Whether it’s in the ring or the kitchen Carlos “El Olímpico” Tamara 21-4(15) has been cooking up a storm of late. Last week the Columbian went to The Philippines and as a heavy underdog scored the best win of his career sensationally knocking out home favourite Brian Viloria to claim the IBF Light Flyweight title in the final round whilst narrowly behind on points. Now back in his adopted home of North Bergen, NJ made famous by former Heavyweight champion James J Braddock. He’s enjoying life and hoping to do just the same as Braddock and provide a better life for his family. He may only weight 108 pounds but Tamara certainly doesn’t starve himself when not in camp. The mighty mite who by his own admission loves to spend time in the kitchen cooking knock out food for all the family. It’s just one of a number of things he does to care for his family. To go on the road to another country the other side of the world and win a world title and in dramatic fashion says a lot about a fighter and you get the impression that this is just the beginning of what may just be another Cinderella story. James J Braddock would be proud.

Hello Carlos, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – Firstly congratulation’s on winning the IBF Light Flyweight. What can you tell us about that fight?

Carlos Tamara – Thank You. It was a very hard fight and a fight that I knew shortly after I signed the contract that I would have to be in the best shape of my life and I was not wrong about that. Viloria is a very, very, very good fighter and very strong.

Anson Wainwright – Looking back how proud do you feel now about that win? Have you received any congratulations as yet from your homeland?

Carlos Tamara – I feel very proud and I have to thank my team. (Butch Sanchez, Angel De Jesus, Nelson Fernandez and my promoter Universal and it’s president Javier Bustillo) Yes, I have gotten a lot of phone calls from my country and they are all waiting for me to go back so they can congratulate me in person and give me a giant party.

Anson Wainwright – It’s always tough to go on the road and take the title you did this and showed a huge heart by stopping a great champion Viloria late in the twelfth. This is likely something that has been instilled in your from a young age. Can you tell us a bit about growing up in Columbia and how it took you on your path into Boxing?

Carlos Tamara – Thank You it was a great opportunity and Viloria gave me that opportunity and I thank him for that and hopefully he will come back and show everyone why he is one of the best in this business. It’s funny you ask me about how it was instilled from a young age by my mother and father and they did the same when we moved from Sincelejo to Barranquilla when I was 12 and that opened the path for my boxing because when I got to Barranquilla for 3 years I was getting beat up by kids so I decided I better learn something QUICK or they going to kill me and I took up boxing.

Anson Wainwright – You had a very impressive amateur career that saw you fight in the 2004 Olympics can you tell us about this experience? What titles you won in the amateur’s and what your final record was?

Carlos Tamara – Never thought I could get there as an amateur but my silver medals in the Pan Am Games got me to the Olympics and I was very happy but back then I did not think I could win a medal or even place. I won my first fight and I thought I won my second fight but the judges and the point system did not favour me.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us who your team is your manager/trainer & promoter and where you regularly train?

Carlos Tamara – My team is Butch Sanchez and Angel De Jesus my main trainers, my manager is Nelson Fernandez and he oversees all of the training and strategy for training and the fights and my promoter is Universal Promotions in Ponce, Puerto Rico. We train five days a week at the Bergen County PAL in Hackensack, New Jersey and when we are close to fight day we train 6 days. For the Viloria fight we trained even on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day there were no breaks for that fight.

Anson Wainwright – You live in New Jersey now, what brought about you moving from Columbia?

Carlos Tamara – Needed to be here in the USA were the purses were more lucrative and the training a lot better, sparring and everything is a lot better in the USA.

Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do away from Boxing?

Carlos Tamara – I like to write and listen to music and I’m an excellent cook as well maybe someday you can come over and I will make you a nice Bandeja Paisa.
.

A dish from Antioquia, it is made with several ingredients making necessary to use a platter (Bandeja in Spanish, hence the name). it is made of beans, rice, fried eggs, chorizo pork rinds and other ingredients.
As well as my family’s specialty TAMALES.
A corn “cake” is wrapped in a banana leaf and steamed. They can be filled with everything from chicken, potatoes, peas, carrots, to rice. Many consider the Tamales from Tolima, which are made with a female pig, a roast pig, to be the best.

Anson Wainwright – Though you have only just won the title. What do you hope to be able to achieve with the title?

Carlos Tamara – Be able to give my family a nicer house and a better life for my 2 daughters, my mother, my father and my 5 siblings.

Anson Wainwright – Who’s the best fighter you have fought in either the pro’s or amateur’s and why? How did the fight go?

Carlos Tamara – THE VERY BEST WITHOUT A DOUBT BRIAN THE HAWAIIAN PUNCH VILORIA – HE IS AWESOME!

Anson Wainwright – What do you make of the other champions at 108 WBC Rodel Mayol, former opponent WBA Giovanni Segura & WBO Ivan Calderon?

Carlos Tamara – They are all extremely good and that is the reason they are World Champions – Rodel Mayol paid his dues and had a few cracks at the title and finally did it – I like that! Giovanni Segura, a good fighter, very strong, very intelligent, tremendous team and very respectful champion. Ivan Calderon “the very best of all times” when we all get old and a little heavier we are going to then appreciate his talents, determination and domination of this weight division – FUTURE HALL OF FAME! My manager’s favourite fighter of all times!

Anson Wainwright – Who was your hero growing up?

Carlos Tamara – My mother and father who always gave us everything! Even if times were bad we had a good life.

Anson Wainwright – Do you have a message for your fans in North Bergen, NJ & back in Columbia? Also do you have a message for Brian Viloria who was hurt after the fight?

Carlos Tamara – Thank You so much for all of the support everyone has given me in the past and present and hopefully in the future. We tried to go and visit him in the hospital in Manila and his manager Gary Gittelsohn told us that was not necessary because he was OK and that he was going to make sure that we were concerned with his well being. Brian Viloria is a TREMENDOUS FIGHTER and he should stick to this game and I can guarantee that he will again become World Champion – he is AWESOME.

Congratulations again & thanks for your time.

Thank You very much for the time and the great questions.

Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, The historic heavyweight bout between former undisputed Heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield and Francois Botha slated for Uganda has been postponed and may be revived in the United States.

Holyfield’s Feb. 20 fight against Francois Botha in Kampala, Uganda, is off and plans are in the works to reschedule it, the former heavyweight champion told ESPN.com on Wednesday.

Holyfield was scheduled to face South Africa’s Botha in a 12-round bout at Nelson Mandela Stadium, where organizers predicted a crowd of 80,000. However, Holyfield said the promoter failed to make a scheduled payment, forcing him to scrap the idea of going to Africa.

“I’m not going over,” Holyfield said. “We’re moving the fight to the States, but they haven’t got a site yet. But I’m still supposed to fight Botha.”

Ken Sanders, Holyfield’s manager, told ESPN.com that Miami was a possible location for the fight. He also said that besides trying to reschedule the Botha bout, Holyfield would also fight April 24 in Las Vegas.

“But the guy never did come up with the money,” Holyfield said. “They were supposed to pay us before we went over there, put the money in an escrow account. And they missed the payment. Three months we been waiting and we never did get it. So we made the decision.”

“We sat down and had a good conversation and I asked Evander if he wanted to do this and he said he did,” Sanders said. “I asked his trainer, Tommy Brooks, the same thing and he said he’ll have no problem, that Evander just needed two or three weeks after the first fight and he’ll be ready to go for the second one. He’s already in great shape.”

Between Holyfield’s age — 47 — and the number of rounds he’s boxed professionally, it could be difficult for him to get a license in Nevada, where the commission has rigorous standards. However, Sanders said he was not worried about it.

“He’ll pass all the tests,” Sanders said. “I’m not concerned.”

Holyfield said he was looking forward to fighting in Uganda.

“I was kind of excited about it when they talked about 80,000 people,” he said. “The point is to be able to go to different parts of the world. The U.S. is a great place to fight, but it’s not the world.”

“There are so many places that want to have the fight,” he said. “We’re trying to find out the best place.”

When asked about his weight and Cruiserweight vs. Heavyweight:

“This weight is natural for me, very comfortable. I am eating more, I am not hungry. For the fight maybe I will weigh what I weigh today, 222lbs. This is my natural weight. This time I am happier when I go into training.”

“Cruiserweight was more difficult for me. I always had a problem getting to the weight, especially when I was 175. I feel very good at this weight. I feel faster. The difference in training is the sparring partners are heavier, 240, 250lbs. But I feel stronger because my weight is natural.”

“My dream is to be champion in the heavyweight division. Estrada is a good boxer; but I am serious about this fight. I need to win. It is very important in order to move up for a heavyweight title.” “Estrada is a technical boxer. If I see opportunity to knock him out I will, but if not, I prepared to go 12 rounds.”

When asked who would he like to fight next:

“I will fight everybody. We have this fight on February 6th right now I concentrate on that. Maybe in April Arreola, we will see. Maybe a one more fight after that and then I will ready for a championship fight. Right now I must win against Estrada.”

