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Arizona Boxing News & Notes With Don Smith By Don Smith PhilBoxing.com Sat, 09 Mar 2013 Boxing Fans, ESPN FNF has pulled the plug on the Mora/Gonzales fight scheduled for Phoenix on April 19. Fan Base Promotions (Promoter) was notified Wednesday morning 3/6 of the network's decision which was prompted by the sudden availability of a "bigger" fight to televise. The scheduling change means that Sergio Mora can legally find another card elsewhere, but a spokesperson for Fan Base says the promotion company will do everything in its' power to reschedule the event. Mora had insisted on the inclusion of a television coverage clause when he signed to meet Gonzales and ESPN FNF agreed to that stipulation last week only to change their mind when a world title event became available for the network's 4/19 Friday Night Fights show. Adios Mora/Gonzales and aloha to Javier Fortuna vs. Miguel Zamudio for a WBA sanctioned world title tussle between two of the world's best featherweights. Phoenix boxing fans are a bit miffed over the decision, but they wont boycott boxing. Espn FNF hopes to pair the two middleweights at a later date if the fighters are still available. Based on this latest move, trust may be an issue. Iron Boy Promotions introduced a new wrinkle to their Iron Boy 6 press conference on Tuesday March 5 which was held at the Iron Boy Gym in South Phoenix on 37th Street, one block North of Broadway. Instead of the usual mandatory neat dress up look associated with previous Iron Boy press conferences, the Iron Boy #6 presser scrapped the past policy and allowed their fighters to dress boxing gym chic or in international fashion terminology, Boxeo Grunge: sweat suit or shorts complete with matching color coordinated top. Clean was optional. 6-8 media representatives, including Phoenix channel 41, participated in what is best described as a combination workout/press conference. Olympic hopeful Sulem Urbina Soto was the most visible and dynamic of all the athletes at the presser/workout. When she wasn't exercising, the young pugilist was either busy in the ring or seen sprinting to reporters to answer questions and pose for pictures. When she addressed the crowd, Sulem thanked God,as did most of the fighters, and promised a good show. Sulem, wife of local trainer Andrew Soto, knows how to promote herself and she is quickly becoming a very familiar face in Arizona boxing circles. Soto fights Ianna Vazquez on Saturday night. She fought recently at a tournament held at Sonny's Gym in Avondale and won in what has been described as a very tough fight with a young lady whose first name is La pita, I believe. No one, including Sonny, was able to give me a last name....sorry La pita! Juan Garcia (15-3-1), a very personable local fighter, whom I first met 5 years ago greeted me with a fist pump and then called me Norm. After the second time he laid the Norm moniker on me , I reintroduced myself and he responded by addressing me as Dan. Juan is fighting Raul Duhart (2-3) in a 6 round light welterweight bout that he should win and if he doesn't; it could be the end of his boxing story. Coincidentally, two other fighters called me Norm thinking I was the well known boxing writer Norm Frauenheim. Juan is trained by his father. In the beginning of his career, he was handled by crusty Walt Hoskins whose failing health forced him to hand the reins over to Mr. Garcia. Juan is back winning after hitting a major bump in the road (3 losses) and Arizona boxing fans couldn't be happier. He should make weight and his confidence level was definitely sky high at the conference. 15 year old Ariel Arismendez came with her mother (Carmen). It is hard to believe this innocent looking and sweet behaving high school student is an (undefeated: 12-0) boxer with ambition to represent USA boxing in the 2016 Olympics. Word to the wise; never bet against anyone who is on track to earn a college degree (Associate) when she reaches the ripe old age of 16. Her mom and dad are 100% behind their daughter who hopes to parlay her amateur success into a professional boxing career before she takes a "real" job in the pediatric care field. Ariel will have to beat America Valdez to remain unbeaten. America Valdez is a great name for a fighter. Iron Boy 6 is an intriguing card with high drama attached. It showcases the pro debut of Francisco C De Vaca , a young gifted boxer who is "fighting for a dream" and his high profile amateur career, at this point means nothing. He has to prove it in the professional ranks. Saturday night is reality time for the 18 year old phenom. Same goes for Michael Hunter who made it to the Olympics,but left without a medal. He has to prove that Top Rank and Golden Boy made a huge mistake by not signing him because he lacks the "super size" of modern heavyweights. The other question to be asked is how good is unbeaten Carlos Castro (3-0)? So far, he has looked invincible, but his opposition has been questionable. On Saturday, he faces Jazzma Hogue(2-4-1/4 consecutive losses) of Fruitland, New Mexico. Hopefully, Hogue bring his A game to the dance on Saturday night. Anything can happen in boxing. Alexis Santiago, 12-3-1, is back on the card and once beaten Chris Lopez returns with his stylish brand of boxing. To check out the complete card, go online:www.ironboypromotions.com Fans going to the event can witness 10 professional bouts and 4 amateur contests. 