Glendale residents make their picks on Pacquiao Margarito fight.

Photo by German Villasenor

Top Ranks boss Bob Arum believes he will sell around seventy thousand tickets at the newly built Dallas Cowboys Stadium for the November 13^th super welterweight showdown between pound for pound king, congressman Manny Pacquiao and Antonio “The Tijuana Tornado” Margarito.  HBO is planning to launch a four episode 24/7 reality show to get fans to learn more about the fighters.  But even before HBO starts promoting the event that will be televised live via Pay Per View, people are already talking about it around the water cooler in the office, in the coffee shops at the restaurants at the sport bars in the boxing gyms. That sure is a sign of interest.

“Manny Pacquiao is still the world’s best fighter, and will remain so until he meets undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. His opponent for the November bout in Dallas, Texas, is Antonio Margarito, a world-class boxer, despite his problems (maybe not) with the hand-wraps, “said Rick Assad, a long time Glendale resident and a sports writer for Tolucan Times:” This fight has the potential for greatness, but a lot depends on Margarito. Is he the fighter who destroyed Miguel Cotto, or the one who couldn’t get out of his way against Shane Mosley? Time will tell. I like the Pac-Man, in say, nine rounds. Too many punches from too many angles.”

 ” I think Margarito is going to beat him,” said Oscar Medina, a veteran of Terminix Pest control company, who regularly takes care of pest problems at Staples Center in Los Angeles:” If it goes to a decision it will be Pacquiao, but I think Margarito is going to knock him out.”

Conventional wisdom says Manny Pacquiao should beat Margarito easily. Bookmakers confirm; Pacquiao is a six to one favorite to come out on top. But conventional wisdom has very little to do with boxing. A theater of the unexpected is about passion, desire and dedication.

“Inside the ring it will be Pacquiao against Margarito,” said Robert Garcia, Antonio’s new trainer and a former world champion:” Nobody will be able to help them inside the ring.”

When asked about the outcome of the fight, smiling with a devilish grin Garcia said:” Eleventh round knock out. It will be the mother of all wins for Margarito.”

A mailman named Dwight, who asked me not to reveal his last name, because of his Pilipino heritage, seemed very worried about this fight:” I think my boy (Pacquiao) is in serious trouble this time. Margarito is just way too big.”

But we have been hearing this about opponents of Pacquiao since he faced lightweight David Diaz two years ago in Las Vegas. Time after time, division after division Pacman has been proving everyone wrong. This time Margarito has a lot to prove as well.

“Nobody trains as hard as Margarito,” continued his trainer Roberto Garcia:” I believe it’s his desire to be the best and his will to prove everybody wrong.”

“It’s Pacquiao all the way!” exclaimed Steven Orozco, employee of Los Angeles County and a huge boxing fan:” It is not even going to be close. He is too fast for plaster wrap hands of Maragacheato.”

I heard a completely different opinion yesterday morning at Starbucks on Western Avenue.

“Bro! I saw Margarito brake down Antonio Diaz ten years ago. It was just on TV this weekend. He is one of us. He is people’s champion,” said Max Babelian who works for the Studios building movie sets:” I can’t imagine him cheat. He will do to Pacquiao what he did to Cotto. I guarantee it.”

“Are you kidding me,” exclaimed Jerold Epstein, a local real estate broker whose wife is Filipina:” Margarito is too slow. He will never even touch our boy. Speed kills!”

Marketing executive, who missed his calling as a politician, Douglas Littleton had a hard time picking a winner. “I think Margarito has a chance,” said Littleton, 49:” But there is no reason to believe that the best fighter in the world will loose.”

“Have you seen Tony lately?’ pondered Erick Valdez, a tattoo artist by trade and a huge Margarito fan:” He does not have a six pack. He has an eight pack. He is a monster. It will be like David and Goliath. He will crush Pacquiao. Just wait and see.”

What do you think?

 

Chatman upsets Herrera in a night of knock outs

Photo by Ray Flores

Ontario, California- In the main event of the evening, in front of capacity crowd at the Doubletree Hotel, light middleweight from San Diego, Chris” The Last Chapter” Chatman (8-1,4KO’S)stunned the crowd upsetting previously unbeaten local boy from Riverside , Alberto “ Baby Dynamite” Herrera (7-1-1,5KO’S) via fourth round stoppage.

