In Rusty’s Corner

Rusty Rubin is the editor-in-chief of the Ringsports.com website and the author of three highly acclaimed boxing books!

Two good fights for your viewing pleasure this weekend. At the Morongo Casino in Southern Cal., Jhonny Gonzales takes on a hard punching veteran in Mauricio Pastrana. It figures to be a war while it lasts, and end in a knockout. Is it time for youth to be served? Pastrana would be a tough test for anyone, and gets the nod here, unless of course Father Time has caught up to him.

The other fight of interest is Chris Byrd taking on Shaun George in a Vegas light heavyweight match-up. Byrd is a cagey veteran who can hit and move with the best of them...This time youth will be served. Take George in a mild upset. MORE

Could Conteh Have Beaten Calzaghe?

Joe Calzaghe is now the toast of the British Kingdom. After his long run as super middleweight champion, Joe conquered Bernard Hopkins to become the world's best light heavyweight. Where does Joe go from here ? Next up looks to be the faded Roy Jones Jr. but what happens if Calzaghe beats Roy? Well I know Antonio Tarver has been calling Joe out. How about Chad Dawson, Glen Johnson or Erdei ?

Too bad that Joe came along about thirty five years too late. Back then Joe would have found stiff competition right in his own back yard..Chris Finnegan and John Conteh were on there way to becoming top contenders then. Finnegan got a title shot against the legendary Bob Foster in 1972 and after a plucky performance Chris was halted by Bob in the fourteenth round. It was the Ring Magazine " Fight Of The Year. In 1973 Chris met and lost a fifteen round decision to Conteh for the European and British Empire crown. MORE

The Standing Eight Count

Ringside at The Home Depot Center

An announced crowd of 30,000 screaming Oscar De La Hoya groupies packed The Home Depot Center in Carson, California to see their hero take on Contender alumnus Steve Forbes in what Golden Boy promotions billed as “Homecoming”. For the first time since 2001, Oscar De La Hoya was fighting in front of his hometown fans in Los Angeles.

The idea here was for Oscar was to prove to everyone that he could in fact do better in a proposed September rematch against Floyd Mayweather Jr. by doing a number on a similar type fighter in Steve Forbes. He might have done just the opposite.

As Steve “2 pound” Forbes entered the ring to a chorus of boos from the Oscar faithful, I couldn’t help but notice how small he looked in comparison to De La Hoya. Although both guys came in at the contracted weight of 150 pounds, Oscar was clearly the more comfortable 150 pound fighter and looked much bigger than Stevie. MORE

George Lopez to Emcee
BWAA Dinner!

Popular Mexican-American comedian George Lopez will serve as the master of ceremonies for the 83rd annual Boxing Writers Association of America Awards Dinner on Thursday night, May 1, at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.

Lopez starred in the ABC sitcom, "The George Lopez Show," which ran from 2001 to 2007 and still is seen in syndication on Nick at Nite. Only one television show involving Hispanic actors, "I Love Lucy," had a longer run. MORE

The Standing Eight Count -
Oscar’s “Homecoming”

On May 3rd, this Saturday night, Oscar De La Hoya and his Golden Boy Productions are bringing their latest “Oscar” show to the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. For the first time since his split decision loss to Sugar Shane Mosley in 2000 at the Staples Center, Oscar is fighting in front of his hometown fans in a promotion being billed as “Homecoming”.  Former IBF Super Featherweight World Champion and “Contender” alumni Steve Forbes will be the opponent for Oscar in what most people are calling a tune-up bout for “The Golden Boy”.

The tentative plan is for De La Hoya to beat Forbes and then move on to a lucrative rematch against Floyd Mayweather in September of this year. “Pretty boy” Floyd won a unanimous decision over De La Hoya in their first dance last year. The Pay-Per-View buys for their first scrap were a record 2.15 million which shattered the previous record of 1.99 million for the 1997 bout between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield. The previous record for non-Heavyweight bouts was 1.4 million for the 1999 fight between De La Hoya and Felix Trinidad. With those numbers a rematch is inevitable. Of course the first fight was so boring, I wouldn’t expect numbers quite as high this time around. The fight this Saturday between De La Hoya and Forbes will not be on Pay-Per View, it will be shown Live on HBO. The last time Oscar was in a non PPV event was back in 2001 when he destroyed everybody’s favorite punching bag Arturo Gatti in 5 rounds. MORE

In Rusty’s Corner

Rusty Rubin is the editor-in-chief of the Ringsports.com website and the author of three highly acclaimed boxing books!

