Month: August 2012

Threats of knockout at Tulum, Mexico–Photos and story by Pepe Rodriguez

(AUG 24, 2012) Yesterday afternoon at the Teatro de la Plaza de la Bandera, in Tulum Quintana Roo, Mexico, the scholarship of Telmex ring program, Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez, for the first time confronted with Colombian Richard "El Toro" Gutierrez, who will be his opponent this Saturday in the boxing card "Knockout in Tulum" organized by sports promoter Pepe Gomez in association with Golden Boy Promotions. Once he met his rival, Ramirez was confident of the victory and said: “the fight will not reach the limit of ten rounds because before that I'll knock him out”.  With this fight, Ramirez defends his WBC Middleweight World Youth title for the sixth time, which has mostly defended against foreign rivals. In the main event, Roberto "Massa" Ortiz (25-0-1, 21 KO's), who is the WBC super Read more [...]

Boxing Action at the “Battle at the Boat” in Tacoma by Sue TL Fox

(AUG 20) On Saturday night at the "Battle at the Boat" boxing event, promoted by Halquist Productions, there was plenty of action in the six men's bouts featured on the card.  In the first bout of the evening, they featured a couple of pro debuters opening the night.  Frank Mendez, of Longview, Washington, took on Andres Ramos in a four-rounder at 132 lbs.  Even though this was the first time these two newcomers came in as pros, they wasted little time in making the bout a non-stop action bout.  In the second round, Mendez received an eight-count by the ref, and in the third, Ramos the fight when Mendez in trouble by Ramos' relentless attack, and the fight was stopped at 1:23 by TKO. Photo credits:  Mike Blair Ramos wins by third round TKO In the second bout of the evening, Garbriel Read more [...]

Will Tomlinson wants the WBC Silver Belt – Photos and story by Pepe Rodriguez

(AUG 19) Will Tomlinson (19-0) will be fighting on October 26 in Melbourne, Australia against Panamanian Irving Berry (22-3), defending his 130lbs World title. Not underestimating his opponent, but looking toward the future, he is looking forward to possibly fighting Edgar Puerta for his newly crowned 130lbs WBC Silver title in Australia early next year. Tomlinson said “Our team watched Edgar Puerta anhialate a great fighter in Carlos Cardenas, we believe he is a legitimate World Champion with that WBC Silver belt around his waist and we would like to take that from him. Ultimately setting up a super fight between myself and current 130lbs WBC Champion, Takahiro Ao (23-2) of Japan. We have a proud history in Australia with the WBC and it is the one belt that will be forever remembered Read more [...]

Staying active name of the game for prospect Danny O’Connor

No sooner had the dust cleared from last Sunday night's fight, light welterweight prospect Danny O'Connor (18-1, 6 KOs) was back in the gym preparing for his next action, September 29, on the non-televised segment of a HBO BAD tripleheader at MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods in Mashantucket, Connecticut.  The 27-year-old O'Connor, a former two-time national amateur champion and 2008 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team alternate, stopped Eddie "The Puerto Rican Sensation" Soto (12-5, 4 KOs) this past Sunday evening in the fourth round of their fight, headlining the first professional boxing show in Gillette Stadium history. Boxing was preceded by a Major League Soccer match between the New England Revolution and Montreal Impact. "I walked Soto down, everything behind my jab, and listened to what Coach Read more [...]

“Zurdo” Ramirez steps up preparation by Pepe Rodriguez

(AUG 16) The current WBC Middleweight World Youth Champion, Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez (22-0, 19 KOs), looks impressive in the gym ahead of his fight next Saturday August 25 in Tulum, Quintana Roo, against Ricardo "Lamina" Gutierrez (26-9-1, 16 KOs) from Colombia.  Photo by:  Temmy Villa His manager and promoter, Jesus Zapari, and his trainer Hector Zapari are satisfied with the progress of this young fighter just ten days of his fight against the Colombian. "The conditions of Gilberto Ramirez could not be better, the boy is very motivated for fighting a foreign rival. Respond positively to the work that we asked and that makes us happy, "said coach Hector Zapari. Former national champions, Saul "La Fiera" Roman and Jose Luis "Chelin" Cruz, demand to Ramirez, the maximum effort, during Read more [...]