“Every guy when he comes into the ring wants to win, but I believe I will win this fight. I am stronger, I am healthy. When I am healthy I am very fast. I have power. I feel good!”

Jason Estrada commented that you will have a problem with his hand speed:

Tomasz – “I’m fast too! I think I am stronger. He must know this. My jab is very strong and my right has the most power.”

Commenting about being a local favorite:

“I am so happy to be fighting at Prudential Center. I feel like this is my second home. My first home is in Poland. But now my second home in United States is Prudential Center. I won my second belt here, Cruiserweight, but I need to win 1 more belt here, Heavyweight. There are many Polish people in this area. I am happy when I come back to Prudential.”

Comments from Trainer, Andrew Gmitruk – “You know Estrada is a big guy with a very special style, but Tomasz Adamek is very quick, very comfortable. He is very strong. He is extremely well conditioned. We expect a hard fight, but we expect to win this fight.”

“Adamek has extremely good movement. It comes from the body, from the legs. His speed is like light heavyweight or middleweight division. Good left hook and right hand. He has not lost his speed or coordination (stepping up to heavyweight). Every day he is getting stronger. He is very well conditioned. I think he is a complete boxer now. Most heavyweights have lost the power, the coordination, and the speed. They are only thinking about the hard punch. Tomasz has everything together with the hard punch. That is why I think he is very dangerous for everybody in the heavyweight division.”

Tomasz Adamek and his trainer Andrew Gmitruk responded to Jason Estrada comments

Trainer Andrzej Gmitruk about the “who has fastest hands, disrespecting” issue:

“It’s not about who has fastest hands. It’s about who has the quicker mind in the ring. I have no doubts that both answers are the same: Adamek. We are not disrespecting Jason – on the contrary – we know how important this fight is if Tomek wants to be a world champion. He (Estrada) wants to play a spoiler role, but it does not work against somebody with such a strong psyche and determination like Adamek. Maybe Estrada wanted to be disrespected; maybe he was hoping we are not serious about this fight. Unfortunately for him – we are dead serious”.

Adamek:

“I just smiled when I read Jason quotes. First of all I had no idea he has so much free time on his hands to pay such close attention to what I’m saying and who I’m sparring against. I on the other hand have no idea who he is sparring with and have no desire to know it. I just don’t care. I care about my training camp, my preparation. Maybe he has to speak with one of my three sparring partners, 18-1, 15 KO, Travis Kauffman, who could not believe how fast and accurate I can be in the ring.“

THE FIGHT BETWEEN ADAMEK AND ESTRADA WILL BE STREAMED LIVE ON WWW.GOFIGHTLIVE.TV ON SATURDAY FEBRUARY 6TH AT 8PM EASTERN FOR A PRICE OF JUST $9.99 BY CLICKING:

http://www.gofightlive.tv/showEvent.do?event=581

On Saturday 13 February Frank Warren presents “The Night of the Champions” from Wembley Arena in London. In total 9 bouts are currently scheduled. With Nathan Cleverly, Kevin Mitchell, Danny Williams featuring in title action plus an Olympic Gold medallist as well as World Amateur champion & several of the top prospects..

In one of the three headline bouts Wales Nathan Cleverly 18-0(8) attempt to add the vacant European Light Heavyweight crown his British & Commonwealth titles. He will square off with the tough experienced Italian Antonio Brancalion 32-7-2(8).

It promises to be another step up in class for Maths student Cleverly who will be looking to take the title just days before his 23 birthday. The fight was originally due to take place in Italy as Brancalion’s backers had won the purse bid but when the proposed date fell through the fight was added to this already impressive bill.

Cleverly told Frankwarrentv “I’m really excited about this fight because it’s a step up. In 2008 i won the Commonwealth title, in 2009 it was the British and in 2010 hopefully it’ll be the European”

For his part Brancalion 33, will be hoping it’s third time lucky having come up short for the same title against Stipe Drews on points 2006 & in his last fight in June 2009 when he was stopped in one by Juergen Braehmer. Interestingly both Drews & Braemher soon after went onto win world titles.

Popular local Kevin “The Dagenham Destroyer” Mitchell 30-0(22) will be looking to build on his emphatic win over former Amir Khan conqueror Breidis Prescott when he makes the first defence of the WBO Inter Continental Lightweight title against dangerous Columbian Ignacio Mendoza 27-5-2(18).

For Eastender Mitchell it’s a chance to keep busy and maintain his lofty place as WBO number one contender and hopefully get a title opportunity before the years out against either modern day great Juan Manuel Marquez who maintains the honour of full champion though he seems likely to look else where leaving Interim holder Michael Katsidis who is no stranger to a British ring as a very possible future foe for Mitchell.

Mendoza has once previously fought on British shours when he lost an eighth round technical decision to current British Lightweight champion John Murray back in 2005.

In what could be a changing of the guard fight between two Londoners. Danny “The Brixton Bomber” Williams 41-8(31) makes a defence of his British Heavyweight crown against Derek “Del Boy” Chisora 11-0(6).

This fight was originally due last summer before Chisora inexplicably bit Paul Butlin and received a ban that meant the fight was cancelled. However when Sam Sexton pulled out Chisora stepped up to the mantle.

Williams who at 36 is 10 years older than his opponent came up with an amusing anecdote when he told franwarrentv ” Chisora has got a repuation as a bit of a biter, but then so did Mike Tyson and look what happened to him”

Williams has already said that no matter what the result this will be his last fight before he retires. Maybe Williams has one last chapter to add to a storied career that has seen him win British & Commonwealth titles, stun the world when he KO’d Mike Tyson and fight Vitali Klitschko for the WBC Heavyweight title.

The rest of the undercard is made up of 2007 World Championship winner “Funtime” Frankie Gavin who’ll be looking to take improve his 5-0(5) record against grizzled vet Peter McDonagh 14-15(2) who has only been stopped once in those loses & is less than a year from having fought Lenny Daws for the British title.

2008 Olympic Gold medallist James “Chunky” Degale 5-0(3) also gets his 2010 campaign off and running with his first fight in his home town when he takes on Matthew Barr 14-5(6).

Also returning to action are the 3 Walsh Brothers. Liam 6-0(5) fights at Lightweight, while twin brother Ryan 8-0(3) see’s action down at Featherweight. Leaving elder brother Michael 6-0(6) a former ABA champion to fight at super Bantamweight. Opponents will be announced nearer the time.

Kevin Mitchell’s younger brother 22 year old Vinny 11-0(2) rounds out the show at Super Featherweight. No opponent is know as yet.

Ticket are priced at £40, £50, £75, £100 and £150.

They are available at 0871 220 0260 www.seetickets.com & from the venue 0844 815 0815 www.wembleyarena.co.uk.

On Saturday February 6th, Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing will present its “Super Saturday” boxing show, on the eve of the Big Game Sunday, from the Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City, NJ. Headlining the card is Atlantic City’s, Shamone “The Truth” Alvarez (20-2, 11KO) taking on hard hitting, Lou Duva trained, Alexis Camacho (17-2, 16KO) in a ten round welterweight showdown. In the co-feature bout of the evening, exciting heavyweight fan favorite, Vinny Maddalone (32-6, 23KO) squares off against Dominique Alexander (19- 7-1, 9KO) in a heavyweight special attraction. The entire card will be broadcast live on GoFightLive.tv.

Fans can view the show

http://www.gofightlive.tv/showEvent.do?event=589

Fighting for the first time in 2010 will be Star Boxing’s highly touted up and coming prospect Yathomas Riley (7-0, 5KO) when he takes on Walter Foster (4-1, 4KO). The bout is scheduled for six rounds in the light heavyweight division. The 2006 National Golden Gloves, and PAL Champion, has tore through the competition since turning pro in 2008. The Florida native, now living and training in the Bronx, has gained valuable experience serving as one of the lead sparring partners for former light heavyweight champion Glen Johnson on multiple occasions.

Wildwood, New Jersey’s prospect Chuck Mussachio (14-1-2, 5KO) looks to make it back to back victories in Atlantic City when he takes on Richard Dalphone (2-5-3, 2KO) in a six round light heavyweight contest. Mussachio, a Special Education Guidance Counsler at Middle Township High School, last fought in Atlantic City in November, winning an eight round decision over Bobby Rooney, in turn boasting his record to an impressive 9-0-1, when fighting in Atlantic City.

Also on the card, making his fourth straight appearance as a professional in Atlantic City, will be Cape May, New Jersey native, Josh Mercado (3-0, 1KO) taking on Millville, New Jersey’s Ismael Garcia, in Garcia’s pro-debut. Mercado-Garcia is scheduled for four rounds in the welterweight division. Mercado is a Lower Cape May Regional High School alum and former amateur National Collegiate Champion out of Lock Haven University.

Rounding out the card is Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna, making his pro-debut against New York’s Fasika Bezabeh, in a four round middleweight contest. The 18-year-old LaManna, currently in his senior year at Millville High School in New Jersey, turned to boxing at just eight years of age, after previously studying martial arts.

