Canelo, Kirkland & East L.A.’s Frankie Gomez

Published

9 years ago

May 7, 2015

Twenty years ago on this day, May 6, a 23-year-old from East Los Angeles named Oscar De La Hoya stepped in the boxing ring against IBF lightweight titlist Rafael Ruelas and won by knockout in the second round at the Caesars Palace outdoor arena.

De La Hoya catapulted into being boxing’s largest money-maker after that clash between world title-holders. It was the one fight that made fans finally realize he was the real deal and not the product of a hype machine. He proceeded to win world titles in the junior welterweight, welterweight, junior middleweight and middleweight divisions.

Now, the graduate of Garfield High School heads the Los Angeles-based boxing promotion company Golden Boy Promotions. The top dog in its stable is the redheaded boxer from Guadalajara, Mexico, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.

Facing Alvarez (44-1-1, 31 Kos) will be Houston’s James “Mandingo Warrior” Kirkland (32-1, 28 Kos) at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas on Saturday, May 9. HBO will televise the event that also features another young fighter from East L.A.

Kirkland, like Alvarez, has only one defeat on his boxing ledger. It’s something that many fail to realize. The mild-mannered Texan spent time in East L.A. years ago sparring with Sergio Mora and Alfredo Angulo. Back then, he was a fearless punching machine who seemed to relish exchanging angry blows with any and all. Outside of the ring he was somewhat humble but confident in his ability to war with anyone.

Take his knockout victory over Glen Tapia. Many felt Kirkland was the underdog going into that fight but he emerged with his hand raised like something out of an old Martin Scorsese film.

Kirkland hits hard, plain and simple.

Alvarez has that zeal to prove to everyone that he’s better than advertised. Some say he’s his own worst enemy and point to his lone loss that came to Floyd Mayweather a couple of years ago. The world told him he was not ready but he refused to listen. Confidence is his game. He has plenty of it to go with his fiery hair.

On Saturday, the winner will gain immense credibility and status as one of the best in the junior middleweight division. Kirkland or Canelo could possibly emerge as cash machines.

“Like they say anything can happen in a fight,” says Kirkland. “It’s definitely taking the right course.”

Alvarez has his career planned out. Simply beat Kirkland and march toward WBC middleweight titlist Miguel Cotto.

“I’m emotional about this fight. It motivates me tremendously it gives me that extra push and drive,” said Alvarez, who’s aware that more than 20,000 fans are expected to fill the stands. “It’s a big responsibility.”

Another East L.A. Product

When De La Hoya heard another boxer from East L.A. was creating a buzz in the international amateur boxing world he sent his people to sign Frankie Gomez. After a bidding war with rival boxing promotion companies, Golden Boy Promotions finally signed him. The official introduction took place at El Mercado on First Street and Lorena Avenue in 2010. Fans crowded the Mexican marketplace to take a look at the new find.

Could Gomez be the next De La Hoya?

That’s always been the question for Gomez, who has quick hands and quick feet along with the amateur pedigree that De La Hoya also possessed. But De La Hoya in his fifth pro bout was fighting contenders like Jeff Mayweather (23-2-2) when they met at Las Vegas. Three fights later he would tangle and defeat a former world champion Troy Dorsey. But that’s De La Hoya, who was a rare find in the boxing world. Most young prospects need a lot more seasoning.

“I think it was better moving slower. I’m more mature and think better in the ring now,” Gomez said.

Gomez (18-0, 13 Kos) has been sailing along in a steady progression of fights that allowed him to mature in the ring as his body grew stronger. Now he faces a real contender and former world champion in Mexico’s Humberto Soto (65-8-2, 35 Kos), who narrowly defeated John Molina last year.

Is Gomez ready to claim his place among former East L.A. champions?

“I know he has a lot of experience but this is my time to shine,” said Gomez while in South El Monte on Monday. “I know how to box in the inside, box in the outside. I’m ready. My old trainer was a professional boxer so he taught me a lot of tricks. I’ve been doing this since I was five and a half (years old). I got experience too in the amateurs and stuff.”

De La Hoya feels confident enough to put Gomez on the co-main event. He also feels confident that Saturday could reveal boxing’s future in Canelo.

