7/28/2010IBF Bantamweight Champ Yonnhy Perez Signs With Frank Espinoza
By David A. Avila, www.thesweetscience.com
IBF bantamweight world titleholder Yonnhy Perez of Colombia signed a managerial contract with Southern California 's Frank Espinoza today.
What's significant about Perez's signing is that Espinoza also manages number one ranked bantamweight Abner Mares who fought Perez just recently to a draw at the Staples Center in Los Angeles .
“It's a great signing,” said Espinoza who also has several other contenders including Israel Vazquez and Martin Castillo. “He's a great fighter and he's in a great weight division.”
Perez (20-0-1, 14 KOs) wrested the world title from Ghana 's Joseph “King Kong” Agbeko in one of the top fights of the year in October 2009. Before that he came-from-behind to knock out South Africa's Silence Mabuza in the last round in another clash that many did not expect.
The Colombian boxer fights for Thompson Boxing Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions. Many Southern California boxing fans are familiar with his aggressive boxing style and non-stop punching. Perez is never in a boring fight.
Now, most experts and boxing fans realize Perez is a very legitimate world champion and not simply a paper tiger.
Several months ago Perez, 31, met Mares (20-0-1, 13 KOs ) in a truly fan friendly battle between two fighters that truly are friends. The back and forth war ended in a majority draw and both boxers remain undefeated.
Mares signed with Espinoza earlier this year and trains in Indio , California under the guidance of trainer Joel Diaz.
Perez works out of Santa Fe Springs and is trained by Danny Zamora. A rematch with Agbeko is being discussed.
“I'm really happy about this signing,” said Espinoza.
Castillo vs. Jorge “El Travieso” Arce
Speaking of Martin “El Gallo” Castillo, the Mexico City prizefighter finally, finally meets Arce in a bantamweight fight that could lead to a world title fight.
Castillo, a former junior bantamweight world champion, was poised to fight the popular Los Mochis prizefighter back in 2007. But it wasn't meant to be as he was tripped up by Fernando Montiel in 2008. At the time the junior bantamweights were ripe with talent including Cristian Mijares, Arce, Castillo and Montiel. Plus Vic Darchinyan was another added element.
Arce has been popular ever since appearing on a Mexican reality TV show. His ability to stand and trade with any fighter has made him even more popular. A match against Castillo was always seen as a perfect clash between boxer and puncher.
The fight between Castillo (35-3, 18 KOs) and Arce (54-6-1, 41 KOs) takes place Saturday in Tepic , Nayarit Mexico and is scheduled for 10 rounds.
7/23/2010LOS TALENTOSOS PROSPECTOS RONNY RÍOS Y ANTONIO OROZCO TENDRÁN ACCIÓN PARA EL 26 DE AGOSTO EN EL CLUB NOKIA
From boxnoticias.net
LOS ÁNGELES CA, 23 de julio.- El verano está aquí y el tiempo es perfecto para más acción de la aclamada serie de boxeo "Fight Night Club," cuando Golden Boy Promotions y AEG presenten otra candente cartelera presentando a los talentosos Ronny Ríos, Jamie Kavanagh y Roberto Reyes el jueves 26 de agosto en L.A. LIVE del Club Nokia. En esta misma función tendrá acción, ante rival por designar, el flamante superligero, Antonio Orozo, del equipo "Espinoza Boxing Club", que comanda Frank "Derecho" Espinoza.
En el pleito estelar, Ríos, de Santa Ana California, chocará contra el dominicano Leivi Brea en un duelo a seis as altos en peso superpluma. Ronny Ríos, de 20 años de edad y con un registro de 11-0 con cinco nocauts, ha encontrado una casa en el Club Nokia donde se ha anotado tres victorias en las series de "Fight Night Club" durante el año pasado. En mayo, Ríos se movió enfrente de la calle al STAPLES Center, y mantuvo su buena racha con un triunfo por decisión en seis asaltos sobre Guadalupe de León y probablemente no será la ultima vez que veremos a este joven talentoso en el escenario grande.
Leivi Brea (18-8-3, 10 nocauts) el zurdo oriundo de la República Dominicana quién ahora combate para Miami, no sólo ha enfrentado a enemigos de primera categoría como Juan Manuel "Juanma" López, Jhonny González y Gary Stark Jr., está también en una racha ganadora de dos pleitos que lo ha visto parar a ambos rivales. El 26 de agosto, tiene enfrente a Ronny Ríos buscando su tercera victoria consecutiva.
Jaime "The Nuisance" Kavanagh (2-0, 1 nocaut) uno de los destacados prospectos surgidos de Irlanda en años, y con 20 años de edad, ha llevado su carrera profesional a un principio impresionante en el 2010 con dos grandes victorias incluyendo un triunfo en junio sobre Luis Sánchez en "Fight Night Club." El 26 de agosto, el ex estrella aficionado quién está bajo la mirada del famoso entrenador Freddie Roach, intentará mantener perfecto su registro.
Roberto "Little Dog" Reyes (2-0, 2 nocauts) un peso superwelter de Lancaster California, realizó su debut en el escenario del Club Nokia en abril y después de una batalla emocionante contra Azamat Umarzade que ganó por nocaut técnico en el primer asalto, también hizo lo mismo en junio cuando detuvo al previamente invicto Clint Coronel en el primer giro. El 26 de agosto espera lograr tres victorias rápidas en fila.
Un completo respaldo incluyendo dos pleitos de aficionado y oponentes para Kavanagh y Reyes será anunciado en una fecha posterior.
"Fight Night Club" es presentada por Golden Boy Promotions y AEG, y patrocinada por DeWalt Tools, McDonald's, Budweiser, Powerade, LightsLeary.com y USTREAM. Las series retornarán al Club Nokia de L.A. Live el 30 de septiembre, el 28 de octubre y 18 de noviembre. Las series serán televisadas por Fox Sports Net (FSN) y sus afiliados de deportes regionales (checar listados locales), y transmitidas en vivo en línea en www.ustream.comy www.RingTV.com. iniciando a las 8:00 p.m. PT/ 11:00 p.m. ET. Las puertas se abren a las 6:00 p.m. PT y la primera campanada sonará a las 7:00 PM. PT.
Los boletos a un precio de 250 dólares (Asientos VIP de palco que están limitados a solamente diez por evento, y les permite a los compradores sentarse en ringside cerca de los VIP del Club Nokia que asistirán a la pelea [De la Hoya, Mosley etc.] recibirán un guante de boxeo autografiado por Óscar de la Hoya y les permite a los compradores el acceso al cuarto VIP del Club Nokia, 100 dólares (Asientos VIP de balcón primera fila que vienen con un guante de boxeo "Fight Night Club" autografiado y les permite a los compradores el acceso al cuarto VIP del Club Nokia, 60 dólares (Asientos VIP de balcón les permite a los compradores el acceso al cuarto VIP del Club Nokia y 19.75 dólares (Admisión General: de pie y asientos de balcón), están a la venta y pueden ser comprados llamando a Ticketmaster al 1-800-745-3000 en línea www.ticketmaster.com, en cualquier terminal de distribución de Ticketmaster, o en la taquilla del STAPLES CENTER. Las entradas por grupo a un precio de descuento también pueden ser compradas llamando al 1-877-AEG TICKETS (1-877-234-8425).
"Fight Night Club" es la nueva y candente serie de boxeo de Golden Boy Promotions' y AEG que presenta esta viril actividad dentro de una atmósfera de club nocturno, con música de DJ, buena comida y una sala VIP, así como una estructura sin igual donde está instalado el ring en el escenario del Club Nokia, con una sala para aficionados de pie enfrente del tinglado, así como asientos reservados en el balcón. Al término de las peleas, los aficionados tendrán la oportunidad de escuchar buena música con los más candentes DJ de Los Ángeles, bailar y mezclarse con los peleadores ya que el escenario se convertirá en un club nocturno.
7/18/2010ABRAHAM LÓPEZ ARRIESGARÁ SU CONDICIÓN DE INVICTO, ESTE SÁBADO FRENTE A BOXLEY
From boxnoticias.net
Por CHALRES WINTER
El noqueador californiano, Abraham López, quien pertenece a "Espinoza Boxing Club", que dirige, Frank "Derecho" Espinoza, tendrá acción este sábado frente al peligroso, Willshaun Boxley, en pleito a seis giros en la división de peso pluma, dentro de la misma velada boxística donde Tim Bradley se medirá a Luis Carlos Abregu, en una cartelera de Gary Shaw y Thompson Boxing
Con una marca de 11-0, con 9 nocauts, Abraham López, dijo que "espero una pelea muy dura. Boxley pega duro y tiene buen aguante y voy a tener que trabajar hora extras para derrotarlo por cualquier vía".
El peleador originario de La Puente, California, indicó que le da mucho gusto estar en una función grande y "tengo que aprovechar la oportunidad para dar una buena pelea y que la gente salga satisfecho con mi actuación".
Abraham confesó que para este compromiso: "desde que toque la campana voy a salir a buscar el nocaut. No es una obsesión, pero me gusta terminar por la vía rápido, pues es algo lindo que la gente se emocione cuando ganó por esa vía".
Comentó que para este compromiso trabajó por espacio de varias semanas, por lo que "eso me da seguridad. Yo estoy totalmente de acuerdo con aquello que las pelas se bajan abajo del ring, es decir cuando se entrena a conciencia".
7/14/2010“Gallito” Castillo primed for Arce
From Fightnews.com
On Saturday July 31st, former super-flyweight world champion Martin “Gallito” Castillo (35-3, 18 KOs) will face off against popular Mexican fighter and three division world champion Jorge “Travieso” Arce (54-6, 44 KOs). “This is the fight I've always wanted and I plan to make the most of the opportunity,” Castillo said from his training base in Los Angeles. “Preparation is going great. The fans are going to see me faster and stronger than ever.” The fight will be televised on Fox en Espanol from Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico.
6/29/2010FRANK "DERECHO" ESPINOZA TIENE AL ESPECTACULAR PROSPECTO ANTONIO OROZCO
From www.boxnoticias.net
Fotos: Round one Media
El apoderado del año 2007, Frank "Derecho" Espinoza, ha firmado a su más reciente púgil, el estrella amateur, Antonio Orozco, de National City, CA.
Orozco, quien vivió su infancia en Kansas, ha sido un profesional desde el 2008 y tiene un currículum de 7-0, 5 KOs. En Kansas, Orozco hizo una carrera amateur espectacular con triunfos sobre el ex-olímpico Javier Molina, además de títulos nacionales y medallas de bronce y plata en los Olímpicos Jr.
"Este es el siguiente paso que estábamos buscando. Cuando él se acerco a nosotros, no tuvimos ninguna duda", dijo Orozco, 22, ahora peleador del muy respetado Espinoza Boxing Club.
"Nosotros creemos que Frank Espinoza es la persona adecuada a llevarnos a la cima. Estamos muy entusiasmados, esta es la oportunidad que buscábamos. Frak sabe como levantar a sus peleadores en el tiempo correcto, aunque no tenemos ninguna prisa", dijo Orozco.
La admiración es mutual ya que Espinoza cree que tiene un diamante para pulir como Orozco. "Yo veo una futura estralla en Orozco. Tiene todo el talento del mundo. Tiene muchas habilidades y fuerza. Veo muchas cosas buenas para Orozco en el futuro. Me gusta su estilo", dijo Espinoza, quien a guiado a Martín "Gallito" Castillo y a Israel "Magnifico" Vázquez, a títulos mundiales.
"Había escuchado cosas buenas de Antonio y lo quería ver con mis propios ojos. Creo que se adapta muy bien con los prospectos que yo manejo", dijo Espinoza.
Aparte de Orozco, el "Derecho" Espinoza cuenta con el gallo Abner Mares, el pluma Ronny Ríos, el ligero Luis Ramos y el superligero, Carlos Molina, en su establo de guerreros y tiene toda la confianza que podrá pavimentar el camino adecuado para Orozco.
"Los planes son en moverlo, él es joven y tenemos tiempo," indicó Frank Espinoza.
"Lo vamos a mantener activo y buscar seguir ganando con la meta final de cumplir su sueño, de convertirse en campeón mundial".
Se espera que Orozco debute bajo la bandera del Espinoza Boxing Club en las siguientes 6 u 8 semanas.
6/26/2010ESPINOZA BOXING CLUB
From Maxboxing.com
While Finkel is bowing out of the managerial business, Frank Espinoza isn't going anywhere anytime soon. On Friday, he added to his roster of young prospects.
"Antonio Orozco, he's 7-0 with 5 knockouts; he's 22 years old," said Espinoza of his newest charge, who hails from San Diego. "He has an extensive background; he's won some Junior Olympics, national championships, a couple of Ringside championships. He has wins in the amateurs over Javier Molina, that went to the Olympics and the following day at the Western Regional, he also beat Jesse Vargas, the guy that fought on Thursday night. He's got a good punch; he has a following.
"He's a 140-pounder,” Espinoza added. “He has all the potential to be a world champion. He has power; he has a pro style. So it's everything that I like about him and I really feel good about the signing of this kid. I know there were some other people that were interested. There was a buzz on him."
Expect him to sign with Espinoza Promotions, which is run by Frank Espinoza Jr., and his next outing will come within the next month or two.
6/19/2010Luis Ramos Jr. Remains Perfect, Decisions Allotey
By Jake Donovan, boxingscene.com
Junior welterweight prospect Luis Ramos Jr. remains perfect after scoring a unanimous decision win over Joshua Allotey on Friday evening at the Convention Center in McAllen, Texas.
The bout served as the main event in the latest installment of Telefutura's “Solo Boxeo” series.
While the outcome was never in doubt, Ramos threatened on several occasions to close matter inside the distance. The undefeated southpaw kept Allotey pinned on the ropes for a good portion of their bout, often connecting with uppercuts and crushing body shots. The punches would land, but Ramos could never find that one final blow to ultimately end matters.
Ramos was content to keep it strictly boxing in the early going, but elected to pick up the pace in the fourth round, cornering Allotey for the first time in the fight before the sequence would eventually become a familiar pattern over the course of their eight round bout.
For his part, Allotey was competitive in spots, but opted for the earmuffs anytime things were tough. Falling way behind, the Ghanaian put up a fight in the fifth – easily his best of the fight, even if he didn't necessarily win it.
The threat of fighting back was enough to convince Ramos to dig deeper and come with the heavy artillery with each passing round. The fight eventually reached a point where a win was all but guaranteed, but Ramos' corner instructed their charge to go all out in the final round rather than settle for a points victory.
A knockout wouldn't come, but Ramos did his best to follow instructions, closing strong much to the delight of the spirited crowd on hand.
Scores were 80-72 (twice) and 79-73, all for Ramos, who now improves to 16-0 (8KO).
Allotey drops his fifth straight in falling to 16-10 (14KO).
A promising blue chipper fighting under the Espinoza Boxing Club banner, Ramos Jr is able to gain more exposure than most prospects and newcomers thanks to several output deals in place by promoter Golden Boy Promotions.
Having come up on the Club Nokia circuit, Ramos Jr. showed enough poise and skill to prove his worth as a formidable Solo Boxeo headliner.
Another fighter who should expect to see frequent airtime in the near future is local undefeated lightweight Omar Figueroa, who looked impressive for as long as his foul-filled bout lasted with journeyman Julian Rodriguez in their televised co-feature.
A shootout appeared to be in store, only Rodriguez wasn't very interested in embracing the role of opponent. The Mexican was warned several times for low blows before being finally shown the exit at 1:15 of the second round.
It was frustrating for Figueroa, who hails from nearby Weslaco and was determined to put on a show for the local and rabid fans in attendance. He wasn't given much time to do his thing, as every rally seemed to have been met with a flagrant foul from Rodriguez.
Figueroa was able to give the crowd reason to cheer early in the second, even if it was the result of a blown call. Seconds after recovering from yet another low blow, Figueroa sent Rodriguez to the canvas. Televised replays detected that the punch which forced Rodriguez to take a knee was in fact south of the border, but was nevertheless ruled a knockdown.
Chants of “Panterita” busted out throughout the arena, but it would be the last bit of clean action to offer the crowd. Rodriguez showed no interest in cleanly fighting back, immediately retaliating with a low blow and punching on the break, prompting the referee to wave his arms and call off the bout.
Figueroa improves to 10-0 (8KO), while Rodriguez dips below .500 as he is now 18-19-4 (12KO).
Houston-based junior middleweight Jermell Charlo was able to sneak onto the televised portion of the show and made the most of the opportunity, icing Adan Murillo in less than a round.
Charlo wasted no time in taking the action to the Mexican journeyman, charging across the ring and landing a series of head shots. Murillo was forced into retreat mode from jump before a straight left hand sent him to the canvas just 30 seconds into the contest.
The bout wouldn't last much longer than that. Charlo was forced to wait out the eight-count before continuing, and a follow-up volley of punches put Murillo down and eventually out. Referee Jon Schorle immediately waved off the bout after the second knockdown without issuing a count.
The official time was 1:03 of the first round.
With the win, Charlo advances to 12-0 (6KO); Murillo's record now evens up at 4-4 (1KO).
The show was presented by Golden Boy Promotions.
6/13/2010Jose Sulaiman and WBC are now sticking it to Israel Vazquez
From readitlive.com
Jose Sulaiman and WBC are now sticking it to Israel Vazquez
WBC president for life Jose Sulaiman, the tyrannical one, is at it yet again. Well, not exactly — because “at it again” would indicate that at some point he actually stopped his wicked ways. But they apparently will never end. In March, El Presidente threatened to take away the junior welterweight belt held by Devon Alexander for the ghastly crime of — hold onto your hat — wanting to fight … Read more on ESPN Blogs
Penn sees increase in overseas internships
Jenny Chung In an ever more globalized market, growing numbers of students and working professionals are flocking to overseas firms and organizations for internship experience. According to a survey of approximately 1,500 educational institutions conducted by the Institute of International Education, the number of individuals taking internships abroad doubled from 6,950 to 13,658 between 2000 … Read more on Daily Pennsylvanian
On Saturday night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles (Showtime 9 PM, ET/PT), Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez go at it again, and continue what has been the best modern-day rivalry in boxing. I know some folks are a bit squeamish about the thought of these two hooking up once again. Well, if you are, I suggest you go watch footage of Floyd Mayweather hitting the mitts or get ready for the World Cup and go see a bunch of guys flopping around on the grass as if they've been shot at.
What we're gonna have here is a simple case of assault and battery committed by two of the most honest prizefighters you could ask for.
Will it be bloody and violent?
You betcha.
In fact, I suggest that the Staples Center- home of the NHL Kings- put up their Plexiglas so the fans don't get splashed with crimson from either Vazquez or Marquez. And if you're sitting ringside (which by the way, seats are very affordably priced at $250), well, my advice is to be prepared like you're going to a Gallagher show. Pack a rain suit and bring a garbage bag with you.
- Jack Britton vs Ted Kid Lewis ……………….20 Fights (1915 – 1921)
- Gene Tunney vs. Harry Greb ………………..Five Fights (1922 - 1925)
- Sugar Ray Robinson vs. Jake LaMotta …….Six Fights (1942 - 1951)
- Beau Jack vs. Bob Montgomery …………….. Four Fights (1943-1944)
- Sandy Saddler vs. Willie Pep ……………….Four Fights (1948 -1951)
- Beau Jack vs. Ike Williams ………………….Four Fights (1948-1955)
- Jersey Joe Walcott vs. Ezzard Charles …….Four Fights (1949-1952)
- Sugar Ray Robinson vs. Gene Fullmer ………Four Fights (1957 - 1961)
- Bobby Chacon vs. Rafael “Bazooka” Limon …Four Fights (1975 -1982)
- Azumah Nelson vs. Jesse James Leija ……..Four Fights (1993-1998)
Jake LaMotta famously said of Sugar Ray Robinson, “I fought him so often, I almost got diabetes.”
Over the years, LaMotta has used that line again and again, and that's okay because he fought Sugar Ray again and again—six times in all from 1942 through “The St. Valentine's Day Massacre” in 1951.
On May 22, Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez will clash for a fourth time in a rivalry that ranks with the best in boxing history. From March 2007 through March 2008, Vazquez and Marquez battled three times for the WBC super bantamweight title. Marquez won the first by stoppage; Vazquez won the rematch by stoppage; and with the rubber match in the balance going into the final round, Vazquez mounted an inspired 12 th -round rally to win by split decision (one point on the deciding card).
The second and third bouts were selected as Fight of the Year.
As was the case with Robinson and LaMotta, Vazquez and Marquez draw the best from each other, and as a result, their fights have featured incredible intensity, high drama, and boxing at its highest level. But what separates Vazquez and Marquez from other historic pairings is that they're more alike than different. Both are Mexican, both are aggressive boxer-punchers of similar size, and each readily acknowledges the greatness of the other.
Instead of bad blood, there's mutual respect. That by itself separates the rivalry from legendary grudges like Robinson-LaMotta, Sugar Ray Leonard-Roberto Duran, Sandy Saddler-Willie Pep, and Marco Antonio Barrera-Erik Morales.
There have been several notable three-fight series in the modern era, including Barney Ross-Jimmy McLarnin, Ezzard Charles-Archie Moore, Nino Benvenuti-Emile Griffith, Muhammad Ali-Ken Norton, Roberto Duran-Esteban DeJesus, and the most savage of all, Tony Zale-Rocky Graziano.
More recently, the trilogies that stand out include Riddick Bowe-Evander Holyfield, Arturo Gatti-Micky Ward, Roy Jones-Antonio Tarver, and Michael Carbajal-Chiquita Gonzalez.
But there have been precious few series comprised of four fights or more. Bonded forever, Vazquez and Marquez are about to add their names to the following:
*Jack Britton-Ted “Kid” Lewis (1915-1921): Believe it or not, Britton, an American boxer, and Lewis, a British puncher, traded blows 20 different times. They also traded the world welterweight title during their hall of fame careers.
*Robinson-LaMotta (1942-1951): Only the sixth and final fight was contested with a world title at stake (middleweight). In February '43, LaMotta dropped Robinson and claimed his only victory in the series. (It was Sugar Ray's only loss in his first 133 fights.) But here's what's incomprehensible by today's standards: Only three weeks after LaMotta's win, they fought again. And better yet, Robinson flew to New York and took a bout in between.
*Gene Tunney-Harry Greb (1922-1925): Tunney, who was the naturally bigger man, was brutalized over 15 rounds in the first of their five fights. It was the only loss of his stellar career. He won the next four, two of which were, technically at least, no-decision bouts.
Tunney and Greb never met for a world title, though Greb, universally recognized as one of the three or four greatest middleweight ever, was the reigning 160-pound king during bouts three, four, and five.
*Sandy Saddler-Willie Pep (1948-1951): The world featherweight title was at stake in all four bouts, but the series is perhaps best remembered for some of the dirtiest big-fight tactics ever witnessed. Saddler won three of four. Pep's decision win in '49, however, was the most memorable performance—and arguably the greatest moment of the defensive master's fantastic career.
*Sugar Ray Robinson-Gene Fullmer (1957-1961): A faded Robinson went 1-2-1, with at least a portion of the middleweight title at stake in each fight. In the second bout, Robinson regained the world title by knocking out his steel-chinned rival with a left hook that was instantly labeled “the perfect punch.”
*Bobby Chacon-Bazooka Limon (1975-1982): This featured a Mexican-American (Chacon) vs. a Mexican-National, and the animosity was evident each time they fought. Chacon went 2-1-1; in the fourth bout, which was ‘82's Fight of the Year, he twice rose from the canvas and scored a knockdown in the 15 th round that turned out to be the difference on the cards.
*Azumah Nelson-James Leija (1993-1998): In the most recent major four-fight series, Leija edged Ghanaian legend Nelson 2-1-1 on the scoreboard. The first three fights were contested for the 130-pound title.
*Beau Jack-Ike Williams (1948-1955); Beau Jack-Bob Montgomery (1943-1944): These three champions engaged in an extended round-robin (Williams fought Montgomery twice) that defined the lightweight division for more than a decade. Jack went 0-3-1 vs. Williams and 2-2 vs. Montgomery .
*Ezzard Charles-Jersey Joe Walcott (1949-1952): The heavyweight title was on the line in all four of their bouts, with Charles winning the first two, and Walcott the last two. In fight number three, the title changed hands from one punch, a Walcott left hook in round seven.
Clearly, rivalries of four fights or more have become increasingly rare. It's virtually impossible to imagine the first three fights of the Vazquez-Marquez matchup being any more exciting or absorbing than they were. Still, the fighters are willing to test each other again, knowing full well that at this advanced stage of their respective careers, they're going to have to suffer for their craft.
Both Vazquez and Marquez know how difficult fight number four will be. Twenty-five shared rounds have convinced them of that. Yet they find themselves drawn to each other yet again.
You want an explanation? Here's a try: It's not for us to understand, but rather to admire, enjoy, and wonder at.
5/12/2010Q&A: Frank Espinoza
From Fightnews.com
Frank Espinoza is one of the top managers in the boxing game right now, having won the World Boxing Hall of Fame's “Manager of the Year Award” back in 2007 and inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame that same year. His vast stable of fighters include three-time world champion Israel “El Magnifico” Vazquez (44-4, 32 KOs), former super flyweight champ Martin “El Gallo” Castillo (35-3, 18 KOs), bantamweight contender Abner Mares (20-0, 13 KOs), lightweight contender Luis Ramos (15-0, 8 KOs) as well as many others.
We recently caught up with Frank Espinoza and asked him a few questions and here's what he had to say:
How long have you been involved in boxing and what made you decide to become a boxing manager?
I've been really involved in boxing since 1990 but ever since I was young I've always had a passion and love for the sport. I remember as a kid going with my dad and uncle to the Olympic Auditorium and I remember watching great fighters like Mando Ramos, Danny “Little Red” Lopez and many others. I've always wanted to be involved in boxing so I decided to become a manager and help young fighters reach their goals of one day becoming a world champion.
What do you think has been the best part of being a boxing manager and what do you feel has been the hardest part of being a boxing manager?
The best part about being a boxing manager is being able to be involved with these young kids and help bring them up to be world champions. Being a part of their dreams makes me work harder to help fulfill their dreams. I think that's what I love most about it, is being in their lives and seeing them become world champions. As far as the hardest part of being a manager, well that's a hard question to answer because I really love the sport and I don't really see it as being hard. I see it as work I love to do and what ever challenges come up I'm always up for it and it's something I love to do.
Give us your thoughts on the upcoming fight between Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez, which will be their fourth fight and is considered widely by many to be perhaps the greatest boxing trilogy of all time. What's your prediction on this fight?
Well, I believe these two fighters are great warriors and they've had some really great fights and this fight won't be any different. They have made history and had three great wars and both are coming to win. As far as a prediction, I don't see this fight going the distance, I think these guys are going to give it everything they got but I see Vazquez coming out the winner and knocking out Marquez.
You also have bantamweight contender Abner Mares taking on Yonnhy Perez for the IBF bantamweight title on the same card, give us your thoughts on that fight?
This fight is going to be a great fight and a great one for the fans and it may even steal the show that night. These two fighters have fought three times before in the amateurs, Mares beat Yonnhy twice and Yonnhy beat Abner once. I really believe this is going to be an action packed fight and may even be the beginning of another great trilogy. This fight will be a great fight for all the fans who are coming to watch the fights that night and for everyone watching on SHOWTIME.
Former champion Martin Castillo will also be headlining a card soon, can you tell us a little about that, how did that come about and what you think of him as a fighter?
Well, Martin is a former world champion and has been with me for many years and he'll be coming back in June on the 19th. He'll be fighting in Lindsay, California which is being put on by Fernando Vargas Entertainment Promotions. Martin already made his come back, having fought twice last year. We're looking for bigger and better things for him this year. Hopefully he'll get a shot at another world title this year but for this fight he'll be fighting at 118 against Vernie Torres. Maybe we can fight the winner of Eric Morel and Jorge Arce as many people know Castillo already beat Morel once, so if Morel wins that would be a great rematch.
Tell us a little bit about some of your other fighters, what else is coming up in the next few months for Espinoza Boxing Club, who's fighting when and against whom?
Well, on May 22, the same night as Vazquez and Marquez, I'll have two of my other fighters fighting on that same card. One of them is Ronny Rios, he was an Olympic alternate and he's a great prospect and I see great things for him, when I think of Ronny I think of the word, special. As well as Carlos Molina, who's an undefeated fighter and had a great amateur background, he'll also be on that card. I also have Luis Ramos who was on the undercard of Mayweather/Mosley; we'll see him back in action in either June or July.
Is there anything you would like to tell the boxing fans out there?
I'd like to thank everyone for their support and hopefully everyone can make it out to the Staples Center on May 22, and if not then tune into SHOWTIME to see a great night of boxing.
5/7/2010Yonnhy Perez, Abner Mares Predict an Exciting War
“No one is taking this belt from me,” stated I.B.F. bantamweight champion Yonnhy Perez. Perez (20-0, 14 KO's), a Colombian based in L.A. is set to defend his title against Mexican Abner Mares (20-0, 13 KO's) underneath the main event of the Vazquez vs. Marquez ”Once and Four All” card set to take place at The Staples Center on May 22nd.
“After all the sacrifices I've endured, I'm not letting Mares take my belt. I've worked too hard for it,” he continued. “I know he's coming prepared to win but I'm in the best shape of my life and ready to defend.”
Mares, a highly regarded contender and former Olympian who trains in the Coachella Valley, assures that the crown will change hands on May 22nd. “This is my first world title shot and I'm looking to be a legend. I want to be the next great Mexican fighter. I know he's a warrior but I have to fight the best to prove myself to the fans,” he said. “He's going to be a challenge because he's tall, powerful and strong but I'll find a way to make this fight my fight.”
Perez remembers Mares all too well since they fought each other three times as amateurs with Mares winning twice. “Those were different times and I was a different fighter back then. I'm bigger, faster and stronger than ever.”
Although he's been training and fighting in southern California for five years, he thinks about his country every day. “I miss my wife and my kids. I miss my people and my culture,” he says. “I returned home after I won my world title against Joseph Agbeko. It was a great feeling to arrive in Colombia with a championship for my fans and it'll be great to return after I defend it against Mares.”