The Tropicana Casino and Resort is located at 2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ and can be contacted by calling 609 340-4000. Tickets are priced at $100 (ringside), $50 and $30 with a limited number of V.I.P. packages available at $200. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Star Boxing office at 718 823- 2000. Tickets may also be purchased at any Ticketmaster outlet, www.ticketmaster.com, or at the Tropicana North Tower Box Office.

ABOUT STAR BOXING:
Star Boxing, Inc. has been in operation since 1992. Star Boxing has worked to produce some of the most exciting and memorable boxing events in recent history. Star has continued to work with and develop a number of very exciting world champions, world rated contenders and young prospects. Star has consistently brought credibility, integrity, and exciting fights to the boxing industry. For more information on Star Boxing, visit the official website at www.starboxing.com.

ABOUT TROPICANA CASINO & RESORT:
The Tropicana Casino & Resort is a 24-hour gaming destination located on the beach and Boardwalk. Featuring more than 2,100 rooms and suites and home of The Quarter, a 200,000 square foot entertainment complex, Tropicana is the premier resort in Atlantic City. With more than 20 restaurants, 25 shops, 12 bars and lounges, 2 pools, an IMAX Theatre and a spa, Tropicana is consistently rated as the “Must-See Attraction” in Atlantic City. For more information, visit the new official Web Site at www.tropicana.net For more exclusive discounts, current information, pictures, and video, be sure to check out the Tropicana on the Web at www.facebook.com/TropAC or follow us on Twitter twitter.com/TropicanaAC.

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NEW YORK (JANUARY 25, 2010)– Hot lightweight prospect “Hammerin” Hank Lundy brought a touch of his Philadelphia fighting to Boston last night, defeating former Cuban amateur standout Richard “El Tigre” Abril by a 10-round split decision, in the “Boston Pop” main event at The Roxy.

Lundy (17-0-1, 10 KOs) remained unbeaten, even though he suffered a knockdown in the midway through the fight, that appeared to be more of a slip causing his glove to briefly hit the canvas. The judges scored 98-91 and 96-94 in favor of Lundy, 95-94 for Abril (12-2-1, 6 KOs).

FANS ALL OVER THE WORLD CAN WATCH THIS GREAT FIGHT FOR $4.99 BY CLICKING:

http://www.gofightlive.tv/showEvent.do?event=592

“He didn’t frustrate me but he kept moving around,” Lundy said after the fight. “Once he felt my power he ran. I clearly beat him. He didn’t do nothing but hold. That was a slip, not a knockdown. He can’t punch.”

Fans can always witness the co-feature, as power-punching Eddie “Thunder” Caminero lived up to his nickname, stopping Chris Traietti in the second round, after flooring him in the first and later hurting him with a right hand before referee Bob Benoit halted the action.

PROVIDENCE (Jan. 25, 2010) – As he prepares for his February 6 showdown in Newark against former world light heavyweight and cruiserweight champion Tomasz Adamek, 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada’s nose is out of place and it doesn’t have anything to do with sparring sessions gone wrong.

Estrada (15-2, 3 KOs) feels disrespected by Team Adamek but not, surprisingly, for Adamek looking past him to a reported April 24 fight against Chris Arreola, rather their apparent belief that Adamek (39-1, 27 KOs) has faster hands than Estrada, whose lightning-like hand speed for a 240-pound heavyweight has been his calling card.

“Looking past me towards Arreola doesn’t really bother me,” Estrada said. “I think it’s silly and they’ll hear about it after the fight. I never talk too much but I’m going to talk like never before after this fight. I hope they keep thinking about fighting somebody else. I’m keeping track of everything and got names of people to talk about after I beat Adamek. I’m going to shutdown his plans.

“I’m in the gym with sparring partners that are similar to him – tough, stand-up with decent hand speed. They made a big mistake offering me this fight and an even bigger mistake thinking he has faster hands than me. I’ve heard that they’ve brought in guys to work with who are big but don’t have fast hands. That makes me laugh. How, all of a sudden is he going to have faster hands than me? I am bigger, stronger, faster, quicker and younger than him. I’m just a better all-around fighter.”

Estrada also notes that he’s never been down and Adamek was floored twice as a light heavyweight. “I know he likes to pressure his opponents but how is he going to do that against a bigger guy like me,” Estrada rhetorically asked. “I’m a heavyweight, not a light heavyweight. I’ve never taken big hits like he has. They say he has a great chin, but so do I, and we know he has been hurt at least twice….by light heavyweights! They weren’t flash knockdowns, either. I’ve never been hurt in my whole career. I don’t see him changing his come forward, tough guy style at this stage. He was a good light heavyweight, good cruiserweight, but I’m a real heavyweight.”

Providence-native Estrada was one of the most highly decorated American amateur boxers ever, compiling an amazing 261-14 record in U.S. competition. He was the first boxer to win both the U.S. Nationals and U.S. Challenge three years (2001-2003) in a row.

During his 5-year pro career, the 29-year-old Estrada has beaten solid heavyweights such as Lance Whitaker, Zuri Lawrence, Derek Bryant, Charles Sufford and Robert Hawkins. Adamek’s lone win as a heavyweight, Estrada noted, was against an over-the-hill Andrew Golota.

“Jason has had his best training camp,” his promoter Jimmy Burchfield (Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc.) remarked. “He’s never been in better shape, mentally or physically. He’s going to surprise a lot of people February 6th. Not me, though; I’ve always believed in him and I know what he’s capable of doing.”

By fight night, Estrada will have trained a full eight weeks for “Heavy Artillery,” much longer than ever before, and “Big Six” doesn’t mind fighting in Adamek’s backyard. “Training camp has been smooth,” Jason explained. “I’ve never had this much time to prepare for a fight, maybe five weeks and a couple of days, at best. There’s been plenty of time to get over little physical problems suffered in camp, not like in the past when I’d go straight from doing very little to hard training. I’m much more comfortable than I’ve ever been because of this extended time in camp. Mentally, it really helps.

“This is a big fight for me. Beating Adamek should take me to where I thought I’d be by now in the heavyweight division. Fighting in front of all his Polish fans doesn’t bother me at all. I’ve never had a problem being the villain. His fans will have nothing to do with the fight. It’s just going to be me and him in the ring. I’m half Puerto Rican with a lot of family, friends and fans coming to the fight, especially from New Jersey and New York. I know there will be a lot more Polish fans there for him, but my Hispanic fans will be loud, too.”

PHILADELPHIA (JANUARY 25, 2010)–When Coy Evans went to a nearby gym in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, he was looking for a hobby. Nearly ten years later that hobby has turned serious and Evans looks to be the next in the long line of potential world champions from the “City of Brotherly Love”

Evans went to the gym at age sixteen where he was looking for a hobby. One thing led to another and Evans started his amateur career.

Evans had an outstanding record of 42-3 and won Philadelphia Novice Golden Glove tournaments between 2001-2004 and Evans decided to turn professional.

Coy Evans has established himself as one of the top prospects in boxing talent rich Philadelphia. The Featherweight turned pro on October 22nd, 2004 with a four round majority decision over Edward Valdez at The Legendary Blue Horizon.

Evans then sat on the sidelines for four years as other fighters continued to get opportunities.

“It was hard to get fights with no management behind me”, said Evans.

“I quit a couple of times out of frustration but I am not a quitter so I knew if I stuck it out good things would start to happen”

Evans then hooked up with E & M management team consist ting of Eddie Woods and Moz Gonzalez.

The management duo have been managing fighters for the better part of two decades and almost instantly young Evans started getting fights.

The first fight after the hiatus, he came back to score a four round unanimous decision over Elias Castillo .

In that fight, Evans had some ring rust and showed his inexperience but was able to push through for the victory.

After a disputed draw with Jason Rorie, Evans began to regained focus and started a run of four straight wins that was culminated by a second round stoppage over the durable Vineash Rungea on January 15th, 2009 at The Arena in Philadelphia

“I knew I had power. I wasn’t sitting down on my punches and combined with my hand speed I believe that more knockouts will start to come”

Evans has quickly developed two reputations. first being that he may have the fastest hands in Philadelphia and the other being that he has become a man that nobody wants to fight.

“Finally good things are starting to happen”, said Evans

“I was sitting back and now it’s my turn”

Gonzalez agrees with his fighter.

“He deserves it. This year will be a real stay busy year for Coy and he will finally start to get recognition I know he deserves as one of the best up and coming Featherweights anywhere. He is such a good kid. He works, goes to the gym and goes home.”

Evans works as an assistant to an attorney in Center City Philadelphia. He has a six year old daughter and just recently, Evans inked his first endorsement deal as he is now is sponsored by Unleashed Beverage Company and is also promoted by Greg Robinson’s Power Productions.

