Is Miguel Cotto a cross over star? – Glendale Boxing | Examiner.com

 

Photo by Chris Farina

Have you noticed that Puerto Rican champion, Miguel Cotto speaks English now? His promotional company, Top Rank has encouraged the young pugilist from Caugus to learn the language so that he could become a cross over star in United States. Guess what? Miguel Cotto sat down with media members in Los Angeles and Las Vegas and answered all questions in English.

Though he might never become a speaker of the house, Miguel Cotto revealed his sense of humor from the podium when he said, to paraphrase him, that when you send an idiot (Mayorga) to say something smart, he is still an idiot.

WBA super welterweight champion Miguel Cotto (35-2,28KO’S) will defend his title on Saturday night against a Nicaraguan brawler, Ricardo Mayorga (29-7-1,23KO). The twelve rounds or less bout will be televised live from the Mecca of Boxing, MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas by Showtime PPV.

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Is Miguel Cotto a cross over star? – Glendale Boxing | Examiner.com.

 

Alvarez Too Tough, Wins In Rout

Photo by Marlene Marquez

Saul “Canelo” Alvarez’s star continues to rise and shine bright as the Mexican cross-over idol is quickly becoming a major draw in the United States after last Saturday night’s unanimous decision over Matthew Hatton in their vacant World Boxing Council super-welterweight title fight at the Honda Center.

Everything is moving ahead according to plan for the undefeated Alvarez, who has the necessary boxing skills and rugged good looks that remind some of Oscar De La Hoya, who promoted the bout.

Alvarez doesn’t speak English, so De La Hoya helped out. “He felt wonderful that the people responded to him,” he said. “He’s happy that his dream became a reality.”

Most of the 11,674 fans were pulling for Alvarez, who has one draw on his record in 37 fights along with 26 knockouts.

Hatton wasn’t expected to win, but still managed to match punches a few times with the younger Alvarez, who claimed every round on all three of the judges’ scorecards. A point was deducted from Alvarez in the seventh round.

“It was a tough fight,” said Hatton, who lives in Manchester, England, and owns a ring resume of 41-5-2 with 16 knockouts. “He’s a great fighter. I gave it my best. I was never seriously hurt.”

Hatton’s right, which may have raised some red flags with regard to Alvarez’s punching power.

At no point was the 29-year-old Hatton on the verge of hitting the canvas. When Hatton was in hot water, he would clinch and hold, but this doesn’t fully explain why Alvarez still couldn’t deck him.

“He’s a crafty veteran fighter,” said De La Hoya for Alvarez, “and he knows when to hold me when he’s in trouble. It was a very tough fight, and he respects Matthew Hatton.”

Alvarez was able to open a fairly-deep cut above Hatton’s left eye in the fourth round, and continued to aim for it throughout the fight.

Actually, Alvarez, who landed 156 more total punches than Hatton, and connected on 53 percent of his power punches compared to 26 percent for Hatton, seized control in the second round after a dull opening round, landing several clean body and head shots, while Hatton was forced to counter-punch and at times hold.

There was some booing, with the majority hoping to see a knockout which failed to happen.

Alvarez landed a clean upper cut in the third round, as Hatton tried to counter. Alvarez launched a body and head attack in the sixth round, with Hatton lacking a real response.

Alvarez dominated the seventh, eighth and ninth rounds, as Hatton was willing to trade blows, but the onslaught was simply too much.

It was more of the same for Alvarez, who hit 47 percent of his total punches to 25 percent for Hatton, over the final three rounds, with any real drama of a comeback evaporating as the minutes passed.

Hatton was asked to evaluate the 20-year-old prodigy. “I don’t think he has any massive weaknesses,” he said. “He was too big and came through them [my punches]. But a fighter can always improve.”

That’s true.

 

Broner Precise, Beats Ponce De Leon

Photo by Marlene Marquez

In a nutshell, it was precise power-shots versus activity that was on display last Saturday evening at the Honda Center.

On one hand, Adrien Broner stood in the middle of the ring and connected with countless punches to the head and body of Daniel Ponce De Leon, who threw 241 more punches than Broner, but landed far fewer.

The result was Broner walked away with an unpopular unanimous decision in their super-featherweight bout as Judges David Denkin and Raul Caiz Jr. each scored it 96-94, while Tony Crebs had it 99-91.

