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It’s Omar Chavez’ Turn
Fighting in the shadows between two other family boxing figures can be a problem but Omar Chavez, the youngest son of Julio Cesar Chavez, feels ready to break out.
Chavez (33-3-1, 22 Kos) faces Hector Munoz (23-14-1, of Albuquerque, New Mexico on Friday June 26, at Little Creek Casino Resort in Shelton, Washington. Showtime will televise some of the fight card but the Chavez fight may not be televised.
“Every time you fight in the United States, it’s a tough fight,” said Chavez, 25, who was born in Culiacan, Mexico, but lived in Riverside, California for a long spell. “No easy fights here.”
The youngest son of Julio Cesar Chavez returned to the 100 degree temperatures of Riverside, California where the heat inside the gym can be even hotter than outside. For this fight he worked at Capital Punishment Gym where Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera also prepares.
“I’m here with my team. My brother Julio is working close by with Robert Garcia,” said Omar Chavez.
Older brother Julio Cesar Chavez chose to work with trainer Robert Garcia, who recently moved his boxing headquarters from Oxnard to Riverside. That gym is about five miles east of Capital Punishment Gym.
Omar spent some hard rounds last Friday sparring with local fighters in the dogged heat that would be intolerable without plenty of ice cold water. When he moves around the boxing ring he seldom wastes punches and is always moving forward. The impact sound of his blows reflects the heaviness of his hands.
Chavez’s last fight took place in April 18, at the StubHub against Colombian veteran Richard Gutierrez. It was an eight-round slugfest that showed the youngest of the Chavez clan could match power, chins and wit against a solid veteran fighter like Gutierrez.
Last year, Chavez fought one of Saul “Canelo” Alvarez’s brothers, Ramon Alvarez, and lost the NABO super welterweight title he had captured against Daniel Sandoval. It was a pitched battle that saw Alvarez pull out the victory after 10 rounds.
The junior middleweight decided to live and train in Southern California for the past year.
“It’s been good because I have friends and family here in the USA,” said Chavez. “Here is where I learned English and where I started amateur boxing.”
Willy Silva was the trainer who worked with both Chavez brothers back in 2000 when they were venturing into the boxing gyms and following in their legendary father’s footsteps. They would discuss their father’s victories over carne asada and cool drinks among friends while watching old footage on video tape.
“I got them their first amateur fights,” said Silva, whose gym they used in the early 2000s to work on the boxing bags. In those days Carlos “El Elegante” Bojorquez was the primary pro fighter working in that gym located in Mira Loma. “We go way back.”
Chavez remembers the early days.
“I have friends from school that still come see me,” said Omar, who attended schools in the Riverside area. “Willy used to train me when I was young.”
The junior middleweight contender says training and fighting in the USA is an entirely different process than Mexico.
“The USA is more strict and disciplined,” said Chavez about workouts, medical examinations and preparation. “It’s good though because you have to be better prepared for the big fights.”
Big fights are what Omar Chavez wants.
“I want a world championship. That’s why I started boxing. And I’m going to work more hard to accomplish my dream,” said Chavez. “If they give me a good fight next, I will stay here fighting in the USA.
Chavez’s last fight was a defining moment for his fans in Southern California to see him in the boxing ring. Most of his previous fights took place in Mexico.
“I want to show people what I’m all about,” Chavez said. “If you ask fighters they will all say I’m a forward fighter. But I have skills to move, to box, to punch, I’m athletic. I can do whatever is best for the ring, but I haven’t been showing that. I want to show that.”
During his scrap with Gutierrez the youngest Chavez fighter was able to use all of those dimensions against the rugged and tricky Gutierrez. Now he’s just itching for a chance to fight for a world title.
“I don’t want to say names but anybody with a title belt, if they want to give me a chance, if they want an easy fight they can fight me,” said Chavez. “I have names, if they want to give me a chance we can make a fight, whoever has a belt.”
On Friday, Chavez looks forward to showing the boxing world he’s a multi-faceted fighter capable of fighting anyone.
