Speakboxing weekend wrap up!

Saturday, January 27, 2007
Honda Center
Anaheim, CA

Jorge Acre W12 Julio Ler
Super Flyweight Contender Jorge "The Lollipop Cowboy" Arce pounded out an easy unanimous decision against a Julio Ler, who looked unspired to even be in the ring last night. Fighting defensively and choosing not to engage in combat, Ler fought more like a man trying to survive to the final bell rather than a man who was fighting for victory. Arce, who entered the ring on a horse, claims he had to work harder rehearsing his ring entrance than he did preparing for the opponent he had in front of him in the ring. Perhaps that's a sign that he needs a higher caliber of opposition in the near future. A showdown with IBF Flyweight Champion Vic Darchinyan would be a nice start for Arce, who is desparately due for a stern challenge in the ring. Judges scores: 117-109, 117-110 (twice). It appeared to me as though Arce pitched a complete shutout.

Kelly Pavlik KO8 Jose Luis Zertuche
Middleweight contenders Kelly Pavlik and Jose Luis Zertuche staged a thrilling, crowd pleasing fight, but it was rather one-sided in Pavlik's favor. Pavlik appeared to win every round of the fight, but Zertuche had his moments early when he landed some good shots the body and drove Pavlik into the ropes. In round 6, Pavlik landed a perfectly thrown straight right hand on a Zertuche, who was squared up, and produced a sensational knockdown at the end of the round. Zertuche made it to his feet, and went on for another two rounds before being stopped in the eighth round. One might choose to call this a crowd pleasing showcase, as fans got a chance to see a young contender turn in a dominance performance that certainly had its share of thrills. Pavlik against Edison Miranda would be a natural in the middleweight division. However, Miranda is already slated to face super middleweight contender Allan Green, who is coming down in weight to meet Miranda, later this spring.

televised: HBO Boxing After Dark

**********

Friday, January 26, 2007
Mohegan Sun Casino
Uncasville, CT

Richard Gutierrez KO4 Teddy Reid

Teddy Reid's best days are clearly behind him, as appeared to be the case against Richard Gutierrez. Gutierrez took command from the outset, wobbing Reid on several occassions in the opening frame of their jr middleweight bout on Friday night. Gutierrez would continue to assume command, punishing a listless looking Reid enroute to a fourth round KO. The supposed body punch Gutierrez stopped Reid with appeared as if it could have been a low blow, but it got the job done for Gutierrez nonetheless, and brought an end to the merciless carnage that Reid had been subjected to. I do not think Reid should be fighting anymore. Gutierrez, on the other hand, only has one loss to date... that being at the hands of top welterweight contender Josh Clottey, who gave WBO Welterweight Champion Antonio Margarito all he could handle last month. Gutierrez must now determine whether he wants to campaign in the welterweight or jr middleweight division.

televised: ESPN 2 Friday Night Fights

Read More

Hatton reclaims IBF Jr Welterweight Title!

Castillo barely escapes with narrow split decision!

Ricky Hatton's made a successful Las Vegas debut, as he outpointed Juan Urango via unanimous decision to reclaim the IBF Jr Welterweight Title.

Not primarily recognized as a boxer, Hatton showed some technical brilliance in the first four rounds by outboxing Urango, yet Urango managed to figure out that style in the fifth round, which turned out to be Urango's best round of the fight.

From that point on, Hatton changed his style from the boxer to the mauling/holding style he has often utilized to defeat previous opponents such as Ben Tackie. Skeptics would say Hatton clinched way too many times against an opponent who was fighting with such a speed disadvantage. Nonetheless, Hatton got the done with a unanimous verdict, all three judges scoring the fight 119-109. Speakboxing also scored the contest 119-109 for Hatton.

On the under card, Jose Luis Castillo made his 140lb debut and kept alive the major plans for a June super fight with Hatton, but just barely, with a very close split decision over previously unbeaten Herman Ngoudio. In the early rounds, Castillo looked flat and listless, as Ngoudio was able to land the cleaner and faster shots and force Castillo to the ropes.

