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Arizona Boxing News & Notes with Don Smith: Rose Scores Upset, Q&A with Sonny Franco & More By Don Smith PhilBoxing.com Wed, 18 Mar 2015 Boxing fans, Boxing Trainer/Manager Panayiotis ?Pete? Carabatsos (300 boxing Club), a first class motivator, has good reason to celebrate after his middleweight fighter, Louis ?Unknown? Rose, ?dominated? highly touted Milorad Zizic (six round TKO) in their Friday March 13th scheduled for 8 rounds battle at the We Ko Pa Resort and Conference Center, Ft. McDowell, Arizona to win the vacant NABF Junior Middleweight Title in the co-main event of the Roy Jones Junior Promotions produced show. Rose?s victory pushes his record to 13 wins-2 losses-1 draw while Zizic?s record now reads 11 victories, 1 defeat. I would like to propose a fight between Rose and Janks Trotter (9-1-1 with 9 knockouts) if anyone is listening! Pete?s Arizona ties include a short stint as member of undefeated Lightweight Victor Castro?s training team. Carabatsos (a fitness buff) speaks highly of Castro even though some insiders think he was pushed out of Castro?s inner circle; Pete refuses to elaborate on his departure. I tried recently to pry a confession out of the Californian, but he had nothing negative to say about Castro whom he described as a very ?moral? young man. The son of a successful Greek Restaurant owner, he was in Phoenix recently with 25 year old prot?g? James Stewart (0-1) who lost his debut to Tim Riddell on the Bout Makers Boxing Promotion?s card at La Princesa in the Valley of the Sun, but Pete speaks highly of the young father who took up boxing when he was 21-22 and compiled an amateur record of 10-6 with three titles before deciding to turn professional. Carabatsos treats his fighters like family, win, lose or draw. He definitely brings a fresh approach to boxing in the way he respectfully treats his boxers. Louis lives with Pete and his Korean wife, Hannah. In the Main Event, super Heavyweight Bronco Billy Wright (48-4-39 knockouts), dubbed the ?cool old dude? by an online fan, quickly disposed of Gilberto Matheus Domingos (22-3) before the bout reached the halfway point of the first round to retain. It was the Bronco Man?s 29th career first round knockout, 6 from the record held by former Heavyweight Champion Shannon Briggs. Domingos was suspended for 30 due to his knockout loss as were Ben Acosta, Johnathon Blue. Milorad Zizic received a 60 day suspension following his 6th round TKO loss to Louis Rose. The card, produced and promoted by Roy Jones Jr. Promotions, also featured promising light heavyweight Yoann Kongolo (3-0) who won a 4th round TKO victory over Johnathon Blue (0-3). In other fight action, Solomon Egberime (23-4-1) scored a UD victory over Gerardo Cuevas (17-14) in their 8 round encounter and Arizona?s Emmanuel Nieves (3-0) ended Benjamin Acosta?s night (TKO) in the first round. The loss dropped Acosta?s record to 0-2. I wasn?t able to confirm the attendance. One bout originally scheduled (Jeff Tabrizi vs. Carlos Castillo) was scratched. My absence at the event was due to a glitch in the credentialing system that relied on media lists that I wasn?t on; nothing personal! I received an apology from a member of the RJJ public relations team and I am very satisfied with their reason for the unfortunate mistake and I know the error wasn?t deliberate. Hernandez Rocked: Andrew ?Hurricane? Hernandez aka ?The Pride of Phoenix? fought 22 year old Jerry Odom for the second time in New York and Odom (13-1) didn?t make the mistake of throwing disqualifying punches in their rematch. Referee Harvey Dock decided to end the contest at 2:47 of the first stanza. Hernandez bitterly protested the stoppage, but Dock was in no mood to change his mind. Odom threw a series of devastating blows, but it was a right hand bomb behind the ear of Hernandez (8-1-1) that signaled the end. The Phoenix fighter protested the decision and asked for a rubber match; no comment from the Odom Camp. The event was held at ?The Space? in Westbury New York; paid attendance not revealed. Trainer Jerry Cheatham predicted victory four days before the bout, but came home with a defeat; boxing can be a tough day at the office. Jerry thinks Andrew will get his rematch if both fighters reel off six consecutive wins. The trainer also told me Hernandez would have been wise to box Odom instead of trying to knock him out in the first round. We all know what happened with that strategy. Sonny Franco: Boxing fans who attend Iron Boy fights regularly at the Celebrity Theater are familiar with Sonny Franco, the articulate professional voice who has