Arce Bounces Parra Out in Three to Avenge 2009 Draw!
February 18th, Palenque del FEX, Mexicali, Mexico: Jorge “Travieso” Arce made the first defense of his WBO Bantamweight title dramatically avenging his September 2009 draw with Venezuelan Lorenzo “Lencho” Parra. Arce bounced Parra off the deck three times with his usual ripping body attack before the former WBA Flyweight Champion stayed down with referee Juan Jose Ramirez calling it at 1:02 of round five.
The win Arce's 60th against 6 defeats and 2 draws with 46Ko's could leave the future Hall of famer on a collision course with WBO Super Bantamweight Champion Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire who has an open date set for June 16th. Parra drops to 31-4-1, 18Ko's.
In the semi main event Mexican welterweight Jorge "El Ratón" Páez Jr. the 24 year old son of former WBO and IBF Featherweight Champion Jorge Paez banged out fellow Mexican Octavio “Tayo” Castro in three. Paez Jr. improves to 31-4-1, 19Ko's while Castro dropping his third straight falls to 14-8-1, 9Ko's.
________________________________________________________________________________
Stevenson "Stiffens Gonzales in One!
By: Ian Webb
February 18th, Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec: In a battle of southpaw super middleweights Emanuel Steward trained Adonis " Superman" Stevenson stiffened Phoenix, Arizona's Jesus "El Martillo" Gonzales in the opening round of their IBF Super Middleweight Title Eliminator.
The fight heightened by a week of verbal sparring between Gonzales who supports a women's shelter in Phoenix brought up Stevenson's criminal record including working as a pimp with a Montreal street gang the two entered the bout with a mutual dislike for the other.
The verbal sparring would have no effect on "Superman" who after a brief feeling out period timed Gonzalez bounce step hiding a crushing left behind a grazing right hook dropping him to the canvas where he laid out planked arms and legs raised off the canvas and the fight called by referee Marlon B. Wright at 1:39 of round one.
Stevenson retained his IBF Intercontinental Super Middleweight Title improving to 17-1, 14Ko's claiming the IBF's #2 ranking closing in on a shot at Montreal's IBF Champion Lucian Bute while Gonzales drops to 27-2, 14Ko's.
On the undercard: Montreal, Quebec light welterweight Dierry Jean stopped the UK's Ryan Barrett with a vicious body attack in the third round of their scheduled eight rounder, heavyweight Oscar Rivas TKO'ed Ivica Perkovic in three, super featherweight Tyler Asselstine shut out Nicola Cipolletta 80-72 times three over eight, lightweight Arash Usmanee out pointed Innocent Anyanwu, 76-75, 77-74, 78-73 in their eight rounder, lightweight Ghislain Maduma stopped Jeremy Abbott in one and super featherweight Baha Laham took out Csaba Toth in the third round of their six rounder.
___________________________________________________________________________
Klitschko Easily Over Game Chisora!
By: Alfred Zimmerman
February 18th, Olympiahalle, Munich, Bayern, Germany: Vitali Klitschko successfully defended his WBC Heavyweight Title for the eighth time winning a one sided twelve round unanimous decision over the UK's 28 year old "Del Boy" Derek Chisora.
After being slapped by Chisora at the weigh-in the forty year old Klitschko claiming he injured his left hand was forced to box the distance and was denied a stoppage for only the sixth time in his forty six nineteen hear career.
Klitschko used his obvious height and reach advantage early sticking and moving keeping a pressing Chisora mostly of range.
Klitscko fighting mainly behind his jab caught "The Del Boy" jumping in with a crisp left hook right hand combo in the second only pausing the challenger for a second.
Finishing the first half of the bout the champion in his usual fashion controlled the action keeping the winging single shot Chisora safely out of range.
In the second half Chisora would discover his jab allowing him to close the gap and rip some clean shots to the champions body but would be out worked ending the rounds most of the rounds.
Chisora would keep up the pressure in the eighth again jabbing inside this time grabbing an edge in the action causing the champion to grab on.
The pace slowed in the championship rounds and the 6'7" Ukranian jab would regain control.
The "Del Boy" would launch a final assault landing some clean body shots in the twelfth and final round but it was too little too late as the judges scores were announced 119-111, 118-110 times two giving Klitschko is twelfth straight victory since being stopped by lennox lewis in 2003.
Klitscko improves to 44-2, 40Ko's while the contemptuous "Del Boy" dropping to 15-3, 9Ko's would turn his attention to former heavyweight challenger and fellow Britt David Haye.
Chisora and haye traded verbal jabs at the post fight presser with Chisora taunting Haye about losing the WBA belt to Vitali's brother, Wladimir and claiming a toe injury this past July, and haye calling Chisora a loser leading to a physical altercation when in his now well established style he knocked a bottle out of Haye's hand. To watch Video (click here).
With Chisora being heard shouting he would "shoot" Haye the Munich Police cut warrant's for both Chisora and Haye with Chisora being released on minor charges and allowed to return to the UK while the Police were unable find Haye.
Prior to the altercation Chisora was calling haye out for a fight in the UK with the winner getting a shot at Wladimir.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Williams Shuts Out Ishida In An Easy One for the Judges!
By: Phil Kane
February 18th, American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, Texas: Augusta, Georgia's former WBO Welterweight Champion Paul "The Punisher" Williams put him back in the mix of possible big fights with a one sided shutout twelve round unanimous decision over "Mandingo Warrior" killer Nobuhiro Ishida.
The 30-year-old Williams coming into the bout off a bizarre win over Kermit Cintron, May 2010, a devastating second round KO loss to Sergio Martinez and a controversial win over Erislandy Lara leading to the suspension of three judges "The Punisher" got what he needed a fresh start.
Ishida at thiry six years of age catapult himself into the spotlight last April with a shocking second round KO of the then unbeaten James "The Mandingo Warrior" Kirkland 27-0, 24Ko's.
Williams appearing much bigger than Ishida was a punching buzz saw overwhelming his game Japanese opponent winning every round. Ishida having his moments landing some nice counter rights and left hooks but never allowed to get into any type of rhythm lead to three lopsided judges scorecards of 120-108 for Williams.
