Connect with us

Featured Articles

Gennady Golovkin Needs Win To Get Dream Match With Sergio Martinez

Published

on

Gennady Golovkin TeamTrainer Sanchez (middle) says Golovkin is the best he's trained, and he's trained some real good ones.

Thousands of miles from home Gennady Golovkin trains in the green pine tree-filled mountains of Big Bear Lake. He leaves behind a wife and child nine months out of the year but the sacrifice doesn’t stop him from smiling.

“He’s always smiling,” says Tom Loeffler, who manages Golovkin.

Aside from walking alongside the lake near his training camp, Golovkin trains, trains and trains. It’s one of the reasons he holds the WBA middleweight title.

The amiable Golovkin (23-0, 20 KOs) defends the WBA title against Poland’s left-handed knockout artist Grzegorz Proksa (28-1, 21 KOs) on Saturday, Sept. 1. Their fight takes place at Turning Point Resort and Casino in Verona, New York. HBO will televise.

Several years have passed since Golovkin arrived in Big Bear Lake, a mountain resort famous for skiing and for the past two decades for training prizefighters.

“I’ve been here for about three years,” says Golovkin. “I like it. No problems.”

It’s the opponents that face problems when standing on the other side of the corner in a boxing ring. Golovkin’s past 10 opponents have been unable to finish on their feet.

Golovkin, 30, hasn’t fought an opponent with a losing record since his first year as a professional in 2006. Since 2008, the always smiling world titleholder has knocked out every opponent that he’s faced. Now he faces a slick fighting Proksa.

“He’s a very good fighter,” said the always smiling Golovkin. “He fights like Sergio Martinez.”

Dream fight

Ironically, Martinez is the WBC middleweight world titleholder scheduled to fight Mexico’s Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

Golovkin’s dream is to fight Martinez in a middleweight championship showdown.

“Yes, this is my dream,” says Golovkin with a broad smile.

One main reason Golovkin has not fought the stars of the middleweight division is that prizefighters like Chavez, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, Antonio Margarito and others have sparred with the smiling fighter from Kazakhstan. They know he’s talented.

There’s too much risk without reward because of Golovkin’s low profile. That should change after Saturday when HBO televises the championship bout.

Mexican stalker

Southern California’s Abel Sanchez has been working with Golovkin for the past three years and was chosen because of his vast experience in developing world champions.

“We had to change his East European straight up style to a more crowd pleasing pro style when he first came here,” said Sanchez. “He’s made the transition easily. It was helpful that he’s always been a knockout puncher. He hits really hard and has become what I call a Mexican stalker.”

Perhaps the most difficult obstacle for Golovkin is convincing fans that he really is a prizefighter. He looks more like an usher at Disneyland than a dangerous puncher.

“I’ve worked with a lot of great boxers and a lot of fighters with power,” said Sanchez. “Gennady has God-given power from birth.”

If Golovkin has a secret weapon it’s his ever-present grin and boyish looks. I’m sure opponents take a look at him and rub their hands in glee thinking an easy victory is at hand. Then the Kazakstani lets loose with his pile drivers and departs them from their senses.

Sanchez, who has trained former champions like Lupe Aquino, Terry Norris and Miguel Angel Gonzalez, says Golovkin may be the best of all.

“He trains and trains,” says Sanchez. “And when he’s not training he sleeps. He’ll sleep all day.”

Loeffler believes the jovial killer puncher believes that America will take notice.

“He really wants to be a star over here,” said Loeffler,  who moved Golovkin from Europe to the United States in 2009. “I really believe he can make it. He has a good boxing style and he’s really a likeable guy.”

Golovkin estimates that he spends three months out of the year with his family. But it’s a sacrifice he makes willingly to attain stardom.

“This is a dream to fight in America,” says Golovkin. “I wanted to come here.”

All of his life he’s idolized the great middleweights in history like Sugar Ray Robinson and Sugar Ray Leonard. He even likes Sergio Martinez.

“My dream is to fight Sergio Martinez,” he says.

