, LA- Erislandy Lara, (153.5), Miami, FL TKO 1 Willie Lee, (152.4 lbs), Gulfport, MS. Lara (13-0, 8 KOs) simply destroys a grossly overmatched Lee (17-7, 11 KOs), needing 1:48 to have the bout waved off by referee Laurence Cole during a brutal follow-up barrage by Lara.  Leehad been dropped about a minute in.

Edwin “Ace” Ayala

Las Vegas, NV- Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante, 205 lbs, Sao Paulo, Brazil TKO 3 Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal, 205, Carlsbad, CA.  After a cautious first round, things got going in the second for Lawal as Feijao (10-2, 9 KOs, 1 SUBs) looked as if he may already be showing signs of fatigue.  Lawal (7-1, 5 KOs) blasted away with body shots throughout the second stanza, slowing down the Brazilian.  However, all this changed quickly in the third, as Feijao landed a pair of beautiful knees in the clinch to the head of the champion, following up with a sweeping right hand and relentless strikes on the ground.  Lawal tried to hang on to a leg and survive but eventually fell limp as referee John McCarthy stepped in and waived off the bout.

EX-WWE CHAMP LASHLEY THRASHED

Chad Griggs, 235, Tucson, AZ TKO 2 Bobby Lashley, 265, Junction City, KS.  For the first time in his MMA career, Bobby Lashley saw his own blood-and he didn’t like it.  From the moment Lashley (5-1, 2 KOs, 2 SUBs) was cut it seemed to go down hill for the pro wrestling alum as he looked flustered and fatigued.  Just as the bell sounded to end the second round referee Jon Schorle called a halt to the bout as Lashley stumbled about after Griggs (9-1, 8 KOs, 1 SUB) hammered him with several strikes.  It looks as if Lashley will have to take a long look in the mirror and decide if this is really what he wants to do after folding under the pressure in a fight he was supposed to win.

AND THE NEW MIDDLEWEIGHT (185) CHAMP IS

Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, 185, Amazonas, Brazil UD 5 Tim Kennedy, 185, Fort Bragg, NC. In what was a good, solid five round bout, the judges had it for the Brazilian Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza (13-2, 10 SUBs). Although Kennedy (12-3, 5 KOs, 6 SUBs) was able to land more overall strikes as well as score takedowns along the way, it seemed that Jacare landed the much more meaningful blows throughout. Jacare has become a better all around MMA practitioner and his striking game has vastly improved.

CURTAIN RAISER WAS AT LIGHTWEIGHT (155)

K.J. Noons, 155, San Diego, CA TKO 2 Jorge Gurgel, 155, Cincinnati, OH. Although Gurgel (13-7, 9 SUBs) had success in some spots on his feet, it became clear rather quickly that he wasn’t going to be able to hang with the hands of K.J. Noons (10-2, 8 KOs). The beginning of the end for this bout came when Noons unintentionally landed a vicious left hook after the bell to end the first round all but knocking Gurgel out. As Gurgel stumbled back to the corner it was apparent he wasn’t in any shape to continue the bout. Regardless, as the second round began, Noons finished the job; measuring his man until landing a vicious right followed by a left hook that put Gurgel down. The fight was stopped seconds later as Noons peppered away at Gurgel while he was on the ground and landing a solid knee (that appeared illegal but went uncalled) that halted the bout.

Matt “All Meat” Grizzle

Rodriguez, 33-0 with 31 whacks is going to be put to the grind by both a world renowned sprint coach, in addition to a strength coach. Let’s see how he feels in three weeks. In addition, like Nonito Donaire and Robert Guerrero of late, David will be doing the high elevation Hyp Oxygen training with Victor Conte and staff!

For the most part, Mousasi let Lawal coast to a decision by letting him gain superior position with takedowns.  Lawal appeared hurt and gassed on several occasions but Mousasi acted with no since of urgency and in my eyes, gave the fight away.  Until Lawal wins impressively against a quality opponent, I question his true ability.  Feijao pulls an upset here and finishes the job Mousasi couldn’t by knocking out “King No Mo” Lawal.

VACANT MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT

The second title bout will be a middleweight (185) showdown for the vacant title of the division that was once ruled by Jake Shields (25-4-1, 3 KOs, 10 SUBs).  After surviving a rough first round against Dan Henderson (25-8, 11 KOs, 1 SUB), he went on to dominate the rest of the bout in what was his last outing.  Soon after, it was clear that Dana White had snatched up the Strikeforce middleweight kingpin leaving the title without an owner.  Looking to fill that void is submission specialist Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza (12-2, 10 SUBs) who is set to face off against Tim Kennedy (12-2, 5 KOs, 6 SUBs) to determine the new champ.  Kennedy is no pushover and he has never been submitted but he will certainly have his hands full come Saturday night with Souza.  On the flip side, Kennedy has five of his 12 victories coming by way of knockout and Souza has been stopped twice.  All things considered I still have to side with Jacare by submission as Kennedy has never been in with a submission artist of Jacare’s level.

BOBBY LASHLEY AGAINST A BREATHING FOE?

Also looking to make an impression on the card will be former WWE and TNA pro wrestler Bobby Lashley (5-0, 2 KOs, 2 SUBs) as he takes on Chad Griggs (8-1, 7 KOs, 1 SUB).  Not much is known of Griggs but he appears to be a physical specimen much like Lashley, and he has never gone the distance in a fight-win or lose.  This could be an interesting match up and we may see Lashley challenged early by the hulking Griggs.  My guess is if Lashley survives early, he wins the fight.  Kicking off the card will be an excellent lightweight (155) match up between K.J. Noons (9-2, 7 KOs) and Jorge Gurgel (13-6, 9 SUBs).  I expect this to be a great fight to start things off and has the potential to end up being the fight of the night.  Noons will probably be able to walk out with a decision but you can count on Gurgel to leave it all in the cage while giving Noons everything he can handle.  Be sure to check out all the action as the main card kicks off at 10 PM ET live on Showtime Saturday night!

Matt “All Meat” Grizzle

San Francisco, CA- Of all the people that want to fight Manny Pacquiao, guys from lightweight (135 lbs) to jr. middleweight (154) and yet the Filipino icon is destined to fight Antonio Margarito, a boxer that has NOW been denied a boxing license in two states, California and Nevada, this for committing the heinous and cowardly act of “loading” his hands. So I ask you $64,000 question of the day, why does the best fighter in the world in the Pacman have to fight the scummiest fighter in the world in Marga-cheato?

MANNY ACTS LIKE A PLANTATION SLAVE, NOT CONGRESSMAN!

All throughout this process, Pacquiao, now exposed as just a tool of promoter Bob Arum, he hasn’t uttered a word. I mean, yesterday the California Commission came down so hard on Margarito that if he were a bug he’d be dead. They instead relieved Margarito, who was caught with the plaster of Paris block already wrapped in his right hand, of an ability to fight in California, this after Nevada had already said no.

LIKE MANNY WANTS TO MARRY A GIRL WITH V.D.

This reminds me of Manny wanting to marry a chick with a Venereal Disease. One state says no, “she’s infected, you can’t marry her here.” Then another state says “she’s infected, you can’t marry her here” and yet Manny’s desire to marry/fight this dirty whore is emboldened daily by Arum, who Filipinos don’t realize, Arum works for Pacquiao, not the other way around! In other words, it’s up to Congressman Manny as to whom he fights, not Massa’ Bob of the Top Rank plantation.

ARUM MAKES REAL BANK WITH MARGA-CHEATO

Promoter Arum has both Pacquiao and Margarito. This in-house proposition means it’s a win-win situation for him regardless. He can low ball Margarito by saying he’s been disgraced in the eyes of many, pay Pacquiao a fat chunk of change, and still make more money than Manny Pacquiao and Marga-cheato. That’s why he is taking the Clap-infected Margarito from state to state hoping to get licensed.

MANNY IMPOTENT IN HIS OWN AFFAIRS?

Congressman Pacquiao, he calls the shots. Thus at the end of the day, Manny deserves the blame for this Margarito scandal. I haven’t heard much noise from Filipinos on this, but hey can you see where I’m going here as Manny & Arum are going from state to state with the infected Margarito? You Pinoy fans have an important forum in boxing at Pacland.ph and yet all you do is kiss Manny’s ass. While I understand the love, you as a group need to be able to tell Pac when things are wrong. Like trying to get a license to marry an infected whore!

Pedro Fernandez

San Francisco, CA- Now I don’t want to start this off with me gloating, but I will. The California State Athletic Commission yesterday denied Antonio Margarito a license to box, this after California took away his license for “loading” his hand wraps for a 2009 fight with Shane Mosley, and after he went to both Nevada and Texas asking for a license.

WHY IS PAC FIGHTING TO FIGHT A CHEATER?

