The Greatest Prize in Sports

[kenyan_cheena]

FINALLY got started on the next post, so hopefully it will be up within the next week. Apologies again for the delay...

[kenyan_cheena]

TheSweetScience.com

SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2008

Marquez produces masterful rally
to overcome Villaflor

Story by Jonathan Gomez

In what may very well have been the best performance of an already stellar career, world lightweight champion Patricio Marquez recovered from a terrible start to score an outstanding unanimous decision win over IBL champion Ben Villaflor last night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Fighting in the main event of the final IBL World Championship Conference card of the year, Marquez climbed off the canvas late in round one and didn't get a foothold in the contest until the 4th, before taking the verdict by scores of 144-140, 143-142 and 144-140. The win improved his record to 47-3-1(37), while Villaflor lost for the first time in IBL competition and fell to 24-2(11).

In victory, Marquez not only retained his status as world champion. He also brought legitimacy to the IBL lightweight title, as it was the only one of the league's nine championship belts that was not held by the man recognised as the world champion in his weight class. Marquez had previously won the WBA and WBC lightweight titles before signing with the IBL, but has been regarded as the "official" world champion since a unanimous decision win over his rival Francisco Ortiz last December in a bout where none of the "alphabet belts" were on the line. He stated after last night's triumph that claiming the IBL title was one of the highlights of his career, as it meant the official world championship lineage now resides under the league's roof.

As for Villaflor, he was looking to complete a hat trick of victories over Mexican opponents in 2008 after claiming the IBL title from Rafael Limon with a split decision win in January and then unexpectedly retaining it with a convincing unanimous decision nod over Hector Hernandez in June. He almost achieved the feat but came up just short, and the disappointment was etched upon his face in the moments after the decision was revealed. Of the 504 competitors who took part in the league's inaugural tournaments back in 2006, Villaflor was the last one with a perfect record in IBL bouts, having gone 11-0 to start his time with the organisation. It will be interesting to see what his next step will be, but one would think he'd like a somewhat easier time in '09 after contesting 45 rounds of boxing this year.

In an uncanny repeat of his win over Hernandez, Villaflor dropped Marquez in the opening round, a flush left hook doing the damage. The world champion was up at four and glaring at his Filipino opponent through weary eyes. The round had been even up to that point, the knockdown coming just twenty seconds before the bell. Villaflor took the next two frames comfortably, and even at this early stage of the fight there were those at ringside speculating that the 23-year-old dynamo was going to be too much for the veteran Marquez to handle. However, Villaflor surrendered the momentum immediately, and after being the aggressor in round four, Marquez cut his man above the left eye late in the 5th and then benefited from Villaflor having a point deducted for a low blow early in round six.

After the penalty, it appeared that Villaflor was going to win the frame, which would have made it a 9-9 scoreline, but Marquez rallied in the last minute, connecting with a left-right-left salvo, a winging right hand and a chin-snapping uppercut to steal it and seal a two-point swing. Just like that, they were on level terms. Villaflor was clearly the dominant man in the 7th, but he eased off in round eight, allowing Marquez to take it before they had the crowd on their feet in the 9th. The two warriors stood toe-to-toe for extended periods of the stanza, neither backing away and both unloading some punishing blows. They came close to matching that standard in round ten, and a look at the scorecards in the aftermath showed how vital those two frames were for Marquez, as all three judges scored them in his favour despite their closeness.

Unsurprisingly, the action slowed in the 11th, with both men appearing content to cruise and take most of it off. However, in round twelve, Marquez was all business and not only dominated it, but came close to dropping Villaflor twice, the first after an early uppercut and the second from a flurry of punches two minutes into the round. Villaflor could not have known at that moment that he already needed a knockout, or at least some knockdowns, to retain his championship, and while he had the better of the outstanding and action-packed 13th round, he was unable to drop Marquez. There was drama a plenty in round fourteen, with both fighters being examined by the ringside doctor for cuts within the first minute. The cut above Villaflor's left eye was re-opened early, before Marquez was bleeding from a gash on his right eyebrow soon after.

It was another close round, and once again, Marquez received the rub, with two judges giving it to him and the other scoring it even. After what they had already produced, the final frame was better than it had any right to be, with both of these proud warriors giving it their all for those last three minutes. In the end, Villaflor was a little bit busier, although Marquez landed the round's biggest punch, a crushing right cross twenty seconds before the bell. Villaflor's late heroics were all in vain, though, as Marquez took the verdict and the IBL championship. Clearly exasperated, Villaflor felt he had won the fight, and bitterly implied that the decision was geared more towards keeping alive the possibility of a Marquez-Sanchez superfight than protecting the sanctity of the world lightweight championship.

(to be continued)

[kenyan_cheena]

(continuation)

As was the case in both of his recent victories over Francisco Ortiz, it was another somewhat controversial win for Marquez. The punch totals were close, with the considerably more aggressive Villaflor landing 361 of 1,547 (23.3%) and Marquez 354 of 1,031 (34.3%). The world champion turns 34 in March, and this victory over Villaflor, who is a decade his junior, could very well be enough to make him believe that he still has what it will take to overcome world featherweight champion Salvador Sanchez. Until now, Marquez has shown absolutely no interest in the fight, with Sanchez being the one pushing for it and hyping it. That could all change now, but even so, Marquez did not bite when journalists raised the issue during last night's post-fight interviews. He said that for now, he had a victory to celebrate, and that he would worry about the future at a later time.

"Obviously, it's gone exactly to plan," Marquez said when asked to comment on his IBL campaign to date. "I made a promise that I would compete in the lightweight division through my first year with the league, and I've done that, and I've finished it as the world champion and with the IBL belt around my waist. I really could not ask for it to have been any better."

James Ray captures
world welterweight championship

In the evening's co-feature, James Ray became the second member of trainer Roy Jones's Pensacola stable to win a world championship when he recorded a unanimous decision win over Emile Griffith to claim the welterweight title. In a rematch that was every bit as outstanding as their drawn bout from June, Ray was a little bit more determined, a little bit more resolute, and a little bit more better, and took the verdict by scores of 144-142, 146-139 and 145-140. In their first meeting, a 13th round knockdown scored by Griffith was the difference between him retaining or losing his title. Last night, it was Ray sending Griffith to the canvas with a jolting uppercut one minute into the 10th round.

The knockdown was not as vital to the outcome, and it was not exactly a turning point, but the look of satisfaction on Ray's face as he made his way to a neutral corner spoke a thousand words. With the exception of the 1st, which Ray controlled, the opening rounds of the contest were close and competitive, and once again it appeared that it was going to take a fantastic effort to wrestle the title away from Emile Griffith. Ray gained the upper hand with a trio of impressive stanzas from round five through until the end of the 7th, but even so, he was the one wearing some noticeable swelling under his right eye as they came out for round eight. Griffith reversed the trend of the fight by being more active and aggressive in the 8th and 9th, and once again it looked like a close decision was a certainty.

