Minimumweight Division Update: Heavyweights in a Small Package -- Ringside Report

By Mike “Rubber Warrior” Plunkett, Ringside Report

Over the last couple of years I have gone out of my way to acquaint myself with this oft-ignored weight class. Minimumweight, sometimes also referred to as Strawweight (WBC) or Mini Flyweight (IBF/WBO) is the lightest of all weight classes where its diminutive warriors weigh no more than 105lbs. It is a relatively new weight category for professionals, first inaugurated by the sanctioning bodies between the years 1987 and 1990.

Forget the fact that many of the fighters barely exceed the dimensions of most twelve year-olds, or that a few of them look better suited for duty as an paper weight or horse racing jockey, it’s a division chalk-full of focus, skill, marked athleticism, fire and talent. Having searched the web for hardcore fans that were willing to share some of their fight videos featuring today’s talent pool at 105lbs, I came away with the realization that not only were the vast majority of North American and European fans not paying attention to this weight class, more than a handful of the fans that I dealt with weren’t even clear on its existence. If anything, the minimumweight division enjoys its greatest following among those from the lower Asian basin with a sprinkling of followers from South Africa, Mexico and Central America.

After having reviewed no less than a couple dozen token matches, all of which occurred within the last five years, I was amazed at the talent level and willingness of each of these diminutive warriors. Nobody came in fat. The term “listless” never once applied and the description “pedestrian” at no time factored into the mix. Another point to be considered; none of these fighters are overpaid PPV stars or tied to the interests of a high powered promoter or cable network. They fight often for relatively reasonable money and they almost always give fans cluck for their buck. Here is brief overview of the current titlists and a few division notables, adding color to a weight class chalk full of talent, ready to explode, if quietly and virtually unnoticed, somewhere on the other side of the globe in a dark and most probably packed, smoky arena.

Oleydong Sithsamerchai (Thailand) – 34-0, 12 KO’s

The Thai is smooth boxing southpaw stylist that won the WBC minimumweight title back in November 2007. To date he has successfully defended that title five times, his most recent bout being a close and tenuous close call against the former OPBF minimumweight titlist and world-rated Yasutaka Kuroki. Struggled with the tactically sound and stronger Kuroki, suggesting that his shortage of punching power may be an insurmountable deficit at the highest levels. What he lacks in power he makes up for in boxing acumen and volume punching. His next scheduled defense is set for September 25th against the 17-1 Juan Hernandez, a volatile if somewhat raw orthodox power puncher who poses a distinct threat to his current reign.

Roman Gonzalez (Nicaragua) – 25-0, 21 KO’s

Arguably the most marketable and compelling fighter currently staking a claim in the division, the orthodox “El Chocolatito” won the WBA World minimumweight title in September 2008 and has made three successful defenses to date. Has two-fisted punching power as evidenced by his high knockout ratio including seven first-round stoppages but is known best for his vaunted left hook. Has at-times struggled in bouts with slick stylists but to date has effectively pressured past such tense situations. He gained international prominence with an explosive 1st round knockout over rated Jose Luis Varela. Stopped the normally durable Eriberto Gejon in one round with a single shot to the body. May be outgrowing the division as evidenced in his struggle with the aging Rosas. His next scheduled title defense is penciled in for October against an opponent yet to be announced. Beyond that a high-stakes unification bout with WBC titlist Oleydong Sithsamerchai or a potentially thrilling title defense against the next man on this list would be a magnificent, high octane match-up.

Raul Garcia (Mexico) – 27-1-1, 16 KO’s

The southpaw “Rayito” edged the complicated and durable Florante Condes by split twelve-round decision in his hometown for the IBF minimumweight title in June 2008. He kept a busy schedule and successfully defended that title four times. His most recent bout saw him comprehensively outpointed by Nkosinathi Joyi, a complicated southpaw stylist. A busy right jab and thudding hook compliment his go-forward, all action style. Outside of a rematch with Joyi, a potentially explosive challenge of the undefeated Roman Gonzalez for the WBA World title or an intriguing second go-round with Condes in a neutral locale would go a long way towards keeping his name at the forefront of the division as well as erasing any lingering questions about their first encounter.

Nkosinathi Joyi (South Africa) – 21-0, 15 KO’s

Southpaw “Mabere” won the IBO minimumweight title back in November 2007. He successfully defended that title twice before scoring a shutout twelve-round unanimous decision over Florante Condes, the all encompassing division gatekeeper and the former IBF minimumweight champion in an IBF title eliminator. This past March he won the IBF minimumweight title with yet another shut-out unanimous decision, in the process handing the then undefeated Raul Garcia his first official career defeat.