Before you put all your money on the single toss of Yuriorkis Gamboa over Juan Manuel Lopez in a featherweight superfight, consider this: Gamboa just razed a guy with 13 losses coming up (or not) from a weight class below; Lopez just rose four pounds to take the WBO belt from a titlist with one career loss. Sobriety is warranted.

But not much. Gamboa’s ruination of Rogers Mtagwa in their WBA featherweight title tilt at Madison Square Garden’s theater, Saturday, was a good show. It was improved by Gamboa’s needing only 5 1/2 minutes to stop Mtagwa, a feat Lopez didn’t pull off in 36.

Lopez, for his part, was not idle. In the main event of HBO’s “Boxing After Dark” doubleheader, “Juanma” outfought Steven Luevano to claim a second title in as many weight classes, stopping the veteran Californian at 0:44 of round seven.

The more telegenic display belonged to Gamboa. Every time he saw Mtagwa’s right shoulder twitch for a cross, Gamboa fired a left hook. And he didn’t miss. Mtagwa was a pitiable target for the fight’s duration, leading referee Steve Smoger’s TKO signal to get the old “merciful” label.

How much was Mtagwa affected by what he and Lopez did to one another in October? Why didn’t Mtagwa come within 3 1/2 pounds of the featherweight limit for this fight? Good questions, both. But we’re not much interested in the answers. We’re interested in how Gamboa’s undoing of Mtagwa helps ensure Gamboa’s next opponent is Lopez. Saturday’s action helped.

Puerto Ricans were always going to turn out for Lopez in a world title fight. Now many of us can turn out for Gamboa, a 126-pound Cuban version of Mike Tyson with better habits in the ring and out.

Thoughts of Tyson had to have gone through a few minds Saturday. The spite for an opponent’s primitive skills combined with well-leveraged short hooks, quick feet and a brutal ending. Such thoughts will go through many more minds if Gamboa finds a way to make Juanma into Michael Spinks – a prospect by no means impossible and by all means unlikely.

Because he’s been kept on Top Rank pay-per-view undercards and long lacked a ringside identity, Steven Luevano has not been properly appreciated. By extension, few fans will credit Lopez properly for what he just did. Luevano hasn’t concussive power, incalculable speed or impenetrable defense. But he has wiles. And he’d had class enough to make it through six title fights without being beaten, much less stopped. He was not, then, the sort of prizefighter you hammer with a right uppercut.

Yet that’s what Lopez did early in the seventh round. Once he saw Luevano’s chin rise and eyes grow, Lopez, a southpaw, threw a left cross, stepped his back foot to the front, and blasted Luevano with a right hook. That was a finisher’s move.

Lopez had a lot of reminding to do Saturday, and he accomplished most of it. But after Rogers Mtagwa took him cruising up and down “queer street” – that GPS coordinate old timers employed before there was GPS – just 105 days ago, Lopez now has a somewhat scuffed image in most serious fans’ minds. That’s fine.

We turn to the fairer sex for an idea about scuffing things. Women have a learned distrust for the smooth. Dollar bills and shoe soles, specifically. Until you’ve roughed-up a newly minted bill, it has an unfortunate tendency to adhere to other bills. And until you’ve roughed up the underside of a sole, it has a dangerous tendency to treat dust and water like ice. Both bills and shoes, though, retain their value long after you’ve scuffed them.

Lopez is now scuffed and trustworthy. We know that when he is semiconscious from fatigue and blows to the head, his impulse is to swim at an opponent, forsaking unreliable reflexes and raising the stakes for both men.

Norm Frauenheim captured something like this idea a few years ago in The Arizona Republic when he wrote “undefeated is untested” then disqualified any unvanquished fighter from his all-time Top 5 list. There’s wisdom in that, which is probably why it incites young fans.

About a decade ago when Roy Jones Jr. terrified civil servants in the light heavyweight division, RJJ was fond of dismissing fans’ pleas for larger challenges by saying, “Y’all just wanna see me bleed.” Today he wishes he could have those bloodless days back.

While it behooves managers and promoters to demand the highest pay for the slightest risk, ultimately it cheats both fighters and aficionados. If you are a fan of prizefighting – not merely your favorite prizefighter’s cheerleader – you want to see a fighter bloodied, roughed up, scuffed. It reveals his character and worthiness of your devotion.

If you love an athlete too much to bear the sight of his being bludgeoned by another man’s fists, that’s understandable. Boxing isn’t your sport.

To date, Yuriorkis Gamboa has been dropped several times but never hurt. He’s taken a fantastic amateur career and used its lessons to see wide openings and exploit them completely. Gamboa has not yet had to create openings against an equal. He’s not yet had to clip someone like Steven Luevano with a right uppercut in the seventh round of a competitive fight. Does Gamboa know how to do this? Yes. Can he land that punch on a veteran titlist? We have no idea.

But we should desperately want to find out. Gamboa contends Juan Manuel Lopez is not in his category, and he may be right. It’s hard to think of anyone currently at 126 pounds who’s better capable of matching Gamboa’s speed, power, technique and experience than Lopez, though.

If Lopez-Gamboa happens, even with Vazquez-Marquez IV already on the docket, there’s good reason to think it will be the best mix of violence, class and consequence we see in 2010.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter.com/bartbarry

Photo by Chris Farina/ Top Rank

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com,. former three-divison world champion Erik Morales will comeback after a two and a half year retirement to take on former Lightweight beltholder Jose Alfaro on March 27 in Mexico.

“I think he’ll sell pretty good, but not like he did last time,” Said Nacho Huizar, who will co=promote the fight along with Morales, referring to Morales’ onetime position as a significant pay-per-view attraction.

“After I heard he was going to come back, he called me and begged me to be his partner,” Huizar said. “It’s an honor to me for him to pick me. If I don’t do it, somebody else will.”

Morales-Alfaro will be televised in the United States via Integrated Sports pay-per-view.

“We’ll see what happens,” said Huizar, who said he promoted Morales’ first five pro fights before Morales went on to become a major star under the guidance of co-promoters Top Rank and Fernando Beltran’s Zanfer Promotions.

“That’s it,” Morales said at the time of his loss to then WBC Lightweight champion David Diaz . “No more fighting. I am done. Too many punches, particularly to the head area.”

15Rounds.com Matt Yanofsky caught up with with unified 122 lb champion Celestino Caballero at Saturday night’s Lopez/Gamboa doubleheader
interview-with-celestino-caballero

Weekly Sunday Morning Open Line talk show with Marc Abrams LIVE on air with ringside report from MSG and the Lopez/Gamboa fights! 15rounds.com’s Johnny Schulz writer presents: Talking BOXING with JSizzle and New York Dan NYD – A weekly Sunday Morning boxing show covering Boxing from all angles. Alongside and boxing aficionado Danny “NYD” Stasiukiewicz, RTB will cover: • All of the week’s top boxing stories from results to upcoming fights to anything and everything Boxing.

15rounds.com Matt Yanofsky caught up with WBA Super Welterweight champion Yuri Foreman to discuss a proposed June 12th showdown with Miguel Cotto
interview-with-yuri-foreman

15rounds.com’s Matt Yanofsky catches up with legendary promoter Bob Arum after impressive wins by Yuriorkis Gamboa and Juan Manuel Lopez at Madison Square Garden’s WaMu theater
interview-with-bob-arum

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Allan Green will replace Jermain Taylor in Showtime’s Super Six Middleweight boxing classing and will face Andre Ward on April 17th.

Green was rumored for a February 5th bout with Sakio Bika as a “Box Off” to enter the tournament but plans were scrapped.

“It’s a great opportunity for him to be in the Super Six,” Said Green’s promoter Lou DiBella. “He was ready and willing and able to do the fight with Bika. It didn’t happen, and I think there are actually a lot of people breathing a sigh of relief — Showtime and Ward’s people — because the turnaround from Feb. 5 to April 17 was very quick considering the nature of how Allan and Bika fight. The chances of them coming out of the fight without a scratch was unlikely, which would have messed up the April schedule.”

“It wasn’t like it was planned for Allan to take over for Jermain,” DiBella said. “Had we not had the tournament available for us, we were in consideration to fight [titleholder] Lucian Bute [in April]. Allan would have had other opportunities. That said, I think Allan is the right guy for the spot.

“An American had dropped out and Allan was the best American 168-pounder that wasn’t already in the tournament.”

“He has the Mighty Thor tattooed on his arm because he’s a big puncher and carries the hammer of Thor,” DiBella said. “He’s a big puncher and that’s his great equalizer. Ward is a tremendously talented boxer but if you get hit flush by Green, you’re going to have problems, and I think that will be a real issue for Andre. That will make it an interesting fight.”

“He has a disadvantage, but he has that great ability to get the three points in any fight as well as anyone in the tournament outside of Abraham,” DiBella said. “He was prepared to fight his way into the tournament by fighting Bika and the cancellation of that fight gave him the opportunity to walk in. Now it’s up to him to take advantage of that opportunity.”

