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Arizona Boxing News & Notes With Don Smith: Iron Boy 14, MBP PC, Beltran Update & More By Don Smith PhilBoxing.com Tue, 05 Aug 2014 Boxing Fans, A spokesperson for Top Rank Boxing characterized the recent collaboration with Iron Boy 14 in Phoenix (July 26) at the Celebrity Theater as a great fan experience. He didn?t suggest there would be future Co-promotions, but he didn?t rule out the possibility of other projects. Top Rank prot?g??s Jose Benavidez Jr. And Trevor McCumby live in Arizona, so there is a base connection between the Cactus State and the legendary boxing conglomerate. As for Iron Boy, CEO Roberto Vargas was pleased with the first time merger and intimated the fledging promotion Company would do everything conceivable to improve the state?s national boxing image. Mr. Vargas mentioned bringing television coverage to the forefront, but a large number of fans gave UniMas a failing grade for covering Iron Boy 14, July 26. The main problem with their television coverage was a lack of communication. I asked several times, perhaps the wrong people, where the broadcast could be found and the time and channel info varied from person to person. I called UniMas the parent company, but never got got a response. As a last resort, I went channel surfing to no avail. I later discovered my carrier didn?t carry the fight and for those fans who were privileged to watch the event, it was on a delayed basis, I understand. What a bummer! At least, a boxing patriot sent me a link to the Main and Co-Main event. My three stringers keep me posted on the other bouts. Iron Boy 14 was a sellout. One of my scalper ?acquaintances? called to report that some fans were willing to pay up to $125.00 per ticket to watch the event live. Perhaps, UniMas deserved a small cut from the ticket brokers for weakening the live television coverage deal that was promised. Personally, I was able to watch The Main and Co-Main, thanks to a thoughtful boxing acquaintance that sent me a link. Top Rank?s three entrants, Jose Benavidez Jr., Oscar Valdez and Trevor McCumby won there bouts. Benavidez had little trouble in stopping Henry Auraad (16-9-1) in the first round. Shortly after the victory, Benavidez partisans headed for Facebook and vigorously suggested the newly crowned NABF Junior Welterweight Champion go toe to toe with highly regarded contender Brandon Rios as a stepping stone to world title. Top Rank Executive Bruce Trampler was in the conversation of exploring that daring possibility. I?m not sure what to take from the quick stop of Auraad, whom most insiders consider a journeyman. Junior is talking new contract, so logic is the best policy. The win pushed Jose?s record to 21-0 with 15 knockouts. Samuel Vargas (19-1-1) is also mentioned as a possible future foe; safer bet! In the Co-Main, Olympian Oscar Valdez ground out a tough UD victory over featherweight Juan Ruiz in a 6 round battle. Ruiz is tough and his 23-15 won loss record speaks volumes about his experience. His mental toughness is commendable. Valdez earned every penny of his purse. The victory upped Valdez?s record to 13-0 w/ 11 knockouts. In the last fight of the night, 22 year old Super Middleweight Izaak Cardona, fighting out of Colorado, spoiled the evening for local favorite Joey ?The Boxer? Ruelas with three knockdowns and a stop by the referee towards the end of round one. Cardona remains undefeated at 9-0 with 9 knockouts while the popular Ruelas saw his record dip to 8-1; it was the biggest shocker of the night. McCumby (16-0 12 knockouts met veteran Light Heavyweight Michael Gbenga in a 6 round light heavyweight tiff and had to setter for a unanimous decision after knocking down the Baltimore Maryland fighter in the fifth round with a left hook to the chin. McCumby thought he had a knockout, but the older and more experienced Gbenga (15-16 w 15 knockouts) weathered the storm and lasted the contest. The 21 year old McCumby, a resident of Glendale Arizona will head to his hometown of Chicago later this month to fight; more information as it comes in. Five other bouts on the card: Iron Boy prot?g? Francisco De Vaca (6-0) won a unanimous decision over Mexico?s Ernesto Guerrero (15-12) in a 6 round Super Bantamweight contest. Rising star Alexis Zazueta (3-0) was an early TKO victor over Luis Armendariz (3-3) who didn?t make it to the second round. Emmanuel ?Manny? Nieves scored a 4 round unanimous decision over Alex Holgjuinn in a Super Featherweight bout. It was a debut win for your Nieves while Holgjuinn evened his record at 1-1 with the