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Arizona Boxing News & Notes With Don Smith: Avanesyan Retains Title, Iron Boy Tries MMA & More By Don Smith PhilBoxing.com Fri, 03 Jun 2016  Boxing Fans, David Avanesyan thwarted ?Sugar? Shane Mosley attempt to win another world title on May 28 in Glendale Arizona (Gila River Arena) with a workman like performance over a boxing superstar that was referred to as the ?Greatest of All Times? at the somber post-fight press conference. It should be duly noted that the arguable remark came from a social media reporter who could be described as a sideline cheerleader. He wasn?t the only press credentialed guest who crossed the line between preforming as a journalist and acting like a rabid fan. In retaining his WBA interim welterweight title, the 27 year old Russian/Armenian methodically wore down his celebrated, but fatigued foe. As a result, the 44 year old Mosley resorted to throwing desperate and errant bombs after the 7th round. The Judges scored the bout in favor of the champ with scores of 117-110 x2 and 114-113. This critic saw ?Ava? winning 7 rounds with Mosley taking 4 and I had 1 even. The loss drops Mosley?s record to 49-10-1 with 40 knockouts) while Avanesyan left the Gila River Arena with a record of (22-1-1). An estimated 3,300 witnessed the event. After the post-fight presser, Team Avanesyan headed for Las Vegas to celebrate what his spokesperson called a ?huge? win. Avanesyan is expected to battle the winner of the June 25th, CBS televised, WBA title bout between Shawn Porter and Keith Thurman at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn New York. Mosley and the Champ were bot gracious in their post-fight comments and although he was asked several times, ?Sugar? left the question of retirement open to speculation. He did say that he would continue to work with his son (Shane Mosley Jr.) and try to help him become a champion. Junior, in the opinion of most insiders, is a work in progress. In the opening bout on the card, an out of shape Louis Rose (14-3-1-6 knockouts) disposed of lightly regarded Jose Jesus Hurtado (4-8) in the second round. It wasn?t pretty; Rose a former NABF junior middleweight champion weighed in at 183 and bore little resemblance to his former self even though his win was a knockout. The California fighter has changed management and the change raises unanswered questions. One quick knockout followed by another. Lightweight prospect Luis Olivares (11-0-8 knockouts) showed focus and poise in scoring a second round knockout over Colombian pugilist Manual Herrera (21-20-1- 15 knockouts). Olivares is no longer fighting under the SMS banner; so, it could be interesting to see what this change does to his career. Luis trains at Gent?s Gym under the watchful eye of the Vier Brothers. For the record, it was a left/right combination that ended the night for Herrera. Second round knockouts remain dominant: former marine and tough guy Clay Burns (4-1-2- 4 knockouts) was very entertaining in his second round knockout victory over Mexico?s Isac Antonio Avalos (0-2). His scrappy style endeared him with the audience and will help him find more work in the ring. Burns also competes in MMA competition. Shane Mosley Jr. (7-1-5 knockouts) fought MMA/boxer Roberto Young (5-8-4 knockouts) in a spirited 6 round 165 lb. contest. Young took the fight on two days contest and that fact seemed to play a role in the 5th round, a round he seemed to take off. It was an entertaining bout and junior has stepped up his game since his loss in Arizona last year. In a boring televised bout, Chicago fighter Dimar ?El Animal? Ortiz (11-0-8 knockouts) pushed Ricardo Campillo (9-10-1-7) around the ring for 5 rounds until he delivered an unimpressive KO victory over Campillo in the 6th stanza of their scheduled 8 rounder. I?ve seen better schoolyard fights. The final bout of the evening (Victor Castro vs. Carlos Zatarain) was watched by few members of the press corps because Go-Box (show promoter) scheduled a post title fight press conference prior to the start of the scheduled 8 rounder. Several ringside fans told me the Castro/Zatarain was the fight of the night. If true, how could a fighter with a local following and a 17-0 record with 7 knockouts be relegated to a swing bout status? Castro, a personable and sensitive person, didn?t complain about his reduced role in the show and to my surprise, he invited me to his home to share a post-fight celebration at his home with family members. While munching on a street taco and sipping a cool one, we talked and his answers led me to the following conclusion. To be blunt, he is at a crossroad in his career. His contract with Iron Boy ends this year and although he will listen to their interest, Castro remains open to other suitors. The 23 year old pugilist (24 in July) has a loyal and dedicated team assembled; but do they have the hutzpah and experience to lead him to a championship? One thing is certain, his inner circle is constantly pursuing sponsors for him and they definitely have his back. Castro, an obvious introvert, isn?t a flashy dresser nor does he spit out controversial quotes that make headlines. He is in the mode of Floyd Patterson (painfully shy) not Floyd Mayweather (extreme extrovert). And I don?t expect him to change. As for grading the ?USA vs. Russia? event, fans enjoyed it better than the majority of scribes who had some harsh words for the show. Go Box was pleased with their overall