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Boxing Obituaries 2018 PART ONE: (A-G)
An otherwise up year for boxing was unfortunately mottled by many somber notes as the “10 count” was tolled for an inordinately high number of notable boxing personalities. This year, our annual obits compilation is running in two parts with the decedents listed alphabetically.
Ramon Pina Acevedo – A prominent lawyer and political figure in the Dominican Republic, Pina was the first President of the World Boxing Organization (WBO). On Feb. 7 in Santo Domingo at age 96.
Steve Acunto – Honored by the BWAA in 1998 for “long and meritorious service,” Acunto dedicated his life to the betterment of boxing. A man who wore many hats – e.g. judge, commissioner, YMCA boxing coach – he campaigned successfully to get his friend Rocky Marciano on a U.S. postage stamp. On Feb. 1 at age 101 in Mount Vernon, NY, his home for 86 years.
Phil Alessi – The founding owner of a bakery/deli that is a local institution in Tampa, Alessi promoted or co-promoted more than 300 boxing shows, many of which aired on the USA Cable network. On May 6 at age 74 from complications of diabetes.
Dave Anderson – One of only three sportswriters to win the Pulitzer Prize (Red Smith and Jim Murray are the others), Anderson, a 2008 IBHOF inductee, spent more than three decades at the New York Times. He collaborated with Sugar Ray Robinson on his memoir and authored “In This Corner” (subtitled “Great Boxing Trainers Talk About Their Art”). In Cresskill, New Jersey, on Oct. 4 at age 89.
Vic Andreetti – A stablemate of Henry Cooper, Andreetti was 51-13-3 in a career that began in 1961. Late in his career he won the British 130-pound title from three-time rival Des Rea. In retirement he ran a pub in London’s East End and for a time was the trainer of Nigel Benn. In London on March 16 at age 76 of cancer.
Marijan Benes – He represented Yugoslavia in the 1976 Olympics and as a pro fought for the WBA 154-pound title, losing a 15-round decision to Ayub Kalule in Denmark. He was 32-6-1 when he had to quit boxing because of an eye injury. He was suffering from Alzheimer’s and wheelchair-bound when he died in Banja Luka, Bosnia, on Sept 4 at age 67.
Markus Beyer – A two-time Olympian and three-time WBC super middleweight world title holder, Beyer compiled a 35-3-1 record while defeating such notables as Richie Woodhall, Eric Lucas, and Danny Green (twice). In retirement he worked as a TV boxing analyst in his native Germany. In Berlin on Dec. 3 at age 47 of an undisclosed illness.
Bert Blewett – A man synonymous with boxing in his native South Africa, Blewett quit his job as an accountant in 1978 to focus exclusively on the sweet science which he served as a journalist, referee, judge, and magazine publisher. On Jan. 23 in Durban, S.A. at age 84.
Aureliano Bolognesi – Reportedly 140-1 as an amateur, Bolognesi won the gold medal as a lightweight at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. As a professional he was 17-2-2. In Genoa, Italy, on March 30 at age 87.
Monroe Brooks – Brooks (50-8-3, 34 KOs) fought extensively at the Olympic Auditorium where he made his pro debut and in Sacramento where he developed a loyal following. He fought Saensak Muangsurin in Thailand for the WBC 130-pound title and fought Roberto Duran in Madison Square Garden, but in LA is best remembered for his 1978 war with Bruce Curry at the Olympic. At age 65 in Los Angeles.
Charlie “White Lightning” Brown – Brown was barely 19 years old when he knocked Alfredo Escalera into retirement, outpointing the former long-reigning 130-pound champion at Madison Square Garden. With his boyish good looks the world was his oyster, but after opening his career 24-0 he faded fast. Brown lost the use of his legs two years ago when he was hit by a car. He was 53 years old and suffering from dementia when he died at age 53 on August 13 in an East Moline, Illinois nursing home.
Enzo Calzaghe – An Italian-born Welsh boxing trainer, Enzo steered his Hall of Fame son Joe Calzaghe into a world champion in two weight divisions. He also tutored future world title holders Enzo Maccarinelli, Gavin Rees, and Nathan Cleverly. On Sept. 17 at age 69 in Newcastle, Wales. No cause of death was listed.
Leopoldo Cantancio – He represented the Philippines as a lightweight in the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. Cantancio never turned pro but stayed involved in the sport including a stint as the head coach of the Philippines national team. On April 20 at age 54 in a motorcycle crash while returning from a boxing tournament.
Franco Cavicchi – A small heavyweight by today’s standards, Cavicchi compiled a 71-14-4 record with 45 knockouts in an 11-year career that began in 1952. In 1956, he defeated Heinz Neuhaus to win the European heavyweight title but lost it in his first defense to Ingemar Johansson. In Bologna on Aug. 23 at age 90.
Al Certo – A tailor by trade who had 10 pro fights (winning nine) under his birth name Al Certisimo, Certo was a larger-than-life character who at various times was a manager, promoter, matchmaker, trainer, and booking agent. Under his management, 2019 IBHOF inductee James “Buddy” McGirt won world titles in two weight classes. On Dec. 26 in Secaucus, NJ, at age 90.
Don Chargin – A licensed boxing promoter in California for an incredible 69 years, Chargin is best remembered as the matchmaker at LA’s fabled Olympic Auditorium, a post he held for 21 years beginning in 1964. A great ambassador for boxing, he was inducted into the IBHOF in 2001 and lived to see his late wife Lorraine inducted this year. On Sept. 28 in San Luis Obispo, CA at age 90.
Chartchoi Chionoi – Active from 1959 to 1975, Thailand’s Chionoi, dubbed “Little Marciano,” was a two-time world flyweight champion. Parkinson’s disease hastened his death on Jan. 21 at age 75 in Bangkok.
Billy Collins – Active from 1958 to 1965, Collins quit the sport with a 38-17-1 record after losing a 12-round decision to future welterweight champion Curtis Cokes. On Jan. 9 at age 81 in his hometown of Memphis.
Christian Daghio – Born in Italy, Daghio operated a gym in Thailand devoted to Muay Thai and other combat sports. On Oct. 26, he was knocked out cold in the 12th round of a WBC sanctioned match in Rangsit, Thailand, and never regained consciousness. It was his 11th documented fight as a conventional boxer. He was 49 years old.
David Defiagbon – A native Nigerian who moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Defiagbon was Canada’s heavyweight representative in the 1996 Olympics, winning a silver medal. 21-2 as a pro, he died in Las Vegas on Nov. 24 at age 48 of heart complications.
Piero Del Papa – Active from 1960 to 1972, Del Papa compiled a 45-11-4 record and had two reigns as the European light heavyweight champion. In 1971 he challenged Vicente Rondon for the WBA 175-pound world title and was stopped in the opening round. On Oct. 27 in Pisa, Tuscany, his birthplace, at age 80.
Marty Denkin – He refereed hundreds and judged thousands of fights during his 40-plus years on the Southern California boxing scene. For a time he ran the LA office for the State Athletic Commission. Denkin played himself in several movies and owns the distinction of being the only man to count out Rocky Balboa. On Nov. 29 at his home in West Covina, California at age 84.
Leo DiFiore – Coming up the ladder, DiFiore, a junior lightweight, developed an avid following in his hometown of Portland, Maine, which in the 1960s and 1970s was one of America’s busiest boxing towns. He devolved into a journeyman, finishing with a record of 69-33-2. At age 69 in Portland after a decade-long battle with dementia.
Chris Edwards – He lost six of his first seven fights but went on to become a three-time British flyweight champion. A great spoiler, he won a Lonsdale belt outright before retiring in 2012. At age 41 in his hometown of Stoke-on-Trent of an apparent heart attack.
Royce Feour – A retired sportswriter, he spent 37 years at the Las Vegas Review-Journal, covering the boxing beat for 25 of those years. In 1996, the BWAA honored Feour with the Nat Fleischer Award for excellence in boxing journalism. He died on or about Dec. 23 in Las Vegas at age 79 after a lingering illness.
