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Arizona Boxing News & Notes with Don Smith: Iron Boy Result, Hernandez Update, Parker News By Don Smith PhilBoxing.com Mon, 01 May 2017 Boxing Fans, Iron Boy Promotions presented (Iron Boy 38), 11 fights at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix on Saturday, April 22 and it was an evening featuring 6 quick (1st round) knockouts and all of the winners fought out of the red corner, suggesting a run to the sports book. At least 6 of the bout matchups touched a nerve with objective fans and officials who privately thought the results of those battles could have been ?mailed in?; no disrespect intended, but ABNN would lose readers if we didn?t adhere to our motto: ?The truth should never be feared?. Representatives for two of the victorious fighters credited with ?quick? knockouts called me and promised future foes would be better screened and ?perceived weak? foes would be rejected. Both spokespersons agreed that fighting ?fish? doesn?t build on their fighter?s career or enhance their reputations. Welterweight Eben Vargas (4-0-3 knockouts) knocked out Ramon Meza early in the 1st round; but, Meza entered the ring with a 3-2-1 record with 2 knockouts and Vargas, a Phoenix fighter, has improved greatly since his awkward debut last year. His trainer (Tony Vargas) wanted me to know that beating Meza wasn?t a forgone conclusion based on his past performances. I agree and believe Eben and his team will insist on future foes that will challenge the 19 year old Vargas who celebrates his 20th birthday on July 5. His future looks bright and I smiled when his trainer (and relative) called him the best fighter on the card-confidence is good! I talked to veteran matchmaker Mike Sanchez about the dilemma and he wants to address the complaint by matching undefeated fighters, considered prospects, with foes that have comparable records. However, the experienced matchmaker knows a fighter and his or her management team can veto the proposed pairing if it doesn?t comply with their boxing ideology. It would be unfair to suggest that the evening wasn?t without merit. The video tribute ( accompanied with music)to Michael Carbajal, during the intermission, earned the 6 time world champion a standing ovation and it was gratifying to see 2 time world champion Louie Espinoza walk the Hall of Fame fighter down the runway and part the ring ropes so his dear friend could join Iron Boy announcer Sonny Franco for his introduction and well-deserved bow. Michael thanked the fans for supporting his career and he told them his efforts in the ring were for them. He also made sure he acknowledged Louie?s career in the ring. Louie and Michael sat behind me near ringside after moving from the VIP pit section where they had a poor view of the fights. It was my first meeting with Louie and my conversation with the two time world champion will be carried in our next column. Several fights were competitive and entertaining. I would be remiss if I didn?t praise Phoenix?s 122 lb. undefeated Carlos Castro for his manhandling of 2 time world champion Juan Palacios (28-8-2-22 knockouts). The 36 year wasn?t quick enough for the 23 year old Castro (18-0-7 knockouts) and he wasn?t able to stay inside which was his only hope for an upset. The key to the victor?s victory was better conditioning and a very effective stiff jab. The loss is the 4th consecutive for Palacious who should consider retiring or returning to fight at his natural weight of 115. Another positive performance on the card came from Californian Joshua Zuniga (7-0-3 knockouts) whose footwork was extraordinary against Carlos Zatarain (7-4-2). It was the best fight of the night and both fighters gave a 110 percent. Zuniga was the better boxer and his hand speed and footwork enabled him to win a majority decision over the more traditional style of Zatarain. Both men are a testament to their craft. In the opening bout, middleweight James McGirt Jr showed better technical ring skills in defeating rugged Roberto Young (5-13-2) who always turns in a gritty performance despite his losing record. McGirt, 26-3-13 knockouts) was inactive for 18 months before taking on Young. In a bruising 8 round super middleweight bout, Arthur Akavov (17-2) beat Josue Ovando (14-14-1) by a majority decision and it was a good exhibition of counter punching. It was the 4th bout of the evening and the action packed contest set the perfect mood and tempo for the Main Event that followed between Castro and Palacios. Underdog Joel Cano (2-6) gave crowd favorite Edgar Ortiz fits during their 4 round war; but, but, it wasn?t enough as Ortiz (4-1) earned a unanimous decision from the judges? scorecards. Ortiz is expected to be on the June 24th Iron Boy card at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix. 1st Round Knockouts: Super welterweight Jaime Bojado (2-0) proved too strong for Ernesto Hernandez who entered the ring with a dubious record of 1-6. His only victory came at the expense