Ioka named Japan’s Boxer of the Year

By Joe Koizumi

The Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) and Sports Writers Club have elected the following awardees by evaluating their performance in the previous year:

Boxer of the Year: Kazuto Ioka (WBA light-fly champ)
Technique award: Shinsuke Yamanaka (WBC bantam titlist)
Valuable Victory award: Takashi Uchiyama (WBA super-feather kingpin)
Fighting Spirit award: Yota Sato (WBC super-fly ruler)
Effort award: Kohei Kono (WBA super-fly champ)
Knockout award: Shinsuke Yamanaka
Rookie award: Toshiyuki Igarashi (WBC fly titlist) and Naoya Inoue (a nineteen-year-old 108-pound sensation who easily demolished Filipino and Thai champs in his first pro two outings after winning seven national high school championships)
Fight of the Year: WBC/WBA light-fly unification bout between Kazuto Ioka and Akira Yaegashi on June 20

Female Boxer of the Year: Momo Koseki (WBC atom champ)
Female Fight of the Year: WBA super-fly title bout between Tsunami Tenkai and Naoko Yamaguchi on July 9

Best Amateur Boxer of the Year: Ryota Murata (the Olympic gold medalist in the middleweight category in Lodon)

Their good achievements will be highly expected also this year.

Reveco to defend WBA 112lb belt in Japan

By Joe Koizumi

WBA flyweight champion Juan Carlos Reveco (29-1, 16 KOs), Argentina, will put his belt on the line against Japanese national 108-pound titlist Masayuki Kuroda (21-3-2, 13 KOs) in Kawasaki city, Japan, on February 27. Reveco, 29, recently elevated to the regular championship from the interim status since Brian Viloria became the dual-belt champ including the WBA diadem by defeating Hernan Marquez via tenth-round stoppage last November.

Kuroda is making an adventurous crack at the throne as he very barely kept his national belt on all four occasions—twice by a split decision and latest twice by a split draw—since he acquired the vacant Japanese belt by halting Katsuhiro Iezumi in May 2011. Some insiders say that his severe weight reduction accounted for his lackluster performance and he is a legitimate flyweight with his 5’6” frame. If true, it may be a good fight hopefully. (more…)

Jardon gets crazy win over Verdugo

By Gabriel F. Cordero

On Saturday at the Foro Polanco in Mexico City, super featherweight Dante “Crazy” Jardon (22-3, 18 KOs) won by second round disqualification against Adrian Verdugo (22-7-1, 19 KOs). Jardon dropped Verdugo in round one and after dishing out more punishment in round two, Jardon was cut on the right eyelid by what was ruled to be an intentional headbutt and the bout was stopped with Verdugo being DQ’d. Time was 2:06.

The co-feature, Martin “Pini” Casillas (12-2, 8 KOs), the winner of the “Quien pinta para la Corona?” tournament, took a ten round split decision over current WBF super flyweight beltholder Juan Jose “Goofy” Montes (23-4-1, 14 KOs) in a non-title affair. Scores were 97-93 twice for Casillas, 96-95 for Montes. (more…)

Hernandez retains title by unanimous decision

Photos: Zanfer Promotions

WBC jr flyweight weight champion Adrian “Confesor” Hernandez (26-2-1, 16 KOs) retained his title with a twelve round unanimous decision over Dirceu Cabarca (14-7, 67 KOs) on Saturday night before 2500+ at the Arena Agustin Millan in Toluca, Mexico. Scores were 118-110, 118-108, 119-112. Hernandez was in command the whole fight although he sustained a cut on the bridge of the nose and over his left eye due to headbutts.

Lightweight Luis “Vampiro” Arceo (26-11-4, 17 KOs) overcame a badly swollen eye to win a hard fought ten round unanimous decision over Ricardo “Pelon” Domínguez (37-9-2, 22 kos). Scores were 96-94 on all cards. (more…)

Perez beats Forbes by majority decision

By Phil Doherty at ringside
Photos: Marco Perez/mpsportimages.com

With former world champion Evander “Real Deal” Holyfield sitting ringside, former interim WBA light welterweight champion Johan “El Terrible” Perez (16- 1-1, 12 KOs) of Venezuela scored a majority decision victory against former IBF super featherweight champion Stevie “2 Pounds” Forbes (35-12, 11 KOs) in the main event of Golden Boy Promotion’s Boxing Series from the BB&T Center in Sunrise Florida tonight.

Forbes caught Perez early and often with counter left hooks that caused a mouse to form outside the Venezuelan’s right eye beginning in the second round and seemed to be boxing beautifully against the aggressive-punching Perez. The smaller Forbes dug flurries to Perez’s body and smartly-placed counter shots upstairs despite Perez landing effective overhand rights. Forbes picked off the bulk of Perez’s shots with his gloves and movement, allowing him to set up his own scoring blows.