Serhiy Dzinziruk

Ukraine’s Dzinziruk (37-1, 24 KOs) is another prizefighter from Eastern Europe now training in Big Bear Lake. Though boxing statistics list him at six-feet in height, he’s easily two inches taller.

Dzinziruk faces undefeated Jonathan Gonzalez (15-0, 13 KOs) in the semi-main event on Sept. 1 in Verona, New York. The fight will be televised by HBO.

The lithe prizefighter intends to show boxing fans that his loss against WBC middleweight titleholder Sergio Martinez was just a blemish and nothing more.

“I feel more comfortable fighting at 154 pounds,” said Dzinziruk, who lost to Martinez at 160 pounds by knockout on March 12, 2012. “I’m really ready to go out there.”

Dzinziruk says America could discover that boxing is a big sport in Eastern Europe.

“In Ukraine, after soccer, boxing is big,” Dzinziruk said.

Fights on television

Sat. HBO, 9:45 p.m., Gennady Golovkin (23-0) vs. Grzegorz Proksa (28-1).

Comment on this article

Share The Sweet Science experience!

Featured Articles

Stephen Fulton Nips Carlos Castro in a Prelude to Canelo vs Berlanga

Published

on

Stephen-Fulton-Nips-Carlos-Castro-in-a-Prelude-to-Canelo-vs-Berlanga

In his first fight back after being dominated and stopped by pound-for-pound king Naoya Inoue in a fight for super bantamweight supremacy in July of last year, Stephen Fulton nipped upset-minded Carlos Castro, improving to 22-1 (8) in his first start as a featherweight. The verdict was split, with Fulton prevailing by 96-93 and 95-94 with the dissenter favoring Castro 95-94. The decision seemed fair although not in eyes of the predominantly Mexican crowd which booed the decision.

This was an entertaining 10-round fight between two evenly-matched 30-year-old campaigners. Long-time Phoenix resident Castro (30-3) put Fulton on the deck in round five with a counter right hand and Fulton rode his bicycle to shed the cobwebs as the round played out. But the Philadelphian, with new trainer Bozy Ennis in his corner, recuperated well and had a strong sixth round.

In round eight, Castro buckled Fulton’s knees with another straight right, but was unable to press his advantage. The bout served as the “main” prelim to the four-fight PPV card.

In a welterweight contest slated for “10,” Mexico City’s Ricardo Salas, a 6/1 underdog, scored a second-round stoppage of Roiman Villa. The end in this slam-bang and all-too-brief skirmish came at the 2:06 mark of round three when Salas, fighting off the ropes, nailed Villa with a perfectly-placed, short right hand. Villa went down for the count.

Salas, whose de facto manager is the ubiquitous Sean Gibbons, improved to 20-2-2 with his 15th win inside the distance. From Colombia by way of Venezuela, Villa (26-3) was making his first start since being stopped by Boots Ennis in July of last year.

In the opener on the PBC YouTube channel, super featherweight Jonathan “Geo” Lopez, a 21-year-old Pennsylvania-born southpaw, won a wide 8-round decision over rugged San Antonio campaigner Richard Medina. Lopez pitched a shutout, winning 80-71 on all three cards, but this was hardly a stroll in the park for him.

Lopez, who improved to 17-0 (12), simply had too much class for Medina. A 20/1 favorite, the Eddy Reynoso-trained boxer hurt Medina at the end of round seven and put him on the canvas in the final round with a straight left hand, but Medina (15-3) kept on plugging away and maintained his distinction of never being stopped.

Also

In an off-TV fight, super middleweight Bek Nurmaganbet, a 26-year-old Kazakh, won his eighth straight inside the distance, improving to 12-0 (10) with a second-round stoppage of SoCal’s Joshua Conley (17-7-1).

