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Arizona Boxing News & Notes with Don Smith: Wilder Triumphs, Estrada Ready to Exit & More By Don Smith PhilBoxing.com Mon, 05 Mar 2018  Boxing fans, In the biggest test of his boxing career, WBC world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (40-0-39 knockouts) overcame a wobbly 7th round to knock out Cuban southpaw Luis Ortiz (28-1-24 knockouts) before a crowd of 14,069 at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn New York on Saturday, March 3. Showtime televised the event that saw Ortiz land more punches with Wilder landing the final and deciding blows in a battle that resembled slow dancing for 5 rounds before the two giants picked up the pace and turned on the heat. The end came at the 2:05 mark in the 10th stanza after Ortiz, believed to be at least 38 years of age, appeared to spend his entire arsenal in the 7th & 8th rounds believing Wilder, aka King Kong, was at his rope?s end. Both fighters? praised each other?s performance in a post-fight ring interview. The victory puts the 6? 7? American champion in the cat bird?s seat to face the winner of the Anthony Joshua (20-0- 20 k?s) versus Joseph Parker (24-0-18 k?s) title bout scheduled in Cardiff, Wales, UK on March 31 at Principality Stadium. The money is on Joshua; but, Parker is underrated and could pull a major upset; he has big time power. Joshua is British and Parker is a New Zealander; a natural rivalry that could add flavor to the contest. I favor Wilder over the winner of the March 31 heavyweight title battle in South Wales which is telecast on ShowTime and Sky Sports. Search for Director: In a stunning announcement, The Arizona Gaming Department has announced a search for a new Executive Director of the Arizona Boxing/MMA Commission. Juan Estrada, the current Executive Director will remain with the Arizona Gaming Department in another capacity. In the meantime, he will remain in the position until a qualified or acceptable replacement is found. I asked Caroline Oppleman (Public Information Officer) why Mr. Estrada was vacating his current position and she said Juan decided to take another opportunity. The explanation seems a bit vague but I have learned that seeking definitive answers from the agency is more complicated than it should be. The process is comparable to the waiting for the issuance of a FISA warrant from a federal court judge after midnight. The position pays $60,000.00 annually and here is the official job summary defined by the Arizona Department of Gaming: The Department of Gaming is looking for an individual who will be able to work independently and part of a team. The program Administrator of the Arizona Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Commission oversees all Amateur/Professional Boxing, Amateur/Professional Mixed Arts, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Tough man events and ensures that applicable laws and rules are enforced to guarantee the integrity of the bouts and to protect the health and safety of the contestants and the public interests. The position entails various administrative functions including the licensing of contestants, officials, and promoters; budgeting; accounting; and the preparation of required reports. Job holder is also responsible for the preparation of notices, agendas, and sporting materials for all regular and special meeting. On a positive note, the director isn?t responsible for mopping the floor of his or her cubicle at the Gaming office. A $60,000.00 salary includes working overtime and on weekends. Applicants should have a valid driver?s license and a mechanically sound car. Former Arizona boxing promoter Peter McKinn believes there are only two people in Arizona who qualify for the position: Clement Vierra and himself. Job interviewees will be screened by a panel, dress nice and if you have a disdain for local, state or federal government agencies; do yourself a favors and don?t apply. Anyone with questions concerning the position should contact ADOA Recruitment at STFFING@azdoa.gov or call 602-542-5482 for assistance. Filing deadline is Wednesday, 3/7/2018. Sorry for the short notice; but ABNN wasn?t informed of the search until a few days ago. As to why the short notice, I was told the opening was posted on social media. Contrary to popular belief; not everyone relies on social media as their sole or primary source of information. It is my sincere hope that qualified people will take time to apply. Boxing needs someone who is keenly aware of the various problems facing martial arts and boxing in our state. Whoever assumes the role should be independent, an innovator, be able to think outside of the box, be process driven, knowledgeable and poses management skills. Selected preferences: High School Diploma or G.E.D. ? Bilingual and Bi-literate preferred-knowledge of first aid-Extensive knowledge of sports governed by the commission. Good luck to all the applicants. Mr. Estrada assumed the position last year and ABNN is shocked to see him go so soon. My relationship with him is amicable and ABNN wishes him