By: William Holmes
The following is the Boxinginsider.com notebook for the week of July 9th to July 16th, covering the comings and goings in the sport of boxing.
Anthony Mundine Stops Bronco McKart
Anthony Mundine (44-4) defeated Bronco McKart (54-10-1) by a 7th round TKO on Saturday in Las Vegas. The fight was shown on PPV through WealthTV. Mundine is 37 and his opponent was 41, and neither are in their primes. Mundine got the stoppage after dropping McKart three times in the seventh round. After the fight Mundine claimed he was ready for Floyd Mayweather Jr., but nobody took notice.
Hernan Marquez Squeaks by Fernando Lumacad
Hernan Marquez (34-2) was able to defeat the Filipino boxer Fernando Lumacad (26-4-3) by a close decision with scores of 97-94, 95-95, and 95-95. According to some, it was much closer than the broadcasters on TV said it was. Marquez is heavily rumored to fight Brian Viloria next.
Jesus Silvestre Wins Strawweight Title
Jesus Silvestre (25-3) won the WBA interim strawweight title against Edwin Diaz (15-18) on Saturday in Tepic, Mexico. He won it by scores of 119-110, 118-112, and 117-111. Diaz’s record is not a typo, someone with a below .500 record actually fought for a WBA belt.
Billy Dib Decisions Antonio Rodriguez
Billy Dib improved to (35-1) with a decision victory over Antonio Rodriguez (21-4) on Friday in Sydney, Australia. Dib experienced a cut over his left eye in the fourth round but was still able to get the victory with scores of 99-92, 98-92, and 97-94. Billy Dib claimed that he wants to fight Adrien Broner next.
Andre Ward and Chad Dawson Press Conference Quotes
“The road I’ve taken to this point has not been easy. Being back on HBO is a big thing, but fighting on HBO in my hometown is huge. To be great you have to fight the best. Chad has beaten the best so these are the type fights I want to take. I will put on a great show for all the fans that come out to Oracle Arena.” – Andre Ward
“This is a big fight for me. I know their will be a huge crowd for Andre, but I’m not afraid. I’m happy to be the underdog in this fight. I haven’t been the underdog in a long time and I’ll do what I have to do to win this fight” – Chad Dawson
“This is the type of fight that makes a crossover superstar. Nothing will get in Andre’s way, no chatter, no nothing. He is focused on this fight! This is why I can’t to see 17,000 fans in Oracle Arena on Sept, 8. It will be filled with electricity. Andre is a special fighter and Virgil is the Zen Master.” – Dan Goossen
“We all saw what Chad did to Hopkins and I believe Dawson is the better fighter. The winner of this fight is no doubt going to be a superstar. I’m so confident in this fight Goossen can have his six brothers be the judges. In this fight you have two fighters who hold belts, who are steroid free, who are young and will bring their best on fight night” – Gary Shaw
US Olympian Shawn Estrada to Fight on August 11th
US Olympian Shawn Estrada puts his undefeated record on the line in the main event of “Live at the Lodge” on Saturday August 11th at 7:00 PM. This card will also include Leon Spinks III, Jessie Villanueva, and the debut of Armenian heavyweight Sergo Pogosyan. Tickets can be purchased at www.goossentutor.com/schedule.
Knockout Kings Card Announced: Alvarez vs. Lopez
As previously announced, the main event for Golden Boy’s September 15th card will be between Canelo Alvarez and Josesito Lopez for the WBC Super Welterweight World Championship. Jhonny Gonzalez will be fighting former world champion Daniel Ponce De Leon in one of the bouts on the undercard. Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com
Rigondeaux Calls Out Donaire
Guillermo Rigondeaux has called up Nonito Donaire after he learned of Donaire’s plan to move up to the featherweight division. He has labeled Donaire “The Filipino Phony.” “Donaire is running scared of any super bantamweights with power,” Rigondeaux said from his Miami training camp. “He hasn’t knocked out anybody at 122 pounds. One thing is for sure, though, he will get knocked out if he has the guts to fight me.”
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. vs. Sergio Martinez Tickets on Sale
On Thursday, July 12th, at 3:00 P.M., tickets for September 15th’s bout between Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Sergio Martinez went on sale. They will be fighting on Mexican Independence Day weekend at the Thomas & Mack Center. It will be shown on HBO Pay-Per-View and tickets can be purchased online at www.unlvtickets.com
Gary Shaw Signs Tureano Johnson
Gary Shaw Productions announced the signing of undefeated middleweight prospect, Tureano “Reno” Johnson (9-0) to an exclusive promotional contract. Johnson represented the Bahamas in the 2008 Olympic games in Beijin, China.
Matt Godfrey Aiming for Another Title Shot
Matt Godfrey will be fighting in front of his hometown fans for the first time in five years on Thursday, July 18th at the Twin River Casino. Godfrey (20-3) will be taking on Jesse Oltmans (10-3) in a six-round co-feature of Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports “Built To Last” show at the Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, R.I. Tickets can be purchased at www.cesboxing.com
Star Boxing Back on July 28th
The Fighting Pride of Huntington” Chris Algieri returns to battle Saturday, July 28th against tough Texas veteran Raul Tovar in the main event at “ROCKIN FIGHTS 4” at The Paramount in Huntington, New York. This card was announced by Star Boxing’s Joe DeGuardia. Algieri has an impressive record of 14-0. Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com
Deontay Wilder and Kelvin Price Set to Meet
Undefeated heavyweights Deontay Wilder and Kelvin Price will be fighting in Mobile, Alabama on August 4th. This fight will be aired on Fox Sports Net, Fox Deportes, and Fuel TV. Wilder won the bronze medal in the 2008 Olympics and will be fighting in front of his home state fans. Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com
Moses vs. Baloyi Announced for July 28th
Former World Boxing Association lightweight champion Paulus “The Hitman” Moses (28-2, 19 KOs) will face former IBF super featherweight champion Cassius “Mr. Shy Guy” Baloyi (37-6-1, 19 KOs), from Johannesburg, South Africa, on July 28 at the Ramatex Factory in Windhoek, Namibia. Moses vs. Baloyi will be a co-featured attraction with the main event showcasing at WBO bantamweight elimination bout with No. 3-ranked Paulus Ambunda, from Namibia, taking on William Prado, from Brazil. The winner will also become WBO International bantamweight champion.
Antonio DeMarco vs. John Molina Jr Co-Feature Bout for September 8th
On September 8, 2012, Tijuana, Mexico’s WBC Lightweight Champion, Antonio DeMarco (27-2-1, 20 KOs), will put his title on the line when he faces Covina, California’s, John Molina, Jr. (24-1, 19 KOs). The 12-round championship bout will take place at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., as the co-feature to Andre “SOG” Ward (25-0, 13 KOs) vs. “Bad” Chad Dawson (31-1, 17 KOs)