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE

 

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading

Featured Articles

Rocky Hernandez Improves to 36-2 with a Controversial TD in Hermosillo

Published

on

Rocky-Hernandez-Improves-to-36-2-with-a-Controversial-TD-in-Hermosillo

Matchroom was in northwestern Mexico tonight in the city of Hermosillo for a card that aired on DAZN. In the featured bout, super featherweight Eduardo “Rocky” Hernandez was awarded a technical decision over Thomas Mattice when the bout was halted by the ringside physician at the start of the seventh round because Hernandez had severe cuts around both eyes. The first cut, over his right eye, developed in round four. Replays showed that the second cut, over his left eye, was caused by a right uppercut. However, in the eyes of veteran Texas referee Mark Calo-oy, the damage was caused by an accidental head cut. That sent the bout to the scorecards where Hernandez was deemed the victor by tallies of 59-55, 58-56, and 58-55 per ring announcer David Diamente who had trouble reading the results submitted to him by a boxing commissioner.

Hernandez, who turned pro at age 15 in Mexico City, is best known for his rumble with defending WBC 130-pound title-holder O’Shaquie Foster. Rocky was leading that fight with 30 seconds remaining in the final round when the roof fell in on him. He trained for tonight’s bout at the DLX and Top Rank gyms in Las Vegas under Kay Koroma and Brandon Woods, the latter of whom trains Trevor McCumby. Neither Koroma nor Woods was in his corner tonight.

It was the first fight outside the U.S. for Cleveland’s hard-luck Thomas Mattice who had won five straight heading in and appeared to be turning the bout in his favor. Mattice declined to 22-4-1.

Semi-wind-up

Twenty-four-year-old Hermosillo knockout artist Sergio Mendoza showed that he is a rising force in the flyweight division with a third-round stoppage of stocky Ensenada southpaw Angel Ramos. Mendoza crumpled Ramos with a short left uppercut in round two. Ramos attempted to rise, but it became a moot point when the match was waived off.

Mendoza improved to 24-0 with his twenty-first knockout. Ramos, a 12-year pro whose career has been slowed by injuries, falls to 30-2-2.

Also

A 10-round super middleweight contest that shaped up as a slugfest proved the opposite. Local product Julio Porras (12-0, 8 KOs) won a wide decision in a snoozefest over Venezuelan import Isaac Torres who had won all 10 of his previous fights by stoppage, none of which lasted beyond six rounds.

Torres turned timid after Porras decked him with a left hook in the second frame. He fought off his back foot for the reminder of the bout, seemingly content to simply last the distance. The scores read 100-89 and 99-90 twice.

It was hard to get a good read on Porras who trains in Seatle with David Benavidez and Diego Pacheco, but at age 22 he appears to have a bright future.

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE

 

 

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading

Featured Articles

Avila Perspective, Chap. 296: Canelo vs Berlanga and More

Published

on

Avila-Perspective-Chap-296-Canelo-vs-Berlanga-and-More

Avila Perspective, Chap. 296: Canelo vs Berlanga and More

Never underestimate the Mexico versus Puerto Rico rivalry.

Undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez of Mexico has fought Puerto Ricans before and should know it is never easy. But this time he chose to toe the line against a young hungry Boricua.

Will this fight be his reckoning?

Alvarez (61-2-2, 39 KOs) defends the WBA, WBC, and WBO titles against Edgar Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs) on Saturday Sept. 14, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.  PPV.com along with Jim Lampley will stream the loaded TGB Promotions card. It’s also on DAZN and Amazon Prime.

Mexico’s Canelo has been the face of boxing ever since Floyd Mayweather officially retired. And though he lost to Mayweather in 2013, the dividends from that experience have boosted the redhead to a skill level not seen since Salvador Sanchez.

Not many Mexicans or Puerto Ricans fight at super middleweight. So, this is a first for the rivalry at this weight class. But in the lower weights war has been ongoing between the two countries for decades.

My up-close introduction took place with Wilfredo “Bazooka” Gomez against Sanchez in Las Vegas in August 1981. At the time the Puerto Rican was considered the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world with 32 wins and 32 knockouts.

Gomez was a Mexican killer and dispatched two future Half of Fame fighters in Carlos Zarate and Lupe Pintor. Only Sanchez could beat the Boricua and he was an underdog to the mustached fighter from Santurce, Puerto Rico when they met.

