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The Pulse 3.0 – 24 Canelo
Anything can happen in boxing and anything can happen in a 24-hour journey from California to Las Vegas to watch the richest fight in boxing history. I have a busy day ahead. Land in Vegas, get my media credential, hit the Andre Ward meet and greet, check in my room, get ready, and go to the fight. Let’s go!
Saturday morning 9 AM – It is Saturday 9 AM and my flight leaves in 25 minutes to Las Vegas as I walk through an empty airport towards the security area.
I overhear the Airport Security talking about Floyd Mayweather vs. Canelo Alvarez fight and can’t help to chime in.
Airport Security Dude: “I think it starts at 6 but the main fight doesn’t start until about 8.
Me: I’m going.
ASD: Oh really. You will have a lot fun. More than us that watch it on TV.
Me: Floyd’s going to win.
ASD: I know. I don’t want him to but you’re right.
11:05 AM – The taxi line in Vegas looks like a disaster but it’s moving quickly. Homie on the phone behind me is carrying what looks like a 50-pound bag and tries to put in his headset with little success. I happily offer to carry his fumbling bag for a minute while we walk and he takes care of business…. Pay it forward. What a country, the land of the free. The land of fingerprints on cell phones to protect us from the intrusion of privacy.
Yes. We live in a great country, especially during big boxing events that bring the entire world together. No matter the outcome of the big fight, it’s beautiful to see such prideful support for the world’s most essential sport.
I see people wearing TMT hats and t-shirts with pride as if they were sporting a New York Yankees logo. And I see overwhelming Mexican passion all over the place. The boxing energy is awesome. Vegas is like heaven for boxing fans on fight weekend. And yes, I’m still in line for a cab in case you’re interested.
3:38 PM – Andre Ward was kind enough to drive me back to my hotel room from the Fashion Island Mall where he was signing autographs and meeting fans.
There was a great turnout for Ward’s fan event that lasted almost an hour longer than the 12 to 2 PM slot that was expected. Whoever said Ward doesn’t have many fans must’ve forgot. The champ was signing everything from Irish national flags to previously used hand wraps. And someone had what Julie Goldsticker, Ward’s publicist, likes to call “an emotional moment” when a father started to cry after Andre took a picture with his son.
On the way back to the hotel, Ward and I naturally talked about the big fights between Danny Garcia/Lucas Matthysse and Mayweather/Canelo. We agreed that Danny Garcia wasn’t getting enough credit. We both picked Garcia to win a decision and both picked Floyd to win easy. I liked Floyd by decision. He liked Floyd to get a late KO.
5:45 PM – As I make my way to the arena I ran into two guys wearing oversized sombreros and Mexican soccer jerseys in the elevator.
Me: Man, you guys ain’t messing around. I like it.
One of the sombrero guys: Hey, we got to support our guy.
I told them how much I appreciated their passion for Canelo and I wished that there were more fans like them in the sport. Those guys came from Mexico to Vegas to support Canelo just like normal sports fans. There was no hatred for Mayweather. They actually didn’t think Canelo had much of a chance to win, they just came to the fight to root for their guy, and have a great time in the process, and I thought that was one of the coolest things in the world. So what if Canelo loses. At least they had a memorable experience as friends and sports fans.
8:05 PM – I have been in my seat in the MGM arena since around 6:30 PM. I watch the crowd fill and it gets more energetic by the minute. But so far, it is surprising to know that most of the Canelo fans I have talked to support Canelo with a sense of realism. Not many gave the Mexican star a chance to win. One guy told me that Canelo is the biggest sports star in Mexico, a much bigger star than Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, and they’re here to support the man despite the general feeling that he is overmatched against King Floyd.
It’s still around 8pm and in walks fellow TSS writer Springs Toledo. It was my first time meetings Springs and we hit it off right away. Springs is one of the coolest cats in boxing. OK, and he’s also one of the best writers in the sport. He puts stories together that need my full attention. We hit it off right away and jawed about the fights all night.
10:30 PM – Postfight,  I leave the arena walking towards the press room and I run into Eddie Johnson, former small forward for the Supersonics and Rockets. I told him he was one of my favorite basketball players growing up and asked his thoughts on the Mayweather fight. Johnson said Canelo should have come out charging from the opening bell.  Johnson said, “Hey, that guy (Mayweather) is elusive. If you have the entire crowd behind you, why not go after him in the first two rounds with full force. But that kid (Canelo) didn’t do that. He was boxing. I think that was a mistake.”
10:50 PM – At the post fight press conference Richard Schaefer lectures the swarming crowd of onlookers before all the formalities begin “This is a press conference not a social gathering,” Schafer said. “If you are not with the media then you should not be in here.” No one in the room seems to care for his frustration.
