The Boxing News Report 02.23.08
Posted by Ramon Aranda on 02.23.2008
This week we go over De La Hoya's next bout which has been confirmed, plus what's next for Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and your chance to check out a Joe Pesci movie before enjoying some live fights.
Welcome everyone to this week's Boxing News Report. We've got quite the news report for you this week with various cards taking form now. But I can't start off the report without mentioning last week's Pavlik-Taylor rematch. Though the fight wasn't as action-packed as their first encounter, both guys still put on an entertaining fight that was tight on the cards leading up to the last couple of rounds. I personally scored it 117-111 when it was all said and done but a lot of those rounds were relatively close and the fight was certainly closer than what the scores made it seem like. Kelly Pavlik as always showed up like the Terminator; never taking a step back and constantly stalking Taylor around the ring. Jermain though made some adjustments from the first fight and was able to contain Pavlik's right hand which was landing at will the last time they met.
So Pavlik will move back to middleweight and defend his title, but what about Taylor? For Jermain, that makes him 0-2 in his last two bouts but this last defeat may have done more for him than his previous few wins. Taylor showed that he belongs in the ring with the best in the sport and hopefully for him, the move to super middleweight will allow him to be stronger and in better condition. As he told me after the fight, he just wants to go home now and take some time off to relax, and although the former middleweight champ was anything but exciting since becoming the man at 160-pounds, Taylor took on a helluva list of quality opponents. Rest up Jermain!
Now let's get on with this week's news!
De La Hoya-Forbes Finalized
The Oscar De La Hoya vs. Steve Forbes bout is good and done and will be headed to Carson, CA on May 3rd. Next Tuesday afternoon, Golden Boy Promotions will host a press conference in Los Angeles to officially announce the fight which looks to be headed to HBO (free!). It is expected that there will also be an announcement as to what kinds of events and activities will surround the fight. I mentioned previously that this looked like a highly probable fight and we now know that it's a done deal. Forbes should provide a decent test to a rusty De La Hoya as Forbes is an exceptional boxer with good hand-speed.
We'll keep you posted on the press conference next week and bring you the latest info.
Chavez Jr.'s Next Opponent Named
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. will take on rugged Michele Orlando of Palermo, Italy, on Top Rank's "Latin Fury" championship boxing card in Queretaro, Mexico on Saturday, April 26.
Orlando, 35-5 with 18 KOs, has been in 16 title fights -- 8 for an Italian title, 4 IBF International, 2 European, 1 WBC International and 1 WBA Continental. Orlando is 10-5-1 in title bouts and he has won his last five bouts.
"I am very excited about this matchup," said Bob Arum of Top Rank. "We will see how Julio fares against a fighter who has such tremendous international experience." Chavez Jr. vs. Orlando is scheduled for 10 rounds in the super welterweight division. The fight will headline Top Rank's "Latin Fury" card which will be available on Pay Per View.
Arum said the televised undercard bouts will soon be announced. Chavez Jr., the son of the legendary Julio Cesar Chavez, lives and trains in Culiacan, Mexico. Chavez Jr. has a record of 35-0-1, 28 KOs. He is coming off two very tough physical "Latin Fury" battles, first against Ray Sanchez (TKO 6) in Albuquerque, N.M. and then against Jose Celaya (TKO 8) in Leon, Mexico.
Cotto Calls out Mayweather
Miguel Cotto doesn't normally call out opponents, but the unbeaten WBA welterweight champion issued a direct challenge to WBC titleholder Floyd Mayweather earlier this week. "I have no problem facing the other champions from the same division," stated Cotto, "but they want to remain as champions. I am open to facing any opponent. When [Mayweather] wants and decides to fight, he knows that Miguel Cotto is here....stop making excuses."
Cotto's next fight will be against The Contender's Alfonso Gomez on April 12 at the historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ. Mayweather is expected to be out of action until a rematch with Oscar De La Hoya in September. In the meantime, Floyd is expected to be a part of the WWE's WrestleMania XXIV event on March 30th. It is speculated that Mayweather will face seven-foot, 425 lb wrestler Paul Wight, better known as Big Show.
