World Of Boxing

[Ric915]

Watt and Rosario Turn Back Bramble and Paul

As Edwin Rosario (31-1-0-28) made his way to the ring for his main event match for the vacant IBF Lightweight Championship against Jimmy Paul (22-1-1-17) you could see he was all business. Both men came into the ring in phenomenal shape. Rosario was coming in as a 3/2 favorite over Paul. Paul himself was coming off an uninspired twelve round draw versus Ould Makloufi in March, while Rosario won a ten round unanimous decision over Ruben Navarro back in January. This bout started very quickly as Edwin Rosario tested Jimmy Paul's chin right away and was landing some incredible hooks. Paul fought right back and landed some clean bombs of his own. In rounds two and three Paul made the mistake of standing and trading with Rosario who was clearly the stronger of the two and showed it by out landing Paul on the inside. Paul showed a great chin as he with stood the bombs of Rosario. Paul himself fought gamely but just wasn't on par with Rosario. Paul's best round was the fourth when he moved outside and was able to use his jab and straight right hands. As the fifth round opened both men were unmarked. Paul came out quickly and started pumping the jab while on the move and countered the aggressive Rosario. Paul was having a very good round until 2:54 when a Rosario left hook caught Paul right on the tip of his chin and flattened him for a ten count. Paul showed a great chin but you could tell it was just a matter of time. I don't think anyone could stand up to the shots Rosario was landing for a full 15 rounds.

The Co-Feature saw Jim Watt (23-0-0-19) win a twelve round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Livingstone Bramble (25-1-0-11). Both men looked to be in great shape as the fight commenced. Watt came out strong in the first and second as Bramble seemed to be a bit tentative and wasn't letting his punches go. Watt worked Bramble to the body then up to the head and looked really impressive thru two. In the third Bramble started to get into a rhythm and really started putting his punches together well. Scoring some great right hand counters. Thru two rounds Bramble had received three warnings for leaning on the neck of Watt. In the fourth and fifth Bramble stayed in control as he seemed to have Watts timing down and would counter effectively. Watt was having an incredible sixth round as he finally got to Bramble's chin with some haymakers when he launched an intentional head butt. Referee Toby Gibson admonished Watt and took a point, which left Watt a 9-9 round that he was clearly winning. Bramble stormed back in the seventh as it was his turn to land some big straight right hands off the chin of Watt. Both men showed great chins thru this one. In the eighth is were Watt seemed to take over the fight. Bramble looked a little slower as he came out for the round and Watt jumped on him and landed a cracking right hand that buckled Brambles legs and forced him to go on the defensive. Watt landed some tremendous blows but amazing Bramble managed to stay upright,. Both of Brambles eye showed the effects as they both began to swell. Late in the round Bramble launched a low blow that cost him a point. As the round closed Bramble had his legs back under him. In the ninth Bramble came out trying to counter the now fatigued Watt but it was Watt who countered effectively. Both men appeared to have nothing left as the round came to a close. In the tenth Bramble realizing he may now be trailing came out to end it and 1:00 a screaming right cross rocked Watt and knocked him back into the ropes. Bramble tried to follow up but Bramble himself was arm weary. In the eleventh Bramble was still trying to catch Watt with something special butt again it was Watt who landed a perfectly timed one two that dropped Bramble to a knee. Bramble was up at six and ready to continue. Watt again tried top pounce on Bramble but Bramble showed great defense and stayed out of harms way. Like the previous three rounds Bramble came out looking to stop Watt especially after visiting the canvas himself in the previous round. With both men exhausted, Bramble's eyes a swollen mess and the fans on their feet the last round showed the heart of these two men as they stood and traded in the center of the ring with both men trying to stop the other. Bramble and Watt landed some hellacious blows but as fatigued as both men where they just didn't have the pop needed. Bramble edged the final round with a wicked combo right at the bell. Both men embraced as the final bell sounded. The scores were 115-110 and 114-111 twice. Both men fought a good fight Watt was just stronger and it made all the difference.

The under card featured four newcomers making their pro debuts. Tyrone Crawley (1-0-0-0), Bobby Johnson (1-0-0-0) and Orlando Romero (1-0-0-0) all won four round unanimous decisions, while Melvin Paul (0-0-1-0) was jobbed and only given a draw.

Lightweight News May 86

Next month Ray Mancini (22-0-0-20) and Sean O'Grady (22-0-0-19) will meet for the vacant WBA Championship. On the under card Andy Ganigan (17-0-0-14) and "Rockin" Robin Blake (17-0-0-12) will face off in a twelve round title eliminator to see who will face Jim Watts in his first defense.