of Adan Rosa (0-1) who hasn?t fought since his knockout loss to Hernandez two years ago. Bojado in a post-fight interview expressed hope that his next foe will be a real challenge. The end came at 1:37 of the first round. Jaime is a straight up guy and he knows he received a gift. The fish fry continued with Luis Espinosa?s 1st round k knockout of Alberto Serna (2-6) who has suffered 5 knockouts in his brief professional career. A chorus of boos could be heard immediately after the fight ended. Espinoza record stands at 7-0 at the expense of mediocre fighters. Former Olympic flyweight hopeful Andre Servin (4-0) took on former MMA fighter Steve Lantry who looked tough in a video and had Servin thinking it might be rough contest. Servin knocked Lantry (0-1) out in the first round with ease. I believe Lantry threw a total of three punches without landing a single one. Andre looked a bit embarrassed when he was interviewed and he told his fans, his next fight would be against someone tougher; ABNN believes him! 122 lb. Ryan Riddell (2-0) battle with Anthony Dune ended at the 1:23 mark of the first stanza. 2 Ryan Riddell foot stomps scared Duna who had no business being in the ring with the talented Riddell. We know the checks still cash; but, fans don?t always come back after watching a series of mismatches on one card. Budding international boxing star Ilya Usachev (4-0) needed only 1:17 into the first round to end the night for an outclassed Shem Prieto whose record dropped to 0-2 with both losses coming by way of knockouts at the Celebrity Theatre; hopefully the boxing commission will have a talk with Mr. Prieto. In summary, I have a lot of respect for Iron Promotions and I know Iron Boy 39 on June 24 will be much more entertaining. I already hear a couple unconfirmed names bandied about and I can assure fans the names aren?t Prieto and Serna. Attendance was down and most fans left early; I am looking forward to the next show. Parker Update: Duco Promotions wasted no time in replacing Hughie Fury (22-0) after it was announced the 22 year old British heavyweight contender was unable to fight WBO Heavyweight Champion Joseph Parker (22-0-18 knockouts) for the New Zealander?s title on May 6 in South Auckland, New Zealand at the Vodafone Events Centre. A back injury put the young Fury?s dream of becoming a world champion on hold. The new challenger is 30 year old Razvan ?Big Foot? Cojanu and the giant Romanian boasts a record of 16-2- 9 knockouts. One of the reasons Cojanu (ranked #14 in the world) was chosen is his length. At 6? 7?, he is one inch taller than Parker and the other divisional heavyweight champions, Deontay Wilder (38-0- and Anthony Joshua (19-0-19 knockouts) who also measure 6? 6?. Parker hopes a win over Cojanu will earn him a shot at Wilder and Joshua for a chance to unify the heavyweight titles. He watched Englishman Joshua stop 41 year old Ukrainian boxing superstar Wladimir Klitschko in their thrilling battle on Saturday, April 29, 2017 which aired on Showtime from England. Parker complimented both fighters and said Joshua showed heart after being knocked down in the 5th round of their scheduled 12 rounder that ended in the 11th stanza after Joshua knocked down Klitschko 3 times. Parker is considered the least talented of the three heavyweight champions but he is better than he showed against Andy Ruiz in winning his title. Beating Cojanu won?t win him any brownie points, but his management team should take a bow for coming up with a replacement for Fury who is a much better opponent. Fans can catch telecast of the bout on Sky Sports from England or from an online feed. Call your local cable provider for further details. The official Parker/Cojanu press conference is scheduled for Wednesday 5/3 11:30 am (New Zealand Time) and the weigh-in is slated for Friday 5/5 at 7 pm at 500 Broadway New Market Auckland 1023. This info is for our readers in Asia who may travel to watch the bout. Televised Fight Schedule: Here is a limited list of televised fights, fans might circle on their calendars: Gamboa vs. Castellanos on ESPN 2 + Arizona?s Cesar Alan Valenzuela vs. Morales ?. Alvarez vs. Chavez Jr May 6 on HBO PPV??Crawford vs. Diaz 5/20 on HBO + Ray Beltran vs. Jonathan Maicelo?.David Benavidez vs. Rogelio ?Porky? Medina 5/20 on Fox Sports 1?.Brook vs. Spence Jr. 5/27 on Showtime?..Ward vs. Kovalev 6/17 on HBO PPV?.Pacquiao vs. Horn 7/2 on TBA * ABNN will be in Brisbane, Australia to cover the fight if invited. We have already booked passage. Hernandez Update: ABNN reported weeks ago that Phoenix middleweight Andrew Hernandez (18-5-1-8 knockouts) accepted an offer from Team David Lemieux (37-3-33 knockouts) to spar with the former IBF Middleweight Champion in his preparation to fight Marcos Reyes (35-4-26 knockouts) on the under card of the May 6 Alvarez vs. Chavez bout at T Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Andrew left Montreal, Quebec, Canada on Sunday, April 30 to return home to Phoenix, his birthplace. Despite