Articles of 2006

Boxing News: Shane Mosley Meets the Press

Published

18 years ago

July 7, 2006

Editor

Sugar Shane Mosley took time off from the training facility in Big Bear, Calif., for his rematch with Fernando Vargas to speak with the boxing press via telephone conference call from Pasadena. This is what went down…

SHANE MOSLEY: I have been training in Big Bear. The training has been going very well and the sparring has been going very well. My father has been very good in camp. I am excited and ready to go to battle.

Fernando said you really did not want this fight.

SHANE MOSLEY: I really did want this fight because to me it was a great fight. The first time I figured you out and the second time is going to be a breeze. I think it is easy money for me.

RICHARD SCHAEFER: Shane could have gone and fought Hatton or Mayweather or Gatti before the Gatti-Baldomir fight was made so there was no reason for Shane to take the fight. He did it really to give Fernando the opportunity for a rematch because he was crying out to the whole world that Oscar and Trinidad did not give him a rematch and that he would have been able to do all of these kinds of things to them in a rematch. So Shane said basically, let’s see what he can do.

Fernando also said the swelling came from head butts. Which was it?

SHANE MOSLEY: I believe your opinion is true. All night, and obviously you can see from the tape, that it was from right hands. That’s what I see and there is no sense going back and forth about it with the head butts. Just look for yourself and you can see what it was.

Does it bother you that he says that?

SHANE MOSLEY: Actually, it gives me more confidence because I know that a lot of his team gives him a lot of false hope and false pride about how well he did and not tell him the truth. I would be a little concerned if he thought it was from the right hands and how he was going to counter off the right hands and knock him out, then I would be a little worried. If people are telling him it was from head butts, then the right hand is going to be open again.

RICHARD SCHAEFER: It is typical Vargas. He talks a lot. Last time Mosley shut Vargas’ eye – this time he’s going to shut his mouth. I don’t think there is much more to it. This is a typical pattern with Vargas – he probably thinks he won the fight against Oscar, too and against Trinidad. It is a disrespect that Vargas has for his opponents. Rather than saying, “I appreciate that you stood up and took the fight,” he’s trying to downplay his performance as he did with Oscar and Trinidad. There are no excuses. This is his chance to show the world what he can do. His legacy is on the line. If he loses this fight as well, what was he really? I guy that sold a lot of tickets.

What happened to get you two back together?

SHANE MOSLEY: He was very excited to come back and work with me. He saw things I could improve on, and get me back to square one. Where I was at just like the old days. I saw the fire and hunger in his eyes that he really wanted to make an impact upon me and upon the world when I go out there and do the things I do. We talked about it and he knew the job and he knew what he had to do and what he was supposed to do and he did it. He rose to the occasion and we are ready to fight.

Did you have to tell your dad things were going to be different this time?

SHANE MOSLEY: We talked about it a little bit but I knew the first day in training that it was going to be just like the old times, a tough, hard type of training camp.

Do you think Fernando will do anything different in the fight?

SHANE MOSLEY: According to Danny Smith he is not going to do anything differently. I don’t know if he can try to box me or not. I don’t see any difference. It is hard to change a fighter in two or three months so I think he is going to come out and pretty much do the same thing.

Do you think a decision or a knockout?

SHANE MOSLEY: It will most likely end in a stoppage. I don’t know if it will be a knockout but it will probably be stopped again.

What was it like on the first day of training camp?

SHANE MOSLEY: It was fine. It wasn’t like we didn’t see each other for a long time and came back and started training. I’ve been coming around the house and drop my kids off and we would sit and talk about little things here and there. So it wasn’t like it was a big change or difference or silence about what was going to happen. We went right to work and started training. We already knew what to do and what to work on so we started from there and kept going.

Do you think Oscar should retire?

SHANE MOSLEY: I think it is whatever Oscar chooses to do. If he has the hunger and desire to fight Floyd, so be it. It is something he has to decide. He would be fighting Floyd for pure entertainment and pure excitement.

Is you wife your manager?

SHANE MOSLEY: She does a lot of the managerial duties. Legally, she is not the manager.

Did you speak to her about bringing you dad back on board?

SHANE MOSLEY: We did talk together a little bit about that. She thought it would be a great idea, if my father is motivated to come back then he would be the best choice. Nobody else could train me like my father could.

Can you tell us how you looked so good in your last fight?

SHANE MOSLEY: John did some things there; you know my father used to train John as well. We kind of got back to some of the things that me and my father used to do – the bags and a lot of the movement and stuff. We got back to that and I looked great. I felt great and I did what I had to do.

You said you are moving back to 147, is that the plan?

