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kenyan_cheena · 11-14-2008, 09:34 PM

BOXING
MONTHLY

VOLUME 28, ISSUE 2 - FEBRUARY 2006

(following are selected entries from the magazine's
"Fight Review" section)

1 February: Coventry, England
Ian Lord (5-0(3)) KO3 George Hughes (7-4(4))
(middleweight division)

Local fighter Ian Lord maintained what has been an impressive start to his professional career, scoring an abrupt knockout win over Liverpool's George Hughes midway through round three. Showing a cautious disposition through the opening two rounds Lord caught Hughes with a flush left hook as the two traded hard shots in the 3rd. Hughes crumbled to the canvas as if shot and was counted out at the 1:25 mark. At just 18 years of age Lord appears to be one of the most promising young fighters in the UK. Some have said that they can see him challenging Nigel Benn for the title of England's best middleweight in the not-too-distant future. Standing just 5"8" he's a real pocket rocket and has been lauded for his toughness and aggressiveness.

4 February: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Sam Langford (13-0(10)) KO5 Brian McNamee (21-12-2(14))
(cruiserweight division)

Two-time Olympic gold medallist Langford stretched his perfect professional career start to fourteen fights, disposing of McNamee in convincing fashion and defending his NABF belt for the second time. Langford sent the journeyman to the canvas four times, the final two coming within thirty seconds of each other late in the 5th. The Michigan native failed to beat the count on the second of these, the bout officially over at the 2:49 mark. Langford's march towards a world title shot remains on course, the only question being which sanctioning body will offer one to him. He revealed after his victory that representatives from the International Boxing League had spoken to him the week before and he was impressed with the information and contract they presented to him.

7 February: Berlin, Germany
Scott Mundt (8-0(6)) TKO3 Adrian George (11-9(6))
(heavyweight division)

Connecticut-born Mundt produced another classy performance in stopping Englishman Adrian George midway through round three on cuts. Mundt pummelled his man through the opening two stanzas, opening a cut over George's left eye that only got worse when he targeted it in the 3rd. Mundt's handlers are bringing him along quite carefully as despite his superior experience George was not expected to trouble him, a description that could be applied to most of Mundt's previous eight opponents also. Even so the 26 year-old is quickly earning the title of Germany's favourite up-and-coming fighter and there are some already calling for a clash with Olympic bronze medallist Max Schmeling to determine who the nation's best young heavyweight is.

10 February: London, England
Lennox Lewis (13-0(9)) KO6 Gary McNichols (10-12-1(7))
(heavyweight division)

The Olympic super-heavyweight champion continued what has been a near-faultless opening to his professional career with a dominant win over the Irishman McNichols. It looked like being an early night for Lewis when he floored McNichols a minute into round one but he didn't go all-out for the win, preferring to pick his foe off gradually before putting him out of his misery midway through the 6th. The people of England have embraced West Ham-born Lewis as the one who will end their nation's heavyweight championship drought and they were out in force at the Hammersmith Apollo to cheer him on to his fourteenth victory.

11 February: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
Jake Morrison (6-0(6)) KO2 Milton James (3-5(1))
(middleweight division)

Wisconsin's promising young wrecking machine Jake Morrison had been set to take on the similarly undefeated Chicago fighter Chris Hendricks (5-0(4)) in what would have been a great regional clash. Unfortunately Hendricks pulled out three days before the fight because of a back injury. A replacement had to be found and that replacement was the underprepared and overmatched Milton James, who Morrison bombed into oblivion inside of four minutes. Sporting a freshly shaven pate the Chippewa Falls native presented an intimidating image but expressed his frustration afterwards, calling the fight "a waste of time". Morrison's camp felt the circumstances surrounding Hendricks' injury were suspicious and they still have their sights set on him. They're hopeful that the fight will happen next month.

