It was almost four years ago this week that Mexican Jorge Solis sat in Pico de Gallo restaurant, sipping menudo. Pico de Gallo is a colorful cousin eatery to San Antonio’s famous Mexican restaurant Mi Tierra; Pico de Gallo is not quite in Market Square, not quite as well attended, not nearly as famous.

Solis was unknown that Saturday morning to other diners and wait staff. He was unremarkable in every way. He had a chance to change that anonymity 10 hours later when he fought Manny Pacquiao for a super featherweight title in Alamodome. He acquitted himself well for seven rounds, then Pacquiao saw his own blood, went maniacal and stopped him.

Solis had another chance Saturday to change prizefighting’s perception of him as a game loser, when he swapped blows with Cuban featherweight titlist Yuriorkis Gamboa in Atlantic City, in the main event of a decent HBO card. Gamboa won easily by TKO at 1:41 of round 4.

Before that, California’s Mikey Garcia stopped previously unbeaten Connecticut prospect Matt Remillard at the end of the 10th.

Back to Solis. After his knockout loss to Pacquiao, he fielded questions on a makeshift stage at the back of Alamodome. Pacquiao, then, had slashed Erik Morales to the mat in three rounds, five months before. He was not the international icon he is today, but he was five matches into the unbeaten streak that would make him a cult of personality.

The press corps for Pacquiao-Solis comprised a number of San Antonio Express-News writers, some Mexicans and lots of Filipinos. Most were curious to hear Solis describe his experience in the ring with Pacquiao and more curious still after Solis appraised Pacquiao’s power:

“With all due respect,” Solis said, “I believe my wife hits harder.”

Say this for Solis’ work as a fistic critic: He’s consistent. Saturday, after being run out the ring by Gamboa, he fielded another question about his experience with Pacquiao and was still unimpressed.

“Pacquiao doesn’t hit hard,” Solis said; “he is a machine that punches.”

For Gamboa, though, some enthusiastic praise:

“Damn!” Solis began. “(Gamboa) has a brutal punch.”

How seriously should we take Solis’ analysis? Not very. When he fought Pacquiao, Solis was an undefeated 27-year-old contender who didn’t understand the big deal about the Filipino; Solis had a touch of resentment for being the nameless b-side and third best-known Mexican on that “Blaze of Glory” card, behind Jorge Arce and Cristian Mijares.

Saturday, Solis was significantly less. His match with Gamboa was the first he’d made outside Mexico since Pacquiao. He was both grateful for being on television in the United States and aware of his limitations as a challenger.

Gamboa deserves credit nonetheless for what he did with Solis by circling him and surveying those limitations, taking his time in the first round, that is, before deciding to attack.

When it’s time Gamboa leaps. His punches are short. Well-leveraged. Chin safer than before. He commits. Without the arrogance of 2009.

Today Gamboa senses his promoter Top Rank acquired him to corner a market in the featherweight division. Gamboa’s nemesis, as it were, is Juan Manual “Juanma” Lopez, a charismatic Puerto Rican southpaw accompanied to the ring by Felix Trinidad and promoted more passionately by Top Rank. Juanma sells tickets. Gamboa does not. Juanma fights current or former world champions. Gamboa does not.

All indications Saturday were that Gamboa is an unstoppable force, one who might well tear through Juanma’s questionable chin and loose defense if Top Rank’s ever silly enough to make that fight. Don’t bet on it. While Juanma is making battles with the likes of Steven Luevano and Rafael Marquez, Gamboa is laying waste to a guy Pacquiao beat four years ago in Texas.

Writing of featherweight prospects laying waste to men in Texas, how about that Mikey Garcia? Much like Solis, until Saturday Garcia’s best-known appearance was made in Lone Star State – Laredo specifically – in a fight that saw him surprisingly undo Detroit southpaw Cornelius Lock. Unlike Solis, Garcia has a bright future.

Garcia also has a poise that can be learned but not taught, a way of managing the ring that happens when you’re around the ring from a young age, whether fighting or not, and seeing how professionals conduct themselves with gloves on. He has a sturdy chin that is equal parts conditioning, relaxation and preparedness; Garcia can take a good punch because he expects a good punch and knows knowledgeable former prizefighters like his brother and trainer Robert would not praise him if he were not from that special stock of men capable of sustaining other men’s fists in combat.

