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Arizona Boxing News & Notes with Don Smith: McCumby Hungry for Title, The Homecoming 12/12 By Don Smith PhilBoxing.com Sat, 28 Nov 2015  McCumby. Boxing Fans, Top Rank?s Light Heavyweight fighter Trevor McCumby (21-0-16 knockouts), managed by Cameron Dunkin, is currently listed as the 9th best Lt. Heavy in the world by the World Boxing Organization. Avid readers of Arizona Boxing News & Notes know by my past remarks that I think the 23 year old Illinois Native Son is the real deal and bigger paydays are forthcoming for the young man who appreciates exquisite firearms and possesses the outward confidence to convince his avid supporters that he has the right stuff to win a world championship. As for his favorite firearm, Trevor lists his custom Bushman AR 15 with a 10? barrel, rail, custom lower receiver and a red dot sight. It is a weapon he describes as ?awesome and an all-around firearm.? It might be prudent not to knock on his door late at night or at any time. Just kidding! His demeanor outside the ring exhibits compassion and good will towards others.. On several occasions, I have been to several fundraising events where he was a participant and donor. I asked him about Thanksgiving and he said he would like to put together some Turkey Day dinner bags and pass them out to homeless people in People. I don?t know if he did or not, but his sincerity is hard to question. Not surprising, not everyone shares my assessment of the young pugilist?s pugilistic skills including two less than dear colleagues whom I recently shared lunch with at a popular Phoenix Sports Bar & Grill. It should be noted that I paid a lion?s share of the check and left a less than robust tip; praying my cheap luncheon table guests would dip into their pockets and chip in; they didn?t. Their critique of him wasn?t kind. Both scribes describe him as slow and robotic and they think he takes too many hits. In his last fight at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix against Dustin Craig Echard (11-2), he was open frequently and hit often. My two acquaintances frown at his WBO # 9 ranking because of what they perceive as soft opposition. I know his record and there may be a fish or two with-in his win basket; but, overall his counterparts (when they entered the ring) were fighters with skills and winning records. Their harsh and I think unfair criticism was tough to hear, reminiscent of my third grade teacher Mrs. Watkins aka MS. Paddletukhus. Her critique of a student could induce insomnia and bed wetting episodes for a week. She used the wooden paddle (with holes) so much that one of the her students nicknamed her ? The Warden? and left her a blank Leavenworth Prison employee application inside a self- addressed envelope with an attached stamp and it was placed front and center on her desk . The following year she was No Mas with the correctional facility; I mean school! I talked to Trevor briefly before and after his recent fight at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix and I always appreciate his answers because he doesn?t mince words when asked questions by grizzled old reporters like me. For example, he suffered a ?flash knockdown? knockdown in the 3rd round of his last fight, but he manned up and admitted to a rare moment of carelessness and the native Midwesterner told me he was disappointed in his performance although his UD victory was never in doubt. As for his next ring encounter, Trevor was hoping to fight on the December 12 Homecoming Card in Tucson, Arizona, but a change of plans has left the time and place for his next bout, a question mark? His bout at the Celebrity was held before the Cotto vs. Alvarez PPV event; so I asked him to predict the outcome and we both settled on Alvarez even though we liked Cotto as a sentimental favorite. Because of time restrictions, we agreed to continue our conversation through emails and I didn?t include questions surrounding remarks made by the two caustic boxing writers. In fairness they are entitled to having and expressing opinions that may differ from Mr. McCumby or the editor of Arizona Boxing News & Notes. McCumby reads the column regularly and he is always welcome to comment on what is said or inferred about him or anyone else. It isn?t our editorial policy to reinvent or edit interviewee?s responses; here is the finished product from our recent Q & A session with boxer Trevor McCumby: ABNN: What motivates you to fight? TM: I have been boxing since I was 7 years old. On the way, throughout my career, I?ve earned 7 National Amateur Titles and turned pro at 17. First fight at 18 years old in a big boy weight division. It?s been my dream to be where I am at and make it on the big stage. I fight for my future and hope to be able to provide to my future family?give my kids what I didn?t have. I want to spoil them with love and make sure they have everything they need. ABNN: What did you learn from your last fight? TM: It was a great learning experience. I got a little too complacent during the fight. I learned to stay the course and not