The big fight this week is in Los Angeles where Oscar de la Hoya takes on Steve Forbes. Since the fight is at 150 lbs, pretty much a walking around weight for the “Golden Boy”, it gives him a solid advantage. The light hitting Forbes normally fights twenty pounds less.

A lot of people feel this is a tune-up for Oscar and a prelude to a re-match with Floyd Mayweather Jr. This may be true, but fighters like Oscar will, if they fight long enough run out of gas.

But I don’t see that here. Even if Oscar tires a bit more towards the end of the fight, he should have little trouble catching Forbes when he needs to, and thus take an easy decision over him.

With the odds being very high, I think the safest bet would be the fight goes the distance. Little risk of a knockout here, Of course a small parlay Oscar and may work a bit better. MORE

On February 8, 1992 I sat in front of the television to watch Wide World of Sports boxing from Taj Mahal Hotel, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. I felt bad for the challenger who was a good looking young kid from New Castle, Delaware named Dave Tiberi. Though he had a good record (22-3-3), I feared the IBF Middleweight champion James "Lights Out" Toney was about to put out the lights of his opponent bringing about the embarrassment to him and his many fans who had followed him throughout his illustrious amateur (62-0, boxing since he was 5, with many not recorded) career and creditable professional career. I had seen Tiberi fight on ESPN and USA television several times and knew he was a good boxer with a lot of heart but with only seven knockouts he had nothing to hold off the skilled, hard punching and somewhat arrogant champion.

In the first round Toney came out for an early ending. Near the end of the round he caught Tiberi with a punch that would have dropped most fighters. The second round was more of the same with Tiberi fighting defensively trying to roll with the punches.  I do not know how this kid stood up. In the third round the tables would start to turn, as the exhausted Toney would be on the defense of the well conditioned Tiberi. Though not a fan of the Rocky movie's I was seeing it happen before my very eyes. MORE

Champion's Wasteland: SHOZO SAIJO

Today with so many governing bodies and organizations around it has become very hard to take someones claim of " world champion " seriously. I mean there is the WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, IBA and God knows how many more will pop up in the future. Split titles are not anything new to boxing but in days gone by it was a lot lesscomplicated. As much as I hated it when either the WBA or the WBC " stripped " a champion of his crown for some bogus reason and then " made " their own champion. At least it kept the rift between just two claimants. MORE

Scypion comes on strong with TKO
on Hard Rock boxing card

Son of former title challenger
wins on TKO

By Sharon Robb | South Florida Sun-Sentinel

HOLLYWOOD - With former WIBF featherweight champion Deirdre Gogarty working his corner as head trainer, undefeated 28-year-old junior middleweight Wilford Scypion Jr. made his Florida debut with a fourth-round TKO Wednesday night at the Seminole Hard Rock Live Arena.

On a night where co-main event fighters Joe Greene of New York remained undefeated with a ninth-round TKO over Joshua Okine of Ghana, and former world champion Juan Urango of Colombia knocked out Carlos Vilches in the fourth round in an IBF title eliminator fight, it was the confident, power-punching Scypion (6-0, 5 KOs) who looked most impressive.

Scypion overwhelmed William Ganes of Florence, S.C., from the opening bell, with Gogarty shouting encouragement from the corner. MORE

What Should Have Been But Never Was...

Pipino Cuevas has been inducted into the International Boxing Hall Of Fame. I struggled with this for a while. Did he really deserve to get in ? There are so many deserving former boxersthat you can make a strong case for.

After wrestling with the matter of Pipino's induction I was able to come to terms with it. Why ? Because during his tenure as champion he was a Holy Terror !!! That is why!

He did not just win fights. He broke bones. He was a devastating puncher with a wrecking ball left hook. He left a trail of fractured jaws, etc... In a word, he was awesome!

Then Tommy Hearns exposed his chin and Roberto Duran followed suit. Herman Montes ended the legend but give Pipino his due. During  his prime he was feared! MORE

In Rusty’s Corner

Rusty Rubin is the editor-in-chief of the Ringsports.com website and the author of three highly acclaimed boxing books!