effort and promised to consider a future show in Arizona. They admitted mistakes and perhaps their experience will lead to presenting stronger cards in the future. Correction: Steve Picheros is the official promoter for middleweight boxer Wes Capper (14-2-10 knockouts) not Scott Mailing as identified in our last column; my apology to both men for the unfortunate error. We were correct in identifying Peter McKinn as Capper?s matchmaker. Capper?s next ring action is up in the air; but, Australia is a possibility ...?.. Malcolm Tann is expected to fight in New Mexico on June 18th?. BoxRec lists Phoenix lightweight David Courtney?s boxing record at 1-1; in reality his record is 0-2 and the youngster fights Misael Chacon at the Camelback Inn in Phoenix on Thursday, June 2 in a private show promoted by Steve Ayala. A heavyweight battle between Bernardo Marquez (6-0-1) and Rodney Hernandez (9-3-1) is scheduled for the card. Inside Stuff: Andrew ?Hurricane? Hernandez congratulated ABNN on our coverage of his May 21 victory in Las Vegas. The Phoenix fighter, aka the ?Fighting Pride of Phoenix?, was slightly miffed when I referred to him as the Pride of Phoenix and not the ?Fighting Pride of Phoenix.? Andrew is excited about his future and hopes to fight at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn New York on July 30 against a yet undisclosed opponent. According to Andrew, he has received a minimum of a dozen offers since his huge win in Las Vegas?.. Olympic hopeful Fernando Martinez isn?t leaving Mendoza Boxing as rumored. I spoke to his coach (Juan Mendoza) and he told Arizona Boxing News & Notes that (in a word) Team Martinez is tight and focused on winning a Gold medal in Tokyo?..Phoenix based referee West Melton received high praise from boxing legends Roberto Duran and Shane Mosley for his handling of Mosley?s title tiff at the Gila River Arena vs. David Avanesyan even though the ?by the book? referee deducted a point from the former champ?s ultimate score. Mr. Duran signed a glove, at the media workout, to be auctioned off at Iron Boy?s MMA Show on Saturday, June 4 at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix; opening bid is $220.00. Fans can submit bids on various valuable items at the club level of the venue on the night of the show and club doors open at 5 PM; all proceeds go to help eliminate the debts of Ely M. Omega, who passed recently-call 602-264-6372 for more details. More Stuff: Former boxing mentor Damien Stone was scheduled to begin the trial phase (June 1) on his charge of soliciting sexual favors from an undercover female police officer in 2014. The 42 year old defendant is theoretically prohibited by USA Boxing Arizona from being around minors until the matter of his case is settled; yet reliable witnesses place him at several boxing facilities (including outside of Arizona) accompanied by his son who boxes. It is a volatile situation that has made the boxing community uncomfortable? ? ?.ABNN had a very informative and cordial conversation with 8 Count Media Executive Jedd Lafleche recently and we covered ground rules in securing and reporting information. Mr. Lafleche wanted to make sure that ABNN didn?t fall prey to listening to false reports generated by social media gadflies over the internet and accepting the chatter as gospel. 8 Count Media boxing clients include middleweight Joey ?The Boxer? Ruelas (10-2-1) and WBA-NABA Canadian super welterweight titlist Brandon Brewer (19-0-1- 10 knockouts). At the end of our telephone exchange we agreed to work together without sacrificing our core principles. Iron Boy MMA 1: Iron Boy Promotions will present their first MMA Show on Saturday, June 4th at the Celebrity Theatre. IBP?s trademark is boxing and their resume includes 33 boxing shows in Arizona with the 34th offering scheduled for July. Iron Boy CEO Roberto Vargas is acutely aware that boxing is losing some fans to MMA; so, the astute businessman will add promoting MMA to his resume. The June 4 show will present 5 amateur bouts and 4 professional matches. Here is the bout lineup recently sent to our desk: Amateur: Christian Natividad vs. Lance Peterson 125 lbs.-Richie Cervantes vs. Jonah Archuleta 140 lbs. ?Daniel Flores vs. Anthony Chavez 125 lbs. ?Daniel Peru vs. Ray Vaiza 145lbs. ?Reyes Cortez vs. Joey Trevino 135 lbs.= (Championship) - Pro bouts: Levi Lucero vs. John McCarthy 135 lbs. ?Seth Monty vs. Rudy Ramirez 155 lbs. ?Mike Hamel vs. Casey Yates 145 lbs. ? Richard Palencia vs. Ammando Villalobos (no weight listed). 1st fight at 7 PM, Celebrity Theatre doors open at 6PM and Celebrity lounge opens at 5 PM. Fans are urged to go early and check out a silent auction/raffle held in the club lounge beginning at 5 PM. Bid items include signed gloves, pictures, baseballs, football, books, etc. Twin Peaks (on Camelback Road in Phoenix) has donated a gift certificate and basket to be included in the raffle. All proceeds go to pay for debts of a fallen neighbor. A special thanks to all donors including, Roberto Duran, Shawn Mosley, Andrew Hernandez and 14 members of the New York Yankees who signed a bat that will be on display. Ticket prices for the Saturday, June 4 show range from $29.00 (Gen. Adm.) to $54.00 for seats in rows 1-8. Tickets are available at the Box-office (440 N 32nd Street in Phoenix and online or through the fighters. Until Next Time! Click here to view a list of other articles written by Don Smith.  |
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