The Greatest Prize in Sports

[kenyan_cheena]

:boog ie:

Woo-hoo! We've reached 1,000 posts! Thanks to everyone who has supported this thread and given me the encouragement and enthusiasm to keep it going! It's really appreciated!

Up next is the March write-ups of Boxing Monthly and World Boxing Review. I've decided to stop doing the EuroBox articles for now but might bring them back sometime in the future.

[damientheomen3]

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

:boog ie:

Woo-hoo! We've reached 1,000 posts! Thanks to everyone who has supported this thread and given me the encouragement and enthusiasm to keep it going! It's really appreciated!

Up next is the March write-ups of Boxing Monthly and World Boxing Review. I've decided to stop doing the EuroBox articles for now but might bring them back sometime in the future.

Damn it, I bet you just did that because I told you I frantically check this thread every time there's a new post!

[kenyan_cheena]

Originally Posted by damientheomen3

Damn it, I bet you just did that because I told you I frantically check this thread every time there's a new post!

LOL I told you his first appearance was a couple of days away, not minutes! He'll be in the very next universe post I make, which will be the March Boxing Monthly fight reviews. That should be ready within 72 hours.

[comicfanman]

Congrats on 1,000 posts

Now on to 2,000

Great Work!!!!

-Russ

[kenyan_cheena]

BOXING
MONTHLY

VOLUME 29, ISSUE 3 - MARCH 2007

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

3 March: Dallas, Texas, USA
Montell Jackson (19-0(12)) TKO10 David Hernandez (23-1-2(16))
(middleweight division, IBO title fight)

In a continuation of the run of unexpected results they experienced in February the IBO's first March title bout produced another surprise, with former WBO belt holder David Hernandez being outfought and stopped on cuts in round ten by the untested but talented Chicago native Montell Jackson. Out of action since last June, Hernandez was fortunate that the IBO allowed him to take part in the bout but his period of inactivity clearly had a bearing on the result as he struggled to get out of first gear during the early rounds. Jackson opened a nasty cut under Hernandez's left eye in round six and despite the efforts of the local favourite's corner crew it became progressively worse. At just nineteen years of age Jackson is amongst the youngest champions in the sport today and is certainly a fighter to keep an eye on.

3 March: Los Angeles, California, USA
Leroy Jenkins (25-3(17)) DQ4 Marcus Black (19-1-1(12))
(middleweight division, WBA title fight)

Jenkins claimed the WBA belt back in July after it was vacated by Les Darcy before he joined the IBL. This was his first defense of it after a proposed December bout fell through and to say it was anti-climatic would be an understatement. After a less than remarkable opening three rounds Black unloaded a left hook that landed way south of the border and he was immediately disqualified. It wasn't the result that the struggling middleweight division needed, to say the least.

7 March: Copenhagen, Denmark
Mikkel Kristensen (5-0(5)) KO2 Jesper Poulsen (7-3(3))
(super-middleweight division)

Kristensen maintained what has been a destructive start to his professional career, running his record to 6-0 with a decimation of compatriot Jesper Poulsen. Five of his six wins have come inside of two rounds, with the other ending in the 3rd. He's an intimidating individual, one who shows no fear and can unsettle with his cold gaze. Apparently the IBO have shown some interest in signing him but he has already said that his only objective is the official world championship, which is currently held by Venezuela's WBC titlist Fulgencio Obelmejias.

10 March: Johannesburg, South Africa
Teko Davids (28-1-1(21)) UD12 John Bekker (22-1-1(16))
(flyweight division, IBO title fight)

Davids and Bekker had squared off at the same Johannesburg venue in November with the IBF title on the line. Once again Davids was too classy for his compatriot and although the bout went the distance he produced an effort even more impressive than what we saw in the first meeting, which ended in round eleven. Davids floored Bekker twice, once in the 3rd and then late in the 8th, and took the verdict by scores of 118-108, 117-109 and 118-109. No doubt the result will put an end to the discussion of who really is South Africa's best flyweight.

10 March: Panama City, Panama
Roman Moreno (22-0(18)) UD12 Luis Valdez (27-2-2(22))
(junior-bantamweight division, WBC title fight)

Last July Moreno dethroned Valdez with a sensational 2nd round knockout, an unexpected ending for a bout that had been preceeded by some fierce trash talking. Valdez's two-year reign as champion was ended and since then Moreno successfully defended the title in October. Valdez recorded two wins of his own, leading to this much-anticipated rematch. While it wasn't as short-lived as their first encounter it was just as explosive, the outcome identical. Moreno tasted the canvas once while Valdez was sent there three times, those knockdowns making the final victory margin wider than it should have been. Moreno held onto the championship with a unanimous decision win, taking it by scores of 114-110, 115-109 and 114-110.

13 March: Edison, New Jersey, USA
Damien Walec (2-0(2)) KO3 Robert Mickelson (4-3-1(2))
(super-middleweight division)

A native of Middlesex County's Woodbridge Township 23 year-old southpaw Damien Walec has made a whirlwind start to his professional career, reeling off three wins in the space of six weeks. Each has come inside of three rounds with his victory over Mickelson being particularly brutal. The Elizabeth-born Mickelson was floored four times, with the final knockdown coming after a barrage of seven unanswered blows. Walec is something of an enigma, presenting himself as arrogant and bragadocious in the moments following the Mickelson fight before displaying a much more low-key, even mellow disposition when interviewed by a local newspaper a week later. One thing that's certain is he's a young man with plenty of talent, one that fight fans should watch out for in the months ahead.

16 March: Miami, Florida, USA
Felix Trinidad (11-0(9)) UD8 Leroy Marr (13-3-1(7))
(junior-welterweight division)

In something of a step-up in regards to the level of competition he's been facing Puerto Rico's Felix Trinidad squared off against local favourite Leroy Marr on Friday Night Fights. In another outstanding effort he pitched a near shutout, subduing the durable Marr during the opening three rounds and cruising to an impressive win. Each judge gave Trinidad a 79-73 verdict, with only round six being scored in Marr's favour. Trinidad's father has said he's going to continue bringing his son along slowly and that he's in no rush to push the 18 year-old into a world title fight.