Belasco Theater Thursdays

A Golden Boy Promotions show on Thursday May 7, at Belasco Theater features super bantamweights Manuel Avila (16-0, 7 Kos) and Erik Ruiz (13-2, 6 Kos) in the main event. Other hot prospects include Oscar Negrete, Nicolas Arce and Diego De La Hoya. Yes, he’s related to Oscar and remains an extremely talented fighter with world championship capabilities.

So far the fight cards at Belasco have been a tremendous surprise. Celebrities abound and the intimate setting is perfect to watch boxing. There’s no better boxing show.

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David A. Avila

Ryan “KingRy” Garcia Returns With a Bang; KOs Oscar Duarte

Published

1 hour ago

December 2, 2023

David A. Avila

Ryan-Kingry-Garcia-Returns-With-a-Bang-KOs-Oscar-Duarte

It was a different Ryan “KingRy” Garcia the world saw in defeating Mexico’s rugged Oscar Duarte, but it was that same deadly left hook counter that got the job done by knockout on Saturday.

Only the quick survive.

Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) used a variety of stances before luring knockout artist Duarte (26-1-1, 21 KOs) into his favorite punch before a sold-out crowd at Toyota Arena in Houston, Texas. That punch should be patented in gold.

It was somewhat advertised as knockout artist versus matinee idol, but those who know the sport knew that Garcia was a real puncher. But could he rebound from his loss earlier this year?

The answer was yes.

Garcia used a variety of styles beginning with a jab at a prescribed distance via his new trainer Derrick James. It allowed both Garcia and Duarte to gain footing and knock the cobwebs out of their reflexes. Garcia’s jab scored most of the early points during the first three rounds. He also snapped off some left hooks and rights.

“He was a strong fighter, took a strong punch,” said Garcia. “I hit him with some hard punches and he kept coming.”

Duarte, an ultra-pale Mexican from Durango, was cautious, knowing full well how many Garcia foes had underestimated the power behind his blows.

Slowly the muscular Mexican fighter began closing in with body shots and soon both fighters were locked in an inside battle. Garcia used a tucked-in shoulder style while Duarte pounded the body, back of the head and in the back causing the referee to warn for the illegal punches twice.

Still, Duarte had finally managed to punch Garcia with multiple shots for several rounds.

Around the sixth round Garcia was advised by his new trainer to begin jabbing and moving. It forced Duarte out of his rhythm as he was unable to punch without planting his feet. Suddenly, the momentum had reversed again and Duarte looked less dangerous.

“I had to slow his momentum down. That softened him up,” said Garcia about using that change in style to change Duarte’s pressure attack. “Shout out to Derrick James.”

Boos began cascading from the crowd but Garcia was on a roll and had definitely regained the advantage. A quick five-punch combination rocked Duarte though not all landed. The danger made the Mexican pause.

In the eighth round Duarte knew he had to take back the momentum and charged even harder. In one lickety-split second a near invisible counter left hook connected on Duarte’s temple and he stumbled like a drunken soldier on liberty in Honolulu. Garcia quickly followed up with rights and uppercuts as Duarte had a look of terror as his legs failed to maintain stability. Down he went for the count.

Duarte was counted out by referee James Green at 2:51 of the eighth round as Garcia watched from the other side of the ring.

“I started opening up my legs a little bit to open up the shot,” explained Garcia. “When I hurt somebody that hard, I just keep cracking them. I hurt him with a counter left hook.”

The weapon of champions.

Garcia’s victory returns him back to the forefront as one of boxing’s biggest gate attractions. A list of potential foes is his to dissect and choose.

“I’m just ready to continue to my ascent to be a champion at 140,” Garcia said.

It was a tranquil end after such a tumultuous last three days.

Other Bouts

Floyd Schofield (16-0, 12 KOs) blitzed Mexico’s Ricardo “Not Finito” Lopez (17-8-3) with a four knockdown blowout that left fans mesmerized and pleased with the fighter from Austin, Texas.

Schofield immediately shot out quick jabs and then a lightning four-punch combination that delivered Lopez to the canvas wondering what had happened. He got up. Then Scholfield moved in with a jab and crisp left hook and down went Lopez like a dunked basketball bouncing.