Williams improving to 41-2, 27Ko's made it clear he wants a rematch with Sergio Martinez or a bout with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. noting that he fels he will continue to be ducked by Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather. Ishida putting in a gallant effort falls to
The victory moved Williams to 41-2, including 27 stoppage wins. Ishida’s record now stands at 24-7-2, 9Ko's.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Cloud Retains Title In Another Scoring Fiasco!
By: Phil Kane
(February 18th) American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, Texas: In the co-feature to Don King and Goossen Tutor Promotions Paul Williams / Nobuhiro Ishida light middleweight bout IBF Light Heavyweight Champion Tavoris Cloud retained his title with a controversial split decision over former WBA Light Heavyweight Champion Gabriel "Chico Guapo/The Handsome Man" Campillo.
Campillo, coming in off two controversial decisions a draw with Germany's Karo Murat last October and a split decision loss to Beibut Shumenov January 2010 who get cheated again.
The fight started with Cloud the aggressor dropping Campillo (a southpaw) with big right hands twice in round one to grab a 10-7 lead but did little after as "Chico Guapo" used his quicker hand speed and cute angles to score with sharp combinations to the body and head backing the champion up opening a serious cut over the champions left eye.
The 33 year old Campillo would continue to out work and out score Cloud ripping big uppercuts from both sides.
Cloud got a much need rest in round eleven when referee Mark Nelson stopped the bout to have the ringside physician check he cut and with Campillo putting it in neutral possibly feeling he held a big point lead allowed Cloud to take a close final round setting up the announcement of the diverse judges scores. Judge Dennis Nelson scoring it 115-111 for Campillo, judge Joel Elinzo calling it 114-112 and judge David Robertson 116-110 both for Cloud.
What was judge Robertson watching? Here at SBB we had it 115-111 Campillo with Cloud winning no more than three rounds after round one giving him a max of 112.
Once again in what promised to be a great match-up is tarnished by the faulty scoring ringside. The one edge the UFC and MMA has is there is no doubt who the real winner is. Even Cloud's mother ringside fainted when she heard it announced her son had retained his title.
Cloud improves to 24-0, 19Ko's while Campillo drops to 21-41-1, 8Ko's.
After the bout Cloud insisted he did enough to win stating: “I feel like I won the fight. I knocked him down a few times and was the aggressor throughout. I wanted to put him away but sometimes you get it and sometimes you don’t.
Cloud went on to insult Campillo's effort stating: "He was another bouncy-bouncy guy. He couldn’t deter me from coming forward.”
__________________________________________________________________________________
Arreola Makes Easy Work of Molina Wants Wladamir!
By: Phil Kane
(February 18th) American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, Texas: Mexican American Heavyweight Chris "Nightmare" Arreola made quick work of Raymondville, Texas Eric Molina stopping Molina at 2:30 of round one.
Molina unbeaten in his last seventeen, his last two wins by KO after dropping his pro debut came ready willing and able meeting Erreola halfway.
Arreola going to Molina's head and body with loaded right hands was rocked by
a big Molina right hand about the two minute mark of round one only appearing to wake up "Nightmare" the WBC USNBC Heavyweight Champion who the backed his Texas challenger to the ropes for a sharp left hook, right hand ending it at 2:30 of round one possibly lining him up for a shot at reigning WBO, WBA and IBF Heavyweight Champion Wladimir Klitschko who is expected to get past challenger Jean-Marc Mormeck in March.
In other action a well conditioned Philadelphia heavyweight Malik Scott scored a convincing 79-73, 80-72 times two eight round unanimous decision in his rematch with Fort Worth, Texas "Apostle" Kendrick Releford. The unbeaten Scott now training under Jesse Reid was the aggressor using clean combination punching to grab his second win over Relaford and advance to 33-0, 11Ko's while Relaford dropping his third straight falls to 22-16-2, 10Ko's.
In super middleweight action 23 year old Beaumont, Texas Justin Williams out worked and out scored Cut and Shoot, Texas Alfonso Lopez winning a 57-56, 58-55 times two six round unanimous decision.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Dallas Jr. Outclasses Gonzalez and Estrada "Big" in Win Over Woods!
By: David Colon
(February 17th) College Park Center, Arlington, Texas: In the main event of a Lou Savarese Promotion broadcast on ESPN's Friday Night Fights Bakersfield, California Jr. welterweight Mike “The Silent Assassin” Dallas Jr. returned to the win column with a tilted ten round unanimous decision over Cleveland, Ohio's Miguel “Silky Smooth” Gonzalez.
The Virgil Hunter trained Dallas set the pattern fast came pressing the action and despite being cut by an accidental clash of heads rocked Gonzalez a southpaw with several big right hands. The polished boxer used his superior hand and foot speed to land lead rights to the body and head opening quick combinations in out of the clinch filled bout earning “The Silent Assassin” a much needed, well deserved 100-89, 100-90 times two unanimous decision.
Rebounding after two straight defeats the win moves Dallas to 18-2-1, 7Ko's while Gonzalez fourteen bout win streak ends at 20-3, 15Ko's.
In the co-feature, what turned out to be a cruiserweight bout East LA's 2008 US Olympian and now blown up super middleweight (196lbs) Shawn “Manos de Oro” Estrada scored an eight round unanimous decision over Bay City, Texas Terrance Woods.
The 26 year old Estrada used the smaller ring size to bang on the over matched but game Woods over eight grabbing a 78-72, 80-72 times two unanimous decision.
Estrada keeps his zero at 14-0, 12Ko's while Woods drops to 9-4, 6Ko's.
On the undercard: Dallas, Texas bantamweight Ray Ximenez stopped Ocala, Florida's Lamar Charlton in the final round of their scheduled four rounder,
Arlington, Texas middleweight Angel Sigala out pointed Fort Worth, Texas Corey Washington, 39-37 times three over four and in a battle of debuting light welterweights DeAnthony Bonner stopped Matt Patton in the second round of their four rounder.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Colombian Samuel Vargas New Canadian Welterweight Champion
(February 14th) - Colombian-born boxer Samuel Vargas has found a home in Mississauga, Ontario, where he packed the house last Saturday night and captured the Canadian welterweight title, knocking out dangerous Manolis Plaitis at Hershey Centre.