Matt Remillard hit Garcia with right crosses, Saturday. Garcia absorbed them and continued along unfazed. Garcia knew his punches hurt Remillard disproportionately more and felt little compulsion to prove it. Atlantic City had lost interest by the time Garcia found Remillard and ruined him. Garcia’s greatest offense was his unfazedness. He went forward, took punches, gave punches and broke his man’s spirit. Garcia will be only exciting as he needs to be to knock an opponent out. Boring knockouts, though, can a fine career make.

Garcia is also promoted by Top Rank, who now owns the featherweight division. Top Rank is no longer much interested in promoting shows with outfits other than itself, which is not palatable. What is worse, though, is that when it comes to the featherweight division, Top Rank is not interested in promoting shows even with itself. Bob Arum has gone to profane ends to assert what he will not do with Gamboa and Juanma – and Garcia’s people want no part of a lutte à trois either.

But fighters come with expiration dates. Ask Nonito Donaire, who recently abandoned Top Rank days after becoming a star. Top Rank has about a year left to make things happen in the featherweight division. After that, Gamboa might well look for golden opportunities elsewhere.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter: @bartbarry

Photo by Chris Farina / Top Rank

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — In the main event of the evening, Yuriorkis Gamboa sent Jorge Solis to the mat five times in four rounds to remain undefeated in front of a sold out crowd at the Adrian Phillips Ballroom at Boardwalk Hall.

The opening round saw little action as both fighter’s were content with feeling one another out. The second round was a different story, however, as Gamboa overwhelmed his counterpart, sending him crashing to the canvas on two separate occasions.

Gamboa’s first knockdown came courtesy of a crisp left hook. Solis beat the ten count, and quickly regained his legs, only to be met with a flurry of punches from Gamboa. Eventually, Gamboa dropped Solis again after a combination ending with a right hand, combined with little push, sent Solis down.

Gamboa cruised through the third round and with only ten seconds remaining he delivered a skull-crushing left hook that collapsed Solis to the mat for a third time. He was able to beat the ten count and walked backed to his corner between rounds on shaky legs.

In the fourth, it was more of the same, Gamboa landed a quick one-two flush that sent Solis flying on his back and to the mat for a fourth time. Solis, looking over at his corner while on a knee, waved to his corner to let the fight continue. That proved to be unwise because as soon as the fight continued Gamboa rushed to Solis and fired off a flurry of punches that would ultimately send Solis to the canvas for a fifth and final time.

Referee David Fields stepped in and called a halt to the bout at the 1:31 mark of round four.

“Of course, I knew that Solis had shown a great fight against Pacquiao”, said Gamboa after the fight. “And, of course, it was an extra motivation to beat him faster than Pacquiao did. I wanted to make a statement tonight. I always enter the ring to prove that I am the best fighter in the world. Whoever wants to prove me wrong should just come and fight me. I don’t care about my opponent’s names – I want the big fights to show the world that I am the best.”

Promoter Ahmet Oner was once more thrilled by Gamboa’s performance. “That was exactly the Yuriorkis Gamboa we all know and want to see”, said Oner. “He didn’t look as determined and explosive in some of his last fights. But today he showed the full package again: his extraordinary hand speed and overall movement plus his enormous power and accuracy. He is definitely one of the most exciting fighters in the world today. And I don’t see anybody he has to be afraid of. Gamboa is simply made for this sport. He’s a natural born boxer and winner.”

With the win, Gamboa remains undefeated and improves to 20-0, 16 KOs, while the veteran Solis drops to 40-3-2-1, 29 KOs.

In another championship bout featuring two undefeated fighters, Miguel Angel Garcia became the new NABF and NABO featherweight champion as he stopped the former unbeaten fighter, Matt Remillard.

The first round saw good action, with Oxnard, California’s Garcia ultimately getting the better of his counterpart. The best action came about two minutes in when Garcia hurt Remillard with a barrage of punches that hard a hurt Remillard covering up his face with his back against the ropes.

In the second round, Manchester Connecticut’s Remillard found success by applying constant pressure. His best punch came about midway through the round when he landed a straight right flush on the left side of Garcia’s face.

Garcia started break Remillard’s defense in round three as he continuously sent shots straight up the middle, Garcia’s fists always finding their target. At times in the third round, Remillard seemed a bit lost, his only answer to Garcia’s punches was to flick an ineffective left jab at him.

