By: William Holmes
The following is the boxinginsider.com notebook for the week of July 31rd to August 6th, covering the comings and goings in the sport of boxing.
Gesta and Magdaleno Win on ESPN Friday Night Fights
Jesse Magdaleno (11-0) TKO’d Aldimar Silva Santos (17-3) in the second round of a junior featherweight bout on Friday. Magdaleno dropped Santos in the first round and in the second round, before pummeling him in the corner, forcing the referee to stop it at 2:54 of round 2. Filipino sensation Mercito Gesta (26-0-1) also remained undefeated with a 9th round TKO over Ty Barnett (20-3-1) in the lightweight division. Gesta knocked Barnett down twice in the 9th round and the referee stopped the fight at the end of the round.
Casimero Defeats Guevara
Johnriel Casimero (17-2) defeated Pedro Guevara (18-1-1) with a 12 round decision on Saturday night in Mazatlan, Mexico. Casimero scored a knockdown in the first round and that may have been the difference in the fight. It was a close split decision, with scores of 116-111 and 114-113 for Casimero and 114-113 for Guevara.
Olympian Deontay Wilder Remains Undefeated
Former bronze medalist Deontay Wilder (24-0) remained undefeated with a quick first round TKO over Kertson Manswell (22-6) in Mobile, Alabama. Maswell went down three times in the fight and it was stopped at 2:10 of the first round.
Lee, Benavidez, and Magdaleno Score Wins in Vegas
Mike Lee (10-0) made quick work of Tyler Seever (13-12-1) in the light heavyweight division. He dropped Seever twice in the second round before the referee stopped it at 1:35 of round 2. Junior Welterweight prospect Jose Benavidez (16-0) TKO’d Javier Loya (7-1) in the fourth round. Loya was undefeated coming into the fight, but was no match for Benavidez. The referee stopped it at 1:41 of round 4. Diego Magdaleno (23-0) continued his tear through the junior lightweight division with a fourth round TKO over Antonio Davis (29-8). The fight was called off at 2:59 of round 4 and by all accounts Davis was not competitive in the fight.
WealthTV Secures Live Telecast For Twelve World-Class Boxing Events
WealthTV continues to broaden its involvement with boxing. The network has announced that it has secured the rights for a live telecast of twelve World-Class Boxing Events with Hennessy Sports and GYM Promotions. These events will be scheduled for 2012 and 2013. WealthTV will air six live select dates from the GYM Promotions popular boxing series Fast and Furious featuring top rated fighters from across North America. WealthTV will also air six additional live dates from the UK based Hennessy Sports from its Next Generation series.
Ruslan Provodnikov Calls Out Top Junior Welterweights
Ruslan Providnikov (22-1) has won his last five fights in a row, including four impressive knockouts, and is looking for a big name fight. Provodnikov’s promoter Artie Pelullo stated, “We are targeting the likes of Danny Garcia, Juan Manuel Marquez, Mike Alvarado or Lamont Peterson, we feel that Ruslan is not only worthy of those opportunities but we have all the confidence that he would beat any of them”
Victor Vasquez Headlines Harrahs Chester on September 14th
Professional boxing returns to Harrah’s in Chester, PA in a card promoted by Joey Eye Boxing and David Feldman. The main event will feature lightweight Victor Vazquez in a ten round bout against an opponent to be named. Vasquez has a record of 15-6-1. Tony Ferrante (12-4) will be featured in a six round co-feature. Tickets can be purchased online at www.webtix.net.
Fight Card Develops for Friday Night Fights August 31st at the Dover Downs Hotel & Casino
Friday Night Fights on August 31st in the Rollins Center Arena will feature a main event with female champion “Queen” Ronica Jeffrey for the WBC Silver Super featherweight Title. She has a record of 10-1. Her opponent will be Lindsay Garbatt (7-3) of Oshawa, Ontario, Canda. A co feature in the bout will be between Dennis Hasson (14-0) and Daniel Judah (23-9-3). Tickets can be purchased at www.doverdowns.com
Burns and Mitchell Put Friendship Aside
WBO World Lightweight Champion Ricky Burns and Kevin Mitchell are good friends, but they will have to put friendship aside when they fight on September 22, 2012 at the SECC in Glasgow, England. Cockney scrapper Mitchell is looking to finally win the world title and is confident he can beat his friend, “You can’t beat Ricky’s personality, he’s a lovely man and a mate of mine. We genuinely get on well and there won’t be any trash talking. But once we get in the ring we fight, that’s our job. I’ve wanted this fight for a long time now and Ricky has given me the chance. I’m determined to win it, but I know I’m in for a hard night’s work.” Tickets can be purchased at eventim.co.uk
Frank Warren’s September 14th Event Moves from Wembley to York Hall
Frank Warren’s September 14th event was originally due to take place at Wembley Arena, but will now take place at York Hall following the withdrawal of George Groves. Former Olympian Billy Joe Saunders still tops the card with his mandatory defense of his Commonwealth Middleweight Championship against unbeaten Australian Jarrod Fletcher. Tickets are available at the Frank Warren Promotions box office on 01992 505 550.
Kronk Boxing Returns August 25th
Kronk Boxing returns to Detroit with “Kronk” The New Generation” at the Joe Louis Arena on August 25th. Headlining the eight bout event will be Detroit’s own Tony Harrison, who is undefeated at 9-0, against Calvin Odom, who has a record of 15-12. Tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.com
Chris Algieri Looks to Future
After improving to 15-0, undefeated Jr. Welterweight contender Chris Algieri looks to the future. He feels he is ready to fight for a regional title. “The competition is getting tougher as I move closer to my goal of becoming a world champion,” said Algieri. “I’m getting the experience I need to prepare myself for the next level though. Tovar gave me some good hard rounds and I learned a lot from this fight. I know I’m ready to fight for a regional title and position myself in the top ten of any of the sanctioning organizations. I’m going to get right back in the gym with Robert Garcia and start preparing for my next fight.”
Magician Challenged Mike Tyson’s Strength in Dangerous Stunt
Chris Cross will challenge the strength of “Iron” Mike Tyson at his Sportsman’s Dinner Event on October 9th, 2012. Cross will be strapped up in a straight jacket by Mike Tyson as tight as he can possible make it. He will have 90 seconds to escape from the straight jacket. More information about Mike Tyson’s involvement can be found at www.worldwideperformer.com
Joey Dawejko Returns to Atlantic City August 18th
Philadelphia’s Joey Dawejko (7-0) will make a quick return to the ring on August 18th when he takes on Dorsett Barnwell (6-0) at Bally’s Park Place Hotel Casino in Atlantic City, NJ. Pound for pound productions in association with Boxing 360 will co-promote the card.