Autosimmed Bouts of Note

#44 Kenny Bogner (15-1-2-13) D10 #82 Chris Calvin (9-3-1-5)
#77 Lee Cargle (20-3-1-5) WKO10 #30 Jorge Ramirez (17-3-1-14)
#32 Jonathon Dele (15-2-2-4) WUD10 $33 Manny Santos (13-2-1-9)
#56 Johnny Lira (23-4-1-9) WTKO10 #26 Hugo Barraza (17-2-1-13)
#66 Mando Ramos (25-2-0-19) WTKO3 #45 Claud Noel (12-2-0-6)
#60 Arturo Frias (17-0-0-3) WUD10 #105 Jose Talamantez (17-8-4-5)
#28 Tracy Spann (17-0-0-14) WTKO6 #21 Hong-Kyu Lin (18-2-0-14)
#27 Roberto Elizondo (20-1-0-16) WKO1 #124 Roberto Perez (5-11-3-0)
#49 Davidson Andeh (12-2-0-7) WUD10 #43 Ishimatsu Suuki (25-4-0-9)
#41 Rick Yoshimura Roberts (14-1-1-3) WSD10 #61 Beau Jaynes (12-4-0-2)
$39 Tony Pep (16-1-2-6) D10 #78 Herman Montes (10-4-2-9)
#46 James Busceme (14-2-0-12) WUD10 #50 Juan Polo Perez (21-3-2-1)

Lightweight Rankings May 86

Jim Watt (23-0-0-19) WBC
Edwin Rosario (31-1-0-28) IBF
Livingstone Bramble (25-1-0-11)
Ray Mancini (22-0-0-20)
Sean O'Grady (22-0-0-19)
Ould Makloufi (18-0-1-8)
Jose Luis Ramirez (16-0-0-11)
Amado Cabato (21-1-0-15)
Giancarlo Usai (18-0-1-12)
Jimmy Paul (22-1-1-17)

[Ric915]

Mosquera Withdraws From Title Fight

Guillermo Mosquera (20-0-0-13) who was scheduled to fight Hector Thompson (23-1-1-8) for the vacant WBA Championship has withdrawn from the fight as he is scheduled to testify against a known drug trafficer in his home country of Columbia. For safety reasons Mosquera will be under wraps until the trial has concluded. Stepping into the fight will be American Bruce Curry (24-1-2-14) who stopped Lennox Blackmore in seven back in February and was in training for an upcoming bout. "This is my chance and I gotta go for it I couldn't turn this down" said Curry wn asked about the short notice. Should be a pretty entertaining bout. Mosquera once available again may fight the winner of this match up.

[Infinity]

How about Mancini vs O'Grady for a shot at a title? Looks like they're both ready!

[Lee]

Looking forward to the Mancini/O'Grady WBA battle, should be exceptional.

At some point please allow Boom Boom the chance to shut the mouth of Kenny Bogner.

[Ric915]

Originally Posted by Infinity

How about Mancini vs O'Grady for a shot at a title? Looks like they're both ready!

They will mix it up next month for the vacant WBA Championship

[Ric915]

Originally Posted by Lee

Looking forward to the Mancini/O'Grady WBA battle, should be exceptional.

At some point please allow Boom Boom the chance to shut the mouth of Kenny Bogner.

I'll see what I could do.

[Ric915]

Meekins Stops Bumphus in 11!!

Coming into Saturday nights Jr Weleterweight Championship match for the vacant WBC Championship. John Meekins (25-0-1-4) and Johnny "Bump City"Bumphus (19-1-0-18) both appeared to be in great shape and did it show. The fight itself was going off at even odds. Meekins last bout was a ten round majority decision victory over Langton Tinago back in February, while Bumphus stopped Jo Kimpuano in two in March. The first three rounds of this bout were extremely close as both men were sharp with jabs and right hands. Bumphus appeared to be landing the harder of the punches, while Meekins was popping Bumphus from the outside. After three I had Meekins up 30-29. Meekins just edged the fourth as he was busier then Bumphus. In the fifth Bumphus started getting to Meekins with a little more regularity and a short right rattled Meekins badly. Meekins controlled the sixth round for 2:30 but the final :30 belonged to Bumphus who again rattled Meekins with a booming right hand. After six I had Meekins up 58-57. Bumphus appeared to be wearing down as the seventh round started and Meekins took full advantage as he continued to pepper Bumphus from the outside. The eighth, ninth and tenth rounds were again very evenly fought with the slight edge going to Meekins, Bumophus just didn't seem to be able to get to Meekins as he did in the fifth and sixth. Going into the eleventh it appeared Bumphus was going to need a knock out and he went looking for it and :42 into the eleventh Meekins slipped a wild overhand right from Bumphus and countered with an explosive right hand that left Bumphus flat on his face as he was counted out. Meekins looked very impressive keeping the stronger Bumphus at bay thru out the match and when rattled showed great composure.