To find out that Bob Arum’s money didn’t mean s*it to the California Commission, this to me was a monumental statement favoring right over wrong! Attorney General Karen Chappele, she ripped the Mexican fighter and his lame advisors apart like pinata at a birthday party. Arum was pleading that Margarito be licensed “just once” for the Manny Pacquiao fight, one that will make Margarito and Pac money, in all likleyhood a match in which Arum would likely make more than the fighters!

TEXAS & ARUM TO TEST FEDERAL LAW?

The only way Jerry Jones, owner of the NFL Cowboys and Arum can put this fight in Texas is for the Texas Commission to disavow the ruling of California. But to do would also be violating Federal law put forth in the Muhammad Ali Professional Boxing Act. In closing, yesterday was a day for the good guys in boxing!

Pedro “Smiling” Fernandez

UP & COMER VS. DOWN & OUTER?

The pride of Poland, New Jersey’s most recently adored adopted son and rising star Tomasz Adamek (41-1, 27 KOs) meets former world title challenger Michael Grant (46-3, 34 KOs) for 12 proposed rounds of throw down in the heavyweight division at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, live on Saturday night at 9 PM ET on Intergrated Sports PPV.

ADAMEK’S RUN AT HEAVYWEIGHT STILL NEED DEFINING FIGHT

Having beaten former light heavyweight (175) champions Steve Cunningham and O’Neil Bell, Adamek, to his credit, in the wake of his triumphs has called out the biggest names in his former weight class. Without being able to secure lucrative bouts against Bernard Hopkins or Roy Jones Jr., and by not landing a much desired rematch against his only loss to Chad Dawson (L UD 12), Adamek has moved up to the heavyweight ranks and has three bouts with three wins under his belt; a beat down win over a very faded Andrew Golota (w TKO 5) a less then stellar 12 round points decision win against Jason Estrada, and reluctantly listless 12 round victory on the score cards against fading former world title challenger Chris Arreola.

WHAT DOES THE 38 YEAR OLD VERSION OF MICHAEL GRANT HAVE LEFT?

Once considered by most experts (mainly at HBO) to be the heir apparent successor to then champion Lennox Lewis, Michael Grant impressed the masses by delivering drama drenched action packed brawls showcasing remarkable homage of intestinal fortitude. Early in his career, Michael blasted out credible opposition and his 31^st fight, met his first true test against the rugged foul infested thug style of Andrew Golota. Although Golota had been previously exposed by Lennox Lewis in embarrassing fashion, Andrew started the bout strong and thrice floored Grant in round one. Avoiding humiliation, Grant managed to recover, eventually drop Golota, make him quit, and was baptized under fire. Oddly enough, it was the last time both fighters fought at such a high level and looked so good. Michael went on to be destroyed by Lennox Lewis in a just two lopsided rounds. Since, he has gone a credable17-2, but during that stretch, Michael has hit the canvas more times then paint off a brush during a painting.

ALL THINGS CONSIDERED THIS SHOULD MAKE FOR ENTERTAINING EVENT

“Cross road” type affairs are always fun, especially at the highest weight on the scale. Considering that (rightfully so) Adamek has taken some criticism about his thus far lackluster campaign at heavyweight. Standing at 6′7, Grant, an enormous specimen, does has descent skill and does have threatening  pop on his shots. Michael will not just be showing up for a paycheck and will be looking for the upset and prove a point come fight time.

UNDER CARD ACTION

Light middleweights (154) Joel Julio (35-4, 31 KOs) and Jamaal Davis will (12-6, 6 KOs) square off in a 10 round co feature.

Welterweight (147) Prospect Sadam Ali (8-0, 4 KOs) takes on Lenin Arroyo (20-12-1, 4 KOs) in an eight round special attraction.

NOTE: I’ll be attending this card ringside and will post a review of the bouts including press conference interviews, photography, and more early Sunday morning, stay tuned…

John Signorella

Las Vegas, NV- WEC bantamweight champ Dominick Cruz, 135 lbs, San Diego CA SD 5 Joseph Benavidez, 135, Sacramento, CA .  Once again Dominick Cruz (16-1, 6 KOs, 1 SUB) was able to best Joseph Benavidez (12-2, 3 KOs, 7 SUBs)  in an all out war.  Benavidez did everything he could to lift the title from the only man ever to defeat him, but Cruz was simply too much (see big) for him.  It seems Benavidez may ultimately be done in by his stature against a much taller and rangier fighter with the skill set of Cruz.  In the end it was a great fight between two top tier fighters and both men will be hard to beat for anyone in the division.

UNDERCARD LIVED UP TO ANTICIPATION

Anthony Pettis, 155, Milwaukee, WI SUB 3 Shane Roller, 155, Bixby, OK.  Even though Shane Roller put up a good fight, it seemed that all night long Pettis (12-1, 5 KOs, 6 SUBs) was one step ahead of him.  Roller (8-3, 2 KOs, 5 SUBs) could never really get his wrestling game going as Pettis was able to avoid most of the takedown attempts.  It appeared Pettis was going to walk away with a decision victory but with just ten ticks left on the clock in the last round, Roller found himself in a deep triangle choke and was forced to tap.

UNLIKE BOXER DAWSON, THIS CHAD IS BAD!

Chad Mendes, 145, Hanford, CA UD 3 Cub Swanson, 145, Palm Springs, CA.  I was thoroughly impressed with Chad Mendes (8-0, 2 KOs, 2 SUBs) and his ability to dictate the pace and location of the fight.  I certainly would have favored Swanson (14-4, 4 KOs, 7 SUBs) in this bout as he is a very explosive athlete with great skills and has been in against the better competition.  Even so, Mendes took the fight to Swanson and even seemed to get the better of the striking in some spots.  Chad Mendes is definitely a guy to watch in the featherweight (145) division.

RAZOR CLOSE FIGHT NOT INDICATIVE OF SCORES

Scott Jorgensen, 135, Boise, ID UD 3 Brad Pickett, 135, London, England.  Jorgensen (11-3, 1 KO, 4 SUBs) may have won a unanimous decision with scores of 30-27 on all three cards, but that doesn’t tell the full story as to how close this fight was.  Both men had ups and downs throughout the fight and even though I thought Jorgensen edged Pickett (19-5, 6 KOs, 9 SUBs) 29-28, the fight could have realistically gone either way.  Both guys put on a hell of a fight in a very entertaining and highly competitive bout; kudos to both men on their showing of talent, heart and desire.

KICKBOXER WENT FOR THE KILL IN SECOND

Bart Palaszewski, 155, Crystal Lakes, IL. KO 2 Zachary Micklewright, 155, Bettendorf, IA.  After an entertaining and competitive kickboxing match in the first round, Bart Palaszewski (35-13, 16 KOs, 11 SUBs) wasted little time kicking off the second round as he stopped Micklewright (7-1, 2 KOs, 1 SUB) 31 seconds into the second frame.  The previously undefeated Micklewright held his ground well with the vastly experienced Palaszewski, but his best was ultimately not enough.  Palaszewski bags his fourth win in a row as he continues to climb the lightweight latter.

Matt “All Meat” Grizzle

THIS IS WHAT MARGARITO WAS TRYING TO DO!

Trainer Panama Lewis and Resto, they are both convicted Felons for this. Javier Cappiello, Margarito’s trainer and the fighter, they were caught after inserting a plaster of Paris (not yet hardened) block into his hand wrap. The intent was to maim Shane Mosley in the manner in which Billy Collins was. Do you need anymore convincing that Antonio Margarito should never be allowed to fight again?

San Francisco, CA- Forget all the posturing regarding Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather fighting on November 13, by hook or crook, and I mean that figuratively, the Filipino icon looks locked into a fight with Antonio Margarito. As of the weekend, people involved with the Texas Commission and Jerry Jones, the guy that owns the stadium where the fight would take place and the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL, they are working feverishly to get the fight.

YOU THINK ROOKIE DODD WILL ROLL OVER?

I know that there are people that work for the California State Athletic Commission, as well as a commission member or two, they are outraged that Margarito, whose license was taken away in 2009, this after he was caught with a “loaded” hand wrap before lacing up the gloves with Shane Mosley, first went to Nevada for a license instead of California where his privilege to box was taken away. Like a license to drive, it is not a “right,” to have a boxing license is a “privilege.”

NOW, HE’S IN TEXAS ASKING FOR LICENSE

After being denied in Nevada, a place where promoter Bob Arum carries a lot of weight, Margarito is now asking Dick Cole and Texas to give him a license. Jones’ people, they have got $1,000 an hour attorneys and the Commission trying to make the fight happen. But in the end, it’ll depend on the California Athletic Commission. They might make a deal, one that doesn’t benefit California, have Margarito appear before the Commission with his hat in his hands, be scolded for trying to hurt or kill Mosley, and then allowed to box in Texas.

