Robinson: Modern Times

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January 1993

The Month Ahead;

Title Contests

Jan 10. Freddie Pendleton vs. Tracy Spann. vacant IBF World lightweight title
Jan 12. Morris East vs. Juan Martin Coggi. WBA World super lightweight title
Jan 12. James McGirt vs. Genaro Leon. WBC World welterweight title
Jan 19. Reggie Johnson vs. Ki-Yun Song. WBA World middleweight title
Jan 20. Gianfranco Rosi vs. Gilbert Dele. IBF World super welterweight title
Jan 30. Michael Nunn vs. Victor Cordoba II. WBA World super middleweight title


'92 USA Olympic Team Bouts Watch

Jan 3. Oscar De La Hoya vs. Paris Alexander.
Jan 3. Larry Donald vs. Craig Brinson.
Jan 8. Danell Nicholson vs. Jordan Keepers.
Jan 9. Eric Griffin vs. Mario Alberto Cruz Alfaro.
Jan 9. Raul Marquez vs. Andre Brown.
Jan 12. Ray Robinson vs. Shawn Wilkins. N.Y. State super featherweight title
Jan 15. Sergio Reyes vs. Chris Gomez.
Jan 17. Larry Donald vs. Bruce Johnson
Jan 22. Danell Nicholson vs. Danny Blake
Jan 28. Chris Byrd vs. Gary Smith.
Jan 30. Eric Griffin vs. Ramon Solis.
Jan 30. Vernon Forrest vs. Ray Garcia.

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De La Hoya Booed

1993-01-03




The honeymoon is over... fight fans want to see Olympic Lightweight champion Oscar De La Hoya tested.

The crowd were disappointed at the way Alexander quickly fell apart.

"The kid's like a lightweight Mike Tyson. Everyone he hits is going to go. The lightweights have never seen anyone like this," said his promoter Bob Arum.

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Pendleton wins IBF Championship

1993-01-10




Freddie Pendleton used effective counter rights to win the vacant IBF lightweight title with a unanimous decision over Tracey Spann on Sunday night.

Spann said he thought he'd won the fight because he forced the action, however none of the judge agreed with him.

Pendleton getting the verdict, 116-112, 117-111 and 117-111.

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Robinson in blow out

1993-01-12




Tuning up for his raid on the rankings in whichever weight class he ultimately settles on 17-year-old Ray Robinson, wasted no time against aggressive Shawn Wilkins.

The slick punchers left hook must pack some dynamite as after Wilkins suggested the stoppage was premature but failed to recall being floored only minutes before.

Robinson defended his N.Y. State title which he takes great pride in;

"Shawn's a real good fighter so I knew I had to get him out early. I'm just happy with the win."

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Summary - January


HEAVYWEIGHTS

George Foreman KO 8 Pierre Coetzer
Tommy Morrison KO 8 Carl Williams
Larry Holmes W10 Bigfoot Martin

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS

Frank Tate W10 Ramzi Hassan

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Mickey Rourke KO 4 Terry Jesmer

MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Reggie Johnson KO 8 Ki Yun Song (Retains WBA Title)
Raul Marquez KO 1 Andre Brown

JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Julio Cesar Vasquez KO 1 Hitoshi Kamiyama (Wins Vacant WBA Title)
John David Jackson KO 10 Michele Mastrodonato

WELTERWEIGHTS

Buddy McGirt W12 Genaro Leon (Retains WBC Title)

JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS

Juan Coggi KO 8 Morris East (Retains WBA Title)

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Fred Pendleton W12 Tracy Spann (Wins Vacant IBF Title)
Rafael Ruelas KO 1 Roberto Burgos
Oscar De La Hoya KO 2 Paris Alexander
Jorge Paez KO 2 Al Castro
Eduardo Molina KO 2 Marciano Hernandez
Fidel Avendano W 10 Mario Fuentes
Chad Broussard KO 2 Jackie Beard
Billy Schwer KO 3 Mauricio Aceves
Jeff Mayweather D 10 Jorge Romero
Fabian Tejeda KO 7 Julio Ruiz
Renaldo Carter W10 Jose Castro
Kelcie Banks W 8 Jose Herrera

SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS

Ray Robinson KO 1 Shawn Wilkins

FEATHERWEIGHTS

Yung Kyun Park W 12 Ever Beleno (Retains WBA Title)
Jesse James Leija W10 Gabriel Castro
Kevin Kelley KO 6 Peter Nieves

JUNIOR BANTAMWEIGHTS

Julio Borboa KO 12 Robert Quiroga (Wins IBF Title)
Marco Antonio Barrera KO 6 Angel Rosario

FLYWEIGHTS

David Griman W12 Aquiles Guzman (Wins WBA Title)

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Robinson's Crusade

It's a Wednesday, one of Robinson's imposed days off - he has two per week, Wednesday's and Sunday's - yet he's still in the gym, not training mind you but just at home in the environment.