The tide would turn, however, in the middle rounds, as Castillo sensed the urgency of a brewing upset as well as the potential loss of a big payday, and stepped up his intensity level to land some telling body shots on Ngoudio and out work him down the stretch.

The judges scored the fight 115-113 (twice) for Castillo, and 115-113 for Ngoudio.

Read More

Hatton/Castillo HBO Doubleheader tonight!

In the first HBO televised boxing card of the new year, World Championship Boxing takes viewers to Paris Las Vegas in Las Vegas, NV, where Ricky Hatton will attempt to gain back the IBF Jr Welterweight Title from current beltholder Juan Urango.

Urango won the vacant belt with a questionable decision over Naoufel Ben Rabah, after Hatton vacated it to move up to the welterweight division last May to challenge WBA Welterweight Champion Luis Collazo in Boston. Hatton won a close, and somewhat controversial, unanimous decision over Collazo. After that fight, rather than rematching Collazo, Hatton instead opted to move back down to 140lbs and win his old belt back.

Hatton, who never lost the belt in the ring, is still regarded as the RING Magazine Jr Welterweight Champion, but it is Urango who is defending the IBF belt tonight. On the undercard, Former two-time Lightweight Champion Jose Luis Castillo makes his debut in the jr welterweight division against undefeated Herman Ngoudjo, in what is a WBC title eliminator.

Should Hatton and Castillo win their fights, as they are favored to do, the two will meet a Jr Welterweight super bout later this year.

Read More

Has Acelino Freitas taken path of least resistance?

It was reported from reliable sources, such as Boxingtalk and Fightnews that recently unretired WBO Lightweight Champion Acelino Freitas was going to be fighting WBC Interim Lightweight Champion David Diaz.

Why fight the Interim Champion, when he could fight the WBC's real Lightweight Champion Joel Casamayor, who also happens to be the current kingpin of the division following his split decision victory over Corrales last October? The same Casamayor whom Freitas posted a victory, albeit a narrow victory, against back in January of 2002?

Freitas, following his split decision, title-winning effort over Zahir Raheem in April of last year, announced to the world his retirement from boxing. To lay any further claim to his supremacy in the lightweight division, he would have had to rematch then WBC Champion Diego Corrales, who had dropped Freitas three times and forced him to wave the white flag in the 10th round of their clash in August 2004.

What would be the point in rematching a guy, who so thoroughly asserted his dominance, when chances are such a result could conceivably happen again? For one taking the path of least resistance, there would be absolutely no point in one subjecting one's self to such a thrashing for a second time. Therefore, Freitas opted to retire.

It was not until October 2006, when Casamayor upset Corrales for the Lightweight Championship of the World, that Freitas would conveniently unretire and attempt to reemerge as a force in boxing, and possibly as the best lightweight in the world, by calling out the man he once defeated at 130lbs, Casamayor.

At this moment, there are talks of a Lightweight Unification rematch between WBC and RING Magazine Champion Joel Casamayor and WBO titlist Acelino Freitas. In all likelihood, Freitas has to feel safe that his nemesis, Corrales, outgrew the lightweight division and will be moving up in weight upon his return to the ring. Maybe Freitas feels safe taking on Casamayor. but is there any guarantee that Freitas can defeat Casamayor in a rematch???

Would a loss to Casamayor trigger yet another retirement from the sport for Freitas? Can Freitas find the courage, or the stomach, to present himself as the fighter that the boxing world once perceived him to be prior to that embarrassing loss at the hands of Corrales? Has Freitas found the will power to summon up the courage to be a man and abandon that path of least resistance? One can only hope. Time will tell, as this is a new year. Time, in the career of Freitas, is ticking away.

Read More

Gainer a free agent: disapproves of provisions in latest promotional agreement!