WHICH WAY WILL ROOKIE DODD BE SPUN?

The man that is running the California Commission is recently hired Executive Officer George Dodd. Met him once, can’t form an opinion on him just yet. But I can tell you that one of the guys he appears enamored with, retired southern California referee and now judge Marty Denkin, who has gotten tons of gigs since Dodd came on in February. This has not went over well with other California officials.

DENKIN’S $64,000 QUESTION?

Marty is the only California referee of note NEVER allowed to work a fight in Las Vegas. Don’t know why, but I do call into question his assertion that the Joey Torres-Perry Williams fight (farce) of 2002 was not “fixed.” The FBI has audio tapes of the parties involved rehearsing the fight and the Torres win prior to the fight. In closing, hopefully Dodd understands criminal law and works to keep a ban on Margarito in place. Because if he lets Margarito skate, Dodd will have been “punked” by Bob Arum and some rich Texans.

Pedro Fernandez

Las Vegas, NV- An entertaining (on paper) MMA card headlined by a World Extreme Cagefighting title fight will air live on Versus TV tonight.  At stake will be the bantamweight (135 lbs) belt as Dominick Cruz (15-1, 6 KOs, 1 SUB) makes his first defense since lifting the belt from Brian Bowles (8-1, 3 KOs, 5 SUBs) last March.  He will risk the WEC diadem against Joseph Benavidez (12-1, 3 KOs, 7 SUBs), a man with whom he met and defeated via unanimous decision a year ago in the fight of the night at WEC 42.  I suspect the same winner, but wouldn’t be surprised to see Cruz stop Benavidez this time around.  Cruz will likely utilize his range to keep his much shorter opponent at bay while Benavidez tries to fight his way inside.  Regardless of what happens, if it is anything like their first fight, it is sure to entertain.  Tune in tonight (check your local TV guide for time on Versus TV) and check it out along with the rest of the action!

UNDERCARD FEATURES “STARVING FIGHTERS”

Everybody knows a “hungry fighter” is a dangerous animal. Some of these undercard fighters are taking hunger to the next level. In other words, they’re starving. Fighters willing to go for it, light and fast, these factors when combined can make great fights. As for the numbers, it will be interesting in a couple of weeks to see exactly what the ratings come in at. Spike TVbroke all kinds of records airing the UFC. The WEC is the UFC’s sister company under the Zuffa Sports umbrella.

Anthony Pettis (11-1, 5 KOs, 5 SUBs) vs. Shane Roller (8-2, 2 KOs, 5 SUBs)

Chad Mendes (7-0, 2 KOs, 2 SUBs) vs. Cub Swanson (14-3, 4 KOs, 7 SUBs)

Scott Jorgensen (10-3, 1 KO, 4 SUBs) vs. Brad Pickett (19-4, 6 KOs, 9 SUBs)

Bart Palaszewski (34-13, 15 KOs, 11 SUBs) vs. Zachary Micklewright (7-0, 2 KOs, 1 SUB)

Matt “All Meat” Grizzle

Los Angeles, CA- Congratulations to WBC light heavyweight (175 lbs)champion Jean Pascal (26-1 , 16 KOs) in his impressive 11th round technical decision victory over heavily favored American Chad Dawson (29-1, 17 KOs). Pascal, as high as a 3-1 underdog, showed poise and executed his game plan in front of some raucous hometown fans in Montreal.

“NOT YET 30″ MEANS TIRES STILL HAVE TREAD!

Dawson is 28 and Pascal is a year younger and these are the types of fights that boxing needs, younger fighters facing each other. In retrospect, the reason this wasn’t an upset from where I stand is that Pascal was the defending champion making a third defense. He won the vacant title in a match against fellow Canadian-Romanian Adrian Diaconu (26-1, 15 KOs), a belt that Dawson had vacated after beating Antonio Tarver (27-6, 19 KOs) the second time. Pascal however has been on quite a run and continued his run with the victory over Dawson.

EXPLAINING BIG UPSETS & LOOKING AT BUTE

A major upset is when a journeyman such as slow-ass non-puncher Carlos Baldomir (45-12-6, 14 KOs) beats an undisputed champion like Zab Judah (39-6, 27 KOs). Pascal’s next possible foe is another Canuck, IBF super middleweight champion (26-0, 21 KOs) Lucien Bute.

PARTING SHOT AT “NOT SO BAD” CHAD

This win should be a real dose of reality for Chad Dawson. The left handed fighter, once known for whacking guys out, scored but one KO, that of Epifanio Mendoza (30-9-1, 26 KOs KOs) in his last seven fights (35 months) leading up to his loss Saturday. I think we need to realize that Chad got a gift with Glen Johnson (50-14-2, 36 KOs) the first time in 2008, fought Antonio Tarver, this after Antonio’s had went life and death with Rocky Balboa, not once, but twice, this before giving a now 41-year old Johnson a second fight.

CHAD IS BORING & COULDN’T DRAW FLIES!

Add the fact that he reportedly couldn’t sell 500 tickets some 30 miles his front door speaks volumes about Dawson in that his own peeps were not even impressed. While Dawson may be a gifted athlete, he isn’t all that exciting and Pascal might be more entertaining for HBO viewers.

MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMP MARTINEZ NEEDS TO FACE WILLIAMS

To shift gears, but well not really, WBC middleweight (160) king Sergio Martinez (45-2-2, 24 KOs) and Paul Williams (39-1, 27 KOs) have to fight each other this fall. There is no other fight out there for either guy that makes means more.

HBO NEEDS TO PLAY “HARD BALL” FOR SUBSCRIBERS

If neither guy will take the match neither should be rewarded with any opportunities on HBO period. Williams is living in a fairytale land if he thinks he can land fights with Manny Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KOs) or Floyd Mayweather (41-0, 25 KOs). Being honest, Paul has no star power and should just take the best available option, and that’s against Martinez. The boxing business isn’t rocket science, but the way some fighters handle their careers you’d probably think it was.

LET FLOYD BE FLOYD FOR NOW

People need to just leave Floyd Mayweather alone. If the man doesn’t want to fight again in 2010 because of taxes or anything else, it’s his prerogative. He owes the fans nothing. However I don’t want to hear about how great he is, at least not from his mouth. If “Money” as he calls himself, can make over $20 million fighting guys like old (38) Shane Mosley (46-6, 39 KOs), why would he split a 50/50 purse with Manny Pacquiao? If people can’t understand the arrogance and ego of Mayweather by now, they never will. Floyd is unbeaten and in his mind that makes him the better fighter.

DON’T NEED CALCULATOR TO FIGURE IT OUT

It wouldn’t be reasonable from a business standpoint to take 50 percent when you can fight someone else (that you know you can beat) and take 80% of the purse. It’s simple math. I’d love to see the fight but I believe there’s more hurdles to make this bout than just the issue of drug testing.

“THAT ACT IS OLD” MY JAMAICAN BROTHER

I am a big fan of Glen Johnson (50-14-2, 34 KOs), but I am kind of tired of him saying that he always gets robbed in big fights. I agree he gets shorted most of the time in close fights, but last weekend against rugged IBF light heavyweight champion Tavoris Cloud (21-0, 18 KOs) wasn’t one of them. Glen was hurt several times and clearly lost a unanimous nod. At 41 years of age Glen may still have the ability to hang with the elite, but just not enough to win.

OVERRATED IS ANDRE’S MIDDLE NAME

Where’s WBC welterweight (147) champion Andre Berto (26-0, 20 KOs)? The earthquake in Haiti had him stressing, but that was many months ago. Oh, he did stop Carlos Quintana (27-3, 23 KOs) via TKO 8 in April. How about matching him against Tim Bradley (26-0, 11 KOs)? Or does anyone even care about Berto? After WBC/IBF junior welterweight (140) Devon Alexander’s (21-0, 13 KOs) lackluster performance and close victory over Andriy Kotelnik (31-4-1, 13 KOs) that match up seems more intriguing in my opinion.

HERE I GO, TOOT THE HORN FOR SOLIS!

I believe Cuban heavyweight and 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist Oldlanier Solis (16-0, 12 KOs) is the future of the heavyweight division. However like many other Cubans, once they get an ounce of freedom, some, if not a lot of their dedication to the sport wanes as his weight has always been an issue in his short career. He has great tools as is displayed in a stoppage victory over current WBA heavyweight belt-holder David “Reluctant” Haye (24-1, 22 KOs) in the 2001 World Amateur championships.