“ After he adjusted to my southpaw stance and was able to take my shots, “said delighted Chatman: “ I had to switch up to knock him out. It would be a lie to say that he never hurt me, but champions find a way to prevail.”

Powerful looking southpaw from San Diego looked much the faster man in the ring; he dropped Herrera with a short left for a flash knock down first and then followed up with a barrage dropping Herrera hard at the end of the round. Brave warrior from Riverside got up, but had to take a knee to clear his head and managed to make it out of the round. Herrera used the second stanza to clear his head, but the third turned into a real war of attrition. The crowd roared as bombs were flying with intermittent success. Chatman took control of the action in the fourth landing powerful shots one after another and hurting his adversary and finally forcing referee ray Corona to stop the action at 2: 47 mark of the fourth.

Photo by Ray Flores

In the semi main event of the evening junior welterweight from Downey, California Christopher Rizo (6-0-1,3KO’S) dominated rugged Alex Viramontes (9-7,3KO’S) from Riverside over six one sided rounds. All three judges scored the fight for Rizo 60-54.

Southpaw Rizo controlled the action in the first round with his fluid movement and accurate combinations. Viramontes tried to press the action in the second, but he had trouble finding an illusive target getting hit often in return. Both guys opened up at the conclusion of the second momentarily igniting the crowd in the arena.

Rizo had success going to the body in the third, but that did not deter a veteran from Riverside who kept applying pressure despite having little success. Rizzo continued to dominate the action and landed several hard uppercuts that snapped his opponent’s head back. With his face busted up and swollen from absorbing punishment, Viramontes continued to march forward without being effective, while more skilled Rizo moved well and picked his shots at will. Rizo hurt his opponent with a short left hand to punctuate his dominance in the sixth but could not end the fight early.

LA’s young light welterweight Oscar Andrade (3-0,2KO’S) stopped debutant from Lakeside, California, Frederico Martinez with the left hook to the body at 2:37 mark of the very first round. After a slow start Andrade landed a left to the body that reverberated throughout the arena. That gave Oscar confidence to open up and subsequently finish the fight. Martinez went down grimacing in pain and could not beat the count of ten.

Photo by Ray Flores

Middleweight Donyil Livingston (2-0,2KO’S), who trains at the famed Wildcard Boxing Club, stopped a veteran from San Diego, Steve Macomber (3-11-1) at 2:55 of the second stanza. Referee Raul Caiz sr. ended the night after a second knockdown.

Anxious to perform in front of his fans Livingston was open and took a lot of shots early in the first, but slowly settled down and delivered his offense to close the round. Even thought veteran from San Diego was firing and pressing the action, Livingston found his range and used his speed and superior skills to control the action in the second. he dropped his adversary with the right hand and then finished the job with the same right cross at the conclusion of the second stanza.

In his professional debut Los Angeles bantamweight, Daniel “The Baby face Assassin” Roman stopped Christian Cruz (2-2,2KO’S) from Dominican Republic at 43 seconds of the very first round. Left hook to the body hurt Cruz badly, who immediately turned away from the action, held on to the ropes and refused to continue.

San Fernando’s lightweight Sergio Nunez destroyed Mike Cross from Vancouver, Washington within two rounds. It was a professional debut for both pugs.

Nunez, trained at Maywood Boxing Club, dominated the first round, landing sharp punches almost at will; left hook had Cross in trouble early and then late in the round. Cross had a deep cut on the right side of the eye and looked spent at the end of the first stanza. Nunez dropped Cross with another left hook early in the second and dropped him again later with left right combination, which prompted referee Ray Corona to end one sided beating at 2:36 mark of the second stanza.

 

Top Rank is Back in California

Photo by Chris Farina

“It’s time for us to return to California to put on a great show,” said Top Rank’s boss Bob Arum as he opened a press conference on Monday Afternoon at a plush Biltmore Hotel in downtown, Los Angeles to announce a December 4^th line up at Honda Center in Anaheim, California:” December 4th will be the first time in 2 years that Top Rank will be doing a show in California. Every fight on the card will be a great, exciting fight.”

Dubbed “In Harm’s Way” and televised live on Pay Per View from Anaheim’s Honda Center the evening will feature four great fights with Julio Cesar Chaves Jr. and Alfonso Gomez headlining the night in a twelve round contest for WBC silver middleweight championship contracted to fight at a catch weight of 157 pounds. In other action one of the top pound for pound fighters Nonito Donaire is moving up to bantamweight to face a real tough challenge in a face of a former champion from Ukraine, Wladimir Sidorenko. Coming off of the best win of his career in September Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios will be back in action facing tough as nails Mexican Noe Bolanos in a ten round lightweight scrap. And finally, the WBC lightweight champion Humberto Soto will be defending his title against number one contender from Maywood, California, Urbano Antillon.

