Mikey Garcia is rolling with the punches

Photo by Chris Farina

Last time out local featherweight, Mikey Garcia thrilled the crowd when he stopped previously unbeaten Matt Remillard on a card inAtlantic Cityin March of this year. Fans loved Garcia’s exciting debut on HBO. The big network invited him back. With repeat engagement against tough Mexican, Miguel Beltran scheduled for June fourth on the under card  of the Julio Cesar Chavez Jr versus Sebastian Zbik,  Mikey Garcia came to the Wednesday’s press conference only to find out that he had a change in opponents. Most fighters are creatures of habits. And so after preparing for seven weeks for one boxer it could be quite annoying to find out days before the actual fight that you have to face some body else that no one has ever heard of before.

 However, undefeated contender fromOxnarddid not skip a beat.“Things like these happen all the time in boxing,” said Garcia (25-0,21KO):”It’s nothing new. We are prepared for a good fight; new opponent or not, I am in good shape.” He is now scheduled to face twenty five year old, Rafael Guzman (28-2,20KO’S) from Jalisco,Mexicoin a ten round featherweight fight.

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/mikey-garcia-is-rolling-with-the-punches

 

Could Freddie Roach deliver Chavez Jr. to the Promise land?

Photo by Chris Farina

Five time recipient of the trainer of the Year award, Freddie Roach is a humble man. Just like many other pundits Roach says that the fighter makes the trainer. If that is accurate than his prized fighter, Manny Pacquiao has made him famous. Or did he?

 Consider Manny Pacquaio of ten years ago; he was a dynamic offensive machine with an untamed aggression. Pacman was a lot of fun to watch, but he kept doing the same thing, right jab, straight left, over and over again. Over the years Freddie Roach helped Manny Pacquaio to develop into a two fisted pugilist with defense who is considered the best boxer on the planet today. If you adhere to Freddie’s theory; he got lucky to discover and develop a fighter who was destined to become one of the greatest of all time.

 This Saturday we will find out just how good of a trainer Freddie Roach is when he brings his new charge, Julio Chavez Jr. to the ring to face unbeaten German champion, Sebastian Zbik. Their twelve rounds WBC middleweight championship fight will be televised live by HBO from Stapples Center in downtown Los Angles on June 4^th.

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/could-freddie-roach-deliver-chavez-jr-to-the-promise-land

 

Facing Chavez Jr. Sebastian Zbik is intent on making history

Photo by Chris Farina

Last week inCanada, forty six year old Bernard Hopkins defied Mother Nature and became the oldest man in the boxing ring to win a world title belt. That record was held by Big George Foreman for almost seventeen years, who at the age of forty five knocked out Michael Moorer for a heavyweight title in 1994. Next Saturday inLos Angeles, German middleweight, Sebastian Zbik will try to break another record when he faces Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. for WBC middleweight title.

 

“It was eighty years when Max Schmeling won the last championship fight,” said Sebastian Zbik referring to German boxers fighting inAmerica:”So we can make history inGermanywith that fight.” Actually it was only seventy five years ago, in June of 1936, when Max Schmeling knocked out Joe Louis in New York at the Yankee Stadium in a bout that was later named the Fight of the Year by the Ring Magazine. Just to keep the record straight that bout in 1936 was not a championship fight, but their rematch in 1938 when Joe Louis knocked out Black Uhlan of theRhinein the very first round was for a heavyweight crown.

The last German middleweight to attempt that feat was Felix Strum who lost a controversial decision to Oscar De La Hoya in 2004. Arthur Abraham moved up to super middleweight and stopped Edison Miranda inMiamiin 2008, but that was not a championship fight.

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/facing-chavez-jr-sebastian-zbik-is-intent-on-making-history

 

 

Lack of fierce exchanges between Pacquiao and Mosley disappoint fans

 

Photo by Romeo M. Balboa

LAS VEGAS, NV – Many boxing fans, particularly Pacquiao fans, from among the 16,412 that trooped to the MGM Grand Garden Arena May 7 were disappointed to see the much-publicized and well-advertised fight between pound-for-pound king Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and the former four-time, three-division champion “Sugar” Shane Mosley ended without the usual fierce exchanges.