Kevin “KP” Perry

New York, NY- In wake of the intense level of disappointment we’ve administered by the sport failing to deliver a mega fight between superstars Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquaio, despite such a let down, fans have been undeniably treated to several action packed fights thus far in 2010. In unusual fashion, non household names have been filling stadiums throughout the world, and during trying battles of intestinal fortitude, these pugs have shown facets of the game of old by displayed guts, heart, determination, and skill. Cheers to them as their efforts have been keeping the sport alive.

THE AFOREMENTIONED “WORLD” IS AN ISSUE IN 2010

American fight fans are without a heavyweight division, period. If some do still care (there are a very select few), by way of major cable networks HBO and Showtime’s ban of the bros. Klitishko’s, you are restrained from viewing most, if not all heavyweight world title contests. From this, I’ve found myself hoping online catching a few heavyweight title tilts here and there, but quite frankly, just like HBO and Showtime, I’m over it. Another issue with the world of pugilism is not the product; it’s how it’s being distributed. Across the globe, there has been a ton of under promoted, independent PPV cards that have delivered tremendous action that not just boxing enthusiast would appreciate, but any fan of sport. Unfortunately those cards where seen only by us die-hards. Had HBO, Showtime, Espn, or Fox Sports distributed those cards, boxing would be in better place at earning its due buzz of resurgence. The “suits” at the networks need to realize that names aren’t everything. Even without star power, there have been a ton of compelling bouts on ESPN, and believe me, people have be taken notice. HBO needs to stop forcing and recycling whom they want to sell to you and just put on competitive matches that they know will make for good television.

HBO’s BAD HAS GOTTEN MUCH WORSE

As I mentioned, HBO needs to chill with offering us viewers over matched vapid former challengers and tomato cans pitted against overly capable champions. This scenario has taken place far too many times over the past two years and while there are exceptions to that observation, the bottom line is that boxing is a sport that is drenched in drama and it’s “blue collared” fans thrive on the underdog succeeding. HBO’s shows are notoriously known for having the favorites hand raised at the end of the night.

BRING DI BELLA’S MIND BACK TO HBO

This is especially relevant to their Boxing After Dark series that was started in 1996 by current promoter Lou Di Bella with Marco Antonio Barrera-Kennedy McKinney in an epic encounter. Known as B.A.D., at the shows inception, it matched rugged warriors in “life or death” battles in effort to propel their young or potentially great careers to the upper stratosphere of the sport. Now, it’s usually billed with a crossroads type of uneventful affair or one-sided beat down to showcase the new kid on the block. B.A.D. needs to take a page from it’s rival program SHO Box, a series that employs the vintage criteria that once made HBO’s B.A.D. series the baddest show on the planet.

SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR LOOKS PROMISING

Despite what has transpired thus far, no worries, keep your chin up fight fans; we have a lot to look forward to in the remaining months. Highlighted by Jean Pascal vs. Chad Dawson, Juan Manuel Lopez vs. Rafael Marquez, Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Amir Khan, Shane Mosley vs. Sergio Mora, Andre Ward vs. Andre Dirrell, Carl Froch vs. Arthur Abraham, and the return of international boxing icon Manny Pacquaio against controversial Antonio Margarito, enticing match ups are on the horizon that even the networks can’t deny.

John Signorella

HBO GOES NORTH & DAWSON GETS BEATEN!

Quebec, Canada – Jean Pascal (174 lbs), Quebec, Canada TECH UD 11 Chad Dawson (174),  New Haven, CT (WBC 175 lbs title) Pascal (26-1, 16 KOs) and Dawson (29-1, 17 KOs) fought at a good pace, with both fighters landing a fair share of shots.  In his hometown, with each blow Pascal landed, the crowd erupted with approval.  Dawson was hurt by a right from Pascal in the eighth but held on to survive.  Realizing he was behind, a more aggressive Dawson, finally had Pascal  hurt in the ninth but failed to follow through.  Round 11 began with Dawson pouring it on, almost scoring a necessary stoppage after hurting Pascal.  The “stop” came but not as Dawson had hoped, as he was  the victim of an accidental head butt which opened a gash over his right eye.  The local Doctor stopped the fight at first glance.  Per the WBC rules, if more than half of a round is over, that round is scored.  Scores were 106-103 twice and 108-101. 

FOX SPORTS HAD GREAT CARD TOPPER!

Laredo, TX- Miguel Vazquez (134.25 lbs), Jalisco, Mexico UD 12 Ji Hoon Kim (134.25), Goyang City, South Korea (vacant IBF 135 lb title) It was not even a hard sparring session as Vazquez (26-3, 12 KOs) the superior boxer completely dominated an ineffective aggressor in IBF #1 contender Kim (21-6, 18 KOs).   The #3 ranked Vazquez’ movement confused Kim who lost by scores of 119-109, 120-108, and 118-110.  In closing, the IBF rankings committee should be ashamed.

Friday, August 13, 2010

ARREOLA STOPS EATING LONG ENOUGH FOR ESPN 2

Ontario, CA- Chris Arreola (256), Escondido, CA UD 12 Manuel Quezada (228 lbs), Wasco, CA
Always fat and heavy, Arreola (29-2, 25 KOs) gets an easy win with a one-sided 12 round beating over Quezada (29-6, 18 KOs.  Arreola, was just too big (pun intended ) for Quezada.  Arreola floored Quezada twice in round nine, this after eight rounds of domination. Quezada’s late rally came to an end after being dropped again in the 12th. Scores were 117-108 and 118-107 twice Arreola said he injured both hands in the post fight interview.

Edwin “Ace” Ayala

HBO KEEPS IT GOING UP NORTH

For the third consecutive week, HBO deals out another card. This time around, it will feature WBC light heavyweight (175 lb) champion Jean Pascal (25-1, 16 KOs) attempt to defend his crown against another alphabet champ in Chad Dawson (29-0, 17 KOs) over 12 rounds or less at luxurious Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Televised live, Saturday at 10:30 PM ET on HBO.

REGIONAL FIGHTER LOOKING FOR WORLD RECOGNITION

Haitian born Jean Pascal has made a name for himself in his adopted home land of Canada. Facing durable opposition, Pascal was unbeaten in 21 previous contests before lacing up with former super middleweight (168) belt holder Carl Froch. In that affair, Froch easily handled Jean in route to his first defeat (L UD 12). After the setback to Froch, Pascal regrouped, moved up a class in weight, and in a stellar performance against then unbeaten champion Adrian Diaconu, captured the light heavyweight crown (W UD 12). After picking up the WBC strap, Jean won his next bout by impressive knockout and went on to successfully defend his title against Diaconu in their rematch (W UD 12).

CHAD NEEDS TO GET BAD

Displaying dazzling skill and by processing an immensely gifted boxing I.Q., Chad Dawson has earned wins over some of the best light heavyweight thugs of the past decade. Albeit, by facing fighters past their peak, victories  in a pair of drawn out sequels against Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson (to most critics) were less then remarkable performances. On the flip side, Chad Dawson currently is the only man to claim a legitimate victory over current heavyweight contender Tomasz Adamek (W UD 12). On the contrary, despite such recent triumphs, Dawson hasn’t knocked an opponent out, or even down in almost three years.

A QUICK HIT AT “OTHER” WEEKEND ACTION

FORMER HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE CHALLENGER ARREOLA RETURNS ON ESPN

The ultimate enthusiast for the sport of pugilism, ESPN 2 pitts come backing heavyweight hopeful Chris Arreola (28-2, 25 KOs) against veteran banger Manuel Quezada (29-5, 18 KOs) over 10 proposed rounds of action from the Citizens Business Bank Arena, in Ontario, California at 9 PM ET.

FOX SPORTS NET JOINS THE PARTY

Devastating lights out power puncher Ji Hoon Kim (21-5, 18 KOs) continues his state side campaign when he battles capable combatant Miguel Vazquez (25-3, 12 KOs) over 12 scheduled rounds for the vacant IBF lightweight (135) strap at the in  Laredo, Texas, Saturday at 10 PM ET.

John Signorella

San Francisco, CA- Having known of Jay Larkin’s illness, a malignant brain tumor, the same thing that took away the inventor of home PPV, promoter Dan Duva in the 90s, I knew that sooner rather than later I’d be writing this obituary. That being said, the best thing that ever happened to Larkin, who had run Showtime Boxing from 1984 to 2005, was meeting his lovely wife Lisa. I believe when they met she was a dancer and Jay, a Jewish lad from Long Island, NY, who graduated from UCLA film school, was an aspiring actor.

RUN AT SHOWTIME WAS ROCKY AT TIMES

There was a time when Larkin and company televised fights promoted only by Don King. Some of the cards mirrored the Versus TV efforts of Top Rank a year or so ago, nothing but the promoter’s guys winning easilly. For their corporate bending over for the Donald, Showtime got Mike Tyson when he got out of prison. And that made Showtime Event Television, their PPV arm $100’s of millions of dollars.