17 March: Caracas, Venezuela
Alejandro Vielma (30-3-1(23)) MD12 Orlando Sierra (22-1(16))
(junior-welterweight division, IBO title fight)

There are many observers who believe that Vielma took the easy route when he decided to sign with the IBO and eliminate the possibility of matchups with the 140-pound division's best fighters, such as Eddie Perkins and Bruno Arcari. That might be true but Vielma had anything but an easy night against the fearless young Puerto Rican Orlando Sierra. The former WBO champion found himself flat on his back after eating a straight right early in round two and was never really able to gain complete control of the fight. The final scorecards indicate this, with one judge having it all locked up at 114-114 and the other two favouring the Venezuelan 114-113. A rematch would appear a distinct possibility.

17 March: Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA
Eddie Perkins (35-2(25)) TKO7 Leron Mathis (26-2(16))
(junior-welterweight divsion, WBA title fight)

Making the seventh defense of his belt Perkins was far too good for the New Yorker Leron Mathis, breaking him down over the first six rounds and then finishing him off with a pair of knockdowns in the 7th, the referee calling the fight off at the 2:05 mark shortly after Mathis rose from his second trip to the canvas. It was a predictable outcome and a second consecutive comfortable defense for the Mississippi native. It has, however, most likely set up a clash that will be a good deal tougher, that being a September unification showdown with WBC titlist Bruno Arcari. The Italian won the belt from long-time champion Javier Gutierrez last month and with Perkins coming through his defense against Mathis intact the unification agreement that was struck in January only needs the blessing of the two sanctioning organisations. Of course, we wouldn't put it past either of them to stand in the way of such an intriguing fight.

24 March: Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA
Marcelo Smith (26-3-1(18)) MD12 Miguel Borgetti (33-5-2(22))
(welterweight division, IBO title fight)

Smith produced a spirited effort in falling to Jose Napoles in an August WBC title challenge, following it up with a 2nd round knockout of journeyman Larry Green in December. Those outings earned him a shot at the inaugural IBO belt against 32 year-old Mexican veteran Miguel Borgetti, the bout held on the undercard of the Joe Brown-Francisco Ortiz lightweight showdown. In an exciting, dramatic battle Borgetti gave it his all and almost stole what would have been a remarkable victory. However, Smith scored a knockdown one minute into the final frame and it proved to be a huge one as he took the verdict by scores of 115-112, 114-114 and 114-113. Outside of the IBL there's not a great deal of talent at 147 so it's going to be interesting to see who Smith first defends his title against.

24 March: Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA
Frank Galvano (9-0(7)) TKO4 Lionel Morton (5-2-1(3))
(middlewight division)

Last month Galvano appeared on the undercard of the IBO's inaugural light-heavyweight title bout in Los Angeles. This month he was back home on the east coast but was once again on a blockbuster card, opening the evening at the Brown-Ortiz event. The New Yorker ran his record to a perfect 10-0 with a convincing 4th round TKO of Boston's Lionel Morton, who appeared to be out of his depth within thirty seconds of the opening bell. The brash, egotistical Galvano is making nice progress and according to his promoter and IBO president Robert Tattaglia could very well be in the picture for a shot at the organisation's North American title by the end of the year.

24 March: Dallas, Texas, USA
Corey Glover (30-3-1(22)) TKO9 James Patton (28-4(20))
(junior-middleweight division, WBA title fight)

Atlantic City native James Patton had been knocked out in three rounds by John Mugabi in the Ugandan's final defense of his WBO title before signing on with the IBL last April. Since then Patton has been busy, scoring three victories to earn himself a shot at Glover's WBA belt. Unfortunately he was unsuccessful once again, the fight ending due to a bad cut on his left eyebrow in round nine. However, he was competitive enough during the fight to suggest that a rematch could very well take place. Glover has held his championship since June '05 and has now defended it four times. He had been hoping for a clash with Jose Napoles when he moved up from the welterweight division but the Florida slugger instead fought Mike McCallum and then signed with the IBO.

27 March: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Carmelo Barea (28-3-1(19)) KO10 Angel Espada (7-2-1(3))
(IBL welterweight division)

Fighting in his homeland for the first time under the IBL banner Barea recorded his second consecutive 10th round knockout. But unlike in early February against Charley Scott when it was the conclusion of a late, disaster-averting rally Barea dominated compatriot Angel Espada, dropping him five times on the way to victory. Two of the knockdowns came in round ten and Espada was counted out just thirteen seconds from the final bell. Barea has now won four fights in a row since losing to Gustav Eder in the quarter-finals of the world championship tournament and will be hoping to clinch a place in the top ranking tier when he next steps back in the ring.

27 March: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Wilfred Benitez (15-0-2(10)) UD10 Roberto Cruz (21-6(13))
(IBL welterweight division)

Like Barea, Benitez was also making his first appearance in Puerto Rico since joining the IBL and he was in fine form, taking a unanimous decision verdict over the Filipino Roberto Cruz (98-92, 96-94, 98-93). There were no knockdowns but Benitez was never troubled, outlanding his opponent by twice as many punches (316-155). It was Benitez's fourth straight unanimous nod since he was eliminated from the Challenger's tournament after a draw with Aaron Lister Brown last June. Benitez remains undefeated and like Barea he'll be shooting for a berth in the 1st tier come late May.

27 March: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Ike Quartey (28-5(22)) KO7 James Page (10-2-1(6))
(IBL welterweight division)

Following back-to-back losses to Wilfred Benitez and Charlie Shipes, Quartey returned to the winner's list with a stoppage victory over the young Californian James Page. But it was anything but easy or convincing, with Quartey climbing off the canvas in rounds three and five. His fightback came quickly as he cut Page on the lip midway through the 6th and then floored him with a crippling body shot early in round seven. Page was counted out at the 0:29 mark. The 20 year-old had been victorious in his last two bouts, recording a total of five knockdowns in them so Quartey certainly dodged a bullet by ending the fight when he did. He keeps his place in the 2nd ranking tier and has set up a big meeting with one of the marquee names from the top ten.

