VILORIA RETAINS IBF WORLD TITLE

Brian “The Hawaiian Punch” Viloria used his excellent technical skills and hand speed to outlast a tough Jesus “Azul” Iribe in their twelve round title bout for the IBF light flyweight crown.

Viloria was doing well in the first six rounds as he baffled Iribe with his combination punching. In the fifth and sixth, Viloria rocked the Mexican with one two combinations to the head. But in the seventh, the tide seemed to turn as Iribe fought back.

Iribe was a lot tougher than what his pre-fight 15 wins 5 losses and 5 draws record would suggest. In the ninth and tenth he continued to take Viloria’s best punches. In the twelfth and final round both fighters chose to throw caution to the winds and slug it out.

The judges scored the bout 118-110, 117-112 and 117-111 all in favor of Viloria who successfully made his first title defense.

Viloria, who traces his Filipino roots to the Ilocos Region, also wants the WBO lt.flyweight belt of Ivan Calderon. But Rodel Mayol may beat him to it as the Mandaue City boxer will be fighting the Puerto Rican champ in a rematch this September.

Postscript:

Pinoys went three for three : AJ Banal showed he can also box with his impressive unanimous ten round win over Jose Angel Beranza.

Dennis Laurente’s unanimous decision win over Mexican Zaid Zavaleta was not shown in the free TV Philippine broadcast of this Hawaii fight card. Pinoy fight fans still hope to that they will show it on a delayed telecast.

Top photo: IBF light flyweight champion Brian Viloria (L) tags challenger Jesus Iribe with a left straight during their fight Saturday night at Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu, Hawaii.

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Viloria Attempts to Elevate Himself and Hawaiian Boxing

Tonight at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, native son Brian Viloria makes his return to the state to defend his IBF Light Flyweight title against Mexican challenger Jesus Iribe. Their twelve-round title bout headlines an eight-fight card, dubbed “Island Assault,” which marks the most significant event to take place in the state for over thirty years. A potential unification bout against WBO 108-pound ruler Ivan Calderon could hang in the balance for Viloria. Fighters weighed in on Friday at the venue where they will clash tonight.

Viloria (25-2, 15 KOs) of Waipahu, Hawaii developed as a young aspiring boxer at the Waipahu Boxing Club, eventually ascending to the upper echelon of amateur boxing and representing his country in the 2000 Olympic Games. In the years since he has carried the hopes of boxing aficionados in a state that was once a boxing hotbed but has not hosted a world championship fight since 1976. While there are currently a handful of Hawaiian amateurs highly ranked by USA Boxing, Viloria is the face of professional boxing for the state and much of their future rides on his success both in the ring and at the ticket window. Tonight he makes the first defense of his IBF title, his second reign as a 108-pound champion. Viloria had no trouble making weight on Friday, scaling 107 ½ pounds.

Iribe (15-5-5, 9 KOs) of Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico will make his first ring appearance outside of his native country and take his second stab at grabbing a world title. In February of last year, Iribe went the twelve-round distance with WBC Light Flyweight titleholder Edgar Sosa, only to drop the unanimous decision. The bout was nearly a shutout on the scorecards for the defending Sosa, who won his title with a victory over Viloria in 2007. Iribe did have to battle a bit with the scales on Friday as he originally came in at 108 ¼. Iribe’s team insisted that he was right on weight on a different scale just before the weigh-in. After jogging in a suit for a bit, Iribe returned to the scale in the nude to weigh in right on weight to ensure the title bout.

Three high profile bouts will round out the television broadcast for Philippine network Solar Sports’ broadcast. Former title challenger A.J. Banal (19-1-1, 16 KOs) of Ermita, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines will take on venerable Mexican journeyman Jose Angel Beranza (32-15-2, 25 KOs) of Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico in a ten-round bantamweight bout. Banal has won two straight in his native Philippines since suffering a knockout defeat to Rafael Concepcion in a failed try at the Interim WBA Super Flyweight title just over a year ago. Banal weighed in at 118 ¾ pounds. Beranza, coming off of an upset win over highly regarded prospect Juan Carlos Velasquez, came in at 118 ¼ pounds.

Former title challenger Alfonso Gomez (19-4-2, 9 KOs) of Whittier, California will meet Raul Munoz (20-12-1, 15 KOs) of Topeka, Kansas in a ten-round light middleweight fight. Gomez, an original cast member of The Contender, is coming of a thrilling eight-round knockout of Juan Manuel Buendia in May. Gomez weighed in at 154.2 pounds. Munoz, who has dropped three of his last four to previously undefeated foes, weighed in at 156.3 pounds.

Streaking Filipino contender Dennis Laurente (31-3-5, 16 KOs) of Paranaque City, Metro Manila, Philippines will meet Zaid Zavaleta (18-5-2, 11 KOs) of Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico in a ten-round light welterweight bout. Laurente, a victor in his last eight consecutive bouts, weighed in at 142 pounds. Zavaleta, who challenged Edwin Valero unsuccessfully for the WBA Super Featherweight title in 2007, weighed in at 141 pounds.

Local Hawaiian fighters will get a rare opportunity to fight on a big stage in the four remaining bouts on the card. Michael Balasi (7-1, 5 KOs) of Honolulu will meet Toby Misech (1-0) of Hilo in a four-round welterweight fight. Balasi weighed in at 149 ¼ pounds, while Misech came in at 149 ½.

Justin Mercado (1-0) of Honolulu will take on Richard Barnard (1-1) of Makakilo City in a four-round light welterweight fight. Mercado weighed in at 144 ½, while Barnard scaled 141 ½ pounds.

Isaac Arasato (4-0, 3 KOs) of Honolulu will take on Donald Gonzalez (0-1) of Hilo in a four-round welterweight fight. Gonzalez, weighing in at 149 ½, will have a sizable weight advantage over his opponent. Arasato scaled only 131 ½ pounds Friday.

In the featured women’s contest, Kuulei Kupihea (3-1) of Mililani will face debuting Shalae Padilla of Kona in a four-round welterweight fight. Kupihea weighed in at 148 ½ pounds, while Padilla scaled 147.

Tickets for the event, promoted by Tom Moffatt Productions, are available online at Ticketmaster.com.

Quick Weigh-in Results:

IBF Light Flyweight Championship, 12 Rounds
Viloria 107 ½
Iribe 108

Bantamweights, 10 Rounds
Banal 118 1/4
Beranza 118

Light Middleweights, 10 Rounds
Gomez 154.2
Munoz 156.3

Light Welterweights, 10 Rounds
Laurente 142
Zavaleta 141

Light welterweights, 4 Rounds
Mercado 144 ½
Barnard 141 ½

Welterweights, 4 Rounds
Balasi 149 ¼
Misech 149 ½

Welterweights, 4 Rounds
Gonzalez 149
Arasato 131 ½

Welterweights, 4 Rounds
Kupihea 148 ½
Padilla 147

Undefeated Champions set to defend

San Juan, P.R.-Undefeated titlists Juan Manuel López and Yuriorkis Gamboa were present yesterday to promote their respective October 10 bouts at the Madison Square Garden Arena in New York City. The card will also feature undefeated Cuban heavyweight Odlanier Solis and also undefeated super welterweight Vanes Martirosyan.

Jaunma López (26-0, 24KO’s) will defend his WBO Jr. Featherweight title against tough but somewhat unaccomplished Rogers Mtagwa (26-12-2, 18KO’s) of Tanzania. López showed respect for his opponent citing the fight against Tomas Villa as a testament to his toughness. Still, it appeared as if López as well as most of the media was looking past this bout and into future fights. When asked about these upcoming bouts López quickly mentioned Panamanian IBF and WBA titlist Celestino Caballero as a very possible fight and a fight he would like. About Cabalelro, Juanma expressed his desire to beat the belt holder for all Puerto Ricans.

Mtagwa said very little but his manager, Joe Parello made statements and answered questions for the press. Most of the questions made regarded Mtagwa’s chances and what made him deserve the title shot. About this, Parello indicated that his fighter has never ducked anyone and cited the most famous names on his fighter’s record which includes losses against fighters such as Martin Honorio, Agapito Sánchez, Orlando Salido and Billy Dib and his tenth round KO victory over Tomas Villa.

Gamboa on his turn expressed his confidence in victory against Whyber Garcia (22-6, 15KO’s) of Panama City, Panama and his desire to fight the best at the division. This included a possible future match up against Juanma who said it was no secret he was moving up to 126 next year. 15rounds.com asked the former Olympian Champion what he missed the most about his homeland and the young champion was quick to point out he misses the warmth of a homecoming welcome after a victory.

The card billed as “Island Warriors” will be presented live on Pay-Per-View and will include four televised bouts. Opening the transmission will be former US Olympian Vanes Martirosyan (25-0, 16KO’s) of Glendale, Ca. against Brazilian Carlos Nascimento (24-1, 20KO’s) followed by former Cuban Olympian and WBC #7 rated Odlanier Solis fighting against WBC, WBA, and WBO top ten rated Kevin Johnson. Both fights are set for ten rounds.

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Urango stops Bailey in 11th round TKO

Making his 1st defense of his IBF light welterweight title, champion Juan Urango (22-1-1, 17 KO’s) stopped number #1 International Boxing Federation challenger Randall Bailey (39-7, 35 KO’s) in the 11th round on Friday night at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, in Hollywood, Florida. Urango, 28, survived a 6th round knockdown and a bad cut under his right eye to come back and knock Bailey down two times in the 9th and one more time in the 10th. Bailey, 34, soon to be 35 next month, had nothing left after knocking Urango down in the 6th round. From then on, Bailey only rarely threw any big right hand shots and pretty much stopped throwing punches altogether.

This allowed Urango to take over the fight with his solid power shots. After knocking Bailey down in the 9th, Urango spent much of the remainder of the fight chasing Bailey around the ring at a full gallop. Normally, a fighter moving quickly like this would be asking for trouble, but Bailey was far too tired to make Urango pay for his lack of boxing basics and let him get away with it.

Although knocking Urango down in the 6th, Bailey looked every bit of his 34 years and then some. Most of the fight, Bailey tapped Urango with a lazy jab and measured him constantly for right hands. Bailey seemed to wait far too long while preparing to throw his right hands and wasted a lot of time waiting for Urango to be at the proper distance for him to throw his rights.

Going into the fight, Bailey had to have known that Urango had an iron chin and that he was almost impossible to knock out. The smarter thing for Bailey to have done, in hindsight, is to have worked on his jab and movement instead of putting so much focus on his right hand. The way to beat Urango is through movement and a jab, not by trying to bang him out of there the way that Bailey was trying to do.

In the 6th round, Bailey landed a short right hand that put Urango down flat on his back on the canvas. On the knockdown, Bailey blinded Urango temporarily by throwing a pawing jab and then came directly behind it with a hard right hand that Urango never saw. The right hand cut Urango under his right eye, opening up a huge gash that leaked blood everywhere.

Luckily for Urango, the cut was underneath the eye and not above it, because this allowed the blood to leak down his face rather than into his eye. Urango’s right eye would later swell up as the rounds went by, and had Bailey continued to land heavy shots beyond the 6th, Urango’s right eye would have likely closed.

At the start of the 9th round, Urango knocked a tired Bailey down with a left hand in the opening seconds of the round. Bailey was badly hurt by the shot and tried clinching his way out of the round. However, there was far too much time in the round to clinch all the way through.

Moments later, Urango ran at Bailey and knocked him down for a second time in the round with a left to the head. Urango got a little too impatient at that point and missed with a ton of punches as Bailey stood covering up in the corner. In the 10th round, Urango knocked Bailey down with a right hand to the side.

Bailey was exhausted at that point in the fight and not throwing any punches back at Urango. Somehow, Bailey’s corner allowed the fight to continue even though he was no longer even remotely competitive. In the 11th, Bailey’s corner finally stepped in and let the referee know that they wanted the fight to be stopped. Bailey was taking a terrible beating in the round and not firing back any punches. The referee stopped the bout at 1:51 of the round.

Overall, it was a good performance from Urango. He did what he had to do to get the victory. However, Urango looked as one dimensional and slow as he always looks. He’s fortunate that his opponent was Bailey and not someone like Timothy Bradley, Kendall Holt or Devon Alexander, because Urango would have likely been beaten by a lopsided decision against skilled fighters like them. Urango is good when matched against stationary sluggers like Bailey. However, if Urango is presented with a fighter that can move a little, he has major problems.

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Cotto vs. Pacquiao: The One True Superfight Of The Year

By Matthew Hurley: The upcoming bout between Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao on November 14th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas holds so many intangibles that boxing fans are champing at the bit for the opening bell to ring. Every year there is one fight that defines the sport whether or not the match-up itself warrants such scrutiny. Cotto – Pacquiao is this year’s high water mark. (Don’t let Floyd Mayweather’s diarrhea of the mouth concerning his comeback against Juan Manuel Marquez on September 19th fool you.) Whether Cotto – Pacquiao lives up to expectations remains to be seen but most insiders speculate that for however long it lasts this bout, because of the respective styles and temperaments of the fighters, will be fan friendly from first punch to last. And then there are the questions surrounding both fighters. Is Miguel Cotto damaged goods? After his brutal loss to Antonio Margarito in 2008, in a fight of the year candidate, many wondered if the beating Cotto took over the second half of the bout robbed him of his prime. Fighters are so vulnerable, no matter how skilled and how courageous, that even one vicious encounter can take away bits and pieces of his physicality and his will. For Cotto, the Margarito fight was his foray into hell. We don’t quite know if he’s come all the way back. Cotto fought masterfully for six rounds but Margarito’s imperviousness to pain or fatigue overwhelmed him in the bout’s final rounds. Cotto, his face battered and his will depleted, took a knee in the eleventh round and suddenly his future as an elite fighter was in question. Can he come back from such a wicked beating, many wondered. Cotto rebounded with an easy victory over the limited Michael Jennings in February to take the WBO welterweight title and then he took on the rugged Joshua Clottey in June. The razor thin victory over Clottey seemed to split opinion on Cotto right down the middle. He suffered a hideous gash over his left eye early in the bout but his resolve remained firm and he battled through it. Some saw the close victory as an indicator of wear and tear on a body subjected to several taxing fights over the years. (To his great credit Cotto has sought out and taken on tough competition over his last several fights.) Others applauded his courage, fighting through injury and closing the show strongly. It seems with Cotto everything is open for debate. Everything, including his loss to Margarito, which came into question when the Mexican fighter’s hand wraps were discovered to have been padded with hardened bits of a plaster-like substance before he entered the ring to take on Sugar Shane Mosley. Had Margarito and his team done the same thing prior to his dismantling of Cotto and simply gotten away with it? It’s a legitimate question, but the damage done in that fight is done. It can’t be wiped away from Cotto’s mind and body. All questions regarding the past are actually moot now that the biggest fight of Cotto’s career is on the horizon. His future, and perhaps his legacy, will be determined on the outcome of this one big fight. As for Pacquiao, his legacy is already secure. Few, if any, will question the legitimacy of his greatness as a fighter. He is already a lock for the Hall of Fame. But a win over Cotto, particularly if it comes in dramatic fashion, will elevate him into the pantheon of the all time great fighters. Pacquiao’s star quality began to change when he broke apart David Diaz in June of 2008 for the WBC lightweight title. That perfect performance, against the perfect opponent, led him to a showdown with Oscar De La Hoya. Going in, many assumed Oscar’s size and strength would be too much for Pacquiao. But the Filipino used speed and angles to dominate a weight drained De La Hoya who, on that night, was more tin than gold. With that signature win under his belt Pacquiao’s popularity exploded. Even marginal fans of the sport, and non-fans as well, took notice of the diminutive fistic titan.

