By: Bill Ethan

July 12th, Palenque De La Expo, Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico: 22year old light welterweight prospect Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr, 37-0-1, 29 Ko’s had the the toughest fight of his young career. The son of the Mexican legend Julio Cesar Chavez 107-6-2, 86 Ko’s struggled to earn a questionable 10-round split decision against Matt The “Predator” Vanda 38-7, 21 Ko’s.

Chavez won the first three rounds looking like a chip off the old block landing double hooks to the head and body. Things began to change in the fourth, Chavez looked to be tiring and Vanda’s speed appeared to the second generation Mexican fighter more than he bargained for.

Vanda would dominate the rounds five through ten while Chavez would mount a round ending attack looking to steal the round. Chavez hands were low particularly his left which became the alley way for Vanda’s straight right.

By the 7th round Chavez appeared exhausted. The final two rounds were exciting, Chavez brought that fiery Mexican attack and 29 year old Vanda appeared happy to trade but it was evident that Chavez’s early body attack didn’t take root. Vanda pounded the fatigued Mexican closing the round sometimes winning the fight off the ropes. In the final round Chavez came out hard but was outlasted by Vanda who staggered and chased the younger Chavez from rope to rope.

When the scores 97-93, Chavez and 95-96 Vanda, were announced the Mexican crowd showed their displeasure booing loudly. When the score 100-90 Chavez sounded it brought down a shower of bottles, coins and miscellaneous debris.

Whether it was struggling to make weight, taking his opponent lightly or just a bad night Chavez Jr. was certainly lucky to get the nod and with it the speculation that he may be highly overrated. The young Mexican needs to continue his fight pace 38 fights in 58 months get that experience but there should be no rush to crack the to ten.

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Adamek sets the Clock on 3/4 Time, Gomez Quits After Six!

By: Jason Sardelis

July 11th, Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, Illinois: Tomasz Adamek, 35-1, 24Ko’s outclassed mismatched Gary “Pit Bull” Gomez, 18-10-1, 7Ko’s with the Utah resident calling it on his stool.

Adamek used his combinations well. Not just his punching, but combining his quick hands and quick feet. The skilled Polish fighter used what was taught to me by my trainer Coach “K” as “setting the clock.”

“Setting the clock is the simple tactic of moving your feet immediately after you finish punching. Get off and get out or find a new spot. Finding a new position whether for safety or to launch your next attack. He would say move get one then move, move get two move and so on. Your opponents experience, hand and foot speed will determine how high you can set the clock. If he said set it on three I would find my spot fire a three piece then move my feet looking for the next opening. The movement can be several steps or just a small step or a pivot. Sometimes just enough to change your angle, then punch and move. Adamek’s clock was set on three and four all night.

Adamek started with a quick multiple jab and mixing up his combinations, always moving when finished.

Adamek scored to the body and head firing from all different angles. At times his movement made the Gomez look like a “Pitbull” trying to eat out of his bowl while his owner kept moving the bowl. Gomez coming in off two losses offered very little defense and less offense. The only right hand I saw was a clean one in the third round. “The Pit Bull” never could catch up with Adamek, he failed to cut off the ring and just followed him around only to eat leather every time he did. Adamek landed twice the punches Gomez threw finishing a good night of target practice. Gomez was unable to answer the bell for the seventh round claiming an injury to his right hand.

Adamek moved up to cruiserweight after losing his light heavyweight title to Chad Dawson February 2007. He beat Luis Andres Pineda in June then added Josip Jalusic to his hit list in December. Adamek beat O’Neil Bell in a IBF Cruiserweight Title Eliminator, April 2008 when Bell refused to fight between rounds 7 and 8. Adamek was ahead on all three judges cards. Adamek is next in line for a fight with IBF cruiserweight title Steve “USS” Cunningham 21-1, 11 Ko’s.

On the undercard: 6'8” heavyweight Mariusz “Polski Olbrzym” Wach, 17-0, 8 Ko’s overwhelmed Eric “Night Train” Boose, 14-3-1, 8 Ko’s with a heavy attack blasting out the “Night Train” at 1:53 round seven.

Middleweight Derrick “Superman” Findley, 12-2, 7 Ko’s stopped Andrzej Fonfara, 10-2,3 Ko’s Findley floored Fonfara twice in round two causing referee Celestino Ruiz to call it at 2:59 of the second round.

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                    Santos Wins Third Title, Stops Alcine!

July 11th, Uniprix Stadium, Montreal, Quebec, Canada: Daniel “El Pillin” Santos 32-3-1, 23 Ko’s won the WBA light middleweight title, his third, stopping undefeated Joachim “Ti-Joa” Alcine, 30-0, 19Ko’s. Santos who beat Antonio Margarito back in September 2004 when the fight was stopped due to a cut over Margarito's right eye cut caused by accidental headbutt won a WBA Light Middleweight Title Eliminator Jose Antonio Rivera 38-6-1, 24 Ko’s coming into the championship bout with Alcine.