Ray's round ten knockdown was followed up by a brutal assault, an onslaught that Griffith somehow survived. Ray kept his foot on the gas in the 11th and seemed to have finally solved the puzzle, only for Griffith to dig deep in round twelve and show that it was by no means over with. That brave effort turned out to be the last of his resistance, though, as he had little left to give in what are often referred to as "The Championship Rounds": the 13th, 14th and 15th. Ray did not do anything too extraordinary, but he didn't have to, only needing to stay on his feet and make it to the bell to realise his boyhood dream. The victory improved his record to 20-1-1(11) while Griffith suffered just the third defeat of his career and fell to 33-3-2(23). Ray landed 369 of 1,001 punches (36.9%), Griffith 330 of 1,197 (27.6%).

There to celebrate Ray's triumph with him was the entire "Florida Alliance" stable of fighters: his cousin Elmer Ray, middleweight contender Holman Williams, up-and-coming welterweight Elford Coles and the two heavyweights Terone Haynes and Romy Alvarez, who were able to put their much publicised personal differences aside for the night to support Ray. The new world welterweight champion himself led the celebration by breaking out into a dance, doing an impressive James Brown impersonation: not bad for someone who had just gone fifteen rounds with one of the top pound-for-pounders in the world. The win completed a journey of redemption for "Jimmy" Ray that started back on the night of July 23, 2006, after he fell to his one and only career loss controversially to Japan's Shoji Ohashi on cuts in the 8th and final round of a bout he was clearly winning.

Ray is 7-0-1 in the 28 months since. The 24-year-old said confidently during the post-fight interview that he does not plan to taste defeat again for a long time, and that his goal for the next two to three years would be to establish himself as one of the greatest welterweight champions of all time. It appears unlikely that there will be a third bout against Griffith, even though such a matchup would almost certainly reach the same heights as the first two. Griffith came as close as possible to saying that his time at welterweight was over without actually saying the words. His observation, that the reality of having fought Ray twice, giving his all for a total of thirty rounds, and coming away empty-handed was a "clear message to him", spoke volumes.

(to be concluded)

[Romdawg88]

Woot! Way to go James! The FA has done much better for itself this time around then in the HBF.

[kenyan_cheena]

Thanks to everyone who has been following this thread for the last 6+ years for pushing it over 100,000 views. All the support and interest and encouragement has been very much appreciated.

[kenyan_cheena]

(conclusion of post #2043)

Roman stops Moran on cuts,
claims vacant bantamweight belt

The first of the three world title fights featured on last night's blockbuster card saw Mexico's Gilberto Roman win the bantamweight championship that his compatriot Carlos Zarate vacated back on the 16th of August with an 8th round technical knockout of England's Owen Moran. A left hook opened a cut outside Moran's right eyebrow late in round five. While it did not seem especially serious at first, Roman targeted it and after a ringside inspection late in the 7th cleared Moran, the fight was called off a minute into round eight with the wound having worsened. It's possible that the IBL will declare that a rematch be held, even though Roman appeared to be the better fighter, especially from the 4th onwards.

Roman outlanded Moran 212-120, and held leads of two, three and five points through the opening seven rounds. It was the exact same result as a bout the two men fought back in September '06, a semi-final of the league's initial world championship tournament. Roman won that contest by TKO in round eight, but on that occasion it was due to severe swelling around Moran's left eye rather than a cut. It was the first loss of Moran's career, with last night's being his third following an elimination semi-final loss to Argentina's Ernesto Miranda in September '07. The Englishman's record is now 28-3(16), and after holding the IBF championship as an undefeated fighter before signing with the IBL, further world title glory still eludes him.

Perhaps due to the anti-climatic nature of last night's finish, Roman's celebrations were somewhat subdued. He improved to 29-3(21) with the win, and can now call himself a two-time IBL titlist after being the league's inaugural champion. He had said during the week leading into the card that he felt some reservations about being involved in the title fight following his back-to-back championship bout losses to Zarate in September '07 and February '08. Roman expressed a belief that there might be other contenders more deserving of a title bid, such as Cuba's Luis Galvani or Japan's Atsuto Hasebe. It could very well be that Roman ends up defending the belt against either man to start 2009, as both of them were a perfect 3-0 in the WCC this year.

[kenyan_cheena]

Okay, with the completion of the review of the MGM card, we finally reached the end of the 2008 WCC season, at least in terms of me posting reviews of its fight cards. It has taken a long time to get to this point, and it has been a journey filled with lengthy absences on my part. Because of this, with the exception of those who have posted in the thread recently (as in the last few months), I'm not really sure how many of you who had fighters involved in the uni are still following along. I think the best thing to do is assume that you all are, though.

So I have a few things to get done in order to put a full stop on the 2008 IBL season. They are:

1) Write up an IBL ONLINE fight reviews post for November 2008. This will include mostly International Conference bouts, but also some WCC bouts that I did not review.

2) Post the final WCC standings.

3) Post the list of IC fighters who qualified for the WCC from each division. I am not going to go through each of the nine divisions and reconcile the standings for all 36 fighters. I am not that much of a masochist.

4) Update the Almanac thread.

Once I get all that done, it should pretty much complete the year. I am then going to have to go through what will be a long process of figuring out the fields for the WCC, IC and Development League in each division for 2009. As I mentioned some time ago, the plan is for the IC to be an elimination tournament in '09. I am thinking of using the scheduler for the DL. I also have not exactly figured out how I can streamline this behemoth, but I'll get to that eventually...

[kenyan_cheena]

Have not made any progress here during the last month. A bit of upheaval in my life at the moment, as I will be moving out of my current home during the next couple of weeks and have been looking for a new place. Once everything is settled down I will get back to work on this.

[kenyan_cheena]

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

Have not made any progress here during the last month. A bit of upheaval in my life at the moment, as I will be moving out of my current home during the next couple of weeks and have been looking for a new place. Once everything is settled down I will get back to work on this.

Found myself a new home, which is a relief 'cause the settlement date on the sale of the place I'm moving out of is 22 April. I'll be moving on the 18th.

[BigBoyBrackey]

Good luck. Moving sucks.

[kenyan_cheena]

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

Okay, with the completion of the review of the MGM card, we finally reached the end of the 2008 WCC season, at least in terms of me posting reviews of its fight cards. It has taken a long time to get to this point, and it has been a journey filled with lengthy absences on my part. Because of this, with the exception of those who have posted in the thread recently (as in the last few months), I'm not really sure how many of you who had fighters involved in the uni are still following along. I think the best thing to do is assume that you all are, though.

So I have a few things to get done in order to put a full stop on the 2008 IBL season. They are:

1) Write up an IBL ONLINE fight reviews post for November 2008. This will include mostly International Conference bouts, but also some WCC bouts that I did not review.

2) Post the final WCC standings.

3) Post the list of IC fighters who qualified for the WCC from each division. I am not going to go through each of the nine divisions and reconcile the standings for all 36 fighters. I am not that much of a masochist.

