By Dan Rafael, ESPN.com
LAS VEGAS -- Golden Boy Promotions president Oscar De La Hoya went to Mexico to personally sign 19-year-old Saul Alvarez in January, believing the he had a chance to become a major star. After the signing, De La Hoya hailed the move as "a historical day for Golden Boy."
Alvarez's popularity was growing steadily in Mexico, where he will continue to fight, but De La Hoya' vision was to also increase his profile in the United States.
So what better way to do that than by putting him in the co-feature on the year's biggest fight so far -- the Shane Mosley-Floyd Mayweather Jr. main event on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena?
It almost backfired.
Although Alvarez stopped Jose Miguel Cotto in the ninth round of a junior middleweight bout, it didn't look good early.
Cotto, the older brother of former two-division titleholder Miguel Cotto, badly rocked Alvarez in the opening round, staggering him with a left hook that sent him falling into the ropes, which held him up. It could have been ruled a knockdown by referee Tony Weeks
Cotto hurt Alvarez again with several follow-up shots, including a flush right hand.
The Golden Boy brass must have had lumps in their throats at ringside.
But Alvarez, who turned pro at 15 with no amateur experience, rebounded to score a knockdown in the second round, nailing Cotto with a right hand. Cotto didn't go all the way down, but he spun around and touched his gloves to the mat to keep himself up.
From there, Alvarez (32-0-1, 24 KOs) remained in control thanks to his heavier punching and strong right hand. Alvarez finished a fading Cotto (31-2-1, 23 KOs) with an avalanche of hard right hands, forcing Weeks to step in and stop the fight at 2 minutes, 51 seconds.
Cotto, a 1996 Puerto Rican Olympian who twice fought for lightweight titles (drawing with Prawet Singwancha for a vacant belt and dropping a decision to Juan Diaz in 2006), showed a lot of heart, never going down during the finishing sequence.
"It was only a matter of time," Alvarez said. "I know the first round was a little scary but I gained my confidence as the rounds went on. Fighting in Vegas was a great atmosphere. I want to come here again. This is the first time Cotto has been stopped but it's because he's never fought anyone as tough as me."
• Former junior featherweight Daniel Ponce De Leon (39-2, 32 KOs) of Mexico turned back a stiff challenge from Detroit's Cornelius Lock (19-5-1, 12 KOs) to win a unanimous decision in a featherweight bout.
Ponce De Leon won his fifth consecutive fight since losing his 122-pound title to Juan Manuel Lopez via first-round knockout in June 2008 and later moving up in weight.
Ponce De Leon, a southpaw, shook off a cut over his left eye, which Lock opened with a series of left hands in the fourth round.
Lock had success in the middle rounds, but Ponce De Leon kept swinging and won 97-93 and 96-94 (twice). Lock made a spirited attempt for the knockout in the 10th round, rocking Ponce De Leon but couldn't get him off his feet.
• In a wild shootout, Las Vegas resident Said Ouali (27-3, 19 KOs), who is originally from Morocco, survived a quick, hard knockdown and withstood a rough follow-up attack to knock out Argentina's Hector Saldivia (31-1, 24 KOs) in the first round.
Saldivia rushed toward Ouali at the outset and knocked him down almost immediately with a chopping right hand. Ouali survived and was taking punishment when he landed a surprising left hand and dropped Saldivia.
Saldivia, making his U.S. debut, was hurt and couldn't survive. Ouali, who is with Mayweather Promotions, landed a right hand to knock him down again and when Saldivia got up, he was in bad shape. He wobbled across the ring to a corner and referee Russell Mora called it off at 1 minute, 47 seconds.
Dan Rafael is the boxing writer for ESPN.com.
Source: boxrec.com
Showing posts with label Jose Miguel Cotto. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jose Miguel Cotto. Show all posts
Sunday, 2 May 2010
Who R U Picking Live Update
Boxing News World
Said Ouali (27-3-0, 19KOs) W-TKO1 Hector David Saldivia (33-2-0, 26 KOs)
Daniel Ponce de Leon (39-2-0, 32 KOs) W-UD Cornelius Lock (19-5-1, 12 KOs)
Saul Alvarez (32-0-1, 24 KOs) W-TKO9 Jose Miguel Cotto (31-2-1, 23 KOs)
- Marshall N. B., marx7204@lycos.com
Said Ouali (27-3-0, 19KOs) W-TKO1 Hector David Saldivia (33-2-0, 26 KOs)
Daniel Ponce de Leon (39-2-0, 32 KOs) W-UD Cornelius Lock (19-5-1, 12 KOs)
Saul Alvarez (32-0-1, 24 KOs) W-TKO9 Jose Miguel Cotto (31-2-1, 23 KOs)
- Marshall N. B., marx7204@lycos.com
Friday, 30 April 2010
Fighter Jose Miguel Cotto, Trainer Joe Santiago, Look To Overcome Adversity -- FanHouse
By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse
LAS VEGAS -- Neither boxer, Jose Miguel Cotto, nor his first-time trainer, Joe Santiago, has had the best of luck in this gambling town.