Never underestimate anyone.

Now Berlanga is attempting to do what no other Puerto Rican has been able to accomplish in defeating Canelo.

It’s a big task for the taller fighter.

“I could be the face of Puerto Rican boxing after Saturday night,” said Berlanga, 27, who hails from Brooklyn, New York.

The taller Berlanga has yet to face anyone that compares to Canelo, He’s defeated contenders like Jason Quigley and Padraig McCrory who formerly held the IBO light heavyweight title. But a killer like Alvarez he’s never faced before.

But he’s eager to find out.

“This is the opportunity of a lifetime for Team Berlanga,” Berlanga said at the press conference.

As a professional fighter he needs to take the opportunity.

“We’re gonna make history and become legends,” said Berlanga.

Alvarez has been in this situation dozens of times before. He’s heard all the rhetoric and the boasts and the predictions over the years. After facing the likes of Mayweather, Miguel Cotto, Gennady Golovkin and so many others, he’s almost immune to the itchy nervousness of potential danger.

The Mexican champion has his jacket of confidence woven over the years from dozens of battles endured since the age of 15. Now he’s 34 and has he passed his limit?

“I always put 100 per cent into my fights and into training, no matter who I’m fighting. It’s the same mentality every fight. This is no exception,” said Alvarez, who is fighting on Mexican Independence day for the 11th time in his career.

This, however, is different. This is Mexico versus Puerto Rico and the history between the two countries is fraught with upsets and fierce bloody battles in boxing that have mesmerized the boxing world.

Berlanga’s trainer said it best:

“Believe me, we are grateful to Team Canelo for the opportunity, because it’s the opportunity to knock the king off the throne,” said Marc Ferrait. “as I told Edgar, he’s not going to want to give it to no Puerto Rican, and if we think Canelo doesn’t have it, oh he’s coming. We want the best of him.”

It’s power versus power. All it takes is one punch.

Other Bouts

WBA middleweight titlist Erislandy Lara (30-3-3) defends against Philadelphia’s Danny “Swift” Garcia (37-3) in the semi-main event at T-Mobile Arena. It’s been four years since the Cuban southpaw faced elite competition. Now 41, does he still have it?

Garcia, 36, a former welterweight and super lightweight world titlist, has only fought once above 147 pounds but found success when he defeated Jose Benavidez at 153 pounds two years ago.

Both are experienced, skilled and dangerous.

Super middleweight contenders Caleb Plant (22-2) and Trevor McCumby (28-0) meet in a 12-round clash for the interim WBA title. Whenever Plant fights there is always extra personal incentive thrown in. McCumby knows it.

“I just go in there and handle business,” McCumby said.

Plant seems eager to return to the ring.

“We’ll see on Saturday,” said Plant.

Another former world titlist performing is Rolly Romero (15-2, 13 KOs) meeting Manuel Jaimes (16-1-1, 11 KOs) in a super lightweight match set for 10 rounds. It’s the first time I recall seeing Romero against someone bigger. Interesting.

A super bantamweight battle between former unified world titlist Stephen Fulton (21-1) and Carlos Castro (30-2, 14 KOs) is set for 10 rounds in a featherweight match. Fulton was stopped by Japan’s Naoya “Monster” Inoue a year ago. He’s eager to return.

Fights to Watch

Thurs. DAZN 5 p.m. Ardreal Holmes (15-0) vs Hugo Noriega (10-2).

Fri. DAZN 5 p.m. Eduardo “Rocky” Hernandez (35-2) vs Thomas Mattice (22-3-1).

Sat. DAZN 3 p.m. Roiman Villa (26-2) vs Ricardo Salas (19-2-2).

Sat. PPV.COM, Prime ppv, DAZN ppv 5 p.m. Saul Alvarez (61-2-2) vs Edgar Berlanga (22-0); Caleb Plant (22-2) vs Trevor McCumby (28-0); Erislandy Lara (30-3-3) vs Danny Garcia (37-3); Stephen Fulton (21-1) vs Carlos Castro (30-2).