At this point it seemed the fight might stop. But it proceeded and Schofield unleashed another quick combo that sent Lopez down though he did try to punch back. It was getting monotonous. Lopez got up and then was met with another rapid fire five- or six-punch combination. Lopez was down for the fourth time and the referee stopped the devastation.

“I appreciate him risking his life,” said Schofield of his victim.

In a middleweight clash Shane Mosley Jr. (21-4, 12 KOs) out-worked Joshua Conley (17-6-1, 11 KOs) for five rounds before stopping the San Bernardino fighter at 1:51 of the sixth round. It was Mosley’s second consecutive knockout and fourth straight win.

Mosley continues to improve in every fight and again moves up the middleweight rankings.

Super middleweight prospect Darius Fulghum (9-0, 9 KOs) of Houston remained undefeated and kept his knockout string intact with a second round pounding and stoppage over Pachino Hill (8-5-1) in 56 seconds of that round.

Photo credit: Golden Boy Promotions

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Jordan Gill TKOs Michael Conlan Who May Have Reached the End of the Road

Published

7 hours ago

December 2, 2023

Arne K. Lang

Jordan-Gill-TKOs-Michael-Conlan-Whp-May-Have-Reached-the-End-of-the-Road

Fighting on his home turf, two-time Olympian Michael Conlan was an 8/1 favorite over Jordan Gill tonight in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Had he won, Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn was eyeing a rematch for Conlan with Leigh Wood. Their March 2022 rumble in Nottingham was a popular pick for the Fight of the Year. But the 29-year-old Gill, a Cambridgeshire man, rendered that discussion moot with a seventh-round stoppage. It was Conlan’s third loss inside the distance in the last 18 months and he would be wise to call it a day. His punch resistance is plainly not what it once was.

It was with considerable fanfare that Conlan cast his lot with Top Rank coming out of the amateur ranks. Tonight was his first assignment for Matchroom and his first fight at 130 pounds after coming up short in two world featherweight title fights. And he almost didn’t make it past the second round. Gill had him on the canvas in the opening minute of round two compliments of a left hook and stunned him late in the round with a right hand that left him on unsteady legs.

He survived the round and for a fleeting moment in the sixth frame it appeared that he had reversed Gill’s momentum. But Gill took charge again in the next stanza, trapping Conlan in the corner and unloading a fusillade of punches that forced referee Howard Foster to waive it off, much to the great dismay of the crowd. The official time was 1:09 of round seven.

Released by Top Rank, Conlan trained for this fight in Miami, Florida, under Pedro Diaz, best known for rejuvenating the career of Miguel Cotto. But the switch in trainer and in promoter made no difference as Conlan, who won his first amateur title at age 11, was damaged goods before he entered the ring. It was a career-defining victory for Jordan Gill (28-2-1, 9 KOs) who was not known as a big puncher and was returning to the ring after being stopped by Kiko Martinez 13 months ago in his previous start.

Semi-wind-up

In the “Battle of Belfast,” undefeated welterweight Lewis Crocker seized control in the opening round and went on to win a lopsided decision over intra-city rival Tyrone McKenna (23-4-1). Two of the judges gave Crocker every round and the other had it 98-92, but yet this was entertaining fight in spurts. McKenna had more fans in the building, but Crocker, seven years younger at age 26, went to post a 7/2 favorite and youth was served.

Other Bouts of Note

Belfast super welterweight Caoimhin Agyarko, who overcame a near-fatal mugging at age 20, advanced to 14-0 (7) with a 10-round split decision over Troy Williamson (20-2-1). The judges had it 98-92 and 97-93 for Agyarko with a dissenter submitting a curious 96-94 score for the 31-year-old Williamson who wasn’t able to exploit his advantages in height and reach.

Sean McComb, a 31-year-old Belfast southpaw, scored what was arguably the best win of his career with a 10-round beat-down of longtime sparring partner Sam Maxwell. Two of the judges gave McComb every round and the other had it 99-88. McComb, who has an interesting nickname, “The Public Nuisance, successfully defended his WBO European super welterweight strap while elevating his record to 18-1 (6). The fading, 35-year-old Maxwell, a former BBBofC British title-holder, lost for third time in his last four starts after winning his first 16 pro fights.