REMEMBER, SHOWTIME WAS ALWAYS DISTANT SECOND

And for all the crummy fights that were the rule and not the exception, Showtime’s ratings were dismal. After the King-Tyson saga had run it’s course, Jay Larkin started giving dozens of shows to English promoter Frank Warren. At a point and time when people were questioning the Larkin-Warren relationship, Jay Larkin announced he was going to leave Showtime.

ALMOST BECAME “FORMAL” PARTNERS WITH WARREN

In a round abouts way, I was made privy to a document on Frank Warren letter head, that listed a carbon copy going to “Jay Larkin Enterprises.”. The emergence of this material might had been part of the reason Jay left in 2005. Regardless of his dealings with King and Warren, Jay made Viacom (which owns Showtime) a lot of money and he deserved a cut..

JAY’S LAST GIG LOST $36 MILLION!

Larkin’s involvement with the International Fight League came about the time he started getting headaches, feeling something wasn’t right, but at first nobody imagined it was brain cancer. The IFL, an inferior product when compared to UFC, Strikeforce, Bellator, was Jay Larkin’s last venture. Although the IFL did their thing on weekly televised cards, it would bleed something like $35 million in red ink before packing it in.

JAY LARKIN WAS LIKE THIS FOLKS..

Either you liked Jay or you didn’t! Although there are those that will credit Jay this week in print and on air for the success of Showtime Championship Boxing and their Sho Box series, the truth of the matter is that he deserves little or no credit for the turnaround. Larkin left in 2005 when ratings were pitiful. Only since his departure did Showtime boxing become the best on TV today.

BURIAL IN ELMONT, NEW YORK

According to Wikipedia, Larkin said the most difficult time he ever had in his career was the Nigel Benn-Gerald McClellan fight of 1995, which crippled Gerald and nearly ended his life. Services were today at Beth David Cemetery in Elhurt, NY. Jay Larkin was 59 years old. In addion to his wife, Jay is survived by two sons.

Pedro Fernandez

CHEATING AGAINST A CHEATER WAS OK?

A good number of you, some narcissistic, think that it was OK to cheat against Mosley because he had used illegal drugs in order to enhance his performance in barely winning on points against Oscar De La Hoya in 2003.

AFTER ADMITTING STEROIDS, SHANE LIED FOR YEARS

Mosley knowingly used EPO (blood doping) prior to the fight, and admitted such in a videotaped deposition. I’ll get back to Mosley in a minute. A number of baseball players, even Alex Rodriguez, who had for years denied any steroid use, were forced to admit to their using performance enhancing drugs. This past week he hit home run #600 as the Yankee fans and the baseball media lauded him for the accomplishment.

CHEATING IS OK? CHEATING IS NOT OK?

Which is it? Rodriguez, Mark McGwire and other MLB players, they should have been booted out of baseball for cheating. But like Jose Canseco said, “Then you’d have to throw out about half or more of the players.” Mosley, he threatened me with lawsuits through his attorney Judd Burstein, denying he had ever taken any steroids or EPO, even though he had admitted his usage before the BALCO grand jury, testimony to which I was privy to.

JUDD’S A “LITTLE MAN” BUT WHAT ABOUT SHANE?

Mosley, who is going to fight Sergio Mora next, he is a bit of a creep in my mind. After costing me press credentials and sponsorship money, all the while lying through his teeth, Mosley was forced to admit he was a “serial liar.” If he had half a glass of class, he would have called and said, “Pedro, I ***** you over, I’m sorry.” For his usage and denial, I thought Shane should have been banned. Now at 38, he is still fighting because he was KO’d by ex-wife Jin Mosley in a divorce settlement.

MOSLEY LIKE ARUM? “LYING YESTERDAY, TELLING THE TRUTH TODAY!”

Not only did the results of Shane Mosley’s post De La Hoya II fight urine sample get destroyed in what was a “timely” manner for him, Burstein had Mosley take a Polygraph test that he passed. Let me spell this out to you so there is no mistakes in what I am saying. Burstein “hand picked” a Polygraph examiner who asked Shane was asked if he had ever knowingly taken banned performance enhancing drugs? He said, “No” and the lie detector machine that Lil’ Judd had arranged said Shane was telling the truth, when we know he wasn’t!

In this filmed 2009 deposition, Mosley admits under oath to knowingly taking EPO. That he did indeed know what it was before he took it. To that end, there is no doubt.

AMERICANS CHEAT & SMILE DOING SO!

What I was trying to get to here is that cheating is very much accepted in the United States. I can’t think of one baseball player that used and paid for it besides the idiotic Cuban born Rafael Palmeiro, who accused Congress of a witch hunt, denying his usage and then testing positive just a short time later. They ran him out of baseball on a rail. Barry Bonds, he too has been vanquished from MLB after his run with the Giants ended. The all time home run* leader is still facing Perjury charges relating to his sworn testimony.

ALEX BEING HAILED AS “GREATEST* OF ALL TIME?

Although there are two examples of apparent cheaters who are through with baseball, guys like Alex Rodriguez are currently the toast of the league. In closing, Americans not only cheat in sports, they are greatly rewarded for doing so. The current testing system for MLB has hoops that Sigfried & Roy’s crazed white tiger (the one that bit him) could jump through. Although I do think using PED use is scary in boxing, the use of EPO and or steroids or agents of such in any sport is reprehensible.

NOT THE EXCEPTION TO CHEAT, RATHER THE RULE

If there was any morality or integrity here in the United States, if we operated on anything but the concept of money rules, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig would have suspended everyone involved and put asterisks in the record books. In my mind, this was worse for the game than the 1919 Black Sox throwing the World Series. But like so many things that are wrong about the American way of life, money prevailed over what is right!

Pedro Fernandez

Oakland, CA- Anderson Silva 184.5 lbs, Curitiba, Brazil  SUB 5 Chael Sonnen 185, Portland, OR After months of running his mouth, Chael Sonnen (24-11-1, 7 KOs, 3 SUBs) backed up every bit of what he said he would do and then some-until the fifth and final round.  After being absolutely decimated with ground and pound for more than twenty minutes, Silva (27-4, 15 KOs, 5 SUBs) slapped on a triangle choke out of nowhere causing Sonnen to tap.  It was most likely looking to head for a shutout victory for Sonnen up until the last few minutes of the fight when Silva through up the desperation triangle choke that earned him the win. A very impressive showing by both guys, but in the end, the champion Silva still reigns supreme.

ALVES WAS A MESS SATURDAY NIGHT

Jon Fitch, 170.5, Fort Wayne, IN UD 3 Thiago Alves, 171.5 Coconut Creek, FL by way of Fortaleza, Brazil.  It is bad enough when a fighter such as Alves (16-7, 10 KOs, 1 SUB) is willing to give up a fifth of his purse rather than even attempt to drop ½ pound to make weight, its even worse for such a fighter if he is that drained AND is facing the ultimate grinder, Jon Fitch (23-3, 4 KOs, 5 SUBs).  Alves seemed quite lackluster and Fitch simply pushed the pace, controlled the action and wore Alves out.  A good win for Fitch as he takes one step closer to another title shot.

Clay Guida, 156, Chicago, IL  SUB 3 Rafael dos Anjos, 156, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  As always, Clay Guida (27-11, 4 KOs, 14 SUBs) put on an exciting performance and ultimately was able to grind out a win after somewhat of a rocky start to the bout.  It seems that although dos Anjos (14-5, 1 KO, 7 SUBs) was getting the better of it in the first stanza, Guida was able to injure the Brazilian’s jaw in a first round exchange, which ended up being the determining factor in the fight.  By the third round, Guida had worn down dos Anjos and had him pinned against the cage on the canvas while applying pressure with his shoulder on the already injured mandible causing dos Anjos to eventually tap.

Matt Hughes, 170.5, Hillsboro, IL SUB 1 Ricardo Almeida, 170.5, Weehawken, NJ.  It didn’t take long for Matt Hughes (45-7, 16 KOs, 19 SUBs) to show he isn’t done yet by choking out highly accomplished Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Almeida (12-4, 5 SUBs).  As the fight began, Almeida seemed to be edging Hughes in the standup until Hughes connected with a perfectly placed left hook that sent Almeida to the canvas.  Hughes rushed his man and slapped on a front headlock that he worked into a choke until Almeida was sent to bed early.  A very impressive win for the still dangerous future hall of famer Matt Hughes.

Junior dos Santos, 240, Salvador, Brazil UD 3 Roy Nelson, 263, Las Vegas, NV.  The Brazilian striker dos Santos (12-1, 8 KOs, 3 SUBs) made Roy Nelson (15-5, 8 KOs, 4 SUBs) look…well the way Nelson looks-bad.  Dos Santos rocked Nelson several times in all three rounds but could not seem to put the resilient beer bellied Nelson away and instead had to settle for a unanimous decision win.  To Nelson’s credit, he hung in there showing a lot of heart and landed a few shots himself.