Juan Manuel Lopez became a two division world champion after scoring a jaw dropping seventh round stoppage over WBO Featherweight titleholder Steven Lueveno. After a slow opening round where both men mostly took their time, Lopez took control. With upwards of 5,000 Puerto Rican supporters cheering him on at the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden, Lopez landed a number of solid uppercuts, body shots and straight left hands in close quarters.

The counter punching Lueveno surprisingly tried to make it a dog fight and was able to land a few head shots, but ultimately ended up paying the price for not sticking to his game plan. Lopez thoroughly dominated the sixth, where Lueveno’s punch out dramatically decreased.

With a gassed opponent in front of him in round seven, Lopez badly rocked Lueveno with a hard uppercut before dropping him on his back with a left hook. Lueveno stood up on shaky legs, forcing referee Benji Esteves to stop the contest 44 seconds in.

“JuanMa looked spectacular. He did what he had to do and he beat a great champion with six title defenses”, Said Ivan Rivera, who is Lopez co-promoter with PR Boxing

“We are looking to make our first title defense in Puerto Rico in May and the Gamboa fight will happen down the line — Matt Yanofsky

Yuriorkis Gamboa retained his WBA “Regular” Featherweight title after demolishing tough Philadelphia based Tanzanian Rogers “The Tiger” Mtagwa inside of two rounds. From the opening moments of the fight, Gamboa’s advantage in speed and athleticism was evident. The 2000 Olympic Gold Medalist tagged Mtagwa with a number of clean head shots in the opening stanza en route to scoring a flash knockdown with a perfectly timed left hook.

Gamboa blitzed Mtagwa in round two, decking him hard with another left hook. The game Mtagwa did all he could to survive the rest of the round, but a combination from the rapidly improving Gamboa sent him crumbling to the canvas, forcing referee Steve Smoger to call a halt to the contest at 2:35.

Gamboa, of Miami, FL via Cuba, improves to 17-0 (15 KO’s), while Mtagwa drops to 25-14-2 (18 KO’s).–Matt Yanofsky

Popular Middleweight “Irish” John Duddy needed just 115 seconds to dismantle Juan Astorga in a bout scheduled for eight rounds.

Duddy dropped Astorga with what looked like a left to the top of the head on a punch that did not look like a telling blow. Duddy emphatically put Astorga down for a second and final time as he dropped Astorga with a vicious left hand to the body. Astorga was in pain and the referee stopped his count at five with Astorga riving on pain in the ground.

Duddy, 160 1/2 lbs of New York, NY is now 28-1 with eighteen knockouts. Astorga, 159 1/2 lbs of Lee’s Summitt, MO is now 14-4-1.

Junior Middleweight rising star Pawel “Raging Bull” Wolak scored a one-sided eight round unanimous decision over Ishmail Arvin. Wolak pressured Arvin from bell to bell, tagging the Baltimore, MD native with crisp shots to both the body and the head. Arvin showed tremendous heart and refused to back down, but Wolak, who also showed improved head movement, simply had too much. Scores were 80-72 and 79-73 twice.

“This was a tough fight” said Wolak, a Mount Arlington, NJ native who improved to 26-1 with 18 knockouts with the victory. “He was a physical fighter and landed some good shots so I owe him all the credit in the world for coming to fight and I am ready for whoever is next.”

Arvin drops to 15-2-4 (7 KO’s) with the defeat.

Jr. Welterweight Chris Algieri was bloodied but that didint deter him from pounding out a six round unanimous decision over James Hope.

Algieri continued to come forward despite the blood leaking from his nose and landed some solid left hooks against the game Hope.

Algieri, 140 1/2 lbs of Huntington, NY won by scores of 59-55, 58-56 and 58-56 to stay undefeated at 10-0. Hope, 141 1/4 lbs of Rock Hill, SC is now 4-4.

Exciting featherweight prospect Jorge “Kid” Diaz, of Jersey City, NJ upped his record to 11-0 (7 KO’s) after demolishing Denver, CO’s Tommy Atencio in 87 seconds. Diaz dropped Atencio, 4-4 (2 KO’s), hard with an overhand right and again with a solid body, which ended Atencio’s night.

“I went into the fighting looking to box” said Diaz, who scored a jaw dropping knockout against 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist Yan Barthelemy the last time he fought at Madison Square Garden. “I caught him hard with that right hand, so the opening was there to end it early”.

According to Diaz’ manager Pat Lynch, Diaz will return March 20 in Florida.

Queens, NY’s Will Rosinsky improved to 10-0 (6 KO’s) after scoring a workmanlike four round decision over durable Markas Gonazlez of Kansas City, KS. Rosinsky, a multi time Golden Gloves champion, landed a number of good body shots and straight right hands. To his credit, Gonzalez never gave up and pressured Rosinsky from bell to bell. Scores were 40-35 and 40-36 twice. With the defeat, Gonzalez drops to 7-3 (4 KO’s).

Local favorite Tommy Rainone used a second round knockdown to facilitate a four round unanimous decision over Gerardo Cesar Prieto.

Rainone dropped Prieto with a straight left hand and coasted down the stretch as he moved out of dodge from any of Prieto’s offense.

Scores were 40-35; 39-36; and 39-36 for Rainone, 148 lbs of Plain View, NY and is now 13-3. Prieto, 147 lbs of Provo, UT is now 6-8-1.

Former Puerto Rican Olympan, Carlos Negron scored a six round unanimous decision over Garrett Wilson in a Ccruiserweight bout.

Negron battered the game Wilson as he landed numerous body punches and when he went to the head he drew blood from the nose of Wilson as early as round three. Wilson would leap inm and try to land the one scoring blow that would turn the fight around but that didn’t happen as Negron used almost a one foot height advantage to easily avoid any of Wilson’s big shots.

Wilson, 181 lbs of San Juan, Puerto Rico won by scores of 60-54 on all cards is now 7-0. Wilosn, 178 1/2 lbs of Philadelphia is now 7-3.

Photos by Chris Farina of Top Rank

North Bergen, NJ based Colombian Carlos “El Olimpico” Tamara sent shockwaves through the boxing world with a stunning 12th round TKO over IBF Junior Flyweight champion Brian Viloria early this morning at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Viloria controlled the majority of the early and middle rounds, with hard right hands and crisp body shots, but following the 8th, Tamara turned the tides.

The challenger pressured Viloria, using a solid flurry of punches to wear down the 2000 US Olympian. Tamara, who displayed phenomenal stamina, almost forced the severely gassed Viloria into submission in round 11.

Knowing he would still need a knockout to claim the title, Tamara unloaded a barrage of punches and rocked Viloria’s in the opening minute of the final stanza. The spaghetti legged Viloria twice slipped to the canvas due to sheer exhaustion and made it back to his feet, hoping to somehow finish the fight. He wasn’t so lucky.

Viloria did all he could to try and survive, but a follow up assault by Tamara left him defenseless, forcing referee Bruce McTavish to stop the contest and crown a new world champion.

Tamara improves to 21-4 (15 KO’s), while Viloria returns home to Hawaii at 26-3 (15 KO’s). The victory also derails a scheduled
unification between Viloria and WBO champion Ivan Calderon.

For more New Jersey boxing news, go to www.gardenstatefightscene.com.

After Shane Mosley and Andre Berto had their bout canceled for next Saturday night in Las Vegas, a solid undercard was also postponed but one of the main fights has found a home as Yusaf Mack will now battle Glen Johnson in an IBF Light Heavyweight elimination bout on February 5th in Miami in a bout that will be televised by ESPN 2.

Mack 25-2-2 with seventeen knockouts of Philadelphia will be looking to secure a title shot but the former champion Johnson, 49-13-2 with thirty-three knockouts will be standing in his way in front of Johnson’s adopted hometwon fans in Miami.

When reached for comment, Mack’s co-manager Rory Donadio told 15rounds.com, “Team Mack want’s to thank (ESPN Boxing Czar) Doug Loughary for pulling a rabbit out of his hat to make this fight possible”

Nelson Fernandez (Manager): I saw the Solis fight several times and Viloria has huge power, but Carlos can punch with both hands.” “Two of Carlos’ losses came in his opponent’s hometown, but we have learned from our mistakes and will be leaving Viloria’s home country with his title.”

“We want Calderon next since the 108 lb division is in dire need of unification but first thing is first”.

Butch Sanchez (head trainer): Tomorrow will be the happiest day of my life when he takes Viloria’s belt. Three of Carlos’ four losses were controversial (so don’t judge him on that). I have no doubt that Carlos wins tomorrow; there is a reason that Viloria didn’t want to fight us and the IBF had to mandate it!”

Angel “Ping” Dejesus (assistant trainer): “Carlos remained very humble throughout training and he knows this is a golden opportunity. We are here in Viloria’s home country to show him what champions are made of”.

Carlos “El Olimpico” Tamara (20-4 14 KO’s) of North Bergen, NJ meets IBF Junior Flyweight champion Brian Viloria (26-2 15 KO’s) tomorrow at the Cuneta Astrodome in the Philippines. The 10 fight card is available in the US on pay per view starting at 9 am ET.

