Universum Returns : Menzer, Boytsov Back…WOOLEVER

Published

13 years ago

September 30, 2011

Universum Promotions re-emerged into the lush German boxing landscape last Saturday, with a strong card which featured most of the top talent in their stable. While the stars’ selected opposition didn’t always provide the best possible matchups, most of the competition was of good quality.

It was a card with a little bit of everything you might expect at a high-class club show. In this case the club, Dima Sports Center, was a large scale health and training facility that held about 555 fanatics, many of whom took their time getting seated, in contrast to usual German crowds at such events.

For headlining European titlist Alexander Dimitrenko, it was a stay busy assignment while he awaits what has now become an increasingly evasive opportunity against one of the Klitschkos. 6’7 Dimitrenko loomed large, but didn’t do much to further his cause.

Coming into the fight, it seemed like Dimitrinko might be the best available contender for a Klitschko. It didn’t seem that way after the fight with Sprott.

For returning boxers like female pound-4-pounder Ina Menzer or anxiously anticipated heavyweight Denis Boytsov, coming back from defeat or injury respectively, any win without negatives was welcome.

It looked like both fighters were following the dear, recently departed Mr. George Benton’s “look good in the next fight” scenario. Neither looked bad. Neither looked great.

For 2008 heavyweight Olympic Gold Medalist Rakhim Chakhkiev, campaigning in the cruiserweight division, it looked like the first of many potential stolen shows before he’s in the main event. Great prospects seen here.

Overall, the card featured a substantial amount of talent, and bodes well for Universum’s resurgence if they can achieve bigger matchups in bigger venues. With the Klitschko’s K2 Promotions covering mega-fights and Sauerland Events keeping a busy schedule of championship level events, not to mention the solid UK scene, marketplace competition for patrons in this slugging sector is pretty fierce. The good news is there is also enough of a very foundationally sound fan base in these parts to support many shows.

Much of Universum’s hopes, along with a few of limited partner Golden Boy Inc’s, rest on the formidable shoulders of Boytsov, who, on his best days against designated victims, resembled a pre-championship Mike Tyson in steamrolling straight men.

Boytsov had to catch his breath a couple times for all the thumps he applied to willing but overmatched American Matthew Greer, now 14-7. Greer more than earned his paycheck by continuing well past the point of a reasonable retirement in the corner. Boytsov, now 29-0 (24), looked like a menace, but couldn’t always pull the trigger on his slingshot.

Boytsov’s jab looked much improved, but he seemed hesitant to throw power shots after various hand problems kept him sidelined. The puncher’s burden.

Greer gave it a shot but was rocked and reeling with a bloody nose almost immediately. Despite his bravery, Greer did not look at all happy between rounds at the probable prospect of more Boytsov. Greer’s cornerman was accurate with lines like “You’ve got to go for broke, you ain’t no punching bag.” The crowd was entertained by what was often the lone voice in an otherwise almost silent hall. Greer fought back for half a round, then started catching mortars from underneath. An accumulation of leather put Greer down in the fifth, and he was rescued by ref Frank Maas for an official TKO 6th at 1:25.

As a reality check, it was similar to Boytsov’s tutorial battle with Vinnie Maddalone, a couple years back. Greer did not look as good as Maddalone in any department except professionalism and courage. Those are important departments, but not enough to make it look like Boytsov had advanced much since then. One step at a time, but at 6’1, Boytsov better regain his intensity if he expects to compete with the biggest boys. A bout against Tomasz Adamek would be a primo punching party.

Menzer, who at her peak was as good as any female boxer going, got back in the win column, but it did not look as easy as it appeared to the judges. Menzer faced “Bam Bam” Nunez in her first fight since dropping her title to Jeannine Garside last July.

The smattering of applause the women received was not impolite, just indicative of how many empty seats there were early in the program. It was the smallest crowd Menzer has performed before in years. Menzer appeared smaller than the rowdy Nunez, but quicker. Nunez earned the first frame by virtue of responding to the aggressive Menzer with grazing counter-combinations.

