By: William Holmes
The following is the Boxing Insider notebook for the week of September 9th to September 16th, covering the comings and goings in the sport of boxing that you might have missed.
Algieri and Clottey Post Wins in Huntington
Undefeated junior welterweight Chris Algieri and former world champion Joshua Clottey were both victorious on Saturday night at “Rocking Fights 10” at the Paramount in Huntington, New York.
Algieri improved to 18-0 with a dominant performance against Wilfredo Acuna (14-13) which resulted in a seventh round stoppage. Clottey improved to 37-4 with a shutout ten round decision over veteran Dashon Johnson (14-13-3) in their junior middleweight bout. Their scores were 100-89, 100-89, and 99-90.
Nelson Defeats Lopes
Tori Nelson (7-0-3) out-worked Aleksandra Magdziak Lopez (10-2) on Friday night at the Twin River Casino to earn a 100-90, 100-90, and 98-92 unanimous-decision win and capture the vacant Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) welterweight world title in the main event of Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports’ Champion Breed Card.
Nick DeLomba, Zack Ramsey, and Quantis Graves were also victorious in their bouts.
Porter Decisions Diaz, Periban and Jack Draw
Shawn Porter (22-0-1) got revenge for the only blemish during his career against Julio Diaz (40-9-1) in the welterweight division on Thursday night in Las Vegas, Nevada. In their last fight they fought to a split draw but this time Porter won easily. Porter had the quicker hands and was controlling the pace in the ring. Porter won on the scorecards with scores of 98-92, 97-93, and 97-93.
Marco Antonio Periban (20-1-1) fought Badou Jack (15-0-1) on the undercard in the super middleweight division. It was a closely contested fight and Periban’s face showed the damage from Jack’s punches. In the end the judges scored it 95-95, 95-95, and 96-94.
Big Apple Boxing Results
Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s SMS Promotions and Lou DiBella’s DiBella Entertainment presented an exciting seven-bout card before a loud and vibrant crowd at the beautiful Resorts World Casino in Jamaica, Queens. Hot 97’s DJ Carmelo created a party-like atmosphere mixing it up from the DJ booth and the special Monday night of boxing also featured three separate live performances from three of 50’s G-Unit rap artists including Tony Yayo.
Headlining the card was SMS promoted undefeated junior lightweight contender Mark Davis taking on the always-dangerous Carlos Vinan. From the outset, it was apparent that Davis was the much quicker of the two, as he fired off lightning-fast combinations that dazzled the crowd. In the second round, Davis even took time to acknowledge his promoter 50 Cent, who was sitting ringside, asking him what he wanted, before firing off another blistering combination that seemed to daze Vinan.
Round after round saw more of the same, as Davis was able to control the action from the outside, using beautiful footwork. To his credit though, Vinan hung tough and kept coming forward, taking a number of heavy shots in the process. In the end, Davis was just too fast and too accurate for Vinan, winning by scores of 99-91, 98-92, 97-93, improving his record to 18-0, 5KO’s.
Shemuel “The Chosen One” Pagan also fought against Calvin Smith. Pagan knocked Smith down in the first and third rounds and Pagan won with scores of 40-33, 40-33, and 40-34.
Texas to Play Host to Donaire vs. Darchinyan II, Martinez vs. Garcia
The Lone Star State will play host to an exciting tripleheader featuring two world championship fights and a grudge rematch between two former world champions that’s been building for over six years. Two time WBO Junior Lightweight Champion Roman “Rocky” Martinez will face off against undefeated former WBO Featherweight Champion Mikey Garcia and Nonito Donaire will face off against Vic “Raging Bull Darchinyan. There will be an official press conference at the American Bank Center on Wednesday September 18th at 1:00 p.m. CT. to announce this card.
Carlos Molina Calls Out Canelo and Cotto
Brand-new IBF Light Middleweight Champion “King” Carlos Molina says when he heard the ring announcer say the words “and the NEW”, he could finally relax a bit.
“I knew I had reached one of the goals I set on the day I started boxing,” said the happy champion, now home in his beloved Chicago.
“Now that I’m home, I want to start defending my belt right away, before the end of the year if possible.” Molina continued. I want (Saul) Canelo Alvarez or (Miguel) Cotto next. Beating either of those guys is the fastest way to Floyd Mayweather, so that’s who I want to fight.”
Truly an inspiration, the habitual underdog Molina says he is grateful to his whole team for believing in him during his difficult climb: his promoter, Leon Margules of Warriors Boxing and Advisor, Luis DeCubas, as well as his training team, Trainer Victor Mateo, co-trainer Lou Askenette, cornerman Harrison “Hammer” Funmaker, and Strength and Conditioning Coach Freddy Cuevas, as well as all the local fighters who helped prepare him for the big fight at Oakley Fight Club in Chicago.
