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Arizona Boxing News & Notes With Don Smith: Pac-Man Returns, Trotter Challenge & Coup Threat By Don Smith PhilBoxing.com Thu, 01 Sep 2016  Boxing Fans, Pardon our tardiness in not addressing circulating rumors that Manny Pacquiao (58-6-2-38 knockouts) would resume his boxing career this year. We didn?t believe the stories and now we have egg white on our face and as a result, we now must admit the rumors were more than wishful thinking amongst the ?fighting senator?s? legion of fans. The 8-division world champion and the reigning fighter of year will end his hiatus from the sport of boxing when he collides with WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas (21-1-10 knockouts) on November 5 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas Nevada; tickets are going on sale, September 8. As for the motive of his return, the boxing Icon told an interviewer that boxing is his main source of income and a senator?s pay in the Philippines is miniscule in comparison. Some wonder if he will use this fight as a vehicle to taunt Floyd Mayweather out of retirement and set up a rematch. Everyone we have talked to thought Pacquiao wants redemption after his poor losing performance against Mayweather on May 2, 2015. Pacquiao vs. Vargas will be distributed live on PPV and those details will be released soon. Tickets are priced at $1,000.00, $700.00, $300.00, $100.00 and $50.00. Fans wishing to make a purchase can charge by phone (702-739-3267 or go online. The official press conference is set up for Thursday on September 8 at 12:30 P.M. at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills California and Arizona Boxing News & Notes has been invited. Ironically, the Thomas & Mack Center is the same venue where Pacquiao knocked out old rival Erik Morales twice. Fast fact: Pac-Man hasn?t knocked anyone out since he stopped Miguel Cotto in 2009 and Vargas has never been stopped as a professional. We will breakdown the fight as the event timeline grows nearer; welcome back, Manny! Benavidez Update: Last week we posted an abbreviated column alerting readers to the breaking news that welterweight boxing contender Jose Benavidez Jr. (25-0) was shot twice in Phoenix and taken to a local Banner Hospital for treatment consistent with a gunshot shot wound (s). Our main source of information for our story was Jose?s father (Jose Sr.) whose recollection of details might have been impaired by his understandable concern over the health of his 24 year old son who was in a Phoenix hospital while his distraught father in California was frantically trying to reach his son through friends and relatives. Due to details gleaned from a Media Advisory Report forwarded to our desk from SGT J Howard, Phoenix Police Department Public Information Officer; we feel obligated as a credible news source to report those findings and conclusions. We also have an opinion of the incident. The report tells us the shooting took place on Monday August 22 at 11:40 P.M. while we reported the incident occurred on Sunday at 6 P.M., August 21. ABNN never disclosed the location; but, it was near 5300 W. Broadway, residency of his girlfriend. The advisory report mentioned the young fighter was out walking his dog and cat at the time of the incident. Some readers found it odd that Benavidez would be walking with his cat and dog at the same time. We discovered that the ?kitty? in question was a Savannah cat which is a hybrid cat that is considered less tamed than a normal domesticated feline and considered an exotic pet that growls instead of meowing. The incident might have been altered if the ?pets ?were in an attack mode. According to a family spokesperson, the suspect approached Benavidez and reportedly asked him if his dog was friendly to which the boxer replied, yes. The suspect then shot the fighter and fled. The advisory report confirms that a brief dialogue occurred between the victim and the suspect. Phoenix Police Detective Audra Vanzant (Badge # 5902) is handling the investigation of the ?Aggravated Assault? case and her hands may be tied when Benavidez decided to not press charges against an assailant who was described as a black or Hispanic male, mid 20?s and dressed in black attire including a hoodie. It is quite possible there is a connection to the burning of the assault victim?s car earlier this year in California and to the recent vicious attack on Benavidez. That case remains