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE

 

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
The-Drama-in-Mikaela-Mayer's-Camp-Shrouds-her-Forthcoming-Battle-with-Sandy-Ryan
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

The Drama in Mikaela Mayer’s Camp Shrouds her Forthcoming Battle with Sandy Ryan

Christian-Mbilli-Proves-Too-Strong-for-Sergiy-Derevyanchenko-in-Canada
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Christian Mbilli Proves Too Strong for Sergiy Derevyanchenko in Canada

A-Closer-Look-at-Jordan-Plant-One-Jalf-of-Boxing's-Power-Couple
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Closer Look at Jordan Plant, One-Half of Boxing’s ‘Power Couple’

Boxing-Notes-and-Nuggets-from-Thomas-Hauser
Featured Articles1 week ago

Boxing Notes and Nuggets from Thomas Hauser

Avils-Perspective-Chap-29`1-Mayweather-Chronicles
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 291: Mayweather Chronicles

Jarrett-Hurd-and-Jeison-Rosario-Fight-to-a-Draw-in-Plant-City
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Jarrett Hurd and Jeison Rosario Fight to a Draw in Plant City

Nikita-Tszyu-Overcomes-Adversity-TKOs-Mazoudier-in-a-Sydney-Sizzler
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Nikita Tszyu Overcomes Adversity, TKOs Mazoudier in a Sydney Sizzler

Can-Jarrett-Hurd-Recapture-his-Mojo-in-Plant-City-or-will-this-be-his-Final-Undoing?
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Can Jarrett Hurd Recapture his Mojo in Plant City or will this be His Final Undoing?

Results-and-Recaps-from-Mexico-City-where-Picasso-Upended-Hovhannisyan
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Mexico City where Picasso Upended Hovhannisyan

Tomoki-Kameda-Japan's-Little-Mexican-and-the-Glory-Days-of-Japanese-Boxing
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Tomoki Kameda, Japan’s “Little Mexican,” and the Glory Days of Japanese Boxing

Results-and-Recaps-from-LA_where-Pacheco-KOed-Sulecki-with-a-Body-Punch
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from LA where Pacheco KOed Sulecki with a Body Punch

Avila-Perspective-Chap-294-Southern-California-Battles
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 294: Southern California Battles

Niyomtrong-Proves-a-Bridge-Too-Far-for-Alex-Winwood-in-Australia
Featured Articles1 week ago

Niyomtrong Proves a Bridge Too Far for Alex Winwood in Australia

Canelo-vs-Berlanga-Battles-the-UFC-Hopefully-No-Repeat-of-the-2019-Fiasco
Featured Articles5 days ago

Canelo vs Berlanga Battles the UFC: Hopefully No Repeat of the 2019 Fiasco

Catching-Up-with-Nico-Ali-Walsh-who-Doubles-Down-on-his-Aversion-to-Jake-Paul
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Catching Up with Nico Ali Walsh who Doubles Down on his Aversion to Jake Paul

60-Years-Ago-This-Month-the-Curtain-Fell-on-the-Golden-Era-of-TV-Boxing.jpg
Featured Articles1 week ago

60 Years Ago This Month, the Curtain Fell on the Golden Era of TV Boxing

The-Monster-Keeps-on-Trucking-Inoue-Stops-Doheny-in-the-7th-Round
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

The ‘Monster’ Keeps on Trucking: Inoue Stops Doheny in the 7th Round

Avila-Perspective-Chap-296-Canelo-vs-Berlanga-and-More
Featured Articles2 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 296: Canelo vs Berlanga and More

Avila-Perspective-Chap-295-Callum-Walsh-Pechanga-Casino-Fights-and-More
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 295: Callum Walsh, Pechanga Casino Fights and More

Rocky-Hernandez-Improves-to-36-2-with-a-Controversial-TD-in-Hermosillo
Featured Articles24 hours ago