Camille Estephan, one of two prominent boxing promoters operating in Quebec, was back at his customary playpen tonight, The Montreal Casino, with an 8-bout card that aired in the U.S. on ESPN+. The featured bout pit Erik Bazinyan against Mexican globetrotter Jose de Jesus Macias in a super middleweight bout with two regional titles at stake. Bazinyan entered the contest undefeated (29-0, 21 KOs) and ranked #2 at 168 by the WBC, WBA, and WBO.
A member of the National Team of Armenia before moving with his parents to Quebec at age 16, Bazinyan figured to be too physical for Matias. He had launched his career as a light heavyweight whereas Matias had fought extensively as a welterweight. However, the battle-tested Macias (28-12-4) was no pushover. Indeed, he had the best round of the fight. It came in Round 7 when he hurt Bazinyan with a barrage of punches that left the Armenian on shaky legs. But Bazinyan weathered the storm and fought the spunky Macias on better-than-even terms in the homestretch to win a unanimous decision.
The judges were predisposed toward the “A side” and submitted cards of 98-92, 97-93, 97-93.
In his previous bout, Bazinyan was hard-pressed to turn away Alantez Fox. Tonight’s performance confirmed the suspicion that he isn’t as good as his record or his rating. He would be the underdog if matched against stablemate Christian Mbilli.
Co-Feature
In what stands as arguably the finest performance in his 14-year pro career, Calgary junior welterweight Steve Claggett dismantled Puerto Rico’s Alberto Machado, a former world title-holder at 130 pounds. Claggett had Machado on the canvas twice before the referee waived the fight off at the 2:29 mark of round three, the stoppage coming moments after the white towel of surrender was tossed from Machado’ corner. It was the sixth straight win inside the distance for the resurgent Claggett (35-7-2, 25 KOs) who was favored in the 3/1 range.
Claggett scored his first knockdown late in round two with a chopping left hook. The second knockdown came from a two-punch combo — a short right uppercut to the jaw that followed a hard left hook to the body. Machado, whose promoter of record is Miguel Cotto, falls to 23-4.
Claggett, who won an NABF belt, would welcome a fight with Rolly Romero. A more likely scenario finds him locking horns with undefeated Arnold Barboza, a Top Rank fighter.
Also…
Quebec southpaw Thomas Chabot remained undefeated with a harder-than expected and somewhat controversial 8-round split decision over 20-year-old Mexico City import Luis Bolanos. At the conclusion, Chabot, who improved to 9-0 (7), was more marked-up than his scrappy opponent who declined to 4-3-1. This was an entertaining fight between two high-volume punchers.
In a middleweight affair slated for six, Alexandre Gaumont improved to 8-0 (6 KOs) with a second round TKO over hapless Piotr Bis. The official time was 3:00.
A 37-year-old Pole making his North American debut, Bis (6-3-1) was on the canvas six times in all during the six minutes of action. There were two genuine knockdowns, the result of short uppercuts, two dubious knockdowns, a slip, and a push.
As an amateur, Gaumont reportedly knocked out half of his 24 opponents. This sloppy fight with Bis wasn’t of the sort from which Gaumont can gain anything useful, but he is a bright prospect who bears watching.
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Once upon a time the name Ferocious Fernando Vargas stirred up the blood of many a Southern California boxing fan and others.
Based in Oxnard, California, the Ferocious One dared to be great and was fearless in charging forward like an Aztec warrior against all odds and opposition. Those who followed him expected it and though he only had 31 professional fights, each battle was dripping with drama.
Remember his battles with Ike Quartey, Winky Wright or Sugar Shane Mosley?
Even his losses were blazing unforgettable wars with Felix Trinidad, Oscar De La Hoya and Ricardo Mayorga.
Vargas no longer fights but he has three sons and they do the fighting for the Las Vegas-based family. It’s Fernando Vargas 2.0.
The oldest son Fernando Vargas Jr. (8-0, 8 KOs) competes in a six-round super welterweight contest against Venezuela’s Heber Rondon (20-4, 13 KOs) on Friday June 2, at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, Calif. The Marvnation Promotions card will also be shown on its YouTube.com site.