Donnie Nietes (Philippines) – 26-1-3, 15 KO’s

His nickname “Ahas” which is Tagalog for “snake” comes from the way he approaches the ring with a python around his neck. Fighting out of the orthodox stance, “Ahas” annexed the WBO minimumweight title way back in September 2007. He has made only three successful defenses of that title to date having experienced foe pull-outs on three separate occasions. His most recent win was an impressive 10th round stoppage of Jesus Silvestre in a non-title tiff. Before that he struggled to hold onto his title posting a curious split decision over the experienced and world-rated Manuel Vargas in a bout he looked to be in complete control of. He is expected to prevail against journeyman Mario Rodriguez in his next scheduled title defense.

Florante Condes (Philippines) – 23-5-1, 20 KO’s

“Little Pacquiao”, an alias that speaks to Condes’ crowd pleasing fighting style, stance and considerable punching power, is the former IBF minimumweight champion, having lost his title to Raul Garcia back in June 2008. Lost a wide unanimous decision to Nkosinathi Joyi in an IBF title eliminator back in June 2009 and has since somewhat fallen off the radar. He is currently scheduled to return on August 28th against tune-up foe Sofyan Effendi. Undoubtedly the division gatekeeper and the man to get by if one wishes to move forward towards an eliminator or title shot. He is wildly popular in the Philippines and another title run is not out of the question given his experience and time-proven resilience.

I cannot help but think of minimumweight as being in a state much like the cruiserweight division in that nobody or almost nobody talks about it. It is in fact a weight class with a lot of potentially explosive and entertaining match-ups, sporting an array of talented warriors from all around the globe. Take the time to catch a few of these fighters the next time you have the opportunity to watch them in action. I am certain you will come away impressed, entertained and infinitely more satisfied than if you had watched any of the big names today at heavyweight. Remember, it’s not the size of the dog in the fight that counts, but rather, the realization that sheer skill and sometimes dynamite often comes in small packages.

Source: ringsidereport.com

Promoters' silent treatment bad for boxing -- Los Angeles Times

By Lance Pugmire, Los Angeles Times

The two most powerful promoters in boxing haven't spoken personally to each other since January.

Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum was angered that Golden Boy Promotions Chief Executive Richard Schaefer allowed implications to continue that Arum's prized fighter Manny Pacquiao had possibly used performance-enhancing drugs in the past. The implications originated from the camp of Floyd Mayweather Jr., whom Schaefer has previously assisted in fight negotiations.

Just after the first of two failed negotiations to make a Mayweather-Pacquiao super-fight collapsed in January, Arum said his final conversation with Schaefer revolved around a pitch to make a third Pacquiao fight against Schaefer's Juan Manuel Marquez.

"Schaefer told me he wanted a 50-50 split of the purse, and that Manny had to go through random drug testing," Arum said. "There was no way."

Schaefer, who was lamenting his split with Arum after a news conference Tuesday and cracked, "Bring down this wall, Bob," said his original suggestion of terms for a Pacquiao-Marquez bout was just a starting point, nothing intended to offend. "That's called negotiation, that's the business," Schaefer said. "Make me another offer."

Both men suggested they're willing to make fights pitting boxers from their opposing stables, but the fact is that hasn't happened since January, and there's nothing on the future schedule of main events co-promoted by Top Rank and Golden Boy.

"We've extended not just a few branches, but olive trees, I'm just not going to [do it] anymore," Schaefer said. "After awhile, you say, 'Let this guy be miserable,' and life goes on. I don't lose a minute of sleep over it."

Arum said Wednesday, "It's not the end of the world that I won't talk to him."

Arum said Schaefer owes Pacquiao "a sincere apology," but Schaefer, whose company retains a small percentage of rights to Pacquiao's purses, counters, "I never said [Pacuiao] is using performance-enhancing drugs." Pacquiao filed a pending defamation lawsuit against Mayweather and Schaefer's business partner, Oscar De La Hoya, for the alleged drug-use implications.

This strain has happened before, weakening the sport before a mediator repaired a 2007 Top Rank-Golden Boy dispute over Pacquiao's rights and bridged a co-promoted Pacquiao bout against Golden Boy's Marco Antonio Barrera.

Now, there's been an uproar, including one post-fight vent last month by HBO boxing analyst Max Kellerman, to stop the in-house promotions like last Saturday's Marquez-Juan Diaz Golden Boy show, a Sept. 18 Golden Boy card headlined by Shane Mosley and Sergio Mora, or plans for the Top Rank Pacquiao-Antonio Margarito card on Nov. 13.

Arum insists, "Nobody is saying we won't do business with them," contending Top Rank executives Todd duBoef or Carl Moretti could capably handle co-promotion talks with Schaefer. Arum dared a questioner to "give me one fight" boxing has been deprived because of the absence of dialogue between the promotional heads.

How about Pacquiao-Marquez III, or a later Miguel Cotto-Mosley II? And how much did it hurt attempts to stage Mayweather-Pacquiao that Arum and Schaefer aren't on speaking terms?

Yet, Arum dismissed Marquez as an immediate opponent and said Mosley "was sort of pathetic" in a May loss to Mayweather.

"If I have to do a fight with them, I will," Schaefer said. "I won't let childish behavior hurt the sport. I'm the CEO of this company, though. I make the deals. Top Rank can have anyone they want -- Todd or their secretary -- but they have to talk to me."

