Avila Perspective, Chap. 68: Red Boxing International, GGG, and More

Flaunting a heavyweight title fight, celebrity guests and a multitude of prospects, a rather new boxing promotion arrives ceremoniously this weekend.

Red Boxing International now entrenched in Southern California breaks out a card featuring heavyweight Ronald Johnson (16-1, 4 KOs) fighting Sergio Ramirez (18-6, 10 KOs) for a regional heavyweight title on Saturday Oct. 12, at Pico Rivera Sports Arena in Pico Rivera, Calif.

It’s a rematch of a fight that Johnson won two years ago in Las Vegas.

“I definitely remember that fight,” said Johnson of their first encounter in 2017 that ended with a win by decision. “This time it’s going to be a knockout.”

Ramirez (pictured on the right; Johnson on the left) mildly disagreed.

“This time I’m going to be prepared,” said Ramirez adding that he had only two weeks to prepare in their first heavyweight encounter. “This time it’s going to be a war.”

Johnson will be defending the GBO heavyweight title and is trained by Floyd Mayweather Sr.

“He’s going to shock your mind,” said Mayweather.

In a super welterweight match the nephew of Hollywood star Eddie Murphy will be partaking in a five-round fight.

Brandon Lynch (9-1, 7 KOs) meets Bernard Thomas (5-6) in match that brings interest from the Hollywood community and boxing family. Expected to attend will be Murphy and former female champion Laila Ali.

Speaking of female fighters, super flyweight sensation Adelaida “La Cobra” Ruiz (8-0) meets Mikayla Nebel (2-7) in a six round co-main event.

Ruiz brings an army of fans wherever she fights and many consider her the top female prospect in Southern California. She’s just about ready to crack contender status.

Tickets to the event are available at https://www3.ticketon.com/event/SUPREMACY-SHOWDOWN/390204

GGG

Last week the world saw one of the best fights of the year as Gennady “GGG” Golovkin knocked down Sergiy Derevyanchenko early in their middleweight title fight, then battle back and forth, with Golovkin winning by unanimous decision at Madison Square Garden.

Boos cascaded from the New York City audience.

One thing learned by Golovkin as he departed Manhattan is that fans can be fickle. One day they love you, the next day they dish dirt on you. The world of prizefighting can be like a never-ending soap opera. After a fight finishes everybody has an opinion or advice.

Anytime a competitive fight ends with a decision, the words “robbery” and “fixed” are tossed around from hardcore fans who follow the game. Those fans should know by now that a close fight always means around 50 percent will agree with the outcome.

It was an entertaining fight. That’s all you can ask. These two prizefighters gave their heart and soul for 12 brutal rounds. Golovkin proved he’s still among the best fighters in the world and Derevyanchenko showed he can battle with the elite.

Golovkin now holds the IBF world title. What’s next?

Tom Loeffler, who advises Golovkin, said they are looking at several possibilities including IBF mandatories now that he has regained the middleweight title.

Remembering Dadashev

Several months ago Maxim Dadashev passed away from injuries suffered during a prize fight. One California fighter did not forget and decided to show his concern with an extraordinary offering.

WBC and WBO super lightweight champion Jose Carlos Ramirez donated $10,000 to the family of Dadashev who died after a fight on July 23, 2019.

The money was raised after an auction was held for the boxing trunks, gloves and shoes worn by Ramirez when he defeated Maurice Hooker last July in Texas. It was also during the time Dadashev died after fighting on a Maryland boxing card.

“I’m honored and humbled to have been able to help out Maxim’s family,” Ramirez said. “Every fighter puts their life on the line in the ring. My prayers to his family.”

It was a touching gift from the heart by the super lightweight champion from Avenal, California.

Egis Klimis, who was the manager for Dadashev, spoke on behalf of the departed fighter’s family: “From the bottom of our hearts, and on behalf of Maxim’s family and our entire team, we would like to thank Jose, his team and The Big Fresno Fair for their generosity.”

Big Fresno Fair was the group that purchased the Ramirez fight items and now has them available for visitors to see.

“These items are incredibly important to our museum, especially with the recent addition of the life-size statue honoring Jose,” said John C. Alkire, CEO, The Big Fresno Fair. “When we knew this was going to support a family during a time of loss, we were all in.”

Dadashev left behind a wife and daughter who both live in Russia.

Commerce Fight Card

All Star Boxing has a solid boxing card that takes place on Saturday Oct. 12, at the Commerce Casino in Commerce, California.

Super welterweight prospect Martin Saldana (12-0) meets Jonathan Espino (2-4) in a six round main event. Also on the card will be Ikeem Abdullah and Jessie Mandapat in separate bouts.

Doors open at 5 p.m. first bout starts at 6 p.m. For more information call (323) 816-6200.

What to Watch

(all times posted are Pacific Time)

Fri. 10:30 a.m. DAZN – Fabio Turchi (17-0) vs Tommy McCarthy (15-2).

Fri. 6 p.m. UFC Fight Pass – Chad Dawson (35-5) vs Denis Grachev (19-8-1).

Fri. 11:30 p.m. Telemundo – Ganigan Lopez (36-9) vs Armando Torres (24-18).

Sat. 12 p.m. ESPN+ – Josh Warrington (29-0) vs Sofiane Takoucht (35-3-1).

Sat. 4 p.m. DAZN – Oleksandr Usyk (16-0) vs Chazz Witherspoon (38-3); Jessica McCaskill (7-2) vs Erica Farias (26-3).

Photo credit: Al Applerose

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