1st bell chimes at 6 p.m. and please be advised to arrive early to support the amateur fighters. Celebrity Theatre is located on 32nd Street just North of Van Buren (West side) in Phoenix. Box office is located downstairs and ringside seating is still available. Ticket prices start at $25.00. Golden Gloves Wrap Up: The three day 66th Annual Golden Golden Gloves Tournament (March 1-3) held at the Arizona Event Center honored a host of former Golden Glover boxers and special friends including 5 time world champion Michaela Carbajal, former IBF/NABF super middleweight champion Jesus "El Martillo" Gonzales, trainer/former state champion Rollin Williams, former Arizona boxing standout Tony Baltazar, former under 19 champion and Top Rank boxing prospect Trevor McCumby and Iron Boy fighter Victor Castro. Carbajal was given a trophy commemorating his 1988 Olympic Silver medal awarded to him in Seoul, South Korea, 25 years ago. It was a tribute that brought a big smile to his face. Leonard Johnson was paid a posthumous tribute for his years of service to boxing icon Al Fenn and the Arizona boxing community. USA Boxing Official Richard Soto was the Master of Ceremonies for the Friday night tribute to Michael Carbajal and he was "more than happy" to do it for the Champ. At the end of the tournament, Golden Gloves Director Kelly Fenn released the following statement: "On behalf of my family and the continuing legacy of my father, I would like to thank everyone who helped to make this event possible. This long list includes boxing fans, The Phoenix Boys and Girls Center, The Arizona Event Center, distinguished guests, volunteers and members of the Arizona Media. Everyone plays an integral part in the success of the Annual Golden Gloves Tournament, good luck, god bless and we will see you next year." Attendance for the 3 day even was estimated at 1100. Next big amateur tournament is the Cactus Gloves Show scheduled for March 23-24 at the Pinal County Fairgrounds in Casa Grande, Arizona. In April (13-14) Cactus Glove Boxing returns at the Maricopa County Fair held at the Arizona State Fairgrounds. For more info: www.azgoldengloves.com PH: call 602-799-8536 or 602-996-9407. To find a complete listing of Arizona Amateur Boxing; go to the USA Boxing Arizona website and catch all the action. Complete List of 2013 Arizona State Open Golden Gloves Champions: Johnny Tijerina 108 lbs, Alexis Zazueta 114 lbs, Jesse Acosta 123 lbs, Julio Sarinana 132 lbs, Alfonso Olvera 141 lbs,Jesus Dominguez 152 lbs, Emmanuel Guajardo 165 lbs, William Norton 111 178 lbs, Jesus Santamaria - HeavyweightDante Stone -Super Heavyweight. Alfonso Olvera, Neutral Corner Gym in Tucson, was honored as "Best Boxer" in the tournament. His victory upped his impressive amateur record to 27-1, a remarkable feat considering the 23 year old didn't take up boxing until 2 years ago. He hopes to win the Nationals and then turn professional. Other winners at the tournament include:Broadway Gym-Overall Team, Central United -Best Open Team. Brad Carlton, Neutral Corner Boxing in Tucson, was named head coach for the upcoming Regional Tournament. Sorry, space wasn't available to list all of the winners and mention tournament highlights. Please support amateur boxing in your neighborhood, county and state. www.azgoldengloves.com Budding Star: Light Heavyweight boxer Trevor McCumby and I chatted at the GG Tournament on Saturday March 2. Despite time constraints, we covered a lot of ground and it was an amicable conversation. I was impressed with his cool demeanor and eye contact which is typical of most native Midwesterners. During our conversation, he was reserved, polite and displayed the capacity of articulating his answers without sounding precocious or pretentious. At 20 years of age, he seems to have his feet planted firmly and pointed in the right direction. There were no prearranged ground rules and he even joked about being white and laughed when he recalled a situation when a boxing fan told him he punched like Kelly Pavlik, a white super middleweight from Youngstown Ohio. Trevor has sparred with Kelly and he plans to join his white brother in the super