In the co-main event number one super flyweight contender Adelaida Ruiz fights Mexico’s Maria Cecilia Roman in a 10-round affair. Ruiz is considered by many to be a guaranteed world champion by this year. Don’t miss her.
A special presentation includes the appearance of two boxing greats Sugar Ray Leonard and Tommy “Hit Man” Hearns. During the 70s and 80s they both made history with incredible performances that made them both boxing immortals.
If you ever saw them during the 80s they were two of the primary fighters who raised the level of the sport with their willingness to fight each other. Leonard and Hearns fought each other twice. Leonard beat Roberto Duran two of three times. Marvin Hagler beat Hearns in what many consider one of the greatest three rounds of all time. Ironically, it was the first title fight I ever wrote about.
Doors open at 6 p.m. for tickets go to www.pechenga.com or www.marvnation.com
Boxing Saturday in Detroit
Female boxing’s top pound-for-pound queen Claressa Shields (13-0, 2 KOs) faces Maricela Cornejo (16-5, 6 KOs) in defense of the middleweight world championship on Saturday, June 3, at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. DAZN will stream the Salita Promotions fight card beginning at 6 p.m. PST.
Until last week, Costa Rica’s Hanna Gabriels was the scheduled foe, but VADA testing revealed illegal substances in her blood stream and she was forced out. After two days Cornejo was mutually agreed by both parties to be the replacement.
“I was getting ready for another fight on June 6. This wasn’t a last-minute fight. I eat, drink, and love boxing. It’s not a part-time job,” said Cornejo about eagerly accepting the fight as a replacement for Gabriels.
The last time we saw Shields in the prize ring she was firing on all gears as she unleashed blazing-fast combinations on England’s Savannah Marshall. Many had predicted Shields would be vanquished.
Many were wrong.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist and champion of three weight divisions has shown that size, power and will are not enough to dethrone her. Only a few made Shields blink and that came early on.
During the press conference, Mark Taffet, co-manager of Shields, hinted that she may be pursuing undisputed status in the super middleweight divisions and above. But first, her defense against Cornejo who did not hesitate in consenting to the challenge.
Only in the past four years has female boxing become a lucrative pro sport. Before fighters like Shields, Katie Taylor, and others, women were seldom paid more than $3,000 dollars for a world championship fight.
Shields helped spark the change and Cornejo will now finally meet her in the prize ring.
“Claressa has done so much for the sport of boxing. We’re trying to do our part. She can’t do it alone. We’re all trying to make a difference,” said Cornejo about accepting the fight on short notice. “She needs a dance partner and I’m ready to dance June 3.”
Shields smiled, content that Cornejo helped salvage the fight card in Detroit, Michigan near her hometown of Flint. Shields personally bought 1,000 tickets for youngsters to attend the fight card on Saturday. Now it will be a true contender facing her.
“I want to say thank you for fighting me,” said Shields to Cornejo. “I know you want to dance, but I came to fight.”
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The Sweet Science Rankings: Week of May 29th, 2023
In this week’s TSS Rankings, it’s all change at the top of the 126lbs division with Luis Alberto Lopez rocketing to the #1 spot after a brutal dispatch of Michael Conlan; Leigh Wood is right behind him after making it 1-1 with a miserable Mauricio Lara (Mexico) who is likely about to depart for 130lbs after failing to make weight by 4lbs. For the moment he languishes at #5. Chris Billam-Smith makes #3 at 200lbs after ripping victory from fellow Englishman Lawrence Okolie. The hapless Okolie drops to #8. The best performance this weekend though was turned in by New Yorker Oscar Collazo who brutalised the favoured Melvin Jerusalem (Philippines). Collazo rises to three, Jerusalem drops to #8.
Pound-for-Pound
01 – Naoya Inoue
02 – Oleksandr Usyk
03 – Juan Francisco Estrada
04 – Dmitry Bivol
05 – Terence Crawford
06 – Errol Spence Jnr.