Matt “All Meat” Grizzle

HBO FIGHTS OFFERED NO REAL DRAMA

St. Louis, MO- Devon Alexander (138.75 lbs) Saint Louis, MO UD 12 Andriy Kotelnik (139.5) Hamburg, Germany (IBF/WBC 140 lb. titles) Inspired by fighting at home, Alexander (21-0, 13 KOs) came out throwing combinations and flurries at Kotelnik, (31-4-1, 13 KOs) who while he was willing to match Alexander’s pace, the German based fighter was just not as accurate. As the fight progressed Kotelnik began to land the cleaner shot’s, however couldn’t match Alexander’s punch production. In this offensive minded fight surprisingly neither fighter was knocked down nor seriously hurt, although Alexander was the recipient of a small cut over his right eye from an accidental butt in round number four. After 12 all three cards were 116-112 or 8-4 in rounds.

HAS THE “SPINKS” NAME RAN IT’S COURSE?

Cornelius Bundrage (153.5) Detroit, MI KO 5 Cory Spinks (153.5) St. Louis, MO (IBF 154 lb. title) A part of TV’s The Contender show, Cornelius (30-4-2, 18KOs) pulled off a mild upset here. Cory, the son of Leon Spinks and nephew of Michael Spinks, both former World heavyweight champions has had a good run. That being said, the always not-so entertaining Spinks might contemplate getting another job.

CLOUD DECISIONS OLD GATEKEEPER

Tavoris Cloud (174.5 lbs) Tallahassee, FL UD 12 Glen Johnson (173 lbs) Miami, FL (IBF 175 lb title) Cloud, (21-0, 18 KOs) who was stunned midway through the second round by the 41 year old Johnson, (50-14-2, 34 KOs) returned the favor in the fifth. A left hook staggered Johnson, and while he looked finished, Glen came back strong for the sixth. Cloud had his best round in the eighth and for some reason he then took off the ninth. A cut over the left eye in the tenth didn’t prevent Cloud’s youth from rolling over the tiring ex-champ. Although a bit one-sided, after 12 entertaining rounds a fitting score of 116-112 across the board was read.

Friday, August 6, 2010

ESPN 2 TAKES THEIR ACT TO “WINDY CITY”

Chicago, IL-Patrick Lopez (140) Londonderry, NH TKO 3 Prenice Brewer (139) Cleveland, OH. Lopez, (20-2, 12 KOs) exposes the padded record of  Brewer, (15-1-1, 6 KOs) as he dominates his inexperienced foe.  It was all Lopez until the rout was called off 2:38 of the third.

SHO BOX CARD DELIVERS FROM MINNESOTA

Hinckley, MN- Christopher Martin, (120) Chula Vista, CA SD 10 Chris Avalos (118), Lancaster, CA. Martin, (19-0-2, 5 KOs) an unknown, but undefeated entity scored a shocking upset win over the world ranked Avalos (16-1, 13 KOs).  Martin, fined for being two pounds over the contracted weight, earned the win by scores of 98-92 and 97-93. 

JUDGE “JOHN MARIANO” SHOULD NEVER WORK AGAIN!

The third outrageous card of John Mariano read 98-94 for Avalos, who was not only beaten clearly in seven or eight rounds, but was wobbled in the final seconds of the bout. It is time to start “weeding” out the inept, Mariano a judge of 27 years, with this score, is a great place to start!

THIS ESCALERA NOT LIKE THE ONE ARGUELLO FOUGHT

Lateef Kayode (198.5 lbs) Hollywood, CA TKO 9 Alredo Escalera Jr. (199 lbs), San Juan, Puerto Rico. Kayode, (13-0, 12 KOs) who is trained by the man with the golden touch Freddie Roach, was in control the entire fight with Escalera Jr., (18-3-1, 12 KOs).  After being dropped at the end round eight, Escalera had seen enough as the official time was 2:59 of the ninth. His father Alfredo Escalera Sr. had a pair of epic battles at 130 lbs. with the late Alexis Arguello.

Edwin “Ace” Ayala

San Francisco, CA- There appears to be a detachment from reality when it comes to Manny Pacquiao fighting Antonio Margarito. I will first address the wonderful people of the Philippines. Look below at the picture of Billy Collins. This is what Margarito was going to try and do to Shane Mosley. What if Margarito had been fighting the great Flash Elorde, hell Manny Pacquiao for that matter, would reasonable Pinoys/Pinays still think he should be allowed to box again?

HONORABLE PINOYS HERE & ABROAD NEED TO SPEAK UP!

Manny Pacquiao is the best fighter in boxing today. Having beaten everybody convincingly, with the exception of Juan Manuel Marquez, Manny Pacquiao is a boxing God that doesn’t need his name associated with the currently defrocked Antonio Margarito. Natives and Phil-Am’s alike, you need to show some balls as well and instead of accepting anything Manny does, let him know the Margarito fight is wrong!

FILIPINO FANS STRONG ENOUGH TO MAKE ARUM DO RIGHT THING

Manny doesn’t seem to have the cojones to step up here and tell Massa’ Bob Arum that what Margarito did was morally reprehensible, and he won’t fight him because he is now a Philippine Congressman and a man of elevated principles. Therefore I suggest you all discuss this at Pacland.com and address the issue.

MEXICAN FANS NEED TO WALK AWAY FROM TONY

Look again at the picture of Billy Collins here. The victim of loaded gloves back in 1983, what if Margarito had done this to the great Julio Cesar Chavez, or maybe Carlos Zarate? Can’t you see the hypocrisy Bob Arum is forcing down the throat of the Mexican people? The Mexcian fight fans, they too are powerful enough to have impact on the admitted Felon with offices on Howard Hughes Parkway in Las Vegas, Massa’ Bob Arum.

Take a good look!

HARD TO UNDERSTAND SULAIMAN A LOT OF TIMES

WBC Prez Jose Sulaiman is working hand and hand with Arum to make Margarito-Pacquiao happen. Of everything that has transpired, gone back and forth, this bothers me the most as I hold Senor Sulaiman in higher regards than most people I know. I watched him feed hungry old fighters, buy groceries for those in need, hell, he sent me to Nicaragua for what Tim Smith of the NY Daily News said, “saved Alexis‘ (Arguello) life” from drugs in 1999.

SULAIMAN, SHOW ME THE INTEGRITY PLEASE?

And while I have a better chance of being run over by pink elephants, I think that Sulaiman should put the money aside and focus on what is best for boxing. Outside of Margarito and Arum making millions, there is the question of right and wrong. That being said, a lot of people are wrong here, but will the voices of honest Filipinos and Mexicans be drowned out by the man who said, “I was lying yesterday, but today I’m telling the truth,” Bob Arum. Or have the guts to speak up for what is right and what is wrong!

Pedro Fernandez

San Francisco, CA- In his weekend preview, the astute John Signorella, working with a few different sources, reported that Floyd Mayweather would be in St. Louis on Saturday night for the HBO card headlined by Devon Alexander. Within hours, Don King Productions issued a press release confirming that Mayweather would in fact be present.

MAYWEATHER “ON THE RECORD” ABOUT TESTS & PAC

According to these same sources, Mayweather will get some TV time in which he will attempt to further tarnish the image of Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao. Mayweather’s stance will be that the fight is off until Pacquiao agrees to “random DRUG testing.”

ARUM KNOWS MANNY LOSES WITH FLOYD

The bottom line appears to be that Manny Pacquiao, judged on his fights with common foe Juan Manuel Marquez, is no match speed and style wise with Mayweather. That is why his unscrupulous promoter Bob Arum has been posturing in the manner he has of late in trying to make a fight with a creep in Antonio Marga-cheato, Floyd licks Manny like a stamp!

New York, NY– Possessing unified titles at jr. welterweight (140 lbs), IBF and WBC champion Devon “Alexander the Great” Alexander (20-0, 13 KOS) will be in defense of his belts against savvy former WBA strap carrier Adriyan Kotelnik (31-3, 13 KOs) over 12 rounds (or less) at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri tomorrow night at 10 PM ET topping an HBO Championship Boxing card.

“THE GREAT” WORKING BEING AT PERFECT

Unblemished against solid opposition as a professional fighter, Devon Alexander has done everything asked of him and continues his quest to impress. Throughout his six-year career, Devon has virtually dominated every foe that has stepped up to the challenge. Originally crafted as a boxer, to add to his forte, Alexander recently has acquired “lights out” type of power to his already established arsenal. A successful night on Saturday could possibly pit Alexander in a fight that people want to see against Timothy Bradley.