Round 1 would tell boxing enthusiasts that the two protagonists were very careful with their moves, trying to size up each other.  But the fans were alive and excited when Mosley was knocked down in Round 3.

A closed up shot of Mosley’s face showed he was in pain.  At the postfight press conference, Mosley told the members of the press that Pacquiao stunned him with the knockdown.

“That’s the most legitimate knockdown I got hit with in a long time,” said Mosley, admitting that Pacquiao’s speed and power is scary and unmatched.

And the fight went on until Pacquiao was literally floored in Round 10 when Mosley pushed him with all his might.  And referee Bayless thought initially that Pacman was knocked down, and he began the mandatory count.  Eventually, he apologized publicly for his error in judgment.

The hot and aggressive Pacquiao pursued Mosley most of the time during the 12-round bout, but Mosley did nothing but backed off instead of exchanging punches that truly dissatisfied even his own fans.

“I expected Shane to exchange toe-to-toe with me for at least five rounds, but it did not happen,” said Pacquiao with disappointment.

“It wasn’t my best performance,” Pacquiao told reporters after being declared by the three judges winner by unanimous decision.  But he is not to be blamed.  First, there was the coward-like attitude shown by Sugar Shane who kept moving backward, not a step forward, after being decked by a left-hand hook of Pacquiao in the third round.

Later, in the interview, Pacquiao would claim that he was also hampered by leg cramps starting on the fourth round.  But Pacquiao showed his usual stance, attacking Mosley from Round 10, after he got off from the canvas from a “push” employed by Mosley to keep Manny away from him.

Before the May 7 fight (May 8 Manila time), Mosley was boasting that he would carry the fight to knock the Filipino hero out, but it turned out that it could only be better said than done.

The lone Congressman fromSaranganiProvincewore yellow Cleto Reyes gloves to symbolize unity.  He even encouraged Filipinos going to the venue to wear something yellow, but not many adhered to the suggestion of the WBO welterweight champion, who has won his 14 consecutive fights, including non-title fights, which I have covered from Day 1, along with my ace photographer Romeo M. Balboa, with support from well known L.A. photographer Benjie Uy whose tandem completes the news and photo coverages.

 Congressman Pacquiao, who has a soft spot in his heart for the poor, being one of them early in life, talked about how he could help alleviate his constituents from poverty.  He expressed his support, during the postfight interview, by helping provide housing through Gawad Kalinga, a pet project of Tony Meloto, founder and first Executive Director of GK.

International recording artist, Charice, now going intoHollywoodmovies, provided the impetus to the fight when she rendered flawlessly “Lupang Hinirang,” the Philippine National Athem, that drew a roaring applause from a huge crowd at the MGM.

Everyone was surprised when beauteous socialite Paris Hilton showed up at the postfight press conference and obligingly posed for press photographers with boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and wife, Jinkee.

“I am an avid fan of Pacman,” said Hilton.  She added:  “I’m looking forward to my newest business endeavor in thePhilippines, and I’m so excited for my trip.”

When asked whom he prefers to fight next, Manny Pacquiao said he leaves the matter to his manager, Bob Arum, CEO of Top Rank, to decide.  “Whoever it would be, I am ready to fight,” Manny told the members of the press. 

Since Floyd Mayweather is evading the encounter with Pacman, most likely it would be Juan Manuel Marquez again who would face Pacquiao in the November 12 fight, according to Bob Arum.  Having watched their previous encounters, we can expect a much better fight in the showdown of these two prize fighters.

 

With Roy Jones imminent retirement could Ismayl Sillakh step into his shoes?

At his prime Roy Jones Jr. was untouchable. Pound for pound best cleaned out middleweight division and reined supreme as a light heavyweight.Roymade it look easy. We might never see a virtuoso boxer like him again. Unfortunately he is way past his prime.  And just as so many other star fighters he doesn’t know when to quit. The lime light of the ring pulls on Roy Jones in the same way narcotic calls after a drug addict.

Even though he has other options, such as a promoter or a color commentator on HBO, Roy Jones Jr can’t seem to leave the ring alone.