Rocky Hernandez Improves to 36-2 with a Controversial TD in Hermosillo

Stephen-Fulton-Nips-Carlos-Castro-in-a-Prelude-to-Canelo-vs-Berlanga
Featured Articles3 hours ago

Stephen Fulton Nips Carlos Castro in a Prelude to Canelo vs Berlanga

Rocky-Hernandez-Improves-to-36-2-with-a-Controversial-TD-in-Hermosillo
Featured Articles24 hours ago

Rocky Hernandez Improves to 36-2 with a Controversial TD in Hermosillo

Avila-Perspective-Chap-296-Canelo-vs-Berlanga-and-More
Featured Articles2 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 296: Canelo vs Berlanga and More

Canelo-vs-Berlanga-Battles-the-UFC-Hopefully-No-Repeat-of-the-2019-Fiasco
Featured Articles5 days ago

Canelo vs Berlanga Battles the UFC: Hopefully No Repeat of the 2019 Fiasco

Niyomtrong-Proves-a-Bridge-Too-Far-for-Alex-Winwood-in-Australia
Featured Articles1 week ago

Niyomtrong Proves a Bridge Too Far for Alex Winwood in Australia

Avila-Perspective-Chap-295-Callum-Walsh-Pechanga-Casino-Fights-and-More
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 295: Callum Walsh, Pechanga Casino Fights and More

60-Years-Ago-This-Month-the-Curtain-Fell-on-the-Golden-Era-of-TV-Boxing.jpg
Featured Articles1 week ago

60 Years Ago This Month, the Curtain Fell on the Golden Era of TV Boxing

Boxing-Notes-and-Nuggets-from-Thomas-Hauser
Featured Articles1 week ago

Boxing Notes and Nuggets from Thomas Hauser

The-Monster-Keeps-on-Trucking-Inoue-Stops-Doheny-in-the-7th-Round
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

The ‘Monster’ Keeps on Trucking: Inoue Stops Doheny in the 7th Round

A-Closer-Look-at-Jordan-Plant-One-Jalf-of-Boxing's-Power-Couple
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Closer Look at Jordan Plant, One-Half of Boxing’s ‘Power Couple’

Results-and-Recaps-from-LA_where-Pacheco-KOed-Sulecki-with-a-Body-Punch
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from LA where Pacheco KOed Sulecki with a Body Punch

Catching-Up-with-Nico-Ali-Walsh-who-Doubles-Down-on-his-Aversion-to-Jake-Paul
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Catching Up with Nico Ali Walsh who Doubles Down on his Aversion to Jake Paul

Avila-Perspective-Chap-294-Southern-California-Battles
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 294: Southern California Battles

Nikita-Tszyu-Overcomes-Adversity-TKOs-Mazoudier-in-a-Sydney-Sizzler
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Nikita Tszyu Overcomes Adversity, TKOs Mazoudier in a Sydney Sizzler

Tomoki-Kameda-Japan's-Little-Mexican-and-the-Glory-Days-of-Japanese-Boxing
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Tomoki Kameda, Japan’s “Little Mexican,” and the Glory Days of Japanese Boxing

Results-and-Recaps-from-Mexico-City-where-Picasso-Upended-Hovhannisyan
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Mexico City where Picasso Upended Hovhannisyan

Avils-Perspective-Chap-29`1-Mayweather-Chronicles
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 291: Mayweather Chronicles

Jarrett-Hurd-and-Jeison-Rosario-Fight-to-a-Draw-in-Plant-City
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Jarrett Hurd and Jeison Rosario Fight to a Draw in Plant City

Can-Jarrett-Hurd-Recapture-his-Mojo-in-Plant-City-or-will-this-be-his-Final-Undoing?
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Can Jarrett Hurd Recapture his Mojo in Plant City or will this be His Final Undoing?

Christian-Mbilli-Proves-Too-Strong-for-Sergiy-Derevyanchenko-in-Canada
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Christian Mbilli Proves Too Strong for Sergiy Derevyanchenko in Canada

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending

Advertisement