He then solidified his standing as boxing’s most popular figure with his most emphatic performance yet – a second round stoppage of junior welterweight champion Ricky Hatton. The knockout of Hatton was so conclusive that it could actually serve as the only highlight reel necessary in years to come to define Pacquiao’s career. However, skeptics – and they are out there – point out that in these three key victories Diaz was a marginal foe at best, De La Hoya came in too light and was probably shot and the popular Hatton was a wide open target and arguably overrated to begin with. There’s a bit of truth in all of that, but hindsight justifies the brilliance in us all. Going into the fights with Hatton and particularly De La Hoya, many people picked Pacquiao to lose. Well, not only did he not lose he embraced his moment on center stage like all great performers do and simply killed. In fact Pacquiao hasn’t lost a round since his 2008 rematch with Juan Manuel Marquez. Cotto is a different animal altogether. He is either at or a little past his prime. And though not a one-punch knockout artist he has very heavy hands, good boxing skills and a tremendous will to win. He’s also a natural 147-pound fighter and at some point in Pacquiao’s rise in weight classes size will make a difference. Will this be that fight? Should Pacquiao win in impressive fashion his status as an all time great fighter will be fully realized. It will also mark the closing act of a brilliant career, as Manny has stated that he only intends to fight two or three more times. Should Cotto win all the questions surrounding him since the loss to Margarito will be brushed aside and he will have also reestablished his lofty standing in the pound-for-pound rankings. He can then look forward to further big time match ups down the line. A rematch with Sugar Shane Mosley, whom he defeated by a close decision in 2007, to decide preeminence in the welterweight division is a natural. Whatever the outcome, because these two fighters always come to do damage and never fail to entertain, Miguel Cotto vs. Manny Pacquiao is the most anticipated fight of 2009 and should the fight exceed expectations and the surrounding hype boxing fans are in for a treat on November 14th.

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Valero vs Soto is Being Pushed For Pacquiao-Cotto

Bob Arum of Top Rank is pushing for the fight between WBC lightweight champion Edwin Valero and WBC super featherweight champ Humberto Soto to take place on the November 14 undercard to Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto. Ricardo Jiminez of Top Rank said Arum wants the fight but bothe fighters want the right kind of money and talks are ongoing.

"Arum aready began the negotiations. It is the fight that wants Arum. It's a bit complicated because we have to accommodate both fighters financially based on what they want because it's going to be a great fight," Jiminez told The Record.

Valero is still medically suspended in every state except for Texas. New exams are being submitted and hopefully he gets cleared for a ring return. Valero was medically suspended in 2004 when an MRI revealed a brain bleed that stemmed from an motorcycle accident.

"We are going to put in some quick exams and God willing, I will be ready to fight in Las Vegas against the best. I consider Soto one of the best so it should be a good fight," Valero said.

Soto has a title defense in September but he wants to face Valero in November.

"My first objective is to get past my next defense that is set for September 15 in Monterrey and then we will see about Valero. It is a fight that I would like but we will have to see," Soto said.

Viloria Returns Home to Defend Title

On Saturday night Hawaiian native Brian Viloria will defend his IBF Light Flyweight title for the first time against Jesus Iribe at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. Viloria’s title defense headlines the event, dubbed “Island Assault,” which marks the return of world class boxing to the state.

High hopes and heavy expectations were held for Brian Viloria when he emerged from the 2000 U.S. Olympic team. Many in the business had hoped that “The Hawaiian Punch” would be the one to regenerate American interest in the lower weight classes of boxing. Surely boxing fans in Hawaii had hoped that their native son could be the one to bring back the sport’s popularity in the state. The marketable and well-spoken Viloria looked to be en route to achieving some of those lofty goals when he demolished Eric Ortiz in a single round to win the WBC Light Flyweight title in 2005.

Two fights removed from his title-winning effort, Viloria was stunned by unheralded Omar Nino in a bout televised nationally by Versus. Nino outworked the champion over twelve rounds on his way to the unlikely decision win. Viloria fought Nino to a majority draw in the rematch, which was later changed to a no decision when the Mexican failed a post-fight drug test. Five months later, Viloria, entering the bout as the favorite again, was upset by previously little known Edgar Sosa in a bout for the vacant title he had lost two fights before.

The road back to prominence for Viloria was long and without any fanfare. Fighting without the benefit of much television exposure, Viloria strung together five consecutive victories and found himself back in a title fight. Entering the bout as an underdog, Viloria stopped well respected Ulises Solis in the eleventh round of an exciting fight, in the Philippines no less, to win the IBF Light Flyweight title.

Now Viloria (25-2, 15 KOs) finds himself in a familiar position, as he defends his title against an unheralded Mexican challenger. This time however, Viloria seems to be better prepared to meet the high expectations placed on his shoulders. “This fight is very important,” Viloria told 15rounds.com on Tuesday. “Every fight I need to look good to establish myself as a dominate fighter in my weight class.” Viloria vows to not make the same mistakes he did in his first go around as a world champion. “Now that have the title again, I don’t want to be complacent like I was when I first won a world title,” said Viloria. “I want to keep the intensity that I had when I fought Solis.”

Viloria, who joined forces with renowned trainer Robert Garcia about a year ago, held camp at the La Colonia Boxing Club in Oxnard, California, before arriving in Hawaii on Monday. “I’ve had an excellent camp,” says Viloria. “Two and a half months of training. It is the final week until fight night on Saturday and I just have to maintain. I’ve been in shape since my last fight. I just took a couple weeks off and got right back to training and preparing for this fight.”

Opposing Viloria in his homecoming bout is Mexican veteran Jesus Iribe (15-5-5, 9 KOs) of Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico. Iribe has gone 3-0-1 since dropping a decision to reigning WBC Light Flyweight Champion Edgar Sosa in February of last year in a failed title try. “He is durable and resilient,” said Viloria of his challenger. “He went twelve rounds with Edgar Sosa and gave him a tough fight. I expect to go twelve hard rounds.” Viloria studied the Sosa fight and hopes to put what he saw to good use. “He doesn’t like pressure or combinations. If I stick to my game plan in this fight I should come out with the win.”

Adding additional intrigue to his title defense, Saturday’s bout marks the first time Viloria has fought in his native state since April 2003. The last time Hawaii saw a world title bout, Honolulu’s Ben Villaflor fought to a fifteen-round draw against Samuel Serrano in defense of his WBA Super Featherweight title in April 1976. “There is no pressure,” claims Viloria. “The excitement to be in front of my friends and family helps with my preparation. There is no difference in pressure whether I am fighting in the Philippines or at the Alameda Swap Meet.”

While Viloria is focused on Iribe, the talk is that his handlers are angling towards a fight against WBO Light Flyweight Champion Ivan Calderon, should both men take care of their immediate business. Calderon is set to defend his title against Rodel Mayol in a rematch on September 12th. While their potential pairing could not be labeled a “superfight” by most standards, a Viloria-Calderon clash would be the closest thing to one at the 108-pound weight class. “I am taking things one fight at a time,” said Viloria. “I don’t want to look past any fighter. Should I get past Iribe, there’s been talk about the possibility of a unification match with Calderon or a rematch with Edgar Sosa. But right now my world championship fight is this Saturday versus Jesus Iribe.”

MONEY MAY, GREEN WITH ENVY

A month from now, the apathetically anticipated boxing match between Juan Manuel Marquez and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. will be a reality.

Or is it?

Most boxing fans, pundits and talking heads have pretty much ignored and stayed away from discussing or being enthusiastic about this inappropriately titled boxing match; Number One-Numero Uno. Of course, it is the right description, if we are talking about whiners and not about the best pound for pound boxers.

Lil’ Floyd is so befuddled by the obvious lack of excitement about his fight while Pacquaio-Cotto’s Firepower is creating an incredible degree of anticipation even beyond the boxing world, that he is doing his arrogant best just to get some semblance of attention. He has injected the race card. He sparred with ESPN and anybody else who disagree with him. He has essentially proclaimed himself as boxing god to anybody who would listen. Sadly for him, nobody seemed to be really listening. His bloated ego is hurting enormously for the apparent snub.

It must be heart wrenching for Lil’ Floyd to accept that the only time he gets somebody to listen is when he talks about Pacquaio. During the Numero Uno-Number One press conferences, Pacquaio is mentioned so many times, one would think Pacquiao is the main protagonist. Poor Juan Manuel Marquez, he has become practically invisible during these promos.

For the past year, Freddie Roach has been pretending to be Carmac the Magnificent, accurately predicting that the great Oscar De La Hoya would succumb to Pacquaio in eight rounds and boldly sticking his neck out that Hatton would go down in three. OK, he was wrong. Hatton was sent to dreamland at the end of two. But are we going to be picky?

In one of his interviews, he thinks that the Numero Uno-Number One bout may end up canceled.

Mr. Freddie Roach may be on target once again. There are writings on the wall that point to an outright cancellation. Although Lil” Floyd is trying very hard to be at his obnoxious best and hype up the fight including falsely claiming he grew up in a ghetto and a guest appearance at WWE, still nobody seems to be interested. A potential criminal case involving one of Floyd’s employees in a shooting incident could also pose a problem.

