LOS ANGELES (July 11, 2012) – Mexican Independence Day weekend will come alive in one-of-a-kind fashion on Saturday, September 15 when “Knockout Kings” featuring undefeated Mexican sensation Canelo Alvarez taking on boxing’s breakout star and upset-minded Josesito Lopez for Canelo’s World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Welterweight World Championship, takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, live on SHOWTIME. Fans can expect fireworks all night long with the unparalleled quadruple-header, which also features WBC Featherweight World Champion Jhonny Gonzalez defending his title against former World Champion Daniel Ponce De Leon.

“Knockout Kings,” a tremendous evening of pure Mexican power and pride, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions and Thompson Boxing Promotions and sponsored by Corona, DeWalt Tools and AT&T. The quadruple-header will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. and will be televised live on SHOWTIME. Additional co-featured fights will be announced soon.

SHOWTIME Sports will also produce a new edition of its ALL ACESS sports documentary series. ALL ACCESS: Canelo vs. Lopez will premiere on SHOWTIME, with multiple replays on additional SHOWTIME and CBS platforms. The exhibition schedule will be announced shortly.

“We know the exceptional talent we have in Mexican superstar Canelo, and certainly Josesito Lopez deserves the opportunity to face him after his stunning upset victory over Victor Ortiz on June 23,” said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “It is going to be another prideful Mexican Independence Day weekend for Mexican and Mexican-American fans having their most celebrated fighter, Canelo, fighting that night along with Jhonny Gonzalez and Daniel Ponce De Leon, who are going to deliver their own electrifying championship battle.”

“It is a great pleasure for Golden Boy Promotions to be working with MGM Resorts International and SHOWTIME Sports on this exciting night of boxing,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO, Golden Boy Promotions. “To be able to showcase top-caliber boxing talent in Canelo, Josesito Lopez, Jhonny Gonzalez and Ponce De Leon on the same show packs a lot of power and pride into a tremendous evening for attendees and viewers watching at home. It’s also a special gift for Mexican and Mexican American fans who have supported the sport for so long to have Canelo appear once again on Mexican Independence Day weekend. If there is anyone who deserves a shot at Canelo, it’s Josesito because he showed that heart and will can determine the outcome of any fight. I’ve never seen a fighter show that.”

“SHOWTIME has fully committed to promoting this tremendous night of boxing as if it were a pay-per-view, but instead is offering this quadruple-header to all boxing fans across the country,” continued Schaefer. “We are very pleased that CBS will also be committed to promoting this event on various platforms.”

“We are excited to be able to offer SHOWTIME subscribers a chance to see boxing’s newest star, Canelo Alvarez, in what promises to be a dramatic fight,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “Canelo’s talent and charisma has re-energized boxing and drawn legions of casual fans to the sport. Josesito Lopez may not be as well-known as Canelo, but he has already shown that it would be a mistake for any opponent to overlook Josesito Lopez. Many counted him out in his last fight against Victor Ortiz, but he stunned the SHOWTIME audience and boxing fans worldwide with his gutsy performance and earned his shot at Canelo. This match-up, and this entire card as a whole, promises to be non-stop action and we are proud to deliver explosive fights to our viewers.”

Richard Sturm, president of sports and entertainment for MGM Resorts International, said, “We look forward to celebrating Mexican Independence Day weekend with one of the most exciting events of the summer. There is no doubt that Golden Boy Promotions will deliver a fight that has a major impact on boxing fans worldwide.”

Already a phenom in his home country of Mexico, Canelo turned professional at the age of 15 and has amassed a record of 40-0-1, with 29 knockouts. Since 2008, he has knocked out 14 of 18 opponents and is coming off of a dominant unanimous decision win over future Hall of Famer and former Three-Division World Champion Sugar Shane Mosley in May. Now, the 21-year-old considered to be one of boxing’s fastest-rising stars will make his SHOWTIME debut on Mexico’s biggest holiday weekend of the year, Mexican Independence Day weekend. Canelo will look to continue his meteoric rise to international superstardom as he follows in the footsteps of De La Hoya, his childhood idol and current promoter.