Photo by Chris Farina

Tickets, priced at $200, $100, $50 and $30, will go on sale on this Friday, October 8 at 10 a.m. PT, and will be available at Ticketmaster.com, via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone (800-745-3000), and all Ticketmaster retail locations.  Seats will go on sale at the Honda Center box office, beginning Saturday October 9.

“Alfonso Gomez was my favorite fighter on The Contender. I always rooted for him,” said Chavez Jr (41-0-1,30KO):” He is a great fighter. He always comes prepared. That gives me extra motivation. I am very happy to fight in California.”

  Last time out in San Antonio, Texas; under the guidance of a new trainer Freddie Roach, Chavez looked much improved fighter when he dominated tough John Duddy over ten rounds. “People are going to enjoy the fight because of styles of myself and Alfonso,” continued Chavez, 24:” I promise you I am going to look better than I did last time.”

Very popular Southern California fighter, Alfonso Gomez (22-4-2, 11 KOs) has matured leaps and bounds since his contender days; surprisingly, he dominated a veteran Jesus Soto Karass last December in Las Vegas until the bout was stopped on cuts  and Gomez was declared a winner. Earlier this year in Dallas, Texas Alfonso dominated and stopped former lightweight king Jose Luis Castillo. Sensing an opportunity of a life time he treated media and fans in attendance to a rap song that he made up about this fight wit the son of a legend.“I feel alive,” said Gomez, 29:” My heart has not beaten this fast in a long time. When I was ten years old I wanted to be like Chavez Sr. He is lucky to have him as a dad. And now I am going to fight his son.”

According to Bob Arum, with the win against Noe, Brandon Rios, who won the hearts and souls of many fans destroying a previously unbeaten Anthony Peterson last month in front of millions of fans on HBO, would get to fight the winner of Humberto Soto versus Urbano Antillon bout.

“I had a good fight on September 11^th and I am ready for another good fight!” exclaimed Rios (25-0-1,18KO’S), who’s new wife is expected to have a baby girl in December:” I am just ready to get it on. I am looking forward to my baby being born. She might be born on the day of the fight.”He is planning to name her Mia honoring a female fighter Mia St. John.

 Would Rios be fighting the current champion Humberto Soto who will be defending his title on the same night against very strong contender Urbano?

“Antillon is a very good person, said the WBC lightweight champion Humberto Soto (53-7-2,32KO’S):” And our fight is going to be sensational!”

Twenty eight year old Antillon, who after loosing a title shot to Acosta in Mexico last year, knows that he might not get many more opportunities like that again. According to his trainer Abel Sanchez Urbano has been in the gym for three weeks and ready to take his training into a higher gear.“I have been dreaming about this fight forever,” said Antillon (28-1,20KO):“I couldn’t fall asleep when I got the news. I know I am going to be a stronger fighter in there.”

“This event at the Honda Center is really going to be spectacular. Julio César Chavez Jr. vs. Alfonso Gomez is one of the most anticipated fights,” said Bob Arum. “Each of the other fights on his card would stand by itself as a main event. We’re calling this ‘In Harm’s Way’ which is an excellent title because every fight on this card has a chance of going either way.”

 

Coleman and Marquez shine at Chumash.

Photo by Ray Flores

Santa Yanez – As if orchestrated, the theater of unexpected produced two spectacular third round knock outs on Friday night at Chumash Resort and Casino in Santa Yanez, California. Televised by ShoBox The New Generation, the night featured unbeaten lightweight Archie Ray Marquez(10-0,7KO’S) stopping Juan “Chago” Santiago(13-4-1,8KO’S) from Denver, Colorado with the barrage of punches in round three as well as once beaten  light welterweight Tim ”Pit Bull” Coleman (18-1-1,5KO’S) landing one a punch picture perfect right uppercut that ended the night and title shot aspirations for former Olympian from Venezuela, Patrick “ El Elegante” Lopez(20-3,12Ko’S).