The WBC world Silver belt is causing a buzz in Los Mochis, Sinaloa Report and photos by Pepe Rodriguez/WBC

(AUG 11) CANELO PROMOTIONS, TELEVISA and GRUPO MODELO are presenting the boxing card "Increíble Retorno", with the support of the Sinaloa´s Government on Saturday,  August 11,  at the “Polideportivo Centenario”, a place with capacity to receive 3,000 fans. Daniel “Tremendo” Estrada (28-2-1, 21 Kos), from Mexico City, and Adrian Verdugo (22-5-1, 19 Kos), from Sinaloa, Mexico, were face to face in today's official weigh-in Ceremony, prior to their bout for the vacant WBC World Silver lightweight crown. Both were confident of victory. Estrada said: "The one who claims to be champion must overcome all the odds, so I came to the house of my rival”. While Verdugo said: "I feel very calm, happy and grateful for this opportunity, which I will not let go". Published on WBAN.  Read more [...]

Serrano believes the second time is a charm!

Tacoma, WA (August 10, 2012) – On June 2, welterweights Nate Serrano and Osvaldo Rojas engaged in one of the most exciting bouts in “Battle at the Boat” history. Serrano, a retired marine who has a gargantuan fan base at the Emerald Queen Casino and Rojas, a rugged Oregonian, slugged it out throughout their unforgettable six round contest. Both men had their moments and the crowd remained at the edge of their seats from bell to bell. Upon the bout’s completion, both men were met with a round of applause from the appreciative crowd. A case could’ve been made for either man to emerge as the victor and the pro-Serrano crowd wasn’t sure whose hand would be raised when the scorecards were read. Ultimately, the judges ruled it a split draw, opening the door for a rematch. Just Read more [...]

Errol Spence Advances to Quarterfinal Action Following a United States Protest

LONDON, ENGLAND – The 2012 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team appeared to face an end to their medal run on the men’s side with apparent losses by flyweight Rau’shee Warren (Cincinnati, Ohio) and welterweight Errol Spence (Desoto, Texas) on Friday. Yet following a protest by the United States, Spence’s decision was overturned and he will advance to the quarterfinal round. Warren, who made history before throwing a punch in London by becoming the first three-time U.S. Olympic boxer, lost a one-point decision to France’s Nordine Oubaali in his London opener. The 25-year-old Warren lost his opening first bout at both the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games and he stepped into the ring looking for his first-ever Olympic win in London, but it wasn’t meant to be for the decorated amateur boxer. Warren Read more [...]

Errol Spence Drops Quarterfinal Bout to Russian Foe at the 2012 Olympic Games by Julie Goldsticker /USA Boxing

(LONDON, ENGLAND) – The final American male boxer, welterweight Errol Spence (Desoto, Texas), fell in quarterfinal action on Tuesday at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Spence faced 2009 World Championships silver medalist Andrey Zamkovoy of Russia for a spot on the medal stand, and it was the Russian advancing to the semifinal round with a 16-11 victory. Spence claimed a spot on the quarterfinal round following a successful protest of his bout against India’s Krishan Vikas in the second round. The 22-year-old hoped to use the momentum in his bout with Zamkovoy, which was a rematch from a March bout. Spence won the earlier match-up but he didn’t have the same success in London. The American boxer got off to a somewhat slow start in a tactical first round for both boxers as Spence Read more [...]

Errol Spence Advances to Quarterfinal Action Following a United States Protest While Rau’shee Warren’s Olympic Journey Ends

LONDON, ENGLAND – The 2012 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team appeared to face an end to their medal run on the men’s side with apparent losses by flyweight Rau’shee Warren (Cincinnati, Ohio) and welterweight Errol Spence (Desoto, Texas) on Friday. Yet following a protest by the United States, Spence’s decision was overturned and he will advance to the quarterfinal round. Warren, who made history before throwing a punch in London by becoming the first three-time U.S. Olympic boxer, lost a one-point decision to France’s Nordine Oubaali in his London opener. The 25-year-old Warren lost his opening first bout at both the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games and he stepped into the ring looking for his first-ever Olympic win in London, but it wasn’t meant to be for the decorated amateur boxer. Warren Read more [...]