In my travels I’ve met some great people champions, if not in the ring, then in their heart. People I am proud to call my good friends. I consider all boxing people as part of my family, but only few get the title as friend.

I’d like to thank everyone out there who has contributed to the success of the magazine, fact to face, but that would require a lot of long distance travel, something I am no longer up to.

Joe Calzaghe survived a surprising first round knock down at the hands of slow starter Bernard Hopkins. A few folks thought that Hopkins did enough to win; I was not one of them. I had the 37year old from Wales ahead by three points.

Kudos to Top Rank for signing the Washington D.C. based Peterson brothers. They will make a fine addition to Top Rank’s stable. MORE

“World Colored Heavyweight Championship”

Let me bring you a feature story that you will probably not read any where regarding, all together, the five best black heavyweights at the turn of the 20th century.

I got the idea when I overheard some mutual friends talking about the best black baseball players that never got the chance to play in the major leagues, and had to settle playing against each other in the old negro league.

I have rated many boxers in many categories throughout my 48 years of boxing. On this website alone you will find that I have rated the best heavyweights, the best lightweights, the best Mexicans fighters; and now I will personally rate the best black heavyweights in a time period when only one of them, Jack Johnson, had the opportunity to fight for the heavyweight championship.

Before Johnson came onto the scene, I must acknowledge Peter Jackson. He was a true pioneer in the brass knuckle days, and the first black heavyweight that set the stage for the top recognition of the black boxers, and that was before the turn of the 20th century. MORE

Primo Carnera - "The Walking Mountain"
FREE World Premiere movie set for April 22 at MSG!
By Mike Indri
Retired Boxers Foundation

Madison Square Garden will again play host to a truly significant event in remembrance of the late Italian boxing champion Primo Carnera. 

Seventy-five years ago the 6 ft. 6 inch, 260-pound Carnera knocked out Jack Sharkey in Madison Square Garden to become World Heavyweight Champion.  The Italian giant lifted all of Italy on his broad shoulders that June 29th in 1933 and forever became a legend.

"Carnera This Tuesday night, April 22nd, a FREE world premiere screening of - The Walking Mountain" will be presented in the Wamu Theater at Madison Square Garden.

The free admission is due to the main sponsors, Regione Friuli Venezia Giulia and Angel Devil. To ensure and reserve seating for this special event, visit www.thewalkingmountain.com and register on the site. MORE

Calzaghe Slaps his Way
to a Sloppy Victory!

Joe Calzaghe is still undefeated ( 45-0 ) and now has Ring Magazine's endorsement of being the " best " light heavyweight in the world after slapping an aged Bernard Hopkins enough to win a split twelve round decision. Disappointed ? I know I was. What was projected to be a candidate for " Fight of the year " turned out to be the farce of the year. Other then Bernard catching Joe coming with a nice right hand and dropping him in the first round, there was little excitement to me. Calzaghe did what I thought he would do. He just plain out hustled Hopkins. Bernard can no longer fight at that kind of pace. Calzaghe out landed Hopkins almost 2 to 1 but not once did he even phase Hopkins other then a few low blows. There was a lot of wrestling and clinching and referee Joe Cortez earned his pay that night.

Where does Super Joe go from here ? Hopefully not a rematch with Bernard. In my eyes the fight was a let down, a real stinker. Is Roy Jones Jr. next on Calzaghe's dance card ? It is starting to look that way. That will generate some fan interest and a decent payday for both Joe and Roy. Will I watch it ? Yes, but not if it is a PPV telecast. Who would win ? Roy spends way too much time on the ropes these days and that would be playing into Calzaghe's hand. I think it would be another case of Joe landing 33& of 700 slaps and taking a decision.

I don't know how long Calzaghe plans to stay around but there is one fighter he should flat out avoid. That is middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik. After seeing this performance by Calzaghe I honestly feel that Kelly KO's Joe inside of ten rounds. Pavlik is just not somebody you can slap around. Hopkins was able to land several counter right hands throughout the fight against Joe. Pavlik will do the same. The only difference would be that Joe won't get up.

The Champ's Corner

Hello fight fans!!!