4) Update the Almanac thread.

Once I get all that done, it should pretty much complete the year. I am then going to have to go through what will be a long process of figuring out the fields for the WCC, IC and Development League in each division for 2009. As I mentioned some time ago, the plan is for the IC to be an elimination tournament in '09. I am thinking of using the scheduler for the DL. I also have not exactly figured out how I can streamline this behemoth, but I'll get to that eventually...

Actually got started on that last night.

[kenyan_cheena]

IBL ONLINE

The Official Website of the
International Boxing League

Sunday, November 23, 2008

(Following are selected entries from the website's "Inside the Ropes: Fight Focus" section for the month of November 2008).

MONDAY NOVEMBER 3: MEXICO CITY, DF, MEXICO
(*IC*) (FLYWEIGHT DIVISION)
PANCHO VILLA (PHILIPPINES, 24-3(15)) UD10 DAISUKE NAITO (JAPAN, 30-7-1(19))

Big things were expected of Filipino flyweight Pancho Villa when he signed with the IBL back in 2006. Undefeated in his first fifteen pro fights, the Athens gold medallist was entered into the Challenger's tournament, where he was expected to succeed and thrive. But it didn't work out that way, as he was eliminated in his opening bout. Another defeat followed in Villa's second IBL outing, and all of a sudden it appeared that the young man with a wave of hype behind him might not be the chosen one. After four consecutive victories, Villa looked to have righted the ship but when he was a surprise casualty in the opening stage of the WCC qualifying tournament in August '07, the doubts returned.

26-year-old Villa has spent 2008 toiling away in the International Conference, re-building his confidence and preparing for his shot at the big time. It's going to come a year or two later than expected, but after completing a perfect 5-0 year with a victory over Japan's Daisuke Naito, Villa has booked himself a berth in the 2009 World Championship Conference. The unanimous decision win over Naito was as comfortable as the scorecards of 98-93, 97-94 and 99-92 indicated, with Villa outlanding his opponent 318-123 to improve to 25-3(15). Having watched lightweight compatriot Ben Villaflor become one of the biggest stars of the sport during the last couple of years, Pancho Villa now has the chance to shine his own light for the world to see.

MONDAY NOVEMBER 3: MEXICO CITY, DF, MEXICO
(*IC*) (FLYWEIGHT DIVISION)
LUIS MALDONADO (MEXICO, 41-7(32)) UD10 FRITZ CHERVET (SWITZERLAND, 29-6-2(20))

After a rough start to his time in the IBL (3-4 in his first seven league bouts), Mexican veteran Luis Maldonado has experienced a resurgence while competing in the International Conference this year. The level of competition he faced was not exactly stellar, but Maldonado could only control his own efforts, and recorded four consecutive TKO victories to start the '08 season, the last three of which all came inside of three rounds. However, the highlight of his year was this month's upset victory over Switzerland's Fritz Chervet, where Maldonado climbed off the canvas in round six and then rallied down the stretch to take the verdict by scores of 95-93, 96-92 and 95-93. Chervet was sent to the canvas early in the final frame to put an exclamation point on Maldonado's efforts. It will be interesting to follow the 28-year-old's progress in 2009.

MONDAY NOVEMBER 17: SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO
(*IC*) (BANTAMWEIGHT DIVISION)
SERGIO MILITO (ARGENTINA, 24-2(16)) UD10 JULIAN SOLIS (PUERTO RICO, 33-5-2(23))

Talented young Argentinian Sergio Milito completed a perfect 5-0 run through 2008 with a ten-round dismantling of hometown favourite Julain Solis. Milito bookended the bout with knockdowns, dropping Solis two minutes into the 1st with an uppercut and midway through the 10th with a left hook. In between there was domination, and when it was all over Milito, a former IBO titlist before joining the IBL, was victorious by the one-sided scores of 100-88, 98-90 and 100-89. He outlanded Solis 340-147, and is certainly going to be one to keep an eye on in '09. As for Solis, it's hard to believe now that he came into the IBL with an imposing 27-1(22) record back in '06. His time with the league has been nothing short of disastrous, and following this loss to Milito his record in IBL competition is 6-5-2.

MONDAY NOVEMBER 17: SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO
(*IC*) (BANTAMWEIGHT DIVISION)
SIXTO ESCOBAR (PUERTO RICO, 23-2(10)) UD10 RUBEN OLIVARES (MEXICO, 15-3(15))

Unlike his compatriot Julian Solis, Sixto Escobar was successful in his goal of sending the parochial crowd at the Coliseo Pedrin Zorrilla home in a happy mood after his main event unanimous decision victory over Mexico's KO machine Ruben Olivares. In a fantastic display, Escobar was able to blunt Olivares's destructive power and took the verdict by comfortable scores of 97-93, 98-94 and 96-94. Escobar outlanded Olivares 290-165 and connected with almost 40% of the punches he threw. There were no knockdowns in the contest, and Olivares wore a frustrated expression for much of the bout. Olivares will be joining Escobar in the '09 WCC, as this was his only loss of the year and he finishes it amongst the top ten in the bantamweight division's International Conference.

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 22: LONDON, ENGLAND
(*WCC*) (LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION)
#5 LEN HARVEY (ENGLAND, 25-4(15)) UD12 #13 STEVE FINLEY (USA, 17-3(12))

Former world title challenger Len Harvey ended the year in a positive fashion with a unanimous decision win over Virginia native Steve Finley (117-113, 116-114, 117-112). Finley, who needed a victory to have any chance of avoiding relegation to the International Conference, made a promising start, but Harvey dominated the second half of fight and came close to stopping Finley in round ten. The American's right eye was showing some severe swelling as he returned to his corner at the end of the frame. When it was all over, Harvey had outlanded him 312-231. Finley ended the year 0-3, but lost all three bouts by unanimous decision and stayed on his feet in each of them. The 23 year-old has shown tenaciousness and promise, but he might not quite be ready for top-flight opposition yet, and a year in the IC is probably what he needs. Harvey goes into '09 still as a contender, and a win over one of the other members of the top five early in the new year could be enough to secure him another world title shot.

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 22: HAVANA, CUBA
(*WCC*) (FLYWEIGHT DIVISION)
#3 MARK JOHNSON (USA, 26-0-3(16)) UD12 #11 RATON MOJICA (NICARAGUA, 22-5-4(13))

Washington, DC native Mark Johnson maintained his record as the only "IBL original" to remain undefeated with a hard-earned unanimous decision win over Nicaragua's Raton Mojica. Johnson swept the opening four rounds before Mojica mounted a mid-fight rally that saw him draw level going into the 10th. But all his tenacity and bravery proved in vain as Johnson dominated the final three rounds, flooring Mojica once in each of them. Johnson took the verdict by scores of 116-109, 116-110 and 116-109. He outlanded Mojica 360-253, but despite the win he might still have to wait until later in 2009 before being granted a world title shot. Although the IBL is yet to confirm it, the likelihood is that the opening world championship bout of the new year will be a rubber match between current champion Yuri Arbachakov and former champion Benny Lynch.