Photo by Ray Flores

Main event, twelve round USBA junior welterweight championship bout started with intensity; both combatants, southpaw Lopez and conventional fighter, Coleman came out with focus, trading hard shots in the center of the ring. With the new trainer, famed Roger Mayweather in his corner, Coleman got the better of the exchanges, landing more and more accurately.

“Roger told me to hit the body and land the uppercut,’ commented Coleman after the fight:” he told me to go for it or I will miss the opportunity.”Following directions of his coach Coleman was going to the body hard and often, but it is his speed and sharp combination punching that was making the difference in the second stanza; he dropped his opponent with the short right hand and went for the finish, but Lopez recovered quickly and mounted an attack of his own that featured heavy body blows that backed up and hurt Coleman toward the end of the second.

Scorching action continued into the third round and just when it looked like both warriors settled into a more tactical bout, Coleman finished his adversary with a blistering right uppercut. Lopez who never saw the shot, crashed on the canvas face first as if he was hit by a car going 90 miles per hour. Brave Venezuelan warrior tried to get up, but he had no legs under him and stumbled into the ropes prompting referee David Mendoza to wave off the contest at 2:13 of the third stanza.

“I didn’t see the uppercut at all,” said dejected Lopez after the fight:” I was surprised. I thought he would be backing up. He was much more aggressive.”

With this performance, a strong candidate for a knock out of the year, Coleman retained his fringe USBA junior welterweight belt and improved his ranking to inch closer to a shot at a real title. “I got a lot more comfortable since I moved down in weight, “said Coleman, who’s brutal knock out surprised everyone except his coach Roger Mayweather.

The opening bout of the telecast and eight round lightweight contest between Archie Ray Marquez and a lanky Juan Santiago proved to be a worthy co-feature as the scintillating action in the ring kept the fans in the arena delirious with excitement.

The shorter Marquez with the set of boxing gloves tattooed on his back, forced the action from the onset, putting together fluid combinations, but his opponent gave as good as he got in the first stanza. Heated exchanges continued in the second until Santiago went down grimacing in pain from a low blow. Without a prior warning referee Ray Corona deducted a point from Archie Marquez and then allowed his opponent sufficient time to recover. “I don’t need to hit anybody low to win the fight,” said Marquez from Albuquerque, New Mexico after the fight. As the action resumed in the second Santiago fought bravely landing some crisp bombs of his own until he got caught with a vicious right hand that wobbled his legs. Sensing a hurt prey Marquez went for the kill unleashing a barrage of unanswered punches on defenseless Santiago against the ropes who finally went down ten seconds short of the round’s end.

Miraculously Santiago beat the count only to hear a bell to end the round, but a minute brake was not enough time for badly battered fighter from Denver. Archie Ray stormed out of his seat in the third to continue his assault. With no fire coming back, Referee ray Corona was forced to end the night at eleven seconds of the third announcing Archie Ray Marquez a TKO winner. “I had him finished against the ropes,” said Marquez, 22, whose second performance on Sho Box was much more impressive than his first one:” Referee did the right thing.”

On the undercard Glendale’s feather weight Gabriel Tolmajyan (9-1,3KO) dominated veteran from Miami, Florida, Yogli Herrera (22-13, 15 KO’s) over eight rounds. The crowd booed the lack of action before the score cards were announced 80-71 twice and 79-72 all in favor of Tolmajyan.

Crowd had a lot more to cheer about when unbeaten welterweight from New York City, Michael Anderson (8-0-1,6KO) stopped an aggressive foe from Gary, Indiana, Angel Hernandez (14-8,11KO’S) at 51 second mark of the fourth stanza with the left hook to the body.

Powerful light middleweight from Philadelphia, Julian Williams (2-0,2KO) only needed 24 seconds to dispose of Dean Peters(1-3) with the left hook to the chin.

Lightweight Guy Robb from Sacramento scored a first round knock out in his professional debut over Mexican Jose Pacheco(2-14-6)

 

Bantamweight Tournament: winner takes all.

 

Photos: Esther Lin/For SHOWTIME

On a beautiful Thursday afternoon at the elegant Conga Room in downtown Los Angeles Hall of Fame broadcaster Al Bernstein announced a Showtime bantamweight tournament: winner takes all. Originally put together to resemble supper middleweight super six tournament, but with two athletes, Nonito Donaire and Montiel declining to participate, it turned into four combatants, single elimination tournament with two semi-final bouts scheduled for Saturday, December 11^th,2010 which will be televised live by Showtime from Irapuato, Mexico.

 Hard punching Armenian, Vic”The Raging Bull” Darchinyan (35-2-1,27KO’S) will face former Mexican Olympian Abner Mares920-0-1,13KO’S) for the vacant WBC bantamweight Silver title.

Photos: Esther Lin/For SHOWTIME

IBF bantamweight king from Colombia Yonnhy Perez (20-0-1,14KO’s) will defend his crown against the man he took it form last year, Joseph King Kong Agbeko (27-2,22KO’S), who currently resides in Bronx, New York.

 Each bout will be scheduled for twelve rounds. The winners will face each other in the final in 2011 and losers will battle it out in a consolation fight.

“Meaningful match-ups with high stakes in boxing’s most competitive divisions- that’s our promise to boxing fans,” said Ken Hersman of Showtime:” I hold these four world championship competitors in the highest regard for taking fights that fans want to see to prove they are a sole champion in the division. When you consistently fight and defeat the best, you deserve to be recognized as such.”

“What makes these match up so intriguing,” said Al Bernstein:” Is that besides uncertain outcome they would be fought at a very high skill level.”

All four contestants were excited and grateful to Showtime for including them in the tournament.

“I want to prove to the world that I am the best bantamweight in the world!” exclaimed former bantamweight champion from Accra, Ghana, Joseph King Kong Agbeko. Just a side note, King Kong is not his nick name. It is a middle name given to him by his parents.

“My style is Mexican. I am going to go for a knock out!’ exclaimed the most colorful and the most experienced boxer in the tournament, Vic Darchinyan, who brought a huge entourage all the way from Australia just for the press conference;” Mexicans are going to love me. One has to prepare mentally and physically to fight and I will.”

His opponent, the youngest and the least experienced, but probably the most talented of the bunch, Mexican Abner Mares expressed admiration for his opponent:” It’s an honor to fight Vic Darchinyan. He has beaten all the Mexicans, but here I am. He is going to face me in Mexico. It’s going to be a tough fight for both of us and I am going to be the next bantamweight champion in Mexico. Mexico is ready for a new champion. I am going to train three times a day and work on my strength and I think my youth and my strength will help me beat Darchinyan.”

The current IBF bantamweight champion from Colombia, Yonnhy Perez who is set to rematch Joseph Agbeko, expressed his gratitude through a translator:” We are going to show people another great fight with Agbeko in Mexico with no head butts and no controversy this time.”

 The Showtime will begin the live broadcast on December 11^th at 9:00 pm Eastern time.

 

Martirosyan is thew new owner of Main Events gym

Photo by Ray Flores

 Hot, unbeaten super welterweight prospect Vanes Martirosyan has acquired a multi purpose gym in his home town of Glendale, California. Located at 747 Salem St, right off of famed San Fernando Road, Main Events Sports Club trains professional and amateur boxers as well as mixed martial arts fighters.  Kickboxing and wrestling lessons and personal training and fitness classes are offered at the modern facility that features a variety of weight training equipment, a boxing ring  and a cage for MMA sparring as well as countless heavy and speed bags.

“I have always wanted to have my own gym,” said Martirosyan, who represented US Olympic boxing team at the XXVlll Olympiad in Athens, Greece in the summer of 2004:” The gym was available and the price was right so we bought it. We want to help build future champions.”

Ever since turning professional in 2005 Martirosyan has terrorized super welterweight division and amassed a perfect record of twenty eight wins with seventeen of them coming via a knock out. Vanes stopped Willie Lee within three rounds last December in Youngstown, Ohio thus earning a vacant WBO super welterweight title. With the help of one of the top trainers in boxing today, Freddie Roach and strength and conditioning Coach Alex Ariza, 24 year old Martirosyan is shooting for the sky.

   Albert Keshishyan, Martirosyan’s   first coach, the one that trained  him when he was a young boy, is also a big part of the club; he is offering boxing lessons to youngsters as well as adults. For more information and a complete schedule of classes check out the club’s website: www.maineventgym.com.

The only question remains is if this new venture would hinder a successful boxing career of Vanes Martirosyan who is scheduled to go to Philippines to help his coach Freddie Roach and a pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao to get ready for his upcoming bout with Antonio Margarito. Wise man once said that the best way to know your craft is to teach it. Vanes is adhering to that philosophy by offering private lessons and his personal knowledge to any body that seeks it.

