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Arizona Boxing News & Notes With Don Smith: Ike Ibeabuchi Arrest, Salute to Manny & Much More By Don Smith PhilBoxing.com Thu, 14 Apr 2016  Boxing Fans, Former Boxer Ikemefula Charles Ibeabuchi?s highly publicized comeback attempt is on strangle hold after he was apprehended by a routine roundup conducted by the U.S. Marshal?s office and other police agencies in Gilbert, Arizona on April 7 at 9:43 A.M and taken to Mesa city jail on an outstanding warrant regarding a probation violation. Ike aka ?The President? was then transported to Maricopa County Jail where he was booked at 4:30 P.M. later that day. The troubled one-time contender is being held on $3,500.00 bail and he is scheduled to appear in Maricopa County Superior Court in Phoenix on April 14 to address an INS hold and failure to address an outstanding arrest warrant. The US Marshal?s office and the Mesa Police acknowledged the capture and arrest and ABNN thanks them for their cooperation with our investigation. We will continue to follow the case until a verdict is reached. The former undefeated heavyweight (20-0-15 knockouts) was released from the Nevada Penal System in 2015 after serving time for his conviction of sexual assault and battery charges as a result of an altercation with a young attractive woman affiliated with the entertainment industry. She was summoned to dance for the Native Nigerian who according, to the woman, wanted more than a lap dance; so she ran clutching her clothes into the arms of alerted police officers. The former athlete never admitted guilt; instead, he opted for the Alford Plea which means he agreed that prosecution had enough evidence to pursue a trial. ?Ike? was scheduled to fly to Vegas on Friday April 8 to watch Manny Pacquiao fight Timothy Bradley on Saturday 4/9; but obviously he was grounded by his arrest. I talked briefly to his attorney (Todd E. Nolan of Mesa, Arizona) who refused comment on the grounds of client/attorney privilege. We also attempted to contact a member of the boxer?s advisory committee (Michael Koncz) to no avail. ABNN will continue to follow the story until Ibeabuchi?s fate is resolved; simply put, it doesn?t look good for the self-anointed ?President.? Salute to Manny: If there was any doubt Manny Pacquiao? s shoulder problem was still lingering, he erased all doubts as he schooled Timothy Bradley for 12 rounds and left the sport winning the vacant WBO Welterweight Title and ending his remarkable career mark at 58-6-2. The Filipino boxing icon knocked his opponent down twice, 7th and 9th round and although Bradley was game, it was apparent after the first trip to the canvas, the night belonged to Pacquiao who was lightning quick and determined to end his career on a winning note. Bradley though gallant in his attempt had no defense for a swarming offense that had him backpedaling throughout the bout. A near capacity crowd at the MGM Grand hooted and hollered their approval of the well-deserved decision Unanimous Decision. During his post interview, Pac-Man thanked God and praised Bradley for his effort. He didn?t take the bait when an HBO interviewer suggested he continue his career and maybe fight Mayweather one more time. Pacquiao swears he will return to the Philippines where he will continue to build on his political career. I watched the fight in a comfortable booth at the Twin Peaks Sports Bar & Restaurant on East Camelback Road in Phoenix. I wasn?t to thank Andy Bayless and his partner Carolyn for the invite and if there is a better place to view a PPV event, I am still looking for it. The ambiance is invigorating and the food and service is memorable, I recommend the venue without hesitation. Brianna was my server and she couldn?t have been nicer or more efficient. As for the three undercard bouts, Gilbert Ramirez Sanchez toyed with Arthur Abraham in taking away the 36 year Old?s super middleweight title while the 24 year old Sanchez vaulted himself into the pound per pound conversation. Featherweight Oscar Valdez score a 6th round knockout over Evgeny Gradovich in a bout that belonged to Valdez from round 1 to the end in a contest that some scribes thought would go the scheduled 10 rounds. Jose Carlos Ramirez defeated Manuel Perez to capture the WBC Continental Americas Super Lightweight Title in a bout that was dominated by counterpunching; both fighters lacked enough power to hurt each other. Overall, it was an enjoyable evening of boxing and to watch Manny end his career on a winning note was