The main event featured Australian Hector Thompson (23-1-1-8) and replacement fighter Bruce Curry (24-1-2-14) battle over 15 grueling rounds. Curry who took the bout on short notice when Guillermo Mosquera withdrew from the fight , fought a very determined and spirited fight. Thru three rounds I had the bout scored 29-29. Curry came out in the first and showed he was their to fight as he started very quickly and got Thompson's attention early with a sweeping right hand. Curry was off to a good start in the second round when he landed a jab that caught Thompson on the top of his head and you instantly saw Curry grimace in pain, after that Thompson came back and pulled the round out. The third round was very evenly fought as both men had their moments. I scored the third 10-10. In the fourth again both men took turns out landing the other a very difficult round to score as most of this fight was. Over the next two rounds both men exchanged heated punches with neither man backing the other off. After six I had the bout scored 58-58. Thompson himself now was complaining of hand pain. Rounds seven thru nine were again very evenly fought without a clear cut winner between them. Both men again stood and traded with both men landing hellacious punches.. After nine I had the fight scored 87-87. In the tenth Thompson appeared to be taking over as Curry seemed a little worse for wear. Thompson landed concussive power shots in the tenth that began to swell Curry's right eye as well as opened a cut over the right eye. Thompson controlled rounds ten and eleven as well as Curry just couldn't seem to get it going. After twelve I had Thompson up 117-114. As we entered the championship rounds it appeared as Thompson was going to pull away with it but as round thirteen began Curry looked to have gotten his second wind. Curry came out looking to turn the tide and a well placed right hand rattled Thompson to the core. Curry turned it on trying to get Thompson out of there but Thompson was just to resilient. Thompson's right eye was now beginning to swell also. Curry came out in the fourteenth like a man possessed and as hard as Thompson tried to keep Curry off of him he was unable to. Curry threw some wicked body shots that seemed to cause Thompson to bend over every time they landed. Going into the fifteenth I had Thompson up 135-134 and Thompson seemed content to try and stay away as he felt he had the fight won. Curry continued to press and won the round but was unable to land anything to get Thompson in any serious trouble. I had the bout scored 143-143 a draw but the judges didn't agree all three judges scored in favor of Hector Thompson 144-143, 144-142 and 145-141. Thompson was elated as he was joined by countryman Jeff Fenech who also captured a world title earlier this month in the ring for the post fight announcement. When asked about the replacement Curry Thompson chuckled and stated "If this guy was this tough on short notice I'd hate to fight him fully prepared". Curry of course disappointed felt he won and feels he should definitely be given a rematch and proper time to prepare. I wouldn't mind seeing these two go at it again.

The undercard featured Jr Welterweight sensation Aaron Pryor (11-0-0-11) who wasted no time dispatching of Alfonzo Frazer (14-1-0-10) in the second round. Also featured was Moises Cantoja (10-3-1-1) who was winless in his last four going 0-3-1-0). But a bout with Johnny Copeland (11-7-1-6) changed all that as the feather fisted Cantoja stopped Copeland in the sixth. Rafael Pineda (3-0-0-2) won his third bout of the year as he stopped Dani Durano at 1:29 of the first with a searing right hand.

Jr Welterweight News May 86
Nothing Confirmed

Autosimmed Bouts Of Note

#56 Miguel Montillo (20-2-0-11) WUD10 #30 Tusikoleta Nkalankete (10-1-3-2)
#57 Steve Hearon (14-3-2-7) WUD10 #73 Willie Rodriguez (15-5-4-1)
#80 Herbie Lee (18-3-0-2) WUD10 #45 LeRoy Haley (11-2-1-2)
#67 Gary Hinton (22-3-0-1) WUD10 #26 Frankie Warren (16-2-0-16)
#29 Kyung-Duk Ahn (11-0-1-3) WUD10 #21 Freddie Pendleton (12-1-0-7)
#32 Dawthong Chuvatana (14-2-0-10) WKO3 #22 Lennox Blackmore (16-2-0-4)

Jr Welterweight Rankings May 86

Hector Thomspon (24-1-1-8) WBA
John Meekins (25-0-1-4) WBC
Guillermo Mosquera (20-0-0-13)
Rene Arredondo (19-1-0-15)
Frankie Randall (17-0-0-14)
Hugo Hernandez (20-1-2-8)
Johnny Bumphus (19-1-0-18)
Tsuyoshi Hamada (18-1-0-12)
Akio Kameda (21-1-0-17)
Bruce Curry (24-2-2-14)

[Lee]

Bump city doomed by that weak chin again!!! I will always remember that Gene Hatcher fight where Bumphus made him look stupid and then ran flush into a hook that ended it!

