By: William Holmes
The following is the Boxing Insider notebook for the week of February 18th to February 25th, covering the comings and goings in the sport of boxing that you might have missed.
Golota Falls to Saleta
Andrew Golota (44-7) is somehow still fighting, but on Saturday he hopefully lost for the last time of his career to Przemyslaw Saleta (44-7) in the sixth round. Both fighters were in their 40’s and way past their prime, but it was Saleta who appeared to be in a little bit better shape. Golota lost his mouthpiece multiple times throughout the fight and was stopped in the sixth round after eating a right hand. The stoppage came at 2:49 of the sixth round.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Robert Guerrero Finalized for May 4th Showdown
Four division and six-time world champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (31-1-10 and pound for pound king Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. (43-0) are going to step in the ring on May 4, 2013. The contracts were signed by both Guerrero and Mayweather after months of anticipation.
Guerrero stated, “First I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for all his blessings. Without him I am nothing. Next I want to give thanks to my team for all their hard work, dedication and loyalty. It’s been a long road with many trials and tribulations but we’ve stuck together though the fire.”
“Floyd Mayweather is a great fighter, one of the best to ever lace up the gloves, but on May 4th I’m going to end his reign as pound for pound king,” said Guerrero. “I believe God has put me in this incredible position for a reason. This is bigger than boxing. It’s about humbling a man everyone perceives is unbeatable. When I come out victorious on May 4th, everyone will know that if you put Jesus Christ first in your life, anything is possible.”
Jhonny Gonzalez Victorious in Mexico
Jhonny Gonzalez (53-8) defeated Eusebio Osejo (21-13-2) on Saturday night in Ixtapa-Zihuatenejo, Mexico. Osejo was able to score a knockdown in the fourth round, but Gonzalez roared back and won the unanimous decision with scores of 116-110, 115-112, and 115-111.
Jorge Maysonet Scores KO Victory
Jorge “Machito” Maysonet (11-0) knocked out fellow Puerto Rican Pedro Salcedo (3-6) in a fight held at the Cosme Beitia Salamo Coliseum. The Gary Shaw Promotions fighter scored the stoppage in the second round with right hands to the body.
The Heat Rises on the Monte Carlo Million Dollar Super Four
The organizers of the Monte Carlo Million Dollar Super Four boxing tournament in Monaco habe been swamped for ticket requests and information on the mega-event. “I’ve been in this business a long time and I’ve never known anything like it,” said Rodney Berman, chief executive of Golden Gloves, which is promoting the tournament. “All the major fighters, among them Gennady Golovkin, Nobuhiro Ishida and Edwin Rodriguez, are bringing out supporters while Zsolt Erdei has asked for a special block booking at the venue for his Hungarian supporters.”
Golden Gloves, in partnership with the Monte-Carlo SBM Group, is planning week-long festivities leading up to the fights.
Katie Taylor Plans Busy March After Defeat of Klueners
Katie Taylor defeated two weight German champion Maike Klueners at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre in Dublin. She will now focus on the next two steps on the Road to Rio and her ultimate goal of becoming a two time Olympic Champion. She will return to the Bord Gais Energy Theatre on March 22nd when she takes on Ukrainian champ Yulia Tsiplakova before heading for the Royal Theatre, Castlear on March 24th to face her old rival, Denista Eliseeva- who remains the last boxer to have secured a victory over Taylor.
Taylor stated, “The reception I got last night was amazing and I’m so grateful for everyone who came out to support me. It felt like the Excel Arena in London all over again and it definitely spurs you on. The crowd can really lift you and you want to put on the best performance you can for them.”
Arum to Meet Marquez on Tuesday
Marquez has recently stated that he’s ready to retire and that he has nothing more to prove against Pacquiao. Arum however has recently stated that he has a meeting with Marquez on Tuesday in Las Vegas, and that Arum believes both Marquez and Pacquiao are open to fighting each other. Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/boxing/post/_/id/3281/arum-to-meet-marquez-next-tuesday
Burns vs. Vazquez and Clevelry vs. Krasniqi to be Broadcast on Epix
World Championship boxing makes its 2013 debut on EPIX with an exciting quadruple header. WBO Lightweight Champion Ricky Burns and IBF Champion Miguel Vazquez will collide in a world title unification bout. Also, WBO Light Heavyweight Champion Nathan Clevlerly will be defending his title against number 1 contender Robin Krasquini, and undefeated George Groves will face fellow top 10 contender Mouhamed Ndiaye. This card will be televised live on Epix from the Wembley Arena in London on Saturday, March 16th at 4:30 p.m. ET.