I was reading the article at Fightnews regarding Former WBA Featherweight Champion Derrick "Smoke" Gainer being a free agent, after his latest prospective promotional company and he severed professional ties. Gainer tried to modify several provisions in the agreement. The article at fightnews was written as such:

The promotional deal between Zeferino Entertainment and Derrick Gainer has collapsed. "We had a contract, but Gainer decided he wanted to modify several provisions in the agreement. Rather than to fight over these provisions we both decided to severe the professional relationship and go our separate ways," said
promoter Zef Ramirez. "I wish him the best of luck in the future."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"We are looking for a promoter we feel will put their efforts into getting Smoke back into title contention," stated Gariner's agent Brian Reed. "We are not under a promotional contract at this time and are open to offers. Smoke is back in top shape with a renewed desire to become a world champion. Smoke just turned 34 and we feel he still has all the tools to win another world title." Reed said are more aggressive Gainer should return in March. "We can't wait to show the world the new Seek & Destroy fighting style Smoke's new trainer has implemented. We feel the best is yet to come.

I think it's funny how fighters will blame the provisions of a promotional agreement, or prospective promoters or handlers, for not getting them immediate title shots.

Do prizefighters ever stop to think that it's not ALWAYS the promoters who are responsible for the fighter's unfortunate status in the sport? They act as if they have nothing to do with the position they're in, when in retrospect, they usually have the MOST to do with it because they are the ones who performed in the ring, either impressively or unimpressively.

The promoter's job is the get their fighters the fights and market the fighter. How can you market a guy who barely beat a 16-19 fighter? Sometimes, it helps if the fighters win their fights and build themselves up over time in order to deserve another title shot. It doesn't help when the boxer goes 1-2 in his last three outings, and the win that he did score was merely a split decision win, over a stepping stone with a losing record. Gainer, a former world champion, BARELY beat unknown stepping stone Phillip Payne who was 16-19-1, in his last fight! That should have been an easy fight. A coming out party after losing two in a row. A no-brainer! Whatever you opt to call that. It should'nt have been a struggle resulting in a split decision.

At 34 years of age, Gainer should be worrying about staying active, staying in the gym, getting any fights that he can get, and winning those fights impressively to ensure that earns himself a title shot. Win your fights, Smoke. Win your fights.

Wins, impressive wins over live bodies (not even top contenders necessarily), are what get people talking. Worry about provisions later. There is not much to negotiate with when you can't win your fights. There is not much you can do about that, either, if you no longer have the stomach to be a fighter.

Read More

De la hoya vs Mayweather tickets on sale January 27!

De la hoya vs Mayweather set for May 5 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV!

Golden Boy Promotions has announced that tickets for the Oscar De La Hoya vs. Floyd Mayweather superfight will go on sale Saturday, Jan. 27 at 10 a.m. The battle between six-division world champion De La Hoya and unbeaten, four-division world champion Mayweather will be held Saturday, May 5 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Tickets are priced at $2000, $1,500, $1,000, $750, $350 and $150 and will be available at the MGM Grand Garden Arena box office. Ticket sales at $2000, $1,500, $1,000 and $750 are limited to six (6) per person and ticket sales at $350 and $150 are limited to two (2) per person. To charge by phone call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

The live gate could exceed a Nevada-record $18 million which would shatter the $16.8 million generated by the Lennox Lewis vs. Evander Holyfield rematch in 1999. There is high anticipation that ticket sales will be brisk and could sell out quickly. "We already have received an unprecedented amount of inquiries at our offices regarding tickets for the fight," said Richard Schaefer, CEO for Golden Boy Promotions. "The response is amazing and certainly reflects the excitement and magnitude of this fantastic event."

Read More

Vasquez vs Marquez set for March 3!

World Bantamweight Champion moving up to challenge World Super Bantamweight Champion in spring superfight!

The fight everyone wants is now a done deal. Frank Espinoza, manager of Israel Vazquez, has confirmed to Fightnews.com tonight: "I am happy to announce that an agreement has been reached for the highly anticipated clash between my fighter, WBC Super Bantamweight champion Israel Vazquez and IBF Bantamweight champion Rafael Marquez. The fight is set for March third at a location yet to be determined. I would like to thank Sycuan Ringside, Gary Shaw Promotions, and Golden Boy Promotions for helping to make this super-fight a reality. I would also like to thank SHOWTIME championship boxing for having the vision to put on such an explosive confrontation. This will be a battle between two proven gladiators that is destined to become a classic."

source: fightnews

Read More

Freitas vs Casamayor II in April?

