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Arizona Boxing News & Notes With Don Smith: Finally Pacquiao-Mayweather, Phoenix Showcase, Results, News & Notes By Don Smith PhilBoxing.com Thu, 26 Feb 2015  Finally, it is official, Manny Pacquiao (57-5-2) and Floyd Mayweather (47-0) will meet on May 2 in a Las Vegas boxing ring (MGM Grand Hotel) after years of back and forth accusatory remarks. Most boxing pundits think both fighters are past their prime, but almost everyone agrees the fight will generate the mother of all payload and rumors have the PPV price at $89.95-$99.95. In the end concessions were made so the most anticipated fight since Marvelous Marvin Haggler vs. Sugar Ray Leonard (in my opinion) could proceed. The mega deal is good for the sport of boxing as a recruiting tool and PPV entertainment supplement; both camps are predicting victory. I have been told by Top Rank insiders that it is doubtful a press conference for the event will be held since both participants are mega stars who need no introduction and are instantly recognizable by their first names. Instead of the usual presser, I expect a media workout for both fighters. If it happens, I hope to attend, but I will have to give you a rain check on time and date at respective gyms in Nevada and California. I might have resort to using a forearm shiver to get close; just kidding! Mayweather is favored by most scribes, but Pacquiao is a well-conditioned machine (no disrespect) who could outpoint the cocky fighter from Grand Rapids, Michigan if the money man tires in the later rounds. Personally, I expect the bout to go the distance and fight fans should start saving their pennies now to watch a PPV event that is pricey, but could be one for history books. Mayweather told Fight Hype ?It will be just another fight? while the BBC suggested the matchup could be the last great super fight; I disagree with both comments. Freddie Roach, Pacquiao?s Hall of Fame Trainer, told members of the media that his fighter will put the undefeated Mayweather on his you know what. Both boxers will wear 8oz. gloves from different manufacturers; of course! According to published reports, the contract doesn?t contain a provision or clause for a rematch. Ticket and PPV sales are expected to reach all-time highs; we can only hope the actual fight matches the hype. Update: Iron Boy XIX has done a bit of shuffling with their 2/28 show at the Celebrity Theater and the changes should pay dividends at the box-office and curry favor with avid boxing fans. In addition to 12 planned professional bouts, USA Boxing Arizona has sanctioned a 4 pm mini amateur exhibition consisting of 2-3 bouts at the Theater preceding the Iron Boy XIX presentation with the first professional bout starting at 7 p.m. The Main Event pits heralded heavyweight Charles Martin (19-0-1 w/ 17 knockouts) versus veteran Raphael Zumbano Love (35-9-1 w/28 knockouts) from Brazil. Martin hails from my home state, Missouri. The co-main features Phoenix favorite Victor Castro (13-0) versus Mexico?s Ivan Zavala (6-8); 4-5 more consecutive wins might earn Castro a minor title shot. In my opinion, Castro is a good character guy who must meet and defeat tougher ring foes to be considered a formidable candidate for a meaningful title. Castro should defeat Zavala in their 8 rounder and a knockout is possible. Joey ?The Boxer? Ruelas (8-1-1) is finally healthy and will meet Russ Niggemyer (2-6) in a four round 160 lb. contest. Niggemyer hails from Las Vegas, Nevada and Ruelas calls Phoenix home. Rising star Francisco C. De Vaca (9-0) fighting out of Phoenix is pitted against Mexico?s Saul Hernandez (6-5).Vaca should grab 10th win unless he drops his hands or loses focus; his skills are too good to lose or go the scheduled six rounds. Last minute additions to the card include 175 lb. prospect Yoann Kongolo from Switzerland vs. Johnathon Blue who has gym ties in Nevada. Both youngsters will be making their Arizona debuts in a four rounder and fans can click on you tube catch a glimpse of both men in video action. 