The middle rounds belonged to Garcia, as continued to breakdown the red-faced Remillard. Garcia fired straight shots up the middle, but when Remillard would sure up his guard there, Garcia would hook in punches around the gloves.

In the ninth round, Garcia dropped Remillard with a grazing left hook. Remillard beat the referee’s ten count but stood on shaky legs. Garcia quickly greeted the hurt champion with a barrage of punches that forced Remillard into retreat. Garcia then landed a crushing left hook right on the button that sent Remillard violently back to the canvas. He impressively beat the ten count once again and stood just in time to hear the bell concluded round nine.

In the tenth, Garcia picked up where he left off, continuing to punish the champion. Once again Remillard went down the canvas, this time courtesy of a Garcia right to the head.

In between rounds ten and eleven, Remillard’s trainer, Mike Skowronski stepped in to save his fighter and stop the bout.

As a result, Miguel Angel Garcia captures the NABF and NABO featherweight titles and improves his record to 25-0, 21 KOs, while Remillard suffers his first professional defeat and falls to 23-1, 13 KOs.

In an electrifying USBA super bantamweight title bout, Philadelphia’s Teon Kennedy successfully defended his title against a tough Jorge Diaz.

It was a battle of wills between the two undefeated prospects, a battle that would somehow go the distance even though each boxer was on the receiving end of some vicious blows.

The fight opened with Diaz acting as the aggressor. He constantly came forward, continuously finding a home for his right hand. Kennedy, who is an above average counterpuncher in his own right, seemed uneasy and awkward in the opening rounds in this fight.

In the second round, Diaz caught Kennedy flush with a left hook to the side of his face. It was quickly followed a by a straight right, a combination that momentarily hurt the champion. It also resulted in a cut to open over Kennedy’s right eye.

In the third round, Kennedy began to turn the tides. With his back nearing the ropes, Kennedy caught Diaz with a left hook high on Diaz’s head, forcing the challenger off-balance to the point where both his gloves touched the canvas, resulting in a knockdown. It was only after this knockdown did Kennedy come forward for the first time in the fight.

In the fourth round, the two continued to exchange blows. A divided crowd was more than alive by this point as chants of “Jorge! Jorge” were countered by chants of “Teon! Teon!” Late in round four Diaz seemingly hurt Kennedy with a straight right, but Kennedy recovered quickly.

In the sixth round Kennedy countered a Diaz right hand that sent him crashing to floor. Somehow Diaz was able to beat referee Steve Smoger’s ten count and continue the fight. The game Diaz stood on clumsy legs, wobbling back into the ropes as Kennedy tried to finish the fight. Four consecutive head shots were landed and any other referee other than Smoger probably would have stepped in and called a halt to the bout. He didn’t and no less than twenty seconds later did the resilient Diaz rattle off a three punch combination of his own. As the round concluded, Diaz — who was clearly still hurt — clutched Kennedy’s hip and dragged them both mat as the bell sounded.

When round seven opened up, Diaz clinched frequently, buying time for his legs to regain their strength. By this time, Diaz’

s eye was beginning to severely swell, to the point where he was having trouble opening it. Smoger kept looking in at Diaz’s face, but decided to let the bout continue.

The fight continued to electrify the crowd for the final three rounds, as each fighter was willing to eat a few punches to dish out a few of their own. Both fighter’s fought to keep their undefeated record until the final bell sounded.

When it did, the judges scored the bout a unanimous decision in favor of the champion, Kennedy. Judge Steve Weisfeld saw the bout 115-111. Judge Alan Rubenstein scored the fight 118-109 and judge John Poturaj had it 117-109, all for Kennedy.

With the win Kennedy retains his USBA championship and improves his record to 17-0-1, 7 KOs, while Diaz loses his first professional bout and drops to 15-1, 9 KOs.

Baltimore Ravens’ safety and former Notre Dame football captain, Tommy Zbikowski improved his professional boxing record to 3-0 with a win over former MMA fighter, Caleb Grummet.

Zbikowski, who trained under the tutelage of Emanuel Steward for this fight, showcased an impressive arsenal of weapons throughout the first two rounds of this bout, before fading heavily.

Zbikowski began the fight as a southpaw, making a visible commitment to attack his heavier opponent’s body. Grummet took the punches well and returned fire with a few successful body blows of his own.