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 22: LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, USA
(*WCC*) (LIGHTWEIGHT DIVISION)
#3 HECTOR HERNANDEZ (MEXICO, 34-2-2(24)) UD12 #14 BRIAN MITCHELL (SOUTH AFRICA, 34-7-2(23))

Fighting in the opening bout of the league's season-closing MGM Grand spectacular, former IBF junior-lightweight champion Hector Hernandez was back in action for the first time since his humbling loss to IBL lightweight champion Ben Villaflor in June. Against the tough South African Brian Mitchell (who had also made an unsuccessful bid for the league's lightweight title last year), Hernandez made a slow start but finished strongly to take a unanimous decision verdict. All three judges returned identical 116-112 scorecards, on which Hernandez swept the final five rounds. While a loss would have been a huge setback for him, the victory does not really improve Hernandez's credentials for another world title shot in the near future. What he'll need to do for that is record a win over one of the division's other top contenders. As for Mitchell, the veteran has now lost four consecutive fights and hinted at retirement during his post-fight interview.

***

(Following are selected entries from the website's "Inside the Ropes: Results at a Glance" section for the month of November 2008).

11/3: MEXICO CITY, DF, MEXICO

(*IC*) (FLY) HITOSHI MISAKO (JAPAN, 21-6-1(11)) SD10 BRAHIM ASLOUM (FRANCE, 36-8(24))

11/15: CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, USA

(*WCC*) (JHW) #8 LEE ROY MURPHY (USA, 27-7-2(17)) TKO12 #12 DALE BROWN (CANADA, 17-4-2(11))

11/17: SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO

(*IC*) (BW) PAULIE AYALA (USA, 24-2-2(13)) SD10 CASPER LEON (ITALY, 24-6(13))
(*IC*) (BW) MAURICIO MARTINEZ (PANAMA, 26-7-3(18)) UD10 JOHNNY BREDAHL (DENMARK, 26-6-2(14))

11/19: MANCHESTER, ENGLAND

(*IC*) (BW) CARMELO ALEMAN (USA, 12-2-3(7)) UD10 VICTOR RABANALES (MEXICO, 21-11(17))

11/21: BUCHEON, SOUTH KOREA

(*IC*) (BW) JIMMY KRUG (USA, 13-2-2(5)) TKO10 BERNARDO CARABALLO (COLOMBIA, 11-6-2(4))
(*IC*) (BW) THANOMCHIT SUKOTHAI (THAILAND, 13-7-1(9)) MD10 JUNG-IL BYUN (SOUTH KOREA, 41-10-3(28))

11/22: LONDON, ENGLAND

(*WCC*) (LHW) #11 DICK TIGER (NIGERIA, 30-3-2(20)) UD12 #6 JAMES FRANKLIN (ENGLAND, 32-2(23))
(*WCC*) (LW) #5 CORNELIUS BOZA-EDWARDS (UGANDA, 24-2-2(19)) KO7 #11 IWAO OTOMO (JAPAN, 13-2-1(10))

11/22: HAVANA, CUBA

(*WCC*) (FW) #8 KEITH HARRISON (USA, 35-7-1(23)) UD12 #11 SOLLY SMITH (USA, 26-5(18))
(*WCC*) (BW) #5 LUIS GALVANI (CUBA, 21-4(11)) KO9 #10 SILENCE MABUZA (SOUTH AFRICA, 17-3-2(12))

[Claybor]

Ah well, my guys a complete bust. :{

[kenyan_cheena]

I wouldn't say that, considering his current career stage...

[Romdawg88]

Woot, good to see this back up and running KC

[kenyan_cheena]

Originally Posted by Romdawg88

Woot, good to see this back up and running KC

Thanks, mate. Finally got the phone line connected at my new place yesterday, and stayed up late working on the review post to get it done.

[kenyan_cheena]

IBL ONLINE

The Official Website of the
International Boxing League

Sunday, November 23, 2008

***

INTERNATIONAL BOXING LEAGUE
2008 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CONFERENCE

Following are the rankings of the IBL's 2008 World Championship Conference, effective as at the end of November 23, 2008 (the conclusion of stage three).

Figures in ( ) after ranking indicate the competitor's ranking at the beginning of stage three, then the beginning of stage two and then the beginning of stage one.

Figures in ( ) after fighter's record indicate results in WCC bouts, listed as (stage one bout, stage two bout, stage three bout).

(#) indicates that the competitor was inactive.

(W) indicates that the competitor was victorious.

(L) indicates the competitor was defeated.

(D) indicates that the competitor's bout was a draw.

***

HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION

WORLD CHAMPION: (WC). (01). (01). PETER JACKSON (AUSTRALIA, 21-1-0(12)) (#, W, W)

01. (02). (02). (02). TERONE HAYNES (USA, 29-1-0(25)) (W, W, W)
02. (01). (WC). (WC). KEN NORTON (USA, 34-5-1(28)) (#, L, L)
03. (03). (03). (03). LENNOX LEWIS (ENGLAND, 20-2-2(12)) (#, W, W)
04. (05). (05). (06). MAX SCHMELING (GERMANY, 22-2-0(15)) (#, L, W)
05. (04). (06). (07). MARKO FRIEDRICH (GERMANY, 31-2-1(24)) (W, W, L)
06. (06). (04). (04). ANDREW GOLOTA (POLAND, 33-8-0(29)) (W, L, W)
07. (08). (07). (13). ROMY ALVAREZ (USA, 13-4-0(7)) (W, L, W)
08. (07). (14). (14). IKE IBEABUCHI (NIGERIA, 32-5-1(27)) (L, W, W)
09. (11). (12). (05). ALEXANDER ZOLKIN (RUSSIA, 23-9-4(18)) (L, W, L)
10. (09). (11). (10). BRUTUS BRODY (USA, 18-2-0(18)) (L, W, L)
11. (10). (13). (08). IGOR BEREZUTSKIY (RUSSIA, 26-4-0(20)) (L, W, L)
12. (13). (10). (09). MIKE HANSON (USA, 13-5-0(10)) (L, L, L)
13. (14). (08). (12). RIDDICK BOWE (USA, 17-5-0(11)) (W, L, L)
14. (12). (09). (11). JOE JEANNETTE (USA, 20-4-0(13)) (W, L, #)
15. (15). (15). (15). VLADIMIR VIRCHIS (UKRAINE, 17-5-3(11)) (L, L, #)

===============

JUNIOR-HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION

WORLD CHAMPION: (01). (04). (10). MAURICE HOLMES (USA, 47-5-1(39)) (W, W, W)