served as the official announcer for the boxing promotion company since replacing Ralph Velez Jr. after Mr. Velez took his services elsewhere. Sonny?s next scheduled Arizona performance is set for April 25 (Iron Boy XX) at the Celebrity Theater. When he isn?t announcing ring encounters and results, the nattily attired and physically fit Franco works full time in Law enforcement as a correctional counselor in a men?s prison for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. In his position as counselor, Sonny supervises a caseload of 164 convicted felons and he has served the incarcerated wards of the state for 12 years as a counselor. Mr. Franco describes his job as rewarding especially when a client doesn?t re-offend and return to prison. Mr. Franco is an active United States Army Reservist of 13 years still serving as a Military Policeman/ Specialty Instructor. Ironically, I served as a Military Policeman for 13 months in Vietnam while Sonny is a veteran of the 2003 Iraqi War and proudly wears the rank of E-6 Staff Sergeant. He recalls his military experience as an amazing 13 years so far and the experience has allowed him to see much of the world through his service to our country and he is honored to have served alongside some of the toughest and finest soldiers our nation has ever seen and the colors of our flag and what it stands for are very dear to his heart! He concludes his salute to America by emphatically stating: ?God Bless America, send me!? After reading his answers, I came away with feeling that e is a consummate professional and how he maintains his superman like schedule is beyond my pay grade and understanding. We talked briefly at his last Iron Boy boxing assignment in February and I took it upon myself to email him questions to him and he graciously responded and I thank him for his time and candid answers. Here are his complete and uncensored answers to the following 12 questions. Take note I did add a coma and change the tense of one word; other than that I give you Sonny Franco, unplugged! ABNN: Your Voice is your instrument; how do you take care of it? SF: Yes my voice is my talent and it is essential to my role as an announcer. To take care of it, I try to avoid straining it unnecessarily and maintain a healthy lifestyle which includes a healthy diet and regular fitness regimen. ABNN: Do you write your own script and do you ever run across a funny name to pronounce? SF: Sometimes I prepare the show script and sometimes it is provided for me depending on the promotion and the complexity of the event and whether or not it is televised or not. There are so many moving parts to a script both before and during a show, and my ability to adjust to the constant changes that arise depending on the needs of the promotion and at that particular moment are paramount to maintaining the energy and even flow of the event. As for funny names, I would say the only thing funny would be the way I may have mispronounced ones along the way as my career was in its early stages. ABNN: Do you have a warm-up ritual before you take center ring? SF: I actually do have a pre-show ritual that I was taught to me by one of my mentors, future Hall of Fame boxing referee Tony Weeks. He taught me the importance of preparation and relaxation. If you are prepared, then you are never a victim of the stress and pressure associated with my profession. If you are relaxed, then you will not be tense and you will always be focused. So before every show, I do all my homework, research and paperwork to make sure that I am on point come show time. I try to eat a healthy meal and get plenty of rest before the show, that way I am able to show up to the venue focused and ready to deliver the very best performance I can for the awesome fans that deserve nothing less than a quality and memorable experience. ABNN: Have you ever had to break up a fight during an announcing stint? SF: No, fortunately I have not had to break up any fights before, during, or after any shows. Not to say they do not happen, I just choose to leave that to the professional security teams and athletic commissions to do what they do best which is ensure the fans and fighters are safe at all times. ABNN: Have you ever lost your voice just before a fight began? SF: Yes, unfortunately I have lost my voice just before a show. I was getting ready to start a boxing show in Corona, Ca. when I had a severe allergy attack with only an hour to go before show time. I could not stop sneezing and my throat was closing up affecting my voice. I took a strong dose of some allergy medication and consumed as much water as I could while sitting in front of a fan blowing cool air, and an hour later I was able to go in the ring and push through enough to do the show. ABNN: How many auditions did you have before you were hired? SF: I had one audition in front of hall of fame boxing referee retired Mr. Richard Steele before I was hired. Mr. Steele was the one who gave me my break into the business and it wasn?t long after that I turned professional and was signed to my first contract. 