Articles of 2004
Dominick Guinn and Serguei Liakhovich heavyweight quotes
Bally’s Atlantic City, in association with Main Events, will present a sensational fight card highlighted by featherweights Rocky Juarez vs. Guty Espadas and heavyweights Dominick Guinn vs. Serguei Liakhovich. The evening of live boxing, which will be televised nationally on ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights: Main Events Special”, will take place in Bally's Atlantic City's Main Ballroom located on the sixth floor on Friday, December 3.
LIAKHOVICH
He’s (Guinn) a one-dimensional fighter. If you take away his jab he becomes a very simple fighter. He cannot readjust if you give him different angles or different styles.
This would be a big win for me and open a lot of doors for me. People look at Guinn as the top of the division.
I learned very much more from my loss than for all of my wins put together.
What I learned is I need to be surrounded by the right trainers and the right team. The team I had for the loss was not the right team. Now I am with (trainer) Kenny Weldon and I feel he is the right guy.
There is a 180-degree difference since. Since then I am a completely different fighter.
I don’t want to give away my fight plan. I am getting ready to box, getting ready to fight. I’m going up against a guy with a lot of credentials and I am going to be ready for everything that he comes up with.
I don’t like to make predictions, but I am ready for 10 hard rounds. If it comes early, that will be a bonus.
I don’t like to beat my own drum but obviously the heavyweight division does not have a great reputation right now. I am ready to challenge anyone. The perception is that it is pretty weak right now.
There is no heavyweight right now and none of them have any authority.
GUINN
I feel that I’m going to go in there and prove that I’m the No. 1 heavyweight prospect again, like I was before the Barrett fight.
I feel like AC is my second home. After the Grant fight, I told Kathy Duva that I like it there and I want to fight for my first championship there.
It’s like New York . . . they either love you or hate you. I think they like me there.
We train the same way. Mark Breland trains me hard for each fight. This is no different. This is my last and maybe my only chance to prove myself again.
The Plan
Not waiting. I want to come out and take control of the fight and let my hands go. If I fight the way I train, no one in the division can beat me. That’s the way I feel.
Were there any problems in the Barrett fight?
It wasn’t physical. After the fight I couldn’t blame Ronnie or Mark. They trained me hard for that fight. If I threw the punches the way I was supposed to, I would have knocked Barrett out.
Jab, uppercut and left hook is what we worked on in camp and that’s what we did in the Jackson fight.
On sparring with Holyfield
I think Holy still has it. I heard he had a few problems in that fight. I’ve seen him better in sparring and I could see there was something wrong in the fight.
Guinn co-trainer Shields on Holyfield
Iit was his back. He hurt his back in the second round. He said nothing because he didn’t want to make any excuses. He hurt it in sparring a couple of weeks earlier, but was checked out by the doctors and they said it was OK. If it weren’t for his back, he would have been fine. He couldn’t throw punches. After every round they sent a doctor up to see if he was all right – they would ask, “raise your right arm, raise your left arm” – after every round when I was trying to talk to him, and that wasn’t fair to either one of us. If a fighter says he wants to continue to fight, who’s to say he can’t fight anymore. He has to decide.
Ronnie Shields on Barrett fight
I thought there was a lot of pressure on him fighting in Little Rock. He was trying to please everyone and all the sudden while you are trying to please everyone instead of trying to win the fight, you get away from the plan.
Guinn on the heavyweights
I think so. Right now the division is rough. I need to go out there and prove that I am the best out there. There is no heavyweight out there that can let his hands go the way that I can. 2005 is going to be another big year for me.
Since Lennox Lewis left there is no one out there. I think Klitschko is the most deserving. Chris Byrd is deserving also. Lamon Brewster isn’t much, and Ruiz…no.
JUAREZ
I’ve been in SA for about a month. I needed to get away from Houston for a bit and try something new. I sparred with Freitas who is a very good fighter. It gives me a lot of confidence and I can see where I am. He is 12-pounds heavier than I am. He is a good puncher and is very wiry.
I feel that I’ve been ready for a title fight, but I like to fight and I’ve liked the tough fights that I have been in. They have been preparing me well. My fights have been tough and now I am one fight away from fighting for a world title. He’s (Espadas) known for the past two months and I’m sure he’s been studying and he’s ready. He’s a veteran and it will be another tough fight.
It helps my career, as far experience, fighting guys at the top level. I feel this is a guy that I’m ready for. I’m so close to a title shot that maybe I could sit back and fight a different quality opponent, but that’s not what I want to do.