Tickets have been on sale for more than 2 months now but sales remain as cold as the Alaskan Tundra, while Firepower almost sold out in less than 2 days.

Interestingly, there are reports that the 5,000 rooms at the MGM Hotel are all booked during the November 14 weekend, while there are plenty of rooms available during the weekend of September 19. What a contrast!

Juan Ma and Floyd fans, if you are out there, worry no more. The fight will go on.

Although maintaining a positive façade, massive jolt of reality has caught up with Lil Floyd and Golden Boy CEO. Mr. Schaefer. They finally recognized that Lil’ Floyd cannot draw boxing fans on his own. It is well known that Juan Ma cannot even get the Mexicans excited, so he is not even in the equation. Although it was a bitter pill to swallow, Junior is clever enough to make financial concessions to pack the under card with good and exciting fighters who on their own merits can be main event headliners.

Whiners: Numero Uno – Number One will be saved from box office disaster not by Juan Ma, not by Lil Floyd but by first-rate and marketable boxers fighting in the under card. It is well known that Katsidis, Chris John, Rocky Juarez, and Zab Judah have enough name recognition and fan base that Sept 19 will not end up a catastrophic failure. However, knowing that the mere addition of a good undercard, not seen in many years, may not be enough to attract a lot of paying fans, Schaefer is resorting to smart corporate sponsorship to drive up more revenue to help offset the projected substantial losses.

Regardless, Numero Uno-Number One will be a box office and PPV disappointment. 200,000 PPV buys will be an overly generous estimate. Golden Boy will be lucky to fill the arena with enough warm bodies even with tickets selling under face value.

What would this mean for Manny Pacquaio?

After successfully prevailing over Cotto in a thrilling and action packed fight with a blockbuster box office receipts and decent PPV numbers that would be in the vicinity of 700,000, he will definitely be in the driver’s seat in any future negotiations with Money May or Juan Ma.

Although a Manny vs. Money fight will generate obscene payday for both fighters, a Manny-Juan Ma bout would not be far behind. Either man Manny fights, the Filipino Pound for Pound King would not only win in the ring but also would amass a financial windfall.

Lil Floyd must really be crying inside seeing Pacquaio having the upper hand and getting all the attention.

Money May is simply too green with envy.

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Ward and Kessler double bill on Showtime Sept. 12!

Undefeated super middleweight Andre Ward will share the stage with his first Super Six World Boxing Classic opponent Mikkel ‘Viking Warrior’ Kessler on a special Saturday primetime edition of ShoBox: The New Generation, on Showtime.

Andre Ward (19-0, 12 KOs) will tangle with Shelby Pudwill (22-3-1, 9 KOs) of McGlauglin, S.D., in a 10-round super middleweight scrap live from Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, Calif., on Saturday, Sept. 12. The Ward fight will air immediately following Kessler’s World Boxing Association (WBA) super middleweight mandatory title defense against No. 1 ranked Gusmyl Perdomo (16-2, 10 KOs) of Turmero, Venezuela, which will air on same day tape delay from MCH Messecenter Herning – Herning, Denmark and be shown live at Pechanga. Sharing the stage with Ward in Temecula will be former two-time Ring Magazine “Fighter of the Year” and multi-division world champion James ‘Lights Out’ Toney, who will be featured in a scheduled 10-round heavyweight bout.

“There was no way we were going to allow Mikkel Kessler to have a showcase fight preceding his Super Six showdown with Andre, and not have the viewers on SHOWTIME and the fans at Pechanga witness our 2004 US Olympic gold medalist in action the same night,” Ward’s promoterDan Goossen said. “Kessler may be the champion, but Andre Ward is coming to take that title and making history.”

Goossen is referencing the Group Stage 1 matchup of Ward vs. Kessler in the celebrated Super Six World Boxing Classic, Nov. 21, 2009, live on SHOWTIME. Ward-Kessler promises to be one of the most exciting fights of the year, pitting Team USA’s only Olympic Games gold medalist from Athens 2004 against Kessler (41-1, 31 KOs), of Copenhagen, Denmark, an early favorite in the tournament.

In his last fight on Dec. 6, 2008, Pudwill, 34, beat Anthony Osbourne in Mandan, N.D., with an eighth-round knockout. Inactive in all of 2007, Pudwill suffered a loss in his fight before Osbourne to John Duddy at Madison Square Garden in 2006.

Pudwill took eight straight wins into the Duddy fight and didn’t lose for almost five years in a time-span that dated from June 2001 to March 2006.

Sharing the stage with Ward in Temecula will be former two-time Ring Magazine “Fighter of the Year” and multi-division world champion James “Lights Out” Toney, who will be featured in a scheduled 10-round heavyweight bout. The 40-year young native of Ann Arbor, MI now living in Sherman Oaks, CA, who doesn’t know the meaning of the word ‘quit’, either in the ring or out of it, remains steadfast in his belief that he can become heavyweight champion of the world.

Toney (71-6-3, 43 KO), who won a hard-fought decision against rugged veteran Fres Oquendo in his last ring appearance back in December, is no stranger to Pechanga. He has turned in three impressive performances there, including a knockout victory over Jason Robinson (2002) in an IBF Cruiserweight Eliminator; a 12-round unanimous-decision verdict over Rydell Booker (2004) for the Vacant IBA Heavyweight Title and a WBC Heavyweight Elimination bout; and had former WBC Heavyweight Champion Hasim Rahman (2007) out-boxed and in big trouble when “Rock” informed the ringside physician that he could no longer see out of one eye and a TKO win for Toney was eventually overturned and ruled a “No Decision.”

“I love fighting and I especially love it at Pechanga,” Toney offered. “None of the Russian chumps who are posing as champions want to fight me. I am the best heavyweight boxer in the world and I will do whatever it takes to get one of those titles. But first I am going to kick some a** on September 12.”

Goossen, who also promotes Toney, said: “James believes he will not let another opportunity slip through his fingers again — even at the age of 40 — and has recommitted himself to getting into great shape. If in fact he can go into his bag of tricks and pull out a few good performances, there is no doubt that he will place himself back into the Heavyweight World Championship picture in 2010. We shall see.”

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Donaire honored by Aquino family, too

MANILA, Philippines - It was supposed to be newly crowned interim WBA superflyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr.’s tribute to the late Sen. Ninoy Aquino and former President Cory Aquino but to his surprise, the surviving Aquino family turned the tables on the fighter in an emotional show of affection at the Roozen Hall of the Don Bosco complex in Makati yesterday.

Donaire and wife Rachel attended the concelebrated morning Mass to commemorate the late Sen. Aquino’s assassination in 1983 at the jam-packed Don Bosco Parish Church then trooped to the Roozen Hall for the champion to present the WBA title belt, his yellow robe (with the inscriptions “I.M.O. (in memory of) former President Cory Aquino” and yellow fighting trunks (with “Aquino” emblazoned on the back waistband) to the family.

Donaire wore the robe and trunks in his win over Panama’s Rafael Concepcion for the interim WBA crown in Las Vegas last Saturday. He dedicated the fight to the late President Cory.

After the turnover, former President Cory’s daughter Ballsy Aquino-Cruz sprang a surprise when she announced the family is “adopting” Donaire as a “bunso” brother.

“I was overwhelmed,” said Donaire. “I never expected it from the family. What an honor for me to be accepted as part of a family which I respect so highly.”

Ballsy then gave Donaire an autographed family portrait and a bag-full of President Cory memorabilia.

Ballsy’s son Jiggy said his grandmother’s name Corazon means “heart” and that’s exactly what Donaire showed in agreeing to fight an overweight Concepcion when he had the option to take his $150,000 purse plus $6,500 as his share of the Panamanian’s fine for failing to make the weight without entering the ring.

Donaire said he couldn’t disappoint the Filipino people by walking away from the bout because it was a matter of national pride.

“It isn’t about money,” he said. “In my heart is instilled the word ‘laban’ which was President Cory’s battlecry in her fight for democracy. We owe her our democracy because she gave us the voice to speak out. I couldn’t have backed out from the fight. I was determined to fight even if Concepcion weighed 20 or 50 pounds over the limit.”

Donaire’s wife Rachel, who wore a bright yellow dress, explained that yellow symbolized hope and a bright future for the Philippines. Donaire was in a suit with a yellow necktie.