01. (04). (07). (07). MICHAEL VAUGHAN (USA, 25-3-0(15)) (W, W, W)
02. (09). (10). (08). TOM SHARKEY (IRELAND, 22-3-1(19)) (L, W, W)
03. (11). (15). (15). PIET CROUS (SOUTH AFRICA, 24-6-2(16)) (L, W, W)
04. (06). (02). (02). CARL THOMPSON (ENGLAND, 32-6-1(21)) (#, L, W)
05. (02). (06). (13). ANGELO ROTTOLI (ITALY, 33-6-4(23)) (W, W, L)
06. (08). (14). (14). LEE ROY MURPHY (USA, 28-7-2(18)) (#, W, W)
07. (14). (12). (11). ROBERT DANIELS (USA, 26-8-2(20)) (L, L, W)
08. (03). (01). (01). TORSTEN MAY (GERMANY, 35-7-1(24)) (L, #, L)
09. (05). (03). (04). TAOUFIK BELBOULI (FRANCE, 32-6-0(21)) (W, L, L)
10. (07). (09). (03). CARLOS DELEON (PUERTO RICO, 34-5-1(23)) (L, W, L)
11. (10). (05). (06). NATE GIBBS (USA, 25-4-0(19)) (W, L, L)
12. (12). (08). (09). DALE BROWN (CANADA, 17-5-2(11)) (W, L, L)
13. (13). (11). (05). RICHARD MASON (USA, 28-10-2(18)) (L, L, #)
14. (15). (13). (12). DARIO WALTER MATTEONI (ARGENTINA, 29-9-3(19)) (L, L, #)
15. (WC). (WC). (WC). JEFF LAMPKIN (USA, 39-9-1(31)) (W, #, L) *

* NOTE: JEFF LAMPKIN HAS RETIRED.

===============

LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION

WORLD CHAMPION: (03). (03). (08). RAY LANDIS (USA, 33-3-0(25)) (W, W, W)

01. (01). (WC). (WC). CELESTINE AMAKOCHI (NIGERIA, 27-2-0(19)) (W, L, #)
02. (04). (05). (13). SAM LANGFORD (CANADA, 23-2-0(16)) (W, W, W)
03. (WC). (01). (01). MAURO MINA (PERU, 18-4-0(10)) (#, W, L)
04. (05). (02). (03). LEN HARVEY (ENGLAND, 26-4-0(15)) (W, L, W)
05. (02). (04). (05). MICHAEL KING (USA, 30-9-1(21)) (W, W, L)
06. (11). (10). (14). DICK TIGER (NIGERIA, 31-3-2(20)) (W, L, W)
07. (12). (11). (09). MELIO BETTINA (USA, 15-3-0(7)) (L, L, W)
08. (10). (06). (07). MARK SOMOGYI (AUSTRALIA, 19-2-0(14)) (#, L, W)
09. (08). (12). (12). TARIBO KESHI (NIGERIA, 28-5-0(21)) (W, W, L)
10. (09). (09). (04). HAROLD JOHNSON (USA, 38-5-2(26)) (L, W, L)
11. (06). (07). (06). JAMES FRANKLIN (ENGLAND, 32-3-0(23)) (L, W, L)
12. (14). (13). (10). FREDDIE MILLS (ENGLAND, 15-2-2(8)) (L, L, W)
13. (07). (08). (02). TYRONE SHELTON (JAMAICA, 31-6-1(20)) (L, W, L)
14. (13). (14). (11). STEVE FINLEY (USA, 17-4-0(12)) (L, L, L)
15. (15). (15). (15). MIGUEL ANGEL CUELLO (ARGENTINA, 32-9-3(22)) (L, L, #)

===============

MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION

WORLD CHAMPION: (01). (03). (03). KOICHI WAJIMA (JAPAN, 28-3-2(18)) (W, W, W)

01. (07). (14). (12). HOLMAN WILLIAMS (USA, 22-3-2(11)) (L, W, W)
02. (10). (12). (10). FREDDIE STEELE (USA, 42-3-2(35)) (L, W, W)
03. (05). (06). (15). NIGEL BENN (ENGLAND, 21-2-1(16)) (W, W, W)
04. (06). (02). (02). MICKEY WALKER (USA, 17-3-0(13)) (#, L, W)
05. (08). (09). (07). JOE GANS (PANAMA, 18-4-0(10)) (L, W, W)
06. (02). (07). (08). JOSE NAPOLES (USA, 31-3-0(25)) (W, W, L)
07. (03). (01). (01). JOHN MUGABI (UGANDA, 36-5-2(33)) (#, L, L)
08. (14). (15). (14). FRED BOATWRIGHT (USA, 15-2-1(5)) (L, L, W)
09. (04). (05). (06). GREG GORECKY (CANADA, 14-2-1(8)) (#, W, L)
10. (09). (08). (09). MONTELL JACKSON (USA, 21-2-0(14)) (W, L, L)
11. (13). (11). (13). RANDY TURPIN (ENGLAND, 17-4-0(13)) (W, L, L)
12. (15). (13). (11). DAVEY MOORE (USA, 19-4-0(14)) (L, L, L)
13. (11). (04). (04). RUBIN CARTER (USA, 23-7-1(18)) (W, L, #)
14. (12). (10). (05). MIKE MCCALLUM (JAMAICA, 38-3-2(28)) (L, L, #)
15. (WC). (WC). (WC). LES DARCY (AUSTRALIA, 33-3-0(25)) (#, W, L) *

* NOTE: LES DARCY WILL BE MOVING TO THE LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION IN 2009.

===============

WELTERWEIGHT DIVISION

WORLD CHAMPION: (01). (01). (01). JAMES RAY (USA, 20-1-1(11)) (#, D, W)

01. (WC). (WC). (WC). EMILE GRIFFITH (USA, 33-3-2(23)) (#, D, L)
02. (08). (13). (14). MELDRICK TAYLOR (USA, 30-5-0(17)) (L, W, W)
03. (03). (06). (06). MICHAEL LINCOLN (USA, 29-2-0(21)) (W, W, W)
04. (11). (08). (09). CARMELO BAREA (PUERTO RICO, 34-4-1(20)) (W, L, W)
05. (06). (03). (03). ADEMOLA UDEZE (NIGERIA, 27-5-1(20)) (#, L, W)
06. (07). (04). (05). HUGO PINEDA (COLOMBIA, 25-6-1(17)) (W, L, W)
07. (09). (05). (04). SHOJI OHASHI (JAPAN, 22-3-1(15)) (W, L, W)
08. (02). (02). (02). ENRIQUE DIAZ (MEXICO, 34-4-0(25)) (#, W, L)
09. (04). (07). (07). MARCELO SMITH (USA, 29-4-1(19)) (W, W, L)
10. (05). (09). (13). IFEANI ADAMU (NIGERIA, 28-5-1(19)) (W, W, L)
11. (10). (12). (12). ERIC BENGTSON (USA, 14-3-3(7)) (L, W, L)
12. (12). (15). (10). BENEDICT KHUMALO (SOUTH AFRICA, 18-4-1(11)) (L, W, L)
13. (13). (10). (08). VIRGIL AKINS (USA, 17-4-1(11)) (L, L, L)
14. (14). (11). (11). JIMMY DOYLE (USA, 10-3-4(3)) (L, L, #)
15. (15). (14). (15). IKE QUARTEY (GHANA, 31-8-0(25)) (L, L, #)

