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Arizona Boxing News & Notes With Don Smith By Don Smith PhilBoxing.com Tue, 18 Dec 2012 2012 is almost behind us, but before we paste it in our mental scrapbook and file it away , let's take a quick ringside review of this year in boxing and see if we can agree on the best fight of the year, best fighter, knockout of the year, etc. If we don't; just remember, my number is unlisted and I have 11 disguises that can't be revealed under the most dire circumstances. It must be the Eggnog. Shall we begin with the ceremonial review. BIGGEST KNOCKOUT: Adonis "Superman" Stevenson's first round knockout of Jesus"El Martillo" Gonzales in Montreal, Quebec,Canada at the Bell Centre. Seconds into the bout, Stevenson landed a bomb that sent Gonzales sprawling to the canvas and the Phoenix Native required immediate medical attention. You Tube viewers hooted and howled over the replay video. Some fans might vote for the Marquez KO of Pacquiao...Not even close! Since the devastating loss, Gonzales has taken time to clear his head and ponder his future. Latest rumor has him fighting on January 25 against Middleweight Albert Onolunose in a ten rounder in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. If he wins impressively, he may be able to salvage his career and get back in the hunt for a world title. Trainer Jeff Mayweather is impressed with him after numerous workouts. Stevenson, on the other hand, has been pounding people and clamoring for a title shot. Personally, I think his defense is suspect and if he fights someone big like Carl Froch, it could be lights out for the bad boy from Haiti. Froch isn't a puny super middleweight like some of Stevenson's most recent foes. BEST FIGHTER OF 2012: moments after Marquez knocked out Pacquiao, mindless bloggers around the world were proclaiming Marquez as fighter of the year. Time to stay away from the Blue Berry pie. The best fighter of 2012 is Welterweight Danny Oscar Garcia aka "Swift" from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Garcia fought and beat Erik Morales twice and defeated Amir Khan in 2012. 3 fights and 3 Championships. That feat should seal the deal for the young man of Puerto Rican descent. Garcia remains undefeated at 25-0. Finishing a close second is the "Filipino Filipino Flash" Nonito Donaire with impressive wins over Nishioka and Arce in 2012. BEST FIGHT OF THE YEAR: Almost everyone I talked to agreed that the toe to toe sludgiest between Brandon Rios and Mike Alvarado was the best fight of the year. We can only hope they meet again in 2013, but not 4 times like Manny and Juan...Please! Best Arizona Boxer of 2012: Despite a rough 8th round in his last fight and lingering questions about the health of his right hand, Jose Benavidez jr. was the most dominant Arizona boxer in 2012. According to his father,Jose Sr., the 20 year old undefeated pugilist (17-0-13 knockouts) will take a short respite and return to work sometime in January or early February, 2013. Light Heavyweight Trevor McCumby, Glendale, Arizona (9-0-8 knockouts) is an easy pick for runner up. Both young men could win minor titles by 2014. BEST MMA FIGHTER OF 2012: Lightweight UFC Champion Benson Henderson is an obvious choice. The 29 year old Henderson resides in Glendale, Arizona and trains at the MMA Lab ; also, in Glendale. Arizona is quickly becoming a meccas for MMAfighting as evidenced by the growing number of events registered with the Arizona State Boxing Commission. BIGGEST UPSET OF 2012: Juan Marquez knockout victory over Manny Pacquiao. Mexico is happy and Juan Marquez is a great fighter but for him to fight the "Big Enchilada" (Pacquiao) and knock him out in the 6th round, that's huge. Get ready for a fifth time in 2013. 2012 TEN BELL SALUTE: The boxing world lost a number of its' most prestigious members this year and it is only fitting to honor their Memory: Carmen Basilio, Hector Camacho, Michael Dokes, Angelo Dundee, Tony DeLuca, Emanuel Stewart, Bert Sugar, Johnny Tapia, Frankie Ross, Julio Ruben Campagna, Don Fullmer, Julio Cesar Gonzalez, Terry Spinks and Teofilo Stevenson. R.I.P.! SHORT JABS: Original Kiss Drummer Peter Criss was in Tempe, Arizona to sign his book and during a brief chat admitted he boxed Golden Gloves as a youth, but went on to state that he lost more bouts than he won. The legendary Buddy Rich used to hit the speed bag often to work on his hand eye coordination..... Iron Boy Promotions has announced plans for shows on March 9, May 4, July 20, September 14 and November 16 at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix. Expect highly acclaimed prospects Carlos Castro and Francisco C. De Vaca to be on all five proposed Iron Boy cards. De Vaca was in Vegas awhile back and caught praise from Shane Mosley and other pros watching the youngster workout at Mayweather Gym...Steve Ayala's MMA Show scheduled for December 15 at the Renaissance Hotel in Glendale, Arizona was cancelled several days before event date arrived.Some promoters refuse to stage shows during Christmas monthbecause of the dollar competition with holiday shopping...... 27 year old Handi Hernandez (5-5 w/3 knockouts) is working out with Christopher Terry at 1 on 1 Fitness in Mesa, Arizona in anticipation of making her ring return in early 2013. ....undefeated light middleweight Isaac TAfter (3-0-3 knockouts) is working out with trainer Jose Benavidez Sr. at the Power MMA Fitness Center in Chandler. The 22 year old boxing protege is preparing for a bout in Washington State sometime in February. After almost earning a berth the 2012 USA Olympic Boxing Team, 20 year old Luis Olivares Jr. (140 lbs) is ready to play for pay and could turn professional in March, 2013. Olivares ftrains at Busted Knuckle Gym in North Phoenix and the facility also headquarters Richie Guerrero who plans to turn professional about the same time as Olivares. Guerrero will fight at 154 lbs..... light heavyweight sensation Trevor McCumby is back at Busted Knuckle Gym preparing for his next fight in early 2013. Trevor's record stands at 9-0 w/ 8 knockouts. His last fight was at Texas Station Casino where he won a unanimous decision over a tough,but awkward Eric Watkins in a six round contest...... Clemente Vega,Rodriguez Gym in Phoenix, will make his professional debut on the Mayhem In Mesa at the Arizona Events Center in Mesa. on January 18. Also rumored to be on the card: Emilio Garcia, Bobby Lopez and Paul Barton ....... Fiesta bowl boxing is scheduled for January 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium aka Cardinal Stadium. Go if you can and support amateur boxing... .....Power MMA Fitness in Gilbert, Arizona is the place to be for fighters who want to participate in a casting call for Warrior Island (A reality show) on Tuesday, January 18 for two sessions: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3 p.m. -8 p.m. Power MMA Fitness co-owner CB Dollaway and MMA Icon Dan "The Beast" Severn will host the event and for registration info call 480-632-9662 or email Dan Severn at: dan@dansevern.com ...... Sounds like fun! JURISPRUDENCE: Ken Kizer, Executive Director, Nevada Athletic Commission, sent an email stating that a request for temporary suspension (Arizona Boxer Andrew "Hurricane" Hernandez) will be on for hearing at the Commission's next meeting, December 20, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. Mr. Kizer went on to add that the 12/20 Commission hearing will not be address the merits of the case. He expects that hearing will take place in January or February, 2013. In the meantime, some friends and fans of 27 year old Hernandez are wearing T shirts and hats bearing the inscription: "Team Hernandez" in support of the boxer and father of two boys. Stay tuned! WAITING GAME: USA Boxing was asked by the AIBA and USOC to draft and submit reform proposals after the AIBA lifted a brief suspension (in October) that prohibited USA Boxing from operating. USA Boxing was given a deadline ,but apparently the proposals have fallen short of expectations. I sent an email to USA Boxing media specialist Julie Goldsticker (real name) and she confirmed confirmation of my query into the matter and her reply indicated that she is "working" on getting answers to me. She didn't give me a time frame as to when those answers would be forthcoming. I submitted my initial inquiry via phone to Anthony Bartkowski, Executive Director of USA Boxing, who directed Ms. Goldsticker to service my request. Meanwhile, the future of amateur boxing is in serious jeopardy. FIGHT NIGHT: The Phoenix Boys and Girls Center & American Legion Post 2 in Tempe, Arizona presented Fight Night on Saturday, December 15 and the event was sponsored by The Streets Don't Love You Back, a non-profit organization dedicated to elevating social barriers. Celebrity guests included five time World Champion Michael Carbajal and NABF Lightweight Champion "Sugar"Reymundo Beltran. Fight Night is the collaborative brainchild of Arizona Golden Gloves President Kelly Fenn and American Legion Official Mary Underwood who donated space, volunteers and valuable time to help present the second annual show. Her team of volunteers is second to none. A third show is already in the works. No Date set. The amateur boxing show featured 11 bouts with boxers representing .10 Arizona gyms and the event was sanctioned by USA Boxing. The Phoenix Boys and Girls Center in Phoenix won the Team Trophy with 4 victories. All of the fights were competitive and 9 went the distance (3 rounds) and 2 were stopped by the referee. Richard Soto and his crew did an outstanding job of officiating. The most anticipated bout of the afternoon was between Super heavyweights Levi Brooks (Stonehard Gym) and Sione Tava representing The Phoenix Boys and Girls Center. Both fighters plan to turn professional in 2013 and this was their first ring meeting.Brooks was perhaps more aggressive in the first round, but his punches didn't have a lot of meat on them; they were more like slaps. Tava came on strong in the second round and the referee wisely stopped the contest in the third and final round in favor of Sione Tava who fought on the Copper Gloves Tournament and left with the same result. Tava has a distance to go before he becomes a finished product,but he continues to show improvement and his power is awesome. Brooks was a little rusty,but he has potential. Michael Carbajal was at the event to work the corner of Alvaro Martinez, a young boxer who works out at Michael's gym in Phoenix. After his corner work was complete, I had a chance to talk briefly to the former champ about his legal battle with his brother Danny who signed over Michael's gym to the Youth Assistance Foundation after he was released from prison last year after serving time for fraud. According to Michael, he is still fighting the case in court and doesn't know the verdict will be announced. Unfortunately, his protege lost. Michael is a good friend of Kelly Fenn and he is a big supporter of amateur boxing and anything with the Fenn brand on it. Beltran was in Phoenix to visit his parents and help his friend Tony Vargas work the corner for the two fighters representing Gene Lewis Gym in Mesa. For the record, I had Reymundo's guys winning, but officially they went 1-1. Beltran lives in Hollywood and trains with Freddie Roach at Roach's famous Wild Card Gym. He told he that he isn't officially signed with Top Rank, but they maintain a strong bond with him and he appears on their cards ofter. Most people know him as a sparring partner for Manny Pacquiao, but he has dwon a number of minor title and in March, the 31 year old pugilist (27-6-17 knockouts) will take on IBF Light Weight Champion Miguel Vazquez (33-3-13 knockouts) in March. The NABF Champ knows that beating Vazquez will mean bigger paydays and a brighter future for his three kids. He seemed very confident when he told me that he would beat Vazquez. This is his time in the sun and he knows it. UNTIL NEXT TIME! Click here to view a list of other articles written by Don Smith.  |
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