07 – Tyson Fury
08 – Saul Alvarez
09 – Artur Beterbiev
10 – Shakur Stevenson
105lbs
1 Knockout CP Freshmart (Thailand)
2 Petchmanee CP Freshmart (Thailand)
3 Oscar Collazo (USA)*
4 Ginjiro Shigeoka (Japan)
5 Wanheng Menayothin (Thailand)
6 Daniel Valladares (Mexico)
7 Yudai Shigeoka (Japan)
8 Melvin Jerusalem (Philippines)
9 Masataka Taniguchi (Japan)
10 Rene Mark Cuarto (Philippines)
108lbs
1 Kenshiro Teraji (Japan)
2 Jonathan Gonzalez (Puerto Rico)
3 Masamichi Yabuki (Japan)
4 Hekkie Budler (South Africa)
5 Sivenathi Nontshinga (South Africa)
6 Elwin Soto (Mexico)
7 Daniel Matellon (Cuba)
8 Reggie Suganob (Philippines)
9 Shokichi Iwata (Japan)
10 Esteban Bermudez (Mexico)
112lbs
1 Sunny Edwards (England)
2 Artem Dalakian (Ukraine)
3 Julio Cesar Martinez (Mexico)
4 Angel Ayala Lardizabal (Mexico)
5 David Jimenez (Costa Rica)
6 Jesse Rodriguez (USA)
7 Ricardo Sandoval (USA)
8 Felix Alvarado (Nicaragua)
9 Seigo Yuri Akui (Japan)
10 Cristofer Rosales (Nicaragua)
115lbs
1 Juan Francisco Estrada (Mexico)
2 Roman Gonzalez (Nicaragua)
3 Jesse Rodriguez (USA)
4 Kazuto Ioka (Japan)
5 Joshua Franco (USA)
6 Junto Nakatani (Japan)
7 Fernando Martinez (Argentina)
8 Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (Thailand)
9 Kosei Tanaka (Japan)
10 Andrew Moloney (Australia)
118lbs
1 Emmanuel Rodriguez (Puerto Rico)
2 Jason Moloney (Australia)
3 Nonito Donaire (Philippines)
4 Vincent Astrolabio (Philippines)
5 Gary Antonio Russell (USA)
6 Takuma Inoue (Japan)
7 Alexandro Santiago (Mexico)
8 Ryosuke Nishida (Japan)
9 Keita Kurihara (Japan)
10 Paul Butler (England)
122lbs
1 Stephen Fulton (USA)
2 Marlo Tapales (Philippines)
3 Luis Nery (Mexico)
4 Murodjon Akhmadaliev (Uzbekistan)
5 Ra’eese Aleem (USA)
6 Azat Hovhannisyan (Armenia)
7 Kevin Gonzalez (Mexico)
8 Takuma Inoue (Japan)
9 John Riel Casimero (Philippines)
10 Fillipus Nghitumbwa (Namibia)
126lbs
1 Luis Alberto Lopez (Mexico)*
2 Leigh Wood (England)*
3 Brandon Figueroa (USA)
4 Rey Vargas (Mexico)
5 Mauricio Lara (Mexico)
6 Mark Magsayo (Philippines)
7 Josh Warrington (England)
8 Robeisy Ramirez (Cuba)
9 Reiya Abe (Japan)
10 Otabek Kholmatov (Uzbekistan)
130lbs
1 Joe Cordina (Wales)
2 Oscar Valdez (Mexico)
3 Hector Garcia (Dominican Republic)
4 O’Shaquie Foster (USA)
5 Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov (Tajikistan)
6 Roger Gutierrez (Venezuela)
7 Lamont Roach (USA)
8 Eduardo Ramirez (Mexico)
9 Kenichi Ogawa (Japan)
10 Robson Conceicao (Brazil)
135lbs
1 Devin Haney (USA)
2 Gervonta Davis (USA)
3 Vasily Lomachenko (Ukraine)
4 Isaac Cruz (Mexico)
5 William Zepeda Segura (Mexico)
6 Frank Martin (USA)
7 George Kambosos Jnr (Australia)
8 Shakur Stevenson (USA)
9 Raymond Muratalla (USA)
10 Keyshawn Davis (USA)
140lbs
1 Josh Taylor (Scotland)
2 Regis Prograis (USA)
3 Jose Ramirez (USA)
4 Jose Zepeda (USA)
5 Jack Catterall (England)
6 Subriel Matias (Puerto Rico)
7 Arnold Barboza Jr. (USA)
8 Gary Antuanne Russell (USA)