Vargas-Plaitis headlined a stellar card presented by United Promotions in association with Hennessy Sports.
Vargas (9-0-1, 3 KOs), who was a refugee before moving to Mississauga, is starting to make noise in boxing circles. Coming off of the 2011 Canadian Fight of the Year, in which he battled last October at home with Quebec arch-rival Ahmad Cheikho, Samuel put Cheikho's Quebec-based stable-mate Plaitis (17-2-1, 8 KOs), to sleep at 2:49 of the opening in an early Knockout of the Year candidate.
In his last two fights, Vargas has shown surprising power, stopping former Canadian light welterweight champion Plaitis and Cheikho in consecutive fights, after Samuel went the full distance in seven straight fights after his 2010 pro debut. Vargas' last two victories have also given his Ontario 'team" a decisive advantage over Quebec in the providences' ongoing rivalry.
Where has his power come from? "I just keep learning every fight," the soft-spoken fighter explained. "I didn't have a long amateur career and I've learned how to throw a good punch. All of my improvements and added power are thanks to my trainer, Billy Martin.
"Because of where I came from, through all of the struggles, this fight meant much more to me than winning my first title belt. This country means so much to me. I can't put into words what winning this Canadian belt really means to me. This was a great accomplishment because of the long road I've taken. There were a lot of people there cheering my name. It was exciting.
"You know, I love Montreal. Four of my first five pro fights were there. The people are very nice, but, right now I don't think they like me too. Hey, that's boxing."
(Rising Star Samuel Vargas)
"Samuel Vargas is a legitimate rising star in boxing, not just in Canada," his promoter Adam Harris (Hennessy Sports) commented. "Fans just love watching him fight. Why not? In his last two fights, he's turned in the 2011 Canadian Fight of the Year and possible 2012 Knockout of the Year. Samuel is our ace in the hole against Quebec fighters."
Popular Ajax (Ontario) middleweight and another fan favorite, Brandon "Bad Boy" Cook (5-0, 2 KOs), won a bloody unanimous six-round decision (60-54, 59-55, 58-56) in an entertaining co-feature against upset specialist Chris Aucoin (4-6-1). Both fighters left considerable blood on the mat and kept fans screaming throughout the bout. Cook is co-promoted by Hennessy Sports and Buxton promotions.
(Cook unloads on Aucoin)
Go on line to www.hennessysports.com for more information about the Feb. 11 show, its fighters and upcoming events.
CONTACT: Bob Trieger, Full Court Press, bobtfcp@hotmail.com, 978.664.4482
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Vargas "Gunz" Blazing Stops Plaitis in One,
Cook and Oliveria Remain Unbeaten!
By: Ian Webb
February 11th, Hershey Centre, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada: In the main event of Hennessy Sports Canada, United Promotions and Buxton Promotions Young Gunz unbeaten Mississauga, Ontario Samuel Vargas claimed the vacant Canada Welterweight Title stopping Montreal's Manolis Plaitis.
Mississauga's transplanted Columbian fighter wasted no time controlling the middle of the ring then backing Plaitis to the ropes with quick combinations. Vargas rocked Plaitis with a heavy left hook then repeated the act dropping the Montreal fighter like a bag of potatoes forcing referee Dave Dunbar to immediatley call it at 2:49 of round one.
Vargas recording his second straight stoppage improves to 9-0-1, 3Ko's as Plaitis falls to 17-2-1, 8Ko's.
In the co-feature Michael “The Brazilian Rocky” Oliveira won an impressive eight round unanimous decision over Narva, Estonia's Sergei "Baltic King" Melis. After an opening feel out round the counter punching "Rocky" got as good as he gave through much of the bout with the tough Melis displaying a durable chin. Oliveria's quicker hands and solid counter punching would prove to be the difference when the judges scores were announced in the 79-73, 77-75 times two for “The Brazilian Rocky.”
Oliveria improves to 17-0, 12Ko's while Melis scheduled to face Jackson Osei Bonsu March 24th in Belgium falls to 18-8, 7Ko's.
In the second co-feature attraction unbeaten Ajax, Ontario middleweight Brandon Cook and St Williams, Chris Aucoin traded leather for the early part of the scheduled six rounder with the better conditioned Cook closing well hurting the light handed Aucion in the fifth and sixth rounds grabbing a 58-56, 59-55, 60 54 unanimous decision.
Cook holds onto his zero moving to 5-0, 2Ko's while Aucoin dropping three of his last four drops to 4-6-1.
On the undercard: Kitchener, Ontario cruiserweight Denton Daley shut out Mexico's Benito " El Asesino" Quiroz 60-54 times three in their scheduled six rounder, Toronto, lightweight Ibrahim " Firearm" Kamal stopped Denmark's Tommi Schmidt in the opening round of their scheduled six rounder and Ontario's highly touted amateur Stevie Wilcox made his pro debut stopping Quebec lightweight Nicolas Valcourt in then second round of their four round pre-lim bout.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Chavez Beats the Weight, Doniare Splits with Vasquez
and Martirosyan Pummels Lowry at The Alamodome!
By: Edwin Gonzalez
February 4th Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas: Following reports that WBC Middleweight Champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. was arrested during the last two weeks of training for his driving under the influence the son of Mexican boxing legend Julio Cesar Chavez made the second defense of his title with a twelve round unanimous decision over WBC mandatory challenger Marco Antonio Rubio.
Chavez, twenty five years old won the title with a 12-round decision over Germany's Sebastian Zbik last June reportedly had problems making weight and weighed 175lbs at the time of his arrest but made weight made the 160lb limit stripping down naked on the first attempt.
The usually slow starting Chavez was challenged early by the aggressive Rubio who landed a couple of clean right hands in rounds one and two.