I know, it's been a while..You are wondering "what was up with the
Champ"? I'm sure you were worried about the man who started it all.
The legend, icon, master. Often imitated, but never duplicated. The
man of the hour, too sweet to be sour. Space mountain, Howard Cosell
and the Mike Wallace of boxing rolled up in one. The man who always
tells it like it is, no matter how unpopular. Well I am here,and I'm
bringing sexy back!!!!

Am looking forward to the Bernard Hopkins - Joe Calzaghe fight this
weekend. Wasn't sure about a bet initially, but I did bet Hops at
+220. I think that is good value. Obviously, value doesn't always win,
but you must take odds like this when they present themselves. Even
Hopkins trainer, Freddie Roach is betting Bernard! MORE

In Rusty’s Corner

Rusty Rubin is the editor-in-chief of the Ringsports.com website and the author of three highly acclaimed boxing books!

After a week off, we have four very exciting televised fights to choose from. On HBO, from Atlantic City, New Jersey, a solid double-header featuring four top welterweights. Miguel Cotto and Alfonso Gomez meet for the WBA crown. Although Gomez is a tough kid, he can’t punch with Cotto and will wind up losing in a gritty effort.

That fight will be followed on HBO by a more interesting one, with Antonio Margarito facing off against Kermit Cintron. Margarito beat Cintron once, and it’s hard to know what will go on inside Kermit’s head for this important match-up for the IBF crown.

Margarito is a big puncher, but he is very predictable. Take the dog in this one, Cintron by decision.

Over on Showtime, two light heavyweight fights, one featuring the “Road Warrior” Glencoffe Johnson taking on bad Chad Dawson for the IBO belt. Dawson, an up and comer is going to have to be at his best to beat the veteran Johnson, who is nearing the end of an excellent career. An upset can be in the making here, but we’ll take Dawson to win the fight, and come out with a lot of extra fight knowledge as well.

The other fight on Showtime features Antonio Tarver taking on Clinton Woods. My heart says Tarver, but the gut says Woods via a late stoppage. I always go with my gut, and it’s a big one. MORE

In Rusty’s Corner

Rusty Rubin is the editor-in-chief of the Ringsports.com website and the author of three highly acclaimed boxing books!

Don Kings fight card in Cancun last weekend had a few surprises, one of which was not the 6^th round KO of Oleg Maskaev by Samuel Peter. While Peter should be congratulated for his effort, anyone who expected this fight to go the distance has a few to many. Not going the distance was the best bet with these two heavy punchers with questionable chins.

What was a surprise was Nate Campbell easily beating Juan Diaz and claiming his belt. Campbell can fight, but most folks, myself included, thought Diaz, although splitting with King, was still the better fighter. I was wrong on this night.***

Now for the second best fight (which may find a way to supplant Vasquez – Marquez as the early front-runner for fight of the year).

Tough Manny Pacquiao takes on equally - tough Juan Manuel Marquez in what figures to be another war to the finish. Both guys look ready and if they are it could be one for the books.

Marquez, a late starter, has to be able to control the early aggression of the Philippine native, to give himself a chance to come back and win what may become a war of attrition. MORE

USS Cunningham Sailing for Unification
Bout with Hayes

www.doghouseboxing.com

IBF cruiserweight champion Steve Cunningham would like nothing better in his boxing career than unify the four title belts with now three-bbelt champion David Haye.

I had the pleasure to sit next to Cunningham Friday night at the New Alhambra boxing show as we awaited the pro debut of Dennis Hasson, of the Rock Gym, in the Kensington section of Philadelphia. Buddy Osborn, Cunningham’s co-trainer, cut man and spiritual brother who co-manages Hasson set this up for me.

I asked Steve “do you get tired of interviews?” “No I don’t,” said Cunningham.” That’s all that I needed. Remember, this was before Saturdays Haye-Maccarinelli unification bout. Cunningham knowing Haye had once again said he was moving up to the heavyweights and vacating his titles said “I hope Maccranelli wins so I don’t have to chase after the titles.”

This writer doesn’t see Haye having any more of an effect on the heavyweight division than Juan Carlos Gomez has since leaving in 2001. If Haye, continues to throw that right hand like a baseball pitcher, he better stay in the cruiser division. His chin is already suspect. Cunningham would be willing to go to the UK for a unification bout if necessary.