11:30ish – Canelo walks to the podium. I felt sorry for Canelo at the post fight. He looked pale and completely defeated. His confidence, shattered. It was a weird sight. Canelo looked like a normal 23-year-old kid for the first time since I heard his name. He looked humbled. Mayweather humbled Canelo. I think that’s fair to say. About three minutes into Canelo’s portion of the post fight, Mayweather entered the room and interrupted. He walked towards the center podium, embraced Canelo with a warm hug and huddled with the Golden Boy Promotions team while the media waited patiently to hear from the winner of the night. Canelo’s time at the dais was over. It was that brief. He sat in the closest seat he could find, put his head down, and started looking through his phone.
Midnight – I say my goodbyes and run into Virgil Hunter and Alfredo Angulo before I walk out the door. “We’ll be in the gym on Monday,” Virgil tells me. I told him I’d be there.
8:10 AM – My flight to San Jose leaves in exactly one hour. The shuttle ride to the airport costs only seven dollars but the driver needs exact change. I had six one-dollar bills and a few twenties. The shuttle driver grabbed my twenty, told me to get in the van, and said he would try to make change with the other passengers. When we get to the airport the shuttle driver says, “Hey, forget it, just give me the six bucks.” I said, “No, just keep the twenty,” and then go on my way.
Pay it forward baby, what a country!
You can follow Ray on Twitter @raymarkarian
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Avila Perspective, Chap. 278: Clashes of Spring in Phoenix, Las Vegas, and LA
PHOENIX-It happens every Spring.
Promoters worldwide gather their forces and produce their best fight cards from Europe to the Americas and in Asia.
Beginning Friday, it starts with Top Rank staging a heavy-duty fight card featuring Arizona’s Oscar Valdez and Australia’s Liam Wilson along with a female battle for the undisputed minimumweight championship. ESPN+ will stream the card.
Valdez (31-2, 23 KOs) meets Wilson (13-2, 7 KOs) at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona on Friday, March 29. Both have a common foe and lost to champion Emanuel Navarrete. Both want a rematch or world title fight.
“I know Liam Wilson. He’s a tough fighter,” said Valdez. I was there when he fought Emanuel Navarrete and he sent him to the canvas.”
Wilson almost defeated the champion and now must face two-division world titlist Valdez in his Arizona backyard.
“The whole world saw what happened. I should have already become world champion,” said Wilson of his fight with Navarrete. “I won the belt that night.”
It’s not to be missed.
In the co-main WBA and WBC titlist Seniesa Estrada (25-0, 9 KOs) and WBO and IBF titlist Yokasta Valle (30-2, 9 KOs) battle for the undisputed minimumweight world championship.
Costa Rica’s Valle has super speed and the ability to change tactics if things don’t go her way as she showed against Argentina’s Evelin Bermudez. She is also one of the most athletically gifted fighters in female boxing with incredible stamina.
“This isn’t personal. I respect her as the champion that she is,” Valle said. “And in the ring, we will see who is the real champion.”
East L.A’s Estrada is perhaps one of the most skilled fighters in the world. She also packs power in her small frame. So far, no one has been able to figure out her fighting style or overcome her quickness. The left hook is her best weapon but she has floored opponents with her right cross as well.
“The talk is over. Its time for us to get in there,” said Estrada. “It’s about showing the world that women’s boxing is here, it’s on the rise, and we are great.”
Las Vegas
Aussie slugger Tim Tszyu (24-0, 17 KOs) can add the WBC to his WBO super welterweight title but must pass through giant Sebastian Fundora (20-1-1, 13 KOs) to accomplish unification. Tszyu was supposed to fight Keith Thurman but injury forced him out of Saturday’s TGB Promotions fight card at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Last-minute replacements can be a problem.
Fundora is already a problem with his six-inch height advantage. Plus, he’s a southpaw with pop. It’s like pouring sugar into a gas tank for Tszyu.
But he’s a very confident fellow.
“He’s got height but we all bleed the same blood,” Tszyu said at the press conference.
Another world title fight pits WBA super lightweight titlist Rolly Romero (15-1) versus Isaac Cruz (25-2-1) in the semi-main event.
A third world title matches WBA middleweight titlist Erislandy Lara (29-3-3) against Michael Zerafa (31-4).
A fourth world title fight consists of WBC flyweight titlist Julio Cesar Martinez (20-3) fighting Angelino Cordova (18-0-1).
In an eliminator for the WBC super welterweight belt, Serhii Bohachuk (23-1) is now matched against Brian Mendoza (22-3) who replaces Fundora.
