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Arizona Boxing News & Notes with Don Smith: Premiere Critique, Lively Conference, Boxing News By Don Smith PhilBoxing.com Sat, 14 Mar 2015  Boxing Fans, Local NBC Television affiliate KPNX (Channel 12 in Phoenix) aired a brief story on 18 year old local boxer David Benavidez (8-0) following the much ballyhooed NBC presentation of the Inaugural premiere of Al Haymon?s Boxing Champions series on Saturday, March 7 during their 10 pm newscast. The filming of the interview took place at Iron Boy Gym in South Phoenix where David was seen preparing for a NABF youth title fight at the Celebrity Theatre on April 25. A spokesperson for Iron Boy Promotions told me Phillip Matthews conducted the interview and a text with video is available for viewers who go online to the Channel 12 website. The story on the KPNX website states that David is going for a heavyweight title and unless he plans to fatten up, the assertion is incorrect: Iron Boy has confirmed the bout weight is set for light heavyweight. My fault with the piece was that it was too soft and lacked substance. I blame the reporter and website contributor who missed an opportunity to give boxing fans realistic look at training for a big fight. It isn?t the first time a television reporter approached an assignment without in-depth preparation and was forced to adlib the piece. As for NBC?s return to prime time boxing after a 30 year absence, the report card is incomplete; fight fan junkies are giving the first show thumbs up while I was a little less enthusiastic about the premiere production. Veteran play by play announcer Marv Albert was solid, but other on air personnel involved in the broadcast: Kenny Rice, BJ Flores, Laila Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard and Al Michaels failed to establish their roles and instead became boring ad repetitive talking heads. Hopefully, NBC hierarchy will correct the obvious problem and replace one or two of the talking heads with an edgy reporter. April 11 is the next date for NBC Boxing when Andy Lee and Danny Garcia try to whet my boxing appetite; John Molina was a disappointment in the premiere show and Roberto Guerreo rallied late, but too late to make his duel with Keith Thurman interesting. In fairness, it has been 30 years since NBC has wowed boxing fans; so let?s give the network a few more shows before we throw in the towel. Press Conference: Many Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather held a lively press conference in Los Angeles on Wednesday March 11 and let?s hope the May 2 fight in Vegas is just as entertaining as their verbal counterpunching. Mayweather is the slight betting favorite, but Pacquiao remains the fan?s choice despite Floyd?s reign as perennial best ?pound for pound? fighter. I only wish the two superstars of boxing had decide five years ago when their punches were more lethal. I found the press conference entertaining. Manny was very animated and confident while Floyd reminded Manny that he was the undefeated boxer and entitled to proclaim himself as the world?s greatest pound for pound fighter of all times. Manny smiled throughout the ESPN televised event and at times, I felt Mayweather was very annoyed at ?Pac Man? who delivered some hard verbal jabs at the self-described ?Money? man; be prepared for more over the top hype before May 2. No word on whether the two future Hall of Fame fighters will hold Media workouts. I am amused by their contrasting public images and that observation was highlighted by the fact that Mayweather wore a light Blue suit while Manny chose to wear a dark Blue suit at the presser. Personally, I doubt if they agree on anything. Remember, the battle over what size of glove to wear and how to share the purse and on and on the debates became intensely heated until after five years of publicly disagreeing; they decided that agreeing on monetary piece was more important than brotherly peace?.the hype has just begun. Boxing Comments: A confidant of Ray Beltran?s called to inform this column that the former Phoenix resident is fighting for the vacated WBO lightweight title on May 1 in Las Vegas; more details in next column? Maritza Saenz (BMBP) is taking bows for her lead role (Owner/Operator) in her boxing promotion company, Bout Maker Boxing Promotions, and her recent limited success with her last show should be mentioned and appreciated. There shouldn?t be a glass ceiling in boxing or any other industry and she definitely thinks women in boxing have to climb over a higher hurdle than men. I understand her apprehensions and applaud her tenacity. In that spirit, I proudly extend a very special thanks to the following Arizona women who deserve acknowledgement for working in the sport previous to the recent entrance of Ms. Saenz who will present and promote ?Fight 2 Win? at the Phoenix Convention Center on April 11. Her last show at the La Princesa was a near sellout. My definition of a sellout is when every possible seat was sold not given away to fans, fighter?s relatives, etc. Here are the names of a few of the many special women who have made major past & present contributions to Arizona Boxing and please don?t think the order in which they?re listed denotes preferential treatment and I apologize to anyone I have omitted : The late Lydia Hoskins who volunteered years of her life to amateur boxing and USA Boxing Arizona, boxer Elena ?Baby Doll? Reid, former boxing promoter Alma Canez, Norma Rivera-Arizona Boxing/MMA Commission, boxing activist Laura Hall, Golden Gloves & Copper Gloves CEO Kelly Fenn and her daughter Jennifer Fenn, Boxing publicists Michelle Rosado & Emily Pandelakis, Boxers Sulem Urbina Soto, volunteer Susan Wheeler Hernandez, super volunteer Lala Soto and boxer/trainer Deborah ?Sunshine? Fettkether. This column proudly supports the ongoing movement (petition) to secure equality in Olympic boxing for competing women. Iron Boy Update: There is a 5? 