Is Manny Pacquiao Praying This Gay Thing Will Go Away?

San Francisco, CA- Yesterday and today, the Internet, huge news sites, as well as those involved with boxing have taken Manny Pacquiao to task for his reportedly saying, “All Gay Men Should Be Killed.” Pacquiao did not come right out and deny these charges, nor did his promoter Bob Arum. Instead, they went into “Damage Control” mode.

PACQUIAO HAS SAID SO MANY STUPID THINGS!

The “heat” that Pacquiao has been taking is almost unprecedented in boxing annals. I mean, Floyd Mayweather says stupid things, but he doesn’t quote the bible or side with a belief that there should be a Holocaust on Gay men and Lesbian women. Oh I forgot, like a majority of men who abhor Gay men having the same Civil Rights that heterosexual males have, Manny didn’t indicate he had a problem copping a free peek of “girl on girl” sex at YouPorn.com or any of the other free pornographic sites.

ON CONDOMS, HOW MANY PEOPLE DID MANNY KILL?

When the most decorated athlete in Philippine history came out over a year ago and said that, “Using a condom was a sin,” I was the only writer who spoke about the impact of his comments. First of all, the guy doesn’t use condoms, for if he did he would not have at least one child out of wedlock. The fact that the mother has to go to the media begging for “child support,” this again illustrated Pacquiao’s shortcomings as a man.

IF ONE PERSON DIED, THEN MANNY’S A KILLER!

Pacquiao is a Philippine Congressman who spent in excess of $5 million U.S. dollars to get less than 300,000 votes. If you do the math, that’s like $25 bucks a vote. It was after getting elected and before his bastard child was revealed that Pacquiao issued the “condom is a sin” statement. Forget about the unwanted pregnancies, if one person, out of the millions of people that worship Pacquiao in a God-like manner, if just one of them contracted a sexually transmitted disease and died as a result, that to me means Manny Pacquiao is responsible for the death!

DID WRITER RECANT OR JUST FALL ON HIS SWORD?

Earlier today, the writer involved in this “Manny Pacquiao Says All Gay Men Should Die,” issued a half-ass statement that appeared to me to lack true merit. Having been a writer who has printed things people have said, and been asked to retract or clean it up, (see Damage Control) I refused to fall on my sword because somebody said something asinine. If you carefully read the verbiage, you almost got the impression that Top Rank publicist Lee Samuels was on the phone telling this clown what to write.

TRUTH CAN BE HARMFUL TO WRITER’S HEALTH

Having been writing for others since Richard Nixon was the United States President, I can say that “writing news,” especially of a controversial manner, you come to find out that people in general, especially those in power, don’t want the truth to come out. Bob Arum can call any writer in the world, with the exception of me, and put forth the notion that Manny didn’t and wouldn’t say the things he was accused of.

ARUM DIDN’T CALL ESPN OR CNN!

Instead of going to the NY Times or Las Vegas Yahoo! Sports scribe Kevin Iole, Arum reached out to Michael Marley, once the best writer on the fight beat when he was with the NY Post, who is now just a guy imitating the real Michael Marley.

PACQUIAO IS A RELIGIOUS FANATIC!

Like Mitt “Raw Money” Romney firing one of his top campaign aides a fortnight ago who is Gay, that was because he’s pandering to the religious right in this country, hoping they would excuse his being a Mormon and vote for him instead of the Black guy that’s in favor of Gay Civil Rights. Manny is the religious right!

NOBODY, NOBODY WAS SCREAMING DENIAL!

Folks, instead of holding a major press conference to deny these allegations, Manny was holed up in his Los Angeles compound, where again, and this only seems to happen when Manny Pacquiao is involved, it was so quiet you could hear a mouse piss on a wad of cotton in his garage.

RELIGION’S KILLED MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE!

We live in a world where people will blow themselves and hundreds of others into pieces under the pretence that they are doing God’s work. More people have died in the name of the Jesus Christ, the Lord, Mohammad, Allah, etc., there are others, but truth be told more men and women have died because of religion than for any other reason.

PACQUIAO IS NO MENTAL GIANT!

Look, let’s be honest Pacquiao has what amounts to about an eighth grade education here in the U.S., and I might be overstating that. He says things that are harmful to society in general, like the condom thing, and he pops off about homosexuals and Gay marriage. Who the **** is Manny Pacquiao, and what gives him the audacity to say anything of that ilk?

MOST FILIPINOS & I AGREE ON ONE THING!

I concur with a vast majority of the Filipino people who wish Manny Pacquiao would just stick to boxing, forget about politics, and oh yeah, just shut the **** up about anything other than boxing!

Pedro Fernandez

Yuri Gamboa

San Francisco, CA- White Cubans, particularly those in Florida are one of the strongest political forces in this country. Unlike their fellow but Black countrymen, White Cubans do not feel the wrath of discrimination here that those with nappy hair do. It has always been that way, and it doesn’t look like it’ll change, not in my lifetime anyway.

FIDEL CASTRO OUTLASTS SEVEN U.S. PRESIDENTS

While I know this will probably get me in “hot water” with my former writer turned political columnist, Frances “The Fight Chick” Martel, Cuba hasn’t done any harm to the United States, even though the “out of control” Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has been plotting to assassinate the Cuban leader since 1959. Every other country in the world has trade with Cuba, except the United States of America. Why? Because of the power of those White Cubans in Florida!

CUBAN FIGHTERS LIKE BLACKS ON PLANTATION!

In recent years, we have seen a good many Cuban athletes come to the United States and prosper. Baseball players, they have made out the best, while some Soccer (Futbol) players have enjoyed marginal success. But you can’t find one Cuban boxer who has reaped seven figure bounties in the USA. Even though the Cuban’s have put forth the best amateur boxing teams in the last quarter century.

TAKE THE CASE OF ERISLANDY LARA

Erislandy Lara

JUST IN CASE YOU FORGOT!

Givens gave it to Paul Williams by two points, Whitaker had the beaten to a pulp Williams up by one, while Bennett called the fight even. it will go down in history as one of the most absolute heists in boxing history, certainly of the 21st century. Even Williams’ promoter Dan Goossen said he would not have found any fault in the judges had they given it to Lara.

TREATING CUBAN FIGHTERS LIKE SPIT IS THE NORM!

Although manager/promoter Luis Decubas tried to do well with the original “Team Freedom” of Cuban exiles in the 1990s, getting them meaningful fights, or trying to build their records, this was not given the “sanction” of the boxing establishment. The only fighter who made anything more than a little money from that time was 1992 Olympic Gold Medalist Joel Casamayor.

LARA, GAMBOA, RIGONDEAUX TO NAME JUST THREE!

The aforementioned jr. middleweight (154 lbs) Lara, sizzling-hot WBA-IBF featherweight (126) titleholder Yuri Gamboa (21-0, 16 KOs) and WBA 122 lb. champion Guillermo Rigondeaux (9-0, 7 KOs) are probably the three hottest Cuban pugilists.

BACKSPACE TO ERISLANDY LARA

The infamous Mexican-based WBC, whether you want to call them the World of Bunko & Chicanery or the World Boxing Circus, they billed Lara’s first round knockout of Ronald (Tommy’s son) Hearns (26-3) a fortnight ago as a WBC “semi-final title eliminator.”

WHAT KIND OF “TITLE ELIMINATOR” IS THAT?

Having been in the fight game for decades, I have seen plenty of “title eliminator” bouts, but never before can I recall a “semi-final title eliminator.” Instead of becoming the mandatory challenger for Mexican WBC champion Saul Alvarez (40-0-1, 29 KOS), whom Lara could very well possibly lick right now, the WBC wants to match Alvarez with Miguel Cotto (37-3, 30 KOs) before 2012 closes out. That means Lara would, according to the Mexico City Boxing Mob, the WBC, have to fight one more title eliminator.

CAN YURI BEAT ANYBODY AROUND HIS WEIGHT?

Probably the flashiest and maybe the most talented of the current Cuban crop, Yuri Gamboa, a 126 lb. titleholder, was being asked by his promotional company Top Rank to fight Brandon Rios, a jr. welterweight, who failed in his two most recent attempts to make lightweight (135).

NOBODY SAID A CONTRACT WAS SIGNED!

Gamboa claims to have “never signed a Rios contract” and walked away from the match where he was giving up considerable size and weight. Top Rank has implied they had an “oral agreement” to fight Rios, who was beaten handily by Richard Abril last month and got an unwarranted (make that obscene) decision, Gamboa and Top Rank are in litigation.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST THERE’S RIGONDEAUX

WBA 122 lb. strongman Guillermo Rigondeaux

Guillermo Rigondeaux

DONAIRE & RIGONDEAUX FROM THE SAME HOUSE!

Donaire, who has a fight on July 7, 2012 vs. Cristian Mijares (48-6-2, 21 KOs), five years to the day since Donaire knocked then unbeaten and favored Vic Darchinyan into another time zone with a single left hook. Nonito and Rigondeaux, a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist are both promoted by Top Rank, and yet Bob Arum, who has made sure Manny Pacquiao only fight guys under his control, isn’t interested in risking Donaire against the Cuban.

CUBANS ARE TOO GOOD & ARUM IS NO GOOD!

If anything can be learned from this article, it is that the Cuban fighters are so good that they are being ducked, avoided, and most importantly in my opinion, being under promoted. Instead of doing something good for the game like matching like Donaire-Rigondeaux or Pacquiao again with Juan Manuel Marquez or Floyd Mayweather, Arum, who shares a lot of the blame for boxing’s overall decline in popularity in the United States, has Pacquaio fighting Tim “Who” Bradley, a fighter the casual sports fan knows nothing about.

Pedro Fernandez

Fitting Picture of Homophobic Pacquiao

San Francisco, CA- Although I didn’t think I’d be writing about Manny Pacquiao twice within three hours, I feel compelled to write about what a homophobic, hypocritical son of a bitch he is! I get my haircut by a Gay Filipino and have for years. I know openly Gay men of just about every ethnicity because I was born in and was a San Francisco Policeman. Last week, Pacquiao, already out of his mind because he and his promoter Bob Arum know that Floyd Mayweather will lick him like a stamp, said that, “All Gay Men Should Be Killed.”

WHAT KIND OF PERSON THAT BELIEVES IN GOD WOULD CONDONE KILLING?

An uneducated prizefighter who has infidelity issues, problems paying child support for an out of wedlock child he created, a man who is so haunted by Floyd Mayweather that he feels compelled to espouse ignorant rants because Mayweather has turned the table, one that was once in Manny’s control against him.

“THE GROVE” WOULDN’T ALLOW MANNY IN THE MALL!

While some of these so-called Born Again Christians, a variation of the Christian cult, may agree with Pacquiao, the bottom line is that when it comes to talking about killing Transsexuals and Gays, Manny Pacquiao is talking about a significant number of the Filipino populace, not to mention worldwide. While wanting to go a Los Angeles mall called “The Grove,” Pacquiao, who was supposed go live on TV with Mario Lopez, was told he was not wanted on the premises. Officially, “The Grove” put it like this. “Manny Pacquiao is not welcome at The Grove and will not be interviewed here now or in the future.”

PREJUDICE, RACISM, HOMOPHOBIA, ALL TIED TO IGNORANCE!

With more than 12% of the world and less than 25% percent homosexual or bisexual, Pacquiao has ignited a firestorm his promoter Bob Arum will not be able to extinguish. Like Louis Farrakhan’s deplorable statements about Jews on the Arsenio Hall Show, which led to the program’s cancellation, Pacquiao, who is already losing popularity worldwide for fighting Tim Bradley in June, this after saying he wanted to fight Floyd Mayweather on May 5, but he was going to jail, which didn’t happen, and Pacquiao to the shame of his fans worldwide and the Filipino people, wasn’t heard from for over a month after Mayweather was given the green light to fight May 5.

ANTI-GAY REMARKS & REFUSING TO FACE MARQUEZ AGAIN REPREHENSIBLE!

Not only did the little homophobic Filipino act as if he never said in January that he would fight Mayweather in May, but after being told that, “You need a knockout to win” before the final round against Juan Manuel Marquez last November by trainer Freddie Roach, Pacquiao was kneeling in prayer in a corner of the ring hoping for the unjust decision that was awarded him. Instead of making real headlines by fighting arch nemesis Marquez or chief antagonist Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao is talking about killing people because of their sexual preference, in addition to fighting Tim Bradley, a man most boxing fans don’t give a **** about!

WHETHER YOU WANT TO ADMIT IT OR NOT!

I’ve got a Lesbian cousin. Statistically, many of us have Gay men or Lesbian women in our family trees. That being said, I’m not a big fan of my cousin, not because she’s a lesbian, but because she’s a bitch. That being said, if Manny Pacquiao or any of his homophobic friends were to try and harm her or any Gay people period, I would take up arms and hunt down the ignorant dog that is Manny Pacquiao and put a bullet where it belongs, in his empty cranium!

Pedro Fernandez

UFC Czar Dana White

San Francisco, CA- The “promoter of the decade,” make that the promoter of the 21st century, Dana White, president of the Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC) missed his first ever UFC event Tuesday night as he prepares for surgery on Wednesday in Los Angeles after being diagnosed with Ménière’s disease. The Tuesday night card on Fuel TV featured a main event that was an epic UFC encounter between eventual victor Chan Sung Jung, AKA the “Korean Zombie” and Dustin Poirier, but White wasn’t there for the first time in 11 years of being the face of the UFC.

SUFFERING FROM DISEASE FOR MONTHS

For many months, White has not felt right. At one press conference, after UFC 141, the room started spinning around and White, an avid orator, cut short the post fight press gathering because he was about to pass out. Ménière’s disease is a build up of fluid in the ears that results in Vertigo, a loss of balance, migraine headaches, as well as dizziness and potentially a permanent loss of hearing.

DANA’S CONDITION CAME TO CLIMAX LAST WEEK

While meeting with Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta, White’s condition became so bad last Tuesday that he left the Red Rock Casino in a wheel chair. Thought to be darn near invincible, White was a true workaholic who was dedicated 24-7 to the Ultimate Fighting Championships and their incredible growth from a company that lost $31 million before becoming a $1 billion entity. Quite simply, during the first decade of this century, MMA, particularly the UFC, was the fastest growing sport, some say, in history.

DANA HAS GANGSTER TO THANK FOR HIS UFC SUCCESS

A former co-owner of a Boston boxing gym, White was leaned on so hard by the gang of recently captured Mafia fugitive “Whitey” Bulger, that he packed up and left for Las Vegas where he met the Fertitta brothers, two of Nevada’s wealthiest men and owners of the Station Casinos. The trio came up with the idea of buying the Ultimate Fighting Championships franchise.

WHITE IS THE MOST PROLIFIC FIGURE IN MMA HISTORY!

If the UFC were to lose White, although it would continue, the company of which White owns 10 %, the Dubai Government 13% and the Fertitta brothers 77%, like Strikeforce, the other major MMA franchise owned by Zuffa Sports, the parent company of the UFC, would suffer greatly as White truly is “the face” of the UFC.

WHAT IS DANA WHITE’S PROGNOSIS ACCORDING TO WIKIPEDIA?

The anti-herpes virus drug acyclovir has been used with some success to treat Ménière’s Disease. The likelihood of the effectiveness of the treatment was found to decrease with increasing duration of the disease, probably because viral suppression does not reverse damage. Morphological changes to the inner ear of Ménière’s sufferers have also been found in which it was considered likely to have resulted from attack by a herpes simplex virus. It was considered possible that long-term treatment with acyclovir (greater than six months) would be required to produce an appreciable effect on symptoms. Herpes viruses have the ability to remain dormant in nerve cells by a process known as HHV Latency Associated Transcript. Continued administration of the drug should prevent reactivation of the virus and allow for the possibility of an improvement of symptoms. Another consideration is that different strains of a herpes virus can have different characteristics, which may result in differences in the precise effects of the virus. Further confirmation that acyclovir can have a positive effect on Ménière’s symptoms has been reported.

WILL WHITE WILL LOSE HIS HEARING?

According to what I’ve read tonight, it appears that White will likely suffer from a permanent loss of hearing and that the surgery is not a cure! That being said, White is a genius of sorts who has always treated me with respect and professional courtesy. My hopes are that he can sustain a full recovery!

Pedro Fernandez

Has Manny Pacquiao Been Reduced To Black & White From Color?

San Francisco, CA- The Manny Pacquiao-Tim Bradley HBO Pay Per View fight on June 9 is hurting badly for publicity. Some say it’s because Floyd Mayweather and Miguel Cotto put on such an entertaining, albeit one-sided, battle on a fortnight ago, that boxing fans might need 200 MG of Viagra to “get up” for Pacquiao-Bradley.

FORECAST SAYS WORST PACQUIAO PPV NUMBERS IN YEARS

When I hit on my TV ratings source on Monday afternoon, he was of the opinion that the Manny Pacquiao-Tim Bradley PPV numbers will bomb when compared to Pacquiao’s numbers before and for last November’s razor-thin (see controversial) decision over Juan Manuel Marquez. Is it because Bradley is unknown (not a big name) outside of a circle of boxing purists?

EXPERT SAID PACQUIAO HAS “LOST HIS LUSTER”

“When the decision giving Manny Pacquiao the win over Juan Manuel Marquez, the best thing promoter Bob Arum could have done from a business stance was to do it again,” said the cable TV guru. “They weren’t going to make a Floyd Mayweather fight, if that was their (Arum & Pacquiao) intention they would’ve pled their case right then and there with the whole (boxing) world watching.”

“NOT LARRY” THE CABLE GUY CONTINUED

“Really, who is Tim Bradley? He’s a Desert Storm war veteran who beat Devon Alexander. Do the masses know Alexander? No! There will be no Mexican opponent to hold up the other end of this PPV broadcast. Nobody gives a **** about Tim Bradley. Arum and Pacquiao are trying to milk the PPV cow, but the utters may run dry with this one.”

Miguel Cotto-Manny Pacquiao

With conditioning coach Alex Ariza saying this week that Pacquiao doesn’t deserve a “50-50″ split with Floyd Mayweather, the Pacquiao fans, affectionately referred to here as the Pacnuts, were so quiet that it was the third time since the Marquez fight that you could hear a mouse pee on a wad of cotton somewhere in the Philippines!

Pedro Fernandez

Chan Sung Jung-Dustin Poirier Pre-Fight

San Francisco, CA- In the old days of boxing, Korean fighters were considered “easy marks” for the most part. One famous and now retired writer used to refer to Korean pugs as “Pee Su S*it” #’s 1, 2, or 3. While the Korea had some good fighters, the majority were not. That line of thinking may have followed over to the UFC and Mixed Martial Arts, as Chan Sung Jung, better known in MMA circles as the “Korean Zombie,” was a heavy underdog entering Tuesday night’s UFC main event on Fuel TV.

BOOKIES DON’T DECIDE FIGHTS, FIGHTERS DO!

Airing live from the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA, Dustin Poirier (12-2) was thought to be the superior fighter as he entered the Octagon to batlle the “Korean Zombie.” Poirier was in control early on, but when Jung took him down, the tide began to change. Handling Poirier from a side mount, Jung nailed Dustin with an elbow that opened a huge cut in Poirier’s cranium that was ugly to put it mildly. But Poirier was not detoured as he regained control of the action as the two stood and fought to conclude the opening round.

“ZOMBIE” WORKED WELL ON THE FLOOR!

When Jung caught a kick from Dustin in the second stanza, it put Dustin on his back where the “Korean Zombie” landed a number of solid strikes (punches). Although Jung did well on the ground, it was his out punching Poirier standing up that was a bit of a surprise.

LIKE A SHARK, JUNG SMELLED BLOOD AND WENT FOR IT!

Utilizing a flying knee to open things up, Jung landed some more good knees while the fighters were tied up. Poirier, an amateur wrestler of note, tried to take the Korean down, but Jung reversed position and went from a single armbar to another submission move in the triangle choke hold. Dustin battles out of it, but once again found himself near a “tap out” as the Zombie applied the hold once more.

AFTER TWO ROUNDS OF WAR, COULD THEY CONTINUE THE PACE?

The action slowed a bit after two rounds that had you not sitting, but standing in front of your TV set. Jung went for another takedown and tried a crucifix choke, but give Dustin credit as he got out of that. Poirier then started scoring with strikes and was looking as if he was about to transfer the momentum from Jung to him as he banged on the “Korean Zombie,” which had little effect.

FOURTH ROUND WAS FINALE IN SCHEDULED FIVE-ROUNDER!

With both fighters attempting to stand and strike, the “Korean Zombie” scored with a well-placed uppercut that he followed up with a flying knee that hit paydirt and wobbled Dustin Poirier. Jung took Dustin down and applied a choke hold known as a Darce choke that forced Dustin Poirier to submit at :67 of round four. The “Korean Zombie” is now 22-6 in MMA and clamored for a fight with UFC featherweight (145 lbs) champion Jose Aldo, where he would, as he was tonight, a decided underdog!

FULL FUEL TV & FACEBOOK UNDERCARD RESULTS

Brad Tavares UD 3 Dongi Yang (29-28 thrice)
Cody McKenzie Sub 1 Marcus LeVesseur (guillotine choke at 3:05_
T.J. Grant UD 3 Carlo Prater (30-27 thrice)
Rafael Dos Anjos Sub 1 Kamal Shalorus (rear naked choke at 1:40)
Johnny Eduardo UD 3 Jeff Curran via unanimous decision (29-28 thrice)
Amir Sadollah SD 3 Jorge Lopez (29-28, 29-28 Amir & 29-28 Lopez)
Donald Cerrone UD 3 Jeremy Stephens via unanimous decision (30-27 thrice)
Yves Jabouin UD 3 Jeff Hougland (30-27 twice & 30-36)
Igor Pokrajac UD 3 Fabio Maldonado (30-27 & 29-28 twice)
Tom Lawlor KO 1 Jason MacDonald at 0:50 mark.
Francisco Rivera UD 3 Alex Soto (30-27 thrice)

Pedro Fernandez

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Karim Mayfield

San Francisco, CA- If you have had a lengthy tenure writing about boxing, or even athletics in general, you always have the “home town guy” problem. What I mean by that is either you “shill” for the local guy or tell it like it is, meaning you let the chips fall as they may. When I picked Andre Ward to win the Gold Medal in 2004, I was accused of “shilling” by one famous radio talk show host in particular.

S.F. BAY AREA HAS PRODUCED PUGILISTIC GREATNESS OF LATE

The same thing happened when I predicted greatness and championship gold for Nonito Donaire and Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero, both multi-division titleholders. In reality, the aforementioned trio, especially Ward, lived up to the raw talent I saw in them as budding amateur fighters and early on as professionals.

KID FROM “THE FILLMORE” HEADLINES ESPN 2 THIS WEEK

This Friday night, another local prospect is in the position of proving him as a “contender or pretender” why this City’s Western Addition resident Karim Mayfield steps into the national spotlight in the ESPN 2 main event against Philly’s Raymond Serrano.

“HARD HITTA” MAYFIELD EARNED STATUS BY WORKING FOR IT

Mayfield (12-0-1, 9 KOs) is one of those fighters that the boxing establishment has done no favors for. Having fought and beaten the “house” guy on a number of occasions, Mayfield has stumped both the matchmakers and his opponents with his ability to prevail by combining technique with natural punching power.

SERRANO DOESN’T LOOK LIKE ANYTHING SPECIAL

Although the fight will be in Albany, NY, Serrano is the East Coaster as he hails from Philadelphia, PA. At 18-0, 8 KOs, I looked at some film of him and saw nothing that stands out to his being extraordinary. Mayfield on the other hand could punch at 147 lbs. where he spent most of career at, now fights at 140 and seems to finally found himself a perfect fit at junior welterweight.

“WE BREAK JAWS, NOT LAWS” WAS STRAIGHT FORWARD CLUB MANTRA

Having kept an eye on Mayfield since his amateur days boxing for Ben Bautista’s “Straight Forward Boxing Club,” I didn’t see the raw talent I did with the aforemention trio. Karim has come a long way talent-wise from his days of punching for trophies. That being said, unless can Serrano can negate the relentless pressure and power of Mayfield, the kid from District 5 in San Francisco, where myself, embattled S.F. Sheriff Ross Mirkirimi and platinum recording artist Lenny Williams watched Karim fighting as a youngster, looks like the winner here.

Pedro Fernandez

Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao Will Never Happen!

Los Angeles, CA- In the minds of his detractors, “Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather didn’t look so pretty after his clear 12 round victory over WBA super welterweight (154 lbs) champion Miguel Cotto Saturday night. Say what you want, Floyd sure was effective in beating Cotto to the punch most if not all night. What amuses me about the bout is that some feel because Floyd had a bloody nose and a couple of bruises, people equated that with taking a beating or that Cotto did well. Some people had the gall to even say the fight was close. This fight was the perfect example of the underdog performing better than expected, and Mayweather normally looking unbeatable. Unfortunately for the naysayers, Floyd clearly dominated the fight for the most part. The only thing I noticed and what people tend to overlook is that Floyd is 35 years old and most of all he is human. As Pedro Fernandez stated on Ring Talk Boxing & MMA” radio the day after the fight, and I am paraphrasing, “All fighters get hit!”

WILL FLOYD STAY AT 154?

There are a couple fighters who I’d like to see Mayweather fight as he is now the WBA champion. His mandatory technically is WBA regular beltholder Austin Trout (24-0, 14 KOs), however a bout against the tall, lanky southpaw boxer seems unlikely.  Erislandy Lara(16-1-1, 11 KOs) another southpaw with a powerful laser like left hand also seems to be out of the picture. Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (40-0-1, 29 KOs) appears the most likely candidate to face Floyd if he stays at 154 for the time being. While the 21 year-old lacks experience, he also has little to no wear and tear.  For Alvarez, if there was ever a time to take a risk and step up to that plate, now is the time.  Alvarez has size, speed and power, and as good as Floyd looked against Cotto, it’s clear that he isn’t a 154 lb. fighter.  No one would hold it against the youngster if he was outclassed against one of the top fighters of the last 30 years.

WHERE & WHO THE HELL IS VANES MARTIROSYAN?

To me there is nothing worse than a fighter squandering their prime. The Armenian born U.S. Olympian Vanes Martirosyan(32-0, 20 KOs)

Martirosyan-M.I.A

WBC ORDERED ELIMINATOR VERSES LARA

The Armenian’s handlers need get him in the ring against Erislandy Lara. The winner is said to get the mandatory title shot against “Canelo” Alvarez, and for all intents and purposes if he can get past Lara (which I believe he’d be the underdog) that would be a huge fight in the Los Angeles area with the heavy Mexican and Armenian contingencies. It makes absolutely no sense to not take a gamble with the type of amateur pedigree this guy possesses as well as the marketability factor. He fought on HBO in 2010 and has fallen out of the spotlight since. There are a number of marketable fights for him and it’s about time that his handlers roll the dice to see if he’s the real deal or pugilistic waste.

ON MANNY PACQUIAO-FLOYD MAYWEATHER

I think Pedro Fernandez put it best on the radio, “Manny has too much to lose if he fights and loses to mayweather.”

Kevin Perry

Julio "The Coward" Cesar Chavez Sr.

San Francisco, CA- There was always speculation amongst some boxing insiders that WBC President Jose Sulaiman was involved in the “financial” dealings of both Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. and Ricardo Lopez, something I could never prove. There are a plethora of reasons that have circulated over the years pointing to this, some of them even the casual boxing fan might even have taken note of. After Frankie Randall clearly beat Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. in January 1994, and beat him decisively, I was astonished as was the great boxing odds maker Herb Lambeck, that Chavez was getting all the play in the Las Vegas betting parlors.

HERB SAYS “STAY AWAY FROM CHAVEZ FIGHT”

“Pedro, Randall beat Chavez pretty good in January. Yet, all the wise guys and the Mexican money is coming in on Chavez and big. I’m staying away from this one as I feel that some s*it might occur and Randall gets *******!” The greatest boxing odds maker in history was correct as Randall was beating Chavez in the rematch, then came an accidental clash of heads and Julio quit! It was the eighth round, Randall was controlling and frustrating the Mexican icon who at times acted like a child, although this wasn’t a kid-like move, it was a bitch-move and Julio Cesar Sr. just flat out quit at the at the 2:57 mark of a May 1994 encounter. After the heads clashed, Sr. just turned away from referee Mills Lane and quit!