===============

LIGHTWEIGHT DIVISION

WORLD CHAMPION: (01). (02). (03). PATRICIO MARQUEZ (MEXICO, 47-3-1(37)) (W, #, W)

01. (WC). (WC). (WC). BEN VILLAFLOR (PHILIPPINES, 24-2-0(11)) (#, W, L)
02. (06). (05). (04). FRANCISCO ORTIZ (DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, 39-4-0(31)) (L, #, W)
03. (03). (01). (01). HECTOR HERNANDEZ (MEXICO, 35-2-2(24)) (#, L, W)
04. (04). (04). (06). JOE BROWN (USA, 36-3-2(25)) (W, D, W)
05. (05). (06). (05). CORNELIUS BOZA-EDWARDS (UGANDA, 25-2-2(20)) (#, W, W)
06. (07). (08). (07). JIM DRISCOLL (WALES, 38-2-3(28)) (L, W, W)
07. (08). (11). (15). JIM WATT (SCOTLAND, 19-4-1(12)) (W, W, W)
08. (02). (03). (02). RAFAEL LIMON (MEXICO, 34-4-0(23)) (#, W, L)
09. (09). (07). (13). OBAFEMI ROTIMI (NIGERIA, 24-5-1(19)) (W, L, W)
10. (10). (09). (12). TERUKI NAKATA (JAPAN, 31-6-0(21)) (W, L, L)
11. (11). (10). (11). IWAO OTOMO (JAPAN, 13-3-1(10)) (W, L, L)
12. (13). (13). (10). GREG HAUGEN (USA, 27-8-3(17)) (L, D, L)
13. (14). (14). (08). BRIAN MITCHELL (SOUTH AFRICA, 34-8-2(23)) (L, L, L)
14. (12). (15). (14). VICENTE SANTANA (BRAZIL, 15-5-1(10)) (L, W, L)
15. (15). (12). (09). ENRIQUE BOLANOS (MEXICO, 24-7-3(18)) (L, L, L)

===============

FEATHERWEIGHT DIVISION

WORLD CHAMPION: (WC). (01). (01). SALVADOR SANCHEZ (MEXICO, 23-1-0(18)) (#, W, W)

01. (02). (02). (02). GILBERTO VASQUEZ (MEXICO, 32-3-1(19)) (#, W, W)
02. (03). (05). (07). JOSE MOLINA (PUERTO RICO, 34-2-1(22)) (W, W, W)
03. (01). (WC). (WC). MIGUEL BAUTISTA (DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, 30-6-1(18)) (#, L, #)
04. (05). (03). (03). VICENTE SALDIVAR (MEXICO, 22-3-0(19)) (#, L, W)
05. (06). (12). (12). CHARLIE BENISTON (ENGLAND, 16-1-0(7)) (W, W, W)
06. (04). (06). (10). JESUS CARRILLO (MEXICO, 32-4-1(18)) (W, W, L)
07. (08). (15). (15). KEITH HARRISON (USA, 36-7-1(23)) (L, W, W)
08. (12). (07). (14). WITHAYA PAHOLPAT (THAILAND, 15-4-0(6)) (W, L, W)
09. (07). (14). (13). NOBUHIRO YOKOYAMA (JAPAN, 19-6-2(14)) (L, W, L)
10. (09). (08). (11). LORIS STECCA (ITALY, 18-5-2(11)) (W, L, L)
11. (10). (04). (06). SERGIO PALMA (ARGENTINA, 32-4-1(26)) (W, L, L)
12. (11). (13). (04). SOLLY SMITH (USA, 26-6-0(18)) (L, W, L)
13. (13). (10). (09). JUAN MEZA (MEXICO, 34-5-2(26)) (L, L, L)
14. (14). (09). (08). OMAR CALDERON (MEXICO, 23-4-2(14)) (L, L, L)
15. (15). (11). (05). ORLANDO SALIDO (MEXICO, 19-7-2(9)) (L, L, #)

===============

BANTAMWEIGHT DIVISION

WORLD CHAMPION: (01). (02). (02). GILBERTO ROMAN (MEXICO, 29-3-0(21)) (L, W, W)

01. (02). (03). (03). OWEN MORAN (ENGLAND, 28-3-0(16)) (W, W, L)
02. (03). (01). (01). JEFF FENECH (AUSTRALIA, 22-2-0(18)) (#, L, W)
03. (06). (06). (08). ATSUTO HASEBE (JAPAN, 25-1-0(15)) (W, W, W)
04. (05). (05). (13). LUIS GALVANI (CUBA, 22-4-0(12)) (W, W, W)
05. (08). (09). (14). JEFF CHANDLER (USA, 20-4-3(12)) (W, L, W)
06. (04). (04). (05). ERNESTO MIRANDA (ARGENTINA, 30-7-1(17)) (#, W, L)
07. (07). (07). (07). RICARDO BEDIC (PHILIPPINES, 29-2-1(19)) (W, W, L)
08. (09). (08). (06). ORLANDO CANIZALES (USA, 24-4-2(18)) (L, L, W)
09. (10). (10). (11). SILENCE MABUZA (SOUTH AFRICA, 17-4-2(12)) (W, L, L)
10. (11). (11). (10). MANUEL ARMENTEROS (CUBA, 17-7-2(8)) (L, L, L)
11. (15). (14). (12). FELIX MACHADO (VENEZUELA, 29-8-0(19)) (L, L, L)
12. (12). (12). (09). JEROME GUSTILO (PHILIPPINES, 21-4-0(13)) (L, L, #)
13. (13). (13). (04). ENRIQUE PINDER (PANAMA, 24-7-3(18)) (L, D, #)
14. (14). (15). (15). ROBERTO RUBALDINO (MEXICO, 21-7-2(15)) (L, D, #)

* NOTE: MEXICO'S CARLOS ZARATE RELINQUISHED THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ON 16 AUGUST 2008, AND IS NOT LISTED IN THESE RANKINGS. HE WILL BE MOVING TO THE FEATHERWEIGHT DIVISION IN 2009.