Adam Little is Thinking Big
Adam Little, the Ricky Hatton-trained prospect, is confident he’ll be able to make a major impact in the welterweight division when he returns to action this spring. He is currently recovering after having surgery to rectify a persistent hand injury and he feels he’ll show a different side to his game when he gets back into the ring.
“For the majority of last year I impressed people but I was basically one-handed. I think people will see what I’m really about when I start using both my fists,” he said. Adam added: “I’m really excited about this year. I can’t wait to get back in the ring. It feels like I’ve been out for ages so I’m itching to box again and show people what I’m capable of.”
Adama vs. Brewer Added to CFC Fight Night
Recent world title challenger Osumanu Adama (20-3) has been added to the March 16th “CFC Fight Night” card in the 10-round co-feature against Grady Brewer (30-14), winner of the Contender II television reality series, for the vacant International Boxing Organization Middleweight title. CFC Fight night is being held on March 16th at the Tsongas Center in UMass Lowell.
James J. Corbett
The James J. Corbett documentary, The Gentleman Prizefighter, is getting a theatrical screening in New York on march 8th at the Tribeca cinema at 7:30p.m. Before James J. Corbett, sport, stage, and screen were seen as unworthy for the better classes; but this Irishman changed the social values of a nation, and his rags to riches story and widespread fame helped create America’s first national hero. More information can be found at http://thecraicfest.com
Jagermeister and Freddie Roach Launch “A Brother in your Corner” Competition
Jägermeister is proud to announce “A Brother in your Corner,” a social responsibility campaign and consumer competition with legendary boxing trainer, Freddie Roach.
Arguably the most noteworthy trainer in boxing today and one of the greatest of all time, Hall of Famer Freddie Roach has trained 31 world champion boxers. Over the course of his career, Roach has been very outspoken about taking care of his fighters in and out of the ring, advising them when it is time to call a fight or walk away from the round. Regardless of how unpopular of a decision it may be, Roach puts his brotherhood of boxers first and lives by the same code that Jägermeister follows, The Jager Code. The code of always having “A Brother in your Corner”.
Jägermeister and Freddie Roach challenge consumers to share stories of how they live by the “Jager Code” for a chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Vegas with 3 friends where they will receive a private training session from Roach himself, boxing tickets, dinner with the boxing great and VIP access to the weekend’s most exclusive party.
Official rules and full details on how to enter can be found at www.jagercode.com
Donaire vs. Rigondeaux Tickets On sale
Nonito Donaire and Guillermo Rigondeaux have recently announced their upcoming fight on April 13th, 2013 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City to be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing. Tickets went on sale on February 23rd at noon ET at ww.ticketmaster.com. They can be purchased for $300, $150, $75, and $35.
Broadway Boxing Roseland Ballroom Results
DiBella Entertainment presented a seven bout card at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City on February 21st. The main event featured highly touted prospect Thomas Dulorme, who defeated Eddie Brooks in the first round with a counter right hand knockdown at 1:35. Ivan Redkach improved to 14-0 with a KO at 2:06 of the first round against Sergio Rivera. Travis Peterkin,Patrick Kay, and Louis Cruz also fought on the card and all three scored knockout victories.
Hugo Centeno Jr. and Keandre Leatherwood Put It All on the Line on March 8th
An important fight featuring top 154-pound prospects will land at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif. on Friday, March 8 when ShoBox: The New Generation showcases a clash between Hugo “The Boss” Centeno Jr. and Keandre “Lightning” Leatherwood with both rising stars hoping to make a statement in their quest to become future world champions.
Centeno vs. Leatherwood, a 10-round junior middleweight bout, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. PT on fight night with the first bell sounding at 5:15 p.m. PT. The ShoBox: The New Generation telecast will air live on SHOWTIME beginning at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT.
Frank Warren Releases Statement
The US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit last Friday (15 February 2013) dismissed the appeal by Straight-Out Promotions LLC and Chris Webb against the previous dismissal of their claims against Frank Warren and others over the sale of the foreign TV rights to the fight between Mike Tyson and Danny Williams.
The US District Court for the Southern District of New York had previously also dismissed a claim by Mike Tyson’s estate in bankruptcy against Mr Warren and others over the sale of such rights.
Mr Warren said today that he was ‘delighted’ to receive confirmation (i) that neither Mike Tyson nor Straight-Out Promotions LLC and Chris Webb had any claim against him and (ii) that the US Courts had accepted that he had no liability to any of them.
Mr Warren added that he would like to thank his attorney in the appeal Howard Karasik, Esq.