28 March: Brooklyn, New York, USA
Maurice Holmes (40-5-1(34)) KO8 Johny Jensen (13-4-2(7))
(IBL junior-heavyweight division)

It would not be an exaggeration to say that a loss in this bout would have ended Holmes' quest to win the IBL 200-pound world championship. Defeat would have seen him plummet into the realm of the 3rd ranking tier and facing the reality of winning another three or four fights just to get back to where he was entering the fight at #13. Fortunately he came through the matchup unscathed but he was far from dominant. Going into round seven the former WBA light-heavyweight champion held a one-point lead on two cards and a three-point buffer on the other, Jensen proving to be a tough and stubborn opponent. But he got a little careless midway through the 8th and walked into a crunching uppercut, ending his evening and any chance of an upset. Holmes is now 3-2 in IBL competition, recording back-to-back wins for the first time.

28 March: Brooklyn, New York, USA
Meldrick Taylor (25-3(17)) UD10 Hector Thompson (7-3-2(4))
(IBL welterweight division)

Philadelphia's Meldrick Taylor stretched his winning streak to four with another comfortable victory, this one coming against the outclassed Australian Hector Thompson and setting up a possible matchup with Puerto Rican Olympic medallist Wilfred Benitez in late May. Thompson gave his all but was never in the contest and it was incredible that one of the judges only had Taylor winning by a single point, 96-95. The other two were spot on, though, their cards reading 99-93 and 99-91. Thompson has yet to record a win in six IBL bouts, going 0-4-2. He's one of a score of fighters contracted to the organisation who have simply been in over their heads from the very beginning, his promising 7-0 career start now a distant memory.

28 March: Brooklyn, New York, USA
Gary Gomez (16-4-2(11)) SD10 Rydell Booker (18-5(14))
(IBL junior-heavyweight division)

Booker was on cloud nine last month when he scored a sensational 2nd round knockout of two-time Olympic Champion Sam Langford. But he was unable to maintain the jolt of momentum that win gave him against Gomez, coming back down to earth and producing an uneven performance in which he had chances to assume control but simply didn't take them. Gomez was victorious by scores of 97-95, 94-97 and 96-95. He'll make a healthy jump into the 2nd ranking tier while Booker will fall into the 3rd tier, a drop of at least nine places. His situation is a perfect example of how challenging it is to make it to the top in the IBL. Last month he looked like a world beater, but now he's in a worse position than he was before the Langford bout.

28 March: Brooklyn, New York, USA
Raul Macias (11-6(6)) MD8 Jimmy Krug (7-1(3))
(IBL bantamweight division)

New Jersey-born Krug fell to his first professional defeat when he was surprisingly knocked out by Stan Rowan on February 10. He was expected to bounce back against Macias who, although ranked higher, is not in the same class talent-wise. However, the Mexican provided some stiff resistance and after a slow start turned the tide in round four when he floored Krug with a left hook twenty seconds into the frame. From that point on he was the better fighter and took the verdict by scores of 77-75, 76-76 and 77-75, sending Krug to his second straight defeat. The task of climbing the rankings has suddenly become tough for Krug and he'll have to rediscover that winning form in the months to come.

[kenyan_cheena]

Currently working on the March World Boxing Review Notes & Quotes. Should be posted within 48 hours. Once that's done I'll be able to do the write-ups of the 31 March Mexico IBL world championship card and the Berlin WW Inter-Continental card, which features djday45's fighter Ashley Jackson.

Beyond that I've got a bunch of fight cards to sim for the month of April.

[Ian Lord]

Congratulations on reaching a thousand posts! Sorry it's a bit late. Excellent stuff!

[kenyan_cheena]

WORLD BOXING REVIEW

v. 53 / e. 3

MARCH 2007

(following are selected entries from the magazine's "Notes & Quotes" section)

***

Tuesday 06/03/07

"It's just incredible that the guy has done it again, Jim! I mean, it was one miracle when he managed to win the title in the way he did, but to retain it in a fight that was almost identical is unbelievable! I don't think I've ever been happier for a fighter. I love the attitude he has, also. He realises how amazing it all is, and he's just going along with it, enjoying it like he's on an amusement park ride. I'm not sure how much longer it'll last but I tell ya one thing: I'm gonna enjoy it, too, while it does!"

Showtime's Hugh Ballard voices his admiration for the remarkable streak of victories recorded by current world cruiserweight/junior-heavyweight champion Jeff Lampkin. After defeating three former alphabet champions to claim the title Lampkin retained it with an equally unexpected 6th round knockout of the Frenchman Taoufik Belbouli on March 3. His next title defense is scheduled for August and will be against either Puerto Rico's former IBF champion Carlos DeLeon or the German Torsten May, who will clash in an eliminator in late-May.

***

Friday 09/03/07

"What it is, more than anything, is a scathing indictment on the viability of the WBC and WBA. It's a perfect example to show that any fighter who is campaigning for either of those organisations really has no meaningful future in the sport, especially in the heavyweight division. Brody was ignorant and content to keep on going along under Hillier because he was getting paid to bash people's heads in. Somehow he had no inkling of what the situation was in the division but all it took was for an acquaintance to open his eyes to the true reality and he wanted out. It illustrates perfectly the farcical nature of the WBA and WBC in 2007, a plight that's only going to get worse for them."

Journalist James Reynolds gives his opinion on the split between Detroit heavyweight Brutus Brody and his Chicago-based WBC-aligned promoter Tyrone Hillier. Their seven-month association ended officially on March 2 thanks in large part to Brody's new manager and lifelong friend Jimmy Vickers, who encouraged Brody to sever the partnership and pursue a contract with the International Boxing League in order to fight current world champion Terone Haynes. The IBL confirmed on March 12 that Brody had signed a three-year contract with them and that he would make his debut for the organisation in early April. The incident is a huge blow to the WBC, who were banking on Brody fighting for and winning their heavyweight belt towards the end of 2007.

