Mikey Garcia speaks about his victory

By Miguel Maravilla
Photo: Joel Colon/PR Best

Mikey Garcia (31-0, 26 KOs) was impressive in his stoppage over Juan Manuel Lopez (33-2, 30 KOs) on Saturday night on HBO’s Boxing After Dark from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. “Fans came to see a fight I gave the fans a good fight and a spectacular victory. It was a good night for me,” Mikey Garcia told media at the post-fight press conference. “It’s a good victory this shows that I have what it takes. This is a good satisfying victory. We have to go forward there is a lot more to accomplish.”

Testing each other out in the opening round Mikey Garcia boxed from the outside using his jab while Lopez searched for openings countering. “We worked all of camp to jab, step back, and right hand. We practiced hard and executed,” Mikey said. “We tried to be extra careful. He does have heavy hands. I was able to land my jab and stay outside comfortably so I was ready to keep that pace.” (more…)

Juanma sets the record straight for Saturday’s showdown with Mikey

By Jeff Zimmerman
Photo: Joel Colon/PR Best

Undefeated WBO Featherweight Champion Mikey Garcia and former 2X world champion Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez along with Hall of Fame Promoter Bob Arum and former Heavyweight Champion George Foreman took center stage at the final presser for this Saturday’s mega fight at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas and also shown live on HBO.

The usual cheery Juanma, though, wanted to set the record straight about his career and the caliber of talent he has faced compared to Mikey. He believes everyone is so focused on his losses to Salido and how Mikey demolished Salido that he therefore has no shot in this fight. He made it very clear that this is not his first rodeo.

“If you go by Salido, Mikey should beat me by knockout. I knocked out Concepcion in 2 rounds and he beat him in 8 rounds. Salido was a great fight [against Mikey], but Salido was on his way out.”

All this Salido talk has really started to bother Juanma.

“Yea it bothers me because they don’t look at my whole work and I have been a 2x world champion. I have beaten some guys; he went 12 rounds with Lontchi and I knocked him out. There are other guys in there that you should be looking up besides that one fight.” Juanma also believes he has had the superior career to date. (more…)

Ronald Cruz eager to display new weapons against Ray Narh

Story & File Photo by John DiSanto – PhillyBoxingHistory.com

It’s been nine months since Ronald Cruz, 17-1, 12 KOs, was last in the ring. On that night (September 21, 2012) in Bethlehem, PA, Cruz lost his first pro fight before his loyal hometown fans. It was a tough night for Cruz. The loss was a close 10-round split decision loss to Antwone Smith, of Miami. The setback was difficult for Cruz because victory and the continuation of his undefeated streak were both in reach, but Ronald couldn’t overcome Smith’s edge in experience.

“I made a lot of mistakes in my last fight,” Cruz said. “That’s the reason I lost.”

Cruz took the defeat with class and vowed to return right away. However his comeback was delayed due to a hernia that required surgery and an extended break from his training routine. So Ronald Cruz was forced to wait with that first loss hanging over his head before he could redeem himself. (more…)

Mikey: Juanma is dangerous, hits hard, willing to give everything in the ring

By Jeff Zimmerman
Photos: Robert Hughes

Undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight champion Mikey Garcia (31-0, 26 KOs) of Oxnard, Calif., and former WBO junior featherweight and WBO featherweight champion Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez (33-2, 30 KOs), of Caguas, Puerto Rico survived a hot day in Dallas as they made an appearance outside of Mark Cuban’s American Airlines Center in preparation for their Texas showdown Saturday. A ring was setup on the plaza in front of the arena where a couple hundred fans and media got to see the fighter’s close-up for pictures and autographs. Fightnews caught up with Mikey.

Hey Mikey, welcome back to Dallas, how you feeling?

I’m feeling good. I am used to the heat I guess, so I don’t feel too bad.

How’s your weight?