14 February: St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Scot Long (5-0-1(3)) UD6 Billy Marshall (4-2-1(2))
(light-heavyweight division)

Former amateur standout Scot Long was in fine touch against an opponent who was expected to test him. It didn't turn out that way as Marshall was never allowed to get within sniffing distance of a victory, Long's aggression and workrate too much for him to handle. Long is a native of McCune, Kansas and a number of his closest friends and family made the trip east to St. Louis with him to be ringside on the night. He did not disappoint them, producing a performance that led to a standing ovation from much of the Scottrade center audience. Long only just missed out on a spot on the Athens Olympic team, losing out to eventual bronze medallist Elmer Ray in the selection trial final. He's moved on from that disappointment and at just 21 years of age is regarded as one of the best young light-heavies in the nation.

16 February: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Mark Somogyi (7-0(5)) TKO4 David Gibson (5-5(2))
(light-heavyweight division)

Somogyi is one of a number of rising young stars from down under and against Gibson he put on a clinic, sending him to the canvas four times before the fight was stopped late in the 4th. Somogyi claimed the Australian light-heavyweight belt in his last fight and it would be true to say that Gibson was not a worthy challenger for it. The fact that he did is indicative of the quality of light-heavies in Australia and Somogyi said afterwards that he hopes to head overseas in his upcoming bouts. The 2004 Olympian has the potential to become a real force in the future and securing fights against quality opponents will help him in achieving that goal.

18 February: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Tyrell Biggs (26-4-1(18)) UD10 Michael Rice (34-8(25))
(heavyweight division)

Six years have passed since Biggs claimed gold in Sydney. After a pair of disappointing outings last year (KO losses to James Anders and Leon Higgins) the window of opportunity is quickly closing for the 29 year-old to claim a world title and his win against Rice (who is now 2-6 in his last eight bouts) would have done little to put him back in the picture. What Biggs really needs is a dominant victory over a top ten contender but despite his recent struggles most of them seem unprepared to risk their current standing to add his name to their resume. Apparently James Molk's International Boxing League has shown some interest in signing him and considering his situation it's an offer he should probably accept.

19 February: Cannes, France
Petite Fourie (4-0(2)) UD6 Sergei Vaulin (3-2(1))
(light-heavyweight division)

This fascinating Frenchman moved along to 5-0 in fantastic fashion, outboxing his stronger, more aggressive opponent and making him look downright foolish at times. Fourie displayed some of the best counter-punching this writer has seen in quite a while and employed a disciplined, deliberate strategy to wear the Russian down over the course of the fight. There were a number of occasions when he could have done even more damage but that doesn't appear to be Fourie's way. He's not particularly aggressive and lacks killer instinct as a result. But it mattered little, his efforts earning him a 59-55, 60-54, 59-55 verdict. This is one young Frenchman the boxing world should be keeping an eye on.

21 February: Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA
Richie Plunkett (8-0(7)) UD6 Michael Bates (4-4(2))
(lightweight division)

Bronx-born brawler Richie Plunkett continued to solidify his status as the best young lightweight in America behind Pernell Whitaker with a convincing win over the tough but overmatched Philadelphian Michael Bates. Plunkett floored his man twice on the way to victory, taking the verdict by scores of 59-53, 60-52 and 59-54. It was only the second time he's gone the distance in his career to date but that didn't bother him, Plunkett saying it felt good to be "stretched a little". Plunkett's impressive career start has apparently caught the attention of the International Boxing League as some of their officials were in the crowd at ringside to watch him in action.

21 February: Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA
Steve Finley (6-0(5)) KO2 Mario Davis (11-8(6))
(light-heavyweight division)

Fighting on the same Atlantic City card as Plunkett Virginia's Steve Finley scored an explosive 2nd round knockout of Miami's Mario Davis. After staggering him in the opening round Finley unleashed a succession of power shots early in the 2nd, Davis falling face-first to the canvas and being counted out at the 0:32 mark. At just 20 years of age Finley is already being spoken of as a future world champion and despite being full of such ambition he knows he still has a lot to learn before he can start considering such lofty heights. He's a level-headed, fantastically talented individual and with the right guidance he should be amongst the elite of the light-heavyweight division in the years to come.