***

Sunday 11/03/07

"No one saw it coming and, truly, they shouldn't have. Who on earth would have predicted it? Two of them losing, that wouldn't have surprised me. Three would have been unexpected, I guess. But all five of them?!? It's crazy! Slade losing to Harvey on Monday wasn't a big surprise 'cause the fight was in London and there's not a lot between them. But for both Keshi and Tiger to fall on Friday, in Lagos, in front of their fellow countrymen, with a place in the eliminator on the line? Who saw that coming?!? After absorbing the consequences of it, Mina getting past Harrison was nothing and it was what I was expecting, anyway. But for Chase to let Barkley get the better of him after all those other results, when he knew he'd be in the eliminator with a win, was incredible. Don't get me wrong, Barkley's good. But I just can't get past the fact that Chase had seen everyone else lose and he still wasn't ready for what Iran threw at him. You can say we'll never see anything like it for a while to come but it's already happened once so why wouldn't it happen again?"

Sports Illustrated's Brian Phillips reflects on the extraordinary sequence of results in the IBL's light-heavyweight division during the previous week which saw each of the five fighters ranked from #2 through to #6 defeated in bouts against those ranked from #7 to #11. Amongst the defeated combatants were the Nigerian pair Taribo Keshi (#2) and Dick Tiger (#4), who both lost on a card in their homeland. As a result they have blown the chance to set up an all-Nigerian world championship bout against their compatriot Celestine Amakochi, who defeated Philadelphia's Harold Johnson to win the title on March 10.

***

Wednesday 14/03/07

"I've got a lot of sympathy for what the man's going through, I really do. But at the same time he wouldn't be in there if he hadn't broken the law. It's as simple as that and anyone who says it isn't is kidding themselves. You can't excuse what he did because he would have known from the very beginning, right when the crazy idea came into his head, that he was taking a huge risk. So now here we are less than six months later and we find out he's "doing it tough in Trenton" and we're expected to think they should release him? Please!"

Former world super-middleweight and light-heavyweight champion Leroy Grant responds to an article in the March 12 edition of Newark's The Star-Ledger newspaper in which the difficulties experienced by former International Boxing Federation president Michael Jacobs during his incarceration in the New Jersey State Prison were outlined. Jacobs was found guilty and sentenced to thirty months in prison last September on charges relating to death threats made against Mexico's current featherweight world champion Gilberto Vasquez during February and March of 2006. The article was written by David Madison, based on correspondence he'd received from Jacobs' daughter. Titled "Jacobs doing it tough in Trenton" it claimed that, in addition to being the target of a number of minor assaults, Jacobs was brutally bashed in January, the attacker allegedly a former world-ranked middleweight boxer who had been deceived by Jacobs back in 2001 and as a result was denied a shot at the world championship. Jacobs' jaw and nose were broken in the assault and he also suffered fractures to three ribs, injuries that he is of course still recovering from.

***

Friday 16/03/07

"Honestly, before Sam made his decision to drop down I was absolutely set on what I wanted to do. I'd made no secret of it and I was going to stick to it: 175 'til the end of '07, 200 through '08 and '09 and then heavyweight from 2010. But the thought of fighting Langford at 175 intrigues me and the challenge of holding onto the title for the next couple of years, until he's in a position to take me on, that's exciting. I was also sad to see Taribo and Tiger both lose 'cause I was really, really hoping that if I won the title my first defense would be against one of them. They've already fought each other twice but I haven't stepped in the ring with either of them, yet, and that's something I'm looking forward to. I'm confident that they'll work their way back up the rankings and, eventually, we'll be able to give Nigeria a world championship fight to remember."

Speaking five days after he claimed the world light-heavyweight championship from Harold Johnson, Nigeria's Celestine Amakochi discusses his plans for the future, which include a longer stay in the 175-pound weight class than he had previously decided upon.

***

Tuesday 20/03/07

"We've always respected the guy as an outstanding fighter but I think it's taken this victory for us to really, really appreciate him. So many people had just written him off, you know? Like it was a foregone conclusion that Sanchez would beat him. But he showed us all he deserved more than that. He deserved to be the favourite. Gilberto said back in December when he won the title that he wanted to be a champion the nation could be proud of, and I think after what he's achieved during this last year he has earned that honor."

Mexican boxing journalist Miguel Trelles praises IBL featherweight champion Gilberto Vasquez following his unexpected victory against compatriot Salvador Sanchez on March 17. Over the course of the past twelve months Vasquez endured a period where he and his family were the target of death threats engineered by former IBF president Michael Jacobs after which he signed with the IBL and was an unexpected victor in its featherweight world championship tournament. Vasquez won the title bout by split decision over the Californian Solly Smith and then retained it with a unanimous decision victory over the heavily favoured Olympic gold medallist Sanchez.

***

Thursday 22/03/07

"Up until now he'd been pretty much overlooked, I have to say. There'd been some good results for him, a lot of semi-finals and a couple of finals but never an actual championship. A lot of the experts had dismissed him as a threat but this is a real breakthrough for Danny and we're hoping it leads to bigger and better things, maybe even a spot on the team for the world championships."

Boxing trainer Mike Rutherford speaks enthusiastically about the promising amateur bantamweight in his stable, Danny Wildhawke. The 18 year-old Essex native has been fighting as an amateur for almost two years now and after a number of near misses recorded his first tournament win in March, taking out the 119-pound title at the London ABA Championships. As a result he'll be competing in June for a spot on England's squad for October's world championships in Chicago.

***

Saturday 24/03/07

"It was a funny situation for me because I've been death-riding the guy the whole time. But I ain't afraid to admit I was cheering hard for that Brooklyn bum. It's too bad he proved once again that what I've been saying about him is right on the mark."

Speaking shortly after his victory over Joe Jeannette, Jack Johnson discusses how he was hopeful that Riddick Bowe would defeat Andrew Golota in their 22 March clash in Poland. A victory for the Athens silver medallist, coupled with Lennox Lewis' draw against Alexander Zolkin and Johnson's own win, would have seen the Texas native rise to #3 in the rankings and into the world title eliminator against Ken Norton. But Golota was, for a second time in seven months, too good for Bowe, dropping him four times on the way to a 6th round knockout win.