Credit: Fightnews.com
Paez Jr. Added to Vasquez-Marquez III Card
Before Israel Vazquez (42-4, 32 KOs) and Rafael Marquez (37-4, 33 KOs) renew boxing's most exciting rivalry on March 1, fight fans get to catch young, promising, fighters on the under card of the most highly anticipated rubber match of the year. Some of the boxers boast ties to the well-regarded, prospect-based series, ShoBox: The New Generation (Showtime), which has produced 23 current or former world champions in its six year history.
One of the most exciting attractions on the under card and the last fight before fans lay witness to Vazquez-Marquez III, is the six-round super lightweight battle between Jorge Paez, Jr. (18-1, 10 KOs) of Mexicali, Mexico and Felipe Campana (4-3-3, 3 KOs) of San Diego, Calif.
Paez, the son of former world champion Jorge Paez, Sr., is promoted by San Diego-based Sycuan Ringside Promotions.
"I'm looking forward to giving sports fans an exciting fight that will lead up to the great showdown between Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez," said Paez, who is coming off a six round unanimous decision win against Aaron Drake in October 2007.
"I want to show the audience what I have and look good doing it."
Another prospect to look out for comes from the Gary Shaw Productions camp and is a ShoBox alum Antonio De Marco (17-1-1, 13 KOs) of San Diego. De Marco's opponent for the eight round super lightweight bout has yet to be finalized.
"I'm not worried about having to wait for an opponent for this fight," said De Marco, who has won his last ten fights. "I'll be able to adjust to my opponent's style once the fight starts."
Prospect Nick Casal (16-2-1, 12 KOS) of Niagara Falls, N.Y. is going up against the savvy James Wayka (15-6, 8 KOs) of Mounds View, Minn. in a six round super lightweight bout.
Casal last fought on ShoBox against De Marco in September 2007 in what turned out to be a hard fought loss for the New York native.
Making his fifth start in six months and sixth appearance at Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif., DeMarco opened up a brutal cut at the top of Casal's nose in the seventh round and cut his opponent's lip with punishing combinations throughout.
Despite suffering a brutal cut and trailing on the scorecards, Casal never backed down and brought the raucous crowd to its feet with a courageous effort at the end of the 10th round. However, Casal absorbed too much punishment and lost for the second time in three fights.
The last ShoBox alum to watch closely is the undefeated and scorching hot Yonnhy Perez (14-0, 11 KOs) of Santa Fe Springs, Calif., by way of Cartagena, Columbia. Perez tests his undefeated record against the experienced Alejandro Becerra (19-5, 9 KOs) of El Paso, Texas in an eight round bantamweight bout.
Klitschko Donates $500,000 to Global Charity
In a little more than 24 hours Wladimir Klitschko will try to unify all three boxing heavyweight championship belts when he takes on Sultan Ibragimov at Madison Square Garden Saturday night. But thanks to a guaranteed $500,000 donation by Klitschko to The Laureus Sport For Good Foundation, he is a winner already in the eyes of the thousands of at-risk children who participate in service programs funded by Laureus.
Laureus,USA announced today that the Betances Boxing Program in the Bronx will begin receiving Laureus financial support that will help the program expand its reach. Children aged 8 and up living around the Betances Houses have been learning to box at the program for 12 years - but that's not all. The program acts as a safe haven and provides children life skills, values workshops and academic support along with boxing skills. The kids participate in the life and/or academic enrichment programs in order to access the recreational offerings.
The Betances Boxing Program serves as an alternative for hundreds of local kids from the hard realities and disadvantages of life in the low socio-economic strata of the NYC Housing Authority. It provides a positive atmosphere for kids trying to escape issues ranging from substance abuse, absentee parents, and domestic violence to the general dangers of the streets. Participants are 75% Latino, 25% African American, 85% boys and the majority live in families with income under the poverty level.
Betances becomes the 52nd player in Laureus' roster of programs around the world that address social issues through the common language of sports – and the fifth in the USA. The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation was set up to fund and promote the use of sport as a tool for social change and currently supports 51 other programs around the world. It is administered by the 45 iconic athletes who comprise The Laureus World Sports Academy (athletes ranging from Edwin Moses and John McEnroe to Boris Becker and Nadia Comaneci), and their supporters who are the Laureus "Friends and Ambassadors" like Wladimir Klitschko and Amani Toomer.