obviously the highlight of the evening; farewell Pac- man! USA 2016 Olympic News: Good news for the United States Boxing Team: five members of the USA Boxing Team punched their ticket to Rio after qualifying victories in Buenos Aires Argentina-Lightweight Nico Hernandez (Wichita, Kansas), Bantamweight Shakur Stevenson (Newark, N.J.), Lightweight Mikaela Mayer (Los Angeles, California), Middleweights Claressa Shields (Flint, Michigan) and Charles Comwell (Cleveland, Ohio). The non-qualified American men will have two more opportunities to confirm their Olympic berths at world events in June. ABNN will announce the completed American contingent headed to Rio de Janiero, Brazil when the decision is made. Advance tickets sales are described as slow and the problem could be attributed to increased terrorist activity, worldwide and the outbreak of the Zika Virus which is running rampant in that part of the globe. The 20016 Olympics commence on August 5 and will conclude on August 21. The NBC Network and its? affiliates own exclusive television rights to the summer games held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil??.Arizona Boxing News qualified for Credential Application; but, we don?t have budget to cover travel expenses and we don?t apologize for not taking on corporate sponsors, shades of Bernie Sanders whom I don?t support! If you can?t attend the Summer Games, please watch them on the tube. Updated Arizona Championship Team for 2016 Four Corners Regional USA Boxing Arizona has added 6 additional Arizona State Junior Olympic Champions to the partial list that was printed in our last column. It is conceivable that additional names of qualified fighters may be forwarded to our desk. Here are the names of 6 fighters sent to us by the USA Boxing Arizona and we thank them for their diligence in providing updated information. Prep: 8 year olds: 50 lbs. Abraham Fowler-Hook City Boxing, 57 lbs. Michael Walden-Prescott PAL Boxing, 57 lbs. Ramon Ruiz-Campiones Boxing, Prep 9-`10 year olds: 60 lbs. Andrew Corona-Knockout Boxing, 70 lbs. Sebastian Mitry-F-1 Boxing, 75 lb. Diego Cruz-(Azteca Boxing), 11-12 year olds: 75 lbs. Jameel Maldonado-Miller?s Boxing, 95 lbs. David Ortiz-Campiones Boxing, Intermediate (13-14 year olds) 95 lbs. Micky Scala-(Broadway Boxing)*** 15-16 year old competitors Rene DeLaPena (F-1 Boxing) & Colby Maciel (Central Boxing) were on a previously reported list; but, their names were misspelled?.don?t blame me, I?m just a one fingered piano player . Rene fights out of the Junior 101 lb. weight division and Colby is listed in the junior category weighing 106. Female Junior 15-16 year olds Lily Keating ?Busted Knuckle Boxing?.Good luck to everyone. ***continues to fight boys in sparring sessions; but, she will fight her own gender at the ?Smoker? held at Greenfield Elementary School on April 16, first bout commences at 2 p.m. Greenfield Elementary is located at 7009 South 10th Street in Phoenix. There is a raffle at the event and profits from the food concession are donated to the school. And add the April 30 Kroc Center Smoker, 1375 East Broadway Road in Phoenix, on your boxing calendar. Start time is 2 PM, call 602-425-500 for further details. Ring News: Trainer Jose Benavidez Sr. and boxing sons has moved from Phoenix to Long Beach California where he has opened a new boxing gym. His facility in Phoenix is still open; but, currently managed by Junior Lopez. Mr. Benavidez worked in the corner of newly crowned WBO Super Middleweight Champion Gilberto Ramirez 34-0-24 knockouts on the undercard of the HBO PPV Pacquiao/Bradley Card in Vegas. Top Rank CEO Bob Arum is reportedly trying to lure GGG into fighting the 24 year old Ramirez who looked very sharp in dethroning a plodding and lethargic Arthur Abraham whose record dropped to 44-5. During our brief ; but, informative phone chat, Jose Sr. informed me that Jose Jr. was moving up to the 147 lb. division and his next bout is figuratively set as an undercard feature on the title bout card of WBO Champ Terrence Crawford (28-0) vs. WBC Champ Viktor Postol (28-0) on July 23. Benavidez Jr. gave up his 140 lb. belt and will fight at 147 in the future and apparently will remain in his new weight division. 