JUDGES IN LAS VEGAS DID RANDALL SANS VASELINE!

Only the Japanese judge had it right as Tamotsu Tomihar had Randall up by a point at 76-75, while I had him up by three, all the while being generous to Chavez. Dalby Shirley, who although he’s a nice guy, was either the most corrupt or incompetent judges Nevada ever had on their “A Team.” The only score that Dalby, who must be either in his 80′s now or dead, ever apologized for and said he was wrong in was when he gave Vito Antuofermo a 144-142 victory over Marvin Hagler in their 1979 draw. Hal Miller had it even at 114-114, while the “usually on the mark” Duane Ford had Hagler winning a fight he clearly dominated 145-141. Dalby, whom I called one of Nevada’s “blind mice,” had Chavez ahead in the Randall rematch 76-74 and Ray “Charles” Solis had it 77-74 for JC Sr. It was of the most insane decisions in Nevada history, but a call that was eclipsed by the stench of the Hagler-Antuofermo draw.

10 YEARS BEFORE CHAVEZ GAVE A “WORN OUT” FRANKIE ANOTHER SHOT!

With all the controversy and stench left by Chavez turning his back on referee Mills Lane and winning, the WBC didn’t order another fight, even after they ordered Randall-Chavez II in the blink of an eye. Some guys have another’s number and Frankie had Chavez’s. Getting screwed that night and with no rematch in sight, plunged Randall into depression and drugs. When they did meet again, a decade later in 2004, Randall was “cracked” up and lost a unanimous decision over ten rounds in Mexico City.

SWITCHING GEARS TO JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR.

Julio "El Pollo" Chavez

Today Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (45-0-1, 31 KOS) is the “anointed” WBC middleweight (160 lbs) champion, even though he never beat the man that fairly won the title in a ring against Kelly Pavlik, recognized World middleweight champion, Sergio Martinez of Oxnard, CA, by way of Spain and Argentina. In taking away the recognized-WBC middleweight title from Sergio, they declared him the “Silver Champion” or “Champion Emeritus,” which in itself stinks about as bad as un-serviced for three-months porta-potty at a Major League Baseball park.

Sergio "Real Champ" Martinez

Seeing the majority of my readers are male, you can relate to this. A woman that you’ve been dating for months has been promising you sexual favors, but time and again when it comes time to do the deed, she comes up with some bull s*it delaying the intimate encounter. In a sense that’s where Sergio Martinez, the WBC hierarchy has been promising Martinez a fight with Chavez for so long, I’ve lost count of the months. Supposedly after Chavez fights once beaten Andy Lee (28-1, 20 KOs) on June 16 in El Paso, TX, where they neglected to “drug test” Chavez after his last fight, even though he had been suspended for using illegal drugs associated with performance enhancing drugs and suspended him six months.

IS DIRRELL INJURY CHAVEZ WAY OUT OF MARTINEZ BEATING?

With the exception of guys on the Top Rank payroll and those scribes that shill for press passes and post-fight hot dogs, few believe Chavez can defeat Martinez. A fortnight ago, the WBC took the 168 lb. title away from World 168 lb. champion Andre Ward and set up a WBC title tiff with Anthony Dirrell involved. But Andre’s brother was seriously hurt when his motorcycle made contact with an automobile and he was left with a broken leg and arm, thus the July fight with Russian “stiff” Nikola Sjekloca (24-0, 7 KOs) is off. Knowing Chavez and Sulaiman fear Martinez like a nuclear bomb, I’m expecting Julio Jr., whether he beats Andy Lee or not on June 16, to move up to 168 and fight for the vacant title.

Andre Ward

Akin to jumping from a frying pan into a furnace, Andre Ward (24-0, 13 KOs) is prepared to force a Chavez fight, if by legal means if need be, for Ward’s next fight after his September showdown with light heavyweight title claimant Chad Dawson. According to a member of Team Ward, “they (the WBC) has told us we can challenge whomever becomes champion when we want.”

EXPECTING MORE CHICANERY TO FOLLOW IF THIS OCCURS

The WBC has a horrible record in court. When champion Graciano Rocchigiani took them to court after they stripped him of the light heavyweight belt JUST to give it to Roy Jones, I warned Sulaiman in person that not only was this wrong, it could cost the WBC millions. The jury found for Graciano and awarded him $7 million, but because Sulaiman was such an arrogant jerk, they jury piled on $24 million in punitive damages. It was their feeling that had not only Sulaiman and company wronged Graciano, they did so with a electric cattle prod, as Sulaiman, if my memory serves me correctly, was held in “contempt of court” close to or over 20 times!

PAPER CHAMPION MIGHT OVERSTATE CHAVEZ’S ABILITY!

Eventually, Chavez is going to be exposed as a “toilet tissue” (paper) champion, be it by Martinez or Ward. But in the meantime, it’ll be interesting to see what Sulaiman does, and if he learned anything from his multi-million dollar spanking in a New York courtroom with Graciano.

Pedro Fernandez

Andre Ward

San Francisco, CA- The unbeaten World 168 lb. (super middleweight) champion Andre Ward (25-0, 13 KOs) will meet Chad Dawson (31-1, 17 KOs) sometime in September in Ward’s adopted hometown of Oakland, CA. Born in San Francisco, Ward began his boxing career that included an Olympic Gold Medal in 2004 and culminated with his winning the “Showtime Super Six 168 lb. Tournament” in December 2011 with a UD 12 over Carl Froch.

INJURED WARD FOUGHT WITH BROKEN HAND

Although he continues to draw critcism by some members of the media, Ward shined in his 12-round win over Froch, especially seeing the converted left hander was fighting with a broken left hand. Throughout the tourney, Ward showed his supremacy at 168 and appears to be looking for “bigger fish” to fry. Dawson is coming off a 12 round rout (even though one judge called it even) a fortnight ago over Bernard Hopkins.

PLOT THICKENS IF DAWSON CAN MAKE 168!

Reportedly, Dawson has stated he would be willing to come down to 168 lbs. and put his WBC 175 lb. diadem on the line against Ward. Speaking of Ward, June will be a big month for the champion as he gets the “Fighter of The Year” award in New York City. His wife Tiffany is also expected to give birth to their fourth child next month.

“HUNT” TO TRAINER OF YEAR AWARD AS WELL!

Virgil Hunter, who has trained Ward since he was a pup will be in unbeaten Karim Mayfield’s (12-0-1, 9 KOs) corner when the “Hard Hitta” from San Francisco goes to Albany, NY to fight in the Friday Night ESPN2 Fights main event against Raymond Serrano (18-0, 8 KOs) of Philadelphia. Hunter will accept the “Trainer of The Year” award at the Boxing Writers Assn. of America dinner for his handling of Ward.

Pedro Fernandez

Anthony Dirrell

BEATS CANCER & LOSES TO ASPHALT!

San Francisco, CA- At one point and time not so long ago, the other Dirrell brother, Anthony, NOT Andre, was fighting for his life against an almost unbeaten foe in Cancer. After beating “The Big C” (non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma) and with a proposed WBC 168 lb. title fight on the table for July, Anthony (24-0, 21 KOs) got into a motorcycle accident over the weekend that resulted in his breaking an arm and a leg!

DIRRELL BROS. HAVE “DARK CLOUD” SYNDROME

One might recall that Andre Dirrell, who in the minds of some is the lesser boxer of the two brothers, was seriously hurt after Arthur Abraham hit him while he was down and knocked Andre out. Soon thereafter, Andre (20-1, 14 KOs) took what could best be described as a 20-month “Neurological Sabbatical” before returning in December 2011 with a TKO 2 over Daryl Cunningham.

ANTHONY HAS HAD SHARE OF PROBLEMS!

In 2008, Anthony was arrested on suspicion of robbing a Franklin Bank branch. After being pulled over by the Flint, MI Police, driving a car that resembled the one used in the robbery, Anthony had a handgun in the car. He was released the following day and no charges were ever officially filed. Having been to Flint, I can tell you that I might want to have a gun if I were driving around the impoverished and crime ridden community.

BACK TO BOXERS & MOTORCYLES

James Shuler (22-1, 16 KOs) was seven days removed from his getting drilled by Thomas Hearns in one round in the semi-main event of the Marvin Hagler TKO 11 John Mugabi card when he died on a motorcycle in March 1986. Last week marked five years since Diego Corrales died on a motorcycle.

Pedro Fernandez

San Francisco, CA- The one-hour Sunday edition of “Ring Talk Boxing & MMA” differs from the Saturday show in that we combine boxing and the UFC into a one-hour package, while the Saturday show is two hours long with an hour on boxing and the the other hour on MMA. On this particular show we were joined by Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero, and we talked about his WBC welterweight (147 lbs) fght in July. In addition, Robert expressed his views as to whether or not he thought that the Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao fight, if it ever happens, will be a competetive fight! “The Ghost” accused one of the two or fighting behind “Smoke & Mirrors.” Listen and let the darts fly!
Play Video

WBO Champ Brian Viloria

Pasig City, Philippines- Brian Viloria, (112 lbs), Wiapuha, Hawaii TKO 9 Omar Romero, (112), Guadalajara, Mexico
(WBO 112 lb. title). Viloria (31-3, 17 KOs) was all over Romero (31-5-2, 13 KOs), punching him at will, thus causing the corner to stop in at 2:07.

WBO 154 LB. TITLE STAYS IN UKRAINE

Brovari, Ukraine- Zarubek Baysangurov, (153.75), Achkhoy-Martan, Russia UD 12 Michel Soro, (154), Rhone, France
(WBO 154 lb. title). Baysangurov (27-1, 20 KOs) defeats Soro (18-1, 11 KOs) by scores of 117-110, 115-112, and 116-111.

WBA MIDDLEWEIGHT SCRAP IN GERMANY

Gennady Golovokin, (159.75), Stuttgart, Germany TKO 3 Makoto Fuchigami, (159), Tokyo, Japan (WBA 160 lb title). Golovokin (23-0, 21 KOs) demolished Fuchigami (19-7, 10 KOs) in three destructive rounds, knocking him down in round two. Time was unavailable.

HOMETOWN LAD WINS WITH EASE ON TELEFUTURA

Woodland, CA- Vicente Escobedo, (129), Woodland Hills UD 10 Juan Ruiz, (129), Santa Clarita, CA. Escobedo (24-3, 15 KOs) has a sparring seession with the rugged but limited Ruiz ( 23-10, 7 KOs). The cards were 100-90 twice and 99-91.

Friday, May 11th, 2012

SHOWTIME IN “SIN CITY” AIRS UPSET

Las Vegas, NV- Willie Nelson, (151.5), Cleveland, OH UD 10 Yudel Jhonson, (151.5), Miami, FL. Nelson, a late substitute, (18-1-1, 11 KOs) scores a minor upset over the highly regarded Jhonson (12-1, 8 KOs). Jhonson who was down in round two, had Nelson hurt on the floor in round four. Nelson got up however and took over the fight from there. Scores were 97-92 twice and 95-94.

Badou Jack, (167), Las Vegas, NV UD 8 Alexander Brand, (166.5), Bogota, Columbia. Jack (11-0, 8 KOs) bests Brand (17-1, 15 KOs) in a well-paced fight. Cards were 77-55 twice for Jack and the same for Brand.

WBA FLYWEIGHT TITLE ON TV IN ARGENTINA & FRANCE ONLY!

Cordoba, Argentina- Juan Reveco, (111.75), Mendoza, Argentina UD 12 Karim Guerfi, (111), Manosque, France
(WBA 112 lb title). Reveco (28-1, 16 KOs) hands the tough Guerfi (18-1, 4 KOs) his first loss as a pro, in a close one. Scores read were 116-114, 115-112, and 116-112.

BOXING IN GERMANY FEATURES ALL-GERMAN MAIN

Goeppingen, Germany- Alexander Alekseev, (198.5), Hamburg, Germany Majority Draw 12 Firat Arslan, (198.75), Suessen, Germany. Alekseev (23-2-1, 20 KOs) stood toe-to-toe with Arslan (32-5-2, 22 KOs) for ten even rounds and then traded the last two. Scores were 114-114 twice and 116-113 for Alekseev.

Goekalp Oezekler, (158.75), Hamburg, Germany SD 12 Mouez Fhima, (158), Louvroil, France. Oezekler (13-1, 6 KOs) wins a close one over Fhima (21-2-1, 8 KOs). Split scores were 115-114, 115-113 for Oezekler, and 116-112 for Fhima.

Edwin “Ace” Ayala

Carlos Zarate-Alfonos Zamora

San Francisco, CA- They used to call Alexis Arguello, “The Explosive Thin Man,” and it was a fitting moniker. Still, being around the fight longer than I care to admit, Carlos Zarate fir the “Explosive Thin Man” tag more than the late great Alexis. I’m not going to beat around the bush here, when Zarate wrested the WBC bantamweight (118 lbs) crown from Rodolfo Martinez in May 1976, he was already 39-0, 38 KOs. At 5’8 and at 118 lbs., the Mexican truly was an “Explosive Thin Man.”

TITLE WIN EXPECTED AS ZARATE LOOKED UNBEATABLE!

The Gonzalez win in May 1986 was expected as Zarate, in boxing circles was thought to be the “unstoppable” force at 118. Always “fighting sharp,” Zarate fought the following month in addition to in August 1976, both KOs before defending the WBC diadem against Paul Ferreri of Australia, who had lost only three times at that point before being stopped (TKO 12) and eventually retired at 78-13-5, 26 KOs. Two fights and KOs later, both title defenses against Japanese journeyman Waruinge Nakayama (KO 4) and Fernando Cabanela (TKO 5) before the fistic meeting known around the world as, “The Battle of Z Boys.”

“BATTLE OF Z BOYS” A FIGHT FOR MEXICAN PRIDE

Zarate vs. undefeated Alfonso Zamora (then 29-0, all 29 KOs & eventually 33-6, 33 KOs) was such a big event with Zamora being the WBA champ, Zarate the WBC titleholder, yet this was a “non-title” affair April 23, 1977. Joe Gagliardi, then the Godfather of “Closed Circuit TV” had the fight at a bar in San Jose, CA. What a fight, at least as long as it lasted as Zarate went to 46-0 with a TKO 4 over Zamora. To Zamora’s credit (who finished at 33-5, 32 KOs) as WBA champion he had stopped future featherweight kingpin (then undefeated) Eusebio Pedroza, but Zarate was the immovable object he couldn’t beat.

L.A. FORUM WAS #1 ARENA FOR BOXING

Although Caesars Palace was starting to make a move, the then Los Angeles Forum was where the big fights on the left coast took place. After another defense, Zarate was matched Albert Davila. Although Davila would later win the WBC trinket at 118, not on this evening as Zarate continued his dominance with a TKO 8. Two more KO wins in title fights pit him in with Puerto Rico’s Wilfredo Gomez at 122 for Gomez’s WBC belt.

GOMEZ WAS A “BEAST” AT 122 LBS!

For the first and only time in his professional boxing career, Zarate was the mop and Gomez used him to clean the floor. Dropped thrice, once after the bell ending round four, referee Harry Gibbs signaled for the fifth round t begin. One knockdown later and the Zarate corner, with Arturo “Cuyo” Hernandez the manager, threw in the towel and this Mexico vs. Puerto Rican showdown went to the naturally bigger (body mass wise) Borigua. Gomez went to 22-0-1, all 2 being KOs.

ZARATE GOES BACK TO 118 LBS!

After failing to make the weight after three previous trips to the scale, Gomez made it the third time, Zarate scaled 122 on the fourth attempt. No match for Gomez, Zarate goes back to 118 and fights two stiffs, one in a WBC sanctioned affair, Zarate is matched with stable mate Lupe Pintor who is managed by the aforementioned Arturo “Cuyo” Hernandez, who as I stated prior took care of Zarate’s business dealings as well.

COINCIDENCE, RIP OFF, OR PAY OFF?

Zarate was about to give “Cuyo” the boot, and let it be known in boxing circles. After 15 rounds, where I gave Pinto four rounds with one even of 15, Pintor incredibly has his hand raised and Zarate’s undefeated mark, his WBC title, and oh yeah, his relationship with “Cuyo” Hernandez were all history. Officially it was split with Art Lurie going with Zarate, 142-143, while the two deciding panelists, Harold Buck (143-142) and Bob Martin’s 145-133 favoring the clear loser Pintor. That last score was criminal!

ZARATE COULDN’T WIPE THE DOG CRAP OFF HIS BOXING BOOTS

In June 1979, Carlos, who had dropped Pintor in round four, was so disgusted with the “heist” that he retired for seven years before making a comeback in February 1986. He went 12-0, 10 KOs before meeting Jeff Fenech, who owned Zarate until the fourth round and an accidental head butt sent it to the cards where Zarate, who looked like a guy imitating Carlos Zarate lost. One last loss to Daniel Zaragoza in
1989 at 122 lbs. convinced Zarate to retire permanently.

BAD DECISIONS MAR BOXING HISTORY

While it was accepted by everybody as a bad decision, the WBC, with “Cuyo” in the ear of WBC President Jose Sulaiman, Zarate’s demands for a rematch fell on deaf ears. There were those who had the opinion that “Cuyo” had bought and paid for the decision that Pintor was wrongfully given. That decision ruined the career of Zarate, much like Jeff Fenech beating Azumah Nelson like a rag doll in 1991, with only Jerry Roth seeing as I did for Fenech. One judge had it even and the other had it for Nelson, who was never in the fight! In the rematch in Australia, Nelson spanked Fenech.

BAD CALLS ROBBED FANS OF BANTAMWEIGHT HISTORY

Fenech getting the short end of the stick vs. Nelson and Zarate vs. Pintor, Lupe who although he would have an epic battle with Wilfredo Gomez and lose in 14 in 1982, the bad decisions ruined both Fenech and Zarate.

WHO WOULD WIN: EDER JOFRE OR CARLOS ZARATE?

With Carlos having seven title defenses at bantamweight, Eder Jofre had nine defenses. You’ll remember in yesterday’s Part I on Jofre, the only fights he lost were robberies in Japan to the “Fighting” Hamada in 1965 and 1966. To pick a winner between these truly great fighters would be akin to splitting hairs. For the record, Jofre ended up 72-2-4, 50 KOs, this after capturing a title at 126 lbs. Zarate finished at 66-4, 63 KOs.

BAD SCORING MARRED LEGACY OF BOTH JOFRE & ZARATE

You know all that screwed up, inept, or corrupt scoring that we see in the fight game in 2012, be it in Las Vegas or Texas, unforgiveable decisions have ruined many a man’s life! Jofre and Zarate are two prime examples.

Pedro Fernandez

San Francisco, CA- The Ultimate Fighting Championships, AKA the UFC, returns this Tuesday night on Fuel TV with a main event pitting Jung Chan Sung, who goes by the name of the “Korean Zombie.” the 21-6 Korean facing Dustin Poirier (12-1) in the five-five minute rounds main event. Although he was a bit tardy, Poirier was a pretty good guest who knows MMA back and forth. To LISTEN NOW click on the black arrow in the gray box above.

San Francisco, CA- Having to regugatate the Floyd Mayweather-Miguel Cotto was part of the opening of the one-hour of the “Ring Talk Boxing Hour.” There are people that either had an orgasm or thought the Maywether-Cotto fight was close, again just some of the usual Mayweather detractors. Unbeaten jr. welterweight Karim Mayfield (12-0-1, 9 KOs) talked about his upcoming “Friday Night Fights” main event on ESPN 2 against the also unbeaten Robert Serrano (18-0, 8 KOs) Articulate to a fault, Karim was a great guest and if everything is square, will lick Serrano like a stamp! To LISTEN NOW click on the black arrow in the gray box above.

Eder Jofre Drills Katsutoshi Aoki

San Francisco, CA- Some of the better bantamweights today would be “lunchmeat” in the hands of Carlos Zarate or Eder Jofre. Having watched them both more than a few times, let’s examine and analyze, then come to a conclusion, based on history and in the ring performances if see whether it is Carlos or Eder that is worthy of the top spot at 118.

WON TITLE IN NOVEMBER 1960

Having won a portion of world crown in August 1961 besting Ramon Arias of Venezuela (in Venezuela) for the (National Boxing Assn.) NBA crown. Brazil’s Muhammad Ali per se, Jofre, became Jofre became the undisputed World champ fighting at home and beating Herman Marguez. Jofre would nine straight title fights, before losing the crown controversially by split decision, and then a unanimous decision in a rematch with “Fighting” Harada.

JOFRE HAS TENURE THUS BRAZIL’S “ALI” GOES FIRST!

Eder Jofre (72-2-4, 50 KOs) of Brazil lost only to “home cooking” and quite controversial decisions (one split) to “Fighting” Harada, who in the decade of the 1960s was one of, if not “the” flag-bearer of Japanese boxing. The Japanese Commission or should I say the WBC, “stacked the deck” against Jofre with two Japanese judges in both 1965 and 1966 fights.

JAY EDSON THE “BOXING GOD” GOES AGAINST HARADA

In the first fight, one of the greatest men ever, let alone in boxing, the late Jay Edson, referee, judge, and event coordinator for many great promotions whose career ended here in San Francisco bring with the November 2001 Floyd Mayweather-Jesus Chavez & Manny Pacquiao-Agapito Sanchez presentation. In short, if Jay said Jofre won, Jofre won!

MADE MOVE TO GARNER FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE

After being fed bad Sushi in Japan twice, Eder would go 14-0, 8 KOS, fighting at 122 to 124 lbs. or so, before meeting and defeating WBC featherweight (126) champ Jose Legra (132-9-4, 50 KOs) of Mexico on Cinco De Mayo (May 5) 1973. Aforementioned “super hero” Jay Edson was the “scoring” referee and scored it 146-141. Judge Newton Campos tabbed the bout 148-143 Jofre, while Lorenzo Sanchez had things even at 143-143.

ONLY DEFENDED AT 126 LB. ONCE & STAYED UNBEATEN

One WBC title defense against ex-champ Vicente Saldivar who retired after the Jofre loss at (37-3, 26 KOs) in October 1973. From that point forward, the Pele’ of boxing went 10-0, 5 KOs. Ten years after the second heist in Japan against Hamada, Eder retired at 72-2-4, 50 KOs three years later on October 8, 1976 after 19 years with a win points win over Octavio Gomez (60-12-6, 33 KOs).

SUNDAY AM FELLOW HALL OF FAMER CARLOS ZARATE

We will role with the other side of the bantamweight silver dollar and examine Carlos Zarate, the mighty Mexican who went 66-4, 63 KOs, late Saturday night or early Sunday AM before telling you who I think was the best of this “Dynamic Duo!”

“RING TALK” AIRS LIVE RIGHT HERE @ 11 AM PT!

No longer will you have go anywhere else or click on anything as the two-hour Saturday “Ring Talk Boxing & MMA” show will air “LIVE” on this website. Just come to the site beginning at 11 AM PT Saturday or at 11 AM for the “Sunday” program, a completely different LIVE production of “Ring Talk Boxing & MMA.”

“RING TALK BOXING HOUR” GOES FIRST SATURDAY @ 11 AM PT!

One of our guests in the 11:00 AM PT “Ring Talk Boxing Hour” will be unbeaten and fringe welterweight contender Karim Mayfield, the guy that ran Shane Mosley out of the ring and Camp Mosley sent him home early from the Floyd Mayweather training camp because Karim was “beating Shane up.”

“RING TALK MMA HOUR” GOES LIVE RIGHT AFTER BOXING!

On the “Ring Talk” MMA Hour” at 12 PM PT, we will feature Dustin Poirier (12-1) who will meet the “Korean Zombie” Jung Chan-Sung (15-6, 12 KOs) on Tuesday night in the UFC main event on Fuel TV.

SUNDAY SHOW IS ROBERT “GHOST” GUERRERO & CESAR GRACIE @ 11 AM PT!

AGAIN, noon longer will you have go anywhere else or click on anything as the two-hour Saturday “Ring Talk Boxing & MMA” show will air “LIVE” on this website. Just come to the site beginning at 11 AM PT Saturday for two hours AND at 11 AM for the Sunday one-hour presentation, a completely different and LIVE production of “Ring Talk Boxing & MMA.”

Pedro Fernandez

May 12,

1902: Joe Gans KO 1 Frank Erne, Ft. Erie, Ontario. Wins World Lightweight Title.

1916: Sam Langford KO 7 Joe Jeanette, Syracuse.

1941: Joey Archibald W 15 Harry Jeffra, Washington D.C. Regains World Featherweight Title.

1962: Harold Johnson W 15 Doug Jones, Philadelphia. Wins vacant World Light Heavyweight Title.

Louie Espinosa born.

1977: Jeff Lacy born.

1981: Antonio Avelar KO 7 Shoji Oguma, Mito, Japan. Wins WBC Flyweight Title.

1991: Terrence Alli W 12 Charles Murray, Rochester.

2001: Felix (Tito) Trinidad KO 5 William Joppy, NYC. Wins WBA Middleweight Title.

Vernon Forrest W 12 Raul Frank, NYC. Wins vacant IBF Welterweight Title.

2006: Vicente Mosquera W 12 Jose Pablo Estrella, Cordoba, Argentina. Retains WBA Super Featherweight Title. For the complete month “May & Boxing History”

May 1,

1900: Jack Johnson KO 7 Jim Scanlon, Galveston, Texas.

1902: Harry Forbes D 20 Johnny Reagan, St. Louis. Retains World Bantamweight Title.

1914: Harry Wills W 10 Sam Langford, New Orleans.

John Henry Lewis born.

1917: Freddie Welsh ND 10 Johnny Kilbane, NYC.

1925: Pancho Villa W 15 Clever Sencio, Manila. Retains World Flyweight Title.

1933: Kid Chocolate W 10 Johnny Farr, Philadelphia. Retains World Super Featherweight Title.

1934: Vince Dundee W 15 Al Diamond, Paterson, NJ. Retains New York & NBA Middleweight Title.

1957: Sugar Ray Robinson KO 5 Gene Fullmer, Chicago. Wins World Middleweight Title for the fourth time.

1959: Floyd Patterson KO 11 Brian London, Indianapolis. Retains World Heavyweight Title.

1960: Gaby Canizales born.

1972: Clinton Woods born.

1982: Santos Laciar KO 13 Juan Herrera, Merida, Mexico. Regains WBA Flyweight Title.

1983: Edwin Rosario W 12 Jose Luis Ramirez, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico. Wins vacant WBC Lightweight Title. Had this fight been scheduled for 15-rounds, Rosario would’ve been meat.

1990: Sot Chitalada W 12 Carlos Salazar, Bangkok. Retains WBC Flyweight Title.

1998: Chatchai Sasakul KO 5 Young-Soon Chang, Bangkok, Thailand. Retains WBC Flyweight Title.

2001: A jury in Los Angeles awards $55.4-million to the family of Cindy Cortez, the daughter of referee Joe Cortez. Ms. Cortez was involved in a car accident that left her quadriplegic. The defendant was Continental General Tire.

2002: Veerapol Sahaprom W 12 Julio Coronel, Nanthaburi, Thailand. Retains WBC Bantamweight Title.

2003: Veerapol Sahaprom W 12 Hugo Dianzo, Bangkok. Retains WBC Bantamweight Title.

2004: Kelvin Davis KO 8 Ezra Sellers, Miami, FL Wins vacant IBF Cruiserweight Title.

Veerapol Sahaprom KO 12 Julio Cesar Avila, Nongkhai, Thailand. Retains WBC Bantamweight Title. Yo Veerapol!! What’s up with you and May 1st dude?

2006: Pongsaklek Wonjongkam W 12 Daigo Nakahiro, Bangkok, Thailand. Retains WBC Flyweight Title.