23 February: Mexico City, Mexico
Salvador Sanchez (14-0(12)) KO2 Rafael Perez (11-4(5))
(featherweight division)

Olympic champion Sanchez chalked up his 15th win in brutal fashion, knocking his compatriot Perez out cold with a single right hand midway through round two. It was the third time Perez tasted the canvas in the bout after Sanchez dropped him early in the 1st and again just ten seconds into the 2nd. At a time when the nation boasts some of the top pound-for-pound fighters in world boxing Sanchez looks certain to be the next big thing to come out of Mexico. After his brilliant showing in Athens he's picked up the professional game without missing a beat. The International Boxing League have employed Mexican legend Israel Martinez to persuade some of the country's best talents to sign on with them and it appears to be working. Sanchez confirmed the day after his victory that he would be signing a contract with the IBL by the end of the month, joining the likes of now former IBF junior-lightweight titlist Hector Hernandez and promising welterweight Bernabe Carbajal under the new organisation's banner.

25 February: Portland, Oregon, USA
Freddie Steele (32-1-1(28)) TKO11 Marvin Blanks (25-3(19))
(middleweight division, IBF world title fight)

"The Tacoma Assassin" successfully defended his portion of the middleweight championship for the fourth time in a tough contest against Oakland native Marvin Blanks. After making a slow start Steele was in control by round six but Blanks never backed down, rocking him with some flush blows in the 8th and once again in the 9th. The Californian tasted the canvas twice in the 11th and when Steele had him helpless on the ropes after he'd risen from the second knockdown referee Joe Cortez had seen enough and halted the contest. In a talent-heavy division Steele is currently the longest-reigning of the four alphabet champions at two years and nine months. He's expressed an interest in trying to unify the belts, with a fight against WBC champion Bert Lytell being discussed as a possibility for later in the year.

