Vic Darchinyan retained the WBA/WBC Super Flyweight championship
Vic Darchinyan retained the WBA/WBC Super Flyweight championships with a twelve round unanimous decision over game Rodrigo Guerrero at The Agua Caliente Hotel and Resort in Palm Spring, California.
Drachinyan started early by showing some decent boxing skills by deviating from his usual “Seek and Destroy” style by landing shome nice body shots and right hooks. In round five, the effects of Darchinyan’s shots were showing as a small cut opened around the left eye of Guerrero.
In round seven, Darchinyan really turned up the gas as he landed several thudding left hands that would have knockoed most men out but Guerrero showed a granite chin and continued in attempt to come forward. In round, eight Darchinyan landed several more shots that drove Guerrero back for just a moment. Guerrero showed Grade A toughness as he ate shot after shot from the heavy handed Darchinyan. For good measure, Darchinyan landed four more big shots in the final seconds of the fight but yet he stood on his feet to hear the final bell.
Darchinyan, 115 lbs of Sydney, Australia won by scores of 118-110; 117-111; 120-108 and is now 34-2-1. Guerrero, 114 lbs of Mexico City is 13-2-1.
Lenny Zappavigna scored a twelve round unanimous decision over former world title challenger Fernando Angulo in a Lightweight bout.
Zappavigna controlled the early rounds as he worked the body well as he featured the left hook and added some nice right hands. The fight seemed to change in Angulo’s favor in round six as Angulo cut Zappavigna around the right eye from a punch.
In round eye, the blood became very prevalent as it started to stream out of the eyelid. Angulo landed the more telling blows. In round nine, Angulo was deducted a poing for hitting on the break. There wasnt much to choose from over the final rounds but it seemed that Angulo deserved better, especially since the verdict was unanimous by scores of 116-111, 116-111 and 114-113 for Zappavigna.
Zappavigna, 135 lbs of Sydney, Australia is now 23-0. Angulo, 138 lbs of Sucumbios, Ecuador is now 22-7.
FINAL SHOBOX PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES: VIC DARCHINYAN, RODRIGO GUERRERO, VINNY “LITTLE ZAPPA’’ ZAPPAVIGNA
Thursday, March 4, 2010,
Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa, Rancho Mirage, California
“SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION’’
This Saturday, March 6, 2010; Live on SHOWTIME® at 9 p.m. ET/PT
RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (March 4, 2010) – Popular, hard-hitting Vic “The Raging Bull’’ Darchinyan (33-2-1, 27 KOs) will defend his World Boxing Council/World Boxing Association (WBC/WBA) super flyweight crowns against streaking Rodrigo “Gato’’ Guerrero (13-1-1, 9 KOs) in the main event on a special edition of ShoBox: The New Generation on SHOWTIME® this Saturday, March 6 (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa here.
In the 12-round co-feature, unbeaten Lenny “Lenny Zappa’’ Zappavigna (22-0, 15 KOs) of Australia and Fernando “La Fiera” Angulo (22-6, 14 KOs) of Venezuela will clash for the International Boxing Organization (IBO) lightweight title. Angulo was in Los Angeles taking his medical examination and was not at Thursday’s press conference.
An Australian-based Armenian, the exciting Darchinyan will be making his fifth consecutive appearance on SHOWTIME and 11th overall. He has scored knockouts in 14 of his last 15 victories.
The switching-hitting Guerrero, of Ciudad Neza, Mexico, has won 11 in a row. This will be his first start on SHOWTIME and in the United States.
The promising Zappavigna, an Italian, fights out of Sydney, Australia. He also will be making his SHOWTIME debut, and his second stateside start.
The doubleheader will be promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC. Tickets, priced from $45, may be purchased at The Show Box Office, online at HotWaterCasino.com/TheShow or by calling (800) 585-3737. For private box/suite bookings, please call The Show’s Group Sales Department (760) 202-2111.
VIC DARCHINYAN
“SHOWTIME is like my home and I look forward to defending my title again on SHOWTIME and fighting in front of my fans at Agua Caliente.
“This is a good fight for me and a fight where I will showcase all my skills – not just a punch. I feel really good and had a great training camp. I plan to do everything — box, think and stay calm.
“Guerrero is a good kid and he’s fought a couple good fighters and done very well. There’s no way I’m going to underestimate him.
“I think he has a future in boxing, but it won’t begin until after I beat him on Saturday.
“I don’t want to talk about any possible fights for me in the future. My main focus is on Guerrero and defeating a determined, young opponent. I am here and ready to do my job.
“If the knockout comes, it comes. But it is going to come. He will feel my power.’’
RODRIGO GUERRERO
“I am really happy and excited for this opportunity – my chance of a lifetime. This is what I have waited for my whole life and I am confident of doing well.
“When they first told me I was fighting for a world title, it was such a huge surprise, I couldn’t believe it. I still didn’t believe it for a little while. But, finally, after about two weeks of sparring, it sunk in. I’d been promised major fights before, but they never happened. Now, this one is here, and I am ready.
“I know a lot of people may not have heard of me, but I guarantee I am not here to fall down in the first or 12th round – or any round, for that matter. People and fans who have never seen me fight are saying I’m no good. I believe they are all in for a surprise, a really big surprise.
“Everyone has an opinion, but the negative talk has only given me more motivation. And I didn’t need any more motivation. Fighting for two world titles was enough. Darchinyan is a great fighter with a lot of power. But, watch and see, I can fight and I have power, too. This is going to be a great fight.’’
LENNY “LITTLE ZAPPA’’ ZAPPAVIGNA
“I’ve had great sparring, great training and am 100 percent excited about fighting on SHOWTIME and showing the whole world what I can do.
“I definitely want to win very impressively, but my goal, my destiny, is to win the belt. That is why I’m here and I am not leaving without that belt. I would fight a Mike Tyson if there was a belt on the line.
“After the fight, I am not going to look back and think to myself, ‘I should have done this, I should have done that.’ I am going to do it all on Saturday. I have my own style and I know the fans will like it.’’
For information on all SHOWTIME Sports telecasts, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries from its events and complete information on the Super Six World Boxing Classic, please visit the website at http://www.sports.sho.com
About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. The growing list of fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Leonard Dorin, Scott Harrison, Juan Diaz, Jeff Lacy, Ricky Hatton, Joan Guzman, Juan Urango, David Diaz, Robert Guerrero, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Malignaggi, Kendall Holt, Timothy Bradley, Bernard Dunne, Yonnhy Perez, Yuri Foreman and Andre Ward.