get too comfortable in there. I have great boxing skills (138-11 amateur record) and I was glad I was able to show them for the full 8 rounds. ABNN: Do you lift weights as part of your training regimen? TM: Yes, I do a lot of low weight high rep stuff. I used to lift a lot in high school?high weight, low reps but that?s not conducive to boxing. ABNN: What would becoming a world champion mean to you? TM: It would mean the world. Like I said, I have been dreaming that moment ever since I was a little boy watching Oscar, Trinidad, etc. era. Boxing is in my blood. I was born and raised to be a competitor. My dad pushed me beyond my limits as a young kid. Most people couldn?t understand the amount of sacrifice and hardships gone through in the pursuit. ABNN: Are you hungry enough to win a world title? TM: Of course! ABNN: How do you rate your speed and defense? TM: My speed is great! At times I feel I a need to showcase it more. My dad taught me defense before offense; which is a much underrated thing in boxing nowadays, I believe. ABNN: Will you remain fighting as a light heavy or will you drop down to super middleweight? TM: I want to drop down to super middleweight next year. At least get a catch weight for 170 and go from there. I feel my body type is more suitable for super middle weight. ABNN: What is the funniest line a fan ever delivered to you from a fan? TM: ?I was a pro Golden Gloves fighter (pause) I would like to get some work with you? aka sparring. ABNN: Special thanks to Trevor McCumby for taking the time to talk to share his thoughts. We omitted one question about the range the of his musical taste which runs the gamut from listening to contemporary, hip hop, rap, country, pop and including the sounds of musical giants, past from all genres. Trevor?s personal interests are diverse and he is a good role model for young boxers who want to be successful inside and outside of the ring. Once again, thank you Trevor McCumby. Election News: The following members of USA Boxing Arizona (LBC # 48) have filed as candidates in the upcoming election to be held online December 1-14: For the position of President there are four choices-Michael Sanchez, Jacob Magallanez, Andrew Soto and Seferino Rodriguez. Tom Garcia is the sole candidate for Vice President. Incumbent Richard Soto is running unopposed for Chief of Officials and current Treasure Walt Hoskins has no opposition on the ballot. No one applied for the position of Secretary or Athlete Representative. All candidates are subjected to a thorough vetting process, conducted by USA Boxing. Eligible voting members will receive instructions prior to December 1. Any candidate change, for whatever reason, will be reflected on the ballot. Questions pertaining to the candidates or election procedures should be addressed to Betsy McCallister at bmcCallister@usaboxing.org or PH. 719-866- 2324. Please encourage everyone to vote December 1-14. Trivia Quiz: 4 quick questions to test your boxing Trivia knowledge (1) Who was the first recorded Filipino boxer to win a world title and who did he beat and when? (2) Name the Heavyweight boxer who held a title in that weight class the longest and name the runner up in longevity? (3) She retired undefeated with a record of 17-0-14 knockouts and she appeared in the Academy Award winning film ?Million Dollar Baby? as well as training actress Hillary Swank for her award winning role as a boxer in the cinematic effort; who is she? (4) What was the date and venue for the first world championship fight in Arizona and who were the combatants). Answers to these 4 tough questions are revealed in the last paragraph of this column. Homeboy Wins: Phoenix super middleweight Andrew ?Hurricane? Hernandez (10-2-1) scored a 10th round TKO victory over Jeff Page Jr. on 11/7 in Wichita, Kansas to capture the vacant Universal Boxing Federation (UBF) Inter-Continental Super Middleweight Title. At the time of the stoppage, Page (A Kansas native) was trailing on all three scorecards and needed a knockout to win; however, Hernandez beat him to the punch. The win for the jubilant Hernandez follows two knockout losses and he hopes to fight again in February or March. The Champ will celebrate his 30th Birthday on 12/29 and we hope there are a plethora of future cakes for him to cut. Granted, he has a few enemies; but he is always entertaining. The Homecoming: Bob Arum (Top Rank CEO) will attend the Iron Boy/Top Rank show ?The Homecoming? in Tucson, Arizona on Saturday, December 12 at the historic Tucson Arena, a performance venue inside the Tucson Convention Center. The Card will feature rising boxing stars Jose Benavidez Jr, WBA Interim Junior Welterweight Champion, and two times Mexican Olympian Oscar Valdez currently ranked as the #1 featherweight in the world. Valdez (18-0-15 knockouts) lived in Tucson during his preteen years; thus his 12/12 bout against Ernie Sanchez (15-6-1) from the Philippines is being billed as a ?homecoming.? It is a smart marketing strategy since he was born and resides in nearby Nogales Mexico. The 23 year old Sanchez, 1-3-1 in his last five matches, knows a ?home wrecking? victory over Mexico?s Valdez (B-day-12/22) would bring a smiley face to the thousands of Filipino?s living in Pima County and take a little shine off the Valdez brand. Jose Benavidez Jr. (23-0-16 knockouts) needs an impressive win over the Brazilian Siqueira to validate his Team?s claim that the Phoenix, Arizona fighter is ready for Adrien Broner and the other big boys within the division. He is proud of his Interim title, but since his early ?smoker? bouts; the goal has always been to win a world title and beating the 38 year old Siqueira will bring him closer to that dream. To win, Siqueira will have to deliver a career best an overcome a crowd that will be vocally and visibly supportive of Benavidez who is revered in the Arizona boxing community. The Top Rank undercard will include super middleweight Jesse Hart (18-0-15 knockouts), Olympic Silver Medalist Esquiva Falcoa (Brazil) 11-0 and Oklahoma City?s hard punching junior welterweight Alex Saucedo (20-0-14 knockouts). Additional bouts will be added, but ABNN has learned that 5 Times World Champion Michael Carbajal will make his professional coaching debut in the corner of young Carbajal prot?g? Johnny Tijerina (9th Street Gym in Phoenix) making his professional debut. Other Arizona fighters are expected to be added to the boxing menu. Top Rank/Iron Boy is expected to hold a presser in Phoenix several days before 12/12; but no official word where although whispers suggest Benavidez Gym in downtown Phoenix. Unimas Television Network will broadcast selected fights live and tickets ($75.-$50. &$25.00) are available at The Tucson Convention Center and at any Ticketmaster outlet. Venue doors open at 6 PM and first fight commences at 7 PM. Fans seeking more info can dial 1-520-791-410 x 1. Iron Boy Promotions CEO Roberto Vargas will attend and expect to see several boxing and political notables ringside. We recommend boxing fans bring a camera to capture a Kodak moment or two. Please remember flash photography is forbidden during bouts and drive home safely and don?t drink and drive; promoters want to see you at the next boxing event instead of reading your obituary. Boxing Skinny: 18 year old Phoenix lightweight David Courtney (Central Boxing) plans to join the pro ranks after the 2015 holiday season ends... ?.Bout Maker Boxing Promotions is expected to announce its? next show date and venue, soon; expect the venue to be the Arizona Event Center in Mesa we hear Walter Santibanes and Elihu Soto will be on the card....Arizona welterweight Abel Ramos, ranked 54th in the world and 9th in Mexico, takes on highly regarded Regis Prograis at the Bayou Center in a scheduled 10 rounder; a win could jettison his ranking position dramatically! More Skinny: Arizona?s USA Olympic boxing hopeful Adrian Servin sat down with Arizona Republic reporter Jeff Metcalf recently for an in-depth chat to be carried in an upcoming edition before Adrian and his parents (Mike and Danielle) depart for the qualifying finals December 7-12 in Reno Nevada. Adrian?s boxing coach Carlos Moreno (Guadalupe Boxing) will make the trip, also. Metcalf and his crew shot video footage of the 108 lb. (flyweight) and it will be available for viewing on the Arizona Republic?s website. Attempts to reach Mr. Metcalf to secure a date for release of the story and website posting, failed?. Olympic Silver Medalist John Joe Nevin (L0ndon 2012) upped his record to 7-0 recently and ABNN thinks the Irish boxer would be a draw in Arizona given the large number of people of Irish descent living in the Grand Canyon State; are you listening , promoters with a profit in mind? Desert Heat III: Promoter Kenneth Ray Mitchell Sr. (Wild West Boxing Promotions) called to give me the bout sheet results of his 11/13 Desert Heat III show at the Clarion Hotel in Tucson. Sorry we didn?t have space in our last column. The soft spoken boxing coach & promoter wasn?t pleased with the event head count, but he was ecstatic when talking about the 8 round Main Event middleweight contest between Nathaniel Gallimore (10-0-1 and Michael Finney (13-5-1). Finney knocked Gallimore down in the final Stanza, but the judges gave the decision (UD) to his quick hitting foe and the call, according to Mitchell, was greeted with a mixed reaction. The loss is Finney?s 4th in his last six fights with a win and a draw in the non-loss bouts. Mitchell hopes to book Finney on a future show while Andrew Zak (Gallimore Manager) didn?t hesitate when he told me there would be no rematch: ?been there, done that? was his response to the suggestion that the two pugilist should make it a go; one more time!. I talked to Finney?s manager (Darrel Wright) in Alabama and he was shocked by the decision and the trainer/manager told me the 24 year old Finney wore down Gallimore with body shots throughout the fight and should have owned the victory, but the three ring judges thought otherwise. Finney born in Smith?s Station Alabama now resides in Georgia a few miles from the Alabama State line. The Georgia resident is seeking a fight with John Williams for a title belt in North Carolina on