middleweight division soon. Please forgive a writer's freedom to embellish. McCumby is currently training for an under card fight on the Rios vs. Alvarado rematch show , March 30. McCumby played a similar role at their first toe toe meeting 10/13/12 in Carson California at the Home Depot Center. He likes both fighters, but Brandon is his go to guy in the rematch and he expects another war. I thought their first encounter was the fight of the 2012. Trevor splits his training time with Robert Garcia in Oxnard, California and Alan Viers (head coach and his associates Wayne and Al Viers at Busted Knuckle in North Phoenix, Arizona. Rumor has it that any young boxer who works with Garcia or the Vier Brothers should be ready to work hard or go home. Boxing is a man size job. Trevor's record stands at 10-0 with 8 knockouts and he is happy with his progress and relationship with both trainers. His last two fights went the distance so he could add more rounds and build his stamina. Trevor was born in Yorkville, a Chicago suburb, where he attended elementary and middle school classes. Eventually he would move to Glendale, Arizona and graduate from Mountain Ridge High School. When I stumbled on the name of the school where he received his cap and gown, he repeated Mountain Ridge High School. He has other goals including winning a championship to prove the doubters wrong. Several boxing Fan bloggers have thrown harsh verbal punches at him for being immature, cocky and too much of a show boater to win a championship. I didn't recognize that portrait of him when we spoke. Instead, He seemed shy, modest and genuinely humble. Sort of like that other fellow from Illinois, Abraham Lincoln. He began boxing while he was still wearing short pants and his dad got the idea to fudge his age a year, so he could fight competitively at pretend to be 8 when he was only 7. Before he signed a contract with Oscar De la Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions at age 18, he amassed an incredible 138-11 amateur record. Boxing manager Cameron Dunkin liked what he saw and signed him to a contract and also gave him some spending money to go along with the green backs he got when he signed with Golden Boy. He said the money brought in "new friends" and created personal issues that he had to deal with. The maturing process takes time. According to widespread rumors, Dunkin and Golden Boy weren't on the same page, so after compiling a 4-0 record with 4 knockouts, Cameron and his prized protege departed Golden Boy. I called former Top Rank publicist Bill Caplan,now with Golden Boy, to see if he could shed some light on the matter and he referred me to someone else who didn't respond to my emails. Silence is a common method to end a dialogue. I asked him if he was a student of boxing and he mentioned the names of boxing greats Willie Pep and Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker. Trevor said he admired them because of their ability to defend. I couldn't reach Robert Garcia to ask him questions, but Busted Knuckle Gym sings his praises and wishes they had twelve more fighters like him. He definitely is someone to watch he is listed on every top prospect list I could find. I'm not ready to proclaim him as the next champion fighting out of Arizona, but I think he has the work ethic and mental toughness to be a contender and his decision to compete as a super middleweight is wise. Mo Time: Mo Sullivan, Jersey transplant , is the owner/manager of Eclipse Gym in South Tucson and she wants everyone to know that Cruiser weight Gilbert Cota, a full time fireman, is ready to rumble with any amateur in his weight division. Gilbert is a late bloomer (past 30) with no official amateur tournament experience, but Mr. Cota has sparred a few thousand rounds;so he may be ready for some prime action if the powers that be are willing to share the wealth and invite him to some tournament action. It would be a wise move because Gilbert has CPR and Paramedic training. Eclipse trainers include Vicente Medina, Eddie Trujillo and Julian Samaniego. Final Thoughts: George Calderon (Hit Man Gym) called to remind me that Johnny Jackson, one of his fighters, is fighting Ty Tecemsch on the Bad Boy Fighting card at Ft. McDowell, Saturday March 9 at 7 p.m. it's a MMA rematch, johnny knocked him out the first time. Shawn Daughety is working out at Iron boy gym and hopes to get his weight down from 200 to 178. Shawn used to work out with his boxer brother Nyjohn Anderson in New Jersey and he hopes to follow in his brothers footsteps. Nyjohn is 14-1 and considered a prospect. Shawn wants to slip in a few amateur bouts before turn professional. Until Next Time! Click here to view a list of other articles written by Don Smith.  |
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