Wladimir Klitschko, David Haye. Who won the verbal duel?

With Mike Tyson inducted into an International Boxing Hall Of Fame last week, Glendalefight fans along with the rest of the world have been dreaming about a meaningful heavyweight fight. It has been a long time since a heavyweight championship fight created such a buzz in a boxing community and around the globe. With four titles on the line, IBF, IBO, WBO and WBA Super World heavy weight titles, universally recognized as the best heavyweight on the planet, Wladimir Klitschko (55-3,49KO) will take on brash talking, fast and powerful Englishman, David Haye who many consider a real threat to the Klitschko dominance.  With over fifty thousand fans expected to attend twelve round championship fight is scheduled to take place at the soccer stadium, Imtech-Arena in HamburgGermanyon July 2^nd, 2011.

 

 

 

 Once the most coveted division in boxing has been dominated by Klitschko brothers in no uncertain terms. Two modern day giants, Wladimir and Vitali has been ruling heavyweights with iron fists, systematically destroying their opponents, one after another. Unfortunately, their complete and total domination leaves very little to the imagination of fans. Boxing is a theater of the unexpected and with practically no drama during Klitschko fights, fans lose interest. Most American fight fans do not even know who Wladimir is and who Vitali is. They say one of the Klitschko brothers is fighting inGermany. Major American networks such as HBO or Showtime lost interest as well. The last time any of them televised Klitschko fight was almost two years ago when the older brother, Vitali methodically destroyed Chris Arreola.

 

Could David Haye bring back excitement to a heavyweight division? The book makers are excited; they only have Klitschko as a slight favorite in the fight. Usual odds on a Klitschko bout are ten to one. Fans are excited, because there is a possibility that speed and power of David Hay could create an upset and drama. Even HBO got excited as they decided to televise the bout for fans inUnited States. To promote the event to American fight fans, HBO color commentator, Max Kellerman went toGermanyto facilitate a face off between Klitschko and Hay that was aired on HBO yesterday.

 http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/wladimir-klitschko-david-haye-who-won-the-verbal-duel

 

A throwback fighter, John Molina

 

Photo by Michele Chong

When I hear a term throwback fighter, Ezzard Charles comes to mind. A man they called The Cincinnati Cobra fought once a month throughout his illustrious career in the forties and fifties. The biggest break he ever took was after he got brutally knocked out by Rocky Marciano in 1954 Ring’s Magazine fight of the year. Five months later Charles was back in the ring against Charley Norkus.

 

It is just not feasible for fighters of today to fight that often. Accomplished boxing stars are only able to fight two to three times per year, because of television dates. So I asked rising lightweight prospect John Molina why he felt he was a throwback fighter?

 

“Throwback fighter,” said Molina (22-1,18KO’S) when I interviewed him over the phone earlier today:” We are talking about how many fights within a few weeks you have had. I fought recently, two weeks ago and I am fighting again in a week and a half. Myself, I come forward. I throw punches. I have knock out power. People enjoy what I have to offer.”

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/a-throwback-fighter-john-molina

 

 

Is Canelo Alvarez an heir apparent to Manny Pacquiao?

Photo By Dominic Serna

“Every one looses some times,” said veteran trainer Tony Rivera:” It’s only a matter of when.” Indeed, I can count the fighters that left the game undefeated on one hand. I can remember when Roy Jones Jr looked untouchable in the ring. He suffered his first professional defeat via a knock out at the hands of Antonio Tarver. He actually lost earlier to Mantel Griffin by disqualification, but that was a fluke he avenged with a first round knock out in the very next fight. Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. looked indestructible until he lost to Frankie Randall in 1994. Fans could not believe or accept when Oscar De La Hoya seeming way ahead on the score cards lost the fight to Felix Trinidad in the championship rounds. Or who could ever imagine much feared Mike Tyson loose to Buster Douglas.

 “Manny Pacquiao, the best fighter on the planet today will soon loose,” continued Rivera who was in the corner of such ring greats as Roberto Duran and Marco Antonio Barrera:” That’s just the way it is.”

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/is-canelo-alvarez-an-heir-apparent-to-manny-pacquiao

 

Ava Knight and Kay West to find out who is the best

Photo by Ray Flores

If you are one of those guys that still thinks that female boxing is nothing more than a dog and pony show, I suggest that you take some time out of your busy schedule this Saturday and head down to Sports Arena inPico Riverawhere Kaliesha West will defend her bantamweight title against Ava Knight. “It is going to be a great fight,” saidDavid Avila, a veteran scribe, who covers women’s boxing. Twenty three year old West is out to prove she is the best by defending her WBO title and trying to avenge the only loss of her professional career.

 

Ava Knight

Ava Knight defeated West in an eight round contest in 2008 by unanimous decision.” I am not the same fighter I was then, “said Kaliesha who has been boxing ever since she can remember under the guidance of her father and trainer, Juan West.

