Mayweather Ortiz; quite a show in LA to promote their fight

Miguel Slazar

Modern technology is amazing. At approximately 9:00 pm last night I got a poke on a Face book from a Net Caffe, located at624 E. Colorado StreetinGlendale. My nephew sent me a message:” I thought you were in a business meeting. I am watching you on a live stream and it looks like a party.”

“This is business,” I replied:” But it does look like a party, more like a Hollywood Gala.” Viewed on line around the world last night’s Los Angeles press conference to promote upcoming welterweight championship showdown between newly crowned WBC champ, Vicious Victor Ortiz and one of the top pound for pound fighters, Floyd Money Mayweather was staged in true Hollywood style; with red carpet, limousine arrivals, huge outside Jumbo Screen presentations, music and a thousand fans gawking and trying to get autographs. Even Los Angles Lakers who sell outStaplesCenteracross the street, night after night would be envious of the hoopla that took place at theNokiaPlazalast night.

 

Why all the hoopla? Top moneymaker in a sport of boxing, unbeaten Floyd Money Mayweather is coming back to the ring after fifteen months lay off.

Thirty four year old Floyd will put his undefeated record and a top pound for pound ranking on the line when he faces off in a squared circle against WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz. Twelve rounds or less welterweight contest will be televised live by HBO PPV directly from the Meccaof boxing, MGM Grand Garden Arena on September 17^th, 2011.

Everyone inside theNokiaPlazawas excited and happy to witness the return of Floyd. “The return of Floyd Mayweather is big news for the sport of boxing,” sated Mark Taffet, senior vice president of HBO: “He is a major attraction and a must-see TV. Fight fans will be excited to see him put his experience, style and undefeated record on the line against the youth and punching power of the fast-rising Victor Ortiz.”

“We are all here today because of one man,” said Bob Halloran of MGM pointing towards Mayweather.

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/mayweather-ortiz-quite-a-show-la-to-promote-their-fight

 

Victor Ortiz promises to be the first man to beat Floyd Mayweather

Photo by Tom Hogan

Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. destroyed Floyd’s uncle, the man who called himself Mexican Assassin, Roger Mayweather at the Rivera Hotel inLas Vegason a hot summer night in July of 1985. Twenty six years later, young champion Victor Ortiz promised to follow in the footsteps of legendary Mexican icon and be the first man to beat Roger’s nephew, Floyd Mayweather Jr.

 

“I have always said that I would be the first fighter to beat Floyd Mayweather and now that I have my chance, and to do it on a weekend that celebrates the independence of the Mexican people, is an amazing blessing for me, “ said Victor Ortiz who will defend his WBC welterweight crown on September 17^th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas against one of the best fighters on the planet, unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr:”  I have worked so hard to become a champion and to show the world that I am the best.  I am not going to let anyone take that away from me.  I’m confident that I will walk away from this fight with my belt and a new title…the first to defeat Floyd Mayweather.”

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/victor-ortiz-promises-to-be-the-first-man-to-beat-floyd-mayweather

 

Haye will be my 50th KO says Klitschko

Majority of a large Russian and Armenian population of the city of Glendaleare making plans to stay home this Saturday afternoon so that they could catch a live HBO telecast of long anticipated heavyweight championship unification bout between Wladimir Klitschko and David Haye. With IBF, WBO, IBO and WBA as well as the most coveted”Ring Magazine” heavyweight belts on the line Wladimir Klitschko (58-3, 49 KOs) and David Haye (25-1, 23 KOs) will finally get in the ring on July 2^nd to find out who is the best? HBO will televise live fromImtech-Arena,Hamburg,Germany beginning from 1:45 Pacific time. The biggest heavyweight fight in years will be televised in hundred and fifty different countries.

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/haye-will-be-my-50th-ko-says-klitschko

 

Would 8 to 1 odds in favor of Pacquiao justify the means for the third fight with Marquez?

Photo by Chris Farina

A bookie I know inGlendaletold me that his outfit is not going to take action on Manny Pacquiao fight in November, because they are tired of loosing money on long odds. Number one fighter on the planet is scheduled to face Juan Manuel Marquez on November 13th inLas Vegasfor the third time. For the third time in a row Manny is an eight to one favorite to win the fight. Pacquiao was eight to one favorite in bouts with Margarito and Mosley and nowLas Vegasbook makers have him eight to one favorite against Marquez.