Klischko's half-million dollar commitment could grow larger come this spring. The first $350,000 has come from money he generated by asking his fans to donate to Laureus in his name. In exchange, he will enter the ring Saturday night in a robe with their names emblazoned on the garment. Over 3,000 people responded - more than anticipated- so Klitschko increased his initial gift guarantee from $250,000 to $350,000. Then in April, his boxing robe will be auctioned off with those proceeds also going to Laureus. The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and the Klitschko camp already have a $150,000 sealed offer for the robe so the final donation could exceed $500,000.
Ten children from the Betances Boxing Program and several other programs supported by Laureus will be attending the fight Saturday night and will be available for interview – as will Edwin Moses, the Chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy and Amani Toomer, a member of Lareus' "Friends and Ambassadors" group.
For the last two years, the Betances Boxing Program has been staged in temporary quarters at St Mary's Rec Center in a room that barely has space for a boxing ring and a few heavy bags. In another few months, the program will move across the street to the newly rehabbed Betances Community Center where the NYCHA can reach more kids and offer greater support. The Laureus donation will help defray costs so the program can offer a more diverse curricula including a new computer technology center, a GED program, tutoring, a dance/fitness room, a boxing ring with expanded and updated boxing equipment and other social services ranging from drug use/abuse and pregnancy prevention programs to health and nutrition education.
DiBella Entertainment Presents Love Ranch Monday Fights
The movie, "Love Ranch" directed by Taylor Hackford, starring Helen Mirren and Joe Pesci, is hosting a free boxing event on Monday February 25 at Tingley Coliseum on the Expo New Mexico grounds. Doors open at 7 am. Come early as seating may be limited.
Step back into the 70s, catch Hollywood's eye and be part of the filming. Come looking your 70s best. Special prizes will be awarded for best 70s hair, best 70s wardrobe and best 70s car.
The boxing event will consist of three bouts over a 12-hour period starting at 8 am. Willy Villanneva will headline against Lorenzo Estrada, Archie Ray Marquez against Ceacar Velenzula and a final bout with Joe Cruz against Jose Garcia.
"Love Ranch" will be filming a staged boxing match at the same time, with stars Sergio Peris-Mencheta and Bo Brown as they face off in a climatic scene with Joe Pesci and Helen Mirren. Those in attendance will be part of the filming.
Tickets are required, but are complimentary and can be picked up at Carefree Spas, Triple 7 Auto Sales, 93.3 KKOB FM, Zanagara Dodge and On the Matt Fight Shop.
Two motorcycles, two ATVS, a pool table, bicycles, grills, and golf clubs are among the many additional prizes that will be raffled every half hour.
Special refreshments for the first 5000 fans will be served by some of Albuquerque's best restaurants.
Musical acts and comedy all day long.
Academy Award-winning actress Helen Mirren received the Oscar for Best Actress in 2006 for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in the "The Queen". Other memorable performances include "Gosford Park" and "The Madness of King George." Most recently she was seen in the blockbuster "National Treasure: Book of Secrets."
Mr. Pesci's credits include "Raging Bull," "Goodfellas," for which he won an Academy Award in 1990 for Best-Supporting Actor, "Casino," "Home Alone," the 1993 classic comedy "My Cousin Vinny" and three turns as the sleazy but likeable Leo Getz in the action series "Lethal Weapon."
Academy Award nominated director Taylor Hackford is best known for his critically acclaimed and Oscar nominated "Ray" as well as "La Bamba," "Proof of Life" and "An Officer and a Gentleman". He won the Oscar for Best Short Film, in 1979 for "Teenage Father".
"Love Ranch" is a fictional story that draws on many truths about Nevada's extremely successful Brothel Industry. Charlie & Grace Bontempo (Joe Pesci & Helen Mirren) are a husband/wife team who own and run one of Nevada's first legalized brothel ranches. Their lives are irrevocably altered when a world famous heavy weight boxer from South America comes to train at the Ranch.
Fight Reminder
As if you needed more of a reminder, tonight mark's the first heavyweight unification bout in nearly 9 years when Wladimir Klitschko puts his IBF/IBO titles on the line against WBO titleholder Sultan Ibragimov on HBO. The telecast will first kick off with a replay of last week's Pavlik-Taylor II fight from Las Vegas, followed by the heavyweight bout live from Madison Square Garden!
Hope you enjoy the fight and let's all pray for a conclusive outcome! Till then, see you at the fights.