SHANE MOSLEY: I definitely want to move down and be considered pound-for-pound the best. As far s the writers, I feel in my heart that I am already the best down there. I have to show it and prove it to the world and the people around and that’s what I will do.

Do you think Floyd will be interested?

SHANE MOSLEY: Yes, I am pretty sure he will definitely be interested. We are going to take some time to get to 147. I am going to be coming off of two fights with basically a 160-pounder. So we are going to relax and go from there. But definitely be the next fight for me will be at welterweight.

Will you next fight be in 2007?

SHANE MOSLEY: Most likely.

Vargas has called out all of his past losses – are you saying be careful for what you ask for – you may get it?

SHANE MOSLEY: Definitely. All things Richard said are 100% true. I agree and I couldn’t have said it any better – right off my lips. I am in great shape. I think he is delusional about what is going on and it seems like his corner and everyone else is delusional with him. I think that is a bad trait for him entering this next fight.

Do you feel this is unfinished business at 154?

SHANE MOSLEY: This is one more notch in my belt to close the book on this chapter of me and Fernando Vargas. I don’t think I want to fight at 154. I think 147 would be my weight but you never know what the future may hold and that is what is so great about boxing – it is unpredictable.

There is talk about you and Mayweather in November.

SHANE MOSLEY: They can stop waiting on that because that is not going to happen. They can stop thinking about that because it won’t happen. They can come to this fight and check it out but that won’t happen in November. It will probably happen some time next year. I am not going to have a fight after this until next year. I won’t fight again until 2007.

So you are saying go find another fight?

SHANE MOSLEY: Bascially. Go fight Margarito. Go fight Margarito – then we can fight the winner.

Does the stuff Fernando is saying upset you?

SHANE MOSLEY: You never want to get yourself agitated and all worked up. It doesn’t piss me off – it just shows me where his mind is and what he is thinking. It is not a good thing to go into a fight thinking you are the better fighter when you are really not. If he feels he doesn’t have to work on anything or try anything or adapt to anything or make adjustments, then he is being misled and his corner, the people in his corner are not qualified. So he is in some deep stuff.

Do you think Fernando is as good as he was?

SHANE MOSLEY: If he prepared himself properly, then he could get himself up and be a great fighter. But like I said, they are giving him false hope and false pride by telling him he was the winner in the last fight, then if they can’t get square 1 right, then how can they get to square two and be able to improve on that. A strength coach is not a boxing coach. He doesn’t know how to train a person in boxing. He can be strong, anybody can be strong, I’m very strong, basically. But mentally, how can you adapt – not by having just brute strength – you have to be able to move a certain way and angle your feet a certain way and let the punches fly a certain way to better yourself in a fight. And that has to be with a boxing coach – not the weight training coach. He is not going to be able to change the factor of the fight.

Have you changed your style of fighting over the years?

SHANE MOSLEY: Bringing my father back in the picture there will be a lot of things I did back in the day. A lot of power boxing, if you will, type of workout. I have no reason not to do it, because that is all I know right now.

How hard was it to move away from your father?

SHANE MOSLEY: As an amateur, I traveled around the world with different trainers and I’ve used everybody’s trainers fighting in different countries, so it really wasn’t foreign to me. I had done it a lot. So it wasn’t that difficult and the people I had in my corner knew me for a long time. Joe Goossen had known me since I was 12 and was always trying to get his fighters to beat me. He had to study me anyway so he knew about me. John David Jackson was my sparring partner for the first Oscar De La Hoya fight an he helped me a lot in sparring with different angles to work on. SO they all knew me. Everybody knew my style and what to expect.

How did it affect your relationship outside the ring?

SHANE MOSLEY: It didn’t affect it. I still dropped my kids off at the house and they called him Grandpa and Granddaddy, so we were still family. He still came to every fight even though he wasn’t in the corner, cheering me on.

Do you plan on having him train you in the future?

SHANE MOSLEY: I think it is going to be from her on in. You never know what the future hold but I think from here on out he’ll be in the corner.

Do you think we’ll ever see Shane in the ring at 40?

SHANE MOSLEY: You never know. I love the sport. I don’t really think I will be there at 40. Maybe just under 40. There are so many up and coming young fighters that I can help nourish to become world champions. Then I have a family of my own. SO it is so hard to keep it going and be in the boxing world.

The Mosley vs. Vargas II pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. EST/6 p.m. PST on July 15, has a suggested retail price of $49.95, will be distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to more than 56 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For your daily Mosley vs. Vargas II fight week updates, log onto www.HBO.com.

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Articles of 2006

Peter/Toney Ii: Peter Has The Brutal Punch

Published

18 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

18 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

18 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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