You could tell Menzer was having issues, by the forceful manner she pushed down on Nunez during many clinches. Nunez didn’t land as much, but seemed to be controlling most of the tempo. By the third two minute round, Menzer got on her toes and got busier with good lefts. Nunez made mocking faces when stung, another crowd amusing tidbit. Official scoring was a too big margin for Menzer at 80-72 and 79-73 twice. I scored it a draw at 77-77.

“We do it again,” said Menzer in response to Nunez’s unbowed attitude. “Next time twelve.”

Menzer, now 27-1 (10), may have to return to peak form to return as a top type draw. She still seems to have the necessary discipline and desire. If it will be enough against a confident Garside, who for whatever reasons hasn’t fought since taking Menzer’s belt, remains a question.

Dimitrenko, once a hyped future king, faced veteran Sprott, who once had title shot dreams of his own. Just Dimitrenko’s luck that on a showcase night, 36 year old trialhorse Sprott decided to put forth one of his career best efforts.

That doesn’t mean the contest was dramatic or inspiring. More that the well-conditioned Sprott simply refused to back down while Dimitrenko scored with consistent but largely unimpressive shots. Dimitrenko dominated for the most part, but he didn’t do much to prove he was any sort of threat to the Klitschkos.

Even with a newly grown beard, 29 year old Dimitrenko still has a deceiving baby face. Sprott tried to muscle him around and the mauling tactic paid some dividends. By the tenth, Dimitrenko’s right eye was visibly tenderized. Sprott kept wrestling as much as punching, and repeatedly forced the much larger Dimitrenko to the mat, which should have Dimitrenko’s handlers concerned about his strength and stamina. Sprott lost two points down the stretch for such infractions. Dimitrenko took a wide 12 round decision, but it was a sidestep as much as an advance.

For his part, Chakhkiev , now 11-0 (9), was a near perfect example of effective aggression behind wicked body shots. He dropped Michael Simms, 21-15-2 (13), with a left just before the bell ending round two, and finally overwhelmed Simms, who had never been stopped, for an official TKO at 1:43 of the 4th.

Afterward Simms, who has faced top cruisers like Marco Huck, Yoan Pablo Hernandez and Matt Godfrey, stated that Chakhkiev is far stronger than any previous foe.

Sometimes the achievements of journeymen rumblers like Darnell Wilson, with a record of 24-12-3 (20) are under appreciated. Wilson’s career has taken him places like Australia Russia and Singapore. Tonight in Germany, Wilson took a majority decision over Juan Carlos Gomez, 49-3 (37), who claimed a shoulder injury and probably saw the end of his fringe contender status.

For their part, Universum Promotions got back in the mix. They’ve got a ways to go before getting back to the top, but this card was a fine start overall, with solid German TV and internet coverage. With another show on the drawing board for this year, it will hopefully not be too long before Universum is a major player again.

With Boytsov, Dimitrenko, Menzer, and especially Chakhkiev at this pure pounding point the personnel and ingredients are definitely back in place.

Now, it’s up to the matchmakers.

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Phil Woolever

Skylar Lacy Blocked for Lamar Jackson before Making his Mark in Boxing

Published

2 days ago

January 19, 2025

Arne K. Lang

Skylar-Lacy-Blocked-for-Lamar-Jackson-Before-Making-his-Mark-in-Boxing

Skylar Lacy, a six-foot-seven heavyweight, returns to the ring on Sunday, Feb. 2, opposing Brandon Moore on a card in Flint, Michigan, airing worldwide on DAZN.

As this is being written, the bookmakers hadn’t yet posted a line on the bout, but one couldn’t be accused of false coloring by calling the 10-round contest a 50/50 fight. And if his frustrating history is any guide, Lacy will have another draw appended to his record or come out on the wrong side of a split decision.

This should not be construed as a tip to wager on Moore. “Close fights just don’t seem to go my way,” says the boxer who played alongside future multi-year NFL MVP Lamar Jackson at the University of Louisville.

