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Boxing Fans Converge on Canastota for the Grandest of all IBHOF Weekends

Boxing Fans Converge on Canastota for the Grandest of all IBHOF Weekends
Induction Weekend at the International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum is a four-day jamboree. It commences today, Thursday, June 9, and reaches its climax on Sunday when the new inductees are formally recognized.
The IBHOF is located in Canastota, New York, a town of about 5,000. The nearest major city is Syracuse which is 25 miles away. Hall of Fame Induction Weekend, an annual event, reportedly draws as many visitors to Canastota as in all the other weekends of the year combined. The 2020 and 2021 jamborees were lost to the pandemic, a serious blow to the Hall and to the economy of the community and the neighboring towns. The good news is that Induction Weekend is back and with three classes rolled into one, it shapes up as the biggest weekend ever.
On the menâs side in the Modern category, the boxers being recognized are Bernard Hopkins, Shane Mosley, and Juan Manuel Marquez (class of 2020), Wladimir Klitschko, Floyd Mayweather Jr, and Andre Ward (class of 2021) and Roy Jones Jr, James Toney, and Miguel Cotto.
Ed Brophy, the director and co-founder of the IBHOF, anticipates that all of the boxers will be in attendance with the exception of Wladimir Klitschko who has more pressing obligations in his native Ukraine. It will be interesting to see if Mayweather shows up. He attracts the paparazzi wherever he goes and he doesnât travel light.
In 2019, the IBHOF created a new category for female boxers. The inaugural class, set to be formally inducted in 2020, included Christy Martin, Laila Ali, and Lucia Rijker. They too are expected to be in attendance as is 2021 inductee Ann Wolfe and newbies Holly Holm and Regina Halmich.
With three classes collapsed into one, the induction ceremony became too large to hold it in its usual place on the grounds of the shrine. It has been moved to the Event Center of the Turning Stone Resort and Casino which is only one exit removed from Canastota on the New York State Freeway.
It has become traditional to hold a live boxing event at Turning Stone in conjunction with Induction Weekend. The first companion card was staged in 1998.
This yearâs card, a Friday Night affair, will air as part of the long-running âShoBox: The New Generationâ series on Showtime. The featured bout is an 8-round match between Uzbekistanâs Bakhodir Jalolov (10-0, 10 KOs) and Belgian-Congolese campaigner Big Jack Mulowayi (11-2-1, 7 KOs).
Jalolov, a six-foot-seven southpaw, has the look of a future champion. He won the gold medal in the super heavyweight division at the Tokyo Olympics as he was favored to do, having brought a 9-0 record as a pro into the competition. The undercard, on paper, is outstanding. All of the matches look competitive with the possible exception of the 6-round welterweight contest between Oshae Jones and Sonya Dreiling. Toledoâs Jones, 24, a bronze medalist in Tokyo, is making her professional debut.
Among the weekendâs activities are a 5K fun race through the streets of Canastota, an autograph and collectors show which will be held Saturday at Canastota High School, and the Parade of Champions which attracts high school bands from around the area.
The Grand Marshall of this yearâs parade is a local man, Tony Graziano, whose boxing-themed restaurant, torn down last year after he sold it, was a Canastota fixture for 70 years. Mr. Graziano, a World War II veteran who parachuted behind enemy lines in Normandy on D-Day, recently turned 100 years old.
In addition to the boxers, the IBHOF recognizes influential people in the sport, e.g., promoters, managers, ring officials, and journalists. The 2020 class included writers Bernard Fernandez and Thomas Hauser, both frequent contributors to these pages. Fernandez wonât be there this weekend because his wife has taken sick and is too ill too travel. Fernandez, who wrote a very poignant tribute to his wife that first appeared in these pages in 2018, considers it more important to stay by her side even though she has encouraged him to go without her. Bernard and his beloved Annie, the former Anne Marie dâAquin, have been married going on 54 years. Hauser will be there.