***

Tuesday 27/03/07

"The crazy thing about the situation is that even though Ortiz is the champion, Marquez has all the power. He knows that Ortiz is crazy-obsessed with beating him, that all he wants is a rematch. But by keeping himself as a "free agent" and not signing with the IBO Marquez can do whatever he wants. He can make Ortiz wait and Ortiz can't do a thing about it. Whether it's right or wrong is a different issue entirely and to be honest I'm disappointed with the path Marquez has chosen. I thought that he had more class than that. It looks as if he's gone back on his word just to indulge a "dream matchup" with Gutierrez that he's secretly harboured for however long. I can't see how there'll be much interest in that fight 'cause Javier looked like an old man against Arcari and I doubt he'll be any more competitive against Marquez. The guy is trying to have his cake and eat it, too."

HBO's Greg Jackson expresses his disapproval of Mexican Patricio Marquez's decision to persue a clash with former junior-welterweight champion Javier Gutierrez instead of honoring an agreement he'd made to contest the world lightweight championship against Francisco Ortiz. Marquez actually won the lightweight title in a unification bout with Ortiz twelve months ago but lost it to Joe Brown in November. Brown was then defeated by Ortiz in his first title defense on March 24. Marquez had given both Brown and Ortiz his word that he would challenge the winner of their bout, most likely in August or September.

***

Wednesday 28/03/07

"Personally, I think the man should be commended. I mean, when was the last time you've heard a fighter actually come out and say they'd like to be more active in their career? These days were lucky if we see the real superstars of the game in action more than once or twice a year. Terone's trying to change things and I agree with him. As heavyweight champion, he should be the face of the sport and for him to be so willing to take on the weight of that responsibility is outstanding. I think it's pretty obvious to everyone that Jack Johnson is the real deal, that he's ready for that ultimate challenge. I really think that the IBL should take notice of this, show some flexibility and run with it."

ESPN's Brian Kenny voices his agreement with world heavyweight champion Terone Haynes' belief that he should be allowed to defend his title in June rather than waiting until September, which is according to IBL rules the earliest he can next put it on the line. Haynes scored a devastating 2nd round knockout of Australia's Peter Jackson on March 24 to retain the belt for the first time and said on March 27 that he didn't agree with the IBL's scheduling policy which will keep him out of the ring for almost six months.

***

[kenyan_cheena]

THE LONDON TIMES

Sunday 1 April 2007

SWEET REVENGE FOR JACKSON

Story by James Simpson

East London welterweight Ashley Jackson recorded a dominant 6th round knockout of Germany's Reinhardt Kohler last night to claim the IBL's Inter-Continental Championship. In a rematch of their clash from early December Jackson gave the defending champion a savage beating, flooring him three times with the first coming just 32 seconds into the opening round. Jackson had been favoured to win their first meeting, which was the inaugural title bout for the I-C belt. He appeared to be on his way to a certain victory before Kohler produced a stunning flurry of punches late in round eight to knock him out cold at the same Berlin venue, the Waldbuehne, as where last night's card was held.

Since that December night Kohler had retained the title with a 5th round knockout of Japan's Akio Kameda in February while Jackson took a tough ten-round unanimous decision victory over Hector Thompson to make him eligible for a second shot at the title. This time he made no mistake, jumping on the hometown favourite early and never allowing him even a sniff of victory. It was a perfect right cross which dropped Kohler in round one, after which he barely beat the count. Jackson did not go all out to finish him off, prefering to keep Kohler off balance with a piston-like jab.

Jackson punished the champion in round two, almost breaking Kohler in half with furious body punches before snapping his head around with a left hook late in the frame. He was, however, deducted a point for a low blow early in the piece but to the outcome it would make no difference. The pattern continued in the 3rd, although most of Jackson's best work came in the final minute. A left-right salvo was followed by a stinging jab which caught Kohler flush on the nose and some jolting blows to both the body and head. Jackson's domination stretched into the 4th, his control of the contest having silenced the crowd for good by that point. Sitting on his stool during the intermission the defending champion appeared helpless, bemused and out of ideas.

If he thought Jackson would ease off he was dead wrong as the Romford Essex native planted his foot to the floor in round five, decimating Kohler with a breathtaking assault which concluded with a trio of sledgehammer blows shortly before the bell that put the champion on his hands and knees. Somehow Kohler beat the count, which a number of ringside observers suspected was a second or three slow. Usually boisterous and outlandish Jackson was showing tremendous poise and calm, and it didn't take him long to finish off the job in round six. After unleashing a right cross, a pair of left-right salvos and a left hook he sent Kohler to the canvas for the third and final time with another left that landed on the tip of the chin, dropping the champion as if he'd been shot.

Kohler was counted out at the 1:46 mark, Jackson winning the fight by 6th round knockout and becoming the fourth Englishman to claim one of the IBL's Inter-Continental titles. Within moments of Kohler being counted out the new champion erupted into celebration, no longer keeping his emotions in check. He shouted, screamed and flexed his muscles as his corner crew flooded the ring to join in the celebration. Jackson's extroverted disposition was on full display as he was lifted onto the shoulders of his support team, title belt held aloft over his head. He landed a remarkable 237 of 526 punches (45.1%), Kohler just 65 of 143 (45.5%). Jackson (11-1(9)) was clearly overwhelmed by his achievement, on the verge of tears as he looked into the camera and thanked his family and friends back home for all their support.

Now that he has won the title the 19 year-old must be a pretty good bet to retain it through the rest of the year and beyond into '08 and make the necessary five defenses in order to clinch a shot at the world championship. Jackson would have to be numbered amongst the top two or three most talented IBL regional champions and it's going to be exciting to follow his title reign. Last night was not a good one for German boxing with former junior-heavyweight world championship tournament competitor Alexander Petkovick falling to his first defeat under the IBL banner. The veteran lost a unanimous decision verdict to Italy's Pietro Aurino (96-93, 97-92, 96-93) and will drop into the 3rd ranking tier.