Every fighter goes into the ring wanting to win, but this is boxing and anything can happen. You have to prepare 100% and hope for the best.
That (Raheem) fight I’ve looked past it already. Everyone is talking about that fight. Now I know if I perform for this fight, everyone will forget about the last fight. It was a controversial fight, people thought the referee may have been on my side, but it’s getting old. I could have knocked him out. He never caught me with any punches and never hurt me.
I changed from when I was knocking guys out. Now I have been boxing. You get used to knocking guys out with one punch. Now we are practicing on letting my punches go and not going for the one punch. I went away for this fight to get away from the distractions back home and to get my mind totally on training and preparing correctly.
On Olympic Gold Medalist Andre Ward
Be patient and not allow yourself to hear the fans. Don’t think too highly of yourself. You have to prove it all over again. He proved he was the best in the Olympics and now he has to prove he is the best in the pros.
Articles of 2004
2004 Boxing Pound for Pound List
The final boxing pound-for-pound list of the year for 2004.
1. Bernard Hopkins: The top guy from beginning to end, Hopkins took care of Oscar De La Hoya with a body shot in the biggest fight of 2004. Now, he'll wait for Jermain Taylor to progress a little further, or he'll go the rematch route with Felix Trinidad. Either way, Hopkins stands to earn a lot of money in 2005 and extend that all-time middleweight reign.
2. Floyd Mayweather: How long has it been since we've seen Mayweather in a meaningful fight? Certainly not in 2004, when he outpointed the difficult DeMarcus Corley. He's slated for a January outing against a no-name. Enough stalling, already, “Pretty Boy”. Fight someone we care about (preferably Kostya Tszyu), or you'll lose your #2 position sometime in 2005.
3. Felix Trinidad: “Tito” stormed back with a magnificent knockout of Ricardo Mayorga in 2004, and now hopes to capitalize on it with big money fights. He'd like nothing more than a rematch with his only conqueror, Hopkins, but he may also opt for old nemesis Oscar De La Hoya. Either way, Trinidad is sure to fight a big fight sometime in the coming year.
4. Kostya Tszyu: What a difference one fight makes. As recently as late October, the boxing world was wondering whether Tszyu was even serious about the sport anymore. We found out with a second round demolition of Sharmba Mitchell. And that made the junior welterweight division very attractive. Tszyu has several options now, including Arturo Gatti and Mayweather or even a hop up to welterweight to challenge Cory Spinks. Let's hope one of them happens in 2005.
5. Manny Pacquiao: Pacquiao fought twice in 2004, and what a fight the first one was. His thrilling war with Juan Manuel Marquez was the best brawl of the year, and there is a chance that the two rivals will go at it again in 2005. If not, Pacquiao has a list full of options: Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, etc. Pacquiao will fight one of them in the next year.
6. Marco Antonio Barrera: Another guy thought to be washed up when the year started, Barrera resurrected his career for the second time with a masterful victory over Paulie Ayala and a close decision over rival Erik Morales in another great fight. Barrera is obviously shooting for a return with Pacquiao, who decimated him in November 2003. Barrera says it was an off-night. Hopefully, we'll find out if that was the case.
7. Winky Wright: Winky entered the “superstar” realm in 2004 with a pair of decision victories over Shane Mosley. The first was very impressive, as Wright practically shut Mosley out. The second was closer, but proved once again that Winky was the superior fighter. He'd like a shot at Trinidad or Oscar De La Hoya, but neither will happen. He'd probably be best off shooting for a name like Fernando Vargas or Ricardo Mayorga.
8. Juan Manuel Marquez: After several years on the outside looking in, Marquez is finally in a position to make some money after his courageous performance against Pacquiao. He rose from three first-round knockdowns to wage the fight of his life in a fight that was ruled a draw. It would also be interesting to see Marquez against countrymen Barrera and Erik Morales.
9. Erik Morales: “El Terrible” fought another great fight against Barrera, but, again, it was in a losing cause. He has now lost two of three to his fierce rival, and probably wants nothing to do with him anymore. But, eventually, talk of Barrera-Morales 4 will come up again. In the meantime, Morales could shoot for Pacquiao or Marquez.
10. Glencoffe Johnson: The newest entry, Johnson pumped some life into boxing in 2004 with a pair of upsets of Roy Jones Jr. and Antonio Tarver. Now, he's set to make some really big money in rematches with either, or a shot at old conqueror Hopkins. Either way, Johnson is better than anyone imagined.