“I am happy to be fighting Josesito Lopez on Mexican Independence Day weekend and to give all of our fans a tremendous battle,” said Canelo. “I was ringside for his fight against Victor Ortiz and saw the talent he possesses. It will be very competitive, but nothing can take away my desire to be the best in the sport. I am also excited to be fighting for the Mexican people and Mexican American fans on Mexican Independence Day weekend. I look forward to showing so many people who will be watching me across the United States that I love being a champion. I want them to think of me as one of the greatest fighters ever.”

In June, Lopez emerged from relative obscurity and scored the biggest win of his career over the heavily favored Ortiz in the main event of a SHOWTIME Championship Boxing. Lopez shocked the boxing world by stopping Ortiz, one of today’s most popular and talented fighters. Lopez (30-4, 18 KO’s) of Riverside, Calif., has the opportunity to recreate his “Rocky moment” on Sept. 15, when he challenges for his first world title against a man that many believe to be boxing’s next superstar.

“I am so happy to have the chance to continue my career fighting another great champion in Canelo Alvarez especially on such a big weekend like Mexican Independence Day,” said Lopez. “I know they put me in the ring with Victor Ortiz to have me beat and now they are doing the same thing with Canelo. I was a big underdog with Ortiz and now I’m a bigger underdog with Canelo, but I’m up for the challenge.”

Also featured on the SHOWTIME telecast will be reigning Mexico City’s Jhonny Gonzalez (52-7, 45 KO’s) who once ruled the bantamweight division with his iron fists, winning two world titles and defeating the likes of Fernando Montiel, Irene Pacheco and recently inducted Hall of Famer Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson. Reinventing himself at featherweight, where he has gone 12-0 with 11 knockouts, he won the WBC 126-pound title by stopping Hozumi Hasegawa in the fourth round in April 2011. Four title defenses, including an April 2012 decision over Elio Rojas, have followed, and on September 15, the 30-year old will seek a fifth successful defense against De Leon.

“This is a fight I have been wanting for a long time and now to have the opportunity to do it for my Mexican people is so great,” said Gonzalez. “That is a big weekend for everyone and I am going to show the world why I am still the best in the division.”

Power puncher Daniel Ponce De Leon (43-4, 35 KO’s) has long been one of boxing’s most dependable warriors. Former WBO Junior Featherweight World Champion De Leon defended his crown six times during his 2005-08 reign. After losing the title to Juan Manuel Lopez in 2008, he began the next chapter of his career, winning nine of his next 11 fights following that defeat. In 2012, wins over Omar Estrella (KO6) and Eduardo Lazcano (W10) at featherweight have put him in line for a shot at 126-pound gold, but to get it, he will have to beat countryman Gonzalez on the 15th of September.

“Gonzalez is a very good fighter, but I have the experience and ability to beat him and take his title from him,” said De Leon. “The Mexican fans will all be watching and there is going to be tremendous pressure on all of us to win our bouts and look great doing it. I will become the new champion that night and my career will move up to a new level.”

Tickets priced at $400, $300, $150, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes, go on sale Saturday, July 14 at Noon PT. Ticket sales are limited to ten (10) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Former Super Bantamweight belt holder Daniel Ponce De Leon scored a workmanlike ten round unanimous decision over Eduardo Lazcano at The Hard Rock in Las Vegas.

Scores were 100-90 across the board for De Leon, 127 1/2 lbs and is now 43-4. Lazcano, 129 lbs is now 24-3.

Ishe Smith scored an impressive fourth round stoppage over Ayi Bruce in a scheduled ten round Jr. Middleweight bout.

Smith dominated the fight and landed a hard right over the top that froze Bruce. Smith followed up with several hard punches that forced referee Kenny Bayless to stop the bout at 2:10 0f round four.

Smith, 154 1/2 lbs of Las Vegas is now 23-5 with eleven knockouts. Bruce, 154 lbs of Albany, NY is now 21-7.

Young Daquan Arnett was impressive in dropping Jose Martell twice in round one of their four round Jr.Middleweight bout.

the fight was stopped at 2:41 of round one.

Arnett,152 lbs of Orlando, FL is 3-0 with two knockouts. Martell, 151 1/2 lbs of Houston, TX is 2-2

Jessica Rakoczy scored a fourth round stoppage over Brittany Cruz in a female Featherweight bout.

Rakoaczy dropped Cruz in round three and again in round four and the bout was stopped.

Rakoczy, of Las Vegas is now 32-3 with twelve knockouts. Cruz, 125 1/2 lbs of Denver is 8-6-1.

Yuriorkis Gamboa scored an eight round technical decision over Daniel Ponce De Leon after De Leon Suffered a cut from an accidental headbutt. The bout was a scheduled twelve round Featherweight bout at The Adrian Phillips Ballroom inside of Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

As expected Gamboa proved the be the faster man and that was the difference in the fight. After a feel out first round, Gamboa showed the rare god given ability as he landed some good right hands that landed flush on the chin of De Leon.

In round three, Gamboa landed some solid right hands and flush left hooks. Gamboa landed a hard right in round round five which the combination of the punch plus De Leon’s balance buckled the Mexican.

Gamboa continued to win every round emphatically against De Leon who fought a spirited fight but was second best by a lot on this night.

The two clashed head in round eight which caused a bad cut over the left eye of De Leon and the fight to be stopped on the advice of the ringside doctor at 1:28 of round eight

Gamboa, 127 lbs of Guantanamo, Cuba won by scores of 70-63; 70-63 and 69-64 and is now 21-0. De Leon, 127 lbs of Mexico is 41-4

Photo by Chris Farina / Top Rank

Coming into 2010 Jason “The American Boy” Litzau 28-2(21) was just another fighter. However fast forward twelve months and the Minnesota resident has placed himself on the cusp of a world title shot, having beaten both Rocky Juarez & Celestino Caballero in Super Featherweight contests, both as a heavy underdog. Both fights were exciting all action fights shown on HBO where the likeable & engaging personality of Litzau shone through. It’s been rumoured that he may fight either Daniel Ponce De Leon or Adrien Broner next, though nothing has been agreed upon as yet. It’s hard not to pull for Litzau who’s paid his due’s and now looking to achieve his ultimate goal in becoming a world champion. Litzau is currently ranked WBC 5, WBA 2, IBF 5, WBO 11 & The Ring magazine number 10.

Hello Jason, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – Firstly congratulations on a terrific 2010. You beat Rocky Juarez & Celestino Caballero two more known guys that you were the underdog against on HBO. What are your thoughts on your year & those two fights?

Jason Litzau – Well it was a breakout year for me. I took a year off after my loss to IBF World Champion Robert Guerrero in 2008. It gave me time to mature both physically and mentally. I’m only just 27 now. I started my comeback in 2009 and continued it in 2010. I’m a lot smarter fighter now and I knew how to beat Rocky Juarez and Celestino Caballero. I had a game plan and I executed it. Commentators say that Caballero had a bad day, no, I made him look bad.

Anson Wainwright – What are your plans for 2011? When are you looking at fighting next & against whom? Who are you targeting?

Jason Litzau – I would love to fight any of the current World Champions. I would love to come back to Britain where I fought as an amateur on the USA Boxing team. I would love to fight Ricky Burns for his WBO title. I think I still have some fans over there from my amateur days.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your team; who is your manager, trainer & promoter? Also what gym do you regularly train at?

Jason Litzau – My manager and trainer is Bob Van Syckle, who I have been with for my entire 8 year career. He has been loyal to me and I have been loyal to him. He is a smart manager and as a trainer he has a great ability to break down an opponent and come up with a game plan to beat him. For my last fight, I added a top strength and conditioning coach, Gerardo Aguirre to my team. He improved my core strength and balance. I felt like I could have gone 20 rounds in my last fight. My promoter is Square Ring Promotions, founded by Roy Jones,Jr. While in Minnesota, I train at White Bear Lake gym and when I go to training camp I train at Buddy McGirt’s gym in Vero Beach, FL.

Anson Wainwright – You were a good amateur can you tell us about those days, what titles and tournaments you won? You travelled over sea’s with the American team, can you tell us about that? Also what was your final record?

Jason Litzau – As a Junior (14-16 years old), I won all the US titles. In my first year as a Senior (at 17), I came in second at the USA Championships. Two weeks later I avenged that loss in a Box off and landed a spot on the USA Boxing team. While on the team, I fought other national teams in the US, Canada, Puerto Rico, and England. It was a great experience for me, meeting all the friendly people from other countries. My record was 125-10. Because of my financial situation, I could not wait for the 2004 Olympics and so I turned pro at 19.

Anson Wainwright – Your from Minnesota which isn’t know as a Boxing state, did you have to travel for sparring or do you bring guys in? Can you tell us about some of the Boxers you have sparred with?

Jason Litzau – Well, my manager was from the East Coast (New Jersey) and in the first few years I sparred with the best amateurs and pros in New York City and in the cities of Newark and Paterson, NJ. It was a great learning experience and I got a lot of complements from the East Coast fighters and trainers. After that, I actually was chief sparring partner for Rocky Juarez when he beat Zahir Raheem. I was also chief sparring partner for Arturo Gatti when he fought Floyd Mayweather. When I had my own camps in Florida, I tried to bring in the best up-and-coming fighters who would challenge me. One of them was Matt Remillard, 23-0, who is fighting on HBO on March 26.

Anson Wainwright – Who’s the best fighter you have ever fought in the amateur’s and pro’s?

Jason Litzau – The best fighter that I fought in the amateurs, and beat several times, was Mickey Bey. He made the USA Olympic team and is now 16-0 as a pro. In the pros, the best fighter I fought as the “young” Jason was Robert Guerrero. As the new and improved Jason, the best fighter I have fought is Celestino Caballero.

Anson Wainwright – You fought for the IBF Featherweight title in 2008 but lost to Robert Guerrero. Looking back on that fight what are your thoughts and feelings on it now?

Jason Litzau – I was only 24 years old at the time and I was pretty tight throughout the fight. I think the nerves got the best of me. I would love to get him in the ring again. I am a much more complete fighter now.

Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do away from Boxing? What other sports, hobbies and Interests do you have?

Jason Litzau – Being from a big hockey state, I love playing hockey. When I was a kid, I scored 73 goals in one season. Lately, I have backed off playing because I don’t want to take a chance getting injured. I had to give up riding my “crotch rocket” for the same reason. Its just another example of “wild and crazy” Jay growing up. Now, I like to play golf and racquetball and softball. And I love playing with my 3 daughters, ages 1, 5, and 7.

Anson Wainwright – You were a 13-1 underdog against Caballero, how did this help to motivate you? Do you like fighting with your back against the wall? What was it like for you when you returned home after the win?

Jason Litzau – Honestly, I knew I was the underdog, but I did not know I was a 13-1 dog until after the fight. If I had known that, I probably would have bet my purse and I could retire (just kidding about the retiring, not about the betting). I really did not think my back was against the wall. I was confident that I could beat Caballero. When I returned home, a lot more strangers said Hi and congratulated me. I felt great, like I had “shocked the world!”

Anson Wainwright – What fighters did you like when you were growing up? What about today who do you admire?