Petkovick was the 5th seed in the world championship tournament but was eliminated when his opening bout against another Italian, 4th-seeded Angelo Rottoli, ended as a draw. He followed that up with a dramatic knockout of Robert Daniels in a world ranking bout before another draw, this time against the Englishman Bruce Scott, gave him an initial world ranking of #14. A third draw came in an early February matchup with France's Anaclet Wamba, Petkovick dropping two places in the rankings as a result. A win over Aurino would have secured a meeting with an opponent from the 1st ranking tier but those hopes have been dashed. The German is now 34-6-5(26) while Aurino improved to 22-4(13).

[kenyan_cheena]

Hey, all. I'm currently at work doing some OT but I'll be having a break in a couple of hours and will be working on the write-up for the Mexico IBL fight card. Not sure if I'll finish it but if I do I'll certainly be posting it.

[kenyan_cheena]

ESPN

Boxing

Updated: April 1, 2007 9.45 AM ET

Roman the only survivor on
bad night for Mexican boxing

By Larry Holman
ESPN.com
Archive

World bantamweight champion Gilberto Roman emerged as the only Mexican victor on an IBL fight card at Guadalajara's Arena Coliseo on Saturday night, his fellow titlists Candido Tellez (world flyweight champion) and Bernabe Carbajal (Americas welterweight champion) both falling to defeat in the lead-up to his main event win over the Australian Jeff Fenech. Defending the championship for the first time Roman was greatly tested by Fenech, the tough Athens bronze medallist pushing him to the limit before the bout was called off at the midpoint of round fourteen due to the severity of swelling around the challenger's left eye. Fenech and his camp angrily protested the stoppage, believing he should have been allowed to go the full fifteen-round distance.

Fenech was right in the contest through its first half, with two of the judges having it all tied up at four rounds a piece after the 8th. After having the better of the first two stanzas the hard-working Aussie was fantastic in rounds four and seven, although Roman was even more impressive with his efforts in the 3rd and 5th, which he dominated. The fight turned permanently in the champion's favour when he floored Fenech with a left-right salvo one minute into the 9th. Fenech was up quickly, rising at the three count. From that moment on he never really looked like willing, despite displaying his lauded tenacity in the 11th and 12th frames. Fenech has courage to burn and he was never going to give in but Roman would not be denied.

Rounds eleven and twelve were the most even and action-packed of the bout, the furious back-and-forth exchanges bringing the crowd to their feet. But when Roman dominated the 13th, almost forcing referee Malcolm Bulner to call it off, it was clear that Fenech's tank was empty. As he sat on his stool during the intermission the puffiness around his left eye was alarming, but he shook his head with determination when his trainer asked him if he wanted to throw in the towel. Midway through the 14th the officials took the decision out of his hands. Fenech had actually had the better of it but when Roman caught him with a hard right hand it quickly made his swelling even worse. Bulner halted the action and led Fenech to the ringside doctor, who advised that the fight should be stopped.

"We've only got one f---ing round to go!" Fenech exclaimed when he realised the fight was about to be called off before throwing his arms up and walking back to his corner in disgust. Roman was quick to console him before celebrating with his own corner crew, realising that he'd achieved a great victory. The offical time of the stoppage was 1:26 of the 14th round. Roman landed 415 of 1,133 punches (39.2%), Fenech 280 of 1,035 (27.1%). Going into the 14th Roman was leading on all three scorecards: 126-120, 127-119 and 125-121. From round eight through until the 13th he only lost a single round on all three cards combined. Roman is now 27-1(20) and on the verge of a much-anticipated clash with compatriot and former world champion Carlos Zarate, who faces Argentina's Ernesto Miranda in a June eliminator.

Fenech suffered his first career defeat, falling to 19-1(16). The Australian trio of Darcy, Jackson and Fenech all signed on with the IBL together with the hopes of bringing world championships to their homeland. They've each had a chance and have emerged an unfortunate 0-3, Darcy unexpectedly losing the inaugural middleweight world championship bout to Koichi Wajima in December before Jackson's devastating KO loss to Terone Haynes last weekend. Darcy could very well be fighting a rematch with Wajima come early September, as he's taking on Rubin Carter in June with a shot at the title on the line. The trio may have been unsuccessful in their first attempts at claiming IBL titles but in my opinion they'll be contending for some time to come.

After 36th-ranked bantamweight Roberto Rubaldino dropped a majority decision verdict to England's Johnny Armour in the opener Bernabe Carbajal received a real boxing lesson from Virgil Akins, the St. Louis native claiming the Americas welterweight championship by 12th round TKO and gaining some revenge for the defeat Carbajal inflicted upon him in the inaugural title bout in December, which had been held in St. Louis. In that first meeting Carbajal took a close unanimous decision verdict but the rematch was never really a contest, at least from the 5th round onwards. Akins dominated from that point. He floored the defending champion three times: two minutes into round three, midway through the 6th and a minute into round eight. Carbajal was cut on the left eyebrow in round five and the wound eventually brought about an end to the fight thirty seconds into round twelve.

Akins held leads of nine, fourteen and nine points going into the final frame, those margins clearly illustrating the extent of his control. He outlanded Carbajal by more than twice as many punches, 377-150. It was a shattering result for a young man who many thought would be good enough to successfully defend the title five times and earn a shot at the world championship. Akins was ecstatic with his achievement and excited about the fact that he'll be able to take the belt home to Missouri and defend it there. He's now 14-1-1(10) while Carbajal suffered his first career defeat and fell to 11-1-2(7). Remarkably, all four IBL regional champions in action during the week were defeated, Carbajal joining fellow welterweight Reinhardt Kohler and the junior-heavyweights Tom Sharkey and Wayne Braithwaite.

The fans in Guadalajara would have been thinking that the night could not get any worse but it did when Candido Tellez crashed to the first defeat of his career, losing his status as world flyweight champion in the process. Tellez was having a more difficult time than expected through the opening eight rounds against the unfancied Cincinnati native Willie Davison, the Challenger's tournament winner giving him some serious trouble. But even so the mood in the air was that Tellez would pull through, as he had done so many times during his illustrious career. He was the busier, more aggressive fighter and had dropped Davison with a stinging body shot 45 seconds into the 5th. It seemed to be only a matter of time until the American's resisitance wavered.