loss. Last minute substitute Jesus Lopez fell prey to Super Welterweight Brian Mendoza who knocked the 0-2 Lopez out in the first round. Mendoza record now stands at 2-0 w/2 knockouts. In a four round featherweight bout, Keenan ?Beedo? Carbajal, trained by Danny Carbajal, Knocked out last minute addition Edgar Pinedo in the first round of a scheduled for four rounds featherweight contest. The loss dropped Pinedo?s record to 1-1 while Carbajal?s boxing resume reads 4-1-1. Just days before the fight, the 23 year old Carbajal announced he would be joining the Ben Miranda Boxing Promotion team and I wondered what this would do with his relationship with Iron Boy Promotions and Iron Boy CEO Roberto Vargas issued the following statement concerning that question: ?We have been fighting? Beedo? Carbajal in our shows because we wanted to give the opportunity as a fighter; the kid had nothing to do with any of the family problems. Outside of that I believe he doesn?t need Iron Boy Promotions any more. I hope that answers your question. The next Iron Boy Show is September 20 at the Celebrity Theater in Phoenix. Beltran Update: Couldn?t happen to a nicer guy. #1 lightweight contender Ray Beltran (29-6-1) finally gets a world title shot at reigning champion Terence Crawford (24-0) in Omaha Nebraska on November 29. I asked about the home advantage Crawford would have fighting in Omaha and Ray said ?It doesn?t matter, it?s a Title Shot?, spoken like a true challenger. He will open training camp in Santa Monica on September 19. Ray lives in Phoenix where he is a fan favorite. Before we parted, Ray informed me that Melvin Garcia (8 year old Phoenix resident) was holding his down in his cancer battle. A few months ago, Ray and friends hosted fund raiser for Melvin and another 8 year old boy who lost his cancer battler. The benefit raised $3,500.00 for the two families. At the end of his career, Ray would like to continue his ring career as a trainer; he has the temperament and skill, in my opinion, to develop into an excellent handler of boxers. Boxing Noise: Phoenix boxer Mario Esparza headed for California this week to spar with Danny Zamora and others. His new management team told me the young pugilist was ready to sign with Thompson Promotions out of Los Angeles. I saw the fighter?s dad at the Ben Miranda Boxing Promotion Press Conference and the relaxed and friendly pop told me he was glad Mario was working with Busted Knuckle Gym and away from Ralph Velez who signed Mario to a contract without legal teeth or authority. Mr. Velez I asked the father why he didn?t sue Mr. Velez said he thought about it and then decided to move on. ?.23 year old Arlo (5-0) Argueta is losing his vision according to a local specialist. His dad called asked me to mention the sad news. The Arizona boxing community may hold a benefit for the stricken youngster??Phoenix Boxer Alexis Santiago?s title bout with Emmanuel Rodriguez (9-0) on August 2 was cancelled due to turbulent weather in Puerto Rico; at stake, WBO Latina Bantamweight title. Mr. Santiago record sits at 16-3-1. No word on when bout will be rescheduled. Trainer George Garcia, Phoenix Trainer, was in Puerto Rico with fighter Paul ?Ziggy? Romero and he was kind enough to break the news to me. He hopes to have Ziggy back inaction within a month or so; fighting in California?..Strength and conditioning coach Lonnel Baisey is working with Walter Melchor who making a comeback after losing ring time to personal problems. Melchor has sparred with Edgar Brito who signed a contract with Iron Boy, but has been relatively inactive since singing the compact. Baisesey has worked with numerous local notables including undefeated Victor Castro who some boxing insiders think is squandering his career by over pricing his product and being much too selective in choosing his opponents. His people are very sensitive to criticism??Former boxing champion Rico Hoye has recently taken over management of a fledging boxing program in Scottsdale. Rico is hoping to produce some boxing stars. Rico lost his last bout in Poland due, according to Hoye, ring rust. The 39 year old physical fitness buff is patiently waiting by the phone for his next fight?. USA Boxing Arizona President knows someone who is looking for a boxing ring. If anyone has one for sale, contact Jake at 928-848-3417 in Northern Arizona?. Fernando Martinez and Diego Laguna (Fuentes Gym in Phoenix) won second place trophies at the recently concluded junior Golden Gloves Tournament in Mesquite Nevada. Teammate Tyler Echeverria won gold; good program, good wins. Canadian Controversy: Canadian light middleweight Champion Brandon Cook is scheduled to defend his belt in September but the obvious foes (Janks Trotter or Samuel Vargas) aren?t in consideration according to Tyler Buxton, Cook?s longtime manager. The snub drew this statement from #2 ranked contender Janks Trotter (8-1-1 w/ 8 knockouts): ?Brandon is a nice enough guy, but his manager (Buxton) is a pussy who protects him from any meaningful fight. After his unpopular and controversial win over Phil Rose, Buxton is looking for a super soft opponent. May I suggest a battery powered stuffed animal. He is making a mockery out of the championship?. Mr. Trotter sent stronger remarks initially, but he was told this column couldn?t dignify his comments or publish his galvanizing words: so, he modified them a bit to meet our liberal print standards. Mr. Cook and Mr. Buxton are free to respond. A spokesperson for Trotter went on to say that undefeated Frank Galarza (15-0) also refused to fight the 30 year old once beaten fighter who hails from Alberta Canada. Boxing News: Middleweight Joey ?The Boxer? Ruelas will travel to El Paso sometime in late august to take on Arturo Crespin of New Mexico. Ruelas was an early knockout victim (1st round) of Izaak Cardona from Colorado on the Iron Boy 14 card at the Celebrity on July 26. A loss could spell the end of Joey?s card. My dollar and nickel is on Ruelas. After his humiliating defeat, Ruelas showed a lot of class by showing up at the after party and greeting fans?. Three bows to Arizona teenage boxing sensation Ariel Arizmemdez (Sonny?s Gym) for winning Ringside World Championship (JPG)??Amateur boxing show in Tucson on Saturday August 9. Contact Jesse Haro in Tucson at 520-631-6900. Short Jabs: The President of USA Boxing Arizona thought I was wrong in describing his organization as ?timid? in handling the Damien Stone issue. I disagree. The best way to handle the Stone issue is to hire legal help and serve Mr. Stone a restraining order once he plead guilty to one count of prostitution, he earned the right to be sanctioned and quarantined from the boxing community. He is now facing a new charge far worse than his Mesa arrest. ?.Arizona boxing favorite Shawn Porter, trained at Bust Knuckle, fights Kell Brook on Saturday August 16 in Carson California on Showtime Boxing for the IBF World Welterweight Title Belt. Both men are undefeated. Press Conference: The newly formed Ben Miranda Boxing Promotion Company held a press conference on July 23 at 11AM inside the law Office of the late Ben Miranda, former Arizona State legislator; boxing fan and supporter of the sport. BMBP was founded by Maritza Miranda Saenz, daughter of Mr. Miranda and Celia Carbajal, daughter of boxing trainer Danny Carbajal. The two women are childhood friends. Also in attendance were former Arizona Boxing commissioner John Montano, Danny Carbajal, boxer Keenan Carbajal, former Arizona Promoter Peter McKinn, Boxing Trainer Alan Viers and members of the Cardenas Public Relation Firm. I wasn?t formally invited to the press conference, so I invited myself after two boxing insiders called me two days before the event and gave me the location of the Presser. I went in and signed the guest register and printed my email address. I was assured that I would be contacted within two weeks and told the actual date and venue for the first fight. Two weeks later, I don?t have a legitimate clue. I hear rumors, but no official word from the Public Relations firm that was hired to notify distinguished members of the Phoenix Press Corp. I was offered a bite to eat at the affair, so something was accomplished; just kidding. I did find out that Danny Carbajal can be rude. I asked him a question and he ignored me. His son in law pointed me in the direction of Peter McKinn who is never at a loss of words. Peter didn?t answer my question, but he did tell me that he was applying for an Arizona Promoter?s license early next year. I assumed he would be off probation by then. Peter is a very charismatic character despite certain edginess to him. I hung around for awhile and saw Peter enter a meeting with the two founders. After the meeting concluded, McKinn gave me a ride to my house. I offered to pay for gas, he refused. I didn?t find out much and I am still waiting for the second press conference to be held. For the record, five times World Champion Michael Carbajal has nothing to do with the organization and he won?t endorse the Company? Until Next Time! Click here to view a list of other articles written by Don Smith.  |
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