We’re always good on weight, I never have issues. I feel that I am strong, fast. I feel comfortable here. (more…)

Juanma: If somebody is getting knocked out on Saturday it’s going to be him

By Jeff Zimmerman
Photos: Robert Hughes

Undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight champion Mikey Garcia (31-0, 26 KOs) of Oxnard, Calif., and former WBO junior featherweight and WBO featherweight champion Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez (33-2, 30 KOs), of Caguas, Puerto Rico survived a hot day in Dallas as they made an appearance outside of Mark Cuban’s American Airlines Center in preparation for their Texas showdown Saturday. A ring was setup on the plaza in front of the arena where a couple hundred fans and media got to see the fighter’s close-up for pictures and autographs. Fightnews caught up with Juanma.

Welcome to the Dallas heat, how you feeling?

Glad to be here. It’s just as hot as Puerto Rico, but a little more dry than it is in Puerto Rico.

How has training camp come along? Are you ready for the fight?

Had a great training camp, very happy to be here. We are just maintaining the weight, that’s what it’s all about right now, keeping a good weight for the weigh-ins. (more…)

Murata: I want to become world champion and leave my name as one of the legends in boxing

By Miguel Maravilla

Top Rank Boxing has once again signed an Olympic star. A press conference was help Monday for the signing of Japan’s 2012 Olympic gold medalist middleweight Ryota Murata. The 27-year-old will be co-promoted by Japanese based Teiken Promotions along with Top Rank Boxing and will be managed by Dentsu, which is the largest advertising agency in the world (Murata is the first boxer they manage).

“It’s a great pleasure for us to announce today that Top Rank in association with Teiken Promotions will be promoting the boxing career of Ryota Murata,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum. “It isn’t very often that we get a young man who after more than 50 years wins a gold medal in boxing for his country and wins it in a division that is usually not associated with boxers from his country. Murata did what many people would regard as the unthinkable. He won a gold medal in the London Olympics in the middleweight division and world of boxing may never be the same again.” (more…)

Alfredo Angulo: I Need to Beat Lara

Photo: Big Joe Miranda

By Felipe Leon

The well-known adage is that you can’t teach an old dog new trick. As far as the thirty-year old Alfredo “Perro” Angulo (22-2, 18KOs) he is neither old nor capable of learning something new. After nearly eight months in an immigration detention center, Angulo of Mexicali, Mexico, was released last July and instead of going back to his old haunts in Los Angeles and its surroundings, he looked north for his next trainer and hooked up with Virgil Hunter, best known for helming the camps of Andre Ward and Amir Khan among others.

On Saturday, June 8th, from the Home Depot Center and broadcast live on Showtime, they will participate in their third bout together when Angulo faces once-beaten slick Cuban boxer Erislandy Lara (17-1-2, 11KO) in a twelve round clash for the interim WBA light middleweight title. The bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions will be the semi-main event for the much anticipated welterweight face-off between Marcos “Chino” Maidana and Josesito Lopez.

“I come up for a couple of weeks and then Virgil goes down to LA for couple of weeks,” Angulo said when asked about the arrangement with his Oakland, CA, based trainer. “Thank God camp has been going great just like the other past two.” (more…)

Mikey Garcia ready for Juanma test

By Miguel Maravilla
Photos: Chris Farina / Top Rank

Undefeated WBO featherweight champion Mikey Garcia (31-0, 26 KOs) looks sharp and ready. Garcia held an open workout for fans and media Saturday afternoon at the UFC Gym in Yorba Linda, California as he prepared for his upcoming featherweight showdown against former WBO featherweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez (33-2, 30 KOs) on June 15 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas live on HBO.

“He has a lot of power a lot of heart it is definitely going to be a good fight, I think he is more determined and hungrier this time so that makes for an exciting fight,” Garcia told Fightnews.com. (more…)

Andy Ruiz Focused on Achieving, Not Dreaming

Photo: Chris Farina/Top Rank

Undefeated heavyweight Andy Ruiz (18-0, 12 KOs) of Mexicali has been working on “…hand, head movement and foot speed” to get wired in for his fight against Carl Davis (16-5, 12 KOs) at the Hard Rock in Las Vegas on Saturday, June 8. Ruiz is working with chief trainer Big Jeff Grmoja at the Bones Adams Gym in Las Vegas. Ruiz says he has one goal: “I am doing all of this to win the world heavyweight championship. I have good chemistry with my team and I will make the sacrifices to become one of the few instead of one of the dreamers,” Ruiz said. (more…)

Interview: Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez

By Jeff Zimmerman
Photo by Robert Hughes

Former World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior featherweight and featherweight champion Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez (33-2, 30 KOs), of Caguas, Puerto Rico discusses his June 15 showdown with undefeated WBO featherweight champion Mikey Garcia (31-0, 26 KOs) of Oxnard, California . Their HBO-televised collision will take place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

How do you feel coming into this fight?
I feel really good; I have good preparation for this type of fight.