Jason Litzau – Arturo Gatti was a big hero of mine as a kid. He fought with such great heart. I would be watching on TV and be screaming at the TV set. It was a thrill to become friends with him and fight on a couple of his undercards. I also admired Oscar De La Hoya, the way he handled himself in the ring and outside the ring. Today, I admire Manny Pacquiao for his no-fear, non-stop punching style. He is not afraid to fight anybody, no matter how big they are. He came back from 2 knockout losses early in his career and look at where he is now.

Anson Wainwright – What do you think of the current champions at 130 WBC Takahiro Aoh, WBA Takashi Uchiyama IBF Mzonke Fana & WBO Ricky Burns?

Jason Litzau – I think I can beat all of them and become the Unified Champion. I just hope one of them is man enough to fight “The American Boy” Jason Litzau.

Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for your fans?

Jason Litzau – I just want to thank all the fans who have come to my fights, watched them on TV, those who said Hi, those who reached out to me on Facebook, and those who I have yet to meet. I know that you pay your hard-earned money to watch me fight, so, I always give it my best in the ring. I don’t want to disappoint my fans and I don’t want to disappoint Arturo Gatti, who is watching from above. I invite anyone who wants to reach out to me to “become a friend” of mine on Facebook. Just search for “American Boy” or “Jason Litzau”.

Thanks for your time Jason, good luck in 2011.

Anson Wainwright

15rounds.com

Midweek Musings – Word from Britain is that James Degale may challenge Dmitri Sartison for the WBA Super Middleweight title on 19 March at the O2 Arena in London…After the apparent collapse of the All British showdown between Matthew Macklin & Darren Barker. It got me thinking of other domestic fights I’d like to see. In Britain though both of these need time to marinate David Price-Tyson Fury & James Degale-George Groves both have the potential to be huge by this time next year. How about a shoot out between new European Light Heavyweight champion Danny MacIntosh & Tony Bellew. At Welterweight Kell Brook-Matthew Hatton. British Light Welterweight champion Lenny Daws against former amateur star Frankie Gavin. A fight that has been mentioned many times is Kevin Mitchell & John Murray at Lightweight, both are 26, in there prime and a fight that we hope wont go the way of Ricky Hatton-Junior Witter. A rematch between Stephen Smith & John Simpson at 126. Though both lost there last fights and are friends it would be interesting to see Rendell Munroe fight Jason Booth at 122. Following his tremendous performance on Saturday Jamie McDonnell against Stuart Hall at Bantamweight.

If there are any fighters you would like to hear from you can contact me on elraincoat@live.co.uk

In front of the many boxing aficionados in the house such as former greats such as Pepino Cuevas and Oscar De La Hoya, Shane Mosley and Sergio Mora fought to a highly debatable draw in the main event at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Sergio Mora (22-1-1, 6KO’s) made his way to the ring first to a huge applause. Followed shortly after by Sugar Shane Mosley (46-6, 39KO’s) to meet in a 12 round, Jr. middleweight battle.

In round one, The taller Mora danced around the ring as Mosley chased him around trying to land a jab. Mora seemed very cautious as he only threw one maybe two combination’s the entire round. Mosley couldn’t catch him so he didn’t fair much better. In round two, it was more of the same. Mora switched from Orthodox to southpaw many times as he continued to dance and faint his way around the ring. Whenever Shane got too close, Mora would tie him up. There was a small exchange at the bell, which was have been the most action of the fight. In round three, after landing a somewhat meaningful right hand, Sergio got on his horse and ran around the ring as Shane chased him, attempting to land a shot. After he got off of his bike, he seemed to want to trade a bit more but still, no meaningful punches were thrown or landed. Round 4 started with Mosley becoming more aggressive and attacking at the onset. He trapped Mora on the ropes and began to do work. Mora would clinch and and try to get off all at once. The two began to fight in a phone booth…great strategy change by Mosley. He threw more punches and landed more when he forced Mora to fight him. Mora landed a big right that didn’t seem to phase Mosley, but Mora now has a visible cut over his right eye that is leaking blood fro, an inadvertent. Round five saw a much more aggressive Shane as he would not give Mora any breathing room. Mora seemed to want to exchange more, so it made the fight pick up a bit. As slick as a snake, Mora began to play to the crowd, as he stood in front of Shane daring him to punch him. It may have looked good, but he wasn’t letting his hands go. Round six Mora seemed to revert to his running ways in the first half of the round, as he backed up and jabbed. Mosley tried hard to get him on the ropes and do work but Mora was not a willing participant. Once on the ropes, Mosley was unloading when Mora caught him with a clean, counter left hook to the chin. If Mora had any power, it may have affected Shane. The round ended in a clinch with both fighters landing body shots.