Haye and Cunningham have had words recently. Since Haye changed his mind moving up to accommodate Maccarinelli who is from Wales, then he should do the same for the American. MORE

Henry Crawford works his way to victory!

Newark, NJ - Having to wait more than 90 minutes because promoter Hilliard Edmond forgot the gloves - yes, the boxing gloves! - to be used by the boxers for the five scheduled bouts should have sent a message to the few people that actually came to the Robert Treat Hotel for this very under-publicized fightcard.     

After retrieving the gloves from his Maplewood home for the ten fighters and getting the debacle of a show to begin, the two hundred or so fight fans that painfully waited for some boxing action had to endure a shoddy undercard, which included six of the eight fighters making pro debuts. The hastily put together bouts did prevent another cancellation on behalf of Edmond promotions. MORE

The Second Annual Boxing & Jazz Awards: A First Class Knockout

Ringside seats are available for the opportunity to meet over a dozen of the World's All-Time Greatest Professional Boxers and Jazz Recording Artists when they assemble in Suffolk, Virginia on September 27, 2008 for the 2^nd Annual Boxing & Jazz Awards presented by Hampton Roads Sports & Entertainment.

Boxing aficionado Bert Sugar, former publisher of Ring Magazine, will serve as Master of Ceremonies for this year's event which will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn & Convention Center in Downtown Suffolk, Virginia.

The 2008 Gala will honor boxing legends Ken Norton, Howard Davis, Jr., Marlon "Magic Man" Starling, George Chuvalo, Hector "Macho" Camacho, "Irish" Mickey Ward, Alex "The Bronx Bomber " Ramos (Founder of the Retired Boxers Foundation), "Colonel" Bob Sheridan and Boxing Trainer, Ronnie Shields.

The 2008 Jazz Honorees are International Jazz Recording Artist, NaJee and International Jazz Recording Artist, Kirk Whalum. Special Guests include Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker (2007 Honoree), Carl "The Truth" Williams (2007 Honoree) and Leon Spinks (2007 Honoree).  MORE

Boxer Suspended For Failing To Show At Paragon Event

Allan Green has been effectively suspended from boxing in the United States after failing to show up for a scheduled Feb. 29 bout at Paragon Casino Resort.

The Louisiana State Boxing and Wrestling Commission announced Thursday that Green had been suspended indefinitely pending a March 13 hearing in Baton Rouge.

The suspension traditionally is honored in all states through the Association of Boxing Commissions, said A.L. "Buddy" Embanato Jr., vice chairman of the state commission.

Green, a super middleweight from Tulsa, Okla., is ranked No. 12 in the world by the International Boxing Federation and No. 14 by the World Boxing organization. MORE

Louisiana Golden Gloves Returns To Lafayette!

The Louisiana State Golden Gloves Tournament will return to Lafayette on March 28^th & 28^th at the Robichaux Center on Eraste Landry Road. Hosting the event again this year will be Lafayette’s own Ragin’ Cajun Amateur Boxing Club.

Louisiana Golden Gloves Director Ray Paxton of Shreveport stated “The State Golden Gloves held in Lafayette in 2007 was the finest run amateur boxing tournament in my 40+ years in boxing. Everything from concessions to the championship bouts was done not only as it should be, but the Ragin Cajun Club exceeded all expectations. We sent a fine team of boxers to the Mid-South Golden Gloves Regional Tournament of Champions and I believe we will have an even better, more experienced team this year. Coach Williford and his team left no stone unturned last year and I think they will again do an exceptional job”.

Acadiana will be well represented in all weights and ages with six clubs from Lafayette. Commitments have been made by clubs from Shreveport to New Orleans to enter their boxers in the 2008 tournament. At least two hundred boxers from eight years old to thirty five years old will be entered and this year the MASTERS DIVISION will be included for boxers from thirty six years old up to seventy fives years old. MORE

Grave Situation For Tony Holden

BOXINGCONFIDENTIAL.COM EXCLUSIVE REPORT

Super middleweight contender Allan Green is dead serious, you might say, about revving up his boxing career. It might be appropriate if he takes on a series of real “stiffs” but you can be sure he will looking to “bury” everyone at 168 pounds.

