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Arizona Boxing News & Notes with Don Smith: Ariel?s Olympic Dream, Fight 2 Win, Media Day & More By Don Smith PhilBoxing.com Fri, 10 Apr 2015  Boxing Fans, Ariel Arismendez is a likeable 17 year old student/athlete who totes school books to and from Grand Canyon College in Phoenix while dreaming of making the USA Women?s 2016 Olympic Boxing Team. She graduated from high school at age 16, a very special achievement for a very forward thinking young lady. Her Olympic goal is shared by her many friends and strangers who support her and believe the 132 lb. 5? 7 ?? tenacious pugilist has the right stuff to medal in Rio de Janeiro, host City of the 2016 Olympics and if she doesn?t , they will still love her. Ariel (35-3 record) has worked hard to attain her lofty #1 amateur status, but the path to her success was made a bit easier by the sacrifices made by Deborah ?Sunshine? Fettkether and Elena ?Baby Doll? Reid, early pioneers of women?s boxing in Arizona and any future successes in women?s boxing is a tribute to Fettkether and Reid and now Arismendez and Sulem Urbina Soto. In her own often publicized testimonials, Ariel tells readers and audiences that she took up boxing at age 11 to combat and remedy personal experiences of being bullied at school. Today, she is ranked #1 in the United States as an amateur boxer competing in her weight and age class. Her acquired boxing laurels include winning numerous titles in State, National and World competition. To her credit, the student athlete uses her modest celebrity status effectively in speaking out against bullying at personal appearances and through the power of social media. Her ultimate career goal is become a pediatric doctor/psychologist. Ariel also spends time feeding homeless persons through a program adopted by the Phoenix Police Department. She trains at Sonny?s Boxing in Goodyear, Arizona where she frequently spars with Police Officer Alyssa Fazio, who once contemplated a shot at the Olympics, but decided to trade her boxing gloves for a badge and gun; however, Alyssa is having second thoughts about giving up the sport and may make her professional debut on the upcoming Fight Hard Promotions Card at the Renaissance Hotel?s Media Center Ballroom in Glendale, Arizona on June 13. When she isn?t sparring with Alyssa in the ring, she boxes young men who know that sparring with Ariel is serious business. Her rigorous 6 day a week training regimen stresses fundamentals and conditioning. Sonny Gutierrez, her main trainer, told me she is a model pupil who listens and learns from her coaches. One boxing official who knows Ariel said she might fear that some of the Olympic judge?s hold a bias against American fighters. He went on to say if she does feel that way, she should drop that notion before she crosses the U.S.A. border and enters international and Olympic competition. Ariel, a member of Team U.S.A., will travel to Taiwan in late May of this year according to a press release sent to this columnist. Travel and equipment expenses are normally a major concern for families supporting a student athlete. Fortunately for the GCC student, her personal magnetism and cadre of family members and generous supporters are pitching in and mounting a diverse attack to solve the problem. On May 9, The VIP Woman?s Club is hosting a charity Golf Tournament, at the Sundance Golf Club in Buckeye, Arizona to help cover her travel and equipment expenses and it would be only natural to assume that she would love to take her mother (Carmen) and possibly other family members to Rio if she makes the Olympic team and that takes a wad of money. Part of the raised proceeds will be donated to the Homeless Youth Connection. Check-In time for the tournament is 6 am. Anyone interested in participating in the charity event as a player, vendor or sponsor please call Lydia Mannion Evanson (President LME Creative Human Resource Solutions) at 1-800- 928-4785 or Andy at Sundance Golf Course (623-328-0400) for golf course layout and directions. In addition to golf, a luncheon and award ceremony is planned; sounds like fun! Once again, the date is Saturday, May 9 and Check-In time is 6 am. Fight 2 Win: Bout Maker Boxing Promotions is breathing a sigh of relief, super lightweight Abel Ramos, 10-0-2, is on the Fight 2 Win card at the Phoenix Convention on April 11, and according to Bout Maker Boxing Promotions matchmaker Edward Rodriquez, Ramos will fight Ramesis Gil (8-9-5). Rodriquez, a former boxer, told me Gil is a much better fighter than his record indicates. The signing of Gil came after other potential Ramos foes were eliminated for various reasons; Ramos has that effect on potential foes. The undefeated Casa Grande, Arizona Fighter hopes to avoid injury in the 4/11 contest and fight on the May 15 Top Rank Card at US Airways Center in Phoenix. In my opinion, the inclusion of Abel Ramos on the Fight 2 Win card adds credibility to the Fight 2 Win boxing menu and it is in concert with BMBP?s much trumpeted objective to present talented Arizona fighters. Abel wasn?t