The lightweight title unification rematch between WBO beltholder Acelino Freitas and WBC titlist and Ring Magazine Kingpin Joel Casamayor is practically set to take place in April. The only thing left to complete is the signing of the paper work, and this fight is a done deal for the spring. In January 2002, Freitas scored a razor-thin yet unanimous decision over Casamayor to unify the WBO and WBA Jr Lightweight belts. A flash knockdown scored by Freitas, coupled with a point deduction from Casamayor, gave Freitas the verdict of 114-112 on the scorecards of the three official judges. Five years later, they're looking to lock horns once again and unify their respective titles again, this time at the lightweight limit of 135lbs. Freitas looks to ascend to the top of the lightweight division, following his close title winning effort over Zahir Raheem last year, and to redeem himself for the TKO loss to Diego Corrales in August 2004, when he was dropped three times and simply said "No Mas". Casamayor, on the other hand, intends to remain at the top of the division where he currently and rightfully stands, following his split decision victory over Corrales in their rubber match last October, and to avenge his loss to Freitas which is now five years old.

Read More

Happy New Year: Speakboxing Buzz

Happy New Year readers. Here's the buzz at the start of this new year, which is sure to be packed with plenty of boxing action.

*****

This Saturday night, World Jr Welterweight Champion Ricky Hatton returns to the 140lb division, after moving up to the welterweight division last May in his close title-winning effort against Lou Collazo, to take on IBF Jr Welterweight titlest Juan Urango. Hatton is heavily favored to defeat Urango, who won the vacant IBF belt after Hatton vacated it to make the move to welterweight. Now Hatton is coming back down to Jr Welterweight to fight Urango for the belt he used to hold. On the under card, Jose Luis Castillo will be making his 140lb debut against undefeated but untested Hermin Ngoudjo. Should both Hatton and Castillo prevail in their respective bouts, there is speculation that Hatton and Castillo will meet in a big showdown later this year.

*****

Tentatively scheduled for July 21 on HBO PPV, Light Heavyweight King Bernard Hopkins, who recently unretired after his history-making victory over Antonio Tarver last June, could very possibly be fighting his old rival and nemesis, former Pound for Pound King Roy Jones, Jr. In their last fight, which took place back in May 1993, Jones won by unanimous decision over Hopkins by a rather wide margin. At that time, Jones was a young tiger on the up and coming and had his speed and reflexes. Hopkins, on the other hand, was still green, inexperienced, and was just coming off a prison term that he had served. The story, in today's time, is different, as Jones has lost three of his last four fights, while Hopkins scored the biggest victory of his career less than a year ago, against Tarver, the man who's to credit for two of Jones three losses.

*****

Apparently Manny Pacquiao, who has emerged as the WBC mandatory challenger at 130lbs with his knockout wins over Erik Morales last year, will have to wait a little longer to get his rematch with WBC Super Featherweight Champion Marco Antonio Barrera, the man whom he brutally beat up and stopped three years ago. The WBC has given Barrera a pass on fighting Pacquiao in his next fight, approving the fight between Barrera and Former Featherweight Champion Juan Manuel Marquez. The Barrera/Marquez fight, which will be televised on HBO PPV, is set to take place in Las Vegas on March 17.

*****

World Super Welterweight Champion Oscar De la hoya is set to defend his title against World Welterweight Champion and Pound for Pound Picasso Floyd Mayweather, Jr on May 5, but he may very well be doing so without the tutelage of his current trainer, who is none of than Floyd Mayweather, Sr (father of Oscar's next opponent). Many in the boxing world believe that the PPV will do at least 100,000 more buys should Mayweather, Sr be present in Oscar's corner on fight night. However, Mayweather, Sr has declined from the uncomfortable position of guiding De la hoya to beat up his son. One trainer, who may very possibly replace Mayweather, Sr for this particular fight is Jack Mosley, Shane Mosley's father, who trained Shane to two upset wins over De la hoya in 2000 and 2003.

Read More