Photo credit: Mark Robinson / Matchroom

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Avila Perspective, Chap. 262: Ryan Garcia Reloads and More Fight News

Published

1 day ago

December 1, 2023

David A. Avila

Avila Perspective, Chap. 262: Ryan Garcia Reloads and More Fight News

Nobody is perfect.

That’s a mantra that everyone including boxers, promoters and managers should realize. No person is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes.

Ryan “King Ry” Garcia (23-1, 19 KOs) returns to the prize ring to face thunderous punching Oscar Duarte (26-1-1, 21 KOs) on Saturday, Dec. 2, at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. DAZN will stream the stacked Golden Boy Promotions card.

A press conference started slowly like a long-lit fuse slowly burning to the stick of dynamite. And when the fire reached the stick, it exploded with everyone in the vicinity burned.

Garcia unleashed pent-up frustration with verbal attacks on his promoters and burned the perimeter with fire. Poor Duarte sat there knowing something happened, but probably needed translation from his people to discover Garcia burned the room.

No survivors.

If that’s just a sample of what’s coming on Saturday night, well buckle-up and don’t miss a second of Garcia and Duarte’s confrontation.

Duarte has 11 consecutive knockouts and an 80 percent knockout rate. Garcia recently lost to Gervonta “Tank” Davis by stoppage and is looking to raze the earth. He has an 82 percent knockout rate.

Somebody is going to sleep in front of millions of fans.

“Oscar is a tough opponent. I know he’s going to come to fight. But I’m right here to make an example for the 140-division,” said Garcia with a death knell stare during the face-off. “This is how I’m coming. This is the Ryan Garcia you are going to get.”

Duarte knows he’s in the limelight. There’s no better place to be. Or is there?

“This is a dream for me. I come very prepared. This Saturday you will see my best version,” said Duarte. “I’m going to win.”

Maybe he picked the wrong time.

Garcia looked as if he were General Sherman on his way to scorch the earth on his way to Atlanta. No survivors.

It doesn’t look good for anyone.

“I’m laser focused” said Garcia with a stare that looked like Superman shooting lasers from his eyes.

The loss to Davis last spring was only on his ledger. In his pocketbook the lean, snap-quick fighter from Victorville, California gained $30+ million. That’s what happens when you fight the best and the world wants to see it. Both he and Tank Davis broke the bank and the counting machine for pay-per-views.

But winning still remains important and few know better than promoter Oscar De La Hoya.

“You never know where the mindset is in a fighter after he loses. You have to give it up to Ryan. When you pick a guy who is dangerous and speedy and who has a shot, kudos to Ryan,” said De La Hoya on social media in a statement that probably lit the Garcia’s fuse that roasted the room.

“When fighters lose they have their emotional rollercoasters. But once you win and you get 30 million bucks everything is friggin good,” De La Hoya added.

Others on the card are Shane Mosley Jr., Floyd Schofield, Darius Fulghum and Ryan’s younger brother Sean Garcia.

It’s loaded. Beware of fire.

SoCal

Amado Vargas, son of the great Fernando Vargas, makes his return.

Vargas (9-0, 4 KOs), a lightweight, meets Ezequiel Flores (4-1) in the main event on Saturday Dec. 2, at C. Robert Lee Center in Hawaiian Gardens, Calif. on the MarvNation Boxing Promotions card

All three of the Vargas brothers have been burning up to boxing ring and all are signed by promoters. Amado and Fernando Vargas Jr. signed with MarvNation and have attracted many fans.

This is the last boxing card of the year for MarvNation. Doors open at 5 p.m. For more information call (562) 713-9026 or (562) 639-3980.

Florida

Don King Productions has its last card of the year and ends it with five title fights including undefeated Antonio Perez (8-0, 5 KOs) versus Haskell Rhodes (29-5-1, 14 KOs) in a welterweight clash at Casino Miami Jai Ali in Miami, Florida.

Perez, 21, is only 5-6 in height and Rhodes is even shorter, but has experience against top competition such as Floyd Schofield and Sergey Lipinets.

Also on the card are Ian Green, Vaughn Alexander, Tre’Sean Wiggins, Chris Howard, Alex Castro, Harry Cruz and more.

The Don King Production card will be streamed at this link: https://itube247.com/

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