Forbes had a big sixth round, raining overhand rights and left hooks on Perez, forcing him to get on his bicycle and reset his attack. Perez kept coming forward with heavy-handed shots in the seventh, repeatedly eating left hooks in reply. In the tenth and final round, Perez drew blood over Forbes’ right eye as he continued to load up on his aggressive and persistent attack. Judges recognized his aggressiveness with scores of 97-93, 96-94 and 95-95. (more…)

Hernandez-Cabarca webcast tonight

WBCBoxing.tv will present a world championship boxing webcast, free of charge, tonight at 10PM ET/7PM ET worldwide (the webcast will not be available in Mexico). In the main event, scheduled for twelve rounds at Arena Agustin Millan in Toluca, Mexico – two-time WBC light flyweight world champion Adrian “El Confesor” Hernandez (25-2-1, 16 KOs) will defend the title against Dirceu “El Explosivo” Cabarca (13-6, 5 KOs). (more…)

Rola El-Halabi loses in comeback fight

Female lightweight Lucia Morelli (18-3, 8 KOs) won a close ten round majority decision over previously unbeaten former world champion Rola El Halabi (11-1, 6 KOs) on Saturday night in the Ratiopharm Arena in Neu-Ulm, Germany. Scores were 97-93, 96-95, 95-95. It was Rola’s first fight since June 2010. In April 2011 before a title defense, she was shot in the hands, feet and knees by her stepfather and former manager after she had fired him. Win or lose, it was an inspirational performance for El-Halabi. Morelli claimed both the vacant WIBA Women’s International belt and the vacant GBU belt with the win.

After the fight, Rola told the crowd, “People who want to celebrate should also celebrate Lucia’s victory. I’ll certainly be back in the ring soon. With such great fans I’d be stupid not to do it again. I will get my belts back I promise you.”

Report/gallery: Molina vs. Williams

Ringside report by Chris Cozzone and Gerardo Martinez
Photos by Chris Cozzone

Lightweight title hopes, an emerging local and the first win for New Mexico’s perennial “Hard Luck Kid” brought out close to 800 fight fans, Friday night at the Indian School’s Pueblo Pavilion in Santa Fe, N.M.

The card, televised by ESPN2 and promoted by Goossen-Tutor and Holmes Boxing of Santa Fe, featured a 10-round must-win fight between former lightweight contenders hoping to break back into contention . . . Click here for more

Rios stays unbeaten, Ramos’ future uncertain

By David Robinett at ringside
Photos: Tom Casino/Showtime

Featherweights Ronny Rios and Rico Ramos headlined a tactical night of boxing before a packed (and patient) ballroom on ShoBox: The Next Generation at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California. Rios, (20-0, 9 KOs), the rising prospect in this matchup, scored a unanimous ten-round decision victory over former titlist Ramos, (21-2, 11 KOs), by scores of 96-94, 97-93, and an unfairly wide 100-90, capturing the vacant NABF featherweight title.

On paper the matchup appeared to favor the up and coming Rios, who moved down one weight class from his last fight while Ramos was moving up one weight class. Additionally, although Ramos memorably knocked out Akifumi Shimoda with one punch to win the WBA super bantamweight title in 2011, he was dominated by Shimoda prior to that one punch and lost every round before getting knocked out in his first title defense against Guillermo Rigondeaux. (more…)

Weights From Grand Rapids

Photos: Greg Kalinowski and Chris Hazelton

Jordan Shimmell 210 vs. Jackie Beard 221
(West Michigan Heavyweight title)
Purnell Gates 160 vs. Allen Moore 158
Jerome Johnson 236 vs. Ali Mansour TBD
Andrew Moreno 136 vs. James Thomas 134
Justin Lopez 126.5 vs. Terrance Walker 130.5
Thomas Amaro 146 vs. Mike Pickett 149
David McClendon146 vs. Nick Givhan 142
Jaime Castellano 149 vs. Javonn Barnes 153
Matthew Soto128 vs. Vincent Jennings 132

Location: Orbit Room, Grand Rapids, MI.
Promoter: Greg Ahrens
Matchmaker: Carlos Llinas
Doors open at 7PM
photos

Solis-Sosa III on March 9th in Guadalajara

Sources say that former world champions Ulises ‘Archie’ Solis (35-2-3, 22 KOs) and Edgar Sosa (47-7, 28 KOs) will square of March 9th in Guadalajara, Mexico. In play will be Sosa’s WBC Silver flyweight title. Solis previously defeated Sosa twice by decision earlier in their careers.

New ref for Geale-Mundine

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

Nevada referee Robert Byrd will replace Jack Reiss as the third man in the ring when IBF middleweight champion Daniel “Real Deal” Geale defends the title against fellow Australian Anthony “The Man” Mundine at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia on January 30.