Source: latimesblogs.latimes.com

Pacquiao is huge betting favorite -- Manila Bulletin

By NICK GIONGCO, Manila Bulletin

Manny Pacquiao has been installed the huge favorite going into his November 13 clash with Antonio Margarito of Mexico.

Oddsmakers have installed Pacquiao as -525, meaning a $525 bet would only win $100.

In contrast, Margarito is a heavy underdog at +325 that a mere $100 bet would balloon to as much as $325 in case he wins.

Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum is in the process of wrapping up all the pertinent details, waiting word from a party in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, is it is indeed serious in bringing Pacquiao there.

Arum said Mike Koncz, who is Pacquiao’s adviser, has been in Abu Dhabi since Monday and will continue to do so until Wednesday or Thursday.

“Michael (Koncz) told me the talks turned out very good and he’s going to meet one or two more guys to determine if the fight is going to happen there,” said Arum on Tuesday from Los Angeles.

In the meantime, Arum has Dallas, Monterrey in Mexico and Las Vegas on standby.

Last March, Cowboys Stadium played host to Pacquiao’s fight with Joshua Clottey watched by over 51,000.

Arum has already penciled August 31 as the kickoff press conference for the Pacquiao fight.

Dallas, New York and Los Angeles will make up the itinerary of the press tour, said Arum, in the event a deal can’t be reached in Abu Dhabi.

Source: mb.com.ph

Juan Manuel Marquez on Manny Pacquiao, Amir Khan, Michael Katsidis -- FanHouse

By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse

LAS VEGAS -- FanHouse was on hand for the post-fight press conference at the Mandalay Bay Hotel when WBO and WBA lightweight (135 pounds) champion Juan Manuel Marquez addressed members of the media following his HBO pay per view televised 12-round unanimous decision over Juan Diaz.

The 36-year-old Marquez (51-5-1, 37 knockouts), who is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, defeated the 26-year-old Diaz (35-4, 17 KOs) for the second time, adding to his February, 2009, come-from-behind, ninth-round knockout victory that was named Fight of the Year.

His right eye swollen shut from the action, Marquez, who turns 37 on Aug. 23, told the press that he would next like to have a third fight with seven-division titlist and WBO welterweight (147 pounds) champ Manny Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KOs), with whom he has drawn and lost a disputed decision.

Marquez also said that he would consider moving up to 140 pounds in an attempt to earn a fourth crown in as many divisions, possibly against WBA junior welterweight king Amir Khan (23-1, 17 KOs) an acheivement that would make him the first Mexican fighter to do so. Marquez said that he might also entertain a defense against No. 1 mandatory challenger, Michael Katsidis (27-2, 22 KOs) of Australia, who is the WBO's interim belt-holder.

Juan Manuel Marquez post-fight:


On how he felt about the fight in general.

I feel great about the fight. Obviously, Juan Diaz came in with a different strategy. He came in with a different strategy and I was prepared. I was prepared for anything. Obviously the fans enjoyed the fight. But I was prepared for that different strategy that Juan Diaz brought to the table, and obviously, I was victorious.


On what the difference was between the first fight and the second fight.

The first fight, Juan Diaz came in straight forward and pressed the fight. He was aggressive. But obviously in this one, Juan Diaz was thinking more. He was trying to box more. He changed up his strategy, so the fight was a bit more technical. Still, I was happy with my performance.


On Juan Diaz's valiant performance.

Obviously, Juan Diaz is a great fighter and like I said, he changed his strategy. He was about to go down two or three times. But he changed his strategy. He's a great fighter. I'll take nothing away from him and say nothing bad about him. He's a great fighter. But we prepared ourselves to face a tough Juan Diaz.


On the message that he believes that he sent by winning against a fighter who is 10 years younger than he is.

The message that I sent is that age doesn't matter. Age does not matter. There was a 10-year difference. And when you prepare yourself the way that I do, then age doesn't matter. It was a tough fight, obviously, especially after getting poked in the eye and with Juan Diaz changing his style.

But age doesn't matter, and I'm going to continue to fight and to keep pressing on and doing my best. So the message tonight was that age does not matter.


On when during the fight that he was thumbed in his right eye, which was completely swollen shut after the fight.

In the fourth and eight round I felt that thumb go into my eye. In the fourth and eighth round, I felt the sting of the thumb going into my eye.


On the possibility of a Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez III fight.

I'm right here. I'm right here. There's no hiding. There's no running. I'm right here. I'm waiting for him, you know? Our first fight, everybody saw what happened. And I'm right here. That's what boxing wants.

That's what boxing needs, and he needs to face a fighter that can beat him. I'm right here waiting for him, so whenever he's ready to knock on my door, you know, I'll be right here.


WBO interim champion Michael Katsidis, the mandatory challenger for Juan Manuel Marquez, stood up and asked if Marquez would be interested in defending the title against him.

Obviously, look, it's up to my promoter. Obviously, look, my priority right now is and always has been Manny Pacquiao. There's no ifs ands or buts -- I want to fight Manny Pacquiao. But I might have to defend my titles, and we have to respect that Michael Katsidis is the No. 1 mandatory challenger to fight for my titles.

So, obviously, if the Manny Pacquiao fight doesn't happen, then I have to defend my titles with honor and that's what I'll do. I just want to be involved in the best fights possible. That's the way that it's going to happen.


On what weight at which he would want to rematch Manny Pacquiao.

I'll fight Manny Pacquiao between 140 pounds and 142 pounds, 143, that's where I'll fight Pacquiao. No problem. I went all the way up to 147 and fought Floyd Mayweather. I'll tell you one thing, I went all the way up to 147 to fight the best fighter on the planet.

I hung in there for 12 rounds and fought with heart like I always do. If I want to fight Manny Pacquiao, fight me at a catch weight of between 140 or 143 with no problem.


On whether or not he will pursue a fourth world title in as many weight classes against WBA junior welterweight (140 pounds) champion Amir Khan if a Manny Pacquiao fight doesn't materialize.

There are a lot of possibilities that I have in front of me. Now, the doors are wide open. One of the challenges also is to move up to 140 and to be the first Mexican in boxing history to win titles in four different divisions. Four titles in four different divisions.

That's possible, but I have to look at my mandatory defenses, and I have to look at the Manny Pacquiao situation. I have to look at the fact that I want to make history by being the first Mexican champion in four different divisions.

But right now, first things first, I want to take it easy and put some ice on my face and enjoy the victory.

Source: boxing.fanhouse.com

Don King gives Floyd Mayweather (ego) massage of a lifetime -- Examiner

By Michael Marley, Examiner.com

Let me follow up my Friday exclusive interview with Don King on his South Florida visitor/special guest Floyd Mayweather Jr.

If it's a massage, particularly the ego massage of a lifetime, the vainglorious Mayweather has gone to the right guy.

DK could be a masseur because he never rubs an undefeated superstar such as Mayweather the wrong way...at least before they sign a voluminous DP contract.

Seriously, let's not forget how the persistent King lured Mike Tyson, who was briefly in the clutches of then wife Robin Givens and her Mommy Dearest, Ruthless Ruth Roper, away from manager Bill Cayton and trainer Kevin Rooney.

When the ladies got involved in a domestic quarrel with the explosive Tyson at his Bernardsville, NJ, mansion, and numerous household and personal items were hurled by “the Baddest Man On The Planet” into the mansion's fireplace.

I was working the breaking story for The New York Post and recall someone tipping me off that Tyson was trying to cool down at an area coffee shop.

“Where is Brother Mike?” King said to me, speaking excitedly over the phone from his stretch limo. “I've got to rescue this man and do it now,”

Mike and Robin were divorce bound and King's aggressive pursuit was the beginning of the end for the impersonable Cayton regime.

After Hasim Rahman shocked the world by knocking out Lennox Lewis in South Africa, his promoter Cedric Kushner made some drastic errors.

He had pocketed a contract renewal bonus due Rahman because he was convinced, like the rest of the world, that The Rock would be hammered into submission by Lewis. If memory serves, the amount was meager, something like $40,000.

Then “The Walrus” let his overachieving client fly in steerage rather than first class back from Johannesburg to the USA. Kushner compounded the mistake by not traveling with the exuberant new heavyweight champion.

By the time Rahman's flight got to Baltimore or Washington, you can guess who was there to meet and greet him and had a suitcase loaded with $100 bills to bestow on Lewis' conqueror.

Kushner's reign as Rahman's promoter vitually ended at the baggage carousel.

When crackhead-alcoholic Oliver “Atomic Bull” somehow flattened Lewis (with his eyes closed, no less) in London, I was working for King.

The next day, I heard King booking some tickets on the Concorde. Great, I thought, I always wanted to try the supersonic transport.

“You're not going on the Concorde,” King said. “That's just for Oliver and me. Oliver is the new Yankee Doodle Dandy for knocking out Lennox right here in London. You can fly coach and meet us in New York.”

Like I say, if Mayweather's nose is out of joint, if he truly feels his handlers have not kissed his rump enough or brought in all dollars available, them maybe his public meeting with King will lead to a relationship between the two.

At the least, Mayweather is getting his super ego fondled like never before.

But a great massage is one thing and a “happy ending” is yet another.

Even Al Gore now knows that much.

Right now, though, King seems to be “rubbing” Mayweather the right way.

(mlcmarley@aol.com)

Source: examiner.com

JM Marquez the master over Juan Diaz as Amir Khan waits in the wings -- Telegraph

By Gareth A Davies, Telegraph.co.uk

Juan Manuel Marquez still has it. In abundance. The Mexican master fought his way to a unanimous decision over Juan Diaz at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas in the early hours of this morning, to retain his WBA and WBO lightweight titles.

Clinical, rarely troubled, Marquez put on a top-level, counter-punching performance, to defeat Diaz for a second time, following his ninth round stoppage victory in February last year.

The memories of Marquez (51-5-1, 37 KOs) being dominated by the much bigger Floyd Mayweather Jnr – in September 2009 – eased away as Diaz (35 wins 4 losses) was picked apart by a fighter whose ambition shows no sign of decreasing.

It is now it is a question of what happens next…British WBA light-welterweight king Amir Khan was ringside, as was David Haye, the WBA heavyweight champion, who was working the corner for supermiddleweight George Groves, making his debut in the United States.

Diaz – known as Baby Bull – was forceful in the opening rounds, but as the fight progressed, Marquez’s superior ring skills began to tell, from round four the two belt world champion landing at will with left hooks and piston right hands. Diaz was in trouble in the middle of the fourth round, rocked by upper cuts.

Marquez, 36, who has held titles in three divisions, may now move up to light-welterweight, after the 116-112, 118-110 and 117-111 verdict.

Marquez said after the fight that his preference is for a third fight with Manny Pacquiao – with one draw and the Filipino winning by split decision in the other – yet the pound for pound king is due to fight at light-middleweight against Antonio Margarito on Nov 13.

Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, is looking at Khan as a possible opponent for Marquez in December.

Marquez said: “There’s a lot of possibilities, the door is open. One challenge is to move to 140 and be the first Mexican to win four divisions. My priority right now has always been Pacquiao. If I have to defend my title I will with honour. Against [Michael] Katsidis [who was ringside for th fight] ? That’s what I’ll do.”

Source: blogs.telegraph.co.uk

Mastery never gets old, part two: Marquez decisions Diaz -- 15Rounds

By Bart Barry, 15Rounds.com

LAS VEGAS – It was entertaining as a one-sided fight could be, but finally, “The Rematch” was a one-sided fight. Blame it on Marquez’s class – the ageless type.

Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay Events Center, in a rematch of 2009’s Fight of the Year, Mexico City’s Juan Manuel Marquez (51-5-1, 37 KOs) and Houston’s Juan Diaz (35-4, 17 KOs) squared up to determine the lineal lightweight champion of the world. Twelve rounds later, it was the same guy as it was when the night began, with Marquez winning by unanimous decision scores of 116-112, 118-110 and 117-111.

The 15rounds.com scorecard concurred, scoring it 118-110 for Marquez.

Diaz’s strategy, to box and keep his weight from falling over his front foot, was a sound one for survival. But starting in round 1, and with only a brief exception in rounds 2 and 3, it was not a strategy that would ever bring him victory.

For his part, Marquez was the same master craftsman he has always been, riddling Diaz with left uppercut-right cross-left uppercut combinations whenever the younger man’s enthusiasm brought him within range. The rest of the time, Diaz was safe, but he wasn’t in the fight.

Afterwards, Diaz hinted at the possibility of his retirement, saying he still wasn’t sure about his future and thanking his hometown of Houston for its undying support.

Marquez, meanwhile, addressed the possibility of a rubber match with pound-for-pound champion Manny Pacquiao, after his victory.

“I think the third fight with Pacquiao is the one the aficionados want,” Marquez said. “And it’s the best thing for the fans.”

Class tells: Pirog ruins Jacobs

Golden Boy Promotions’ eye for talent has been questioned often since its inception. What Russian Dmitry Pirog did to Golden Boy prospect Daniel “Golden Child” Jacobs in the co-main event of “The Rematch” will make such questions all the more prevalent.

Pirog (17-0, 14 KOs) outclassed Jacobs (20-1, 17 KOs) in each round, using fundamental boxing to solve the speedy Brooklynite, before catching him flush with a perfect right cross, knocking Jacobs out cold at 0:57 of the fifth round to become the WBO middleweight champion of the world.

After a fairly even opening stanza, round 2 began with Pirog marching forward behind a right cross and extremely efficient footwork, entirely neutralizing Jacobs’ reflexes. Then Jacobs wisely began the third on his bicycle, circling away from Pirog, fighting part of the round as a southpaw and regaining his composure. Round four, too, passed in a somewhat even fashion.

Pirog came out in the fifth, however, backed Jacobs to the ropes and waited for him to start a tentative punch. At that moment, Pirog stepped fully into a right cross that landed on Jacobs’ chin and dropped him to the blue mat in a pile. Referee Robert Byrd wisely forwent his 10-count, waving an immediate conclusion to the fight.

Guerrero brushes away “Cepillo”

Boxing may never know Joel Casamayor’s true age, but Saturday it learned how old he now is: Too old.

In a junior welterweight scrap some in Mandalay Bay’s Events Center hoped would be competitive, California’s Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (27-1-1, 18 KOs) easily decisioned Cuban Joel “El Cepillo” Casamayor (37-5-1, 22 KOs) by lopsided unanimous scores of 98-89, 98-89 and 97-90.