About Showtime Networks Inc.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®.
VIC DARCHINYAN TO DEFEND SUPER FLYWEIGHT TITLES AGAINST RODRIGO GUERRERO, SATURDAY. MARCH 6
Promising, Unbeaten Lightweight Lenny Zappavigna
Faces Fernando “La Fiera” Angulo In Co-Feature;
From Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa In Rancho Mirage, Calif.,
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Live at 9 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME®
NEW YORK (Feb. 19, 2010)–-Fan favorite Vic “The Raging Bull’’ Darchinyan (33-2-1, 27 KOs) will make his fifth consecutive appearance on SHOWTIME® and 11th overall when he defends his World Boxing Council/World Boxing Association (WBC/WBA) super flyweight crowns against streaking, world-ranked Rodrigo “Gato’’ Guerrero (13-1-1, 9 KOs) in the main event on a special edition of ShoBox: The New Generation Saturday, March 6, at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Rancho Mirage, Calif.
The 12-round world title fight has been elevated to the main event since the Arthur Abraham vs. Andre Dirrell bout, originally set as the main event, has been rescheduled. Ticketholders who need additional information are directed to call StarTickets at (800) 585.3737 or The Show Box Office at (760) 833-8120 during normal business hours.
The March 6 telecast is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, and will begin at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) with a 12-round lightweight bout between the fast-rising, undefeated Lenny Zappavigna (22-0, 15 KOs) of Australia and Fernando “La Fiera” Angulo (22-6, 14 KOs) of Venezuela for the International Boxing Organization (IBO) title.
Darchinyan, a brash Australian-based Armenian, standing five-foot-five-and-one-half-inch, at the age of 34-years-old, has scored knockouts in 14 of his last 15 victories.
In his last outing, Darchinyan retained his belts with an impressive second-round knockout over Tomas Rojas at Agua Caliente on Dec. 12, 2009, on SHOWTIME. One of Darchinyan’s most devastating performances came when he unified the 115-pound titles with a ninth-round knockout over Cristian Mijares on Nov. 1, 2008, on SHOWTIME.
“I have a lot of possible big fights in the future, but I need to beat this guy up decisively first,’’ Darchinyan said. “He’s in way over his head. I’m going to sand-blast Guerrero into an early retirement. Viva Darchinyan!’’
Guerrero, of Ciudad Neza, Mexico, is a switch-hitter who has won 11 in a row, including impressive performances against Luis Maldonado and No. 1-ranked Alberto Rosas. A natural right-hander, the five-foot-five, 22-year-old Guerrero has campaigned exclusively in Mexico since turning professional on July 28, 2005. He is coming off a third-round knockout over Rey Lopez on Dec. 18, 2009, in Tijuana, Mex.
“This opportunity is what you live for, it’s what you dream about and I feel I’m ready for it,’’ Guerrero said. “I’m a brawler. I come to fight. You’re not going to see me box too much. Darchinyan is a big, strong guy with terrific power, so we know what he’s about and what he likes to do.
“I think the biggest key for a fight like this is not to be intimidated. You go in the first round and show him that you can bang with him, but you have to fight smart. I’ve prepared very well and feel that I can win this fight. I know it’s a difficult fight – it’s a difficult task, but it’s not an impossible one. I’m ready.’’
Zappavigna, of Sydney, by way of Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia, will be making his SHOWTIME debut and second start in the United States. In his initial stateside start last Dec. 12, the five-foot-six, 22-year-old won every round en route to winning an impressive six-round decision over Sergio Macias at Agua Caliente.
Nicknamed “Lenny Zappa,’’ Zappavigna, who’s Italian, wears his hair like fellow Aussie and former world champion Kostya Tszyu — he has a long, rat-tail that extends from the back of his head – but he competes with the determination, passion and ferociousness of his idol, Arturo Gatti.
“I like to unleash a bunch of punches like Arturo, who was just a warrior,’’ said Zappavigna, who came out relentlessly against Macias and seldom let up. “I’ve always loved Gatti. He always came to fight.’’
Considered by many to be Australia’s top pro prospect, Zappavigna went 72-9 in the amateurs and was a four-time national champion in his homeland before turning pro in June 2006.
Angulo is a former world title challenger who dropped a 12-round decision to then-unbeaten WBA lightweight champion Juan Diaz on Nov. 4, 2006.
The defeat to Diaz ended a 13-fight winning streak for Angulo, a five-foot-five, 29-year-old awkward boxer-puncher with good skills and movement.
Angulo was born in Ecuador and resides in Caracas, Venezuela.
For information on all SHOWTIME Sports telecasts, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries from its events and complete information on the Super Six World Boxing Classic, please visit the website at http://www.sports.sho.com
About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. The growing list of fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Leonard Dorin, Scott Harrison, Juan Diaz, Jeff Lacy, Ricky Hatton, Joan Guzman, Juan Urango, David Diaz, Robert Guerrero, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Malignaggi, Kendall Holt, Timothy Bradley, Bernard Dunne, Yonnhy Perez, Yuri Foreman and Andre Ward.
About Showtime Networks Inc.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®.
2010 Crystal Ball Part 4
By Anson Wainwright
Vic Darchinyan will be back in action on 6 March on Showtime in what is likely to amount to a keep busy fight while Nonito Donaire will stop Gerson Guerrero in February to set up the rematch sometime over the summer. Donaire will repeat his win then head for a fall fight in The Philippines with Jorge Arce who will KO Angky Angkota first. Nobau Nashiro will most likely rematch Hugo Cazares this time Cazares will take the title to make him a two weight world champion. Though he may not see the year through especially if he has to take the title on the road. South African Simphiwe Nongqayi is in his mid 30’s surprised everyone when he won the IBF title. He may have enough to see his way through the year as the IBF top 15 isn’t particularly threatening with the exception of Alexander Munoz who may be campaigning at Bantamweight anyway.
In a mega fight in Japan Koki Kameda’s youth prevailed as he overcame Daisuke Naito to take the WBC crown last year. I expect a big year from Kameda with him outpointing battle tested former champ Pongsaklek Wongjongkam in a close maybe controversial fight. I’d not be surprised to see Naito get another shot if he doesn’t retire. Kameda will also beat make a third defence. Thailand’s Denkaosan Kaowitchit fights Daiki Kameda in another rematch after narrowly winning last time. It wont happen this time and Daiki will claim the title making it the second weight class where two brothers hold world titles at the same time. At some point the WBA will make Daiki square off with Interim WBA champion Luis Concepcion in what should be very interesting. IBF ruler is another South African Moruti Mthalane who will successfully defend his title at home but will lose it in the second half of the year when he’s comes to Mexico to fight Herman “Tyson” Marquez. Long standing WBO ruler Omar Narvaez has been champion since 2002 and made 16 successful defence’s and at 34 you wouldn’t think he could last to much longer but he hasn’t looked like losing and will see the year through fighting twice at home.