 

“What kind of boxer are you?” I asked when I saw Kay spar with Rhonda Luna inMonrovialast year. “I am a cross between Floyd Mayweather and Shane Mosley,” said Kaliesha smiling. I just hope it is not the same Mosley we saw against Pacquiao earlier this year. With over a hundred amateur fights and a Junior Olympics medal behind her, West is turned into a complete fighter as a professional.  She combines fluid movement and intelligent defense with aggressive combination punching offense. In short she is a complete fighter.

 

Boxing correspondent for an Uppercut magazine, Kaliesha West knows boxing. You could hear her talk about it on a local radio talk show.

 

West won her title last year when she stopped Angel Gladney at theStaplesCenterinLos Angeleson the undercard of her hero, Shane Mosley facing Sergio Mora. Fans got to see first hand her versatility, skills and explosive power. Riding high on the wings of her victory last year Kay West was supposed to have a break out year in 2011, but her plans got delayed after she was involved in an automobile accident in January of this year. I saw Kaliesha right after the accident at the local fight night at Fantasy Springs Hotel inPalm Springs. Even though no bones were broken she moved laboriously and had difficulty breezing. Curiously, her opponent Ava Knight was featured on the card that night. It only took her one hundred and fifteen seconds to destroy Gloria Salas. Speedy Knight fights tall with power in both hands. She reminds me a lot of Amir Khan.

 

These two ladies, Kaliesha West, 23, and Ava Knight, 22 are as comfortable inside the squared circle as they are walking down the street. They have been practicing their craft for a long time and a lot more skillful than most men, club fighters we see today.

It is no wonder that female boxing will be featured in the next Olympiad.

 

So if you are a true fan of Sweet Science, I highly recommend a ten round championship fight between Kay West (13-1-2,4 KO’S) and Ava Knight(6-1-2,3KO’S) this Saturday at the Pico Rivera Sports Arena. Tickets are available at the box office.

 

 

Walking through Godfrey Kayode is marching toward a title shot

Photo by Miguel Salazar

Santa Yanez- Unbeaten cruiserweight from Hollywood, California, Lateef “Power” Kayode(17-0,14KO’S) dominated more experienced Matt “ Too Smooth” Godfrey(20-3,14KO’S)from Rhode Island over ten rounds in the main event of the evening televised by Showtime The New Generation from the sold out arena at the Chumash Resort and Casino on Friday night. All three judges scored the contest for Kayode with scores: 98-90, 97-90, 98-89 who dominated the fight from beginning to end following a blue print set by his legendary coach, Freddie Roach.

 

“We got some rounds tonight, may be a step closer to a big fight,” said Kayode’s famed Coach, Freddie Roach after the fight:”I think he did very well. I think he improved a lot since his last fight. He learned a lot. The lessons that we worked on, he did very well. He cut the ring off. He controlled the ring most of the night. I am very happy with his performance.”

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/walking-through-godfrey-kayode-is-marching-toward-a-title-shot

 

 

Hovhannisyan shines on Showtime debut

 

Photo by Tom Casino

Santa Yanez- Glendale’s Art “The Lion Heart” Hovhannisyan(14-0,8KO”S) knocked out previously unbeaten lightweight from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Archie Ray Marquez(12-1,8KO’S) in front of a packed house at The Chumash Resort and Casino on Friday night. Scheduled for eight rounds the fight was an opening bout of live Showtime telecast dubbed Showtime The New Generation. Not known for his knock out power Hovhannisyan thrilled fans by dropping Marquez four times en route to a sixth round knock out.

 “He is twelve and o, undefeated,” said Hovhannisyan at the post fight interview:” I heard he got hard punches, but after a while he got tired. I know if I hit him with straight punches, he is going down. So, I do that.”

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/art-hovhannisyan-shines-on-showtime-debut

 

Bob Arum says Mayweather is entitled to do what he wants

Photo by Ray Flores

“He is entitled to do what he wants,” said Hall of fame promoter Bob Arum when I asked him what he thought about Floyd Mayweather turning down $65 million dollars to fight Manny Pacquiao in favor of facing young welterweight champion, Victor Ortiz:” If he thinks he can make good money fighting Ortiz so be it. He has the right to do that. He has no obligation to fight anybody in particular.”

 

 Floyd Mayweather obviously believes he can make good money fighting Victor Ortiz on September 17^th and so does his co-promoter Golden Boy Promotions.

 

Mayweather fights, it is an event which brings fight fans, sports fans and the general public t “There is no doubt that September 17 will again be this year’s biggest night of boxing worldwide,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions: “When Floyd Mayweather fights, it is an event which brings fight fans, sports fans and the general public together to see this truly gifted athlete perform.  Every year Floyd sets the bar and standard for most pay-per-view buys and this year will be no different.  In Victor Ortiz, he is facing a young, strong and highly motivated world champion who knows that a win over the pound for pound champion will catapult him into superstardom.  The stage is set and I can’t wait for the showdown of the year.”

