Connect with us

Articles

Pito Cardona Out, Derrick Findley In Against Elvin Ayala

Published

on

 

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (July 27, 2011) – A last-minute change of plans has former world-title challenger Elvin Ayala preparing for a new – and perhaps more dangerous – opponent in Friday night’s co-feature at the Mohegan Sun Arena.

Ayala’s original opponent, Israel “Pito” Cardona of Hartford, Conn., has been scratched from the lineup by the Mohegan Sun Athletic Department for unknown reasons, so Ayala will now take on veteran Derrick “Superman” Findley (18-5, 11 KOs) of Gary, Ind., in a 10-round bout for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) U.S. National Boxing Council middleweight title Friday, July 29, 2011 at “Heat Wave,” presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports in association with Global Boxing Promotions.

Friday’s main event features Clones, Ireland (Dorchester, Mass.) veteran Kevin McBride (35-9-1, 29 KOs) – the last fighter to knock out Mike Tyson – facing undefeated Polish heavyweight Mariusz Wach (24-0, 12 KOs) of Krakow, Poland (North Bergen, N.J.) in a 12-round bout for the vacant WBC International heavyweight title.

“When I faced Sergio Mora [in October of 2007], he was ‘The Latin Snake,’ so I was the mongoose,” Ayala said regarding his draw against the former WBC light middleweight champion. “[Findley] is ‘Superman,’ so I’m going to have to be the kryptonite.

“I’m ready for this. I have to be ready. I’m going to be the world champion. How am I going to be the champ if I can’t beat world-class fighters? I’m not taking anything away from ‘Pito’ Cardona, but I think he was a little bit over the hill. This guy I’m facing now is a definite challenge and it’ll put me where I need to be. People will say, ‘Wow, Elvin is going up against a worthy opponent.’

“This has happened to me before. In my mind, I was kind of expecting it so it wasn’t a total surprise. This is the life of a boxer. As a fighter, you can’t train for one style. You have to be ready to fight whoever’s in the ring. I have to be able to handle this. That’s what separates champions from regular fighters.”

Ayala, nicknamed “The Pride of New Haven,” was originally scheduled to face the 36-year-old Cardona of Hartford, Conn., in a highly-anticipated intrastate showdown, but now his path to the WBC USNBC title must go through Findley, who has a deep resume that includes bouts against former 2004 Olympic bronze medalist Andre Dirrell (19-1, 13 KOs) and Super Six World Boxing Classic finalist Andre Ward, who’ll face Carl Froch in the tournament’s inaugural championship bout on Oct. 29, 2011 in Atlantic City. Ward coincidentally took home the gold medal the same year Dirrell won the bronze; Findley lost to both fighters by unanimous decision in 2006 and 2009, respectively.

Findley has also faced undefeated Russian prospect Matt Korobov – 16-0 with nine knockouts – and owns two wins over Michael Walker, the most recent coming in May. Findley was scheduled to face former North American Boxing Association (NABA) super middleweight champion Kingsley Ikeke on Saturday, but the fight fell through, allowing Findley to step in against Ayala for the WBC USNBC middleweight title, a belt once held by former world champions Paul “The Punisher” Williams and Lamont Peterson.

“To me, he’s a like a stronger, younger ‘Pito’ Cardona,” Ayala said of Findley. “He’s coming in to throw bombs. He’ll be ready. He already had a fight lined up, so he’s in tip-top shape. This is my opportunity. This is my change in life. I have to beat this guy, whether I outbox him or knock him out. I have to win, so I will.”

 

The undercard includes New Haven welterweight Edwin Soto (6-0-1, 2 KOs) battling Michael Denby (3-11-4, 2 KOs) of Felton, Del.; and undefeated heavyweight Artur Spzilka of Poland (5-0, 3 KOs) facing Philadelphia’s David Williams (6-4-1, 2 KOs). Cruiserweight Jose Torres of Springfield, Mass., will make his debut against fellow newcomer Pedro Rivera of Southbridge, Mass.; super middleweight Greg McCoy (2-3-1, 1 KO) of New Haven will fight in a separate four-round bout against Worcester’s Ralph Johnson (0-1); and super middleweight Keith Kozlin (6-2, 4 KOs) of Warwick, R.I., will face Woonsocket’s Reynaldo Rodriguez (5-2, 2 KOs) in a six-round intrastate showdown. The special attraction on July 29th will be an eight-round light middleweight bout featuring Worcester, Mass., veteran and former three-time world champion Jose Antonio Rivera (40-6-1, 24 KOs) against Paul Mpendo (7-7-4, 3 KOs) of Oregon. Junior welterweight Agustine Mauras (1-0, 1 KO) of Lawrence, Mass., will face rival Johnathan Vazquez (4-0, 3 KOs) of New Bedford, Mass., in a rematch of their amateur bout three years ago. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Share The Sweet Science experience!