“I am very fortunate today! I got to train at MainEvent Gym with Vanes Martirosyan!,” said Ando Dermejian, a mixed martial arts fighter:” If you guys want to get the best training and get into great shape! GO TO MAINEVENT GYM AND SIGN UP RIGHT NOW!”

 

Patrick Lopez is primed for the challenge.

 

Photo credit: Carlos Baeza

Fresh off of impressive three round destruction of previously unbeaten Prenice Brewer last July in Chicago, Venezuelan Patrick “El Elegante” Lopez(20-2,12KO’S) is set to take on once beaten rising prospect from Baltimore, Maryland, Tim” The Pit Bull” Coleman (17-1-1,4KO’S) at Chumash Resort and Casino in Santa Yanez Valley, California on Friday, October first. The twelve round contest for the USBA/IBF junior welterweight title will be televised live on Showtime, ShoBox The New Generation.

 “This is my time to shine and I am excited to do it in front of a large audience at the Chumash Casino and those tuning into SHOWTIME,” said Lopez, 32:  “Coleman had a nice reign but the sun is setting for him as the USBA/IBF Champion. The future of the title lies with me.”

Ever since signing with a California promoter Thompson Boxing last year and loosing a controversial split decision to Josesito Lopez, former Venezuelan amateur stand out has been on a tear amassing a streak of five straight wins against solid competition. On the other hand Coleman has been inactive since winning the title last year in a life and death struggle over veteran Mike Arnaoutis.

“I read Coleman’s comments diminishing my stellar amateur career and how I represented my nation in two Olympics, “said Lopez from his training camp in Indio:” I think Coleman should realize he barely got the USBA title against Arnaoutis, if he thinks that was a tough fight he hasn’t seen anything yet.”

At the age of thirty two, the future is now for Patrick Lopez and he knows it.

“I can’t wait to get in the ring next Friday, continued Lopez:”  I feel more ready than ever to take on Coleman.  I’m motivated because he has a title that I want and I want to show everyone that I am a more than just a worthy challenger.  I am the destined champion”

 

Tough test for Gesta in San Diego

 

Photo by Round One Media

Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta (19-0-1, 9KOs) is out to prove he is for real one more time when he faces the toughest test of his professional career squaring off against a tough , heavy handed veteran from Mexico, Ivan “Relampago” Valle (28-9-3, 24KO) at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel in his hometown of San Diego, CA on Friday, October 22nd.

 Twenty two year old Gesta has been on a real tear as of late, stopping four out of five latest victims. Some say, Manny Pacquiao heir apparent, Gesta looked tremendous in Florida earlier this year when he dismantled rugged Mexican warrior, Oscar Meza within four violent rounds. True to his form and looking reminiscent of early version of Pacman, southpaw Gesta kept firing right left combinations like an energizer bunny. He finally dropped Meza with a body shot in the fourth and then finished him off later on in the same round.

A knock out puncher from Los Mochis, Ivan Valle, who has faced a world class opposition, will be a definite step up for a young Pilipino dynamo.

“This isn’t so much step up but it’s a step forward fight for Mercito,” Vince Parra, Gesta’s trainer and co-manager, said:  “Ivan Valle is a tough veteran who has been in with the best and has competed at a high level with some success.  We respect that and are preparing for a tough fight.  I think this will be a great test to see where we stand.  Gesta can’t wait.”

 With an impressive win in San Diego, Gesta’s team is hoping to climb up the rankings of lightweight division and get a title shot in  early part of 20011.

 

Alvarez Highlights Undercard

Photo by Ray Flores

LOS ANGELES –  If Saul Alvarez isn’t a superstar, he will soon be. With each fight and victory, the 20-year-old Mexican gains an even wider audience and cross-over appeal, and his sixth-round knockout of Carlos Baldomir in their World Boxing Council super welterweight Silver Title fight at Staples Center last Saturday evening, before 13,591 fans, was more proof.

The proceeding came to an abrupt halt with two seconds remaining, and a huge left hook inflicted the damage. This was set up by a right-left combination early in the round.

After an opening stanza that was somewhat slow, Alvarez, who didn’t lose a round on any of the three judges’ cards, picked up the pace in the second round, connecting with several rights and lefts, while forcing his will on the 39-year-old from Argentina.

Alvarez (34-0-1 and 26 knockouts) had a decent third round, finding the range, but also missing some.

On the night, Alvarez landed 53 percent of his total punches, 58 percent of his power shots, and 49 percent of his jabs.