Green is changing his ring entrance music. From now, he will only use songs from The Grateful Dead. His matchmaker will only need a strong shovel. I am not sure where Green was this past weekend but someone told he me he was watching the movie "Weekend At Bernie's."

I got a million of them, bad jokes,  that is because word was circulating around boxing that Green, who abruptly pulled out of an ESPN main event last week, has signed a managerial deal with a colorful fellow named David Golstein from Parkland, Fl., who owns, among other things, one of Florida’s biggest cemeteries. MORE

Ten rounds with a legend: Q&A with Angelo Dundee

He can spot a poor wrap job at 1,000 paces. He misses Dick Schaap and Howard Cosell. He has filmed Pizza Hut commercials with Muhammad Ali, but their other collaborations are far more well known.

Angelo Dundee, trainer of more than 15 world champion boxers, including Ali, George Foreman and Sugar Ray Leonard, sat down with The Daily Advertiser to talk about the state of boxing. MORE

Lafayette's Scypion closes out Paragon undercard with easy win

MARKSVILLE -- Not yet ready for his close-up, Lafayette native Wilford Scypion Jr. closed out a full night of boxing Friday night with a quick wrap on his journeyman opponent.

Fighting in the sixth bout of the night, Scypion took the ring just minutes after the ESPN2 cameras had gone black on the ESPN "Friday Night Fights" event at the Paragon Casino Resort.

Running his record to 5-0, Scypion chased and banged Billy Outley of Shreveport from the start in their junior middleweight bout, with the referee stopping the fight at 1 minute and 13 seconds in the second round. The loss dropped Outley, who was left crouching and ducking at the end of the fight, to 13-47-2.

"One punch can change a fight," Scypion said after the fight, the second he had fought within a week after a victorious round in Lake Charles on Feb. 23. MORE

ESPN could return for more boxing
bouts in Marksville

Taylor Smith/For The Town Talk
Louisiana College student Jeremy Treme holds a boom mike ringside Friday night during the ESPN2 telecast of Friday Night Fights from the Paragon Casino in Marksville. ESPN officials said they could look to Marksville to host future telecasts.

MARKSVILLE -- Boxing from Central Louisiana could become regular feature on ESPN.

Officials from the cable network raved over the weekend about the facilities at Paragon Casino Resort, which was the host of ESPN2's live broadcast of "Friday Night Fights."

"This could become a destination of choice for us," said Wayne Nelson, technical operations producer for the series.

A sold-out crowd of 2,200 watched Friday night's bouts in The Mari Showroom.

"I promote fights all over the world. This is as nice a venue as I have ever seen," said Leon Margules, executive director of Seminole Warriors Boxing, which was the co-promoter of Friday's event along with Keep Punching Entertainment of Lafayette.

"The size of the room is perfect," Margules said. "It's a great atmosphere and it films well. It films like it is a bigger room.

"The guy in the last row here has a seat that would cost $1,000 at a Las Vegas Casino." MORE

Echols Draws With Walker

Marksville, Louisiana (Paragon Casino & Resort)

An aging veteran and a late replacement with 48-hours notice squared off in the great state  of Louisiana and what it was all said and done the two main headliners fought to an  entertaining ten-round draw in a super middleweight contest.

Don't ask Cajun fight fans about top ten middleweight contender Allan "Sweetness" Green,  because they would probably serve him to the gators. Green was a no-show and his place on the  marquee was taken by late substitute undefeated Michael "Midnight Stalker" Walker.

His opponent 35-year-old veteran Antwun "Kid Dynamite" Echols last saw the big time back in  1999, when he lost a twelve round unanimous decision to former middleweight world champion  Bernard Hopkins. Echols, Davenport, Iowa, also took the bout on short notice and agreed ten days earlier to face the star attraction Green.

When that fight fell out and Mr. Green vanished, well, as they say the show still went on, with Echols winning on judge Rick Exe's shocking scorecard 98-92, but the other two officials  seeing it even 95-95, and the result a ten round majority draw. MORE

As a young kid at the 23^rd PAL he would study “Smokin” Joe Frazier’s left hook. Little did he know that one day his kayo percentage would be higher than that of his hero’s.

Eugene “Cyclone” Hart was well named. He went through his first 19 opponents with not one lasting five rounds. The last one was former title challenger Stanley “Kitten” Hayward (28-8-4). “I took him out in 60 seconds” he remembers.