For more New Jersey boxing news, go to www.gardenstatefightscene.com

While many of the top stars in Boxing enjoyed a successful amateur career winning various honours it’s not always integril to their development. It also doesn’t gaurentee success in the pro’s. The two sports after all are very different. There’s no exact formula to enjoying success in both sports. In America & Britain fighters tend to go from the amateur’s to pro’s without the same sort of grounding that they get if they were from Cuba, Russia or another Eastern Block country. This isn’t nessessarily a bad thing as a punishing schedule can mean that a guy leaves the best years in the unpaid ranks. However it can also provide him with the chance to hone his skills further and give him much more experience. At the end of the day it’s a fine balancing act.

We start off our closer look into some of the most prestigious amateur tournements with the National Golden Gloves.

Super Heavyweight – Over 201 – Only came into existance in 1982 since then no fighter has successfully won this title and gone on to fight for the Heavyweight title much less win one. Larry Donald probably holds the distinction of being the best fighter of the past winners who went on to have a decent pro career.

Heavyweight – 201 – Is one of the original division’s which debuted way back in 1962. Four fighters have won both the National Golden Gloves & later World title. Michael Dokes became the first in 1976 he later won the WBA Heavyweight crown when he briefly reigned from 1982-83. Greg Page followed in 1978 he beat the very man who unseated Dokes a certain Gerrie Coetzee and again only reigned briefly from 1984-85. In 1984 Mike Tyson won the title before going on to have a stellar career that saw him win become the youngest Heavyweight champion in history. He also unified the title before coming back to win the WBC & then the WBA crowns. Finally in 1986 Orlin Norris won Golden Gloves. Unlike Dokes, Page & Tyson he opted to drop down to Cruiserweight when he became WBA championship. In the 23 years since Norris triumph only Fres Oquendo & Calvin Brock have fought for a version of the Heavyweight title. While 2002 winner Matt Godfrey has dropped to Cruiserweight and will look to emulate Norris when he fights for the vacant title possibly in March.

Light Heavyweight – 178 – Another original weight class. That has seen 5 previous winners go onto world honours in the pro’s. Firstly Marvin Johnson who was the 1971 champion before winning the WBA Light Heavyweight crown in 1978 after a brief reign he then won the WBA title that didn’t last long either before he regained the WBA title in 1986 only to lose it in 1987. Lee Roy Murphy achieved the honour as 1979 champion and followed it up winning the IBF Cruiserweight title reigning from 1984-86. The Great Evander Holyfield became the third to do so when he won the 178 title in 1984 before going onto unify both Cruiserweight & later the Heavyweight division in the late 80’s early 90’s. Ten years later Antonio Tarver won the Golden Gloves then held either the WBC/WBA or IBF titles at some point in the past decade. In 1998 Steve Cunningham became the most recent he went on to hold the IBF Cruiserweight crown from 2007-08.

Middleweight – 165 – Since it debuted back in 1962 the Middleweight’s have produced 5 future World champions. First came Marvin Johnson who first won the 1971 title before moving up to 1972 to win the Light Heavyweight crown. In 1976 Michael Spinks took the honours before winning the IBF Light Heavyweight championship he then unified it over the next few years before heading to Heavyweight where he became the IBF kinpin. As well as fighting at the 1984 Olympics Virgil Hill won that years Golden Gloves before having 3 successful stints as WBA x2 and one as IBF Light Heavyweight holder before in the latter part of his career when he moved to Cruiserweight where he collect the WBA laurels. The following year William Guthrie followed Hill’s lead. In 1997 he won the vacant IBF Light Heavyweight title before losing it in his first defence. The most recent winner was Byron Mitchell who claimed 1996 title then twice became WBA Super Middleweight champion.

Light Middleweight – 156 – Though this division is now defunct in amateur circles it did run from 1967-2002. In those years 6 fighters won the championship. The first to hold this distinction was Michael Spinks who won it in 1974 before moving up to Middleweight. Frank Tate was the 1983 holder before embarking on a pro career that saw him become the IBF Middleweight champion in 1987, a title he held for nearly a year. Future four weight world champion Roy Jones was the 1987 Golden Gloves champion. Lonnie Bradley held took the honour in 1992 and held the WBO Middleweight crown from 1995-97. Jermain Taylor is among very few to successfully retain the title he won in 1998 when returned in 1999. He then went on to win the Unified Middleweight Championship in 2005 before being stripped of two of the belts, he lost the remaining two in 2007. Andre Berto was the 2001 champion, he currently hold the WBC Welterweight belt.

Welterweight – 152 – Seven men have enjoyed success in both the Golden Gloves and the pro’s. It started with 1966 champion Hedgemon Lewis who in 1972 became the NYSAC holder. In 1977 & 1979 Mike McCullum held the title he went on to become a three weight world champion. In 1980 Donald Curry achieved one of his best amateur honours before going onto become Unified Welterweight holder and later the Light Middleweight champion. Frankie Liles was next in 1986 then in 1994 he completed the double winning the WBA Super Middleweight title remaining champion until 1999. Prior to winning gold at the 1996 Olympics David Reid won the 1993 championship. He went on to hold the WBA Light Middleweight title for a year from 1999 to 2000. Cory Spinks followed in his uncles steps winning the 1997 crown. As a pro he became the Unified Welterweight holder and a two time IBF Light Middleweight champion to which is is still today. After winning the 2001 Light Middleweight title Andre Berto dropped four pounds to again become champion in 2003.

Light Welterweight – 141 – Since this division came into being in 1967 at the Golden Gloves 6 men have achieved both titles. The first three are the Legendary quartet of Sugar Ray Leonard who won it in 1974 before going on to win world titles in 5 weight classes from Welterweight through to Light Heavyweight. He was followed by rival Thomas Hearns in 1977 who also went onto become a 5 weight world champion also from Welterweight to Light Heavyweight. In 1986 Roy Jones Jnr held the title before again going onto hold World titles at 4 weights from Middleweight upto Heavyweight only missing out the Cruiserweight crown. St Louis Terron Millett became the 1991 holder. He shocked many people when he beat another former Golden Gloves champion Vince Phillips for the IBF Light Welterweight title in 1999. Another Olympian David Diaz won three out of four titles from 1993, the one he didn’t win was in 1995 when DeMarcus Corley took the honours. Diaz of coarse became WBC Lightweight holder while Corley was the WBO Light Welterweright champion.

Lightweight – 132 – Five men here won both titles. Starting with the aforementioned Hedgemon Lewis in 1964. Followed by Sugar Ray Leonard in 1973. The outstanding Aaron Pryor won back to back championships from 175-76 before going onto have an fantastic pro career in which he is widely regarded as one of the best Light Welterweights ever. He held a first the WBA then IBF crown from 1980 to 1985. When Pryor was stripped of the WBA crown in 1983 Johnny Bumphus held the title though only four six months. He won the National Golden Gloves in 1979. The most recent winner was way back in 1985 by Vince Phillips.

Featherweight – 126 – Only three previous winners here firstly Eddie Hopson in 1988 he later held the IBF Super Featherweight in the mid 90’s briefly. The following year Oscar De La Hoya captured the title he then went on to become the first 6 weight world champion enjoying many successes along the way to collecting 10 World titles in the 90’s and 2000’s. The third to do this was Floyd Mayweather Jnr in 1996. Like De La Hoya he has gone on to enjoy a brillaint career in which he’s won championships at 5 weights all the way from 130-154.

Bantamweight – 119 – Also produced three guys, interestingly in consecuative years in the early 80’s. Steve Cruz was the first do so in 1981 before he upset the Barry McGuigan apple cart to become WBA Featherweight champion. Meldrick Taylor dazzled many in both his amatuer and pro career. He won the 1982 crown and went on to have pro glory at Light Welterweight & later Welterweight. Texan Jesse Benevides claim the prize in 1983 before winning the WBO Super Bantamweight title.

Flyweight – 112 – The first of seven winners came in 1974 with Greg Richardson who went on to in 1991 hold the WBC Bantamweight crown. Leo Randolph won it in 1976 before winning the WBA Super Bantamweight championship in 1980. Jesse Benevides won it in 1982 then went upto Bantamweight to do it again the following year. Next came Johnny Tapia in 1985 he went on to win world titles in 3 weight classes firstly the WBO & later the IBF Super Flyweight titles before WBA & WBO Bantamweight crowns before at the tail end of his career the IBF Featherweight championship. Carl Daniels won the title in 1987 then 8 years later grew into a Light Middleweight where for 6 months in 1995 he held the WBA Light Middleweight laurels. future IBF Bantamweight champion Tim Austin won the title in 1990 & 1991. The most recent winner is Floyd Mayweather who collect 3 Golden Gloves titles this one being in 1994.