unsolved and the family received multiple threats from a caller(s) who warned the family of further acts of violence within hours after the act of arson was committed. It our opinion that the person(s) behind this criminal mischief has a score to settle with the family and the motive is money or betrayal. As for the future of the investigation, unless the victim desires prosecution there is no reward offered because there is really no crime. If the victim desires prosecution; authorities recommend people call silent witness at 480-witness or 480-testiggo. The reward for any unsolved crime, as it would be in this case, is $1,000.00. Benavidez was released on Friday (August 26) from Banner Good Samaritan Hospital and he was walking out of the facility on crutches. We were told a plate was inserted in his Wounded Knee and he will undergo outpatient therapy for an extended period of time. No word on if and when he will be able to resume his boxing career. Top Rank contacted the family and wished Jose a speedy recovery as do we. Fight Hard Review: The Legends Event Center on Camelback Road in Phoenix, Arizona is a unique venue for boxing that Fight Hard Promotions selected because it offers a little uptown glitz and pizazz totally foreign to other area facilities used for boxing shows. So, when I entered the remodeled former Home Depot store, after being padded down, it was a bit of shock to be standing in a pristine and fresh room that could have easily been set up as an art gallery or a political function to accommodate rich donors. I regained my sense of reality when I saw the ring set up and the bald head of internationally known referee Wes Melton who handled the two championships bouts. As for the show, the only multiple complaint I heard was from fans who thought 2 amateur bouts and five professional contests weren?t enough to whet the appetite of most boxing fans that came to see more; not less than the usual 8-10 pro bouts. And a few thought the admission price was a bit steep for less than a full card even though parking was free and that savings benefits the boxing fan. FHP scheduled additional bouts; but, injuries and denied travel visas down scaled the expected number of bouts presented. Still it was good fun! The first bout was a 3 round amateur 141 lb. contest between Devon De La Hoya and Jose Carreno from Arizona. Yes, he is Oscar De La Hoya?s son even though he doesn?t bear a resemblance to the boxing icon. It was the first fight for both amateurs and I was impressed with the poise of both fighters who had to be nervous. I had a brief chat with the 17 year old De La Hoya and he told me it was his decision to take up; boxing and he wasn?t going to let his name dictate his future in boxing. De La Hoya won a unanimous decision in his debut bout. Someone spread a rumor that Oscar would be on hand to watch his son. I knew better and placed a small wager that he wouldn?t; yes I collected. In the second amateur bout, 18 year old Fernando Martinez Jr. showed boxing fans why he is postponing a pro career to pursue a berth on the 2020 USA Olympic team. His speed, focus and power were too for a backpedaling Angel Quintaro who was no match for Martinez, a fan favorite. Martinez was awarded a well-deserved unanimous decision. It took Cruiserweight Adrian Taylor 38 seconds to dispose of fellow Texan Willie Burch (1-3) who had no answer to a barrage of punches from the well-muscled Taylor (1-0). Taylor is a Roy Jones Jr. fighter worthy of watching in the future. Taylor came close to making the 2012 USA Olympic Team. Russian Ilya Usachev (1-0) deserves 4 stars for agreeing to fight journeyman Tavorus Teague (3-15) in his debut fight. The defensive minded Teague confused the young Russian throughout the bout; but Usachev?s athleticism and focus will serve him well with experience. The judges wisely raised the Russian?s hand as the unanimous winner. In a 6 round contest, Keenan Carbajal (12-2-1) allowed Ernesto Guerrero (22-19) to run loose without cutting off the ring and the result wasn?t pretty to watch. In a post-fight interview, Carbajal (winner) said Guerrero didn?t want to mix it up and he apologized to his avid fans for a lack of action. Middleweight Andrew Hernandez (14-4-1) ?The Fighting Pride of Phoenix,? took his time in picking apart Jorge Silva (21-12-2) until the Silva Team stopped the contest at the end of round 6 of an 8 round tussle. In winning, Hernandez retained his UBF inter-continental super