Puerto Rican mighty mite Ivan Calderon fought twice in 09 and suffered from bad cuts in both he’ll enjoy more luck this year. He’ll fight twice more both successful defence’s which will take place in the cosy confines of his homeland. Brian Viloria finally came good on his promise last year and will keep his crown with three wins first up will be tough but limited Carlos Tamara which takes place in The Philippines. He’ll be back then in America where he’ll get a place on one of Top Ranks cards in the spring/summer. By the end of the year Viloria will be mentioned as a possible counterpart for Koki Kameda & Calderon. Power punching Giovanni Segura will continue to fight on Latin Fury cards with a stoppage over Wisanu Pornobnum an excellent fight with Francisco Rosas beckons. Rosas is teak tough and should provide a really intriguing fight for Segura but will yield late on or on points. Another possible fight is Ulises Solis who would fend off Segura’s early charge to pick apart his fellow Mexican in an excellent fight to become a two time champ. Rodel Mayol finally got over the hump to win a world title thanks to his head when he stopped Edgar Sosa. I don’t see him keeping the title with tough fights against the likes of Omar Nino & Adrian Hernandez his top contenders.
Roman Gonzalez will continue to reign supreme, first fighting in Mexico on 30 January though no opponent is know don’t expect it to be anyone to tough while Gonzalez scores a KO. Expect 2 other challengers to go the same way one of them being in Japan. Oleydong Sithsamerchai is a little to slick for anyone at Strawweight. He turned back Juan Palacios who was his toughest opponent so don’t expect any of his coming challengers to be able to take his title. Two more defence’s beckon which both go the distance. Raul Garcia will leave Baja California Sur, Mexico for the first time when he travels to South America face his toughest fight to date in mandatory challenger Nkosinathi Joyi. Joyi is also unbeaten and poses a major threat to Garcia 2 year and 5 successful defence’s. It’s one that i think will pose to much for him with Joyi taking the title via lopsided points decision. Don’t expect anyone to unseat him either as he’ll develop further and score a couple of KO victories. WBO ruler is Donnie Nietes who gets the year off to a good start when he stops Jesus Silvestre on 23 January. He’ll follow that with maybe a road trip but he’ll be good enough to keep the title.
Bradley retains Jr. Welter crown with unanimous decision over Peterson
Timothy Bradley retained the WBO Jr. Welterweight championship with a twelve round unanimous decision over Lamont Peterson in a battle of unbeaten’s at the Agua Caliente Hotel and Resort in Rancho Mirage, California.
In round one, Bradley rocked Peterson on two occasions with right hands down the middle. Bradley continued to rock etersonin round two as he could not miss with the right hand as he buckled Peterson on a couple of occasions.In round three, Bradley landed a right on the top of the head that put Peterson on his knees that was ruled a knockdown. That seemed to wake Peterson up for a moment as he came back with ripping shots and a nice left hook. Peterson carried that momentum into the next round as he landed some nice shots in close. Round five saw Bradley begin to work the body. The accumulation started to show in round six as Peterson started to bleed around the left eye.
Peterson began to trickle blood from his nose after eating Bradley jab. Bradley was in control over the middle rounds as he boxed and moved very nicely. Peterson tried to make a stand in round ten as he landed a nice hook near the end of the frame.
The two finished with a heated exchange down the stretch but it wasn’t enough for Peterson.
Bradley, of Palm Springs, California won by scores of 118-110; 119-108; 120-107 to remain undefeated at 25-0-1. Peterson, 139 lbs of Washington, DC is now 27-1.
Vic Darchinyan returned to the Super Flyweight division with a bang as he scored an explosive second round knockout over Tomas Rojas to retain his WBA/WBC Super Flyweight titles.
Rojas was doing well over the first five minutes as he used his height and was landing some solid combinations. Darchinyan made it a brawl at the end of the first round and Rojas obliged by firing back.
Late in round two, Drachinyan unloaded a perfect left that rattled the chin of Rojas and sent the challenger down and referee Raul Caiz Jr. stopped the bout at 2:54 of round two.
Darchinyan returned the 115 lb division after dropping a unanimous decision to former IBF Bantamweight cha,pio Joseph Agbeko in July. Darchinyan, 114 1/1 lbs of Sydney, Australia is now 33-2-1 with twenty seven knockouts. Rojas, 113 1/2 lbs of Veracruz, Mexico is now 32-11
WEIGHTS FROM Rancho Mirage,Calif
Timothy Bradley 138 – Lamont Peterson 139
Vic Darchinyan 114.5 – Tomas Rojas 113.5
FREDDY HERNANDEZ VS. OCTAVIO NAVAREZ
Mexico City, Mexico Chinandega, Nicaragua
(26-1, 18 KOs) / 148.5 lbs (7-8-1, 4 KOs) / 148.5 lbs
(6 /8 Rds. Welterweight Bout)
LEONARDO ZAPPAVIGNA VS. SERGIO MACIAS
Liverpool, Australia Pacoima, California
(21-0, 15 KOs) / 137 lbs (14-18, 6 KOs) / 146.5 lbs
(6 Rds. Female Junior Featherweight Bout)
KALIESHA WEST VS. KASHA CHAMBLIN
Rancho Mirage, California Lafayette, Louisiana
(11-1, 2 KOs) / 119 lbs (11-4, 5 KOs) / 120.5 lbs
(6/8 Rds. Featherweight Bout)
SALVADOR SANCHEZ, II VS. RODRIGO ARANDA
Tianguistenco, Mexico Las Vegas, Nevada
(17-3-2, 8 KOs) / 124.5 lbs (8-11-2, 2 KOs) / 126 lbs
(6 Rds. Lightweight Bout)
DANIEL HERNANDEZ VS. AARON DOMINGUEZ
Southgate, California Hermosillo, Mexico
(8-0-, 4 KOs) /131.5 lbs (10-4, 6 KOs) / 135 lbs
(6 Rds. Heavyweight Bout)
LATEEF KAYODE VS. BILLY WILLIS
Hollywood, California Houston, Texas
(8-0, 7 KOs) / 208.5 lbs (11-18-1, 9 KOs) / 235 lbs
TIMOTHY BRADLEY & LAMONT PETERSON VIC DARCHINYAN & TOMAS ROJAS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLEHEADER FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
RANCHO MIRAGE, CALIF. (Dec. 9, 2009) – All four fighters on this Saturday’s SHOWTIME world championship doubleheader appeared at the site of their upcoming showdowns, the Agua Caliente Casino • Resort • Spa, for a final press conference on Wednesday to discuss this weekend’s fights.