Last Saturday inMoscow, forty two year old Jones got brutally knocked out by Dennis Lebedev, a fighter who ten years ago wouldn’t belong in the same ring with Jones. “Everyone keeps talking aboutRoygetting knocked out,” said trainer Shadeed Suluki who was inMoscowwith light heavyweight prospect, Ismayl Sillakh, a fighter promoted by Roy Jones:”Roytook that boy to school.Royreally exposed him. He is not the sameRoy, but he was good enough to really school this boy. He hurt the boy to the body. He shook the boy to the head and was doing well. I thought he was winning the fight as well as one of the officials that was keeping the score had him ahead. Unfortunately last ten second he got hit and that happens some time.”

Unfortunately it happens a lot forRoylately. “Royhas done so much in a game of boxing,” continued coach Suluki: “And at this point of his career I would have to ask why you are doing this?Royhas done everything. I f he retired I would say good. I would like to see him go out. There comes a time when you got to walk away from the game.”

 Hopefully he could stick with promoting. He has a fighter worth noting, a former amateur stand out fromUkraine, Ismayl Sillakh. Ironically campaigning at light heavyweight Sillakh was in the ring inMoscowthat nigh as well. He destroyed African prospect Hamza Wandera (12-3-2,11KO) within three rounds. This was the first time Sillakh fought inRussiasince he turned professional and moved toUnited Statesin 2008.

“ He is huge over there,” explained old school, trainer Suluki who has been working with Ismayl in Reseda , California for the past three years:” People really love him, because he is from Ukraine and Ukraine is right next to Russia. He was a great amateur over there, so the Russian people knew of Ismayl and it was his first professional fight, coming back fighting professionally over there. He was really welcomed.”

One of the best boxers to come out ofUkrainein a long time with a stellar amateur record of 302-16, Sillakh won a gold medal at European Olympic Qualifications inItalyin 2008, but instead of going to the Olympics, he decided to turn professional. Twenty six year old Sillakh fought all of his fifteen professional bouts inUnited Statesuntil going toMoscowthis past weekend to face hard hitting African, Hamza Wandera.

“It was a third round knock out,” reported coach Shadeed:” But Ismayl is really special. He had a worthy opponent in front of him. He was no slouch in front of him. He just went in there and happened to do his thing, the thing we have been working on. He was prepared properly and ready and he got him out of there.” With a wealth of international amateur experience behind him and an old school American professional boxing training Sillakh (16-0,13KO’S) has been getting most of his opponents out of there rather quickly. I remember last year in what was supposed to be a stern test against a crafty American veteran, Daniel Judah, Sillakh scored a second round knock out. But it is not his power that made me take a second look at the young prospect. He has all the tools; fluid effortless movement in the ring, offence and defense and ring awareness worthy of a veteran fighter.

“I just want to keep him busy,” said trainer Suluki who talked about plans of having Ismayl back in the ring this summer on Friday Night Fights inOklahoma.

In a way Sillakh’s athleticism and fluid movement reminds me of Roy Jones Jr. Ismayl is likeRoyonly with power.

Could Roy Jones take off his boxing gloves for good and live vicariously through his rising star fighter, Ismayl Sillakh? I hope so.

 

A new look at Vanes Martirosyan – Glendale Boxing | Examiner.com

 

 

Glendale’s own, professional boxer, Vanes Martirosyan has never lacked confidence. Former US Olympian has a supreme belief in his skills and ability that borders on cockiness. “You know me, Igor,” said Martirosyan yesterday when I interviewed him at the Glendale Fighting Club on Brand Boulevard in Glendale:” I will fight anybody.” Vanes suggested that he would love to fight middleweight king, Sergio Martinez.

“I would love that fight,” said Martirosyan, 24:” I think the fight between me and Sergio would be a good fight.” But there is something more than just confidence in the eyes of the undefeated light middleweight prospect. Could it be that he is finally growing up?

 

“I think it’s also about maturity,” said Martirosyan’s new business manager, Steve Feder:” It’s tough when you grow up in the ring, but you haven’t had a chance that much to grow up outside the ring.”