December 12. Mr. Wright, on behalf of Finney, has given an okay to a future Q & A session with his 24 year old boxer/NASCAR fan. Michael?s favorite driver is superstar Jeff Gordon # 24. The Desert Heat III card produced 3 winners via knockout and three bouts went the distance: Rafael Garcia (6-1-0) KO victor over Roberto Ramirez 1-3-0 in a 4 round super welterweight contest?.Ernest Muhammad Jr. (4-0) KO victor over Jose Caro (0-2) in a 4 round super lightweight conformation? Joshua Zuniga (1-0) early round KO winner over Misael Chacon (1-12-1) in a 4 round super featherweight encounter?. Gallimore UD winner over a visibly disappointed Finney?Jesus Arevalo (1-0) UD winner over Jason Thompson (0-6) lightweight division-4 rounds? Welterweight Roshawn upped his record to 3-5-1 with newcomer Reggie Young Henderson (0-1). Desert Heat 4 will be held in Tucson, Arizona at the Clarion Hotel & Conference Center at a TBA date in 2016. Boxing Noise: Highly touted Arizona Amateur boxer Eben Vargas is contemplating turning professional in 2016. Former NABF lightweight champion may play an active role in his career. Beltran expects to fight again in February 2016???Arizona boxing blogger & photographer Jennifer Clift traveled to Wichita, Kansas to shoot the Andrew Hernandez vs. Jeff Page Jr. 10 round UBF Inter-Continental Super Middleweight Title fight on 11/7. More Chatter: Phoenix sensation David Benavidez (11-0-10 knockouts) raised his KO ratio to 91 percent with a 1st round TKO over Felipe Romero 19-10-1 on November 14 at the Hard Rock Caf? in Las Vegas?.David hopes to return to action in January 2016?.Fight Hard Promotions appeared before the Arizona Boxing Commission and the governing body approved show dates on 2/6 & 3/12 at Valentino?s Event Center in Phoenix. FH just signed featherweight contender Jose Cayetano to a three year contract and the 28 year old contender may fight on one of the two scheduled Valentino Event Center shows. More Inside Stuff: A number of boxing boo birds let me know that the upcoming (12/12) Jose Benavidez Jr. (23-0-16 knockouts) vs. 38 year old Brazilian fighter Sidney Jose De Siqueira Santos bout in Tucson is a mismatch in their opinion. I informed Jose Sr. (Manager) of the negative reaction ABNN received and he said the Brazilian was the best available opponent for ?The Homecoming? show. Rumor has it that if JBJ wins, his next opponent will be Adrien Broner. Last month, gossip had the WBA Interim Junior welterweight Champion throwing punches with former lightweight champion Terrence Crawford; in my opinion, Broner is a better fit. Commission Response: Recently I emailed 12 questions to Ms. Amanda Jacinto (Public Information Officer of the Arizona Gaming Department) as directed by Greg Stiles, former PIO for the Arizona Racing Department which did oversee management of the Arizona Boxing/MMA Commission before the Gaming Department assumed the reins. According to Ms. Jacinto some of the questions sent would be better answered by another source; so ABNN decided to share her definitive and more informative responses (4) with our elite readers while temporary discarding the others. ABNN: What was the revenue amount projected for 2015 and will it be reached? AJ: In the fiscal year 2015?boxing (in Arizona) had a revenue projection of $30,000. They actually brought in $41,000. This doesn?t include licensing fees which was an additional $39,025. ABNN: Some states require mandatory MRI testing after a knockout?wills the state of Arizona move in the same medical direction? AJ: It is currently up to the licensed physician to determine these requirements and no change is currently planned. ABNN: What is the Criteria in deciding to suspend or revoke a fighter?s license? AJ: This is best explained by referencing Arizona Revised Statutes under Title 5 under 5-235.01 and 5-236. ABNN: How are Judges and Referees trained and are they compensated for training time? Also, who reviews their work? AJ: They go through a certification process which can include classroom training, time watching live or recorded fights and taking written tests. Certifications are obtained on their own and paid for by the individual seeking certification. Certification requirements are in addition to licensing requirements. The Department does offer continuing education and training on occasion and that is offered free of charge. Their work is reviewed by the Executive Director (Matthew Valenzuela) of the Boxing/MMA Commission. ABNN: Thank you Ms. Jacinto for your time and answers and continued success. Trivia Answers: (1) Francisco Guiledo more commonly known as Pancho Villa-won Universal World Title June 18, 1923; died in San Francisco on July 14 1925. (2) Joe Louis-11 years 8 months?Wladimir Klitschko has held a world heavyweight title since 2006. (3) Lucia Rijker; January 20, 1980, Alexis Arguello vs. Ruben Castillo for the WBC Super Featherweight title at the Community Center (aka Tucson Arena) in Tucson ... Vive La France? Until Next Time! Click here to view a list of other articles written by Don Smith.  |
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