He now fights a different battle in the streets of Philadelphia. “I am part of War on Guns and Stop the Violence along with Jackie “Sister Smoke” Frazier, now a Philadelphia municipal judge, and politician Jannie Blackwell,” said Hart. “We have to keep our kids off the streets and busy” he added. MORE

By Andre Courtemanche

It would appear on the surface that Houston super lightweight Daniel Garcia will be a huge underdog when takes on Puerto Rico’s Jesus Pabon (11-1, 8 KOs) at the Paragon Casino and Resort in Marksville, Louisiana, and live on ESPN2 this Friday, February 29.

But Garcia (9-4-1, 7 KOs) has a motivational speaker for a manager and doesn’t see the situation that way. “This is a step up for him just as much as for me,” he explains. “He hasn’t really been fighting top opposition until two fights ago. And then he fought somebody undefeated and lost. I‘ve been fighting guys that are there to fight, but don’t have the skill that this guy has. It’s going to be good for both of us to see where we are with our careers.”

In fact, 29-year-old Garcia sees himself as a good match for Pabon in every way. “I know he was an amateur star out of Puerto Rico, but I had 256 amateur fights. I’ve been fighting since I was seven. He’s a typical Puerto Rican fighter, quick on his feet and a good boxer/puncher. I’m a boxer/puncher as well.” MORE

Throwbacks Versus Young Bloods

www.fightkings.com

February 25, 2007 - Gone unnoticed this weekend under the cloud of the Heavyweight unification bore-fest (I actually dozed off during the fight, and skipped to the end during the recorded replay) this Saturday night was the amazing split decision victory of former Light Heavyweight champion Reggie Johnson over former WBO Light Heavyweight Champion Julio Cesar Gonzalez to seize the vacant International Boxing Association title at the Civic Center at Lake Charles in Louisiana.

This news was particularly bewildering to me. MORE

The "Sweet" Resurrection of
Reggie Johnson

“Sweet” Reggie Johnson of Houston, Texas, said he wasn’t on a “comeback,” but rather was in need of some “get back” and returned to the ring for some unfinished business.  Titles at middleweight and light heavyweight and 25 world title contests couldn’t satiate his desire to fight and after long contract disputes and wanting to “do things his way,” he finally got another big fight after a two and a half year layoff.

A scheduled contest with top ranked “Gentleman” Glen Johnson was cancelled last November due to and arm injury suffered by Reggie during preparations.  Three months later, Glen is scheduled to fight WBC champ Chad Dawson, and former WBO champion Mexican Julio Gonzalez, of Huntington Beach, California, stepped in to battle for the IBA Light Heavyweight Title.

Johnson came in via an extended ring walk, circling the arena, wearing a plain grey sweatshirt and knit cap, giving a very working man impression.  When the bell sounded to begin action, Johnson charged across the ring scoring combinations and attacking the body from his southpaw stance.  Rope burns and evidence of body punches were already apparent on Gonzalez’s back by the end of the first round. MORE

Being a journalist, I’ve learned that the highest tribute that one can receive is positive comments about his endeavors in his chosen field of work. I thank everyone who has made those comments to me, either in person or other means of communication. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Old friend from the UK, former top 10 light heavyweight and Lonsdale Belt winner, Tony Wilson has a new website for you to check out, it’s here. Tony, an asset to our sport, does much for the kids in the UK, and deserves much support from everyone connected to our sport.

Former lightweight champ and good guy Greg “Mutt” Haugen has lent his good name to an organization that is also working with the kids.

I was really surprised at how flat Paul Williams looked in his losing outing to Carlos Quintana. Gracious in defeat, Williams praised Quintana for pulling off the upset. Williams will be back.

A week later, as predicted here, a war between Kelly Pavlik and Jermain Taylor broke out. Pavlik came on strong in the later rounds keeping his undefeated tag. This was the kind of a fight that makes for a great trilogy, and I can see it happening, even though Pavlik emerged the winner again. MORE

DOUBLE MAIN EVENT

PRESS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENTS

February 20 (Wednesday) at the Diamond Grill Restaurant
in Alexandria, LA and February 21 (Thursday) at Copeland’s Restaurant in Lafayette, LA