The last time Cotto was in Las Vegas was in April of 2006, when he lost his bid for the WBA lightweight (135 pounds) title to Juan Diaz.
Santiago was last in Las Vegas in November as the trainer for Cotto's younger brother, Miguel Cotto (34-2, 27 knockouts), who was dethroned as WBO welterweight (147 pounds) champion by Manny Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KOs) following a 12th-round knockout.
But on Saturday night, the duo from Puerto Rico will be in the same corner when Cotto (31-1-1, 23 KOs) takes on 19-year-old, rising star, Saul Alvarez (31-0-1, 23 KOs), who is a winner of 27 straight fights, including knockouts in eight of his past nine fights.
"Vegas has not been a good place for us in the recent past, but you know, that's what can happen when you're in the big leagues," said Santiago, who has since been removed as Miguel Cotto's trainer, and replaced by Manny Steward. "But my job is to help Jose to be in great position to win, and we're ready, and we trained hard, and we're hoping to have a big win on Saturday."
Alvarez-Cotto will take place on the undercard of a clash between 33-year-old Floyd Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) and 38-year-old WBA welterweight king, Shane Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs) at the MGM Grand.
"We have the experience, we have a tough fighter, and we have been in this type of situation before," said Santiago. "We have the confidence of having a great fighter, and we know that we've done the work to prepare for a great win on Saturday."
Both Santiago and Jose Miguel Cotto are in action for the first time since the January death of Miguel Cotto Sr., who replaced his own brother, Evangelista Cotto, with Santiago for Miguel Cotto Jr.'s June bout with Joshua Clottey.
"There is definitely a sense of loss that my father is not here with me because he's always been so much a part of everything," said Jose Miguel Cotto. "But I will definitely fight harder knowing that he is still here with me in spirit."
Miguel Cotto successfully defended his crown against Clottey with a 12-round, split-decision, but was removed following Cotto's loss to Pacquiao.
Steward will be in Miguel Cotto's corner for his June 5 challenge for the WBA junior middleweight (154 pounds) title belonging to Yuri Foreman, as the pair of 29-year-olds face off at the new Yankees' Stadium.
Jose Miguel Cotto is coming off of December's sixth-round knockout of Ilido Julio. In his past five fights, Cotto is 4-0-1, with four knockouts, including three straight stoppages.
"I didn't come here to be a stepping stone for anybody. This is an opportunity for me to, once again, show that I'm one of the best fighters out there," said Cotto.
"I came here to have a great fight and a great win," said Cotto. "I belong among the big leagues of boxers, and I will demonstrate on Saturday what Jose Miguel Cotto is all about."
Source: boxing.fanhouse.com
LAS VEGAS -- Neither boxer, Jose Miguel Cotto, nor his first-time trainer, Joe Santiago, has had the best of luck in this gambling town.
The last time Cotto was in Las Vegas was in April of 2006, when he lost his bid for the WBA lightweight (135 pounds) title to Juan Diaz.
Santiago was last in Las Vegas in November as the trainer for Cotto's younger brother, Miguel Cotto (34-2, 27 knockouts), who was dethroned as WBO welterweight (147 pounds) champion by Manny Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KOs) following a 12th-round knockout.
But on Saturday night, the duo from Puerto Rico will be in the same corner when Cotto (31-1-1, 23 KOs) takes on 19-year-old, rising star, Saul Alvarez (31-0-1, 23 KOs), who is a winner of 27 straight fights, including knockouts in eight of his past nine fights.
"Vegas has not been a good place for us in the recent past, but you know, that's what can happen when you're in the big leagues," said Santiago, who has since been removed as Miguel Cotto's trainer, and replaced by Manny Steward. "But my job is to help Jose to be in great position to win, and we're ready, and we trained hard, and we're hoping to have a big win on Saturday."
Alvarez-Cotto will take place on the undercard of a clash between 33-year-old Floyd Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) and 38-year-old WBA welterweight king, Shane Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs) at the MGM Grand.
"We have the experience, we have a tough fighter, and we have been in this type of situation before," said Santiago. "We have the confidence of having a great fighter, and we know that we've done the work to prepare for a great win on Saturday."
Both Santiago and Jose Miguel Cotto are in action for the first time since the January death of Miguel Cotto Sr., who replaced his own brother, Evangelista Cotto, with Santiago for Miguel Cotto Jr.'s June bout with Joshua Clottey.
"There is definitely a sense of loss that my father is not here with me because he's always been so much a part of everything," said Jose Miguel Cotto. "But I will definitely fight harder knowing that he is still here with me in spirit."
Miguel Cotto successfully defended his crown against Clottey with a 12-round, split-decision, but was removed following Cotto's loss to Pacquiao.
Steward will be in Miguel Cotto's corner for his June 5 challenge for the WBA junior middleweight (154 pounds) title belonging to Yuri Foreman, as the pair of 29-year-olds face off at the new Yankees' Stadium.