9 Zhankosh Turarov (Kazakhstan)
10 Shohjahon Ergashev (Uzbekistan)
147lbs
1 Errol Spence (USA)
2 Terence Crawford (USA)
3 Yordenis Ugas (Cuba)
4 Vergil Ortiz Jr. (USA)
5 Jaron Ennis (USA)
6 Eimantas Stanionis (Lithuania)
7 David Avanesyan (Russia)
8 Cody Crowley (Canada)
9 Roiman Villa (Columbia)
10 Alexis Rocha (USA)
154lbs
1 Jermell Charlo (USA)
2 Tim Tszyu (Australia)
3 Brian Castano (Argentina)
4 Brian Mendoza (USA)
5 Liam Smith (England)
6 Jesus Alejandro Ramos (USA)
7 Sebastian Fundora (USA)
8 Michel Soro (Ivory Coast)
9 Erickson Lubin (USA)
10 Magomed Kurbanov (Russia)
160lbs
1 Gennady Golovkin (Kazakhstan)
2 Jaime Munguia (Mexico)
3 Carlos Adames (Dominican Republic)
4 Janibek Alimkhanuly (Kazakhstan)
5 Liam Smith (England)
6 Erislandy Lara (USA)
7 Sergiy Derevyanchenko (Ukraine)
8 Felix Cash (England)
9 Esquiva Falcao (Brazil)
10 Chris Eubank Jnr. (Poland)
168lbs
1 Canelo Alvarez (Mexico)
2 David Benavidez (USA)
3 Caleb Plant (USA)
4 Christian Mbilli (France)
5 David Morrell (Cuba)
6 John Ryder (England)
7 Pavel Silyagin (Russia)
8 Vladimir Shishkin (Russia)
9 Carlos Gongora (Ecuador)
10 Demetrius Andrade (USA)
175lbs
1 Dmitry Bivol (Russia)
2 Artur Beterbiev (Canada)
3 Joshua Buatsi (England)
4 Callum Smith (England)
5 Joe Smith Jr. (USA)
6 Gilberto Ramirez (Mexico)
7 Anthony Yarde (England)
8 Dan Azeez (England)
9 Craig Richards (England)
10 Michael Eifert (Germany)
200lbs
1 Jai Opetaia (Australia)
2 Mairis Breidis (Latvia)
3 Chris Billam-Smith (England)*
4 Richard Riakporhe (England)
5 Aleksei Papin (Russia)
6 Badou Jack (Sweden)
7 Arsen Goulamirian (France)
8 Lawrence Okolie (England)
9 Yuniel Dorticos (Cuba)
10 Mateusz Masternak (Poland)
Unlimited
1 Tyson Fury (England)
2 Oleksandr Usyk (Ukraine)
3 Zhilei Zhang (China)
4 Deontay Wilder (USA)
5 Anthony Joshua (England)
6 Andy Ruiz (USA)
7 Filip Hrgovic (Croatia)
8 Joe Joyce (England)
9 Dillian Whyte (England)
10 Frank Sanchez (Cuba)
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The Haney-Lomachenko Tempest Smacks of Hagler-Leonard; Dave Moretti Factored in Both
In the Homestretch of His Career, Philadelphia’s Joey “Tank” Dawejko Keeps on Rolling
Avila Perspective, Chap. 237: Battles for Undisputed Status in Dublin and Las Vegas
U.K. Boxing Montage: Conlan KOed; Wood Regains Title; Billam-Smith Upsets Okolie
Romero Controversially TKOs Barroso; Sims Nips Akhmedov in a Barnburner
Nine TSS Writers Analyze the Haney-Lomachenko Fight
Avila Perspective, Chap. 235: Canelo Alvarez, Silk Pajamas and More
Devin Haney Stays Unbeaten; More Controversy in a Las Vegas Ring
Former LA Times Scribe Steve Springer Reflects on His Days on the Boxing Beat
South African Southpaw Kevin Lerena is the Best Fighter in his Weight Class
‘How To Box’ by Joe Louis: Part 6 of a 6-Part Series – Putting It All Together
The Hauser Report: The DAZN Experiment
Moloney vs Astrolabio on Saturday has the Mark of an Old-fashioned Dust-Up
Canelo Alvarez Dominates but Goes the Distance with Stubborn John Ryder