“Jun’s fighting color is red but this was an exception to honor President Cory,” she explained. “More than anything, yellow means there is hope for a bright future. It’s a color that shines through and of course, it’s the color that President Cory used to rally our people.”

Donaire said his fighting sign – two interlocked Ls, one upright and the other, reversed – combines “L” for “laban” and “7” or a reverse “L” to commemorate his knockout over Vic Darchinyan for the IBF flyweight title on 07/07/07 – July 7, 2007.

After the Mass, another daughter Pinky Aquino-Abellada walked up the rostrum and thanked the crowd for remembering her parents as heroes. She urged the people to vote wisely and said she is confident that Filipinos know which politicians are candidates for personal gain and which are not.

“There was never a taint of corruption when my father was a senator and my mother was President,” said Pinky. “In the end, they still went home to our old house on Times Street.”

Pinky said Donaire’s belt, robe and trunks will be on display at the Aquino Center in the Hacienda Luisita, Tarlac City. The Center is where the family recreated Sen. Aquino’s Fort Bonifacio cell and exhibits the clothes he wore during his assassination.

GMA’s Chino Trinidad was the master of ceremonies in the tribute and testified how Donaire overcame a much bigger opponent to win for the country and the Aquino family. Trinidad covered the fight on-site for live satellite TV transmission to the Philippines.

From Don Bosco, the Aquino family hosted a lunch at 11 Palm Avenue, Forbes Park, where President Cory’s parents lived. The Donaires were warmly received as part of the family.

Among those who attended the lunch were US Ambassador Kristie Kenney, Bro. Bernie Oca of La Salle, Star columnist Popoy Juico and wife Margie, Ambassador Howard Dee, Mila Drilon, Dinky Soliman, Fulgencio Factoran, Cesar Buenaventura, Antonio Gonzalez, Deedee Sytangco, Domingo Lee, Miguel Perez-Rubio, Cesar Sarino, Gen. Voltaire Gazmin, Gen. Ramon Montano, Odette Ong, Speaker Jose and Gina de Venecia, Solar owners William and Wilson Tieng, Ambassador Mercy Tuason, Adolf Azcuna and Maritess Lopez.

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uan Diaz-Paulie Malignaggi: The Pre-Fight Report Card

While hesitating to call it a comeback, the return from a first knockout defeat is usually a tricky thing in today’s boxing world. It didn’t used to be as much and isn’t at every level now. A fighter can be stopped in an amateur tournament one month and be right back in a final the next. Knockouts happen. They are part of boxing.

Juan Diaz has a chance to prove it this weekend. Not surprisingly, his team may have picked the perfect foe to prove it against.

Paulie Malignaggi is not a bad fighter. He’s displayed skill and courage over the course of his pro tenure. What he hasn’t displayed might be all anyone needs to know about this one.

Let’s go to the report card.

The Ledgers

Juan Diaz
Age: 25
Titles: None
Previous Titles: WBA Lightweight (2004-07, 6 Defenses); WBA/WBO (2007, 1 Defense); WBA/IBF/WBO (2007-08)
Height: 5’6
Weight: 137.7 lbs.
Average Weight – Last Five Fights: 134.6 lbs.
Hails From: Houston, Texas
Record: 34-2, 17 KO
Record in Title Fights: 8-2, 4 KO, 1 KOBY
Current/Former World Champions/Titlists Defeated: 4 (Lakva Sim, Julien Lorcy, Acelino Freitas, Julio Diaz)
Current/Former World Champions/Titlists Faced in Defeat: 2 (Nate Campbell, Juan Manuel Marquez)

Vs.

Paulie Malignaggi
Age: 28
Title: None
Previous Titles: IBF Jr. Welterweight (2007-08, 2 Defenses)
Height: 5’8 ½
Weight: 138.2 lbs.
Average Weight – Last Five Fights: 139.35 lbs.
Hails from: Brooklyn, New York
Record: 26-2, 5 KO
Current/Former World Champions/Titlists Defeated: 1 (Lovemore N’Dou)
Current/Former World Champions/Titlists Faced in Defeat: 2 (Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton)

Pre-Fight Grades

Speed: Diaz B+; Malignaggi B+
Power: Diaz B-; Malignaggi C-
Defense: Diaz B; Maliganggi B
Intangibles: Diaz B+; Malignaggi B

In terms of speed, this fight may be about equal. On a single shot, Malignaggi probably gets off quicker but Diaz is still quick on shots number five and six. He throws fusillades of shots and all but two foes have been able to successfully deal with it. For Malignaggi to win, his speed will have to come in his feet. He’ll have to jab and move, forcing Diaz to turn and reset without getting those volleys off. Against Hatton last year, Malignaggi didn’t do that and made Hatton look like a bigger puncher than he had in years, sending Malignaggi reeling about from several hard, flush right hands.

The reason Malignaggi would be well advised to use his legs is the reason he was probably picked for Diaz’s first bout since being stopped by Marquez in February, still the leading candidate for Fight of the Year. Malignaggi scored a good knockdown against N’Dou when he won his lone title but outside that his punching power is somewhere south of the Rosenbloom line. Diaz isn’t a huge banger either; what stoppages he’s scored in recent years have been products of attrition, wearing Freitas and Julio Diaz down with so many shots they elected to sit out. However, those shots do multiply and his body attack is wicked.

Due to his low knockout percentage, one might assume a defensive mastery in Malignaggi. While he can be elusive, against better opposition he has been hittable. Miguel Cotto roughed him up even as Malignaggi showed game in lasting the distance and stealing his share of rounds. N’Dou (the second time in 2008), Ngoudjo, and Hatton all got through his guard with regularity. Diaz can be hard to catch because his pressure makes it hard to target him. However, both Campbell and Marquez showed that with patience his aggression can be used against him and he can be worn down with hard counters.

Beyond the obvious elements, both of these guys are no quit types. Malignaggi wore of mask of despair when Hatton was ended early while he was still on his feet. He was trapped in the bout, unable to find a plan B because he didn’t have the punches to make the turnaround once behind. He still wanted to hear the final bell. Diaz, cut in both his defeats, appeared disturbed by the sight of his own blood which may suggest some give in his confidence under duress. There was no give though in his effort. He kept throwing shots in those fights, marching into defeat with both hands flailing. It might not make for a long career, but it continues to make for one which must be seen and respected.

The Pick

Diaz was on the fast track to Lightweight greatness prior to his losses and, at 25, may still get there. Losing to a Campbell who put it all together for a career best night, and to a Marquez bound for Canastota, is no shame. Epic warrior Bobby Chacon, a stylistically different fighter than Diaz, had his issues with veterans on the way up and yet still managed to carve his own place in history. This fight, Saturday night on HBO, will be about letting Diaz remember what he can be best at against an opponent who doesn’t have the weapons to stop him from doing it. Malignaggi probably makes it the distance but loses a lopsided decision after the final bell.

Report Card Extras

Of course this will not be the only bout on tap on HBO with two others in support. As noted elsewhere this week ( http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=21694 ), the best fight of the weekend is likely the chief support to Diaz-Malignaggi. For the IBF Jr. Lightweight belt, former Featherweight titlist Robert Guerrero (24-1-1, 17 KO) battles beltholder Malcolm Klassen (24-4-2, 15 KO) and it should steal the show.

Also featured will be rising Middleweight Daniel Jacobs (17-0, 15 KO) against the best foe of his young career, Ishe Smith (21-3, 9 KO). What are the picks on these?

Look for an upset in the middle with Klassen by narrow points verdict or a late stoppage on a cut against Guerrero and look for Jacobs to struggle early before closing for a decision win over Smith.

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Hopkins-Williams Possible at 168? Awaits Pavlik

It seems there is a small chance that a fight between Bernard Hopkins and Paul Williams could happen at 168 - if the right money is the table I'm sure. Williams' promoter Dan Goossen says Williams could fight as high as 168 but there is no way that his fighter will meet Hopkins at 170-pounds. Williams has weighed 157 for his two recent bouts at the middleweight limit. Facing Hopkins at 168 would already be a lot to ask of Williams, 170 is too much and too soon. Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions told Morales that Hopkins is unable to get below 170. It was only a few months ago that Hopkins vowed to come down to 168 to fight Carl Froch.

"I believe at 168, certainly Paul is giving up the most," Goossen said to BoxingScene.com's Robert Morales. "That (fighting at 170) is putting himself at a bigger disadvantage."