middleweight title. Hernandez admitted he wasn?t at his best; but, he said he needed the work. The Phoenix fighter wants a world title shot; but, his performance against Silva isn?t an endorsement for that opportunity; however, he was slid in his performance. The fight of the night was the 8 round Main Event between Abel Ramos (17-1-2) and Juan Jesus Rivera (28-15). The two men went toe to toe for three rounds until Ramos continued to turned on his superior power and speed to thwart the durable; but, slower Rivera who quit at the end of round 6. His performance netted him the ABO welterweight title. The Casa Grande Arizona fighter hopes to fight on Showtime in the near future; he is a young man on the move up the rankings. Coup Threat: There is a quiet movement underway to change the Arizona Boxing Commission and how it functions. The challenge is coming from disgruntled trainers, managers, boxers, fans and promoters who think Arizona doesn?t do enough to protect and promote boxing in the Grand Canyon State. One Arizona fighter, name withheld) doesn?t fight in Arizona because the pay rate is low and he thinks politics plays a role in who will fight and who won?t. Another complaint came from a fan who is tired of shows starting late and watching what she describes as mismatches. One former promoter told me the problem lies with the Arizona Gaming Department and their lack of commitment to boxing. It will interest to see who replaces outgoing Arizona Commission Executive Director Matthew Valenzuela who has taken a prestigious position with the UFC and will be departing in the second week of September. I told one supporter of a coup that he and others should attend a commission meeting and air their complaints to the commission and try to implement changes within; but, my advice fell on deaf ears and I understand the lack of patience with the current system and the presiding regime. Iron Boy 35: Iron Boy Matchmaker Mike Sanchez has made some changes to the Celebrity Theatre Show in Phoenix scheduled for Saturday September 3. The three top billed bouts will feature highly touted Jose Zepeda (25-1) vs. Emanuel Taylor in the main event. Co main contest pits Undefeated Carlos ?The Chosen One? Castro (15-0) against Jorge Diaz Jr. (18-4-1). In a special bout, Iron Boy mainstay Francisco C. De Vaca (15-0) faces Jose Estrella (16-10-1). All three marquee bouts are set for 8 rounds. Chris Scala (debut) and Rodrigo Garcia (17-0) have been dropped from the card due to an injury to Scala and a suitable opponent couldn?t be found for Garcia who may find a place on the upcoming Iron Boy 36 card. The undercard is dominated by young fighters hoping a victory will thrust them in the national spotlight. Here is the latest undercard menu with all the bouts scheduled for 4 rounds: Luis Espinoza (4-0) vs. Rafael Rivera (3-9), Daron Williams (4-0) vs. Israel Valdez (2-0), Ryan Riddell (2-0) vs. TBA, Edgar Ortiz (1-1 vs. Pedro Romero (0-0-1), Jose Canez (debut) vs. Jose Mora (2-1), Jaba Khositasshvili vs. TBA, Adrian Servin (debut) vs. Adrian Perez (debut), Otto Sandoval(0-2) vs. Hector Lopez (2-0), Eben Vargas (debut) vs. Enrique Randolph (debut), Daniel Garcia (3-0) vs. TBA and Jose Rodriguez Herrera (6-0) vs. TBA. If this lineup holds and the TBA opponents are quality, it should prove to be an entertaining card. Doors open at 5 P.M.-1st bout at 6 P.M. Trotter Challenge: Irish Canadian boxer Janks Trotter hails from Alberta Canada where he resides and the knockout artist (10-3-1-10 knockouts) is a Canadian favorite and America has taken to the rugged 32 year old boxer after past stellar performances in the U.S.A. He definitely has a strong fan base in North America. No one will ever accuse him of being boring in the ring and outside the ring he has earned the reputation of being direct and plain spoken. Trotter called me recently and said he would like to make a challenge. I was afraid he wanted to challenge me to a duel in the ring; so, I quickly cited my age (none of your business) and yellow streak as two main reasons why I would vehemently reject the challenge. He laughed and we reminisced about his career and we got around to discussing his controversial loss to Stuart McLellan, a reigning champion in Canada. That loss to McLellan doesn?t sit well with Trotter who is issuing a challenge to the Champ and 4 ranked Canadian contenders who Janks describes as ?pretenders? and ?too timid? to meet him in the ring. The challenged list