19 year old brother David Benavidez (13-0-12 knockouts) is scheduled to fight fellow light heavy Phillip Jackson Benson (16-2) on April 30 at the Stub Hub Center in Carson California?.The Benavidez family should be saluted for their contributions to Arizona boxing over the years and we thank them for their generosity and wish them the best in their future endeavors. Russia Bound: 18 year old Fernando Martinez (Mendoza Boxing) has been selected to participate in the prestigious U.S.A. vs. Russia Duel Match Vs. Russia held in Moscow on May 14, 2016. The 18 year old High School student (Coronado HS in Phoenix) is coached by Juan Mendoza and their working relationship began when Fernando was between the age of 8-9 years old. The cohesive bond has enabled Fernando to win more than 100 amateur bouts and earn an enormous arsenal of trophies and medals at various levels of national amateur competition. In Moscow he will compete at 114 lbs. in the Male Youth Division. Fernando?s ultimate goal is to compete and win gold in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Olympic rules are such that he needs to build an international amateur boxing resume to qualify. So far, his longest boxing journey has been to West Virginia. Fernando trains at J&C Boxing on 28th Street & Thomas Road in Phoenix, Arizona. Juan won?t be in Fernando?s corner in Russia because Mr. Mendoza doesn?t have a level 4-5 coaching certificate. He can go to Russia and watch on his own Ruble, but that is a lot of Rubles. Fernando works out Monday through Friday and sometimes on Sunday. He has a girlfriend; however, he told me nothing will stop him from reaching his Olympic Dream; not even the love of a good woman?.good luck, Fernando! More Stuff: Eric Keating, father of aspiring amateur boxer Lily Keating is trying his hand at the public relations aspect of boxing. His main focus to draw attention to the career of highly regarded Light Heavyweight Trevor McCumby who is contracted with Top Rank Boxing. McCumby is a low key guy who could benefit from the talents of Keating, who is a very creative and high energy individual who would like to transform McCumby into the next boxing superstar?.. Phoenix Middleweight Joey Ruelas next fight date is up in the air. He was down for a 4/16 bout in Vegas; but that date appears to be null and void. ABNN sent an email to his wife; however she didn?t respond?..Top Rank didn?t sign Phoenix Featherweight Carlos Castro (15-0) as rumored; but, popular pugilist may fight in New York if he isn?t on the May 20th Iron Boy Card at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix. The Celebrity card is one half complete and according to one insider, it has the making of a very good and challenging show: sorry, we can?t let the cat out of the bag out?..The Regional Tournament will be held at Sonny?s Boxing Gym in Goodyear on May 7-8, dial 623-806-2421 for more information?.Victory Outreach, on McDowell Road in Phoenix is laying plans for a May 21 Smoker. Odds & Ends: Arizona Diamond Back World Series Heroes Luis Gonzalez and Curt Schilling will be autographing collectible items for a price on May 1 in Scottsdale, Arizona, call 480-998-2061 for more details?..Manny Pacquiao boxing fan Ely missed her favorite fighter?s farewell bout due to a very serious health concern. She is in intensive care at the Arizona Heart Hospital in Phoenix and we wish her a speedy and full recovery?..Fight Hard Promotions next show will be held at the Legend?s Event Center on Camelback Road in Phoenix on August 26. FHP is talking about signing a pair of fighters; but we were told to remain silent or risk joining Jimmy Hoffa! Celebrity Fight Night: On April 9, Five Time World Boxing Champion Michael Carbajal made a red carpet appearance at the 22nd Annual Muhammad Ali?s l Celebrity Fight Night Charity fundraiser in Phoenix. The event has raised millions of dollars over the years. Michael is a bit modest; but we know he is one of the architects of the event that helps further medical research and we support all Good Samaritan efforts; but our column question the actual dollars donated to advertised causes including Parkinson Research. ABNN echoes the sentiments of critics who think the payout expenses and salaries should face an independent audit! Michael has nothing to do with the management of the annual affair. Ali was there; however, he didn?t stay long due to health concerns. Speaking of the champ, Manny Pacquiao was asked what fighters would he like to face if he could select anyone ?past or present and without hesitation he named Hector Camacho and Michael Carbajal. And one of my peers, suggested there would never ever be another fighter with Michael?s toughness and ring skills, Amen: Until Next Time! Click here to view a list of other articles written by Don Smith.  |
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