A visibly gassed Mosley came out in round seven, which seemed to give Mora a license to fight as he was more apt to stand and trade. This may have been the most punches landed from any round up until this point. It seems as if Mora got the better of Mosley that round as they exchanged combination’s. Round eight looked like a wresting match. there was a ton of holding and clinching. The tired Mosley seemed to want to lean on Mora and pot shot him. Meanwhile, Mora landed some meaningful punches in this round. Perhaps the tide is changing but it may be too late. Mosley seemed to get the edge in round nine as he had a nice flurry against the ropes. may have been his best round yet. A very nice exchange toward the end of round ten that Mora seemed to get the better of. The two guys stood toe to toe and just let their hands fly. Neither fighter would back up or give in.much more energy than Shane. The round, in my opinion, went to Mora. As we delve deeper into the championship rounds, round eleven looked like round ten. Constant body contact with an array of big punches scattered throughout the round. The older Mosley is breathing heavily out of his mouth, you have to wonder how much gas is left in the tank. Yet he keeps pressing forward (by corcelli). Mosley landed four huge shots to end the round that seemed to wobble Mora somewhat. In the twelfth and final round, it started off as somewhat of a brawl. Both boxers where throwing many punches and pushing each other around. Mosley was head hunting attempting to get Mora out of there while Mora seemed to be attempting the same while fighting with his back on the ropes! The bout ended in the corner with both guys throwing big shots trying to end it before the final bell tolled. As we go to the scorecards, 115-113 Mora, 116-112 Mosley, 114-114 for a draw!

Sugar Shane Mosley

“We both fought hard. It was a good fight so it was a good decision.

“He is not a good puncher so we had to box more.

“This was a different fight because he had to come down in weight and I had to go up.

“It would have been different if I was fighting someone my height and weight.

“Mora moved, ran away, rested and held. There were lots of head butts and that effected me.

“He was moving too much so it was hard for me to get my shots in.

“I still want to fight someone more my weight and height like Cotto.”

Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora

“I came to win and I wanted to win, but my respect for Shane Mosley got in the way.

“I got hard headed and should have listened to my corner. They were telling me it was close and I thought I was winning the fight and my respect for Shane got in the way.

“He threw really good punches. He hit me with some hard shots.

“Going 12 rounds with Shane Mosley says something in and of itself. Honestly, I thought I won the fight.”

Making his way to the ring first Carlos “Tata” Baldomir, looking to pin the first loss on Saul Alvarez’s record. This is a scheduled 10 rounder in the super welter division. Alvarez, out of Mexico, was easily the crowd favorite as they roared as he made his way to the ring in the co-main event of the evening. There was really no hesitating in the fight. Both fighters threw many punches and came at each other, not many landed. There were a few exchanges in the second round. It seemed when one fighter would land, the other would jump right back as to say, I’m not going anywhere! The third saw more action and more exchanges but it seems to be an even match or Baldomir is slightly ahead. No huge action or huge shots to speak of as of yet. Baldomir looked like a grizzled old veteran as he landed a sneaky right in between the gloves of Canelo many times. Alvarez, however has a left hook/uppercut that seems to land whenever he fires it. Baldomir seemed to take one of Canelo’s biggest punches and urged him to bring more!