It’s a solid fight card that will be shown on PPV.COM with Jim Lampley broadcasting and assisted by Lance Pugmire. They will also be texting the results and interacting with fans. It’s their third boxing show.
Inglewood
Former super middleweight world titlist Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (45-1) is moving up two weight divisions to challenge WBA cruiserweight champion Arsen Goulamirian (27-0, 19 Kos) on Saturday March 30, at the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, Calif. DAZN will stream the Golden Boy Promotions card.
Goulamirian will be making the fifth defense of his title and recently added famed trainer Abel Sanchez to his corner. The former trainer of Gennady Golovkin and Serhii Bohachuk had retired for a few years but returned for the champ.
It’s an interesting match.
Even more interesting was the announcement that Hollywood Park and Golden Boy Promotions signed an agreement beginning this Saturday to work together in bringing boxing events.
“We were the first to host an inaugural combat sports event at YouTube Theater in January 2023, and we couldn’t be more pleased to make history again by being the first to solidify a partnership deal of this magnitude with Hollywood Park,” said Oscar De La Hoya the CEO for Golden Boy Promotions.
It’s an interesting partnership.
One thing the promotion company needs is to add more female fighters to their company to break up the monotony of slow fight cards. It makes sense to add women to the boxing cards. They fight harder and I’ve never seen women fights fail to excite the crowd, whereas I’ve seen plenty of boring men fights on many a promotion.
Bring in female fighters.
When Zurdo fought at the Banc of California two years he brought very few fans compared to the two female fights that same night. The women draw a different crowd and surprise most fans with their energy.
Fights to Watch (all times Pacific Time)
Fri. ESPN+ 3:10 p.m. Oscar Valdez (31-2) vs Liam Wilson (13-2); Seniesa Estrada (25-0) vs Yokasta Valle (30-2).
Sat. DAZN 5 p.m. Gilberto Ramirez (45-1) vs Arsen Goulamirian (27-0).
Sat. PPV.COM 5 p.m. Tim Tszyu (24-0) vs Sebastian Fundora (20-1-1); Rolly Romero (15-1) vs Isaac Cruz (25-2-1); Erislandy Lara (29-3-3) vs Michael Zerafa (31-4); Serhii Bohachuk (23-1) vs Brian Mendoza (22-3).
Photo credit: Mikey Williams / Top Rank via Getty Images
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Results from Detroit where Carrillo, Ergashev and Shishkin Scored KOs
Results from Detroit where Carrillo, Ergashev and Shishkin Scored KOs
Dmitriy Salita, who began promoting small club fights In Brooklyn at the former U.S. Navy airfield where he had his final pro fight, has found a welcome home in Detroit where he is working hard to resurrect the Motor City as an important fight destination. Although his shows are still low-budget (save for the money he spends on marketing; he uses heavyweight PR firm Swanson Communications), his new arrangement with DAZN can only move him another step up the pecking order.
Tonight, two of the most valuable pieces in his stable – junior lightweight Shohjahon Ergashev and super middleweight Vladimir Shishkin — were in action on Salita’s second show at Detroit’s Watne State University Fieldhouse. However, Salita reserved the main event for one of his newest signees, Juan Carrillo, a light heavyweight who represented Colombia in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
In a battle of southpaws, Carrillo (12-0, 9 KOs) had no difficulty putting away Quinton Randall (21-9-2), a 37-year-old North Carolinian who had scored only five of his 21 wins against opponents with winning records. In the third frame, a big left uppercut put Randall on the canvas. He managed to get to his feet at the count of nine, but was on queer street and the fight was waived off. The official time was 0.27 of round three.
Ergashev
Shohjahon Ergashev, a southpaw from Uzbekistan who purportedly has 2.7 million Instagram followers in his home country, was making his first start since a failed bid to win the IBF 140-pound world title. Ergashev was stopped in the fifth round by Subriel Matias, his first defeat as a pro after opening his career 23-0 with 20 KOs.
Tonight, he got back on the winning track without breaking a sweat. A left hook to the body ended the fight in the opening round. His victim, Juan Antonio Huertas, a 31-year-old Panamanian, entered the fight with a 17-4 record, but was 0-2 on American soil and had been stopped both times.
Shishkin
A 32-year-old Russian who trains at the new Kronk Gym where SugarHill Steward holds forth when he is in town, Vladimir Shishkin entered the contest undefeated (15-0, 9 KOs) and ranked #2 by the IBF. How odd that his fight opened the telecast. Perhaps promoter Salita thought that the fight would be too one-sided and wanted to get it out of the way in a hurry. His opponent Mike Guy, 12-7-1 (5) heading in, had been in with some rough customers but was 43 years old, was inactive in all of 2022 and 2023, and had fought most of his career as a super middleweight.
