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Arizona Boxing News & Notes With Don Smith: Idol Defeats Fan, Tourney Recap & Much More By Don Smith PhilBoxing.com Fri, 25 Mar 2016  Roy Jones. Boxing Fans, It was an online televised buffet of combat sports presentation that gave Vyron Phillips a chance to fight his idol, boxing champion Roy Jones Jr. The UR Fight event was held at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona on Sunday, March 20. I wasn?t able to attend because of a prior commitment to meet up, not beat up, former USA President William Jefferson Clinton who was in the city to campaign for his wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton. An estimate 1,000 spectators paid for seats ranging from $40.00 to $105.00 to watch a smorgasbord of combat sports: wrestling, grappling, MMA fighting and boxing. If fans couldn?t be at the venue, UR Show TV made it available with a PPV service fee $11.99 which is equivalent to purchasing 2 Little Cesar?s large Pizzas and a 16 ounce soft drink; please finish reading the column before you go to your nearest Little Cesar?s. The Main Event featured 47 year old boxing legend Roy Jones Jr who isn?t sure about retiring from boxing even though he was brutally knocked out(December of 2015) by lightly regarded Enzo Maccarinelli in the 4th round on the soil of Roy?s second homeland, Russia. It is always sad to watch a great athlete and sports icon continue his or her craft when they can no longer compete at a level that leaves spectators in awe. One of the reasons I didn?t go was go was out of respect for the real Roy Jones Jr, the only pugilist in the annals of boxing history to become the first former light middleweight champion to win a world heavyweight title. Jones was named ?Fighter of the Decade? for the 1990?s by the Boxing Writers Association of America and as a member of Americas 1988 Olympic Boxing Team, he won a Silver Medal. Jones opponent (Vyron Phillips) was chosen through voting on Facebook. Why not, everything else is done through social media. Phillips is a 33 year old athlete who excelled in basketball in high school and college. After his collegiate days were over, the 6?3? native Minnesotan (attended College in Canada) turned down an opportunity to play semi-pro hoops in Portugal. I had a chance to talk to him via phone a few days after his second round knockout loss to the once incomparable Roy Jones Jr. and Phillips is an articulate gentleman who is a good conversationalist. He gave me a little insight to his journey and he didn?t pull any punches, pun intended. Vyron trained at Phoenix?s Central Boxing Gym in preparation for his professional debut under the supervision of veteran trainer Tom Garcia who was impressed with Phillips poise ad work ethic. Garcia went to bat (baseball metaphor) for Vyron at the commission hearing where the decision to sanction the fight was made. Phillips was surprised; but, overjoyed that he got the okay. I was under the impression the fight was considered an exhibition; but, Amanda Jacinto, spokesperson for the Arizona Gaming Department, confirmed the bout was listed as a ?professional bout? between the legendary Jones and Phillips who grew up idolizing Mr. Roy Jones Jr. In addition to pounding the basketball, he eventually gravitated to combat sports where he compiled 6-3 MMA record and a 6-1 amateur boxing record. Meeting Jones was the real kick for him and he told ABNN that the two men became reasonably close after several meetings. I asked if his respect for his idol may have taken some t of his punches and he agreed that he was too respectful with his punches and he admitted being nervous when referee We Melton reminded the two fighters of the rules. Knockouts can serve as a wake-up call; so, I asked him if this experience would end his fighting career and he, without hesitation, replied no. The experience has encouraged him continue boxing and MMA fighting. At the end of our amicable conversation, I offered him the opportunity to make a statement and he said yes and sent the following candid email to Arizona Boxing News & Notes: ?The opportunity to fight Roy Jones Jr. was an amazing and surreal experience. The connections I made through this opportunity were invaluable and the friendship with Roy Jones Jr. and key players during the week made the experience worthwhile and cushioned the defeat. Being in the ring with my idol and trying