Mares thinks this will be his night. He also believes the fight will be a treat for boxing fans. “This will be my greatest performance. My fans will be happy,” Mares said. “We're both hungry and eager to please the public and that's what's going to make for a great fight.”
Mares' well known manager, Frank Espinoza, also thinks it will be his fighter getting his hand raised. “Yonnhy Perez is a great fighter and great champion but I have a lot of faith in Abner and his abilities. He's ready for this. It's his time,” Espinoza stated. “On May 22nd we're going to have a new champion.”
Perez's trainer Danny Zamora chimed in with his opinion. “This match-up is special. The fans are coming to the Staples center to see a war with Marquez and Vazquez but it'll be Perez and Mares that will steal the show,” said Zamora. “You have two fighters with impressive amateur backgrounds who are highly skilled and ready to fight to the end for the world title. Yonnhy's been in the ring with tougher fighters than Abner and that's going to make all the difference. There's no doubt Yonnhy will win in what should be a classic.”
Perez says Mares will find himself in a very difficult situation. “I've fought much bigger fighters than him. My size will be an advantage,” he stated. “He's fought a lot of very good fighters in his professional career but he's never fought anyone like me.”
Mares doesn't believe size will be an issue. “I'll use my speed and footwork and all the skills that god gave me,” Mares stated. “This is like war. Whatever it takes to win, I'll do. I've been training incredibly hard and maybe I haven't fought anyone like him as a pro but he hasn't fought someone like me either.”
Yonnhy Perez summed up his view for the fans. “May 22nd will be a great night for those who have followed me. They're going to see me at my best in one of the most important fights of my career,” he said. “I'm very appreciative of the fans who watched me fight in Los Angeles and they're going to be rewarded that night with another great fight. If Abner Mares thinks he's going to take my title he's got another thing coming. The title is mine and it's staying in Colombia.”
Mares vs. Perez will be the semi-main event for the Israel Vazquez vs. Rafael Marquez IV “Once and Four All” card. Tickets priced at $250, $125, $75, $50 and $25 are available online at ticketmaster.com, by calling Ticketmaster at (800)745-3000 (800)745-3000 and at The Staples Center Box Office.
5/7/2010Ex-champ Martin Castillo headlines
From Fightnews.com
He thrilled millions of boxing fans with an aggressive style that earned him a spot on the 1996 US Olympic team and two world junior middleweight championships. And on Saturday, June 19th, boxing superstar Fernando Vargas will begin his quest to bring the next generation of stars to fight fans, as he joins with long time fight promoter Roy Englebrecht and presents his first event as a promoter – “Melee at McDermont” – at the state of the art McDermont Field House in Lindsay, California.
At a Friday, May 7th Noon Press Conference at McDermont Field House, Vargas announced the main event for this historic card, which is the first ever professional boxing event in Lindsay (population 15,000), and will feature former world champion Martin “El Gallo” Castillo looking to extend his two fight winning streak when he battles former IBA world titlist Vernie Torres in a super bantamweight main event.
Also in action will be two of Lindsay's own, as lightweight Rigo Espinoza and welterweight Stephen Rubalcava make their professional debuts in four round action.
“I'm very excited and look forward to bringing a class act and a Hollywood type show to Lindsay,” said Vargas. “After attending Fight Promoter University last November I knew that I wanted my new company, Vargas Entertainment Promotions, to get into the fight promotions business. Now being able to partner with such a respected promoter as Roy Englebrecht, I am confident that fight fans will witness an event that will be the talk of Lindsay and Tulare County for years!”
4/30/2010ABNER MARES: 'QUIERO SER CAMPEÓN DEL MUNDO Y EL SIGUIENTE ÍCONO DEL BOXEO MEXICANO'
Por Notifight.com
Abner Mares ha entrenado toda su vida para dos cosas: "ser campeón mundial y el siguiente ícono del boxeo mexicano", dijo Mares desde su lugar de entrenamiento en Coachella Valley en donde entrena con Joel Díaz. Se prepara para su más grande pelea ante el Campeón FIB de los gallos, Yonnhy Pérez en el Staples Center el 22 de mayo.
Mares vs. Pérez, una muy anticipada pelea, será el evento coestelar a la cartilla del Israel Vázquez vs. Rafael Márquez, llamada "Once and Four All". "Ser parte de esta cartilla con Israel y Rafael es un gran honor", declara Mares. "Será una gran pelea como siempre pero no se sorprenden si nos robamos el mandado en mi pelea".
Es un comentario muy realista. Pérez (20-0, 14 KOs) es conocido por ser un boxeador todo acción quien constantemente ataca a sus oponentes buscando ocasionar daño. Mares (20-0, 13 KO's) por otro lado, es un boxeador escurridizo
con pegada en la tradición del miembro del Salón de la Fama, Juan Manuel Márquez. Las lecciones aprendidas al entrenar con Márquez no se perdieron. "Lo observé por mucho tiempo y tomé de eso lo que pude para mejorar mi boxeo", dijo el ex olímpico mexicano. "Siempre aprendo de la gente con quien entreno y ahora entrenando con Joel Díaz me ha enseñado a usar mi pegada mejor".
El boxeador de 24 años radicado en Los Ángeles, con orígenes en Guadalajara, México está decidido a convertirse en una estrella en la tradición de Julio Cesar Chávez y Oscar De La Hoya. "Quiero ser más que solo un campeón. Quiero ser más que eso," insiste Mares. "Quiero ser un ídolo y que los niños me vean como ejemplo".
La tarea no será fácil. Pérez, un espigado colombiano, es un campeón establecido quien mostró mucho coraje y fortaleza en su pelea donde conquistó el título de manos de Joseph Agbeko. "Estoy familiarizado con Pérez. Peleamos en la amateur, él me gano en una ocasión y yo lo derroté dos veces, pero esta pelea es por el título mundial. Ahora es cuando realmente cuenta", dice Mares. "Necesito ese título para alcanzar mis metas. Sin irrespetar a Yonnhy, pero me quedaré con el título el 22 de mayo".
El apoderado Frank "Derecho" Espinoza piensa que esta pelea tiene todas las trazas de un clásico del boxeo. "Esta quizá sea una de las mejores peleas del año. Tenemos a dos hambrientos jóvenes talentos invictos con mucho orgullo y corazón", dijo Espinoza. "Esta es una pelea entre dos de los más feroces leones del boxeo. Sus estilos coincidirán para que la pelea este llena de acción y dejar a los fans comentando".
Mientras que Mares hace carretera, guanteo y entrena, no puede evitar pensar en el momento en que le levanten la mano en señal de victoria. "Lo imagino todos los días. Es mi sueño, es la clave para una vida mejor para mi familia," declara Mares. "Estoy hambriento por el título. Se trata de llevar mi boxeo y mi vida al siguiente nivel".
Los sacrificios son muchos, el estar separado de su familia para poder prepararse hizo que Mares no estuviera presente para un evento especial. "Me perdí el cumpleaños número cuatro de mi hija Emily y eso fue duro porque quería estar con ella", dijo. "Pero todo este sacrificio es para ella. Preferiría estar en casa pero debo sacrificarme para tener éxito y eso es lo que hago".
Mares promete montar la presentación de su vida. "Vengo a ganar. Me estoy preparando como nunca antes", dijo. "Esto lo es todo para mí, de esto se trata. Yhonny Pérez no me va a detener. Mi destino me espera".
Mares vs. Pérez será la coestelar del pleito Israel Vázquez vs. Rafael Márquez IV en la cartilla "Once and Four All". Los boletos están a $250, $125, $75, $50 y $25 disponibles por Internet en el portal ticketmaster.com
4/26/2010ABRAHAM LÓPEZ ACABÓ EN MENOS DE UN ROUND SOBRE JASON RORIE, ANOCHE EN ONTARIO, CALIFORNIA
Por CHARLES WINTER
El californiano peso pluma, Abraham López, aniquiló en menos de un round al estadunidense, Jason Rorie, luego de impactarles varias combinaciones hasta que el réferi ya no dejó continuar la pelea, que se celebró la noche de este viernes, en el lujoso hotel Doubletree, en Ontario, California, que registró una buena entrada.
La pelea era interesante pues Rorie llegaba a este compromiso con un buen pronóstico sobre López, sin embargo, el californiano salió desatado y comenzó a tirar fuego arriba a y abajo, con gran precisión, haciendo daño a su rival.
Jason al verse abrumado por la fuerza de López intentó contrarrestar los ataques respondiendo con golpes también de alto calibre que falló y que cuando acertaba no hacía el efecto deseado.
La pelea subió de tono después del primer minuto y ya para entonces se veía la superioridad de Abraham López, quien no le daba respiro a Rorie y que ya no quería queso sino salir de la ratonera, hasta que cuando vino el desenlace a los dos minutos con 18 segundos del primer round, ante el júbilo de los aficionados.
"Me preparé muy bien para esta pelea y sabía que la victoria era para mi", dijo Abraham López, quien indicó que Rorie hizo un buen esfuerzo, sin embargo "esta noche nadie podía ganarme".
López indicó que ahora ya tiene marca de 11-0, con 9 nocauts y ahora le dirá a su manager, Frank "Derecho" Espinoza, para que lo programe lo más pronto posible, y seguir su carrera ascendente.
4/22/2010Mares ready to dethrone Perez
From Fightnews.com
Unbeaten bantamweight Abner Mares (20-0, 13 KOs) is preparing in the Coachella Valley with trainer Joel Diaz for the biggest fight of his life against IBF champion Yonnhy Perez (20-0, 14 KOs) on May 22 at the Staples Center in the semi-main event to the Israel Vazquez vs. Rafael Marquez card billed as “Once and Four All.” Mares stated “I'm very familiar with Perez; we fought as amateurs, I beat him twice and he beat me once. But this is for the world title. This is when it really counts. I need that title to accomplish my goals. No disrespect to Yonnhy, but I'm getting that belt on May 22nd.”
4/22/2010Warner Promotions hitting the boxing scene
By José Santana Jr, secondsout.com
Three years in the making. That is the time it took Antonio Castro to get things together to begin working on his biggest goal. It wasn't laziness that took him three years to get the ball rolling. In fact, it was the opposite. Diligence, networking and planning every small detail brought him to his creation of Warner Promotions LLC.
Together with fellow Cleveland, Ohio, native Ron Warner, Castro has finally brought his plan for a boxing promotion company to fruition. It started last February when Warner Promotions co-promoted their first boxing event with Prize Fight Promotions which was televised nationally on ESPN2's “Friday Night Fights.”
“It took a lot of time because I wanted to do it right,” Castro said. “That included putting together a business plan, meeting with several different investors and people that were interested in becoming part of the team and getting it all done.” Somewhere along the way in handling the aforementioned tasks, they did something right. Few first-time promoters have the opportunity to stage their first event televised to all of America by “the worldwide leader of sports.”
Frankie Espinoza Jr., CEO of Espinoza Boxing Promotions, is one of those few promoters who did have a wide audience available to see his first promotion. Espinoza has 13 years involved in boxing assisting trainers, working the corners of fighters and helping his father and well-known manager Frank Espinoza Sr.
The time was March 1998. Frank Espinoza Sr. of Espinoza Boxing had found himself a raw prospect from Mexico City and was bringing him to the U.S. to audition for Top Rank Promotions. The kid was tough, possessed a nice left hook, but his boxing skills weren't the greatest. What made things a little tougher, from a promotional standpoint, was he was a smaller weight class fighter who didn't speak a lick of English.
What the kid needed to show against Antonio Ramirez (at the time, 2-15) was that he was the kind of fighter who could dispatch unworthy challenges with TV-friendly ease. Instead, the kid won a six-round distance fight. At the time, Top Rank officials were unimpressed and told Espinoza to send him back from whence he came, as the kid just didn't have the goods.
But Espinoza Sr. simply said, “I just had a feeling about him, you know? And so we moved him into our home and he trained here in L.A.”
Almost three months and one fight later, Israel Vazquez showed off his left hook and power to stop his foe, Oscar Javier Garcia, in four rounds. Espinoza, Sr. was impressed enough that he kept the kid on and for the next decade and more, the kid- whose career almost didn't happen- would thrill boxing fans with war-filled trilogies against Oscar Larios and Rafael Marquez, taking and losing titles in the super featherweight division with big wins over Jhonny Gonzalez in another classic. Vazquez suffered a loss to Oscar Larios in their second fight (he subsequently avenged that loss in the third fight), and then ultimately burned his memory into fight fans' hearts and minds with his classic, epic, unbelievably brutal trilogy with Rafael Marquez.
The two would fight back to back to back from 2007 to 2008 with the Savage Dial getting turned higher and higher every time out.
The first fight was in March of 2007 for Vazquez' bantamweight title and lasted six rounds with Marquez winning on points early, but Vazquez coming on late until his nose, broken early on in the battle, made it impossible to continue past the sixth.
The second fight, in July of that same year, lasted six rounds as well. Only this time, turnaround was fair play as Vazquez started early and hurt Marquez throughout. Marquez would finish on his feet but referee Jose Garcia would stop the contest to save him from further punishment at the hands of the rejuvenated Vazquez. It was unanimously seen as one of the best fights of the year.
The third bout felt like a brutal replay of the first two, only it extended the distance. This time, the two battled in March, almost a year to the day of the first bout. It was as seesaw an affair as can be. Vazquez stayed low, closing the gap against his taller foe and ripping uppercuts and hooks to Marquez' ribs early and often. Marquez, the power punching boxer to Vazquez' brawler, tried to keep it a long range fight and had success throughout, but not enough to totally take control.
The final round, with the fight on the table, was a classic. Both men came out loaded for bear and beat each other from pillar to post. But it was Vazquez, that kid from Mexico City, thought to not have the stuff of legends, who had just a little more left in the tank.
“Magnifico” hurt Marquez late in the round and sent him reeling to the ropes from a punch. The referee, Pat Russell, seeing that the ropes were all that held Marquez up, called a knockdown and Vazquez, by the closest of margins, took a split decision in a fight that not only he won, but fans all over the world did, too. The fight was voted 2008's Fight of the Year and those fights are now up there with the classic trilogies of all time.
So where do Vazquez go from there? Fight number four, of course.
After a long break from the ring to heal and correct a torn retina he suffered in the trilogy, Vazquez returned in October of 2010. The skills were a little rusty, but the heart and power were still there as Vazquez stopped his opponent, Angel Priolo, in the ninth round of a harder than expected fight.
Now, Vazquez prepares for his fourth bout with Marquez on May 22, 2010 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. With his trainer, Rudy Perez and the re-addition of Justin Fortune, Vazquez trains out of Fortune Gym in Hollywood, CA, a beautiful gym with exposed brick and framed pictures of old-time fighters along the walls. It looks like a hip downtown gallery of violence.
It's here that the ever humble Vazquez trains day in and day out for one of the final bouts of his hard-fought and illustrious career. He enters the gym carrying his own equipment with no entourage, save for Espinoza Sr., his son, Frank Jr. and his trainer, smiles at everyone and greets a few in shy, but solid English, and goes about his business like a pro. Even at 32, he seems to be still learning.
What's most impressive in the gym is the relaxed and friendly atmosphere. This is a dangerous fight. Both men have miles on them and both men possess the power to knock the other out. After 24 rounds of pure mayhem, there are no secrets between Vazquez and Marquez beyond what strategies they will employ. And yet, in the gym, there are smiles everywhere. Perez and Fortune are not jockeying for position, but rather they watch Vazquez spar and talk quietly amongst themselves; two pros getting the best out of each other and their pupil. No egos allowed nor sighted.
I had the pleasure of watching him work last week and, from the looks of him, you wouldn't think Vazquez was out of the gym very long at all. He sparred Miguel Garcia, out of Oxnard, over four fast-paced rounds. Vazquez boxed more than I expected. He darted in and out, flashing flurries, and sticking to the jab to get in and get out. Light on his feet (unusual for a fighter with miles on him and above 30), Vazquez made himself a hard target as much as possible, hiding behind a shell defense when he could, popping in and out of range and resetting when he couldn't. If there was rust in this, his second sparring session of camp, you wouldn't know it.
“A little bit,” Vazquez told me of the rust, “but by next week, I will a lot better.”
In their first fight, Vazquez was the bull to Marquez' matador, but as the trilogy progressed, Vazquez began to box more and more and move, when he could. On this day in sparring, I saw evidence of that as well. Sure, there were moments of toe-to-toe action. But everyone, including Vazquez, agrees that boxing more to set up the big shots is the way to go here. As I watched the session progress, I found evidence of that. With each passing round, Vazquez began to implement more and more boxing into his game. Head movement, jab, jab, step around, jab-hook, jab-right, jab-left. Rinse. Repeat. This is not your 2007 Vazquez, but rather a vet who has become a little more wily and crafty.
Justin Fortune is known from his days, not only as a former heavyweight contender, but also as a “strength and conditioning coach” at the Wild Card gym, a title he was given in his days training fighters at the Wild Card Gym. It is a label he can't stand as he feels a trainer should be all things, including one who conditions his fighters. But label be damned, Fortune is on point when it comes to what he calls “shocking the body” and keeping it active and engaged.
On this day, Vazquez would work all manners of conditioning. Shadowboxing at a high tempo. Pad work with both Perez and Fortune. Perez jumped in with two foam sticks (“A Mexican technique”, Espinoza Jr. would tell me) that he attacked Vazquez with to get his punches faster and sharper, while improving his defensive guard. Jump rope was followed by some medicine ball action. While some of the techniques seemed standard boxing stuff, the way they are implemented, and how Fortune changes things up day to day is the key to keeping Vazquez engaged and refreshed throughout camp.
“It's great to be back here working with Justin, who I worked with in the past,” said Vazquez. “There have been a little bit of changes. Rudy Perez is the head coach, but we are working with things that are different. But like I said before, we are going to be in good condition and well-prepared for this next fight.”
Throughout history, fighters have come together to create something special over a series of fights. LaMotta-Robinson. Ali-Frazier. And now, Vazquez-Marquez. So what is it that makes these men special when they get in the squared ring together?
“[Marquez] is a strong fighter,” Vazquez explained. “He has a lot of heart. He's a good fighter. I am too. We both have the same intentions. I have a lot of heart. I think that is what makes the fight when you have two warriors like this coming at each other. But at the end of the day, I believe I will be victorious.”
With two of three of the fights going his way, the thought might be that Vazquez would take victory in this fourth fight for granted. But he's a veteran who knows that all it takes is one punch from Marquez and his night could end early. There are no shortcuts to be taken here and nothing is taken as a “gimme,” as far as he is concerned.
“I'm prepared real well,” Vazquez told me. “I am not taking this lightly. I know I won two out of the three, but this is like the first fight. I am going to come out with everything. It's no different. I am going to come out like it's the first fight. No question.”
4/14/2010Israel Vazquez and Justin Fortune Team Up Again
By Ralph Gonzalez, Thesweetscience.com
Although Australian born trainer Justin Fortune and Mexico City's ex-world champion, Israel Vazquez, are from continents apart, they've always had a certain chemistry. “We understand each other, we get along great and he respects me like I respect him and that's the end of it,” Fortune said from his Hollywood gym where he'll be conditioning Vazquez for his fourth encounter against Rafael Marquez on May 22nd at The Staples Center.
Rudy Perez will be headlining the training duties once again as Vazquez tries to defeat Marquez a third time. Fortune is expected to bring in his expertise in strength training and nutrition. “He's a good friend and a nice guy. We kid around a lot and he creates a good atmosphere for me,” Vazquez said. “Even though I don't dominate the English language we have no trouble communicating and I have a lot of confidence in his work. I'm happy that he's back on our team.”
As far as Vazquez is concerned, he'd like to see Fortune remain as a permanent fixture. “God willing, I'd like for Justin to be with us for the rest of my career. I have that much respect for what he does.”
Vazquez's manager, Frank Espinoza, agrees that the chemistry between the two has always been strong. He was the impetus for bringing Fortune back on board. “I want to give Israel every chance at beating Marquez and adding Justin to our team makes us stronger,” Espinoza stated. “It's very important that our fighters have the best people at their disposal and he brings a lot to the table.”
Both men worked together previously until Fortune's split with Vazquez's then head trainer Freddie Roach. The two split up unceremoniously as accusations were thrown around by both parties. Fortune declined to speak about the situation. “I've got nothing to say about that. I don't want to say anything that might get me sued. Besides, this is all about Israel Vazquez and making sure he puts on a stellar performance. That's what's truly important.”
He doesn't care much for the “conditioning and speed coach” title. “That's a label that was given to me by Roach but I'm a trainer,” he said. “I want to get away from all that and just work on getting my own fighters from my gym to the very top. I want to have my own world champions eventually. When that happens, it'll truly be a great time in my life.”
I didn't spend last weekend at Mandalay Bay. I couldn't afford to. Even with the “media rate” for a room, it was too pricey – before airfare from San Antonio. Hopkins-Jones II was the main event of a $49 pay-per-view card called “The Rivals.” I couldn't afford that either. Apparently history was made. Sorry I missed it.
Friday, May 21, though, I'll board a flight to Los Angeles ($110). Then I'll stay in a hotel near Staples Center Friday ($80) and Saturday ($80). Then I'll fly home Sunday ($110 again). I can afford Vazquez-Marquez IV.
After food, “Once and Four All” should cost me eight times more than I couldn't afford to spend on “The Rivals.” I know what you're thinking because I'm thinking it too: “Eight times? Even at 10x, Vazquez-Marquez is a steal!”
Indeed it is, friends. On May 22 at Staples Center, Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez will make the fourth fight of their rivalry – the finest of my lifetime. Three Thursdays ago, Golden Boy Promotions held a kickoff press conference to announce it. Whenever the officers of that company come out of hiding for what happened last weekend, do congratulate them: Vazquez-Marquez III deserved a larger venue than Home Depot Center's tennis stadium, every prizefight deserves a better venue than a casino, and Golden Boy Promotions is the reason “Once and Four All” is in a large stadium where real fans can purchase real tickets.
A quick note about the tagline. “Once and Four All” is very much better than “Who R U Picking?” but you're right to fear that “four” will play too large a role in coverage of this event – as in “Fourward Four You!” or “Fourever UnFourgettable.” Here's why. The word “trilogy” is well known, while the word “tetralogy” doesn't come standard in the MS Word dictionary. But a tetralogy is what this fight will make. That word can be added to the custom dictionary to ensure spell check doesn't ding it and send you careering back towards “Fourtunate Foursome!”
After a year an a half retirement, Martin “Gallito” Castillo (35-3, 18 KOs) decided he couldn't just step away. The itch was still there. He asked his manager Frank Espinoza to get him a couple fights. Now after getting two wins under his belt in 2009, the 33-year-old Castillo is ready to step up the pace and the quality of his competition. “I want to fight a couple more fights and then I want to start coming after any of the top fighters in the bantamweight division,” Castillo stated. “I always wanted a fight against Vic Darchinyan or Jorge Arce. Any of the top guys will do but I'm especially interested in those two.” For now, Castillo continues to work out at The Maywood Boxing Club under the care of trainer Charles Huerta Sr. as he awaits the call for his next fight.
Team Espinoza
3/26/2010Abner Mares Hunts down Felipe Almanza en route to a fifth round KO
By Gabriel Montoya, maxboxing.com
In the main event, junior featherweight sensation Abner Mares (20-0 with 13 KOs) worked every second of every round en route to a hard earned knockout of Felipe Almanza (19-16-3 with 9 KOs). Almanza moved, moved, and moved some more from bell one to his final moments, looking to be defensive to the point of sketchy while Mares, a classic boxer/puncher stayed steady and worked behind a jab and body attack to get his work done.
“Cut off the ring!” Mares' corner implored as Almanza ducked left then moved right and Mares followed, looking to land something but having little to no luck.
Slowly over the course of each round, Mares found the mark more and more. A combo to the body here, a jab right hand there, Mares began to close the distance.
By the third, Mares was able to start trapping Almanza in the corners and work on him a bit. Almanza crouched in front of Mares and paused at one point, allowing Mares to unload an uppercut that dropped his foe to the canvas. He rose clear eyed and arguing the knockdown but it was clear if a balance shot.
Almanza got a little chippy, headbutting once and hitting very low three times, two of which drew warnings.
But it didn't deter Mares who got closer and closer to getting his opponent to engage.
In the fifth, Mares began to hone in. Hard shots to the body opened up shots upstairs and finally, Mares was able to get off to the head in rapid succession as Almanza lay on the ropes. 1-2-1-2 went Mares hands and Almanza crumpled to the canvas and the ref counted him out. The time was 2:23 of the fifth.
With the win, Mares is now set to fight Yohnny Perez May 22 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles for a portion of the bantamweight title.
In a sloppy but spirited fight, junior feathers Derrick Wilson (5-1-2 with 2 KOs) and Adam Ochoa (2-1-1 with 1 KO) went at it hard and fast for four rounds trading the first two and drawing the last two en route to a majority draw. It was a fast paced bout with both guys trading big shots (left hooks for Wilson and right hands off the jab or as leads) but neither was able to sustain an attack long enough to gain control. Still, for a draw, it was a fun fight to watch and I would like to see more of either guy.
Red hot lightweight prospect Ronny Rios improved to 10-0 with 5 KOs via a ruthless left hook to Andres Ledesma's (15-17-1 with 10 KOs) liver in the most entertaining bout of the night. It capped a an excellent outing for Rios who came out strong, digging to the body, working a stiff jab, and letting combos fly like armor piercing bullets en route to breaking down the sturdy veteran.
Early on Rios worked with one or two shots a time, a stiff, heavy jab and a straight right that either led or followed the one. Ledesma gave movement and fired back from a defensive posture mainly off the ropes. It was that posture and tactic that was his undoing.
Everytime he went to the ropes, Rios would punish him to the body, catch him on the hip, or wreck him to the chest. Slowly but surely, the lead right, left to the body and back upstairs combo began to rear its ugly head for Rios and crash through Ledesma's defense.
By the fifth round, Ledesma had been stunned a few times and was ready to be taken. The lesson here for young Rios was to learning how to finish. He showed he was prepared to go to another level as he tore into Ledesma who languished once again on the ropes looking to counter with something big. He never got the chance as Rios ripped into him time and again, looking for that money shot. He found it soon enough as he dropped in a left hook to the body that boomed throughout the club and sent Ledesma down for the count. The time was 1:45 of the fifth.
Cruiserweight Anatonliy Dudchenko (8-2 with 6 KOs), who fights out of the Fortune Gym in Hollywood, CA scored a stunning first round KO over Harley Kilfian (8-5 with 7 KOs). The action was quick and nasty as Dudchenko landed a explosive right hand over Kilfian's lazy jab that dropped him on his back until the count of ten.
3/21/2010Attention Must Be Paid, Honor Must Be Acknowledged
By Ron Borges, The SweetScience
They have broken each other's bodies three times but never each other's spirit. That is why word that a fourth Israel Vazquez-Rafael Marquez fight has been made for May 22 at the Staples Center in L.A. is good news for boxing and for SHOWTIME subscribers. It may be less so for the two fighters.
Under the leadership of Ken Hershman, SHOWTIME has become a significant low-budget challenger to HBO's dominance of big-time boxing. Although SHOWTIME lacks the budget to compete against HBO's checkbook when the cable giant decides it really wants a particular fight or fighter, Hershman has spent his money wisely lately and the result has been an ongoing series of top draw events like its Super 6 super middleweight tournament. Vazquz-Marquez IV only adds to that list.
Vazquez leads the series two wins to one but frankly he looked like the fighter who has come out the worse for wear judging by the length of their layoffs following the third fight on March 1, 2008 and the repercussions from it that were exhibited when each came back to boxing after more than a year layoff.
After winning what was supposed to be the rubber match by a one-point, split decision, Vazquez laid off 19 months and underwent three surgeries to repair a retina problem he could lay at the fists of Marquez. When he finally did return last Oct. 10 against the less-than-formidable Angel Priolo, Vazquez found a way to win, as he so often has, but it was far more of an uncomfortable struggle than it should have been.
Perhaps this was just a matter of knocking off a goodly amount of rust and getting comfortable again in the hot kitchen of a boxing ring, but somehow it looked like more than that. It looked like the Israel Vazquez (44-4, 33 KO) we had all grown to admire had been beaten down to the point where what remains will never be the same.
If that is the case, it will likely be become apparent on May 22 because Marquez's return on May 23, 2009 against Jose Francisco Mendoza went far more successfully. Although Mendoza will never be mistaken for a clone of someone like Vazquez, Marquez got rid of him in three rounds after a 14-month layoff, as he should have considering the gap in talent between the two of them. Although Marquez was stopped by Vazquez in their rematch and dropped in the final round of their third fight to give Vazquez his margin of victory, it always seemed he was less damaged than the man to whom he is now forever linked.
That is not to suggest Marquez (38-5, 34 KO) hasn't suffered significant and irreparable damage himself however. At 35, Marquez may have been close to the end of the line even under the best of circumstances but the way he lost the WBC super bantamweight title to Vazquez in their second and third fights left him far from in the best of circumstances.
That is one thing that will make this fight interesting to project because no one – including the fighters themselves – can be sure how much the other has left to give. Heart will never be the question but the body can take only so much. Same is true of battered eyes and broken noses. They often give out before the will of a great fighter does, conspiring against his best efforts without his full knowledge until it is too late.
Yet who in boxing will not be anticipating that night when the two of them square off once again in the tradition of boxing in its greatest days of the 1940s and 1950s, when such ongoing series of fights were far from unusual. Too often it's now one and done. Back then it was fight until we're both done.
That is part of the legacy these two men will leave behind when the boxing is over, a fact Marquez discussed when the fight was announced by Golden Boy Promotions and Gary Shaw, co-promoters of the event.
“Israel Vazquez and I are destined to be intertwined because of the legendary battles we have waged against each other,'' Marquez said in a prepared statement. “I intend to close the book on our rivalry by dictating the final chapter. I have never wanted to fight so much in my life. I'm fighting for my legacy.''