===============

FLYWEIGHT DIVISION

WORLD CHAMPION: (01). (01). (WC). YURI ARBACHAKOV (RUSSIA, 35-4-1(25)) (L, #, W)

01. (WC). (WC). (01). BENNY LYNCH (SCOTLAND, 30-4-1(18)) (W, #, L)
02. (02). (04). (06). TEKO DAVIDS (SOUTH AFRICA, 32-1-1(22)) (W, W, W)
03. (03). (07). (08). MARK JOHNSON (USA, 27-0-3(16)) (D, W, W)
04. (07). (02). (03). KOKI KAMEDA (JAPAN, 24-6-0(15)) (#, L, W)
05. (04). (09). (10). ICHIRO OKUBO (JAPAN, 36-5-1(22)) (W, W, L)
06. (05). (08). (12). HUMBERTO GONZALES (MEXICO, 18-3-1(12)) (W, W, L)
07. (10). (10). (09). HIROYUKI EBIHARA (JAPAN, 23-5-2(16)) (L, W, W)
08. (14). (14). (14). SAMAN SORJATURONG (THAILAND, 24-4-3(16)) (L, L, W)
09. (11). (13). (11). RATON MOJICA (NICARAGUA, 22-6-4(13)) (L, W, L)
10. (09). (05). (07). JOHN BEKKER (SOUTH AFRICA, 24-4-1(17)) (W, L, L)
11. (08). (03). (04). WILLIE DAVISON (USA, 27-7-2(20)) (D, L, L)
12. (13). (12). (13). HILARIO ZAPATA (PANAMA, 21-3-1(10)) (W, L, L)
13. (12). (11). (05). ADRIAN HERNANDEZ (MEXICO, 37-8-2(28)) (L, L, #)
14. (15). (15). (15). NAM-HOON CHA (SOUTH KOREA, 21-5-2(12)) (L, L, #)
15. (06). (06). (02). CANDIDO TELLEZ (MEXICO, 32-2-2(22)) (#, W, W) *

* NOTE: CANDIDO TELLEZ WILL BE MOVING TO THE BANTAMWEIGHT DIVISION IN 2009.

===============

[kenyan_cheena]

IBL ONLINE

The Official Website of the
International Boxing League

Sunday, November 23, 2008

2009 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CONFERENCE QUALIFIERS

Following is a division-by-division breakdown of the competitors from the 2008 International Conference who have gained promotion to the 2009 World Championship Conference. There will be either nine or ten competitors from each weight class automatically promoted to the WCC, depending on movements from one division to another of current WCC competitors.

The win-loss record is the competitor's record during the 2008 International Conference.

HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION

(10)

Cheetah Brown (USA) 5-0
John Fehner (USA) 5-0
Jack Johnson (USA) 5-0
Arturo Godoy (Chile) 4-0-1
Adam Brooks (USA) 4-1
Leon Higgins (USA) 4-1
David Kane (USA) 4-1
Ray Mercer (USA) 4-1
Scott Mundt (Germany) 4-1
Ron E. Vincent (USA) 4-1

JUNIOR-HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION

(10)

Mark Elwood (USA) 5-0
Orlin Norris (USA) 5-0
Bruce Scott (England) 5-0
Anaclet Wamba (France) 4-0-1
Pietro Aurino (Italy) 4-1
Wayne Braithwaite (Guyana) 4-1
Eric Fields (USA) 4-1
Uriah Grant (Jamaica) 4-1
Enzo Maccarinelli (Wales) 4-1
Johny Jensen (Denmark) 3-1-1

LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION

(9)

Iran Barkley (USA) 5-0
John Conteh (England) 5-0
Steve Gayle (USA) 5-0
Alexander Lucas (England) 5-0
Steve Little (USA) 4-1
Yolande Pompey (Trinidad & Tobago) 4-1
Eddie Davis (USA) 3-1-1
Jason Wanganeen (Australia) 3-1-1
Jack Chase (USA) 3-2

MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION

(9)*

Fabio Autran (Brazil) 5-0
Maurice Hope (England) 5-0
Jemar Lofton (USA) 5-0
Ian Lord (England) 5-0
Jake Morrison (USA) 4-1
Robbie Sims (USA) 4-1
Gene Armstrong (USA) 3-0-2
Willie Monroe (USA) 3-1-1
Coley Welch (USA) 3-1-1

* Note: Still to be confirmed due to possible move from welterweight of former world champion Emile Griffith.

WELTERWEIGHT DIVISION

(10)*

Max Rasmuth (USA) 5-0
Elford Coles (USA) 4-0-1
Ashley Jackson (England) 4-0-1
Orlando Sierra (Puerto Rico) 4-0-1
Jiro Suzuki (Japan) 4-0-1
Wilfred Benitez (Puerto Rico) 4-1
Marvyn Rollins (USA) 4-1
Emmanuel Torres (Philippines) 4-1
Juan Villegas (Argrentina) 4-1
Jason Morris (USA) 3-1-1

* Note: Still to be confirmed due to possible move to middleweight of former world champion Emile Griffith.

LIGHTWEIGHT DIVISION

(10)

Azumah Nelson (Ghana) 5-0
Radamel Ramos (Colombia) 5-0
Pernell Whitaker (USA) 5-0
Orlando Zulueta (Cuba) 5-0
Nicolas Fillion (Canada) 4-1
Leonel Hernandez (Venezuela) 4-1
Hiroshi Kobayashi (Japan) 4-1
Ruben Navarro (USA) 4-1
Yuri Romanov (Belarus) 4-1
Ike Williams (USA) 4-1

FEATHERWEIGHT DIVISION

(9)

Michael Schneider (Germany) 5-0
Julius Siasia (Nigeria) 5-0
Patrick Ford (Guyana) 4-0-1
Ronnie Clayton (England) 4-1
Raul Cruz (Mexico) 4-1
Antonio Esparragoza (Venezuela) 4-1
Juan LaPorte (Puerto Rico) 4-1
Kazuo Takayama (Japan) 4-1
Daniel Zaragoza (Mexico ) 4-1

BANTAMWEIGHT DIVISION

(9)

Sixto Escobar (Puerto Rico) 5-0
Satoshi Iida (Japan) 5-0
Sergio Milito (Argentina) 5-0
Carmelo Aleman (USA) 4-0-1
Paulie Ayala (USA) 4-0-1
Johnny King (England) 4-1
Nana Konadu (Ghana) 4-1
Ruben Olivares (Mexico) 4-1
Jimmy Krug (USA) 3-0-2

FLYWEIGHT DIVISION

(10)

Luis Maldonado (Mexico) 5-0
Pancho Villa (Philippines) 5-0
Jorge Arce (Mexico) 4-1
Brahim Asloum (France) 4-1
Chokchai Chcokvivat (Thailand) 4-1
Tae-Shik Kim (South Korea) 4-1
Beibis Mendoza (Colombia) 4-1
Hitoshi Misako (Japan) 4-1
Erbito Salavarria (Philippines) 3-0-2
Fritz Chervet (Switzerland) 3-1-1

[kenyan_cheena]

TheSweetScience.com

FRIDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2008

Busy start to IBL off-season

Story by Michael Broughton

One would have thought that, considering the hectic ending to the 2008 WCC season, the IBL's top contenders and their managers would have been happy to take a couple of weeks off and enjoy a breather before looking forward to 2009. That's not how things work in boxing, though. As one of the only sports that had never featured an official "off-season" before the IBL came along, its competitors are always looking forward to the next fight, the next big payday. And so in the five days since the curtain fell on the 2008 campaign, it's simply been business as usual.