Alcine won the WBA light middleweight title winning a unanimous decision over undefeated Travis Simms 25-0, 19 Ko’s July 2007 then made his first defense in December stopping Alfonso Mosquera in the final round of their twelve round championship fight. Santos who pressed the action throughout the fight dropped Joachim Alcine with an anchoring left leaving him on the canvas for referee Marlon Wright to count him out 2:10 of round six.

In the semi featured event WBA Inter-Continental light middleweight champion Alex “The Technician” Bunema, 30-5-2, 16 Ko’s defended his title blasting out Walter “El Terrible” Matthysse, 26-4, 25 Ko’s in six . “The Technician” used a pressure attack pounding Matthysse along the ropes from the opening bell. Matthysse only hope was that his unintended rope a dope would wear bunema out. Then in round six Bunema caught Matthysse with a triple hook the last one coming from underneath decking the challenger causing referee Michael Griffin to call the fight without a count at 3:00 of the 6th round.

On the undercard welterweight Benyamine Besmi, 10-0, 5Ko’s picked himself up off the deck and scored a 5th round Tko of Baltazar Perez, 3-3, 1Ko.

Knockout king David Lemieux, 9-0, 9Ko’s moved his KO streak to ten flooring lightly regarded Osawaldo Gonzalez, 1-8-1, 1Ko three times enroute to his tenth straight Ko win when referee Gerry Bolen stopped the action at 1:53 of round two.

Heavyweight Bermaine Stiverne, 15-1, 15Ko’s made quick work of Brad Gregory, 10-1, 8Ko’s unleashing a full barrage flooring him twice enticing his corner to call the fight at 2:35 round one.

Tony Luis moved to 2-0, decisioning Jean Charlemagne, 1-6-2 in their scheduled four rounder.

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Reports of Vitali Klitschko / Sam Peter in October!

German news sources are reporting Wladimir’s brother, Vitali, "Dr. Iron Fist", Klitschko, 35-2, 34 Ko’s will be meetingWBC heavyweight champion Samuel Peter 30-1, 23 Ko’s on October 4th, at the O2 World Arena in Berlin, Germany. The two were tentatively set to fight, but no date had been negotiated The 37 year old Klitschko hasn’t been in the ring since beat Danny Williams in 2004. Klitschko retired due to reoccurring injuries training for his scheduled fight with Hasim Rahman.

Peter, only 27 will have a ten year age advantage tied together with the fact he has fought twelve times since the last time Iron Fist entered the ring, losing only once to Wladimir, September 2005.

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Calzaghe / Jones September 20th!

Undefeated Welshman Joe Calzaghe, 45-0, 32 Ko’s vacated his WBC super-middleweight title to set up his fight with Roy Jones Jr. 52-4, 38 Ko’s. The fight for The Ring Magazine light-heavyweight title will take place at New York's Madison Square Garden on 20th September.

Calzaghe split with his promoter Frank Warren in June and now will promote the fight together with SquareRing Jone’s promotional company. Calzaghe 36 years old reportedly plans to retire after the fight, Jones plans are uncertain.    

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         Kelley’s Back, Beats Palma Easy, Joins Over 40 Club!

July 8th,Las Vegas Hilton: 41 year old former WBC featherweight champion Kevin "The Flushing Flash" Kelley, 60-8-2, 39 Ko’s gave us a “Flash” from the past beating 31 year old Jaime “The Punisher Palma 13-12-1, 6 Ko’s. Kelley looked sharp at times, even cutting Palma in the sixth in route to winning a ten round unanimous decision and join the over 40 “Masters” club. The judges scores read 99-91, 97-93, 98-92.

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NEW YORK CITY (July 7, 2008) – IBF junior welterweight champion Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi (25-1, 5 KOs) had a cast removed from his right hand last Tuesday and he has started rehabilitation.

Malignaggi underwent hand surgery May 28 to repair a fractured metacarpal bone of the middle finger on his right hand, suffered during his title-defense win by 12-round decision against Lovemore N’dou.

“I feel good about the whole situation,” Malignaggi said yesterday from his Brooklyn home. “Getting the cast off was the first step, now rehabilitation starts. There’s no pain or swelling of the hand. I’m moving forward, thanks to Dr. Margles, who has saved my career several times. I’m looking ahead to a big showdown in the fall. I’ll be ready to rock ‘n roll against Ricky Hatton.”

Renowned boxing hand specialist, Dr. Steven Margles, operated on Paulie at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Massachusetts. He has also repaired the hands of former world champions Vinny Paz, “Irish” Micky Ward and Harry Simon, to name a few of his more notable boxing patients.

