By: William Holmes
The following is the Boxing Insider notebook for the week of January 7th to January 14th, covering the comings and goings in the sport of boxing that you might have missed.
Adrian Hernandez Defeats Cabarca
Adrian Hernandez (26-2-1) defeated Dirceu Cabarca (13-7) in the junior flyweight division on Saturday night in Toluca, Mexico. Hernandez defended his title in this bout and his opponent clearly did not deserve a title shot. Hernandez won the clear victory with scores of 120-108, 119-112, and 118-110.
Ava Knight to give Susana Vasquez a Rematch
International Boxing Federation (IBF) Flyweight Champion and World Boxing Federation (WBC) Diamond Champion, Ava “The Lady of Boxing” Knight (Chico, California, 10-1-3, 5 KOs) plans on making her first 2013 fight another win on her record. With the absence of finding the few other top champions of the flyweight division capable to come out and step up, Team Knight decided to give Susana “Toluquita” Vazquez (Toluca, Mexico, 8-7-1, 3 KOs) the rematch she wanted. In a previous interview, Susana stated, “I saw the repetition of the victory of Ava Knight on Mariana Juárez and I feel that I gave a better fight against Ava.”
Knight injured her hand in the third round of the first fight against Susana and is hoping with full recovery and preparation; she can come out with the Knock Out she promised in the first fight. Ben Bautista has been working on power and precision in the ring to make this fight easier than the first saying, “Susana is a great, strong fighter and deserves a lot of respect for wanting to get back in the ring with Ava, but we will show her no mercy in the ring.” Knight followed by saying, “I want to make 2013 the year I prove to the world that I have Knock Out power and it’s time to step it up and show it.”
The fight titled “Llegga a Chihuahua” will be on Mexican television network, Televisa, January 26, as part of their weekly boxing series, “Sabados de Coronas.” It will be taking place at the Gimnasio Manuel Bernardo Arguirre and presented by Promociones del Pueblo, HG Boxing, and Grupo Modelo. Mexican boxing stars, Hugo “Increíble” Cázares, and Mexico’s 2012 Olympic Boxer Óscar Molina will also be featured on the card.
Johan Perez Decisions Steve Forbes
Johan Perez (16-1-1) defeated the durable veteran Steve Forbes (35-12) in the junior welterweight division on Saturday night in Sunrise, Florida. Forbes was competitive in this fight but was unable to do enough to overcome his younger and more aggressive opponent. The final scores were 97-93, 96-94, and 95-95.
The Great American Heavyweight Box-Off To Be Announced
Veteran promoter/matchmaker Don Elbaum will host a press conference on Wednesday, January 16th at the Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn, NY to make a major announcement of the Great American Heavyweight Box-Off. This is planned annual tournament with an expected launch in early 2013. Elbaum will reveal details of the tournament including the $250,000 winner’s purse as well as projected dates, venues, and other information.
Standing 8 Promotions Announces Fight #1 in the Bud Light Pro Fight Series
Standing 8 Promotions, North Texas’ leading promotions company for the sport of professional boxing, ensures that 2013 will be a knockout year with the announcement of its Bud Light Pro Fight Series featuring a six-fight card at the Hurst Conference Center. Fighters on this card include “Cracking” Craig Callaahan (3-0), Hector Vazquez (8-1), and Tonly Lopez (1-0). This card will be held on February 9th, 2013 and tickets can be purchased online at www.standing8promotions.com
Countdown Begins for Explosive NBC Sports Network Fight Night Boxing Card
On Saturday, January 19th at the Mohegan Sun, NBC Sports Network will televise a card featuring light heavyweights Gabriel Campillo (21-4-1) and Sergey Kovalev (18-0-1) and middleweights Elvin Ayala (26-5-1) and Curtis Stevens (22-3). This will be the season 2 opener of the Fight Night series on the NBC Sports Network and the telecast begins at 9:00 p.m.
Hopkins vs. Cloud Announced
Future hall of famer Bernard Hopkins will be at the Barclays Center on January 15th at 12:30 P.M. ET today to announce his upcoming bout with the undefeated IBF Light Heavyweight Champion of the World Tavoris Cloud. This press conference is also special because it will also be Bernard Hopkins’ 48th birthday. Hopkins will be attempting to break his own record as the oldest fighter in history to win a world championship when he takes on Cloud on March 9th at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Burns, Cleverly, Groves, Chisora, Walsh on One Big Night of Action at Wembley Arena
Frank Warren has put together a blockbuster event ‘Rule Britannia’ on Saturday March 16th at the Wembley Arena. Some of the biggest stars in British Boxing will be participating, including Ricky Burns, Nathan Cleverly, George Groves, Dereck Chisora, and Liam Walsh. WBO World Lightweight Champion Ricky Burns takes on IBF World Champion Miguel Vazquez in a unification showdown in the main event. Tickets can be purchased at www.eventim.co.uk
Mike Dallas Jr. Eyes Showdown with Matthysse
Super lightweight contender Mike Dallas Jr. (19-2-1) is about to face the toughest challenge of his professional career when he steps in the ring with Lucas matthysse (32-2) on Saturday January 26th. This bout will take place at the Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“It’s been a grueling training camp but one that has been very productive,” said Dallas Jr. “Virgil and I are working hard on improving the things that I do well in the ring. One thing about Virgil that makes him a great trainer, he doesn’t try to change my style, but adds on to the elements that I already bring to the table.”