Stepping in against Garcia after tough losses to Salido
It’s all about styles and I think are styles are going to match and I have a great opponent. (more…)

Interview: Mikey Garcia

By Jeff Zimmerman
Photo by Robert Hughes

Undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight champion Mikey Garcia (31-0, 26 KOs) of Oxnard, California discusses his June 15 showdown with former WBO junior featherweight and WBO featherweight champion Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez (33-2, 30 KOs), of Caguas, Puerto Rico. Their HBO-televised collision will take place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

Any concerns on fighting Juanma
Not a concern but the most thing you have to watch out for is his power, heavy handed, both hands. He is very powerful and strong so that is something you have to watch out for.

Confidence from beating Salido so easily while Juanma lost twice
Not necessarily, because styles make fights and he’s a different style than Salido, I have to prepare for Juanma not Salido this time, so I have to make sure I am in the best shape possible. (more…)

Book review: “Boxing in New Mexico”

Book review by David Finger

Book Review: Boxing in New Mexico 1868-1940
By: Chris Cozzone and Jim Boggio
Publisher: McFarland
Pages: 440 Pages

Boxing fans can be forgiven if the idea of another regional boxing history book doesn’t excite them right off the bat. Most tend to fall into two categories: an over glossed pamphlet that rehashes well known boxing stories or a book long on facts but short on drama. A book that people buy only to look in the index to find what page “Uncle Charlie” appears on. But to lump the newest regional boxing book in that category would be a tremendous mistake. Boxing in New Mexico 1868-1940 isn’t just the best regional boxing history book to come out this century…it may very well be the best boxing history book period. (more…)

Postfight presser: Mayweather-Guerrero

Postfight press report by Chris Cozzone
Photo by Mary Ann Owen

A new, old blueprint might’ve blackened the hopes of a war and bored a crowd to booing, but no one could deny that age-defying Floyd Mayweather Jr. had retained his pound-for-pound supremacy with yet another virtuoso performance.

Before a crowd of 15,880 at the MGM, the unbeaten Mayweather, 44-0, 26 Kos, pulled on Robert Guerrero’s strings, pot-shotting him repeatedly throughout most of the fight, resulting in a lopsided unanimous decision scored 117-111 across the board. Surprised, disappointed and somewhat shell-shocked, the “Ghost,” 31-2-1, 18 Kos, endured a phantasmagoric evening, losing for the first time in eight years . . . Click here for full report

Postfight presser: Mares-De Leon

Report by Miguel Maravilla
Photo by Mary Ann Owen /
BoxinginLasVegas.com

Shortly after his stoppage win over Daniel Ponce De Leon, Abner Mares met with the media at the post fight press conference.

“All I have to say is I am blessed,” said Mares. “I am happy we had a plan and we put it to work. He was the aggressor and we had to be the smarter fighter.”

In the fight, a left hook-right cross combination by Mares dropped De Leon late in round two. Mares continued his attack and he cornered his foe in the ninth, landing a series of punches that prompted referee Jay Nady to call it quits at 2:20. (more…)

Malignaggi-Broner warm up June 22 showdown with bashfest

Story by Miguel Maravilla

A June 22 showdown between WBA Welterweight Champion Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi (32-4, 7 KOs) and Adrien “The Problem” Broner (26-0, 22 KOs) was announced today by Golden Boy at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, resulting in a back-and-forth bashing session.