Down in each of the match’s first two rounds and penalized a point for holding, the previously resilient Casamayor looked old and spent, Saturday, as Guerrero hurt him with every landed left hand. In round 2, a Guerrero left cross even stunned Casamayor to the point of dropping both gloves and looking around in disbelief before rallying to wrap his arms round Guerrero’s trunks.

Never a strict adherent to the Queensbury rules, Casamayor looked particularly sad in his opening six minutes against Guerrero, when he was reduced to fouling to survive rather than win.

After such a shaky start, though, Casamayor, whose chin has never been doubted, found enough of his stride to give Guerrero quality rounds. Still, a Guerrero left hand or two seemed to buckle Casamayor’s old knees in almost every round.

But as the fight progressed, and Casamayor threw more punches, Guerrero began to holster his left hand, gradually sapping the match of its emotion. By the ninth round, a few vocal fans began to boo the action in the ring while the large majority of the Events Center crowd expressed its displeasure with abject silence.

The final stanza, though, saw Guerrero over-commit to a left hand and impale himself on Casamayor’s outstretched right glove. But the suspense passed quickly when Guerrero rose and boxed to a comfortable victory.

Linares plays bus driver, takes Juarez to school

Venezuelan Jorge Linares literally towered over Houston’s Rocky Juarez at Friday’s weigh-in. Saturday night, Linares towered over him figuratively too.

In the first fight of “The Rematch’s” pay-per-view telecast, Linares (29-1, 18 KOs) easily decisioned Juarez (28-7-1, 20 KOs) over 10 one-sided rounds to win the WBA’s vacant lightweight title by unanimous scores of 99-90, 97-92 and 99-90.

The fight began as Juarez fights always do, with Juarez doggedly chasing his opponent, eating punches and unable to let his own hands go. Linares, who would look nimble in the ring with anyone, looked positively balletic across from the heavy-footed Juarez. Snapping jabs and dancing away, Linares gave Juarez a boxing lesson in the fight’s first four rounds.

Towards the end of round 5, Linares landed one of many left uppercuts, and this one caused Juarez to stumble backwards and drop to the blue mat, a place one rarely finds him. Unable to hurt Linares and now worried that Linares might hurt him, Juarez, who’s hesitant even when he’s winning, began trading two Linares uppercuts for his every landed jab – a formula destined to fail.

What few vocal fans there were gave a number of halfhearted “Rocky, Rocky” chants as the fight progressed, and Juarez’s eyes continued to close, but the arena was otherwise silent enough for the bell to cause echoes at the end of each round.

The final round saw most of the fight’s sustained action, but those three minutes did not feature nearly enough pressure from Juarez to undo the 27 minutes that preceded them. The problem for Juarez, finally, is not just that he is now 0-6 in world title fights. It’s that he’s losing by larger margins in his every subsequent challenge.

Undercard

It was a case of dog attacks man in “The Rematch’s” final off-television match, as undefeated junior welterweight Los Angeleno Frankie “The Pit Bull” Gomez (5-0, 5 KOs) went through Minnesota’s Ronald Peterson (2-3, 2 KOs) without a modicum of resistance. A Gomez left hook to Peterson’s liver ended the match at 2:14 of round 1, when Peterson chose not to continue.

The fourth match on the untelevised undercard might well have been its best, as unheralded Mexican lightweight Juan Manuel Montiel (6-3-1, 1 KO) swapped blows and taunts with Nevadan Mike Peralta (4-6, 1 KO) in a well-matched six-round bout, which Montiel won by unanimous scores of 58-55, 60-53 and 58-55.

Despite spitting blood for half the fight and appearing fatigued throughout, Peralta nevertheless entertained the local crowd with his heart and will. Finally, though, Montiel had too much class, and the judges did not see the fight competitive as fans did.

The night’s third bout came to a rapid and ugly end when Australian Sakio Bika (28-4-2, 19 KOs) fouled undefeated and unarmed Frenchman Jean Paul Mendy (29-0-1, 16 KOs) at 1:19 of the first round of their IBF super middleweight eliminator, losing by disqualification and bringing some well-deserved hostility from the desert crowd.

In a maneuver disappointingly reminiscent of a different super middleweight – Arthur Abraham and his right hand to a kneeling Andre Dirrell in March – Bika knocked Mendy to the canvas and then stepped forward and fired a point-blank right uppercut at the defenseless Frenchman. Mendy, who had almost no power to speak of while upright, tilted forward and landed on his own forehead. Referee Joe Cortez called an immediate end to the match.

Mendy was later able to walk from ringside unassisted.

At Friday’s weigh-in, ESPN commentator (and cruiserweight contender) BJ Flores said the man to watch on Saturday’s undercard was a Brit by the name of George Groves. Flores was right. Accompanied to ringside by heavyweight titlist David Haye and favoring a left hook-right cross combination, Groves (10-0, 8 KOs) chopped away at Mexican Afredo Contreras (11-8-1, 5 KOs) until a somewhat early intervention by referee Russell Mora halted the match at 0:48 of the sixth round.