Alimkhanuly Destroys Butler and Jason Moloney Outpoints Astrolabio in Stockton
Ralph Boston and Muhammad Ali
‘How To Box’ by Joe Louis: Part 4 – Bodywork and the Uppercut
Avila Perspective, Chap. 236: Jaime Munguia and More
Thomas Hauser Carries On the Legacy of TSS in the Bernie Awards
Super Lightweights Take Center Stage at the Cosmo on Saturday
Bazinyan Overcomes Adversity; Skirts by Macias in Montreal
Avila Perspective, Chap. 239: Fernando Vargas Jr. at the Pechanga Casino and More
The Sweet Science Rankings: Week of May 29th, 2023
U.K. Boxing Montage: Conlan KOed; Wood Regains Title; Billam-Smith Upsets Okolie
The Sweet Science Rankings: Week of May 22nd, 2023
‘How To Box’ by Joe Louis: Part 6 of a 6-Part Series – Putting It All Together
Action Galore in the U.K. on Saturday — Title Fights at Three Separate Venues
The Haney-Lomachenko Tempest Smacks of Hagler-Leonard; Dave Moretti Factored in Both
Devin Haney Stays Unbeaten; More Controversy in a Las Vegas Ring
Chantelle Cameron Defeats Katie Taylor in Ireland
Avila Perspective, Chap. 237: Battles for Undisputed Status in Dublin and Las Vegas
‘How To Box’ by Joe Louis: Part 5 – Defense
Nine TSS Writers Analyze the Haney-Lomachenko Fight
South African Southpaw Kevin Lerena is the Best Fighter in his Weight Class
The Sweet Science Rankings: Week of May 15th, 2023
Two Fascinating Tussles Gird Saturday’s Lomachenko-Haney Showdown
Romero Controversially TKOs Barroso; Sims Nips Akhmedov in a Barnburner
Alimkhanuly Destroys Butler and Jason Moloney Outpoints Astrolabio in Stockton
How Good Was Ill-Fated Luther McCarty, the Best of the ‘White Hopes’?
Avila Perspective, Chap. 236: Jaime Munguia and More
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Featured Articles1 week agoThe Haney-Lomachenko Tempest Smacks of Hagler-Leonard; Dave Moretti Factored in Both
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Featured Articles3 weeks agoIn the Homestretch of His Career, Philadelphia’s Joey “Tank” Dawejko Keeps on Rolling
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Featured Articles2 weeks agoAvila Perspective, Chap. 237: Battles for Undisputed Status in Dublin and Las Vegas
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Featured Articles5 days agoU.K. Boxing Montage: Conlan KOed; Wood Regains Title; Billam-Smith Upsets Okolie
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Featured Articles3 weeks agoRomero Controversially TKOs Barroso; Sims Nips Akhmedov in a Barnburner
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Featured Articles2 weeks agoNine TSS Writers Analyze the Haney-Lomachenko Fight
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Featured Articles4 weeks agoAvila Perspective, Chap. 235: Canelo Alvarez, Silk Pajamas and More
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Featured Articles2 weeks agoDevin Haney Stays Unbeaten; More Controversy in a Las Vegas Ring