Actually, the two-time world champion's legacy is already well established. Whatever happens on May 22 can enhance it perhaps but it cannot diminish it even if both prove to be severely damaged goods. The same is true for Vazquez, who many thought would be forced to retire after the series of surgeries required to repair his torn retina.
Ever the realist, when Vazquez came back last October, even he admitted he couldn't be sure how he would feel in the ring. After it was over the 32-year-old Vazquez conceded he was not his old self but predicted things would get better. He has to hope so because even his best nights against Marquez have been hellish.
Not only was his eye severely injured as a result of what he endured but he suffered a badly shattered nose in the first fight as well, an injury that so affected his breathing he had to quit on his stool after the seventh round. Vazquez fought bravely that night and came back to win the next two but now he's a mystery as May 22 approaches. Regardless of those problems, one thing is not a mystery, and Vazquez knows it.
“Without a doubt this is going to be a war like the previous fights were,'' he said.
He's right about that despite the fact neither man is the same fighter he was when this all began, nor could be expected to be. Each has left far too much of themselves behind in those rings, pieces that cannot be glued back into place nor fully repaired.
Yet their hearts remain strong and so it is unlikely what surely seems to be their final meeting will go much differently than the previous three brutally bloody affairs. Attention must be paid and honor given to two men willing to give so much to entertain a blood thirsty public.
By May 22, it may prove that heart is all they have left. If so, it will still be a hell of a night.
After three epic battles, Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez are already linked for eternity in boxing history. But they haven't had enough of each other, nor have the fans, so they're doing it one more time.
Their fourth fight, appropriately titled "Once and Four All" and scheduled for May 22 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, was formally announced Thursday with expectations high for another memorable slugfest.
"Without a doubt, this is going to be a war just like the previous fights were," Vazquez said. "I'm really motivated to come back for this battle with Marquez and I know this fourth fight is going to be very significant to my career. I hope all the fans are as excited as I am for this fight and as excited as they were for the previous three, as the fourth will be no different than the others."
If that turns out to be true, we will be seeing another all-time classic.
Vazquez leads the intense series 2-1 against his Mexican countryman. Their three-fight rivalry consists of 25 fast, furious and bloody rounds.
"Israel Vazquez and I are destined to be intertwined together because of the legendary battles we have waged against each other, but I intend to close the book on our rivalry by dictating the final chapter -- and the fight -- on May 22 at Staples Center," said Marquez, the younger brother of lightweight champ Juan Manuel Marquez. "I have never wanted to win a fight so much in my life. I'm training to win. I'm fighting for my legacy."
In the Showtime-televised co-feature, Colombia's Yonnhy Perez (20-0, 14 KOs) will defend his bantamweight belt for the first time against a friend of his, Abner Mares (19-0, 12 KOs), a 2004 Mexican Olympian who lives in Southern California. Mares has to come through a tune-up bout on March 25.
The first three Vazquez-Marquez fights, which were fought consecutively, were each for the junior featherweight championship. The trilogy is widely considered one of the greatest in boxing history. The fourth chapter, a rarity in modern boxing, will be at featherweight.
"There has been no greater privilege for me than to have promoted [Diego] Corrales-[Jose Luis] Castillo I and the Vazquez-Marquez series," said Gary Shaw, Marquez's promoter. "At the end of the day, boxing and boxing fans are the winners. Rafael Marquez and Israel Vazquez are two of the greatest warriors ever. They are the stuff Hollywood movies are made from."
A former bantamweight champion, Marquez stopped Vazquez in the seventh round to win the 122-pound title in the first fight on March 3, 2007.
It was such a tremendous action fight, it looked like it would stand up as the fight of the year. But then came the rematch in which Vazquez bounced back to score a sixth-round knockout on Aug. 4, 2007. It trumped the first fight and claimed fight of the year honors from virtually every media outlet, including ESPN.com and Ring magazine.
As good as the first two fights were, the third one was even more stunning in it's non-stop, blistering action. In that March 1, 2008 fight, Vazquez rallied from a fourth-round knockdown to score a 12th-round knockdown that turned out to be the winning margin in a sensational split-decision victory as he regained the world title in the fight of the year.
After the amount of punishment both men took, a fourth fight seemed unthinkable. Both fighters needed long layoffs following the trilogy.
Marquez (38-5, 34 KOs), who turns 35 next week, was out for 14 months before returning for a third-round knockout of Jose Francisco Mendoza last May.
Vazquez (44-4, 33 KOs), 32, needed a 19-month layoff, during which he underwent three surgeries on his damaged retina. When he returned in October, he struggled to a ninth-round knockout of Angel Priolo.
Those fights came against lesser opponents after long layoffs. Now, they're back in the spotlight against their greatest rival. Showtime, which televised the first three bouts, is back for the fourth one and happy to be involved again with two fighters who have defined the network's boxing programming in recent years.
"Vazquez-Marquez IV is a fight we couldn't say no to," Showtime's Ken Hershman said. "The rivalry between these two warriors is rooted in the deep respect they have for one another. We knew from the first time they faced off against each other that their fights would deliver the highest quality boxing and fans should expect nothing less May 22. We are honored to have them back on Showtime. Fighters like Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez represent the best boxing has to offer: amazing competitors putting it all on the line in the name of sport."
With their careers nearing the end and a fourth fight easily the best financial option, the fight was put together in December, but had to wait until May because of the Staples Center's availability.
"May 22 is more than a fight, it is for pride, honor and respect of the boxing world and we are excited to be able to deliver the fourth fight following one of the best trilogies in boxing history," said Oscar De La Hoya, president of Golden Boy Promotions, Vazquez's co-promoter. "This type of fight reminds us of the great events from the 70's at the [Los Angeles] Olympic Auditorium and the Forum, featuring two great Mexican warriors who leave it all in the ring."
Israel “Magnifico” Vazquez will always be remembered for the exceptional trilogy that he fought against Rafael Marquez. Despite the physical ailments that he suffered due to the battles he subjected himself to in the three fights, including an almost career ending eye injury, Vazquez insists that he still has much to say inside a ring.
(Photo by BoxNews)
After this third war against Marquez in March of ‘08 and knocking out Angel Priolo last October in the featherweight division, Vazquez is now training for the fourth installment of his battle against Vazquez on May 22nd at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA.
“I feel that I can give more than I have shown, that is why I accepted the fourth fight against Marquez,” Vazquez recently stated. “If one is not willing to take the risk, one will never know what one could have accomplished. The fans asked for the fourth fight.”
Vazquez also mentioned that of the three memorable fights he has engaged against Marquez, the second one has been his favorite.
“Besides winning by KO, there was more of everything,” he shares. “I was with Rudy Perez and we did a great job in the corner. Rafa beat us in the first one but in the second we knew that we couldn't lose. Everything was perfect.”
The former super bantamweight champion says that their fourth fight will be different since he is planning on boxing more and will try to control his emotions as to not fall in the same pattern as the last three in which both fighters gave everything with each assault.
“My message for Rafa is to get prepared as he always has,” Vazquez says. “I am training hard and focused to beating him with determination and intelligence.”
2/25/2010Fight Results
From Fightnewsextra.com
Ramos decisions veteran Estrada
Lightweight Luis Ramos won a four round unanimous decision over former world title challenger Walter Estrada.
It was a classic case of an unbeaten fighter taking on a veteran fighter. Estrada did not back down from the younger fighter, even though Ramos was the more polished and the quicker fighter of the two.
Estrada tried to land straight left hands behind a jab. He attempted to brawl his way on the inside, landing very little effective punches. Instead of fighting Estrada's fight, Ramos maintained his composure and countered effectively. Ramos worked the body of Estrada as both fighters got in close.
Towards the end of the fight, Ramos got careless, leaving himself open at times when he exchanged punches with Estrada. Still, Ramos did enough to win at the expense of Estrada.
All four judges, including Fightnews.com, scored the bout 40-36.
“It was a tough fight, but I felt good,” said Ramos, who turns 22 in May. “It felt weird having the fight go from six to four rounds. Even though I trained hard and I got the victory, I felt the layoff (five months) got to me. I will do anything to get a “W.”
Ramos, from Santa Ana, CA, improves to 14-0, 7 KOs. Estrada, from Barranquilla, Colombia, drops to 35-12, 24 KOs.
Molina wins walkout bout
In the walkout bout of the evening, Carlos Molina won a four round unanimous decision over Hensley Strachan.
Molina scored a knockdown in the first round with a left hand to the head. The stronger and more physical Molina imposed his will on Strachan, landing the more effective punches to the head and body. Strachan was in survival mode, only throwing one punch at a time and holding on to Molina during a majority of exchanges until the final bell.
All three judges, including Fightnews.com, scored the bout 40-35.
Molina, from Norwalk, CA, goes to 11-0, 6 KOs. Strachan, from Nassau, the Bahamas, falls to 5-6-1, 1 KO.
2/25/2010The two sides of Carlos Molina
By
José Santana Jr, SecondsOut.com
Words of warning: Do not hit lightweight prospect Carlos Molina. As a 7-year-old, and his first time ever sparring, Molina became upset and went after his opponent after the first punch he received. Things have not changed. It's his instinct. In the ring, his demeanor is fierce.
When it's time for business, Molina does not smile much. He has a stern stare which can intimidate any opponent. And apparently, it has worked. Molina, of Commerce, Calif., has built up a 10-0 (6KOs) record since his pro debut in May 2007.
“I can't help it,” Molina said. “Once I get tagged I'm like, ‘alright, it's on now.' I guess that's just the mentality that kicks into my head.”
However outside of the ring, there's a different story to be told.
The 24-year-old father of two enjoys the company of his family. His father Miguel, who also acts as his co-manager, is the one who introduced him and his two brothers to boxing, and has been by his side the whole way. “My family is like a travelling team; wherever I go, they're there with me,” Molina said. “There's nothing better than the support of your family, especially my dad.”
Molina's father grew up in the rough town of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. He always wanted to do something in boxing, but never could because his family was poor and he had to work from a young age. “He could never amount to that level (of boxing), so I'm trying to do that for him, ”said Molina.
The level Molina is trying to arrive at is the same as every prize fighter's goal – a world championship.
The next step along the road to one is Thursday when he fights Hensley Strachan, 5-5-1-(1), at the Club Nokia in Los Angeles and televised nationally on Fox Sports Net part of Golden Boy Promotions “Fight Night Club” series.
Thursday night at the Club Nokia at L.A. Live, the second season of the “Fight Night Club” kicks off, featuring the 2010 debut of Victor Ortiz. What Golden Boy Promotions is attempting to do is the put a new twist on a tried and true concept, which is to build local fighters into consistent ticket sellers.
With their offices being in the “City of Angels” and their partnership with AEG (which owns and operates L.A. Live and venues like the Staples Center and Home Depot Center), this is a natural fit.
"The thinking was to really start in Los Angeles, where our home base is and to establish a platform where we can build up young fighters and really create a local following with these young fighters," explained Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. "Expose and build up the talent locally, make them household names in the Southern California market and then, from there on, you can grow and take them into other cities and make them, hopefully, national and international attractions. I think it's very important to have that home base and I think many promoters have forgotten to build up that home base.
Boxing is considered as a combat sports, on May 22, 2010 watch the combat between two great boxers Yonnhy Perez vs Abner Mares. The venue of this boxing fight is in Staples Center, Los Angeles, California. The two boxers Perez and Mares will fight for the I IBF bantamweight championship.
Yonnhy Perez is a Columbian professional boxer, He has a boxing records of 20 professional boxing fights (14 knockouts), In October 31, 2009 Yonnhy Perez won the IBF bantamweight title from Ghanaian Joseph Agbeko. Manny boxing fans who believes in the ability of Yonnhy Perez. He as a good boxer with a unique boxing tactics. Aside from that he is smart and wise boxer. He can adjust with the boxing style of his opponent, he is one of my favorite boxers.
Abner Mares is a Mexican professiona boxer , he has an amateur boxing records of of 112-8 with 84 knockouts. Abner Mares won against Juan Manuel Lopez in U17 world championships and the bantamweight gold medal in the year 2002. Some of the amateur boxing records of Abner Mares includes, Represented Mexico at the 2004 Olympics in Athens as a Bantamweight, losing in the opening round to Zsolt Bedak of Hungary on points 27-24, Silver medalist at the 2004 World Junior Championships, medalist at the 2003 Pan American Games, losing to Guillermo Rigondeaux, Gold medalist at the 2002 Central American & Caribbean Games, and Gold medalist at the 2002 World Cadet Championships. Abner Mares becomes a professional boxer in on January 6, 2005. He won the WBO NABA Bantamweight title by defeating former champion Isidro Garcia. Mares won his next three bouts before suffering an eye injury which required him to undergo surgery. He returned to the ring 10 months later by stopping Jonathan Perez.
2/16/2010Vazquez vs Marquez, Chapter IV
By Juan Barajas, Secondsout.com
How do you top one of the best trilogies of boxing between two of the best fighters in their weight division? Simple, by adding another chapter.
On May 22nd, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA, Showtime Boxing will air two of the best at 126 pounds facing off for a fourth and possible final time.
Raphael Marquez and Israel Vazquez have set the date, place and time to do it all over again. Their first three matches are as memorable as those of Barrera vs. Morales, and Carbajal vs. Gonzalez, but this fight will take them one step further than their predecessors.
This story began in the super bantamweight division of 122 pounds in March of 2007 when Marquez stopped Vazquez in seven rounds for the WBC Super Bantamweight Title. Vazquez avenged that loss in August of that same year to reclaim his title by scoring a sixth round technical knockout and again winning the rubber match by decision in March of 2008. Although Vazquez can claim bragging rights by winning two of the three battles, he suffered the most from the trilogy with a detached right retina that required multiple surgeries to correct.
This particular fight is scheduled for 12 rounds and will take place at the featherweight limit of 126 pounds with no title at stake. Marquez, 34 years old, 38-5 with 34 knockouts weighed 126 pounds in his last fight in May of 2009. A fight he won via third-round technical knockout over Jose Francisco Mendoza. Vazquez, 32 years old, 44-4 with 32 knockouts weighed 125 ½ pounds in his last fight which took place in October 2009. He won by technical knockout in the ninth round over Angel Antonio Priolo.
As an eight-year-old boy, Luis Ramos was on his way to church when he came across a building with bright, shining lights. After entering the building, Ramos realized it was a gym that offered a variety of sports such as soccer, basketball and boxing. Having a mother from Guatemala and a father from Mexico, Ramos' early passion was soccer. However, a new infatuation quickly developed after a lady told him the gym offered boxing.
“I didn't know they had boxing in there. No one ever boxed in my family,” said Ramos.
Ramos immediately fell in love with the sport once he saw kids hitting the punching bags. This moment marked the beginning to a career as a professional prizefighter.
Hector Lopez, who currently trains Ramos, noticed Ramos repeatedly coming to the gym and shadow boxing. After Lopez started training him, a close relationship evolved. Later, they won national tournaments together. Ramos, who fights southpaw and is naturally left handed, fought in 126 amateur bouts. Today, Ramos credits much of his success in the ring to Lopez.
“My trainer is my biggest strength in the ring,” stated Ramos. “He puts in the hard work with me. Hector helps with my power, speed and angle movement. We work on mistakes and correct them.”
Lopez also inspired the 21-year-old fighter outside the ring.
“Hector has been like a second dad to me; He taught me the value of real life,” said Ramos.
Since turning professional in 2007, Ramos has compiled a record of 13-0, 7 KO's. He displays exceptional balance, and demonstrates a tremendous amount of patience when placing his punches. His maturity is exhibited by the way he sits down on his punches, which is something he constantly works on in the gym.
2/8/2010Carlos Molina: Future Champion by Ralph Gonzalez
2/5/2010Abner Mares: The Son Of Guadalajara
By Troy J. Hines, Handsboxingshow.com
The beautiful city of Guadalajara is renowned for its rich history, landscape, architecture, and its production of extraordinary talent. World renowned artist Jose Clemente Orozco who led the “Mexican Muralism” movement with Diego Rivera, Mexican Nationalist and composer/pianist Jose Pablo Moncayo, and arguably the most important Mexican architect of the 20th Century, Luis Barragan, were all conceived in this “cultural center” of western Mexico. So it should be of no surprise that Guadalajara strikes again.
Following in the footsteps of the thousands of Mexican pugilists before him, Abner Mares is on the precipice of greatness. To be courted and signed by Golden Boy Promotions is always precursor positive. In addition, Mares has joined the Espinoza Boxing Club “fraternity” which boasts the development of a stable of boxing champions, most notably two-time former WBC Super Bantamweight champ Israel Vasquez.
HBO's longtime boxing anchor Larry Merchant has dubbed Mares' style as “Techno-Boxing”, or technical fighting, whereby the classic term boxing pundits would use is the “Boxer-Puncher”. Perhaps Mares does deserve a new style classification. The orthodox fighter has cultivated an unbelievable right hand worthy of style points, which tends to lead his opponents towards the realm of unconsciousness. His left hand is not much more pleasant. In addition to his posh over hand right, lead uppercuts to the body and head have become signature. How can you route against a young man who enters the ring in “Bernard Hopkins-esque” fashion, covering his face with a bandana while sporting a black baseball cap? Mean.
Ironically, the 24 year-old boxer who grew up in Hawaii Gardens, California is a well spoken family man and student (Cerritos Community College), who just so happens to make a living through licensed assault. Sporting a professional record of 19-0-0 with 12 KO's, the heavy handed fighter who represented Mexico in the 2004 Olympic Games, has called California his home for the last 17 years. Training under the guidance of boxings elite trainers Floyd Mayweather, Sr., Nacho Beristain, and currently Joel Diaz, who also instructs current WBO Junior Welterweight Champion Timothy Bradley, Mares is on the beaten path to success.
On May 22nd at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Abner Mares will be facing undefeated and newly crowned IBF Bantamweight title holder Yohnny Perez (20-0, 14KO's) of Colombia. As the undercard bout to the fourth meeting between featherweight “giants” Israel Vasquez and Rafael Marquez, Mares vs. Perez has the possibility of being just as explosive. I am looking forward to Mares winning the biggest fight of his life to date, and solidifying his place at the top of the division with a unanimous decision or late round stoppage.
The son of Guadalajara has the chance to become great. He has been quoted as saying that he wants to be the best in the sport—an icon. Championships dwell on the other side of focus and exhaustion, and it will take that kind of mind set and self-inflicted punishment, i.e. training, to take the keys.
What is it about Guadalajara that it has produced some the world's best writers, painters, poets, and perhaps prizefighters? Is it the brave blood of the Caxcan and Zacateco, or the determination of the Conquistador that makes its people great? I would guess it's the blend of the two. And when harmoniously in concert, they can make music out of body shots that rival the percussion of street drummers in the “Pearl of the West”. Abner Mares, without a doubt, is on his way to becoming a great fighter. How great? That is up to him.
2/1/2010Perez-Mares match on for May 22
By Doug Fischer, Ringtv.com
The fascinating bantamweight matchup between beltholder Yohhny Perez (20-0, 14 knockouts) and young contender Abner Mares (19-0, 12 KOs) has finally been agreed upon by the fighters, according to sources with both camps.
Perez-Mares will be the Showtime-televised co-feature to the fourth Israel Vazquez-Rafael Marquez fight that takes place at Staples Center in Los Angeles on May 22.
The bout, which promises non-stop action as well as world-class skill and technique, was proposed weeks ago but only Mares, THE RING's No. 8-ranked bantamweight, had agreed to the terms of the fight. That is until Monday, when Perez, THE RING's No. 4-ranked bantamweight, signed the contract.
Mares had verbally agreed to terms and still has to sign the contract to make the bout official, but his manager Frank Espinoza has told RingTV.com that the signing is a mere formality.
Unbeaten featherweight Ronny Rios (9-0, 4 KOs) outpointed Willshaun Boxley (5-4, 3 KOs) over six by scores of 60-54, 59-55, 59-55
Unbeaten junior welterweight Carlos Molina (10-0, 6 KOs) destroyed Tyler Ziolowski (12-11, 6 KOs) in the first round
1/29/2010Carlos Molina Heading To Vegas
By David A. Avila, Thesweetscience.com
In a tiny gym located alongside a freeway Carlos Molina and his brothers practiced and practiced their craft for years.
Molina no longer trains in that tiny gym deciding to move a few miles south where he’s now guided by famed trainer Clemente Medina in the always crowded Maywood Boxing Gym.
“He works hard,” said Medina who also trains Alfredo “Perro” Angulo among others. “He’s ready.”
Molina (9-0, 5 KOs) anxiously awaits his fight this Friday against Tyler Ziolkowski (12-10, 7 KOs) at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The boxing card is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions that will be partly televised on Fox.
The oldest of the three Molina brothers has a lot to prove especially with his younger brothers. You see Javier Molina was a member of the U.S. Olympic Boxing team and Oscar Molina was an alternate on the Mexico Olympic Boxing team. The two twins are very talented, but so is Carlos.
“It feels good,” said Molina about fighting in Las Vegas for the first time. “That’s where all the fights are. Hopefully there will be many more to come.”
The beautiful city of Guadalajara is renowned for its rich history, landscape, architecture, and its production of extraordinary talent. World renowned artist Jose Clemente Orozco who led the “Mexican Muralism” movement with Diego Rivera, Mexican Nationalist and composer/pianist Jose Pablo Moncayo, and arguably the most important Mexican architect of the 20th Century, Luis Barragan, were all conceived in this “cultural center” of western Mexico. So it should be of no surprise that Guadalajara strikes again.
Following in the footsteps of the thousands of Mexican pugilists before him, Abner Mares is on the precipice of greatness. To be courted and signed by Golden Boy Promotions is always precursor positive. In addition, Mares has joined the Espinoza Boxing Club “fraternity” which boasts the development of a stable of boxing champions, most notably two-time former WBC Super Bantamweight champ Israel Vasquez.
In what was an extremely wet and windy period in Southern California last week, Carlos Molina found shelter inside the Maywood Boxing Center, as he prepared for this week’s fight against Tyler Ziolkowski at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Molina, who currently has a record of 9-0 with 5 knockouts, has fought anywhere between 130 and 139 pounds throughout his career. Like many other young prospects, he is trying to figure out what weight best suits him.
His manager, Frank Espinoza, wouldn’t mind seeing him at junior lightweight, given that Molina is more of a volume puncher than a guy with outstanding one-punch power.
But Molina told Maxboxing before his workout last week, "I haven’t been 130 since I’ve been 16, 17 years old. But y’ know what? I can try, but we’ll see. I’m comfortable at 135, but if I can get down to 130, I know I’ll be a lot stronger. "Espinoza, who also manages junior featherweight stalwart Israel Vazquez, along with the likes of Abner Mares, Ronny Rios and Luis Ramos, would settle for Molina being a lightweight. He just doesn’t want to see him at 140. "I feel that his weight should be 135. He shouldn’t be any higher than that," is his opinion.
Either way, he’s happy with his fighter’s development.
"Yes I am. He’s progressing well; it’s a learning experience. He’s 9-0 and I feel good the way he’s been coming along," said Espinoza.
Molina admits that with his fan-friendly style, it would serve him well to perform at as light a weight as possible. "If I can get down naturally to that weight without being weak, then yeah, it probably would be the best thing," he says. "Like I said, I’ll try and get down. As long as I don’t feel weak, I would be a lot stronger."
1/24/2010Abner Mares: Boxing’s Brightest Rising Star
By: Michael Seiler, BOXING LEDGER
24 year-old Abner Mares is on the fast track to becoming one of the sport's most elite fighters. He is undefeated as a professional (19-0, 12 KO's), and possesses swift hand speed and precise volume punching that has enabled him to conquer opponents quite easily. Defensively, Mares fights like a veteran. When standing in front of his opponents, he exerts little energy by using crafty upper body movements.
Mares is one of eleven brothers, and was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, but raised in Hawaiian Gardens, California. While Mares'mother worked many long hours to support the family, he started boxing at the age of 7 when his brother took him to the gym. Abner's father also boxed professionally.
While growing up, Mares focused on perfecting his craft, which left little time for friends and activities. He never attended his high school prom.
“At 12 years old, my dad instilled strict discipline. From that point, I took boxing very seriously.”
Abner has triumphed over several challengers by implementing a devastating body attack into his arsenal. His body punches remind many of Mexican legend Julio Cesar Chavez.
“Chavez was a big idol for me. We used to get together and have barbecues when he would fight.”
Mares holds a remarkable amateur record of 112-8, 84 KO's. In 2002, he captured Gold medals at the World Cadet Championships and the Central American and Caribbean Games. He also won a pair of Silver medals at the 2003 Pan-American Games and the 2004 World Junior Championships. Three of those 112 victories came against Juan Manuel Lopez, who is undefeated as a professional and now fights at 126 lbs.
“The first time I beat Lopez was in his native Puerto Rico. It was by a few points. Then, I defeated him in El Salvador at the 2002 Central American Games.”
At the 2003 Pan-American Games, Mares would beat Lopez again, this time in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
“My corner just kept telling me to pressure and stay on top of him.”
Mares went on to represent his native Mexico at the 2004 Olympic games. However, he suffered a controversial defeat in his first bout against Hungary's Zsolt Bedak, losing on points 36-27. It seemed Mares was not receiving credit from the judges for his body punching. Bedak now campaigns professionally at 122 lbs. and is undefeated (15-0 5 KO's). Julio Cesar Chavez and Hector Lopez were calling the action ringside for Mexico, and felt the decision was also unjust.
“I definitely want Zsolt to come to the United States. I would love to fight him again.”
In November 2004, Oscar De La Hoya signed Mares to his promotional company, Golden Boy Promotions.
“My dad received a call from Oscar saying he wanted to meet me. The next thing we knew, my father and I were on a plane to Florida to get together with Oscar De La Hoya. What some people do not know is Oscar's wife, Millie, watched the fight and saw what happened against Bedak. She told Oscar that he should sign me. Oscar told her, ‘You are right.'”
In 2007, one of the most glorifying moments of his early professional career came when Mares won the WBO & NABO Bantamweight titles against Isidro Garcia. Although, that was not the toughest fight Abner had as a professional. His greatest challenge came in a fight he won by a second round knockout against Diosdado Gabi. Entering the bout, Gabi was 30-3-1, 21 KO's and the first southpaw Mares faced as a professional.
“In the first round, I got into trouble and I wasn't feeling my rhythm, but I was able to come back and end it in two.”
The bantamweight division is stacked with many talented fighters such as WBC champion Hozumi Hasegawa, IBF champion Yonnhy Perez, WBA champion Anselmo Moreno, Fernando Montiel, Nehomar Cermeno, Joseph Agbeko, Wladimir Sidorenko and Kohei Oba, all of whom have 2 losses or less.
Mares is willing to fight anyone. At some point, he wants to unify the titles, something that has not been done in the bantamweight division since Enrique Pinder in 1972. No fighter has ever held the WBC, WBA and IBF Bantamweight titles simultaneously. The IBF did not start crowning champions in the bantamweight division until 1984. Pinder won two of the three titles (WBC & WBA) when he defeated Rafael Herrera by a 15 round unanimous decision on July 29, 1972 in Panama.
“I want to unify the titles, and then move up in weight. I started my professional career at 122 lbs., so it won't be a problem. My goal is not just to be world champ, but to be the greatest, an idol. I want to be the pound-for-pound champ….like Pacquiao.”
Mares could end up facing Yonnhy Perez on May 22 nd for the IBF Bantamweight title, as the co-main event to Israel Vazquez vs. Rafael Marquez IV on Showtime. Mares defeated Perez two out of three times in the amateurs. At the moment, a deal has not been finalized.
If he faces Perez, Mares expects a hard fight.
“His right hands are no joke. He never gives up and his conditioning is excellent. I will box him and trade when I am close to him. We will make a good fight.
“Of all the fighters I faced in the amateurs, Yonnhy hit the hardest. I don't want to take an easy road. Boxing needs good fights, good prospects and new faces. Win or lose, this is a great fight for the sport.”
Mares has not fought since August 27, 2009 when he scored a 6 th round knockout over Carlos Fulgencio. He has been training in the gym for the last twelve weeks, and is eager to fight again.
“I would like to fight possibly in March, but if an opponent cannot be found, I have no problem going straight to May 22 nd .”
Perez is a tall fighter, who can utilize his height and reach advantage with an effective left jab. Then again, Mares has a plan.
“Sometimes, Perez brings his left jab back low and is susceptible to right hands. I'm going to work his body. We're working in the gym on attacking the body with left hooks just like Chavez.”
Indeed, boxing has a new rising superstar.
1/18/2010Abner Mares-Yonny Perez May 22nd?
By Steve Kim, Maxboxing.com
There is a lot of talk of matching IBF bantamweight titlist Yonnhy Perez versus the talented, young Abner Mares. It would lead off the May 22nd broadcast that features the fourth installment of Israel Vazquez-Rafael Marquez at the Staples Center. That would be a fantastic doubleheader.
12/28/2009Freddie Roach Gets His Own WBC Belt
By Michele Chong, MyBoxingFans.com
Awards at holiday fundraiser honors boxing's best!
Now that the holidays are almost over…Did YOU get everything on your Christmas wish list?
Well, the “Santa Claus Crew” from the World Boxing Council (WBC) and WBCares made sure some of boxing's biggest luminaries received an extra special gift during the yuletide season.
Hosted by Rudy Tellez and Miguel Salazar, a Christmas Toy Drive and Awards Ceremony was recently held at Rudy's Baja Grill in Los Angeles, where over 40 standouts in the fight game were honored.
Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, two-time WBC Super Bantamweight Champion Israel Vazquez, WBC Super Featherweight Champ Gabe Ruelas, female WBC titlist Carina Moreno were all in attendance. Also arriving at the fiesta were Cleto Reyes gloves master Alberto Reyes, boxing
manager Steve Feder, fighters Chika Nakamura and Katarina De La Cruz, and one special visitor from far, far away–Santa Claus himself.
And the grande finale of the event was the presentation of a one-of-a- kind WBC belt that was given to trainer Freddie Roach.
After his pro debut in 1978, Roach built a record of 39-13 with 15 KOs before easing into his role as one of the most prolific trainers ever at his world-renowned Wild Card Boxing Club. After retiring from the ring, he has gone on to train over 25 world champions, including Israel Vazquez, Amir Khan and of course, his most famous and successful protégé Manny Pacquiao.