11-14-2008, 09:34 PM	#16
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 9,038	BOXING MONTHLY VOLUME 28, ISSUE 2 - FEBRUARY 2006 (following are selected entries from the magazine's "Fight Review" section) 1 February: Coventry, England Ian Lord (5-0(3)) KO3 George Hughes (7-4(4)) (middleweight division) Local fighter Ian Lord maintained what has been an impressive start to his professional career, scoring an abrupt knockout win over Liverpool's George Hughes midway through round three. Showing a cautious disposition through the opening two rounds Lord caught Hughes with a flush left hook as the two traded hard shots in the 3rd. Hughes crumbled to the canvas as if shot and was counted out at the 1:25 mark. At just 18 years of age Lord appears to be one of the most promising young fighters in the UK. Some have said that they can see him challenging Nigel Benn for the title of England's best middleweight in the not-too-distant future. Standing just 5"8" he's a real pocket rocket and has been lauded for his toughness and aggressiveness. 4 February: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Sam Langford (13-0(10)) KO5 Brian McNamee (21-12-2(14)) (cruiserweight division) Two-time Olympic gold medallist Langford stretched his perfect professional career start to fourteen fights, disposing of McNamee in convincing fashion and defending his NABF belt for the second time. Langford sent the journeyman to the canvas four times, the final two coming within thirty seconds of each other late in the 5th. The Michigan native failed to beat the count on the second of these, the bout officially over at the 2:49 mark. Langford's march towards a world title shot remains on course, the only question being which sanctioning body will offer one to him. He revealed after his victory that representatives from the International Boxing League had spoken to him the week before and he was impressed with the information and contract they presented to him. 7 February: Berlin, Germany Scott Mundt (8-0(6)) TKO3 Adrian George (11-9(6)) (heavyweight division) Connecticut-born Mundt produced another classy performance in stopping Englishman Adrian George midway through round three on cuts. Mundt pummelled his man through the opening two stanzas, opening a cut over George's left eye that only got worse when he targeted it in the 3rd. Mundt's handlers are bringing him along quite carefully as despite his superior experience George was not expected to trouble him, a description that could be applied to most of Mundt's previous eight opponents also. Even so the 26 year-old is quickly earning the title of Germany's favourite up-and-coming fighter and there are some already calling for a clash with Olympic bronze medallist Max Schmeling to determine who the nation's best young heavyweight is. 10 February: London, England Lennox Lewis (13-0(9)) KO6 Gary McNichols (10-12-1(7)) (heavyweight division) The Olympic super-heavyweight champion continued what has been a near-faultless opening to his professional career with a dominant win over the Irishman McNichols. It looked like being an early night for Lewis when he floored McNichols a minute into round one but he didn't go all-out for the win, preferring to pick his foe off gradually before putting him out of his misery midway through the 6th. The people of England have embraced West Ham-born Lewis as the one who will end their nation's heavyweight championship drought and they were out in force at the Hammersmith Apollo to cheer him on to his fourteenth victory. 11 February: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA Jake Morrison (6-0(6)) KO2 Milton James (3-5(1)) (middleweight division) Wisconsin's promising young wrecking machine Jake Morrison had been set to take on the similarly undefeated Chicago fighter Chris Hendricks (5-0(4)) in what would have been a great regional clash. Unfortunately Hendricks pulled out three days before the fight because of a back injury. A replacement had to be found and that replacement was the underprepared and overmatched Milton James, who Morrison bombed into oblivion inside of four minutes. Sporting a freshly shaven pate the Chippewa Falls native presented an intimidating image but expressed his frustration afterwards, calling the fight "a waste of time". Morrison's camp felt the circumstances surrounding Hendricks' injury were suspicious and they still have their sights set on him. They're hopeful that the fight will happen next month. 14 February: St. Louis, Missouri, USA Scot Long (5-0-1(3)) UD6 Billy Marshall (4-2-1(2)) (light-heavyweight division) Former amateur standout Scot Long was in fine touch against an opponent who was expected to test him. It didn't turn out that way as Marshall was never allowed to get within sniffing distance of a victory, Long's aggression and workrate too much for him to handle. Long is a native of McCune, Kansas and a number of his closest friends and family made the trip east to St. Louis with him to be ringside on the night. He did not disappoint them, producing a performance that led to a standing ovation from much of the Scottrade center audience. Long only just missed out on a spot on the Athens Olympic team, losing out to eventual bronze medallist Elmer Ray in the selection trial final. He's moved on from that disappointment and at just 21 years of age is regarded as one of the best young light-heavies in the nation. 