Nice write up Ric!

[PWillisTheMan]

Originally Posted by Lee

Bump city doomed by that weak chin again!!! I will always remember that Gene Hatcher fight where Bumphus made him look stupid and then ran flush into a hook that ended it!

Nice write up Ric!

Pretty sure it was on the undercard of Bramble/Mancini on Fox.

[Lee]

Yes it was, two pretty good Title fights, though the Mancini loss was heartbreaking for me.

[Ric915]

Originally Posted by Lee

Yes it was, two pretty good Title fights, though the Mancini loss was heartbreaking for me.

As a kid that was the worse night of my life. It's weird I'll still watch Mancini- Bramble I & II and somehow hope the result will change. Like the judges don't screw Ray.in the rematch

[Ric915]

Brown Stops Hearns in 7!!!

Simon Brown (25-0-0-25) took a one sided beating for five and a half rounds before storming back to stop Thomas Hearns (27-1-0-26) in round seven to capture the vacant WBA Welterweight Championship. Brown was coming into the bout with a 5th round KO over Louie Lomeli back in February, while Tommy had stopped Silvano Bertini in eight also in February. As both men squared off in the center of the ring Hearns was the picture of intimidation. When the bell sounded to start the bout Hearns was quick to tag Brown with a jab and straight right hand. Brown would taste Hearn's right hand throughout the first round numerous times. Round two started the same, as Hearns used a sharp jab and wicked straight right hands. Late in the round a Hearns hook dropped Brown for the first time in the fight and his career. Brown was up at the count of three and the bell sounded ending the round before Hearns could follow up. As the second round closed Brown had swelling under the right eye. The third, fourth and fifth were much of the same. Hearns landing incredible shots on the jaw of Brown and Brown still moving forward. Brown landed some shots on the jaw of Hearns but never rattled him. For the first 2:30 of the sixth round it was more of Hearns just teeing off on Brown and Brown pressing forward late in the round Brown launched an uppercut that looked like it would tear Hearns head off and Tommy visited the canvas for the first time in his career. Hearns took the eight count and looked to be on wobbly legs but the bell sounded before Brown could follow up on his hurt opponent. In the seventh Brown came storming out as Hearns still appeared to be on shaky ground. Brown unleashed a series of blows that landed squarely on the jaw of Hearns that held up nicely until 2:42 when a Brown jab was followed by a screaming right hook that Tommy tried to get out of the way of and ducked right into dropped Hearns instantly who was then counted out at 2:52. What a victory for Brown who showed a great heart and an even greater chin. Not many men would have been able to stand up to the shots of Thomas Hearns the way Brown did.

The support bout featured France's Roger Menetrey (24-0-0-21) facing Sweden's Gert Bo Jacobsen (23-1-0-22). Battling for the vacant WBC Welterweight Championship. Jacobsen was coming into the bout with a 7th round TKO over Bernie Terrell to capture the EBU Welterweight Championship., while Menetrey stopped Mike Edney in one round back in January. Jacobsen faced adversity early as the first punch of the fight landed by Menetrey opened a cut under his right eye. Thru four rounds I had the fight scored evenly as both men had there moments. In the fifth round Menetrey started to pull away as we was getting to Jacobsen with some punishing rights and lefts. In the sixth a Menetrey right hand buckled Jacobsen's legs and forced him to go on the defensive. As the round closed Jacobsen's right eye was swelling noticeably. Menetrey picked up where he left off in the seventh as again he was tattooing Jacobsen with brilliant combos. Jacobsen seemed to have a good eighth round as Menetrey seemed to be wearing down. Jacobsen landed some great shots but as he was fatigued himself there wasn't much on the punches. As the ninth round started both men moved inside to wage battle and a Menetrey uppercut caused Jacobsen to slump to the canvas where he was counted out :54 into the round. Great win for Menetrey

The under card featured rising star Donald Curry (18-0-0-15) who gave Gary Jacobs (21-1-1-6) a terrible one sided beating over seven rounds. Jacobs had his hands full early as he had a cut over the right eye and swelling under the right eye. Jacobs would visit the canvas twice once in the fourth and once in the fifth. Jacobs showed tremendous heart as he never stopped fighting but he was just outclassed by Curry who finally stopped Jacobs when Jacobs cut became to aggravated to continue. Both Aaron Davis (3-0-0-0) and Glenwood Brown (3-0-0-2) won four round unanimous decisions over TC"s. This was the first time Brown saw the second round.