2010: Floyd Mayweather W 12 Sugar Shane Mosley, Las Vegas. Referee: Kenny Bayless | judge: Dave Moretti 119-109 | judge: Robert Hoyle 118-110 | judge: Adalaide Byrd 119-109.

May 2,

1904: Stanley Ketchel KO 1 Kid Tracy, Butte, MT. Ketchel’s pro debut.

1924: Young Stribling W 10 Tommy Burns, Toronto.

1947: Sandy Saddler KO 3 Joe (Old Bones) Brown, New Orleans.

1954: Jimmy Carruthers W 12 Chamrem Songkitrat, Bangkok. Retains World Bantamweight Title.

1965: Jeff Harding born.

1976: Luis Estaba W 15 Juan Alvarez, Caracas. Retains WBC Junior Flyweight Title.

1989: Muangchai Kittikasem W 12 Tacy Macalos, Bangkok. Wins IBF Junior Flyweight Title.

1998: Fabrice Tiozzo KO 1 Terry Ray, Paris. Retains WBA Cruiserweight Title.

Hassine Cherifi W 12 Keith Holmes, Paris. Wins WBC Middleweight Title.

2009: Manny Pacquiao KO 2 Ricky Hatton, Las Vegas. Wins World Super Lightweight Title.

Humberto Soto KO 9 Benoit Gaudet, Las Vegas. Retains WBC Super Featherweight Title.

Anselmo Moreno W 12 Wladimir Sidorenko, Bremen, Germany. Retains WBA Bantamweight Title.

May 3,

1921: Sugar Ray Robinson born Walker Smith Jr.

1934: Marcel Thil W 15 Gustave Roth, Paris. Retains World Middleweight Title.

1936: Jose Torres born.

1940: Sammy Angott W 15 Davey Day, Louisville. Wins vacant NBA Lightweight Title.

1943: Vicente Saldivar born Vicente Samuel Saldivar.

1946: Sal Bartolo KO 6 Spider Armstrong, Boston. Retains NBA Featherweight Title.

1959: Carlos DeLeon born.

1963: Jesus Salud born.

1969: Nicolino Locche W 15 Carlos Hernandez, Buenos Aires. Retains World Super Lightweight Title.

1985: Elly Pical KO 8 Joo Do Chun, Djakarta. Wins IBF Super Flyweight Title.

1987: Bobby Czyz KO 6 Jim McDonald, Atlantic City. Retains IBF Light Heavyweight Title.

Chong Pal Park W 15 Lindell Holmes, Inchon. Retains IBF Super Middleweight Title.

1996: Mark (Too Sharp) Johnson KO 1 Francisco Tejedor, Anaheim, CA. Wins vacant IBF Flyweight Title.

1997: Robin Reid W 12 Henry Wharton, Manchester. Retains WBC Super Middleweight Title.

Ronald (Winky) Wright KO 6 Steve Foster, Manchester.

Naseem Hamed KO 1 Billy Hardy, Manchester. Retains IBF Featherweight Title.

2003: Oscar De La Hoya KO 7 Yory Boy Campas, Las Vegas. Retains World Super Welterweight Title. This “fight” was beyond one-sided!

Erik Morales KO 5 Fernando Velardez, Las Vegas. Retains WBC Featherweight Title.

Joge Arce Tech. Win 6 Melchor Cob-Castro, Las Vegas. Retains WBC Junior Flyweight Title.

2004: Manager Robert Mittleman, 61, pleads guilty to fixing fights and trying to pay a federal prosecutor and judge to have a case against one of his indicted boxers dismissed.

2007: Edwin Valero KO 8 Nobuhito Honmo, Tokyo. Retains WBA Super Featherweight Title.

Hozumi Hasegawa W 12 Simpiwe Vetyeka, Tokyo. Retains WBC Bantamweight Title.

Alexander Munoz W 12 Nobuo Nashiro, Tokyo. Retains WBA Super Flyweight Title.

2008: Oscar De La Hoya W 12 Steve Forbes, Carson, CA

May 4,

1900: Joe Walcott W 25 Mysterious Billy Smith, NYC.

1910: Harry Lewis KO 3 Peter Brown, Paris. Retains World Welterweight Title.

1935: Marcel Thil KO 14 Vilda Jaks, Paris. Retains World Middleweight Title.

1956: Kevin Rooney born.

1962: Eder Jofre KO 10 Herman Marquez, San Francisco. Retains World Bantamweight Title.

1969: Wifredo Rivera born.

1975: Salvador Sanchez KO 3 Al Gardeno, Veracruz, Mexico. Sanchez’ pro debut.

1980: Leo Randolph KO 15 Ricardo Cardona, Seattle. Wins WBA Super Bantamweight Title.

1985: Daniel Zaragoza W DQ. 7 Freddie Jackson, Oranjestad, Aruba. Wins vacant WBC Super Bantamweight Title.

1991: Orlando Canizales KO 8 Billy Hardy, Laredo, TX. Retains IBF Bantamweight Title.

1993: Reggie Johnson W 12 Wayne Harris, Denver, CO. Retains WBA Middleweight Title.

1994: Hiroshi Kawashima W 12 Jose Luis Bueno, Yokohama. Wins WBC Super Flyweight Title.

1997: Arturo Gatti KO 8 Calvin Grove, Atlantic City. Non-title fight.

2007: Hugo Cazares KO 2 Wilfrido Perez, Las Vegas. Retains World Junior Flyweight Title.

May 5,

1905: Jimmy Britt KO 20 Jabez White, San Francisco. Retains World Lightweight Title.

1922: Lew Tendler W 15 Johnny Dundee, NYC.

1944: Sal Bartolo W 15 Phil Terranova, Boston. Retains NBA Featherweight Title.

1947: Ezzard Charles W 10 Archie Moore, Cincinnati.

1963: Duke McKenzie born.

1968: Dariusz Michalczewski born.

1972: Daniel Reyes born.

1973: Eder Jofre (age 37) W 15 Jose Legra, Brazil. Wins WBC Featherweight Title. An amazing accomplishment considering it had been 7-years since Jofre’s retirement. Jofre’s last dance was a losing bid to regain the World Bantamweight Title from Fighting Harada.

1983: Santos Laciar KO 2 Shuichi Hozumi, Shizuoka, Japan. Retains WBA Flyweight Title.

1984: Osvaldo Ocasio KO 15 John Odhiambo, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. Retains WBA Cruiserweight Title.

1986: Rene Arredondo KO 5 Lonnie Smith, Los Angeles. Wins WBC Super Lightweight Title.

1991: Gilbert Dele W 12 Jun Sok Hwang, Paris. Retains WBA Super Welterweight Title.

1993: Crisanto Espana W 12 Rodolfo Aguilar, Belfast, Ireland. Retains WBA Welterweight Title.

2001: Joel Casamayor W 12 Edwin Santana, Philadelphia, MS. Retains WBA Super Featherweight Title.

2004: Manny Siaca W 12 Anthony Mundine, Sydney, Australia. Wins WBA Super Middleweight Title.

2007: Floyd Mayweather W 12 Oscar De La Hoya, Las Vegas. Wins WBC Super Welterweight Title.

May 6,

1898: James J. Jeffries W 20 Tom Sharkey, San Francisco.

1900: Jack Johnson KO 2 Jim McCormick, Galveston.

1920: Johnny Wilson W 12 Mike O’Dowd, Boston. Wins World Middleweight Title.

1967: Carlos Monzon D 10 Bennie Briscoe, Buenos Aires.

1970: Rosendo Alvarez born.

1978: Victor Galindez W 15 Yaqui Lopez, Via Reggio, Italy. Retains WBA Light Heavyweight Title. A rematch from their controversial fight from 9/77. This time Galindez wins without controversy, via unanimous scores of 148-145, 146-144, 148-146.

Ricardo Cardona KO 12 Soo Hwan Hong, Seoul. Wins WBA Super Bantamweight Title.

Netmoi Varasingh W 15 Freddy Castillo, Bangkok. Wins WBC Junior Flyweight Title.

1985: Santos Laciar W 15 Antoine Montero, Grenoble. Retains WBA Flyweight Title.

1988: Rolando Bohol W 15 Cho Woon Park, Manila. Retains IBF Flyweight Title.

1989: Roy Jones Jr. KO 2 Ricky Randall, Pensacola. Jones’ pro debut.

1994: Lennox Lewis KO 8 Phil Jackson, Atlantic City. Retains WBC Heavyweight Title.

Kevin Kelly W 12 Jesse Benevides, Atlantic City. Retains WBC Featherweight Title.

1995: Oscar De La Hoya KO 2 Rafael Ruelas, Las Vegas. Wins IBF Lightweight Title.

Gabriel Ruelas KO 11 Jimmy Garcia, Las Vegas. Retains WBC Super Featherweight Title.

Johnny Tapia Tech. Draw 8 Ricardo Vargas, Las Vegas. Tapia fortunate to receive a draw.

1998: Former WBA Heavyweight Champion Bruce Seldon, 31, admits to giving marijuana and having sex with a 15-year old girl, and pleads guilty in Superior Court in Camden, New Jersey, to two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

2000: Juan Carlos Gomez KO 3 Imamu Mayfield, Swissotel, Neuss, Germany. Retains WBC Cruiserweight Title.

Glenn Catley KO 12 Markus Beyer, Frankfurt, Germany. Wins WBC Super Middleweight Title.

Paul Spadafora W Maj. Tech dec. 10 Mike Griffith, Pittsburgh. Retains IBF Lightweight Title.

Johnny Tapia W 12 Pedro Javier Torres, Las Cruces, New Mexico.

2006: Oscar De La Hoya KO 6 Ricardo Mayorga, Las Vegas. Regains WBC Super Welterweight Title.

Jose Antonio Rivera W 12 Alex Garcia, Worcester, Massachusetts. Wins WBA Super Welterweight Title.

Luis Perez W 12 Dimitri Kirilov, Worcester, Massachusetts. Retains IBF Super Flyweight Title.

Eagle Kyowa W 12 Rodel Moyal, Tokyo. Retains WBC Minimumweight Title.

Muhammad Rachman KO 6 Omar Soto, Jakarta, Indonesia. Retains IBF Minimumweight Title.

May 7,

1937: Lou Ambers W 15 Tony Canzoneri, NYC. Wins World Lightweight Title.

1958: Joe (Old Bones) Brown KO 8 Ralph Dupas, Houston. Retains World Lightweight Title.

1965: Vicente Saldivar KO 15 Raul Rojas, Los Angeles. Retains World Featherweight Title. Rojas is counted out with 10-seconds remaining in the 15th-round.

1972: Koichi Wajima KO 1 Domenico Tiberia, Tokyo. Retains World Super Welterweight Title.

1975: Miguel de Oliveira W 15 Jose Duran, Monte Carlo. Wins vacant WBC Super Welterweight Title.

1978: Yoko Gushiken KO 13 Jaime Rios, Hiroshima. Retains WBA Junior Flyweight Title.

1988: Juan Coggi KO 2 Sang Ho Lee, San Patrignano, Italy. Retains WBA Super Lightweight Title.

1990: Raul Perez KO 9 Gerardo Martinez, Inglewood. Retains WBC Bantamweight Title.

1994: Gerald McClellan KO 1 Julian Jackson, Las Vegas. Retains WBC Middleweight Title.

(Terrible) Terry Norris W 12 Simon Brown, Las Vegas. Regains WBC Super Welterweight Title.

Julio Cesar Chavez TW 8 Frankie Randall, Las Vegas. Regains WBC Super Lightweight Title. Although given the opportunity to continue, Chavez quits after being cut by an unintentional head butt. Strangely, the judges have Chavez ahead at the time of the stoppage. And what the hell is with this mandatory point deduction from the uncut participant. Especially when it seemed the head butt was as much Chavez’ fault as Randall’s?

Jesse James Leija W 12 Azumah Nelson, Las Vegas. Wins WBC Super Featherweight Title.

Ricardo Lopez W 12 Kermin Guardia, Las Vegas. Retains WBC Strawweight Title.

1995: Saensor Ploenchit W 12 Evangelio Perez, Songkhla, Thailand. Retains WBA Flyweight Title.

2005: Diego Corrales KO 10 Jose Luis Castillo, Las Vegas. Wins World Lightweight Title. One of the greatest fights of all time! Easily Fight of the Year! Judges scoring at time of stoppage: Daniel Van de Wiele (86-85 Corrales), Paul Smith (87-84 Castillo), Lou Moret (87-84 Corrales).

2011: Daniel Geale W 12 Sebastian Sylvester, Neubrandenburg, Germany. Wins IBF Middleweight Title. Referee: Randy Neumann | judge: Berit Andreasen 118-110 | judge: Steve Epstein 110-118 | judge: Marcus McDonnell 112-118.

Manny Pacquiao W 12 Sugar Shane Mosley, Las Vegas. Referee: Kenny Bayless | judge: Duane Ford 120-107 | judge: Dave Moretti 120-108 | judge: Glenn Trowbridge 119-108.

Koki Kameda KO 11 Daniel Diaz, Osaka, Japan. Retains WBA Bantamweight Title.

May 8,

1900: Tom Sharkey KO 3 Joe Choynski, Tattersall’s Chicago, Ill. A left to the jaw dropped Choynski just as the bell ended the 2nd round. When he tried to answer for the 3rd round, Choynski fell over onto his back, and referee Hogan awarded the bout to Sharkey.

1907: Tommy Burns W 20 Philadelphia Jack O’Brien, Los Angeles. Retains World Heavyweight Title.

1913: Fritzie Zivic born.

1932: Sonny Liston born. Well maybe; we’re not really sure. Not even Sonny was certain of his birth date.

1934: Mickey Walker W 10 (Slapsie) Maxie Rosenbloom, Los Angeles.

1936: Tony Canzoneri W 10 Jimmy McLarnin, NYC.

1962: Freddie Miller, 51, dies.

1969: Fabrice Tiozzo born.

1976: Esteban DeJesus W 15 Ishimatsu Suzuki, Bayamon, Puerto Rico. Wins WBC Lightweight Title.

Carlos Zarate KO 9 Rodolfo Martinez, Inglewood. Wins WBC Bantamweight Title.

1982: Ray Mancini KO 1 Art Frias, Las Vegas. Wins WBA Lightweight Title.

Salvador Sanchez W 15 Rocky Garcia, Dallas. Retains WBC Featherweight Title.

1987: Jeff Fenech KO 4 Samart Payakaroon, Sydney. Wins WBC Super Bantamweight Title.

1990: Bobby Czyz W 12 Don LaLonde, Las Vegas. Retains WBA Cruiserweight Title.

1993: Lennox Lewis W 12 Tony Tucker, Las Vegas. Retains WBC Heavyweight Title.

Gerald McClellan KO 5 Julian Jackson, Las Vegas. Wins WBC Middleweight Title.

Julio Cesar Chavez KO 6 Terrance Alli, Las Vegas. Retains WBC Super Lightweight Title.

1994: Pichit Sithbangprachan W 12 Jose Luis Zepeda, Rajaburi Province, Thailand. Retains IBF Flyweight Title.

1999: Sven Ottke W 12 Gabriel Hernandez, Dusseldorf, Germany. Retains IBF Super Middleweight Title.

Nestor Garza KO 8 Carlos Barreto, Las Vegas. Retains WBA Super Bantamweight Title.

Erik Morales KO 9 Juan Carlos Ramirez, Las Vegas. Retains WBC Super Bantamweight Title.

2001: Paul Spadafora W 12 Joel Perez, Pittsburgh, PA. Retains IBF Lightweight Title

2004: Manny Pacquiao D 12 Juan Manuel Marquez, Las Vegas. Retains World Featherweight Title.

May 9,

1905: Jack Johnson ND 6 Joe Jeanette, Philadelphia.

1908: Stanley Ketchel KO 20 Jack (Twin) Sullivan, Colma, CA. Wins vacant World Middleweight Title.

1930: Young Jack Thompson W 15 Jackie Fields, Detroit. Wins NBA Welterweight Title.

1936: Terry Downes born.

1941: Billy Soose W 15 Ken Overlin, NYC. Wins World Middleweight Title.

1960: Iran Barkley born.

1964: Sugar Ramos W 15 Floyd Robertson, Accra. Retains World Featherweight Title. Because of the controversy surrounding the disputed split decision, The Ghana Boxing Authority ruled the bout a no-contest, then declared Robertson the winner. The WBA and the British Boxing Board of Control ruled that Ramos remained champion.

1970: Vicente Saldivar W 15 Johnny Famechon, Rome. Wins WBC Featherweight Title. Saldivar regains the title, in only his second comeback bout, after retiring in 1967.

1971: Carlos Monzon KO 3 Nino Benvenuti, Monte Carlo. Retains World Middleweight Title.

1983: Rafael Orono W 12 Raul Valdez, Caracas, Venezuela. Retains WBC Super Flyweight Title.

1985: Jiro Watanabe W 12 Julio Soto Solano, Tokyo. Retains WBC Super Flyweight Title.

1988: Kaokor Galaxy W 12 Wilfredo Vasquez, Bangkok. Wins WBA Bantamweight Title.

1992: (Terrible) Terry Norris KO 4 Meldrick Taylor, Las Vegas. Retains WBC Super Welterweight Title.

1998: Sugar Shane Mosley KO 8 John John Molina, Atlantic City. Retains IBF Lightweight Title.

2001: In Montreal, Quebec, former WBC Super Middleweight Champion Davey Hilton, 37, is sentenced to 7-years in prison for sexually assaulting two underage sisters.

2009: Chad Dawson W 12 Antonio Tarver, Las Vegas. Retains IBF Light Heavyweight Title. Referee: Robert Byrd | judge: Duane Ford 117-111 | judge: Patricia Morse Jarman 117-111 | judge: Alan Davis 116-112.

May 10,

1935: Tony Canzoneri W 15 Lou Ambers, NYC. Regains vacant World Lightweight Title.

1940: Lew Jenkins KO 3 Lou Ambers, NYC. Wins World Lightweight Title.

1961: Duilio Loi W 15 Carlos Ortiz, Milan. Retains World Super Lightweight Title.

1966: Genaro Hernandez born.

1969: Victor Galindez KO 4 Ramon Ruiz, Buenos Aires. Galindez’s pro debut.

1989: Mike McCallum W 12 Herol Graham, Kensington, England. Wins vacant WBA Middleweight Title.

1991: James (Lights Out) Toney KO 11 Michael Nunn, Davenport, IA. Wins IBF Middleweight Title. Toney, 22, upsets the 20-1 odds against him.

Michael Carbajal W 12 Hector Patri, Davenport, IA. Retains IBF Junior Flyweight Title.

1996: Evander (Real Deal) Holyfield KO 5 Bobby Czyz, NYC.

Lennox Lewis W 10 Ray Mercer, NYC. Controversial decision.

Tim Witherspoon KO 5 Jorge Luis Gonzalez, NYC.

1997: William Joppy W 12 Peter Venancio, Coconut Grove, FL. Retains WBA Middleweight Title.

Orzubek Nazarov KO 7 Leavander Johnson, Coconut Grove, FL. Retains WBA Lightweight Title.

Antonio Cermeno W 12 Angel Chacon, Coconut Grove, FL. Retains WBA Super Bantamweight Title.

2005: Former middleweight, cruiserweight world champion, and current heavyweight contender James Toney is suspended for 90 days and fined $10,000 after steroids were found in his post fight drug test following his April 30 fight with John Ruiz in NYC.

2008: Timothy Bradley W 12 Junior Whitter, Nottingham, England. Wins WBC Super Lightweight Title.

May 11,

1900: James J. Jeffries KO 23 James J. Corbett, Coney Island. Retains World Heavyweight Title. “The finishing blow came suddenly and was a startling surprise. Corbett had been making a wonderful battle. His defense was absolutely perfect, and while he was lacking in strength, he had more than held his own and stood an excellent chance of winning the fight had it gone the limit. He had not been badly punished and had managed to mark his man severely. The winning punch was a short left to the jaw. Corbett dropped like weight and was clear out. Jeffries showed his ability to take punishment at any distance and hard. He was clearly outboxed and at times was made to look like a novice. The crowd, which numbered fully eight thousand, was with Corbett and his defeat fell upon a silent crowd. There were cheers for him when he revived and left the ring, and he was generally given more consideration than the victor. Corbett is still a factor in pugilistic fame. He has regained much of his old time form. The battle was clean and it is doubtful if there was a single infraction of the rules.” (Durango Democrat)

1906: Abe Attell D 20 Kid Herman, Los Angeles. Retains World Featherweight Title.

1936: Petey Sarron W 15 Freddie Miller, Washington D.C. Wins World Featherweight Title.

1937: Freddie Steele KO 3 Frank Battaglia, Seattle. Retains New York & NBA Middleweight Title.

1963: Mark Breland born.

1971: Oba Carr born.

1977: Ken Norton KO 1 Duane Bobick, NYC. The # 1 rated Bobick, 38-0 (32) never stood a chance.

1980: Matthew Saad Muhammad KO 5 Louis Pergaud, Halifax, Canada. Retains WBC Light Heavyweight Title.

1981: Gerry Cooney KO 1 Ken Norton, NYC.

1983: Francisco (Panchito) Bojado born.

1991: Dave McAuley W 12 Pedro Feliciano, Belfast. Retains IBF Flyweight Title.

1994: Steve Collins KO 5 Chris Pyatt, Sheffield, England.

1996: Yong-Soo Choi KO 8 Orlando Soto, Chejudo, Korea. Retains WBA Super Featherweight Title.

2002: Diobelys Hurtado KO 7 Randall Bailey, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

May 12,

1902: Joe Gans KO 1 Frank Erne, Ft. Erie, Ontario. Wins World Lightweight Title.

1916: Sam Langford KO 7 Joe Jeanette, Syracuse.

1941: Joey Archibald W 15 Harry Jeffra, Washington D.C. Regains World Featherweight Title.

1962: Harold Johnson W 15 Doug Jones, Philadelphia. Wins vacant World Light Heavyweight Title.

Louie Espinosa born.

1977: Jeff Lacy born.

1981: Antonio Avelar KO 7 Shoji Oguma, Mito, Japan. Wins WBC Flyweight Title.

1991: Terrence Alli W 12 Charles Murray, Rochester.

2001: Felix (Tito) Trinidad KO 5 William Joppy, NYC. Wins WBA Middleweight Title.

Vernon Forrest W 12 Raul Frank, NYC. Wins vacant IBF Welterweight Title.

2006: Vicente Mosquera W 12 Jose Pablo Estrella, Cordoba, Argentina. Retains WBA Super Featherweight Title.

May 13,

1914: Joe Louis born Joseph Louis Barrow.

1950: Rich Rose born.

1970: Jolene Blackshear born.

1984: Dodie Penalosa KO 9 Jae Hong Kim, Seoul. Retains IBF Junior Flyweight Title.

1989: Julio Cesar Chavez KO 10 Roger Mayweather, Inglewood. Wins WBC Super Lightweight Title.

1990: Antonio Esparragoza W 12 Chan Mok Park, Seoul. Retains WBA Featherweight Title.

1995: Antonio Cermeno W 12 Wilfredo Vasquez, Bayamon, Puerto Rico. Wins WBA Super Bantamweight Title.

2000: Roy Jones Jr. KO 11 Richard Hall, Indianapolis. Retains World Light Heavyweight Title.

Bernard Hopkins W 12 Syd Vanderpool, Indianapolis. Retains IBF Middleweight Title.

2004: Julio Diaz W 12 Javier Jauregui, San Diego. Wins IBF Lightweight Title.

2006: Clinton Woods KO 6 Jason DeLisle, Sheffield, England. Retains IBF Light Heavyweight Title.

Markus Beyer Tech. Draw 4 Sakio Bika, Zwickau, Germany. Retains WBC Super Middleweight Title.

Arthur Abraham W 12 Kofi Jantuah, Zwickau, Germany. Retains IBF Middleweight Title.

Ricky Hatton W 12 Luis Collazo, Boston. Wins WBA Welterweight Title.

Eric Aiken W Disq. 8 Valdemir Pereira, Boston. Wins IBF Featherweight Title.

May 14.

1883: John L. Sullivan KO 3 Charley Mitchell, N.Y.

1908: Joe Gans KO 11 Rudy Unholz, San Francisco. Retains World Lightweight Title.

1917: Pete Herman KO 3 Johnny Coulon, Racine, WI. Non-title fight.

1945: Sugar Ray Robinson D 10 Jose Basora, Philadelphia. Robinson, regarded as the best welterweight in the world, sees his record go to 54-1-1 (35).

1946: Gus Lesnevich KO 10 Freddie Mills, London. Retains World Light Heavyweight Title.

1952: Lauro Salas W 15 Jimmy Carter, Los Angeles. Wins World Lightweight Title. A major upset. Only 6-weeks before, Carter had successfully defended against Salas by unanimous decision.

1978: Rocky Mattioli KO 5 Jose Duran, Pescara, Italy. Retains WBC Super Welterweight Title.

1999: Francisco Castillejo KO 4 Humberto Aranda, Madrid, Spain. Retains WBC Super Welterweight Title.

2000: In Joo Cho W 12 Julio Cesar Avila, Seoul, South Korea. Retains WBC Super flyweight Title.

2001: Veerapol Sahaprom KO 3 Ricardo Barajas, Paris, France. Retains WBC Bantamweight Title.

2005: Ronald (Winky) Wright W 12 Felix (Tito) Trinidad, Las Vegas. Wright dominates every second of every round.

Zab Judah KO 3 Cosme Rivera, Las Vegas. Retains World Welterweight Title.

Will Grigsby W 12 Victor Burgos, Las Vegas. Wins IBF Junior Flyweight Title.

2011: Andre Ward W 12 Arthur Abraham, Carson, CA Retains WBA Super Middleweight Title. Referee: Luis Pabon | judge: Stanley Christodoulou 120-108 | judge: Ingo Barrabas 118-110 | judge: James Jen-Kin 118-111.

Cristian Mijares W 12 Carlos Rueda, Durango, Mexico. Retains IBF Super Flyweight Title. Referee: Jack Reiss | judge: Al Bennett 120-108 | judge: Ruben Garcia Dr. 120-108 | judge: Jonathan Davis 118-110.

May 15,

1871: Mysterious Billy Smith born.

1889: Harry Wills born.

1892: Jimmy Wilde born.

1914: Joe Symonds KO 18 Percy Jones, Plymoth, England. Wins World Flyweight Title.

1920: Harry Greb ND 10 Tommy Gibbons, Pittsburgh.

1942: Sammy Angott W 15 Allie Stolz, NYC. Retains World Lightweight Title.

1953: Rocky Marciano KO 1 Jersey Joe Walcott, Chicago. Retains World Heavyweight Title.

1959: Khaosai Galaxy born.

1963: Maurice Blocker born.

1970: Joichiro Tatsuyoshi born.

1976: Miguel Canto W 15 Juan Alvarez, Caracas. Retains WBC Flyweight Title.

1977: Luis Estaba W 15 Rafael Pedroza, Caracas. Retains WBC Junior Flyweight Title.

1983: Bobby Chacon W 12 Cornelius Boza-Edwards, Las Vegas. Retains WBC Super Featherweight Title.

1986: Julio Cesar Chavez KO 5 Faustino Barrios, Paris. Retains WBC Super Featherweight Title.

Gilberto Roman W 12 Edgar Monserrat, Paris. Retains WBC Super Flyweight Title.

1987: Evander (Real Deal) Holyfield KO 3 Rickey Parkey, Las Vegas. Retains WBA/ wins IBF Cruiserweight Title.

Kelvin Seabrooks KO 5 Miguel Maturana, Cartagena. Wins Vacant IBF Bantamweight Title.

1992: Michael Moorer KO 5 Bert Cooper, Atlantic City. Fight of the Year candidate.

1993: Chris Eubank D 12 Ray Close, Glasgow.

Charles Murray W 12 Rodney Moore, Atlantic City. Wins vacant IBF Super Lightweight Title.

1995: Orzubek Nazarov KO 2 Won Park, Tokyo. Retains WBA Lightweight Title.

1999: Cesar Soto W 12 Luisito Espinosa, El Paso, TX. Wins WBC Featherweight Title.