his working relationship with Lemieux, the 31 year old Hernandez doesn?t plan on attending the mega bout between the two Mexican middleweight superstars (Chavez & Alvarez) in Las Vegas. He told ABNN, he doesn?t think it would be appropriate to ask the fighter of French /Armenian descent for such a favor. Hernandez, aka the ?Fighting Pride of Phoenix? turned down a rematch with Russian middleweight Arif Magomedov (18-1-11 knockouts) whom Andrew scored an upset victory over in Las Vegas on 5/21/ 2016. A second victory over Magomedov might have led to a minor title bout; but, Hernandez said nyet and headed to Canada for an opportunity to work out with the former world champion and current top 5 contender in the middleweight division. After returning home, he will focus on two upcoming fights. On May 13 he is scheduled to fight in Mexico vs. TBD and at the Camelback Inn in Phoenix on June 1 versus Paul Valenzuela (20-5-14 knockouts) Andrew is quite the Character. When I traveled to Montreal last year to watch Lemieux fight and defeat Cristian Fabian Rios, Andrew asked me to issue a challenge to the former middleweight champion on his behalf. I did so at the post fight press conference and Team Lemieux denied knowing anything Hernandez. During a recent phone conversation, Andrew told me they were pulling my leg. Lemieux Trainer Marc Ramsay was aware that Andrew fought twice in Calgary, Alberta and Lemieux Promoter (Eye of the Tiger) read my column coverage of the Rios fight which included mention of Andrew?s verbal challenge to Lemieux. Andrew was impressed that Team Lemieux knows who he is but not surprised. His latest assignment for me is to print a challenge from him to WBO Middleweight Champion Billy Joe Saunders who defends his title against challenger Avtandil Khurtsidze in London on July 8. It?s done - let?s see what happens! No Go: On Friday, April 28, show promoter Golden Boy Promotions chose media applicants to cover the 12 round HBO PPV fight and ABNN was left off the list. We apologize to our readers for applying late; so, we will watch the PPV telecast at Twin Peaks; 22nd Street and Camelback Road in Phoenix. The service is great and the cozy establishment offers delicious comfort food and a drink menu that will quench all thirsts. There is no cover on fight night (Saturday 5/6) however, a $20.00 spend minimum for each person is enforced and it is a small price to pay for a fight that has generated rabid interest. There is a second Twin Peaks in Scottsdale (Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd) and both locations are rated excellent. I can?t think of another sports bar and grill franchise that offers fans more screens and space to watch and enjoy every type of sports event imaginable. Boxing News: Arizona super lightweight Abel Ramos won?t be fighting Joel Diaz Jr. (23-0-19 knockouts) on Showtime, June 9 from Verona, New York as listed on Box-Rec. I talked to Abel?s brother (Jesus) and he told ABNN that Abel has decided to take a fight on Fox Sports on June 2 against a to be determined foe somewhere in the Midwest, perhaps Iowa. Abel?s nephew (Jesus Jr) is fighting in the JO Championships at Sonny?s Gym in Goodyear Arizona 5/6-7. Diaz will now face Regis Prograis ((19-0-16 knockouts) in a battle of young Phenoms. ?..ABNN tried to contact Attorney and boxing manager Tony Gonzales in Florida to see what is going on with the career of Arizona super lightweight Luis Olivares. Mr. Gonzales, or so it seems, has abandoned the young fighter. 6 time world champion Michael Carbajal appears on the verge of regaining total control of his 9th Street Gym in Phoenix after an ?oral argument for a summary judgment?, was presented to Maricopa County Superior Court Judge John Hannah on Friday, April 28th in Phoenix, Arizona. Mr. Michael Carbajal was all smiles when he left the courthouse. The H.O.F fighter (plaintiff) through his attorney (Glenn Hotchkiss) asked Judge Hannah to remove convicted felon and estranged Brother Danny Carbajal?s name as a board member and official of the corporation. Danny Carbajal failed to appear for the hearing and Judge Hannah will render his decision soon. ABNN was there as an observer while 18 friends and relatives traveled to court in support of the champion in his battle to regain what is rightfully his. Short Jabs: Golden Boy Promotions is offering boxing fans VIP seating at the May 5 Canelo vs. Chavez Jr. Weigh-in if you purchase a ticket to the ESPN televised May 5 Golden Boy Boxing show in Vegas at the Cosmopolitan??Fight Hard Promotions is taking Keenan Carbajal to fight in Mexico on May 13. FHP is co-promoting the show and will also be represented on the card by Daniel Garcia, Andrew Hernandez and Jesus Serrano who will fight for a title. FHP boss Rigoberto Ledezma let it slip out that he is fighting in a senior?s level boxing match on May 19 in Las Vegas??? Until Next Time! Click here to view a list of other articles written by Don Smith.  |
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