Light Flyweight – 106 – Only came in being in 1982 the following year Johnny Tapia won it two years later he went up to Flyweight to become a two weight amateur Golden Gloves champion. In 1986 it was Michael Carbajal’s turn, he of coarse went on to win a pro world title at Light Flyweight. The supremely talented future two weight world champion at Flyweight & Super Flyweight Marc Johnson was the 1988 holder. In 1993 Floyd Mayweather won the second of his three crowns. Olympian Eric Morel collected it in 1994 before becoming a pro champion in 2000 at Flyweight. Most recently it was Brian Viloria in 1999, since then he has become a two time and still reigning IBF Light Flyweight champion.

Winners in 1960’s – 1
Winners in 1970’s – 16
Winners in 1980’s – 22
Winners in 1990’s – 17
Winners in 2000’s – 1 Only Andre Berto has so far from the 2000’s gone onto win a proffessional world title.

Shaquille O’Neal has a good idea and now boxing needs a few good men to do what Kobe Bryant and LeBron James won’t. Fight for Haiti.

With noisy rancor and none of the humor that punctuates the late-night feuding between Jay Leno and David Letterman, the public is turned off by everything said and alleged in the abortive negotiations for a Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather fight. But a chance to come together behind a good cause and for one of its own, Andre Berto, is there with the tragic earthquake that has left Port-au-Prince looking like prehistoric rubble.

O’Neal suggests that the NBA’s richest celebrities compete in the slam-dunk contest at the next All-Star Game. He wants to give half of the proceeds to Haiti. But apparently Bryant and James have decided they would rather save their legs instead of the Haitians. They said no to O’Neal’s proposal, according to various news reports. But the idea is, well, a slam dunk.

A couple of cards, one put together by Top Rank and the other by Golden Boy Promotions, with a percentage of proceeds from each for Haitian relief would say that Bob Arum, Richard Schaefer, Oscar De La Hoya, Pacquiao, Mayweather and all of the other usual suspects can actually agree on something bigger than a personal agenda.

The lead had already been taken by Berto, the World Boxing Council’s welterweight champion who set aside the biggest opportunity in his career and withdrew from a Jan. 30 bout with Sugar Shane Mosley at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay. Instead, Berto is headed to Haiti, his homeland, where at least eight in his family are reportedly dead. His sister, Naomi, her daughter and his niece, Jessica, are homeless.

“I have seen the pain in my parents’ eyes as they attempt to understand what has happened to our homeland,’’ Berto said in a statement. “…As a result of this disaster, I am mentally and physically exhausted, and I have no choice but to withdraw.’’

In a business so characterized by decisions dictated only by me-me-me, Berto’s selfless act stands out, especially in the immediate wake of the blame-game played out in the Pacquiao-Mayweather talks.

Against Mosley, Berto, who lives in Florida and was the only boxer on the Haitian Olympic team at the 2004 Athens Games, finally had his chance at becoming a player at the welterweight table. Upset Mosley, and there was a spot in line against Pacquiao and maybe Mayweather. Fight a competitive bout, and there might have been a rich rematch and even bigger riches against the biggest names in the sport.

But there is a bigger fight, Berto’s only fight. Boxing should help him fight it and in the process help itself.

NOTES, ANECDOTES

· Already, there are headlines saying that Mayweather-Mosley is almost a done deal for sometime in early May. Please, there were headlines that said the same thing about Pacquiao-Mayweather before their March 13 deal was done in. I won’t believe Mayweather is fighting until I see him in the ring with gloves on, robe off and answering an opening bell.

· If Joshua Clottey doesn’t make the Pacquiao corner nervous, he should. The March 13 date in a ring on a NFL field at the Dallas Cowboys palace has the potential to further remind everybody that they blew a chance at boxing’s Super Bowl, Pacquiao-Mayweather. Clottey is as durable as anybody in the welterweight division. He has been reminded that he was passive in the late rounds of a narrow loss to Miguel Cotto so often that he’s not likely to repeat that error. Then, there’s Pacquiao, whose motivation might have taken ht when the Mayweather talks unraveled. Pacquiao also might be looking ahead to a campaign for a Congressional seat in the Philippines. Elements for a major upset are in place.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, an exciting co-feature has been added to the potentially epic fourth bout between Israel Vasquez and Rafael Marquez as Yonnhy Perez will make the first defense of the IBF Bantamweight titlle when he takes on the undefeated and highly regarded Abner Mares on May 22nd at Staples Center in Los Angeles

“I think it’s a great opening fight for that main event and the right fight for that arena,” said Gary Shaw, Perez’s co-promoter. “I think it’s a 50-50 fight.”

“I believe if you’re going to preach and talk about doing what’s best for boxing, then you have to do what’s right,” Shaw said. “Yonnhy has an optional defense and I could have put him in easier [company], but what does that do for him or for boxing? If Yonnhy loses and it’s a great fight, which I expect it to be, he’s still very viable. If he wins, he’s bigger.”

Frank Espinoza, Mares’ manager, told ESPN.com that their side has agreed to the fight but that the 24-year-old Mares would take a tune-up fight in March. He said he’s working out the specifics of the tune-up with Golden Boy.

“We like the fight and we’ve agreed to the fight,” said Espinoza, who also manages Vazquez. “We have to finalize the contract but I don’t foresee any problems. It’s a fantastic opening fight. It’s going to be quite a doubleheader. We’re going to take a fight in March and then go ahead and fight in May. That’s what we need to do.

“Abner needs a tune-up fight to get the rust and kinks out. It’s always dangerous because you never know what will happen, but it’s more dangerous for a guy going in there with so much inactivity. We want to get him in shape, get the kinks out and prepare him to fight Perez. Abner really wants the fight. It’s his time. He’s been waiting and he wants to do it in L.A. in front of his hometown. He’s really excited and pumped up for it.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, former WBO Jr. Welterweight champion Kendall Holt will take on Kaizer Mabuza on February 27 in Atlantic City.

The bout will be part of of Top Rank’s new Fox Sports “Top Rank Live” series on but is not expected to be televised and will take place before the broadcast begins which will be headlined by Philadelphia super Prospect Mike Jones taking on Henry Bruseles.

The winner will be due a mandatory title shot against the winner of the March 6 Devon Alexander-Juan Urango 140-pound unification fight, although the match won’t necessarily be next for the Holt-Mabuza winner.

“I think this fight will re-establish Kendall because he’s fighting for the No. 1 spot [according to the IBF],” said Brandon Jacobs, the New York Giants running back who manages Holt. “I think he’ll go through this guy pretty easily and the whoever wins the Alexander-Urango fight will have to come forward and fight him. We want one of the belts.”

If Holt (25-3, 13 KOs) wins and the title fight isn’t made immediately, which is possible since the IBF mandatory won’t yet be due, Top Rank’s Bob Arum, Holt’s promoter, and Jacobs said he could next face contender Lamont Peterson on the undercard of the proposed Yuri Foreman-Miguel Cotto junior middleweight title bout.

When the unfortunate tragedy of the earthquake which struck Haiti earlier this month forced Andre Berto to withdraw from his scheduled unification bout against Shane Mosley, it forced promoter Golden Boy Promotions to cancel the entire January 30th event which was to have emanated from the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The cancellation left several bouts slated for the deep undercard without a venue.

However, Golden Boy has found a home for at least one of the more prominent bouts originally pegged for January 30th, as the meeting between rising super featherweights Eloy Perez and David Rodela has been moved to January 29th. Their ten-round bout will now take place just down the road a bit at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino as a supporting bout to WBA Light Heavyweight Champion Gabriel Campillo’s title defense in a rematch against Beibut Shumenov. Golden Boy is co-promoting the card with Shumenov’s KZ Event Productions.

Perez (15-0-2, 4 KOs) of Salinas, California will be making the first defense of his WBC USNBC Super Featherweight title which he won in a back-and-forth struggle over previously undefeated Dannie Williams this past September. In his most recent bout, Perez scored the biggest win of his career, stopping the naturally larger Juan Santiago to claim the WBO NABO 130-pound crown.

Rodela (14-1-2, 6 KOs) of Oxnard, California last fought in August, cruising to a unanimous four-round decision victory over once-beaten Gamalier Rodriguez. That victory was preceded by three straight split decision wins over Juan Garcia, Marlon Aguilar and faded former champion Kevin Kelley.

The significance of their clash has increased since the bout was first signed. The January rankings issued by the WBO have Eloy Perez ranked #3 in the world at 130-pounds. With only WBO #1 Ricky Burns (who is already scheduled to meet WBO kingpin Rocky Martinez in March,) and WBO #2 Terdsak Jandaeng ranked above him in the rankings, Perez could conceivably be paired in an elimination bout next time out. For the currently unranked Rodela, a win over the WBO #3 contender would undoubtedly catapult the Oxnard native into the world rankings.

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortega15rds@lycos.com.

Minneapolis, MN- One of Minnesota’s most heralded prospects, and former amateur national champion Javontae Starks(2-0 2 ko’s) is slated to box for the first time in his hometown on February 5 at First Avenue night club when he takes on Matt Ellis (1-1).

