Could Kid Chocolate live up to his name sake?

Photo by Miguel Salazar

“Not all East coast fighters acclimate to sunny Southern California,” said Big Steve coming out of the PAL boxing gym for amateurs inGlendale: “Some get home sick. Others can’t handle the heat, not from the sun, but from sparring, especially if they wind up at Wildcard orMaywood, boxing clubs well-known for their gym wars.”

 

One pugilist who had absolutely no problems with almost three thousand miles move is an unbeaten middleweight Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin.

“ West Coast is the best coast,” said colorful Quillin (24-0,18KO’S) when I interviewed him last year at  his new adapted home, Wildcard Boxing Club in Hollywood, California: “ Twenty four hours a day I think about boxing. Even when I go to the bathroom I think about boxing.” With that philosophy Kid Chocolate is able to get through rigorous training and sparring that is expected from fighters at the legendary gym.

 With career stagnant inNew Yorkdue to managerial problems, Peter Quillin took his show on the road and came toHollywoodsigning a contract with leading boxing promoter, Golden Boy. “I am destined for stardom,” said Quillin, 28:” And this is where you get it.” Last time out, in March of this year, Quillin annihilated experienced veteran, Jesse Brinkley within three rounds.

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/could-kid-chocolate-live-up-to-his-name-sake

 

Molina Ambushed Cintron

Photo by Chris Farina

Before Brandon Rios laid waste to Urbano Antillon in the third round of their recent World Boxing Association lightweight championship fight at the Home Depot Center, Carlos Molina proved too slick while punching his way to a unanimous decision over veteran Kermit Cintron in their 10-round super-welterweight meeting.
Judges Max De Luca, Steve English and Marty Denkin all scored the contest 98-92 in favor of the 28-year-old Molina, who hails from Mexico and is now 19-4-2.
Cintron, from Puerto Rico, has been boxing professionally since 2000, and has been in the ring with such notables as Antonio Margarito (April 2005 and April 2008), Sergio Martinez (February 2009), Alfredo Angulo (May 2009), and most-recently Paul Williams (May 2010).
It seemed the rust and layoff were too much for Cintron (32-4-1 with 28 knockouts) to overcome.
This night belonged to Molina, who was on the prowl from the beginning and didn’t stop until the closing bell.
Molina was more aggressive than Cintron, and claimed his stake in the opening round. In the second round he landed three solid rights and a left late.
The next two rounds mirrored the first two, while the fifth was a round in which Molina hurt Cintron at the back end.
Molina’s quickness was evident when the pair engaged in the middle of the ring as Molina got off numerous clean punches, while Cintron had little or no response.
Molina owned the sixth round after landing several clean rights, and adopted the same ploy in the seventh, although Cintron fared somewhat better.
The final three rounds were nearly identical to the previous seven as Molina, who has six knockouts, was faster on the draw, while Cintron was unable to gather much offense.
Other highlights included up-and-coming Filipino light-welterweight Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta decking Jorge Pimentel in three rounds of their scheduled 8-round fight. The last came 2:23 into the third, and was the result of a bruising left.
Gesta (22-0-1 with 12 KO’s) had Pimentel in trouble from the outset, flooring him with a short right late in the first round.
“I did good,” said Gesta, a southpaw who makes his home in San Diego. “I know that my opponent wasn’t the best, but I still respect him. I always try studying my opponent in every round.”
The pounding continued into the next round when Gesta floored Pimentel (23-12-0 and 17 KO’s) with another quick right.
Undefeated and wildly-popular Mike Lee made his Southern California debut amid much fan fare as the three-time Notre Dame champ and 2009 Chicago Golden Gloves king decked Michael Birthmark three times in their 4-round light heavyweight match.
“I love fighting here,” said Lee, who admitted that he heard some “USC, USC,” chants from the small but lively crowd. “But that was OK. It was still fun.”
Of course, the Fighting Irish and Trojans have waged classic battles on the football field since the 1920’s.
It began well for Lee (6-0-0 with 4 KO’s) who put Birthmark (2-6-0 and 1 KO) down early with a thundering right in the opening round. Lee took the second round by being more active and connected with several stinging shots.
Lee knocked Birthmark on his tail with another well-placed right, and did the same thing prior to the bout concluding at 2:54 of the third round.

 

Ghost’s sightings in Big Bear

Robert Guerrero

Morning coffee at my favorite Starbucks on Western and Glenoaks inGlendale, I discover a new twit posted by Oscar De La Hoya:” I have a feeling we haven’t seen the best from The Ghost Guerrero.”

 Rising star of the sweet science, Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero from Gilroy, California has been following in footsteps of Manny Pacquaio, moving up through weight divisions, winning titles and looking stronger and stronger every time out. With featherweight, super feather weight and lightweight titles in his pocket, Robert is moving up to one of the hottest divisions in boxing, junior welterweight.

 “I’m coming out to make a statement, going into 140 pounds,” said Guerrero who is scheduled to face one of the hardest punchers in boxing, Argentine, Marcos Maidana on August, 27^th at the HP Pavilion inSan Jose:” It’s my fourth weight class, my fifth weight class actually. I am excited about it. I want to come out and show the world that I am one of the best to get those fights with Pacquaio and Mayweather.” A natural athlete who played high school football, Robert looks big and strong enough to do damage at 140 and 147 weight divisions.

 According to Bob Santos, Robert’s manager, team Guerrero offered to face Amir Kahn when his fight with Timothy Bradley did not materialize. They were turned down. Instead, Guerrero will face granite chinned Marcos Maidana who took Kahn to the limit and beyond in their memorable fight last year.

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/ghost-s-sightings-big-bear

 

Rios Pounds Out Impressive Win

Photo By Chris Farina

Promises were made and promises were kept by Brandon Rios and Urbano Antillon.In what turned out to be nearly nine minutes of fistic fury at the Home Depot Center last Saturday night, both were true to their word.

In the end, it was Rios who floored Antillon twice in the third round. The final time came with 11 seconds left in their World Boxing Association lightweight title fight.

 

Rios captured two rounds on all three of the judges’ scorecards, and appeared headed for his third when he landed a wicked right cross that decked the challenger.Stunned, dazed and on the brink of truly being hurt, Referee David Mendoza wisely stepped in and called a halt to the action.

There were some writers who compared this fight to the April 1985 middleweight title bash between Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Thomas (The Hitman) Hearns at Caesars Palace.

 

In that classic showdown, Hagler closed it out with a third-round knockout. In so many words, it was a case of non-stop punches from each, and simply two great fighters putting on an incredible offensive show for the ages.

This battle was in its own way something to behold because neither party had any desire to take a backward step, and as a result had the crowd on its feet during much of the bout.

 

“We had a good game plan,” said Rios, who lives in Oxnard and raised his ring record to 28-0-1 with 20 knockouts. “I was waiting for him to come to me and he did. He was one game puncher and one game warrior. But I had the power, the strength and the condition.”

 

The opening round began with Rios winning the first minute and the final minute. In between, Antillon (28-3-0 with 20 KO’s) showed off his wares by attacking Rios’ body and head.

Rios, who unleashed 199 total punches and found the target on 89 (44.7 percent) was especially sharp in the second round when he adopted a body-and-head assault.The third round saw Rios make a strong statement to end it when he floored Antillon with a crushing left hook early in the stanza. The onslaught continued until the waning moments when he nailed the Maywood native with the right hand.

 

“Brandon is a warrior,” said Robert Garcia, his trainer. “Brandon felt very strong. He’s a fighter. He wants to fight the best at 135 pounds and 140 pounds, and that means Manny Pacquiao. He’d like to fight him in the next year or two.”

Antillon tried and was successful when he focused on the midsection of the 25-year-old Rios, who hit 55 of 111 power punches (49.5 percent) and 34 of 88 jabs (38.6 percent).

The 28-year-old Antillon tossed 189 total punches and found the zone on 82 (43.4 percent), while landing 39.5 percent (17 of 43) of his jabs.

But it was more than mere numbers that pushed the victory into Rios’ corner. It was the fact he was stronger, more determined and wasn’t willing to retreat just like he promised.