9? 225 lb. heavyweight boxer working out at Central Gym in Phoenix and drawing praise for his power and work ethic. His much whispered name is Anetelea Opetaja and the 30 year old immigrant will make his professional debut after a mere 12 amateur bouts on the April 25 Iron Boy XX card at the Celebrity Theater. Veteran trainer Tom Garcia thinks the heavy handed prospect is something special. The card is still under construction, but expect boxers Carlos Castro, Victor Castro, Joey Ruelas, Francisco C. De Vaca, Alexis Zazuets, Emilio Garcia and Junior Rodriguez to be on the card. Light heavyweight David Benavidez (8-0) is scheduled to fight a yet unnamed opponent for a vacant Youth title in a scheduled for 8 rounds affair. Zazueta has talent scouts looking at him seriously, so expect the Cameron Dunkin prospect to make a bold career move, soon. Tickets are available through the Iron Boy website and Celebrity Theatre box-office in Phoenix. Fight 2 Win: Bout Maker Boxing Promotions is moving at breakneck speed to produce another boxing show on April 11 at the Phoenix Convention Center. Here are some of the names being groomed for the show: super bantamweight Walt3er Santibanes (8-2) is the tentative headliner. Highly touted featherweight Prince Smalls (6-0-1) is penciled in to fight tough Jazzman Hogue (3-7). Super featherweight Cesar Valenzuela (7-4) is tentatively ticketed for the show and Tim Riddell (3-0) returns in hopes of picking up win # 4 while Brother Ryan Riddell makes his debut. Super middleweights Cesar Barraza (2-0-1) and David Damore (0-0-3) faced off in their last bout and settled for a draw; the grudge match will have to wait. Both fighters are waiting for To Be Announced opponents. Tickets for Fight 2 Win are available through their website and by calling the Ben Miranda law office in Phoenix. Edward Rodriquez is the bout matchmaker of record. Stuff Happens: I wasn?t invited to report on the ?Battle of the Belts? boxing show at the WE KO PA Resort and Conference Center on 3/13, but I plan to recap the results in my next column. My invitation must have gotten lost in the mail. Heavyweight Bronco Billy Wright headlined the event and local boxer Manny Nieves performed on the under card. Ring announcer Ralph Velez Jr. escorted Wright and co-main fighter Milorad Zizic around Phoenix before the weigh-in to promote the fight; one of their stops was the Central Boxing Gym near downtown Phoenix. The show was expected to do well, attendance wise and I wish Roy Jones Jr Promotions the best in promoting future shows in the Grand Canyon State. Speed Bag Notes: MMA fans can catch Duel for Domination at the Arizona Event Center in Mesa on Saturday, March 14th at 6 pm; sorry for the last minute mention?.USA Boxing Arizona Official Richard Soto is searching for several men and women who have time to help USA Boxing Arizona serve the Arizona community; call 602-702-7053 if you have the right stuff..?.. Former Arizona boxing trainer Jesus Soto was deported to Mexico a few years back, but his relocation hasn?t stopped him from promoting and advertising for fighters and fights from his new residence, Rocky Point Mexico?..WBC wants one unified champion in every division, amen! 2016 Olympic hopeful Sulem Urbina Soto (representing Mexico) tangles with U.S.A. boxing star KC McPherson (Sonny?s Gym) on the Night of Glory show in Glendale, Arizona on March 20. Undefeated Abel Ramos (10-0-2-6 knockouts) is battling on the card, but his opponent is Luis Alberto Pelayo (11-5-7 knockouts) instead of Carlos Valenzuela as indicated on BoxRec. Tickets for the Renaissance Hotel show can be acquired by calling 623-806-2421, 602-424-4087 or 602-272-2282; unfortunately someone sort of sabotaged the show by passing on a wrong number (602-481-8451)-now you know! In a strong show of support, the Ramos family has sold more than 100 tickets to friends and family members. The Main Event features Alexis Santiago vs. Antonio Tostado in a scheduled for 10 rounds tussle for the WBO NABO Featherweight Title. Brandon Riddell was advertised on the website, but his tentative bout with Rocco Espinoza was scratched. Other bouts include Keenan Carbajal vs. Jair Quintero and an amateur contest pitting Zues Pinder vs. Erick Munguia. 1st contest starts at 7 pm and ticket prices start at $35.00; according to wagging tongues, lee than 300 unsold tickets remain. Q & A Delay: I sent Iron Boy boxing announcer Sonny Franco 13 questions and he did so, but unfortunately I am forced to delay his responses until the next riveting column is finished and released to the waiting masses. Mr. Franco is a well-spoken and articulate person, sorry! Don?t forget, free ice cream cone at all participating Dairy Queens on March 16. Until Next time! Click here to view a list of other articles written by Don Smith.  |
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