DOUBLE OR NOTHING FOR FORMER CHAMP

Come this Saturday, during his 10-year tenure, world warrior Adriyan Kotelnik will be boxing on American soil for the first time. Prior, Kotelnik has shared experiences throwing hands with decent opposition, and even managed a win against current belt holder Marcos Maidana (W UD 12). However, Adriyan has failed a higher level against Amir Khan (L UD 12). After losing the title to Kahn,  unknown former belt holder Kotelnik, with a win on Saturday, is in a rare position of earning a chance at coming out better then he came in, as he tries to pick up two belts after losing one.

JAMAICAN GATEKEEPER MEETS LATEST RAGE

Unbeaten IBF light heavyweight (175) powerhouse slugger Travis Cloud (28-0, 18 KOs) takes seasoned veteran former champion Glen Johnson (50-13-2, 34 KOs) for 12 scheduled rounds.

WILL MAYWEATHER APPEAR WITH KING DON?

One source said that Floyd Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) was going to make an appearance with Don King, who is promoting his first card on HBO in quite a long time. If Mayweather gets TV time, he is expected to dog Manny Pacquiao for refusing “random drug” testing and fighting Antonio Margarito. Should Floyd indeed show up, it would bring some additional intrigue to the 10 PM ET broadcast.

ESPN MATCHES “HOT & COLD” WITH “COLD” TONIGHT!

The man that flatted current champ Amir Khan in just 54 seconds of round number one just two years back, streaky combatant Breidis Prescott (22-2, 19 KOs) attempts to get back in the talent rich jr. welterweight picture as he takes on a “put through the ringer” far too many times scrapper Harrison Cuello (19-12-3, 14 KOs) over ten proposed rounds at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois, tonight on ESPN 2 at 9 PM ET.

STOP THE PRESSES AS SHO BOX RETURNS!

After a near month absence, the critically acclaimed series ShoBox returns with a bang when devastating punch bully Chris Avalos (16-0, 13 KOs) throws hands with unbested, but untested pug Christopher Martin (18-0-2, 5 KOs) over 10 scheduled rounds in the bantamweight (118) division at the Grand Casino in Hinckley, Minnesota, tonight at 11 PM on Showtime.

John Signorella

San Francisco, CA- With his HBO date tomorrow night, one of the fighters most avoided today, Devon Alexander, speaks his mind on his upcoming match and the fight that he really wants with fellow jr. welter Tim Bradley.

Ring Talk (RT) – On the line from his training camp, I don’t know exactly where that is but he is the current undefeated world 140 lb. champion, I’m talking about Devon Alexander. Mr. Alexander, a very good evening to you sir.
Devon Alexander (DA) – Good evening how ya’ doing?

RT – I’m doing alright.
DA – Thanks for having me on!

RT – You sound excited, you sound juiced.
DA – Yeah I’m (expletive) always excited.

RT – Now listen, you and Tim Bradley, I mean both of you guys are with HBO and for some reason you guys can’t get in the ring. Somebody had an opponent fall out and they could’ve get this fight together, is this fight gonna happen at 140 lbs? I mean that is basically the fight most fans want to see you and Tim Bradley.
DA – Well you know Timothy Bradley knows me from the amateurs, we all grew up together and like I said I’m willing to fight Timothy Bradley on July 17^th. Cause I’m always in the gym and I’m always ready. It’s not up to me, it’s not up to my manager, and it’s not up to my promoter. I told my promoter and I told my manager that I will fight Timothy Bradley whenever he signs, it’s not up to me, and it’s up to Bradley. He say, you know he’s not gonna fight me for $800,000. It’s not up to me, it’s up to Tim. He wants to play like he wants three million dollars to fight, so it’s up to him.

RT – Devon Alexander is our guest folks, he is the undefeated 140 lb. world champion, who needs to meet Tim Bradley to find out who is supreme at 140. OK, so what is your background, where are you from?
DA – I’m from St. Louis, Missouri, born and raised. Now I train out of Las Vegas, whenever I get a fight coming up we go out to Vegas to train in the mountains.

RT – Let me tell you about East St. Louis, I went to St. Louis a few years ago to do a television story with my cameraman Favio Flores and we needed to go to the mean streets of East St. Louis to shoot some video to do some background on Cory Spinks, who was then the defending champion. Man those were some rough streets, some of the roughest I’ve ever been on.
DA – Aw man, rough? You gotta think of another word for rough, it’s like too dangerous. You go outside and something is bound to happen that’s how dangerous the streets was In East St. Louis you never know what’s gonna happen, that’s why you supposed stay to yourself. Try to stay out of harms way and the places you aunt supposed to be in. like they say you can be in the wrong place at the wrong time. And you got alot of places in St. Louis like that.

RT – Ok what can we expect from this Andriy Kotelnik, are you fighting him, is that signed and sealed or what.
DA – Yes it is signed and sealed, I’m going to be facing Andriy Kotelnik on August 7th here at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis. It’s going to be a good fight, he’s not gonna be a cakewalk for me cause he’s gonna come to fight because I think he got it in his contract with Don King that if he can beat me he can get a rematch with Amir Khan that’s what Don promised him, so he’s gonna come to fight. But me I train 100% for every fight, I take nobody for granted. So I’m gonna come in in shape and it’s gonna be a good fight.

RT – Ok Amir Khan, tall and lanky, he can punch a little bit are you concerned with him, is he a serious threat or what.
DA – Oh no, he’s not a serious threat. I mean I see alot of flaws. He’s an OK fighter, but with me all I gotta do is see a guy fight one time and I figure out what his weakness is and what I can beat him with. Amir Khan he got a nice jab but other than that I don’t think he has any skills. He fought Paul Malignagggi with feather fists that couldn’t punch; of course he should look good against a guy like that. Put him in with a guy with skills and can punch a little bit and we’ll see he reacts to that.

RT – And that is Devon Alexander, I wish you all the best my brother. Thank you so much.
DA – Thank you my friend.

“Ring Talk Worldwide” Archives

Oakland, CA- Anybody who has ever paid any attention to Chael Sonnen’s (24-10-1, 7 KOs, 3 SUBs) career knows he is a fighter with a lot to say about a lot of things.  Sonnen has made it clear in the months leading up to his title shot against seemingly invincible middleweight champ (185 lbs) Anderson Silva (26-4, 15 KOs, 4 SUBs) that he plans on taking the fight to the Brazilian phenom.  Although still a considerable betting underdog, the bookies appear to be giving Sonnen more of a shot than most of the latest string of title challengers that have fallen to Silva-and rightfully so.

CHAEL CAN WRESTLE WITH THE BEST

To determine if Sonnen really does have a chance, one must first look at what he brings to the cage.  He is a fantastic wrestler, rivaling Georges St. Pierre (20-2, 8 KOs, 5 SUBs) in his takedown follow through, and he possesses fierce tenacity and desire.  He seems more than focused on capturing the title Saturday, and has been on a destructive path as of late dominating the likes of Yushin Okami (25-5, 9 KOs, 4 SUBs) and Nate Marquardt (29-9-2, 7 KOs, 15 SUBs).  In some ways, it seems when Sonnen is focused, he can be just as unbeatable as Silva.

ANDERSON WON’T HAVE TO LOOK FOR CHAEL

On the other hand Sonnen has been susceptible to submissions in the past, something that the lanky Silva is surely aware of.   That being said, I really feel that Sonnen has the style to dominate Silva with superior position; constantly taking the Spider to the ground.  For his part, Silva’s best bet is to look for a submission from the bottom as I don’t think he will be given the breathing room and respect on the feet he has enjoyed in the past.

THE UNPREDICTABLE WORLD OF MMA

It wasn’t long ago that I penned an article on how the UFC divisions could possibly be locked down by dominate champions.  Since then, two have already fallen; those being light heavyweight (205) champ Lyoto Machida (16-1, 5 KOs, 2 SUBs) to Shogun Rua (19-4, 16 KOs, 1 SUB) and lightweight (155) titlist B.J. Penn (15-6-1, 6 KOs, 6 SUBs) to Frankie Edgar (12-1, 2 KOs, 3 SUBs).  On top of that, heavyweight (265) champ Brock Lesnar (5-1, 2 KOs, 2 SUBs) was nearly dethroned in the first round of his bout with then undefeated Shane Carwin (12-1, 7 KOs, 5 SUBs). Come Saturday night will we see a third title reign come to an end or will the Spider keep his perfect UFC record?

UNDERCARD LOOKS AS SOLID AS THEY COME!