11. Jose Luis Castillo: Castillo made some comeback noise of his own in 2004, beating Juan Lazcano for his old vacant title and decisioning Joel Casamayor for another big win. He says he wants Kostya Tszyu next, and if that materializes, boxing fans will be in for a treat. If not, Castillo vs. Diego Corrales is a great fight.
12. Oscar De La Hoya: Hard to erase that picture of De La Hoya grimacing in agony courtesy of a Hopkins shot to the ribs, but the “Golden Boy” had no business fighting at 160 pounds. He should drop down to junior middle or even welterweight again if he has any hope of regaining his past form. But 2005 could be the final year for one of boxing's all-time great attractions.
On the brink: Antonio Tarver, Diego Corrales, James Toney
Articles of 2004
Heavyweight Joe Mesi Bringing Lawsuit
As reported by the Buffalo News, Joe Mesi is suing the New York State Athletic Commission and the MRI center that conducted tests on the heavyweight boxer after his bout with Vassiliy Jirov. Mesi reportedly suffered brain injuries in the Jirov bout, which has left his boxing status uncertain.
The lawsuit alleges Mesi's medical records were improperly released to the NYSAC. The records, the lawsuit goes on to allege, were then released to the media, prejudicing Mesi's right to have his status reviewed by the appropriate boxing authorities.
The lawsuit does not seek specific monetary damages, as the extent of damages will be affected by whether Mesi is able to resume his career as a leading heavyweight contender.
Mesi hopes to have his status reviewed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission within the coming month. The ruling of the NSAC promises to be key in whether Mesi will be able to resume his boxing career.
Articles of 2004
The Best in Chicago Boxing Returns
Dominic Pesoli's 8 Count Productions and Bob Arum's Top Rank Incorporated along with Miller Lite presents SOLO BOXEO DE MILLER, THE ARAGON RUMBLE, another installment of The Best in Chicago Boxing on Friday, January 14th, broadcast live internationally as part of Telefutura's Friday night professional boxing series.
The newly remodeled Aragon Ballroom is located at 1106 W. Lawrence Ave. near the corner of Lawrence and Broadway in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood and is easily accessible, just 4 blocks west of Lake Shore Drive and just 4 miles east of the Kennedy expressway. There are three large parking lots located within a 1/2 block of the Aragon Ballroom. Additionally, the Howard Street Blue Line stops just across the street. Doors will open at 6pm with the first bell at 7pm.
Headlining the action packed card is the American debut of super-bantamweight Ricardo “PIOLO” Castillo, 12-2 (6KO's) of Mexicali, Mexico as he squares off in a scheduled ten rounder against WBO Latino Champion, Edel Ruiz, 24-12-3 (13KO's) of Los Mochis, SI, Mexico. Castillo will be accompanied to the ring by his brother, World Lightweight Champion Jose Luis Castillo.
In the co-main event of the evening, one of Chicago's most popular fighters, middleweight “MACHO” Miguel Hernandez, 14-1 (9KO's), battles hard swinging local veteran “MARVELOUS” Shay Mobley, 7-4-1 (2KO's), of One In a Million Inc.in a scheduled eight rounder.
The huge undercard bouts include;
Carlos Molina vs TBA, six rounds, junior middleweights
Frankie Tafoya vs TBA, four rounds, featherweights
Ottu Holified vs. Allen Medina, four rounds, middleweights
Francisco Rodriguez vs. LaShaun Blair, four rounds, bantamweights
Rita Figueroa vs. Sarina Hayden, four rounds, junior welterweights
Said Dominic Pesoli, President of 8 Count Productions, “it was a terrific evening last month and our fans were thrilled to be at the Aragon to watch David, Speedy and Luciano. David Diaz's fight against Jaime Rangel was a fight people will talk about for a long time. Our commitment to our fans is to make every event of ours better than the last one. This main event is terrific, both guys are very tough Mexicans who won't take a step back.
The fans love Miguel and Mobley figures to be a very tough opponent. Him and David Estrada had a six round war last June at our show. And the undercard showcases a lot of new, younger talent that is coming out of Chicago right now. Tafoya and Holifield have both had very successful beginnings to their careers and Francisco Rodriguez comes with fantastic amateur credentials and David Diaz says he has all the talent to be a great pro.”
“We've got big plans for 2005 and this show should take up right where last months show left off. The huge crowd loved the action last time and I'm sure they'll say the same thing this time.”
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