 

A new look at Vanes Martirosyan – Glendale Boxing | Examiner.com

.

 

Not fighting Mayweather Victor Ortiz gets the key to the city of Ventura – Glendale Boxing | Examiner.com

 

 
 

What a difference a fight makes, especially in a career of a professional boxer and a newly crowned WBC welterweight champion, Vicious Victor Ortiz who dethrones previously undefeated Andre Berto last month in Connecticut.Many pundits and fans, all but written off Ortiz from the status of the elite after Victor fought to a draw with Lamont Peterson in Las Vegas at the end of last year. Moving up in weight and facing an unbeaten champion in Berto, Ortiz proved all of his critics wrong in a spectacular fashion.

 

Yesterday, Mayor presented twenty four year old boxer with a key to the City of Ventura. “It is an honor to have you as a resident of downtown Ventura,” said Mayor Fulton addressing Ortiz during a private ceremony at Watermark, a chick restaurant on Main Street in downtown, Ventura:” Ventura is a boxing capitol of Ventura County and Victor Ortiz is the king. I want to say Victor, here the key to the city of Ventura. We are so grateful that you made Ventura your home.”

Not fighting Mayweather Victor Ortiz gets the key to the city of Ventura – Glendale Boxing | Examiner.com

.

 

Unlike Mosley Marquez will do well with Pacquiao says Teddy Atlas – Glendale Boxing | Examiner.com

Photo by Tom Casino

 Ten days past this year’s version of the Superbowl of boxing, a much written and talked about showdown between Manny Pacquaio and Shane Mosley, I am still wondering why major events of sweet science turn out to be major disappointments as of late. What happened to Hagler versus Hearns? Even though it was a battle that lasted less than three rounds, no one ever complained or asked for their money back; every one new they witnessed boxing history.

 

Fans booed last Saturday night’s action, if you could call it that. Few years ago, a much anticipated De La Hoya and Mayweather bout turned out to be nothing more than a sparring session. The blockbuster event between two undefeated stars in their prime, Oscar De Hoya and Felix Trinidad did not live up to the hype either. Is it that the expectations are to high? Or may be, by the time boxers become stars and make huge pay days, they are not that hungry any more? I have a hard time imagining that even if Pacquiao and Mayweather will take place that they would break the trend.

 

 http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/unlike-mosley-marquez-will-do-well-with-pacquiao-says-teddy-atlas

 

 

Golden Girl Seniesa Estrada turned pro this Friday

 

Santa Yanez, California- While fifteen hundred in attendance at sold out arena at Chumash Resort and Casino witnessed Kendall Holt stop Julio Diaz with a perfect left hook in the third round of the televised portion of the ESPN Friday Night Fights, Golden Girl, Seniesa Estrada made her professional debut off TV, but with much fan fair and excitement.

Former two time junior Olympics gold medalist From East Los Angles, Seniesa Estrada made her debut a memorable one completely dominating junior flyweight fromHouston,Texas, Maria Ruiz over four exciting rounds. All three judges scored the fight 40-36 for Estrada, who did everything but scored a knock out. “Even though I had her hurt, I was kind of afraid to keep going,” said Estrada, one of the top amateurs in US:”I didn’t want to look wild or sloppy or overanxious. I knew I was winning the fight, so I just kept it like it was.”

Estrada demonstrated skills worthy of decorated amateur; she boxed and unloaded fluid combinations that bothered her opponent. Seniesa moved around the ring as if she was born in it, switching stance from right to left and landing shots effortlessly. Estrada put on a boxing clinic for the first two rounds and started put more power into her punches in the third hurting Ruiz several times. Her opponent, Maria Ruiz, absorbing shot after shot was able to make it to the final bell. “ She moved a little bit more than I expected,” continued Estrada who was reason enough for Los Angeles times photographer to take a two hour drive on Friday night to record this event:” I stood smart and I didn’t get overanxious like I thought I would. That surprised me.”