Chavez began to pick up the pace putting his punches together in the third trading combinations with his 31 year old challenger who scored with another big right in the fourth.
In rounds five and six the young champion found his rhythm scoring well to Rubio's body but the tough challenger wouldn't fold battling back on the inside scoring with a big uppercut but Chavez was holding the edge.
The later rounds saw the bigger stronger champion pressing the action attacking Rubio to the body. Rubio, always there to battle but lacking the big punch to put the champion on the defensive would have his moments returning to the uppercut but they were too few and too far between to threaten the champion who fell in comfortably behind his jab winning a 118-110, 116-112, 115-113 unanimous decision.
After the bout improving to 45-0-1, 31Ko's Chavez said he did not want to move up in weight, and was open to facing the divisions best including Sergio Martinez, Antonio Margarito, Saul Alvarez and Miguel Cotto.
Rubio who's win streak ends at ten falls to 53-6-1, 46Ko's.
In the semi main event, WBC and WBO Bantamweight Champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire moved up to super bantamweight challenging Puerto Rico's Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. for the vacant WBO super bantamweight title.
Donaire the busier fighter controlled the early fight with his jab claiming to hurt his left hand somewhere between the second and fourth round.
Vazquez began to close the range in the middle rounds taking the fighting inside with Donaire receiving a warning from referee Rafael Ramos for a low blow in round seven.
Donaire would floor Vasquez in the ninth with a vicious a left and rock him again with another left over the top. Vasquez beat the count but was in retreat for the remainder of the round with Donaire later stating, “When I knocked him down in the ninth round, that was the end of the hand, I was in agony.”
Vazquez picked it up in the tenth stalking Donaire but a clean combination by "The Filipino Flash" may have stolen the round.
Vazquez would stay on the hunt in the eleventh but never scored the big shot to slow the now boxing Filipino.
Donaire would stick and move his way through the twelfth and final round and get the split decision nod when the scores were announced 117-110 twice for Donaire and a surprising 115-112 Vasquez.
Donaire improves to 28-1, 18Ko's looking to future bouts with Jorge Arce, Toshiaki Nishioka, and Guillermo Rigondeaux while Vasquez Jr. not looking too shabby 21-2-1, 18Ko's isn't far behind.
In a second co-feature that can only be described as a mismatch, twenty five year old Glendale, California jr middleweight Vanes "Nightmare" Martirosyan defused then pounded out Saint Paul, Minnesota's forty one year old Troy "TNT" Lowry in three.
Martirosyan, 2004 US Olympian came out charging flooring Lowry with a driving left to the mid section. "TNT" would get upright but there would be no explosion only a "Nightmare" pounding by the much more skilled Martirosyan.
The fight could have bee stopped in one but Lowry would show his toughness with a bloody masked donned in round two and take a pummeling until a deciding right ending the beating when referee Laurence Cole waved it off at 2:53 0f round three.
Martirosyan improving to 32-0, 20Ko's said "It's really time for me to step it up, I'm really ready for a big fight. If I had a contract to fight "Canelo" I'd sign it tonight. That's the kind of guy I want to fight." Lowry, 1-6 in his last seven coming in drops to 28-12, 17Ko's.
On the undercard: Aussie welterweight Wale Omotoso TKO'ed Mexico's Nestor "Baby" Rosas in six, Mexican bantamweight Raul "Rayito" Hirales won a six round split decision over Lakewood, Colorado's Shawn "Bones" Nichol, hometown nineteen year old light welterweight Ivan Najera dropped and stopped Albuquerque, New Mexico's David Castillo in two, Oklahoma City welterweight Juan Saucedo stopped Valrico, Florida's Jean Colon in the opening round of their scheduled four rounder, debuting San Antonio, Texas super flyweight Adam Lopez scored a first round KO of El Campo, Texas Richard Hernandez and Houston, featherweight Ricardo Valencia scored a 38-37, 39-36 times two unanimous decision over Texas Corpus Christi, Texas Jeremy Longoria.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Isaac “Golden Boy” Chilemba Takes Next Step Handles Miranda,
Rances Barthlemy Shines in Win Over Unbeaten Hylon Williams Jr!
By: David Colon
February 3rd, Texas Station Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada: After giving up the first two rounds of his scheduled ten rounder with veteran challenger Edison “Pantera” Miranda, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa's light heavyweight Isaac “Golden Boy” Chilemba got all the motivation needed when in round three “Pantera" suffered a severe cut over his left eye that would be evident for the remaining seven rounds.
The spirited bout that featured some low blows, hitting on the breaks and rabbit punching which would bring both fighters a point deduction in round five. Miranda, clearly bothered by his streaming left eye appeared to be smothering his own big punches while Chilemba mixing a little boxing and brawling attacked Miranda's left eye with a magnetic right hand.
The later rounds would see Miranda attempt to turn up the pressure but Chilemba's jab would keep the aggressive “Pantera" off balance setting up some more clean rights. After the sound ending round ten the judges scores were announced 97-91, 96-92, 96-92 all for Chilemba.
Chilemba unbeaten in his last twelve put in a complete performance advancing to 19-1-1, 9Ko's while Miranda alternating wins and losses in his last eight finishes at 35-7, 30K's.
In the co-feature a match-up of unbeaten lightweights 25 year old former Cuban Junior National Champion Rances Barthelemy used his height and reach advantage to control most of the action scoring a convincing eight round unanimous decision over Las Vegas own Hylon Williams Jr.
Barthlemy mixing his shot selection body and head while switching stances limited the quick handed Williams success to the early rounds keeping out of range with a sharp jab setting up and clean uppercuts.
Barthlemy rewarded with a 80-72, 79-73 times two unanimous decision keeps his zero advancing to 15-0, 11Ko's while Williams suffering his first defeat slips to 15-1, 3Ko's.
In a heavyweight match-up resembling a toughman competition Russian southpaw Magmoed "Mago" Abdusalamov remained perfect scoring his thirteenth KO in as many bouts stopping Miami, a soft around the middle overweight Pedro Rodriguez with a looping left at 1:04 of round two.