A 2021 National Golden Gloves champion, Skylar Lacy came up short in his final amateur bout, losing a split decision to future U.S. Olympian Joshua Edwards. His last Team Combat League assignment resulted in another loss by split decision and he was held to a draw in both instances when stepping up in class as a pro. “In my mind, I’m still undefeated,” says Lacy (8-0-2, 6 KOs). “No one has ever kicked my ass.”

Lacy was the B-side in both of those draws, the first coming in a 6-rounder against Top Rank fighter Antonio Mireles on a Top Rank show in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, and the second in an 8-rounder against George Arias, a Lou DiBella fighter on a DiBella-promoted card in Philadelphia.

Lacy had the Mireles fight in hand when he faded in the homestretch. The altitude was a factor. Lake Tahoe, Nevada (officially Stateline) sits 6,225 feet above sea level. The fight with Arias took an opposite tack. Lacy came on strong after a slow start to stave off defeat.

Skylar will be the B-side once again in Michigan. The card’s promoter, former world title challenger Dmitriy Salita, inked Brandon Moore (16-1, 10 KOs) in January. “A capable American heavyweight with charisma, athleticism and skills is rare in today’s day and age. Brandon has got all these ingredients…”, said Salita in the press release announcing the signing. (Salita has an option on Skylar Lacy’s next pro fight in the event that Skylar should win, but the promoter has a larger investment in Moore who was previously signed to Top Rank, a multi-fight deal that evaporated after only one fight.)

Both Lacy and Moore excelled in other sports. The six-foot-six Moore was an outstanding basketball player in high school in Fort Lauderdale and at the NAIA level in college. Lacy was an all-state football lineman in Indiana before going on to the University of Louisville where he started as an offensive guard as a redshirt sophomore, blocking for freshman phenom Lamar Jackson. “Lamar was hard-working and humble,” says Lacy about the player who is now one of the world’s highest-paid professional athletes.

When Lacy committed to Louisville, the head coach was Charlie Strong who went on to become the head coach at the University of Texas. Lacy was never comfortable with Strong’s successor Bobby Petrino and transferred to San Jose State. Having earned his degree in only three years (a BA in communications) he was eligible immediately but never played a down because of injuries.

Returning to Indianapolis where he was raised by his truck dispatcher father, a single parent, Lacy gravitated to Pat McPherson’s IBG (Indy Boxing and Grappling) Gym on the city’s east side where he was the rare college graduate pounding the bags alongside at-risk kids from the city’s poorer neighborhoods.

Lacy built a 12-6 record across his two seasons in Team Combat League while representing the Las Vegas Hustle (2023) and the Boston Butchers (2024).

For the uninitiated, a Team Combat League (TCL) event typically consists of 24 fights, each consisting of one three-minute round. The concept finds no favor with traditionalists, but Lacy is a fan. It’s an incentive for professional boxers to keep in shape between bouts without disturbing their professional record and, notes Lacy, it’s useful in exposing a competitor to different styles.

“It paid the bills and kept me from just sitting around the house,” says Lacy whose 12-6 record was forged against 13 different opponents.

As a sparring partner, Lacy has shared the ring with some of the top heavyweights of his generation, e.g., Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte. He was one of Fury’s regular sparring partners during the Gypsy King’s trilogy with Deontay Wilder. He worked with Joshua at Derrick James’ gym in Dallas and at Ben Davison’s gym in England, helping Joshua prepare for his date in Saudi Arabia with Francis Ngannou and had previously sparred with Ngannou at the UFC Performance Center in Las Vegas. Skylar names traveling to new places as one of his hobbies and he got to scratch that itch when he joined Whyte’s camp in Portugal.

As to the hardest puncher he ever faced, he has no hesitation: “Ngannou,” he says. “I negotiated a nice price to spend a week in his camp and the first time he hit me I knew I should have asked for more.”

Lacy is confident that having shared the ring with some of the sport’s elite heavyweights will get him over the hump in what will be his first 10-rounder (Brandon Moore has never had to fight beyond eight rounds, having won his three 10-rounders inside the distance). Lacy vs. Moore is the co-feature to Claressa Shields’ homecoming fight with Danielle Perkins. Shields, basking in the favorable reviews accorded the big-screen biopic based on her first Olympic journey (“The Fire Inside”) will attempt to capture a title in yet another weight class at the expense of the 42-year-old Perkins, a former professional basketball player.