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/bob-arum-says-mayweather-is-entitled-to-do-what-he-wants

 

 

Mercito Gesta is inching his way to the top

Photo by Chris Farina

Lightweight prospect Mercito ‘No Mercy” Gesta was born in Barangay of Labogon inMandaue City,Cebu,Philippinesin 1987. He started his professional career in 2003 at the tender age of sixteen. Gesta fought his first eleven professional fights inPhilippinesand then moved toSan Diego,California. Most would have thought that he would end up at the Wildcard Boxing Club following the footsteps of Manny Pacquaio, but he ended up South of Hollywood inSan Diego where he planed to forge his own path.

  “I’ve always liked Gesta. He has a lot of potential,” said Coach Freddie Roach when I interviewed him last year at the Wild Card Boxing Club inHollywood:”He’s one of the best Philippine prospects, I definitely feel that.”

 Biding his time and learning his craft under tutelage of Norman and Vincent Para, Mercito has been turning a lot of heads lately. Last year Gesta won a vacant youth lightweight title when he stopped rugged Mexican, Oscar Meza in the fourth round.

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/mercito-gesta-is-inching-his-way-to-the-top

 

Chavez Jr. Readies For Title Match

Photo by Chris Farina

Julio Cesar Chavez, a living legend and the greatest boxer Mexico has ever produced, arrived late for last Wednesday’s press conference at the Wilshire Grand Hotel for his son’s World Boxing Council middleweight title match with Sebastian Zbik at the Staples Center.

 

“It’s hard for me to put into words, but it’s a dream come true,” said the 25-year-old Chavez, who hails from Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico, through an interpreter. “I’m very excited. I had a great training camp like never before.”

Chavez is undefeated in 43 professional bouts with 30 knockouts that includes a draw with Carlos Molina in December of 2005.

In terms of status, Saturday’s fight with Zbik, the undefeated German belt holder, this will be Chavez’s biggest challenge.

 

“Now I’m fighting a champion,” he said. “I’m here to win a championship. When you start boxing you hope for this opportunity. I’m not leaving the ring without the world title.”

 

Chavez thanked his team which includes trainer Freddie Roach and Alex Ariza, the strength and conditioning coach, who also prepares Manny Pacquiao.

“We had a really good training camp,” Roach acknowledged. “We know our opponent is a world champion. He didn’t become a champion by accident.”

Zbik was subdued as he sat on the dais. The 29-year-old with 10 knockouts in 30 fights was appreciative and direct. “I think now it’s time to fight,” he said straight-faced.

Chavez Sr. is hopeful and pleased that his offspring’s time has arrived. “My son has worked very hard to get this opportunity to fight for a world title and I am very happy and proud that he will get his chance,” he said. “He is ready for this fight and I am confident that he will become a world champion.”

Oxnard’s Mikey Garcia, holder of the North American Boxing Federation and North American Boxing Organization featherweight titles, will tangle with Miguel Beltran Jr. in a 10-round featherweight clash.

Garcia has never tasted defeat in 25 fights and packs a wallop. Garcia has knocked out 21 foes, while Beltran has one setback in 25 bouts with 17 KO’s.

Vanes Martirosyan will meet hard-punching Mexican Saul Roman (34-8-0 with 29 KO’s) in a 12-round WBC super-welterweight title elimination match, while Kristy Martin (49-5-3 with 32 KO’s) will face Dakota Stone (9-8-4 and 1 KO) in a women’s super-welterweight battle.

“I’m going to win and I’m going to win by a knockout,” said Martirosyan, who has cobbled together 29 consecutive victories, 18 knockouts, and was a member of the 2004 United States Olympic boxing team.

The talk is over. Now it’s time to fight.

 

 

Bob Arum knows Chavez Jr is a thoroughbred

Photo by Chris Farina

 

Hall of fame promoter, Bob Arum knows how to promote huge boxing events and how to develop stars; he has been doing just that since the sixties.Among the fighters he has promoted are “The Greatest” Muhammad Ali, Julio Cesar Chavez, Marvin Hagler, Aaron Pryor, Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquaio and many , many more. Harvard Law school graduate took the fight game by a storm in the sixties and never let it go. The man sure knows how to pick winners. So, when asked at Wednesday’s press conference inLos Angeleshow he knew that Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. was a special fighter, Bob Arum replied with analogy. An avid fan of horse racing Arum said that when picking a horse you have to consider the heritage or the bloodline. Chavez Jr. has a true Mexican champion’s blood running through his veins.

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/bob-arum-is-betting-chavez-jr-is-a-thoroughbred