Roach has no doubt received a boatload of honors and awards through the years. During his 30 years of a legendary career, he is already a repeat winner of “Trainer of the Year,” and a recipient of the WBC's Legends of Boxing 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award. Roach's trajectory to the top (and staying at the top) shows no signs of slowing down now.
So to celebrate Christmas, what do you get for a guy who's had fame and fortune come his way several times over? What did you give a coach who's trained countless champs and contenders, and continues to train tomorrow's next big superstars of the ring?
What on Earth could one get him for the holidays? No lump of coal for the Hall of Fame trainer.
What gift would really surprise him?
Hmmmm, let's see…How 'bout something that's red and green and shiny all over?
Oh yeah, did I mention this little trinket comes in green, bright green–just in time for Christmas!
Yep, how about a special world title belt from the WBC? One size fits all.
The newest green leather strap has the two widely-recognized photos of Muhammad Ali and Joe Louis flanking the gold and red WBC medallion–but there's also two new faces on this belt that really caught the trainer's attention. To the left of “The Greatest's” picture is the bespectacled Roach himself smiling back from this particular belt; to the right of the “Brown Bomber's” mug is Freddie's beloved trainer and mentor Eddie Futch.
“Eddie Futch was his mentor,” explains Tellez. “He got tears in his eyes when he saw the belt! I was very happy for Freddie.”
After dedicating over 30 years in the sweet science, this Christmas present was a fitting honor for the world famous trainer, who is battling Parkinson's disease.
“It was an honor to present Freddie with this belt,” Tellez, founder of the Alhambra Boxing Club, tells me. “Jose and Mauricio Sulaiman have made this special WBC belt just for him.”
And the Irishman from Massachusetts' definitely shined in that glorious hue of emerald green.
“I was so happy for Freddie,” relays Tellez. “Everything was so beautiful and wonderful.”
As guests enjoyed a Mexican Fajitas buffet, sounds from a zesty Mariachi band performing on stage entertained the crowd. A prize raffle was also held during the day. Event sponsors included the WBC Legends of Boxing Museum, Salazar y 3 Campeones, Rudy's Baja Grill, All Star Boxing, Wild Card Boxing Club, Standing Eight Management, Alhambra Boxing Club, and the Burbank Body Shop.
Igor Frank, a boxing journalist and one of the day's sponsors, said, “Seeing Freddie Roach receive his belt was an exciting day for boxing fans.” He was also impressed with popular slugger Israel Vazquez, who remains humble and generous. During the event, “El Magnifico” raffled off a jacket to raise more money for the charity toy drive.
“Israel Vazquez is the epitome of a humble champion. Because of him, boxing will flourish,” Frank comments. “Seeing him honored, then seeing him raffle off his own jacket was great. And hopefully this will help raise money for more toys for the kids.”
While the awards ceremony was the main event, the co-feature was the toy drive to benefit the area's underprivileged children. Guests were asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy to the festivities.
The WBC Vice Chairman Tellez says the toys were given out at two events following their fundraiser and awards luncheon.
“It was all for a good cause,” he states a few days after the party. “On Tuesday we went to Salazar Park to deliver some of the toys, and right now we're going to a Baldwin Park church to deliver more toys.”
Tellez, also a mouthpiece doctor, gives credit where credit is due. He makes sure to tell me that Teri Marquez, WBC Legends of Boxing Secretary, was very instrumental in assisting the organization as well as “MVP” Miguel Salazar,
Photographer and Wild Card fixture.
“Miguel Salazar is the one who is responsible for all of this,” praises Tellez. “He had this idea, and it was such a great, great time!”
Called up to the podium by emcee Jim FitGerald to receive their special certificates of appreciation and letters from the WBC were Roach, Vazquez, Moreno, Thompson Boxing Promotions' Ken Thompson, Carina Moreno's manager Dr. Joe Noriega, former California State
Athletic Commission's Dean Lohuis and Joe Borrielli, official Rudy Jordan, just to mention a few of the honorees.
Another boxing trainer, Gil Nieves, was glad to witness the honors. “Freddie was so happy,” said Nieves, who works with his young fighters at Wild Card. And just like Vazquez, the humble and generous Roach even gave a gift of his own to the WBCares charity. “Freddie gave a $1,000 donation to help the children!” Nieves added.
Looks like Santa and the WBC made sure Freddie Roach, a few of his boxing peers and lots of children had an even brighter Christmas.
And as this year quickly comes to an end, I hope YOU got everything you wanted for the holidays.
Happy New Year!
Photos by Raymond Rodriguez
12/22/2009Q&A: Israel Vazquez
From Fightnews.com
Two time super bantamweight champion Israel Vazquez wanted to extend his warmest holiday wishes to boxing fans everywhere. The holidays will be twice as special to “El Magnifico” since he'll also be turning 32 years old on Christmas day. Vazquez will be fighting Rafael Marquez on May 22nd at the Staples Center in Los Angeles for a fourth time. He answered some questions before starting his Christmas break:
Now that you've had some time to reflect, how do you feel after your comeback fight against Angel Priolo?
I feel great. It was a tough fight against someone who was in great shape and put on the performance of his career. I think I was rusty but I was able to get the win by knockout and now I'm ready to move on to bigger things.
You have a big date on May 22nd against Rafael Marquez. This will be your fourth confrontation. What are you thinking now that the fight is set?
I'm excited. Rafael Marquez is one of the top pound for pound fighters in the world and we've already produced three exciting and memorable fights. I think the fans are going to see some explosive action from two of the most competitive fighters in the business. We're proud warriors who don't like to lose and are willing to give everything we have to get the win.
What do you think about headlining at the Staples Center?
It's wonderful. It makes me feel proud and it makes me feel like my work as a fighter really paid off. I've always wanted to headline a show at a big venue and to do it in my own backyard, in my adopted city of Los Angeles, seems very unreal. It's a dream come true. I think the fans are going to get an incredible show.
You're going to be 32 years old on December 25th. What have you learned as you've gotten older?
I've learned not to take anything or anyone for granted. I've had so many great experiences because of boxing. I've met so many great people. I've also learned to be more patient and focused in every day life.
It's well known that you helped Manny Pacquiao prepare for his fight against Marco Antonio Barrera. What do you think about his latest accomplishments?
Manny's work has been spectacular. He's not a very big guy and to be able to beat great fighters like Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto is incredible to say the least. After many hours of sparring against Manny, the one thing I can tell you is that if you make any kind of mistake he'll make you pay.
What are your goals for 2010?
I want to beat Rafael Marquez on May 22nd and then I want to move up in weight and win another world title. It'll be up to Golden Boy Promotions and Frank (Espinoza) to decide what's best for my career.
What was it like to meet governor Arnold Schwarzenegger at the Miracle on 1st street Toy Giveaway at the Hollenbeck Center?
It was a real thrill to meet Arnold. I've always been a real fan of his work as an actor. I wanted to take a picture with him at last year's giveaway and didn't get to. This year I got that picture and it was a real treat. I was a little star struck.
How is Christmas different in Mexico City from Los Angeles?
Christmas in Mexico City is more festive. I think people really let loose during those times. Christmas in L.A. is more calm and reserved but at this point I'm very much used to it. I do miss all the great food my mom makes like turkey and chicken in mole.
Any final words for the fans?
I want to wish the fans a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays and I hope they and their family enjoy and appreciate these special days together. I want to thank them for supporting me and I want to assure them that there will be plenty more of Israel Vazquez in 2010.
To email Israel Vazquez a happy birthday: israelmagnifico@yahoo.com
What: Two-time junior featherweight world champion Israel Vazquez, former junior featherweight world champion Daniel Ponce de Leon and world title contender Enrique Ornelas will participate in the 28th Annual Miracle on 1st Street Toy Giveaway today between 10AM-2PM at the Hollenbeck Youth Center. The event is presented by The Inner-City Games , Hollenbeck Youth Center and the Oscar de la Hoya Foundation.
Who: Israel Vazquez, Daniel Ponce De Leon, Enrique Orenelas
When: Saturday, December 19, 2009 From 10:00am – 2:00PM
Where: Hollenbeck Youth Center
2015 E. First Street
Los Ángeles, CA 90033
12/17/2009Young, Talented, and Humble Luis Ramos Looks to Continue Shining Under Espinoza Boxing Club!
By José Santana Jr.
“I’m still young, I’m still a baby in the sport, I’m still learning, but there’s a new lightweight champion coming!”
These are the words of Lightweight prospect Luis Ramos from Santa Ana, California. Ramos managed to bump his unbeaten record to 10-0, 5KO on March 7th against veteran Anthony Martinez who himself has faced a slew of prospects on their path up the rankings. Ramos, a 5’8’’ southpaw who trains at the TKO Boxing Club under his trainer Hector Lopez, now looks to enter the ring once again later in the spring. “I’ll be back in April or May. I just got to talk about it with Frank [Espinoza] and Hector, they are the ones that talk about fighting, I just do the fight part,” said the cheerful Ramos.
The Frank in which he speaks of is Frank Espinoza Sr., voted the 2007 Manager of the Year by the World Boxing Hall of Fame. Ramos is managed by Espinoza and his Espinoza Boxing Club who also manage Super Bantamweight world champion Israel Vasquez. “Espinoza Boxing Club has been great, they opened the doors for me,” stated Ramos. “They took that risk, and not a lot of managers wanted to take me [but] are now seeing what I’m capable of,” he continued.
12/4/2009Showtime to show Marquez-Vazquez IV
By Dan Rafael, ESPN.com
Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez have already waged an epic trilogy consisting of 25 rounds of furious, non-stop action. Now, the Mexican warriors will clash for the fourth -- and final -- time, the promoters for both fighters told ESPN.com on Friday.
The deal for the much-discussed fight was completed following a final conference call between Marquez's promoter Gary Shaw, Vazquez's promoter and Golden Boy's Richard Schaefer and Showtime executive Ken Hershman, Shaw said.
The scheduled 12-round featherweight fight will take place May 22 on Showtime from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
"We are done. We have agreed on everything. We're excited about it," Schaefer said. "We have May 22 and the date has been cleared with Showtime and Staples. Staples is really where I think the fight belongs."
The first three Marquez-Vazquez junior featherweight championship fights in 2007 and 2008 are considered one of the greatest trilogies in boxing history, with fights II and III each winning fight of the year honors.
In the first fight on March 3, 2007, Marquez, a former bantamweight champion, stopped Vazquez in the seventh round to win the junior featherweight title.
Vazquez exacted revenge in the rematch on Aug. 4, 2007, with a sixth-round knockout.
In the third bout on March 1, 2008, Vazquez rallied from a fourth-round knockdown to score a 12th-round knockdown that turned out to be the winning margin in a sensational split-decision victory to regain the title.
The fights were all brutal and took physical tolls on both men.
Marquez (38-5, 34 KOs), 34, didn't fight for 14 months until returning for a third-round knockout of Jose Francisco Mendoza in Mexico on May 23. Vazquez was badly beat up as well and needed three surgeries on his damaged retina, which led to a 19-month layoff.
Vazquez (44-4, 32 KOs), 31, returned on Oct. 10 and struggled to a ninth-round knockout of Angel Priolo in Los Angeles.
Shaw and Golden Boy had hoped to have the fight on Feb. 27 at Staples Center, but Showtime didn't clear the date, electing not to put on a major fight that month because of the winter Olympics.
The next available Saturday night at Staples Center wasn't until May 22, because of the arena's heavy professional hockey and basketball schedules.
Given how ferocious the first three battles were, the fourth fight -- which Shaw said will be dubbed "The Final Chapter" -- figures to be another action-packed bout.
"Very rarely do you have fighters made for each other like an Arturo Gatti and Micky Ward, but these guys are made for each other," Schaefer said. "They know this is the biggest fight for each of them at this point of their careers. If they fought other guys it would be OK, but they want to do it again and their fans want it. I can't wait to see it again."
With Showtime paying $1.6 million for the fight and the camps on a 50-50 deal, it was the easily the biggest payday for each fighter.
Said Shaw, "It will be an exciting fight either way it goes. I think fight No. 4 will be the same as the first three. The only thing we don't know is the winner. For those who didn't see I, II or II, they're in luck. Can see IV. It's only fitting the fourth fight is at Staples Center in Los Angeles because it's the West Coast mecca of big events. From Kobe and the Lakers to Michael Jackson laying down there, what could be better than the final chapter of this fight to be in that arena?"
Dan Rafael covers boxing for ESPN.com.
11/25/2009Mares re-inks with Golden Boy
From Fightnews.com
Bantamweight contender Abner Mares (19-0, 12 KOs) is gearing up for his first world title shot in 2010 and on Tuesday, he signed a new promotional contract with Golden Boy Promotions for five years. The 23-year old Mares is currently ranked #2 by the WBC, #3 by the IBF, #4 by the WBO and #6 by the WBA. In his last bout, on August 27, Mares knocked out Carlos Fulgencio in the sixth round.
11/23/2009Turkey Giveaway by Golden Boy!
From Fightnews.com (Photos by Hoganphotos/GoldenBoy)
The team from Golden Boy Promotions passed out hundreds of turkeys, fixings and products to the East Los Angeles community yesterday. (From Left to Right) Former Two-Time Junior Featherweight World Champion Israel Vazquez, former Junior Featherweight World Champion Daniel Ponce De Leon, featherweight prospect Charles Huerta, top rated bantamweight contender Abner Mares and lightweight contender Vicente Escobedo pose on November 22, 2009 at the 13th Annual Oscar de la Hoya Foundation Turkey Giveaway at the Oscar de la Hoya Animo Charter High School in East Los Angeles, California. Golden Boy Promotion's star fighters helped pass out hundreds of turkeys, fixings and product donated by Coca Cola to the East Los Angeles community.
Hundreds of people stand in line on November 22, 2009 at the 13th Annual Oscar de la Hoya Foundation Turkey Giveaway at the Oscar de la Hoya Animo Charter High School in East Los Angeles, California. Golden Boy Promotion's star fighters featherweight prospect Charles Huerta, top rated bantamweight contender Abner Mares, former two-time jr featherweight champion Israel Vazquez and former jr featherweight champion Daniel Ponce De Leon were present to help pass out hundreds of turkeys, fixings and product donated by Coca Cola to the East Los Angeles community.
(From Left to Right) Featherweight prospect Charles Huerta, top rated bantamweight contender Abner Mares, former Two-Time Junior Featherweight World Champion Israel Vazquez and former Junior Featherweight World Champion Daniel Ponce De Leon pass out turkeys on November 22, 2009 at the 13th Annual Oscar de la Hoya Foundation Turkey Giveaway at the Oscar de la Hoya Animo Charter High School in East Los Angeles, California. Golden Boy Promotion's star fighters helped pass out hundreds of turkeys, fixings and product donated by Coca Cola to the East Los Angeles community.
11/10/2009Espinoza comments about Vazquez-Marquez rumors
From Eastsideboxing.com
Much has been written lately regarding Israel Vazquez's future as rumors swirl around the internet and on print papers in Mexico. Vazquez's manager Frank Espinoza sat down and answered a few questions regarding his fighter in order to set the record straight:
Q. What was your opinion of Israel's last performance against Angel Priollo?
A. It was a tough fight against a tough fighter who walked into the ring in the best shape of his life. Priollo had his moments but Israel pulled out the win in exciting fashion. All his fights are exciting. He doesn't know how to be in a boring fight.
Q. How did Israel's eye hold up?
A. I took Israel to the doctor to make sure there were no complications to the operation he underwent to fix a detached retina. His check up revealed that he's doing fine and he's now back in the gym.
Q. Israel is involved in a lot of exciting but very physically demanding fights. Is it difficult to see him go through so much in the ring?
A. Israel's a personal friend of mine so yes it can be hard to watch him fight but that's just the way he fights. He's an old school, blood and guts warrior like Jake Lamotta. He gives you everything he's got inside the ring and those are the type of fighters that people love to watch.
Q. Who will Israel fight next?
A. We were looking to fight Rafael Marquez but he has some promotional issues to deal with so were looking at several other people and having a few meetings and hopefully they'll be productive.
Q. Who are some of the opponents you're considering?
A. Well there's Juan Manuel Lopez and there's a real possibility that we'll take on Elio Rojas for the WBC featherweight title. It's always been Israel's dream to win three world titles and that fight would put him on the road towards that goal.
Q. There was a statement made that Showtime offered up a multi million offer that was rejected by both Israel and Rafael Marquez? Is that true?
A. I've heard that claim. I understand that offer took place in 2008 and I wasn't at that meeting. Whether there was an offer or not, it's a moot point since Israel had a detached retina and wasn't in medical condition to fight. He was injured. Why would Israel get in the ring against a puncher like Marquez with a detached retina?
Q. Is Sycuan Ringside Promotions still involved with Israel Vazquez?
A. No. Sycuan Ringside is no longer involved with Israel's career. We fulfilled our promotional contract with them and they're no longer in the mix.
Q. When will we know for sure what Israel's next move will be?
A. We'll know in a few weeks. We have a couple of meetings and we have several people to talk to. The final word will come from Israel and myself. Anything else are rumors.
Thank you for your time.
F.E. Thank you.
11/6/2009Israel Vazquez Turns His Attention To Elio Rojas
By Mark Vester, Boxingscene.com
With a fourth clash with Rafael Marquez in the toilet, Israel Vazquez has turned his attention to WBC featherweight champion Elio Rojas. As previously reported on BoxingScene.com, Marquez is disputing his promotional contract with Gary Shaw, and both fighters are looking for more money than either network is willing to pay.
"Everything I know is from the newspapers. I will speak to my manager Frank Espinoza. If Rafa does not want to fight me because he is asking for the stars and the moon, then that's theur problme. I will take another direction. As I've said, I want the WBC's featherweight. I want to fight in February or March," Vazquez told ESTO.
Espinoza confirmed to the paper that Vazquez will not be facing Marquez next in a fourth fight.
"There definitely will not be a fourth fight between Israel and Marquez [next]. It has been completely ruled out. We have some very good plans or Vazquez," Espinoza said.
11/5/2009Moving On and Selling Out
By Steve Kim, MaxBoxing.com
The tweet from 'espinozaboxing' said it all: 'The Vazquez-Marquez IV for talks are OFF as of now!' The issue? What else? Money. It was hoped that the duo who put on a classic thrill-ogy from March of 2007 to March of 2008, would duke it out once again next spring in Southern California. Things could change, but negotiations are on the canvas and taking a mandatory eight-count.
" Absolutely," confirmed Frank Espinoza, who manages Vazquez," they have hit a standstill. I was informed by Golden Boy that the negotiations have come to a stop. Espinoza Boxing Club is no longer waiting around for Rafael Marquez. We're going to go ahead and move forward. The money that Rafael Marquez's people were asking for was exorbitant."
Sources say that Marquez was looking to make around $1.2 million.
" We're going to sit down with Richard Schaefer and Golden Boy and see what plans they have for Vazquez. I repeat, Marquez is no longer in our plans. We'll see what's ahead for Vazquez and we'll look forward to next year and see what comes next?"
The well-respected manager swears he's not posturing. When asked if he would re-visit this situation later, he responded," No, I'm not. There's no going back. We can't be waiting around for him. Vazquez needs to fight, he needs to stay active and we have to see and find out what's out there for him. So I'm no longer thinking about Marquez, anymore."
Which would be a shame. The brutal reality is that for both Vazquez and Marquez this is by far the most competitive and lucrative fight these two can engage in after the meat grinder they put each other through. Yeah, sure they can face the likes of Celestino Caballero, but really, from a stylistic and financial standpoint, does that make sense for either boxer?
You'd like to see guys like this get all the money they can- and let's be real, neither guy has much time left- but unfortunately this fight isn't worth what it once was with the protracted delay after the classic rubber match. The fight has lost some of it's value in the eyes of the network, unfortunately.
All roads should lead back to each other. But will one side drive off a cliff?
11/5/2009ESPINOZA BOXING CLUB
By Steve Kim, MaxBoxing.com
The new generation of boxers that Espinoza is developing- Carlos Molina, Ronny Rios and Luis Ramos- had a productive and active 2009, now they look ahead to 2010.
" All three will most likely be fighting in January. I understand that the Club Nokia will be going forward with 12 shows( next year), I also understand that Fox Sports Net will be televising those shows. I'm looking forward to to the beginning of next year. We did keep them active last year, so it's time for them to have a little rest, enjoy Thanksgiving and enjoy Christmas and then get ready for the new year."
And bantamweight Abner Mares, could be right on the brink of a title shot.
" Abner, is an exceptional fighter, I think he's a future world champion. Abner is now rated number two in the world by the WBC. It's my understanding that at the convention that it was noted by the WBC that Hozumi Hasagawa was going to move up after his December defense. Which would leave the number one( Simpiwe Vetyeka) and Abner, number two, for the vacant title. So I'm really excited about that because I think the WBC is the most prestigious belt of all."
11/3/2009
GOLDEN BOY LO 'BATEÓ': SE CAYÓ LA CUARTA RIÑA ENTRE ISRAEL VÁQUEZ VS RAFA MÁRQUEZ
Trascendió que Rafael se Dejó Pedir un "Billetote", lo Cual fue Insalvable con la Empresa.
Por CHARLES WINTER No habrá cuarta batalla, se cayó la pelea...
De de última hora se dio a conocer con sorpresa que la empresa Golden Boy, rompió negociaciones con el ex campeón mundial Rafael Márquez y su equipo de trabajo debido a las altas pretensiones económicas, lo cual fue insalvable, para poder llevar a cabo la cuarta versión contra Israel "Magnífico" Vázquez, para los primeros meses del 2010.
Hace unos días se dio a conocer que Vázquez y su manager, Frank "Derecho" Espinoza, habían dado el "sí" para la tan esperada cuarta pelea entre los dos peleadores capitalinos. Hasta el ese momento se daba por hecho que la pelea se iba a montar para el año entrante, pero de un momento a otro eso cambió. BOXNOTICIAS.NET se comunicó de inmediato con el "Derecho" Espinoza, a Los Ángeles, para indagar sobre el asunto y comentó que "es una lástima que esa pelea no se pueda llevar a cabo. Israel y yo, hace unos días, habíamos aceptado esa pelea pero ahora me han informado que se rompieron las negociaciones con Márquez y ya no hay para atrás".
Frank indicó que la noticia lo dejó sorprendido e indicó que Vázquez "siempre estuvo listo para esa pelea", pero se tienen que ver otras opciones, pues "no vamos a esperar a Márquez, de un momento a otro me voy a sentar a platicar con Richard Schaefer (ejecutivo de Golden Boy Promotions) para saber cuáles son ahora los planes para Israel".
El "Derecho" Espinoza comentó que Vázquez tiene varias posibilidades para continuar su carrera y "en este momento habrá que esperar que planes tiene Golden Boy", pero no descartó que se busque que Israel vaya por un título mundial pluma, pues no hay que olvidar que el "Magnífico" es campeón emérito del Consejo Mundial de Boxeo y el propio organismo dijo públicamente que cuando Israel regresara al boxeo, después de aquel desprendimiento de retina, iba a tener las puertas abiertas.
Se le interrogó sobre si más adelante se pudiera llevar a cabo esta cuarta pelea entre los dos peleadores y Espinoza respondió que por la posición de Márquez y de Golden Boy "no creo que se pueda llevar a cabo nunca".
Y es que según trascendió, además de los problemas contractuales que tiene Rafael Márquez con el promotor Gary Shaw quien reclama derechos sobre el peleador capitalino, mientras éste asegura que su contrato ya concluyó, se dijo que "Rafa" se dejó pedir una suma supermillonaria, dos o tres veces de lo que podría ganar el "Magínfico" Vázquez, quien en todo caso debería cobrar más por llevar dos ganadas por una de Rafael.
10/31/2009 ISRAEL VÁZQUEZ Y FRANK ESPINOZA ACEPTAN LA CUARTA VERSIÓN ANTE MÁRQUEZ PARA 2010
Ahora la Bronca es que Rafael Tiene Problemas de Contrato con Gary Shaw y eso Está Atorando la Pelea.
Por CHARLES WINTER
Israel "Magnífico" Vázquez y su mánager, Frank "Derecho" Espinoza, ya dieron el "sí" para la cuarta pelea frente a Rafael Márquez, la cual se llevaría a cabo los primeros meses del 2010, dio a conocer Richard Schaefer, ejecutivo de la empresa, Golden Boy Promotions, que encabeza Oscar de la Hoya.
La página de Internet: www.espinozaboxingclub.com dio a conocer este viernes que Golden Boy ha llegado a un acuerdo con Vázquez y su mánager Espinoza para que se lleve a cabo la cuarta versión entre el "Magnífico" y Márquez, con dos ganadas para el primero y una para el segundo y que han sido batallas de alarido y por lo mismo han sido galardonadas por varios organismos.
El problema que ahora surge es que Rafael Márquez tiene problemas contractuales con el empresario, Gary Shaw, quien supuestamente todavía reclama derechos de "Rafa", pero este asegura que el contratos que ellos firmaron ya está vencido y no tienen nada que los ligue, lo que ahora surge como problema para que se celebre esa contienda.
Schaefer indicó que se buscará llegar a un acuerdo con Shaw y Márquez para que se pueda celebrar esa cuarta pelea para el año entrante, incluso, indicó que ha hablado con Ken Hershman, directivo de Showtime y está televisora está muy interesada en hacer la cuarta versión entre los mexicanos, como sucedió en las tres anteriores batallas.
Una de las condiciones de esa pelea es que se pueda llevar a cabo en peso pluma y pudiera estar un título o simplemente a doce rounds.
10/30/2009Quick Hits
From ESPN Boxing
Golden Boy has taken another step in the slow process of making a possible fourth showdown between former junior featherweight champs Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez. Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer told ESPN.com he's come to an agreement with Vazquez manager Frank Espinoza for the fight. "We have a deal in place, but Marquez still has his promotional issues," Schaefer said of Marquez's problems with co-promoter Gary Shaw. "Marquez is still under contract to Gary Shaw and I told Gary I won't do anything unless he's taken care of. Marquez wants to leave Gary, so I have tried to broker a deal. It hasn't worked out yet. If it happens, Frank and me have a deal for Vazquez. I'm trying to find a way to get the fight done." Schaefer said he's talked to Showtime's Ken Hershman about it. Showtime, of course, televised and bankrolled their three unforgettable fights in 2007 and 2008 (two of which were named fight of the year). "I would really want to do the fourth fight on Showtime sometime in the first three months of next year," Schaefer said. Vazquez leads the rivalry 2-1. A fourth fight would take place at featherweight.
10/27/2009ABRAHAM LÓPEZ LLEGÓ A 10-0, CON 8 KOS., LUEGO DE NOQUEAR A ARTURO HERRERA
Por CHARLES WINTER
Abraham López sigue intransitable.
El peso pluma californiano, de las filas de Espinoza Boxing Club, que dirige Frank "Derecho" Espinoza, obtuvo su victoria número diez, en el mismo número de combates, el pasado viernes, ante Arturo Herrera, al que noqueó en el cuarto asalto, en batalla celebrada en Laredo, Texas.
A un año y siete meses de haber hecho su debut profesional, Abraham López llegó a 10-0, con 8 nocauts, lo que ha puesto de manifiesto su potencial para ser una de las grandes estrellas del boxeo no sólo californiano, sino en el ámbito internacional.
Desde su firma con Espinoza Boxing Club, López ha dejando en el camino a rivales como Alberto Soto, Tomás Bernal, Cuauhtémoc Mendoza, Omar Valencia, Álvaro Muro, Manuel Sarabia, Daniel Lorenzana, Edward Utorov, Noé López Jr., y el último fue Herrera.
"Yo me siento muy orgulloso de Abraham, hizo una gran pelea el viernes en Texas. El es un muchacho disciplinado, que trabaja intensamente en el gimnasio y, sobre todo, tiene muchas ganas de ser alguien en el boxeo y creo que lo va a lograr tarde que temprano", dijo Frank Espinoza.
Por su parte, Abraham comentó que seguirá trabajando muy duro, pues "tengo la ilusión, como todo peleador, de ser campeón del mundo y por ello entreno muy fuerte todo los días. La pelea el viernes pasado ante Herrera fue difícil, sobre todo los dos primeros rounds, pero "yo llegué convencido que la noche del viernes ni Manny Pacquiao me hubiera ganado. Esto decidido a llegar muy lejos y nadie me va a detener".
López agradeció todo el apoyo que le ha dado el "Derecho" Espinoza e indicó que le pedirá volver a pelea una o dos veces antes de que termine el año, pues quiere pelear lo más constantemente posible.
10/27/2009Israel Vazquez Eyes His Next Fight, Marquez Part 4?
By Mark Lester, Boxingscene.com
Featherweight contender Israel Vazquez is planning to return to action in February or March of next year. After finally recovering from a right eye injury, Vazquez return after an 18-month layoff on October 10 to stop Angel Priolo in nine rounds. Vazquez appeared to struggle in what many saw as an easy fight. He says another tuneup is not necessary. Vazquez is ready for a big fight right now, and says the next one may come against Rafael Marquez in a fourth meeting.
"After a year and a half of inactivity due to the operation on my right eye, I don't want to wait a long time for a big fight. I am an experienced fighter and I'm ready for the best. I'll fight in February or March and it may be the fourth fight against Rafael Marquez. It is true that I'm now going to stay at 126-pounds," Vazquez said to ESTO.
Vazquez would consider WBC champion Elio Rojas. He doesn't think he will get the fight because Rojas is being lined up for Juan Manuel Lopez.
"I would fight Elio Rojas, champion of the WBC, but from what I understand that there are already very advanced talks to give that opportunity to Juanma Lopez. If another opportunity presents itself to me, I would first have to consult with the World Boxing Council," Vazquez said.
