Avila Perspective, Chap. 96: The Return of Boxing, NVHOF and Machete

If all goes according to Hoyle, it looks like Shakur Stevenson will be the first to shake out the cob webs of boxing when he fights early next month.

Las Vegas seems to be the target site on June 9, as WBO featherweight titlist Stevenson (13-0, 7 KOs) appears in a non-title fight against an opponent to be named after Mexico’s Rafael Rivera (27-4-2, 18 KOs) was forced to withdraw because of immigration  issues related to the pandemic.

Nothing is etched in stone. If it takes place, the Top Rank show will be shown by ESPN.

It makes sense to open up in the Nevada casino city whose economy depends mostly on live gambling and the people who arrive ready to spend money on hotels, restaurants, and various forms of entertainment. Boxing has always been a lure for Las Vegas.

The lure is Shakur you could say for prizefighting.

Twenty-two year old Stevenson just could be the next great boxer with his mix of height, build, and scintillating fighting tools that have enabled him to burst on the professional fight scene after a successful amateur phase.

He could be the one.

Sadly, fans won’t be allowed in the venue due to new medical protocol because of the corona virus and it remains to be seen if any media outside of ESPN will be admitted.

Still, Las Vegas is opening and that’s a good sign for the city of 1 million when its hotels are full. Gambling and sports are what keep the casino city alive.

Female star Mikaela Mayer the number one ranked super featherweight in the world is also slated to perform on the same boxing card. At press time Mayer agreed to fight Helen Joseph but contracts had not been finalized.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed.

Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame

A casualty of the pandemic will be this year’s scheduled ceremony for the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame. It has been canceled.

The eighth annual NVBOF ceremony was scheduled for August 7 and 8 at the Red Rock Hotel in Las Vegas.

“We waited as long as possible before making this difficult final decision,” stated Michelle Corrales-Lewis. “Our induction weekend features numerous events that require close proximity of our devoted boxing fans with honorees. Hundreds of fans mix with our inductees, champions, and celebrities where hand-shaking, hugging, picture-taking, autograph-signing, and close-in dining are all part of the experience.”

Among those expected to be inducted this year were James “Lights Out” Toney, Miguel Cotto, Fernando Vargas, Danny “Lil Red” Lopez, Andre Ward, Azumah Nelson, Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson, Jose Luis Castillo, Clarence “Bones” Adams, Julian Jackson, Jose Sulaiman, Carlos Padilla, Sammy Macias and Lorenzo Fertitta.

It’s an extremely impressive class and sure to attract thousands to its ceremony when it eventually takes place. I can’t remember any class in any Hall of Fame as powerful as those who were to be honored this year.

Toney’s exploits alone were enough to guarantee a class to remember. The former middleweight, super middleweight, cruiserweight and heavyweight titlist in my estimation is the greatest fighter in the last 60 years. He could have fought in any era and matched with any fighter from middleweight up to heavyweight.

It’s going to have to wait until next year.

According to the officers of the NVBHOF the list of this year’s class will be added to those voted in next year’s class.

“We do not want to reduce the quality and emotion of the weekend for our Inductees, and certainly do not want to put anyone’s health in jeopardy because of the nature of our event,” said Corrales-Lewis.

For more information call (702) 368-2463.

Machete

Motion picture star Danny “Machete” Trejo revealed during a Spanish language boxing show that the sweet science paved the way for him to eventually find a way into Hollywood and fame.

“When I was eight or nine, my uncle fought in the Golden Gloves and even at that age I was his sparring partner-slash-punching bag! But even back then he really taught me how to box so when I started getting into trouble and going to juvenile hall and the joint, they knew I boxed so I always fought in the joint and became champion of every institution I was in,” said Trejo on Peleamundo the Spanish language boxing show streamed by Matchroom Boxing’s on Youtube.com.

Trejo owns Trejo Tacos and still works in the film industry. The episode hosted by former world champion Jessie Vargas also features Erik Morales.

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