Articles

2015 Fight of the Year – Francisco Vargas vs Takashi Miura

Published

on

The WBC World Super Featherweight title bout between Francisco Vargas and Takashi Miura came on one of the biggest boxing stages of 2015, as the bout served as the HBO pay-per-view’s co-main event on November 21st, in support of Miguel Cotto vs Saul Alvarez.

Miura entered the fight with a (29-2-2) record and he was making the fifth defense of his world title, while Vargas entered the fight with an undefeated mark of (22-0-1) in what was his first world title fight. Both men had a reputation for all-out fighting, with Miura especially earning high praise for his title defense in Mexico where he defeated Sergio Thompson in a fiercely contested battle.

The fight started out hotly contested, and the intensity never let up. Vargas seemed to win the first two rounds, but by the fourth round, Miura seemed to pull ahead, scoring a knock-down and fighting with a lot of confidence. After brawling the first four rounds, Miura appeared to settle into a more technical approach. Rounds 5 and 6 saw the pendulum swing back towards Vargas, as he withstood Miura’s rush to open the fifth round and the sixth round saw both men exchanging hard punches.

The big swinging continued, and though Vargas likely edged Miura in rounds 5 and 6, Vargas’ face was cut in at least two spots and Miura started to assert himself again in rounds 7 and 8. Miura was beginning to grow in confidence while it appeared that Vargas was beginning to slow down, and Miura appeared to hurt Vargas at the end of the 8th round.

Vargas turned the tide again at the start of the ninth round, scoring a knock down with an uppercut and a straight right hand that took Miura’s legs and sent him to the canvas. Purely on instinct, Miura got back up and continued to fight, but Vargas was landing frequently and with force. Referee Tony Weeks stepped in to stop the fight at the halfway point of round 9 as Miura was sustaining a barrage of punches.

Miura still had a minute and a half to survive if he was going to get out of the round, and it was clear that he was not going to stop fighting.

A back and forth battle of wills between two world championship level fighters, Takashi Miura versus “El Bandido” Vargas wins the 2015 Fight of the Year.

WATCH RELATED VIDEOS ON BOXINGCHANNEL.TV

 

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading

Articles

Jan 9 in Germany – Feigenbutz and De Carolis To Settle Score

Published

on

This coming Saturday, January 9th, the stage is set at the Baden Arena in Offenburg, Germany for a re-match between Vincent Feigenbutz and Giovanni De Carolis. The highly anticipated re-match is set to air on SAT.1 in Germany, and Feigenbutz will once again be defending his GBU and interim WBA World titles at Super Middleweight.

The first meeting between the two was less than three months ago, on October 17th and that meeting saw Feigenbutz controversially edge De Carolis on the judge’s cards by scores of (115-113, 114-113 and 115-113). De Carolis scored a flash knock down in the opening round, and he appeared to outbox Feigenbutz in the early going, but the 20 year old German champion came on in the later rounds.

The first bout is described as one of the most crowd-pleasing bouts of the year in Germany, and De Carolis and many observers felt that the Italian had done enough to win.

De Carolis told German language website RAN.DE that he was more prepared for the re-match, and that due to the arrogance Feigenbutz displayed in the aftermath of the first fight, he was confident that he had won over some of the audience. Though De Carolis fell short of predicting victory, he promised a re-vamped strategy tailored to what he has learned about Feigenbutz, whom he termed immature and inexperienced.

The stage is set for Feigenbutz vs De Carolis 2, this Saturday January 9th in Offenburg, Germany. If you can get to the live event do it, if not you have SAT.1 in Germany airing the fights, and The Boxing Channel right back here for full results.

WATCH RELATED VIDEOS ON BOXINGCHANNEL.TV

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading

Articles

2015 Knock Out of the Year – Saul Alvarez KO’s James Kirkland

Published

on

On May 9th of 2015, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez delivered a resonant knock-out of James Kirkland on HBO that wins the 2015 KO of the Year.

The knock-out itself came in the third round, after slightly more than two minutes of action. The end came when Alvarez delivered a single, big right hand that caught Kirkland on the jaw and left him flat on his back after spinning to the canvas.Alvarez was clearly the big star heading into the fight. The fight was telecast by HBO for free just one week after the controversial and disappointing Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao fight, and Alvarez was under pressure to deliver the type of finish that people were going to talk about. Kirkland was happy to oblige Alvarez, taking it right to Alvarez from the start. Kirkland’s aggression saw him appear to land blows that troubled the young Mexican in the early going. Alvarez played good defense, and he floored Kirkland in the first round, displaying his power and his technique in knocking down an aggressive opponent.

However, Kirkland kept coming at Alvarez and the fight entered the third round with both men working hard and the feeling that the fight would not go the distance. Kirkland continued to move forward, keeping “Canelo” against the ropes and scoring points with a barrage of punches while looking for an opening.