Jose Miguel Cotto is coming off of December's sixth-round knockout of Ilido Julio. In his past five fights, Cotto is 4-0-1, with four knockouts, including three straight stoppages.
"I didn't come here to be a stepping stone for anybody. This is an opportunity for me to, once again, show that I'm one of the best fighters out there," said Cotto.
"I came here to have a great fight and a great win," said Cotto. "I belong among the big leagues of boxers, and I will demonstrate on Saturday what Jose Miguel Cotto is all about."
Source: boxing.fanhouse.com
Teenager Saul Alvarez Nearing Main Event Status -- FanHouse
By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse
LAS VEGAS -- Mexican-born, welterweight (147 pounds) Saul Alvarez took a record of 22-0-1, with 15 knockouts into his December of 2008, clash with hard-hitting Raul Pinzon, of Barranquilla, Colombia, at the Miccosukee Indian Gaming Resort, in Miami.
Alvarez, then 18, was coming off of an October, 10-round, unanimous victory over Larry Mosley, and was going in against a fighter in Pinzon who was 16-1, with 15 knockouts.
Pinzon's only previous loss had been by a 10-round, majority decision to then, undefeated, Euri Gonzalez, who entered their bout with a mark of 14-0-1.
Alvarez, who had fought almost exclusively in Mexico, blasted Pinzon out of the fight in just one round, sensationally illustrating what the building, national fuss had been all about for the youngster among his countrymen.
"First of all, you look at him, and you know that this kid is different and that he's special. I call him 'The Mexican James Dean,'" said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, which has signed the red-haired, freckle-faced Alvarez to a promotional contract.
"Plus, he's very charismatic, very good looking, and he can fight, of course," said Schaefer. "Saul is undefeated. And the Mexican and Mexican-American people have embraced him as a potentially great superstar."
So confident is Schaefer in the talents of Alvarez, that the 19-year-old has been cast in the role of the co-main event for Saturday night's megafight between 33-year-old, six-time, champion, Floyd Mayweather (40-0, 25 knockouts), and, 38-year-old, WBA welterweight titlist, Shane Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs), whose crown is not on the line.
Alvarez, whose bout will take place at The MGM Grand, will meet 32-year-old, Jose Miguel Cotto (31-1-1, 23 KOs), of, Caguas, Puerto Rico, who is the older brother of 29-year-old, former three-time, world champion, Miguel Cotto (34-2, 27 KOs).
"Televisa, which is covering fight here, has been with Saul Alvarez the entire week. They're doing specials and feeds every day. The ratings that he gets are 15, and, 16 shares, which are similar to what the Mexican national soccer team gets, which is like, 17, and, 18 shares," said Schaefer.
"That means 16 percent of the entire nation is watching his fights," said Schaefer. "He usually fights in Gudadalajara, Mexico. He's been selling out 15,00-seat venues with people lining up outside."
Alvarez is 31-0-1 with 23 KOs. Alvarez has 27 straight wins, including knockouts in eight of his past nine fights, but none had as much exposure as the teenager will experience on Saturday night.
"I have listened to Saul's management team, and they're an experienced management and they know what they're doing. They feel that he's ready for that stage -- to be on one of the biggest cards of the decade and right before the main event," said Schaefer.
"I think that this is an experience which will help him. He wants to fight Manny Pacquiao. He wants to fight Floyd Mayweather. He has told me those things," said schaefer. "To be right before Mayweather-Mosley is an amazing platform, and he knows that. And I hope that his nerves won't fail him and that he's going to deliver, which we think that he will."
The only blemish on record of Alvarez (pictured below, at left, with Jose Miguel Cotto)_was a draw in his fifth fight as a professional, when he fought Jorge Juarez as a 15-year-old in June of 2006.
After that, Alvarez reeled off eight consecutive stoppages over an 11-month span -- including four in the second round, and, two in the fourth -- from July of 2006, through, June of 2007.
"Saul Alvarez is not weak in any one department. He sets things up with a jab. He's not in a hurry. He has power in both hands. He has good balance and good timing," said Doug Fischer, Co-editor of RingTV.com.
"He sets up punches and he blocks well, but could work on his defense," said Fischer. "I would say that his weakness is handspeed and lateral movement, and I base that off of his fight with Larry Mosley. Mosley basically out-boxed him, but Alvarez wanted it a little bit more."
Jose Miguel Cotto is coming off of December's sixth-round knockout of Ilido Julio, and has not lost since suffering a 12-round, unanimous decision setback to Juan Diaz for the WBA lightweight (135 pounds) title in April of 2006.
In his past five fights, Jose Miguel Cotto is 4-0-1, with four knockouts, including three straight stoppages.
"I didn't come here to be a stepping stone for anybody. This is an opportunity for me to, once again, show that I'm one of the best fighters out there," said Jose Miguel Cotto. "I came here to have a great fight and a great win. I belong among the big leagues of boxers, and I will demonstrate on Saturday what Jose Miguel Cotto is all about."