Rodriguez resembling the Michelin tire guy ran out of gas closing round one and found himself on the ropes for heavy single shots hitting the canvas after a "Mago" left circumventing his shell defense.
"Mago" who returns to action March 17th (St Paddy's Day) against Raphael Zumbano 31-5-1, 24Ko's at Madison Square Garden on the undercard of Sergio Martinez / Matthew Macklin WBC Diamond Belt Middleweight Championship improves to 13-0, 13Ko's while Rodriguez returns to Miami 7-1, 5Ko's.
In other action: Puerto Rican super middleweight Roberto Jose Acevedo stopped Sacramento, California's Velvet Malone in the last round of their scheduled four rounder and in a battle of Las Vegas lightweights Jesus Gutierrez outworked Cameron Kreal over four for a 40-36, 39-37 times two four round unanimous decision.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Tony "TNT" Grano Scores Explosive
Third Round KO Over Brian Minto
(January 30th)—This Past Saturday night at The beautiful Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Tony “TNT” Grano (19-2-1, 15 KO’s) threw his name in the Heavyweight title mix with a thrilling third round stoppage over Brian Minto (35-5) in an NABF Elimination bout.
The bout headlined a card that was seen all over the world LIVE on www.gfl.tv
Boxing fans who missed the card can now watch the entire show for just $9.99 by (clicking here)
It was Minto who controlled the action over the first two rounds and he even landed a right over the top that sent Grano to the canvas but that punch was ruled a slip.
In rounds three, Grano landed a chopping right hand that sent Minto to the canvas. When Minto got to his feet he was clearly shaken up but he was clearly on rubbery legs. Minto showed tremendous heart as instead of holding he stood and fought Grano toe to toe. That proved to be his undoing as Grano landed another hard right that deposited Minto on the floor and the fight was stopped immediately.
With the win, Grano puts himself in position to take on winner of the Jonathon Banks – Nikolai Firtha bout for the NABF title and a high ranking by the WBC.
In the co-feature, once beaten cruiserweight contender Eric Fields (20-1) put on an impressive boxing display with an eight round unanimous decision over Derrick Brown (13-7-3)
Fields worked behind a good jab and mixed in lead right hands to to keep Brown off balance and cruised to his ninth consecutive victory since his only professional defeat.
With one shocking right hand, Ela Nunez (11-11-1, 3 KO’s) scored a knockout victory over Jackie Trivilino (8-4-2)in round two of their scheduled six round Woman’s bout.
Ryan McKenzie (10-0, 9 KO’s) kept his perfect streak alive as he went to 9-0 with an impressive American debut and a second round stoppage over Richard Starnino (9-7-2) in a Light Heavyweight bout.
Local favorites Brian Clookey (4-0-1) and Derrick Evans (3-0) remained undefeated with victories over Ariel Espina (8-20-3)l and Bakari (0-3) respectively.
In the Evans – Bakari bout, it was controversy from the beginning as the two fighters jawed, held and even got in some illegal punches before Bakari was disqualified in the third round.
Impressive prospect Travis Peterkin made it 4-0 with his first distance victory over the rough Steven Tyner (2-3-1) in a four round Light Heavyweight bout.
Marc Abrams, Stephanie Kula and Joe Antonacci called the action LIVE on gfl.tv
GFL now offers full access to over 5,000 fights for the low monthly price of $9.99 subscribe now at www.GFL.tv
***GFL is a pioneer in Internet Sports Broadcasting. Over the years GFL has broadcast more than 1100 live events with over 5500 combat sports videos in 196 countries. GFL is especially proud to have served greater than 5 million public viewers over the years with more than 250 combat sports related website affiliates in its network. GFL is now available on Roku, Android, IPhone, IPad, as well as other internet ready devices.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Star Boxing and Hometown Chris Algieri’s Return
to The Paramount Theater A Big Success 
(January 28th) Star Boxing's brought local undefeated light welterweight Chris Algieri and another full card of "Rockin Fights" back to the scene Algieri's biggest win to date, Huntington, Long Island's Paramount Theatre.
Algieri's all in fighting style fits the new theater as there isn't a bad seat in the house and when watching the young light welterweight you don't want to miss a second. The twenty seven year old fighter / medical student coming in off his biggest victory an eight round unanimous decision over cagey veteran Bayan Jargal in November put in another solid showing.
Algieri taking on Atlanta southpaw Curtis "KO" Smith immediately went to work behind his jab driving home some big right hands to Smith's body but the game Atlanta banger would prove to be a capable opponent and he came to fight.
The fight would be fought in intervals. At times Algieri, boxing assuming the role of ring general controlled the center of the ring would switch to the aggressor giving Smith some of his best moments with his slick counter punching but Huntington fighter was fighting possessed getting off first and determined to land the last shot.
Smith comfortably sank into his role of spoiler landing some clean right hooks and left hands but the future doctor would continue his vicious body attack that had Smith alternating grins and grimaces.
Many of the rounds were close and both fighters wouldn't let an opportunity pass to trade some leather as the ten second warning stepped up the action in almost every round.
By the fifth round Algieri out working Smith had showed his beard, his skill and his determination never getting swayed too far away from the body attack that was beginning to show its rewards.
In the second half of the fight Smith appeared to be looking for the big counter but the future doctor began to pick his shots like he was doing micro surgery. Adding a bit more head movement and staying to his left Algieri slipped most of Smith's loaded shots finishing most of the exchanges with drilling right hands to the body and banking the rounds.
The closing rounds would see Smith attempt to close hard but to his dismay the well conditioned Algieri despite being well ahead on the cards would not coast still out working the durable Georgian all the way to the closing bell and another well deserved victory.
Algieri who wants to be a world champion and a doctor but not necessarily in that order appears well grounded and seems to take nothing for granted. Improving each night out he is always in top condition and comes with a fighters mentality never allowing his willingness to bang shelve the slick skills that are quickly refining and will soon put him with the elite at the top of the division. Algieri improves to 13-0, 6Ko's while Smith tougher than his record suggests drops to 10-6, 5Ko's.