to hurt him was something I couldn?t wrap my head around doing. Being that I am a thinker, one of the long term goals in my mind was to have the opportunity to train with him in the future, so me hurting him might have hindered that relationship and hurt my chances at having that opportunity. I held back and gave him too much respect in the ring, which caused me to defeat myself. ?Despite this, I felt I belonged in the ring and that I was competing with him, but could have really tested him. I think the outcome could have been very different if I was given a fair treatment and fewer distractions from the organization. I took the fight on 8 days? notice, had nowhere to train during the week until I met Tom Garcia. My coach wasn?t flown in until the night before the weigh-ins, there were changes made regarding how many rounds and other behind the scene details that I will not elaborate on. I felt that things were put in place to ensure that I lost or to make it harder for me to win. However, it is what it is, everything happens for a reason and I will rise and continue my career as a boxer and MMA fighter. I want to thank Roy Jones Jr. for accepting the challenge and URshow.tv for having me on their event. I want to thank the Arizona Boxing Commission for giving me my license, Tom Garcia for opening his gym doors to me, believing in me and being in my corner. I also want to thank Pete Chavez for the support, and Coach Guissepe DeNatale for flying out to corner me. I want to thank Saul St. Marie, Ontario for their support, Algoma University, Chris Giallonardo, Ernie DiBeradino, my family and friends back in Minneapolis, my mom, Tricia Medalia, and Mike Cundari for his work leading up to the fight. To my fans around the world, keep believing!??..Vyron Phillips. If Phillips had won, he would have won one hundred thousand US dollars, but he did leave town with an undisclosed amount. The main event (Jones vs. Phillips) was part of an combat sports entertainment package put together by UR Show TV. Other battles on the show saw former UFC middleweight contender fight contender Chael Sonnen settle for a draw with Current UFC 185 lb. contender Michael Bisping in a grappling only match. In an MMA bout, Shannon Rich earned a decision over Mavrick Harvey and the legendary Rey Mysterio defeated former Olympian Kurt Angle in a wrestling. MMA legend Dan Severn was scheduled to perform; but his opponent was unable to perform for an unknown reason. We tried to get the PPV numbers from UR Show TV without success! Special thanks to Tom Garcia, Rhonda Costa and others who contributed to this segment of the column?.check is in the mail. Rhonda described the show as entertaining; she worked the event as a photographer. Tourney Recap: F-1 Boxing Gym hosted an amateur boxing tournament in Buckeye, Arizona on March 19 and event management graciously forwarded the results so we can share the winner?s names with our readers. The tournament awarded a special custom made belt to the ?Outstanding Boxer ?in the tournament and that honor went to 15 year old Ulisses Urbina fighting out of Knockout Boxing Gym in Phoenix Arizona-we extend our congratulations! Here are the remaining names of the tournament?s 1st place finishers including their boxing gym affiliation. F-1 will announce date and time of their next tournament event in the near future. Robert Meriwether (Mayweather Boxing Gym), Lavar Lawrence (Mayweather Boxing Gym), Angel Barrientes (Pound 4 Pound Boxing in Las Vegas), Manuel Chavez (Unattached), Isaiah Hooker (Pound 4 Pound Boxing in Las Vegas), Toby Wooten (F-1 Boxing Gym), Adrian Rodriguez (Team Rodriguez), Fabian Montes (Phoenix Boys & Girls Center), Jesus Rubio (Peraza Boxing Gym), Breenan Macias (F-1 Boxing Gym), Jaciel Carbajal (Knockout Boxing Gym), Gabriel Rosas (Tucson Southwest), Jaden Galindo (Maricopa Boxing Gym), Silva Marquez Madison Boxing), Elijah Garcia (Hammer Boxing Gym), Farid Ngoga (Hard Knocks Boxing), Anthony Cabanyug (Madison Boxing), Juan Montes (Phoenix Boys & Girls Center). Humberto Duarte (Apex MMA) and Danny Barrios (Unattached). **A footnote to what was considered a very successful tournament. We received two minor complaints. The first complaint was from anonymous source that reported a boxer wasn?t able to register to fight because he was late for the weigh-in and the USA Boxing Registration Chairman didn?t cut him any slack even though he was