12 de Octubre de 2009 ISRAEL VÁZQUEZ: "CONTRA MÁRQUEZ O POR EL TÍTULO PLUMA DEL CMB, MI PRÓXIMA PELEA"
Frank "Derecho" Espinoza Dijo que Sería en Marzo del 2010 Cuando el "Magnífico" Tenga una Pelea Grande Por CHARLES WINTER
Israel "Magnífico" Vázquez, radicado en Los Ángeles, no descartó que su siguiente pelea pueda ser la cuarta versión frente a Rafael Márquez, pero si por alguna razón no se logra pactar, entonces "buscaré el título mundial pluma del Consejo Mundial de Boxeo, no quiero otro, yo soy fiel al CMB y aprovecho para mandar un saludo a su presidente, don José Sulaimán, quien siempre me ha apoyado en mi carrera y le estoy eternamente agradecido".
Por su parte, el mánager-promotor, Frank "Derecho" Espinoza, dijo que por el momento "Israel se va a tomar unas merecidas vacaciones y tentativamente regresará en una pelea grande, por ahí de marzo del año entrante. Vamos a ver qué es lo que más le conviene a Vázquez y por ahí nos iremos". Feliz por haber regresado a los encordados el sábado pasado, donde noqueó en forma espectacular al colombiano, Ángel Priolo, luego de casi dos años de estar en la banca, debido a un desprendimiento de retina, el "Magnífico" dijo a BOXNOTICIAS.NET que "me siento muy contento por este triunfo. La pelea fue dura y los primeros rounds me sentí amarrado, pero poco a poco tomé mi ritmo y pude resolver la pelea por nocaut para no dejar dudas".
Al preguntarle sobre su siguiente pelea fue claro al decir que "los aficionados quieren la cuarta pelea ante 'Rafa' (Márquez) y yo no tengo inconveniente si se llega a un arreglo, estaré listo para cuando me digan, pero sino, el plan 'B' es ir por la corona mundial pluma del CMB, que quiero tener en mis vitrinas". El "Derecho" Espinoza fue claro al decir que la próxima salida de Vázquez "tiene que ser una pelea grande, donde haya buen dinero y por eso vamos a entablar pláticas para ver donde puede ganar más, por lo pronto será hasta el año próximo cuando Israel vuelva a pelear, por ahora tiene que descansar".
Por su parte, Rudy Pérez, entrenador del campeón emérito del CMB, se mostró muy satisfecho por el resultado del sábado y dijo que "se llevó a cabo de principio a fin el plan de la pelea y eso me tiene muy contento. Los primeros rounds fueron de titubeo pero finalmente entró en distancia y lució como los grandes, yo creo que Israel volverá a ser campeón del mundo, pues aún tiene mucho qué dar".
A nasty cut over his eye was not about to deter Israel Vazquez from coming out victorious on Saturday night.
Then again, what else is new in a career that has seen him fight wars with cuts above his eyes?
Vazquez fought through rustiness and fatigue to earn a spectacular ninth round stoppage victory over tough Angel Priolo, Saturday night at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.
The bout headlined a six-bout “Next Boxing Generation” card, presented by Golden Boy Promotions, in association with Espinoza Boxing and Sycuan Ringside Promotions.
It was the first fight for Vazquez in 17 months, where he fought three action-filled fights with Rafael Marquez. After the last Marquez fight, Vazquez took time off to recover from a detached retina in his right eye.
Vazquez was facing Priolo, a fighter who had lost six in a row before he stepped inside the ring against him. Priolo, who has not been victorious in five and a half years, came into this fight weighing three weight classes above when he was successful earlier in his career.
Priolo came to win and it was evident from the opening bell. Priolo pressed forward, continuously landing right hands to the head of Vazquez.
Priolo was able to score continuously from the opening bell with right hands to the head of Vazquez. Priolo stood in front of Vazquez, who tried to get on the inside and work the body.
In the first couple of rounds, Vazquez was hoping to land counter right hands, finding some success, but missing more often. Vazquez showed strong ring generalship, but it looked as though he was not in good position to throw or he smothered himself on the inside.
Beginning in the fourth round, Vazquez began to find some rhythm. He gave himself more space and was able to counter with right hands. Vazquez also began to land left hooks to the body of Priolo, who would fire back with right hands of his own.
Vazquez' face began to mark up, especially above his eyes. It was in the seventh round when a cut opened up above his left eye. Seeing it as a target, Priolo began to increase his punch output. He would target the eye, landing more punches to the head of Vazquez.
Priolo started strong in the eighth round, but Vazquez came on strong to finish the round, by being busier and landing more to the body.
In the wild ninth round, Vazquez hurt and dropped Priolo with two hard right hands to the head. Priolo got up on wobbly legs and was met with a bombardment of hard right hands. A right hand followed by a left hook to the head dropped Priolo a second time to the canvas.
Priolo got up again and looked in bad shape. To his credit, he bravely fought back instead of holding on to recuperate. However, Vazquez landed a hard left hook that made Priolo take a knee seconds later. Referee Pat Russell waved the fight over at 2:10, sending the pro-Vazquez crowd of 3,133 in a frenzy.
After the bout, Vazquez stated that despite the cut, he felt fine. He did feel that he was rusty.
“He was a very tough fighter,” said Vazquez, who is managed by Frank Espinoza. “I was a little tired and rusty at the beginning of the fight and it took me a while to get over it. I am a true warrior and I have showed that throughout my career. I was really hungry for the win.”
Asked about his eye and his recovery time, Vazquez said, “The cut above my eye did not affect me. I am a true warrior. I would fight tomorrow if I had to.”
“I came with my best, but he was a true warrior,” was all that Priolo stated after the fight. He did give a good account of himself, despite his recent losses.
Two judges had the bout scored even at 76-76, while the third judge had the bout scored 78-74 for Vazquez entering the ninth round. Fightnews.com had the bout scored 77-75 for Vazquez entering the ninth round.
Vazquez, from Huntington Park, CA by way of Mexico City, DF, Mexico, goes to 44-4, 33 KO's. Priolo, from Barranquilla, Colombia, drops to 30-8, 20 KO's.
10/10/2009Vazquez-Priolo undercard report
By Doug Fischer, Fightnews.com
A number of young up-and-comers were in action on the undercard of the Israel Vazquez-Angel Priolo featherweight bout at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles on Saturday and one of the standouts was featherweight prospect Ronny Rios (8-0, 3 KOs), of Santa Ana, Calif.
The 19-year-old former amateur star looked impressive in out-working and out-boxing the always tough John Wampash (1-3-1, 1 KO), of Miami, Fla., by way of Ecuador, en route to a sixth-round technical knockout.
Wampash was game throughout the bout but began taking a beating in rounds five and six as evidenced by severe bleeding from his nose and mouth. The Ecuadorian's facial damage was bad enough for his corner to advise referee Ray Corona to stop the fight at 1:53 of the sixth and final round.
Prior to the stoppage Rios had won every round by stalking Wampash behind a long jab that set up hard right hands and choice body shots. Wampash was competitive in the first three rounds, landing counter left hooks and uppercuts but he couldn't keep up with Rios once the Orange County native began putting his punches together in round four.
Rios was satisfied with his performance -- Wampash had never been stopped, going the distance with 2008 Olympian Gary Russell Jr. and amateur standout Ricky Lopez -- but admitted that he had room to improve.
"I did well for my first six rounder," he said. "My conditioning was there but I made some stupid mistakes that I need to correct before my next fight.
"I was trying to trade too much in the early rounds, and I wasn't slipping punches enough. I was just trying to block everything. I used my jab and I went to the body well, but I also know where I can improve and I'll do that."
10/09/2009Vazquez-Marquez IV in the works
By Michael Rosenthal, Ringtv.com
Israel Vazquez says he's focused on the man he'll face on Saturday night in Los Angeles, Angel Priolo. And names such as Juan Manuel Lopez and Chris John have come up as possible opponents for the near future.
However, Vazquez's team acknowledges that one matchup supersedes all else: Vazquez-Marquez IV.
Vazquez, 31, and Rafael Marquez, who engaged in a brutally classic trilogy in 2007 and last year, apparently both want a fourth fight as soon as possible because they can't make anywhere near the same money fighting anyone else.
The fight would likely take place on Showtime, the network that televised the first three unforgettable installments.
“I know people are talking about Lopez and John,” said Frank Espinoza, Vazquez's longtime manager. “At this point of Israel's career, though, he wants to make as much money as he can. The only way he can do that is to fight Marquez again. He won't make good money fighting these kids.
“And, in all reality, there aren't a lot of names out there at 126 (pounds), where he wants to campaign at.”
One problem that will have to overcome is Marquez's uncertain management situation.
Marquez claims that he is no longer under contract with promoter Gary Shaw, who counters by saying the fighter “is trying to get out of his contract.” Also, Marquez and brother Juan Manuel apparently have released manager Jaime Quintana, further complicating efforts to make a fourth fight.
However, there is reason to believe the fight will happen. Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions – which promotes Vazquez and Juan Manuel Marquez – received permission from Shaw to try to put together Vazquez-Marquez IV with the provision that Shaw is somehow compensated.
“I'd like to be a part of it,” said Shaw, Marquez's promoter for all three fights against Vazquez. “If I can't be, then I want what I'm deserving of.”
He and Schaefer are on the same page.
“Look, I don't want to be in the middle of that,” he said. “I'm not interested in doing anything with Marquez unless both Gary and Jaime Quintana are on board and taken care of. I talked to Gary and said, with his permission, that I would try to work out a deal with Marquez's people that makes sense for me.
“Then I'd go back to Gary and Jaime and see if it makes sense for them. I'm willing to buy him out, pay for this, do that, whatever structure it should be.”
The next question is should a fourth fight be made?
From an entertainment perspective, the answer would probably be yes. It seems most fans loved the first three fights and don't see any reason why another one would be any different.
However, some wince at the thought because of the savage nature of the series. They're not entirely comfortable with two damaged fighters – which is how some perceive them – doing battle again.
Vazquez showed no signs of decline during the series. And he's had a 19-month hiatus – because of eye surgery – to give his body time to heal. He says he feels great and “has a lot more to accomplish in boxing.”
One never knows what impact constant punishment will have on a fighter's body, though.
Espinoza and Schaefer agree that Vazquez's fight against Priolo, a journeyman will little chance to win, at Nokia Theater will give them and everyone else an idea of where Vazquez stands.
“History has shown that such tough wars do take something out of you,” Schaefer said. “Take Erik Morales. You saw in his last fight or two signs of what so many tough fights over a long period can do. The same with (Marco Antonio) Barrera.
“That's why this fight [on Saturday night] is so important. We'll see if those fights have taken anything out of Israel and how the eye holds up.”
Again, Vazquez isn't worried. He said he has felt good in workouts, during which he and trainer Rudy Perez have been working more on defense. And he said he doesn't even think about the eye.
Vazquez also doesn't want to look past Priolo but admits he's intrigued by the idea of a fourth fight against his nemesis both because the fans want to see it and because he feels he has unfinished business.
Vazquez retired on his stool with a badly broken nose after the seventh round in the first fight but won the next two, a sixth-round TKO and a split decision. A fourth fight, he said, could settle once and for all who is the better of the two.
“Yes, I want a fourth fight,” Vazquez said through a translator. “I want to clarify things. I know some people think I didn't win the third fight, this and that. That's one reason I want the fight. And I know the fans want it. So why not?”
And what about those who worry about his health?
“Listen, we're professionals,” he said. “We were made for boxing, to hit and be hit. You have to do everything possible to get the victory. That's what we do. And I don't see anything wrong with it.
“People in the media think I've gone downhill. The test will come on Saturday. Everyone's minds will be clear once they see me fight.”
10/09/2009Israel Vazquez launches comeback Saturday from serious injury
By Lance Pugmire, The Los Angeles Times
The 31-year-old former champion, who last year suffered a detached retina that could have ended his career, returns to the ring for a featherweight bout against Angel Priolo at Nokia Theatre.
Two-time junior featherweight world champion
Israel Vasquez poses after his workout session in
Los Angeles on September 29.
( Jacob de Golish / Getty Images )
Israel Vazquez has proved himself as a world champion fighter.
Vazquez became a fan favorite in 25 rounds of a stirring trilogy against Mexico's Rafael Marquez. Vazquez starred in a 12th round for the ages in March 2008 when he unleashed an onslaught of blows that finally knocked down Marquez in the final three seconds, giving Vazquez the deciding point he needed in a split-decision triumph.
The toll from those battles was great for Vazquez (43-4, 31 KOs), the bantamweight world champion. A doctor's examination after the third Marquez fight found that Vazquez had suffered a detached retina in his right eye and his boxing career was possibly over.
He underwent three surgeries to properly reattach the retina. After one procedure, Vazquez said that sight in the eye was like looking through the bottom of a Coke bottle filled with water.
Now, even with his manager admitting that the boxer's vision is barely good enough for him to pass the mandatory California State Athletic Commission eye exam,
Vazquez will return to the ring Saturday for a featherweight fight against Colombia's Angel Priolo (30-7, 20 knockouts) at downtown's Nokia Theatre.
"I still have a lot left, and I'm going to prove it," said the 31-year-old Vazquez. "[The eye] was something that was very worrisome, but I want to retire on my terms. Not because of an injury. But after a fight. After a big fight."
The match with Priolo -- who stands three inches taller than Vazquez -- does not qualify as a big fight.
The bout's intrigue is how Vazquez will perform after 19 months away from the ring, and if his eye can withstand punishment beyond a sparring partner's blow against padded headgear.
"There's a lot of unanswered questions," said Vazquez's manager, Frank Espinoza.
Said Vazquez: "The doctors gave me a thumbs up, and I feel comfortable."
Vazquez said he has worked intensely with veteran trainer Rudy Perez to improve his defensive flaws exposed in the Marquez trilogy.
The plan, Vazquez explains, is to shake off any rust by fighting with his usual grit, emerge healthy and fight again early next year.
And, yes, he said, a fourth date with Marquez remains possible.
10/08/2009Questions about Vazquez will be answered Saturday
By Michael Rosenthal, Ringtv.com
Israel Vazquez's handlers are as curious as anyone about how he'll do against Angel Priolo on Saturday night in Los Angeles after a 19-month layoff.
They believe in Vazquez, one of the most-accomplished fighters in the world. However, he has engaged in the kind of ring wars that can shorten the career of a fighter. Plus, he had three operations to repair a detached retina.
Thus, no one knows for sure what might happen when he steps into the ring at Nokia Theater.
“A lot of people have questions, the fans, the media, myself and Israel too,” said Frank Espinoza, Vazquez's manager. “This Saturday will tell us a lot. I mean, c'mon, he's been off for more than a year and a half. I don't expect him to look sharp.
“And this fight will tell us how he's held up, how the inactivity has affected him, whether he has anything left after three brutal wars with Rafael Marquez.”
Vazquez (43-4, 31 knockouts) says he feels great. And although it makes sense to wonder about wear and tear, the Mexican national who lives in Huntington Park, Calif., has shown no signs of decline in the ring.
The eye also seems to have healed. Vazquez has passed all medical examinations and has experienced no problems in training. Still, an actual fight will be a more-stringent test for the eye.
“I think the eye is more of a question mark than whether these fights have taken anything out of him. People want to know whether it will hold up,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions.
Vazquez certainly won't be overmatched in the 10-round featherweight bout.
Priolo (30-7, 20 knockouts) had considerable success in his native Colombia but has become a designated opponent in the United States. He has lost his last six fights – all in the U.S. – and three were knockouts against big-name fighters: Brian Viloria, Jorge Arce and Abner Mares.
Priolo also has fought primarily at bantamweight while Vazquez has been a junior featherweight, meaning both will be moving up in weight. And Priolo also is coming off a layoff; he hasn't fought in 17 months.
So clearly Priolo isn't much of a threat.
“I thought it was important to put him in with the right guy under these circumstances,” Espinoza said. “We just want to see where Israel is at.”
10/08/2009Molina is ready to step it up on Saturday
By Doug Fischer, Ringtv.com
It's no secret that Israel Vazquez's return bout against journeyman Angel Priolo on Saturday at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles is a fight designed to test the former champ's physical abilities.
Vazquez's manager Frank Espinoza and Eric Gomez, head matchmaker for the featherweight's promoter, Golden Boy Promotions, will be watching him very closely to see whether he has suffered any ill effects from his brutal trilogy with Rafael Marquez, a 19-month layoff and three eye surgeries.
However, Vazquez isn't the only fighter Espinoza and Gomez will be watching closely on Saturday. Lightweight prospect Carlos Molina (9-0, 5 knockouts) will also be under some scrutiny, especially now that his six-round bout with Cesar Holguin will be the co-main event Saturday evening.
The upgrade came when David Rodela had to withdraw from the original co-featured bout due to a training injury earlier this week. Molina's bout with Holguin (9-2, 3 KOs) will now be seen live on Fox Sports en Español (7 p.m. ET/10 p.m. PT) in the U.S. and on HBO Plus throughout Latin America.
Holguin doesn't represent a huge step up in class for Molina but fighting under an elite veteran on international television has raised the stakes of Saturday's fight for the 23-year-old native of Norwalk, Calif.
Many members of the Southern California and Mexican boxing media will be ringside Saturday to witness Vazquez's return, and the largest television audience of Molina's 2½-year pro career will be tuning in.
The importance of Saturday's opportunity isn't lost on Molina.
“I was excited just to be fighting on the undercard of a future hall of famer,” Molina said after Wednesday's final press conference, “but now to be in the co-main event I'm even more thrilled about it. To top it off, I'll be fighting in L.A., my hometown, so I know I'm going to have a lot of support.”
Espinoza and Gomez are hoping Molina makes the kind of statement that earns the support of fans watching on TV and also gets the media talking.
Espinoza wants to see the take-charge attitude that marked Molina's amateur career, which included a national title, and the ruthless aggression he's known for in the gym.
“I think Carlos is a counter-puncher by nature,” said Espinoza, who manages Molina. “He's used to sparring with aggressive guys so he's very comfortable with pressure fighters, but we would like to get him to initiate more when fighters don't stand and trade.”
In his first nationally televised bout -- a fourth-round stoppage of Ever Perez on the second installment of Fight Night Club in July on Versus -- Molina admits that he felt tight while cutting the ring off on the fleet-footed journeyman.
“It took me a few rounds to feel comfortable,” he said. “I had some nerves about being on TV but usually once the bell rings my instinct is to walk my opponent down. I was doing that against Perez but I was also telling myself that I had to be smart about it. I didn't want to do anything stupid.
“I'm glad Saturday's fight is six rounds. I'd rather go more rounds than four. That way I don't feel like I'm in a hurry like it was in the amateurs. I don't know these guy I'm fighting so it takes me one or two rounds just to adapt to their style.”
It didn't take Molina long to figure out his last opponent, Missourian Antony Nelson, who he blasted in the first round of an off-TV bout on last month's Fight Night Club card.
“A first-round knockout is nice but only if it's a well-known fighter,” he said. “I'd rather be in with someone who can put up a fight so it can go rounds and I can show my skills.”
Espinoza is expecting a combination of skill and killer instinct from Molina on Saturday.
“Now that he's been more active, I'm looking for more aggression from him,” the veteran manager said. “He's got a great jab and a fast a right hand. He's got good speed, too. I'm looking for that explosiveness that I know he has.”
Gomez believes the effective aggression Espinoza is looking for will come with more experience against a steadily increasing level of opposition.
“Saturday's fight is about improving his confidence,” said Gomez, whose company signed Molina in July. “His next four or five fights are going to be about building his confidence as he fights tougher and more experienced guys. The more confident he is in there the more we'll see the talent he has.
“I think Holguin is going to be a little bit of the test for Carlos. He's got a decent record, I‘m told he had a solid amateur career, he's a boxer who can move a little bit, and he's never been knocked out.”
Gomez is quick to point out that the Colorado native's only two losses were spit decisions.
“I've never met a fighter who didn't think he deserved to win a split-decision loss,“ he said. “So I know in Holguin's mind he's undefeated, and that's good because it means he's going to come to win Saturday night.
“I think it's good for Carlos to face guys with a good record, because he has to be mentally strong for these guys. Some young fighters don't train 100 percent when they know they're fighting an old guy with a .500 record. I'm not saying Carlos is like that, but I think anytime you put a prospect in with a young guy with a good record it adds an edge to the fight and makes them take it seriously.”
Molina takes every fight, and his career, very seriously. It's the reason he parted ways with his amateur trainer Robert Luna a year into his pro career to work with Clemente Medina. Molina felt Medina's training methods were better suited for him and the pro ranks.
“Clemente teaches my kind of fighting, the boxer-puncher style,” Molina said. “I've known him since I was a kid and I always respected the way he trains.
“I saw how well he worked with Francisco Bojado, who I idolized as a kid. My trainer (Luna) trained Bojado with Alfonzo Marquez at the same gym in Commerce (Calif.) that I trained at when he was still in the amateurs. I watched him go to the (2000) Olympics and turn pro with Clemente as his trainer.
“I saw the total package in Clemente when he trained Bojado and other pro fighters. The form Bojado had when he was with Clemente made me think he was going to win world titles in at least three divisions.”
The teenage phenom streaked to 9-0, all by KO, and garnered unprecedented hype while he was trained by Medina but he lost his first bout apart from the L.A.-based Mexican trainer and quickly spiraled out of control, condition and contention.
Although Molina doesn't have the degree of natural talent and punching power Bojado had, Medina says he reminds him of the former prospect.
“It's his speed and the way he targets his punches,” Medina said. “Carlos doesn't waste punches, or throw wide punches. Everything is clean and in combination. That's what reminds me of Bojado.
“He's not as relaxed as Bojado was and he doesn't move his head as well, but that's something we are working on.”
Unlike Bojado, Molina has a strong work ethic, which should lead to continued technical improvement.
Gomez is happy with what he sees now.
“Carlos has a classic Mexican style,” he said. “He's aggressive and he throws good combinations. I think he's an all-around, solid fighter. He just needs to learn to finish guys off when he has them hurt. In the past, he'll get a guy hurt and be a little cautious. But that will change with more activity and experience.
“After Saturday's fight I want to put him in with a young veteran that can take him hard rounds. A lot of people knock guys like Cristian Favela, those tough guys that will give a young fighter rounds and make them fight but those guys let you know where a prospect is in his development. Veterans are good testers. I won't necessarily pick Favela for Molina because Favela hasn't won in a while but I'll find someone like him. Carlos will have three or four more of those kind of fights before we start looking at the rankings and maybe look for a minor title for him to fight for.”
That's fine with Molina, as long as the tougher opponents mean more rounds and more televised appearances.
“I've been spoiled,” he joked. “I got a taste of fighting on TV with Fight Night Club , and now I'm in the co-main event to the great Israel Vazquez. I'm not going to want to go back to fighting in four rounders off TV.”
AZTECA BOXING CLUB
Molina did a lot of gym hopping in preparation for Saturday's fight, training at his home gym, the Maywood Boxing Club, the Wild Card Boxing Club and the Fortune Gym in Hollywood, where he did all of his sparring.
However, on Monday he was at the Azteca Boxing Club in Bell, Calif., because Alfred Angulo, the junior middle contender who is also trained by Medina, was sparring with welterweight fringe contender Jesus Soto Karass there that day.
I dropped by the gym to check out Molina and the Angulo-Soto Karass sparring session, which was as violent as I had hoped it would be (much better than anything I've covered or watched on TV in the past three weeks).
Angulo sparred 12 rounds with Soto Karass and two other sparring partners that day, which is impressive considering that his HBO-televised fight with Harry Joe Yorgey (the co-feature to the Nov. 7 Chad Dawson-Glen Johnson rematch) is a month away. Soto Karass, who looked a like a middleweight, fights Alfonzo Gomez on the televised portion of the Miguel Cotto-Manny Pacquiao undercard on Nov. 14. Both brawlers are going to be ready to rumble.
I talked shop (the Super Six tournament, Cotto-Pacquiao, and amateur boxing, among other things) with Molina's 19-year-old twin brothers, Javier and Oscar, while watching the sparring fireworks.
Javier, a 2008 U.S. Olympian, is now a 2-0 junior welterweight prospect promoted by Goossen Tutor. He's scheduled to fight at the Tachi Palace Casino in Lemoore, Calif., on Oct. 22, which should lead to a spot on the undercard of the Mikkel Kessler-Andre Ward 168-pound title bout in Oakland on Nov. 21.
Oscar is on the Mexican national amateur team and is aiming for the 2012 Olympic Games.
I was a little surprised to see Javier Capetillo enter the gym about half an hour after I arrived. I thought he had fled to Mexico in shame after getting busted for tampering with the hand wraps of his star fighter, Antonio Margarito, before the Shane Mosley fight in January.
The California State Athletic Commission revoked his license during a hearing in February, which prevents him from working any fighter's corner in the United States, but it doesn't prevent him from training fighters in the gym and by the looks of things on Monday “General Cappy” is doing OK.
He still has a decent stable of fighters that includes Soto Karass, WBA 108-pound titleholder Giovanni Segura, THE RING's No. 5-rated lightweight contender Miguel Vazquez, who upset Breidis Prescott on ESPN in July, and former featherweight title challenger Martin Honorio, who is scheduled to face junior lightweight prospect John Molina (no relation to Carlos) on Nov. 29.
I'm told Molina-Honorio will be featured on Showtime's ShoBox: The Next Generation series and take place at the Pechanga Casino in Temecula, Calif.
I also saw junior welterweight prospect Cleotis “Mookie” Pendarvis. The lone African-American fighter at the mighty Azteca gym was getting ready for his tough assignment against fellow 140-pound prospect Mauricio Herrera in the co-featured bout of Friday's Thompson Boxing Promotions card at the Double Tree Hotel in Ontario, Calif.
Pendarvis (9-1-2, 3 KOs) is a speedy southpaw who served as one of Oscar De La Hoya's sparring partners for Pacquiao last year. The former L.A.-area amateur standout should help make the eight-round bout with Herrera (12-0, 6 KOs) the fight of the night.
Pendarvis told me he's scheduled to face Las Vegas-based lightweight prospect Sharif Bogere (the 12-0 Ugandan bomber who walks to the ring draped in a lion skin) on the undercard of the Zab Judah-Ramon Montano card at The Palms Casino on Nov. 6, if he wins on Friday.
One step at a time, Mookie.
But I might try to make it out to the Double Tree to cheer you on.
10/08/2009Carlos Molina and Ronny Rios Prepare to heat up Israel Vasquez’s Comeback Stage
By Gabriel Montoya, Maxboxing.com
On the undercard of this Saturday's Israel Vasquez comeback fight at the Nokia Theatre in downtown Los Angeles, two prospects hope to continue up boxing's seemingly never ending ladder in their quest to one day become world champions. While Santa Ana's Ronny Rios (7-0 with 3 KOs), and Commerce, CA's Carlos Molina (9-0 with 5 KOs) are near the same point in their careers, each of them approaches the work and the life of a fighter differently but share the single-minded focus and hopeful optimism that only belongs to the young.
It was an interesting scene at this week's open workout held outer doors on Olvera Street in Downtown L.A. with a big, blue ring set inside a gazebo, hot female Japanese tourists sitting by and eating lunch as they watched the fighter's warm-up, and a small squad of reporters observing the fighters go through their paces. Shadow boxing, jumping rope and working the pads, each took turns posing for a picture or talking with a reporter as they went through their light workout.
Like many boxers, both young men fell into the sport at a young age. Molina was initiated into the sport by his father.
“My dad actually started me off,” Molina told me. “He took me when was young and I just fell in love with it. I didn't want to do anything else.”
Rios fell into the sport by accident. A chance encounter with a boxing magazine got him hooked on one fight in particular and nature took its course.
“One time my Mom went away for the weekend and my uncle took care of us,” Rios explained. “He's a hardcore boxing fanatic. He always comes to the fights. He's my biggest supporter. He had a bunch of boxing magazines just lying around the house and I just picked one up and stared reading. These two names caught my attention. Shane Mosley vs. Vernon Forrest. I just liked the way the names sounded and I just read it. I waited until the fight came up and then when I watched the fight I got more into it and I started watching more boxing fights and the next thing you know, I was in the gym.”
It was interesting watching and talking with all both of these young men as they worked under the shade of the gazebo. Molina was easy going but with a thoughtful, almost introspective streak while Rios appeared as relaxed as a guy at the beach. Just chillin' and chatting about the fights as if we were discussing anything but the art of controlled violence.
Still young enough to say “20 in two months” when asked his age, Rios is an easy going cat who is experienced enough with 98 amatuer bouts (92 of which were wins) to understand the magnitude of fighting on an undercard like this one but at the same time not be intimidated by it.
“Boxing is boxing,” Rios said. “It doesn't really matter whether you fight in front of a 100 people or thousand people. It gives you more of push. Because I hear the screams and pretty much all of my family goes and then their friends go so it just gives me that extra motivation.”
Even still, this is the biggest fight he is fought in support of. Add in that it's near his hometown and the cheers of the crowd may be heard to drown out. Often a fighter can get in that situation and lose the game plan while trying to play to the crowd. But Rios insists he has that covered. After nearly 100 amatuer fights, all he hears anymore is one voice.
“I can mostly hear my coach,” Rios says. “I hear the screams and it's hard to tell who is who, you know? But the only voice that stands out is my coach, Hector Lopez.”
Coming into this week, Carlos Molina was excited about being on the undercard for an Israel Vasquez fight. In fact, he asked his manager Frank Espinoza to get him on the card. But as the week progressed, he got a little surprise: An injury to fellow prospect David Rodela during training camp moved Molina up from simply being on the card to being the co-main event.
“I found out yesterday,” Molina told me with a huge grin. “I was excited. I was happy. I had told Frank that I wanted to fight on Israel Vasquez' undercard. I was excited already. Then to do the co-main event for Israel Vasquez? Wow. I'm thrilled.”
Only 23 years old, Molina seems much older. Relaxed and ready but excited by the prospect of performing in front of his hometown crowd, Molina feels he has finally settled into being a pro fighter.
“I think before my fourth and fifth fight, I kind of settled down as more of a pro fighter,” Molina explained. “I think my first three fights I was just kind of out there throwing punches. But now I think I have settled down and each fight I think I'm improving little by little. You actually begin to see a lot clearer. And that's mainly what it is. Just take your time. Study and opponent and take him apart.”