Dozens of former and active boxers typically show up in Canastota on Induction Weekend. There is something about the setting that brings out the best in them, that makes them more approachable and more convivial than they were in their fighting days. For many attendees, the highlight of Induction Weekend is simply the opportunity to mingle with the fighters, past and present.
It all begins today, June 9. If you canât make it, check it out on social media.
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Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury on Feb. 26 in a Potential Pay-Per-View Blockbuster

Itâs now official. The twice-postponed âgrudge matchâ between Jake Paul and Tommy Fury will come to fruition on Sunday, Feb. 26, at Riyadh in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. An 8-rounder contested at a catch-weight of 185 pounds, the match and several supporting bouts will air in the U.S. on ESPN+ PPV at a cost of $49.99.
The hook for this promotion â a come-hither that will be hammered home incessantly in the coming weeks – is that Jake Paul will finally touch gloves with a legitimate professional boxer. Paulâs previous opponents were a fellow YouTube influencer (AnEsonGib), a retired NBA player (Nate Robinson), and three former MMA champions: Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley, and Anderson Silva. He fought Woodley twice.
Tommy Fury, the half-brother of reigning WBC world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, made his pro debut in December of 2018 in a four-round bout in his hometown of Manchester. He was two fights into his pro career when he became a contestant on the TV reality show âLove Island.â An enormously popular show in Great Britain, especially among the coveted 18-34 demographic, âLove Islandâ was in its fifth season.
Fury was paired with supermodel Molly-Mae Hague with whom he finished second. They developed a great chemistry, on and off the set, became engaged, and purportedly welcomed a baby girl this week.
What about Tommy Fury the boxer? How legitimate is he?
Furyâs record currently stands at 8-0 (4 KOs). His first opponent was a professional loser from Latvia whose current ledger reads 10-113-3. His next six opponents were a combined 4-73-2. Finally, in his last fight, which occurred in April of last year, he met an opponent with a good record, Polandâs Daniel Bocianski, who was 10-1. But look closer and one discovers that all but one of Bocianskiâs 10 triumphs came against opponents with losing records. The exception was a 6-round decision over a fellow Pole whose record currently stands at 18-16-1 and who has been stopped 13 times.
Fury bloodied Bocianski and won a wide 6-round decision, but his performance was underwhelming. âFury had the Hollywood teeth, tan, and diamante-colored shorts,â wrote Chasinga Malata of the London Sun, âleaving only his performance without sheen and sparkle.â
There is nothing in Tommy Furyâs background, aside from his biological pedigree, to suggest that he has the tools to become a world-class boxer. If he were a member of the Three Stooges, he would be Shemp.
Jake Paul, by contrast, may actually be legit. Those in the know that have watched him train have come away impressed. It says here that Paul isnât moving up in class on Feb. 26; itâs the other way around.
In the co-feature, Ilunga Makabu (29-2, 25 KOs) will make the third defense of his WBC world cruiserweight title against Badou Jack (27-3-3, 16 KOs). A Congolese-South African, Makabu is the older brother of heavyweight contender Martin Bakole. Jack, four years older than Makabu at age 39, formerly held world titles at 168 and 175 pounds.
Although Badou Jack was born in Sweden and keeps a home in Las Vegas where he has long been affiliated with the Mayweather Boxing Club, he will have the home field advantage in Saudi Arabia where he has cultivated a loyal following. A devout Muslim, Jack will be making his fourth straight start in the Persian Gulf Region. In his last outing, he outpointed Richard âPopeyeâ Rivera at Jeddah, winning a 10-round split decision.

Badou Jack
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Avila Perspective, Chap. 223: A Lively Weekend in SoCal with Three Fight Cards in Two Days

Avila Perspective, Chap. 223: A Lively Weekend in SoCal with Three Fight Cards in Two Days
Big money prizefighting returns to the Los Angeles area with back-to-back shows. First, Serhii Bohachuk heads a 360 Promotions card on Friday and then Alexis Rocha is featured on Saturday in a Golden Boy Promotions production. And on the same day Riversideâs Saul Rodriguez fights in his hometown.