born in Arizona, but the Casa Grande, resident has been here long enough and successful enough to be identified with Arizona boxing as an amateur and professional. Mr. Ramos was born in Gettysburg Pennsylvania, but moved to the Grand Canyon State during his childhood years. Jesse Ruiz, Tim and Ryan Riddell, fighting on the card, can lay claim to being Native Arizonians. All bouts are subject to change. VIP seating Tickets can be purchased by calling 602-252-0553 or going online at ticketforce.com. Military veterans can apply for free tickets by going to the website of Vet-Tix; there is a $14.00 delivery charge for four tickets. Remember, doors open at 5:30 pm on Saturday, April 11and the event will welcome and introduce former boxing champions James Toney and James Buddy McGirt, ringside. If you go, here is what you can expect to see in addition to the Ramos/Gil bout: - Prince Smalls 6-0-2 vs. Jazzma Hogue 3-7-1 6 (6) featherweights - Walter Santibanes 8-2 vs. Sergio Najera 9-17-2 (6) bantamweights - Tim Riddell 3-0 versus Percy Peterson 1-6-1 (4) lightweights - Ryan Riddell (Debut) vs. Randy Lee Hernandez (Debut) (4) bantamweights. Riddell is from Phoenix-Hernandez hails from Texas. - Ray Lampkin 6-0 vs. Mario Hermosillo 12-18-4 (4) lightweights - Jesse Ruiz 0-2 vs. Mulapi Enjani 1-0-1 (4) super bantamweights - David Damore 0-0-3 vs. James Reynolds 0-4 (4) Cruiserweights - James Stewart 0-1 vs. Johnny Rivera 1-1 (4) - First bell chimes at 7 pm at the Phoenix Convention Center. Cancelled: Cesar Barraza (Rodriguez Boxing) vs. Billy Schmidt (Central Boxing) bout ?Barraza came down with a painful strip throat condition. He has since recovered, but his management team and consulted physician nixed plans for him to tangle with the entertaining Schmidt who is a local favorite. There is no press conference for the event, but the official weigh-in (2 pm) will be held on Friday 4/10 at the Los Portales Food establishment which is located at 2814 N. 35th Avenue, 4-5 blocks South of Thomas Road. Promoter Maritza Miranda Saenz (Bout Maker Boxing Promotions) and BMBP matchmaker Edward Rodriquez are expected to attend the weigh-In activity. Members of the public are encouraged to attend the mandatory weigh-In event and when asked, most fighters will pose for pictures. JR Cardenas aka Jay are Cardenas is the official ring announcer. Ticket prices range from $15.00 (Children ages 5 & under) to $75.00 for ringside seating. Inside Stuff: Boxing Trainer and business man Jose Benavidez Sr. has developed a cream that when applied to the body will induce sweating which will help people drop a few pounds and perhaps improve the quality of life for people who see their weight as an issue. Benavidez and his wife Daisy held a press conference at the Central Gym in Central Phoenix on Saturday (4/4) to introduce the product along with an exercise program that partners with the cream (Fast Sweat) to help participants slim down. Jose?s two boxing sons (Jose Jr. & David) were there as well as members of the press. Ralph Velez Jr. (local media interviewer) has endorsed the product and has been hired to conduct media interviews for Fast Sweat. Mr. Benavides and his workout pupils meet at Central Gym on designated days. Jose isn?t too happy that another local vendor is reportedly pushing a very similar product to boxing fans, a market Benavidez and his wife (Daisy) spent time cultivating. It is a dog eat dog world and Mr. Benavidez is tough enough to fight back and right the situation. What the new competitor did isn?t illegal, but perhaps a bit shady; copycatting isn?t anything snew. Wal-Mart is refusing to sell MMA fight Ronda Rousey?s book (My Fight/Your Fight)in their stores, but consumers can buy guns, knives and other violent accessories at the any of the Wal-Mart stores and readers with a computer can order the book online; think your own thoughts. Ms. Rousey has become a millionaire with her MMA success, budding film career and product endorsements; what isnext? Media Day: I was told a few days before our deadline that Manny Pacquiao will hold a media workout day on April 15 at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, California. ABNN submitted a request for media credentials three weeks ago and we are still waiting for a yes and no. It should be a zoo atmosphere, but journalists feel a sense of euphoria when they?re in the middle of the fray. I hope, for fans sake, we are able to cover the event. ABNN will take cover the event with a different perspective, count on it! Cross your fingers and hope we get the invite if our source is correct. Wild Card Gym is considered small and maybe a larger venue will be needed to house the event. In other news surrounding the mega fight, Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach is stoking and stirring the motivation pot by reminding his fighter that Mayweather spent time in jail for allegedly abusing the mother of three of his four children in 2012. A similar tactic was used by the management team of Arizona boxer Jesus ?El Martillo? Gonzales when he fought Adonis Stevenson, a convicted