At around the two minute mark, Alvarez landed an uppercut that sent Kirkland to the canvas again. Kirkland got up, but it was clear that he did not have his legs under him. Kirkland was going to try to survive the round, but Alvarez had an opportunity to close out the fight. The question was would he take it?

Alvarez closed in on Kirkland, putting his opponent’s back to the ropes. Kirkland was hurt, but he was still dangerous, pawing with punches and loading up for one big shot.

But it was the big shot “Canelo” threw that ended the night. Kirkland never saw it coming, as he was loading up with a huge right hand of his own. The right Alvarez threw cracked Kirkland in the jaw, and his eyes went blank. His big right hand whizzed harmlessly over the head of a ducking Alvarez, providing the momentum for the spin that left Kirkland prone on the canvas.

Saul “Canelo” Alvarez went on to defeat Miguel Cotto in his second fight of 2015 and he is clearly one of boxing’s biggest stars heading into 2016. On May 9th Alvarez added another reel to his highlight film when he knocked out James Kirkland with the 2015 “Knock Out of the Year”.

Photo by naoki fukuda

WATCH RELATED VIDEOS ON BOXINGCHANNEL.TV

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Boots-and-Bam-Win-in-Philly
Featured Articles24 hours ago

Boots and Bam Win in Philly

The-Davis-Brothers-Hit-the-Perfecta-on-Their-Norfolk-Homecoming
Featured Articles2 days ago

The Davis Brothers Hit the Trifecta in Their Norfolk Homecoming

Avila-Perspective-Chap-303-East-Coast-Fight-Cards-Seize-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles3 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 303: East Coast Fight Cards Seize the Boxing Spotlight

With-Olympic-Boxing-on-the-Ropes-Three-Elite-U.S.-Amateurs-Shine-in-Colorado
Featured Articles5 days ago

With Olympic Boxing on the Ropes, Three Elite U.S. Amateurs Shine in Colorado

Floyd-Schofield-Wins-a-Banger-and Gabriella-Fundora-Wins-by-KO
Featured Articles1 week ago

Floyd Schofield Wins a Banger and Gabriela Fundora Wins by KO

Results-and-Recaps-from-Turning-Stone-where-O'Shaquie-Foster-Nipped-Robson-Conceicao
Featured Articles1 week ago

Results and Recaps from Turning Stone where O’Shaquie Foster Nipped Robson Conceicao

Avila-Perspective-Chap-303-Spotlights-on-Lightweights-and-More
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 303: Spotlights on Lightweights and More

Bakhram-Murtalaziev-was-the-Fighter-of-the-Month-in-October
Featured Articles1 week ago

Bakhram Murtalaziev was the Fighter of the Month in October

Foreman-Moorer-30-Years-Later
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Foreman-Moorer: 30 Years Later

Omar-Trinidad-Defeats-Argentina’s-Hector-Sosa-and-Other-Results.jpg
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Omar Trinidad Defeats Argentina’s Hector Sosa and Other Results

Coachella-Prospects-Manny-Flores,-Grant-Flores-and-Jose-Sanchez-All-Win-at-Fantasy-Springs.jpg
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Coachella Prospects Manny Flores, Grant Flores and Jose Sanchez All Win at Fantasy Springs

Notes-and-Nuggets-from-Thomas-Hauser.jpg
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Notes and Nuggets from Thomas Hauser

Murtazaliev-KOs-Tszyu-to-Keep-IBF-World-Title.jpg
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Murtazaliev KOs Tszyu to Keep IBF World Title

Avila-Perspective-Chap-301:-The-Wrath-of-Tszyu-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective Chap 301: The Wrath of Tszyu and More

Japan's-Budding-Superstar-Junto-Nakatani-KOs-'Petch'-Chitpattana-in-Tokyo
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Japan’s Budding Superstar Junto Nakatani KOs ‘Petch’ Chitpattana in Tokyo

Resukts-and-Recaps-from-Riyadh-where-Artur Beterbiev-Unified-the-175-Pouns-Title
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Riyadh where Artur Beterbiev Unified the 175-Pound Title

Avila-Perspective-Chap-300-Eastern-Horizons-Bivol-Beterbiev-and-Japan
Featured Articles1 month ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 300: Eastern Horizons — Bivol, Beterbiev and Japan

Junto-Nakatani's-Road-to-a-Megafight-plus-Notes-on-the-Best-Boxers-from Thailand
Featured Articles1 month ago

Junto Nakatani’s Road to a Mega-fight plus Notes on the Best Boxers from Thailand

Bygone-Days-Muhammad-Ali-at-the-Piano-in-the-Lounge-at-the-Tropicana-Hotel
Featured Articles1 month ago

Bygone Days: Muhammad Ali at the Piano in the Lounge at the Tropicana

WBA-Feather-Champ-Nick-Ball-Chops-Down-Rugged-Ronny-Rios-in-Liverpool
Featured Articles1 month ago

WBA Feather Champ Nick Ball Chops Down Rugged Ronny Rios in Liverpool

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending

Advertisement