Josesito Lopez is looking for his own star as an opening act on Starpower

Photo by Elie Seckbach

” With all that hoopla surrounding his ring return, I am afraid Money Mayweather might just stink up the joint and get on his bicycle and pot shot Victor Ortiz to death,” said Big Steve as he swallowed a big bite of a Bad Boy sub we both ordered at Mario’s Italian Deli on Broadway:” Better tell me about our local boy, Josesito Lopez who will open up the show. Have you ever seen him fight?”

 Riverside’s Josesito Lopez has come up the professional ranks the hard way learning the ropes while fighting tough fights on club shows at Inland Empire of Southern California.

 

“I’ve got a lot of experience here in my back yard,” said twenty eight years old Lopez when I caught up with him on Friday during one of those shows inCorona:” I am fromRiverside. I fought inCoronaandRiversidefor a lot of years. This is definitely where my roots started from.”

 

 Since scoring a first round knock out over Allen Litzau in his professional debut in February of 2003 Josesito Lopez has amassed a record of 29 wins, 3 losses and 17 knock outs. Young veteran fighter is ready for a big stage.

 

“I got a big fight with Jessie Vargas, a tough, good fighter,” said Lopez about his September 17th showdown with an undefeated prospect fromLas Vegas:” So we are going in there 110 percent. We are ready for it. My trainer, Henry Ramirez, we have been training for a while now. We are in great shape and I just can’t wait to get in there.”

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/josesito-lopez-is-looking-for-his-own-star-as-an-opening-act-on-starpower

 

Freddie Roach’s apprentice, Esquivias Jr impressive in Corona

Photo by Katherine Rodriguez

“How does Freddie Roach do it?” inquired big Steve during our Saturday morning java at Starbucks on Western avenue in Glendale:” Between Manny Pacquiao, Amir Khan, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr and now Jorge Linares and consulting U.S. Olympic team, where does he find the time for it all? I heard he went toUkraineto help another fighter.”

 

“It’s simple,” I said:” He delegates and he has help.” Such was the case last night inCoronawhere Efrain Esquivias Jr, without Freddie Roach in his corner, scored an impressive victory in the main event of the night of professional boxing of an extremely popular series dubbed New Blood, promoted by Thompson Boxing Promotions. Magical, warm,Southern Californianight at the sold out Omega Products International venue featured seven professional bouts in the ring set up outside.

 

 

No Freddie Roach in his corner, no problems; hailing out of Torrance, California, featherweight Efrain Esquivias Jr(14-0,9KO’S) won a hard fought unanimous decision over a rugged veteran, Juan Ruiz(23-7,7KO’S) from Santa Clarita California. All three judges scored the fight in favor of Esquivas Jr: 97-93 and 99-91 twice.

 http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/freddie-roach-s-apprentice-esquivias-jr-impressive-corona

 

 

HP fails Manny Pacquiao, ditches smart phones

Photo by Paul Hernandez

“Even Manny Pacquiao couldn’t stop HP smart phones from tumbling down,” said Big Steve during our morning coffee at Starbucks on Western and Glenoaks:” Here is one thing he touched that didn’t turn to gold.”

 Only a few months ago super star boxer from Philippines, Manny Pacman Pacquiao and one of the largest computer manufacturers in United States, Hewlett Packard have announced a marketing partnership. Instantly, Manny Pacquiao has become a global face for HP smart phones.

 

“Filipino boxing hero and pound-for-pound king Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao is the new face of the HP Veer 4G, the smallest AT&T smart phone in the United States” announced ABS CBN news.com inPhilippines.

“Small guys can pack a punch,” was a catch phrase in the immensely popular commercial that had a huge success on YouTube before it was ever televised on network TV stations.

What was perceived as biggest and most lucrative endorsement deal for extremely popular Pacquiao turned out to be a last ditch effort by Hewlett Packard to save the dying brand of smart phones and touch tablets.

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/hp-fails-manny-pacquiao-ditches-smart-phones

 

Which Mayweather fight is your favorite?

Photo by Boxing Daily

“Back so soon,” exclaimed Dave, the Barber as I walked into his shop onSan Fernandoand Western inGlendale: “Don’t tell me your hair started growing faster at your advanced age?”

“I just need a clean shave,” I replied:” My wife says I still don’t know how to do it myself under my nostrils and below my lip and we have an important party at her work to go to.”