felon who was found guilty of pimping underage girls in Canada, years ago. Gonzales and his team hammered the issue and Stevenson responded by putting Gonzales on his backside at one minute and thirty five seconds into the first round. Ironically, Gonzales was wearing a highly visible anti-abuse of women patch on his trunks when Stevenson ended his night. Gonzales is now sparring with (you guessed it) Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas for his May 2 fight with Manny Pacquiao. This column doesn?t condone abusive behavior in any way, shape or form towards anyone. Athletes are role models whether they agree or not and should be held accountable for their actions according to social norms and the law. Golden Gloves: 2015 Junior Nationals is set for July 22-25, 2015 at the Casablanca Event Center in Mesquite, Nevada. 4 day passes go for $35.00. For special discounts; call 1-877-438-2929 or go online at www.casablancaresort.com. The event is sponsored by Mayweather Promotions and hosted by Barry?s Boxing Center. Tickets are also available by calling Star Tickets at 1-800-585-3737. Wedding Bells: Valley Boxer Andrew ?Hurricane? Hernandez tied the knot with Jacquie Bustos on March 28 on Imperial Beach in San Diego County, California. The wedding pictures were shot by Rhonda Costa, a professional photographer with Twin Flames Images. Rhonda has a website (www.twinflameimages.com) for boxing fans who want to view her diverse portfolio of photography. The ceremony, according to Rhonda, was beautiful, romantic and intimate. Attending the ceremony were close friends and family members. Arizona Boxing News & Notes wishes the newlyweds, the best. News & Notes: Smoker Boxing Tournament at the Kroc Corps Community Center (1375 E. Broadway Road) in Phoenix, Arizona on April 18; weigh-in time is scheduled for 8am-10am, match-up time, 10am-11am and bouts begin at 2pm. According to the flyer, up to 32 bouts are planned; go to USA Boxing AZ online for more info or call the Center at 602-425-5000?.. On Screen Fights: Chinese heavyweight Taishan, 2012 U.S. Olympian Joseph Diaz Jr. and Joshua Clottey will fight on the May 9 Alvarez vs. Kirkland card; televised live on HBO from Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. Canadian middleweight Champion Janks Trotter may be on the Card. Here is a quick reminder of other available televised upcoming bouts: Peterson vs. Garcia on NBC, 4/11, Martinez vs. Salido Direct TV PPV `4/11, Direll vs. Badou Jack 4/25 Spike TV, Takahiro Ao vs. Ray Beltran 5/1 Tru TV. Pacquiao Mayweather May 2 Showtime, Chavez Jr. vs. Fonfara 4/18, Mathysse vs. Provodnikov 4/18 HBO, Showtime, Andy Lee vs. Peter Quillin & Lamont Peterson vs. Danny Garcia NBC 4/11, Klitschko vs. Jennings 4/25 HBO. Carbajal Visit: 5 times World Boxing Champion Michael Carbajal visited the final session of the Arizona House of Representatives on Friday April 4 and the congenial special guest of honor, often referred to as ?The People?s Champion? found himself surrounded by well wishes and autograph seekers. He received a standing ovation and posed for souvenir photos. Once word spread that he was on the floor of the Arizona House of Representatives, members of Arizona State Senate came over to the adjoining building to catch a glance at an Arizona legend who recently received a warm welcome when he and his guest walked the Red Carpet at Muhammad Ali?s Celebrity fight night on March 28. The glitzy soiree was held at the JV Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa in Phoenix; the champ was unable to attend. More News: USA Boxing Arizona sent out a list to registered Arizona Coaches reminding them to stay current with their registration. In the past, the organization has been a bit loose in enforcing membership rules and regulations. If anyone wants to become a USA Boxing Arizona volunteer, call boss man Richard Soto at 602-702-7053. Next event is scheduled for Greenfield Elementary School (hosted by Madison Boxing Club) on 4/11 at 7009 S. 10th Street in Phoenix; show starts at 2 pm?. same day weigh-In is scheduled for 8 am?. Jose Herrera (Fuentes Boxing Gym) has been added to the Iron Boy Card at the Celebrity Theater on April 25. Herrera (1-0) is a very entertaining fighter based on his debut win on the Night in Glory card last month. California Heavyweight Bernardo Marquez is in demand. The powerful heavy fights on the Iron Boy XX card and Fight Hard Promotions would like to sign him for their June 13 Card?.Top Rank is slow to promote their show at US Airways on May 15?The next Arizona Boxing/MMA Commission meeting in scheduled for Monday, April 13. Veteran local fighter Raul Marquez is still awaiting word on fight in LA or New York?.according to an inside source, former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson has tentatively agreed to participate in a reality show (Celebrity Making of a Champion) to start filming on May 12 at the Central Boxing Gym in Phoenix. Until Next Time! Click here to view a list of other articles written by Don Smith.  |
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