"I'm here seven days a week. When I'm not allowed to train I'm watching. No two fighters react the same so there's always something to learn."

There are those out there that think Robinson has learnt enough and is ready for a title shot, his trainer George Gainford included.

"I don't think another fighter in the last forty-years has been matched as tough as Robinson has.

We had to find guys like Sanchez and Nieves to give him some rounds."

Asked if Robinson was ready Gainford answered without hesitation.

"Robinson can't get heavier than 133 pounds right now and makes 128 with ease. Either of those divisions he beats any champion."

Before the question of which champion Robinson interjected.

"Five more fights."

He didn't continue so I asked him to elaborate.

"I've planned it out. My next two fights, February and March are signed, they're done."

I interrupted to ask who and when.

"Jesus Poll, February 27 and Hector Lizarraga, March 13. Lizarrage is California State champ, so it's a inter-state fight. East coast, west coast."

Like you and Oscar De La Hoya I said. Robinson smiled but the name triggered a response from Gainford.

"The kid's got no respect coming out like he did after his debut fight saying he could beat Azmuah tomorrow. Then to turn it down when the offer was made... well... "

I steered it back to Robinson's title plans.

"I've got three unscheduled fights left on my contract with Main Events, and I've already started talks with most of the top ten contenders so we'll so who I can get to sign."

Trying to discover who he was in talks with I asked was it difficult to get opponents in the ring.

"No it's incredibly ease. I've got every opponent I've wanted so far. Guys in the low weight classes, champions can get as little as $25,000. I'm able to offer them far more so my offers are hard to refuse."

Ray Mercer, heavyweight contender on the verge of meeting WBA & IBF champion Riddick Bowe walked into the gym and Robinson shot off to start up a conversation.

"He won't be back now. Robinson can't get enough of it, he's still young."

I sat and waited for a while and watched as Robinson went from conversing with Mercer to wrapping his hands for him.

Gainford said one more thing to me before he excused himself;

"That kid's going to set the world alight. He's going to bring boxing back. If I was you get his autograph now because two-years from now it's going to cost you hundred-dollars."

As I reached the gym entrance I turned around, Gainford was no where in sight and Robinson had snuck into the ring and started shadowboxing.

Still a kid I thought... but then that's some kid.

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Ray Robinson KO 4 Jesus Poll

Atlantic City, New Jersey - The unbeaten Olympian dominated every facet of the bout against his Venezuela born opponent in what was the chief support to Michael Moorer's latest heavyweight contest.

In only his tenth professional contest, Robinson forced the fight from the opening bell to the moment his right landed on Poll's chin and referee Frank Cappuccino counted to ten.

Ringside it is difficult to decide whether it is the speed or power of Robinson's blows that have to date overwhelmed all of his opponents. Poll addressed the question from his changing room after the fight.

"It's the speed. Sure he hits hard, but his hands are unbelievably fast. I've fought and sparred plenty of world champions, but he's faster than I thought was possible."

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Mercer offers bribe mid-fight

The 1988 Olympic gold medalist Ray Mercer lost a surprise ten-round decision to Jesse Ferguson, but worse than that he was accused of offering Ferguson $100,000 to throw the fight.

Mercer received $50,000 and Ferguson $10,000 but had Mercer had won he would of earnt $2.5 million against heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe.

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Lopez passes test

After 12 rugged rounds WBA lightweight champion Tony Lopez had retained his title by a close but unanimous decision against unheralded Dingaan Thobela in Sacramento, California.

Thobela, gallant as he was, may have to wait quite a while for another chance as Lopez seems likely to defend in a rematch vs. Gamache next.