Williams was due to fight WBO/WBC middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik on October 3. On Monday it was announced that Pavlik was forced to withdraw because of a staph infection on the middle knuckle of his left hand.

Goossen told Morales a few ago that Williams would not wait around until the two proposed dates November 21 and December 5 to fight Pavlik. Before Williams commits himself to another opponent, Goossen is waiting for the results of Pavlik's medical tests to see how long it will take for him to recover from the infection and how soon he can fight.

"I've had conversations with Top Rank and HBO and our side and things haven't really changed much," Goossen said. "We don't want to be sitting around waiting for Kelly Pavlik. If he is unavailable to fight, we want to keep Paul out there. I'm still waiting for this Pavlik thing to come to some sort of conclusion."

Pavlik's manager Cameron Dunkin told Morales that he will not be upset if Williams and Goossen decide to move on. He understands their position.

"If that is his feeling, I am fine with it. I am not upset with him or Paul," Dunkin said.

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Manny Pacquiao must stay out of fight against terrorists

Politics in the Philippines, I am informed by insiders and history, is a rough and tumble business.

It’s filled with the kind of corruption I’d have to cross the Hudson River to North Jersey to discover. Mayors and other top elected officials in New Jersey never seem to get indicted until just after they get their best offer in an envelope. Then the feds drop by and slap the bracelet on them.

I’m not easily shocked by this as I was weaned on Boston’s legendary Mayor James Michael Curley (rhymes with vote often and early for…). The rogue Irishman even got elected while sitting in jail.

Now that’s political power.

But down and dirty politics is one thing and being thrust into the middle of a vicious war is another.

Some Pinoy pols like to throw boxing idol Manny Pacquiao’s name around as a possible peacemaker in the country’s continuing war with its equivalent of Al Queda, the Abu Sayyaf Muslim separatists who bring death and destruction wherever they go.

(See the GMA produced list of Abu Sayyaf atrocities below).

I don't claim to be knowledgeable about the bloodshed here or the history behind it. I certainly have no idea, other than through military force, how it can be ended. But I do know an entertainer named Pacquiao has no place anywhere in it.

Forget any jokes about these militants being Manny’s toughest opponent. There’s nothing comical about beaheadings, airport bombings, blowing up ferries or killing infants.

Any political figure, and that includes President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who wants to see Pacquiao mixed up, even as peacemaker holding out an olive branch, in this dangerous situation is not the fighter’s friend.

I understand politicians tugging on the famous coat of Pacman but there should be a limit to it.

Who’s to say some deranged terrorist wouldn’t want to kill the nation’s most famous worldwide personality as a sick sort of trophy?

Who’s to say there’s not some Lee Harvey Oswald type lurking in the Philippines?

Let Pacquiao do his electoral thing in Sarrangani next year.

But he has no place even being mentioned in the war between crazed militants and the Philippine armed forces.

That’s a fight that Pacquiao needs to sit out.

The Bible says blessed are the peacemakers, I know, but let’s keep this sporting hero out of a bloody fight in which he has no place.

Abu Sayyaf killings under Arroyo administration

2001: Beheads Dos Palmas cook Sonny Dacquer and Dos Palmas security guard Armando Bayona

- Kills 16 soldiers in a firefight in Tuburan, Basilan

2002: Beheads two members of the Jehovah’s Witness, puts the men’s heads inside plastic bags and leaves them in Jolo market

2003: Claims responsibility for the death of 21 people in the Davao airport bombing

2004: Bombs Super Ferry 14 off the coast of Manila, resulting in the death of 116 people

2005: Kills four personnel of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology after Abu Sayyaf leaders attempted to escape from Bicutan prison

2006: Kills six people, including an infant in a farm in Patikul, Sulu

-Kills Marine officer in an encounter in Patikul, Sulu

2007: Kills 29 soldiers in an encounter in Basilan

2008: Kills Catholic missionary in a raid in Tawi-Tawi province

2009: Kills a hostage from a Christian community in Lamitan, Basilan

- Beheads a 61-year-old man in Basilan - GMANews.TV

A full night of boxing on tap for Saturday in Houston!

A packed undercard will prime Texas Fight Fans up for the main event between Juan Diaz and Paul Malignaggi this Saturday night on HBO. Read on for more.

Houston’s finest will be out in force at Toyota Center on the Saturday, August 22 HBO Boxing After Dark undercard, as unbeaten hometown rising stars Hylon Williams and Jermell Charlo will be featured on the hottest night of the boxing summer. Joining Williams and Charlo on this stacked card will be fellow Houstonians Marcus Johnson, Adam Richards and Darlington Agha, as well as Philadelphia’s undefeated rising star Danny Garcia, unbeaten power hitter Adrien Broner, Philadelphia’s Mike Perez and Texas’ Omar Figueroa. In the August 22 HBO BAD main event, former Three-Time Lightweight World Champion and Houston hero Juan ‘Baby Bull’ Diaz takes on former 140-pound world titleholder Paulie ‘Magic Man’ Malignaggi of Brooklyn, New York, while the co-featured bout sees IBF Junior Lightweight World Champion Malcolm Klassen challenged by heavy-handed Robert ‘The Ghost’ Guerrero as he looks for a world title in a second weight class. Opening up the HBO telecast is unbeaten rising middleweight star Daniel ‘The Golden Child’ Jacobs in a stern test against ‘Contender’ alumnus Ishe ‘Sugar Shay’ Smith.

All three bouts, which are presented by Golden Boy Promotions, with Diaz vs. Malignaggi and Jacobs vs. Smith being presented in association with DiBella Entertainment and Klassen vs. Guerrero being presented in association with Branco Sports Productions, will air on HBO Boxing After Dark beginning at 8:45 pm CT (9:45 pm ET/PT). The evening of boxing is sponsored by Quaker State, Cerveza Tecate and Southwest Airlines. Doors open at 3:30pm CT and the first bout begins at approximately 3:30pm CT.

Tickets, priced at $250, $125, $70, $45 and $25, are on sale now, and may be purchased online at www.ToyotaCenterTix.com, by phone at 1-866-4-HOU-TIX, at the Toyota Center Box Office and select Houston area Randalls locations.

Lightweight sensation Hylon Williams (10-0, 3 KO’s) of Houston has barely lost a round in his professional career thus far, with a shutout win over 41-fight veteran Derrick Moon in April being one of his most impressive wins. Fresh off of a hard fought victory over Khadaphi Proctor in June, Williams will face Los Mochis, Mexico’s Baudel Cardenas (18-17-2, 6 KO’s)in an eight round lightweight bout.

Williams’ Houston stablemate, junior middleweight Jermell Charlo (8-0, 4 KO’s) is already veteran of the fight game despite being only 19 years old. A former amateur star, Charlo has progressed steadily through the pro ranks, most recently showing his power by stopping Federico Flores in eight rounds in June. Charlo will be making his third appearance at the Toyota Center when he takes on Glendale, California’s talented Vardan Gasparyan, who has compiled a stellar 11-1-4, 5 KO’s record in his four year career. They will meet in a six round bout.

Also proudly representing Houston on August 22 will be super middleweight Marcus Johnson (16-0, 13 KO’s), 28-year-old heavyweight prospect Adam Richards (22-2, 15 KO’s) and debuting Sugar Land heavyweight Darlington Agha. Another of Houston’s rising boxing stars, Johnson has been on a tear since turning pro in 2004. Only three of his opponents have heard the closing bell when facing him and all three left the ring disappointed with decision losses. On the 22nd Johnson will face Matt Gockel (12-10, 7 KO’s) of Topeka, Kansas in a six round fight. A four-time National Amateur Champion, Adam Richards has won 20 of his last 21 fights and after his stoppage of Gustavo Enriquez in April, he’s eager to keep moving up the heavyweight ranks in an eight round fight against Harvey Jolly (9-10-1, 4 KO’s) of Adrian, Missouri. Rounding out the Houston contingent will be Agha squaring off against Long Beach, California’s Joseph Rabotte (5-6, 2 KO’s) in a four round bout.

The line-up of impressive fighters participating in the event does not end with local standouts. Rising star Danny Garcia (13-0, 7 KOs) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, widely regarded as one of the top prospects in the sport today, will square off against former world title challenger Oscar Leon (28-9, 18 KOs) of Miami, Florida in a six-round junior welterweight bout.