Welterweight News May 86

Next month Wilfred Benitez (21-0-0-12) will meet John H Stracey (20-0-0-20) for the vacant IBF Welterweight Championship. On the undercard Crisanto Espana (18-0-0-16) will meet Jorge Vaca (16-0-0-16) in a WBC Title eliminator to see who will be Roger Menetrey's first defense.

Autosimmed Bouts of Note

#60 Miguel Angel Campanino (14-1-0-1) WUD10 #50 Rodolfo Gomez (18-2-2-12)
#26 Eddie Mack (18-0-0-6) WUD10 #70 Harold Weston (16-4-1-2)
#48 Jeff Malcolm (16-2-2-1) D10 #76 Min Cho (13-4-1-13)
#38 Troy Wortham (17-1-0-6) WUD10 #49 Armando Muniz (14-2-0-10)
#22 Floyd Mayweather Sr (20-1-0-14) WUD10 #67 Andre Kimbo Mboma (15-6-1-3)
#23 Marlon Starling (18-0-0-8) WKO4 #33 Louie Lomeli (17-2-0-16)
#40 Dave Green (15-0-0-12) WUD10 #77 Scott Clark (17-3-0-13)
#21 Ray Leonard (17-0-0-15) WUD10 #35 Silvano Bertini (21-2-0-6)

Welterweight Rankings May 86

Simon Brown (25-0-0-25) WBA
Roger Menetrey (24-0-0-21) WBC
Thomas Hearns (27-1-0-26)
Wilfred Benitez (21-0-0-12)
John H Stracey (20-0-0-20)
Crisanto Espana (18-0-0-16)
Donald Curry (18-0-0-15)
Jorge Vaca (16-0-0-16)
Fujio Ozaki (28-1-0-25)
Ray Leonard (17-0-0-15)
Gert Bo Jacobson (23-1-0-22)

[Lee]

Holy shocker Batman, Hearns stopped!! Though Brown is certainly capable and Hitman is always susceptible to that bomb. Hopefully Tommy will get a chance to avenge this down the road. Good stuff as always!!

[PWillisTheMan]

Originally Posted by Ric915

As a kid that was the worse night of my life. It's weird I'll still watch Mancini- Bramble I & II and somehow hope the result will change. Like the judges don't screw Ray.in the rematch

I do the same thing every time I watch Holyfield/Bowe 3. One of these times he will summon the energy to finish him in the sixth.

And I am going to reread the Hearns fight until he wins.

[Ric915]

Originally Posted by PWillisTheMan

I do the same thing every time I watch Holyfield/Bowe 3. One of these times he will summon the energy to finish him in the sixth.

And I am going to reread the Hearns fight until he wins.

I thought it was gonna be a blow out until that uppercut landed. I'm sure Hearns will bounce back and avenge this loss.

[Infinity]

As much as I hate seeing Tommy lose, that's what makes our game so great, the major upsets that happen now and then!

[grevan]

Great to see Hector Thompson doing so well, a very underrated fighter. He was unlucky in real life to run into Roberto Duran and Antonio Cervantes in title fights, looks like Bruce Curry was a little easier

Would have been a "world champion" for sure in this day and age...

[Jersey-Jim]

Originally Posted by Lee

Bump city doomed by that weak chin again!!! I will always remember that Gene Hatcher fight where Bumphus made him look stupid and then ran flush into a hook that ended it!

Nice write up Ric!

I remember that fight, too. He looked so bad, I think a glancing punch would have dropped him that day.

[Jersey-Jim]

Great, great action in this universe! It's good to see Edwin Rosario have his moment in the sun, too. I hope it lasts longer than it did in real life!

I think this era was the last really great era's of boxing when fights were shown on the weekends on free TV and there were so many names and characters... there was a lot going on in the sport back then.

The other thing was, there were so many titles to go around. The good thing was, the a lot of divisions had decent depth back then which made the title unifications even more exciting. That, and good fighters couldn't be "frozen out" as they were way back when.

[Ric915]

Originally Posted by Infinity

As much as I hate seeing Tommy lose, that's what makes our game so great, the major upsets that happen now and then!

I agree completely Hearns would probably win nine out of ten times and this is the one time Brown pulled it out.