Broner was on target with 36 percent of his total punches, 42 percent of his power shots and 23 percent of his jabs.

Meanwhile, Ponce De Leon, who came in with a seven-fight winning streak, found the range on 21 percent of his total punches, 4 percent of his jabs, and 30 percent of his power punches.

From ringside, the decision seemed proper, but many of the 11,674 fans felt Ponce De Leon (41-3-0 with 34 knockouts) was robbed.

“You have to give respect to Ponce De Leon,” said Broner, who hails from Cincinnati, Ohio, and raised his record to 20-0-0 with 16 knockouts. “A lot of people didn’t think that I could go 10 rounds and keep it up.”

Broner’s best round was the fifth, and felt pleased with his effort and the final outcome. “My game plan was to use my skills, don’t make it a brawl, and keep my composure,” he said.

Not much happened in the initial round, but Ponce De Leon came on late in the next round, while Broner also had a few bright moments.

Ponce De Leon doesn’t speak English, so Oscar De La Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions and a former world champion, translated.

“He feels like he’s a winner,” he said. “That’s what Ponce De Leon is. He’s a fighter. He’s a warrior. He’s going back to the drawing board. Get back on a winning streak. He’s still improving and he’s still learning.”

Ponce De Leon attacked the body in the third round, and Broner counter-punched. The fifth round saw Broner land two terrific shots that stunned Ponce De Leon, a one-time champ, while the sixth round was tight and saw Broner score late with a left, while Ponce De Leon went to the body.

Each man shined in the seventh round, as Ponce De Leon connected with two big lefts to the head, and Broner counter-punched late.

Following the script, Ponce De Leon threw a lot of punches over the final three rounds, with Broner waiting until he could land the more-solid blows.

In other bouts, undefeated James Kirkland knocked out Ashandi Gibbs (10-3-0 with 4 KO’s) 36 seconds into the opening round of their middleweight fight.

Kirkland (26-0-0 with 23 KO’s) had been in prison on a gun charge, and wants to resume his promising career.

“I’m so focused and anxious,” Kirkland said. “I can only look forward to the future.”

Once-defeated, Brooklyn, New York’s Daniel Jacobs stopped Robert Kliewer in the first round of their super-middleweight clash.

Jacobs (22-1-0 with 19 KO’s) knocked Kliewer (11-13-2 and 5 KO’s) down twice, and the end came with 1:02 left in the round.

In a heavyweight match, undefeated Seth Mitchell toyed with Charles Davis (19-22-3 with 4 KO’s) over two rounds.

In the second round, Mitchell decked Davis three times, and the mismatch was over when Mitchell tagged Davis with a thunderous left hook. “I’m humble and grateful for the opportunity,” said Mitchell (21-0-1 and 15 KO’s). “I’m excited about the future.”

 

Alvarez and Hatton post fight comments

 

Did Canelo Alvarez pass his first major test in US? – Glendale boxing | Examiner.com

Photo by Marlene Marquez

 

Anaheim-  Rising star from Mexico, Saul Canelo Alvarez dominated Matthew Hatton over twelve one sided rounds in front of a raucous crowd  at the Honda Center on Saturday night. All three judges scored the fight the same 119-108 for Alvarez who thus won a vacant WBC super welterweight crown. Alvarez’s American promoter, Golden Boy is banking that twenty year old red head Mexican super star will be able to cross over to United States.  Televised by HBO Boxing After Dark this was the first time Canelo Alvarez headlined a major fight card in US. Did he pass the test?

It is a definite yes in terms of selling tickets and creating a fan fair. 11,674 fans, the second largest crowd for a boxing match at the Honda center ever, gathered to watch young Alvarez perform. It was really loud inside the arena. Fans jumped up and stayed up every time Alvarez landed a meaningful punch. Mariachi bands were playing really loud music and the atmosphere was very festive. But the best way to describe the way Alvarez affects fans is to share a text I received from a lady friend of mine. The text read:”I am falling in love with that red hunk.”

What about his performance in the ring? Let’s examine that.

Alvarez threw almost a hundred more punches, landed 294 punches while Hatton only landed 138, connected at a very high percent, 47% to be exact and had a clear advantage in power. But when I asked him about his performance after the fight Alvarez said: “He gave me some trouble, but it was a good experience.” Most expected a knock out over a smaller man who typically stands in front of his opponent and fights.