Jorge Fernandez – A welterweight, Fernandez was 117-10-3 with 84 knockouts in a career that began in 1953 and spanned three decades. He was stopped in the ninth round by three-time rival Emile Griffith in one of the first title fights held in Las Vegas and subsequently lost a narrow 12-round decision to Carlos Monzon in a bout billed for the Argentina middleweight title. In Buenos Aires at age 82.
Dean Francis – A Bristol man who last fought in 2014 and finished his career with a record of 34-5-1, Francis won European and British titles at 168 and then returned from a career-threatening shoulder injury to win domestic titles as a light heavyweight and cruiserweight. On May 25 at age 44 from cancer.
Joey Giambra – The “Buffalo Adonis,” Giambra, a middleweight, compiled a 65-10-2 record and was never stopped in a career that began in 1949. He won two of three against future Hall of Famer Joey Giardello and participated in the first recognized title fight in the 154-pound division, losing a 15-round decision to Denny Moyer in Portland, Oregon, Moyer’s hometown. On March 2 in Las Vegas at age 86.
Chuck Giampa – A Las Vegas insurance broker, Giampa judged more than 2,500 fights from 1985 to 2008. He was also a boxing consultant for Showtime and wrote a column for The Ring magazine. At age 75 in Las Vegas after a lengthy illness.
George “Bunny” Grant – From Kingston, Jamaica, Grant was 52-15-5 in a career that consumed 681 rounds. In his fourth year as a pro in 1962, he outpointed Dave Charnley to win the British Empire lightweight title and went on to fight Eddie Perkins for the WBA/WBC lightweight title, losing a 15-round decision. In Kingston on Nov. 1 at age 78 after a series of strokes.
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Results from the Chumash Casino where Akhmedov Gave a GGG-like Performance
Shades of Triple G.
Kazakhstan has another middleweight killer as Sadriddin Akhmedov overran veteran Raphael Igbokwe to win by knockout on Friday evening.
“He’s a tough guy, but I’m a tough guy too,” said Akhmedov of his Texas foe.
Akhmedov (15-0, 13 KOs) excited the crowd at Chumash Casino with a strong performance against a gritty Igbokwe (17-6, 7 Kos). The Kazakh fighter has Gennady Golovkin’s old trainer Abel Sanchez at his side.
It was evident in the first round that Akhmedov wields power, but it was also evident that Igbokwe was not going to quit. Blow after blow was absorbed by the Texas-trained fighter and he continued to press forward.
Akhmedov telegraphed his overhand rights but fired quick and accurate left hooks. Igbokwe withstood the power for round after round.
At the end of the fifth round both fighters continued to fire punches after the bell rang. It angered the two middleweights.
Akhmedov must have still been angry when the sixth round began as he erupted with a 12-punch barrage. Several big blows connected and the Texas fighter was in trouble. Though Igbokwe escaped the first barrage he was unable to avoid the second and the fight was stopped by referee Rudy Barragan at 56 seconds of the sixth round.
The Kazakhstan fighter thanked his fan support and his new trainer Sanchez.
“Every morning at 7 a.m. he wants to kill me,” Akhmedov said of Sanchez.
Other Bouts
A battle between Olympians saw Carlos Balderas (15-2, 13 KOs) knock out Cesar Villarraga (11-11-1) in the sixth round for the win at super lightweight.
A one-two combination found the mark for Balderas at 56 seconds of the sixth round. Villarraga beat the count but once the fight resumed the referee stopped the fight after Balderas connected with another right.
“My coaches told me it was there,” said Balderas of the right cross that finished the fight.
Balderas fought for Team USA in the Olympics and Villarraga for Team Colombia.
Super welterweights Jorge Maravillo (10-0-1, 8 KOs) and Damoni Cato-Cain (8-1-2) fought to a split draw after eight back-and- forth rounds.