Having been the victim of boxing politics and been ripped off and robbed in several other high-profile fights, Molina also wants to thank a certain sanctioning body: “My sincere thanks to the IBF. If they hadn’t made me the mandatory, there’s no way I would have had this opportunity.”
Molina says he wasn’t surprised by anything Smith brought to the table on Saturday.
“We had a game plan for him to out-work him and that’s what we did. My team is so strong. We knew exactly what we had to do. It wasn’t easy, but we did it. No fights are easy. But now, looking forward, we’ve also got a plan against Canelo or Cotto. Looking forward to using it on either of them next.”
Frankie Gavin: Khan Needs to Stop Chasing a Mayweather Fight
British and Commonwealth Welterweight Champion Frankie Gavin, who aims to secure his Lonsdale belt outright this Saturday (21 September) at The Copper Box Arena when he faces David Barnes, spoke today about rival Amir Khan’s chances in a potential showdown with the pound-for-pound number one fighter Floyd Mayweather Jnr., saying simply “he hasn’t really got any!”
Gavin, Britain’s only ever amateur world champion, was responding to media reports that Khan is a leading contender to become the next opponent for Mayweather, who made light work of his supposed number one threat, Canelo Alverez, last Saturday which was shown live on BoxNation in the UK.
Gavin continued, “Khan is an excellent fighter but Mayweather is definitely a step too far for him, as he is for anyone at the moment.
The Birmingham star dazzled in his last performance against the previously unbeaten Denton Vassell and also made it clear that former World Champion Khan is very much on the agenda in what would be a salivating all-British showdown: “He’s hasn’t proved that that he’s even the best Welterweight in the UK yet, and until he does you have question how he can possibly get in there with the world’s best fighter and an all-time great. I know myself that Khan is their to be beaten and that I’ve got the skills that could expose him and I would love that fight. I’ve always said that I will fight anybody and if we met it would be absolutely huge in the UK.”
Mago Abdusalamov Preparing for his HBO Debut
Undefeated Russian heavyweight crusher Magomed “Mago” Abdusalamov (18-0, 18 KOs) is hard at work in Florida with new trainer John David Jackson, preparing for his first premium-cable appearance, a showdown with also undefeated Cuban Mike Perez (19-0, 12 KOs) on Saturday, November 2, at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City and televised Live on HBO®.
The hard-hitting pair, both southpaws, will meet for Abdusalamov’s WBC USNBC Heavyweight Championship on the televised portion of the undercard of middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin’s World Boxing Association and International Boxing Organization title defense against Curtis Stevens.
Sampson Lewkowicz, exclusive promoter of Abdusalamov, says the addition of trainer Jackson will give the 32-year-old Russian a new dimension to his game. “Who better to train a southpaw to become champion than one who has already done it?” he asked. “Magomed already had the best power in the heavyweight division and now with John David Jackson fine-tuning his defense, he will be unstoppable.”
A victory over 27-year-old Perez would be another significant notch on Abdusalamov’s belt. The big Cuban is a former Prizefighter UK champion who holds victories over respectable veterans such as Zack Page, Tye Fields and Travis Walker.
“Magomed is training to prove he is the real heavyweight on the horizon,” continued Lewkowicz. “Victories over other strong contenders like Perez are how he will do it. I’m very happy that HBO has chosen to spotlight Magomed. This exciting KO victory will allow him to establish himself as the most exciting puncher in the heavyweight division today.
Abdusalamov’s manager, Boris Grinberg, says his fighter will be the best version of himself he’s ever been on November 2.
“John David Jackson is the final piece of the puzzle to make the next heavyweight champion. The strongest offense in the division is now being taught defense by one of the slickest fighters in boxing history. We are very excited for the world to see the improved Magomed on HBO.”
Pacquiao Guaranteed $18 Million for Rios Fight
Manny Pacquiao is guaranteed $18 million for his November 24th fight against Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios which will take place in Macau.
Top Rank Chief Executive Bob Arum revealed that the former pound for pound king is guaranteed $18 million, while Rios will earn a flat fee of $4 million.
“Manny is guaranteed $18 million, but we hope at the end of the day, he will do well enough so that he will get around $30 million.”
More can be read at http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/09/16/13/pacquiao-guaranteed-18m-rios-fight
Huck vs. Arslan II Official for January 25th
A decision has been made: WBO Cruiserweight World Champion Marco Huck (36-2-1, 25 KOs) will rematch Firat Arslan (33-6-2, 21 KOs) on January 25 in Stuttgart, Germany. Actually, the second encounter between Huck and Arslan should have gone forward on September 14. However, the defending champion suffered a hairline fracture to his left elbow in his final sparring session and was not capable to fight this weekend.
“I promise that I will give it my all in preparation of the new fight date and to be in top shape by early next year,” said Arslan, who turns 43 on September 28. “This will be the hardest fight of Marco Huck’s career to date!”