12 years later, I have had the honor and pleasure of working with promoters across the USA and in Mexico. I have been blessed to branch out in other disciplines like MMA, and Muay Thai. I also do radio voice work and even corporate events where a voice is needed. ABNN: What announcers did you grow up watching? SF: Growing up I watched the greats like the late Jimmy Lennon Sr., Michael Buffer, and the classy Jimmy Lennon Jr. I have been mentored along the way by many of the greats as well, and admire the class, respect, and tradition that they continue to preserve and contribute to our profession and the industry we love. My goal is to someday reach the ranks of the greats at some point in my career and in the meantime, continue t perfect my performance to the best of my abilities. ABNN: How much prep time do you require before a fight? SF: Depending on the size and complexity of the event, I prefer at least one week to prepare for any show but due to the last minute events, I have had to prepare for a show the day of and have learned that the key to separating me from the competition is staying ready. If you stay ready, then you never have to get ready! ABNN: Is there one fight you remember the most as an announcer? SF: Yes, it was in Mexico 2o12 for my first HBO PPV boxing show with Zanfer Promotions. The venue was packed with 8,000 screaming and energetic fans and I was announcing Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. for a title fight. You could feel the electricity in the air and after a few intense rounds; Chavez Jr. was victorious with a knockout to gain the title. After the show I had the honor and pleasure of meeting his father, the legendary and my childhood hero, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. We talked at great length and the conversation and time he afforded me was priceless. That will forever be one of the most memorable fights and shows that I have been blessed to be a part of. ABNN: Do you have a catch phrase you use in the ring and did you ever box? SF: Yes my catch phrase is ?let the battles begin? and it excites me to say it just as much as the fans like to hear it! Like the greats before me, an announcer?s catch phrase is his or her signature and is like the cherry on top of the whipped cream for the event. I did box as a kid but not long after my mother who was very protective learned that you could get hurt doing it. Yes, my brother and I were immediately introduced to baseball shortly thereafter. Ironic thing is that I ended up; in the boxing industry after all, just in another capacity. ABNN: Do you work out so your tuxedo fits? SF: Yes, I believe an announcer should always be presentable as possible as you are in the public eye. Being the face and voice of numerous promotions, I take it very serious and make it a point to stay physically and mentally fit and I have learned over the years the importance of looking sharp which means ensuring the tuxedo?s and suits that I wear for all shows are athletically tailored and maintained. ABNN: Last question and thank you for your time. How do you keep your job fresh? SF: I am constantly trying to learn from other established announcers to perfect my skills in order to give the fans the best show possible each and every time. With a busy show schedule every year, two additional careers, a family to tend to, and the demands of travel, it is challenging at times to maintain the same energy and enthusiasm for every single fight for every single show. It is the fans that give me that little boost that I need from time to time and help me remember and appreciate just how fortunate I am to be in the center of the ring doing what I love the most, which is hearing the roar of the fans when I have done my work well! Thank you my friend for your time and hospitality. See you in the ring soon my friend. Best, Sonny Franco: ?let the Battles Begin!? TM Boxing Briefs: Chris Flores, lawyer and Arizona Boxing/MMA Official, will attend this year?s IBF Convention and officials seminars in May in Montreal, Quebec, Canada?.28 year heavyweight newcomer Anetelea Opetaja aka ?T? will make his debut on the April 25th Iron Boy card at the Celebrity Theatre. Ticket sales for the show are brisk; thanks to the fan appreciation promotional ? price ticket sale after Iron Boy X1X was put to bed. The show will welcome the boxing return of Joey Ruelas and Alexis Zazueta, two popular Phoenix fighters. Francisco C. de Vaca has recovered from a slight hand injury and he joins Victor Castro, Daniel Garcia and Victor Castro on the Iron Boy XX card. Stay tuned for card update, next column?.Genuine good guy (most of the time) Neil Sarembock, owner of New World Training Center in Phoenix is very proud of 27 year old heavyweight Daniel Acuna. Neil thinks the transformed MMA fighter (6 bouts) shows promise and the trainer is ready to debut the 5?11?? 