Alvarez did not back down when he heard Cotto's comments during a press conference on Thursday, instead, directing this salvo at his rival.
"The only thing that Cotto has going for him is his last name," said Alvarez. "Maybe it's better for him to remain in the corner and to help his brother."
Schaefer expects Alvarez to have remained unbeaten when he leaves the MGM Grand.
"Saul Avalrez really has captured the imagination of the Mexican people," said Schaefer. "He's an entertaining fighter, and an exciting fighter, and we think that he has a bright future. I really can't wait to see him on Saturday night."
Source: boxing.fanhouse.com
LAS VEGAS -- Mexican-born, welterweight (147 pounds) Saul Alvarez took a record of 22-0-1, with 15 knockouts into his December of 2008, clash with hard-hitting Raul Pinzon, of Barranquilla, Colombia, at the Miccosukee Indian Gaming Resort, in Miami.
Alvarez, then 18, was coming off of an October, 10-round, unanimous victory over Larry Mosley, and was going in against a fighter in Pinzon who was 16-1, with 15 knockouts.
Pinzon's only previous loss had been by a 10-round, majority decision to then, undefeated, Euri Gonzalez, who entered their bout with a mark of 14-0-1.
Alvarez, who had fought almost exclusively in Mexico, blasted Pinzon out of the fight in just one round, sensationally illustrating what the building, national fuss had been all about for the youngster among his countrymen.
"First of all, you look at him, and you know that this kid is different and that he's special. I call him 'The Mexican James Dean,'" said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, which has signed the red-haired, freckle-faced Alvarez to a promotional contract.
"Plus, he's very charismatic, very good looking, and he can fight, of course," said Schaefer. "Saul is undefeated. And the Mexican and Mexican-American people have embraced him as a potentially great superstar."
So confident is Schaefer in the talents of Alvarez, that the 19-year-old has been cast in the role of the co-main event for Saturday night's megafight between 33-year-old, six-time, champion, Floyd Mayweather (40-0, 25 knockouts), and, 38-year-old, WBA welterweight titlist, Shane Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs), whose crown is not on the line.
Alvarez, whose bout will take place at The MGM Grand, will meet 32-year-old, Jose Miguel Cotto (31-1-1, 23 KOs), of, Caguas, Puerto Rico, who is the older brother of 29-year-old, former three-time, world champion, Miguel Cotto (34-2, 27 KOs).
"Televisa, which is covering fight here, has been with Saul Alvarez the entire week. They're doing specials and feeds every day. The ratings that he gets are 15, and, 16 shares, which are similar to what the Mexican national soccer team gets, which is like, 17, and, 18 shares," said Schaefer.
"That means 16 percent of the entire nation is watching his fights," said Schaefer. "He usually fights in Gudadalajara, Mexico. He's been selling out 15,00-seat venues with people lining up outside."
Alvarez is 31-0-1 with 23 KOs. Alvarez has 27 straight wins, including knockouts in eight of his past nine fights, but none had as much exposure as the teenager will experience on Saturday night.
"I have listened to Saul's management team, and they're an experienced management and they know what they're doing. They feel that he's ready for that stage -- to be on one of the biggest cards of the decade and right before the main event," said Schaefer.
"I think that this is an experience which will help him. He wants to fight Manny Pacquiao. He wants to fight Floyd Mayweather. He has told me those things," said schaefer. "To be right before Mayweather-Mosley is an amazing platform, and he knows that. And I hope that his nerves won't fail him and that he's going to deliver, which we think that he will."
The only blemish on record of Alvarez (pictured below, at left, with Jose Miguel Cotto)_was a draw in his fifth fight as a professional, when he fought Jorge Juarez as a 15-year-old in June of 2006.
After that, Alvarez reeled off eight consecutive stoppages over an 11-month span -- including four in the second round, and, two in the fourth -- from July of 2006, through, June of 2007.
"Saul Alvarez is not weak in any one department. He sets things up with a jab. He's not in a hurry. He has power in both hands. He has good balance and good timing," said Doug Fischer, Co-editor of RingTV.com.
"He sets up punches and he blocks well, but could work on his defense," said Fischer. "I would say that his weakness is handspeed and lateral movement, and I base that off of his fight with Larry Mosley. Mosley basically out-boxed him, but Alvarez wanted it a little bit more."
Jose Miguel Cotto is coming off of December's sixth-round knockout of Ilido Julio, and has not lost since suffering a 12-round, unanimous decision setback to Juan Diaz for the WBA lightweight (135 pounds) title in April of 2006.
In his past five fights, Jose Miguel Cotto is 4-0-1, with four knockouts, including three straight stoppages.
"I didn't come here to be a stepping stone for anybody. This is an opportunity for me to, once again, show that I'm one of the best fighters out there," said Jose Miguel Cotto. "I came here to have a great fight and a great win. I belong among the big leagues of boxers, and I will demonstrate on Saturday what Jose Miguel Cotto is all about."