“These are the two biggest talkers in the sport,” was the opening understatement by Golden Boy’s Richard Schaefer. “We can imagine the kind of fireworks we will see here. This is champion against champion.”  (more…)

Stiverne’s power on display against Arreola

By David Finger
Photos: Mary Ann Owen

With the recent completion of Saul Alvarez’s impressive title unification fight against Austin Trout, and the upcoming Floyd Mayweather versus Robert Guerrero fight, it almost feels like the heavyweight division just doesn’t matter anymore. When was the last time that American boxing fans purchased a $50 PPV headlined by a heavyweight champion? But there’s an old adage in boxing: things can change with just one punch. And if there is ever a fighter who can change everything with one punch, it is heavyweight Bermane Stiverne. (more…)

Cunningham is ready for Fury

By John DiSanto Philly Boxing History (.com)

Steve “USS” Cunningham has made a career of being a nice guy. In his 12-years as a professional boxer, the former two-time champion has dished out plenty of hurt in the ring, but has always managed to do it in a surprisingly pleasant manner. He’s handled the ugly grind of the sport, endured mistreatment by promoters, looked past bad decisions from judges, been neglected by the media, and had to chase every opportunity he’s been able to squeak out.

But he’s always done it all this with a dazzling smile, a wealth of kind words, and even a prayer for his every antagonist. (more…)

Canelo: I’m ready for Trout

By Miguel Maravilla
Photos: Gene Blevins – Hoganphotos/Golden Boy

WBC jr. middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (41-0-1, 30KOs) is just three weeks away from his title unification showdown with WBA jr. middleweight champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout (26-0, 14KOs). The two will meet later this month on April 20 in San Antonio, Texas. Canelo worked out Thursday afternoon for media at the Wild Card West Gym in Santa Monica, California.

“It’s going very well,” Canelo told Fightnews.com. “I’m ready with a little more than two weeks to away. I’m ready to go.” The Mexican superstar began his preparation in his hometown of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico before coming to Santa Monica as he continues his preparation in the beach city located west of Los Angeles. He has been training here for the last six weeks working with his longtime team and father/son duo of manager Jose “Chepo” Reynoso and trainer Eddie Reynoso. (more…)

Garcia ready for Judah 110%

By John DiSanto – PhillyBoxingHistory.com
Photos: Tom Casino/SHOWTIME

Jr. welterweight world champion, Danny “Swift” Garcia, 25-0, 16 KOs, held an open workout for the media on Thursday as he prepared for his upcoming title defense against former champion Zab Judah, 42-7, 29 KOs, scheduled for April 27th at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn, NY. The fight was originally scheduled for February, but a rib injury forced Garcia to postpone the fight against the Brooklyn-born Judah.

“I got hurt in sparring,” Garcia said. It’s a contact sport. It happens. It was my first injury ever in the professionals. I feel like there should be no questions. I’m the champion. Why would I back out of a championship fight? I don’t have to explain myself. I know what happened. Me and my team made the right decision (in postponing), and the fight’s around the corner. We’re on a perfect schedule for April 27th.” Garcia is taking the highly anticipated fight in stride, keeping his head down and his focus up for the well-seasoned southpaw who looked renewed in his last fight, a TKO of Vernon Paris one year ago. (more…)

Cunningham Still Fighting for Respect

Story and photos by John DiSanto - PhillyBoxingHistory.com

Steve Cunningham has been in the professional boxing game for 12 years and has accomplished a lot. He’s won the world cruiserweight title twice. He’s fought all over the globe. He’s built a solid record of 25-5 with 12 KOs against top-flight competition. He’s proven himself over and over again. Yet still after an already full career, he finds himself still fighting for respect.

For Cunningham, the list of snubs, slights, short-ends, and raw deals is a long one.

However he keeps rolling forward, waiting and working to prove himself enough to finally earn that respect. (more…)

Abner Mares begins training for Ponce De Leon

By Miguel Maravilla
Photo: Big Joe Miranda

Unbeaten Abner Mares (25-0-1, 13 KOs) of Hawaiian Gardens is in the opening phases of training camp as he prepares for his featherweight title showdown against WBC featherweight champion Daniel Ponce de Leon (44-4, 35 KOs) on May 4 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“I haven’t changed my routine for training camp. I have been doing three-a-days for my last five fights. Run in the morning, gym in the afternoon, and gym in the evening. We know it’s a hard fight so we have to train hard,” Mares told Fightnews.com on his preparation.