 

 

Amir Khan and Coach Freddie are ready and confident of victory over Judah

Photo by Dominic Serna

A fifteen minute drive from Glendale to Hollywood took me to     Wildcard Boxing Club where Amir Khan and his trusted coach, Freddie Roach hosted a media work out eleven days in advance of Khan’s much anticipated championship unification showdown with veteran champion ,Zab Judah. With two titles on the line, WBA light welterweight belt that belongs to Khan and IBF crown that belongs to Judah, two champions will face one another in the squared circle on July 23rd at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Twelve rounds contest will be televised live by HBO.

 

To say that this match up is very intriguing would be an understatement; both fighters’ posses blazing speed and knock out power in their fists and are well versed in all the nuances of the manly art.

 

Twenty four year old Khan, a full fledged star in England, is aspiring to be the best in the world. He knows he has to prevail over top fighters in United States in order to accomplish his dreams. “This fight will take me on to bigger things,” said Khan (25-1,17KO’S) who won WBA super lightweight title two years ago in England:” And to have a name like Zab Judah that you’ve beat on your record is a good name to have; he is a five time world champion.”

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/amir-khan-and-coach-freddie-are-ready-and-confident-of-victory-over-zab-judah

 

Mercito Gesta is masterful in debut for Top Rank

Photo by Dr Ed De La Vega

Fighting for the first time under promotional banner of Top Rank, local lightweight contender Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta impressed every one in attendance at The Home Depot Center last Saturday night with a spectacular third round knock out over Mexican, Jorge Pimentel. Twenty three year old Mercito displayed skills and ring smarts worthy of a veteran fighter, knocking down his opponent in every round and finally convincing the referee to end the massacre. His speed agility and power were just too much to handle for Pimentel.

 

With so many weapons in his war chest, I asked Mercito which one was his best? “ For me , may be my right hook,” replied Gesta ( 22-0-1,12KO’S) : “ But I always study my opponent in the first round, always study what’s the best thing that I am going to do and what combination connects, and that’s my best asset is to study my opponent.” Young fighter fromSan Diegomust be a quick study, because he had his adversary figured out and tasting the canvas in the very first round.

 

Mercito was very happy to sign with a leading promotional company, Top Rank and when I asked him to grade his debut performance said: “I think I am “A” tonight, because I did well. I know my opponent is not really the best, but I still respect him, the way he fights. I am still careful in there because you don’t know what’s going to happen in the fight. I follow our game plan and dominate the fight and the result is good.”

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/mercito-gesta-is-masterful-debut-for-top-rank-1

 

Rios blasts out Antillon in a thriller

Photo by Miguel Salazar

On a warm summer night in Southern California two locomotives, full steam ahead, collided in the ring producing fire and explosions. And when the dust settled after three of the most breathtaking rounds I have ever seen live, Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios knocked out Urbano Antillon and thus defended his WBA lightweight title at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.  Approximately thirty five hundred in attendance went wild from the opening bell and they stayed hysterical throughout the fight. Referee David Mendoza stopped the contest at 2:49 of the third stanza when after two knock downs Urbano was reeling around the ring, not knowing where he was. “That left hook caught me on the top of the head and it devastated me,” said Antillon (28-3, 20 KOs):“I was never the same after the first knock down. Rios punches very hard. I just got caught and I was never able to recover.”

 “Antillon was a hell of a fighter at one time,” said Rios (28-0-1,20KO’S) at the post fight press conference:” But not this time. I am young. I am hungrier, more powerful. I am going to the top. Any body out there at 135, I am inviting you right now.”

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/rios-blasts-out-antillon-a-thriller

 

“It’s war time” declares Brandon Rios

Photo by Dr Ed De La Vega

 

 With long anticipated neighborhood grudge match between Urbano Antillon and Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios excitement is brooding in the air in the city of Glendaleand surrounding localities. WBA lightweight champion Brandon Rios (27-0-1,20KO’S) from Oxnard, Californiawill defend his title against Maywood’s Urbano Antillon (28-2,20KO’S) on Saturday night, July 9^th, 2011 at theHomeDepotCenter inCarson,California. Twelve rounds or less manly arts contest will be televised live By Showtime.