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Did Canelo Alvarez pass his first major test in US? – Glendale boxing | Examiner.com.

 

Matthew Hatton is here to win

“He is a good all around fighter. He does everything well,” said Matthew Hatton about his Saturday night’s opponent, Saul Alvarez. Hatton and Alvarez will square off inside the ring on March 5^th, 2011 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Twelve round contest for the vacant WBC super welterweight championship will be televised live by HBO Boxing After Dark.

“I think physically and mentally I am coming towards my peak and I think this fight is coming at a great time for me,” continued twenty nine year old Matthew:” I am sure he will go on to do great things in the future, but not on Saturday.”

EBU European welterweight champion Matthew Hatton has been going through opponents in England like his older brother Ricky used to do in his Hay days. And then the call came in to face a rising star from Mexico, Saul Alvarez and then a vacant WBC super welterweight belt was on the line.

“It’s a great opportunity,” exclaimed Hatton (41-4-2,16KO’S):”And I am going to take it with both hands.”

Matthew had to go up in weight seven pounds to make this fight happen, but he is not at all worried about the extra weight. “I have felt better than I’ve ever felt at a training camp,” said Hatton when I interviewed him Tuesday at the Wildcard Boxing Club:” It will all come together on Saturday night.”

Las Vegas book makers have twenty year old Saul Alvarez as a twelve to one favorite to beat the English champion, but he is not worried about the odds.” I am a stubborn guy anyways,” said Hatton:” that makes me even more determined to prove people wrong. I‘ve proved people wrong throughout my career.” Most experts however believe that Saul Alvarez will not only win but will win by a knock out. That doesn’t bother Matthew either. “I’ve got an excellent chin,” said Hatton: “And I am one hundred percent confident of whatever he dishes out, I can take it and come back with more.”

Hatton and Alvarez have one common opponent, Lovemore N’Dou. Hatton and N’Dou have fought to a twelve round draw in 2009. Alvarez (35-0-1,26KO) fought an African veteran last year in Mexico. Even though Saul won the fight, he did not look spectacular. In his defense it is hard to look good against N’Dou.

“Talk is cheap in boxing,” concluded Matthew Hatton: “I believe I am a better fighter at this stage of his career and my career.”

“He has come here to win,” said Ricky Hatton who has come all the way across the pond to support his brother endeavor.

 

Brandon Rios is the new WBA lightweight champ

 

Rios wins WBA lightweight crown in a World War lll – Glendale boxing | Examiner.com

 

Photo by Ray Flores

Las Vegas-  In a dramatic bloodbath that had a scarce crowd at the Palms Hotel and Casino  on Saturday night on their feet throughout, unbeaten prospect Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios (27-0-1,20 KO’S) went through hell and back to stop Venezuelan champion, Miguel Acosta in the tenth stanza of WBA championship fight scheduled for twelve. In short; this was the most dramatic fight I have ever witnessed live and should be considered an early candidate for the fight of the year. “I always told my dad since I was little that I was going to be a world champion,” said elated Rios after the fight:” My dad was here and I became a world champion. I wanted to bring him a wish come true.”

 

Acosta (28-4-2, 22 KO’S) controlled the action in the first round with a jab and boxing and moving and fast powerful combinations. True to his nature Rios pressed forward but was not effective. Acosta landed a wicked uppercut in the second and was still in control, but Rios was getting closer to land his own artillery. Another huge uppercut in the third stanza only produced a smile on the face of Rios who attacked with abandon and trapped Acosta in the corner. Venezuelan fighter finished strong and had Rios hurt at the conclusion of the third. Acosta took control of the fight in the fourth and had Brandon Rios in a lot of trouble; RIOS WAS BACKING UP FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER ON THE VERGE OF BEING STOPPED. In between rounds trainer Roberto Grandpa Garcia urged his fighter: “Stay close to him, stay close to him. Let him hold. Let the referee break it up. Just stay on him.He followed my instructions,” concluded Garcia.

 

 

 

Rios wins WBA lightweight crown in a World War lll – Glendale boxing | Examiner.com.

 

Action Heroes in Las Vegas on April 9th

 

Electrifying Nonito Donaire