The second round was all Zbikowski as he hurt Grummet early in the round. With Grummet dazed and agains the ropes, Zbikowski was able to land some devastating uppercuts, as well as a vicious three punch combination to Grummet’s body. Grummet was able to survive Zbikowski’s onslaught in the second round and came out firing on all cylinders in the third round.

Grummet came out aggressive in the third round, constantly walking forward, forcing Zbikowski to retreat. The former cage fighter continuously landed flush punches to a fatigued Zbikowski, but he was deducted a point for his third low blow of the round.

In the fourth round, Grummet continued to fight like it was his Super Bowl. Again he was relentless with pressure, forcing an absolutely exhausted Zbikowski against the ropes. Zbikowski absorbed three minutes worth of Grummet punches, and twice during the round, took his eyes off his firing opponent to check how much time was left in the bout.

In the end, the first two rounds coupled with the point Grummet lost due to low blows, was enough for Zbikowski to earn a unanimous decision and improve his record to 3-0, 2 KOs. Judges scores read as follows: 39-36, twice, and 38-37.

With the loss, Grand Rapid’s Michigan’s Caleb Grummet falls to 0-1-1.

Undefeated prospect and former Manny Pacqiuao sparring partner, Glen Tapia, scored a unanimous decision victory over the durable Eberto Medina.

The first opened up with good action, both fighters throwing a healthy mix of body and head punches. The highlight of the first round came midway through when Tapia landed a one-two that stunned Medina momentarily.

The second round began with Tapia bombarding his surprised counterpart, who immediately backed against the ropes where he was met with a head-snapped right hand. Medina, who was clearly hurt by that punch, went from corner to corner in retreat. Tapia continued to apply pressure, but Medina was able to weather the storm early in round two.

Medina started to find some success in round three as he continuously applied pressure and walked Tapia into corners. Tapia seemed comfortable fighting with his back near the ropes, as he successfully countered Medina time after time. Towards the end of round three, Tapia caught Medina with a left hook that sent him stumbling backwards until he took a seat on the canvas. He beat the referee’s ten count with ease, and continued on to hear the bell to conclude round three.

The fight continued to entertain as both fighters continued to engage one another. It was Tapia, however, who continued to land the cleaner, more devastating blows. Credit Medina for battling, however, as he continued to pressure Tapia in hopes of landing one big punch until the final bell sounded.

In the end, all three judges scored the bout in favor of Passaic, New Jersey’s Tapia. Scores read as follows: 59-54, 60-53, and 60-52.

With the win Tapia improves his already perfect record to 9-0, 5 KOs, while Newark, New Jersey’s Medina drops to 5-6, 1 KO.

Former National Golden Gloves Champion Miguel Cartejena probably didn’t anticipate his professional debut to be a brawl — and it wasn’t at first. But after a vicious wild-swinging exchange between he and Omar Gonzalez opened the third round, that’s what it became.

For the final six minutes the two fighters dug in and traded blows, with Cartejena consistently getting the better of the southpaw, Gonzalez.

It wasn’t an aesthetically pleasing bout, with both fighters colliding numerous times due to the orthodox-southpaw match up. It was a crowd pleaser, however, as the Cartejena fans — who were numerous and audible throughout the bout — cheered their fighter throughout.

Puerto Rico’s Camilo Perez needed exactly three minutes to dispose of his now 0-2 opponent, Desi Williams. It was clear from the onset that North Carolina’s Williams was in over his head. The crisper, more technically sound, and flat-out better fighter — Perez — first knocked Williams down against the ropes with a half punch/half push right hand. Shortly after, with Williams running across the ring in retreat, the stalking Perez landed a left hook to the side of William’s face that sent him down for the ten count.

With the win Perez improves his record to 2-0 with 2 knockouts.

Photos–Chris Farina / Top Rank

WBA Super Featherweight champion Jorge Solis talks to Marc Abrams of 15rounds.com about his showdown with WBA Featherweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa

Courtesy of fightpickexperts.com

For many years when we watched the Boxing at the Olympics we would wonder at the greatness of many of the Cubans, knowing that we’d never see them in the pro game after Fidel
Castro banned professional sports on the Island in the 1950’s. There was a long line of brilliant pugilists who never made the leap Teofilo Stevenson, Felix Savon et al. However in late 2006 news broke that three 2004 Olympics gold medallists had defected whilst in a training camp in Venezuela. One of them was Yuriorkis “El Ciclon de Guantánamo” Gamboa. He moved quickly impressing fans and media alike with his blinding hand speed and crowd pleasing offensive skills that set him apart from the rest. While the rule of thumb with most Cubans is that they are by and large stylists, whereas Gamboa is far more aggressive and looks for the KO. After just 2 years in the pro ranks Gamboa won the WBA featherweight title, after 3 successful defences he added the IBF crown to his list of achievements. Next up for Gamboa is Jorge Solis on 26 March in Atlantic City. If Gamboa beats Jorge Solis on 26 March in Atlantic City, NJ a fight with Puerto Rican star Juanma Lopez will be one step closer. It is hoped that the two who seem to be on a collision course will meet later in 2011. For now Gamboa 29, will focus his attention on Solis and look to improve his 19-0(15) record. Here’s what Gamboa had to say.

Hello Yuriorkis, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – Firstly in your last fight you won the IBF Featherweight title when you beat Orlando Salido. What can you tell us about the fight & how happy were you with that performance?

Yuriorkis Gamboa – At this stage of my career every fight is special and fights are getting harder and harder because the opponents are getting stronger and stronger. Salido was a world champion like me. I knew he would come to fight and that he wouldn’t just hand over his belt to me. I think it was a good fight. I know that I still have room for improvement. Together with my trainer Ismael Salas I am analyzing every fight very closely. We are both perfectionists so we always want to look better in the next fight.

Anson Wainwright – Chris John is the WBA “Super” Featherweight champion it has been said that you may both fight this year, can you tell us about developments with that fight? If that fight didn’t come off do you have a plan B?

Yuriorkis Gamboa – There are talks about a lot of fights. I think there are many great possible fights out there in the division right now. Chris John is always an interesting option. For the moment I fully focus on my next opponent Jorge Solis from Mexico. I will face him on March 26th in Atlantic City. I expect a very tough fight again against a strong opponent.

Anson Wainwright – Word is that if both you & JuanMa Lopez win your next fights you could fight in possibly 2011. What do you think of that fight & how do you rate Lopez?

Yuriorkis Gamboa – I always said that I want to fight JuanMa. To prove that I am the best in the world I have to beat the best and JuanMa is surely a great champion and one of the toughest guys out there. But I will show him that he’s not tough enough for me when we finally meet in the ring.

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

Yuriorkis Gamboa – Ahmet Oner has been my promoter since I started my professional career back in 2007. He brought me to where I am right now and I thank him for all he’s done for me. He also helped me to reunite with my former amateur coach Ismael Salas who is very important for me. I always knew that I would be a champion at the professionals like I have been champion at the amateurs. But I also felt that Ismael was sort of a missing piece. When I started working with him again I knew nobody could stop me or us as a team. On the promotional side we are also working with Top Rank. They are very experienced and know how to turn fantastic fighters into worldwide superstars like they have done it with Oscar De La Hoya or now with Manny Pacquiao. I live and train in Miami but Ismael is also always looking for different training camps to prepare me perfectly for every single fight.

Anson Wainwright – You were born in Guantanamo, Cuba can you tell us about how things were growing up there & how you first became interested and took up Boxing?

Yuriorkis Gamboa – Growing up in Cuba is totally different from living and growing up in the USA. We didn’t have a lot of opportunities and were very limited in our freedom. Still we managed to get along and were always happy. My father, who also is a very important part of my time now after he left Cuba, was a very good amateur boxer. I followed him to the gym and started hitting the sandbags. I wanted to be like him. That’s how I fell in love with the sport.

Anson Wainwright – You had a fantastic amateur career in which you won a Gold medal at the 2004 Olympics & a bronze at the 2005 World Championships. Can you tell us about those tournaments & other you won? Also what current pro’s did you fight & what was your final record in the amateur’s?

Yuriorkis Gamboa – As a Cuban amateur boxer losing is not an option. Whenever you enter a tournament you enter it to win it. Of course, winning the Olympic gold was still very special. It makes you very proud when you achieve something great for yourself and your country. I knew that the world was watching and it made me feel great that I could live up to the expectations and win the tournament. I think some of the guys I beat at the amateurs turned pro. My opponent in the Olympic final was Jerome Thomas from France. I heard he’s fighting professionally now, too, but I think he only had a couple of fights so far. I always meet people who I know from the amateur times every now and then.

Anson Wainwright – For you how is life different living in Miami than what it was in Cuba?