The fourth round followed the same pattern for Alvarez, and the fifth round was a carbon copy. At this point, Alvarez found the target with more frequency, and began to wear down Baldomir (45-13-6 and 14 KO’s), who was badly out-classed, and out-gunned.

Baldomir’s numbers were ugly, hitting 13 percent of his jabs, 15 percent of his total punches, and 17 percent of his power punches.

Photo by Ray Flores

Victor Ortiz came at Vivian Harris in their 10-round welterweight clash seeking a knockout.In the third round, Ortiz employed a double right hook early, and then unloaded his foe 45 seconds into the action.

Ortiz showed what he was capable of in the second round, when he dropped Harris (29-5-1 and 19 KO’s) three times with flash knockdowns.

“I sensed that it was going to be short,” said Ortiz, who improved to 28-2-1 with 22 knockouts. “I have to give a lot of credit to my coaches. I progressed a lot.”

Photo by Ray Flores

Daniel Ponce De Leon wasted little time in his World Boxing Organization featherweight Eliminator bout against Antonio Escalante.

The scheduled 12-rounder lasted only three, and came to a close when Ponce De Leon (40-2-0 with 33 KO’s) hammered Escalante (23-3-0 and 15 KO’s) with a wicked left, and then a tremendous right hook.

Ponce De Leon came out shooting left hands in the first round, and continued in this manner, landing 100 total punches, compared to Escalante throwing only 138 total punches.Ponce De Leon’s power punches were the difference, connecting on 51 percent, to Escalante’s 21 percent.

 

Mosley Looks Old, Tired In Draw.

 

Photo by Ray Flores

LOS ANGELES – Bert Randolph Sugar has long been regarded as boxing’s foremost historian. Now add fortune teller.Less than an hour before Shane Mosley stepped into the ring to face Sergio Mora in a junior middleweight contest at the Staples Center last Saturday night, Sugar said. “I think Mosley will win the fight, unless he gets old in the ring.”

Well, that’s exactly what happened, as the five-time world champion from Pomona, and the only man to beat the “Golden Boy,” Oscar De La Hoya two times, managed a draw against the 3-to-1 underdog from East Los Angeles.

Many in the less than capacity crowd hooted and whistled during much of the lackluster performance.Any serious action took place across the final three rounds, with each man landing several shots to the head and body.

Photo by Ray Flores

In essence, however, there wasn’t enough sustained action from Mosley or Mora to carry the fight.Sitting ringside, it seemed Mosley (46-6-1 with 39 knockouts) had a slight edge, but at best it was murky, and anytime this happens, it’s going to be a tough call.

Larry Merchant, who does color for HBO Pay-Per-View, said he had Mosley winning eight of the 12 rounds.But those who actually matter – the three judges – were divided, as Kermit Bayless scored it 115-113 in favor of Mora, while David Denkin had Mosley in front, 116-112. Lou Moret had it 114-114.

“I thought I was winning the fight,” said Mora afterward. “I was hard-headed.” Mora gained some fame as the winner of the reality show “The Contender,” in 2005, but has been moderately successful because he lacks a real power punch, as evidence by just six knockouts.

This style is tough to peddle, given that boxing is a blood sport, whereas the Mike Tyson-type is a real drawing card.

Let’s not overlook Mosley, though, who was willing to stand in the middle of the canvas and trade blows with the 29-year-old one-time world title holder.

And while Mora (21-1-2) did land a few shots, he was more likely to come in and hold, clinch, and dance, which hardly brought the fans to their feet.

What they came to see was an offensive attack, and for the most part this didn’t happen, or it didn’t happen often enough.In the eighth round, Mosley, who connected with more total punches, jabs and power shots, could be seen gasping for air, as the recently turned 39-year-old was clearly spent.

As great ex-champs sometimes do, he rallied and carried the ninth round, looking sharp in the process.The next round was more of the same, but this time Mora staged his own comeback, with each man unloading several terrific hits.

The 12th round was the most action-packed, and it excited the throng, as Mosley unleashed numerous punches late. This was by far Mosley’s best round.Looking back, it would have been wiser for Mosley to try and escape Mora’s tactics, but that’s easier said than done.

For sure, Mosley has seen better days, but the man who turned back such notables as Antonio Margarito, Ricardo Mayorga, and Fernando Vargas twice, may have one last bout  left in him.

If he does, we can only hope it will be a stronger showing than the one he put up against Mora.