“Sit down,” said Dave the Barber:” I’ve been reading a lot of stuff about Pretty Boy Floyd in the news lately. Which one of his fights is your favorite?”

“First of all he is not a Pretty Boy any more,” cut in Downtown Ronnie Brown:” He calls himself Money Mayweather now. And this one is even easier than the last one; it’s a beating of Chico Diego Corrales. I remember people coming up to me and talking about Diego is too powerful for Floyd and will knock him out. I would have bet a farm on Floyd that night, but I live downtown, so I settled for my last hundred bucks. Floyd beat that boy to the pulp.Chicokissed the canvass so many times I though he was a yoyo. It was a thing of beauty.”

“Diego was getting ready to go to jail for beating his wife and he was weight drained. He shouldn’t have even been in the ring that night,” said Al, the Barber:” I liked his second fight with Jose Luis Castillo. After nearly getting bye in the first one, Floyd showed his ring smarts. He figured out Castillo and completely dominated him in a rematch; it was a masterful boxing lesson.”

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/which-mayweather-fight-is-your-favorite

 

Could legal issues KO Mayweather out of the ring prior to September 17th?

Photo by Tom Casino

“I am really worried about my boy, Money Mayweather,” said Big Steve during our lunch at Café Bravo on Glenoaks Boulevard:” He just can’t get out of his own way. I hope he doesn’t get arrested before September 17^th and fights Victor. Did you hear about that shooting and the latest law suit?”

 

Legal issues seem to be following superstar pugilist, Floyd “Money” Mayweather who might need to fight a lot more often to take care of all of his attorney’s fees. According to Associated Press there is another civil law suit pending against Mayweather from two men who claim that he engineered pistol shooting attack against them two years ago outside of skating ring inLas Vegas.  The law suit alleges that Mayweather and few others were making threats since the attack.

 

Mayweather who is in the midst of training for an upcoming bout with Victor Ortiz on September 17^th, and Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions both claimed that he had nothing to do with this.

 http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/could-legal-issues-ko-mayweather-out-of-the-ring-prior-to-september-17th

 

Jessie Vargas plans to steal the show from his promoter, Mayweather

Photo by Tom Hogan

“Did you know that HBO will have three WBC championship fights televised on September, 17?” inquired Big Steve during our early morning coffee at Starbucks onPacific AvenueinGlendale.

 

“Of course I knew. I am the reporter,” I replied. In the main event Vicious Victor Ortiz will defend his WBC welterweight title against unbeaten in forty one tries, master boxer, Floyd Money Mayweather. In a chief supporting bout from a different venue, aStaplesCenterinLos Angeles, Canelo Alvarez will defend his WBC light middleweight crown against rugged Alfonso Gomez. Also legendary Erik Morales facing Lucas Matthysse for a vacant WBC light welterweight title will attempt what none of his country men were able to have done before, to win titles in four different weight divisions. As if this is not enough fire power or as promoters called it “Star power”, a very intriguing match up between rising junior welterweights, Jessie Vargas and Josesito Lopez will open up the telecast.

 

“We are going for Josesito Lopez on a Floyd Mayweather Victor Ortiz undercard. It will be shown on Pay Per View,” said unbeaten Jessie Vargas when I interviewed him inLas Vegaslast Saturday:” What can I say, it’s a great opportunity. You have two contenders, expect a great fight. I come here to please the crowd and my fans and come September 17th I will come to give a great fight, once again.”

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/jessie-vargas-plans-to-steal-the-show-from-his-promoter-mayweather

 

Facing Mayweather Team Ortiz insist Victor will be the victor

Photo by Tom Hogan

“I finally got see Berto Ortiz fight last night,” exclaimed Big Steve while doing reps with two one hundred pound dumbbells at our local Y inGlendale:” He was possessed. If he fights like that against Mayweather he might just have a shot.”

 

Even though Vicious Victor Ortiz will be the defending WBC welterweight champion when he faces Floyd Money Mayweather On September 17^th inLas Vegas, few experts give him a chance to retain his belt.Las Vegas book makers have installed Mayweather as an eight to one favorite to beat Ortiz, a mere formality on a way to a much anticipated mega showdown with Manny Pacquaio next year. One expert that believes young Ortiz has a chance is a five time trainer of the year ward recipient, Freddie Roach.