Yuriorkis Gamboa – You cannot compare living in the United States to living in Cuba. It is just completely different. But I am happy that I was able to reunite with a lot of Cuban friends in Miami. It feels great to live here.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us from your point of view how you came about deciding to defect from Cuba and going pro?

Yuriorkis Gamboa – Actually we hadn’t exactly planned it very thoroughly. It just happened when we got the chance to leave the team. My main problem was that I didn’t feel worshiped. We had won Olympic gold for our country but I didn’t even have enough money to buy a birthday present for my daughter. I asked myself: Why should I stay in a country where the ruling class doesn’t care about me even though I represent my country in the best possible way? It just didn’t seem to make any sense.

Anson Wainwright – Since you, Bhartelemy & Solis left several other like Lara, Rigondeaux etc have joined you. You will know several of the current top Cuban fighters. What one’s in your opinion would make the transition to the pro’s successfully if they were given the chance?

Yuriorkis Gamboa – At the moment there are a lot of great Cuban fighters showing their talent at the pros. And our fans are supporting us very well. Rigondeaux is already world champion, Lara and Solis are on their best ways and there are still a lot of young hungry guys coming up like Johnson, Dorticos, and I have signed some exceptional talents for my own promotional company: My brother Yoelvis, Humberto Savigne and Sullivan Barrera. There are a lot of excellent Cuban fighters who are ready to take over professional boxing.

Anson Wainwright – You have been on the canvas in a couple of your fights and people have questioned your chin. What are your feelings on this?

Yuriorkis Gamboa – As I said before, Ismael Salas and I are analyzing every fight very carefully. If you look at the so called knockdowns you will see that my chin is not the problem. The problem has always been that I have been caught off balance. That is something we are certainly working on.

Anson Wainwright – Away from Boxing what do you like to do? What are your hobbies, interests? What other sports do you follow and what are your teams you support?

Yuriorkis Gamboa – I love boxing. That’s why I founded my own stable in Gamboa Promotions. I am fascinated by the sport as well as by the business side of it. Apart from that I like music and cars and I love to spend my time with my family and friends. That is what is most important to me.

Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for your fans and perhaps the people in Cuba?

Yuriorkis Gamboa – I want to thank all my fans for supporting me and I can only tell every boxing fan in the world to keep a close eye at ‘El Ciclon’. I will continue to work very hard to meet the expectations of all of my fans. I want to entertain all the people who love boxing as much as I do. Thank you.

Thanks for your time Yuriorkis, keep up the hard work, it’s always entertaining to see you fight.

Anson Wainwright

15rounds.com

Weekend Musings – I’ve heard from several sources that Odlanier Solis is in terrific shape ahead of his shot at Vitali Klitschko this weekend. I spoke to Middleweight star David Lemieux who was in camp with Solis. He told me Solis has lost around 30 pounds, he joked with me that he said to Solis that he had Liposuction! Solis has always had the talent but it looked like he lacked the desire to get himself into his optimum condition. If he has got himself into the best possible shape he could cause Vitali some problems this weekend…So Nonito Donaire has left Top Rank for Golden Boy, seems “The Cold War” is burning stronger than ever…After winning last weekend Miguel “Titere” Vazquez could be back defending his title in June I’m told. I hope he’s kept active, as he’s not the most known of fighters and he needs to be kept busy to raise his profile…Alejandro Gonzalez Jr 5-0-1(0) has signed with Ricky Mota and will fight on the undercard of his stable mate Giovani Segura’s rematch with Ivan Calderon. Gonzalez is just 18, fights at Bantamweight. He’s also the son of former WBC Featherweight champion of the same name. It’s hard to believe it was over 15 years ago that “Cobrita” had that terrific war with Kevin Kelley…Word is the much anticipated clash between former team mates turned bitter rivals James Degale-George Groves will take place on 21 May, for Degale’s British title & Groves Commonwealth crown. There is genuine animosity between the two, they hate each other nearly as much as Top Rank & Golden Boy!

Atlantic City, NJ—The billboards and the posters and the press releases may be promoting the HBO-televised matches featuring Yuriorkis Gamboa vs. Jorge Solis and Matt Remillard vs. Miguel Angel Garcia, but the fans who jam the 2,700-seat ballroom at Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall on Saturday evening, March 26, will be coming to see another fight which will not be part of the telecast.