and his family the best. I thank Ms. Oppleman for telephoning notice of his impending departure. News & Notes: Undefeated WBO featherweight champion Oscar Valdez (23-0-19 knockouts) puts his title on the line against #2 contender Scott Quigg (34-1-2-25 knockouts) at the Stubb Hub Center on March 10 in Carson, California. The co-main will feature undefeated WBC Continental Americas super featherweight champion Andy Vences, top 3 world rated junior welterweight contender Alex Saucedo (26-0-16 knockouts), 2016 U. S. Olympian and 3 ? time U.S. Amateur Champion Mikaela Mayer (3-0-2 knockouts) and 2012 silver medalist and middleweight contender Esquiva Falcao (19-0-13 knockouts) of Vitoria, Brazil. Ms. Mayer is projected to become a world school; she can fight. The show will be broadcast on ESPN and ESPN Deportes. In other Top Rank News, former IBF junior lightweight world champion Jose ?The Sniper? Pedraza has signed with Top Rank and will make his TR debut on the Jose Ramirez-Amir Imam undercard at The Theater at MSG in New York on March 17. ABNN won?t be at the Valdez/Quigg title tilt; instead I have chosen to cover the Garcia/Lipinets title bout in San Antonio Texas on the same night. Sometimes I wish I could clone myself but then I would have double the enemies. I will arrive at the home of the Spurs on March 8 in time (11:30 a.m.) too catch the final press conference at the Omni Hotel La Mansion. I am staying inside a collapsible pup tent located near a truck stop off US Highway 90, just kidding of course. On Friday 3/9 , the general public and members of the press are invited to attend the official weigh-in at 115 N Main Street in San Antonio 1:00 p.m. Please, drive by my tent and wake me up. On Saturday the first fight, Freeman Coliseum, begins at 4:05 p.m. The ShowTime broadcast commences at 7 O?clock while ShowTime Championship boxing starts airing at 9:15 p.m. check your local listing for time and channel. More News: Luis Espinoza, Adrian Servin and Fidel Hernandez are expected to fight on the Iron Boy 44 Card at the Celebrity in Phoenix..... Phoenix fighters Alexis Zazueta and Abel Ramos are still seeking bouts. It isn?t a bad idea to contact promoters around the country and when the right match is found; make sure a person with legal expertize studies any contract before it is signed. Arizona Kick Boxer Adam Hines, Camp Verde, is headed to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to compete in the certified IKF United States Junior Bantamweight Amateur Muay Thai Title ? 122 lbs. Kickboxing Championship on Friday, March 9. We wish Adam luck and readers will be surprised to know that I worked his corner at one of his competitions. He is a good kid (a three time champion) and we wish him luck. ... The next monthly boxing/MMA Commission meeting is scheduled for Wednesday March 21 at 10 a.m.; call 602-364-7721 for directions...... Sergey ?Krusher? Kovalev (32-2-1-28 knockouts) stopped challenger Igor Mikhalkin (21-2-9 knockouts) at Madison Square Garden on March 3. He is in line to take on the winner of the upcoming Jack/Stevenson title tiff in Montreal..... Irish Canadian boxer Janks Trotter is scheduled to fight in Toronto on April 18; ABNN has been invited to cover the bout and we have accepted and appreciate the invitation. The 24th Celebrity Fight Night will be held at The JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix on March 10. The annual charity event (Black Tie & Gown Attire) raises money for the Alzheimer?s and Memory Disorders Program at the Barrow Neurological institute in Phoenix. This year, superstar Steven Tyler (Aerosmith fame) and the ?Loving Mary? Band will perform and expect other entertainers and celebrities to be in attendance. Country singer Reba McIntyre will host the festivities for the 13th year in a row and six times world boxing champion Michael Carbajal and Arizona Cardinal Standout Larry Fitzgerald are on the star studded guest list. For tickets, call 602-956-1121 to purchase a table or individual seats. If you can?t attend, think of ways you can donate time or money to help others who can?t help themselves..... Several readers have contacted us in regards to the whereabouts of phoenix boxer Carlos Alan Valenzuela (14-6-1-5 knockouts)? Cesar was thoroughly beaten by rising Golden Boy star Ryan Garcia (13-0-12 knockouts) in November of last year and he normally works out of Fuentes Gym in Phoenix; but, no one has seen him since his loss..... ABNN is planning to have T 100 shirts advertising our column printed to give to local boxing clubs to sell at smoker events; all proceeds will be donated to the boxing clubs....ABNN purchased Diamond Back tickets for their game vs. Atlanta on September 9 and we have passed them out to military veterans and two boxers who do volunteer work in the community. .....Two people approached me recently wanting to know how they could donate to the Mia St. John Foundation. She has a website and fans can donate online..... Until Next Time! Click here to view a list of other articles written by Don Smith.  |
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