By: William Holmes
The following is the boxinginsider notebook for the week of July 2nd to July 9th, covering the comings and goings in the sport of boxing.
Glen Tapia Knocks Out Carlos Garcia, Gonzalez Stops Laryea
New Jersey native Glen Tapia (14-0) took on Carlos Garcia (6-11-1) in the junior middleweight division at Toa Baja, Puerto Rico on Saturday Night. This highly touted prospected dropped Garcia at 2:00 of the first round and Garcia was unable to beat the count. Jose “Chelo” Gonzalez (20-0) remained undefeated with a 2nd round stopaged over Joseph Paryea (14-8). Laryea quit on his stool in the second round.
Hugo Ruiz Knocks Out Sampson
Huge Ruiz (31-1) knocked out Jean Sampson (12-2) in the bantamweight division on Saturday night in La Paz, Mexico. Ruiz was able to retain his interim WBA bantamweight title with the knockout that was caused by a left hook.
Women’s IBF Boxing Champion AVA Knight Wins in Mexico
On June 30 IBF Flyweight Women’s Champion Ava Knight made her second successful title defense against Susana “Toluquita” Vazquez by unanimous decision at the Auditorio Centenario. The scores were 99-91, 98-92, and 98-92 all in favor of Knight as she saw her record improve to 9-1-3.
Kell Brook Decisions Carson Jones
Undefeated British welterweight Kell Brook (28-0) had a tougher time than excepted against the American Carson Jones (34-9-2). Brook has received a lot of hype, but he allegedly failed to impress against Carson Jones., and also may have suffered a broken nose. Brook won with scores of 116-113, 115-113, and 114-114, but a fighter who is fighting in his hometown and hopes to challenge for a title one day should win by a wider decision than what the scores indicate.
Sato Retains Junior Bantamweight Title
Yota Sato (25-2-1) was able to retain his junior bantamweight title on Saturday night against Sylvester Lopez (19-4-1) in Yokohama Japan. Sato was able to retain his WBC title with scores of 119-109, 118-110, and 116-113.
Kabongo and Mchumiatumbo Win in Tanzania
Kaike Promotions held a boxing card at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania on Saturday. Kanda Kabongo won a unanimous decision on points in a six round fight again Ssaid Mbelwa with scores of 60-56, 60-55, and 60-57. Alphonce Mchumiatumbo registered a 2nd round knockout against Ramadhan Kido in 1:45. Brian Mwando from Zimbabwe won a majority decision against Nasibu Msafiri with scores of 40-38, 39-38, and 39-39.
Jackie Kallen and Donofrio Boxing Announce Opening of Galaxy Gym
Jackie Kallen and Donofrio Boxing will be breaking ground on a new and exciting project at the famed historic Masonic Temple in Detroit. Built in the 1920’s, Masonic Temple and it’s majestic prowess will soon be the home of the famed Galaxy Gym. They are currently looking for donoations of inexpensive boxing equipment for their gym and plan to be in full operations by September 1, 2012. The first fundraising boxing event will be held on Saturday, September 8, 2012 in the Crystal Ballroom of the Masonic Temple, a tour of the gym is included in every ticket purchased.
Undercard Announced for July 13th Crossroads
On July 13th 8 Count Productions and Warriors Boxing will present a televised card on ESPN Friday Night Fights series at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois. The main event will be between Glen Johnson (51-15-2) and Andrzej Fonfara (21-2) and the co-main event will be between Jose Castillo (63-11-1) and Ivan Popoca (15-1). The undercard will feature bouts between Jaime Herrera (7-2) and Tyrone Chatman (9-1-2) in the welterweight division, Elijah McCall (9-1-1) and Jason Massie (7-2) in the heavyweight division, Paul Littleton (3-0) and Ramiro Bueno Jr. (2-2) in the super middleweight division, Junior Wright (3-0) and Covon Graham (1-2-1) in the cruiserweight division, and Juan Bustamante (3-0) and Micah Branch (0-1) in the super featherweight division.
Western Warrior Coyle Returns Home to Mayo for First Defense
Henry “The Western Warrior” Coyle returns to the Royal Theatre, Castlebar on Friday, August 17th to make the first defence of his WBF Light Middleweight title against experienced Argentinean Marcelo Alejandro Rodriguez on another big night of professional boxing in County Mayo. The card will also feature the return of Cavan’s Andy Murray as he looks to get back to winning ways following his points defeat to European Champ Gavin Rees in Cardiff last year. Murray, like Coyle will face an Argentinian opponent in the shape of Sergio Omar Priotti. More information can be found at brianpeterspromotions.com.
AIBA Executive Committee Awards Upcoming AIBA Junior, Youth, and Women’s World Championships
On Day Two of its 2012-2013 Meeting, the AIBA Executive Committee awarded the 2013 AIBA Junior World Boxing Championships to Kiev (Ukraine), the 2014 AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships to Sofia (Bulgaria) and the 2014 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships to Canada.
Elvin Ayala Focused on Return
Elvin Ayala doesn’t mind starting from scratch every now and then.
“People say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but I’m not a dog – I’m a wolf,” said Ayala, the reigning World Boxing Council U.S. National Boxing Council (WBC USNBC) middleweight champion and 20th-ranked middleweight in the world from New Haven, Conn., whose nickname is “The Lycan.”
He’s been preparing for his upcoming title defense Saturday, July 21st, 2012 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., Ayala (25-5-1, 11 KOs) is now working with head trainer Marshall Kauffman – his second new trainer within the past year since signing with Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports. Tickets can be bought at www.ticketmaster.com
New Jersey Uses Different Judges For Boxing and MMA
New Jersey is unique from other states in that they use different judges for boxing and MMA. Other places, such as Las Vegas, use the same judges and referees for both boxing and MMA. An article detailing the differences between New Jersey and other states can be found at: http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/boxing/new-jersey-uses-different-officials-for-boxing-mixed-martial-arts/article_012890aa-c58e-11e1-910d-0019bb2963f4.html
Jake Lamotta Sued Over Sequel Flick
Raging Bull was one of the most popular boxing movies of all time, and now boxing legend Jake “Raging Bull” LaMotta is being sued by MGM Studios because he green-lit a sequel without the permission of MGM. MGM claims it snagged the rights to produce a movie based on a book LaMotta co-wrote. More information can be found at http://www.tmz.com/2012/07/04/raging-bull-jake-lamotta-lawsuit-mgm/
Derrick Webster, Hank Lundy, and Richard Pierson Return July 27
Derrick “Take it to the Bank” Webster (13-0) and Hammerin Hank Lundy (21-1-1) return to action on Friday, July 27th at the Resorts Casino in Atlantic City. Webster is still currently awaiting on an announced opponent, and Lundy will be fighting Mexican veteran Raymundo Beltran (25-6) in the main event. The other televised bout will be between Richard Pierson (11-2) and Farah Ennis (19-1) in the Super Middleweight division.