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Mizuki Hiruta Dominates in her U.S. Debut and Omar Trinidad Wins Too at Commerce

Published

4 days ago

January 18, 2025

David A. Avila

Mizuki-Hiruta-Dominates-in-her-U.S.-Debut-and-Trinidad-Wins-Too-at-Commerce

Japan’s Mizuki Hiruta smashed through Mexico’s Maribel Ramirez with ease in winning by technical decision and local hero Omar Trinidad continued his assault on the featherweight division on Friday.

Hiruta (7-0, 2 KOs), who prefers to be called “Mimi,” made her American debut with an impressive performance against Mexican veteran Maribel Ramirez (15-11-4) and retained the WBO super flyweight world title by unanimous decision at Commerce Casino in Commerce, Calif.

The pink-haired Japanese southpaw champion quickly proved to be quicker, stronger and even better than advertised. In the opening round Ramirez landed on the floor twice after throwing errant blows. On one instance, it could have been ruled a knockdown but it was not a convincing blow.

In the second round, Ramirez again attacked and again was met with a Hiruta check right hook and down went the Mexican. This time referee Ray Corona gave the eight-count and the fight resumed.

It was Hiruta’s third title defense but this time it was on American soil. She seemed nervous by the prospect of getting a favorable review from the more than 700 fans inside the casino tent.

For more than a year Hiruta has been training off and on with Manny Robles in the L.A. area. Now that she has a visa, she has spent considerable time this year learning the tricks of the trade. They proved explosively effective.

Though Mexico City’s Ramirez has considerable experience against world champions, she discovered that Hiruta was not easy to hit. Often, the Japanese champion would slip and counter with precision.

It was an impressive American debut, though the fight was stopped in the eighth round after a collision of heads. The scores were tallied and all three saw Hiruta the winner by scores of 80-71 twice and 79-72.

“I’m so happy. I could have done much more,” said Hiruta through interpreter Yuriko Miyata. “I wanted to do more things that Manny Robles taught me.”

Trinidad Wins Too

Omar Trinidad (18-0-1, 13 KOs) discovered that challenger Mike Plania (31-5, 18 KOs) has a very good chin and staying power. But over 10 rounds Trinidad proved to be too fast and too busy for the Filipino challenger.

Immediately it was evident that the East L.A. featherweight was too quick and too busy for Plania who preferred a counter-puncher attack that never worked.

“He was strong,” said Trinidad. “He took everything.”

After 10 redundant rounds all three judges scored for Trinidad 100-90 twice and 99-91. He retains the WBC Continental Americas title.

Other Bouts

Ali Akhmedov (23-1, 17 KOs) blasted out Malcolm Jones (17-5-1) in less than two rounds. A dozen punches by Akhmedov forced referee Thomas Taylor to stop the super middleweight fight.

Iyana “Roxy” Verduzco (3-0) bloodied Lindsey Ellis in the first round and continued the speedy assault in the next two rounds. Referee Ray Corona saw enough and stopped the fight in favor of Verduzco at 1:34 of the third round.

Gloria Munguilla (7-1) and Brook Sibrian (5-2) lit up the boxing ring with a nonstop clash for eight rounds in their light flyweight fight. Munguilla proved effective with a slip-and-counter attack. Sibrian adjusted and made the fight closer in the last four rounds but all three judges favored Munguilla.

More Winners

Joshua Anton, Tayden Beltran, Adan Palma, and Alexander Gueche all won their bouts.

Photos credit: Al Applerose

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Avila Perspective, Chap. 309: 360 Promotions Opens with Trinidad, Mizuki and More

Published

5 days ago

January 16, 2025

David A. Avila

Avila Perspective, Chap. 309: 360 Promotions Opens with Trinidad, Mizuki and More

Best wishes to the survivors of the Los Angeles wildfires that took place last week and are still ongoing in small locales.

Most of the heavy damage took place in the western part of L.A. near the ocean due to Santa Ana winds. Another very hot spot was in Altadena just north of the Rose Bowl. It was a horrific tragedy.