Alvarez landed big shot after big shot in the fifth round, but Baldomir would not budge. He stayed on the inside and loaded up his right hand, waiting to fire it. Canelo is clearly the faster fighter though which is to be expected given that he’s 19 years Baldomir’s junior. Towards the end of the round, Alvarez landed a series or huge power shots! Baldomir tried his best but the onslaught was way too much for him to handle! The youngster has power in both hands and he proved it as he dropped Tata with a left hook. Baldomir fell down face first and as he tried to recover, he was counted out at 2:58 of the fifth round. Alvarez is still undefeated as he improves to 34-0-1 with 26 knockouts. Baldomir fades into the darkness with a record of 45-13-6.

Saul “Canelo” Alvarez

“I told you guys I was going to come with experience. I didn’t talk very much. I just showed you.

“I came to give it my all. This is for Mexico and all of my fans.

“I was prepared for the distance. Sometimes the knockout comes when you prepare for it, and it did tonight.

“He wasn’t very fast and I used that to my advantage.

“I want to fight at welterweight and be a welterweight champion. I am going to do my best to be the best in the world.”

Carlos “Tata” Baldomir

“It is true that he hits hard. I was surprised by his power.

“I am going to go home and think about what I am going to do next.

“He is the real deal. He is oing to be a real champion.

“No one has hit me like he did. No one has knocked me down like he did. He is definitely the real deal.”

The next bout was to determine who was more “Vicious”….Vicious Victor Ortiz or Vicious Vivian Harris. East Coast vs West Coast! Victor fighting out of Ventura, CA while Vivian is representing Brooklyn. The bout was scheduled for 10 in the 147 pound division. Not much action to speak of in the first. Both guys looked somewhat timid, while Harris was looking to counter. Early in the second round, Ortiz dropped Harris with what seemed to be more so a result of Harris being off balance. But moments later, Ortiz landed another right and floored Harris for a second and a long left that dropped him a third time! Harris did not seem hurt, but he was visibly confused. In the third round, Mr. Ortiz landed a mini Mike Tyson-esque combo…a short right to the body and even shorter right to the head, dropping Harris for the fourth and final time at :45 seconds in the third round. Ortiz is now 28-2-1 with 22 knockouts while Harris drops to 29-5-1

“Vicious” Victor Ortiz

“The fans either love me or they hate me, but hopefully they love me now.

“I sensed his bluff at the weigh in and I called him out on it.

“I have progressed and learned a lot since the fight with Maidana. I still want him wherever he is.

“I want a shot at a world championship. I am not dodging anyone. I am ready for anyone.

“I listened to what my coaches said and I got the victory.”

“Vicious” Vivian Harris

“He caught me with some great punches. He looked very different. He was very sharp and accurate.”

.

Antonio Escalante (23-2, 15KO’s) met Daniel Ponce De Leon (39-2, 32KO’s), in the WBO Featherweight Eliminator. The first round was the typical feeling out routine. Both fighters kind of measured the other to see where they were. Escalante landed a few big shots in the second round and did a semi-good job of avoiding the return fire of De Leon. De Leon is very aggressive and relentless and throws punches from many different angles. The third round saw both guys throwing many combonation’s that would drop many men. Nearing the end of the third, De Leon landed a mean left upstairs immediately followed by a right hook to the face that floored Escalante. The referee didn’t waste a second in waving the fight off, declaring De Leon the victor at 2:40 of round 3.

“My timing was off, but once I loosened up and got in my groove it was over”, Said De Leon

“I didnt feel his punches at all and I am gonna be a world champion again.”