Bohachuk, Rocha, and Rodriguez are aggressive big hitters.
Ukraineâs Bohachuk seeks to regain footing in the super welterweight division. He was rapidly climbing up the ratings ladder when first he was defeated by Brandon Adams two years ago. And then the invasion of his home country Ukraine stalled him even more.
On Friday Jan. 27, at the Quiet Cannon in Montebello, Calif. Bohachuk (21-1, 21 KOs) meets Nathaniel Gallimore (22-6-1, 17 KOs) in the main event. UFC Fight Pass will stream the 360 Boxing Promotions card.
Few fighters are as well-liked outside of the prize ring as Bohachuk. Always amiable, heâs one of the handful of fighters that always smiles. Inside the ring, heâs a killer. No one leaves without someone getting knocked out.
Gallimore, 34, is no slouch. He has a knockout win over former world titlist Jeison Rosario and has battled almost all of the top super welterweights. He is a veteran and very crafty.
The Quiet Cannon venue is not very large, but it does have a patio and good food and drink. Most of the crowd ventures from all over Southern California to attend the fights at that venue. It gets packed.
Golden Boy in Inglewood
Welterweight contender Alexis Rocha headlines the Golden Boy Promotions card on Saturday, Jan. 28, at the brand new YouTube Theater in Inglewood, Calif. DAZN will stream the fight card.
Rocha (21-1, 13 KOs) faces George Ashie (33-5-1) in the main event set for 12 rounds. Finally, there is an opponent for the left-handed fighter from Santa Ana. It didnât look like he was going to fight after opponent after opponent fell out for one reason or another.
âYou have to be ready for anybody they put in front of you. If itâs you or George Ashie, I have to prepare for it. I have to focus on what I can do,” said Rocha.
Others on the card include super middleweight Bektemir Melikuziev (10-1) vs Ulises Sierra (17-2-2) set for 10 rounds. Also, good looking lightweight prospect Floyd Schofield (12-0, 10 KOs) meets Alberto Mercado (17-4-1).
Schofield fights out of Austin, Texas and looks like someone to watch.
Doors open at 3 p.m.
Neno Returns in San Bernardino       Â
Garcia Promotions stages a boxing card on Saturday Jan. 28, at the Club Event Center in San Bernardino. Garcia Promotions is associated with trainer Robert Garcia and family whose training compound is located in nearby Riverside.
A primarily local fight card featuring all fighters from Garciaâs gym will be performing.
Headlining is Saul âNenoâ Rodriguez out of Riverside, California.
Itâs been nearly three years since Rodriguez (24-1-1, 18 KOs) last fought and he faces Mexicoâs Juan Meza Angulo (6-1, 3 KOs) in the co-main event.
At one time Rodriguez was a big fan favorite because of his fast work and knockout ability. Once he got to the top plateau he ran into another knockout puncher in Miguel Angel Gonzalez and lost by stoppage.
Prizefighting is a tricky road. One loss can mean difficulty in finding a big-time promoter or it can mean discovering what you need to do to re-establish your skills. A fighter can go the road of Kermit âThe Killerâ Cintron and find out other ways to win without a kill-or be-killed style. Or they can travel the road of Marco Antonio Barrera who was knocked out by Junior Jones but adapted a more boxer-puncher style that allowed him to defeat Erik Morales twice and Prince Naseem Hamed.
Rodriguez, 29, still has time to make a good run for a title bid. It all starts on Saturday.
Others on the Garcia Promotions card are fighters who are part of trainer Garciaâs stable including Gabriel Muratalla, Leonardo Ruiz, Jose Rodriguez and others.
Doors open at 4 p.m. with amateurs opening the boxing program.