Hopefully the worst is over.

Pro boxing returns with 360 Boxing Promotions spotlighting East L.A.’s Omar Trinidad (17-0-1, 13 KOs) defending a regional featherweight title against Mike Plania (31-4, 18 KOs) on Friday, Jan. 17, at the Commerce Casino in Commerce, Calif.

“I’m the king of L.A. boxing and I’ll be ready to put on a show headlining again in the main event. This is my year, I’m ready to challenge and defeat any of the featherweight world champions,” said Trinidad.

UFC Fight Pass will stream the Hollywood Night fight card that includes a female world championship fight and other intriguing match-ups.

Tom Loeffler heads 360 Promotions and once again comes full force with a hot prospect in Trinidad. If you’re not familiar with Loeffler’s history of success, he introduced America to Oleksandr Usyk, Gennady “GGG” Golovkin and the brothers Wladimir and Vitaly Kltischko.

“We’ve got a wealth of international talent and local favorites to kick off our 2025 in grand style,” said Loeffler.

He knows talent.

Trinidad hails from the Boyle Heights area of East L.A. near the Los Angeles riverbed. Several fighters from the past came from that exact area including the first Golden Boy, Art Aragon.

Aragon was a huge gate attraction during the late 1940s until 1960. He was known as a lady’s man and dated several Hollywood starlets in his time. Though he never won a world title he did fight world champions Carmen Basilio, Jimmy Carter and Lauro Salas. He was more or less the king of the Olympic Auditorium and Los Angeles boxing during his career.

Other famous boxers from the Boyle Heights area were notorious gangster Mickey Cohen and former world champion Joey Olivo.

Can Trinidad reach world title status?

Facing Trinidad will be Filipino fighter Plania who’s knocked off a couple of prospects during his career including Joshua “Don’t Blink” Greer and Giovanni Gutierrez. The fighter from General Santos in the Philippines can crack and hold his own in the boxing ring.

It’s a very strong fight card and includes WBO world titlist Mizuki Hiruta of Japan who defends the super flyweight title against Mexican veteran Maribel Ramirez. It’s a tough matchup for Hiruta who makes her American debut. You can’t miss her with that pink hair and she has all the physical tools to make a splash in this country.

Mizukii Hiruta

Two other female bouts are also planned, including light flyweight banger L.A.’s Gloria Munguilla (6-1) against Coachella’s Brook Sibrian (5-1) in a match set for six rounds. Both are talented fighters. Another female fight includes super featherweights Iyana “Right Hook Roxy” Verduzco (2-0) versus Lindsey Ellis (2-1) in another six-rounder. Ellis can crack with all her wins coming via knockout. Verduzco is a multi-national titlist as an amateur.

Others scheduled to perform are Ali Akhmedov, Joshua Anton, Adan Palma and more.

Doors open at 4:30 p.m.

Boxing and the Media

The sport of professional boxing is currently in flux. It’s always in flux but no matter what people may say or write, boxing will survive.

Whether you like Jake Paul or not, he proved boxing has worldwide appeal with monstrous success in his last show. He has media companies looking at the numbers and imagining what they can do with the sport.

Sure, UFC is negotiating a massive billion dollar deal with media companies, as is WWE, both are very similar in that they provide combat entertainment. You don’t need to know the champions because they really don’t matter. Its about the attractions.

Boxing is different. The good champions last and build a following that endures even beyond their careers a la Mike Tyson.

MMA can’t provide that longevity, but it does provide entertainment.

Currently, there is talk of establishing a boxing league again. It’s been done over and over but we shall see if it sticks this time.

Pro boxing is the true warrior’s path and that means a solo adventure. It’s a one-on-one sport and that appeals to people everywhere. It’s the oldest sport that can be traced to prehistoric times. You don’t need classes in Brazilian Jiujitsu, judo, kick boxing or wrestling. Just show up in a boxing gym and they can put you to work.

It’s a poor person’s path that can lead to better things and most importantly discipline.

Photos credit: Lina Baker

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