To combat Matthysse’s pressure style, Mike knows he’ll have to be in tremendous shape and have a strategic game plan to be victorious. He feels he has the tools to come out on top.
“Virgil is the master when it comes to game planning for a big fight,” Dallas Jr. said. “We’ve studied his past fights and he’s definitely got some flaws in his style. There are certain things a fighter must do when facing a pressure fighter and we’ve worked on everything to counter his attack.
“Right now Virgil has some of the best fighters in the world working out at his gym, and they’re all giving me good work. I’m in the best shape of my life and that’s why I took this fight on short notice. Matthysse has been beat before and I’m confident I can beat him as well.”
Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna Ready for January 31st
Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna (10-0) will be fighting on Janaury 31st against an opponent who has yet to be named. LaManna will be sharing the show with other local fighters such as Dennis Sharpe, Denis Douglin, and Nicky Demarco. The show is being promoted by Greg Cohen. For ticket information visit www.GCPBoxing.com
Peter Quillin to Defend Title Against Fernando Guerrero
Peter Quillin will defend his world title against Fernando Guerrero at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY on Saturday February 9th on Showtime.
The main event of the night will be Danny Garcia vs. Brooklyn’s own Zab Judah for the unified Super Lightweight World Title.
“It’s a great feeling to be back in Brooklyn for my first title defense and I am going to give fans what they are looking for again,” said Quillin. “The crowd at Barclays Center pushed me to another level last October when I won my title and I can’t wait to win for them again on February 9.”
“This is the moment every fighter dreams of and I feel like everything is finally aligned for me to win my first world championship on February 9,” said Guerrero. “Quillin is an exciting, aggressive fighter like me and we’re going to put on a show for the great fans in Brooklyn.”
Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com
HBO World Championship Boxing Doubleheader to Hit Atlantic City on February 16th
Adrien Broner and Gavin Rees will battle for the WBC Lightweight World Championship on February 16th at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Johnathon Banks and Seth Mitchell will also fight against after Banks scores a stunning upset of Mitchell in their previous bout.
“We’re pleased to bring fans another exciting night of boxing live from Atlantic City in the beginning of 2013,” said Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya. “We are witnessing the emergence of Adrien Broner as a superstar in the sport and now he faces his next test in Gavin Rees who, with his ring experience and already proven tenacity, should give Adrien a very tough fight. With Johnathon Banks vs. Seth Mitchell we are going to see if Seth can overcome defeat and disappointment and avenge his loss to Johnathon in the same ring they fought in this past November. I’m looking forward to a great night of fights and a great show.”
Raymond Serrano vs. Emmanuel Taylor Announced
Raymond Serrano vs. Emmanuel Taylor has been announced as the ShoBox Co-Main event on January 25th at the Paramount in Huntington, New York by Joe DeGuardia, the president of Star Boxing. It will serve as the chief support to the 10 round junior middleweight bout between Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade and former world title challenger Freddy “El Riel” Hernandez.
Short Documentary Film I Beat Mike Tyson Released
I Beat Mike Tyson, a 2012 film festival favorite, will be released as a staff pick on the video sharing site Vimeo on Tuesday, January 15th. The 13 minute film chronicles the story of Irish boxer Kevin McBride who beat Mike Tyson in 2005 and then disappeared.
I Beat Mike Tyson was screened at film festivals throughout the world in 2012, including the HotDocs International Documentary Film Festival in Toronto and the Camden International Documentary Film Festival in Camden, Maine. It was released theatrically in New York City in Fall 2012 alongside Weinstein’s feature film Drivers Wanted. Weinstein is a director and cinematographer whose work has been featured on BBC television, PBS, the New York Times, the Toronto International Film Festival, the South by Southwest Film Festival, and many others
“Sugar” Shane Mosley Unretires
It has been reported by Dan Rafael of espn.com that Shane Mosley will be coming out of retirement to challenge welterweight titlist Paulie Malignaggi on April 27th at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY in a Showtime-televised bout. More information can be found at http://espn.go.com/boxing/story/_/id/8844347/sugar-shane-mosley-unretires-fight-paulie-malignaggi-title
Froch vs. Kessler II Announced
Matchroom Sport and Team Sauerland have announced that Carl Froch and Mikkel Kessler will fight in Britain in a rematch. Full details of the fight will be announced at a press conference soon and both fighters are delighted that that will be fighting each other again.
“First and foremost, I’m really pleased the fight has finally been arranged,” said Froch. “I feared that Kessler had second thoughts about his promise- but the man has come good on his word.”
“I promised Carl we would meet again and here we are, getting ready to leave it all in the ring for a second time.” Said Kessler.
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