Davison had more than held his own in rounds one, three and four and looked fantastic in the 7th, where he staggered Tellez with a flurry of blows in the final minute. After an action-packed round eight Tellez was sucking them down during the intermission and when Davison unleashed a jaw-dropping assault early in the 9th the crowd fell into a stunned silence. A right hand wobbled the champion before a left hook, another hard right and a head-snapping uppercut had him in dire trouble with still a minute remaining in the frame. Another crushing uppercut and a left-right salvo followed before the unthinkable was suddenly a reality when referee Jay Hughes jumped in nine seconds before the bell to save a defenseless Tellez from further harm, Davison planting a half-dozen flush blows on his face in the moments beforehand.

After Davison was pulled away by Hughes he took a few steps towards his corner and then collapsed to his knees, lifting his arms to the heavens and shouting, perhaps in even more disbelief than the crowd. His cornermen rushed the ring and embraced him, the pile of bodies celebrating on the canvas akin to a World Series infield pile-up, although on a much smaller scale. It would have to go down as the most surprising result in an IBL world championship bout to date. Davison landed 257 of 587 punches (43.8%), Tellez 215 of 878 (19.7%). Davison is now 27-3-1(20) while Tellez dropped to 29-1-2(20). He'd made it through tough battles with Adrian Hernandez and Yuri Arbachakov to win the title but no one expected Davison would be the man to end his undefeated run.

Larry Holman is ESPN.com's boxing writer.

[kenyan_cheena]

TheSweetScience.com

TUESDAY 3 APRIL 2007

Lampkin raises his
hand to fight Haynes

Story by Michael Broughton

In a development that has come from far left field world junior-heavyweight champion Jeff Lampkin announced on Monday night that he would love to take on world heavyweight champion Terone Haynes. Speaking on SportsCenter, Lampkin surprised host Brian Kenny with his unexpected revelation. Midway through their conversation Lampkin raised Haynes' words from last week when he said that he should be allowed to step back in the ring and defend his title in June, rather than waiting until September as the IBL's rules state he must do. Lampkin went on to say that although it wouldn't be a world title fight he would "relish the opportunity" to fight Haynes if it was given to him.

"It's pretty simple as far as I can see," Lampkin said. "The brother wants to fight. He just destroyed Peter Jackson in two rounds and he doesn't want to sit around for six months waiting for his next challenge. I understand that and I respect it. I respect that he wants to be active and entertain the people and do whatever he can to make boxing more popular. Well, I'll say it right now: I'll fight the guy. It won't be no title fight of course, 'cause that's what the IBL rules say. But Terone is frustrated, he wants to fight and I'm prepared to be the cure for his frustration."

When Kenny respectfully stated the obvious, which is that Lampkin would be lucky to last three rounds with Haynes, the Ohio native simply nodded and even agreed.

"That's probably true, Brian," he said. "That's probably true. But think of it this way: twelve months ago not a single person following the sport figured that I'd become the world champion. I was just as shocked as anyone when I achieved that feat. It was something I almost believed had passed me by. But I won the title and then I retained it last month. What I've done under the IBL banner makes me pinch myself sometimes just to remind me that it's real. I really never expected it to happen but it did. So considering that, why should I back away from something even bigger, like fighting Haynes? I've already made one dream come true, and to step in the ring against a man who I believe will one day be regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight champions of all time would go beyond even that.

"The opportunity is there for me and I'd be crazy not to raise the issue. Belbouli already said that he wouldn't be contesting a rematch even if the IBL orders it so that means my dance card is empty all the way through until August. I'd gladly fight Terone in late May, when all the other tier one junior-heavies are in action. That gives both of us about eight weeks to prepare from today, which I know is enough for me and should be enough for him considering how quick his last fight was. This ain't something that came to me five minutes ago, Brian. Ever since Terone voiced his frustration last week it's been in my head, the thought that maybe I could step in the ring with the brother."

At 6'1" Lampkin is only three inches shorter than Haynes but he'd be giving away a good twenty pounds in weight, even if he was to pump himself up to, say, 210 pounds. Lampkin weighed in at 199 when he defeated Taoufik Belbouli last month. My personal opinion of such a fight is that it would be a colossal mismatch, and not only because of the physical differences. While Lampkin has thrilled the boxing public in claiming the 200-pound world championship he has not fought anyone who comes even close to Haynes in terms of talent. That factor alone makes it a fight that would be difficult to take seriously and one that, if it was to go ahead, might not lead to the best publicity for the sport. Even so, I have to give Lampkin credit for having the chutzpah just to put it out there. Whether Haynes accepts the offer is another matter entirely.

[kenyan_cheena]

Coming up in TGPiS...

* Review of Somogyi-Fourie IBL LHW Inter-Continental title fight
* Review of Villaflor-Barrientos IBL LW Inter-Continental title fight
* Review of Williams-Fillion IBL LW Americas title fight
* Review of Bettina-Long IBL LHW Americas title fight (Brody on undercard)

[Gunsmoke]

I'm fighting fit and ready to notch another win on the trail to the world title.

[bear]

Originally Posted by Gunsmoke

I'm fighting fit and ready to notch another win on the trail to the world title.

I feel the same, and we're standing in each other's way. Something will give.

[kenyan_cheena]

Originally Posted by Gunsmoke

I'm fighting fit and ready to notch another win on the trail to the world title.

Originally Posted by bear

I feel the same, and we're standing in each other's way. Something will give.

Nice to see you guys are looking forward to it. I'll be working on the write-up during my lunch break today but I'm not 100% sure it'll get finished. If not, it should be done in a bit over 24 hours from now.