Perhaps the biggest story to emerge this week was the announcement on Tuesday by world heavyweight champion Peter Jackson that he does not intend to make his first title defense of 2009 until the final Sunday in June, which under the IBL's rules concerning world title defenses is actually the latest day on which the fight can take place. The league's rules stipulate that each world championship must be contested on at least two occasions during the 42-week WCC season, with the first of these to be held before the conclusion of Week 21. Jackson cited the fact that he has contested a total of 38 rounds in three bouts this year, and that he would only be fighting twice in 2009.

His opponent for the June title bout has already been confirmed as former champion Terone Haynes and, unsurprisingly, the Florida native was not impressed when he learned he'll be waiting almost seven months before stepping between the ropes against Jackson. Having already expressed a desire to be an active champion when he eventually regains the title, Haynes has raised the possibility that he'll contest a tune-up bout ahead of the title fight, possibly in February. Of course, by doing so he'd be risking his shot at Jackson, but when queried on this, Haynes simply shrugged as if it did not concern him.

Former world welterweight champion Emile Griffith confirmed on Wednesday that he will be moving to the middleweight division in 2009, meaning that his unanimous decision loss to James Ray in Saturday night's Las Vegas title fight was his final bout at 147 pounds. Griffith will replace former middleweight champion Les Darcy, who himself is on the move to the light-heavyweight division. Griffith's decision has come on the back of the controversy over the relegation of Nigerian welterweight Ifeani Adamu to the International Conference for 2009. Adamu finished the year ranked at #10, despite winning two bouts during the WCC season. His only loss came on November 15 against compatriot Ademola Udeze, where he was soundly defeated. However, Adamu's management has said that with Griffith leaving the division, their man should maintain his place in the WCC.

Elsewhere, world lightweight champion Patricio Marquez has, for the first time, expressed interest in a superfight against world featherweight champion and fellow Mexican Salvador Sanchez. Speaking on SportsCenter on Monday night, the 33-year-old said that he had deliberately avoided the issue in order to focus entirely on his clash with Ben Villaflor, which Marquez won in the main event of last Saturday's MGM Grand spectacular. Marquez was already regarded as the official world champion before th fight, but he brought legitimacy to the IBL title with his victory. He said his contract with the IBL stated that he would compete at lightweight in '08, but that it is entirely up to him whether he stays at 135 in '09.

Marquez has long been considering a move to the welterweight division. He fought former WBC junior-welterweight champion Javier Gutierrez in a non-title bout in July '07 before coming to the IBL, but admitted that his current status as both IBL and world lightweight champion would make it difficult to move up to welterweight in '09. He expressed a desire to make at least one defense of the IBL championship in '09, whilst also saying that the prospect of taking on the younger, explosive Sanchez intrigues him. The problem, though, is when such a fight could be scheduled. Just like heavyweight champion Peter Jackson, both men have an obligation to defend their championships before the end of June.

"One of the things that I keep thinking about ... is when it's all over," Marquez said. "When a career comes to an end, and all's said and done, what do people remember? Do they remember the championships, or do they remember the fights? I think they remember the fights. The great fights. I know that I only have a few years left in me, but I want to be able to look back on my career in ten years from now and reflect on the great fights I had, not whether I held the WBC or WBA or IBL belt. I say that with no offense intended, but the thought of being able to look back and recall having fought Salvador Sanchez, a fighter who I believe will be an all-time great by the time his own career is over ... that excites the hell out of me. But trying to figure out when it can happen, that's a challenge. I just went fifteen rounds with Ben Villaflor, and I'm dog tired. I don't plan on stepping back into the ring again for at least six months, and the truth is that when I do, it has to be to defend the belt."

Considering those words, there are a number of attractive options for Marquez in regards to possible opponents. A rematch with Villaflor would seem a no-brainer, but it's believed he will look for a more well known and recognised name, such as one of the only men to have defeated him, New Orleans native Joe Brown. When they squared off in November '06, Brown pummelled Marquez without knocking him down on the way to a stunning 3rd round TKO victory in which he claimed the world championship. Marquez would surely be eager to gain some revenge.

There's also former featherweight champion Jim Driscoll, who joined the IBL with the exact intention of taking on the best lightweights in the sport. However, Driscoll lost to Brown back in April, so a world title challenge is currently out of the question. The man who Marquez has shared a controversial rivalry with, and who he is 3-0 against, the Dominican Republic's Francisco Ortiz, was installed at #2 in the WCC rankings after his comprehensive defeat of former two-time IBL champion Rafael Limon on November 8, but Marquez has said he'll never fight Ortiz again after their two recent clashes.

[kenyan_cheena]

BOXING MONTHLY

VOLUME 30, ISSUE 11 - NOVEMBER 2008

(following are selected entries from the magazine's "Rings Around the World" section)

((*) denotes defending champion in title bouts)

Saturday November 1, Lagos, Nigeria
Joseph Odiah (Nigeria, 30-1-2(24))* TKO7 Arnulfo Castillo (Mexico, 33-3-1(22))
(WBC junior-lightweight championship)

Saturday November 8, Los Angeles, CA, USA
James Toney (USA, 35-6-1(29)) KO2 Oliver Patterson (USA, 19-9-1(12))
(cruiserweight division)

Saturday November 8, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Tyrell Brown (USA, 23-2(16))* TKO11 Nick Barone (USA, 26-1-1(13))
(WBA light-heavyweight championship)

Saturday November 8, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Art Aragon (USA, 23-2-2(15))* MD12 Freddie Dawson (USA, 20-1(9))
(WBA lightweight championship)

Saturday November 15, London, England
Matthew Davidson (England, 36-4-1(25))* UD12 Brian Hampton (England, 32-4-1(20))
(WBA featherweight championship)

Saturday November 22, Panama City, Panama
Roberto Duran (Panama, 15-0(15)) TKO3 Anthony Morodi (South Africa, 13-2-1(5))
(lightweight division)

Saturday November 22, Panama City, Panama
Roman Moreno (Panama, 26-0(21))* KO6 Alimi Goitia (Venezuela, 19-2(17))
(WBC junior-bantamweight championship)

Friday November 28, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Charley Burley (USA, 2-0(2)) TKO3 Michael Dwyer (USA, 4-4-1(2))
(middleweight division)

Saturday November 29, New York, NY, USA
Eduardo Briceno (Venezuela, 8-0(5)) TKO2 Lucas Tillman (USA, 12-2-2(8))
(featherweight division)

Saturday November 29, New York, NY, USA
Cassius Clay (USA, 12-0(8)) TKO7 Devon Simms (USA, 15-4(10))
(junior-lightweight division)

Saturday November 29, New York, NY, USA
David Lester (USA, 35-7-1(27)) UD12 Darnell Wilson (USA, 22-4-1(14))
(cruiserweight division)