 

“I love Victor Ortiz,” exclaimed Manny Pacquiao’s legendary coach, Freddie Roach when I interviewed him last month at Chumash Casino inSouthern California:” I wish him well. He can give me a blue print on how to beat Mayweather. May be we will be fighting Ortiz next and not Mayweather, if he pulls the victory off. I think he has a shot.”

 

 http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/facing-mayweather-team-ortiz-insist-victor-will-be-the-victor

 

Exclusive interview with Antonio Tarver on Mares Agbeko controversy

Photo by Tom Casino

“I’ve been reading lots of stuff on the Internet about this fight” said Big Steve during our Monday morning coffee at Starbucks onWestern AveinGlendale:” I guess Mares’ victory was marred by a controversy. No pun intended. What did you think?”

 

“I am in the minority on this one,” I replied:” I should not have an opinion, but if you really want to know, I thought referee Russell Mora did a fair job. He didn’t want to start taking points off early in a close fight because both fighters were doing illegal things; Mares was going low, but only because Agbeko was pushing him down. Mora warned both fighters several times. I thought Mora did make a mistake in the eleventh when he called a low blow a knock down, but I have seen it happen before. Agbeko showed that he was playing the referee, because as soon as he heard a count being administered, he jumped up and was ready to fight. But I am just a small peon, enough out of me.”

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/exclusive-interview-with-antonio-tarver-on-mares-agbeko-controversy

 

Abner Mares dethrones King Agbeko in a thriller

Photo by Tom Casino

“What happened in Vegas?” was a text I received from Big Steve who was at the Internet Cafe on Louise Ave nue inGlendale and could not watch the fight.

 Abner Mares (22-0-1,13KO’S) has just dethroned King Agbeko and won a Showtime bantamweight tournament in a brilliant, instant fight of the year battle at the Hard Rock Hotel in front of boisterous crowd of approximately 2000 that was on their feet throughout the fight.  Judges scored the fight 113-113 and 115-111 twice for Mares thus awarding him a majority decision win and a much coveted IBF championship crown. Team Agbeko cried fowl because of continuous low blows but they might have been forced by the former champion who was pulling down the head of his opponent. ” I felt like I had two opponents tonight in the ring, Abner Mares and the referee,” said dejected Agbeko (28-3,22KO’S) immediately after the fight:” The referee took my title away from me tonight, not Abner Mares. I demand an immediate rematch and the referee should be suspended.”

 

 Youth was served tonight as the challenger thrown and landed more punches and was more effective.  According to Showtime statistics Abner Mares has thrown 732 punches  and landed 318  while Agbeko has thrown 662 punches and landed 231.“I am very happy,” exclaimed Mares:” I am a new IBF world champion. Clemente was telling me to stop going to the body because of the warnings, but I didn’t listen. I knew I was hurting him, so I kept doing it. It was a tough fight, but I think I dominated it.”

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/abner-mares-dethrones-king-agbeko-a-thriller

 

Dynamita, Juan Manuel Marquez is ready to explode on November 12th

 

 

Photo by Cris Farina

“I read your story on the best Pacquiao fight,” said Speedy Gonzales while trouncing a heavy bag at the Y inGlendale:” What about Pacquiao Marquez ll?”

“That was a great fight,” I replied.

 “I just watched it on TV on Thursday,” continued Speedy:” And let me tell you something, I scored it for Dynamita, he out boxed Pacman.”

“But your last name is Gonzales,” I countered:” Could you really be objective?”

“Don’t tell my father,” smirked Speedy: “But I am really a die-hard Pacquiao fan.Anyways, a lot of people, people like you think that Manny will slaughter Juan Ma come November, but mark my words, it is not going to be like walk in a park for Manny, I don’t care what weight they will be fighting at.  As always Marquez will give Pacman all he could handle.”

“Interesting,” I said:” That is exactly what I heard Freddie Roach say the other day.”

“It is not going to be an easy fight,” said legendary coach, Freddie Roach while interviewed on ESPN:” Marquez is a very smart fighter.”

Not only is Marquez a smart fighter, he is a true Mexican warrior who is willing to die in the ring. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that in November.

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/dynamita-juan-manuel-marquez-is-ready-to-explode-on-november-12th