Alvarez did not back down when he heard Cotto's comments during a press conference on Thursday, instead, directing this salvo at his rival.
"The only thing that Cotto has going for him is his last name," said Alvarez. "Maybe it's better for him to remain in the corner and to help his brother."
Schaefer expects Alvarez to have remained unbeaten when he leaves the MGM Grand.
"Saul Avalrez really has captured the imagination of the Mexican people," said Schaefer. "He's an entertaining fighter, and an exciting fighter, and we think that he has a bright future. I really can't wait to see him on Saturday night."
Source: boxing.fanhouse.com
Alvarez highlights Mayweather-Mosley undercard -- The Ring
By Doug Fischer, The Ring
LAS VEGAS -- The big stage debut of teenage Mexican sensation Saul Alvarez highlights the undercard of the Floyd Mayweather-Shane Mosley fight on Saturday.
Alvarez (31-0-1, 23 knockouts), who will face veteran Jose Cotto in the televised main supporting bout to the Mayweather-Mosley fight, is by far the most advanced and celebrated of the many prospects that will be in action on the stacked undercard.
The 19-year-old native of Guadalajara, Mexico, is also one of the most popular fighters in his country.
“Alvarez is the new face of boxing in Mexico,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, which recently signed the fair-skinned prospect. “He has his own television deal with Televisa and his fights do equal ratings with the Mexican natioanl soccer team. Literally 15-16 percent of the nation watches his fights.”
With his fair skin, red hair and freckles, some -- including Oscar De La Hoya -- have jokingly called Alvarez “boxing’s Howdy Doody” (and truth be told, the kid does bare a facial resemblance to the cowboy puppet of the 1950s-era children‘s show). The Mexican media calls him “the boxing James Dean.” His nickname is “Canelo,” Spanish for cinnamon -- a reference to his fiery hair and ring temperament.
Alvarez is not all hype. The young man can fight and box, and he does so in an entertaining manner.
However, the trainer of Cotto, the battle-tested older brother of Miguel Cotto who was a member of the 1996 Puerto Rican Olympic team, believes the young man will be in over his head on Saturday.
The only blemishes on Cotto’s record (31-1-1, 23 KOs) is a decision loss to then-undefeated Juan Diaz in 2006 and a draw with Prawet Singwancha in 12-round title bouts. However, those fights took place at lightweight, the 32-year-old vet’s natural weight class. Saturday’s bout with Alvarez is at welterweight.
Cotto’s trainer, Mario Santiago, doesn’t believe size will matter.
“(Jose) came here to put on a great fight and get a great win, not to be a stepping stone for anyone,” Santiago said. “He will demonstrate that he belongs in the big leagues of boxing.
“All due respect to Golden Boy Promotions but they should do a better job of matching their up-and-comers. I hope Richard Schaefer and (Golden Boy matchmaker) Eric Gomez don’t lose their jobs after Jose wins.”
Santiago’s comment got a laugh from those who attended the Thursday undercard press conference that took place in the media center of the MGM Grand. Even Schaefer and Gomez chuckled.
Alvarez’s manager Jose Reynoso didn’t think it was funny.
“We don’t won’t easy opponents,“ he said. “You have to beat good opponents when you are on the big stage in Las Vegas. Alvarez is well prepared so we’re not worried. The only good thing about Jose is his last name.”
Alvarez, who turned pro at age 15 after only 20 amateur bouts, is confident in his ability.
“I have a lot of respect for Cotto, who I am very familiar with, but I can adapt to any style,” he said. “I’m ready for him. I feel I’m ready to take on his brother.”
PROSPECTS IN ACTION
Two solid matchups between experienced pros will round out the pay-per-view-televised portion of the Mayweather-Mosley undercard.
The broadcast will kick off with a 10-round welterweight bout between Hector Saldivia (31-1, 24 KOs) and Said Ouali (26-3, 18 KOs). Golden Boy Promotions is very high on Saldivia, of Argentina, who is coached by middle champ Sergio Martinez’s trainer Gabriel Sarmiento. Ouali, a native of Morocco now living Las Vegas, is a tough and game southpaw who is part of the Mayweather Promotions stable of fighters.
Saldivia-Ouali will be followed by a 10-round featherweight bout between Daniel Ponce-De Leon (38-2, 32 KOs) and Cornelius Lock (19-4-1, 12 KOs). De Leon is an awkward, hard-clubbing southpaw puncher and former 122-pound titleholder. The 29-year-old vet has won four bouts since getting knocked out in one round by Juan Manuel Lopez two years ago.
Lock, who is trained by Roger Mayweather, is coming off an impressive fifth-round KO of previously unbeaten Orlando Cruz but was beat up in a 10-round decision loss to Antonio Escalante before that fight. DeLeon has taken on a new trainer, Dub Huntley, a middleweight journeyman during the 1960s who fought all-time greats Carlos Monzon and Luis Rodriguez.
Lock is a skilled, athletic southpaw with speed and good power. His stick-and-move style should trouble the more-experienced DeLeon. Huntley knows this but believes in the old adage “Kill the body and the head will follow.”
