Boxing Insider Notebook: Khan, Vasquez, Garcia, Morales, and More….

By: William Holmes

The following is the boxinginsider.com notebook for the week of October 1st to October 8th, covering the comings and goings in the sport of boxing that you might have missed.

Vazquez Victorious, Calderon Stopped

Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. (22-2-1) knocked out Jonathan Oquendo (22-3) in the junior featherweight division in Puerto Rico on Saturday night. Oquendo was winning the early rounds, and rocked Vazquez in the fifth round and caused him to touch the canvas with his gloves. Vazquez turned it up in the seventh round and pounded him in the corner and scored the knocked out at 2:33.

Former champion Ivan Calderon (35-3-1) lost to Moises Fuentes (16-1) in the strawweight division on the same card. The elder Calderon was knocked down three times in the fifth round, and the final knockdown forced the referee to stop the fight at 1:22.

Linares Victorious in Sacramento, Kamegai Scores a Draw

Undefeated Japanese welterweight Yoshihiro Kamegai (21-0-1) fought Jorge Silva (19-2) on Saturday night in Sacramento, California to a majority draw with scores of 95-95, 95-95, and 96-94 for Kamegai. It was a very close bout that featured intense action, but neither fighter was able to convince the judges that they deserved the victory.

Jorge Linares (32-3) defeated Hector Velasquez (52-18-3) by decision on the same card with scores of 100-89, 98-91, and 97-91. Linares badly needed this victory to stay relevant in the lightweight division, and he was able to pull it off.

Hernandez and Baysangurov Win Titles

Adrian Hernandez (25-2-1) was able to win the junior flyweight title over Kompayak Porpramook (46-4) on Saturday night in Toluca, Mexico. He stopped Porpramook in the 6th round by TKO after losing to Porpramook in December of 2011 by a 10th round KO. A straight right hand finished Porpramook at 0:20 of round 6.

Zaurbek Baysangurov (28-1) retained his junior middleweight title on Saturday night in Kiev, Ukraine over Lukas Konecny (48-4). Baysangurov won by scores of 119-109, 118-110, and 117-111.

Huck Has Super Champion Status in Sight

On November 3rd the current WBO Cruiserweight Champion Marco Huck (34-2-1) will be fighting Firat Arslan (32-5-2) at the Gerry Weber Stadium in Halle/Westphalia, Germany. Huck has a lot of respect for his opponent and said the following:

“I would have preferred not to fight Firat. He is a very nice guy on a personal level. I watched his last fights and I know that he is a really tough opponent.” Coach Ulli Wegner shares that opinion. “It is going to be an exciting fight. Marco always showed his class in Halle/Westphalia and boxed very clever. He became world champion here after beating Victor Emilio Ramirez and later on won a war against Ran Nakash. But it won’t be easy against Firat as he is physically very strong.”

Tickets can be purchased at www.eventim.de

Mares vs. Moreno Officially Announced for November 10th

A mega fight has been announced for November 10th at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion Abner Mares will be fighting former WBA Bantamweight Super Champion Anselmo Moreno. They had a combined record of 57-1-2 and the bout will be broadcast on Showtime.

Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz will also be defending his IBF Bantamweight Championship, and Alfredo Angulo will be fighting Raul Casarez in a junior middleweight clash.

“I feel faster and stronger at 122 pounds and now that I’m used to this weight class, I’m going to be more dangerous than ever for anyone who steps in the ring with me,” said Mares. “I love this fight with Moreno. I’ve got a lot of respect for him, but I know I’ll get the win on November 10 with the help of my hometown fans in Los Angeles.”

“I’d like to thank Mares for taking this fight as this is the type of moment every fighter waits for and dreams about,” said Moreno. “I’m ready to show the world what I can do. I promise my fans that I will put on a great show like always and leave the ring with the belt.”

Ticket can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com

Scott Quigg Voted Britain’s Best Young Boxer

Hatton Promotions fast rising star Scott Quigg has been voted Britain’s Best Young Boxer of the Year by the Boxing Writers’ club. Quigg will receive the prestigious Geoffrey Simpson award during a ceremony at London’s Savoy Hotel on Monday October 15th. Previous winners include Ricky Hatton, Joe Calzaghe, Nigel Benn, Frank Bruno and others who all went on to become world champions.

Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame Announces 2012 Award Winners

NABF Heavyweight Champion Tony “TNT” Grano has been named the 2012 Connecticut Professional Boxer of the Year by the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame. Elvis Figueroa won the Connecticut Amateur Boxer of the Year, Dick Flaherty won the Official of the Year, and Mitchell Etess won the Contributor to Boxing. They will be honored at the 8th annual Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame Gala Induction at the Uncas Ballroom at Mohegan Sun on November 17th.