2004: Antonio Tarver KO 2 Roy Jones Jr., Las Vegas. Wins World Light Heavyweight Title.

Victor Burgos KO 6 Fahlan Sakkreerin, Las Vegas. Retains IBF Junior Flyweight Title.

2010: Orlando Salido W 12 Cristobal Cruz, Ciudad Obregon, Mexico. Wins IBF Featherweight Title.

May 16,

1929: Max Baer KO 2 Chief Caribou, Stockton, CA. Baer’s pro debut.

1930: Midget Wolgast KO 6 Willie LaMorte, NYC. Retains New York World Flyweight Title.

1941: Bob Montgomery W 10 Lew Jenkins, NYC.

1955: Rocky Marciano KO 9 Don Cockell, San Francisco. Retains World Heavyweight Title. The only time Marciano fought on the west coast.

1965: Carlos Hernandez KO 5 Mario Rossito, Maracaibo. Retains World Super Lightweight Title.

1967: Dick Tiger W 15 Jose Torres, NYC. Retains World Light Heavyweight Title.

1970: Nicolino Locche W 15 Adolph Pruitt, Buenos Aires. Retains World Super Lightweight Title.

1975: Muhammad Ali KO 11 Ron Lyle, Las Vegas. Retains World Heavyweight Title.

1977: Muhammad Ali W 15 Alfredo Evangelista, Landover, MD. Retains World Heavyweight Title.

Alfredo Escalera Carlos Becerril, Landover, MD. Retains WBC Super Featherweight Title.

1984: Fritzie Zivic, 71, dies.

1987: Santos Laciar KO 11 Gilberto Roman, Reims, France. Wins WBC Super Flyweight Title.

1992: James Warring W 12 Johnny Nelson, Fredericksburg, VA. Retains IBF Cruiserweight Title.

1997: Phillip Holiday W 12 Pete Taliaferro, Hammanskraal, South Africa. Retains IBF Lightweight Title.

1998: Jean-Baptist Mendy W 12 Orzubek Nazarov, Paris. Wins WBA Lightweight Title. Big upset!!

Genaro Hernandez W 12 Carlos Gerena, Indio, CA. Retains WBC Super Featherweight Title.

Vuyani Bungu W 12 Ernesto Gray, Bophutatswana, South Africa. Retains IBF Super Bantamweight Title.

Erik Morales KO 2 Jose Luis Bueno, Indio, CA. Retains WBC Bantamweight Title.

2000: Lou DiBella announces he’s leaving HBO. DiBella was with the cable giant for 11-years. The last three as senior vice president.

2009: Giacobbe Fragomeni D 12 Krzysztof Wlodarczyk, Roma, Italy. Retains WBC Cruiserweight Title. Referee: Ian John-Lewis | judge: Esa Lehtosaari 114-114 | judge: Richard James Davies 112-116 | judge: Robin Dolpierre 114-113.

May 17,

1884: Sam McVey born Samuel E. MacVea.

1918: Ted (Kid) Lewis W 20 Johnny Tillman, Denver, CO. Retains World Welterweight Title.

1955: Bob Spagnola born.

1956: Sugar Ray Leonard born Ray Charles Leonard.

1963: John David Jackson born.

1965: Fighting Harada W 15 Eder Jofre, Nagoya, Japan. Wins World Bantamweight Title. The 29-year old Jofre falls to 47-1-3 (36).

1973: Chartchai Chionoi KO 5 Fritz Chervet, Bangkok. Wins vacant WBA Flyweight Title.

1975: Antonio (Kid Pambele) Cervantes W 15 Esteban DeJesus, Panama City. Retains World Super Lightweight Title.

1987: Tae Il Chang W 15 Soon Chun Kwon, Pusan, South Korea. Wins vacant IBF Super Flyweight Title.

1988: Calvin Grove W 15 Myron Taylor, Atlantic City. Retains IBF Featherweight Title.

1989: Carlos De Leon KO 9 Sammy Reeson, London. Wins WBC Cruiserweight Title for a fourth time.

1992: Victor Rabanales KO 4 Luis Alberto Campo, Tuxtla, Mexico. Retains WBC Bantamweight Title.

1996: Ronald (Winky) Wright W 12 Bronco McKart, Monroe, MI.

1997: Luisito Espinosa W tech. Dec. 8 Manuel Medina, Manila. Retains WBC Featherweight Title.

2003: Leonard Dorin D 12 Paul Spadafora, Pittsburgh. Fighters retain respective WBA & IBF Lightweight Titles.

2008: Cristian Mijares W 12 Alexander Munoz, Gomez Palacio, Mexico. Retains WBC/wins WBA Super Flyweight Title.

2010: Takashi Uchiyama KO 6 Angel Granados, Saitama, Japan. Retains WBA Super Featherweight Title.

May 18,

1916: Ted (Kid) Lewis ND 10 Mike Gibbons, NYC.

1926: Joe Brown born.

1946: Manuel Ortiz KO 5 Kenny Lindsay, Hollywood, CA. Retains World Bantamweight Title.

1951: Kid Gavilan W 15 Johnny Bratton, NYC. Wins vacant World Welterweight Title.

1953: Yoshio Shirai W 15 Tanny Campo, Tokyo. Retains World Flyweight Title.

1956: Sugar Ray Robinson KO 4 Carl (Bobo) Olson, Los Angeles. Retains World Middleweight Title.

1963: Eder Jofre KO 12 Johnny Jamito, Quezon City, The Phillipines. Retains World Bantamweight Title.

1972: Saen Sow Ploenchit born.

1973: Marvin Hagler KO 2 Terry Ryan, Brockton, MA. Hagler’s pro debut.

1974: Noel Arambulet born.

1976: Jose Duran KO 14 Koichi Wajima, Tokyo. Wins World Super Welterweight Title.

1980: Shoji Oguma KO 9 Chan Hee Park, Seoul. Regains WBC Flyweight Title.

1983: Bruce Curry W 12 Leroy Haley, Las Vegas. Wins WBC Super Lightweight Title.

1986: Ki Yung Chung W 15 Richard Savage, Taegu, South Korea. Retains IBF Featherweight Title.

1991: Darrin Van Horn KO 11 Lindell Holmes, Verbania, Italy. Wins IBF Super Middleweight Title.

Hector Camacho W 12 Greg Haugen, Reno. Avenges an earlier defeat. I wonder if Greg smoked a fat one prior to or following the bout.

Muanchai Kittikasem KO 12 Jung Koo Chang, Seoul. Retains WBC Flyweight Title.

1996: Felix (Tito) Trinidad KO 5 Fred Pendleton, Las Vegas. Retains IBF Welterweight Title.

Phillip Holiday KO 2 Jeff Fenech, Melbourne, Australia. Retains IBF Lightweight Title.

Wilfredo Vasquez KO 11 Eloy Rojas, Las Vegas. Wins WBA Featherweight Title.

Ratanapol Sow Voraphin W 12 Jun Arlos, Yala, Thailand. Wins vacant IBF Strawweight Title.

2002: Kostya Tszyu W 12 Ben Tackie, Las Vegas. Retains World Super Lightweight Title.

Mickey Ward W 10 Arturo Gatti, Uncasville, CT. Fight of the year!

Osamu Sato KO 8 Yoddamrong Sithyodthong, Saitama, Japan. Wins WBA Super Bantamweight Title.

May 19,

1909: Jack Johnson ND 6 Philadelphia Jack O’Brien, Philadelphia.

1933: Kid Chocolate W 15 Seaman Tom Watson, NYC. Retains New York World Featherweight Title.

1941: Petey Scalzo D 15 Phil Zwick, Milwaukee. Retains NBA Featherweight Title.

1952: Yoshio Shirai W 15 Dado Marino, Tokyo. Wins World Flyweight Title.

1957: Laszlo Papp W 4 Alois Brand, Cologne, Germany. Papp’s pro debut.

1965: John Wesley Meekins born.

1967: Curtis Cokes KO 10 Francois Pavilla, Dallas. Retains World Welterweight Title.

Julio Cesar Green born.

1972: Clemente Sanchez KO 3 Kuniaki Shibata, Tokyo. Wins WBC Featherweight Title.

1973: Antonio (Kid Pambele) Cervantes KO 5 Alfonzo (Pepermint) Frazer, Panama City. Retains World Super Lightweight Title.

1984: Soon Chun Kwon W 15 Ian Clyde, Daejon, South Korea. Retains IBF Flyweight Title.

Francisco Quiroz KO 9 Lupe Madera, Maracaibo. Wins WBA Junior Flyweight Title.

1985: Wilfredo Gomez W 15 Rocky Lockridge, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico. Wins WBA Super Featherweight Title. In what has to be the robbery of the decade, Gomez, now a three-division titlist wins a majority decision 146-142, 145-144, 144-144.

1990: Pernell (Sweet Pea) Whitaker W 12 Azumah Nelson, Las Vegas. Retains WBC/IBF Lightweight Title. Prior to the fight, Whitaker’s trainer, George Benton, instructed him to “box him like you got bad breath.”

1991: Ricardo Lopez KO 8 Kimio Hirano, Shizuoka, Japan. Retains WBC Strawweight Title.

1995: Jimmy Garcia, 23, dies of complications resulting from a head injury suffered in his May 6 knockout loss to Gabriel Ruelas.

2000: Malcolm Tunacao KO 7 Medgoen Toyota-Thailand., Udon Thani, Thailand. Wins WBC Flyweight Title.

2007: Jermain Taylor W 12 Cory Spinks, Memphis, TN. Retains World Middleweight Title. Worst fight of the year candidate.

Kelly (The Ghost) Pavlik KO 7 Edison Miranda, Memphis, TN. The undefeated Pavlik proves to be the goods with his sturdy chin and big punch! Although previously untested, Pavlik more than earns the number one contender’s spot for the middleweight title.

Ulises Solis KO 9 Jose Aguirre, Guadalajara, Mexico. Retains IBF Junior Flyweight Title.

May 20,

1926: Pete Latzo W 10 Mickey Walker, Scranton, PA. Wins World Welterweight Title. Upset of the year.

1929: Tod Morgan W 10 Baby Sal Sorio, Los Angeles. Retains World Super Featherweight Title.

1932: Billy Petrolle W 10 Battling Battalino, Chicago. Referee: Dave Barry. “Battalino dropped Petrolle for a count of nine with a left hook to the chin in the first round, but thereafter the Fargo Express came thundering along to victory.” New York Times.

1940: Harry Jeffra W 15 Joey Archibald, Baltimore. Wins World Featherweight Title.

1946: Ezzard Charles W 10 Archie Moore, Pittsburgh.

1966: Joey Gamache born.

1978: Pipino Cuevas KO 2 Billy Backus, Inglewood. Retains WBA Welterweight Title. At the start of the first round the Mexican champion began a fearsome blitz. There was one knockdown, and before the round ended Backus, 35, was bleeding from cuts above and below his swollen right eye. Before the start of round two, referee Carlos Berrocal, acting on the advice of Dr. Roger Thill, called a halt.

1979: Chan Hee Park W 15 Riki Igarishi, Seoul. Retains WBC Flyweight Title.

1983: Michael Dokes D 15 Mike Weaver, Las Vegas. Retains WBA Heavyweight Title. A majority draw retains Dokes title, 143-143, 144-144, and 145-141 for Dokes.

Larry Holmes W 12 (Terrible) Tim Witherspoon, Las Vegas. Retains WBC Heavyweight Title. Holmes is lucky to escape with a split decision victory, 118-111, 115-113, and 114-115.

Osvaldo Ocasio W 15 Randy Stephens, Las Vegas. Retains WBA Cruiserweight Title.

1985: Larry Holmes W 15 Carl Williams, Reno. Retains IBF Heavyweight Title. Holmes improves to 48-0 (34). One win shy of tying Rocky Marciano’s record of 49-0. Holmes was also 5-defenses away from tying Joe Louis’ all-time record of 25.

1988: Jose Sanabria KO 6 Moises Fuentes, Bucaramanga, Columbia. Wins vacant IBF Super Bantamweight Title.

1990: Tony (The Tiger) Lopez W 12 John-John Molina, Reno. Regains IBF Super Featherweight Title.

1991: Greg Richardson W 12 Victor Rabanales, Inglewood. Retains WBC Bantamweight Title.

1995: Evander (Real Deal) Holyfield W 10 Ray Mercer, Atlantic City. The 32-year old Holyfield’s first fight since losing the title to Michael Moorer on 4/22/1994.

Dariusz Michalczewski KO 4 Paul Carlo, Hamburg, Germany.

Ratanapol Sor Vorapin KO 2 Oscar Flores, Chiang Mai, Thailand. Retains IBF Strawweight Title.

2000: William Joppy KO 1 Rito Ruvalcaba, Tunica, Mississippi. Retains WBA Middleweight Title.

Julio Gamboa D 12 Felix Machado, Tunica, Mississippi. For vacant IBF Super Flyweight Title.

2001: Masamori Tokuyama KO 5 In Joo Cho, Seoul, South Korea. Retains WBC Super Flyweight Title.

2005: O’Neil Bell W 12 Dale Brown, Hollywood, FL. Wins vacant IBF Cruiserweight Title.

2006: Marco Antonio Barrera W 12 Rocky Juarez, Los Angeles. Retains WBC Super Featherweight Title.

Jorge Barrios KO 1 Janos Nagy, Los Angeles. One left-hook to the liver ends matters in just 49 seconds.

Roberto Vasquez W 12 Noel Arambulet, Panama City, Panama. Retains WBA Junior Flyweight Title.

May 21,

1891: James J. Corbett D 61 Peter Jackson, San Francisco.

1912: Johnny Kilbane D 12 Jimmy Walsh, Boston. Retains World Featherweight Title.

1925: Jack (Kid) Berg KO 10 Ted (Kid) Lewis, London.

1933: Tony Canzoneri W 10 Battling Shaw, New Orleans. Regains World Super Lightweight Title.

1943: Bob Montgomery W 15 Beau Jack, NYC. Wins New York World Lightweight Title.

1966: Muhammad Ali KO 6 Henry Cooper, London. Retains World Heavyweight Title. 46,000 spectators turned out for England’s first Heavyweight Championship bout in 58 years.

Jose Torres W 15 Wayne Thornton, Flushing, NY. Retains World Light Heavyweight Title.

1977: Miguel Angel Cuello KO 9 Jesse Burnett, Monte Carlo. Wins vacant WBC Light Heavyweight Title.

Wilfredo Gomez KO 12 Dong Kyun Yum, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico. Wins WBC Super Bantamweight Title.

1989: Jorge Paez D 12 Louie Espinosa, Phoenix. Retains IBF Featherweight Title.

1993: Katsuya Onizuka W 12 Jae-Shin Lim, Tokyo. Retains WBA Super Flyweight Title.

1994: Chris Eubank W 12 Ray Close, Belfast, Ireland.

Julio Cesar Vasquez KO 10 Ahmet Dottuev, Belfast. Retains WBA Super Welterweight Title.

Julio Cesar Borboa KO 9 Jaji Sibali, Hammanskraal, South Africa. Retains IBF Super flyweight Title.

1996: Keiji Yamaguchi W 12 Carlos Murillo, Osaka, Japan. Wins WBA Junior Flyweight Title.

1998: The New Jersey State Parole Board rejects former super welterweight contender Tony Ayala Jr.’s bid to be paroled.

1999: Veerapol Sahaprom KO 5 Mauro Blanc, Sara Buri, Thailand. Retains WBC Bantamweight Title.

2000: Joel Casamayor KO 5 Jong-Kwon Baek, Kansas City, Missouri. Wins WBA Super Featherweight Title. Baek’s corner had no cutman.

2005: Lamon Brewster KO 1 Andrew Golota, Chicago, IL. Let’s hope we’ve finally seen the last of Golota.

Tomasz Adamek W 12 Paul Briggs, Chicago, IL Wins vacant WBC Light Heavyweight Title.

2011: Bernard Hopkins W 12 Jean Pascal, Montreal, Canada. Regains World Light Heavyweight Title. Referee: Ian John-Lewis | judge: Rey Danseco 116-112 | judge: Anek Hongtongkam 115-114 | judge: Guido Cavalleri 115-113. At 46, Hopkins becomes the oldest fighter in boxing history to win a world title.

Tomas Rojas KO 11 Juan Jose Montes, Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico. Retains WBC Super Flyweight Title.

May 22,

1905: Abe Attell ND 6 Battling Nelson, Philadelphia.

1929: Kid Chocolate W 10 Fidel LaBarba, NYC

1931: Bat Battalino W 15 Fidel LaBarba, NYC. Retains world Featherweight Title.

1941: Gus Lesnevich W 15 Anton Christoforidis, NYC. Wins NBA Light Heavyweight Title.

1976: Victor Galindez KO 15 Richie Kates, Johannesburg. Retains WBA Light Heavyweight Title.

Roberto Duran KO 14 Lou Bizzarro, Erie, PA. Retains World Lightweight Title.

1977: Yoko Gushiken W 15 Rigoberto Marcano, Sapporo, Japan. Retains WBA Junior Flyweight Title.

1982: Alexis Arguello KO 5 Andrew Ganigan, Las Vegas. Retains World Lightweight Title.

1990: Rocky Graziano, 68, dies.

1992: Rafael Pineda KO 7 Clarence Coleman, Mexico City. Retains IBF Super Lightweight Title.

1993: Riddick (Big Daddy) Bowe KO 2 Jesse Ferguson, Washington D.C. Retains World Heavyweight Title.

Roy Jones Jr. W 12 Bernard Hopkins, Washington D.C. Wins vacant IBF Middleweight Title.

Julio Cesar Borboa W 12 Joel Luna Zarate, Mexico City. Retains IBF Super Flyweight Title.

1997: Chino Grovin, 80, dies. Chino, a boxing trainer affiliated with Gil Clancy, worked with Rodrigo Valdez.

1999: Oscar De La Hoya KO 11 Oba Carr, Las Vegas. Retains WBC Welterweight Title.

Floyd Mayweather KO 9 Justin Juuko, Las Vegas. Retains WBC Super Featherweight Title.

2004: Jean-Marc Mormeck W 12 Virgil Hill, Carnival City, South Africa. Retains WBA Cruiserweight Title.

May 23,

1922: Harry Greb W 15 Gene Tunney, NYC. Wins U.S. Light Heavyweight Title. Ten seconds into the first round Greb breaks Tunney’s nose. Later in the round Greb opened a huge gash over Tunney’s left eye. In the third round, Greb busts up Tunney’s right eye. Over the course of 15-rounds, Tunney lost an estimated 2-quarts of blood. “The gore was so thick on Greb’s gloves that he had to step back and hold them out so referee, Kid Partland could wipe them off with a towel,” wrote ringside observer James R. Fair.

1940: Ken Overlin W 15 Ceferino Garcia, NYC. Wins World Middleweight Title.

1941: Joe Louis W disq. 7 Buddy Baer, Washington D.C. Retains World Heavyweight Title.

1951: Carlos Zarate born.

1954: Marvelous Marvin Hagler born Marvin Hagler.

1960: Jose Becerra D 15 Kenji Yonekura, Tokyo. Retains World Bantamweight Title.

1962: Loreto Garza born.

1970: Nino Benvenuti KO 8 Tom Bethea, Umag, Yugoslavia. Retains World Middleweight Title.

Phillip Holiday born.

Derrell Coley born.

1981: Wilfred Benitez KO 12 Maurice Hope, Las Vegas. Wins WBC Super Welterweight Title. Benitez becomes boxing’s fifth 3-division champion. The following day Hope would tie the knot.

1986: Barry Michael KO 4 Mark Fernandez, Melbourne. Retains IBF Super Featherweight Title.

1987: Leslie Stewart KO 9 Marvin Johnson, Port-Of-Spain, Trinidad. Wins WBA Light Heavyweight Title.

1988: Fulgencio Obelmejias W 12 Chong Pal Park, Suanbo, South Korea. Wins WBA Super Middleweight Title.

2009: Toshiaki Nishioka KO 3 Jhonny Gonzalez, Monterrey, Mexico. Retains WBC Super Bantamweight Title.

May 24,

1901: James (Rube) Ferns KO 10 Matty Matthews, Toronto. Regains World Welterweight Title.

1907: Abe Attell W 20 Kid Solomon, Los Angeles. Retains World Featherweight Title.

1917: Les Darcy, 21, dies from blood poisoning as a result from an infected tooth.

1928: Tod Morgan W 15 Cannonball Martin, NYC. Retains World Super Featherweight Title.

1940: Henry Armstrong KO 5 Ralph Zanelli, Boston. Retains World Welterweight Title.

1954: Yoshio Shirai W 15 Leo Espinosa, Tokyo. Retains World Flyweight Title.

1958: Jose Torres KO 1 Gene Hamilton, Brooklyn. Torres’ pro debut.

1962: Hector Camacho born.

1968: Bob Foster KO 4 Dick Tiger, NYC. Wins World Light Heavyweight Title. Foster separates Tiger from his senses, not to mention his title, with one single, devastating left hook!

1969: Bob Foster KO 4 Andy Kendall, West Springfield, MA. Retains World Light Heavyweight Title.

1976: Muhammad Ali KO 5 Richard Dunn, Munich, Germany. Retains World Heavyweight Title. Ali’s last knockout victory.

1986: Alfredo Layne KO 9 Wilfredo Gomez, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico. Wins WBA Super Featherweight Title.

1987: Chan Young Park KO 11 Takuya Muguruma, Moriguchi, Japan. Wins WBA Bantamweight Title.

1995: Hiroshi Kawashima W 12 Seung Koo Lee, Yokohama. Retains WBC Retains WBC Super Flyweight Title.

1996: Kostya Tzyu KO 4 Corey Johnson, Sydney, Australia. Retains IBF Super Lightweight Title.

1997: Yong-Soo Choi W 12 Koji Matsumoto, Suwon, South Korea. Retains WBA Super Featherweight Title.

2008: Ricky Hatton W 12 Juan Lazcano, Manchester, England. Retains World Super Lightweight Title.

Paul Malingnaggi W 12 Lovemore Ndou, Manchester. Retains IBF Super Lightweight Title.

May 25,

1876: Jack Root born.

1939: Henry Armstrong W 15 Ernie Roderick, London. Retains World Welterweight Title.

1942: Ezzard Charles W 10 Charley Burley, Pittsburgh.

1948: Ike Williams W 15 Enrique Bolanos, Los Angeles. Retains World Lightweight Title. A controversial split decision.

1951: Jimmy Carter KO 14 Ike Williams, NYC. Wins World Lightweight Title.

1965: Muhammad Ali KO 1 Sonny Liston, Lewiston, ME. Retains World Heavyweight Title. The most controversial ending, to a championship bout, in the history of the game. Not to mention, Jersey Joe Walcott screws up his refereeing duties by losing control of the fight after Ali fells Liston with a single right-hand counter.

1968: Sandro Mazzinghi W 15 Ki Soo Kim, Milan. Regains World Super Welterweight Title.

1972: (Smokin’) Joe Frazier KO 5 Ron Stander, Omaha. Retains World Heavyweight Title.

1974: Rodrigo Valdez KO 7 Bennie Briscoe, Monte Carlo. Wins vacant WBC Middleweight Title. Valdez does to Briscoe what World Middleweight Champion Carlos Monzon couldn’t do in 2-fights, 25-combined rounds, against the Philadelphia native.

Rafael Herrera KO 6 Romeo Anaya, Mexico City. Retains WBC Bantamweight Title.

1975: Miguel Canto W 15 Betulio Gonzalez, Monterrey. Retains WBC Flyweight Title.

1996: Henry Maske W 12 John Scully, Leipzig, Germany. Retains IBF Light Heavyweight Title.

1999: Mike Tyson, 32, is released from Montgomery County (Maryland) Detention Center after serving 3 ½ months of a one-year sentence for assaulting two motorists.

2000: Freddy Norwood W 12 Julio Pablo Chacon, Mendoza, Argentina. Retains WBA Featherweight Title.

2001: WBC Bantamweight Champion Willie Jorrin, 31, is arrested in West Sacramento, California, on felony counts of rape, domestic violence, false imprisonment, and corporal injury in a case involving the mother of his two children.

May 26,

1863: Bob Fitzsimmons born Robert James Fitzsimmons.

1897: Gene Tunney born James Joseph Tunney.

1900: Dan Dougherty W 20 Tommy Feltz, Brooklyn. Wins vacant World Bantamweight Title.

1904: Marcel Thil born.

1932: Tommy Paul W 15 Johnny Pena, Detroit. Wins vacant NBA Featherweight Title.

1943: Manuel Ortiz W 15 Joe Robleto, Long Beach, CA. Retains World Bantamweight Title.

1949: Ricardo Arrendondo born.

1969: Dick Tiger W 10 Nino Benvenuti, NYC. Non-title fight.

1972: (Smokin’) Joe Frazier KO 5 Ron Stander, Omaha. Retains World Heavyweight Title.

1978: Kelvin Davis born.

1984: Jaime Garza KO 3 Felipe Orozco, Miami Beach. Retains WBC Super Bantamweight Title.

Victor Callejas KO 8 Loris Stecca, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. Wins WBA Super Bantamweight Title.

Albert Davila KO 11 Enrique Sanchez, Miami Beach. Retains WBC Bantamweight Title.

Joo Do Chun KO 6 Felix Marquez, Wonju, South Korea. Retains IBF Super Flyweight Title.

1990: Luis Mendoza D 12 Ruben Palacios, Cartegena. For the vacant IBF Super Bantamweight Title.

2000: President Bill Clinton signs The Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act into law. It is the first federal law passed to reform anti-competitive and corruptive business practices in the professional boxing industry.

2001: Floyd Mayweather W 12 Carlos Hernandez, Grand Rapids, MI. Retains WBC Super Featherweight Title.

2007: Steve Cunningham W 12 Krzysztof Wlodarcyz, Slaskie, Poland. Wins IBF Cruiserweight Title.

Arthur Abraham KO 3 Sebastien Demers, Bamberg, Germany. Retains IBF Middleweight Title.

2009: Denkaosan Kaovichit W 12 Hiroyuki Hisataka, Uttaradit, Thailand. Retains WBA Flyweight Title.

Daisuke Naito W 12 Xiong Zhao Zhong, Tokyo. Retains WBC Flyweight Title.

May 27,

1905: Young Corbett III born Raffaele Capabianca Giordano.

1929: Andre Routis KO 3 Buster Brown, Baltimore. Retains World Featherweight Title.

1931: Jimmy McLarnin W 10 Billy Petrolle, NYC.

1951: John Conteh born.

1956: Cornelius Boza Edwards born.

1960: Benny (Kid) Paret W 15 Don Jordan, Las Vegas. Wins World Welterweight Title. Jordan loses a hell of a lot more than just his title. The ex-champ was paid $2000.00-for expenses only. He had signed over his $85,000.00 guarantee in order to void his contract with managers Don Nesseth and Jackie McCoy.

1975: Ezzard Charles, 53, dies.

1978: Carlos Palomino W 15 Armando Muniz, Los Angeles. Retains WBC Welterweight Title.

1983: Marvelous Marvin Hagler KO 4 Wilford Scypion, Providence. Retains World Middleweight Title.

1984: Eusebio Pedroza W 15 Angel Levy Mayor, Maracaibo. Retains WBA Featherweight Title.

1989: Virgil Hill KO 7 Joe Lasisi, Bismark, ND. Retains WBA Light Heavyweight Title.

1994: Roy Jones Jr. KO 2 Thomas Tate, Las Vegas. Retains IBF Middleweight Title. Jones Jr. dispatches Tate with one left-hook.

Rafael Ruelas KO 3 Mike Evgen, Las Vegas. Retains IBF Lightweight Title.

Oscar De La Hoya KO 3 Giorgio Campanella, Las Vegas.

1995: Henry Maske W 12 Graciano Rocchigiani, Dortmund, Germany. The first ever World Light Heavyweight Title-fight between 2-Germans.

Frankie Liles KO 6 Frederic Seillier, Fort Lauderdale. Retains WBA Super Middleweight Title.