The rest of the card for UFC 117 is stacked with premium bouts including Jon Fitch (22-3, 4 KOs, 5 SUBs) battling Thiago Alves (16-6, 10 KOs, 1 SUB) in a welterweight (170) rematch of their 2006 bout in which Fitch won via TKO, and the continuing comeback of Matt Hughes (44-7, 16 KOs, 18 SUBs) as he takes on Ricardo Almeida (12-3, 5 SUBs).  Also on the card, the always exciting Clay Guida (26-11, 4 KOs, 13 SUBs) will square off against Rafael dos Anjos (14-4, 1 KO, 7 SUBs) and The Ultimate Fighter Season 10 winner Roy “Big Country” Nelson (15-4, 8 KOs, 4 SUBs) may have bitten off more than even he can chew as he battles Junior dos Santos (11-1, 8 KOs, 3 SUBs) in a heavyweight clash.  Don’t miss all the action LIVE this Saturday night on Pay-Per-View!

Matt “All Meat” Grizzle

San Francisco, CA- Every once in a while I have to break things down so that the most narrow minded individual can comprehend what they are reading. That being said, this is one of those times.

1. Drug Testing: Manny Pacquiao has done things that can make an objective person think he is on EPO or some other Performance Enhancing Drugs. His ascension in weight is not so impossible to fathom. No, the manner in which he has performed at his highest weight of 147, that’s where he is defying physiology, history, as well as logic. To get stronger against naturally bigger men in the eighth or ninth round as he’s done, that bothers me most. And while some of you might attribute that to intense training, can you truly say that with a straight face?

PACQUIAO ACTIONS MAKE PEOPLE THINK CHEATER!

Although I believe in “random” testing of all fighters today, that is not financially feasible. But it is for Manny Pacquiao. Even some “die hard” Filipino fans, yes there are many Pac fans who are not delusional and are questioning his decision to not submit to random testing.

In closing, the fight with Floyd Mayweather would have happened in March had Pacquiao simply agreed to random testing. He would not!

2. Fighting Antonio Margarito

Billy Collins: This is what Margarito was trying to do.

I bring you this picture of Billy Collins here in order to try and illustrate why Antonio Margarito was going to try and do to Shane Mosley. The “blocks” he was caught with, one was already wrapped inside his hand wrap, the second was found on his trainer Javier Capiello. Attempting to or using something like this in a fight is the most despicable act one can commit in boxing. This crime mandates and calls for Capital Punishment for Margarito, which in this forum means banning him for life! For the Mexican fans willing to attend a Margarito fight, have you no pride, decency, or regard for fair play? Or does that Narco-Terrorist mentality that controls Mexico, is this the sentiments of the masses, to cheat, steal, and kill?

3. Congressional Ethics- I cannot understand why a man of Pacquiao’s stature, a Congressman in his native Philippines, one of the most in demand and exciting fighters today, a man supposedly in control of his own destiny, why would he even want to be associated with a low-life piece of s*it like Antonio Margarito? Why indeed?

ARUM WAS ALL FOR BANNING & JAILING RESTO & CO.

I know promoter Bob Arum doesn’t have any pride or ethics. This self-admitted Felon railed hard for trainer Panama Lewis and fighter Luis Resto to not only be banned, but put in prison for what they did to Collins above. Now that Margarito, his guy was caught attempting to pull a Resto-Lewis like move, Arum says we’re just biased against poor Tony Margarito because he’s Mexican.

Pedro Fernandez

New York, NY- In the wake of a second round of failed negotiations with Floyd Mayweather Jr., Manny Pacquiao (51-3-2 38 KOs) appears set to face disgraced pugilist Antonio Margarito (38-6 27 KOs). At first glance this might seem like another great match up where the Pacman can continue to elevate his status as an all time great. But under further inspection, there are simply too many things wrong with this bout to ignore. Outside of the match up itself, there a strong putrid stench about this spectacle is tolerable to some fans but should equally turn others completely off. Here are a few reasons why:

WHY FIGHT MARGA-CHEATO ANYWAY?

Besides being 5’11” (Pac turned down Yuri Foreman for having this height) and five inches taller than Manny, another thing puzzling about this match up is Margarito’s status in the sport. Margarito was stripped of his license in 2009 when he tried to use a plaster like substance in his hand wraps against Shane Mosley. Some in the boxing world believe that he should be banned for life for attempting such a nefarious act. Ironically, on the night Margarito faced Mosley, it appears that the phrase, ‘cheaters never win’ was appropriate as he lost his first bout by KO as Mosley routed him into submission. But now, that sentiment has been flipped on it’s head as Margarito has secured a fight with the most beloved boxer in the world despite not having a license or a venue that will allow him to perform due to his lack of licensing form California or more importantly, Nevada.

PAC CREATING YET “ANOTHER” WEIGHT CLASS

Am I the only one to find it very odd that Antonio Margarito and Manny will be fighting for a title? Neither fighter is ranked at the 154 lb division and Antonio just made a return to the division in his last fight (he spent the majority of career at welterweight). What makes this ‘title bout’ even more ludicrous is the fact that it will actually be fought for at a catch weight of 150 lbs. This will be the second time that Manny Pacquiao has fought for a title at a catch weight – The first being against Miguel Cotto at 145 instead of 147. There is a lot of politics and bureaucracy in boxing, but this is one of the more blatant abuses of power we’ve seen in a while.

PAC DEFIES LOGIC IN UNIMPEDED FASHION

With catch weights and politics involved, it would not be unrealistic to see Manny Pacquiao become heavyweight (200 lb.) champion of the world. And although doing it and keep an amazingly sculpted frame would seem irrational, Manny has the secret get it done. Since Manny doesn’t appear to be interested in proving to his detractors that he is indeed ‘void of roids’, speculation is allowed to continue. This position unfortunately leaves a shadow of doubt cast over his career in the eyes of many. Honestly, one of the easiest ways to counter the Floyd Mayweather Sr. inspired insinuation that he is on drugs would be to simply implement Olympic style testing for himself and Antonio Margarito. But in it’s own way, that would also defy logic.

LOGIC DOESN’T APPLY WITH PACMAN

With Margarito’s career in shambles I wonder if we can expect him to give the type of performance worthy of the stage. Will he be the unrelenting beast who eventually broke the will of Miguel Cotto, or the punching bag that got the stuffing beat out of him by Shane Mosley? If Margarito were to win this fight, it would he not only an upset but also a shock to the boxing world. It would also take any remnants of steam left out of the public interest in a Mayweather-Pacqauiao match. If Manny wins (as should be expected) he will once again have beat up a bigger man than the last guy he beat up. There’s nothing more to it than that, except the rest of the irrational and foul circumstances that will make this strange bout a reality. For the sake of boxing, hopefully there will be very few of these circus events in the near future.

Jarrad Woods

San Diego, CA- Jon Jones, 206 lbs, Rochester, NY TKO 1 Vladimir Matyushenko, 206, Retchisa, Belarus (24-5, 7 KOs, 7 SUBs).  The dynamic Jones (11-1, 7 KOs, 2 SUBs) was quick to let Matyushenko know that he is the real deal as he blasted the Belarus native out in less than two minutes.  Jones capitalized on a takedown and gained great position which allowed him to unleash vicious unanswered elbows until referee Herb Dean stepped in and stopped the beating.

EXPERIENCED OKAMI NOTCHES WIN

Yushin Okami, 185, Kanagawa, Japan SD 3 Mark Munoz, 185, Sacramento, CA.  Try as he might, Munoz (8-2, 4 KOs, 1 SUB) just could not seem to secure a solid takedown on Okami (25-5, 9 KOs, 4 SUBs).  On the rare occasion he was able to get Okami down, it was for only a second or two as Okami would pop right back up.  Although Munoz dropped his man once in the second round, it was Okami who got the better of the stand up game throughout the bout.

TOUGH GUY HOWARD SUFFERS SETBACK

Jake Ellenberger, 170.5, Omaha, NE TKO 3 John Howard, 170.5, Boston, MA.  Although Howard’s (14-5, 4 KOs, 6 SUBs) win streak came to an end, he showed a lot of heart and determination fighting through a horribly swollen eye until the fight was stopped at the suggestion of the ringside physician.  Ellenberger (23-5, 15 KOs, 5 SUBs) seemed to have gotten the better of the fight until the stoppage as he was able to score with takedowns and effective ground and pound in the first two rounds of the fight.

BROTHER OF FOREST GRIFFIN DRILLED!

Takanori Gomi, 156, Tokyo, Japan KO 1 Tyson Griffin, 154, Santa Rosa, CA.  The fireball kid Gomi (32-6, 12 KOs, 6 SUBs) wasted little time in dispatching the very tough Griffin (14-4, 6 KOs, 3 SUBs) to start things off Sunday night.  Both guys began the fight trading shots but it was Gomi whose dynamite laced fists landed flush first.  The bout was over just a few ticks past the first minute mark giving Gomi his first UFC victory.

Matt “All Meat” Grizzle

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