In an excellent battle of unbeatens, Timothy Bradley (24-0-1 NC, 11 KOs), of Palm Springs, Calif., will defend his World Boxing Association (WBO) Junior Welterweight title against interim champ Lamont Peterson (27-0, 13 KOs), of Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Dec. 12 LIVE on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).
The telecast will open with WBC/WBA Super Flyweight Champion Vic Darchinyan (32-2-1, 26 KOs), of Sydney, Australia, defending his belts against WBC interim titlist Tomas Rojas (32-10, 22 KOs) of Mexico.
Combined, the four fighters have a phenomenal record of 115-13-2 (72 KOs) — a winning percentage of 88% and a victory by knockout ratio exceeding 66%.
Bradley, who is coming off a No Contest against former unified lightweight world champion Nate Campbell on Aug. 1 on SHOWTIME, is on a hot streak in the stacked 140-pound division. Bradley originally won the fight via highly controversial third-round TKO, but the decision was later changed to a NC due to an accidental head butt that opened a cut over Campbell’s left eye.
Peterson, who is one of the hottest prospects in boxing, is coming off a seventh-round TKO over previously unbeaten Willy Blain on April 25, 2009 for the interim WBO junior welterweight title. Now he has his first shot at a world title against a man that no one in the division has been able to beat.
The 12-rounders are promoted by Gary Shaw Productions and Thompson Boxing Promotions, in association with Top Rank and Agua Caliente Casino • Resort • Spa.
What the fighters had to say on Wednesday:
TIMOTHY BRADLEY
“I want to thank Peterson for taking this fight. I know Lamont Peterson very well and he knows me, and I know that Barry Hunter is underrated. I love his trainer Barry Hunter. He is a great guy.
“Don’t let Peterson’s record fool you. Saturday night is a candidate for fight of the year. Probably will be fight of the year.”
“I know they are prepared, but I’m just letting everybody know that I’m willing to die Saturday; I’m willing to die for that title. I’ve got to have it. I know I’ll have it. I know I’m going to hell and back to get it because Lamont Peterson is a great fighter. It’s my time and I’m willing to die Saturday night for that title.
“Mom, I know this may upset you, but I’ve got passion and with that I’m ready to die in the ring. I’ve trained extremely hard for this fight. I’m ready, I know he is ready and we are going to get it on Saturday night.
“It’s going to be a hell of a fight. It’s going to be fight of the year, guaranteed. I’m not going to lie down and I know Lamont isn’t going to lie down. It’s on.”
LAMONT PETERSON
“I’m just so amped for the fight. Don’t miss the fight. Like everybody says, it should be a really good fight. It will be a really, really good fight, so don’t miss it.
“Timothy has to do what he has to do, but if he says that he’s willing to die then he should give me life. If he says I got to kill him in order to win – then that is what I gotta do.
“If Bradley were engaging another opponent I would support him. But since he is fighting against me, there is no such thing as a friendship.
“I went through Timothy Bradley’s last six fights and looked for what he constantly did during all of those six fights. I studied those tapes over and over again so I could familiarize myself with the moves that he does over and over again.
“I am not concerned at all about the fact that I am fighting in Timothy’s backyard. I am not fighting the crowd, so it makes no difference. It’s Bradley that I will be battling in the ring.
“I won’t have a loss. It CANNOT happen. I have to come out as the winner. A loss is not ever on my mind. That’s my train of thought now and always will be when I enter into the ring.”
GARY SHAW (Bradley & Darchinyan Promoter)
“It’s good to be back here at Agua Caliente. Thanks to SHOWTIME, who have obviously backed Timothy Bradley and Vic Darchinyan. It is a special quality that when Darchinyan lost they still brought him back to TV, which is more then I can saw for other networks. It is going to be a great card. We will be sold out on Friday, for sure. 100 percent.
“Vic is fearless. If there is ever a fight in a bar I hope I’m standing next to Vic Darchinyan. Vic is special. He is the current WBC and WBA World Champion, a two-belt champion and the most exciting fighter in all of boxing. It’s going to be a great opening fight, a great action fight for both TV and the fans here.
“Now for the main event, this is a class act (Lamont Peterson and Barry Hunter). This is one of those times that I’m going to hold the trash talk and just introduce team Bradley. This fight will speak for itself.”
CARL MORETTI, Top Rank
“It’s the end of the year and I beg people to watch this fight Saturday night because you will truly see a candidate for fight of the year. You won’t see a bad fight ever between these two guys.
“Bradley, as a boxer, we have so much respect for. He does everything that he is asked to do. He is truly the best 140-pounder in the world. That’s why this fight means so much and that’s why we believe in Lamont Peterson.
“When you have someone like Lamont Peterson and his team, the offer came up and there was no backing down. That’s where we wanted to go and we find ourselves here today. At the end of the day, we believe we will have the new champion.
BARRY HUNTER (Peterson’s Trainer)
“I’ve known Timmy since he was a junior in the amateurs. He has always been one of class. He has been a hard worker. I have nothing but respect for the whole Bradley team.
“The happy side of this is I’m sitting next to a kid (Peterson) that I’ve had in the gym since he was 10 years old. Not too many people get a chance to dream and then live the dream. He, too, is a hard worker. He is a very exciting fighter, a very intelligent fighter. I’m very happy and I’m very proud of him.
“He’s very well prepared for this fight. He came in under weight today. We had a great camp.
“Come Saturday, I know you’ll see a great fight and it could very well be a candidate for fight of the year. You have two skilled athletes with the will to win. Timmy has proved himself and now it is our turn. Come Saturday, we’ll do all we can to walk out of here with that belt.”
VIC DARCHINYAN
“Team Rojas can believe what they want to believe. They say they are going to take me out and take my belt? How does he figure that he is going to beat me when I have beaten all of his opponents that he has fought?
“He acts brave, but when he sees me here he begins to shake.
“I am a fully loaded gun and I am going to shoot him down with my boxing skills in the ring.”