175 lb. newcomer Richard Romero is tentatively on the card waiting for an opponent. He is highly regarded according to a couple of boxing insiders I talked to, but I haven?t seen his game, so I hope he makes the trip to Phoenix, I like watching prot?g?s. Phoenix favorite and an Iron Boy regular, Edgar Brito (3-0-1) takes on nemesis Jesus Pacheco (1-4) whom he met and mastered (split decision) earlier in his career. In other bouts Cameron Dunkin prot?g? Brian Mendoza (3-0) hopes to spoil the professional debut of Javier Nieblas in a four round welterweight contest. Mendoza has been known to lose focus during about. Carlos Castro (7-0) should get a tough test when the Phoenix based fighter takes on Mexico?s Jesus Navarro in a six round scrap that could spell trouble for the undefeated Castro. Jose Herrera (Fuentes Gym in Phoenix) makes his professional debut against Fernando Alvarez from New Mexico. Both young men were strong amateur prospects and it could wind up as a battle of wills and attrition. 147 pound Daniel Garcia (1-0) makes his second appearance on an Iron Boy card when he meets Stephan Mccray (0-4) also from Phoenix in a 4 round bout. Garcia had the jitters in his debut; expect him to be calmer and more confident this time around. Tickets are still available at the Celebrity Box-office?see you there. Phoenix Showcase Re-cap: According to several boxing fans who attended the Phoenix Showcase boxing show held at La Princesa Hall in Phoenix on March 21; the event was a success. I was unable to attend, but I did attend the weigh-in at the Fuentes Bar & Grill in Phoenix on 2/20 and I asked one of the working trainers what grade he would give promoter Maritza Miranda Saenz and without hesitation he replied ?9.5.? Ms. Saenz said she is in a growing mode since her much aligned 2014 show at the Phoenix Convention Center. I will present a more in-depth coverage of the weigh-in event in my next column including profile of 25 year old California boxer James Stewart who lost his debut bout to Apache Junction, Arizona super featherweight Tim Riddell by scores of 40-36, 39-37 x 2 from the three judges. Stewart lives and trains in Pomona and his road to becoming boxer will be featured in my next column. Here are the rest of the results from Phoenix Showcase Card. A special thank you to Greg Stiles and the Arizona Boxing Commission for dispatching the boxing results to me. Attendance was reportedly near capacity in a venue that was configured to hold around 600 spectators. In the main event, rugged Walter Santibanes won a majority decision over Jazzman Hogue in a six round contest. Wes Melton was the referee of record. Santibanes got the nod from two Judges (Calderon & Valenzuela) with scores of 58-56 and 60-54 while Judge Wilson had the bout knotted at 57-57. Fernando Samaniego scored a six round unanimous decision over Gabriel Braxton. Two Judges had it 59-55 while the third official scored the contest 60-54 in favor of Samaniego. Referee was Chris Flores, attorney and veteran ring official. Phoenix fighter Tim Riddell remained undefeated (3-0) with a 4 round UD victory over James Stewart fighting out of Pomona California and making his professional debut. Official scores were 39-37x2 and 40-36. Wes Melton was the third man in the ring. In bout # 3, David Damore and Cesar Barraza fought four rounds and settled for a majority draw. Ironically, it was the third career draw for Damore (0-0-3). The 33 year old Barraza (Rodriguez Gym in Phoenix) was making his debut and left the ring with a record of 0-0-1. A rematch might be in the works. Chris Flores was the referee of record. In the only knockout of the evening, Manuel Mendez ended Misael Chacon?s night with a 3rd round knockout. The KO loss earned a 30 day suspension for Chacon (1-6) while the victorious Mendez, no relation to Phoenix boxing figure Andrew Mendez, celebrated his 4th victory to go with one loss and one draw. Kandyce Williams (2-1) had reason to celebrate with a 4 round UD win over Phoenix lightweight Jillian Lybarger (1-2). Referee Chris Flores presided over the contest. Bout Maker Boxing Promotions encourages boxing fans to go to their website for next show details. The ring announcer for the evening was Phoenix TV host Refugio Cardenas aka JR and the official ring physician was Boston?s finest: Dr. Robin MacDougal and sharing time keeping duties were Damon Cable and Arnold De Leon. Official paid attendance was not reported. Boxing Tidbits: Daisy and Jose