For Rios, the transition to fighting pro is more about learning what it takes to prepare for the next level. Unlike most fighters, learning to fight without headgear wasn't a big change at all, citing a secret edge he gained early on in life.
Before I started boxing,” Rios explained, “me and my friends would put on those tiny gloves and we'd fight without headgear so I'm pretty used to it.
Fresh off a crushing first round KO of Manuel Sarabia just a few weeks back at Club Nokia. He needed just: 38 to knock Sarabia cold but insists that he isn't the biggest puncher.
“Honestly I don't think I have serious power,” Rios explained “I think it was just perfect timing. The perfect punch at the perfect time.”
The biggest change for him is not the speed of the game or the ferocity of the opponents but rather the training camps.
“These camps are really hard, you know, “Rios said. “The ones we've been having are much different. We've installed plyometrics. More running. Sprints, you know? I do more with strengthening. More sparring, of course. Harder sparring. I've been sparring with Yohnny Perez and he's getting ready for a world title.”
Both share the same philosophy when it comes to breaking down an opponent. They leave the tape watching to their coaches and find out what they need to in the ring.
Molina has near 120 amatuer fights under his belt with a national amatuer championship under his belt. It's that kind of experience and exposure to different styles that he feels will help him adapt to whomever is in front of him come fight night.
“I do it in the ring,” says Molina. “I just see what the guy has. What's working for me. When I need to move, when I need to pressure. Stuff like that. I've been doing this since I was seven years old. When people say ‘Oh you're going up against this certain style,' I'm like “Well I've been doing this for awhile, too. I have experience.”
Rios takes the same tact but for a slightly different reason.
“I don't watch tapes,” says Rios. “My coach watches tapes and tells me what to do. I hate watching tapes. It makes me more nervous. It makes me seem like my opponent is better than he is. Not being cocky it makes me nervous.”
To prepare, Rios has his trainer watch tapes and formulate a game plan, then he gets in the ring and works it out with various sparring partners. Some that mimic his opponent, others that show different looks he may encounter in the fight or down the line.
“Our main sparring guy of course is going to be tailored for the guy we're fighting,” Rios said. “But we also like to throw in different styles just in case, you know? I don't want to just focus on one guy because what if he has different styles. What if he has game plans? Plan A, B, C, and D? I like to expect everything.”
At this stage of their careers, both men's styles are at different stages of development. Molina likes to move and box almost as a rule, utilizing his jab to break his opponent down scientifically. Molina mentioned he had never been down before and I asked him if it was his chin or style that kept him on his feet. Turns out it's a mixture of both.
“In my head, it's because I have the best chin in the world,” Molina said smiling and half-joking. “It helps, too, that I have a lot of movement because I never get hit cleanly. [My style is] natural. It's just the way I was taught. The way I was brought up fighting. I'm more of a boxer-puncher type. I don't want to just get in there and start throwing. I like making them miss and making them pay. That's more of my style of fighting.”
As he prepares and experiments in the gym, Rios' style is still developing. It's a process he seems to welcome and appears excited about.
“I'm still trying to find my style, you know” Rios said. “I don't think no fighter is ever going to be perfect. Especially me. I learn new things every day. I'm just trying to become as close to perfect as I can which is really impossible. Of course to be the flawless fighter but first you're going to have mistakes.”
And so the process of learning and growing up in the ring continues for both men. Rios is looking for the next challenge, the opponent who can give him more rounds and knowledge. And Molina looks to fulfill a dream. Listening to him talk, it was clear that his excitement wasn't about simply being a co-main event. It was about being Israel Vasquez's co-main event. It's about sharing the ring with someone who has given it all to the sport and more. Someone revered as few fighters ever will be. Molina respects that and appears to hope that some of that, if only a little rubs off Saturday night.
“It feels great, man,” Molina said with a kid on Christmas morning smile. “I'm real excited now; especially fighting here in my hometown of L.A. I've got a lot of family coming out. I'm real excited. Israel Vasquez. All you can say is warrior. I think he is the most if not just one of the most respected guys in boxing. I can only hope to reach what he did.”
Come Saturday night, both men get a chance to step a little closer to that highest of bars.
10/08/2009Vazquez set for return
Story by Felipe Leon, Fightnews.com
Photos by Chris Cozzone
Saturday, October 10, marks the much anticipated return of one of the most explosive fighters of the decade, former WBC super bantamweight champion Israel "Magnifico" Vazquez, who will step into the ring after an 18 months hiatus.
The fight night, which is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with the newly minted Espinoza promotions, is being held at Nokia Live in downtown Los Angeles. Vazquez will face the experienced Angel Priolo in his first bout in the featherweight division after going 25 awe-inspiring rounds against Rafael Marquez in what many consider one of the best, if not the greatest trilogy in boxing history.
"After a year and a half, as a fighter and as a person, I still have not been able to wrap my head around how the trilogy has affected the fans," Vazquez stated as he finished off a day of training on Wednesday. "I gave my best in those fights and I am glad that people appreciate it."
Days after the last chapter of the Vazquez-Marquez story in March of 2008 in which "Magnifico" was awarded a 12-round unanimous decision to retain his WBC title, it was discovered that Vazquez had suffered a career-threatening injury.
"After the third fight with Marquez, he called me and we went to the doctor and he was diagnosed with a detached retina," Frank Espinoza shared.
Espinoza, the 2007 Manager of the Year, not only helms the career of Vazquez, but also a small stable of up-and-coming southern California prospects that include Ronny Rios and Carlos Molina who will also be featured that night.
“He had it worked on and it looked good but then about a week later it re-detached and that is when I began to worry about the future of Israel Vazquez."
It was a long, forced layoff that the anxious Vazquez, at first, could not come to grips with. But, in time, he realized that it was the best circumstance for his body and, in turn, his career.
“The biggest reason for the layoff was the injury,” said Vazquez. “It was the time needed to get back to 100% but also Frank Espinoza, my family and the rest of my team urged me to take a rest.
“Obviously I wanted to continue because fighting is in my blood but in retrospect, the mandatory rest was the best thing for me and I am glad for it.
"We left it in the hands of the doctors and God and now he is healthy and ready to go," Espinoza concurs.
Although Vazquez just now is making his come back to the ring, Rafael Marquez already did, stopping journeyman Jose Mendoza in three rounds back in May, a bout that Vazquez was not going to miss.
"He fought a tough fighter and I think he looked good although I was able to detect some ring rust, for he looked a bit slow," the affable Vazquez says as a chuckle begins to build. "We have to see how I look in this next fight because he might be able to say the same thing about me."
The 31 year-old Vazquez more than likely will need to shake off some rust that only an 18-month break can produce, but Espinoza is confident that Angel Priolo is the right opponent for the task.
"This is a good fight for him to come back at 126 lbs,” says Espinoza. “This is a tune up but we are not taking Angel Priolo lightly, we take one fight at a time.
"We are looking for him to get the rust out, to get some rounds in and even though we are not looking for the KO, if it comes, it comes. This fight is going to tell us where he is after those three grueling fights with Rafael Marquez."
Vazquez of Huntington Park, CA, by way of Mexico City, sees his next scheduled 10 rounds much more dramatically.
"I think this is the most important fight of my career,” he says. “I need to see if the inactivity coupled with my eye problem is going to affect me. If its going to stop me from giving a great fight.
“I am nervous since I don't know what is going to happen. Priolo might not be the toughest opponent I have faced but he has a lot of experience and I am sure that he is going to bring his all to reach the goals that he has set."
Priolo of Barranquilla, Colombia, holds a respectable 30-7, 20 KOs, record but has lost his last six.
"I am looking for Israel to take control of the fight, to show what he has been working on with Rudy Perez in the gym," Espinoza says in regard of what he is looking for in his elite fighter. "Basically a good showing but I am realistic too and we have to keep in mind the inactivity so we have to wait and see."
As for the future, Vazquez is open to the vast opportunities that can be presented to a fighter of his caliber but without losing sight at the task at hand on October 10th.
"My plans are to pass this test with flying colors and go after a second title in as many division," Vazquez says confidently.
"He won't be back this year but early next year and this time against a B or A- type of fighter," Espinoza adds, taking the game plan further. "He can get a title shot at any time because the WBC deemed him an emeritus champion which gives him that right but we are willing to wait, we don't have to rush.
"Vazquez from the beginning has told me that he wants to be a three time world champion in three division, 122, 126 and 130 lbs. He has the heart of a champion and you can never underestimate him so if he puts his mind to it, I know he can do it."
Never the less, the question on every fight fans mind is: Will Vazquez fight Marquez for the fourth time?
"Yes, I think that is the best fight out there for me. Whether there is a title in dispute or not, I want the fourth fight," Vazquez states rather adamantly.
“I have heard that Marquez wants to fight and I know that Israel wants the fight,” adds Espinoza. “Quite frankly, this is the biggest purse fight for both of them so if they are both healthy and willing to do it, who am I to say that they can't fight?"
"Whenever I talk to the fans, they always ask for the fourth fight,” says Vazquez. “Some have said that we shouldn't fight again, but I feel we have the support of the fans.”
But would a fourth fight diminish the greatness of the trilogy? Vazquez thinks otherwise.
"I don't think its going to take away from the trilogy," "Magnifico" says convincingly "The Marquez team talked a lot after the third fight, saying that they got robbed because it was in California. That motivates me. They need to take the loss as a lesson and accept it. I don't want anybody to talk that way about one of my wins so if they want to fight again, I think it needs to be settled."
10/07/2009Israel Vazquez Primed For Return
By Ralph Gonzalez, The Sweet Science
After a lengthy layoff, Vazquez (left, Priolo right) has to make
sure his body won't betray him, before he can make plans for
a fourth fight with Marquez, or secure a title shot against
another champion. (Carlos Delgado photo)
“It feels good to get back in the ring after a year and a half layoff,” two time junior featherweight champion Israel Vazquez proclaimed after some brisk training under the watchful eye of trainer Rudy Perez. Vazquez (43-4, 31 KO's) is set to make his long awaited comeback this Saturday against Angel Priolo at the Nokia Club in downtown L.A. The bout will be televised on Fox Sports en Espanol.
It was eighteen months ago that Vazquez waged brutal warfare for a third time against Rafael Marquez in what capped off a trilogy of fights that many boxing pundits believe is on par with the Ali-Frazier trilogy.
Unfortunately, every war has collateral damage. In Vazquez's case it was his eyesight that was compromised. Vazquez realized a few weeks after his first surgery to repair some post fight damage that there was still something wrong. “I was doing some light training and I was having a problem seeing out of my right eye. I immediately contacted my manager Frank Espinoza,” Vazquez remembers. “He took me to several doctors and arranged the additional surgeries.”
He added, “Going through three surgeries was traumatic but necessary in order to make sure my eyesight returned to normal. It's been a slow recovery but this Saturday I'm going to prove that I'm better than ever and ready to resume my career.”
Vazquez will now be campaigning as a full fledged featherweight. There's a natural tendency to question a fighter's move up in weight. Will it slow him down? Will his punching power be diminished against bigger foes than he's used to facing?”
Trainer Rudy Perez doesn't feel four more pounds will be an issue. “I don't think it'll have an effect on his speed or power,” Perez said. “He's at the point in his career where he needs to move up in weight and he's been looking great. I've been pleased with what I've seen in the gym.”
The fact that he's been training since June and kept his weight at a manageable level makes the process of returning to the ring much easier. “He's been very disciplined outside the ring and that's made all the difference in the world,” Perez agreed. “The fans are going to see Israel in excellent form.”
And what about Vazquez vs. Marquez IV? Will it ever happen?
“Fighting Rafael Marquez for a fourth time is something I still think about. It all depends on what happens against Priolo. I want to prove to myself that my body can take another grueling fight against Marquez,” Vazquez said. “If God willing, everything goes well, I don't see why we can't make a fourth fight happen. And if that fight goes well then maybe we can make a fifth fight too.”
There are those who question the need for a fourth confrontation. Some say that both fighters have already damaged each other to the point that a permanent injury is likely to occur. Vazquez disagrees. “This is a sport and it's one of the toughest sports of all. We're warriors. We know what the risks are every time we step into the ring,” Vazquez said. “The fights were all really close. I won twice but just barely. I think a fourth fight is what the fans want to see.”
Manager Espinoza believes there's a good chance the two “little giants” will face off again. “I've heard all the arguments about how they shouldn't fight each other,” Espinoza said. “But how do you tell two fighters not to fight if they're healthy enough to face each other? This is their profession. This is what they want.”
Like every smart fighter, Vazquez knows not to look past or underestimate Priolo. “I would never do that. Every fighter's dangerous at any given time,” Vazquez said. “I'm never over-confident. I want to win by knockout but if I have to box to win, I'm prepared to do that too.”
Although Vazquez is a likeable personality, it's his relentless fighting style and heart inside the ring which has made him fans around the world. He tells his followers to expect more of the same. “On October ten you're going to see a very hungry and explosive Israel Vazquez,” he stated. “The fans will definitely be satisfied with my performance. I want people to know that I'll always remain the exciting warrior they've grown to appreciate.”
He has one last message for his supporters. “I want to thank the fans who've been following my career for so many years,” the Mexico City native said. “We only get a few chances in life to be great and I still have work to do. I want a world title in the featherweight division. It's been a goal of mine for a long time and I'm going to try my hardest to achieve it and be a good example for my fans. I want them to know that just like me, with dedication, faith, goals and hard work, great things can happen. Whatever your struggle is, you can conquer it.”
The card will also feature undefeated hot prospects Carlos Molina and Ronny Rios.
Programming note:
Originally scheduled to air only on HBO Plus, Fox Sports en Espanol announced on Wednesday that it would be carrying the event live throughout the United States. HBO Plus is available only in Latin America.
Steve Graciano of Fox Sports en Espanol said that the network jumped at the opportunity to broadcast Vazquez vs. Priolo. “We were excited when the opportunity to air this fight presented itself,” said Graciano. “Israel Vazquez has a strong following in the Hispanic community and we are happy to give viewers a chance to see him on our network.”
On a personal programming note:
I've released a new video I produced on Israel Vazquez. It's now live on the front page of The Sweet Science. You can also access it via this link: http://www.thesweetscience. com/boxing-video.php
10/07/2009Vazquez Comeback on U.S. TV
From Fightnews.com
Fox Sports en Español has picked up the broadcast rights to show the return of two-time world champion Israel “Magnifico” Vazquez in the USA this Saturday night. Vazquez' bout against Angel Priolo at the Nokia Theatre LA Live in Los Angeles, as well as the co-featured bouts of Carlos Molina vs. Caesar Holguin and Luis Grajeda vs. Juan Carlos Diaz will air live at 7 PM PT (10 PM ET). Previously the telecast was only scheduled to be seen in Latin America.
10/06/2009Vazquez Hungry to Win Now More Than Ever
By José Santana Jr, Boxing World News
A detached retina in the sport of boxing usually means danger to a fighter's career. After suffering a detached retina in 1982, Hall of Famer Sugar Ray Leonard decided to retire from boxing with 33 fights and four world titles in two weight divisions to his credit. With a 43-4 (34KOs) record, three time super bantamweight world champion Israel Vazquez once thought the same destiny could be in store for him after suffering his own detached retina.
Leonard recovered from his eye injury and came back from retirement two years later in a fight with little meaning. It was then in 1987 when he took on middleweight champion Marvin Hagler that he proved virtually five years of retirement and an eye injury once believed to be too severe to continue fighting with were not enough to hold back his hunger for greatness.
Leonard defeated Hagler in a close, disputed fight which many observers and experts felt he could not win.
Not many people doubt Vazquez can continue being a good fighter. However, questions flow from the minds of all boxing aficionados, whether Vazquez can once again be the great fighter and exhilarating performer he was a year and a half ago.
It is not only the eye injury, which required three surgeries to repair, that has people intrigued. It is also the constant wars which he has endured in the ring which take a toll on the ability of any fighter to perform. Vasquez is proud to have delivered such great fights to his fans.
“I enter the ring to do my work, to do what I love to do, which is to fight,” Vazquez said. Fight he has done, against some of the best fighters at the super bantamweight division. Electrifying trilogies with Oscar Larios and Rafael Marquez, and coming off the canvas twice to KO Jhonny Gonzalez are a few of those battles which we are used to seeing Vazquez in.
“When people come up to me and ask for an autograph or picture after a great fight such as those with Rafael [Marquez], Oscar [Larios], or Jhonny Gonzalez, I feel proud for having caused an impact with the fans,” Vazquez said.
Such fights, however, could lead to further damage not only to Vazquez's eye, but to his overall health. At first, Vazquez appeared to have endured his eye surgery with no harm and was on the way to recovery. It was then that Vazquez started seeing flashes in his left eye, and decided to call his manager Frank Espinoza Sr. After getting his eye observed, it was discovered that the eye was still damaged and required further surgery. “It got to a point that it wasn't about fighting anymore,” said Frankie Espinoza Jr. “That became secondary. We decided that we would put our 100 percent into Israel's health.”
Such severity carried the injury that Vazquez himself admits that at one point he thought his time to ‘hang ‘em up' had arrived. “Being Catholic, I thought maybe God did not want me to fight anymore for some reason which I wasn't sure of but was going to respect,” said Vazquez. “But now he is giving me a second opportunity and I know that is also for a reason. It's to demonstrate that I truly do have the hunger to get back in the ring and have something to prove.”
Espinoza Jr. admitted that he and his father, Espinoza Sr., were not going to put Israel back in the ring unless it was certain that his eye had completely healed. They took every measure possible to ensure that Vazquez was completely healthy before they even considered him fighting again. Once medically cleared, Vazquez realized that retirement would have been a bad decision for him, a man who lives for the enjoyment of trading punches.
The family of Vazquez also remained in the back of his mind. Supporting him as they always have, they realize that there always exists the danger of injury for any man who laces up the leather gloves. “They support me,” Vazquez said. “They are nervous, but they support me and my career. They are the people who have helped me achieve what I have achieved up to now.”
Vazquez feels the pangs in his stomach as each day in the gym passes. He feels that impatient burning sensation inside of him as the anxiousness for fight night to arrive eats at him. “I am very anxious to get back in the ring and get rid of all the questions and doubts after all this time off,” Vazquez said.
“So much time away, along with a time when I thought it could have been time to say goodbye to boxing, I still have that hunger to win and pick up more titles,” he said. “All of that is what gives me the energy to continue on in this sport and to try and show to myself that I am not mistaken and that if I had retired it would have been a bad decision.”
“If you thought Israel was hungry before, he feels it even more now,” said Espinoza Jr. “It has opened Israel's eyes all around as far as appreciating the sport, thinking more about the future, and what he wants to accomplish as far as his legacy. I think he appreciates it a lot more.”
Vazquez will be making his featherweight debut Oct. 10 when he takes on Angel Priolo (30-7, 20KOs) at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. The featherweight division is where he looks to add on to his legacy.
Sugar Ray Leonard beat the odds when he came back from retirement and moved up to the middleweight division defeating Hagler. While Vazquez did not retire, nor is facing an opponent near the caliber of Hagler, he is facing many questions, which will begin to be answered on his new journey at 126lbs.
“I have a dream to achieve another world title in another weight division and to fight the best. I now have that chance at 126lbs.,” explained Vazquez. “There is Yuriorkis Gamboa,, Chris John, and Rocky Juarez there. I would like to fight them because they are the best fighters at 126lbs. right now.”
And if the opportunity arises to fight rising undefeated 122lb. champion Juan Manuel Lopez, “Well with pleasure we would also take that,” Vazquez said.
The work that Espinoza Sr. has done with Vazquez speaks for itself, according to Vazquez. Espinoza Jr. has been assisting Vazquez's trainer Rudy Perez in training and both have helped Vazquez work towards becoming a more technical fighter. A move which they hope can help save a couple years to his career. His career, however, is not something Vazquez plans on being over anytime soon.
The time to consider retirement has come and passed. He knows that when it comes again, his team and family will be there to advise and support him. The Espinoza's have clearly demonstrated that their main concern with any of their fighters, not just Vazquez, is their health and well being. “All of the time I have been here in the U.S. I have always worked with Frank. He is a person who is very loyal and intelligent for making the best fights. What more can I say?” Vazquez said.
Now is the time to continue feeding himself. Boxing is a sport that Vazquez has always loved and he feels the urge to get back in the ring and continue his success which has him ranked amongst the best fighters pound-for-pound in the sport today.
One could say that boxing now means even more to Vazquez then it did before. It is as if almost losing what he had on the plate in front of him, has fueled his hunger to continue adding on. Boxing has given Israel Vazquez the biggest satisfaction in his life.
“Goodness, it's something special,” Vazquez exclaimed. “If I was born again, I would come back to be born a boxer.”
10/06/2009Happy to have Vazquez back in action
By Dan Rafael, ESPN Boxing Writer
It will be nice to have Israel Vazquez back in the ring.
After 19 months on the sideline since the end of his epic junior featherweight championship trilogy with Rafael Marquez , and multiple eye surgeries to repair a torn retina in his right eye, Vazquez is ready to return to action Saturday night.
"Boxing fans have waited a long time to see Israel Vazquez back in action, and we're excited to have him headlining here in front of his hometown fans in Los Angeles," said Golden Boy Promotions president Oscar De La Hoya . "Israel is without question one of the best fighters in the world, and he's looking forward to proving himself once again in the coming months, beginning with this fight."
It's hard to predict what Vazquez, who turns 32 on Christmas Day, will have left after so many grueling fights, the serious eye injury and the long layoff. Whatever he has left, Saturday's fight should provide some sort of gauge, even though he's not facing a formidable opponent.
Having vacated the 122-pound world title, Vazquez (43-4, 31 KOs) is moving up to the 126-pound featherweight division and can't wait to get into the ring for the 10-rounder against Colombia's Angel Priolo (30-7, 20 KOs) -- loser of six bouts in a row fighting between flyweight and bantamweight -- at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles.
"I'm coming back because I love the sport," said Vazquez, who won the second and third fights with Marquez. "I feel really good physically and mentally. The best way I can prove to the media and my fans that I've recovered from my injury is to go out and win, and that's what I intend to do. I'm in great shape. I've trained really hard and I'm confident that I will beat Priolo. I've practiced a lot more defense and movement using angles, and I'm ready."
Rudy Perez , Vazquez's trainer, said they emphasized defense during their time together in the gym preparing for the fight.
"He's really hungry and confident for this fight, and that makes his whole team confident in him," Perez said. "I've been with him for [six] weeks and we are ready to fight. We have been working on his defense and you will see the new Vazquez."
The fight will be televised on the HBO Plus service throughout Mexico, Latin America and South America as part of Golden Boy's monthly series. However, Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer told me he has been trying to find a domestic outlet for the card. Schaefer said HBO Plus, which owns the rights, tried to work out a deal with ESPN Deportes, but when it didn't work out he acquired the rights.
"We have reached out to several interested parties and will see what we can structure," Schaefer said, admitting that time was running short.
He said one of the possibilities was coverage on Fox Sports en Español, which would certainly be better than nothing.
If Vazquez wins and looks OK, Schaefer said the possibility of a fourth Vazquez-Marquez fight -- which has been discussed on and off since the conclusion of the third fight -- would be revisited.
08/30/2009With Clear Vision, Mares Looks to the Future
On Thursday night, young bantamweight contender Abner Mares co-headlines the next edition of 'Fight Night Club' at Club Nokia at the L.A. Live versus Carlos Fulgencio. It's another step towards his first title shot. But Mares isn't getting impatient by any means. In fact, he's counting his blessings just to be fighting at all.
Because right around this time last year, he believed his boxing career was over. Before a routine eye examination before a fight scheduled for last autumn, he was given some stunning news.
He had retinal damage in his left eye.
The news left Mares stunned.
"I was seeing perfectly, everything was normal until that one day I went to do my physical before a fight, which was in October of last year. I went to the doctor and they said I had a detached retina," recalled Mares. "They checked it real good and they told me I had a torn retina and I wouldn't be able to fight."
Mares admits that,"At first, torn retina, I didn't even know what that was. Then the doctor said, 'I have to do surgery on you, today.' That same day I had surgery done. So yeah, I was stunned."
And the prognosis was not promising. His physician was blunt in his assessment.
"The minute he said that, the first thing I asked the doctor was,' Can I fight?' And he said,' I don't think you'll be able to fight, at all. "I went blank. It was hard," Mares recounted. Just like that, at age 22, Mares faced the prospect of having to find a new line of work. And boxing isn't just what he did, in many respect, like many other participants of this sports, it's who they are.
"I went through a lot with that happening to me. I learned a lot. The doctor told me I wouldn't be able to fight anymore. I had a lot of thinking to do. My family was always there for me and God helped me through it," said Mares, who had to go through a series of weekly check-ups. He was also prescribed eye-drops and had to wear a patch over his eye for a short period.
Away from the gym, he began punching a clock for the first time in his life and he picked up high school diploma. Mares, began working and he then began classes at Cerritos Junior College.
"A friend hooked me up as a security guard at a high school. That's where I saw my life turned upside down.' What am I doing here?' So I got myself back into school and finished high school, I started going into college," said Mares, who gained a new perspective during this stretch away from the sport he had dedicated his life to. "I'm seeing things different, now. I think it was a sign, a warning from God to tell me that boxing isn't everything. So I needed to start doing something else for myself."
Boxers are accustomed to being on their own schedule. It was a culture shock for Mares to have to show up on time each and every day for his new gig.
" I was getting up at five in the morning. I had to be there. I mean, I usually get up at that time to run. But for me it was even heavier to go to regular work."
In his mind, he was now a former fighter.
"Yeah, just the fact I was a married man and I have a kid, I'm not only looking out for myself. I'm looking out for my family," says Mares, who lives in Norwalk. As he went in for his final medical visit , he got some unexpected news." I went to see the doctor, my last check-up and he said,' Y'know what, Abner, your eye looks really good. I think you're going to be able to go back and do what you love to do- boxing.' First thing, I went to church, thank God and here I am."
After being out of the gym for nearly six months, he did experience the expected apprehension. Mares recalls," My first day of sparring, I'll tell you, I didn't throw one punch, at all. I was just covering up. I was covering up my face, just didn't want to get hit. It was in Mexico City, I was still training with Nacho Beristain and yeah, I was out there covering up, I'm not trying to get hit. I just got over, thank God."
As he says this he laughs loudly. Eventually he would get over his nerves and make his return to the ring on May 2ND, winning a six-round technical decision against Jonathan Perez. No longer with Beristain, he trains under Joel Diaz in Coachella and he is now managed by the respected Frank Espinoza.
"I went to go seem him in Vegas when he fought Perez and that was after his eye injury and he came out clean," said Espinoza, who's no stranger to boxers with detached retina's, since he also manages Israel Vazquez." We had already spoken. After seeing him fight it didn't look like it effected him. We double-checked with my doctor and he gave him the green light that he's fine. So I signed him."
Espinoza, had been high on Mares since his days as a decorated amateur in Mexico.
"I thought a lot of him, I believed he got robbed in that first round( of the 2004 Olympics). I think everybody who saw that fight saw he was very talented and had natural ability. He's got everything it takes to be a world champion."
The plan is to keep Mares as active as possible the rest of this year before making a title run in 2010. A run that was supposed to have taken place this year as he had built up some momentum on HBO outings and pay-per-view undercard performances. But he isn't complaining.
"I see it as a blessing," says Mares, who has a mark of 18-0/11 knockouts. "I see it as a good thing. Because you pretty much get a fresh start, now. You're beginning from zero, work your way up again and that's what I'm doing. Since my first fight, which was May 2ND, that's what I said. I'm seeing this is a debut for me. This is my debut fight and this is my second fight and I'm looking forward to looking even better.
" The new Abner."
CLOSED CIRCUIT
It was announced today by Golden Boy and Mayweather Promotions that the September 19Th event featuring the return of Floyd Mayweather against Juan Manuel Marquez will be shown in over 170 movie theaters across the country in high-def on closed-circuit.
It's an interesting move on several fronts. First of all, it does provide an old-school feel to watching a fight. Before the days of pay-per-view being so readily available( or even ON-TV or Select- anyone remember those channels back in the day?) this was the way boxing fans had to watch fights like Ali-Frazier across the country. It offered a fun and communal way for boxing fans to gather. But I've also heard some great stories (great because I wasn't there) of riots and fights breaking out all over the place if the wrong guy won, if there was a dubious decision or if the reception or signal was shaky inside the theater.
The press release says that tickets will be priced between $12.50 and $15, which on the surface seems to provide a low cost alternative to the $49.95 to get it on HBO PPV. But here's the thing, if you factor in the price of gas, parking, and the way food and beverage is jacked up at the establishments, is it really cheaper in the long run? Also, I've been to a lot of AMC's, never seen beer sold in any of them. That's a bit of a problem, I think.
The most puzzling aspect of this announcement is why would the promoters of this event do a closed-circuit event while they are doing the fight on pay-per-view? Isn't that basically cannibalizing themselves in certain ways?
Who knows, but if you don't have cable, this does provide you an outlet. For a complete listing of theaters, log onto FathomEvents.com.
NIGHT OF THUNDER
Meanwhile on that same night that Mayweather-Marquez takes place in Las Vegas, Main Events and Pat Lynch Boxing are staging,' A Night of Thunder: A Tribute to Arturo Gatti' at the Bally Atlantic City, where Gatti starred so often throughout his storied career.
The main event will feature young bantamweight prospect Teon Kennedy of Philadelphia. Tickets are priced at $75 and $50 and can be purchased through the Ticketmaster website.
CLOSED CIRCUIT, PART II
The last major fight I can recall that was available only on closed circuit was the first encounter between Oscar De La Hoya and Julio Cesar Chavez in June of 1996. I remember that Bob Arum refused to go the pay-per-view route citing rampant piracy.
When asked how that venture failed, Arum gave one of my all-time favorite quotes, saying something to the effect," We did great on the west coast, went east of the Mississippi, ran out of Mexicans, and I died." And needless to say, he never went closed-circuit again for another De La Hoya fight.
Yeah, I know he's shoving Yuri Boreman down our throats, but I can't help it, the guy cracks me up.