 Contact Igor Frank at axident@pacbell.net

 

Arce KO’s Vazquez; Pavlik Wins

Photo by Tom Casino

LAS VEGAS – The question floating around the media center after Manny Pacquiao’s easy victory last Saturday over Shane Mosley in their WBO welterweight title match at the MGM Grand was simple: who’s next?
Juan Manuel Marquez was standing in the rear and holding court with a few scribes.
Sitting ringside, Marquez had an excellent view of the one-sided affair in which the 39-year-old Mosley refused to engage. He was asked what he thought.
“Mosley needs to retire,” he said plainly. “Maybe it’s because of his age. For me, it was a bad fight. Everybody knows I want to fight him.”
Marquez and Pacquiao have faced off twice, and both were close. In 2004, they fought to a draw, and in 2008, the Pac-Man took a split decision.
There are some who think the Mexican won both, so it would be interesting. Oscar De La Hoya, who promotes Marquez, will have something to say on the matter. So we’ll see.
On the night’s undercard, Jorge Arce was patient, waiting until the final round before unloading a torrent of blows that overwhelmed Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. in their WBO super-bantamweight title fight.
Arce forced Vazquez against the ropes, and was under a heavy two-fisted attack before it ended with 55 seconds left in the 12th round when his corner tossed in the towel.
“I knew I could knock him out and I did,” said Arce, a Mexican who raised his record to 57-6-2 with 44 knockouts. “My heart is too big. He’s a good young champion with a big punch, but my experience and my heart was too much for him.”
Had it not been stopped, entering the final round, two of the three judges had it a draw, with Robert Hoyle favoring Arce.
In the fourth round, Vazquez decked Arce with a clean left hook late. Six rounds later, Vazquez had a flash knockdown of Arce early.
“I was fine. They should have never stopped this fight,” said Vazquez, now 20-1-1 with 17 KO’s. “I feel that I would rather get knocked out and end up on the canvas than having it stopped the way it did. My father stopped it. He never should have.”
Kelly Pavlik wasn’t sharp during his 10-round super-middleweight bout with Alfonso Lopez, but had enough in the tank to claim a majority decision.
“I had ring rust, but I did win the fight,” said Pavlik, the Youngstown, Ohio native, who is now 37-2-0 with 32 KO’s. “I don’t know what happened on that one scorecard (Adalaide Byrd had it 95-95), but I did win the fight.”
Pavlik’s longtime trainer Jack Loew was pleased. “We had two wins tonight,” he offered. “The first win was going up the steps, walking in the ring and competing after all the rehabs and everything he had been through. The second win was getting the win itself.”
Lopez (21-1-0 and 16 KO’s) found little solace in the outcome. “At the worst I definitely think I deserved at least a draw,” he said. “I think I connected with a lot more shots than he did. I knew the rounds were going to be hard to score, but low blows affected me and I got tired at the end.”
Mike Alvarado wasted no time showing off his ring skills against Ray Narh, who failed to answer the bell for the fourth round of their World Boxing Council Continental Americas super-lightweight championship fight.
“I was just getting started,” said Alvarado (30-0-0 with 22 KO’s). “I think he took the easy way out. He knew he didn’t belong in the ring with me.”
Afterward, Narh (25-2-0 and 21 KO’s) said the reason he performed so poorly was illness.
“I was sick all night and throwing up,” he said. “I think I got sick after eating something after the weigh-in. I tried to get through it because I didn’t want to canel the fight, but I had no legs and no snap on my punches.”
Rodel Mayol (28-5-2 with 21 KO’s) impressed two judges and was awarded a majority decision over Javier Gallo (17-4-1 and 9 KO’s) in their eight-round flyweight contest.
In a six-round super-lightweight match, Jose Benavidez Jr. (11-0-0 with 10 KO’s) was all fury as he overpowered James Hope (6-8-1 and 4 KO’s), eventually earning a technical knockout at 1:43 of the fifth round.
Pier Olivier Cote (15-0-0 with 10 KO’s) scored a TKO triumph over Aristeo Ambriz (15-2-1 and 8 KO’s) at 46 seconds of the fourth round of their eight-round featherweight tilt.
Karl Dargan (9-0-0 with 4 KO’s) was so dominant that he dropped only one round on one of the three judges’ scorecards of his six-round lightweight fray with Randy Arrellin (8-5-0 and 4 KO’s).