Benavidez Sr. were busy conducting interviews at the Phoenix Showcase weigh-in for You Tube viewers. Mr. & Mrs. Benavidez are telegenic and well spoken, so a future in television is a strong possibility. Their questions were predictable and friendly, but they weren?t working the event for sixty minutes. Jose interviewed me and I thank Geoff (reader) for sending me a video clip of the piece; yes, I have a radio face. Jose?s piece was very flattering and I thank him for his gracious and totally unsolicited praise. Luis Olivares (7-0) and his team decided turn down an offer to fight Miguel Zuniga (12-7-7 knockouts) from Mexico in a 6 round contest. Luis is coming off a serious hand injury and handpicking an opponent makes sense. Zuniga and Olivares may meet at a future date when Luis is ready for a ten round bout. Olivares is tentative for the card, but Iron Boy hopes Anthony Hill (1-6) wins approval from Matthew Valenzuela, Executive Director of the Arizona State Boxing /MMA Commission after the Director watched the Phoenix fighter workout at the Central Boxing Gym in Phoenix. Update: Hill sparred 3 rounds at the gym in front of Valenzuela and Phoenix boxing figure Chris Flores until action was halted to take care of a young fighter (unrelated to the sparring session) who became ill (seizure) during the workout time. According to a source at the scene, the boxer was treated and taken to a nearby hospital and is expected to make a full recovery; our prayers gout to the family of the stricken boxer. Jennifer Clift has been replaced by Julio Laboy as Director of Public Relations for Fight Hard Promotions a mere 3-4 weeks before their inaugural (Night of Glory) boxing show at the Renaissance Hotel on March 20 in Glendale, Arizona. No official comment on the change, but Ms. Clift was chastised by some members of the press corps for telling them to refer to the Fight Hard website for information concerning the Night of Glory Event. Unfortunately, the website was rarely updated and her defense was that she was abiding by Industry standards in holding back card information until it was approved by the Arizona Boxing Commission. Also, she annoyed some reporters by calling them ?sweetie? and she was very slow in returning emails and phone calls. I wish her well in her future endeavors. Laboy has a very impressive resume. The gentleman is a prominent attorney, according to his bio, and he is an award winning journalist who was a staff member of the prestigious Wall Street Journal and New York Newsday publication. Laboy is an avid sports fan and his knowledge of boxing should serve him well in his new position with Fight Hard Promotions. I have some confidence that Mr. Laboy will reach out to members of the press and open an informative dialogue that will be address all details about the Night of Glory Show and future Fight Hard Promotions; consumers demand pertinent info rapidly, so they can decide how to spend their entertainment dollars judicially. Arizona Boxing News & Notes will have an update on the Fight Hard debut show, next column. Popular boxing champion Alexis Santiago, fighting out of Phoenix, Arizona, headlines the March 13 show with a defense of his title. USA Boxing AZ News: Boxing coach Juan Varela might throw his hat in the ring for an elected position in the USA Boxing Arizona Organization next year in November of 2016 and Emily Pandelakis has expressed interest in the Secretarial position vacated by the resignation of Lydia Hoskins who passed away a few months ago. Boxing Trainer Andrew Soto is expected to make a run for the presidency; opposition could come from three potential foes including incumbent President Jake Magallanez who I disagree with from time to time, but he has been a great source for this column with his frequent and informative emails. In the words of late comic Arte Johnson (Laugh-In) next year?s USA Boxing Arizona election should be ?very interesting.? Boxing veteran Tom Garcia has hinted he won?t seek re-election as Vice President of the organization. Olympic Boxing hopeful Sulem Urbina Soto attended the Bout Maker Boxing Promotions weigh-in and stayed long enough to complete an interview with You Tube personality Jose Benavidez Jr. I was able to ask her about the proposed Alexis Urbina