 

“I think it’s time for the talking to stop,” said Abel Sanchez, trainer of Urbano Antillon during a final press conference in Los Angles preceding the Saturday showdown:” Let’s get these warriors in the ring and settle it.”

 

Both teams confirmed that they are one hundred percent ready for the fight.

“If they are hundred percent, I am a hundred percent. That equals a big force in the ring,” said Rios, 25:” That means everybody is going to get their money’s worth, not only for the fans but for TV.”

Both combatants seemed more reserved, may be anxious to stop talking and get into the ring to do their job.

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/it-s-war-time-declares-brandon-rios

 

Will the third time be a charm for Urbano Antillon?

Photo by Chris Farina

“This is my third opportunity for the world title,” said Urbano Antillon who is scheduled to challenge Brandon Rios for WBA lightweight belt on July 9th at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California:” And yes, we are more ready than ever and we are going to do it.” The grudge match between two hot Southern California fighters will be televised live by Showtime Championship Boxing.

 

They were originally scheduled to face one another last year before Brandon Rios became a champion.” He supposedly got cut in the ring about a week and a half before the fight. So it didn’t happen,” explained Antillon, 28:” That’s the story.”

 

Known for his no nonsense come forward, aggressive style of fighting, Urbano Antillon has learned his craft participating in legendary gym wars at the Maywood Boxing Club. Among his sparring partners are such ring greats as late Edwin Valero and current pound for pound king, Manny Pacquiao.

 

Urbano got his first shot at a title in July of 2009 when he went to Mexico to face little known, but well versed in the art of sweet science champion from Venezuela, Miguel Acosta. despite being under the weather and eating a lot of leather early, Urbano got into the fight  in the middle  round doing what he does best, going to the body. And just when it looked like Antillon’s body punches were starting to pay dividends, he got knocked out with a vicious uppercut in the ninth.

Urbano took it hard. He left Maywood Boxing Club and his old trainer, Rudy Hernandez and asked a well regarded Abel Sanchez to help him to get to the next level. Antillon had to wait till December of 2010 for his second shot at the lightweight crown. This time it was a shot at experienced WBC champion from Mexico, Humberto Soto.  In a highly contested war that could go either way Urbano Antillon fell short of his goal in a fight that was considered a fight of the year by many pundits. Would the third time be a charm for Antillon?

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/will-the-third-time-be-a-charm-for-urbano-antillon

 

Mayweather on Pacquiao and Olympic Style drug testing

By Igor Frank

Any conversation with Floyd Mayweather, even the interview about his upcoming September 17^th bout with WBC welterweight champion, Victor Ortiz, inevitably turns to Manny Pacquiao. “What is going on with these two?” asked my friend, Big Steve while we were having Sunday breakfast at the Porto’s Bakery onBrand Boulevard inGlendale:” Are they ever going to fight?” It is a very complicated question.

 

U.S. District Court Judge ruled on Thursday, June 31^st that Floyd Mayweather must give a deposition in connection with a defamation law suit filed against him by rival, Manny Pacquaio. However, Floyd continues to defy the court order and drum the roll to his own beat.” I am not saying any one is cheating,” said Mayweather, 34:” I just want a level playing field.”

Undefeated in forty one fights Floyd Mayweather, who was last seen in the ring over a year ago dominating Shane Mosley, said he would sign to fight Manny the minute Pacquiao agrees to be subjected to Olympic Style drug testing.” I am not dogging or dodging,” exclaimed Mayweather:” Pacquiao makes a lot of mistakes and you all have seen Floyd Mayweather is a fighter that can adjust and adapt to any style.”  It was very obvious in his last fight against Mosley, after getting badly hurt in the second round Floyd adjusted: he stood in the center of the ring and beat Shane to the punch for the remaining ten rounds. Shane Mosley was dominated by Pacquiao one year later.

“After the Pacquiao fight I talked to Shane Mosley on the phone,” continued Mayweather:” Now why don’t you guys meet up with Shane Mosley and ask him what he told me.” Fortunately, we did not have to as Floyd Mayweather proceeded:” Me and Shane talked and he told me the truth. These words were what Shane told me. Floyd if I was you I would make Pacquiao take the test.”

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/mayweather-on-pacquiao-and-olympic-style-drug-testing