Connect with us

Articles of 2006

Ring Bytes

Published

on

Sycuan gamble pays off big

President of Sycuan Ringside Promotions Glenn Quiroga is a sports enthusiast who follows San Diego athletics with a passion. Whether it’s the Chargers or the Padres, the 27-year-old finds a way to get involved. Quiroga is also a boxing fan and when the chance to get into the boxing business came up he jumped at it. Vice President Scott Woodworth who was formerly with Top Rank and Don King Promotions brought forth a plan to establish a San Diego based promotional company and Quiroga was all over it.

Quiroga isn’t just any sports nut. He’s also the treasurer of the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation which owns the Sycuan Casino located in the far eastern part of San Diego. The casino is one of the first Native American casinos to open up and thrive in Southern California.

After a two and a half year existence, Sycuan Ringside has hit it big in the last year with two of their fighters having hit boxing jackpots. Israel Vazquez was the first one to strike as he beat the Vegas oddsmakers and Oscar Larios for the WBC bantamweight crown with a third round stoppage. Sycuan hit triple sevens again as their Welterweight Carlos Baldomir, an unlikely champion according to those same Vegas experts, easily defeated and upset Zab Judah for the WBC Welterweight title. “Tata” as he’s called, went on to brutalize Arturo Gatti in his second high profile fight on HBO via ninth round knockout. The win, some say, will likely lead to a match against pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. A true Cinderella story for the “Cinderella Man” as Sycuan has tabbed Baldomir.

The Argentinean was brought over to Sycuan by matchmaker Sean Gibbons and had been fighting under the Top Rank banner but barely made a splash. I remember seeing Baldomir against Edgar Ruiz at the Anaheim Pond and being unimpressed with what seemed to be a fighter with a slow, plodding style. He certainly didn’t strike me as someone who would make the noise he’s made since. Having talked to Quiroga before the Baldomir-Judah match, he had faith in his fighter despite the long odds against them. “I know Zab Judah’s fast but Baldomir’s strong and he has a strong chin. He’ll land some hard shots and wear Judah down,” Quiroga had said. Woodworth related how his confidence in Baldomir soared before the Judah fight. “I got real confident in Carlos when he didn’t go home for the holidays and instead chose to stay in Los Angeles and train by himself,” he stated. Sycuan also has IBF “interim” lightweight champion Julio Diaz, the amateur phenom and former 122 lb. champion Joan Guzman, and Jorge Paez Jr., who’s shown impressive attributes in his last few outings. Paez Jr. will be on the Barrera-Juarez II undercard along with stablemates Vazquez and Guzman. Sycuan recently signed former bantamweight champion Mauricio Martinez as well.

September 16th Pay Per View stacked
The Golden Boy Promotions card set to take place on September sixteenth in Las Vegas is stacked from top to bottom with some excellent matches. “This is a quality card. All these fights are tossups and all are top fighters facing each other,” said Vice-President and matchmaker of G.B.P., Eric Gomez. Gomez reportedly took over a month to put the card together that will open up with up and coming Jorge “Maromerito” Paez Jr. (9-0, 7 KO’s) on the pay-per-view. Headlining will be the rematch between Rocky Juarez (25-2, 18 KO’s) and Marco Antonio Barrera (62-2, 42 KO’s). Their first meeting was a spirited, young lion vs. aging lion affair that Barrera barely escaped. Juarez gave Barrera, a future hall of famer, all he could handle and some even thought the Texan deserved the nod after hurting the Mexico City native several times.

The undercard will feature a great talent in Dominican Joan Guzman (25-0, 17 KO’s) going up against another brash and talented fighter in Jorge “La Hiena” Barrios (46-2, 33KO’s) in a WBO Junior Lightweight championship match. Guzman was magnificent as a 122-pounder but can he hang at 130 with the fierce Argentinean? De La Hoya’s company scores the trifecta by putting on a potential war in pitting WBC Super Bantamweight champion Israel Vazquez (40-3, 29 KO’s) against WBO Bantamweight champion Jhonny Gonzalez (33-4, 28 KO’s) in what could be fight of the year stuff. Gonzalez didn’t look particularly great in defeating Fernando Montiel who was coming up in weight to challenge him for his title. Don’t let that deter you from keeping your eye out for this one. Vazquez has just the style that will make this the anti-Gonzalez vs. Montiel, which unfortunately turned out to be a snoozer. Gonzalez needs to be forced to fight which is exactly what Vazquez will do. Vazquez will do what Montiel wasn’t willing to do. He will try to bust inside and hurt Gonzalez. Gonzalez will respond the only way he knows how. He will throw bombs with those long arms. In my opinion this is very much a worthwhile pay-per-view.