I the semi main event Star Boxing's newly signed welterweight Cletus Seldin did what he does best, fight. The "Hebrew Hammer" gave his large contingent of fans a glimpse of what would come very early changing his height and exploding with ripping shots catching Colorado Springs Tyler Pogline with a big right hand putting him down and into a southpaw stance and on the defensive right away.
Pogline in retreat finished the round then to the surprise of most the packed crowd came charging out for round two only to run into a Seldin "Hammering" right ending the bout before his head violently bounced off the canvas.
Seldin turning pro off a brief amateur career working under the tutelage of Pete Brodsky packs power in both hands, always comes to fight smiling the whole time. The twenty five year old Dix Hill's banger opened up 2012 right where he left off last year turning pro and winning all five of his bouts, four coming inside the distance. "The Hebrew Hammer" improves to 6-0, 5Ko's while the more experienced Pogline woke up 5-10, 4Ko's.
In the second co-featured bout unbeaten Bronx light welterweight Issouf Kinda put aside a questionable second round flash knockdown to go on and out boxed, out punched and out worked fellow Bronx pugilist Angel "White Tiger" Rios.
Kinda would control the action in round one working his jab when in what appeared to be another easy round Kinda hit the deck when appearing to slip as he was grazed by a Rios right.
Kinda appearing annoyed at the ruled knockdown started round three looking to redeem himself adding straight rights behind his jab cutting "The White Tiger" over his left eye.
The agile Kinda using every inch of the ring continuing to work his jab and looping in some clean right hands. The crowd pleasing Kinda well ahead our cards made it a bit tougher than necessary stopping his pin point punching and trading with the relentless Rios giving the crowd some very good two way action.
At the end of eight the winner was obvious and the judges would side with the fans when the cards were announced 78-73, 79-72 times two for the Burkina Faso native. Kinda well ahead in round two before the knockdown call made the bout a bit closer on paper.
Kinda still unbeaten improves to 12-0, 5Ko's while the tough Rios who entered to the theme of Rocky dressed like Apollo drops below .500 at 9-10, 6Ko's.
In other action Westbury welterweight Rich Neves figured out Queens, New York's Anthony Birmingham’s jabs after one scoring with hard right hands pounding out a four round unanimous decision.
In a battle of southpaw middleweights Glen Cove, New York's Raul Nuncio and Newark, New Jersey's Anthony Jones alternated rounds in a classic numbers versus power shots bout with Anthony landing with slick cagey combinations and Nuncio finding a home for his heavy left and right hook. Jones started quickly in the opening round with Nuncio bringing it right back in closing the second round with a thumping left. Round three was close with Jones throwing numbers and Nuncio landing the heavier shots finishing the round with another big shot this time to the body. The fourth and final round would see Nuncio loading up a bit allowing Anthony to stay busy eking out the round. I scored it even at 38-38 but the judges scores were read 39-37 both ways and the third seeing it 38-38 for a majority draw.
The second fight of the night brought out the heavyweights with Bellport, Long Island's former national amateur boxing champion Adam Willett returning to the ring for the second time since surviving a serious gunshot wounds to the abdomen received going to the aid of some young girls thwarting an attempted robbery April 7th, 2010.
Willett 2-1 as a cruiserweight won his initial return bout on a Star Boxing card last March but moving up to heavyweight to take on Newark, New Jersey's Aaron Kinch gave away fifty two pounds. Willett a southpaw boxed rounds one and two sticking with his jab and stepping back and catching the rushing Kinch with clean straight lefts but the tough Kinch wouldn't go easy.
Kinch would begin to turn the tide in round three pressing the action and roughing it up any chance he could. Willett would continue to land with his jab but the rough and ready Kinch began to land some clean heavy shots closing the very close round hard putting Willett on the defensive.
Kinch would keep up the pressure and Willett possible feeling he was ahead on the cards inexplicably did little in the fourth and final round giving into Kinch's rough neck brawling style. The judge’s scores were announced 40-36 Kinch, 39-37 Willett and the third evening it out at 38-38 for a draw.
The opening bout of the "Rockin Fight" night matched Queens light welterweights William Shammar Whitt and Ewing Township, New Jersey's Jaysion Sia trading leather in an evenly fought four rounder. Sia keeping it a contest working his jab and pitter pat combinations couldn't match the power of the cleaner, heavier punching Whitt succumbing to a 38-38, 40-36 times two majority decision.
Two up now two down and it seems Star Boxing and Huntington's Paramount Theater are a Knockout!
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Frampton Stops Hughes in Six!
By: Ian Webb
January 28th, York Hall, Bethnal Green, London: Barry McGuigan managed Commonwealth Super Bantamweight Champion Carl "The Jackal" Frampton made the first defense of the title he claimed stopping Mark Quon in four this past September with a seventh round stoppage of Bellshill, Scotland's southpaw Kris "The Badger" Hughes.
Giving away about six inches in height the shorter "Jackal" was all "The Badger" could handle through six slipping Hughes ineffective jab and winning the exchanges. Frampton would finish the light punching Hughes with a heavy looping right dumping Hughes quickly. Despite making it vertical referee Mark Green seeing Hughes was unstable waved it off at 0:48 of round seven.
The 24 year old Frampton remains unbeaten at 12-0, 8Ko's while the light punching Hughes dropping his second slips to 15-2, 1Ko.
In other action light middleweight Erick Ochieng vacant BBBofC English light middleweight title stopping Nick Quigley in nine, unbeaten middleweight John Ryder stopped Mariusz Biskupski in two, 40 year old veteran super middleweight Robin Reid finished Daniel Cadman in five, lightweight Ryan Taylor kept his zero stopping Robin Deakin in three, cruiserweight Wadi Camacho won his pro debut out scoring Moses Matovu over four and light heavyweight Andreas Evangelou remains unbeaten with a four round unanimous decision over Robert Studzinski.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Provodnikov KO's Torres in Six,
Kim Out Battles Amidu in Hot Ten Rounder!
