|
|
|
ABNN: Spence waits, Justice for Brown & Much More By Don Smith PhilBoxing.com Wed, 24 Jan 2018 Boxing Fans, Errol Spence?s recent thumping of Lamont Peterson was no surprise to this reporter and his Technical Knockout victory has several boxing writers asking who is next for the undefeated (23-0) welterweight. Some of the names tossed around include Manny Pacquiao, Carlos Adames, Danny Garcia, Jeff Horn, Terrence Crawford and Keith Thurman. In my opinion, Crawford and Thurman have the resume to fight Spence. My problem with Thurman is that he hasn?t fought in almost a year after handily defeating Danny Garcia. I think one judge was watching the ring girls instead of the fight. How he could score it for Garcia goes beyond believability. The loss to Thurman takes Garcia off the Spence list. Thurman hasn?t fought in almost a year and if a Thurman/Spence fight is considered; Thurman should fight a tune-up bout before squaring off with the New Yorker fighter. I rule out Manny as a potential opponent because his glory days are past tense and I would hate to see a great champion and boxing icon leave the sport disgraced. As for Horn, I can?t see him beating Crawford in their upcoming title bout; so scratch his name off the list. Adames (13-0) has talent; but at 23 years of age he should wait until he gains more experience. In my opinion, Spence vs. Crawford would be the top choice with fans; however, Thurman has his followers and they might disagree; both suggested fights could motivate fans to salivate with anticipation; just don?t drool. Ed Brown: Undefeated welterweight contender Ed ?Bad Boy? Brown died on Sunday December 4, 2016 from gunshot wounds while reportedly asleep in the back of a car driven by a relative who was parking the vehicle when a another car pulled parallel to the automobile that Brown was in and fired 9 bullets; 2 striking Brown resulting in his death. His passing created headlines across our nation. Brown, according to his management team, was 1-2 fights away from contesting for a world title. I met when he fought in Arizona and I liked him as did most people. The shooter remains free and Brown acquaintances tell me, Chicago PD isn?t close to solving the case. On Wednesday 2/24, I will be in Chicago for three days during which time I hope to visit Brown?s Boxing Gym and talk to some of his friends including his former coach and scope out their thoughts about the status of the police investigation. What I discover will be told in my next column. Hopefully, the scum bag who shot him and his low life accomplices will be apprehended and face justice for murdering Ed Brown. Iron Boy 43 Update: Phoenix fighter David Courtney (1-6) has recovered from his broken jaw suffered in his knockout loss last year and will test it against Jesus Ibarra (3-0-2 knockouts) at the Celebrity Theatre on 2/24. His surgeon advised Courtney to consider stepping away from the sport but the boxer (now fighting at 122) has rejected the notion and promises a new and improved David Courtney fighting as a featherweight after struggling as a lightweight. 21 year old David isn?t without some boxing skills; he has a lethal right hand and he does have heart. The majority of his losses could be attributed to his deadly habit of dropping his hands and becoming susceptible to incoming fire. His supporters, say David has spent hours at Central Boxing Gym in Phoenix working on his conditioning and defense. Ibarra, also from Phoenix, is a come at you type of fighter who will test Courtney from the 1st chime of the opening bell to the end of the bout scheduled for 4 rounds. I interviewed David last year and his hard luck story makes it easy to root for him but Ibarra is a solid favorite to win; sympathy doesn?t win fights. The Iron Boy Card is starting to fill out; here is the updated boxing menu. Welterweight Chris Scala (1-0) faces Luis Marquez (0-1), Iron Boy favorite Francisco C De Vaca aka ?Panchito El Centenaio? returns to ring action against Mexico?s Christian Esquivel 30-12-1-23 knockouts in a featherweight collision that that could be De Vaca?s toughest test to date. Flyweight Adrian Servin?s opponent is to be announced and the same status applies to Edgar Ortiz. Servin aka ?Sharkey? holds a 5-0-1-2 knockout record and super bantamweight Ortiz will enter the ring with 5 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw with 3 knockouts. Arizona amateur heavyweight standout Dante Stone makes his professional debut versus Waldo Cortez 1-1- 1 knockout. Chris Sullivan (professional debut) fights fellow Arizonian Mark Milo Garcia (1-0) in a contest between two 118 lb. newcomers. Veteran super middleweight Arizona fighter Fidel Hernandez (17-4) takes on Cesar Barraza (3-0-1). The 40 year old Hernandez scored a TKO victory on the Iron Boy 42 card. Barraza is 10 years younger and trains at Rodriguez Boxing in Phoenix. Hernandez brings a vociferous congregation with him; ear plugs might come in handy. The Main Event features Bantamweights Carlos Castro and Alexis Santiago in a bid to fill the vacant USNBC WBC and welterweight contender Abel Ramos is featured in the Co-Main against a To Be Announced opponent. The Iron Boy n43 card has promise and after a few mediocre shows; tis sow please fans and earn a salute for IB CEO Robert Vargas and his staff. I called the Celebrity box-office and a representative told me sales for very brisk for the 2/24 event in Phoenix. I am not sure how to measure the term brisk; but I wouldn?t wait too long to buy tickets. Our next column will feature an update on the show. First bout starts at 6 p.m.....see you there! A Champion Gives Back: 6 times world boxing champ Zab ?super? Judah will address 90 TSUUT?INA youth in Calgary, Alberta Canada on Thursday January 25th. Judah will deliver an motivational speech to youthful members of the TSUUT?INA Nation at the Bullhead Community Hall located near the resort. The event is presented by TSUUT?INA Nation Communications & Dekada Fight Night. Judah has overcome some severe obstacles in his life and I suspect he is an ideal messenger for young people who face a myriad of choices in their daily lives. The Champ wanted an opportunity to speak to young members of the tribe before his fight at the resort on January 27. A special high five to the tribe, Judah and Dekada Promotions for making this event possible..... Until Next Time! Click here to view a list of other articles written by Don Smith. |
|
PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general. Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com |
PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
developed and maintained by dong secuya © 2024 philboxing.com. |