“I removed his cast and took x-rays,” Dr. Margles explained. “There was no pain and the fracture is healing like magic. Right now, he’s on or ahead of schedule.”

CONTACT:

Bob Trieger, Full Court Press, 978.664.4482, bobtfcp@hotmail.com

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Gamboa Returns on ESPN!

Highly regarded super featherweight prospect Yuriorkis “El Ciclon de Guantánamo” Gamboa, 10-0, 8 Ko’s returns to the ring July 18 on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights from Buffalo Bill's Primm, Nevada. Gamboa will face veteran Jose “Cheo” Rojas, 25-6-1, 17 Ko’s in a scheduled 10-round bout.

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Golden Boy Promotions Rising Star
Juan Carlos Velasquez, Remains UnDefeated!

 
(Photo By Raymond Rodriguez)

June 30, 2008 This past Friday at the Morongo Resort and Casino, Golden Boy Promotions undefeated young gun, Juan Carlos Velasquez, improved to (8-0, 4 KO's) with another impressive victory. The Puerto Rican native decisively defeated Missael Nunez in rout to a unanimous decision and continued his undefeated record. Score cards read 60-54 twice, while the other judge had it 59-55.

Velasquez keep his winning streak alive and is scheduled to be back at the Morongo Casino on July 23, 2008. Twin brother Carlos Ivan Velasquez (7-0, 6 KO's) makes his way back to the ring the same night, looking to extend on his 7 fight winning streak. Opponents to be announce shortly.

"I got some good rounds against Nunez. Each fight I'm learning something new. These are the type of fights I need to prepare me for the next level." said Juan Carlos. "My goal is to get right back in the gym and start working hard. I want to be a world champion some day."

Mario Serrano, Publicist, boxingpublicist@aol.com, 408-607-5756

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Open Letter to Chris Arreola
From U.S. Olympian Jason Estrada

Dear Chris,
Congratulations on your win last weekend against Chazz Whitherspoon. I honestly didn’t agree with the referee’s decision to disqualify Chazz. Hell, I really wasn’t impressed by anything you did.

I think it’s time for us to determine who America’s top heavyweight prospect is. There’s been a lot of hype about you being the “Nightmare,” but you’ve never fought anybody quite like “Big Six.”

Chris, I had an understanding that if Chazz had beaten you, he was going to fight me next. I am going to be world heavyweight champion and I’m willing and able to fight anybody who is in my way, including you, Chris. I’m calling you out, brother. I know you want to be heavyweight champ, too, so try and go through me instead of taking the easy way out.

I’ve been minding my business, fighting anybody my promoter Jimmy Burchfield has put in front of me. None of them have had a losing record and the combined record of my opponents when they fought me is 203-73-9. Nine of your 24 opponents had losing records, 256-180-21 overall. There are a lot of cupcakes and tomato cans on your resume. My opponents had a winning percentage of 71-percent, yours is only 56-percent. Can you spell PROTECTED?

I’ve sat back and watched other so-called prospects like you fighting stiff after stiff. And somehow the media has bought into you being the “Nightmare” because you’ve knocked out so many of these guys. You’re a strong club-fighter, that’s it, at least until you beat somebody like me, a boxer whose skills you’ve never been in against.

I have one loss on my record because I was willing to fight in the other guy’s (Travis Walker) hometown. He had 20 pro fights, I only had six, and I hurt my shoulder early in the fight. Yet, I still almost pulled off a victory.

I’m ready to fight you to prove I’m America’s No. 1 heavyweight hope. Chris, let’s make it happen. All of the top rated heavyweights are tied up for months, anyway. Who’s out there for you other than more ready-made opponents?
Styles make fights and fans always love to watch a puncher like you fight a boxer like me. Supposedly, I can’t punch, so just get into the ring with me and find out what I have -- great whiskers and the fastest hands in our division.

You’re supposed to be the “Nightmare.” Try and scare me; I dare you, Chris.

Sincerely,

Jason “Big Six” Estrada 2004 U.S. Olympian Future World Heavyweight Champion

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Guerrero Vacates Featherweight Title!

Robert Guerrero vacated his featherweight world title Monday moving up to the 130-pound junior lightweight limit claiming difficulties making the 126-pound weight class. “The Ghost” 25 years old has fought in the featherweight classification since turning pro in April 2001. Guerrero 22-1-1, 15 Ko’s is looking to move up and take on big names like Joan Guzman, Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao. Guerrero’s only losses have been avenged. The Ghost followed his split decision loss to Gamaliel Diaz stopping him in six and his decision loss to Orlando Salido was changed to a no contest after Salido tested positive for the steroid nandrolone after the fight. Guerrero was scheduled to fight Salido as the mandatory challenger but for that fight to happen it will have to be at 130lbs. Salido will probably meet Cristobal Cruz 36-11-1, 23 Ko’s for the vacant title.