Another rising young standout, Adrien Broner (10-0, 7 KO’s) has made an immediate impression on fight fans with his exciting style and fight-ending power. In May, Broner pounded out an eight round decision win over unbeaten fellow prospect Fernando Quintero and topped that performance with a sixth round knockout of then 15-1 William Kickett in June. What’s next for the Cincinnati cyclone? We’ll find out when he faces Midland, Texas’ Edgar Portillo (5-2, 3 KO’s) in a six round junior lightweight battle.

Decorated amateur star Mike Perez (3-0-1, 2 KO’s) of Philadelphia returns to action in a four rounder at Toyota Center. After starting his career with three wins in his first four professional bouts, he’s looking to put on a show for Southwest fight fans. Perez will face Jaime Rodriguez (4-5-3, 2 KO’s) of Reno, Nevada in a four round lightweight battle.

Houston isn’t the only part of Texas represented, as Weslaco’s lightweight knockout artist Omar Figueroa (6-0, 6 KO’s) will face Jeremy Marts (5-7, 3 KO’s) of Ottumwa, Iowa in a four round bout.

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Number One/Numero Uno Fight Officials

The Nevada State Athletic Commission announced today the names of the referee and judges who will officiate the Floyd “Money” Mayweather vs. Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez super fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Saturday, Sept. 19. The referee assigned to the 12-round bout is Tony Weeks from Nevada and judging the bout will be Burt Clements from Nevada, Dave Moretti from Nevada and William Lerch from Illinois.

Pavlik vs. Williams

The WBC and WBO World Middleweight Championship bout between Kelly Pavlik and challenger Paul Williams will be rescheduled to a new date of Nov. 21 or early December at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

Sources close to the Pavlik camp state that Kelly has suffered an injury while in training. Reports are that Pavlik suffered an injury to his middle knuckle of his left hand. Also, there is the possibility that his previous staph infection has flared up.

Dan Goossen of Goossen Tutor Promotions has said that is news to him and the Williams camp.

“If a release was sent stating that Pavlik was fighting November 21, I would be very interested in finding out who he’s fighting. As we’re all aware, we’ve just learned of Pavlik’s decision to cancel the press conference and thus the fight, and we will evaluate where we go from here.”

Vegas for Valero?

Edwin Valero holds the World Boxing Association’s lightweight championship title and is one of the most exciting fighters in the world. He’s also been unable to fight in Las Vegas, the so-called boxing capital of the world, because of a 37-year-old Nevada Athletic Commission regulation that prohibits anyone who ever had a cerebral hemorrhage from competing in the state.

On Wednesday, though, the commission will hear a recommendation from neurosurgeon Albert Capanna, the chairman of its medical advisory board, to lift that prohibition. That could be the first step in allowing Valero to be licensed in Nevada – and could lead to a Nov. 14 fight against Humberto Soto on the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Valero fractured his skull in a February 2001 motorcycle accident in which he wasn’t wearing a helmet. He turned pro as a boxer in 2002 and has fought without incident since.

However, Valero was suspended medically by the New York Athletic Commission in 2004 after concerns were raised about the results of a prefight MRI of his brain. Texas licensed him and he fought there successfully earlier this year.

He is ineligible to fight in Nevada because of the 1972 regulation. But because medical techniques have improved dramatically, the commission’s medical advisory board felt there was no need for an absolute ban on someone who’d ever had a hemorrhage.

If the regulation is passed, the commission would review things such as the extent of the hemorrhage, how long ago it occurred and how it occurred in determining whether to license a fighter.

Commission executive director Keith Kizer, who does not have a vote, said it’s probably unlikely that anyone who had ever had a hemorrhage from a fight would be licensed, but that would be up to the five-person board.

In situations like Valero’s, in which he was injured after being ejected form his motorcycle, an argument could be made that the impact from a vehicular accident would be much greater than anything that could occur in a prizefight.

Valero will have to undergo testing and appear before the commission even if the regulation is passed on Wednesday. But the hearing is the first step toward having one of the world’s most exciting fighters display his talents in the town that likes to bill itself as the boxing capital of the world.

THREE ELECTRIFYING FIGHTS ADDED TO THE MAYWEATHER VS. MARQUEZ UNDERCARD

LOS ANGELES, August 18 - It's the biggest and one of the most highly-anticipated boxing events of 2009, so there was no question that when it was time to compile the undercard of the Floyd "Money" Mayweather vs. Juan Manuel "Dinamita" Marquez super fight at MGM Grand in Las Vegas Saturday, Sept. 19, it was decided to bring out the big guns with three spectacular televised undercard bouts on HBO Pay-Per-View®, including two world championship fights.

In the chief support bout, unbeaten Chris John will defend his WBA Featherweight World Championship against one of the most courageous warriors in the game, 2000 Olympic Silver Medalist Rocky Juarez, in a rematch of their February 28, 2009 fight which is seen as one of 2009's most compelling battles thus far. The WBO Interim Lightweight World Championship will be up for grabs on September 19 when Australian action hero and former Lightweight World Champion Michael Katsidis and 2004 U.S. Olympian and hot lightweight contender Vicente Escobedo collide in the ring in what looks like a can't-miss brawl. Opening the HBO Pay-Per-View portion of the card will be a 10-round matchup of welterweight veterans, as former Undisputed Welterweight World Champion Zab Judah takes on the always exciting banger, veteran Antonio Diaz.

"The Mayweather-Marquez fight card is definitely living up to the hype of Floyd's comeback," said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. "With three more excellent fights being shown on the telecast, fans are in for a great night of boxing from start to finish."

"Mexican Independence Day Weekend is one of the biggest boxing weekends of the year and with the Mayweather-Marquez mega-fight as the headliner, we wanted to make sure that we have a full night of hard-hitting action which is what we have with the September 19 undercard," said Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar de la Hoya. "In these three fights we have two World Championships, three current or former World Champions, three Olympians and an exciting rematch of one of this year's greatest fights. As a fan, I can't wait to see these fights and the fans will not want to miss this card whether it's live in Las Vegas or at home on Pay-Per-View."

HBO Pay-Per-View's Mark Taffet said, "This outstanding undercard is the perfect complement to the Mayweather-Marquez main event and ensures that pay-per-view boxing fans will have a night of non-stop action on September 19."

Long considered one of the most talented, yet underrated, champions in the sport, Indonesia's Chris "The Dragon" John (42-0-2, 22 KO's) finally broke through to the U.S. audience in 2009 with his exciting battle with Rocky Juarez. A world champion since 2003 who has defended his crown 11 times including victories over Juan Manuel "Dinamita" Marquez and Derrick "Smoke" Gainer, John is eager to build on his newfound fame with a victory over Juarez on September 19.

"I thought I won our first fight but now I am going to show how much I appreciate being champion and beat him again," said John. "It has always been my desire to fight in Las Vegas and on the big fight cards. September 19 I will be able to do this and show the whole world that I am one of the best pound for pound fighters in the sport today."

Hard-charging Houston native Ricardo Rocky Juarez (28-4-1, 20 KO's) has made a home for himself at the top of the featherweight division for many years now. The only thing missing for the 29-year-old is a world title and after just falling short in competitive wars with Humberto "Zorrita" Soto, Marco Antonio "Barreta" Barrera (twice) and Juan Manuel Marquez, Juarez put it all together in his first bout against John on February 28, 2009, only to have the judges score the fight a draw. The second time around, Juarez vows to bring everything he has to the ring as he looks to take home a world championship belt.

"I am very fortunate to have another chance at a world title and a chance to show the world why I feel like I did enough to win the first fight, said Juarez. "I am getting older and therefore it becomes even more important to reach my long-standing goal of becoming a world champion."

The pride of Toowoomba, Australia, Michael "The Great" Katsidis (25-2, 21 KO's) has gained worldwide acclaim as one of boxing's most exciting fighters, punch for punch and pound for pound. The former interim WBO Lightweight World Champion, Katsidis has been in with some of the best in the world over his eight-year career, including Joel "Cepillo" Casamayor and Juan "Baby Bull" Diaz. Winner of two in a row, including an April stoppage of former World Champion Jesus "Matador" Chavez, the 29-year-old Katsidis is ready to regain his title with a win over Escobedo.

"I just turned 29 and that is a great age for boxing, fighting for championships and I feel I am peaking right now with my power and ability," said Katsidis. "I think we are both going to pull out everything to win the title on September 19, but I plan to win and it's certainly going to be a great way to celebrate my birthday."

At 27 years of age, 2004 U.S. Olympian Vicente Escobedo (21-1, 13 KO's) is hitting his stride as a professional and is ready for his first world title opportunity. A native of Woodland, California, Escobedo has drawn comparisons to Oscar de la Hoya for his style and demeanor both in and out of the ring. After a three-fight stretch that has seen him impressively beat the previously undefeated Dominic Salcido and former World Champions Carlos "Famoso" Hernandez and Kevin "Flushing Flash" Kelley, there is no question that he's ready for prime time.

"I am really looking forward to the opportunity to fight on this card as it falls on Mexican Independence Day and I will be fighting for all of the Mexican people out there," said Escobedo. "It is for my first world title and I am training extremely hard because I know this is a great opportunity and my dream coming true. I can't wait for the fight and I am ready to win."

A charismatic wizard in the ring known to his fans as "Super Judah", Brooklyn's Zab Judah (37-6, 25 KO's) is a Former Two-Division World Champion who got to the top not only because of his blazing speed, but also because of his fight-stopping power. Owner of a resume that includes victories over Micky Ward, Junior Witter, Demarcus Corley and Cory Spinks, the 31-year-old from Brooklyn has readied himself for a run at another world championship and the first fighter in his way is Antonio Diaz.

"I appreciate the opportunity to be able to fight on Floyd's comeback show and I know I have a very tough opponent in Daiz," said Judah. "I know he is the bigger guy but I intend to take advantage of his fighting style by boxing him all the way to the finish, whether it goes the distance or it's a knockout. I will beat Antonio Diaz on September 19.

Antonio "Toño" Diaz (45-5-1, 27 KO's) first made his name in the late '90s in the light welterweight division with wins over the likes of Cory Spinks, Emanuel Augustus, Ivan Robinson and Omar Weis. Not content with settling on this an impressive resume, Diaz moved up to 147 pounds to do battle against Sugar Shane Mosley and Antonio Margarito, and after a three-year layoff from 2005 to 2008, he has won four in a row, putting him in fine form as he approaches the fight with Judah.

"I am looking forward to fighting Zab Judah and think it is a great challenge for me as I continue to comeback after my layoff," said Diaz. "I have been feeling really good since I took the break and I am training very hard as my goal is to accept this challenge, beat Zab Judah and move on to the next challenge."

Mayweather vs. Marquez: "Number One/Numero Uno," is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions in association with Marquez Boxing Promotions and is sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, Quaker State, AT&T, Dewalt Tools, Affliction Clothing and Southwest Airlines. The explosive evening of boxing will take place Saturday, Sept. 19 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev. and live on HBO Pay-Per-View.

Tickets priced at $1,000, $750, $600, $300 and $150, not including applicable service charges, are on sale now and limited to 10 per person and ticket sales at $150 are limited to two (2) per person with a total ticket limit of 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. Tickets previously purchased for the July 18 date will be honored.

The Mayweather vs. Marquez pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, has a suggested retail price of $49.95, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View® and will be available to more than 71 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View®, a division of Home Box Office, Inc., is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For Mayweather vs. Marquez fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.

HBO's Emmy®-Award-winning all-access reality series "24/7" returns to HBO® with an all new edition as "Mayweather/Marquez 24/7" premieres Saturday, August 29 at 10:15 pm ET/PT. The four-episode series will chronicle the preparations and back stories of both fighters as they train for their September 19 pay-per-view showdown.

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Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto and the WBC's ridiculous belt

In case you missed it, the WBC recently manufactured a title and a belt for catch-weight mega-fights, or for mega-fights in general, or some such total nonsense, and they called it the WBC Diamond Championship.

Hardcore boxing fans were almost universal in their dismissal, with I'd wager about 70% of us wondering if this was a joke that had gotten out of hand. The Diamond title! And it was unanimously voted on by cardboard cutouts representing the WBC's "board of governors."

But it's real, and it's happening. When WBO welterweight titlist Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao square off on November 14, the title will be "at stake." Ronnie Nathanielsz reports that both fighters are excited, according to Bob Arum, who says they're "crazy" about all the diamonds, and that the belt "is something new and adds to the excitement."

Now...hang on.

First of all, I highly doubt that Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao are "crazy" about the title. I just don't see Cotto or Pacquiao getting all giddy about an ugly belt with a bunch of diamonds on it. This sounds like grandpa at Christmas time. "Didja see Billy openin' up that surfboard (note: it was a skateboard) I got 'im? He was crazy about it!" Billy, for the record, is fairly indifferent.

Second, it adds nothing. It IS something new, and it's so ridiculously unnecessary that words can't properly describe it. I could even use some words I generally keep off the front page here, and they still wouldn't be enough. In short, it's a f***ing stupid waste of f***ing time, another f***ing belt in a sport with too f***ing many of them for anyone sane to keep track of in the first f***ing place.

See? Not good enough. Not descriptive enough. Doesn't quite get across just how much I hate the WBC diamond title, which I may simply choose to ignore, making one of those internet political statements the kids are so fond of in our current era. This belt means nothing. It gives the WBC money for fights it has no f***ing business sticking its f***ing nose into. That's it and that's all. It is a money-grubbing, fake, fabricated piece of jewelry that has nothing to do with the sport of boxing. If Cotto and Pacquiao pay sanctioning fees for that hunk of nothing, then they deserve to have given the money away.

And if anyone wants to pay me for the kids' WWE championship belt that is currently serving as the Wii Sports bowling title in my living room, I'll put some new tape and notebook paper on that and you guys can fight for that, too. Hey, at least that belt has history.

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THE FLASH TAMES EL TORITO

The knockout wasn't there so Nonito Donaire, Jr. decided to do something he also does well – box.

Rafael “El Torito” Concepcion came into this fight more than four pounds over the 115 lb.weight limit and looked really bloated. In the opening round it was the “Not So Little” Panamanian Bull who was moving around and the Filipino Flash doing the chasing. Donaire's left jab started to find its target in the second and caused a cut on Concepcion's left eyelid. El Torito however signaled he was not going away by landing powerful overhand rights. Donaire started his stick and run routine in the third with Concepcion continuing to stalk him. Donaire employed a disciplined strategy in the middle rounds by employing jabs, one two combos and lateral movement. The Pananamian continued to apply pressure and hurt Donaire on a few occasions. In the ninth round Concepcion started to tire and his punches simply beat the air. Concepcion's cut became a huge crimson target for Donaire as the fight wore on. Donaire continued to land powerful rights but Concepcion was still standing until the final bell. The scorecards read: 117-111, 115-113 and 116-112 all for Donaire who now owns the WBA interim superflyweight title belt. Concepcion reportedly was fined 20 percent of his $65,000 purse for being overweight, or $13,000, half going to the Nevada State Athletic Commission and half going to Donaire. Whether the extra weight helped him absorb punches better or made him stronger, it still wasn't enough. Donaire previously had three successful defenses of his IBF flyweight belt. He wore yellow trunks for this fight as tribute to the late Philippine Pres. Corazon Aquino. POST SCRIPT: Donaire's cornermen once again were the Penalosa brothers Jonathan and Dodie. Their brother Gerry Penalosa was the first superflyweight champion from the Philippines. In 1997, he beat Hiroshi Kawashima of Japan by 12 round split decision for the WBC world title in Tokyo. This fight would also be vengeance served cold for Dodie. In 1986, he lost to a Panamanian, Hilario Zapata by unanimous decision in his first attempt to move up in weight and win a second world title, the WBA flyweight belt. The 115 lb. superflyweight or junior bantamweight division was created in 1980. Rafael Orono of Venezuela was the first champion for the WBC when he beat Seung Hoon Lee of South Korea by 15 round unanimous decision. In 1981, the WBA had it's first 115 lb. champ when Gustavo Ballas of Argentina beat Korean Suk Chul Bae by 8th round TKO. The IBF had it's first superflyweight champion in 1983 when Ju Do Chun of South Korea beat Ken Kasugai by 5th round KO. Top photo: "The Filipino Flash" Nonito Donaire Jr.(R) of the Philippines defeats Rafael "El Torito" Concepcion of Panama with a 12-round unanimous decision Saturday night to win the WBA interim world Super Flyweight title at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas. --- Photo Credit : Chris Farina - Top Rank.