By: William Holmes
The following is the boxinginsider notebook for the week of December 3rd to December 10th, covering the comings and goings in the sport of boxing that you might have missed.
Kessler Stops Magee
Mikkel Kessler (46-2) stopped Brian Magee (36-5-1) in the 3rd round of their super middleweight bout on Saturday night in Herning, Denmark. Kessler dropped Magee in the second round with a right hand to the body and followed it up with another body shot knockdown. In the third round Kessler went right back to the body and knocked Magee down for the third time. This time the referee waived off the fight at 0:24 of round three.
Keandre Leatherwood and Alantez Fox Victorious
Keandre Leatherwood (12-1-1) scored a clear decision victory over Marcus Primera (20-27-2) in the light middleweight division with scores of 59-53 on all three scorecards. On the same card undefeated light-middleweight Alantez Fox made quick work of Jimmy LeBlanc (13-23-4) with a first round TKO. The referee stopped the fight after LeBlanc was not defending himself from a barrage of punches.
Ricardo Williams Surprises Luis Ramos
On Saturday night in Anaheim, California welterweight prospect Luis Ramos (23-1) suffered a surprising defeat to Ricardo Williams Jr. (21-3) in the welterweight division. Williams was dropped by a left hand in the second round and both fighters had cuts over their eyes in the fifth round. After the end of the fifth the ringside doctor recommended to the referee that the fight be stopped because of Ramos’ cut despite Ramos winning on two scorecards. The bout was stopped and Ramos suffered the first professional defeat of his career.
DeGale and Barker Win in England
James Degale (13-1) defeated Fulgencio Zuniga (25-7-1) on Saturday night in Hull, England in the super middleweight division. DeGale easily won the fight with scores of 118-109 on all three scorecards. DeGale scored a knockdown in the third round.
On a separate card in London, England Darren Barker (24-1) beat Kerry Hope (18-5) in the middleweight division. The stoppage came in the fourth round after a knockdown by Barker. Hope rose back to his feet after the knockdown but ate more shots and his corner stopped the bout at 1:05 of round four.
Fighter Workouts and Weigh Ins Open to the Public for Khan vs. Molina
On December 15th Amir Khan and Carlos Molina will fight in the junior welterweight division. Fighters’ media workouts will be open to the public at Ponce De Leon Boxing Club in Montebello, California. On Monday Alberto Guevara works out at 2:00 p.m., Leo Santa Cruz works out at 2:30 p.m., and Joseph Diaz Jr. works out at 3:00 p.m. On Tuesday Kelvin Price works out at 1:00 p.m., Jorge Silva works out at 1:30 p.m., Carlos Molina works out at 2:00 p.m., Alfredo Angulo works out at 2:30 p.m., Deontay Wilder works out at 3:00 p.m., and Amir Khan works out at 3:30 p.m.
The Official weigh in is on December 14th at 2:00 p.m. at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum at the Olympic Statues.
Felix Sturm vs. Sam Soliman Announced
Three-time middleweight champion Felix Sturm will return to the ring on February 2nd, 2013 in an IBF World Title Eliminator against IBF No. 1 Contender Sam Soliman from Australia. The winner will face the winner of the Daniel Geale and Anthony Mundine II bout scheduled to take place on January 30th, 2013. The first official press conference will take place on Thursday, December 13th at the ISS Dome.
Broadway Boxing Live on Fight Now TV
A special edition of DiBella Entertainment’s popular “Broadway Boxing” series will air live on Fight Now TV on December 19th starting at 9:00 p.m. A portion of the show from the Roseland Ballroom in midtown Manhattan will go to the victims of Hurricane Sandy.
The main event features light heavyweight Will “Power” Rosinsky (16-2) against former USBA champion Otis “Triple OG” Griffin (24-10-2).
Pacquiao vs. Marquez V Expected?
It was reported by the Los Angeles Times that a Pacquiao vs. Marquez V is expected. When asked if he expects a fifth bout to be held, Bob Arum stated, “It depends on how much money Marquez wants to make.” While assuring the Mexican fighter’s $6 million guaranteed purse will be amplified. “Don’t be naïve. He’ll be back.” More on the possible fifth bout can be read at http://articles.latimes.com/2012/dec/09/sports/la-sp-boxing-pacquiao-marquez-20121210
Re-Air Times for Jennigs vs. Bowie Tupou
Did you miss the Bryant Jennings vs. Bowie Tupou fight because you were watching Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez? Don’t worry, NBC Sports Network will re-air the fight. You can catch it at the following times:
Wednesday, December 12, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Sunday, December 16, 12 a.m. – 2 a.m.
Tuesday, December 18, 10p.m. – 12 a.m.
Friday, December 21, 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Friday, December 21, 11 p.m. – 1 a.m.