“De Leon was very poweful and strong and he deserved to win the fight”, said Escalante

So what did we learn today?? Nothing! I think everything that we expected came to fruition. Daniel Ponce De Leon is a stud and is a top contender in the featherweight division. Victor Ortiz and Saul Alvarez are the future of Golden Boy boxing. Alvarez made a huge impression and will be a force in the 154 division. An old, and tired Mosley still has enough in the tank to draw a powerless Sergio Mora.

The next big thing to come out of the Golden Boy stable put on a show for the fans in Los Angeles. Frankie Gomez of East Los, improved his record to 6-0 all by knockout as he pushed around and bullied Ricardo Calzada of Las Vegas. The first round, Gomez felt the power of Calzada and once he knew he couldn’t be harmed, he seeked and destroyed! Calzada did his best to hold on and made it out of the second round, but the third round was a different story. Gomez came out head hunting and got right in Ricardo’s kitchen. He landed a few tough shots on the inside, to the head, that put Calzada on his butt. He rose only to meet an onslaught of punches from all different angles that bloodied his nose and once again saw him on the canvas. The ringside doc stood on the edge of the canvas before the ref even started his count, and at 1:06 of round three, the fight was over. Calzada heads back to Vegas with a record of 2 up and 3 down.

Our next fight was a scheduled six rounder in the lightweight division. David Rodela of nearby Oxnard met Juan Manuel Montiel of Mexico City. This was one of the first bouts of the night where it seemed as if both fighters were using their boxing skills and not a flat out brawl. There were many jab-led combination’s from both fighters. This also made for a boring fight and left the crowd jeering and booing, begging for more action. It seemed like a sparring session and that both guys were going through the motions. The final round did see somewhat of a spike in action which somewhat energized the restless crowd but still, no one really stood out. The fight went the distance, and according to the scorecards which were 59-55 Rodela and the others had it 57-57 resulting in a majority draw, basically indicative of what both fighters displayed. Rodela is now 15-3-4 while Montiel is 6-3-2.

For the only female bout of the night, local lady Kaliesha “Wild Wild” West met Angel Gladney of South Carolina in a scheduled 10 rounder. The first round was a feel out round but West ladned a few meaningful punches as she pressed the action. The next few rounds were all uneventful, not much action, but a lot of faints and jabs. It seemed as if neither fighter wanted to take a chance. In the fourth round, West opened up a bit and started throwing, and landing, meaningful combination’s. Near the beginning of round seven, Wild West landed a huge left that floored Gladney. Gladney rose but the ref waved the fight at :59 seconds in round 7. West, now 13-1-2 with 4 KO’s, is the new bantamweight champion while Gladney drops to 6-3-1.

The third bout was in the junior middleweight division. Undefeated Keith Thurman walked across the ring in the opening seconds and was dropped by a humongous right to the head by Quandray Robertson. Thurman returned the favor at the end of the round as he dropped Robertson with a flurry of punches. Robertson survived the round. This bout was an all out brawl, both boxers swinging wildly when Thurman landed a sneaky body shot that dropped Robertson for the second time midway through round two. In a somewhat uneventful third round, out of nowhere, Thurman landed a left hook inside and up top floored Robertson. The ref immediately waved the fight off and at 2:40 of the third round, Thurman maintained his undefeated record improving to 14-0 with 13KO’s. Robertson drops to 15-10.

Undefeated Sharif Bogere from Nevada made an impressive entrance into the ring as he was donning the fur and head of a lion. Got the few people that are actually in attendance excited. He is facing Julian Rodriguez in a six round, junior welterweight battle. All the action was pressed by Bogere as he landed a thunderous left hook up top at 1:42 of the second round to win by KO and improve his record to 17-0 with 11 KO’s. Rodriguez drops to 17-20-4.

In our first bout, Eric Areola of Mexico met Missael Nunez, also of Mexico, in a four round, featherweight battle. In what was a lopsided fight, Areola improved to 1-1 with a majority decision as the judges called it 38-38 on one card and 40-36 on the other two. Nunez drops to 4-9-2.