Four unbeaten prospects worth watching will be on the non-PPV portion of the undercard. All are worth keeping an eye on.
Junior lightweight Eloy Perez (16-0-2, 4 KOs), of Salinas, Calif., is the most talented of the up-and-comers. Perez, who battles Gilberto Leon (23-7-2, 7 KOs) in a 10-round bout, is a crafty and versatile boxer-fighter who makes for entertaining fights. Perez has his work cut out for him with Leon, of Mexicali, Mexico, who is not only more experienced but five inches taller.
Welterweight Jesse Vargas (9-0, 4 KOs) faces the most experienced opponent of his young career in former 140-pound title challenger Arturo Morua (25-13-1, 14 KOs) in an eight-round bout. Vargas, a native of Mexico who now calls Las Vegas home, is an intelligent pressure fighter who possesses a devastating left hook and body attack. The 20-year-old prospect, who is trained by Roger Mayweather, has drawn comparisons to a young Antonio Margarito.
Lightweight Luis Ramos (14-0, 7 KOs), an alumni of Golden Boy’s Fight Night Club series, takes on Allen Lizau (13-4, 7 KOs), featherweight contender Jason Litzau’s younger brother, in an eight-round bout. If Ramos takes care of business against Litzau fans can expect to see the talented Orange County-based southpaw graduate to Golden Boy’s new “Solo Boxeo” series on Telefutura.
Super middleweight Dion Savage (7-0, 5 KOs) fights Philadelphia’s Tommie Speller (5-3, 3 KOs) in an eight-round bout. Savage, who had a solid but not spectacular amateur career, is a strong and aggressive boxer from Flint, Mich., who is trained by Team Mayweather’s Nate Jones, a 1996 U.S. Olympian.
Source: ringtv.com
LAS VEGAS -- The big stage debut of teenage Mexican sensation Saul Alvarez highlights the undercard of the Floyd Mayweather-Shane Mosley fight on Saturday.
Alvarez (31-0-1, 23 knockouts), who will face veteran Jose Cotto in the televised main supporting bout to the Mayweather-Mosley fight, is by far the most advanced and celebrated of the many prospects that will be in action on the stacked undercard.
The 19-year-old native of Guadalajara, Mexico, is also one of the most popular fighters in his country.
“Alvarez is the new face of boxing in Mexico,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, which recently signed the fair-skinned prospect. “He has his own television deal with Televisa and his fights do equal ratings with the Mexican natioanl soccer team. Literally 15-16 percent of the nation watches his fights.”
With his fair skin, red hair and freckles, some -- including Oscar De La Hoya -- have jokingly called Alvarez “boxing’s Howdy Doody” (and truth be told, the kid does bare a facial resemblance to the cowboy puppet of the 1950s-era children‘s show). The Mexican media calls him “the boxing James Dean.” His nickname is “Canelo,” Spanish for cinnamon -- a reference to his fiery hair and ring temperament.
Alvarez is not all hype. The young man can fight and box, and he does so in an entertaining manner.
However, the trainer of Cotto, the battle-tested older brother of Miguel Cotto who was a member of the 1996 Puerto Rican Olympic team, believes the young man will be in over his head on Saturday.
The only blemishes on Cotto’s record (31-1-1, 23 KOs) is a decision loss to then-undefeated Juan Diaz in 2006 and a draw with Prawet Singwancha in 12-round title bouts. However, those fights took place at lightweight, the 32-year-old vet’s natural weight class. Saturday’s bout with Alvarez is at welterweight.
Cotto’s trainer, Mario Santiago, doesn’t believe size will matter.
“(Jose) came here to put on a great fight and get a great win, not to be a stepping stone for anyone,” Santiago said. “He will demonstrate that he belongs in the big leagues of boxing.
“All due respect to Golden Boy Promotions but they should do a better job of matching their up-and-comers. I hope Richard Schaefer and (Golden Boy matchmaker) Eric Gomez don’t lose their jobs after Jose wins.”
Santiago’s comment got a laugh from those who attended the Thursday undercard press conference that took place in the media center of the MGM Grand. Even Schaefer and Gomez chuckled.
Alvarez’s manager Jose Reynoso didn’t think it was funny.
“We don’t won’t easy opponents,“ he said. “You have to beat good opponents when you are on the big stage in Las Vegas. Alvarez is well prepared so we’re not worried. The only good thing about Jose is his last name.”
Alvarez, who turned pro at age 15 after only 20 amateur bouts, is confident in his ability.
“I have a lot of respect for Cotto, who I am very familiar with, but I can adapt to any style,” he said. “I’m ready for him. I feel I’m ready to take on his brother.”
PROSPECTS IN ACTION
Two solid matchups between experienced pros will round out the pay-per-view-televised portion of the Mayweather-Mosley undercard.