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Summary - February


HEAVYWEIGHTS

Riddick Bowe KO 1 Michael Dokes (Retains WBA-1BF Titles)
Jesse Ferguson W10 Ray Mercer
Larry Donald KO 2 Bruce Johnson

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS

James Toney KO 9 Iran Barkley (Wins IBF Title)
Michael Nunn W 12 Victor Cordoba (Retains IBF Title)
Chris Byrd W 6 Gary Smith

MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Roy Jones KO 1 Glenn Wolfe
Bernard Hopkins W12 Gilbert Baptist
Raul Marquez KO 1 Tyrone Heyward

JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Gianfranco Rosi W 12 Gilbert Dele (Retains IBF Title)

WELTERWEIGHTS

Yori Boy Campas KO 1 Willie Hernandez
Felix Trinidad KO 1 Henry Hughes
Ronald Wright W 8 Roland Cummings

JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS

Kostya Tszyu KO 2 Steve Larrimore
Frankie Randall KO 7 Edwin Rosario
Rodney Moore W10 Livingstone Bramble
Vernon Forrest KO 1 Ray Garcia

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Tony Lopez W12 Dingaan Thobela (Retains WBA Title)
Ray Robinson KO 4 Jesus Poll
Oscar De La Hoya KO 4 Curtis Strong
Jean-Baptiste Mendy KO 4 Antonio Renzo
Miguel Julio KO 1 Fidel Noguera

JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHTS

John-John Molina KO 8 Francisco Segura (Retains IBF Title)

FEATHERWEIGHTS

Paul Hodkinson KO 4 Ricardo Cepeda (Retains WBC Title)

BANTAMWEIGHTS

Victor Rabanales W 12 Dio Andujar (Retains WBC Title)
Sergio Reyes W 4 Felizardo Carrasco

FLYWEIGHTS

Eric Griffin KO 4 Francisco Carrasco
Eric Griffin W 6 Ramon Solis

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Robinson & De La Hoya
Tomorrow's Champions?

They came to the world's attention side-by-side, now fighting in the same weight class they seem destined to compete side-by-side, so let's see what the future holds for these two Olympic gold medalists.

PROFESSIONAL RECORD

Robinson: 10-0 (9)
De La Hoya: 4-0 (4)

Advantage: Robinson

Whilst De La Hoya took time to negotiate with those managers courting him (before settling on Steve Nelson and Bob Mittleman), Robinson had fought five fights, self-managed, to get a clear jump start to his career.

De La Hoya with only four fights has met the customary push-overs and would usually not receive much criticism, but Robinson in his fourth fight took on highly regarded Hector Acero-Sanchez.

To put the Acero-Sanchez fight in perspective, I think he'll be a future champion.


AGE

Robinson: 17
De La Hoya: 20

Advantage: Robinson

Can you give age as an advantage? We have seen many young fighters burn themselves out and if Robinson continues with his current pace who knows.

De La Hoya has yet to be tested in his career so we expect him to ascend slower thus be older by the time he is challenging for a title.


HEIGHT AND REACH

Robinson: 5′ 11″ & 72½″
De La Hoya: 5′ 10½″ & 73″

Advantage: Split

Robinson has half inch in height, De La Hoya half inch in reach.

These two's body dimensions indicate that physically they'll near be far apart.


THE FUTURE

Robinson: March 13. Hector Lizarrage. N.Y.
De La Hoya: March 13. Jeff Mayweather. LA.

Advantage: Boxing

Robinson is a born and bred New Yorker, De La Hoya is a born and bred Californian.

Both want and have based themselves in their home states. Robinson on the east coast, De La Hoya on the west coast.

Boxing is such an unpredictable sport but the I'm going to predict that before these two hang up the gloves many years from now they will became huge superstars and the world will stop when they meet in the ring.

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Ray Robinson KO 2 Hector Lizarraga

Poughkeepsie, New York - In the semi-final event of the night local favourite "Sugar" Ray Robinson continued his quick kayo run as he stopped Hector Lizarraga, the California State champion, in the second.

Lizarraga, 128½, likes to keep it close range and mix it up - which for 3 minutes seemed a good clash of styles with Robinson's smooth almost elegant style in contrast where the rapid jab is forever gauging range and which everything else works off.

Robinson's first punch in the second, a tremendous right, wobbled Lizarraga - yet the Californian continued to move only forward - straight into a sweet four-punch combination from Robinson which stole Lizarraga's balance as he crashed to the canvas.

In a display of defiance Lizarraga got up quickly, perhaps too quick, for Robinson landed another right and down he went.

Up at 8, referee Ron Lipton waved it on but quickly changed his mind when with his next combination Robinson's hit Lizarraga's right-on-the-button each time.

In a post-fight ring interview for ABC-TV, who broadcast the fight, Robinson made the following short statement;

"It was a good fight. Hector's real gutsy, real tough. I'm glad to get the win. I'd like to thank the fans for coming out tonight. Hope the people at home enjoyed it. Thanks."