Jorge Castro KO 12 Anthony Andrews, Fort Lauderdale. Retains WBA Middleweight Title.

Eloy Rojas W 12 Kyun-Yung Park, Seoul. Retains WBA Featherweight Title.

Daorung MP Petroleum D 12 Lakhin CP Gym, Bangkok. Retains WBA Bantamweight Title.

1997: Jim Boggio, 54, former member of the New Mexico State Commission dies.

2004: Mahyar Monshipour KO 8 Salim Medjkkoune, Clermont-Ferrand, France. Retains WBA Super Bantamweight Title.

May 28,

1917: Benny Leonard KO 9 Freddie Welsh, NYC. Wins World Lightweight Title.

1922: Lou Duva born.

1927: Tod Morgan W 12 Vic Foley, Vancouver. Retains World Super Featherweight Title.

1929: Mushy Callahan KO 3 Fred Mahan, Los Angeles. Retains World Super Lightweight Title.

1934: Barney Ross W 15 Jimmy McLarnin, Long Island City, NY. Wins World Welterweight Title.

1935: Barney Ross W 15 Jimmy McLarnin, NYC. Regains World Welterweight Title.

1941: Tony Zale KO 2 Al Hostak, Chicago. Retains NBA Middleweight Title.

1942: Sugar Ray Robinson W 10 Marty Servo, NYC. Referee: Billy Cavanaugh. Robinson “prevailed by a narrow margin and the crowd of 15000 vociferously disapproved of the decision.” The referee gave the bout to Servo, but both judges voted for Robinson. (New York Times). The official scorecards were 9-1 and 6-3-1 in favor of Robinson and 5-3-2 for Servo.

1962: Archie Moore D 10 Willie Pastrano, Los Angeles.

1964: Jeff Fenech born.

1973: Jose Luis Lopez born.

1988: Juan Jose Estrada W 12 Bernardo Pinango, Tijuana. Wins WBA Super Bantamweight Title.

1989: In Chul Baek KO 11 Fulgencio Obelmejies, Seoul. Wins WBA Super Middleweight Title.

1993: Jung-Il Byun W 12 Josefino Suarez, Seoul. Retains WBC Bantamweight Title.

1995: Tom (Boom Boom) Johnson W 12 Eddie Croft, South Padre Island, TX. Retains IBF Featherweight Title.

2005: Rafael Marquez W 12 Ricardo Vargas, Los Angeles. Retains IBF Bantamweight Title.

May 29,

1900: Kid McCoy W 6 Tommy Ryan, Chicago.

1901: (Terrible) Terry McGovern KO 5 Aurelio Herrera, San Francisco. Retains World Featherweight Title.

1905: Joe Bowker W 20 Pinky Evans, London. Retains World Bantamweight Title.

1909: Battling Nelson KO 23 Dick Hyland, Colma, CA. Retains World Lightweight Title.

1913: Harry Greb ND 6 Frank Kirkwood, Pittsburgh. Greb’s pro debut.

Tony Zale born Anthony Florian Zaleski.

1914: Jack Dillon ND 10 Battling Levinsky, Indianapolis.

1933: Jimmy McLarnin KO 1 Young Corbett III, Los Angeles. Wins World Welterweight Title. Referee: George Blake. The “most spectacular upset the welterweight division has known in many years.” After Corbett had been floored twice and had his back to McLarnin, the “Irishman rushed across the ring and punched Corbett in the jaw again and Referee George Blake stopped the contest immediately. Corbett was out on his feet. Corbett was the seventh welterweight champion in succession to lose possession of the title in defending it for the first time.” New York Times.

1971: Eric Lucas born.

1977: Rafael Ortega W 15 Yasutsune Uehara, Okinawa. Retains WBA Featherweight Title.

1982: Rafael (Bazooka) Limon KO 12 Rolando Navarette, Las Vegas. Regains WBC Super Featherweight Title.

1988: Don LaLonde KO 5 Leslie Stewart, Port of Spain, Trinidad. Retains WBC Light Heavyweight Title.

Daniel Zaragoza D 12 Seung Hoon Lee, Seoul. Retains WBC Super Bantamweight Title.

1993: Billy Conn, 75, dies.

1998: Reggie Johnson W 12 Ole Klemetsen, Pesaro, Italy. Retains IBF Light Heavyweight Title.

Hugo Soto W 12 Jose Bonilla, Las Vegas. Wins WBA Flyweight Title.

1999: Felix (Tito) Trinidad KO 4 Hugo Pineda, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Retains IBF Welterweight Title.

Freddy Norwood W 12 Antonio Cermeno, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Regains WBA Featherweight Title.

Lehlo Ledwaba W 12 John Michael Johnson, Hammanskraal, South Africa. Wins vacant IBF Super Bantamweight Title.

Leo Gamez KO 8 Josue Dickie Camacho, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Retains WBA Flyweight Title.

2009: Oleydong Sithsamerchai Tech Dec 11 Muhammad Rachman, Phuket, Thailand. Retains WBC Strawweight Title.

2010: Vitali Klitschko KO 10 Albert Sosnowski, Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Retains WBC Heavyweight Title.

May 30,

1889: James J. Corbett NC 4 Joe Choynski, San Francisco.

1910: Packey McFarland D 20 Freddie Welsh, London.

1923: Jack Bernstein W 15 Johnny Dundee, NYC. Wins World Super Featherweight Title.

1924: Pancho Villa W 15 Frankie Ash, Brooklyn. Retains World Flyweight Title.

1925: Paul Berlenbach W 15 Mike McTigue, Bronx, NY. Wins World Light Heavyweight Title.

1947: Manuel Ortiz W 15 Kui Kong Young, Honolulu. Retains World Bantamweight Title.

1951: Ezzard Charles W 15 Joey Maxim, Chicago. Retains World Heavyweight Title.

1955: Pascual Perez KO 5 Yoshio Shirai, Tokyo. Retains World Flyweight Title.

1962: Pone Kingpetch W 15 Kyo Noguchi, Tokyo. Retains World Flyweight Title.

1971: Yoshiaki Numata W 15 Lionel Rose, Hiroshima. Retains WBC Super Featherweight Title.

1973: Bridgett Riley born.

1981: Cornelius Boza Edwards KO 14 Bobby Chacon, Las Vegas. Retains WBC Super Featherweight Title.

1990: Luisito Espinosa KO 8 Hurley Snead, Bangkok. Retains WBA Bantamweight Title.

1991: Luis Mendoza KO 7 Joao Cardosa, Madrid. Retains WBA Super Bantamweight Title.

1998: Michael Grant KO 9 Obed Sullivan, Atlantic City.

Laurent Boudouani W 12 Guillermo Jones, Las Vegas. Retains WBA Super Welterweight Title.

Tim Austin KO 3 Andrian Kaspari, Las Vegas. Retains IBF Bantamweight Title.

2009: Andre Berto W 12 Juan Urango, Hollywood, Fla. Retains WBC Welterweight Title. Referee: Tommy Kimmons | judge: Alejandro Rochin Mapula 118-110 | judge: Raul Nieves 118-110 | judge: Michael Pernick 117-111.

May 31,

1920: Jack Britton W 15 Johnny Griffiths, Akron, OH. Retains World Welterweight Title.

1924: Tommy Gibbons ND 10 Georges Carpentier, Michigan City, IN.

1927: Mushy Callahan W 10 Spug Myers, Chicago. Retains World Super Lightweight Title.

1938: Henry Armstrong W 15 Barney Ross, NYC. Wins World Welterweight Title. Armstrong captures the welterweight title just seven months after capturing the World Featherweight Title.

1950: Vic Toweel W 15 Manuel Ortiz, Johannesburg, South Africa. Wins World Bantamweight Title. Toweel improves to 14-0 (6) while Ortiz falls to 90-22-3 (44).

1970: Manuel Ortiz, 53, dies.

1975: Rodrigo Valdez KO 8 Ramon Mendez, Cali, Columbia. Retains WBC Middleweight Title.

Alexis Arguello KO 2 Rigoberto Riasco, Managua. Retains WBA Featherweight Title.

Rodolfo Martinez KO 8 Nestor Jimenez, Bogota. Retains WBC Bantamweight Title.

1976: Wilfred Benitez W 15 Emiliano Villa, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico. Retains World Super Lightweight Title.

1983: Jack Dempsey , 87, dies.

1987: Mike Tyson KO 6 Pinklon Thomas, Las Vegas. Retains WBC/WBA Heavyweight Title.

Tony Tucker KO 10 James (Buster) Douglas, Las Vegas. Wins vacant IBF Heavyweight Title.

1997: (Cool) Vince Phillips KO 10 Kostya Tszyu, Atlantic City. Wins IBF Super Lightweight Title. Definitely, an Upset of the Year candidate.

Saman Sor Jaturong KO 4 Mzukisi Marall, Petchaboon, Thailand.

2002: Leonard Dorin W 12 Raul Balbi, Bucharest, Romania. Retains WBA Lightweight Title.

2003: Edgar Carddenas KO 10 Miguel Barrera, Tijuana. Wins IBF Junior Flyweight Title.

2005: Israel Vasquez W 12 Armando Guerrero, Lynwood, IL. Retains IBF Super Bantamweight Title.

2006: Cassius Baloyi KO 11 Manuel Medina, Spokane, WA. Wins vacant IBF Super Featherweight Title.

2008: Anselmo Moreno W 12 Wladimir Sidorenko, Düsseldorf, Germany. Wins WBA Bantamweight Title.

“Sin City” Richey

Lamont Peterson

New York, NY- By now boxing fans have gotten the news that the Amir Khan (26-2 19 KOs) versus Lamont Peterson (30-1-1 15 KOs) jr. welterweight (140 lb.) title bout has been cancelled. This is because Peterson has been flagged as a user of a banned substance via the comprehensive testing of VADA (Voluntary Anti-Doping Association). VADA is similar to USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency), the entity being utilized by Floyd Mayweather beginning with Shane Mosley in 2010. The testing protocols of these agencies are designed to catch cheating athletes who otherwise would pass standard testing procedures. So Far Mayweather and his opponents have come back clean.

TESTOSTERONE IS A STEROID!

For Lamont Peterson, the banned substance has been reported as synthetic testosterone, a substance Peterson admitted to using prior to his signature victory over Amir Khan in December of last year. Ironically Peterson is the one who requested WADA testing in his rematch with Khan, only to himself get popped for using PED’s (Performance Enhancing Drugs) himself. Either team Peterson thought they wouldn’t get caught or somehow the idea of using drugs to improve Testosterone didn’t register as an obvious conflict for an athlete, despite stricter testing protocol. Either way, these missteps have tarnished Lamont’s clean image and may linger with him for the rest of his career.

IS TESTOSTERONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY VALID HERE?

Recently, Lamont’s trainer, Barry Hunter and his physician, ‘Dr. Thompson’ appeared on a boxing podcast (8 Count News) to attempt to explain Lamont’s positive test. According to Lamont’s physician, Lamont was suffering from extremely low testosterone and his levels were likened to that of a 70-year-old man. The Doctor saw this as a red flag and prescribed something to bring those levels up, justifying it as a preventative measure to avoid trauma. The doctor said that low testosterone levels can cause slow reaction times and can thus lead to increased injury and death in fighters who would fail to avoid repeated blows to the head. But what about the fighters delivering the blows doc?

IS LAMONT JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG?

The biggest fight in boxing failed to materialize due to the fact that one opponent refused to participate in testing protocol like what has caught Lamont Peterson. That same athlete has now claimed that he has no problem taking testing, but has yet to participate in what is becoming a popular trend amongst high stakes prize fighting at the highest levels. Now that it’s abundantly clear that athletes have legitimate claims and reasoning for additional testing. It’s a good thing for boxing, but cheaters must beware. The case for testing has just cemented itself in the boxing landscape and it appears to have left a lasting impression on the sport.

Jarrad Woods

Anne Mathis-Holly Holm

San Francisco, CA- When it comes to female fist-fighting, the sport, although there are more women boxing today, the “superstars” of women’s boxing is few and far between. At one point, Lucia Rijker, the unbeaten 17-0, 14 KOs) female who reportedly lost one fight, that being to a man in a mixed-match, was supposed to fight Christy Martin (49-5-3, 31 KOs) with each fighter getting $500,000 each. If I remember things correctly, Martin, who would have been the underdog, declined the offer.

HOLM HAS BUILT QUITE A FOLLOWING

Although she has lost twice, most recently a KO 7 (December 2011) to Anne Sophie Mathis (27-1, 26 KOs), Holly “Double H” Holm has sold out arenas in and around Albuquerque, NM both as a boxer and as an MMA fighter. The loss to the “rugged” Frenchwoman was devastating to Holm, but instead of lining up a slew of stiffs to fight, Holly told promoter Lenny Fresquez that she wanted to face Mathis again. The rematch is set for June 15 in Albuquerque.

MATHIS A NO “B.S.” TYPE OF PUGILIST

Mathis Beat Holm With Rights!

HOLM WILL NEED TO BOX THROUGHOUT!

Left-handed Holm has watched the film of her first fight with Mathis and thinks she can reverse the outcome of the first encounter. With model-like looks, I’ve seen Holly dig down and win early on in her professional tenure. Holly has went 2-0, 2 KOs in MMA and 1-0, 1 KO kickboxing. In order to win the June 15 rematch, southpaw Holly will need to box throughout, keep Mathis on the outside with her right jab and keeping her right foot outside of Mathis’ left foot and her orthodox stance.

PERFECT MATCH FOR INTERNET

I think that promoter Fresquez should have aired this card on an Internet only Pay Per View card, for the French are quite interested in the fight seeing the amount of French press. I also think there is a limited market that would watch a female fight of this magnitude on the Internet here in the United States.

Pedro Fernandez

Brian Viloria

Friday, May 11, 2012

Texas Station Casino, Las Vegas, NV- (Showtime) Yudel Jhonson (12-0, 8 KOs) vs. Willie Nelson (17-1-1, 11 KOs) Odds/Prediction: Jhonson 13-5. Although giving up some experience, Yudel looks a level better here. Feeling lucky, thus I’ll put $260 to win $360.
Alexander Brand (17-0, 11 KOs) vs. Badou Jack (10-0, 8 KOs) Odds/Prediction: Brand 11-5. Colmbian favored over Swede.

EWS Arena, Goeppingen, Germany- Alexander Alekseev (23-2, 20 KOs) vs. Firat Arslan (32-5-1, 22 KOs) Odds/Prediction: AA 2-1. Alexander appears the better here, but it doesn’t look like a rout.
Mouez Fhima (21-1-1) vs. Goekalp Oezekler (12-1) Odds/Prediction: 6-5 Pick ‘Em. Looks like a close one will lean to Fhima.

BEST OF FOUR CARDS FRIDAY NIGHT IN ARGENTINA

Super Domo Orfeo, Cordoba, Argentina- Juan Reveco (27-1, 16 KOs) vs. Karim Guerfi (18-0, 4 KOs) (Interim WBA 112 lb. title) Odds/Prediction: Reveco 8-5. Home turf the read edge here.

May 12th (Saturday), 2012:

Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig City, Philippines- (PPV) Brian Viloria (30-3, 17 KOs) vs. Omar Romero (31-4-2, 13 KOs) (WBO 112 lb. title) Odds/Prediction Viloria 7-5. Romero has a win and a “No Contest” (Romero failed drug test) that was orignally ruled a draw vs. Viloria, both in 2006 and at 108 lbs. Romro has lost but a Majority & Split Decision since. Tough pick, tuff give Viloria a paper pthin edge.

Tepic, MX- Juan Sanchez (13-1-1) vs. Juan Rosas (36-6) (IBF 115 lb. title) Odds/Prediction: Sanchez 8-5. Mexican giving up a lot of experience here!

Ice Palace, Brovari, Ukraine- Gennady Golovokin (22-0, 20 KOs) vs. Makoto Fuchigami (19-6) Odds/Prediction: GG 16-5. Gennady fighting at home with better credentials. Dropping $320 to win $420.
Zarubek Baysangurov (27-1, 20 KOs) vs. Michel Soro (18-0, 12 KOs) WBO 154 lb. title) Odds/Prediction: Zarubek 2-1. Home cooking could be on the plate, ’cause Zarubek looks better.

Woodland Community Center, Woodland, CA-(Telefutrua) Vicente Escobedo (25-3, 20 KOs) vs. Juan Ruiz (32-9) Odds/Prediction:
Vicente 14-5. Going to be hard to beat hometown guy in “Speed Trap” city.

Pedro Fernandez

Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather

San Francisco, CA- Having seen great match ups, fights considered epic not come off, the sun still came up the next day. That being said, the sport of boxing is at an all time low popularity wise in the United States and needs something super to make the world stop and look. This mega-fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, was supposed to occur in 2010. Manny made demands that if Floyd came in overweight, he’d have to give up “$10 million for each pound he came in over 147.” Floyd agreed and countered with a demand that Pacquiao take “random drug tests,” to which Manny refused. That decision by Pacquiao killed the fight for 2010.

IS “RACE” THE REASON THIS FIGHT IS WANTED SO BADLY?

If the fight were to occur, I am of the opinion that it will be “all hype and little fight.” I mean if you look at the size, speed and skill levels that Mayweather has over Pacquiao, where’s the fight? While I’m no big fan of Floyd, I just don’t see the fiery Filipino being much of a challenge here. He’ll be looking at jabs and even more importantly eating right hand leads and left hooks like a kid does a bowl of Corn Flakes for breakfast.

MAYWEATHER IS SCORNED, ASIANS WANT TO BE #1

But let’s take the fight in another direction and play the race card. Blacks want Floyd Mayweather to win because they want their race to prevail. At the same time, Whites who have racist feelings want somebody, if not Manny, to stuff a sock in Floyd’s mouth and kick his ass. Then you bring in the Asian race, rarely has an Asian athlete been the best athlete in a sport, and possibly ouside if Manny, not ever in boxing.

DOES IT BOIL DOWN TO RACIAL PREFERENCES & BIAS?

The White folks that don’t despise Mayweather or Pacquiao, they’re sitting on the fence on this one. The Filipinos, who seemingly can never admit Manny being wrong, they overlook his shortcomings by donning pink sunglasses. The out of wedlock kid is one and why were they silent when Marquez was demanding a fourth fight, this after the majority of press row, including fellow Filipino champion Nonito Donaire, felt Pacquiao had lost?

FLOYD ERASED DOUBTS, MANNY JUST AVOIDS DOUBTS!

In defense of Mayweather, when there were “hoots & hollers” that Jose Luis Castillo beat him the first time, unlike Manny avoiding Marquez, who is 38 and getting older every day, Floyd erased all doubts by beating Castillo in a rapidly put together rematch. Remember Pacquiao fans, trainer Freddie Roach, who most of you think is Holy enough to walk on water, told Manny that he, “Needed a knockout to win,” before sending him out for the 12th and final round last November against Marquez.

LIKE THAT WHITE WOMAN THAT STALKED ALI

Some White fight fans call Mayweather a lot more than just the “N-word.” They have a seemingly inbred deep-rooted hatred of successful African-American athletes who talk a lot of smack. The Asian contingent, they want to be known for more than an occasional basketball star or being the best at table tennis or billiards. That’s why before the Pacquiao-Marquez decision was even announced, it was so quiet you could hear a mouse piss on a wad of cotton in the Philippines.

MAYWEATHER-PACQUIAO BOILS DOWN TO THIS!

With each man’s ethnic supremacy at stake, and Floyd being the odds-on favorite, this is a “lose-lose” fight for Manny Pacquiao. Judging by the Pay Per View numbers and the reported record purse that he made Saturday night against Miguel Cotto, whether he’s gong to spend a short period of time in jail has nothing to do with the fight being discussed.

REMEMBER, MANNY’S FACING BRADLEY, NOT MARQUEZ OR FLOYD!

The best think Pacquiao can do is continue to insist Mayweather is making unreasonable demands and retire by the end of the year, unless of course Tim Bradley can do the unlikely and knock the slowed Pacquiao train off the tracks come June 9.

CAN ANY FILIPINOS CHALLENGE THE FOLLOWING?

Anyway you look at it, the record shows that Manny showed his true colors by (1) Refusing the Random Drug Tests in 2010. (2) Saying he would take less money and then changing his mind. (3) In January, he said he’d fight Floyd May 5th, but he’s going to jail. Then when Mayweather announced three days later that he would be allowed to fight on that date, instead of Manny talking, all you heard for a month was another mouse pissing on a wad of cotton somewhere in General Santos City. (4) Refusing to fight Marquez a fourth time after the extreme “controversy” over their November 2011 fight. (5) Floyd made more money Saturday than Manny Pacquiao’s total net worth!

FLOYD CAN BREAK ANOTHER PURSE RECORD IN NOVEMBER

Should Floyd sit back, wait and see who wins between challenger Miguel Cotto and WBC 154 lb. guy Saul Alvarez, he can make yet another record purse! By the way, we have an Alvarez-Cotto poll going in the left hand margin of this page.

Pedro Fernandez

Openly Gay Emile Griffith

San Francisco, CA- Having been born in a gay bastion, San Francisco, I was first exposed to Gay people when we lived on 22nd & Castro many decades ago. My father was aghast that two Gay men lived in the same building. After doing some work for them, his stance began to waver. When he found out that a childhood friend of his who was seriously ill in the hospital was Gay, my father, once super homophobic, made a 180-degree turn.

CIVIL RIGHTS SHOULD BE CLEARLY ILLUSTRATED

Black people are supposed (or alleged) to have equal rights, no longer do they have to ride in the back of the bus, women can vote, Gay fighters are permitted to box, Blacks can marry Whites, so why should we ban Gay people, somewhere between 15 & 25 % of the populace, deny them a right to the pursuit of happiness? Is it really any of our business what people do in their personal or domestic lives?

EMILE GRIFFITH IS “NOW” OPENLY GAY!

A self co-authored 2008 book, “Nine, Ten, And Out! The Two Worlds of Emile Griffith” explain his now being openly Gay, after decades of living in the closet. Griffith was a two-division world champion and 1964 “Ring Magazine Fighter of The Year.” Now being something of a Constitutional student, at one time I was a bit homophobic with the reason being that as a kid we had a perverted Cub Scout leader who abused young boys in my Pack.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PEDOPHILES & BEING GAY

Then I learned the very significant difference between pedophilia and being Gay. Last year, the Catholic Church had almost 1,000 cases of Priests molesting boys. Makes you wonder if that would be the case if Priests had Civil Rights, were they allowed to either marry, be it heterosexual or homosexual, would the numbers be that high?

LEARNED GAY PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE THAT DESERVE GAY MARRIAGE & CIVIL RIGHTS!

I started working for my uncle Palamento Fernandez at the San Francisco Barber College, and I became friends with two students who were Gay and I didn’t know it. Because of the stigma then attached to same-sex cohabitation they never let on and left school at different times, rarely even having lunch together.

SAW THEM HOLD HANDS AT GRADUATION PARTY

I was 13 and stunned when first learning their “thing” was more than just friendship, this at a Barber College graduation party. Now some 37 years later, they are still together living as one! When I was in the San Francisco Police Dept., I worked with Don Hicks, who was Gay.

FOUNDING FAHERS SAID “ALL MEN (PEOPLE) ARE CREATED EQUAL”

Of all the great people that I worked the streets with, Don was the best cop and human being. Now SFPD Commander Greg Corrales, then a Lieutenant, put us together knowing that I was not homophobic. Jokingly, I used to say that two Gay guys mean two more chicks for me! As it turns out, it was Don that rescued me when I fell 30+ feet through a roof to a concrete floor. The moral of this story is that the “pursuit of happiness” and Civil Rights, well they trump anybody’s opinion!

Pedro Fernandez

Brock Lesnar

San Francisco, CA- When I first heard the name, “Brock Lesnar,” he was a 270 lb. World Wrestling Federation (later World Wrestling Entertainment) brute who to me looked so “monster-like” that if the WWE wasn’t scripted and based on “worked” (predetermined) matches, that he could kick anybody’s ass, maybe even the great “Andre The Giant,” again if the fights were real.

PRO WRESTLING CAREER PRIOR TO UFC

Brock Lesnar-Kurt Angle

LESNAR TRIED TO MAKE IT IN THE NFL

Thinking he had the ability to make it as an offensive lineman in the National Football League, Lesnar walked away from the WWF(E) and tried out for the Minnesota Vikings. Although he was huge and using steroids at the time, it wasn’t enough and the Vikings cut him. As for the steroids, Lesnar was busted entering Japan soon thereafter with a cache of steroids in his luggage. So, before you Lesnar fans start jumping on me, check the record.

WENT TO JAPAN IN DEFYING WWF(E) “SLAVE” CONTRACT

The WWF(E) when they signed Lesnar included a clause that said he couldn’t wrestle or perform for another company in 2010. This “onerous” contract was declared invalid after Lesnar went to the mat and took Vince “The Prick” McMahon and his WWF(E) to court and won. Lesnar went on to perform for two years from 2005 to 2007 for New Japan Wrestling.

STARTED TRAINING FOR THE MMA WORLD & UFC

While with New Japan Wrestling, Lesnar saw how the now-defunct Pride Fighting Championships were really the “in thing” in Japanese culture. Longtime fans of professional wrestling preferred to watch “real fights’ and at one time Pride was the major league, while the UFC was a distant second.

MMA WORLD CANNT BE DEFINED BY GYM WORK

Although Lesnar did great in MMA workouts, unlike boxing sparring sessions, where you can see what a guy is made of, a lot of the moves performed in the world of MMA had to be done on bags and the like. I mean, how are you going to take forearm strikes or elbows to from a real man in practice?

LESNAR ENTERS MMA ON A “NOTHING-SHOW”

In one of the lowest rated Pay Per View productions of the modern ear, Lesnar submitted Min Soo Kim on strikes in at 1:09 of the first round to win his first initial MMA encounter in June 2007.

THEN THE UFC SIGNED LESNAR

Signed to a contract by the “promoter of the early 20th century”, Dana White, UFC President of the UFC, Lesnar looked like the real deal, but lost his first UFC fight against Frank Mir, in the opinion of somebody who has covered the UFC since it’s 1993 conception, I wasn’t sold on Lesnar as a real fighter.

CARWIN FIGHT PROVED ME RIGHT!

When Brock turned his back and ran away from sprinter Shane Carwin, I knew then and there Lesnar had some “dog or “bitch” in Lesnar’s makeup. When it came to “real” punches to 270 lb. was a “sissy” per se. Although he would go on and beat a “gassed” Carwin, who in the UFC had never been out of the first round, Brock Lesnar was exposed as a 270 lb. brute who was more “pussy” than a UFC fighter. Lesnar went on and stopped a fatigued Carwin in two rounds.

CAIN VELASQUEZ WAS THOUGHT BY SOME TO BE A “MARK”

There were those who thought Cain Velasquez was a pushover, were startled when the Mexican-American knocked Lesnar into another area code with after a first round stoppage. In my view, from the Carwin fight forward, Brock Lesnar was nothing mote than a bully, something my ex-MMA expert Sammy “All Jam” Perez suggested more than once.

LESNAR HAD A CONTRACT WITH UFC BUT NO FUTUE IN UFC

After the decisive bating by Velasquez, coupled with Brock running away from Carwin before Velasquez, it was clear that Lesnar wasn’t made for “real” fights, and the WWF(E) “fixed” fights was more of a fit than real fighting. Lesnar beat John Cena delivering “Stiff” (real) blows that haven’t been seen in or wrestling in decades

FIGHT WITH OVEREEM FORCED BROCK BAC TO FIXED FIGHTS!
After Alistair Overeem beat Lesar like a girl in December 2011, Lesnar opted for 30-date $5 million deal with the aforementioned WWF(E). Although at one time, I thought he was the real deal n MMA, Brock turned out be a sissy who ran away from real punches. That being said, his legacy as a “real” fighter is beyond suspect, for when it came to real fighting Brock Lesnar was more of a pussy than a fighter.