The WBO titlist is also happy that the fight will happen in January 2014. “First of all it was important to me that the doctors are optimistic about the healing process. I need to be at a 100 percent,” confirmed Huck. “I will train the same way as I did for September 14. Come January 25, I will be in the best shape of my life.”
Abraham Stays Busy, Fights on October 26th
On October 26, Arthur Abraham (37-4, 28 KOs) wants to show the world that he is ready for another crack at the WBO Super-Middleweight Championship. In Oldenburg, Germany, Robert Stieglitz´ mandatory challenger will step into the ring against an opponent to be announced shortly.
“Stieglitz stated in the press that he will have one more fight in 2013, which will be a voluntary defense on October 19,” said Abraham. “That means to me that I won’t be able to regain the world title before 2014. But I need to stay focused and ready. That is why I am fighting on October 26.” The 33-year-old knows: “This is going to be a good chance to up my game compared to my last fight against Shihepo in August. Although I am risking my mandatory status, this challenge will give me confidence ahead of a third meeting with Stieglitz.
Hagen Doering, Team Sauerland’s Sports Director, said: “We cannot name the opponent just yet as we are in negotiations with three ranked contenders. All I can say is that it will definitely be a true test for Abraham.”
The venue is nothing new to the former champion as he had his first-ever world title defense at the EWE ARENA Oldenburg against Australian Shannan Taylor back in 2006. “I have good memories of this place and that’s why I like to fight there again,” added Abraham, hoping for another emphatic victory.
Bradley vs. Marquez Undercard is Getting Close to Being Finalized
No. 1 contender Orlando Cruz, boxing’s first openly gay fighter, will clash with former two-time featherweight champion Orlando “Siri” Salido for the vacant WBO featherweight title. For Cruz (20-2-1, 10 kos), of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and a member of Puerto Rico’s 2000 Olympic team, this will be his first world title shot. Half of Cruz’s professional victories have been by knockout, including three of his last four fights — all for the WBO Latino featherweight belt — propelling him to the top of the WBO ratings. He enters this title tilt riding a two-year winning streak, highlighted by a first-round knockout of previously undefeated Michael Franco.
Salido (39-12-2, 27 kos), of Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, México, will be looking to complete a hat trick in regaining the title he previously held for nearly two years. He captured his first world title in his third attempt. After a No Decision to Robert Guerrero in 2006 and a split decision loss to Cristobal Cruz in 2008, Salido finally captured the International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight title in 2010, avenging his loss to Cruz by winning a split decision. His title reign was short-lived, losing a unification fight to World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa later that same year. Salido bounced back in a big way, stopping undefeated WBO featherweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez in the eighth round in 2011 to capture his second world championship crown. Salido enters this fight having won five of his last six fights by knockout, including title defenses against Kenichi Yamaguchi in 2011 and a rematch with Lopez in 2012. He lost the title in January, by decision, to Mikey Garcia. He is currently world-rated No. 3 by the WBO.
Two-time Ukrainian Olympic gold medalist Vasyl “The Great” Lomchenko will jump into the deep end of boxing’s international-sized swimming pool when he makes his professional debut in a 10-round featherweight bout against top-10 contender Jose Luiz Ramirez. Lomachenko first gained international renown by winning gold medals in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 London Games as a featherweight and lightweight, respectively. Known for his all-out aggressive style of boxing, Lomachenko is equally aggressive in plotting his professional boxing plan to a world title where he insisted on making his pro debut in a 10-round bout against a seasoned veteran where a victory could propel him to a Top-10 world rating. He certainly has that in Ramirez (24-2-2, 15 KOs), of Méxicali, Baja California, México, who has won six of his last seven fights. Ramirez enters this fight fresh from a career-best victory, a 12-round decision over Rey Bautista (34-2, 25 kos), in April for the WBO International featherweight title, ending the No. 4-rated contender’s four-year winning streak. Ramirez is currently world-rated No. 7 by the WBO.
Undefeated World Boxing Council (WBC) Americas light heavyweight champion “Irish” Seanie Monoghan, one of the top boxing gate attractions in his native New York, will open up the live telecast in his pay-per-view debut. He captured the title on June 14, 2012, via an eighth-round TKO of Romaro Johnson and successfully defended it last October 24, winning a unanimous decision over Rayco Sanders. Known for his aggressive style and good punching power, especially to the body, Monaghan, 31, is currently world-rated No. 10 by the WBA. In last his fight, on April 13, he scored a first-round knockout of Dion Stanley on the undercard of the Nonito Donaire – Guillermo Rigondeaux world junior featherweight championship at Radio City Music Hall. Venturing outside the New York / New Jersey area for the first time, Monaghan (18-0, 11 kos), of Long Beach, NY, will risk his title, undefeated record and top-10 rating against Anthony Caputo-Smith. Smith (14-1, 10 kos), of Kenneth Square, Pa., captured the Pennsylvania State light heavyweight title on April 19, winning a gritty majority decision over Dhafir Smith.