Fights to Watch
Fri. UFC Fight Pass 7 p.m. Serhii Bohachuk (21-1) vs Nathaniel Gallimore (22-6-1).
Sat. ESPN+ 11:30 a.m. Artur Beterbiev (18-0) vs Anthony Yarde (23-2).
Sat. DAZN Â 5 p.m. Alexis Rocha (21-1) vs George Ashie (33-5-1).
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Artur Beterbiev:Â âIâd prefer to fight Bivol because he has the one thing I needâ

Russian Artur Beterbiev, triple champion of the 175-pound division, is the only current world champion who, thanks to the enormous power he wields in his fists, has won all his fights inside the distance.
Beterbiev has 18 victories by way of chloroform since he debuted as a professional fighter in June 2013 when he anesthetized retired American, Christian Cruz, in the tenth round at the Bell Center in Montreal where Beterbiev currently resides.
Beterbiev, who turned thirty-eight last Saturday, will defend his WBC, IBF, and WBO titles against Brit Anthony “The Beast from the East” Yarde (23-2, 22 KOs) on Saturday, January 28th at the OVO Arena in London.
Beterbiev obtained the WBO belt on June 18th this past year when he defeated American Joe Smith (28-4, 22 KOs) in the second round at Madison Square Garden. This was Smithâs second defense of the belt.
Earlier, in November 2017, Beterbiev won the vacant IBF belt after defeating German Enrico Koelling (28-5, 9 KOs) by knockout in the twelfth round in Fresno, California.
Two years later, Beterbiev seized the WBC belt from Ukrainian Oleksandr Gvozdyk (17-1, 14 KOs) in Philadelphia. Three knockdowns in the tenth round forced referee Gary Rosato to stop the lopsided bout with 11 seconds remaining in the round. Beterbiev maintains that although his intention is to win each fight, in no way does he want to harm his rival and that his greatest wish is for both of them to leave the ring healthy.
Referring to his upcoming matchup, Beterbiev told BoxingScene that “after the fight, I just hope he (Yarde) is okay.”
He acknowledged that he does not know much about the British boxer, although he has watched several of his fights: âHeâs a good fighter, has good experience as a professional and heâs a boxer. Heâs dangerous so I have to prepare for this fight like I always do.â
Beterbiev said that his main motivation is to successfully defend the three belts he owns and that is why he will try to be one hundred percent ready and then it will be evident who is the better fighter.
Regarding his knockout streak, Beterbiev emphatically denied that he enjoys knocking out his opponents: âNo. Thereâs no pleasure in it. I just hope everything is OK with them. I just want to do good boxing, not hit people.â
Beterbiev smiles enigmatically and stares at the horizon when they ask him to what he attributes the strength of his fists to. âI know for sure, 1000 percent, that the secret to my power is somewhere in my boxing gym but I donât know exactly where,â he adds. âI donât know which exercise or bag gave me this secret. I donât know where it comes from. I wasnât always like this either, it has come from working every day. But really my dream is to be a good boxer one day.â
Aside from the upcoming fight with Yarde, Beterbiev acknowledges in each interview that his goal is to be the undisputed champion of the division, which means facing (and defeating) the undefeated Russian Dmitry Bivol (21-0, 11 KOs), who holds the WBA light heavyweight super championship belt.
âI need Bivol,â Beterbiev admits. âIâd prefer to fight Bivol because he has the one thing I need. I hope I fight him in 2023 but the hold-up is not from my side, itâs from their side. In the last three years he always says he will fight me next but in this time weâve done unification fights against Oleksandr Gvozdyk and Joe Smith. Weâve done that whereas he has just been talking about it.
Beterbiev recalled that he was with Bivol on the Russian national team where they were amateurs. âI knew him then, but he is younger than me. We havenât talked for 10 years now. He was 75kg back then, too small for me. We were never friends.â
Article submitted by Jorge Juan Alvarez in Spanish.
 Please note any adjustments made were for clarification purposes and any errors in translation were unintentional.
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