TOMAS ROJAS:
“I’m ready and geared up for Saturday’s fight. It’s a two-for-one on Saturday because I will take two belts from Vic Darchinyan on Saturday night. He’s (Vic) a good fighter, but I am ready for him.
“This is an important fight for me. Vic Darchinyan is strong but not indestructible.
“I’m ready to take the belt. I’m going to throw a lot of punches. I’ll throw more punches and harder ones.
Darchinyan has faced a lot of great fighters, but he has never seen or fought someone like me.
“It’s a pleasure being back in the U.S., but I am dedicating this fight to Veracruz, Mexico.”
BRADLEY-PETERSON, DARCHINYAN-ROJAS SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING DOUBLEHEADER
Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009 from The Show at Agua Caliente Casino • Resort • Spa LIVE ON SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/PT
NEW YORK (Dec. 7, 2009) – Unbeaten Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley will make another defense of his World Boxing Organization (WBO) Jr. Welterweight world title in his California desert hometown when he takes on undefeated Lamont Peterson, Saturday, Dec. 12 live on SHOWTIME® (9p ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast). The scheduled 12-round world title fight will emanate from The Show at Agua Caliente Casino • Resort • Spa in Rancho Mirage, Calif., less than 10 miles from where Bradley grew up in North Palm Springs.
In a co-feature, devastating knockout artist Vic “Raging Bull” Darchinyan will defend his World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Association (WBA) 115-pound crowns against the hard-hitting Tomas Rojas.
The event is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions and Thompson Boxing Promotions in association with Top Rank, Inc. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.HotWaterCasino.com/TheShow or by calling Star Tickets at (800) 585-3737.
The 26-year-old Bradley (24-0, 11 KOs), who is coming off a no contest decision against former unified lightweight world champion Nate Campbell on Aug. 1 on SHOWTIME, is on a hot streak in the stacked 140-pound division. Bradley originally won the fight via a highly controversial third-round TKO, but the decision was later changed to a NC by the California State Athletic Commission due to an accidental head butt that opened a cut over Campbell’s left eye.
Bradley quickly moved on from the disappointing no contest against Campbell in order to focus on his next opponent, the lengthier and taller, Peterson.
“Boxing is about style, and styles make fights,” Bradley said. “He could give me problems, but we’re going to see. He’s a much taller opponent with a lot longer reach, but that’s not going to keep me off of him. I’m coming in there to get him, and we’ll see how long he lasts.”
Prior to the bout with Campbell, Bradley defeated Kendall Holt by way of unanimous decision in a world title unification bout on April 4, in Montreal on SHOWTIME. The aggressive, physical and well-conditioned Bradley captured the WBC crown in Great Britain with an upset victory over Junior Witter on May 10, 2008, and successfully defended it in Biloxi, Miss., the following Sept. 13 against Edner Cherry. Both fights were on SHOWTIME.
Many feel Bradley doesn’t get the respect he deserves for being the top fighter at 140 pounds, even after winning the title on the road against Witter, defending it over Cherry and fighting in a dangerous unification bout with Holt.
“That just shows you how determined I am to being great,” Bradley said. “At the end of the day, after I beat Lamont Peterson, people are going to start realizing that, ‘I’m going to stop betting against this guy and I’m going to get on the bandwagon.’”
Peterson (27-0, 13 KOs), of Washington, D.C., who is one of the hottest prospects in boxing, is coming off a seventh-round TKO over previously unbeaten Willy Blain on April 25, 2009 for the interim WBO junior welterweight title.
The 25-year-old’s story is one of the most compelling in a sport filled with rags-to-riches tales. Peterson and his brother, fellow top-prospect Anthony, were left homeless after their father landed in jail for a drug conviction, leaving the pair fighting on the streets to survive.
After years of homelessness and jumping from foster home to foster home, the Petersons were discovered by trainer Barry Hunter, who took them to his gym and taught them the sweet science. Boxing gave them discipline, hope and the goal to become world champions.
Now, Lamont Peterson has his first shot at a world title against a man that no one in the 140-pound division has been able to beat.
“It’s a dream come true,” Peterson said. “A lot of times you talk about us being out in the street, and a lot of the times it got me through just dreaming of this day of fighting to become a world champion. Right now, I’m living my dream. I’m just happy about the fight and giving it my all because I know this is it.”
Peterson knows he is taking on a dangerous opponent for his first world title test, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“A lot of guys fight someone they know they can beat,” Peterson said. But, with me, it’s about fighting the best. If a fight comes up, you take it. I’m fighting the No. 1 at 140 pounds. I don’t have to worry about going through the other guys. If I win this, I’m No. 1.”
And when you’re fighting the man to beat in any division, Peterson knows you have to prepare for just about everything.
“Timothy can box, and I know he can bang,” Peterson said. “I know I can box, and I know I can bang. It could be an all out war or it could be a chess match. I’m ready for either one.”
Darchinyan (32-2-1, 26 KOs), of Sydney, Australia, by way of Armenia, is fresh off a shocking 12-round unanimous decision loss to IBF bantamweight champion Joseph King Kong Agbeko on July 11 on SHOWTIME. Darchinyan, the two-division world who was heavily favored in the fight, was fighting for the first time at 118 pounds after dominating the 115-pound division.
But Darchinyan, 33, didn’t seem to have the power he was known for in the lower divisions, and Agbeko capitalized on Darchinyan’s mistakes and landed the stronger punches en route to a convincing victory. Now, the four-time world champ will defend his crowns back in the 115-pound division, where he holds victories over Cristian Mijares and Jorge Arce and has shown that his is much more comfortable and effective.
The 29-year-old Rojas (32-10, 22 KOs), of Veracruz, Mexico, defeated Everado Morales for the interim WBC super flyweight title on July 18 with a ninth-round TKO. Rojas then defeated Evans Mbamba on Saturday, Oct. 24 in Veracruz, Mexico.
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING announcers Gus Johnson and Al Bernstein will call the action with Jim Gray reporting from ringside. The executive producer of SHOWTIME Sports is David Dinkins with Ray Smaltz producing and Bob Dunphy directing.
For information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive video, photos and news links on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING and Strikeforce mixed martial arts telecasts, along with access to the SHOWTIME Sports Facebook® and Twitter® pages, please go to http://Sports.Sho.com.
About Showtime Networks Inc.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®.