[kenyan_cheena]

Melbourne Herald-Sun

THURSDAY 5 APRIL 2007

Somogyi retains belt
with strong finish

Story by Les Hayes

Last night Melbourne light-heavyweight Mark Somogyi became the first fighter to successfully defend an International Boxing League regional championship twice when he scored a unanimous decision win over the Frenchman Petite Fourie at the Rod Laver Arena to retain the 175-pound Inter-Continental belt. After a competitive opening eight rounds Somogyi finished the bout with a wet sail to take the verdict by scores of 117-109, 117-110 and 117-109. He sent Fourie to the canvas twice, once in the 5th round with an overhand right and then midway through the final frame with a damaging left-right salvo. Fourie had some success with his counter-punching style in the earlier rounds but as the contest extended into its bottom half he was unable to contend with Somogyi's more aggressive disposition.

Somogyi had been superb when he first defended the title in February, flooring the Englishman Alexander Lucas six times on the way to an 8th round knockout in a rematch of their tournament semi-final. Fourie, who had earned the title shot with a TKO of George Nichols, provided a much sterner test for the champion but in the end it was a convincing victory for Somogyi, as the scorecards indicate. Somogyi jumped on the Marseilles native in round one, tagging him with a jolting three-punch combo and some stinging body shots early before finishing the stanza nicely with a crunching uppercut. Fourie showed a good deal more resistance in the 2nd and could have taken it if he'd been busier. As it was another Somogyi uppercut shortly before the bell left the best impression and was enough to secure the round for him.

Fourie definitely had the better of round three as he increased his workrate, keeping Somogyi on the backfoot with a persistent jab and coming out on top after an exciting exchange of blows as the frame entered its final minute. He also caught Somogyi with a pair of right hands during the last thirty seconds, the blows bringing a smile to the champion's face. The momentum Fourie built was immediately snatched away when Somogyi dominated round four. He backed the Frenchman up in its early moments before hurting him with a crippling left to the body and snapping his head back with a hard right hand. A succession of piston-like jabs had an unbalanced Fourie trying to tie Somogyi up as the last seconds ticked away.

It appeared that Fourie was on his way to claiming the 5th before Somogyi's big right hand sent him to one knee and brought the crowd to their feet. The knockdown was the conclusion of an extraordinary stretch of action that saw Fourie absorb a wicked body shot before firing off a stunning retort, a right cross that pushed Somogyi into the ropes. That punch had come a matter of ten seconds before Somogyi planted Fourie on the canvas. Fourie climbed back to his feet at eight and survived the final thirty seconds of the round, despite having his head snapped back by a Somogyi uppercut. Surprisingly Somogyi did not press home his advantage in round six, which was his quietest of the fight. This allowed Fourie to not only clear his senses but also take the frame with relative ease, a series of scoring jabs serving him well.

Similarly, the 7th was somewhat lacking in action with Fourie looking to have just edged it until Somogyi landed a brutal right cross seconds before the bell, the blow putting the Frenchman back on his heels. Once again, round eight travelled an uneventful path until its final stages but it was now Fourie's turn to produce a late flurry. He caught Somogyi flush on the nose with a penetrating left jab and followed it up with back-to-back salvos, his efforts stealing the frame. For the first time Fourie was able to carry his momentum into the next stanza as he was on the verge of taking the 9th aswell before a huge left hook in the final seconds rocked him, almost dropping the 24 year-old for a second time. In hindsight it was that one punch which swung the remainder of the contest in Somogyi's favour.

On his stool before the 10th Fourie wore the countenance of a man who had given it his all and realised it wasn't going to be enough. He struggled through the final three rounds, Somogyi in complete control and picking off the rapidly tiring Frenchman at his discretion. To his credit Fourie weathered the assault bravely before tasting the canvas for a second time as the 12th reached its midpoint. He absorbed a booming right hand that bounced off the top of his head soon after, a punch that really should have finished him off but didn't. The crowd came to their feet in applause as the last seconds of a fantastic contest counted down, the two combatants embracing and exchanging compliments. Somogyi heaped praise upon his opponent, calling Fourie one of the "toughest bastards" he'd ever fought. The champion landed 289 of 720 punches (40.1%), Fourie connecting with 248 of 685 (36.2%).

Somogyi said afterwards that he was surprised by his final margin of victory, believing that Fourie had been more competitive than the scorecards suggested. He maintained his perfect record, improving to 15-0(10) while Fourie fell to 9-3(5). All three of his losses have come since September, as he's also been defeated by the two men Somogyi had bested in his previous title bouts, Klaus Bierhoff and Alexander Lucas. Somogyi is now just three wins away from securing a shot at the world championship, Fourie saying he believes he'll become the first regional champion to achieve the feat of five successful defenses. It'll be interesting to see who the IBL selects as Somogyi's next challenger. One thing that's certain is that it won't be the New Zealander Paul Anderson, who was given heavy consideration along with Fourie for last night's fight. Anderson was defeated by John Conteh in Scotland on Tuesday, making him ineligible.

One fighter who will be eligible but won't be considered is Alexander Lucas, who was victorious and impressive on last night's undercard as he stopped Trinidad & Tobago's Yolande Pompey in the 5th round. Lucas has already suffered two heavy defeats at Somogyi's hands, making it impossible for the IBL to justify a third meeting between the two. Somogyi did not forget to deliver some choice words towards Sydney's former world middleweight champion Les Darcy, who had said earlier in the week that compared to what he, Jeff Fenech and Peter Jackson were contending with in their quest for world championship success Somogyi's reign as Inter-Continental champion was "not that big a deal". Speaking aggressively, Somogyi invited Darcy to "jump up to 175 next year" and "find out what a big deal it is."

[bear]

The French Pastry got creamed.

[Gunsmoke]

Well fought bear showed some fight in lasting the distance. As for Darcy, he should step up and face the music if he thinks this is all so easy.

[kenyan_cheena]

Originally Posted by bear

The French Pastry got creamed.

Originally Posted by Gunsmoke

Well fought bear showed some fight in lasting the distance. As for Darcy, he should step up and face the music if he thinks this is all so easy.

I think you're being a bit harsh on him, bear. As I said in the write-up, he was still in the fight in round nine but that one punch really did turn it in Somogyi's favour. The punch totals show that it was a tough contest.

Looks like just a bit of that Sydney-Melbourne rivalry coming through, Gunsmoke. I'll be interested to see what Darcy does in '08 if he ends '07 without that middleweight championship strapped around his waist...