The broadcast will kick off with a 10-round welterweight bout between Hector Saldivia (31-1, 24 KOs) and Said Ouali (26-3, 18 KOs). Golden Boy Promotions is very high on Saldivia, of Argentina, who is coached by middle champ Sergio Martinez’s trainer Gabriel Sarmiento. Ouali, a native of Morocco now living Las Vegas, is a tough and game southpaw who is part of the Mayweather Promotions stable of fighters.
Saldivia-Ouali will be followed by a 10-round featherweight bout between Daniel Ponce-De Leon (38-2, 32 KOs) and Cornelius Lock (19-4-1, 12 KOs). De Leon is an awkward, hard-clubbing southpaw puncher and former 122-pound titleholder. The 29-year-old vet has won four bouts since getting knocked out in one round by Juan Manuel Lopez two years ago.
Lock, who is trained by Roger Mayweather, is coming off an impressive fifth-round KO of previously unbeaten Orlando Cruz but was beat up in a 10-round decision loss to Antonio Escalante before that fight. DeLeon has taken on a new trainer, Dub Huntley, a middleweight journeyman during the 1960s who fought all-time greats Carlos Monzon and Luis Rodriguez.
Lock is a skilled, athletic southpaw with speed and good power. His stick-and-move style should trouble the more-experienced DeLeon. Huntley knows this but believes in the old adage “Kill the body and the head will follow.”
Four unbeaten prospects worth watching will be on the non-PPV portion of the undercard. All are worth keeping an eye on.
Junior lightweight Eloy Perez (16-0-2, 4 KOs), of Salinas, Calif., is the most talented of the up-and-comers. Perez, who battles Gilberto Leon (23-7-2, 7 KOs) in a 10-round bout, is a crafty and versatile boxer-fighter who makes for entertaining fights. Perez has his work cut out for him with Leon, of Mexicali, Mexico, who is not only more experienced but five inches taller.
Welterweight Jesse Vargas (9-0, 4 KOs) faces the most experienced opponent of his young career in former 140-pound title challenger Arturo Morua (25-13-1, 14 KOs) in an eight-round bout. Vargas, a native of Mexico who now calls Las Vegas home, is an intelligent pressure fighter who possesses a devastating left hook and body attack. The 20-year-old prospect, who is trained by Roger Mayweather, has drawn comparisons to a young Antonio Margarito.
Lightweight Luis Ramos (14-0, 7 KOs), an alumni of Golden Boy’s Fight Night Club series, takes on Allen Lizau (13-4, 7 KOs), featherweight contender Jason Litzau’s younger brother, in an eight-round bout. If Ramos takes care of business against Litzau fans can expect to see the talented Orange County-based southpaw graduate to Golden Boy’s new “Solo Boxeo” series on Telefutura.
Super middleweight Dion Savage (7-0, 5 KOs) fights Philadelphia’s Tommie Speller (5-3, 3 KOs) in an eight-round bout. Savage, who had a solid but not spectacular amateur career, is a strong and aggressive boxer from Flint, Mich., who is trained by Team Mayweather’s Nate Jones, a 1996 U.S. Olympian.
Source: ringtv.com
Sunday, 25 April 2010
Big stage awaits unbeaten teen -- Las Vegas Review-Journal
By STEVE CARP, LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
He might be only 19 years old, but Saul Alvarez is ready to take a big step in his professional boxing career.
Golden Boy Promotions has Alvarez, a welterweight from Guadalajara, Mexico, who is 31-0-1 with 23 knockouts, slotted to fight in one of the main undercard bouts on the card headlined by the welterweight showdown between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Shane Mosley at the MGM Grand Garden on Saturday. Alvarez will face Jose Miguel Cotto in a scheduled 10-round bout that will be televised on the HBO pay-per-view portion of the card.
"It's very important that I perform well because this is my first time fighting in Las Vegas and I want to make a good showing," Alvarez said through an interpreter. "I'm facing the best fighter I have ever fought."
Alvarez, who is nicknamed "Cinnamon" because of his red hair and freckles that give him the appearance of a Latino Huckleberry Finn, has become something of a teen idol in Mexico. In his five-year professional career, he has generated crossover appeal with women, and word is some of his female fans have taken off their tops and flung them at the ring.
"Yes, I have seen that," Alvarez said sheepishly. "But people are starting to recognize me, and I've been getting endorsement offers. Movies and television, too."
Alvarez began boxing at age 13 when he found his way into Jose "Chepo" Reynoso's gym in Guadalajara. Two years later, Alvarez turned pro, saying he needed to face stiffer competition in order to improve.
"I'm pleased with the progress I've made, but I still have a lot of work to do so I can be the best fighter possible," Alvarez said. "This fight (against Cotto) will be my biggest challenge."
Cotto, the older brother of former world welterweight champion Miguel Cotto, is 31-1-1 with 23 KOs.
■ CLOSED-CIRCUIT TICKETS -- In addition to pay per view on HBO, the Mayweather-Mosley fight will be available in Las Vegas on closed-circuit TV. The MGM Grand, Mirage, Mandalay Bay, Bellagio, Luxor, Monte Carlo and Circus Circus will show the fight.