About Agua Caliente Casino • Resort • Spa
Agua Caliente Casino • Resort • Spa in Rancho Mirage and Spa Resort Casino in downtown Palm Springs offer the hottest slots, a variety of table games, live poker and high-limit gaming, plus fine dining, shopping, relaxing spas and luxurious hotel rooms, all in a gorgeous resort setting. Agua Caliente Casino • Resort • Spa is also home to The Show, the premier concert theatre in Southern California featuring headliners like Matchbox Twenty, Tony Bennett, Jay Leno and more. Both resorts are owned and operated by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, which also owns the world-famous Indian Canyons and Tahquitz Canyon hiking trails, Indian Canyons Golf Resort and the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum.
Analyzing the Bantamweight ratings
By Anson Wainwright
One of Boxing’s toughest division’s has to currently be the Bantamweight class. The guys weigh just 8 stone 6 pounds or if you prefer 118 pounds. Through out history some very good fighters have earnt a living here and made very good names for themselves including greats like Eder Jofre, Panama Al Brown, Manuel Ortiz, Fighting Harada & Carlos Zarate who arguably engaged in the biggest ever fight at 118 when he fought Alfonso Zamora they met in 1977 with both men at the height of there power holding world titles & had pristine 45-0(44) & 29-0(29) records respectively (Imagine the hype that sort of fight would get these days). While it doesn’t garner too much attention from TV in America or Europe, the calibre of its residents is none the less pretty strong. They get far more coverage in Asia or South America but pop up just often enough in America or Europe to remind us what where missing. Recently when Panama’s Anselmo Moreno defended his crown twice in a six week stretch in France & Germany. Ghana’s Joseph Agbeko fought in a summer sizzler with Vic Darchinyan that was aired live as the main event on Showtime. Here’s a close look at how 5 of the leading websites or magazines around the world view the current crop of Bantamweights.
The Ring 15rounds.com Boxrec.com ESPN Boxing News
Hasegawa Hasegawa Hasegawa Hasegawa Hasegawa
Moreno Moreno Agbeko Agbeko Agbeko
Sidorenko Bakhtin Montiel Moreno Moreno
Agbeko Montiel Moreno Montiel Sidorenko
Perez Sidorenko Perez Cermeno Montiel
Mabuza Agbeko Sidorenko Penalosa Darchinyan
Cermeno Darchinyan Cermeno Valdez Valdez
Mares Mares Domingo Morel Cermeno
Montiel Perez Bakhtin Mares Malinga
Bakhtin Domingo Valdez Perez Perez
Hasegawa 50
Moreno 41
Agbeko 39
Montiel 30
Sidorenko 26
Cermeno 17
Perez 16
Bakhtin 11
Darchinyan 9
Valdez 9
Mares 8
Mabuza 5
Penalosa 5
Domingo 4
Morel 3
Malinga 2
The top man at 8 stone 6 pounds is undoubtedly Hozumi Hasegawa 27-2(11) he’s the long reigning WBC champion having dethroned Veeraphol Sarphrom who was getting close to passing Orlando Canizales record of 16 successful defences. He’s made an impressive 9 defence’s so far since winning the title 4 and half years ago. He’s regularly defeated some very good opponents including a ninth round KO of Sarphrom in a rematch as well as points wins over rugged Mexican Genaro Garcia & tough Italian Simone Maldrottu. Since the Maldrottu win Hasegawa has upped his game from the best in the division to a candidate for pound for pound lists with four stoppage wins two in the second round and two in the first. They were against very credible opponents too in Alex Valdez KO2, Nestor Rocha KO1 & Vusi Malinga KO1. These wins seem to indicate that Hasegawa 28, is in the prime of his career and should continue his run for awhile longer. He’s be a favourite be beat anyone at 118 including his rival champions. It is those fights that he needs to help improve his already impressive legacy. Another possibility is a move up to Super Bantamweight and fight countryman Nishioka for his WBC crown in a fight that would be massive in Japan. Next up is a pre Christmas treat when he takes on former Flyweight champion Eric Morel on 18 December.
Panamanian Anselmo “Chemito” Moreno 27-1-1(9) burst onto the scene when he surprisingly outpointed Wladimir Sidorenko in Germany in May of last year. Since then he’s been very active reeling off 5 wins four in title fights word is he’ll be back in action in November to make another defence against Frederic Patrac. Credit goes to Moreno for taking the title on the road and back to Europe to repeat his win over Sidorenko in Germany and then to France to outpoint former Super Bantamweight title holder Mahyar Monshipour. At just 24 Moreno seems to of not yet reached his prime having many years ahead of him and will hope to join some of his piers amongst the greats of Panamanian boxing.
Joseph “King Kong” Agbeko 27-1(22) proved last time out that he deserves to be mentioned with the very best at Bantamweight when he soundly beat Vic Darchinyan. Darchinyan was the favourite going in and many expected him to become a three weight world champion against Agbeko. Nobody had told Agbeko however and he showed just how good he really is. Promoted by Don King he won the title in September 2007 but it was over a year until he made his first defence. The win over Darchinyan seems to of opened doors for him and he gets back to action making his third defence of his IBF crown against unbeaten Yonnhy Perez in Las Vegas at the end of October. If he can turn back Perez he could be primed for another big fight. Interestingly we got our first glimpse of how good Agbeko could be when he went to Germany and fought then unbeaten Sidorenko and only lost a Majority decision that many believed he deserved. At 29 the Ghanaian seems ready to carry on the good work of his countryman Azumah Nelson & Ike Quartey and bring further glory to the people of his homeland..
Los Mochis finest Fernando “Kochulito” Montiel 39-2-2(29) is a thirteen year professional that has seen him join the greats of Mexican boxing by becoming a three weight world champion. He’s in fantastic company with only Julio Cesar Chavez, Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera & Juan Manuel Marquez having achieved this. He came from obscurity when he beat Isidro Garcia for the WBO Flyweight crown since then he’s reigned at Flyweight, Super Flyweight & now Bantamweight going 15-2(11) in world title fights. Both defeats were by majority decision to the wonderful gifted southpaw Marc Johnson who Montiel appeared not to be able to solve & to the much bigger Jhonny Gonzalez via split decision. Montiel is only 30 but could be slowing down, last time out he received the benefit of the doubt in a non title fight with Alex Valdez when he was cut the fight was declared a technical draw due to a headbutt though it appeared it was from a punch. At the time of the stoppage Montiel was fighting through pouring blood and only seeing out of one eye. Montiel is quite an up and down fighter who when in full flow has pound for pound ability but when he loses his focus seems just an ordinary fighter this is best shown in his fight with Luis Melendez who he at times boxed brilliantly and scored a knock down only to be dropped and rocked the next round. Ultimately he showed his warriors heart rawing back and stopping Melendez in the final twelfth and final round. At his best he is a terrific fighter who has beaten Cruz Carbajal KO4, Ivan Hernandez KO7, Z Gorres PTS12 & Martin Castillo KO4.