Cain-Cato sprinted ahead for the first three rounds behind subtle pressure and focusing on the body then the head against the taller Maravillo. Then, it stopped.
Maravillo stopped retreating and used his long stiff left jabs as a probe and counter punch and became the stalker instead of the prey. It turned the fight around. But Cain-Cato was reluctant to give up too much territory and fought through a damaged left eye to keep the match tight. After eight rounds one judge saw Maravillo the winner, another saw Cato-Cain, and a third saw it even for a split draw.
It was a fitting score.
Angel Carrillo (4-0-1) out-pointed Joshua Torres (0-2-2) with combination punching and in-and-out maneuvers to win by decision. Though 14 years younger, Carrillo wore a protector near his chest. Twice he placed it far above his belly button and was never warned.
Fidencio Hernandez (3-0) was the more polished fighter and used straighter punches and a tighter defense to shut out Laguna Beach’s Josaphat Navarro (1-3-1) and won by unanimous decision.
In her pro debut Perla Bazaldua (1-0) won by knockout over Mollie Backowski (0-4) in a super flyweight contest. Bazaldua fights out of Los Angeles and has long been touted as a one of that city’s best amateur prospects. Now she is a pro.
Photo credit: Lina Baker / 360 Promotions
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Avila Perspective, Chap. 308: SoCal Rivals Rocha and Curiel Rumble and More
Avila Perspective, Chap. 308: SoCal Rivals Rocha and Curiel Rumble and More
Decades ago, battles between regional warriors were as common as freeway traffic in Los Angeles during rush hour.
Bobby Chacon repped San Fernando Valley, Mando Ramos came from the docks of San Pedro, Danny “Little Red” Lopez lived in Alhambra and Ruben “Maravilla Kid” Navarro hailed from East L.A. And they rumbled repeatedly with each other.
The boxing sphere in California has grown much larger despite the closure of boxing palaces such as the Olympic Auditorium, Hollywood Legion Stadium, Great Western Forum, the L.A. Coliseum and Wrigley Field.
Those were classic venues.
Today in the 21st century boxing continues to grow.
Golden Boy Promotions presents SoCal regional rivals Santa Ana’s Alexis Rocha (25-2, 16 KOs) facing Hollywood’s Raul Curiel (15-0,13 KOs) in a welterweight clash on Saturday, Dec. 14, at Toyota Arena in Ontario, Calif. DAZN will stream the main card and YouTube.com the remainder.
Ontario is located in the Inland Empire known as the I.E.
Rocha, 27, has grown into a crowd favorite with a crowd-pleasing style developed by Orange County boxing trainer Hector Lopez. I remember his pro debut at Belasco Theater in downtown L.A. He obliterated his foe in three rounds and the small venue erupted with applause.
Wherever Rocha goes to fight, his fans follow.
“Anyone I face is trying to take food away from my family,” said Rocha.
Curiel, 29, has traveled a different road. As a former Mexican Olympian he took the slower road toward adapting to the professional style. Freddie Roach has refined the Mexican fighter’s style and so far, he remains unbeaten with a 10-fight knockout streak.
“I want to fight the best in the division,” said Curiel who is originally from Guadalajara.
Super welter hitters
Another top-notch fighter on the card is super welterweight Charles Conwell from Cleveland, Ohio. Conwell (20-0, 15 KOs) faces Argentina’s undefeated Gerardo Vergara (20-0, 13 KOs) in the co-main event.
Conwell may be the best kept secret in boxing and has been dominating foes for the past several years. He has solid defense, good power and is very strong for this weight class. Very Strong.
“I got to go out there and dominate,” said Conwell. “This is a fight that can lead me to a world championship fight.”
Golden Boy Promotions got lucky in picking up this fighter who could compete with any super welterweight out there. Anyone.
Vergara, 30, is another Argentine product and if you know anything about that South American country, they groom strong fighters with power. Think Marcos Maidana. This will be his first true test.
“I really hope he (Conwell) backs what he is saying,” said Vergara.