The fight was one-sided in favor of Shishkin and rather dull until the Russian cracked up the juice in round seven and forced the stoppage.
In the future, we would encourage Dmitriy Salita to take some of that money he has been spending on marketing to find a higher caliber of “B-Side” opponents. The best thing about this show was that it was over in a hurry.
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R.I.P. IBF founder Bob Lee who was Banished from Boxing by the FBI
“The image some people have of me is disappointing,” said Bob Lee in a 2006 interview, “but I also feel I had a positive impact on the sport…”
Lee, the founder of the International Boxing Federation who died yesterday (Sunday, March 24) at age 91, spoke those words to Philadelphia Daily News boxing writer Bernard Fernandez who was the first person to interview him when he emerged from a federal prison in 2006. Lee served 22 months on charges that included racketeering, money laundering, and tax evasion.
Born and raised in northern New Jersey and a lifelong resident of the Garden State, Lee, a former police detective, founded the International Boxing Federation (henceforth IBF) in 1983 after a failed bid to win the presidency of the World Boxing Association. At the time, there were only two relevant sanctioning bodies, the WBA, then headquartered in Venezuela, and the WBC, headquartered in Mexico. Both organizations were charged with favoring boxers from Spanish-speaking countries in their ratings at the expense of boxers from the United States.
Bob Lee’s brainchild, whose stated mission was to rectify that injustice, achieved instant credibility when Marvin Hagler and Larry Holmes turned their back on the established organizations. Hagler’s 1983 bout with Wilford Scypion and Holmes’ 1984 match with Bonecrusher Smith were world title fights sanctioned exclusively by the IBF, the last of the three extant organizations to do away with 15-round title fights.
Lee’s world was rocked in November of 1999 when a federal grand jury handed down an indictment that accused him and three IBF officials, including his son Robert W. “Robby” Lee Jr., of taking bribes from promoters and managers in return for higher rankings. The FBI, after a two-year investigation, concluded that $338,000 was paid over a 13-year period by individuals representing 23 boxers.
The government’s key witness was C. Douglas Beavers, the longtime chairman of the IBF ratings committee who wore a wire as a government informant in return for immunity and provided video-tape evidence of a $5000 payout in a seedy Virginia motel room. Promoters Bob Arum and Cedric Kushner both testified that they gave the IBF $100,000 to get the organization’s seal of approval for a match between heavyweight champion George Foreman and Axel Schulz (Arum asserted that he paid the money through a middleman, Stan Hoffman). In return, the IBF gave Schulz a “special exemption” to its rules, allowing the German to bypass Michael Moorer who had a rematch clause that would never be honored. (In a sworn deposition, Big George testified that he had no knowledge of any kickback).
After a long-drawn-out trial that consumed four months including 15 days of jury deliberations, Bob Lee was acquitted on all but six of 32 counts. His son, charged with nine counts, was acquitted on all nine. The jury simply did not trust the veracity of many that testified for the prosecution. (No surprise there; after all, they were boxing people.) But neither did the jury buy into the argument that whatever money Lee received was in the form of gifts and gratuities, a common business practice.
The IBF was run by a court-appointed overseer from January of 2000 until the fall of 2003. Under its current head, Daryl Peoples, who came up from the ranks, assuming the presidency in 2010, the IBF has stayed out of the crosshairs of federal prosecutors.
As part of his sentence, Bob Lee was prohibited from having any further dealings with boxing and that would have included buying a ticket to sit in the cheap seats at a boxing card. This was adding insult to injury as Lee’s passion for boxing ran deep. As a boy working as a caddy at a New Jersey golf course, he had met Joe Louis and Sugar Ray Robinson, two of the proudest moments of his life.
As for his contributions to the sport, Lee had this to say in his post-prison talk with Bernard Fernandez: “We instituted the 168-pound [super middleweight] weight class. We took measures to reduce the incidence of eye injuries in boxing. We changed the weigh-in from the day of the fight to the day before, which prevented fighters from entering the ring so dehydrated that they were putting themselves at risk. All these things, and more, were tremendously beneficial to boxing. I’m very proud of all that we accomplished.”
Bob Lee was a tough old bird. Diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 1986, he was insulin-dependent for much of his adult life and yet he lived into his nineties. Although his coloration as a shakedown artist is a stain that will never go away, many people will tell you that, on balance, he was a good man whose lapses ought not define him.
That’s not for us to judge. We send our condolences to his loved ones. May he rest in peace.
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