By way of Ukrainian and now Germany Wladimir Sidorenko 21-2-2(7) enjoyed a successful amateur career that saw him win a bronze at the 2000 Olympics and silver at the 2001 World championships. He was fast tracked to a world title and after 17 fights and just over three years as a pro he fought and beat Julio Zarate for the vacant WBA championship. His title reign of just over 3 years and 6 defences included a point’s win that looks better all the time over Poonsawat Kratchindaenggym and two draws with skills Panamanian Ricardo Cordoba. His luck against Panamanian fighters ran out and he lost the title to Moreno who has since repeated the win leaving Sidorenko now 33 in a tough spot, it’ll be interesting to see what he does next if he elects to continue fighting
Venezuelan Neohmar Cermeno 18-0(10) sprang to prominence earlier this year when he beat highly favoured Cristian Mijares in Mexico on a split decision he then returned and won a unanimous decision. Both fights were for the WBA Interim title. Cermeno 29, fought for his country at the 2000 Olympics before turning pro 4 years later in Panama. He’s never actually fought in Venezuela with all his fights being in Panama, Argentina, Germany or Mexico. Next for Cermeno would appear to be full champion Anselmo Moreno.
Columbian puncher Yohnny Perez 19-0(14) burst onto the scene with a thrilling final round knockout of Silence Mabuza in Mabuza’s homeland of South Africa to position himself as mandatory challenger to Joseph Agbeko in a fight that will take place on 31 October. Perez 30, fought at the 2004 Olympics before debuting in 2005. He has never fought in his homeland of Columbia and is based in America where all but one of his fights have taken place. If he can upset Agbeko, then Perez will likely be given the platform by promoter Gary Shaw to show how good he is. One possible fight would be Vic Darchinyan who is also promoted by Shaw.
Russian Sasha Bakhtin campaigns in Japan where so far he’s unbeaten so far in 23 though only 10 of them have come inside the distance showing he’s more of a technician. He’s now 28 and a 9 year veteran who enjoyed a long reign as Japanese champion and more recently he’s become the OPBF champion. A title shot seems close as he’s rated WBC 3#, WBA 4#, IBF 5# & WBO 13#.
Still rated at Bantamweight despite dropping back to Super Flyweight where he faces Tomas Rojas. A move back up to 118 wouldn’t be a surprise after a few confidence builders. The Armenian who lives in Australia but fights mostly out of America is the top guy at 115 and was on a great run until he was narrowly outpointed by Agbeko. Darchinyan turns 34 in January so doesn’t figure to have too many more fights in him though he’ll always be dangerous with his vicious power. On the plus point that may see him look for the bigger and better fights sooner.
Recently Alejandro Valdez 21-3-2(15) was matched with Fernando Montiel in a non title fight when he wasn’t deemed good enough to fight for the actual title. This never stopped Valdez 25, giving Montiel the shock of his life. Early on he was down and it looked like the mismatch many had predicted, Valdez however cut Montiel and had worked his way back into things by the rounds end. During the second he dropped Montiel. By the third with Montiel in obvious distress Valdez was giving him a working over. The fight was stopped on cuts and after much confusion it was declared a Technical Draw. Previously Valdez had beaten former 108 title holder Mauricio Pastrana PTS12, perennial contender Cecilio Santos PTS12, another grizzled former champ Adonis Rivas PTS10 & Heriberto Ruiz KO6. Those wins set Valdez up for a mandatory shot at WBC kingpin Hozumi Hasegawa that didn’t end so well when the Japanese champion forced a second round stoppage. How good is Valdez? Probably not as bad as he looked against Hasegawa and maybe not as good as the fight with Montiel appeared. It would seem at 25 that he certainly has time on his side to get another shot.
One of the best young fighters in Boxing is Mexican technician Abner Mares. While the 23 year old is still unbeaten going 19-0(11) he’s had his share of problems, last year when he was due to fight he found out he had a detached retina. After a 10 month break he has returned with two stoppage wins. He was close a title shot when he got injured and hopes that in a few more fights he’ll be back at that level. The 2004 Mexican Olympic reprehensive will get his chance he’s backed by Promoter super power Golden Boy and now managed by the savvy Frank Espinoza. They wont rush him and will give him good exposure on there big cards. He’s previously been trained by Floyd Mayweather Snr & Nacho Beristain, you can’t train under their stewardship without learning a thing or two.
Back in 2005/2006 Silence Mabuza was viewed as one of the best Bantamweights in the world when in losing twice to Rafael Marquez he acquitted himself well though was stopped in the fourth & ninth rounds. Many believed Mabuza would acquire the IBF title when Marquez moved up to 122. The South African never quite got to the top of the mountain partly due to inactivity. In May he was stopped in the last round by Yonnhy Perez in a title eliminator. At 32 it looks like Mabuza may have peaked and will forever be the bridesmaid and not the bride. He’ll struggle in this talent laden division to get another championship shot.
At 37 most fighters are comfortably retired especially in the smaller weights when you debuted way back in 1989. But then two weight former world champion Gerry Penalosa 54-7-2(36) isn’t just any fighter. He won the WBC Super Flyweight crown in 1997 and made 3 defences before losing to the talented In Joo Cho who also bested Penalosa in a rematch. However when you see that both fights were Split decisions and were fought in Cho’s native South Korea it paints a very different picture. Penalosa secured a shot at Cho’s conqueror Masamori Tokuyama again Penalosa was to come up short losing a close but unanimous point’s decision in the rematch he again lost only this time it was a split decision. The hard luck story seemed over as Penalosa only fought fleetingly over the next 4 years before he found himself in with heavy handed Daniel Ponce De Leon all the way up at Super Bantamweight. Many expected a quick blow out for Ponce De Leon, they were wrong as Penalosa fought bravely and whilst he was at the wrong end of the decision again many thought the scoring was bogus. The tough luck loss propelled him into another title fight fight back a more natural weight against WBO ruler Jhonny Gonzalez and thought trailing on points he landed a perfect hook to the body which dropped Gonzalez and won Penalosa at 36 his second title. Though he defended his title once he couldn’t seem to get a big fight until he was offered the chance to fight young Puerto Rican stud JuanMa Lopez this past April again back up at 122. Penalosa fought bravely but for the first time in his career was stopped when his esteemed trainer Freddy Roach pulled the plug at the start of the tenth. It is thought Penalosa will fight once more against Fernando Montiel in December for his old WBO 118 crown before calling it a career. The perfect epitaph to describe Penalosa came from Roach who said “Peñalosa is the best technical boxer that ever came from the Philippines”
Filipino Bantamweight Michael Domingo looks nothing more than a journeyman on the face of it with a very average 39-14-2(17) ledger. However the 30 year old vet is on a nice run that has seen him unbeaten since 2007 going 8-0(5) in that time he has nice wins over the likes of then unbeaten Miguel Roman PTS6, battle hardened Ratanchai Sor Voraphin KO9 & most recently an impressively when he stopped 2000 American Olympian Jose Navarro in 8. It seems that in the early part of Domingo’s career he was thrown to the wolves by his handlers as he regularly mixed with world class opponents such as Somsak Sithchatchawal, Kozo Ishii, Jorge Linares & Poonsawat Kratchingdaenggym and in higher weight classes. Tough love seems to have worked.