220 lb. Phoenix resident, but the marketing end of the business for a heavyweight in Arizona can be as slippery as a bar of soap on a wet floor. Neil says the young man can fight and he has been sparring with heralded Anetelea Opetaja who fights on the Iron Boy Card, April 25. Hopefully, the Arizona boxing establishment will give him a shot. New World Training Center is looking for a qualified trainer, so the center can extend its hours. Interested trainers with impeccable credentials can call Neil at 602-690-3292 for more details. Added Briefs: Arizona super bantamweight Jesse ?The Razor? Ruiz (0-2) is scheduled to box on the BMBP ?Fight 2 Win? on April 11 at the Phoenix Convention Center against Mulapi Enjani (1-0). The fight marks a comeback for the 23 year old former gang banger whose last ring professional ring encounter dates back to 4//212012 when he fought Emilio Garcia at the Celebrity Theater and lost. His absence from ring activity is the result of poor personal judgment and he paid a lengthy and costly price. Since his release in late 2014, Ruiz has re-dedicated his time to boxing and friends hope he has learned from his mistakes; second chances aren?t in abundance! Ruiz owes a debt of gratitude to Matchmaker Edward Rodriquez and Promoter Maritza Miranda Saenz for giving him a second chance at a career he almost squandered; April 11 is a big night for the South Phoenix native who is lucky to be alive. He has a lot of people in his corner including Robert Boyd, a recovering addict and a friend to the downtrodden. More Boxing News: 48 year old fighter Rollin Williams was granted a license at the March Arizona Boxing/MMA Commission Meeting?.Fight Hard Promotions has decided to drop plans for a press conference on 4/17 to promote their Night of Glory show at the Renaissance Hotel in Glendale, Arizona on Friday 4/20 at 6 pm. The Night of Glory official weigh-in is still scheduled for 6 pm on 4/19 at the El Tataki Sushi & Mexican Grill, 6922 N. 95th Avenue in Glendale. The event is open to the public and tickets for the show are still available?.Twin Peaks bar & Grill on Camelback will show the Mayweather/Pacquiao fight on May 2. You may want to check out their bra and stripes benefit on Wednesday April 1 at 8 pm. Andy and his wife (Caroline) are very supportive of worthy causes. Arizona Governor Doug Ducey has appointed former Phoenix Police Officer Rudy Casillas to serve as acting director of the Arizona Department of Racing, a department responsible for regulating and supervising boxing and mixed martial arts events conducted in Arizona to protect all participants in those events. Casillas has been with the Department of Gaming since 1995. His appointment isn?t expected to have an impact on the Commission?s mission statement and Matthew Valenzuela remains Executive Director. What might be affected is the Commission?s recent discussion on impact testing and the cost to implement such a program. I believe the newly elected governor wants to hold off on additional expenditures until he or his staff can evaluate the situation. I contacted the office of the Governor and Mr. Casillas to seek their future plans for the commission, but no response after 5 unnecessary days of waiting. Fight 2 Win: Bout Maker Boxing Promotions has (in my opinion) upgraded the talent tentatively scheduled to appear on the 4/11 Phoenix Convention Center show in Phoenix. Matchmaker Edward Rodriquez has verbal agreements from Walt Santibanes (8-2), Prince Smalls (6-0), Cesar Valenzuela (7-4), Tim Riddell (3-0), Ryan Riddell (debut), Cesar Barraza (2-0-1), hard luck David Damore (0-0-3), Ray Lampkin (6-0) and Jesse Ruiz (0-2). James Stewart who lost his debut bout on the last card, but was very competitive, may be added to the ?Fight 2 Win? boxing menu. All bouts are subject to change; sorry, you know the drill...Until Next Time! Click here to view a list of other articles written by Don Smith.  |
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