By: David Colon
January 27th, Northern Quest Casino, Airway Heights, Washington: In the main event of a Art Peluso's Banner Promotions card Russian jr. welterweight Ruslan Provodnikov dropped, cut the disposed of Othello, Washington's David “El Torito” Torres in six.
Provodnikov having banked three wins since his only defeat a twelve round decision to Mauricio Herrera last January started well landing clean right hands. Nearing the mid point of the round Provodnikov floored Torres with a right hand left solid hook combo. Torres made it up right beating the count only to be met by heavy Russian right hands and left hooks to the body and headbut held on to finish the round.
Torres would land a few good uppercuts but the bigger stronger Provodnikov would answer most with solid rights and lefts. Provodnikov winning the first five easily never appearing to push for the closer picked it up in round six stalking Torres ripping heavy rights to the body and left hooks upstairs. Then with about a minute left in the round Provodnikov scored with big a counter right flooring Torres for the second time in the fight. Torres would again beat the count only to find athe Russian opening up now moving his hands. Torres backed to the ropes attempted to punch his way off the ropes but was caught by another big Russian right dropping him to the canvas against the ropes prompting referee Bobby Howard to wave it off at 2:53 of round six. Provodnikov improves to 21-1, 14Ko's while Torres falls to 21-3-2, 13Ko's.
In an entertaining two way co-feature South Korean lightweight Ji-Hoon “Volcano” Kim out pointed Ghana's Yakubu “The Black Mamba” Amidu over ten.
Amidu started well but the offensive minded Kim would begin to use his height and reach advantage at the end of round two scoring with clean right hands.
Kim would rock the retreating Amidu with straight right hands in rounds three and four but the game "Black Mamba” would smother Kim changing his height in rounds five and six gaining an edge in the action.
The action would continue hot and heavy the two gallant fighters trading shots and Kim cutting Amidu over his left eye in round seven. Kim would mix in a little boxing in round eight and Kim reclaiming the edge with the heavier, cleaner punches to close the very entertaining match-up.
The final bell would sound and the charged crowd would answer with their approval as the judges scores were announced 98-92, 97-93, 96-94 all for Kim. Kim advances to 23-7, 18Ko's while Amidu's four bout win streak ends dropping to 20-3-1, 18Ko's.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Prescott Scores Hand Picked Ko in One!
January 27th, Coliseo Cubierto, Puerto Colombia, Colombia: In dire need of a win Columbian jr welterweight Breidis "Khanqueror" Prescott rebounded from back to back losses to Paul McCloskey and Mike Alvarado with a third round stoppage of hand picked Joel Cassiani.
Prescott, who shockingly stopped Amir Khan in the first round back 2009 improves to 25-4, 20Ko's while Cassiani winless in his last five dives to 6-10-1, 3Ko's.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Rigondeaux Stops Ramos in Seven for WBA Title,
Matthew Villanueva and Joel Diaz Jr. in Exciting Wins! 
By: David Colon
January 20th Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada: In the main event of a Goossen Tutor promotion unbeaten super bantamweights Pico Rivera, California’s Rico “Suavecito” Ramos and Cuban Guillermo “The Jackal” Rigondeaux finally settled the score for the WBA World Super Bantamweight Title.
Originally scheduled for December 31, 2001 as a co-feature to the Tavoris Cloud and Zsolt Erdei IBF Light Heavyweight Title fight the bout rescheduled with Erdei injuring his hand during training.
Rigondeaux controlled the action early with Ramos appearing to be feeling out the cagey southpaw. Rigondeaux took advantage of his southpaw stance scoring with clean left hands up and down.
The slick Cuban found his range catching “Suavecito” along the ropes with a sharp left dropping him with about thirty seconds to go in the round. Ramos sprung up beating referee Joe Cortez count and went on to finish the round.
Rigondeaux let his opportunity pass as the fight slipped into a chess match through the middle rounds when the action began to open up in round four after an accidental clash of heads opened a cut over Ramos left eye.
Inspired by the cut “The Jackal” went back on the attack closing a barrage of punches with a driving left to the body sending Ramos to the canvas for a referee Cortez full count at 1:29 of round six.
Rigondeaux improving to 9-0, 7Ko’s claims the WBA World Super Bantamweight Title while Ramos suffering his first defeat slips to 20-1, 11Ko’s.
In the co-feature 25 year old Burbank, California super flyweight Matthew Villanueva proved to be to big and fast for Fresno, California southpaw Michael Ruiz Jr.
The bigger, stronger, quicker Villanueva was first to the punch leaving Ruiz looking to counter flooring Ruiz with a sharp combination in the second round. It was those same combinations that would seal Ruiz fate in the seventh forcing referee Russell Mora to call the bout at the 1:04of round seven. The heavy punching Villanueva remains unbeaten at 7-0, 7Ko’s and one draw while Ruiz drops 8-2-1, 3Ko’s.
In an exciting second co-feature matching unbeaten super featherweights, Palmdale, California’s Joel Diaz Jr. and Sacramento, California’s Guy Robb went to war through seven with Diaz hitting the canvas in round two by a perfectly timed Robb right.
Awakened by the knockdown the 19 year old Diaz went on the offensive in the third scoring with heavy combinations flooring Robb for the first time in the fight with a big straight right. Robb would hit the deck again in what looked like a slip for a ten eight round but Diaz would never let up continuing to land big right hands to the head and body convincing referee Vic Drakulich to stop the bout at 2:20 of round seven.
On the undercard: Norwalk, California, welterweight Javier “El Intocable” Molina won a 59-54, 58-55 times two six round unanimous decision over Riversides Alberto “Baby Dynamite” Herrera, Las Vegas heavyweight Razvan Cojanu out pointed Modesto, California’s Rodney Hernandez 40-36, 39-37, 39-37 after four and Mexican welterweight Yosmani Abreu gave Palmdale, California, Marcus “Phenom” Robinson his first defeat winning a 39-37 times three unanimous decision.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
It's Stieglitz By Decision, Abraham in Five and Pulev After Eight, Kühne Retains WBO/WBF/WIBF Belts!