includes Brandon Brewer (19-0-1), Steven Butler (16-0-1), Brandon Cook (17-0), Mikael Zewski (27-1) and of course McLelland (16-2-3). Janks describes McLelland as ?too clumsy? to tie his own shoes without the aid of a social worker and Cook as someone who couldn?t box his way out of a we paper garment bag. Brewer has a fight date on October 15 with Anderson Clayton (44-10-2) in New Brunswick. Trotter told me that Brewer doesn?t want any part of him. I?m sure; his remarks will delight Mr. Brewer. Janks has never turned down a challenge, according to him, and he hopes at least one of the ?challenged 5? is man enough to meet him in the ring, ASAP; Trotter sounds like a man on a mission; stay tuned! Boxing Noise: Boxer Edgar Brito (3-2-1) denies rumors that he is abandoning his boxing career. He does admit that he is concentrating on taking care of a personal matter and once the issue is settled, he plans a return to the ring. He was scheduled to fight Edward Ceballos (4-1) on the August 26 Fight Hard card at the Legends Event Center; but withdrew to focus on his family situation. He scoffs at the notion that he didn?t fight because he was afraid of Ceballos whom he describes as a beatable opponent?.Luis Olivares is slated to fight in Kissimmee, Florida on October 14. His previous hand problem is a thing of the past with proper wrapping?.. our condolences to Maritza Miranda Saenz who lost her bid to win the Arizona State Senate Democratic primary in District 27. She was defeated (comfortable margin) by incumbent Catherine Miranda, Maritza?s stepmother. Political operatives described the campaign between the two women as downright ?nasty.? Until the Phoenix native announced her political run, she was CEO of Bout Maker Boxing Promotions. It is unclear on whether or not she will return to boxing. ??.former boxing champion Jesus ?El Martillo? Gonzales attended the Fight Hard show with his son and allegedly told one boxing fan that he was planning a return to the ring?.the Arizona Boxing Commission is still looking for Matthew Valenzuela?s replacement; the director is scheduled to leave on September 9?. Boxer Adrian Servin and his father/trainer Mike Servin were featured on NBC affiliate (Channel 12) in Phoenix at 4:30 PM on Wednesday August 31. The father and son were interviewed by Sports anchor Bruce Cooper and the trio discussed Servin?s decision to turn pro and debut at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix on Saturday, September 3. Seats are available at $29.00. $39.00 and $54.00 plus service charge. More News: Iron Boy Promotions is scheduled to hold their weigh-in for Iron Boy 35 at Crescent Crown in Mesa, Arizona (1640 W. Broadway Road) on Friday September 2, 2016 at 5 P.M?.Ms. Latina Arizona worked as one of the ring girls at the recent Fight Hard Boxing show (Legends Event Center) on Friday August 26 and she got more than a few looks; as did the Budweiser ladies and women representing the Ring Side Pub & Grill who were sponsors. ?.speaking of the Legends event, singer Enevina Garcia was magnificent with her memorable rendition of the Star Spangled Banner at the show. Alan Ponce, a very talented young Hispanic male (dressed in traditional attire) sang the National Anthem of Mexico and he was excellent?.. we heard through the Marvin Gaye less grapevine, the interesting rumor that Phoenix middleweight Andrew Hernandez (14-4-1) was reportedly offered a fight with Canadian David Lemieux (35-3) in Canada. One thing can be said about Andrew, he has guts. A follow-up, that offer is now past tense. This corner thinks Lemieux can beat Canelo Alvarez if the two were ever to meet?..8 Count Media reports that Arizona middleweight Joey Ruelas suffered an upper body injury on July 26, 2016. The unfortunate injury will keep him from the gym until September 12 at the earliest. If his rehab goes well, Joey could be fighting in November?.former Phoenix Boxer Carlos Castillo (4-4) lost a unanimous decision n to prospect Devin Haney in Pennsylvania on August 27. Castillo is another example of an Arizona fighter who leaves the state for bigger and better opportunities?.. Undefeated Victor Castro and his team plan to sit down with Iron Boy Promotions and talk about his future. We hear that Castro has enrolled in truck driving school and we wish him the best; he is a class act??.Until Next Time! Click here to view a list of other articles written by Don Smith.  |
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