After fighting twice at Grand Casino Hinckley Starks’ third pro bout will be his first in his native Minneapolis. While his first bout in the Twin Cities is an exciting prospect Starks’ focus in the professionals is to compete at the same level he did in the amateurs, the national and world stage.

“I’m willing to fight the best in Minnesota, but my sights are on the national scene, and putting Minnesota on the boxing map”

Starks made a name for himself nationally in the amateurs, reaching a number one ranking at welterweight, and competing for team U.S.A. on numerous occasions. Two fights into his anticipated professional career Starks has been explosive, stopping Dan Copp in round two, and Andrew Kato in the first round.

Starks’ bout will serve as a co-feature to Minnesota middleweight champion Andy Kolle’s return against Pat Coleman. “Friday Night Fights at First Avenue” will be an 18+ event. Tickets are priced 25$, 35$, and 100$ and are available at www.first-avenue.com/event/4478/friday-night-fights-first-avenue

15rounds.com Claudia Bocanegra was present at New York’s Madison Square Garden where Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey met the media to announce their big March 13th showdown in Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas

CLICK PHOTOS TO ENLARGE

See all the photos from Tuesday’s Press conference at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas to announce the big fight that will take place between WBO Welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao and former IBF Joshua Clottey

PHILADELPHIA (JANURY 18TH, 2010)—On Friday night, February 5th, USBA Jr. Middleweight champion, Derek “Pooh” Ennis will battle Edwin Vazquez in a special eight round Jr. Middleweight bout.

The fight will highlight a night of boxing promoted by Vernoca L. Michael and Blue Horizon Boxing Inc. as the world’s number-one boxing venue presents the annual “Valentine’s Day Special”

This bout was originally scheduled to take place on January 15th at The Arena in Philadelphia but was pushed back due to an ankle injury suffered by Ennis.

Ennis, 19-2-1 with twelve knockouts won the USBA Jr. Middleweight title with a tremendous back and forth brawl as he won a hard fought twelve round unanimous decision over Eromosele Albert on October 16th and The Legendary Blue Horizon.

Ennis and Albert exchanged hard combinations in close and the near-sellout crowd at The Legendary Blue Horizon was entertained as the fight was one of the best in Philadelphia in the past few years.

Ennis won by scores of 116-112, 115-113 and 115-113 in the bout for which most ringside observers thought could have gone either way.

That win catapulted Ennis into the world rankings as he is now ranked number-thirteen by the IBF.

The win over Albert was Ennis’ seventh straight victory and he holds win over Albert (22-3-1), John Mackey (11-3-2) and Troy Browning (20-2-1) in that streak.

This will be Ennis fourth appearance at The Legendary Blue Horizon (3-0, 2 KO’s) with his most recent bout being the classic fight with Albert.

Vazquez is a seventeen year veteran and has a record of 22-14-2 with eight knockouts.

The native of Santurce, Puerto Rico has been in with some of the biggest names in boxing as evidenced by a resume that includes fights with former world title challengers, Demetrius Hopkins, Antonio Diaz, former WBO Jr. Welterweight champion Ricardo Torres, Matthew Hatton, and former Undisputed Welterweight champion Zab Judah.

Vazquez won the WBA Fedecaribe Welterweight title with a twelve round unanimous decision over Jose Correa (13-1) on March 23, 2007 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Local fans may remember Vazquez last appearance in the area as he lost a razor thin unanimous decision to Eric Mitchell (20-4-1) on March 15, 2008 in Sewell, New Jersey in a bout that was for the IBC Continental-America’s title.

The fight was controversial as Vazquez was deducted a point in round three for a low blow. If not for that deduction the fight would have been a draw.

In an exciting eight round co-feature, Loren Myers of Fresno, California will square off against former world title challenger Israel “Pito” Cardona.

Myers quickly became a fan favorite at The Legendary Blue Horizon after his last outing on December 4th when he battled Gee Cullmer (16-1) to one of the most controversial draws in recent memory. It was a fight where most ringsiders thought Myers dominated and should have had his hand raised and the out of towner received a standing ovation from The Blue Horizon crowd.

Myers of Fresno, California has a record of 7-7-1 with two knockouts and is coming off that disputed draw on December 4th at The Legendary Blue Horizon.

Cardona of Hartford, Connecticut brings in a record of 36-10 with twenty-eight wins coming by knockouts.

Cardona is a seventeen year veteran and raced out to a record of 17-0 with thirteen knockouts before winning the IBO International Super Featherweight title with a twelve round unanimous decision over Jeff Mayweather. Cardona made two title defenses over Mike Capiello (29-4) and Steve Larrimore (24-17).

Cardona lost a split decision to former world champion Charles “The Natural” Murray (39-4) before winning the USBA Lightweight championship with a stunning third round stoppage over Ivan Robinson (23-1).

Cardona made two defenses of that crown before adding the NABF championship with a twelve round split decision over Golden Johnson (15-1-2).

After scoring a seventh round stoppage over Joel Perez (24-2-2), Cardona lost in his only world title shot when he dropped a twelve round unanimous decision to Paul Spadafora.

After that title bout, Cardona went 3-3 in his next six bout before a four year hiatus.

When Cardona returned from that break he scored two quick knockouts before four consecutive losses to top guys such as Juan Buendia (13-1); Mike Jones (11-0); Antonin Decarie (17-0) and his last bout a very close unanimous decision to Hector Camacho Jr. (48-3-1) on August 29 in Cleveland.

In an eight round Featherweight bout, top prospect Eric “The Outlaw” Hunter (11-1, 4 KO’s) of Philadelphia will take on an opponent to be named.

In a four round Heavyweight bout, Former World Jr. Amateur champion Joey Dewejko (1-0) will make his long awaited Philadelphia debut when he takes on Damon Clement (0-2) of Ohio in a four round bout.

In a four round Welterweight bout, Ronald Cruz (7-0, 4 KO’s) of Bethlehem, PA will take on an opponent to be named.

In a four round Heavyweight bout, Tim Johnson (4-1, 2 KO’s) of Philadelphia will take on Patrick Budd (2-1, 1 KO) of Dumfries, VA

John Bolden (1-0, 1 KO) of New York will battle Ricardo Johnson (1-0) of Cincinnati, OH in a four round Heavyweight affair.

In a four round Ladies Welterweight bout, Jackie Davis (3-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia will take on debuting Tanya Martinez of Colorado Springs, CO

Undefeated Swedish Heavyweight, Andres Gustafson (3-0, 1 KO) of Norrkoping, Sweden will take on Levay King (0-1) in a four round bout.

Debuting Clemente Bethea of Philadelphia will take on Henry Northan (0-1) of Philadelphia in a Jr. Welterweight bout scheduled for four rounds.

Tickets are going fast for this exciting boxing event. The perfect pre-Valentine gift for your boxing enthusiast.

Ticket prices for this great night of boxing are $200 for Queen Seating, $125 for Presidential Seats, $65 for VIP Seating, $55 for Ringside Seating and $45 for General Admission Seating. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-763-0500 or through PayPal by clicking here. Doors open at 6:30 PM / First Bout begins at 7:30 P.M.

The Legendary Blue Horizon™

1314 North Broad Street in Philadelphia, PA

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, After the recent withdraw by Andre Berto for next week;s Welterweight unification bout with Shane Mosley, representatives for Floyd Mayweather have indicated that Mayweather would be ready for a fight with Mosley this Spring.

“I know everyone is rushing to make this fight with Mosley, but I want people to know that Floyd feels awful for Berto and his family for what they and their country are going through,” Said Maywethaer’s close advisor Leonard Ellerbe . “That is first and foremost. But if, in fact, Shane Mosley is available, that’s the fight that Floyd would love to make. It’s no secret that Floyd has been trying to make a fight with Shane for the last 10 years.

“Our condolences go out to Berto and his family because that is the human side of this. Everyone is talking about us making a fight with Mosley, but Floyd wants people to know that his prayers — all of ours — are with Berto. But he also wants people to know that he is ready to fight Mosley. That’s the fight he wants more than anything. And Floyd has instructed me and Al [Haymon, Mayweather’s other adviser] to make the biggest fight possible. We will be talking with [Golden Boy CEO] Richard [Schaefer]. Floyd against Shane is the biggest fight in boxing right now that can be made.”

According to Schaefer, he has the MGM Grand Garden Arena on hold for May 1 and May 8. Ellerbe said that time frame is fine with Mayweather for a fight with Mosley.

“Most definitely,” Ellerbe said. “Shane is a great fighter and if a deal could be made, Shane would be the toughest fight out there. That fight is tougher than the other fight [Pacquiao-Mayweather]. It’s a mega fight if it can be made.”

Photos of Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey arriving in Dallas, Texas for the press conference tomorrow to announce their March 13th bout

Photo by Chris Farina / Top Rank