Invitational Boxing Tournament inspired by the memory of her late brother, Alexis Urbina; but she wasn?t able to give me specific details. Sulem is a remarkable young lady and an inspiration to young female boxers, in particular. Friends tell me the tournament will be held in May to coincide with the celebration of Cinco de Mayo. On the record, ring Announcer Ralph Velez Jr.isn?t officially affiliated with the Buckeye Valley News, a community newspaper circulated in the Valley of the Sun. This disclaimer comes from the lips of key Buckeye Valley News officials. Velez denies any wrong doing , but reliable sources don?t agree. It is common practice for someone, short of cash, who knows someone connected to tell a white lie to obtain credentials and a free entrance; fighters, fans are often seen wearing a press or staff credential they?re not entitled to have in their possession. I hope the Arizona Boxing Commission and licensed promoters address the issue at the next scheduled Commission hearing on Monday, March 9. Mr. Velez is the official ring announcer for the March 13 Battle of the Belts boxing show at Ft. McDowell, produced by Roy Jones Jr. promotions; Heavyweight Champion Billy ?Bronco? Wright (2 current titles) is the headliner. Ralph was seen at the recently concluded Arizona State Golden Gloves Tournament in Mesa wearing a Roy Jones Jr. T shirt and the actor/filmmaker was actively promoting the March 13 show at Ft. McDowell which is doing quite well in ticket sales. If you can?t go; view it by purchasing the PPV online presentation before the fight. Golden Gloves Re-cap: Golden Gloves CEO & President Kelly Fenn sent me an email containing the names of boxers who excelled at the GG Tournament held at the Mesa Event Center on 2/20?2/22. I wasn?t able to attend; so the email is very much appreciated. Here is the list of winners headed to the GG Regionals and I want to give a shootout to boxer Jaden Zeller who lost a tough one, so one of his family members cornered me in a Phoenix Walgreen?s store and bragged about her courageous boxing relative; don?t give up, Jaden Zeller. Advancing to the GG Regionals are: Jesus Ibarra (Broadway Boxing), Alfredo Escarga (FI Boxing), Thomas Valerio (Central Boxing), Edward Gamez (Broadway Boxing), Ariel Heraldez (Ramos Boxing), Rieffe Dacanay (Irongloves Boxing), Edwardo Ayala (Madison Boxing), Ayala was also named fighter of the tournament while Salvation Army and Broadway Boxing earned team trophies. I apologize for any misspelling of names, but I was unable to verify the correct spelling of some of the names, so I printed what was sent me. Other fighters advancing include: Dontal Johnson (Irongloves), Jose Guerra (Salvation Army), Josef Di La O (Crowne Boxing), Emilio Ruelas (Rodriguez Boxing), Leo Ruiz (Salvation Army), Automatic advances went to: Adrian Servin (Knockout Boxing), Fernando Martinez (Fuentes Boxing), Damien Stone (unattached). The Golden Gloves Regionals will be held in Las Vegas on March 20-21. Special congratulations to all of the boxers participating in the event; everyone is a winner. More Stuff: More Arizona Boxer Chris Lopez was released from his Florida jail cell after his arrest on charges of stabbing his stepfather multiple times last year before Christmas. The victim recovered and was quoted as wanting to help his stepson. No word on trial date or if Lopez is out on a plea agreement with a binding stipulation that he seek mental help. One of his friends told me Lopez would love to move back to Arizona. Chris suffered a lot of punishment in his last two fights that may have resulted in brain damage and behavioral problems. His many friends in Arizona are praying for him to make a full recovery, if possible. Super Heavyweight amateur boxer Dante Stone (Unattached) won a place on the Arizona Golden Gloves Regional Team. His father (Damien) faces a court hearing (Maricopa County Superior Court) on March 25 over solicitation charges. According to the x rated police report, Mr. Stone offered to pay an undercover police officer for sexual favors. The court conference hearing is scheduled one day after his 41st birthday?..Until Next Time! Click here to view a list of other articles written by Don Smith.  |
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