Byrd has previously been the referee in Australia when IBF lightweight champion Philip Holiday stopped Jeff Fenech in Melbourne in 1992. He also worked an IBF elimination lightweight bout when Ameth Diaz stopped Lenny Zappavigna in Melbourne in 2011.

Judges for Mundine-Geale are: Charlie Lucas (Australia), Ray Reed (Australia), Tony Marretta (Australia). Supervisor is IBF President Daryl Peoples.

Mundine: I am better than Geale

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

Former WBA super middleweight champion Anthony “The Man” Mundine is confident he will be the new IBF middleweight champion on January 30 when he clashes with reigning titleholder Daniel “Real Deal” Geale at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Mundine is not impressed with Geale dethroning Germany’s Sebastian Sylvester and Felix Sturm in 2011 and 2012 for IBF and WBA middleweight titles respectively.

“I don’t believe he’s a better fighter than he was 2009,” Mundine said. “Sylvester? I’d beat him with one hand. I’d beat Sturm all day. I respect Daniel Geale and what he’s done. I respect him. Time and time again he’s proven himself. But we have one problem – I’m better.” (more…)

Fox battles Kennedy in Maryland main event

By Gary “Digital” Williams

A potentially explosive main event headlines the Keystone Boxing card on Saturday, January 12 at Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington, MD. Undefeated Forestville, MD junior middleweight Alantez “Slyaza” Fox will battle “Relentless” Julius Kennedy of Baltimore, MD in a six-round contest.

Fox (8-0-1, four KO’s) is coming off a first round TKO over Jimmy LeBlanc on December 8 at the Washington Convention Center in DC. Kennedy (7-2-1, three KO’s, one NC) hasn’t fought since his no contest against Zain Shah on September 10, 2011 at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA, a bout that was originally a win for Shah before the decision was overturned. (more…)

Weights from Mexico City

Photo: Pepe Rodriguez

Dante “Crazy” Jardon 129.8 vs Adrian Verdugo 129.8
(WBC Continental super featherweight title)
Juan Jose “Goofy” Montes 116 vs Martin “Pini” Casillas 116
Mauricio Pintor 143 vs Hassam “Sombra” Valenzuela 143

Venue: Foro Polanco
TV: Televisa
Promoter: Promociones del Pueblo y Producciones Deportivas Maldonado

Rios tops Ramos in snoozer

By David Robinett at ringside

Off TV fight: Hometown fighter Randy Caballero, (18-0, 10 KOs), dispatched Luis Maldonado, (38-10-1, 29 KOs) 39 seconds into round four of a scheduled ten round junior featherweight bout. Caballero was in control early, scoring a first round knockdown, but Maldonado came alive in round three, outworking his younger foe. A quick flurry to the head dropped Maldonado again in round four. Maldonado rose on steady legs ready to fight but referee Ray Corona inexplicably waved the bout off, prematurely ending a fight that seemed to be heating up.

Rising featherweight star Ronny Rios (20-0, 9 KOs) won a tactical ten round unanimous decision over former WBA super bantamweight world champion Rico Ramos (21-2, 11 KOs) in a bout for the vacant NABF featherweight belt belt on Saturday night at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California. Not a lot of action as Rios prevailed 100-90, 97-93, 96-94.

In a clash of unbeaten junior middleweights, Daquan Arnett (10-0, 6 KOs) scored a workmanlike eight round unanimous decision over Brandon Quarles (10-1-1, 2 KOs). Scores were 78-73, 77-74, 76-75. Quarles was deducted a point by referee Ray Corona for holding in round seven.

Molina KOs Williams in four

Ringside by Chris Cozzone and Gerardo Martinez
Photos by Chris Cozzone

Lightweight John Molina (25-2, 20 KOs) scored an explosive fourth round knockout over Dannie Williams (22-3, 18 KOs) on Friday night at the Indian School in Sante Fe, New Mexico. A flush right hand to the temple put Williams down hard to end it. Time was 2:16.

Undefeated super middleweight Brandon “Flawless” Gonzales (17-0-1, 10 KOs) wasn’t flawless, but he did enough to win a unanimous decision over Don Mouton (11-5-1, 9 KOs) in an eight-round bout. Scores were 78-75, 77-75, 77-75.