EARLY FLURRIES
The CSAC has changed the result of Tim Bradley-Nate Campbell from a TKO3 to a no-contest. Does anyone really care at this point?....Also on that show at the Club Nokia on Thursday night is David Rodela and Carlos Molina.....Good to see Edgerrin James land in Seattle. He showed in the playoffs he still has some life left in his legs....So will the whole episode of Floyd Mayweather's car being involved in some sort of shooting over the weekend make the cut for 24/7?....Still haven't seen the whole Diaz-Malignaggi fight. Because all three fights went the distance in Houston, my DVR recording ran out halfway through the main event. But I'm at the point where Gale Van Hoy had Diaz up five-and-half-rounds to none.....I understand that the Sept. 12Th game between USC and Ohio St. will be shown in theaters and in 3-D, which I think could be the wave of the future for all sports. I can just imagine all the fans watching that game in the theaters jerking their heads violently and bobbing-and-weaving at all the errant Terrell Pryor passes that come their way.....
(Article by Steve Kim)
08/30/2009The Return Of Abner Mares
By David A. Avila
A last minute scratch by an opponent forced Golden Boy Promotions to search for an opponent for bantamweight contender Abner Mares a year ago. They ultimately found him in the Mexico City gym Mares used for training.
Nobody thought much of it. The opponent was one of Mares’ teammates trained by Nacho Beristain, who at that time prepared both fighters. The fight took place at Morongo Casino over a year ago and though Mares won, he also lost. At least temporarily.
The next fight was scheduled for October 2008 and Mares visited a doctor for another routine check up. It was just routine. The young muscular fighter who fought on the Mexican Olympic team and opened boxing scouts' eyes discovered one important thing about physicals-sometimes they’re not routine.
“The doctor told me I had a torn retina and my career in boxing was over,” Mares said of the doctor’s evaluation.
Mares said his boxing life flashed before him.
“First of all when the doctor told me I wasn’t going to be able to fight any more with a torn retina, obviously I thought my career was over,” said Mares, 23, who is one of Golden Boy’s prized contenders. “I started thinking what am I going to do? I have a family to support and bills to pay.”
Another doctor, a specialist, recommended surgery and after everything was done, including therapy, a new evaluation was spewed. This time the doctor said his eye had healed completely. By March 2009, he was cleared for action.
“It was a blessing from God,” said Mares about being able to return to boxing.
Mares (18-0, 11 KOs) is the star attraction for Golden Boy Promotions fight card on Thursday, Aug. 27, at Club Nokia in Los Angeles when he faces dangerous Carlos Fulgencio (11-2-1, 7 KOs) of the Dominican Republic. The fight will be shown on Versus TV.
Two more things changed for Mares, he acquired a manager in Frank Espinoza and changed trainers when Nacho Beristain deemed that it would not fit training Mares whose new manager also advises Israel Vazquez, a three-time foe of Beristain’s Rafael Marquez.
Back to California flew Mares. From the super smoggy, cluttered metropolis of Mexico City to the desert remote city of super small Indio and its oven hot temperatures, Mares changed climates in drastic fashion.
“It gets up to 115 degrees here,” said Mares. “But I got used to it.”
Now training Mares is boxing’s newest ingénue Joel Diaz who also works with world champion Timothy Bradley, prospect Dominic Salcido and brothers Julio and Antonio Diaz, both former world champions. The stable is stacked with talent and capable sparring partners.
“Abner came with a lot of skills. There’s really not a lot I need to show him,” said Diaz, whose stable is considered one of the best in the West Coast. “He does everything I ask of him.”
Mares said working with Diaz is different than in his experience with famed trainers Nacho Beristain and Floyd Mayweather.
“Diaz is very energetic,” says Mares. “He gets up to run with me every morning at 5 a.m. I couldn’t cheat and not run even if I wanted to.”
Whenever Mares enters the ring he brings a style that most experts called explosive.
“Abner Mares is a really strong fighter. Not just an everyday fighter but someone who is aggressive but skillful,” said Elizabeth Q. Parr, a writer for a California-based boxing web site. “He attacks but doesn’t just bang. When he moves in he does it in a way that he doesn’t get hit much in return.”
Though he fought three months ago, he considers this his real homecoming.
“A lot of people don’t know I fought on May 2, so a lot of people see it as my comeback fight,” said Mares who expects to see his old Los Angeles area friends and new Indio acquaintances at the popular new venue in downtown L.A. “I’m pumped and excited to have friends that I know coming to see me.”
Thinking back on his injury, Mares also added some new things to his life outside of boxing.
“That injury got me to a point where maybe I can reflect on my life. I’m going back to school,” said Mares who now attends Cerritos Community College. “I’m coming out with everything that I have.”
Diaz, who’s trained three world champions, can see another one coming with Mares.
“He’s one of those guys that erupts in the ring,” said Diaz. “He’s got a lot of talent.”
Mares remembers that day almost a year ago when his life as a boxer seemed over for good.
“I really feel blessed,” said Mares who spent most of his nights contemplating his second chance at the sport he loves. “All I can do is give it my all.”
08/30/2009Mares received crash course in human behavior after injury
Abner Mares once approached boxing with unbridled love and passion. Now, after a year away from the sport revealed the fleeting nature of loyalty, he’s more a businessman than a blind devotee.
Only about a year ago, the 2004 Mexican Olympian who lives in Norwalk, Calif., was on the cusp of fighting for his first major world title. And everyone loves a winner, particularly when you can gain something from being around one.
Then Mares received news that turned his life upside down: After a routine exam, he was diagnosed with a detached retina and told his career was over. Naturally, he was devastated by the news; he suddenly faced a life of uncertainty.
And, perhaps just as painful, he saw people who had always supported him slip away when it appeared he was finished.
That later included Nacho Beristain, although for a different reason. The renowned Mexican trainer dumped Mares because of his strained relationship with the fighter’s new co-manager, Frank Espinoza, leaving Mares feeling betrayed.
Thus, while Mares, 23, is grateful that the doctor proved to be wrong about the end of his career, some of the enthusiasm with which he always approached boxing – along with some of the joy – has evaporated into a lot of hot air.
“I look at boxing way different,” said Mares, who fights Carlos Fulgencio in the main event of Fight Night Club on Thursday at Club Nokia in L.A. “People are there when you’re a fighter because they want something. They’re like groupies. Supposedly they’re your friends but they’re not.
“A lot of people put me aside when that happened. I don’t believe so-called friends in boxing anymore. I look at it as a business now. I don’t get emotional anymore; now it’s a job.”
Mares will always be grateful to boxing, which helped lift his family out of poverty. His mother, who is also his idol, brought her seven children from Mexico to Hawaiian Gardens, Calif., and worked two jobs to support them.
And all his years of fighting were about to pay off in a big way late last year, when he was expected to face then-bantamweight titleholder Gerry Penalosa on the undcard of Oscar De La Hoya-Manny Pacquiao on Dec. 6.
Then came the detached retina diagnosis, which instantly put his career and welfare of his family in serious jeopardy.
“I didn’t even know what a detached retina was,” Mares said. “I said, ‘Doctor, what is it?’ I asked whether I’d be able to fight because I had one scheduled for October. He said, ‘I think you’re done.’ I was like, ‘Whoa.’ And he said we need to do surgery today, that same day. I said, ‘Are you serious?’ I thought everything was over.
“It was really hard. I had planned out my life. I had a world-championship fight coming up. I had a family. I was married, with a daughter. I had responsibilities. To hear that my career was over … hey, boxers, we’re human. I cried, man.”
Mares had no choice but to rethink his future. What would he do? He actually worked a short time as a security guard while he tried to adjust to his misfortune and contemplate how he would feed his family.
He also earned his high school degree and started taking classes at a local community college, first steps toward what he hoped would help him make a decent living.
All the while, he leaned heavily on those closest to him – his family, his life-long friends. Almost everyone else had disappeared.
“They just weren’t there when they thought my career was over. I learned a lot,” he said.
However, those difficult days were short lived. The doctor who performed Mares’ surgery told the fighter a few weeks later that he might be able to fight again after all, which to him sounded like a miracle. During the healing process, in which he had to apply ointment every day to keep his eye moist, he nervously pestered the doctor about his future.
And, when it became clear the eye was healed, he finally heard the magic words: He could begin training again.
“I asked the doctor every day, ‘Doctor, am I able to fight?’” Mares said. “He’d say, ‘Hold on.’ ‘Doctor, am I able to fight?’ ‘Not yet.’ Finally, four, five months after the surgery, the doctor said, ‘Abner, I have great news for you: You can start training.
“That was a big step forward. I was really happy.”
When Mares arrived at Beristain's gym in Mexico City for the first time since his surgery, it was like a starving man at a smorgasbord. He remembers running around hitting everything, the bags, the mitts, whatever he could find.
Sparring was a different. The bags can’t hit back but sparring partners do. Mares can laugh about his first full-contact sparring session now but it wasn’t funny at the time.
“It was horrible,” he said. “I didn’t throw a punch; I was just covering up. The kid was punching me and I was just blocking. I was afraid to throw a punch because I thought I’d get hit in the eye. I kept going to sparring, though, and my confidence came back.
“It took about three, four sparring sessions before I was comfortable. I remember Nacho saying, ‘Hey Abner, it takes guts for someone to come back from an eye problem.’ I just took it day to day.”
Day to day led to his first fight back, a scheduled eight-round fight against Jonathan Perez on the undercard of Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton on May 2 in Las Vegas. Mares stopped Perez in six rounds and was back in business.
And then came his next obstacle.
Mares and his father-manager, Ismael, who had joined his family a few years after they arrived in the U.S., decided it was time to seek a more-experienced advisor who could help take his career to the next level. They had always heard good things about Los Angeles-based Espinoza, who worked with Israel Vasquez among others. They met and a deal was struck.
There was a problem, though: Beristain, who trains and manages Rafael Marquez, and Espinonza are feuding. Beristain accused his counterpart of underplaying the severity of Vasquez’s eye injury during prolonged negotiations for Vasquez-Marquez IV, thus wasting Marquez’s valuable time.
Espinoza denies hiding the truth, countering that “Nacho knew Israel was hurt. If that was a concern, why did he wait around for us?”
However, the damage was done. Beristain refused to train Mares – with whom he worked for two years and seven fights -- as long as Espinoza was in the picture. Mares, now trained by Joel Diaz, still calls Beristain a friend but remains disappointed in him.
“Nacho is a great trainer,” Mares said. “I’m not taking anything away from him. I learned a lot with him. But what he did bothered me, kind of hurt me. (Golden Boy Promotions) had offered to get me a new coach if that’s what I wanted in the past. I didn’t do that, though. I looked into my heart and stayed with Nacho.
“Why couldn’t he look past the problem he had with Frank and stay with me? I’ll never understand that.”
Mares is perfectly happy with Diaz, a former fighter who also trains his brothers Antonio and Julio and Timothy Bradley in Coachella, Calif. After all, he’s used to changing trainers; he’s worked with several in his career.
And he’s perfectly happy that things worked out the way they did. Assuming he wins on Thursday, Golden Boy is planning to have him fight on the undercard of Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Juan Manuel Marquez on Sept. 19 in Las Vegas.
Then, THE RING's No. 7-rated bantamweight hopes, comes that title shot he thought he had last year.
“That’s my goal right now,” he said. “That’s why I train so hard. And if I win, of course, it will feel great. It will bring me a lot of joy because of what I went through. God gave me a second chance for a reason. I want to take advantage of it.
“Now I do it just for my family and for myself, not for anyone else. I’m still a little bit angry toward some people. I’m going to show these people that I’m back, that I’m not done.”
(Michael Rosenthal can be reached at RingTVeditor@yahoo.com)
08/18/2009Inside Fights Interview: Israel Vazquez
In an interview with Inside Fights, Israel Vazquez discusses his 18-month layoff from the ring, his trilogy with Rafael Marquez, when we can expect him back in the ring, and much more. Read on for the full interview with Israel Vazquez.
How is your eye feeling?
Israel Vazquez: My eye is doing better, It’s been a long process but it will be all worth it once I get back in the ring. I would like to thank the fans and the media for being patient with my process.
What is it like to be away from boxing for so long?
Vazquez: You know how some people say, you never know what you had till its gone? That’s how I feel. Being away from the sport that I love so much has been really hard. I missed the combat and I missed the fans. But on October 10th that will all change as I will make my return.
What have you done with your time off?
Vazquez: Spending a lot of time with my family and relaxing. Oh ya, and a lot of doctor visits. But overall, it was good rest. I would of not taking a long break if it was not for my injury. So, it might be a blessing in disguised. My body needed the rest. But now, I crave the urge to fight.
When will we see you in the ring again? Have you been cleared to fight?
Vazquez: Yes, I have already been cleared to fight. I’ve been training on my own, but my trainer, Rudy Perez, will be flying in next week to get me prepared. And I will make my comeback on October 10th at the Nokia Theater.
Where will you fight next? Any fighters you want to face immediately?
Vazquez: I’m going to fight in Los Angeles. The same place where I won my first world title. I wanted to face Marquez but things did not work out. So, I’m looking to take a comeback fight against an opponent that will be named soon.
Where do you feel your trilogy with Rafael Marquez ranks with the likes of Gatti/Ward and Ali/Frazier, etc?
Vazquez: I think its up there, but it only matters what the media and the fans say. I hope they appreciate what Marquez and I gave for them. But to even be compared to those fights, is an honor for me.
What are the chances of a 4th fight with Rafael Marquez?
Vazquez: I think they are very good. People all over have been asking me when will be fighting again. If it’s what the people want then lets do it.
How much longer do you want to fight?
Vazquez: I want to fight for a few more years. I still want to accomplish more before I retire.
Do you plan on moving up in weight?
Vazquez: I will now compete at the featherweight division. I competed at the jr. featherweight division for over ten years. And with the long lay off, I feel it’s best that I move up.
What goals do you want to accomplish in the rest of your career?
Vazquez: I would like to capture a world title at 126lbs and maybe even at 130lbs. Those are my goals. They have been for sometime.
What is more important to you: Winning or Entertaining the fans?
Vazquez: Both (laughing) I always go out to entertain the fans and I think people know when they attend my fights. I fight. But it’s also important to win because it will help my legacy. I want to be remembered by the fans when I’m long gone.
How do you think Juan Manuel Marquez will do in his fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr?
Vazquez: I think it’s a very tough fight for Marquez. I hope he does win and I will be cheering him on. But I have to give Mayweather the edge.
If you could fight one man in the history of boxing, who would you fight?
Vazquez: Good question. If I could fight anyone I would like to go up against Wilfredo Gomez. Not out of disrespect, but because I think he was one of the best at jr featherweight division. It would of been an honor to compete against him.
Thank you for your time and consideration, Israel.
Vazquez: Thank you insidefights.com! I would like to thank the fans for their support and make sure you look out for me on October 10th! I’m back!!
(By Trent Pusey)
08/18/2009Israel Comeback Update
According to reports in Mexico, former champion Israel Vazquez will finally make his long awaited return to the ring on October 10 at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles, California on October 10. No opponent has been named and Vazquez is expected to debut in the featherweight division. Vazquez has been out of the ring since last March's win over Rafael Marquez. He suffered an injury to his right eye that required months of rehab and several surgeries.
"I am very pleased about my return to the ring and even more so that it will be here in Los Angeles where I've spent a great part of my career. I've always had confidence in fighting again. My fans, at last they will see me in a ring again, and as usual, I will give them a great fight," Vazquez told ESTO.
"First I have to give thanks to God for the opportunity to continue in my sport, to the doctors that helped me me, and to my manager Frank [Espinoza]."
(By Mark Vester)
08/10/2009Israel reaparecerá en Los Ángeles
Israel "Magnífico" Vázquez está muy motivado, ya que su apoderado Frank Espinoza le informó que reaparecerá el 10 de octubre en el Teatro Nokia de Los Ángeles, California, contra un oponente no designado todavía.
Vázquez, monarca emérito del Consejo Mundial de Boxeo, no afloja en los entrenamientos. Escalará un ring desde que el 1 de marzo de 2008, en Carson, ganaba por segunda vez a Rafael Márquez, en lo que fue una feroz batalla. Tras ese agarrón se sometió a tres operaciones en su ojo derecho.
Israel ha dicho que a su debido tiempo buscará la corona universal pluma.
"Estoy muy contento por mi retorno al cuadrilátero y más aún que será aquí en Los Ángeles, donde he hecho gran parte de mi carrera", dijo el púgil de Azcapotzalco.
"Siempre tuve confianza en volver a combatir. Mis fans, por fin volverán a verme en un ring, como siempre, daré una gran pelea, no les quedaré mal", indicó el púgil.
"Primero que nada doy gracias a Dios por la oportunidad de seguir en mi deporte, a los doctores que me atendieron, y a mi apoderado Frank", puntualizó.
(Article by Alfredo Jaime Gómez)
08/10/2009Shane Mosely, Frank Espinoza Snr & Oscar De La Hoya
08/09/2009Q & A with Abner Mares
At the start of 2008 Abner Mares was one of the top up and coming prospects in Boxing. Mares was part of Team Mexico in the 2004 Olympics and turned pro amide much fan fare with Golden Boy. Fast forward 18 months and while Mares hasn’t been beaten he his career has stalled after a near career ending detached retina. That is behind him now and he’s looking to make up for lost ground still only 23 years old sporting a pristine 18-0(11) ledger he’s eager to fight for an win a world title he also has higher aspiration’s.
Hi Abner, welcome to 15rounds.com
Anson Wainwright - Firstly you suffered with a detached retina and had to pull out of a fight last year. How did the injury come about and how did you deal with it? How is it now?
Abner Mares - Definitely, first of all thanks for having me on this show. I had a fight scheduled for October last year it was on the undercard of Hopkins-Pavlik. I had to do my exams before the fight and when I did that’s when i found out that I had a detached retina. They told me, I didn’t know what it was but they told me. That’s how it came about. I had surgery that same day. Thanks to god almighty I was able to recuperate and get my eye better. Then I fought on May 2nd on the undercard of Hatton-Pacquiao. I felt good I won my fight with a six round KO.
Anson Wainwright - When do you hope to be back in action? Any news of any opponent or venue?
Abner Mares - I don’t have an opponent but I have a date August 27 at the Nokia Center. Then god willing no headbutts no cuts. I should be fighting on September 19 on the card of Mayweather-Marquez.
Anson Wainwright - You were very close to a world title fight when you had the retina injury, how far away do you think you are now from getting a shot?
Abner Mares - Yeah I was scheduled to fight Gerry Penalosa for the WBO world title last year. I don’t think i’m far. I think only two fights from a world title. August 27 & September 19 then in November I should be ready for a world title.
Anson Wainwright - Who are you aiming for?
Abner Mares - Anyone we’ll have to sit and decide. We’re ranked a little higher with the WBO the champ there is Fernando Montiel.
Anson Wainwright - What do you think of that fight, is it a fight you’d like, or do you have relationship with Montiel? Or would you prefer to go another way?
Abner Mares - We do have a relationship, we talk but umm I’m sure he doesn’t mind fighting me and i wouldn’t mind either. But umm I’d prefer to go another route. Who knows by November he might not still be champion or I could aim for someone else.
Anson Wainwright - Just a few weeks back you signed with Frank Espinoza to manage you, what can you tell us about this deal?
Abner Mares - Yeah we signed with Frank Espinoza who’s my co-manager with my dad as well. Frank is a guy with a lot of experience. I think at this point at Championship level we are ready but I think he could get us better fights and deals. That’s the reason we got in touch with Frank Espinoza.
Anson Wainwright - Will you continue to work with Nacho Beristain?
Abner Mares - Nacho Beristain is a great coach a great man. I have nothing bad to talk about him. I was with him for 2 years, over 7 fights. I learned nothing but good things with him. Nacho and Frank Espinoza for a period of time don’t get along. When Nacho heard i signed with Frank he felt a little umm left out i don’t know and he told me Abner i don’t think i’m going to be able to train you anymore. I understand we’re still friends and still talk to each other.
Anson Wainwright - Who’s training you now?
Abner Mares - I am now with in Joel Diaz in Indio, Ca he’s known for having Timothy Bradley his brother Julio Diaz. I believe they are two good fighters he has.
Anson Wainwright - When you trained at Romanza gym in Mexico city, what were the biggest adjustments he had to make? did the city or Mexicans there surprise him in any way?
Abner Mares - Yeah it’s a big change. Mexico City is a whole different world. We could talk about so many things the traffic the weather, the altitude that you have to adapt to. The main one is the high altitude, just walking you get tired. They are all major things. As far a training Nacho & i adapted to each other real quick.
Anson Wainwright - Going back to the Nacho/Frank situation. How would you feel about fightng Nacho’s lastest signing Jorge Arce. It could help your reputation and would also be a bad blood sort of fighting with the feelings of both corners. What do you think of that?
Abner Mares - Definitely no disrespect to Arce but i’ll take that fight any day. It doesn’t even have to be for a world title. He’s at Super Flyweight at the moment but if he comes to Bantamweight we’d definitely like the fight.
Anson Wainwright - You fought for your country at the 2004 Olympics, what can you tell us about this and your amateur career?
Abner Mares - Yeah i had a good amateur record 112-8. I won Central American Games, Pan American (Silver), World Tournaments (U17), Nationals, and fought at the Olympics representing my country. There are so many things. I fought a lot of big names out there right now. Just knowing i beat those guys gives me so much energy & that much focus to be a world champion
Anson Wainwright - Two guys who’s paths you crossed in the Amateur’s who are no making there way through there pro careers are JuanMa Lopez & Guillermo Rigondeaux. What can you tell us about them and how you did in fights with them?
Abner Mares - Yeah there really good fighters, back then and now. JuanMa Lopez and i fought 3 times and i beat him 3 times. I beat him in Puerto Rico in a tournament out there, i beat him in the Central American Games & i beat him at the Pan American Games. I would definitely fight him in the pro’s it’s just a matter of weight difference right now. He’s learned tremendously, i’ve seen him in the pro’s he’s a great fighter. Guillermo Rigoneaux i lost to him at the Pan American Games it was a controversial fight i had a lot of people watch it who say i won it. They Booed him. They didn’t like the way he fought me. Another guy who i fought who’s gonna fight for a world title is Yonnhy Perez the Colombian. We fought three times i won twice and he beat me once. A lot of people say there’s a difference between the amateur’s & pro’s but once you beat a guy at anything you have his number.
Anson Wainwright - What can you tell us about your life from when you were growing up and how it took you into Boxing?
Abner Mares - I grew up around Boxing my whole life. My dad was a professional fighter, my older brother he trained. So the family was in it, they saw talent in me. I started at 7 and had my first amateur fight at 11. We had our struggles. So many things that hunger that keeps you going. We are who we are and want to do good things.
Anson Wainwright - Who was your favourite boxer growing up and why?
Abner Mares - I think the same as any Mexican fighter my age or any age Julio Cesar Chavez Snr. I grew up watching him. Everytime he fought we had a big BBQ at our house, family getting together to watch. There we a lot of great fighters before him but i didn’t grow up watching them. I watched tapes of them. Salvador Sanchez was another great fighter.
Anson Wainwright - What was so special about Chavez for you?
Abner Mares - Chavez just had the heart, that warrior. He just kept coming and destroyed you. He wasn’t a one punch man he threw body shots, head shots and little by little he broke you down. Chavez didn’t care about your style he fought the same way.That’s what i liked. He didn’t change his style for any fight. There’s nobody like him in my country now.
Anson Wainwright - There seems to be a space for a new guy to come along and be Mexico’s new Numero Uno, is that something you could see yourself one day being?
Abner Mares - Yeah that’s what we’re aiming at. There’s no Mexican prospects. All the good fighters are gone. The old timers Barrera, Morales. So many are looking for the next Mexican legend the icon. Little by little we’re trying to get there our name out there. We have to prove it in the ring. That’s what we plan on doing.
Anson Wainwright - What are your goals in Boxing?
Abner Mares - My goals are to be a world champion, be a top Pound for Pound fighter, moving up in weight. I think i can do great. I can probably make 115 go back to 118, 122, 126 & 130 i walk around 140.
Anson Wainwright - You’d love a fight with Vic Darchinyan at 115 wouldn’t you?
Abner Mares - That’s a fight we’re looking for. I don’t see why not fight it, win it move up.
Anson Wainwright - So you could make 115 if the opportunity arouse?
Abner Mares - No problem. I would definetly do that.
Anson Wainwright - Finally do your have any message for your fans in Mexico and the rest of the world?
Abner Mares - To all the people Abner Mares is back i’m fighting 27 August you can expect big things from me. You will here a lot from Abner Mares.
Thanks for your time Abner and good luck.
Thank you very much
Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com
08/09/2009Lopez Result
Featherweight Abraham Lopez needed just 16 seconds to stop Edward Utorov in a scheduled six round bout. Lopez (8-0, 7 KOs) landed a right to the head, followed by a left hook to the body. Referee Ray Corona waved the fight over after Utorov (7-11, 3 KOs) lay sprawl on the canvas.
(Courtesy of Fightnews)
08/09/2009Wilson KO's Huerta in 1
Fight Night Club was designed by Golden Boy Promotions to build its young fighters. On Thursday night at Club Nokia in L.A., one of them was taking apart with one punch.
Derrick Wilson, a dynamo from Ft. Myers, Fla., landed a devastating left hook that put Charles Huerta on his pants and hurt him badly in the first round of a scheduled six-round featherweight bout. He got up on one knee but, apparently dazed, he failed to rise by the count of 10 and that was that.
The fight officially ended at 59 seconds, which didn’t sit well with the large, spirited crowd at the night club-turned-boxing venue. A few pelted the ring area with debris before quickly calming down.
“Since I got this fight, I told everybody I was going to defeat this guy,” said Wilson (5-0-1, 2 knockouts). “This guy is a nobody. Now I have two knockouts. I proved I can fight anyone, anywhere, anytime.”
This certainly wasn’t what Golden Boy had in mind for Huerta (11-1, 6 KOs). The former amateur star looked impressive in stopping Noe Lopez Jr. on the first Fight Night Club card last month and seemed destined for big things.
That big left hook instantly altered his plans, though, at least for now. Huerta, from Paramount, Calif., had little to say afterward.
“He caught me with a good shot,” Huerta said. “My legs were responding, though. I think the referee [Raul Caiz] should’ve let me continue. He did his job, though, so I respect that. I want a rematch immediately.”
Huerta might’ve proved with that comment that he couldn’t continue. Caiz cannot allow a fight to go on if he counts a fighter out.
Wilson reportedly ran into Huerta before the fight and yelled repeatedly, “I’m going to knock you out! I’m going to knock you out!” And that’s what he tried to do from the opening bell, winging wild punches until he finally landed the one that ended it.
“I came with everything,” he said. “I knew I could knock him out.”
Other than that, it was a good night for Golden Boy.
The second Fight Night Club card was as entertaining as the first last month, and the crowd -- many in a jam-packed standing-room-only -- was bigger and very enthusiastic.
And the other Golden Boy fighters won.
In the co-main event, Luis Ramos stopped veteran Sandro Marcos 59 seconds into the sixth round and final round of a lightweight bout but it was no easy victory.
Ramos, one of the hot prospects signed recently by Golden Boy, put Marcos (29-20-2, 24 KOs) down twice in the first round and appeared to be on his way to a quick victory. However, the tough Mexican wouldn’t go away.
Ramos (12-0, 7 KOs) won every round because he is a better, more-gifted boxer. The southpaw must’ve outlanded Marcos 2-1 in punches, including many that were hard and effective. Marcos went down from a right uppercut and then a right hook.
Marcos also landed some very hard shots, though. One in the third round rocked Ramos, who obviously can take a punch.
Finally, in the sixth, all the punches Ramos landed –- to both the body and head –- took their toll. He put Marcos down with a left-right combination. Marcos was able to get up but the fight was stopped by referee Jerry Cantu.
“He’s a veteran, very strong,” Ramos said of Marcos. “I think the shots to body paid the bills.”
Marcos said he didn’t know he would be facing a southpaw until fight time.
In another featured bout, it took prospect Carlos Molina (8-0, 4 KOs) some time to figure out Eber Luis Perez (9-13-1, 7 KOs) but he finally did, stopping his more-experienced opponent at 2:39 of the fourth and final round of a junior welterweight fight.
Molina, another Golden Boy fighter, said he had difficulty getting inside the New Yorker’s long reach. However, he finally was able to hurt Perez in the final seconds of the third round. Then, in the fourth, Molina unloaded a relentless attack that Perez somehow absorbed until Cantu mercifully stopped it.
In the Fight Night Club opener, Ronny Rios easily outpointed rugged journeyman Rodrigo Aranda in a four-round featherweight bout.
Rios, a former amateur standout who also recently signed with Golden Boy, knocked down Aranda (8-10-2, 2 knockouts) with a straight right in the third round.
Otherwise, Rios (6-0, 2 KOs) controlled a fairly competitive fight with his superior speed and boxing skills.
All three judges gave every round to the less-experienced fighter: 40-35.
"I feel very happy," said Rios, who is from Santa Ana, Calif. "He has a very weird style. I wasn't looking for a knockout; I just boxed him. I'm still learning. I know I can do better."
Aranda has fought many good fighters, both in sanctioned fights and in sparring in his hometown of Las Vegas. He gave Rios credit.
"He has a future," Aranda said. "He's not the best guy I've fought, but he has a future."
Ricky Lopez (5-0, 2 KOs) of Oxnard, Calif., outworked Eder Peralta (0-1) of Pasadena, Calif., to win a unanimous decision in a four-round featherweight fight.
Enrique Ornelas (29-5, 19 KOs) stopped Roberto Baro (12-7, 9 KOs) at 1:01 of the fourth round of a scheduled six-round super middleweight bout.
And a four-round heavyweight bout between Herman Binek of Santa Ana and Yohan Banks of Redwood City, Calif., was delayed for about 20 minutes when a ring post became disconnected from its base during the opening round.
Binek (8-1, 6 KOs) went on to beat Banks (2-3-2, 1 KO) by a unanimous decision in a relatively uneventful fight. All three scores were 39-37.