Business as always in the gym, Mares and trainer Clemente Medina are working together at the Elite MMA Academy in Santa Fe Springs. Medina who at one time trained Ponce de Leon knows what Mares is up against on May 4. (more…)

Trout: Canelo will be the fish out of water on 4/20

Story by Ricardo Trujillo
Photo by Chris Cozzone

It’s only fitting that the hottest new nightclub in Las Cruces, New Mexico, “M FIVE” would host one the hottest new boxing stars on the scene, Las Cruces’ own, WBA Super Welterweight Champion Austin Trout. Both brought a lot of class, style, and a touch of Las Vegas, if you will, to a hometown press conference, Wednesday afternoon.

Trout (26-0, 14 KOs) will face WBC’s version of the 154 lb. champ, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (41-0-1, 30 KOs) in a rare unification fight on April 20th at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. It is rare in boxing that two fighters in their prime face each other with so much on the line. (more…)

Timothy Bradley interview

By Miguel Maravilla
Photos: Chris Farina / Top Rank

Undefeated WBO welterweight champion Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley Jr. (29-0, 12 KOs) held a media workout Tuesday afternoon at the Fortune Gym in Hollywood, California as he prepared for his upcoming title defense against Russia’s Ruslan Provodnikov (22-1, 15 KOs). Bradley vs. Provodnikov will take place Saturday March 16 live on HBO from the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. “Training camp is good, unbelievable, working on the technique. Just trying to sit on my punches, trying to punch harder. My speed is always there. I have been sparring with Omar Figueroa and Dashon Johnson. We are working together good,” Bradley told Fightnews.com. “Figueroa has prepared me very well. He brings so much pressure he is annoying,” Bradley of his sparring partner. (more…)

Chris Algieri enters the television spotlight

By Mariano A. Agmi; photos by Peter Frutkoff/PeterFrutkoff.com

Junior welterweight prospect Chris Algieri (15-0, 7 KOs) returns to the Paramount Theatre in his hometown of Huntington, Long Island this Saturday when he faces fellow prospect Jose “Mangu” Peralta (10-1, 6 KOs) in the co-main feature of the NBC Sports Network “Fight Night” event. This is the biggest fight to date for Algieri, an Argentinean-American who is no stranger to setting lofty goals and then rising to the occasion: The 28-year-old is a former two division ISKA kickboxing champion and holds a bachelor’s degree in healthcare science and a Master’s in Clinical Nutrition.

After mastering kickboxing and earning his degrees, the junior welterweight has set his sights on winning a world championship in the ring and following a successful boxing career, hopes to become a doctor. FightNews spoke with the charismatic fighter earlier this week about his love of boxing, his Argentine heritage, and his career aspirations. (more…)

Felix Sturm: I will be back

Former 3-Time World Middleweight Champion Felix Sturm is eager to come back after a disappointing and controversial decision loss to Australian Sam Soliman in Dusseldorf, Germany, three weeks ago.

Sturm, who celebrated his 34th birthday on the day before the Soliman bout, has by now re-watched the fight and has a clear opinion on his performance. He also commented on the controversy caused by Team Soliman in the days leading up to the February 1st clash, had words of advice for IBF champion Daniel Geale (who has to to face mandatory challenger Soliman next) and gave an insight into his future.

Felix Sturm on…

…the Soliman fight: “I had a great start but I made a huge mistake in the second when I let him of the hook. He was hurt, I could have and I should have finished him. But I let him back into the fight and gave the decision into the hand of the judges. I’m not happy with my performance, especially in the middle rounds. This was definitely one of the worst showings of my career and I’m mad that I couldn’t translate my training form into the ring. I still think, however, that I won the fight. I had so many fans and experts coming up to me, calling me from all over the world, even from Australia, and telling me that I won it. Overall, I’m not happy with my performance but especially with the knockdown in the second round, there is no doubt in my mind that I won the fight. But I can’t change what happened.” (more…)