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Summary - March


HEAVYWEIGHTS

Michael Moorer W10 Bonecrusher Smith
Larry Holmes KO 5 Rocky Pepeli
Larry Donald W 6 Matthew Brooks
Daneil Nicholson KO 1 Mark Posey
Jorge Luis Gonzalez KO 4 Mike White

CRUSIERWEIGHTS

Anaclet Wamba W12 David Vedder (Retains WBC Title)
Al Cole W12 Uriah Grant (Retains 1BF Title)

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS

Virgil Hill Tech. Win 11 Adolpho Washington (Retains WBA Title)

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Michael Nunn KO 1 Dan Morgan (Retains WBA Title)
Nigel Benn W 12 Mauro Galvano (Retains WBC Title)
Chris Eubank W12 Lindell Holmes


MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Gerald McClellan KO 2 Tyrone Moore
Vinny Pazienza KO 6 Brett Lally
Raul Marquez KO 3 Leo Edwards

JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Julio Cesar Vasquez KO 1 Aquilino Asprilla (Retains WBA Title)
Terry Norris KO 2 Maurice Blocker (Retains WBC Title)

WELTERWEIGHTS

Pernell Whitaker W12 Buddy McGirt (Wins WBC Title)
Felix Trinidad KO 4 Pedro Aguirre
Ike Quartey W 8 Mario Morales
Ike Quartey KO 4 Floyd Williams

JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS

Julio Cesar Chavez KO 5 Greg Haugen (Retains WBC Title)
Juan Coggi KO 3 Domingo Martinez
Roger Mayweather W Disq. 5 Livingstone Bramble
Pepe Reilly KO 1 Mark Fornelli

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Rafael Ruelas KO 3 Robert Rivera
Joey Gamache W 10 Michael Grow
Ray Robinson KO 2 Hector Lizarraga
Miguel Julio KO 2 Miguel Melendez
Oscar De La Hoya KO 4 Jeff Mayweather
Jorge Paez KO 8 Ramon Felix
Ivan Robinson KO 1 Antonio Pressley

JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHTS

Azumah Nelson W12 Gabriel Ruelas (Retains WBC Title)

FEATHERWEIGHTS

Tom Johnson W12 Manuel Medina (Wins 1BF Title)
Luisito Espinosa W12 Raul Martinez Mora

JUNIOR FEATHERWEIGHTS

Tracy Patterson W12 Jesse Benavides (Retains WBC Title)
Wilfredo Vasquez W12 Luis Mendoza (Retains WBA Title)

JUNIOR BANTAMWEIGHTS

Sung Kil Moon KO 1 Hilario Zapata (Retains WBC Title)
Marco Antonio Barrera W10 Ivan Salazar

JUNIOR FLYWEIGHTS

Michael Carbajal KO 7 Humberto Gonzalez (Wins WBC Title; Retains IBF Title)
Eric Griffin KO 2 Manuel Valenzuela

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The Ring Ratings

For Period Ended March 17, 1993


LIGHTWEIGHTS
Weight limit: 135 pounds

1 MIGUEL ANGEL GONZALEZ
Mexico 26-0 (WBC Champ)
2 FREDDIE PENDLETON
Miami, FL 33-17-4 (IBF Champ)
3 TONY LOPEZ
Sacramento, CA 42-3-1 (WBA Champ)
4 RAFAEL RUELAS
Arleta, CA 36-1
5 TRACY SPANN
Plainfield, NJ 27-2-1
6 JOEY GAMACHE
Lewiston, ME 29-1
7 SHARMBA MITCHELL
Takoma Park, MD 28-0
8 JEAN-BAPTISTE MENDY
France 43-4-2
9 LEAVANDER JOHNSON
Atlantic City, NJ 17-0-1
10 MIGUEL JULIO
Colombia 22-1-1

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Pendleton -Paez

IBF lightweight champion Freddie Pendleton has confirmed reports that his first defense will come against Jorge Paez in July.

“He’s a taco,” Pendleton said of Paez. “I’ll get him out of the way, then knock out that dishrag, Rafael Ruelas.

He doesn’t want to fight me. They offered me $40,000 for a fight. Imagine, only $40,000 to defend the title!"

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Robinson -Julio

A month shy of his 18th birthday Ray Robinson will step into the ring and face arguably his first real legitimate opponent, a top ten contender.

Miguel Julio, himself only 19 years-old is well placed among all the sport's most notable governing bodies to be a significant test to the Olympic champion.

Here is where Julio is ranked at present;

WBC - 10th
WBA - 8th
IBF - 2nd
The Ring - 10th

Neither boxer is wasting time as both were only out in March and this contest has been scheduled for the James Toney-Ricky Thomas card on April 17th.

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Ray Robinson KO 9 Miguel Julio

Bushkill, Pennsylvania - As he turns 18 next month, Ray Robinson seems to have proven he is ready to tackle whichever champion in the lightweight division wants to take a career high payday to face him.