(Article Courtesy of TheRing's By Michael Rosenthal)
08/09/2009New Golden Boy Fighters Win, But Huerta Loses
LOS ANGELES-Three new Golden Boy Promotion fighters won their fights in exciting fashion while in the main event Charles Huerta was stopped in one round by a Florida newcomer on Thursday.
Just one week after Carlos Molina, Luis Ramos and Ronnie Rios signed a contract with Golden Boy, an older signee Huerta was stopped in front of a large partisan crowd at Club Nokia by Derrick Wilson.
Huerta was one of the highly regarded prospects out of Paramount, California that signed with the L.A. group and was the main event of the fight card that was being televised on Versus. A total of 2,276 fans attended the fight card at the fairly new L.A. venue.
It was Wilson who was the showstopper in this fight.
From the opening bell Wilson attacked with murderous punches that forced Huerta to take a defensive stance. Forced to the ropes, Huerta nearly fell out of the ring. When the fight resumed Wilson and Huerta engaged in an exchange of power blows and it was the Floridian’s wind up left hook that connected. Down went the Californian for the count. He was still on his knees and surprised when the referee counted him out.
“My legs were OK,” Huerta (11-1, 6 KOs) said, unaware that the referee counted him out.
Wilson, who is trained by John David Jackson and accompanied by Nate Campbell (who has a title challenge with Timothy Bradley for the WBO junior welterweight title on Saturday), said he was confident that victory was going to be attained.
“Since I got the fight I told everybody I was going to beat this guy,” said Wilson (5-0-1, 2 KOs). “He’s a nobody.”
Huerta said he wants a rematch.
In the semi-main event, Enrique Ornelas of La Habra shook out the nearly 10 month rust and mauled Mexico’s tricky Robert Baro, a peek-a-boo-I-see-you kind of fighter. But once he got the feeling back in his timing, the middleweight contender Ornelas pummeled the Culiacan boxer with belly busting body shots. Baro hit the floor twice. The second knockdown convinced the referee at 1:01 of the fourth round to end the fight.
“I felt I had a lot of power,” said Ornelas who often provides Sugar Shane Mosley with sparring. “It was a very good stoppage.”
Santa Ana’s Luis Ramos faced Mexican veteran Sandro Marcos (29-20-2, 24 KOs) and worked to a six round knockout. A straight left hand followed by a right hook dropped Marcos and forced referee Jerry Cantu to halt the bout at 59 seconds of the final round of the lightweight bout.
“He’s a veteran and strong,” said Ramos (12-0, 7 KOs), a southpaw. “My body shots to the body paid the bill.”
Norwalk’s Carlos Molina (8-0, 4 KOs) stopped New York’s Eber Perez (9-13-1, 7 KOs) with a barrage of punches at 2:39 of the fourth and final round of their lightweight bout. In the third round Molina had found the formula against Perez’s long reach and began tagging him repeatedly. Several times the New York fighter wobbled and survived but not in the last round.
“He had long arms,” Molina said. “He was relentless.”
Herman Binek (8-1, 6 KOs) was busier and gained a unanimous decision over L.A.’s Yohan Banks (2-3-2) in a four round heavyweight bout. All three judges scored it 39-37 for Bidek.
Santa Ana’s Ronnie Rios (6-0, 2 KOs) scored a knockdown against Las Vegas boxer Rodrigo Aranda (8-10,2 KOs) in the third round and won a four round unanimous decision 40-35 by all three judges in a junior lightweight bout.
In a featherweight bout Oxnard’s Rudy Lopez scrapped out a unanimous decision over Pasadena’s Eder Peralta after four rounds 39-37.
(By David A. Avila)
08/09/2009Vazquez-Marquez IV not in the Cards
Maybe it's best that we are left with our memories of the incredible trilogy because a fourth fight between Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez is just not in the cards right now, if ever.
For the past couple of months, it looked like they would add another chapter to their historical series of fights, but now it looks unlikely.
They faced each other three consecutive times in junior featherweight championship fights between March 2007 and March 2008 with each fight more action-packed than the previous one.
Marquez stopped Vazquez in the seventh round of the first fight. Vazquez gained revenge with a sixth-round knockout in the rematch, which was the 2007 fight of the year. In the third installment, Vazquez won via split decision in a fight that came down to the last round and was named 2008 fight of the year.
It's not unreasonable to declare their trilogy the greatest in boxing history. The stakes were that high and the action that non-stop and that good.
Vazquez has not fought since the 2008 victory over Marquez because of eye injuries, but was cleared to fight in early May.
Marquez was off for 14 months before returning in May for a third-round knockout of Jose Francisco Mendoza in Mexico in a shake-off-the-rust fight.
But Thursday, both sides were faced with the cold, hard reality that a fourth fight posed too great a financial risk for an uncertain reward.
Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer, who co-promotes Vazquez, had been trying to work out a deal under which Vazquez and Marquez would meet in a nontitle featherweight fight Oct. 17 in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand, which he had already reserved.
The plan was to make it the headliner of a Golden Boy pay-per-view card because Showtime, which televised the trilogy, was not interested in doing a pay-per-view and unwilling to break the bank to put it on the network. And Showtime would be competing against itself if it televised the fight on Oct. 17, the date the network is televising the first two bouts of its much-anticipated super middleweight tournament.
HBO was also out of the picture because it has major pay-per-view events Sept. 19 (Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Juan Manuel Marquez) and Nov. 14 (Miguel Cotto-Manny Pacquiao), and it didn't want to flood the schedule, nor was it interested in getting involved at the end of a rivalry that is so closely identified with Showtime, its chief competitor.
As much as Schaefer tried to crunch the numbers and make sure that both fighters were well paid, it just didn't work. He was facing the problem of trying to get 10 pounds of dirt into a 5-pound bag.
Schaefer was hopeful on Wednesday, saying that he was "talking to the necessary parties to put this deal together. Both fighters want it and it's a matter of finding the right structure."
Frank Espinoza, Vazquez's manager, told me Wednesday that he and Vazquez wanted the fight, simply reiterating the stance they've had since the third fight ended. Schaefer had also been talking to Marquez's co-promoters Jaime Quintana and Gary Shaw. Everyone was interested in making the fight.
But after running the numbers yet again, Schaefer met Thursday with Espinoza and talked with the Marquez side and delivered the news: He couldn't make the deal work without taking a significant risk. There would be no fourth fight, at least not in the fall.
"The money is just not there," Schaefer told me Thursday. "Sandwiched between those other two big pay-per-view shows and in the middle of the World Series, when we could have the Dodgers and Angeles involved (and thereby taking a ton of media coverage away from the fight on the West Coast), it just didn't work. So I informed everyone that I'm not going to do it. It was just too big of a risk. I hope the fight will eventually happen."
Espinoza told me he understood where Schaefer was coming from, but he was still disappointed.
"I think there were a lot of factors and the risk was too high," he said. "It was a big gamble because we don't know what it would do on pay-per-view and Golden Boy would have to put up a lot of money. I don't know if it would have worked or if there would have been enough pay-per-view buys, especially because without Showtime or HBO, they would have to do their own production. It didn't make sense. We're disappointed. Now I'll just have to see what the next step is for Israel. I'm going to swallow hard on this a little bit. Oct. 17 isn't going to happen. Now I'm going to have to sit down and talk to Israel and we'll move on from there."
Where Vazquez and Marquez move on to, however, is anybody's guess.- espn.com
(Courtesy of ESPN's Dan Rafael)
08/09/2009New Faces: Luis Ramos Jr.
LUIS RAMOS
Vital Statistics:
Age: 21 Hometown: Santa Ana, Calif. Weight class: lightweight Height / reach: 5-8 / 65½ Amateur record: 104-16 (reported) Turned pro: 2008 Pro record: 11-0, 6 knockouts Trainer: Hector Lopez Manager: Frank Espinoza Promoter: Golden Boy Promotions
Best night of pro career: Outboxed, frustrated and broke down experienced journeyman Baudel Cardenas (18-16-2, 6 KOs) to score an impressive fifth-round knockout in his last bout, on June 11. Cardenas loses more than he wins, but the Los Mochis, Mexico, native is a game “opponent” who had gone the distance with prospects like Vicente Escobedo and contenders like Fernando Beltran Jr. and Francisco Lorenzo in competitive bouts. Ramos controlled Cardenas using a combination of in-and-out movement and sharp shooting, which included a straight left to the body that dropped the journeyman in the first round and a devastating counter right hook that put him down for the count.
Worst night of pro career: After winning his first two pro bouts by first-round knockout, Ramos was taken the four-round distance by Daniel Lorenzana (2-2, 1 KO) in his third pro bout last February. His trainer Hector Lopez called the unanimous (three scores of 40-36) decision win “an average performance” for Ramos, who was cut for the first time during the fight. Perhaps the blood bothered Ramos enough to keep him from putting together a complete offense. He was able to catch and repeatedly hurt Lorenzana with power punches but he did not set them up with his jab or work the body as he usually does.
Next fight: Takes on journeyman Sandro Marcos (27-19-2, 23 KOs) in the six-round co-feature on the second "Fight Night Club" card from Club Nokia in Los Angeles on Thursday, July 30. The bout will be televised on the Versus cable network in the U.S. and streamed live on RingTV.com, with a link at Yahoo! Sports.
Why he’s a prospect: Versatility. The former amateur strandout can box or slug with equal effectiveness. He can stalk an opponent or stick and move around him. Ramos possesses a wide offensive arsenal that includes an educated southpaw jab, a lightning bolt of a straight left and a right hook that often finishes his opponents. He’s also a very good body puncher. Ramos is careful and calculating with his offense, seldom opening himself up when he attacks.
Why he’s a suspect: Like most fighters with less than 12 fights his chin has yet to be tested. And although Ramos has already faced two grizzled veterans in Cardenas and Anthony Martinez in his 1½-year pro career, he’s still relatively untested as a prospect. Martinez, who Ramos outpointed over four rounds in March, had 52 pro bouts going into that fight but the 36-year-old journeyman had lost six consecutive bouts. Cardenas, a veteran of 36 bouts, had dropped seven of his last eight going into his bout with Ramos. Both journeymen were still game, but neither had scored a significant victory in years prior to fighting Ramos.
Story lines: Ramos says his main motivation for success in the ring is to take care of his parents, who raised him to be the humble, upstanding citizen he is. Ramos’ father, Luis Sr., does so much overtime -- working at a clothing store and then cleaning cars at a rental car company -- in order to make ends meet he hardly sees him. His mother, Araminta, also worked two jobs until she suffered a stroke recently. The Ramoses are currently facing foreclosure on their home in Santa Ana because they can’t make the payments. Ramos says he dreams of the day he can afford to buy his parents a home. He took one step toward that selfless goal when he signed with Golden Boy Promotions this month.
Fight-by-fight record
2007
Oct. 19 Christian Reyes KO 1
Nov. 29 Terrance Harris KO 1
2008
Feb. 21 Daniel Lorenzana W 4
April 24 Michael Lynks W 4
June 27 Noe Jimenez KO 1
July 30 Aaron Dominguez KO5
Sept. 26 Celestino Rodriguez KO 1
Oct. 24 Sadot Vazquez W 6
Dec. 11 Justo Vallecillo W 6
2009
March 7 Anthony Martinez W 4
June 11 Baudel Cardenas W 4
(By TheRing's Doug Fischer)
08/09/2009Rios makes up for lost time
Ronny Rios has covered a lot of ground in a relatively short time.
Most successful professional fighters take up the sport shortly after they’re weaned off the bottle. Rios started as a teen-ager, at 13, which might’ve left him hopelessly behind his peers in terms of fundamentals and experience.
Rios appears to be a born fighter, though, the kind who adapts quickly and is afraid of nothing. He developed so quickly that he narrowly missed making the 2008 U.S. Olympic team, losing a controversial decision to eventual Olympian Gary Russell Jr.
As a pro, Rios, only 19, is 5-0 (with two knockouts). He faces journeyman Rodrigo Aranda in a four- or six-round bantamweight bout on the second “Fight Night Club” card Thursday at Club Nokia in L.A.
“I’ve always just tried to work on my technique more than anything else,” Rios said. “And conditioning; I run a lot. I also have fast hands; that’s what everyone says. I know fast hands and power only take you so far, though.
“A perfect fighter has the technique. Every day, I work on my foot work, throwing punches properly, turning them over, blocking and shooting. All the hard stuff.”
Rios wasn’t interested in boxing when he went to spend vacation with his Uncle Ramiro, who happened to be a boxing fanatic.
The boy picked up some boxing magazines, started reading and was intrigued. He said he was attracted by two catchy names – Vernon Forrest and Sugar Shane Mosley – and thought, “I want to see my name there.”
“I started talking to my uncle, I got into watching video tapes and then my brother started boxing,” he said. “So my uncle took me to Jerome (Memorial Recreational) Center in Santa Ana, which is where I met (trainer) Hector (Lopez).
“I didn’t know it was going to go this far. It just happened.”
It happened because Rios was a special talent.
To give you an idea how talented, he won the first amateur tournament in which he competed even though he had had only a few scattered bouts to his credit. Some of the boys he beat had 50, 60 fights experience.
Lopez said Rios began sparring with professionals the following year and generally held his own.
“The guys he sparred with would say, ‘No way that is kid is 14,’” Lopez said. “A 14-year-old giving hell to pros that early is really something. He told me the first week he walked into the gym that he was going to be a champion in multiple weight classes.
“I’ve been doing this for 20 years. Most kids tell me they want to be a world champion. Whatever. He said he wanted something like five different championships in five weight classes. That’s unheard of.”
Lopez corroborated what Rios said about his obsession with technique. And, yes, Rios has ridiculous hand speed, which is ideal in light of his signature punch: the jab.
“I would say Ronny is a boxer-puncher,” Lopez said. “If anything, he probably needs to learn to back off a bit. I don’t think he’s developed man strength at 19 that some other guys have. He needs to utilize his speed. He has unbelievable speed, which gives him an unbelievable jab. That’s unusual these days.
“Everyone wants to be an ESPN highlight with a roundhouse or something. Ronny is a disciplined kid, though. He works well behind that jab. And that speed. I’ve only seen on guy faster, Russell.”
Rios’ one great disappointment was his failure to make the Olympic team.
He was only 17, not even old enough to vote, when he faced Russell for the right to fight in the championship round of the Olympic trials. Rios and Lopez – and everyone else, Lopez said – thought Rios, the national champion at the time, won easily but Russell got the decision.
Russell went on to make the team but failed to make weight and didn’t compete.
“I thought I got the better of it,” Rios said. “The judges say he took the fight. I don’t know. It wasn’t really as disappointing as you might think. In your mind, once you feel you’ve won, it’s not that disappointing to actually lose it. I wasn’t as devastated as Hector was.
“For me, it was more devastating to see Hector hurt. He felt he failed me. I don’t think I could’ve done anything else.”
At Lopez’s urging, Rios resisted turning pro immediately after that fight even though he was eager to help his mother financially. He was a kid; Lopez felt he should let his body mature and get more seasoning.
All he did was repeat as U.S. national champion at bantamweight, after which he was deemed ready for the next step.
Rios received an offer from Top Rank but decided to go with manager Frank Espinoza, who handled gym mate Luis Ramos, and ultimately signed a promotional contract with Golden Boy Promotions.
“I sat Ronny down and said, ‘Listen, if you’re as good as you can be, it doesn’t matter who you sign with. I don’t care of its Golden Boy, Top Rank, Don King, doesn’t matter.’ We just wanted the opportunity like anyone else.
“And once Ronny gets an opportunity, he’ll definitely be a world champion.”
(Article Courtesy of TheRing's By Michael Rosenthal)
08/09/2009Good Things Come In Threes
As the saying goes, good things come in threes. This would seem to hold true for a certain trio of young southern Californian boxers. It was announced a week ago that prospects Luis Ramos (20), Carlos Molina (20), and Ronny Rios (19) are the newest members of the Golden Boy Promotions team. Golden Boy and several other promoters have had their eyes on these young talents, who are also all managed by World Boxing Hall of Fame 2007 manager of the year Frank Espinoza, since they turned pro.
Espinoza, who is also the manager of Israel Vasquez, is proud of his young fighters and the opportunity that they have been given from Golden Boy. The exposure that they will get is something that excites Espinoza, “We feel Golden Boy Promotions gave us the best opportunity for my guys to grow.” Part of that exposure and growth is being able to be featured on the “Fight Night Club” series; a new boxing series presented by Golden Boy that gives promising west coast fighters the opportunity to be seen on a national audience.
All three, Ramos, Molina, and Rios, will be given that opportunity this Thursday when they fight live on the Versus Channel on the second instalment of “Fight Night Club.”
One fighter, Ramos (11-0, 6KOs), is coming in with some experience on this stage as he also fought on the first instalment of the series which is held at the Club Nokia in Los Angeles last June. “It was an amazing feeling being there under Golden Boy and just exciting for me because I got the chance to fight in front of the LA people, my people that made the drive from Santa Ana, and those that saw me on TV fighting for the first time,” stated Ramos.
Rios (5-0, 2KOs) and Molina (7-0, 3KOs) now look forward to their own opportunity to be featured on this card. Rios has been training hard with Hector Lopez, who is also the trainer of Ramos, and Molina, a Commerce, CA native has been training with Clemente Medina, who is also the trainer of 154lb contender Alfredo Angulo.
“They all have that same drive that Israel Vazquez had at that point of his career. They are willing to go through hell to succeed and I respect that,” Espinoza had to say about the trio. Within time, he hopes that the fans will be able to see that too, and Versus could provide them with that chance.
All three have put in the work in the gym to be able to go on national TV and perform to the best of their abilities. Ramos, a lightweight southpaw, has been training for the last seven weeks and will be facing Sandro Marcos (27-19-2, 23KO) from Mazatlan, MX. Marcos is another experienced opponent for Ramos and has been in there with Robert Guerrero, Brandon Rios, and holds an upset victory over Johnny Tapia.
Ramos is not worried as he has been in there with tough tests before and has passed with straight A’s. He is continuing to learn new and different techniques under Lopez which give him confidence. “At the beginning [pro debut] I wasn’t sure if I was doing the right stuff, but as we’re getting better and better, I try to work on things that we need to correct,” said Ramos.
Rios, a super bantamweight, has his own tough test as he is likely facing the best opponent of his very youthful career, Rodrigo Aranda (8-9-2, 2KO) of Las Vegas, NV in a four round bout.
Molina will also be seeing four rounds of action as his lightweight bout is against Luis Ever Perez (11-17, 8KOs) from Cartagena, Colombia. In his last bout, Molina dominated 56-fight veteran journeyman Anthony Martinez.
After the night of action is over with, the Club Nokia transforms itself back from a boxing venue into a nightclub as the fighters and fans get to interact, take pictures, and enjoy live entertainment. “I went down and took pictures with my dad, family, people from the gym, and people that I didn’t even know who just came down to watch the fights,” said Ramos on the experience.
Ramos, who always holds his family close to him and who uses them as his inspiration also made sure to celebrate his victory with those for whom he fights. “I didn’t stay till the end because I went home and celebrated with my mom. She had a stroke and she can’t be around the boxing stuff because it’s too much stress. So I had a chance to celebrate with the people there, but then I went home and came back to my mom.”
Ramos sees these new opportunities opening up for him as a way to help out his parents, who he is pained to see working so hard to provide for their family. “I didn’t know that I would be signing with the guy [Oscar de la Hoya] that I grew up admiring as a boxer. So it’s a dream come true to sign with Golden Boy,” Ramos proudly declared. “I know that Golden Boy is going to take my career to a whole new level and from that I can help out my family.”
It is that kind of attitude which Espinoza sees in these three fighters which makes him proud. “They are all good kids and come from humble backgrounds,” he stated. Along with their abilities in the ring, this trio has the personalities outside of it to make much more people than just their manager proud.
Fighting on the same night as their friends and stablemates is not a problem for any of them. It keeps them focused and relaxed at the same time. “It’s a pretty cool feeling the two of them being on the same card as I am. We can mess around, joke around, and have a good time in the dressing room and yet we always maintain our focus on what we have to do in the ring,” said Ramos.
Once they get in the ring, the focus is evident as they have all been able to, though early in their careers, break down their opponents and show the talents and progress of legitimate young prospects. “The guys are eager to make Golden Boy Promotions proud,” said Espinoza. “But we are not trying to rush them. We have a long road ahead of us but we will take it one fight at a time.”
(Article by By Secondsout.com's José Santana Jr.)
08/09/2009Searching For The New Oscar
Everyone’s searching for the new Oscar de la Hoya. Including Golden Boy Promotions’ Oscar himself.
The L.A. based promotional company took a step towards fulfilling that goal by signing three promising young fighters from the southern California boxing circuit. Lightweights Luis Ramos (11-0, 6 KO’s), Carlos Molina (7-0, 3 KO’s) and featherweight Ronny Rios (5-0, 2 KO’s) all signed on board at Oscar’s offices in downtown L.A. on Tuesday.
What are some of the qualities a young prospect needs to have in order to have a shot at becoming the next “Golden Boy”? First, he must have an impressive amateur pedigree. Second, he should demonstrate a high level skill-set as an up and coming professional. Third, he must be clean-cut and lastly, being fluent in Spanish and English is also an important requirement. Oscar has all those qualities and many within the California boxing scene feel that at least one of these three, Ramos, Molina and Rios are similarly blessed.
“It’s like a dream come true,” Ramos said after signing. Growing up, the 21 year old from Santa Ana, California always admired his new boss. “Oscar has been an inspiration to me since I was a little kid. Being part of his stable is an honor and I plan to do everything I can to make Golden Boy proud that they signed me.” Ramos had an outstanding amateur career with a record of 120 wins against 16 losses. The titles he won are too numerous to mention. Suffice to say that he won just about every major amateur championship.
Carlos Molina hails from Norwalk and trains in Commerce. “I’m excited and flattered that such a big time promotion company signed me,” the 22-year-old Molina stated. “I would say that it’s the beginning of a dream. I’m just getting started and now I’ve got the right promoter behind me to take me where I want to go, which is the world title.” Molina had a solid amateur career and has been impressive as a professional. Even as an amateur, Molina possessed a “pro” style that’s pleasing to watch.
Ronny Rios is also from Santa Ana and trains at TKO Boxing Gym along with Ramos. At 19, his performances have garnered rave reviews. “This is a big deal for me. It’s going to open a lot of doors. Being signed by Oscar is unbelievable. He’s someone whose career I’ve always followed,” Rios said. “I plan to get better every time out. More than anything, signing with Golden Boy just makes me want to train harder than I usually do.” Rios was one of the most decorated amateur fighters ever. He was a two time national amateur champion who fights with a tight guard, quick hands and swift footwork.
All three fighters are part of the Espinoza Boxing Club which is headed by well known manager Frank Espinoza. Currently, along with Abner Mares, four of Espinoza’s undefeated prospects are part of De La Hoya’s promotional group. “I think it’s an important day for a lot of reasons,” Espinoza said. “These kids are respectful, talented, and they’re humble athletes that other kids can look up to and they deserve to be promoted by a great company like Golden Boy. I think they’ll all be champions. I believe in their talent.”
Hector Lopez is the trainer for Ramos and Rios. He’s a no-nonsense type of guy who constantly ket tabs on the young men he’s been training since they were about eight years old. He is, for all intents and purposes, their second father. “You’re not going to see any tattoos or piercings on my fighters,” the 39-year old Lopez commented at one point during a conversation. “I’m old school like that.” He smiled when he said it, but one got the sense that he truly meant it.
A national audience will get a chance to see all three prospects as part of “Fight Night Club” on the Versus television network on July 30th. The card is taking place at the Nokia Theater in downtown Los Angeles. The trio has developed quite a following that will likely make up a large part of the audience at “the Nokia” which is considered to be one of the nicer boxing venues in California.
Oscar is a tough act to follow, there’s no argument there. He single handedly re-energized boxing in the 90s when the sport was truly dying. No other fighter ever logged as many pay per view sales or sold as many tickets. But it takes more than just flashing a million dollar smile in the direction of the HBO cameras. Ultimately, it takes talent, desire and the ability to win major fights against dangerous opponents.
Reaching Oscar’s superstar level, well, that’s a bit more complicated. It’s divine intervention at work, it’s the planets aligning with perhaps some karmic retribution. Ramos, Molina and Rios are special talents hungry for the spotlight and success. They have a top rate promoter and manager. The team is in place. The stage is set. Now it’s all up to them.
(Article By Ralph Gonzalez)
07/22/2009Espinoza Boxing club fighters!!! FUTURE STARS LUIS RAMOS JR., CARLOS MOLINA & RONNY RIOS LATEST TO JOIN GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS' ALL-STAR ROSTER
LOS ANGELES, July 21 - Hailing from the same Southern California fight scene that launched the career of boxing superstar Oscar de la Hoya, former amateur standouts Luis Ramos Jr., Carlos Molina and Ronny Rios have started on their own roads to glory, already combining for a 23-0 professional record.Now they're teaming up with De La Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions to take on the world, as this standout trio has signed exclusive promotional agreements with Golden Boy Promotions.
"I followed Luis, Carlos and Ronny as they went through the amateur ranks, immediately recognized their talent and watched how they have gotten better and better with each fight," said De La Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions."I see a great future in this game for all three of them, both in and out of the ring. While Los Angeles area fans already know this, the rest of the world is going to find out about them very soon." Frank Espinoza, manager of the Los Angeles area trio added, "I've been privileged to work with these fine young men for a while now and given their potential, Golden Boy Promotions was the only firm we considered teaming up with on our way to world championships.Oscar and his team are the gold standard when it comes to boxing promotion and we couldn't be in better hands." Ramos Jr., Molina and Rios will make their debuts under the Golden Boy Promotions banner when they each see action on the July 30 "Fight Night Club" event at Club Nokia at L.A. Live in Los Angeles.
MEET THE FIGHTERS...
Luis Ramos Jr. A talented southpaw who has garnered rave reviews thus far in his professional career, Santa Ana, California lightweight Luis Ramos Jr. (11-0, 6 KO's) is seen by many fight game insiders as a young fighter with true championship potential and crossover appeal. A boxer since the age of seven, Ramos Jr. went on to ring up an impressive 120-16 amateur slate. After falling short of a spot on the 2008 U.S. Olympic team, Ramos Jr. decided to turn pro and in October of 2007 he debuted with a first round knockout of Christian Jose Reyes. Since then, the 20-year-old has been perfect as a professional and in his last bout on June 11, he knocked out 36-fight veteran Baudel Cardenas in five rounds. "This is a dream come true, said Ramos Jr. "I'm looking forward to a long career and to making things better for my family through boxing," "I'm really excited and never expected that one day I would be signed with Oscar who I always watched growing up. This proves that dreams can come true if you work hard enough."
Carlos Molina A former National Amateur Champion, 20-year-old Carlos Molina has begun his assault on the professional ranks in impressive fashion, compiling a perfect 7-0 record with 3 KO's in the lightweight division. That includes a shutout six round win over 53-fight veteran Anthony Martinez in his last bout on May 21st. Known for a fan-friendly style based on blazing speed and pinpoint accuracy, the native of Commerce, California guarantees excitement whenever he steps into the ring. "I'm happy to be a part of Golden Boy Promotions, who is the best promoter out there," said Molina. "I feel really blessed to be where I am and I'm looking forward to making a name for myself through this company."
Ronny Rios One of the most decorated amateurs to hit the boxing scene in recent years, National Golden Gloves and two-time U.S. Amateur Champion Ronny Rios (5-0, 2 KO's) is well on his way to duplicating his amateur success as a professional. Just 19 years old, the Santa Ana, California featherweight is coming off a 2nd round knockout of 20-fight veteran Alvaro Muro in May and is drawing more and more comparisons to a young Oscar de la Hoya with each passing victory for his style and speed in the ring. "I'm very flattered to be here and excited to perform for Golden Boy Promotions as they are the biggest promoter in the sport today," said Rios. "I feel that there is a lot expected of me right now and I'm ready to meet those expectations."
07/21/2009FRANK “DERECHO” ESPINOZA RECIBIÓ HOMENAJE EN MEXICALI, POR ELITE BOXING PROMOTIONS
Por CHARLES WINTER
El mánager internacional, Frank “Derecho” Espinoza, robó cámara el pasado fin de semana en Mexicali, donde estuvo presente y fue homenajeado en la velada boxística que presentó Elite Boxing Promotions, que encabezan, Fernando Domínguez, Francisco Aguilera y Tony Torres, donde el ex campeón mundial supermosca, Martín “Gallito” Castillo noqueó en un round a Alfredo “Fili” Montaño, a quien despachó en el primer round, en batalla celebrada en peso supergallo.
La cartelera se celebró en el Nido Sport Center de Mexicali y cuando Frank fue descubierto por las edecanes de Tecate, no pudieron evitar pedirle la foto del recuerdo, al mánager y empresario que ha tenido en sus manos las carreras de a cinco campeones del mundo, entre ellos al campeón emérito del CMB Israel “Magnífico” Vázquez y el propio Martín Castillo.
Pero no sólo las chicas Tecate recibieron bien el “Derecho” Espinoza, sino también el público en general, sobre todo cuando Elite Boxing Promotions le hizo homenaje público ahí mismo, al entregarle una placa por la gran trayectoria que, incluso, lo llevaron al Salón de la Fama, es decir al recinto de los inmortales.
“Frank es un hombre de boxeo, buen amigo, pero sobre todo un buen ser humano… a lo largo de su trayectoria ha dado muestras de ser gente de buen corazón y los peleadores que ha tenido a su lado los defiende con todos. El no está en el boxeo por necesidad, todo mundo sabe que es un hombre de negocios exitoso, pero el boxeo es un pasión”, definió al “Derecho”, Fernando Domínguez.
Cuando se le preguntó a Frank sobre la victoria de Martín Castillo fue cauto y sólo se concreto a decir: “fue muy corta la pelea para echar las campanas al vuelo…yo creo que Castillo va a regresar a Mexicali para seguir observándolo, esa es la realidad”.
Sobre Israel Vázquez comentó lo mismo que en otras ocasiones, que no tiene nada firme hasta el momento y en cuanto tenga noticias sobre el asunto, inmediatamente se lo dará a conocer a los medios de comunicación.