Arturo Gatti Elected to International Boxing Hall of Fame
For a generation of boxing fans, Arturo “Thunder” Gatti was an unforgettable hero of the boxing ring. His many extraordinary battles were some of the most exciting and treasured wars of modern boxing history, and his large and loyal fan base has always maintained that he was one of the sport’s most valued performers. Today, the International Boxing Hall of Fame made it official by announcing that Gatti would be enshrined as a member of the IBHOF at their annual ceremony on June 7, 2013 in Canastota, NY.
Gatti, who compiled a 40-9, 31 KOs, record over his 16-year professional career, was elected in his first year of eligibility.
Barthelemy and Usmanee Battle for IBF #2 Spot at Junior Lightweight
The IBF has sanctioned the Rances Barthelemy vs. Arash Usmanee fight on Friday, January 4th, 2013 as an IBF Junior Lightweight Title Elimintaor. The fight will take place at the Stage 305 in the Magic City Casino in Miami, Florida. The fight will serve as the year’s debut broadcast on the popular boxing series ESPN’s Friday Night Fights. The co-feature will be between Jonathan “Mantequilla” Gonzalez (15-0-1) and Derek “Pooh” Ennis (23-3-1).
Argentian President Announces Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez’s Upcoming Fight
It was officially announced last week that WBC Middleweight Champion Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez (50-2-2, 28KO’s), who will be presented with his new belt this week at the WBC Convention in Cancun, will defend his title next against England’s undefeated interim WBA Middleweight Champion Martin Murray (25-0-1, 11KO’s) in Martinez’ home country of Argentina. In a historic move, the event was announced by the President of Argentina, Cristina Kirchner and will be held on April 27. The bout will be broadcast on HBO’s “World Championship Boxing”.
“I’m privileged and honored to take part in Argentinian history in the announcement of my homecoming fight in my homeland with President Cristina de Kirchner and I want to thank my fans for supporting me throughout my career and I promise to give them a show they will be proud of on April 27,” said Martinez.
Friday Night Fights Welcomes back Amir Mansour January 25th at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino
Dover Downs Hotel & Casino announces the next Friday Night Fights series event will take place on Friday, January 25th 2013 in the Rollins Center. Heavyweight superstar Amir “Hardcore” Mansour (16-)will be headlining the event. The undercard features female super featherweight champion Ronica Jeffrey (11-0), Omar Douglas (6-0), and Mike Tiberi (20-1). Tickets can be bought at www.doverdowns.com
Grantland Premieres Digital Short on Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin
Grantland’s THE BRINK: Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin is an inside look at one of boxing’s most promising and charismatic figures. Our cameras follow Quillin, who overcame dire poverty as a child to become the undefeated #1 middleweight contender, on the most important night of his life: his first world title shot, at the Barclays Center in his adopted hometown of Brooklyn.
This is the first in director Jason Hehir’s short film series for Grantland chronicling the moment when a rising athlete/artist breaks through onto the big stage.
View this digital short at: http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8706536/peter-kid-chocolate-quillin-first-title-fight
TD Garden Night at the Fights Postponed
TD Garden Night at the Fights, set for December 14th, has been postponed due to Danny O’Connor suffering an injury during a sparring session this week. It will now be held on Saturday, January 26, 2013. Current tickets will be valid for the alternate date.
Leo Santa Cruz and Joseph Diaz to Fight on CBS
IBF Bantamweight World Champion Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz will face unbeaten Alberto “Metro” Guevara in a 12 round bout that will air on CBS at 4:30 PM ET. U.S. Olympian Joseph Diaz’s bout will be against an opponent to be named, and it will be the first live boxing match on CBS Television in 15 years.
Jean Pascal Makes His Return on December 14th
Jean pascal (26-2-1) is returning to the ring to battle former Olympian and two-time WBO World Challenger Aleksy Kuziemski (23-4) live and exclusively on Wealth TV Friday, December 14th at 7pm EST from the Bell Centre in Montreal Canada.
“Jean Pascal is one of the most exciting fighters in the world. We know Kuziemski has been training hard and will be trying to make a statement, making the toe-to-toe action exciting for our viewers,” stated Tommy Morris, director of live events for WealthTV. “The main event will have fight fans on the edge of their seats. We’re also excited about the strong undercard bouts featuring a number of undefeated rising stars, making for a great night of professional boxingentertainment,” Morris concluded.
The card also contains middleweight, David Lemieux (27-2, 26 KOs), who has astonishingly knocked out 26 opponents in his 27 victories. Lemieux will square off against a tough Albert Ayrapetyan (20-3, 9 KOs.)
Demetrius Andrade vs. Freddy Hernandez Headlines January 25th ShoBox
Demetrius Andrade (18-0) vs. Freddy Hernandez (30-3) has been announced as the headline fight for ShoBox: The New Generation broadcast on January 25th at the paramount in Huntington, N.Y.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for Demetrius to show the terrific fans at The Paramount and the ShoBox audience that he is deserving of his recognition as one of the best junior middleweights in the world. However, Hernandez is a tough, rugged fighter with a great deal of experience and is a true spoiler in the division,” said Joe DeGuardia of Star Boxing.
Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com