The 2012 CBHOF Hall of Fame inductees are former World Boxing Association (WBA) light middleweight champion “Tremendous” Travis Simms, former World Boxing Union (WBU) middleweight titlist “Dangerous” Dana Rosenblatt, five-time Trainer of the Year Freddie Roach, promoter Jimmy Burchfield (Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc.), manager George Cruz and the late manager/promoter Lou Viscusi.

Fontanez vs. Nater the Main Event for October 13th

Jeffrey Fontanez (8-0) will be looking for another knockout against John Nater (11-3) in the Solo Boxeo Tecate main event on October 13th from Juncos, Puerto Rico. Braulio Santos (7-0) will be battling John Alberto Molina (32-20-3) in the co-feature fight. This card is being promoted by Golden Boy, and tickets can be purchased by calling (787) 792-5000.

October 27th Fight Card at Harrahs Philadelphia Cancelled

Due to logistical issues, the October 27th boxing card “Fight for the Cure” has been cancelled.

“On behalf of me and my partner, David Feldman, we just want to apologize to the fighters, Organizers, sponsors and fans for this inconvenience and we will be back with another great card very soon”, said promoter Joey “Eye” Intrieri.

All tickets will be refunded.

Dulorme vs. Abregu Headline October 27th Card

On October 27th at the Turning Stone Resort Casino HBO Boxing After Dark will broadcast a triple header. The main event will be a ten round welterweight bout between Thomas Dulorme (16-0) and Luis Carlos Abregu (33-1), and the two other fights on the card will be a ten round NABO Jr. Welterweight Title Bout between Karim Mayfield (16-0-1) and Mauricio Herrera (18-2), and a twelve round IBF Lightweight World Title Bout between Miguel Vasquez (31-3) and Marvin Quintero (25-3).

Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com

Khan vs. Molina Headlines December 15th Event

Amir Khan vs. Carlos Molina headlines a December 15th card from the LA Sports Arena in Los Angeles, California. The bout will be live on Showtime in the United States and live on Sky Sports 1HD in the United Kingdom. The event will also feature a holiday fanfest complete with musical acts, memorabilia, gift giveaways, autograph signings, and meet and greets with some of boxing’s biggest stars.

“I am looking forward to getting back in the ring and continuing my career,” said Khan, who recently announced his relationship with new trainer Virgil Hunter. “I believe in myself and my abilities. With each fight I learn what I am capable of doing and these opportunities afford the chance to better myself and continue to comeback stronger than before. I fight for all of the fans that continue to support me regardless of outcome and I will not be satisfied until I give them what they want. I want to be a world champion again and that is what the goal is starting with this fight against Molina.”

Tevin Farmer Steps in to Face Jose Pedraza

Allan Benitez suffered an injury in training, and Philadelphia’s Tevin Farmer (7-3-1) has decided to step in to face Jose Pedraza (10-0) in the main event on ShoBox: The New Generation on Friday October 12th from the Ameristar Casino. The co-feature is going on as planned, and featured undefeated up and coming prospects Jonathan Cepeda (12-0) and Lamar Russ (10-0) in an eight round middleweight bout.

Salita Returns to Ring for Garcia vs. Morales II, Tickets Offered at Discount for Boxing Insider Readers

On October 20th Golden Boy Promotions will be holding a card in Brooklyn, NY that features four world championship fights. Besides the main event of Danny Garcia vs. Erik Morales, Dmitriy Salita returns to the ring at the new Barclays Center. Salita is looking to put himself in world title contention with a win.

“Three of the four world title fights on the show will be at or near my weight. I am excited to be on the show, and I look forward to making a statement in my home town. I intend to give the fans a world class performance.

One of the four world title fights featured on the card will be a title defense by WBA World Welterweight Champion Paul Malignaggi. Malignaggi is a boxer that Salita would love to challenge.

Tickets are also being made available to Boxing Insider readers at a discount price with 20% off.

Ticket Prices:

$246.00 each – regular price is $306 each, lower level
$166.00 each – regular price is $206 each, lower level
$86.00 each – regular price is $106 each, upper level
$46.00 each – regular price is $56 each, upper level

The link for the discounted tickets is http://barclayscenterots.com/Special_Offer_Boxing_MSq.html

Top Rank Signs 2012 Puerto Rico Olympian Felix Verdejo

Todd duBoef, president of Top Rank, announced that 2012 Puerto Rico Olympian Felix Verdejo has inked a long-term promotional agreement with Top Rank.

“Felix is a young, exciting athlete who won many gold medals as an amateur. Between his pedigree and our expertise in developing champions, we anticipate the evolution of Puerto Rico’s next future star,” said Top Rank President Todd duBoef. Felix won two fights at the Olympic Games before losing to two time Olympic Gold Medalist Vasyl Lomachenko.