While Contreras did not appear to be in any trouble, and never went down, Groves, for his part, appeared to be committing fully to each of the right crosses with which he tagged Contreras with increasing frequency.

Before that, “The Rematch” got off to a quick and violent start Saturday afternoon as Maryland heavyweight Seth “Mayhem” Mitchell (18-0-1, 12 KOs) went directly through overmatched Philadelphian Derek Bryant (20-6-1, 17 KOs), stopping him at 1:45 of the first round.

After firing a succession of left hooks to Bryant’s body, Mitchell went upstairs with lefts and rights to the head and continued his assault till referee Kenny Bayless had seen enough.

The opening bell rang on a sparse Events Center crowd at 2:40 PM local time.

Source: 15rounds.com

Warrior Pacman deserves so much better than the delaying tactics of 'smoke & mirrors' Mayweather -- Mirror

By Barry Mcguigan, Mirror.co.uk

The only detail to be decided in the match between Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito is the location.

It won't be a concern for Pacquiao. Just tell him where and when and he will turn up. He doesn't even need to know who he is fighting, because he will take on all-comers.

That's why people love him and why some, including me, get so frustrated with Floyd Mayweather Jnr.

Everybody knows they will fight. And they also know that it is they who should be squaring up on November 13, not the Pacman and Margarito.

We may have to wait another 12 months for the richest fight in history, by which time Pacquiao will be one fight and one year older.

That might not seem much. It might not mean much. But then again, it could be all the difference in the world.

That calculation takes you right into the thinking and attitude of Mayweather, who will do everything within his power to ensure that if there is an advantage to be had, he gets it.

All that bluster about blood tests that forced the cancellation of the March date was set aside by Pacquaio agreeing to Mayweather's testing demands for the proposed November date.

What do we get from Mayweather? Prevarication and obfuscation, smoke and mirrors, contradicting messages designed to confuse.

The truth is if he had wanted to take the fight in November, he could have done. He flunked the challenge in my view. All you want from your heroes is for them to take a chance on level terms, not to fight with a stacked deck.

Mayweather fights only against opponents he knows he can beat. Pacquiao took huge risks against Oscar de la Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto.

He made those decisions look ridiculously simple when the result was known. I would have lost my house on the Cotto fight.

That was the bout I thought was a step too far. What he did to Cotto staggered me in a way I did not think possible.

Mayweather may well be the most gifted technician of his generation, but the one thing he will never do is shock you.

And that is because he refuses to take a risk, to put his reputation on the line.

What is the point of schooling Juan Manuel Marquez, who fights Juan Diaz tonight at lightweight, which is arguably a division above his best? Mayweather weighed in at 146 against Marquez, who scaled 142. Ridiculous. The Pacman fought him six years ago at featherweight. They both tipped the scales at 125lbs.

The result was a proper contest and a brilliant fight.

The Margarito fight is at a catchweight 150lbs but still for the WBC light-middleweight title.

If Mayweather is hoping that Pacquiao gets caught up in a war, I'm not sure he will get his wish.

At 32, Margarito (left) is not the boxer who beat Cotto two years ago. He was well beaten by Shane Mosley subsequently and then was hit with a ban for taping his hands illegally.

The evidence points to Pacquiao, who is still fighting at a formidable level.

One thing is certain - any sign of decline will have Mayweather's people on the phone the next day.

He'll be ready to make the fight then, that's for sure.

Source: mirror.co.uk

Pacquiao-Margarito fight not coming to Las Vegas -- Las Vegas Review-Journal

By STEVE CARP, Las Vegas Review-Journal

Manny Pacquiao's next fight will not be in Las Vegas after all.

Citing an inability to get Antonio Margarito licensed in Nevada in a timely fashion, Top Rank chairman Bob Arum decided Friday to withdraw his request to have Margarito apply for a boxing license on the Aug. 9 agenda of the Nevada Athletic Commission. Arum was hoping to have Pacquiao face Margarito on Nov. 13 at the MGM Grand Garden.

The fight now appears headed to Cowboys Stadium in Texas.

But first, Margarito will appear before the California State Athletic Commission at a special hearing on Aug. 18 in an attempt to work things out with that state after it revoked his license and suspended him for one year after hard inserts were found inside his hand wraps prior to his Jan. 24, 2009 fight with Shane Mosley in Los Angeles.

When Margarito appeared before the NAC on July 9, his request for a license was tabled by a 4-1 vote, with chairperson Pat Lundvall the lone dissenting vote.

Those who voted to table the request told Margarito to go back to California, where his suspension had expired on Feb. 10, and take care of business there. Then he would be welcome to return to Nevada to seek a license.

"Because time is running out, we can't wait for Nevada to make a decision so we have to think about moving the fight elsewhere," Arum, who promotes both fighters, said Friday. "The commission, other than Pat, have other views. We decided we can't engage them in trying to change their views, so we're taking it elsewhere."