City Boxing’s Grachev vs. Bute November 3, 2012 – By Scott Gilfoid

(AUGUST 3) Former IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute (30-1, 24 KO's) is really showing some iron balls by taking on the huge puncher Denis Grachev (12-0, 8 KO's) on November 3rd at the Bell Centre, in Montreal, Canada. Grachev "The Pirate" is one of the biggest punchers in the light heavyweight division and clearly a bigger puncher than Carl Froch. If Bute can get past Grachev without getting blown out by his huge power, then I have no doubts in my mind that Bute will be able to defeat Froch in a rematch. Grachev is stronger and faster than Froch. He can do everything that Froch can do, but better because he's quicker. I mean, it's going to be pure hell for Bute to try and survive 12 rounds against Grachev because he cuts off the ring like a real pro. You can't get away from Grachev Read more [...]

The United States’ Jose Ramirez and Terrell Gausha Fall Short at the 2012 Olympic Games by Julie Goldsticker/USA Boxing

(AUG 3) (LONDON, ENGLAND) – The U.S. Olympic Boxing Team was unable to end its losing streak on Thursday following two closely contested losses in second round action at the 2012 Olympic Games. Lightweight Jose Ramirez’s (Avenal, Calif.) slow start cost him with Uzbekistan’s Fazliddin Gaibnazarov while middleweight Terrell Gausha (Cleveland, Ohio) dropped a one-point heartbreaker to former Olympic medalist Vijender of India. Ramirez took the ring first, looking to add to his win total at the 2012 Olympic Games. Yet Gaibnazarov was more active in the first round and the Uzbekistani boxer took a 6-2 lead after the first round. Ramirez picked up his output in the second round, particularly late in the round but faced a 12-5 deficit with three minutes remaining in the bout. Ramirez wasted Read more [...]

The United States’ Jose Ramirez and Terrell Gausha Fall Short at the 2012 Olympic Games by Julie Goldsticker/USA Boxing

(AUG 3) (LONDON, ENGLAND) – The U.S. Olympic Boxing Team was unable to end its losing streak on Thursday following two closely contested losses in second round action at the 2012 Olympic Games. Lightweight Jose Ramirez’s (Avenal, Calif.) slow start cost him with Uzbekistan’s Fazliddin Gaibnazarov while middleweight Terrell Gausha (Cleveland, Ohio) dropped a one-point heartbreaker to former Olympic medalist Vijender of India. Ramirez took the ring first, looking to add to his win total at the 2012 Olympic Games. Yet Gaibnazarov was more active in the first round and the Uzbekistani boxer took a 6-2 lead after the first round. Ramirez picked up his output in the second round, particularly late in the round but faced a 12-5 deficit with three minutes remaining in the bout. Ramirez wasted Read more [...]

Team USA Goes 0-3 on Day Five of the 2012 Olympic Games by Julie Goldsticker/USA Boxing

(AUG 1) (LONDON, ENGLAND) – Team USA endured a difficult day on Wednesday at the Olympic Games as three American boxers lost their bouts to amateur boxing powerhouses. Bantamweight Joseph Diaz, Jr. (S. El Monte, Calif.) fell to Cuban World Champion Lazaro Alvarez Estrada with heavyweight Michael Hunter (Las Vegas, Nev.) and super heavyweight Dominic Breazeale (Alhambra, Calif.) both falling to Russian opponents. Diaz battled both his opponent and the Cuban mystique in his bout with Estrada, which was a rematch from the 2011 World Championships. The Cuban was extremely busy during the first round, showcasing the patented Cuban footwork but Diaz also enjoyed bright spots of his own, finding a home for his sharp left hand. Estrada held a 7-6 lead after one but Diaz came out firing in the Read more [...]

Connor Seeks Second Title By David Wilkey

(AUG 1)  Danny ‘Cassius’ Connor has been given the chance to capture his second professional title in successive fights after being matched against the unbeaten Chris Evangelou for the vacant light-welterweight Southern Area Title. The fight is set to take place on 8th September on Matchroom Sports ‘London Calling’ show at Alexandra Palace in which Darren Barker tops the bill making his UK return with the action being shown live on Sky Sports. 26 year-old Connor is coming off the back of a points win against Tyler Goodjohn for the vacant Masters Welterweight Title in a fantastic main event at the York Hall back in May and the TKO trained fighter from Sutton in Surrey is now looking to take his good form into the biggest fight of his career thus far. Connor got the decision by a Read more [...]