16 February: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Mark Somogyi (7-0(5)) TKO4 David Gibson (5-5(2)) (light-heavyweight division) Somogyi is one of a number of rising young stars from down under and against Gibson he put on a clinic, sending him to the canvas four times before the fight was stopped late in the 4th. Somogyi claimed the Australian light-heavyweight belt in his last fight and it would be true to say that Gibson was not a worthy challenger for it. The fact that he did is indicative of the quality of light-heavies in Australia and Somogyi said afterwards that he hopes to head overseas in his upcoming bouts. The 2004 Olympian has the potential to become a real force in the future and securing fights against quality opponents will help him in achieving that goal. 18 February: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA Tyrell Biggs (26-4-1(18)) UD10 Michael Rice (34-8(25)) (heavyweight division) Six years have passed since Biggs claimed gold in Sydney. After a pair of disappointing outings last year (KO losses to James Anders and Leon Higgins) the window of opportunity is quickly closing for the 29 year-old to claim a world title and his win against Rice (who is now 2-6 in his last eight bouts) would have done little to put him back in the picture. What Biggs really needs is a dominant victory over a top ten contender but despite his recent struggles most of them seem unprepared to risk their current standing to add his name to their resume. Apparently James Molk's International Boxing League has shown some interest in signing him and considering his situation it's an offer he should probably accept. 19 February: Cannes, France Petite Fourie (4-0(2)) UD6 Sergei Vaulin (3-2(1)) (light-heavyweight division) This fascinating Frenchman moved along to 5-0 in fantastic fashion, outboxing his stronger, more aggressive opponent and making him look downright foolish at times. Fourie displayed some of the best counter-punching this writer has seen in quite a while and employed a disciplined, deliberate strategy to wear the Russian down over the course of the fight. There were a number of occasions when he could have done even more damage but that doesn't appear to be Fourie's way. He's not particularly aggressive and lacks killer instinct as a result. But it mattered little, his efforts earning him a 59-55, 60-54, 59-55 verdict. This is one young Frenchman the boxing world should be keeping an eye on. 21 February: Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA Richie Plunkett (8-0(7)) UD6 Michael Bates (4-4(2)) (lightweight division) Bronx-born brawler Richie Plunkett continued to solidify his status as the best young lightweight in America behind Pernell Whitaker with a convincing win over the tough but overmatched Philadelphian Michael Bates. Plunkett floored his man twice on the way to victory, taking the verdict by scores of 59-53, 60-52 and 59-54. It was only the second time he's gone the distance in his career to date but that didn't bother him, Plunkett saying it felt good to be "stretched a little". Plunkett's impressive career start has apparently caught the attention of the International Boxing League as some of their officials were in the crowd at ringside to watch him in action. 21 February: Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA Steve Finley (6-0(5)) KO2 Mario Davis (11-8(6)) (light-heavyweight division) Fighting on the same Atlantic City card as Plunkett Virginia's Steve Finley scored an explosive 2nd round knockout of Miami's Mario Davis. After staggering him in the opening round Finley unleashed a succession of power shots early in the 2nd, Davis falling face-first to the canvas and being counted out at the 0:32 mark. At just 20 years of age Finley is already being spoken of as a future world champion and despite being full of such ambition he knows he still has a lot to learn before he can start considering such lofty heights. He's a level-headed, fantastically talented individual and with the right guidance he should be amongst the elite of the light-heavyweight division in the years to come. 23 February: Mexico City, Mexico Salvador Sanchez (14-0(12)) KO2 Rafael Perez (11-4(5)) (featherweight division) Olympic champion Sanchez chalked up his 15th win in brutal fashion, knocking his compatriot Perez out cold with a single right hand midway through round two. It was the third time Perez tasted the canvas in the bout after Sanchez dropped him early in the 1st and again just ten seconds into the 2nd. At a time when the nation boasts some of the top pound-for-pound fighters in world boxing Sanchez looks certain to be the next big thing to come out of Mexico. After his brilliant showing in Athens he's picked up the professional game without missing a beat. The International Boxing League have employed Mexican legend Israel Martinez to persuade some of the country's best talents to sign on with them and it appears to be working. Sanchez confirmed the day after his victory that he would be signing a contract with the IBL by the end of the month, joining the likes of now former IBF junior-lightweight titlist Hector Hernandez and promising welterweight Bernabe Carbajal under the new organisation's banner. 25 February: Portland, Oregon, USA Freddie Steele (32-1-1(28)) TKO11 Marvin Blanks (25-3(19)) (middleweight division, IBF world title fight) "The Tacoma Assassin" successfully defended his portion of the middleweight championship for the fourth time in a tough contest against Oakland native Marvin Blanks. After making a slow start Steele was in control by round six but Blanks never backed down, rocking him with some flush blows in the 8th and once again in the 9th. The Californian tasted the canvas twice in the 11th and when Steele had him helpless on the ropes after he'd risen from the second knockdown referee Joe Cortez had seen enough and halted the contest. In a talent-heavy division Steele is currently the longest-reigning of the four alphabet champions at two years and nine months. He's expressed an interest in trying to unify the belts, with a fight against WBC champion Bert Lytell being discussed as a possibility for later in the year. Last edited by kenyan_cheena; 11-25-2008 at 08:41 PM.