Tickets are $50 and are on sale at each property's box office as well as through Ticketmaster and online at mgmgrand.com and ticketmaster.com.
■ HOLYFIELD-BOTHA NUMBERS -- The Nevada Athletic Commission released figures for the April 10 Evander Holyfield-Frans Botha heavyweight fight at the Thomas & Mack Center, and the numbers weren't good for Crown Boxing promoter Frank Luca.
According to the NAC, only 1,173 tickets were sold, producing a live gate of $58,695. There were 1,000 complimentary tickets distributed, and 6,975 tickets went unsold. Luca announced after the fight that the attendance was 3,127.
The gate barely covered rental of the Thomas & Mack, which according to director Daren Libonati was $50,000. The commission said that Holyfield earned $150,000 and Botha $100,000 for the fight, which Holyfield won by technical knockout in the eighth round of their scheduled 12-round bout.
■ CHARLES SETBACK -- Just when broadcaster Nick Charles appeared to be winning his eight-month battle with bladder cancer, he suffered a setback with the cancer spreading to his lungs.
Once again, Charles, 63, will have to take time away from the microphone, where he has been working on Showtime's fight cards, to deal with his health issues.
Charles was in Las Vegas in February, working the Top Rank card at the Las Vegas Hilton that Nonito Donaire headlined. But in March, when he went to his doctors for a checkup, Charles learned the cancer had spread.
He is about to begin another round of chemotherapy in an attempt to stop further spread of the cancer. He said he hopes to return to work this summer.
Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.
Source: lvrj.com
He might be only 19 years old, but Saul Alvarez is ready to take a big step in his professional boxing career.
Golden Boy Promotions has Alvarez, a welterweight from Guadalajara, Mexico, who is 31-0-1 with 23 knockouts, slotted to fight in one of the main undercard bouts on the card headlined by the welterweight showdown between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Shane Mosley at the MGM Grand Garden on Saturday. Alvarez will face Jose Miguel Cotto in a scheduled 10-round bout that will be televised on the HBO pay-per-view portion of the card.
"It's very important that I perform well because this is my first time fighting in Las Vegas and I want to make a good showing," Alvarez said through an interpreter. "I'm facing the best fighter I have ever fought."
Alvarez, who is nicknamed "Cinnamon" because of his red hair and freckles that give him the appearance of a Latino Huckleberry Finn, has become something of a teen idol in Mexico. In his five-year professional career, he has generated crossover appeal with women, and word is some of his female fans have taken off their tops and flung them at the ring.
"Yes, I have seen that," Alvarez said sheepishly. "But people are starting to recognize me, and I've been getting endorsement offers. Movies and television, too."
Alvarez began boxing at age 13 when he found his way into Jose "Chepo" Reynoso's gym in Guadalajara. Two years later, Alvarez turned pro, saying he needed to face stiffer competition in order to improve.
"I'm pleased with the progress I've made, but I still have a lot of work to do so I can be the best fighter possible," Alvarez said. "This fight (against Cotto) will be my biggest challenge."
Cotto, the older brother of former world welterweight champion Miguel Cotto, is 31-1-1 with 23 KOs.
■ CLOSED-CIRCUIT TICKETS -- In addition to pay per view on HBO, the Mayweather-Mosley fight will be available in Las Vegas on closed-circuit TV. The MGM Grand, Mirage, Mandalay Bay, Bellagio, Luxor, Monte Carlo and Circus Circus will show the fight.
Tickets are $50 and are on sale at each property's box office as well as through Ticketmaster and online at mgmgrand.com and ticketmaster.com.
■ HOLYFIELD-BOTHA NUMBERS -- The Nevada Athletic Commission released figures for the April 10 Evander Holyfield-Frans Botha heavyweight fight at the Thomas & Mack Center, and the numbers weren't good for Crown Boxing promoter Frank Luca.
According to the NAC, only 1,173 tickets were sold, producing a live gate of $58,695. There were 1,000 complimentary tickets distributed, and 6,975 tickets went unsold. Luca announced after the fight that the attendance was 3,127.
The gate barely covered rental of the Thomas & Mack, which according to director Daren Libonati was $50,000. The commission said that Holyfield earned $150,000 and Botha $100,000 for the fight, which Holyfield won by technical knockout in the eighth round of their scheduled 12-round bout.
■ CHARLES SETBACK -- Just when broadcaster Nick Charles appeared to be winning his eight-month battle with bladder cancer, he suffered a setback with the cancer spreading to his lungs.
Once again, Charles, 63, will have to take time away from the microphone, where he has been working on Showtime's fight cards, to deal with his health issues.
Charles was in Las Vegas in February, working the Top Rank card at the Las Vegas Hilton that Nonito Donaire headlined. But in March, when he went to his doctors for a checkup, Charles learned the cancer had spread.
He is about to begin another round of chemotherapy in an attempt to stop further spread of the cancer. He said he hopes to return to work this summer.
Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.
Source: lvrj.com
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