By: Ian Webb
January 15th, Baden-Arena, Offenburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany: In a self described "hard fought victory" Magdeburg, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany super middleweight Robert Stieglitz made the fifth defense of the WBO Title he won August 2009 stopping Karoly Balzsay with a lop sided twelve round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Henry "Junior" Weber.
Stieglitz controlled the action from the opening bell, dominating at times but never landing the big shot to stop the tough Weber who took more than his share of punishment. The one sided beating left no doubt in the judges eyes producing scores of 119-109, 118-110, 116-112.
Stieglitz unbeaten in his last ten since being stopped in the eighth round by Librado Andrade March 2008 improves to 41-2, 23Ko's putting the thirty year old Champion in line to make his seventh defense against Denmark's former WBA and WBC Champion Mikkel "Viking" Kessler, 44-2, 33Ko's April 14th in Parken, Copenhagen, Denmark. Suffering his first defeat at twenty three years of age Weber falls to 15-1-1, 3Ko's.
Starting in his usual slow paced defense first peek a boo style "The King" fighting soaked in the cheers of his large fan contingent along with whatever Farias had to offer up sporadically showing life with a non threatening jab.
Surprising most ringside Abraham opened up with a wild volley in round two only to be out scored by the counter punching "Pokemón."
Abraham would pick up the pressure in the third finally closing the range in the fifth backing Farias to the ropes flooring him with a series of body shots. "pokeman" bounced up at five only to get gobbled up by Abraham with a double hook followed by a big right hand upstairs flooring Farias for the second knockdown. Abraham immediately went back on the attack flooring Farias for the third time with a drilling left to the body prompting referee Manuel Maritxalar to stop the bout at 2:00 of round five.
Abraham got what he wanted, a win advancing to 33-3, 27Ko's but did little to answer his true status as a super middleweight. Farias taking a big step up in caliber suffers his second straight defeat falling to 19-2, 11Ko's.
Pulev picked up the pace in round two turning the tide leaving the already tiring Britt to a last second volley. From round three on Pulev used an educated jab followed by stinging rights through the next five rounds convincing Team Sprout to call it a night after round eight. The one sided win moves Pulev to 15-0, 7Ko while Sprott dropping three in a row slumps to 36-18, 17Ko.
In other action: Germany's female super featherweight champion Ramona "The Dragon" Kühne retained her WBO/WBF/WIBF titles first dominating then dropping and stopping Budapest, Hungary's once beaten Renata Domsodi with a clean right hand at 2:24 of round eight. Unbeaten since being stopped in one by Ina Menzer January 2010 "The Dragon" improves to 19-1, 6Ko's while Domsodi unbeaten since losing her pro opener slips to 7-2, 3Ko's.
Unbeaten twenty two years old German light heavyweight Dustin Dirks, 23-0, 17Ko's banged out UK opponent Sam Couzens in four, Austrian middleweight Marcos Nader outpointed Netherlands southpaw Farouk "AK 47" Daku over eight and Namibia's super middleweight Willbeforce "Black Mamba" Shihepo blew out Hungary Janos Olah in the first round of their four round pre-lim.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Even Crossroads Match-Up
Leads to Kennedy / Martin Majority Draw
By: Ben Calgry
(January 13th) Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada: In a battle of evenly matched super bantamweight contenders in a crossroads fight Chula Vista, California's Chris Martin and Philly's Teon Kennedy battled to an entertaining ten round draw.
With good fights matched by ability, styles, risk and reward the Kennedy and Martin pairing would fit the bill with the only thing missing is a KO punch.
Both fighters with thirteen Ko's between them came in off the only defeat of their young careers knowing what was on the line leading the pair of twenty five year olds to traded leather evenly over the ten closely contested rounds.
In another fight matching volume versus effectiveness Kennedy took the role of aggressor while Martin fighting mostly from the outside, the boxer. Martin made the most scoring from the outside landing some big right uppercuts in the pocket. Kennedy pressing the action would look to push the action fighting on the inside moving his hands body and head turning the bout in the second half out working Martin many times pinning him against the ropes.
Both fighters knowing the importance of the fight put it all on the line in the closing rounds with Kennedy the busier fighter grabbing a 97-93 card from judge Al Lefkowitz, only to be outweighed when the scores of judges Robert Hoyle and Dave Moretti were read at 95-95 leaving both fighters to fight on with a majority draw.
The draw leaves both young fighters alive to battle on towards the top of the division with Kennedy sitting at 17-1-2, 7Ko's and Martin smartly at 23-1-3, 6Ko's.
The co-main event matched a pair of welterweights with similar pro experience but from wide contrasting amateur back grounds. The eight round co-feature matched Cuban 2008 Bronze medalist Yordenis Urgas a veteran of 385 amateur bouts against US Army Iraq War veteran Esteban Almarez.
Urga trained by former WBO Light Middleweight and WBA Middleweight Champion John David Jackson showed his skill and poise early dropping the game Army vet with a strong counter right hand. The durable Almarez made it upright quickly and proved tough enough for the night staying on the attack but never solving Urgas solid defense and accurate jab.
The patient Cuban never in danger used his jab to set up big right hands to the head and body while almost appearing to be looking for the work, never pushing to close the show. Urgas even pace and temperament allowed the game but over matched Almarez to have his best round in the tenth finally hitting the scorecards but falling well short when the judges scores were announced 80-71, 79-72 times two for the unbeaten Cuban star.
Urgas improves to 11-0, 5Ko's while the gallant Almarez down but still never out falls to 10-5, 4Ko's.
The undercard saw Las Vegas unbeaten super bantamweight Jesse Magdaleno keep his zero with a convincing 60-54 times three six round unanimous decision over Lakewood, Colorado's over matched Shawn "Bones" Nichol.
Las Vegas southpaw jr welterweight Anthony Lenk stopped Kansas City, Missouri's previously perfect Boyd Henley with a straight left and follow up volley forcing referee Joe Cortez to call it at 2:53 of round one.
For more fight reports (click here)