After talking to Arum and learning of his decision, NAC executive director Keith Kizer sent an e-mail to the commissioners indicating Arum's intentions.

"He said he didn't want to wait," Kizer said. "That's his call. Obviously, you have to have both fighters licensed to fight here and I don't know that the commission would have put (Margarito) on the (Aug. 9) agenda."

Lundvall said: "I'm very disappointed that the state of Nevada didn't have the opportunity to bring a fight of this magnitude and this caliber to Las Vegas. Las Vegas is where this fight should have been held."

Economically, the loss of Pacquiao-Margarito will be a missed opportunity for the city, which thrives on these kind of big events that bring in high-rollers as well as fight fans from around the world. Millions of dollars in potential gaming and nongaming revenue will not be realized with the loss of the fight.

MGM officials would not comment on Arum's decision to move the fight from Las Vegas.

The likely place for the fight to land is Cowboys Stadium. The facility, which played host to Pacquiao's most recent fight on March 13 when he soundly defeated Joshua Clottey in front of more 50,000 fans, is available. The Cowboys play at the New York Giants on Nov. 14, the day after the fight.

Arum said Cowboys Stadium is in the mix and he has talked to owner Jerry Jones. However, he also said other venues have expressed interest.

"New York wants it. New Jersey wants it. Seattle wants it," Arum said. "But let's see what happens in California first."

According to Arum, the Association of Boxing Commissions will announce on Aug. 19, the day after Margarito's California hearing, whether other states can move forward and license him.

"It's a unique situation," Kizer said. "Obviously, the incident in California was a very serious one and the commission treated it as such. And if and when Mr. Margarito comes before the (NAC) again, I'm sure it will be a very serious hearing and they'll have to make a decision as to what to do.

"What happened in California was horrible, regardless of who was to blame for it -- whether it's one guy, two guys, or more than both guys -- it's a horrible situation. That's why he got the stiffest penalty possible by the California commission. This isn't something that's going to go away. This is going to haunt him the rest of his career -- as it should. Whether he can meet his burden is a different story."

However, Kizer said he understood Arum's position.

"Some of these big fights take months and months of preparation and promotion to happen, especially with a fighter who hasn't won a fight of significance in nearly two years," Kizer said, referring to Margarito. "I think most promoters, if not all promoters, would say their No. 1 choice is Las Vegas. We've certainly seen that over the last 20 years. But sometimes things don't go their way and they have to go to Plan B or Plan C."

Arum said he has plans to hold a fight card on Dec. 4 that would feature Miguel Cotto facing Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in the main event. He would like to have that fight in Las Vegas but he said he has not made an offer to MGM officials.

"We don't have (Pacquiao-Margarito) for Nevada, so we have to think about another fight," Arum said.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.

Source: lvrj.com

Floyd Mayweather and promotional company face lawsuit of almost $62,000 for rental property -- Grand Rapids Press

By David Mayo, The Grand Rapids Press

Floyd Mayweather and his promotional company have been sued for almost $62,000 in a lawsuit alleging they did not pay rent for a building space that housed Mayweather Promotions in Las Vegas.

The promotional company formally was evicted this week, although Mayweather’s adviser said it already had relocated primary operations to a different location.

The breach-of-contract lawsuit was filed Tuesday in Las Vegas District Court by TDF Investments and names the boxing star and his promotional company as defendants.

According to the lawsuit, Mayweather Promotions signed a three-year lease for the space in July 2008, at rent of almost $10,800 monthly.

Ross Goodman, the attorney who filed the lawsuit on behalf of TDF Investments, on Friday said Mayweather Promotions met its rent obligations for more then a year “then just stopped paying” in February.

Mayweather’s attorney, Jeffrey Morse, said the dispute is a “typical landlord-tenant dispute” and that Mayweather Promotions quit paying rent and relocated operations because the property was unkempt.

“Floyd rented the space from the gentleman, the landlord, and was displeased about how the property was handled,” Morse said. “Floyd thought it was substandard. In order for Floyd to owe rent, the landlord must maintain the property in an acceptable standard, and that did not happen.

“It was Floyd’s decision to rent, and if the rent was due, Floyd would pay.”

Goodman countered that Mayweather did not respond to multiple communications from the landlord seeking back payment and never voiced concerns about the property’s upkeep.

He said the building is in “excellent condition” and that items belonging to Mayweather Promotions and still on site when the eviction was executed by the constable’s office were returned by the landlord.

Leonard Ellerbe, Mayweather's adviser, said Mayweather Promotions already had relocated its office before the action.

Mayweather, a Grand Rapids native, faces a much more substantive lawsuit in federal court in Las Vegas, where his archrival Manny Pacquiao has sued him and several members of Team Mayweather for alleged defamation of character.

That lawsuit relates to allegations that Mayweather and others close to him wrongly accused Pacquiao of using performance-enhancing drugs.

E-mail David Mayo: dmayo@grpress.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/David_Mayo

Source: mlive.com