 

 Some experts might tell you that odds are only indication of which way people are betting, but there is much more to it. Handicappers devote their lives to studying a fight game and setting correct odds; their lives and professional careers depend on it. So what does it mean? Boxing, as Larry Merchant would say is a theater of the unexpected, but according to those who make bets for living, eight to one odds in a fight is a sure lock unless there is a freak accident or an injury. So if the outcome is as clear as Sunday morning in the mountains, why would everybody be so excited about upcoming Pacquiao Marquez lII showdown?

 

  Of course, I don’t have a crystal ball, but I could pretty much count on my hands when an eight to one favorite lost a fight. We witnessed a huge upset this year when eleven to one favorite, Juan Manuel Lopez was knocked out by Orlando Salido. Few years ago, eight to one favorite Paul Williams got out boxed by Carlos Quintana. And who can forget thirteen to one favorite Vic Darchinyan getting knocked out with one punch by Nonito Donaire? But the biggest upset that I can remember took place inJapanwhen forty to one favorite Mike Tyson got stopped by Buster Douglas. Those go into the history books and are too few and far in between. Eight years ago inSan Antonio, six to one underdog, Manny Pacquiao destroyed Marco Antonio Barrera and thus began his meteoric rise to the top of the boxing world.

Could Juan Manuel Marquez, at the age of thirty seven, going on thirty eight, defy the odds?

 http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/would-8-to-1-odds-favor-of-pacquiao-justify-the-third-fight-with-marquez

 

Molina bludgeons Frankel for a TKO

Photo by Craig Bennett

Temecula- Rising lightweight contender, John ”The Gladiator” Molina Jr destroyed  and cut up veteran from Denver, Colorado Robert Frankel in the main event of the evening televised by ESPN Friday Night fights from packed Arena at Pechanga Resort and Casino. Ringside physician ended the massacre in between rounds five and six due to severe lacerations on the face of Frankel all of which were caused by punches.

 

“He was a very durable opponent,” said victorious Molina:” But I got him. As he was getting more timid I got more aggressive. Fans got what they wanted. Reporters got what they wanted out of this. It was entertaining.” It was a gory bloodbath that could be seen on 3D television.

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/molina-bludgeons-frankel-for-a-tko

 

Is Canelo Alvarez the most desired opponent in boxing?

Photo by Dominic Serna

 

Despite an impressive and dominant performance in a title defense against a veteran, Ryan Rhodes this past weekend in Jalisco, Mexico, Canelo Alvarez has become the most wanted man in a talent rich, super welterweight division.

 

Glendale’s undefeated contender, Vanes Martirosyan has been calling out Canelo even before he became a WBC mandatory by stopping Saul Roman earlier this month inLos Angeles. “I hope he steps up,” said Martirosyan about WBC champion, Canelo Alvarez:” And be a man and fights me.”

Twenty five year old former US Olympian had high praise for champion’s performance.

 

“Canelo looked great,” said Martirosyan who trains at the Glendale Fighting Club onBrand Boulevard:” He really put his punches together and madeRhodesfight tentatively.” With a professional record of thirty wins, nineteen by knock out and no loses, Martirosyan has been looking for a title shot for a long time. He believes his time is now and he has not changed his mind about Alvarez in spite of the tremendous performance.

 http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/is-canelo-alvarez-the-most-desired-opponent-boxing

 

Boxing Gods put kibosh on Pacquiao Mayweather

Having my Sunday morning coffee at Starbucks on the corner of Western and Glenoaks Boulevard in Glendale I ran into the most unlikely reader of my stories, Hungarian Gypsy fortune teller, Madam Sophia. “You look familiar, son,” she said:” Oh, I know, I read your boxing stories in the Examiner.”

“You like boxing?” I asked, astonished.

“I like your stories,” she said:” But more than that, I like the aura in your stories.”

 “You know, I am a third generation extra sense and I can tell the future,” said Madam Sophia making herself comfortable in a seat next to me with a hot cup of java:” What would you like to know, my son? This one is on the house.”

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/boxing-gods-put-kibosh-on-pacquiao-mayweather

 

Kay West keeps her crown in a memorable night with Eva Knight

Photo by Katherine Rodriguez

Pico Rivera- Kaliesha “Wild Wild” West retained her WBO bantamweight title on Saturday night at Pico Rivera Sports Arena after a ten two minute dynamic rounds with challenger Ava Knight ended up in a split decision draw. One judge scored it 96-94 for West, the other had it 96-94 for Knight. The third and deciding score was 95-95 for a split draw which allowed Kaliesha to hold on to her title. It was a main event of the evening of a fight card that combined mixed martial arts, kick boxing, Muy Thai and boxing. A spirited crowd of about fifteen hundred cheered ladies of sweet science on despite the fact that the fight didn’t start till 11:00PM. “I thought the fight went my way, by majority or a draw,” said West (13-1-3,4KO’S) after the fight. The challenger, Ava Knight (6-1-3) felt that she did enough to win as well. Since this fight was a rematch from 2008 which Knight won, it seems like these ladies have unfinished business.

 

It was a close tactical first round. Knight might have won the battle of the jabs and the first stanza. The champion won the second round landing several sharp left hooks and stunning Knight with a right hand at the conclusion of the frame. The challenger landed a huge overhand right early in the third to electrify the crowd only to eat a hard left hook a minute later. Knight seemed more aggressive landing another big right in conclusion. The challenger fromOakland,Californiacontinued to press the action in a close fourth round following a simple jab right hand formula that seemed to work. Champion had a huge fifth round first landing a big right hand that stunned the challenger and finishing the stanza with several left hooks that almost had Knight on the floor? “I thought I stunned her, maybe hurt her twice in the fight,” said twenty three year old West.

 

 A real fight broke out in the sixth with Knight going to the body and West firing back effective counters that were doing more damage to the challenger. Another huge right hand by the champion got the crowd excited in otherwise slow seventh round. Kaliesha seemed to have control of the action. Seemingly in danger of loosing control of the fight Knight pressed the action in the eighth only to be met by hard counters from the champion. Ladies went toe to toe to conclude the exciting stanza. Kaliesha pressed the action in the ninth and unloaded a strong combination with the challenger against the ropes. Knight landed a huge right hand only to spark a huge exchange to close the ninth. The challenger was more aggressive and more effective in the final stanza in a very spirited back and forth exchange that concluded the fight .I scored the fight a draw. It was a dynamic back and forth action with both women displaying great boxing skills, speed, power and tenacity worthy of champions. They just have to do it again soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The softer side of Brandon Rios

Photo by Chris Farina

Local lightweight champion, Brandon Rios is well known for his warrior spirit in the ring and brash, loud mouth outside the ring. You either love him or hate him. “I know I talk a lot of smack,” said Rios when I interviewed him yesterday at theRobertoGarciaBoxingAcademyinOxnard:” But I do have a big heart.” I got to see that warm heart first hand yesterday during a fundraiser that was set up to help a family of a murdered teen, Gustavo Rodriguez. Seventeen year old Gustavo was a promising amateur at theRobertoGarciaBoxingAcademy. Roberto Garcia trains a lot of kids, mostly to help them find a way out of gang infested streets ofOxnard. Unfortunately, Gustavo didn’t make it as he was gunned down walking down the street in the wrong neighborhood.

 

Roberto Garcia organized a fundraiser on Saturday to help the family of a late teenager. Brandon Rios and Mikey Garcia did a public work out for fans and friends of the family, signed gloves and autographs. There was a ruffle of collectible boxing memorabilia and everybody pitched in as much as they could. Aside from doing a work outBrandongave Gustavo’s dad a check for five hundred dollars.

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/the-softer-side-of-brandon-rios

 

Manny Pacquaio is to participate in Tahoe Celebrity Golf Tourney

Scholl Canyon Golf Course is considered one of the top mid-length golf courses in the country.  Glendale’s premiere Golf Course is a must-play with its great views, treacherous canyons and large bent grass greens.   However if you are interested in a diversion, consider Tahoe Celebrity Golf, 22^nd annual American Century Championship tournament which is planned to take place July 12^th through 17^th where pound for pound king of boxing Manny Pacquaio is scheduled to make his debut.

 

Congressman Manny Pacquaio is a very busy man these days. Between his extensive political activities, trying to help underprivileged and hungry in his country, endorsing Nike and a myriad of other products, suing Floyd Mayweather Jr. and getting ready for a world wide promotional tour for his November showdown with Juan Manuel Marquez, the man hardly has time any time to breathe. But that is just the way he likes it.

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/manny-pacquaio-is-to-participate-tahoe-celebrity-golf-tourney