A rejuvenated Eric Morel 41-2(21) appeared for America in the 1996 Olympics and though he never medalled he did he streaked to 25-0 over the next four years before he annexed the WBA laurels from Sornpichai Kratingdaenggym. After 3 years later and 5 defences when he was largely viewed as the best 112er on the planet before he was surprisingly outpointed by unknown Lorenzo Parra. After a couple of stay busy fights at 115 Morel attempted to win another title but was turned back surprisingly easily by Martin Castillo on points. Soon after Morel was sentenced to time in prison and it appeared that would be the last we’d here of Morel. But when he got out he decided to rededicate himself to his chosen craft and has since gone 6-0(3) all but one in of those in his birth land of Puerto Rico. In June Morel was scheduled to fight Fernando Montiel that fight was doomed and after several attempts to reschedule it to no avail leaving him deciding to go on the road to Japan for a shot at the top guy at 118 Hasegawa.
“Marvelous” Vusi Malinga broke into the big time last June when he travelled to Thailand and Ko’d living legend Veeraphol Sarphrom in four rounds. The win made him mandatory challenger to Hasegawa, it didn’t go as he’d hoped when he was stunningly stopped in one. That was Malinga’s first loss since 2000. Malinga 29, has won the WBC International & South African Bantamweight titles. He got back to winning ways when he stopped overmatched Fadhili Majia in three. The 118 division is talent rich in South Africa with Mabuza, Simpiwe Vetyeka & Tshifhiwa Munyai all looking interesting fights if they could be made.
GARY SHAW’S PLAN TO BRING VIC DARCHINYAN WORLD TITLE FIGHT TO ARMENIA IS MUSIC TO PRESIDENT SARGSYAN’S EARS!
YEREVAN , ARMENIA (September 2, 2009) –The President of the Republic of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, received Gary Shaw, promoter of World Super Flyweight Champion Vic Darchinyan, Darchinyan and Gagik Tsarukyan, President of Armenia’s Olympic Committee, on Tuesday in the Presidential Palace located in Armenia’s capital city of Yerevan..
Shaw informed President Sargsyan that he plans to organize a Darchinyan world title fight in Armenia for spring 2010. Darchinyan, a two-division world champion, is a native of Armenia.
“Armenia has never hosted a professional boxing event much less a world championship fight, so who better to headline than Armenia’s No. 1 sports personality, Vic Darchinyan,” said Shaw. “President Sargsyan expressed his readiness to assist in the implementation of this event. He also expressed confidence that it would attract thousands of Armenian boxing fans and would be an excellent opportunity to present Armenia to the world since this would be televised internationally. I look forward to promoting this historic event and I thank Vic and Elias Nasser for their continued support as friends and partners. It is because of them that I am afforded this wonderful opportunity.”
ESPN News- Manny Pacquiao overwhelms Joshua Clottey, wins unanimous decision March 14, 2010Manny Pacquiao has won a unanimous decision over Joshua Clottey in their welterweight fight, keeping up his reputation as the world's best pound-for-pound fighter. […]Associated Press
- Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey fight draws more than 50,000 fans to Cowboys Stadium March 13, 2010The Pacquiao-Clottey fight at Cowboys Stadium gets the third-largest indoor crowd ever for boxing. […]Calvin Watkins
- Marco Huck retains WBO cruiserweight title in Berlin March 13, 2010Marco Huck of Germany has retained his WBO cruiserweight title by knocking out Adam Richards of the United States in the third round. […]Associated Press
- Samuel Peter KOs Nagy Aguilera, eyes heavyweight title shot March 13, 2010Former heavyweight titleholder Samuel Peter moved a step closer to another title opportunity when he savagely knocked out Nagy Aguilera in the second round of a title eliminator on Friday night at the Gaylord Texan hotel. […]Dan Rafael
- Former lightweight champ Spadafora stops Fiorletta in 8th round March 12, 2010Former IBF lightweight champion Paul Spadafora stopped Italy's Ivan Fiorletta in the eighth round Friday night. […]Associated Press
- Junior welterweight titlist Timothy Bradley Jr. signs with HBO March 12, 2010Junior welterweight titlist Timothy Bradley Jr., the No. 1-rated 140-pounder in the world since pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao's exit from the division, will switch to HBO. […]Dan Rafael
- Muhammad Ali visits San Francisco Giants' clubhouse March 9, 2010Muhammad Ali showed up in the San Francisco Giants' clubhouse as part of a campaign for his charity. […]Associated Press
- Judge dismisses felony coercion charge in battery case against Roger Mayweather March 9, 2010A court clerk says a judge dismissed a felony coercion charge against boxing trainer Roger Mayweather, who faces trial June 1 on allegations that he beat and choked a female boxer at a Las Vegas apartment he owned. […]Associated Press
- Floyd Mayweather Jr. associate faces charges in Vegas shooting March 9, 2010Police say an associate of boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. has been arrested on attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon charges in an August shooting outside a Las Vegas skating rink. […]Associated Press
- Britain's Amir Khan to defend WBA light welterweight title against American Paulie Malignaggi March 9, 2010Amir Khan of Britain will defend his WBA light-welterweight title against American challenger Paulie Malignaggi on May 15 at New York's Madison Square Garden. […]Associated Press
- Manny Pacquiao overwhelms Joshua Clottey, wins unanimous decision March 14, 2010