In his 12th professional fight Robinson once again was involved in the fight of the night.

James Toney who watched the bout in his dressing room as he waited for it to finish was impressed, "The kid's a helluva puncher. Great technician."

Early in the fight, Robinson began doubling up on the left hook and that earned him some space as Julio respected the power behind it.

Nevertheless it quickly became a gun-fight as both planted their feet and threw down, the rounds flew by as the crowd were whipped into a frenzy with the amount of action on show.

The close nature of the fight slowly slipped away from Julio by the 7th as Robinson, despite suffering a small cut to the brow, had inflicted enough damage that Julio had slowed down and was beginning to throw arm punches.

A kinder referee then Frank Cappuccino may of stopped it in the 8th as Julio needed the ropes to help keep him upright.

There was no ropes to save Julio in the ninth. After being downed three times for long counts from sharp combinations Cappuccino called a halt 1:48 into the round.

At the time of the stoppage Robinson was ahead on all three cards; 80-73, 80-72, 79-74.

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Summary - April


HEAVYWEIGHTS

Tommy Morrison KO 3 Dan Murphy
Danell Nicholson KO 3 Ken Bentley
Danell Nicholson KO 3 Luis Torres
Shannon Briggs KO 1 Glenn Gulette

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS

Virgil Hill W12 Fabrice Tiozzo (Retains WBA Title)
Henry Maske W12 Prince Charles Williams (Wins IBF Title)
Mike McCallum W10 Ramzi Hassan
Montell Griffin KO 2 Calvin Puckett
Mickey Rourke KO 1 Tom Bentley

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS

James Toney KO 10 Ricky Thomas

MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Raul Marquez KO 4 Jose Garcia

JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Julio Cesar Vasquez KO 3 Angel Moguea

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Miguel Angel Gonzalez W 12 Hector Lopez (Retains WBC Title)
Leavander Johnson KO 2 Rafael Meyran
Ray Robinson KO 9 Miguel Julio
Oscar De La Hoya W 8 Mike Grable
Wilfrido Rocha KO 2 Felix Rodriguez
Arturo Gatti KO 3 Curtis Mathis

FEATHERWEIGHTS

Yung Kyun Park KO 4 Thanomchit Kiatkriengkrai (Retains WBA Title)
Kevin Kelley KO 4 Arturo Gonzalez
Jesse James Leija W12 Louie Espinoza

BANTAMWEIGHTS

Orlando Canizales KO 11 Bones Adams (Retains IBF Title)
Jung II Byun W12 Victor Rabanales (Wins WBC Title)

FLYWEIGHTS

Yuri Arbachakov KO 9 Muangchai Kittikasem (Retains WBC Title)

STRAWWEIGHTS

Ratanapol Sor Voraphin KO 7 Nico Thomas (Retains IBF Title)

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The Ring Ratings

For Period Ended April 28, 1993


LIGHTWEIGHTS
Weight limit: 135 pounds

1 MIGUEL ANGEL GONZALEZ
Mexico 28-0 (WBC Champ)
2 FREDDIE PENDLETON
Miami, FL 33-17-4 (IBF Champ)
3 TONY LOPEZ
Sacramento, CA 42-3-1 (WBA Champ)
4 RAFAEL RUELAS
Arleta, CA 36-1
5 TRACY SPANN
Plainfield, NJ 27-2-1
6 JOEY GAMACHE
Lewiston, ME 29-1
7 SHARMBA MITCHELL
Takoma Park, MD 28-0
8 JEAN-BAPTISTE MENDY
France 43-4-2
9 LEAVANDER JOHNSON
Atlantic City, NJ 18-0-1
10 RAY ROBINSON
New York 12-0

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IBF Announce Title Eliminator

IBF President Bob Lee today released a short press statement alongside their latest lightweight rankings;

Champion. Fred Pendleton (USA)
1. Rafael Ruelas (USA)
2. Ray Robinson (USA)
3. Jean Mendy (FRA)
4. Leavander Johnson (USA)
5. Tracy Spann (USA)
6. Jorge Paez (MEX)
7. Eduardo Molina (COL)
8. Sharmba Mitchell (USA)
9. Carl Griffith (USA)
10. Joey Gamache (USA)

"Champion Fred Pendleton's next title contest is a voluntary defense against Jorge Paez.

Whoever is success in the July 17th contest must sign an agreement to meet the mandatory challenger within 30-days.

In regards to the mandatory challenger, a contest between Rafael Ruelas and Ray Robinson will determine who faces the IBF champion.

We expect terms to be agreed between both parties within the coming weeks."