It’s the scheduled 12-round contest between USBA super bantamweight champion Teon Kennedy, of Philadelphia, PA, and challenger Jorge Diaz, of New Brunswick, NJ.

Both men are undefeated and both men bring large contingents of die-hard followers.

Kennedy, 24, is 16-0-1, 7 K0s. He won the vacant USBA 122-pound title Nov. 20, 2009, when he knocked out Francisco Rodriguez, of Chicago, IL, in the 10th round at the Blue Horizon in Philadelphia.

In two subsequent fights, Kennedy outpointed Jose Angel Berranza, of Mexico City, over 12 rounds, then K0d Alex Becerra, of El Paso, TX, in 10 rounds.

A pro since 2007, Kennedy is ranked No. 3 in the world by the IBF, No. 14 by the WBA, No. 23 by the WBC. He also has beaten Lucian Gonzales, Andre Wilson and Thomas Snow.

Kennedy won the 2004 National Golden Gloves flyweight championship in Kansas City, MO. He is managed by Doc Nowicki, Jim Williams and Joe Hand, who also handle the career of unbeaten welterweight Mike Jones. Kennedy is trained by ex-pro lightweight Wade Hinnant and his brother Randy Hinnant.

Diaz, 23, is 15-0, 9 K0s. In his last fight Oct. 30 at Bally’s Atlantic City, Diaz scored a 10-round decision over Emanuel Lucero, of Mexico City, in one of the best fights of 2010 in Atlantic City.

A pro since 2007, Diaz has several impressive wins on his resume, including a sixth-round knockout over highly touted Cuban Yan Barthelemy in Madison Square Garden and an eight-round decision over previously undefeated (16-0) Mexican Alejandro Lopez in Key West, FL.

Against common foes, Diaz out-pointed Lante Addy, of Ghana, over six rounds, while Kennedy was held to a 10-round draw by Addy. Also, Diaz K0d Arthur Parker, of Lancaster, PA, in two rounds, two months after Kennedy beat Parker via four-round decision.

Diaz is managed by Pat Lynch and Sal Alessi. Lynch guided the successful career of the late Arturo Gatti. Diaz is trained by ex-pro welterweight Joe Grier.

A swarming, all-action fighter, Diaz will put pressure on the slick-boxing Kennedy from bell-to-bell.
Kennedy has excellent defensive skills, but he is not shy about standing toe-to-toe and trading punches.
Each man is 5-foot-5 and neither man is known to back down from a good fight.

The first of seven fights on the Top Rank-promoted card begins at 8 pm.

Tickets priced at $50, $100 and $200 are on sale at the offices of Peltz Boxing Promotions (215-765-0922) and all Ticketmaster outlets (800-736-1420). They also can be purchased online at www.peltzboxing.com and www.Ticketmaster.com.

(In the HBO-televised fights, Gamboa, of Cuba, defends his WBA/IBF world featherweight titles against Solis, of Mexico; Remillard and Garcia collide for the NABF/NAB0 featherweight belts.)

A Featherweight doubleheader will highlight a solid card on March 26th in Atlantic City as Yuriorkis Gamboa will defend his title against Jorge Solis and Mikey Garcia will take on Matt Remillard according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

Solis who hold an interim title at 130 pounds will be moving down to face Gamboa

“He’s a bigger guy, but he make 126 comfortably,” Top Rank’s Carl Moretti said. “Regardless of what people want to say, Gamboa is still in the learning stages. Just because Solis isn’t the most well-recognized name, you will see a guy who can hang with Gamboa and a guy who has a chance to beat him.”

This will be the first fight for Remillard under the Top Rank banner where he recently signed

“It’s a very, very solid fight,” Cameron Dunkin, Garcia’s manager, said. “It’s a tough fight. The winner of this fight is really going to come out with big plans to become a champion. I talked to Mikey’s trainer [and brother] Robert [Garcia], and he was fine with the fight. But he said, ‘It’s a really tough fight, but it’s something Mikey has to do if he’s going to be a world champion.’ I agree with him about that.”

Said Moretti: “I think it’s a great opportunity for both guys. I don’t know which guy is going to have his hand raised at the end of the fight, but they are both winners for taking this kind of risk, which is what happens when you match up two undefeated guys. I think regardless of what happens, both of their careers will move forward.”

15rounds.com was informed early this week that a intriguing Featherweight fight involving undefeated prospects Teon Kennedy and Jorge Diaz was confirmed by the espn.com report