reportedly only 7 minutes late. The complainant also reported that the event permitted another boxer to complete the process after he was denied. The Chairman and a witness supporting the chairman denied the allegations stating the scales were put away when the boxer reported to them and they didn?t allow anyone to weigh-in after the cutoff time that was sent to all team coaches. The two men also disputed the 7 minute claim and said the young man arrived 15 minutes tardy. The boy?s coach continues to believe a mistake was made. The other complaint came from a paying spectator who claims to have bought 10 admission tickets ($10.00 each) only to find out there were no seats. ABNN informed the event co-coordinators and USA Boxing Arizona of the two verbal complaints and we feel both issues were addressed head on and F-1 has reached out to the customer who claims his group was left standing; cooperation works much better than a stick in the eye. I n regards to the first complaint, USA Boxing Arizona President Jacob Magallanez thinks the Team Coach should have addressed the grievance to him directly. ABNN feels the matter is resolved and we were glad to play a positive role in the dispute. All is well that ends well. News & Notes: Sorry to confess (no, I don?t know where Jimmy Hoffa is buried) we failed to mention the performance of Journeyman Promotions boxer Joshua Greer Jr. (6-1-1) who won a unanimous decision over New Mexico fighter Jesus Xavier Pacheco (5-5) in a six round rough & tumble match. Greer is a slip and slide fighter while Pacheco is a stand and fight type foe. It was an entertaining fight given the contrast of styles and I thought the scoring was a bit wide .The uncalled low blows deliver by the light punching Greer were the subject of discussion after the fight. We wish referee Chris Flores a speedy recovery with his injuries suffered while working the Ceballos vs. Simon bout on the undercard of the Warfare: The Battle Begins show in Phoenix It was a rough match that resulted in the double disqualification and 60 day suspension for both fighters. Mr. Flores suffered a black eye and lip abrasion during the melee that forced him to the canvas?.maybe referees should have a whistle to halt ring misconduct; Flores admitted the injury was a first in his career as the third man in the ring; he said nothing about previous fights he may have encountered in school-those don?t count, I guess..?..Roy Jones Jr Promotions will present a show in Tucson on May 20 in Tucson while Iron Boy Promotions presents a boxing show on the same day in Phoenix at the Celebrity Theatre??. The National Latino Amateur Boxing Association host the 2017 National Championships in Chicago, for more information go online nlaboxing.com or call 312-429-0684?? Fight Hard Promotions is hoping to present a show in Phoenix; sometime in June at a location to be determined. A spokesperson told ABNN that FHP is looking for fighters that have drawing power and he said he didn?t mean ?flies.??sounds like FHP wants to make money. In reality, there are just a handful of local fighters who carry a real strong fan base; Abel Ramos, Paul Romero, Carlos Castro, Alexis Santiago and Francisco De Vaca head the list which may grow with the expected advent of a promising rookie crop. More Inside Stuff: Arizona welterweight Abel Ramos (14-1-2) hopes to fight in Mexico on April 15; contract remains unsigned; so, the bout remains tentative. Ramos is currently working out with nationally ranked lightweight Ray Beltran at Busted Knuckle Gym in Tempe Arizona?. .Boxer Ryan Riddell (1-0) is rumored to be on the Iron Boy May 20th show at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix. ...?.JR Cardenas, Bout Maker Boxing Promotions, is host of Su-Vida (Your Life in Spanish) which airs on Cox Cable on a tape delayed basis in revolving time slots. Cardenas also works for Channel 12 News in a free-lance capacity as a special features reporter 3 days a week and his reports are normally aired between the hours of 4:30 -7:00 AM; we wish him the best. BMBP is on hiatus while CEO Maritza Miranda Saenz is campaigning for the Arizona State Senate?.The Arizona Boxing Commission cancelled its scheduled Thursday March 17 meeting. Next get together is penciled in for Thursday April 21. Until Next Time! Click here to view a list of other articles written by Don Smith.  |
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