In other results: Archie Ray Marquez (15-2, 9 KO’s) decisioned tougher-than-expected Rynell Griffin (6-12-2, 2 KO’s) with scores of 58-56 twice and 59-55 in a six rounder; In a four round bout, Los Lunas debuter Eduardo Dominguez (1-0) pulled out a hard fought unanimous decision win against Albuquerque’s Joshua Montoya (0-2); Santa Fe’s Brandon Holmes (1-0, 1 KO) KO’d his opponent Abelardo Javier Esparza (0-1) at 0:36 seconds of the fourth round, winning his pro debut; In the only female bout, Cecilia Renova (1-0) made her professional debut a successful one with a hard fought unanimous decision win against the game Amber Trujillo (0-1); and, getting his first ‘W’, Michael Coca Gallegos (1-10-1, 1 KO) KO’d opponent Santa Fe debuter Alejandro Hernandez (0-1) at 1:11 of the first round.

Beltran: Marquez decision soon, JC Chavez update

Photo: Zanfer Promotions

Promoter Fernando Beltran Rendon, head of Zanfer Promotions says he is expecting a decision from Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez shortly on whether or not he will continue in the fight game after his spectacular knockout of Manny Pacquiao on December 8 in Las Vegas.

Beltran says if Marquez answers in the affirmative, he could return April 13 or April 20 against an opponent to be named. He added that Pacquiao will return on April 13 and Marquez could see action a week later. Jessie Vargas and Vyacheslav Senchenko have been mentioned as possibilities for both.

——————-
Beltran also thanked the Nevada Atate Athletic Commission for their patience while former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. get his visa issues resolved. He added that before any comeback fight is discussed, Chavez must first see what penalty is imposed by the commission after Junior’s positive marijuana test following his loss to Sergio Martinez.

Beltran did hint that Matthew Macklin could be one of opponents in his sights. Also he didn’t know if Chavez Jr. will train with Nacho Beristain or Robert Garcia, and that is a decision that belongs entirely to the fighter. Chavez was most recently trained by Freddie Roach. (more…)

Mikey Garcia speaks

Undefeated #1 featherweight contender Mikey Garcia (30-0, 26 KOs) spoke about his upcoming January 19 world title clash against WBO featherweight champion Orlando “Siri” Salido (39-11-2, 27 KOs) at “The Mecca of Boxing,” Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Photo: Chris Farina/Top Rank

“It has been a very intense training camp because we know that this is the most important fight of my career,” said Mikey. “I believe I have the skills and the strength to beat Orlando Salido, but I know that I have to be very smart and very patient in the ring.

“Orlando Salido is the best featherweight champion in the world and he has earned the right to be called that. He is very strong and very experienced and this will be the toughest test of my career, but I am ready for it. (more…)

Pathompothong outpoints Akita

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing
Photos: Johnny Chaichotchuang

IBF#15 light welterweight Patomsuk Pathompothong (22-1-1, 13KOs) outscored Japanese importation Takamori Akita (7-3-1, 5KOs) over twelve action rounds at Phitsanulok, Thailand on Thursday. Akita came to fight and did not take a backward step but was out worked by the powerful Thai 140 pounder who shows improvement with each bout. Akita edged Pathompothong in rounds five, nine and twelve but at the conclusion the Thai won by scores 117-111, 117-111 and 117-111.

Promoter Jimmy Chaichotchuang said “Akita boxed Pathompothong in May 2012 and it was a war. Both Akita and Pathompothong again boxed a war, this time over twelve rounds that was seen on television throughout Thailand. It is good that Japanese boxers are challenging for IBF championships. I plan to have more Japanese boxers visit Thailand and give them opportunity to challenge for IBF titles.” (more…)

Weights from Sunrise, Florida

Johan Perez 143 vs. Steve Forbes 141.7
Thomas Williams 175 vs. Jason Smith 172.2
Terrell Gausha 164.2 vs. Kenneth Schmitz 164.7
Yudel Johnson 156.2 vs. Dashon Johnson 158.5
Tracy Rollins 151 vs. Jose Angel Sanchez 157
Willie Jones 143 vs. Jose Valderrama 139
Larry Yanez 132.2 vs. John Wampash 132.2

Venue: BB&T Center
Promoter: Golden Boy
TV: Fox Sports Net/Fox Deportes

Hasson-Engel at the Chase Feb 8

By Rick Scharmberg

Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington, Delaware will host its inaugural boxing event on Friday, February 8. The main event will feature Dennis “The Assassin” Hasson (15-0, 5 KOs) taking on hard hitting Kevin “Hitman” Engel (20-6, 16 KOs) in a ten round bout, with the NABA interim light heavyweight title at stake. Hasson is coming off a dominant win over Daniel Judah, while Engel stopped previously unbeaten Anthony Caputo in his last bout. In the co-feature, “The New” Ray Robinson (14-2, 6 KOs) will face Alberto Morales (11-1-1 8 KOs) in a ten round bout for the interim NABA welterweight title. Robinson won the Pennsylvania State welterweight title with a second round KO of former Olympic bronze medalist Terrance Cauthen his last time out. Dave Tiberi’s Champs Management is promoting the event. (more…)