“Gallito” Castillo not the same against Nashiro
Martin “Gallito” Castillo traveled to Japan and lost on a tenth round stoppage by cuts to Japanese Super Flyweight Champion Nobuo Nashiro. What makes this loss so shocking is that Nashiro only had seven professional fights under his belt. Castillo is a well regarded fighter but didn’t look like the same man that defeated Alexander Munoz and Eric Morel in brilliant performances. The usual snap and the bounce just wasn’t there. Castillo’s manager Frank Espinoza feels that the loss will only make “Gallito” better. “He saw the fight and criticized himself heavily,” stated Espinoza. “He knows what he did wrong and I’ve got plenty of confidence in Martin’s ability to win back the title.”

Castillo may have made the ultimate mistake in underestimating a solid fighter because of his record. Nashiro is a good young fighter but he’s no Munoz or Morel. Castillo should have shut Nashiro out completely. “I can’t sleep thinking about getting a rematch. I made some mistakes in the ring. He ultimately lucked out in opening up those cuts. Before the referee stopped the fight the cards were even,” said Castillo from his home in L.A. The goal for the Castillo camp will be to get a rematch as soon as his cuts heal.

Fernando Beltran partners up with II Feathers
II Feathers boxing which is run by Al Franco and Willie Schunke will be teaming up with Mexican promoter and manager Fernando Beltran. Al Franco met up with Beltran and signed on to work together for six shows. Beltran will bring the main event and II Feathers will take care of the undercard. The cards will be televised on TV Azteca. “We’re looking to do sixteen to eighteen shows a year. We’ll do some with Fernando and some on our own,” said Franco who’s also tabbed the Riverside Convention Center as a future venue. II Feathers has been putting on shows all year at the Morongo Casino which is just west of Palm Springs and are looking to expand out to other Southern California venues.

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Ekow-Essuman-Upsets-Josh-Taylor-and-Moses-Itauma-Blasts-Out-Mike-Balogun-in-Glasgow
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor and Moses Itauma Blasts Out Mike Balogun in Glasgow

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles7 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

in-A-Trubute-Wedded-to-Memorial-Day-Boxing-Writer-David-Avila-Pays-Homage-to-Absent-Friends
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

In a Tribute Wedded to Memorial Day, Boxing Writer David Avila Pays Homage to Absent Friends

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Angelo-Leo-Retains-His-Featherweight-Title-Before-a-Hostile-Crowd-in-Osaka
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Angelo Leo Retains His Featherweight Title Before a Hostile Crowd in Osaka

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Local-Fan-Favorites-Terri-Harpet-and-Maxi-Hughes-Victorious-in-Doncaster
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Local Fan Favorites Terri Harper and Maxi Hughes Victorious in Doncaster

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles5 days ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles1 week ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles5 days ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles2 days ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles1 day ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles1 day ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles2 days ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles5 days ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles5 days ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles7 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles1 week ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

Ekow-Essuman-Upsets-Josh-Taylor-and-Moses-Itauma-Blasts-Out-Mike-Balogun-in-Glasgow
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor and Moses Itauma Blasts Out Mike Balogun in Glasgow

Angelo-Leo-Retains-His-Featherweight-Title-Before-a-Hostile-Crowd-in-Osaka
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Angelo Leo Retains His Featherweight Title Before a Hostile Crowd in Osaka

in-A-Trubute-Wedded-to-Memorial-Day-Boxing-Writer-David-Avila-Pays-Homage-to-Absent-Friends
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

In a Tribute Wedded to Memorial Day, Boxing Writer David Avila Pays Homage to Absent Friends

Local-Fan-Favorites-Terri-Harpet-and-Maxi-Hughes-Victorious-in-Doncaster
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Local Fan Favorites Terri Harper and Maxi Hughes Victorious in Doncaster

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending