Articles of 2006

Double Treat at Doubletree

Published

18 years ago

April 3, 2006

ONTARIO, CALIF. – It was a double treat at the Doubletree Hotel as local fighters Timothy Bradley and Dominic Salcido both grabbed victories on Friday in a fight card staged by Thompson Boxing Promotions.

Indio’s Bradley jumped to the attack blindly against North Carolina’s Eli Addison a slick boxer and ran into a head butt in the second round that dazed him badly, but he recovered and resumed the body attack that carried him to victory in a junior welterweight bout.

“I can’t remember what happened,” said Bradley (12-0, 6 KOs) who won 78-74, 79-73, 80-72 on the judges' card. “He came across the country and he was tough.”

Addison used his reach and foot movement to keep distance from the heavy-punching Bradley. But at times was pinned against the ropes.

“I could have moved more and kept my hands up,” Addison (8-1, 4 KOs) said. “He’s a great fighter.”

Addison, at 5-11 in height, was taught how to use his reach and circle the ring from side to side. It was definitely needed against the hard-charging style of Indio’s Bradley who goes by the name of “Desert Storm.” But Addison hadn’t faced an opponent the caliber of Bradley.

“He was definitely the best fighter I’ve ever faced,” said Addison, who shot his jab occasionally, but not enough to keep his opponent from getting inside. “I knew what I had to do, but I could have done better.”

The second round proved critical as Bradley jumped into land crunching body shots. As Addison seemed to trip to the floor during an exchange, Bradley suddenly stepped back with a dazed look on his face. The referee gave Bradley a push and nearly toppled him. The Indio fighter staggered with his feet wide apart and his hands spread apart as if trying to maintain his balance like a tightrope walker. Addison rose up, but may have been hurt himself.

“I didn’t know he was hurt, I couldn’t tell,” said Addison, who kept a good five feet of distance from the much more muscular Bradley who stands 5-6. “If I had known he was hurt I would have done something.”

Both circled each other with dazed looks, neither willing to step forward, possibly because both lacked full use of their legs. Then, after about one minute, Bradley stepped into attack once again.

“Man, it was my conditioning that helped me,” said Bradley, whose right eye swelled a little more each round. “I was hurt, I fought dazed but my legs held up.”

Immediately after the round ended, trainer Joel Diaz jumped across the ring and guided his fighter back to the stool.

“I looked at him and told him to talk to me,” said Diaz, who’s the older brother of Antonio and Julio Diaz. “Then I told him to relax. Just relax.”

Though still somewhat dizzy, Bradley resumed the attack. People in the crowd shouted loudly to the Inland area fighter.

“Bradley, be careful,” shouted junior middleweight contender Carlos Bojorquez, who last fought Ike Quartey. “Concentrate on the body.”

From rounds three to eight, Bradley shot wicked left hooks and roundhouse rights to Addison’s body. The North Carolina fighter seemed content to stay on the ropes, but that allowed Bradley to continue to work on the ribs.

“I’ve never faced a fighter like that before,” said Addison, whose face have primarily been in his native state and the surrounding region. “I could have moved to my right more.”

Bradley used a stiff jab to keep Addison from mounting an effective counter-attack.

“I’ve been working on that a lot in the gym,” Bradley said.

Both fighters were happy about facing each other.

“He was an undefeated fighter who moved well in the ring,” Bradley said who remains undefeated. “He definitely was the best I’ve faced.”

Addison, though he has a loss on his record, was content.

“Now I know where I stand in this division and what I need to do to get better,” Addison said. “I’ll take a rematch any time. I know there can’t be fighters much better than him.”

Salcido Dominates

Salcido, who entered the ring after almost a year off and without a trainer for two years, looked fast as ever. After dropping Odi Rivera (5-8-2) with a quick right that the referee missed, Salcido felt a pain shoot up his right arm.

“I hurt it in the first round,” said Salcido, (8-0, 5 Kos) who recently signed with Thompson Boxing Promotions last month. “I knew I hurt him but my hand was hurt and I had to box.”

During his first three years as a professional, the 22-year-old faced tumultuous times including the death of his former trainer Bob Davison. Then, after signing with famed trainer Emanuel Steward, that failed to work out. Under the former Kronk trainer Salcido faced only one fighter.

“It was tough to get a fight,” Salcido said, adding that others in the Southern California area were racing ahead. “But it’s all for a reason.”

Despite hurting his hand in the first round, Salcido used superior speed and power to keep the vastly improving Rivera from gaining momentum.

“Go to the body,” shouted Jack Mosley, father and former trainer to Shane Mosley. The Pomona trainer has known Salcido since his early teens.

Ironically, it’s Shane Mosley whose style Salcido resembles most.

“I think I have a style like Shane Mosley,” Salcido says.

For the next three rounds Salcido whipped out lightning right hands and left hooks to the body while moving from side to side nimbly. Then a quick one-two led was followed by a flurry of two dozen punches that had Rivera covering up and sustaining heavy damage. Referee Jose Cobian stopped the bout at 1:44 of the fourth round.

“That kid is the real deal,” said Johnny Ortiz, a boxing expert who formerly owned the famous Main Street Gym in Los Angeles that is now defunct. “He’s going places.”

Diaz, who trains Salcido and Bradley, wiped the sweat from his brow. The pain in Salcido’s face told the whole story.

“Dominic showed he’s more than just a boxer,” Diaz said. He showed a lot of heart.”

As Diaz carefully unwrapped Salcido’s hand, the fighter winced a bit then smiled.

“I felt a little rusty,” Salcido admitted. “But I’m shooting for the top baby.”

In other bouts:

Sytel Wilburn (1-0) beat Francisco Rubio (0-2) by unanimous decision 40-36 in a featherweight bout.

Rafael Garcia (3-0) out-scored Mario Franco (0-4) in a featherweight bout 39-37.

Adrian Tait (2-0) edged out Felipe Campana (2-3-2) in a junior welterweight bout 38-38, 39-37 twice.

Maywood fight

Oxnard’s Victor Ortiz (13-1, 9 KOs) knocked out clever Freddie Barrera (10-1) in one round at the Maywood Activity Center located about 15 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles. It was the heavy-handed Ortiz who fired a straight left that caught Colton’s Barrera and dropped him early in the round. Then, after Barrera recovered, a right hook dropped him again for good.

Barrera had never been down before and suffered his first pro loss.

Ortiz looks ready to step up. Perhaps another Southern California showdown is in order like Indio’s Bradley and Ortiz.

The Oxnard-based fighter is tall and powerful. Bradley has a Henry Armstrong style, or as Bojorquez would say, “he fights like a Mexican.”

“It’s funny,” said Bradley after the fight. “But when I practice in the gym I don’t fight like I do in a real fight. But once the bell rings and I hear those people, I just want to kill in there.”

Maybe Ortiz and Bradley can be arranged in a battle for Southern California.

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David A. Avila

Articles of 2006

Peter/Toney Ii: Peter Has The Brutal Punch

Published

17 years ago

December 31, 2006

Adam Berlin

Samuel Peter claims he has dynamites in my two hands?

Heavyweight contenders Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter and James Lights Out? Toney get it on a second time this Saturday from the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Fla. (Showtime).

The hard-slugging Peter, unlike Toney, is one of those strong, silent types notorious for letting their fists to the talking one the opening bell sounds, but the Nigeria Nightmare is as confident as ever and determined to turn Lights Out’s lights out for good.

I have got dynamites in my two hands,? said Peter, according the Lagos, Nigeria Vanguard, and I will crush James Toney once and for all. The Toney camp made the mistake of their lives by protesting and seeking a rematch. I am ready to teach him a bitter lesson.?

Sam Peter walked away with the W for Peter/Toney I at the Staples Center in LA last September, but it was by disputed split decision a verdict so disputed, there was even a dispute about the dispute which forced the WBC’s hand into mandating Saturday’s rematch.

Samuel Peter is the biggest thing to hit African boxing since Ghanaian superstar Azumah Nelson rocked the feather and junior welterweight divisions. The President of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, Prince Olaide Adeboye, admitted, according to allAfrica.com, We are rooting for Samuel Peter, of course. He is one boy we believe in to bring back the country’s lost glory in professional boxing. I am personally making arrangement to be at the ringside to see him fight Toney again. I was at the first fight in Los Angeles in September.

Peter has the brutal punch, and to me he was the clear winner of the first fight. But the WBC Board of Governors, of which I am a member, voted 21-10 for a rematch. There was nothing those of us Africans on the board could do in the circumstances. But I believe Peter will confirm he is better than Toney and will then go ahead to meet the champion and claim the belt for Nigeria and Africa.?

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Articles of 2006

The Sweet Science P4P Rankings for Asia

Published

17 years ago

December 31, 2006

Scott Mallon

There are claims that boxing is dying. Hogwash. The heavyweight division isn’t the only division in boxing and 2007 promises to be a banner year in boxing; especially for boxers hailing from Asia.

While Asia isn’t Vegas or Atlantic City, it is a region packed of diamonds in the rough; undiscovered gems and potential superstars who wait for their moment in the sun.

The Sweet Science P4P Rankings – Asia

1) Manny Pacquiao – There’s no way to dispute Pacquiao is the best fighter in Asia, if not all of boxing. He’s exciting, he wins with Je Ne Sais Quois and is definitely “the man” in boxing.

2) Pongsaklek Wonjongkam – Although his competition leaves much to be desired, his longevity and skills are undeniable. He is currently Thailand’s only world champion and is undefeated in ten years. Need I say more?

3) Chris John – A victory over Juan Manuel Marquez, however controversial, shows he belongs at the top of the heap. He easily outpointed Renan Acosta to close out 2006 and should have no trouble defending against Jose Rojas in February. A fight with Pacquiao would not be a good move on his part but a rematch with Marquez would not hurt – especially if he defeats the Mexican again.

4) Hozumi Hasegawa – Hidden away in Japan, Hasegawa is a sharp punching southpaw who put former champion Veeraphol Sahaprom to sleep. He recently bested Genaro Garcia and his herky-jerky style will give fits to any one who steps in the ring with him.

5) Masomori Tokuyama – Tokuyama has never shied away from a good fight and although he only fought once in 2006 (UD12 Jose Navarro), he ledger shows wins over Katsushige Kawashima (twice), Gerry Penalosa (twice) and In Jin Chi (twice). A fight with Hozumi Hasegawa is a distinct possibility in 2007.

6) Nobuo Nashiro – With only seven fights under his belt he took on WBA champion Martin Castillo – and defeated him. Although he’s only fought a total of nine fights, nearly all have been against quality opposition. A victory in a rematch with Castillo would cement his claim as the king of the 115-pound division.

7) Yukata Niida – This light-hitting minimumweight defended his title twice in 2006, winning a technical decision against unbeaten Eriberto Gejon (Tech Win 10) and the other on points over Ronald Barrera (W 12). Scheduled to meet Katsunari Takayama early next year – the best has yet to come for this WBA belt holder.

8) In Jin Chi – Won back the title he lost to Takashi Koshimoto in January from Rudolfo Lopez. While there’s little uncertainty to his skills, at thirty-three, 2007 may provide some insight as to just how much he has left.

9) Yodsanan Sor Nanthachai –Sor Nonthachai is an exciting, top-shelf fighter with an iron chin. Has no trouble making mincemeat of mid-level opposition and deserves a title shot in 2007. Time is running out.

10) Rey Bautista – He’s young, relatively inexperienced in big-time boxing, but will continue to shine in 2007. One of the better prospects in boxing, he should snag a title in 2007.

Asian Fighters Ranked in Ring Magazine

Pound for Pound:

Manny Pacquiao (Philippines): #2

Jr. Lightweight

Manny Pacquiao (Philippines): #1
Yodsanan Sor Nanthachai: #9

Featherweight

Chris John (Indonesia) #1
In Jin Chi (Korea) #3
Takashi Koshimoto (Japan) #5
Hioyuki Enoki (Japan) #7

Jr. Featherweight

Somsak Sithchatchawal (Thailand) #4

Bantamweight

Hozumi Hasegawa (Japan) #2
Veeraphol Sahaprom (Japan) #3
Ratanachai Sor Vorapin (Thailand) #6
Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym (Thailand) #10

Jr. Bantamweight

Nobuo Nashiro (Japan) #1
Katsushige Kawashima (Japan) #7
Pramuansak Phosuwan (Thailand) #10

Flyweight

Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (Thailand) #1
Takefumi Sakata (Japan) #7
Daisuke Naito (Japan) #10

Jr. Flyweight

Koki Kameda (Japan) #1

Minimumweight

Yukata Naiida (Japan) #2
Eagle Kyowa (Japan/Thai) #4
Katsunari Takayama (Japan) #5
Rodel Mayol (Philippines) #7

Boxing in Thailand

There’s no shortage of boxers in Thailand. With a huge pool of Muay Thai fighters to draw from and several talented amateur boxing prospects turning pro after the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Thailand seems destined to remain a boxing powerhouse in Asia.

The country is known for having tough, determined and disciplined fighters who give their all whenever the step in to the ring. However, consistently losing while fighting abroad and padding their records with no-hopers has done nothing to enhance their reputation.

Whether because of a lack of marketability, a lack of funds or their unwillingness to travel abroad, the vast majority of boxers from Thailand remain a mystery to fans in the west. If anything though, the boxing scene involving Thai fighters will be active. In fact, it’s one of the most active in the world; since 2000, the number of fights has nearly doubled in the country.

The Sweet Science P4P Rankings – Thailand – August 2006

1) Pongsaklek Wonjongkam
2) Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym
3) Somsak Sithchatchawal
4) Wandee Singwancha
5) Sirimongkol Singwancha
6) Yodsanan Sor Nanthachai
7) Veeraphol Sahaprom
8) Pramuansak Phosuwan
9) Terdsak Jandaeng
10) Oleydong Sithamerchai

Current Sweet Science P4P Rankings – Thailand

1) Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (Flyweight) – Definitely the top dog in Thailand

2) Yodsanan Sor Nanthachai (Super Lightweight) – He’s a seasoned fighter who has proven himself in the big-time. He’s one Thai who can fight outside of Asia. He has an abundance of skills and one-punch power. His overall ability and ease in dispatching anyone other than championship caliber get him the runners-up spot.

3) Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym (Super Bantamweight) – After losing to Vladimir Sidorenko he’s bounced back. He’s young, he can punch, but the former interim champion needs to prove himself against a name fighter.

4) Somsak Sithchatchawal (Super Bantamweight) – Was his win over Monshipour a fluke or was Celestino Caballero just that good? Did Sithchatchawal catch Monshipour at the right time and can he rebound from the devastating loss? The jury is still out.

5) Wandee Singwancha (Flyweight) – He doesn’t have much of a punch which will be his downfall in the end. He can box, as was evidenced in his recent victory over Juanito Rubillar, but this won’t be enough. He can no longer make the Jr. Flyweight limit and with no punch he’ll have a hard time competing against the “big boys.” Although he’s now rated second by the WBC, he doesn’t deserve to be.

5) Sirimongkol Singwancha (Super Lightweight) – Get this guy a fight. He’s better than Jose Armando Santa Cruz and would have beat up Inada had the fight taken place. He’ll fight anyone but his biggest obstacle is staying motivated fighting tomato cans in Thailand. Like many Thais, he needs a fight against a name opponent.
6) Wandee Singwancha (Flyweight) – He doesn’t have much of a punch which will be his downfall in the end. He can box, as was evidenced in his recent victory over Juanito Rubillar, but this won’t be enough. He can no longer make the Jr. Flyweight limit and with no punch he’ll have a hard time competing against the “big boys.” Although he’s now rated second by the WBC, he doesn’t deserve to be.

7) Pramuansak Phosuwan (Super Flyweight) – A genuine tough guy. Always calm and focused no matter how heated the battle. But at thirty-eight, he’ll be in trouble should he fight one of the division’s elite.
8) Veeraphol Sahaprom (Bantamweight) – Will be lucky to get another crack at the title. Although he has a puncher’s chance of winning a belt, that’s about all he has left at this point. A third shot at Hasegawa is unlikely.

9) Oleydong Sithamerchai (Minimumweight) – He’s fought better than the usual opponents faced by Thais at his level and he moves up one spot with the departure of Terdsak Jandaeng. He lacks the punch and is in the wrong division to become a superstar. He’ll need to defeat a name opponent to convince me.

10) Saenghiran Lookbanyai / Napapol Kittisakchokchai (Super Bantamweight) – These two square-off in early March, supposedly to see who deserves a shot at Israel Vasquez. Kittisakchokchai has the edge in experience but some feel Lookbanyai has the edge in heart and is the favorite.

Neither has defeated a top twenty fighter and yet are ranked number one and two respectively in the WBC’s world.

In Kittisakchokchoi’s lone shot at the big-time, he was TKO’d in 10 by Oscar Larios. His dreadful performance against Larios and lack of quality opposition leads me to believe Saenghiran might have more of a shot at beating him than some suspect. Regardless, neither of them lasts longer than six rounds with Israel Vasquez.

Honorable Mention: Wethya Sakmuangklang, Denkaosan Kaovichit, Devid Lookmahanak, Nethra Sasiprapa, Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo, Pornsawan Kratingdaenggym

Thai Fighters Ranked in Ring Magazine

Pongsaklek Wonjongkam: #1 Flyweight
Pramuansak Phosuwan: #10 Jr. Bantamweight
Veeraphol Sahaprom: #3 Bantamweight
Ratanachai Sor Vorapin: #6 Bantamweight
Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym: #10 Bantamweight
Somsak Sithchatchawal: #3 Jr. Featherweight
Yodsanan Sor Nanthachai: #9 Lightweight

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Articles of 2006

Iceman Stops Tito Ortiz Win Streak

Published

17 years ago

December 31, 2006

David A. Avila

LAS VEGAS—UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck “Iceman” Liddell’s fists proved too much for Huntington Beach’s Tito Ortiz who was stopped in the third round before a sold out crowd at the MGM Garden Arena on Saturday.

The punching machine Liddell (20-3, 13 KOs) repeated his victory in UFC 66 over the much-improved grappler Ortiz who has improved his punching and blocking. Ortiz was trying to avenge his loss of April 2004.

Despite all the new weapons displayed by Ortiz it wasn’t enough as Liddell pummeled the former champion and retained his title with a technical knockout at 3:59 of the third round. Referee Mario Yamasaki stopped the bout.

“This was the most satisfying victory of my career,” said Liddell, 36, of Santa Barbara. “Tito came back real tough.”

Ortiz (15-5, 8 KOs), a former wrestler, worked on his boxing technique knowing he would need it against the former boxer Liddell. But Liddell’s experience allowed him to find the right moment to pounce on Ortiz.

“I had him hurt, I just kept throwing punches,” said Liddell who also knocked down Ortiz in the first round with a left hook.

Ortiz was gracious in defeat.

“Chuck is the best fighter Pound for Pound in the (mixed martial arts) world,” said Ortiz, 31, who suffered a gash on the side of his left eye from a punch. “I’m disgusted by myself. I let my fans down.”

Other bouts

Underdog Keith Jardine (12-3-1) knocked out Forrest Griffin (13-4) at 4:41 of the first round in their light heavyweight showdown. A right uppercut followed by a left hook wobbled Griffin who was sent to the floor by a barrage of punches. On the ground Jardine landed right after right until referee John McCarthy stopped the fight for a technical knockout.

“I couldn’t believe he was hurt,” said Jardine about Griffin who is known for his resiliency. “I was so nervous coming into this fight, but now I know I belong here.”

Canada’s Jason McDonald (18-7) choked out Chris Leben (15-3) in a middleweight bout that was up for grabs. Though Leben seemed to control the fight with stunning left hands, once the fight went to the ground McDonald managed a chokehold at 4:03 of the second round. Referee Steve Mazagatti saw Leben was unconscious and stopped the fight.

Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski (12-5) caught Brazil’s Mario Cruz (2-2) with a sneak right hand while both were tangled on the ground. Then the Belarusian pummeled Cruz until referee Herb Dean stopped the fight at 3:15 of the first round.

Third season winner of the Ultimate Fighter television reality season Michael Bisping (12-0) of Great Britain won by technical knockout over Eric Shafer (9-2-2) at 4:29 of the first round. A knee knocked Shafer groggy then Bisping knocked him to the ground and pounded him. Referee Mario Yamasaki stopped the bludgeoning.

Thiago Alves (16-4) caught Peru’s Tony De Souza (15-5) with a knee as he attempted to dive for his legs in a welterweight contest. After that it was pretty much over as Alves pummeled De Souza at 1:10 of the second round forcing referee John McCarthy to halt the bout.

Gabriel Gonzago (7-1) proved too strong for Carmelo Marrero (6-1) in a heavyweight bout. At 3:22 of the first round Gonzago of Massachusetts manipulated his way into arm bar forcing Pennsylvania’s Marrero to tap out.

Japan’s Yushin Okami (19-3) pounded Georgia’s Rory Singer (11-6) into submission at 4:03 of the third round of a middleweight bout. Okami seemed the more-rounded fighter with effective kicks to the head and more accurate punching.

Christian Wellisch (8-2) jumped to a quick start with an accurate left hook that rattled Australia’s Anthony Perosh (5-3) in a heavyweight bout. During the first round it seemed the Sacramento fighter might end the fight but the Aussie hung tough. Wellisch won by unanimous decision.

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