Pedro Fernandez

Dominick Cruz-Urijah Faber

San Francisco, CA- In boxing, participants get hurt while training, but no where close to the number of times Mixed Martial Arts fighters are injured. While it’s been a long time since a boxing match has been scratched due to injuries, the UFC, with their top star and welterweight (170 lbs) Georges St. Pierre on the shelf until November, is now joined by UFC bantamweight champion (135) Dominick Cruz, who tore his Anterior Cruciate Ligament, one of the four major ligaments in the knee, while training for a June match with Urijah Faber in a battle of Season 13 Ultimate Fighter reality TV show coaches. This opens the door for Faber to fight somebody for the “interim” title. From all indications, Cruz will be out six to nine months.

UFC FIGHTERS “FREE SPEECH” THREATENED BY BEER SPONSOR?

The UFC has had a long going battle with the Culinary Workers Union in Las Vegas over the fact that the Station Casinos, owned by the Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta are non-union. Lorenzo and Frank together own 77% of the UFC (the Dubai Government has 13% and Dana White has a 10% stake). The union has put pressure on Anheuser Busch beer who sent a letter regarding UFC fighters making “unscripted” comments which might be offensive to certain demographics. Bowing to this pressure, the UFC is going to mandate their fighters attend “Sensitivity Classes.”

NATE DIAZ READY FOR UFC TITLE SHOT?

After choking out Jim Miller (21-4) on Saturday night on FOX TV, Nate Diaz (16-7) is angling for a UFC lightweight (155 lbs) title shot. Having gotten bonuses for his last three fights, Nick Diaz’s little brother is continuing to improve every time out. One or two more wins and Nick will be in almost mandatory position to battle for the UFC lightweight title against either current champion Ben Henderson who has a rematch set up with ex-champ Frankie Edgar come summertime, or whoever holds the belt at the end of 2012 or early 2013.

HOTTEST BELLATOR FIGHTER SIGNS WITH UFC

Hector Lombard, 31-2-1, the recently resigned Bellator Fighting Championships middleweight (185 lbs) champion signed a deal with the Ultimate Fighting Championships a fortnight ago. Having not lost since a decision since 2006, the 34-year old Cuban who was an Olympian in Judo, Lombard is an exciting fighter whose contract with Bellator expired. Bottom line is that Bjorn Rebney, the Bellator CEO could NOT match the dollars and cents that UFC President Dana White put on the table for Lombard. With three years as Bellator champion, Lombard was supposed to sign with the UFC in 2007, but he instead went to Bellator where he went 8-0, with 7 KOs. Lombard’s first UFC fight will be August 4 in Los Angeles.

STRIKEFORCE HEAVYWEIGHT TITE FIGHT WILL BE IN SAN JOSE ON MAY 19

When I poll people as to whom they think will win the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix on Saturday, May 19 between ex-UFC king Josh Barnett (36-5) vs. Daniel Cormier (15-0), the slight lean in numbers goes to the veteran Barnett. The card will be televised on Showtime from San Jose’s HP Pavilion, the house that Gina Carano, Frank Shamrock and Cung Le packed and attracted great Silicon Valley crowds. Scott Coker, Strikeforce chief said he expects a tremendous crowd, but didn’t want to elaborate on anticipated numbers. Tickets start at $45 and top off at $175.

UFC GOING INTO STRIKEFORCE COUNTRY SIX WEEKS LATER!

Having had tremendous success late last year with UFC 139 that featured Dan Henderson’s whisker-thin victory over Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, the UFC is going back to the HP Pavilion in San Jose, CA with a Wednesday night card on July 11 that will be aired on Fuel TV. Having watched Strikeforce pack the 18,000-seat arena on numerous occasions, they’ve always done so on weekend nights. With NO local stars, no Gina Carano, it will be hard to get a big crowd into the massive arena. The main event will be Mark Munoz vs. Chris Weidman, with light heavyweights Brandon Vera and James Te Huna in the semi-main. This show is more than likely the result of the UFC buying Strikeforce, which had a long term contract with the HP, thus the UFC has to supply a certain amount of dates.

WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH FUEL TV ANYWAY?

Nobody I know has Fuel TV as part of their cable TV package. Dave “The Genius” Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter says that Fuel TV is in only 30% of US homes and that Direc TV does carry the network. Meltzer said that FOX TV owns Fuel TV and that when the UFC inked a $100 million deal with FOX, it included UFC broadcasts on Fuel. The Ultimate Fighting Championships made Spike TV a major TV player with UFC programming, and FOX is hoping they can do the same with Fuel. That being said, the immediate goal should be to get Fuel in more homes NOW!

Saul Alavarez On The Offense

San Francisco, CA- As I sit with MacBook in lap, I’m in a quagmire when it comes to writing either boxing or MMA. Too many hot topics to write about, while at the same there is the fear that somebody will beat you to the story. So, what’s a guy to do? The headline gives it all away, but if you’re not catching on, the next big fight of 2012 will not involve either Manny Pacquiao or the man that would “own” him if they did fight, Floyd Mayweather. The fight that has the telephone lines between boxing’s powerbrokers, excluding Don King, Boob Arum or Gary Shaw, the top dog in the new generation of boxing shot callers Richard Schaffer of Golden Boy Promotions will be dealing directly with Miguel Cotto Promotions and the HBO PPV suits to insure that Saul Alvarez will be defending the WBC 154 lb. laurels against the man that gave Floyd Mayweather a good fight Saturday night, Miguel Cotto in September.

Miguel Cotto Wants Alvarez

For those that thought the Mayweather-Cotto fight was close, you’re either Puerto Rican like Cotto, a member of the Klu Klux Klan, or you don’t know the criteria in scoring professional boxing. For those of that don’t know the exact method of scoring a fight, I’ll break it down for you. 1) Clean punching. 2) Effective Aggressiveness. 3) Defense. 4) Ring Generalship. That being the way professional boxing is scored, if you can sit there with a straight face and say that Cotto was superior in any of these four categories, your nose is growing like Pinocchio. There is no getting around it, Mayweather was by far the superior fighter Saturday evening.

MEXICO VS. PUERTO RICO FIGHTS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN MONEYMAKERS!

Seeing I go back to fights like Salvador Sanchez’s win over Wilfredo Gomez in 1981, that means I’ve got tenure on 99% of the guys writing today as well as most of you great readers. It was a night you’ll never forget that was proceeded by Gomez weighing 130 lbs. for a 126 lb. title fight at 8 AM that morning. After a few hours of drying out in a sauna, Sanchez, the WBC and the Nevada Athletic Commission allowed the fight to go on a 126 lb. title fight even thought I’m told Gomez got below 128 1/4. This was indeed a strange scenario seeing Gomez went to bed within a whisker of 126 lbs. the night, this according to the honorable World Boxing Organization President Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel.

MAY NEVER KNOW WHAT GOMEZ DID BETWEEN 10 PM & 8 AM

Gomez, considered the greatest 122 lb. champion in history, seeing fighting at super bantamweight, he went like 35-0, 33 KOs before moving up to 126 lbs. to fight Sanchez. The real big fight for Puerto Rico’s Gomez was his destruction of Mexican and World 118 lb. champion Carlos Zarate. Many of Gomez’s wins at 122 were against marginal fighters, but the KO of Zarate was a “benchmark” moment for Gomez. After getting a facial bone broken in the first round supposedly from a Sanchez right, Gomez tried for eight rounds before the late Sanchez put Wilfredo’s undefeated mark six feet under with a TKO 8. From that point forward, Gomez was never the same. Sanchez, who was said to be the original blood doper, this by a high-ranking member of the WBC hierarchy, died about a year later when he was rushing back to training camp in the early morning after what could best be described as a “booty call.”

SANCHEZ HEADED FOR ARGUELLO SHOWDOWN

Driving at a high rate of speed, said to be in excess of 85 or 90 MPH, Sanchez, the once beaten WBC featherweight (126) champion who was supposed to meet the late great Alexis Arguello of Nicaragua at 135 in either his next fight or the one after that, rear ended a truck carrying live chickens to market and died if not on impact, shortly thereafter. This only proves that men will jump through just about any hoop to have sex.

THEY CALLED IT “THE BATTLE OF THE LITTLE GIANTS”

Back to the Sanchez-Gomez fight, the crowd in the Caesars Palace Sports Pavilion, which in the mind of many fans and media members alike, was the greatest boxing arena ever. The rabid and split 50-50 down the middle of crowd Mexican-Puerto Rican fans had a battle of the bands pre-fight. The Mexican Mariachis were on one side of the ring, while a Salsa band from Puerto Rico was belting out tunes 20 or so feet apart!

MGM GRAND ALREADY LIKELY SITE FOR SEPTEMBER CLASH

While it appears the MGM Grand Garden Arena will be the venue, that’s only because the Mandalay Bay Events Center is about 5,000 seats smaller and is controlled by the same corporation that has the MGM Grand. With the aforementioned Caesars Palace out of the fight game, the Las Vegas economy hurting financially, Steve Wynn’s Mirage Hotel disinterested in resenting boxing, not only is the MGM Grand the biggest “Sin City” venue, but it has the deepest pockets.

OUTDOOR FIGHTS ARE HISTORY!

The days of outdoor fights in Las Vegas, be it Mike Tyson fights at the Las Vegas Hilton, Larry Holmes-Michael Spinks at the Riviera Hotel, Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns or Marvin Hagler headlining at Caesars are dead, just like fights like the Buster Douglas-Evander Holyfield scrap the Mirage are history, thus the MGM Grand is the only venue that really works. The Thomas & Mack Arena on the University of Nevada at Las Vegas (UNLV) campus is dead except for college basketball and an occasional professional wrestling match or concert.

NOT PICKING A WINNER, JUST LETTING YOU KNOW!

Although Saul Alvarez is a 2 1/2 to 1 favorite over Cotto in the mind of this handicapper, it is not my intent to predict a winner, my job here is to let you the boxing fan what time it really is! By the way, who do you like, Alvarez or Cotto?

Pedro Fernandez

Diego "Chico" Corrales

San Francisco, CA- Today marks the five-year anniversary, and I always have a tough time associating the word anniversary with the loss of life, but tonight it’ll be five years since an inebriated Diego Corrales was killed driving his motorcycle in Las Vegas. Although he had a great mother, Olga who was always there when he would let her be,”Chico” as he was known to friends like a lot of people had great pluses and destructive minuses. When it came to boxing, a career that started outside of California, even though his family was then living in Sacramento, CA, Corrales was at one point “second to none” at 130 lbs. and was even in the top ten “pound for pound” lists of some pundits.

HAD HIGH IQ THAT FEW PUGILISTS POSSESS

Although alcohol precipitated his death, Diego was a complex guy who while realizing his boxing career was over, and that he had little money left to live on, more importantly he was very depressed at the on this day which is five turns of the Roman calendar ago, May 7, 2007. Involved in another marriage that was failing, as I said already, his boxing days were over, even though he was only three months or so shy of his 30th birthday. Said to be a “mean drunk” when he got boozed up, there were Felony Domestic Violence charges that landed him a stint in a California Prison Work Farm in 2001, stemming from a vicious assault on his spouse in 2000.

FLOYD FIGHT WAS ALL ABOUT PAYING OFF EX-WIFE & BILLS!

With jail just a few weeks away, an ill prepared and weight starved Corrales took a fight for “the money” with Floyd Mayweather and was stopped in ten frames. Upon his release from jail, although we were estranged after being friends for a few years because of the unbridled attack on the ex-wife, we patched things up at the Bernard Hopkins-Antwun Echols fight in Las Vegas. In a conciliatory tone, Corrales admitted his wrongdoings and said that he couldn’t blame me for writing the truth, but still it was painful.

DIEGO CORRALES HAD HIGH-HIGHS & LOW-LOWS!

He said something to the effect, “It’s enough to know you screwed up, but to read one of your friends writing about it in the paper, it just made me hurt more and I was angry with you.” During one of his lows, one of Corrales’ title belts had won ended up on EBay when a Las Vegas pawnbroker who had loaned Corrales less than $500 and used the belt as collateral, put it up for sale after Chico never came back to reclaim it. When reading things like this, and knowing Las Vegas like I do, meaning that if you didn’t have your head on straight, it was a place where bad things had a propensity to happen.

FIRST THE HIGHS OF BOXING

The title win over IBF champ Robert Garcia was expected, at least from this perch as Diego had the height, reach and power edge over the now highly acclaimed trainer from Oxnard, CA. He tore through Justin Juuko, Derick Gainer, this before being surprisingly extended the full 12 rounds by John Brown. A TKO 3 over Angel Manfredy, who had beaten Arturo “Thunder” Gatti via stoppage, this was Chico’s high point in first tier of professional boxing.

THEN ALONG CAME THIS KID NAMED FLOYD!

Even though winning the championship at 130 lbs, and looking like a skinny version of Superman with gloves on, the elongated Corrales would suffer a humiliating defeat against Floyd Mayweather in January 2001. The humiliation wasn’t that he lost, for Chico once told me many years before that the reality of boxing was that while he was riding an undefeated wave, that one day, whether it was because he got old, or met someone better than he, that losing a fight was part of the reality that is professional boxing.

CHICO’S MIND WAS NOT ON BOXING

The pending prison stint turned Corrales into an emotional mess as he went through the motions preparing for Floyd Mayweather. Starving to make the weight, I remember seeing him eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in the dressing room just prior to entering the ring to fight Floyd. Less than ten rounds in, Diego’s corner stopped the fight after he had visited the canvas for the fifth time. Although he offered no excuses later, it was evident that Corrales was neither physically nor mentally prepared to fight anyone, let alone somebody of Floyd’s caliber.

THE COMEBACK & THE SECOND TIER FOR DIEGO THE BOXER

Two years and five days later, Corrales, having served his jail time was back in an Atlantic City ring vs. journeyman Michael Davis. After stopping Davis and two reasonable facsimiles, Chico would face the formidable Damien Fuller, whom he stopped in three rounds. Although the icing wasn’t yet on the cake, it appeared that a rejuvenated Diego Corrales, now fighting at 135 lbs., was ready for real competition. But he would lose his next fight against Joel Casamayor when he suffered cuts “in” his mouth due to a mouthpiece that didn’t fit. With blood gushing and running down his throat, ringside Dr. Margaret Goodman, a good Dr. and an even better human being, had no choice but to stop the fight. Five months later in March 2004, Corrales rematched Casamayor and garnered a split decision win in 12 frames.

LIKE SAND IN THE HOURGLASS

Little did any of us realize at the time, but the sand in the hourglass of Corrales’ boxing career occupied more of the lower end of the spectrum than anybody thought. His best win ever was an emotional ordeal for Corrales obviously as he stopped the unbeaten Acelino Freitas, but it was also an exceptional moment for both myself and good friend Favio Flores, as we had made the trek from California to Connecticut to see the fight. A close fight on the cards, that was until Diego sealed the deal in round ten.

POST FIGHT PARTY IS ONE THAT I’LL NEVER FORGET!

Celebrating afterwards with steaks, drinks and an air of positively in the room, Diego Corrales had crawled and scratched his way back to the top rung of the professional boxing ladder, something we were all quite proud of. With a new woman by his side, Corrales seemed emotionally intact at the post fight gala. On this same day as today, May 7, but in 2005, Diego faced Jose Luis Castillo in one of the most exciting and damaging fights in the history of the game. After being down, Corrales got up and stopped Castillo when the Mexican’s engine conked out as his gas tank had nothing but fumes left.

FIGHT TOOK MORE OUT OF THE WINNER THAN THE LOSER

Corralles Stopping Castillo

While it would be considered his greatest win, the toll it took on Corrales boxing life was immeasurable. Diego never quite sounded the same, acted a bit different, for the fight had left its mark on him both physically and neurologically. They would rematch just five months later, which in my mind, was an indictment illustrating the greed and lack of compassion by his promoter Gary Shaw, for it appeared he didn’t give a **** about Corrales health by even suggesting the fight. After the first encounter, even though Castillo had lost, the fight extracted more out of Corrales who would never be the same.

THE SAND HAD ALL BUT RAN OUT OF DIEGO’S HOURGLASS

The rematch was shady as Castillo didn’t make weight, to which Shaw, being the kind soul that he isn’t by scheduling Corrales to fight this monster five months after the their first war, when in reality if he had the right people looking out for him, Diego should have taken the rest of the year off, that’s how horrendous a beating he had taken from Castillo. Knocked out inside of four rounds, Diego, and it was painful for me to watch, was done as a professional fighter. The result might have been the same had Corrales taken the suggested year off, but to put him back in training 90 or so days after the first Castillo fight, well, it is something I will never forgive Gary Shaw for allowing to occur.

WATCHING THE REMATCH WAS SICKENING!

That hourglass that I mentioned earlier had nothing left in it after Diego was beaten down by the overweight Castillo, who in my opinion, never intended to make the weight and it was all about having an advantage over Diego. After a one-year hiatus from boxing, Corrales came back, a mere shadow of his once formidable self and lost a rubber match with Joel Casamayor by split decision. The top of the hourglass was now empty and Diego Corrales was done as a professional fighter. Six months later and 12 lbs. heavier, Diego fought made his last stand, losing on points after getting dropped twice by Joshua Clottey in April 2007. Corrales’ final record stood at 40-5, 33 KOs.

Diego's Motorcycle Being Towed Away

The day of May 7, 2007, was the last time Diego Corrales would wake up. Depressed over the fact his boxing career was history, not happy with his current domestic situation, Corrales went out and got drunk, something you can do in Las Vegas for free if you have a roll of nickels in your hand. With a Blood Alcohol Level far higher than the legal limit, Corrales got on his motorcycle and while driving in Las Vegas, tried to make a pass at an intersection. The collision, while it didn’t kill Corrales on impact, it may as well, for he died a short time later.

Diego "Chico" Corrales

I remember Favio Flores, who had known Diego from Sacramento, calling me and telling me on the phone that Diego was dead. Whether he was holding back tears or not, I couldn’t tell, but an emotional Flores terminated the phone call at his earliest opportunity. With the both of us having been with Corrales during the lows and his high, the beating of unbeaten Acelino Freitas, neither of us slept well that night. And five years later, it might not be that easy to get to sleep tonight either!

Pedro Fernandez

San Francisco, CA- On Sunday’s, we combine one hour of “Ring Talk” with half being on boxing, the other half on MMA. My boxing guest was trainer Jeff Mayweather and the discussion centered on Manny Pacquiao against Floyd Mayweather. Reviewing the UFC 3 card on FOX TV, as well as previewing the Strikeforce card on May 19 and the UFC 146 card on which UFC light heavyweight contender Kyle Kingsbury, will be fighting underneath UFC heavyweight champ Junior Dos Santos & Frank Mier at UFC 146. To LISTEN NOW click on the black arrow in the gray box above.

Ex-World Champ Frankie Klick

San Francisco, CA- Some of you are probably scratching your heads after reading the title, so in order to fully clarify what I’m talking about, it’ll take a lot more additional verbiage. Having known professional boxers since I could first remember, Frankie Klick, who beat Kid Chocolate for the World 140 lb. crown in 1933 was the first pro I ever met. For the most part, Frankie was always on his back, drunk as a skunk, lying on the sidewalk somewhere on Cortland Ave in the Bernal Heights District of the beautiful City by The Bay.

NEVER FORGET HIS STORIES & MEMORY ISSUES

Frankie, who went 84-26-13, 24 KOs from 1929 to his last fight against an old friend of mine Al Citrino (who was knocked down 12 times by Henry Armstrong, decades before training Pat Lawlor to wins over ex-champs Roberto Duran, Wilfredo Benitez and Rene Arrendondo) in 1943, when he was sober would tell me about the great fighters of his era, Joe Louis, Armstrong, Ray Robinson, even Archie Moore. But he never put himself at their level, admitting that he was brought in to lose to Kid Chocolate, pulled off what amounted to like a 20-1 upset, and lost his next fight, a non-title affair before he defended and lost the championship in 1934 to Barney Ross. My old man said, and Frankie readily admitted that he had been beaten up many times in his career.

ALMOST EVERY FIGHTER GETS BEATEN UP!

I can go through a list of fighters, some local, some national, a few amateurs, but mainly professionals that were beaten up and the residual effects of such are telling today. Bobby Chacon, as goofy as he got from being beaten up, I introduced him once at the California Boxing Hall of Fame and he went up and admitted he was “brain damaged.” Said Bobby, “I’m a fighter and that’s what happens.”

UNBEATEN & “UNBEATEN UP” TWO DIFFERENT THINGS

As for guys that retired unbeaten, Rocky Marciano is always brought up, and when I look at interviews of Marciano before his death in an airplane crash, that was brought about becausearciano, a cheap skate of epic proportions, refunded his airline ticket and hopped on a small plane for free. To his credit, he never appeared punchy.

MARCIANO “WAS NOT” THE EXCEPTION TO THE RULE

Rocky Marciano

That being said, Rocky may have retired unbeaten, but not unbeaten up! Archie Moore put a beating on him, so did non-puncher Roland Lastarza and Joe Walcott, the point is that Rocky did go unbeaten, but not unbeaten up!

Joe Calzaghe

When the ex-WBO 168 lb. titleholder Joe Calzaghe retired in 2008, not only was he unbeaten at 46-0, 32 KOs with 21 title defenses, the lad from Wales walked away unbeaten-up! Quite an accomplishment when you realize that out of the thousands of fighters who have boxed professionally, I can only cite Joe and 1950s heavyweight prospect Jack Scheberies, who retired abruptly after beating German prospect Hans Freidrich who went out “unbeaten up.” And if he continues on his current path, Floyd Mayweather will join this select group.

ANXIETY ATTACKS BROUGHT ABOUT RETIREMENT

Although BoxRec.com has him listed at 6-0, 4 KOs, according to promoter Don Chargin, both alumni of San Jose State College, Jack Scheberies was more like 15-0 with 10 KOs when “nerves” compelled him to hang up the gloves in 1954. A nicer than nice man, both to me and everybody I’ve ever mentioned him to, Jack had a heart of gold and once gave an unemployed mother of three an $800 car for a $25 down payment, this after took over his father’s use used car lot in Oakland, CA and became a referee. I was at a function some 20 years ago in Oakland speaking, when this woman told me how Jack helped her keep her family intact with a good running car and that she had no job or credit.

NOW YET THE “ROOT OF THE STORY”

The unnecessary beating Shane Mosley took from Saul Alvarez is one that he will pay for until they pour dirt over him. Some people think Manny Pacquiao, Vernon Forrest (twice) and Winky Wright (twice) gave Mosley a licking, but those beatings weren’t much when compared to the damage Alvarez inflicted. That being said, I’m going to call out both his trainer Nazim Richardson and trainer/HBO analyst Emanuel Steward, both good men and trainers.

THE FIGHT SHOULDA’ BEEN STOPPED!

Shane Mosley Taking Unnecessary Beating

Richardson should have thrown in the towel before the tenth round, if not then, certainly thereafter. But he didn’t. Instead he allowed the much smaller Mosley, who can no longer cheat and use performance enhancement drugs, something he has admitted to knowing of prior and then doing so. I’m talking about a couple forms of steroids and EPO (blood doping). Mosley, who is nearly 40, can’t push guys around the ring and that was illustrated when Manny Pacquiao mauled him for the better part of 12 fistic frames.

BOXING’S RESIDUAL EFFECTS ARE NOT LIKE A COLD!

The damage done by having someone punch you with reckless abandon to both the torso and cranium cannot be undone. Unlike the common cold, which most people can kick within 14 days, the results of taking hard punches repeatedly is like a progressive disease, like Lung Cancer, it doesn’t go away if you stop smoking. The same can be said from taking a beating.

PEOPLE THOUGHT SHANE WAS “MUMBLING” YEARS AGO

Having televised one of Mosley’s first four or five professional fights, I knew he was something special. In post fight interviews he was quick to respond, didn’t have to obviously think about what he was going to say before he said it, which today appears not to be the case. In other words, he’s a “beaten up” fighter who may have facial features that are distorted today, it will be his neurological state in five to ten years that concerns me more.

STEWARD & RICHARDSON BOTH GAFFED!

I am not one to believe that you let a fighter continue taking a beating. And what Alvarez was dishing out was a “complete” beating both to the body and the head, rocking Mosley much like President Kennedy in his famous rocking chair at the White House. Steward, Richardson, even trainer Jeff Mayweather while appearing on the Sunday edition of the “Ring Talk Boxing & MMA Hour,” was of the opinion that it was OK to let Mosley continue because of the fact he had never been stopped before!

LOST BRAIN CELLS ARE FOREVER GONE!

In closing, sustained beatings in boxing would not occur, boxers wouldn’t suffer concussions or brain bleeds at a 21% clip, not if boxing changed two things. The first being, the size of the gloves. Anybody 130 and below should wear six ounce gloves. From 130 to 160, eight-ounce gloves should be utilized. From 168 to heavyweight, ten-ounce gloves should be the rule. Truth be told, I even wince at that for if I had my druthers, boxers from 108 to 130 would use four ounce padded gloves, 130 to 160 would mean six-ounce mitts. And anything about 168, eight ounces should be the rule.

LEARNED ONE THING FROM SMALL GLOVES!

When I throw out the 21% factor of boxers getting concussions, the test results I’m relying on were from a five-year period in the state of Nevada. In that same time span, only 2% of the UFC related cage fighters who use four-ounce gloves incurred such injuries. For the safety of the fighter, the gloves need to be smaller for all the big gloves do is allow a sustained beating to occur, much like the Saul Alvarez-Shane Mosley fight which resulted in a 12-round unanimous decision loss for Mosley. Would the fight have been any different had they halted matters after eight? No, but Shane Mosley would’ve paid less of a price than he did and might even enjoy a longer and more productive lifespan.

Pedro Fernandez

“I went out there and trained hard for this, and the fight was even harder than I thought,” said Diaz (16-7). “He was a tough dude but things went good.” Diaz won a tight, fast-paced first round. Then he really opened up in the second round. The Stockton, Calif., native repeatedly dropped his arms and taunted Miller, causing Miller to charge at Diaz and miss with wild strikes. Diaz responded with crisp offense, mixing his punches, elbows and knees, as he slowly softened up Miller for the finish.

A jiu-jitsu black belt, Diaz got Miller (21-4) into a single-arm guillotine choke, then maneuvered around and wrapped the choke tight for the submission.
“I know he’s a great fighter, the whole fight was hard,” Diaz said. “When I took the arm off to readjust, I knew (the choke) was tight.” Diaz has won three straight fights since dropping from welterweight to lightweight. According to UFC president Dana White, Diaz will get the next shot at the lightweight title, against the winner of a September rematch between champion Benson Henderson and former champ Frankie Edgar.
Miller took the loss in stride. “Nate controlled the fight from bell to bell,” said Miller, who lost for the second time in his past three fights. “He fought a beautiful fight, had my number.”

The rest of the night’s main card featured interesting stylistic matchups. In the first UFC meeting of former NCAA wrestling champions, Johny Hendricks (Oklahoma State) defeated veteran Josh Koscheck (Edinboro) via a close split decision. The welterweight bout ran the gamut from hard-hitting slugging to intricate wrestling exchanges, with Hendricks (13-1) doing just enough to get the nod from two judges via 29-28 scores.
“At one point he hit me so hard I was seeing double,” Hendricks said. “I had to close one eye just to figure out where he was. It was a close fight and I’m just glad I got the decision.”

Middleweight Alan Belcher (17-5) of Biloxi, Miss., had the most impressive win of his career in a first-round TKO of Brazil’s Rousimar Palhares. Palhares is a jiu-jitsu world champion known for his debilitating leg locks. Palhares (23-4) took Belcher down early and had him in trouble, sinking in a deep heel hook. But Belcher escaped, reversed position on the ground and finished Palhares with a series of elbows and punches. The bout was stopped at 4:18 of Round 1.

A bout billed as a heavyweight slugfest lived up to its hype as Californian Lavar Johnson (17-2) finished Pat Barry of New Orleans at 4:38 of Round 1. Johnson ripped off a string of three dozen standing punches to wear Barry down and force the stoppage.

Victorious Floyd Mayweather

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Las Vegas, NV- Floyd Mayweather, (151 lbs), Las Vegas, NV UD 12 Miguel Cotto, (154), Caguas, Puerto Rico. (WBA 154 lb title) Mayweather (43-0, 26 KOs) in his toughest test to date does what he has always done, win and win in impressive manner. A relentless Cotto (37-3, 30 KOs) just couldn’t connect cleanly with a defensive wizard like Mayweather. Cards were 117-111 twice and 118-110.

ALVAREZ BEATS MOSLEY INTO DEMENTIA?

Saul Alvarez, (154), Jalisco, Mexico UD 12 Shane Mosley, (154), Pomona, CA. (WBC 154 lb title) Alvarez (40-0-1, 29 KOs) cut over his left eye early by an accidental Mosley (46-8-1, 39 KOs) head butt, bled throughout the fight. The crimson didn’t detour the Mexican hero on Cinco De Mayo as battered the veteran Mosley as if he were a human punching bag. Nazim Richardson, Shane’s respected trainer, should have stopped the fight after round ten. The damage done to Mosley was apparent after the fight and will probably affect him later in life, as Alvarez, a naturally bigger man, just kept throwing and landing. The only knock on Saul was that he didn’t close the show. While Mosley wasn’t stopped, he looked older than Bob Arum! Cards were 119-109 twice and 118-110.

Jessie Vargas, Las Vegas, NV UD 10 Steve Forbes, Las Vegas, NV. Vargas (19-0, 9 KOs) wins an easy decision over trialhorse Forbes (35-11, 11 KOs) with scores of 100-90, 98-92, and 97-93.

Carlos Quintana, Moca, Puerto Rico KO 6 Deandre Latimore, Las Vegas, NV.
One-time rage Quintana (29-3, 23 KOs) stops the favored Latimore (23-4, 17 KOs) in six. Time was 2:19.

WBO CRUISER BELT STAYS IN GERMAN HANDS!

Erfurt, Germany- Marco Huck, (198.4), Berlin, Germany Majority Draw 12 Ola Afolabi, (199), Los Angeles, CA.
(WBO 200 lb. title) A sluggish Huck (34-2-1, 25 KOs) had to pick up his pace and almost had the busier Afolabi (19-2-4, 9 KOs) out in the ninth as the action continued until the end. Scores were 114-114 twice and 115-113 for Huck.

Kubrat Pulev, (245.5), Sofia, Bulgaria KO 11 Alexander Dimitrenko, (257.5), Hamburg, Germany. Pulev (16-0, 8 KOs) out hustles a timid looking Dimitrenko (32-2, 21 KOs). Dimitrenko went down for the count at 2:59.

JOHN RETAINS WBA TITLE AGAIN!

Singapore, Singapore- Chris John, (126), Semarang, Indonesia UD 12 Shoji Kimura, (125.5), Yokohama, Japan. (WBA 126 lb title)
John (47-0-2, 22 KOs) remains the dominant force in the division as he makes Kimura (24-5-2, 9 KOs)
look like an amateur. The cards were 118-109 twice and 117-110.

INDONESIAN BATTERS FILIPINO

Daud Yordan, (125.6), Ketapang, Indonesia TKO 2 Lorenzo Villanueva, (125.4), Midsayap, Cotabato, Philippines. Yordan (29-2, 23 KOs) all over the now once beaten Villanueva (22-1, 21 KOs) finishing him in two. Time was not available.

ESPN 2 MIN EVENT A MISMATCH!

Uncasville, CT- Demetrius Andrade, (157.75), Providence, RI TKO 1 Rudy Cisneros, (158), Chicago, IL.
Andrade (17-0, 12 KOs) stops Cisneros (12-4, 11 KOs) at 2:59 of round one.

Friday, May 4, 2012

PONCE DE LEON TOPS FOX SPANISH CARD

Las Vegas, NV- Daniel Ponce De Leon, (127.5), Huntington Park, CA UD 10 Eduardo Lazcano, (129) Chihuahua, Mexico. De Leon (43-4, 35 KOs) wins an easy one over Lazcano (24-3, 12 KOs) by a shutout at 100-90 on all cards.

ORIGINAL “CONTENDER” TV SHOW FIGHTER WINS

Ishe Smith, (154.5), Las Vegas, NV TKO 4 Ayi Bruce, (153), Albany, NY. Smith (23-5, 11 KOs) returned with a fourth round win over Bruce (21-7, 13 KOs). Time was 2:10.

NO TV CARD IN GAY PARIS!

Paris, France- Hassan N’Jikam, (158), Pantin, France UD 12. Max Bursak, (159.5), Kiev, Ukraine
N’Jikam (27-0, 17 KOs) wins easy over Bursak (24-1-1, 10 KOs) by scores of 118-111 and 118-110 twice.

Edwin “Ace” Ayala

Dave "The Genius" Meltzer

San Francisco, CA- When it comes to writers, ther has never been a scribe that I’ve enjoyed and learned more from than Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter and WrestlingObserver.com The man is a virtual encyclopedia on every form of MMA, every fight, every fighter, I’m telling you nobody knows more than Dave when it comes to the new era of combat sports. That being said, Meltzer was the sole guest on the “Ring Talk MMA Hour” and he rocked! To LISTEN NOW click on the black arrow in the gray box above.

DON’T FORGET THE SUNDAY BOXING & MMA WRAP!

On Sunday at 11 AM PT, we combine one hour of “Ring Talk” with half being on boxing, the other half on MMA. Sunday’s show is usually a wrap up of the weekend results in boxing and MMA, as well as a preview of the upcoming week in both sports.

LISTEN ONLINE TWO DIFFERENT WAYS!

Listen Online at Click to listen LIVE with Media Player. If you don’t have a Media Player you can listen online Click to Listen LIVE Without Media Player

Pedro Fernandez

Lenny Williams

San Francisco, CA- While I touched on some serious subjects, such as the passing of Andy Ganigan, whom Ring Magazine credited as one of the “100 Hardest Punchers In Boxing History,” I also talked about the politics of boxing, where the sport is now, where it’s been and where it is going. Platinum recording artist Lenny Williams (and his dog) appeared on the “Ring Talk Boxing Hour” as we discuused Floyd Mayweather in detail. To LISTEN NOW click on the black arrow in the gray box above.

DON’T FORGET THE SUNDAY BOXING & MMA WRAP!

On Sunday at 11 AM PT, we combine one hour of “Ring Talk” with half being on boxing, the other half on MMA. Sunday’s show is usually a wrap up of the weekend results in boxing and MMA, as well as a preview of the upcoming week in both sports.

LISTEN ONLINE TWO DIFFERENT WAYS!

Listen Online at Click to listen LIVE with Media Player. If you don’t have a Media Player you can listen online Click to Listen LIVE Without Media Player

Pedro Fernandez

UFC Czar Dana White

San Francisco, CA- If you’re of my mindset, I’m watching the Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC) on FOX TV at 5 PM PT before tuning into the Floyd Mayweather-Miguel Cotto card circa 8 PM PT. Reason being, the fights on FOX are free and feature fighters starving for stardom and adulation. The undercard of Mayweather-Cotto features unbeaten Saul Alvarez feasting on Shane Mosley as if Mosley were something off the $1.00 menu at McDonalds.

UFC MAIN EVENT “THRILLER IN THE MAKING”

When you match world-class fighters against one another, it usually provides fireworks. While that can be the exception to the rule in boxing, in the UFC it is the rule! In the FOX TV main event Nate Diaz (15-7) meets Jim Miller (15-1) in a battle of starved fighters. What I mean by “starved” is this FOX TV main event pits two fighters who will hold nothing back as this may be their last shot to gravitate to millions of fans and gain recognition. Because if UFC President Dana White has one mantra, it is if you suck on TV, especially in the main event, don’t expect another shot. Thus, you now realize the pressure on Diaz and Miller.

NICK DIAZ’S BROTHER LOOKS TO MAKE MARK

This is the highest profile of fight for Diaz and the once-beaten Miller. The brother of UFC & Strikeforce iconic fighter Nick Diaz, Nate will be hoping to use this evenings performance against Miller to escape the title of being, “Nick Diaz’s brother.” Like his sibling, Nate (15-7) is no-nonsense mother pucker who won’t leave anything in the cage after the five-five minute main event. Miller has never faced the wrecking ball mentality that Nate brings to the Octagon, the UFC’s cage (ring) of battle.

KEYS TO VICTORY FOR BOTH DIAZ & MILLER

For Jim Miller to prevail here, he will have to nullify the striking ability of the relentless Nate Diaz, which to me, is easier said than done! When I look at the record (21-3) of Miller, whose expertise is slowing the action down and looking to lure his opponent into a slow ground game and position of submitting, I see decent names on his MMA resume, but let’s be real, Miller has never defeated a fighter the likes of Nate Diaz.

TMZ FIGHTER KOSHCHECK IN “AGE CHECK” FIGHT?

Josh Crosscheck, who twice lost to Georges St. Pierre, the UFC 170 lb. (welterweight) champion, currently sidelined as he recovers from a torn and repaired ACL, is one of my favorite fighters as he brings it all to the Octagon, in addition to being the only UFC fighter I’ve seen on the TMZ TV show. When Josh (17-5) does the club scene in Los Angeles, he gets TV play equal of that of that big-assed but talentless-skank Kim Kardashian.

KOSCHECK IS BEING QUESTIONED!

There are some MMA pundits that are saying Koshcheck has reached his zenith and at 34 years of age is on the decline. While I’m of the opinion that MMA fighters peak at a later age, because they don’t take the repeated punches to the heads that professional boxers, nor do they have to go 36 minutes in a championship fight or main event that a boxer has to, Josh has his detractors.

BEING AVIS IN MMA BIZ TO HERTZ NOT SO BAD

Since losing the second fight with St. Pierre, who is considered by many the best fighter in MMA, Koscheck since then has drilled ex-champion Matt Hughes and garnered a split nod over Matt Pierce. A “suicide blond” which means that his hair was dyed by his own hands, Koscheck maybe at a crossroads fight in that if he can’t beat Johny Hendricks, will be relegated to the lower positions on UFC cards.

HENDRICKS POSITION OF “HAVING TO PROVE” SELF!

Johny Hendricks (12-1) is at a position where he needs to deliver or go home. Koscheck is never an easy opponent, outside of GSP, thus the guy with the misspelled first name (Johny Hendicks) has to make it happen or in my opinion his TV days in the UFC are over.

FOX HEAVYWEIGHT FIGHT LOOKS LIKE NUCLEAR WAR

Having had Lavar Johnson (16-5) and Pat Barry (7-4) on last week’s edition of “Ring Talk MMA Hour,” both guys are well prepared and determined. Once beaten Johnson is the favorite, but Pat Barry is one rugged mo-fo! Johnson has never made it to the third round of a fight and has 14 first round knockouts! Yikes! But Pat Barry, although concerned with the formidable Johnson, is by no means afraid of Johnson or his record.

PRELIMS AIR ON FACEBOOK & FUEL TV

Mike Massenzio vs. Karlos Vemola (185 LBS)
Roland Delorme vs. Nick Denis (135 lbs)
Dennis Bermudez vs. Pablo Garza (145 lbs)
Danny Castillo vs. John Cholish (155 lbs)
Louis Gaudinot vs. John Lineker (125 lbs)
John Hathaway vs. Pascal Krauss (170 bs)
John Dodson vs. Tim Elliott (125 lbs)
Tony Ferguson vs. Michael Johnson (155 lbs)

Pedro Fernandez

Betting Favorite Floyd Mayweather

Hard Rock Casino, Las Vegas, NV- (FOX Espanol/Esportes) Daniel Ponce De Leon (42-4, 35KOs) vs. Eduardo Lazcano (24-2, 12 KOs) Odds/Predictions: De Leon 3-1. Looks like mismatch or “work” fight for De Leon. Would put down $900 to win $1,200 on favorite.
Ishe Smith (22-5,10 KOs) vs. Ayi Bruce (21-6 13 KOs) Odds/Predictions: Ishe 2-1. Ishe has never overly impressed. Expect him to prevail, but I’m not betting this one.

Palais des Sport Marcel Cerdan, Paris, France- Hassan N’Jikam (26-0, 17 KOs) vs. Max Bursak (24-0-1, 10 KOs) Odds/Predictions: Hassam 8-5. Hard to handicap match, thus I pass.

Saturday, May 5, 2012

MGM Grand Casino, Las Vegas, NV- (HBO PPV) Floyd Mayweather Jr. (42-0, 26 KOs) vs. Miguel Cotto (37-2, 30 KOs) (WBA 154 lb. title) Odds/Predictions: Floyd 3 1/2 to 1. Speed and the guts of Cotto will make the fight easier than most of you think. Droppig $3,500 to win $4,500.
Saul Alvarez (39-0-1, 28 KOs) vs. Shane Mosley (46-7-1, 39 KOs) (WBC 154 lb. title) Odds/Predictions: Sauk 4 1/2 to 1. It depends on whether Mosley will go out on his shield or fight like a girl. Regardless, Saul wins almost every round that it goes!

Messehalle, Erfurt, Germany- Marvin Huck (34-2, 25 KOs) vs. Ola Afolabi (19-2-3, 9 KOs) (WBO 200 lb. title) Odds/Predictions: Huck 3-1. Doesn’t look close to me. Hi=uck all the way!
Alexander Dimitrenko (32-1, 21 KOs) vs. Kubrat Pulev (15-0, 7 KOs) Odds/Predictions: Alex 11-5. Kubrat doesn’t have the power, but Alex lost at home to Eddie Chambers. Don’t bet this one!

Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, Singapore- Chris John (46-0-2, 22 KOs) vs. vs. Shoji Kimura (24-4-2, 9 KOs) (WBA 126 lb. title) Odds/Predictions: John 15-5. Favorite looks a level better! Dropping $1,500 to win $2,000.
Daud Yordan (28-2, 22 Kos) vs. Lorenzo Villanueva (22-0, 21 KOs) Odds/Predictions: Yordan 11-5. Looks like two different class fighters, even thought underdog has 21 KOs’ on 22 wins.

Pedro Fernandez

Bob "Admitted Felon" Arum

San Francisco, CA- For those of you that want me to stand ringside with a “pom-pom” cheering on the sport of boxing, for the people that criticize me when they know nothing about “the business” of boxing, this story is not for you. That being said, when the great Jacob Finklestein, my mentor who was enshrined into the International Boxing Hall of Fame for his writing boxing for 40+ years, said that boxing would be dead circa 2016, the man who wrote under the name Jack Fiske because of anti-Semitic feelings in the 1940s after he graduated from the University of Alabama, Jack had no idea that the 800 lb. gorilla in the room would be the Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC) and MMA.

FOR THOSE YOU THAT DOUBT FISKE’S WORDS, LOOK AT THE NUMBERS

The great matchmaker Johnny Bos, who will never make the Hall of Fame, regardless of his 30+ years of matchmaking and devotion to the sport, Bos recently reported that in 1986 there were over 5,000 boxing shows in the United States. Last year, there were less than 500! So while most of the so-called boxing media goes around blowing promoter Bob Arum, an admitted Felon, and I couldn’t write that if it wasn’t true, or I’d have Arum’s legal team, which I’ve already beaten in court, they would have me shut down and paying for everything including Massa’ Bob’s pedicures.

AS FOR TODAY’S BOXING PRESS CORPS!

Outside of ESPN’s Dan Rafael, who slept on Arum’s Top Rank couches (he’s large man necessitating two couches) in his Las Vegas offices, the boxing media of 2012, they either have no passion for the truth or are ignorant of the facts. When I see schmucks writing the quotes of Arum like they were biblical, it irks me. But at the same time, most of these Johnny come latelys were not around when Arum uttered these words to the press in the 1980s, “I was lying yesterday, but today I’m telling the truth.” Although I’m sure his third wife Lovey du Beof will insure that will not be the case, that verbiage should be etched upon his tombstone.

SO WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE 1980S & TODAY?

In the decade of the 80s there were boxing matches that the world stood still for and watched. The first match between Roberto Duran and Ray Leonard, a fight won by Duran via UD 15, this even though Italian judge Angelo Poletti scored 12 rounds even, Duran pummeled Leonard in a crushing defeat in what turned out to be a learning experience in my mind Ray Leonard graduated form boy school to that of a man that night in June 1980. Leonard’s chief advisor, a man that I respected, Michael “Mike” Trainer, told me in 1989 that he knew when Duran all but separated Ray from his senses in the second round with a chin-chilling left hook, he just, “Lit a cigarette and hoped that Ray wouldn’t get hurt,” as the upcoming rounds clearly proved, Ray was not going to win this fight.

CAN’T BLAME LAME MEDIA, AS THEY ARE CONTROLED BY THE ESTABLISHMENT

I know that none of today’s boxing media would risk their media credentials to s*it on Arum’s empire. Gone are the Michael Katz’s, Wally “Wallace” Matthews, Earl Gustkey, John Beyrooty, Dean Juipe, Royce Feour, and many others, these scribes have either died, retired, or like Wally have moved onto sports in general via ESPN radio. Although I don’t want to piss off today’s boxing media, they should be asking multi-millionaire Arum, the sport’s major promoter for the last 25 years, what part did he play in boxing having 5,000 fights cards in 1986 reduced to the less than 500 cards nationally cited by matchmaker/historian Johnny Bos.

HOT DOGS, CREDENTAILS & CHICKEN TENDERS ARE MORE IMPORATANT THAN TRUTH

In closing, not the esteemed Steve Kim, the overweight Dan Rafael, or the lesser scribes with their websites have the intestinal fortitude to question Arum, for to do so would result in their press passes and the hot dogs and the chicken tenders they munch on, taken away by Massa’ Bob.

Pedro Fernandez

Andy Ganigan

San Francisco, CA- Having already drank my ZMA 5, a Victor Conte SNAC.com product that I take to insure a good nights sleep, I got an email that while it wasn’t unexpected, it still packed a punch, a “Hawaiian Punch.” The sad news was that the hardest hitting Filipino fighter I had ever seen in my life, Andy Ganigan had died at the age of 59. His death comes almost two years after being attacked and beaten severely by some 21-year old nearly 300 lb. punk Matthew Kupa. The beating essentially turned the Filipino-American into a vegetable. Kupa reportedly received 1 & 1/2 years in jail for what is alleged to be an unprovoked attack.

ANDY HIT PAYDIRT ONCE…ALMOST TWICE IN SUCCESSION!

It was the last week of October 1981 and Pat O’Grady, the sleazy father-manager of Sean O’Grady, had a fight on network TV, I’m thinking it was CBS. The opponent was supposed to be 1976 Olympic champ and team MVP Howard Davis Jr. With the fight signed some six to eight weeks prior, Sean worked exclusively with orthodox (right handed) fighters who could glide around the ring with ease like Davis.

HALLOWEEN FIGHT A NIGHTMARE FOR O’GRADY CLAN!

Pat O’Grady was such a piece of ****, that I could write a voluminous piece on his dastardly actions if so inclined. Anyway, preparing for Davis, who Pat had called a runner, old man O’Grady, may he not rest in peace, installed a 15-foot ring in the Little Rock, AR Convention Center. In that phone booth like ring, the thought was that Davis could not run.

THEN CAME WORD THAT DAVIS WAS OUT!

Although I don’t remember what brought about Howard Davis pulling out of the fight, it was in the last week of October. Unwilling to scrap the date, cancel the arena, as it appears Pat O’Grady did not have “cancellation insurance,” he needed a last minute opponent that the TV people would approve.

OLD MAN O’GRADY OUTSMARTED HIMSELF!

In came the Filipino-American southpaw Andy Ganigan, a hard hitting lefty who could crack with the left cross and the right hook. In the midst of trying to keep the fight alive, Pat committed a fatal error when he forgot about the ring size. Against a puncher like Ganigan, Sean needed as big a ring as he could get to utilize the movement he would need to box Andy at a distance. I was told that Pat O’Grady didn’t realize his gaff until the morning of the afternoon fight.

GANIGAN PULVERIZED SEAN QUICK STYLE!

After chasing O’Grady for the better part of the opening round, Ganigan closed the distance in the second round. Scoring with right hooks and straight lefts, the one-time tough chinned O’Grady was put in a horizontal position three times, prompting referee Larry Hazzard to halt the contest at the 2:08 mark.

NEXT CAME A WBC FIGHT WITH ALEXIS ARGUELLO

In May 1982, I checked into the old Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas with my then girlfriend Maria Ramirez Franco. The fight was on CBS TV and Arguello knew that he would have to bring his A-game as Andy could punch as his 34-3, 30 KOs record would attest to. Arguello was customarily a slow starter coming out of the block. While the WBC lightweight (135 lbs) champion may have won the opener, Andy was closing the distance.

IT WAS “BOOM” & ALEXIS WAS DOWN!

In the second stanza, Ganigan got close enough and landed a combination of punches that dropped Arguello as hard as I had ever seen him go down. Arguello got up and stayed vertical for the remainder of the second round, but he was “buzzed.”

“HARDEST I WAS EVER HIT”

Andy Ganigan-Alexis Arguello

When I spent a week with Alexis in the summer of 1999, the Ganigan fight, a scheduled 15-rounder on May 22, 1982, came up in conversation. Although Arguello was dropped in the second, Andy hit him the “hardest he was ever hit in his life in the third” round, even though he didn’t go down. Eventually, Arguello stopped Andy in round five.

ONE MORE FIGHT & ANDY WAS THROUGH BOXING!

Eleven months later, Ganigan faced the up and coming Jimmy Paul of Detroit, MI and Emanuel Steward’s Kronk Gym. At 16-0 with 15 whacks, Paul stopped Ganigan in what was his final fight in round six. Shortly thereafter, Andy Ganigan retired at 34-5 with 30 KOs.

GANNIGAN WAS RESPECTFUL & GRACIOUS

I remember talking to him briefly after the Arguello fight. Still in a world of hurt, Ganigan praised Arguello for being such a great champion, and Arguello reciprocated and said he was as close to being knocked out as he had ever been. Unlike other retired fighters, I don’t remember Ganigan getting in trouble or anything like that.

WENT TO HAWAII & TRIED TO SEE ANDY

In July 1990, after doing a TV show with Charles Jay that turned out to be the last boxing card held at the Seattle Superdome, I flew off to Hawaii to receive the North American Boxing Federation Writer of The Year Award. While I was there, I asked Hawaiian resident and WBC honcho Chuck Williams if he could arrange a meeting with Ganigan. Williams tried, but it never happened.

THERE WERE HOOKERS & THEN MY-EX WIFE!

Each night I went out to various clubs, I kept running into prostitutes that I had FI’d (Field Interrogation cards) while a San Francisco Policeman. So after four nights of that, I took an early morning flight to Los Angeles. Who do you think was getting on the same plane with me from LAX to San Francisco, my-ex wife whom I had recently slapped with divorce papers. Still, hookers and the ex-wife aside, my real disappointment was not getting to see Andy Ganigan, whom I to this day consider the hardest punching Filipino (American) who ever laced them up. Take care Andy, you were class personified!

Pedro Fernandez

Manny Pacquiao-Tim Bradley

San Francisco, CA- Forbes Magazine released it’s yearly awards this week and ranked Manny Pacquiao as one of “America’s Most Influential Athletes.” Pacquiao, a native of the Philippines was the only boxer on the list dominated by NFL stars, especially quarterbacks.

BILLIONAIRE CONGRESSMAN IN HOMELAND

According to the periodical “Philippine News,” Manny Pacquiao is the richest person in that country’s Congress. What surprised me was that trainer Freddie Roach was alluding to Pacquiao being broke a few months back. But according to this weekly periodical, Pacquiao is considered a “billionaire” in the Philippines. When you convert his net worth to American dollars it is around $25,000,000.

FINISHING UP CAMP IN HIGH ALTITUDE

From press reports, Pacquiao is looking pretty good as he winds down his Boguio City training camp within a week, this before moving to the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, CA. He is said to be thumping on his apparently sole sparring partner Ruslan Provodnikov to the extent that Team Pacquaio had to get him a new headgear to protect his facial features, which were becoming distorted from the pounding the Pacman has been dishing out.

PACQUIAO MEETS UNBEATEN BRADLEY JUNE 9!

Although I’m being told tickets are not moving as they had for Pacquiao fights of late, they still expect a strong turnout on June 9 in Las Vegas when Pacquiao meets unbeaten Tim Bradley. At 28-0, Bradley has only 12 KOs and will be moving up from 140 lbs. to meet World Boxing Organization 147 lb. champion Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 KOs) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

DOES MANNY HAVE “RIGHT GUY” TO RIGHT HIS SHIP?

Pacquiao is coming off a disappointing performance last November against arch-nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez (54-6-1, 39 KOs) in which he won a hotly disputed decision over the Mexican Marquez. Bradley, who has a propensity to box with three hands, meaning he head butts a bit, will have to bring his game to another level if he is to beat the fiery Filipino icon Pacquiao.

Pedro Fernandez

Three Crowns For Wilfredo Benitez

San Francisco, CA- Recently, I’ve been hit via email and in blogs with criticism as to why I didn’t turn professional after what some might call a stellar amateur career. While fortunate enough to snag four Golden Glove titles, as well as three other tournaments, I could see my skills eroding before my very own eyes. No longer were the people throwing punches at me missing by a comfortable margin of inches, the shots were starting to connect and the ones I avoided were no longer measured by inches, it was more like millimeters. So when I was approached by two investors circa 1984 and asked to turn professional, I respectfully declined.

FIGHT EASIER GUYS IN PROS THAN IN TOURNAMENTS

The location was the now burned down “Original Joes” restaurant in the unit block of Taylor St. in San Francisco, just a few blocks away from where the original and oldest boxing gym in the United States was still standing, Herman-Newman’s Gym, owned by Billy Newman and run by a character named Don Stewart. The gym was home to a lot of us, even when we didn’t have fights on tap or were not training, guys would swing by the gym just to see what was going on. At this luncheon, the two men, now deceased I believe, laid out a plan and a contract. The deal would have given me $25,000 a year for two years and I’d get to keep 65% of any purse money I might earn. They had already put on paper six guys (stiffs) they wanted me to fight in that first year of the deal.

INSURANCE POLICY WAS A REAL “EYE OPENER”

What I found disturbing about the meeting was that they also had a Life Insurance policy on me, for if something were to happen to me in the ring, they could recoup their investments. After watching Ray Mancini kill Deuk-Koo Kim in 1982, something Ray I don’t think ever recovered from emotionally, and having beaten Bazooka Limon and later Wilfredo Benitez around one of the two rings on the Newman’s Gym main floor (there was another ring, albeit smaller downstairs that belonged to the stable of the late Johnny “Kid Carnation” Vidal) in front of none other than Jack Fiske and Al Corona, who were the boxing scribes for both major San Francisco newspapers, Fiske the Chronicle and Corona the Examiner, this made my head grow bigger than Barry Bonds, and I wasn’t taking any Performance Enhancing Drugs.

WARY OF LIMON, BUT BENITEZ MADE MY KNEES SHAKE!

Out foxing and beating Limon to the punch fighting southpaw, as he was set to fight (and lose) to Cornelius Boza Edwards in a just a couple of weeks in Stockton, CA in 1981, I became delusional in thinking that if I could beat Limon, even in the gym so decisively, that the pro ranks couldn’t be all that tough. In 1984, in what was my first week back after Tonsil surgery, the guy handling Benitez, Sonny Marson, still pissed off that I had left his M & M (Marson & the late Bill Mateo) Boxing Club after winning my first Golden Glove title, asked my trainer Chris if he would allow me to spar with Wilfredo.

ANOTHER INSTANCE WHERE FEAR WAS A PLUS!

Gomez was a protective sort and asked me if I felt up to it. I had only been running about ten days, was three weeks removed from the surgery and had been in the gym less than a week. Sitting in the grungy locker room where Athletes Foot fungus was not on the floor, but seemingly in the pungent air, Chris asked me after checking my weight if I would go with Benitez. To put it mildly, I was scared to death. Although he was on the decline, this was the man that knocked WBC 154 lb. champ Maurice Hope out cold (he was snoring) with one well placed right hand. I said yeah and after warming up for eight rounds or so, four shadow boxing, three jumping rope and one stretching, it was time!

MARSON HANDED CHRIS A PAIR OF 20-OUNCE PILLOWS!

Always looking for any edge he could get, Sonny broke out the biggest pair of boxing gloves I had ever seen. Usually a loud mouth, I had been muted by nervousness and the task at hand, still I vehemently objected to the gloves, as did my trainer Chris. Sonny called me a “chicken s*it,” and I responded that it was he who was the coward here seeing I was just an amateur and Benitez had won three world titles at three weights. I was adamant, there would be no sparring unless I could wear my Ray Flores brand 14-ounce gloves that Ray made in his Burlingame, CA garage specifically for me after measuring my hands.

BENITEZ SET TO GO TWO ROUNDS BEFORE ME!

While Wilfred sparred with a monster puncher in Zack “Attack” Hewitt, Chris laced up my Flores gloves. If Benitez and Marson wouldn’t allow me to box with my regular sparring gloves, I’d either find somebody else, or do some mitt work. I was not going to allow myself to be taken advantage of, hell, I was already a nervous wreck. When I stepped through the ropes, Marson started his bitching, but Benitez seeing how small I was in body mass, overruled Sonny and we went two hard rounds. After the first, Chris told me between rounds to throw everything I had at Benitez as the nerves that had me in panic mode had dissipated. Following Chris’ cue, I hit Benitez, who positioned himself against the ropes with hard shots from multiple angles. I can remember him hurting me to the body once, but that was in round one.

Wilfredo Benitez Today!

What I realized was that Wilfredo, who had won his beaten Antonio Cervantes for a 140 lb. crown, Carlos Palamino at 147, and the aforementioned Maurice Hope at 154, was as shot as Bonny and Clyde after the bank robbing pair were ambushed by cops with machine guns. Not only that, when Benitez and I would talk before and after the sparring session on the phone, the only subject in his vernacular was sex!

OTHER EXAMPLES MADE ME RUN FROM PRO BOXING

A local kid, Johnny Nava, after watching him get beat up even in fights that he won, this was disconcerting. Plus, I was watching the physical decline of a man that I had met several times prior to spending ten days as his aide on an Asian tour, the great Muhammad Ali was showing the residual effects of professional boxing. To see him being paraded around today, unable to speak and looking like a frail 100-year old man to me is disturbing. As for Nava, the last time I saw him he was moving slower than a 33-RPM record, thus he was clearly not the 45-RPM disc I had met before he turned professional.

THERE IS THE REALITY OF THE SITUATION

The reason I penned this piece is that some clowns on a Facebook page called me a coward for not turning professional. Of course these were guys that had never really boxed themselves, unless you count apples, oranges or shoes. But it did bother me in that the names they were hurling my way I could not defend against without stooping to their level. One more time, take a look at the photograph above of Wilfred Benitez. With that and this handwritten piece, I think I have set the record straight!

Pedro Fernandez

Mayweather-Cotto

San Francisco, CA- The “Fight of 2012” is a throwback of sorts as it pits two great fighters with contrasting styles against one another for the World 154 lb. championship. Yeah, the man with the seemingly growing head, Saul Alvarez may hold the WBC title, and unheralded but outstanding Austin Trout holds the WBA trinket, in my mind. although Alvarez and Trout may progress to the status of greatness, they’re not there yet. Miguel Cotto is a wonderful person, great husband, has a beautiful wife and family. He was always the heir apparent to Tito Trinidad until his ex-promoter Top Rank sacrificed him to Antonio “Loaded Gloves” Margarito and then made him cut off an arm to face Manny “Suspected of PEDs” Pacquiao. Years ago, Top Rank was protecting Cotto, then an undefeated jr. welterweight who was able to overcome the adversity of being hurt and dropped to come back and win. The knock on Cotto, was that his feet were too slow, something he realizes and is working to improve on for this Saturday’s showdown with boxing’s best boxer Floyd Mayweather.

HOW DOES ONE IMPROVE “FOOT SPEED?”

Having trained fighters who walked around the ring like they were wearing lead boots, I could never find a way to significantly improve this shortcoming. Cotto has labored greatly over the last two months to improve his “side to side” movement and the overall speed of his footwork. But can it be done? Can you teach a slow old dog new tricks, or compel him to fight in a manner he has never excelled at before? The Cotto camp says yes, while common sense says no.

THE HEART & DESIRE OF MIGUEL COTTO!

You can’t question the intestinal fortitude of the Puerto Rican fighter. As fearless as they come, as proud as a fighter can be, Cotto is facing insurmountable odds against Floyd Mayweather this weekend. One of the few advantages he has is that Floyd isn’t pulling a “bitch” move (like Manny Pacquiao) by making Cotto fight at anything under 154 lbs. I don’t care if Manny is God, has rediscovered God, is a born again Christian, the Pacman is less than the fighters his people try to compare him too, mainly Roberto Duran. Although “Hand of Stone” at times had a “belly of jelly,” he is ranked by most historians as a greater fighter than Ray Leonard, this even though Duran pulled the “No Mas” fight in 1980 and lost almost every round to Leonard when they opened the Mirage Hotel outdoors in the freezing cold of December 7, 1989. How cold was it? Duran’s wife, Felicidad, finally had enough of the shivers and left for the casino around the ninth round when the temperature was said to be about 39 degrees on a cold “Sin City” night.

HALL OF FAMER CHARGIN THINKS COTTO’S HEART WILL BE A DETRIMENT

While chatting earlier this week with Don “The Boy Promoter” Chargin, a licensed promoter since 1951, Don put forth his outlook on Cotto-Mayweather. “Personally, I think Floyd is too fast for him, especially with his feet. But Cotto has a huge heart and lots of guts, which means he’s going to try and bring it to Floyd. That in my mind will get him busted up faster than if wasn’t being the aggressor. Look, it’s a good fight, both guys are talented and coming to win, I just think that the speed factor, the fact that Floyd has such an edge there that this will be Cotto’s undoing.”

Can Shane Moshey Handle Canelo's Heat?

Everybody that doesn’t know Don Chargin thinks he’s as cool as a “chilled” cucumber, when in reality the opposite is true. I’ve seen him bite his nails, walk back and forth like a caged lion, even sweat a little bit when his guy is about to fight. Hell, Don used to get nervous at his club shows at places like the Radisson Hotel in Sacramento, as his late-wife Lorraine Chargin took charge. When he’s got something on the line, Don’s got the shortest, if not only one-word responses, somewhat reminiscent of Evander Holyfield in the early days say prior to 1989.

CHARGIN SEES THE FIGHT GOING TWO WAYS!

If Mosley Goes Down, Can Or Will He Get Up?

Although Don is pretty confident that Saul Alvarez will win Saturday against Mosley, the “Boy Promoter” says Shane has the ability to make Canelo look bad if he brings his stink game to the ring. You know, like against Manny Pacquiao and even Floyd Mayweather, if Shane thinks he’s got no chance after a few minutes, he’ll revert to the “stink the joint out” mode and thus will look only to survive and not get hurt. On paper, Alvarez should munch on Mosley as if were a buying a burrito from a roadside Taco truck. But again, if Mosley decides to fight as he did against Manny Pacquiao, then he could make Saul look bad.

WHAT ABOUT THE ODDS & PREDICTIONS YOU ASK?

I will have my Odds & Predictions for the weekend fights up on Thursday night for Friday morning.

Pedro Fernandez

San Francisco, CA- In a mini-photo album of brutal knockouts, take a look and you’ll be left shaking your head! We also have a feature story on WBA champ Guillermo Rigondeaux and how his being avoided like a disease! Lastly, there is a story on Saturday’s “Super Fight” between Floyd Mayweather and Miguel Cotto. That and the latest “Ring Talk Boxing & MMA” radio shows at RingTalk.com

"Ring Kings"

“SUPER FIGHT” BOXING FINALLY RETURNS!

New York, NY- Millions around the world will be in anticipation of an intriguing battle when WBA super middleweight (154) champion Miguel “Junito” Cotto (37-2-2, 30 KOs) engages top ranked “pound for pound” elite pugilist Floyd “Money” Mayweather (42-0, 26 KOs) in a proposed 12 round showdown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV, Saturday at 9 PM ET, on HBO PPV.

BAPTISM UNDER FIRE

After Miguel was violently stopped at the (suspect) hands of Antonio Margarito (L TKO 11), unlike most young fighters who administered a terrible beating at the highest level of the sport, a galvanized Cotto rebounded with two impressively fought wins. Just 16 months removed from the Margarito affair, in effort to reclaim the number one “pound for pound” status he was close to capturing before his setback, Cotto agreed to fight one of the sport’s best combatants: Manny Pacquiao. In a commendable effort against Pacquiao, Miguel competitively stood “toe to toe” with the Filipino superstar for as long as he could. Due to the relentless assault reigned upon him, mixed in with the “catch weight” he agreed to fight at (145 lbs), Cotto eventually broke down and was stopped by the hands of  boxing’s most committed banger (L TKO 12). In the aftermath, Miguel had only fought two times in the past two years. Albeit picking up wins and knockouts in each contest against respectable foes, due to the dull fashion in which these battles were fought, questions (from the public) loomed in regard to how much desire and passion Miguel still had for the “sweet science” when he entered the ring in his most recent encounter; a rematch with Antonio Margarito. In an eagerly awaited oncore against Antonio, Miguel beat on Margarito’s left eye like Jon Bonham (drummer of Led Zepplin) pounding a snare drum in the 70’s awarding Cotto his revenge (W TKO 10).

Cotto (left)

A CLOSER LOOK AT COTTO

Fundamentally, Miguel Cotto doesn’t do one thing great but overall he does everything extremely well. Miguel showcases a hybrid of facets that are important to survive in the pugilistic world. Cotto has the ability to take a punch, has power, decent hand speed, above average foot movement, a savvy boxing I.Q., and greatly timed counter-punching skills. However, Miguel often has a tendency to let emotion dictate his tempo, interrupt his game plan, and allow the war of attrition to take play. This usually is to his undoing and can be extremely hazardous against an opponent such as Mayweather. Conventional wisdom suggests that Cotto will have to call upon his poised brawn in effort of easing his way into convincing Floyd that he is the better man.

LOVE’ EM OR HATE’ EM, NOBODY’S BEATEN FLOYD

Before his first true test at top-level competition against former champion Diego Corrales, Mayweather emerged on the boxing scene destroying his first 24 foes with 18 wins by way of flashy knockout. During his dismantling of the warrior spirited Corrales (W TKO 10), Mayweather commanded the show and demonstrated a virtuoso of brilliant artistic assault. Floyd then went on to easily defend his title two more times before earning a controversial point’s decision victory in a struggle to the finish against veteran brawler Jose Luis Castillo. Immediately thereafter, the boxing public demanded a rematch and Mayweather met and dominated Castillo eight months later (W UD 12). Over his next nine bouts, Mayweather took on formidable opposition, highlighted by a knockout win over gladiator fan favorite Arturo Gatti (W TKO 6). Because of the ease in which Mayweather blasted out his seemingly over matched adversaries, outcry from the boxing world ensued for Mayweather to step up and face a more dangerous and bigger fighter; a demand which brought life to one of the richest fights in the history of the sport. In an intriguing bout on paper, Oscar De La Hoya accepted Floyd’s challenge. The fight failed to live up to expectation, and saw Mayweather win a close boxing exhibition against a seemingly faded once great champion (W SD 12). In the aftermath of the Oscar encounter, Mayweather pursued one of boxing’s biggest attractions Ricky Hatton for a mega fight. In a closely contested bout, Mayweather nailed an overly aggressive Ricky Hatton with a perfectly timed “check hook” which handed Hatton his first defeat and knockout loss (W TKO 10). After a brief retirement, Mayweather commendably came out of a two-year hibernation to easily outpoint one of the sports best competitors; Juan Manuel Marquez. Floyd then went onto to start the “beginning of the end” of the once great “Sugar” Shane Mosley (W 12) and expose naïve former champion Victor Ortiz as a fighter who still has a lot to learn about “protecting yourself” at all times (W KO 4).

Mayweather (right)

A CLOSER LOOK AT “MONEY”

Despite only having fought four professional rounds in the past 2 years, Mayweather brings an enormous amount of attributes to the dance. Floyd possesses exceptional hand and foot speed, accompanied by superb youthful reflexes and tremendous defensive movement. Mayweather’s from a family of decorated fighters and from this he has obtained a brilliant boxing I.Q. that has garnered him consideration to one of the most gifted fighters to ever step into a boxing ring.

PREDICTION:

I do feel it will a competitive scrap for as long as it lasts. However, at the end of the day; speed kills. Even though Floyd is boxing at the highest weight of his carrer, I feel his natural advantage of being the significantly faster athlete in both the foot and hand speed department will separate him for his opponent as it so often does. Mayweather ( KO 7).

AWESOME CO-FEATURE!

Having an unheard of 40 bouts and capturing a major world title (WBC 154) at just the tender age of 22, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (39-0-1, 29 KOs) looks to keep pounding toward world rank supremacy when he faces former belt holder and future “Hall of Famer”, “Sugar” Shane Mosley (46-7-1, 39 KOs) over 12 or less light middleweight  rounds.

Note: The sport needs to have more co-features of this nature in the future! What has taken the “suit’s” this long to put together a very worthy appetizer for ta solid main event?

Stay tuned for more exclusive coverage leading up to this exciting event all week long right here at Ring talk!

 John Signorella

Pacquiao-Freddie Roach-Rigondeaux

Los Angeles, CA- Being that I am black of Caribbean heritage (Both of my parents were born in Jamaica) I am enthralled with Cuban fighters. I tend to side with the little guy, the underdog and not the establishment. Obviously boxing is a business and promoters must protect their investments, but what irks me is the blatant ducking or lack of even recognizing the Cuban amateur standout and current WBA super bantamweight (122 lb) champion Guillermo Rigondeaux (9-0, 7 KOs) as a legitimate opponent to any of the perceived top fighters in the division.

NOBODY WILL EVEN MENTION HIS NAME?

When asked about potential future opponents none of the top fighters in the division ever mention his name. In the Cuban’s last bout he destroyed unbeaten Al Haymon protégé and champion at the time Rico Ramos (20-1, 11KOs) inside of six rounds.

BEST BODYPUNCHER TODAY IN BOXING!

One of the most vicious body punchers in the sport, he is ranked number #4 at super bantamweight by the BoxRec.com computer. However all of the top earners at or near the weight, Nonito Donaire (28-1, 18 KOs), Abner Mares (24-0-1, 13 KOs), Jorge Arce (60-6-2, 46 KOs), and others are avoiding him like the plague.

HANDICAPPERS & WISE GUYS KNOW THE REASON!

Guillermo Rigondeaux (right)

Kevin Perry

San Francisco, CA- I could spend some time talking the “Greatest Knockout Punches,” or more specifically about the punch that Lavarn Harvell landed on Tony Pietrantonio (Courtesy of Yahoo! Sports)

Lavarn Harvell KO's Tony Pietrantonio

KNOCKOUT PUNCHES YOU CAN’T FORGET!

I’ve included some MMA knockout as well here. Remember, the effects of a knockout that live with a fighter for eternity. The fact that you’ve been knocked the puck out and is locked in a photographic time capsule can be humiliating, depressing, and something etched in stone forever that you’d rather forget. Having never been drilled in this manner, I don’t know how I’d respond be it physically, emotionally, or mentally. Some fighters can move on after being KO’d in such a brutal manner, I don’t think I could have.

UNFORGETTABLE PUNCHES CAUGHT BY THE CAMERA!

Some of the following pictures you might identify, others you probably won’t. This is a brutal as brutal can get fight fans! To see the rest of this gruesome album

Not A Picture You Want Your Kids To See!

Jaw-Distorting Shot Musta' Hurt

Rocky Marciano Chills "Jersey Joe" Walcott

ONE UFC KO IN THE ALBUM!

Devastating Punch With 4-Ounce Gloves!

Paulie Malignaggi

San Francisco, CA- The kid from Brooklyn, NY, a decisive underdog, Paulie Malignaggi made the trek to the Ukraine to face what was thought to be a nearly impossible task in that he was stepping up in weight to 147 lbs. and fighting hometown lad and WBA champion Vyacheslav Senchenko (32-1, 21 KOs). Malignaggi, an excellent boxer and former US amateur champion, has always been bothered by sore hands. This career long ailment did not play a part in the fight as Malignaggi, now (31-4, 7 KOs) used a stinging left jab to shut Senchenko’s left eye.

REMEMBER, “SPEED KILLS”

Paulie’s handspeed advantage beat Senchenko to the punch time and again. With the all swollen shut, referee Steve Smoger stopped the bout awarding Malignaggi a TKO 9 victory at the 1:10 mark over Senchenko who came in undefeated. The ex-champ had his moments, but this night belonged to “The Magic Man” from Brooklyn, NY.

Pedro Fernandez

Larry Merchant

Sharon Sanghera

San Francisco, CA- The Sunday one-hour edition of “Ring Talk Boxing & MMA” covered the weekend of boxing with worldwide results, news and some opinion as HBO’s Larry Merchant was my first guest. We talked about what is hopefully the end of Bernard Hopkins. On the MMA side of the show, Sharon Sanghera, the Editor of Vincit Magazine. Sharon’s an opinionated young lady with a classy demeanor that produces a great publication. To LISTEN NOW click on the black arrow in the gray box above.

“RING TALK BOXING AND MMA” AIRS DIFFERENT SHOWS SATURDAY & SUNDAY!

In case you didn’t know, “Ring Talk” airs one hour of boxing and one hour of MMA on Saturday at 11 AM PT on the Sports Byline Broadcast Network, Armed Forces Network, Cable Radio Network and we do video on Facebook at Facebook.com/RingTalk where you can watch by clicking on the Ustream button.

SUNDAY SHOW IS A WEEKEND WRAP & PREVIEW

On Sunday at 11 AM PT, we combine one hour of “Ring Talk” with half on boxing, the other half on MMA. Sunday’s show is usually a wrap up of the weekend results in boxing and MMA, as well as a preview of the upcoming week in both sports. Both shows are available here both “live & delayed” here via Podcasts at RingTalk.com as well as Stitcher.com To LISTEN NOW click on the black arrow in the gray box above.

Pedro Fernandez

Dawson Putting Some Hurt On Hopkins

HOPKINS STINKS JOINT UP ON HBO

Atlantic City, NJ- Chad Dawson, (174.5 lbs), New Haven, CT MD 12 Bernard Hopkins, (173.5), Hockessin, DE. (WBC 175 lb title). A busier Dawson (30-1, 17 KOs) defeats the old Hopkins (52-6-2, 32 KOs) in this rematch. A Hopkins tackle in round eleven and Dawson’s bloodied eyes were the only action to make note of. Scores were 114-114 and 117-111 twice.

Seth Mitchell, (241.5), Brandywine, MD TKO 3 Chazz Witherspoon, (231.5), Paulsboro, NJ
Mitchell (29-0, 19 KOs) after being hurt by Witherspoon (30-3, 22 KOs) in the first round, unleashed hell. Finishing the tough in name only Witherspoon at 2:31.

“ACE” TAKES IT SOUTH OF THE BORDER!

Mexico City, Mexico – Jhonny Gonzalez, (124.4), Mexico City, MX UD 12 Elio Rojas, (125), Brooklyn, NY. (WBC 126 lb title). Gonzalez (52-7, 45 KOs) dropped Rojas (23-2, 14 KOs) in the tenth on his way to a 116-111, 116-112 and 117-111 victory.

Juan Salgado, (130), Mexico City, MX MD 12 Martin Honorio, (130), Mexico City, Mexico
(IBF 130 lb title) Salgado (25-1-1, 16 KOs) knocked Honorio (32-7-1, 16 KOs) down in rounds two and three, however the titleholder bled heavily from a cut eye caused by a headbutt midway through. A re-energized Honorio got back into the fight too late. Cards were 114-112 twice for Salgado and 113-113.

Pomona, CA- Roman Gonzalez, (107.4), Managua, Nicaragua TKO 4 Ramon Hirales, (107.8), La Paz, MX. (WBA 108 lb title). Gonzalez (32-0, 27 KOs) stops Hirales (16-4-1, 9 KOs) after the challenger was dropped twice in round four prompting referee Raul Caiz Jr. to immediately wave the fight off at 2:09.

TELEFUTURA AIRS FROM “HOLLY HOLM” COUNTRY!

Albuquerque, NM- Fernando Carcamo, (132.5), Sonora, Mexico TKO 2 Fidel Maldonado, (134), Albuquerque, NM. Underdog Carcamo (10-3, 7 KOs) all over the no longer unbeaten local Maldonado (13-1, 11 KOs) ending it at 1:10 of the second.

Friday, April 27, 2012

SHO BOX ON SHOWTIME

Miami, OK- Thomas Oosthuizen, (169), Gauteng, South Africa UD 10 Marcus Johnson, (169.5), Houston, TX. Oosthuizen (19-0-1, 13 KOs) knocked down Johnson (21-2, 14 KOs) in round eight, all the while schooling the game Johnson before getting the nod on all three cards, 98-91.

Luis Del Valle, (123), Bayamon, Puerto Rico UD 10 Christopher Martin, (123), Chula Vista, CA. Though Del Valle (16-0, 11 KOs) knocked down Martin (23-2-3, 6 KOs) midway in the fight no way should the cards have been so one-sided at 100-89, 98-91, and 97-92.

ESPN 2 EMANATED FROM TEX-ASS!

Austin, TX- Denis Grachev, (174), Simi Valley, CA TKO 8 Ismayl Sillakh, (175), San Diego, CA
Grachev (12-0-1, 8 KOs) scored an eighth round knockout against Sillakh (17-1, 14 KOs). Sillakh dropped Grachev in round three, but failed to capitalize. Grachev finally connected to the chin of Sillakh in the eighth with a right hand and finished him with a flurry of punches. Referee Rocky Burke waved it off at 2:18 as Sillakh sank to the canvas.
Javier Fortuna, (127.25), La Romana, Dominican Republic TKO 1 Yuandale Evans, (128), Cleveland, OH. Fortuna (19-0, 13 KOs) runs over Evans (16-1, 13 KOs) in just 2:02 of the opening round.

FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS IN ATLANTIC CITY

Atlantic City, NJ- Yusaf Mack, (174), Philadelphia, PA UD 12 Omar Sheika, (175), Paterson, NJ. Mack (30-4-2, 17 KOs) wins easy over a washed up Sheika (32-12, 21 KOs) by scores of 119-107 and 118-109 twice.
Derrick Webster, (165.5), Glassboro, NJ UD 8 Sabou Ballogou, (170), Paris, France. Webster (12-0, 7 KOs) survives two knockdowns and drops Ballogou (8-4, 3 KOs) on his way to a 77-72 verdict on all three cards.

BOXING IN THE HOMETOWN OF “THE BEATLES”

Liverpool, England- Tony Bellew, (174.75), Liverpool, England TKO 5 Danny McIntosh, (174.75), Norwich, England. Bellew (17-1, 11 KOs) takes out McIntosh (13-3, 7 KOs) 38 seconds into round five.

FIGHTS IN THE FORMER USSR COVERED AS WELL!

Kiev, Ukraine- Viktor Postol, (141), Kiev, Ukraine UD 10 Jose Lopez, (143), Torreon, Coahuila de Zaragoza, MX. Postol (18-0, 9 KOs) easily over Lopez (15-2-1, 9 KOs) by scores of 98-93 twice and 99-92.

Edwin “Ace” Ayala

Dawson Throwing & Hopkins Catching

San Francisco, CA- Having fought a little bit myself, I have to say I despise dirty fighters and Bernard Hopkins is one of the dirtiest fighters I have ever watched. Fighting almost like Eusebio Pedroza did in a WBA 126 lb. title defense against Juan Laporte in 1982, a fight overturned by the New Jersey Athletic Commission because Pedroza had committed in excess of 120 fouls, yet he was only penalized twice and lost two points. The WBA refused to undo the injustice. That being said, referee Eddie Cotton broke Chad Dawson and Hopkins around 120 times tonight and that again was because Bernard Hopkins, and I don’t give a s*it how old he is, Bernard is more than a dirty fighter, a stronger term applies, maybe filthy might be more appropriate.

DAWSON WINS FIGHT THAT WAS A MAJOR TURN OFF!

Chad Dawson won easily on my card, 118-110, while judges Dick Flaherty and Steve Weisfeld tabbed Dawson a 117-111 winner. Inexplicably, the third judge, a former fighter who should never be allowed to work a major fight again, Luis Rivera had the one-sided match 114-114, a travesty to put it mildly. Dawson, working behind his long right jab, won the first two frames without a lot of fireworks. The Delaware based fighter, a southpaw may have taken the third and fourth rounds off. But after that, all Hopkins did was throw, land on occasion, then grab, attempt tackles and head butt.

NEVER SAW A COMBINATION HEAD BUTT PRIOR!

In the second round, Hopkins landed a one-two head butt. I’m not joking as I saw it live and again on the replay. Had Eddie Cotton done his job, he would have taken points away from Hopkins, instead of separating the boxers some 120 times. Because of Bernard’s fouling, something every boxing official and fan knows is what he does best, Cotton broke the fighters before Bernard could do something so blatant that he would have had to disqualify the Philadelphia born fighter.

REFEREE LACKED DECISIVENESS AND OR GUTS!

At one point in the late rounds, Hopkins tackled Dawson with impunity and yet Cotton, who in my mind did everything he could to screw Lennox Lewis when he beat Mike Tyson in 2002, did nothing but wipe off the gloves of Dawson and Hopkins before prompting them to continue. If ever there were ever a need for two instructional videos of how not to referee a boxing match, the Lewis-Tyson and tonight’s Dawson-Hopkins fight are the ones that should be utilized, for it was Cotton’s ineptness, Hopkins’ fouling, and Luis Rivera’s scorecard that were the “low lights” of the HBO broadcast.

DAWSON DID HIS THING….BUTT, BUTT!

With his left cross landing with regularity, Dawson controlled the fight with power punches. Yes, he used the jab to set it up, but each time he would land, Hopkins would grab and hold, sometimes butt, this before Cotton almost instantly broke the two fighters. Dawson complained about the head butts after it was over, and I only noted one time when Cotton admonished Hopkins, who in essence was a three handed fighter who grabbed Dawson with the two gloved ones, while spearing him with the other.

HOPKINS VOWS TO CONTINUE

Bernard Hopkins hasn’t had an exciting win since September 2001 and his rout of Felix Trinidad. His win over Kelly Pavlik is called into question because Pavlik was a drunk! Outside of that, in the 11 years that have passed since Trinidad, Hopkins been less than impressive. What in the hell are the HBO brass thinking by putting B-Hop on TV? There was no way a casual sports fan would want to watch another boxing match after witnessing the holding, clinching, spearing and tackling exhibition put forth by Hopkins. Afterwards, Hopkins stated he would continue to box, when at 47 and after so many horrid fights, Bernard has gone far beyond wearing out his welcome!

CREDIT DAWSON WHO WAS IN A PRECARIOUS POSITION

Although trainer John Scully got Dawson in good shape, he should have been on referee Cotton like white on rice. But knowing John, who was a never a whiner or a complainer in his fighting days, but tonight he should have been in Cotton’s ear if not his face. “Bad Chad” wasn’t “bad” but he didn’t look “great” either, something Hopkins made sure of for he knew after five rounds that there was no way in hell he was going to win.

WITH HOPKINS OUT OF THE WAY, MAYBE DAWSON CAN BE “BAD CHAD”

With a record now of 32-1, 17 KOs, Dawson will need four to six months for his head-butt caused cuts to heal. Hopefully he can fight somebody that will not only engage, but won’t resort to clutching as Bernard did. Hopkins is now 52-6, 32 KOs. Not trying to be religious here, but if there is a boxing God, I pray that he never again allows Hopkins to steal precious television time away from young fighters and at the same time drive away boxing fans in droves! As for his career in boxing, “May It Rest In Peace,” because “Bernard’s no pro, he’s a con!”

Pedro Fernandez