Marlen Esparza vs Arely Mucino
Former flyweight world titlists finally meet, but at super flyweight.
Olympic bronze medalist Marlen Esparza fights Mexico’s Arely Mucino in a fight that should have taken place years ago. Both are both coming off losses in title fights.
Esparza has the “fast hands” as she said and Mucino the “aggressive style” as she mentioned at the press conference on Thursday in Ontario.
It’s a 10-round affair and could mark the end for the loser.
Friday Night Fights
Undefeated middleweight Sadridden Akhmedov (14-0, 12 KOs) headlines a 360 Promotions and faces Raphael Igbokwe (17-5, 7 KOs) in the main event on Friday, Dec. 13, at Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, Calif. UFC Fight Pass will stream the event.
Akhmedov hails from Kazakhstan and if you remember legendary Gennady “Triple G” Golovkin also hails from that region. Tom Loeffler the head of 360 Promotions worked with GGG too among other legends.
Is Akhmedov the real deal?
Former American Olympian Carlos Balderas (14-2) is also on the card and fights veteran Cesar Villarraga (11-10-1) who has been known to upset favorites in the past.
Fights to Watch
Fri. UFC Fight Pass 7 p.m. Sadridden Akhmedov (14-0) vs Raphael Igbokwe (17-5).
Sat. DAZN 10:30 a.m. Murodjon Akhmadaliev (12-1) vs Ricardo Espinoza (30-4).
Sat. DAZN 5 p.m. Alexis Rocha (25-2) vs Raul Curiel (15-0); Charles Conwell (20-0) vs Gerardo Vergara (20-0); Marlen Esparza (14-2) vs Arely Mucino (32-4-2).
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Cardoso, Nunez, and Akitsugi Bring Home the Bacon in Plant City
Cardoso, Nunez, and Akitsugi Bring Home the Bacon in Plant City
The final ShoBox event of 2025 played out tonight at the company’s regular staging ground in Plant City, Florida. When the smoke cleared, the “A-side” fighters in the featured bouts were 3-0 in step-up fights vs. battle-tested veterans, two of whom were former world title challengers. However, the victors in none of the three fights, with the arguable exception of lanky bantamweight Katsuma Akitsugi, made any great gain in public esteem.
In the main event, a lightweight affair, Jonhatan Cardoso, a 25-year-old Brazilian, earned a hard-fought, 10-round unanimous decision over Los Mochis, Mexico southpaw Eduardo Ramirez. The decision would have been acceptable to most neutral observers if it had been deemed a draw, but the Brazilian won by scores of 97-93 and 96-94 twice.
Cardoso, now 18-1 (15), had the crowd in his corner., This was his fourth straight appearance in Plant City. Ramirez, disadvantaged by being the smaller man with a shorter reach, declined to 28-5-3.
Co-Feature
In a 10-round featherweight fight that had no indelible moments, Luis Reynaldo Nunez advanced to 20-0 (13) with a workmanlike 10-round unanimous decision over Mexico’s Leonardo Baez. The judges had it 99-91 and 98-92 twice.
Nunez, from the Dominican Republic, is an economical fighter who fights behind a tight guard. Reputedly 85-5 as an amateur, he is managed by Sampson Lewkowicz who handles David Benavidez among others and trained by Bob Santos. Baez (22-5) was returning to the ring after a two-year hiatus.
Also
In a contest slated for “10,” ever-improving bantamweight Katsuma Akitsugi improved to 12-0 (3 KOs) with a sixth-round stoppage of Filipino import Aston Palicte (28-7-1). Akitsugi caught Palicte against the ropes and unleashed a flurry of punches climaxed by a right hook. Palicte went down and was unable to beat the count. The official time was 1:07 of round six.
This was the third straight win by stoppage for Akitsugi, a 27-year-old southpaw who trains at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card gym in LA under Roach’s assistant Eddie Hernandez. Palicte, who had been out of the ring for 16 months, is a former two-time world title challenger at superflyweight (115).
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