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Mikkel Kessler Stops Sartison in 12th!

June 21st, Brondby hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark:Fundamentally sound Kessler 40-1, 30 Ko’s won the vacant World Boxing Association Super Middleweight Title methodically breaking down the tough Sartison 22-1, 14 Ko’s, dropping him in the eleventh and closed the show at 2:00 of the final stanza with referee Stanley Christodoulou calling it a night for the rugged German. The scoring on the cards was 110-98, 109-99 twice Kessler when the fight was stopped.

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Amir Khan Tops Gomez in Trade!

June 21st, National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom: Defending his Commonwealth (British Empire) lightweight title Amir Khan 18-0, 14 Ko’s was tested when he decided to trade shots with the rugged Michael Gomez 35-8, 24 Ko’s. The two traded knockdowns with Gomez hitting the deck in the first after a Khan combination. Gomez answered back dropping Khan in the second. Khan too strong and too fast one upped Gomez flooring him for good with a body shot in the fifth.

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Berto Packs Rodriguez Up in Seven
Claims Vacant WBC Welterweight Title!

June 21st, FedEx Forum, Memphis, Tennessee: Andre Berto 22-0, 19 Ko’s met Miguel “Miki” Rodriguez 29-3, 23 Ko’s for “Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweathers vacant WBC welterweight title. The two traded early with Berto holding the edge with his quickness. Rodriguez controlled the pace and turned the fight into a slugfest until in the seventh round when Berto landed a clean right uppercut dropping Rodriguez. Rodriguez made it to his feet when he was delivered a barrage a shots like a Fed Ex Express package forcing referee Laurence Cole to stop the fight at at 2:13 round seven.

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US Olympic Alternate Danny O’Connor
Turning Pro in September!

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. (June 20, 2008) – Many amateur boxers who do not qualify for national teams often develop into better pros than some Olympians. Contrasting styles and maturation processes often are contributing factors and 2008 U.S. Olympic first alternate Danny O’Connor could very well be the next example of a boxer becoming a better professional than amateur.

The 23-year-old O’Connor, winner of this year’s US Future Stars National Championship, in which he was named Most Outstanding Boxer, as well as the National Golden Gloves Tournament, both in the 141-pound light welterweight division. Danny lost to U.S. Olympian Javier Molina in the semifinals of the 2007 Championships, 21-20, and US Olympic Trials, 18-10. As a USA Boxing Team alternate, O’Connor lives and trains with the US Olympian and other alternates in Colorado Springs and he also is a stablemate of US Olympic welterweight Demetrious “Boo Boo” Andrade, the 2008 World Championships gold-medal winner. Danny will also travel next month to China with Team USA for the Olympic Games.

“I wanted an opportunity to be part of the Olympics,” O’Connor explained why he’s waiting until after the Olympic to turn pro. “I’m gaining a lot of valuable experience sparring with Molina and representing the United States in competitions against other countries. If this were not an Olympic year, I’d be the No. 1 rated light welterweight in the country because I have more points than Molina. But it’s an Olympic year and he’s rated No. 1 as the US Olympian. I hadn’t been fighting very long when I fought him in the Olympic Trials.”

O’Connor was a Massachusetts high school wrestling champion when he was a sophomore. The stylish southpaw that reminds some of a cross between a young Paul Spadafora and Winky Wright, offensively and defensively, respectively, had been training less than six months when he participated in his first national tournament in 2006.

A lifelong resident of Framingham (MA), Danny has gone from a 4-time New England Golden Gloves champion, winning the novice and open titles in his first time around the circuit, to recently being profiled in Sports Illustrated (Faces In The Crowd). “Danny has improved immensely over the last nine months,” O’Connor’s coach DaveKeefe noted. “He’s going to be a real good pro prospect with a solid defense, great speed and a sharp body shot.”

Critics sometimes question the power of amateur boxers because points are determined by punches landed, not necessarily power shots putting opponents on the canvas, and scoring is the result of accumulated points as opposed to who hurts whom the most.

O’Connor is working on power punching with his coach at the 401 Gym in Rhode Island, where Andrade also trains. “I understand if some people feel that way but I do have power and I’m working with Dave to improve in that area,” Danny explained. “There are different styles between the amateurs and pros. In the amateurs you box for points and protect leads. It’s a lot different from fighting with eight-ounce gloves and no headgear. I watch boxers but have my own style. After the Olympics I’m going to turn pro, hopefully, in September. I want to be world champion, which is a dream I’ve had since the first time I put on a pair of gloves.”

CONTACT: Bob Trieger, Full Court Press, 1.978.664.4482, mailto:bobtfc@hotmail.com