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Juan Diaz and Rocky Juarez Dismantle Opponents & Reinvigorate Careers in Texas

Juan Diaz and Rocky Juarez Dismantle Opponents & Reinvigorate Careers in Texas
By Daniel “Tex” Cohen (At Ringside)
Photos by Steven Rosenbaum-September 7, 2008

Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz, 34-1, 17 KO’s, controlled and battered Michael “The Great” Katsidis, 23-2, 20 KO’s, earning more than but settling for just a split decision (115-113, 116-112, 112-116) at the Toyota Center in Houston on Saturday on HBO’s Boxing After Dark. He picked up the vacant IBO Lightweight Title in the process.

Diaz elected to box early while Katsidis began to throw power shots, coming right at Diaz. Overall, the pace was slow until the second round, when Diaz began to time and telegraph Katsidis, waiting for him with power shots as he stepped toward Diaz. Katsidis began to play rougher in the last part of the second round, throwing more power shots at a faster pace as part of toe-to-toe action. Katsidis finished the round with a cut over his left eye.

“I was going to throw more combinations but the jab was working so good,” said Diaz after the bout.

In the third round and fourth rounds, Diaz began to turn on sudden explosive flurries, burying Katsidis with hooks. Katsidis tried to establish his jab, but usually wound up falling into one of the feisty Diaz’s many traps. Diaz began to wait for Katsidis to get inside the puncher’s box before taking lateral and circular half steps and popping him. Diaz landed several different 4-5 punch flurries in between rotations, setting the course for the fight.

Houston Fighters Juan Diaz and Rocky Juarez Win Big, but Judges are the big Losers

Houston Fighters Juan Diaz and Rocky Juarez Win Big, but Judges are the Big Losers
By "Bad" Brad Berkwitt-September 7, 2008

Former Lightweight Champion Juan "Baby Bull" Diaz, 34-1, 17 KO's won a twelve round split decision over former WBO interim Champion Michael "The Great" Katsidis, 23-2, 20 KO's on Saturday night at the Toyota Center In Houston, Texas. When the scorecards were read, Diaz was up 116-112 and 115-113, with the third card going to Katsidis by a score of 115-113. The judging was HORRIBLE in this fight. At best, Katsidis won maybe two rounds during the entire fight.

In th co-mainevent, the cards didn't matter in the end, but had they been used, another JOKE by the horrible boxing judges would have awarded the wrong fighter (Juarez) the fight.

Former world title challenger Rocky Juarez, 27-4, 19 KO's scored an eleventh round TKO over former WBO Junior Lightweight Champion Jorge Barrios, 47-3-1, 34 KO's.

Look for a full ringside report with pictures from our very own Daniel "Tex" Cohen.

De Marco wins, Perez Scores Knockout in the Desert

De Marco wins, Perez Scores Knockout in the Desert
By Eileen Teran-September 6, 2008

The boxing night at Buffalo Bill’s in Primm, Nevada, belonged to Columbia’s Yonnhy Perez, 18-0, 13 KOs, when he put a serious beating on the late substitute David Martinez, 18-5-1, 3 KOs, of the U.S. and knocked him out in the sixth round of their bantamweight bout scheduled for 10 rounds. Perez was supposed to be dueling Tomas Rojas, 27-10, 18 KOs, from Mexico, who was unable to secure his visa in time and wasn’t permitted to make the trip.

Perez was throwing punishing left crosses all night long, one that connected early in the fight caused Martinez’s eye to swell and from there it was a pretty one-sided fight in favor of Perez. Martinez gave it his best effort, but he just didn’t have enough good stuff to stick with Perez. Finally, in the sixth round, referee Joe Cortez stepped in and stopped it at 2:41.

Perez, who makes his home in the U.S. now, is undefeated, ranked in the top ten by three of the four major governing bodies, and is looking to get a title fight to become a world champion sooner rather than later.

In the co main event of the night, 22-year-old Antonio De Marco, 19-1-1, did what was expected of him when facing an older and more experienced fighter, Jose Reyes, 23-5, he went the distance, and pulled out the win. It was a split decision in his favor, with scores reading 96-93, 95-94, and 93-96. The difference in the fight was the knockdown De Marco scored in the third round.

Manny Pacquiao – Oscar De La Hoya: The Questions

Manny Pacquiao – Oscar De La Hoya: The Questions
By Geno McGahee-September 6, 2008

I wrote a piece in my last Geno’s Corner about the recently signed bout between light middleweight, Oscar De La Hoya and small lightweight, Manny Pacquiao. I knew that Manny is a god in the Philippines and that I would get some hate mail and I did, but I also got some very reasonable rebuttals. This is boxing and anything can happen with one punch. Upsets are commonplace and Pacquiao has a huge heart, but it does seem that most are using their hearts instead of their minds when they consider this match up. As exciting and gutsy as Manny is, he will be lucky to survive the first two rounds, but since there is such a varying opinion, I thought that I would field some questions.

I will say that blind support is not always a bad thing and I understand it, having the New England Patriots and the Boston Red Sox in my area. I think that every guy in the area has a hat with one of the teams’ emblems across the top. And what would a hometown team or fighter without a rival? The Red Sox fans always deal with the New York Yankees fans. I always have some goof with a Yankee’s hat that looks two sizes too small and two corndogs in his mouth, telling me that his team is fantastic. That sort of blind love is a great thing and baseball players and boxers need the support. If support will dictate this fight, Manny does have one hell of a shot.

Question: Oscar De La Hoya could not knockout the smaller Steve Forbes. How can he stop Manny Pacquiao?

There are two reasons why Oscar De La Hoya did not stop Steve Forbes. One, Forbes is a survivor with an iron chin, good defense, and does not lose by KO. He is extremely durable and nobody has ever put him down for the count. Secondly, De La Hoya didn’t want to knock Forbes out. Much like the rematch with Evander Holyfield and Alex Stewart, De La Hoya was practicing new tactics for his rematch with Floyd Mayweather, JR. He picked a guy that was similar to Floyd in size and style and used the 12 rounds as a sparring session…a money-making sparring session. Manny Pacquiao may be better offensively than Forbes, but he does not have the defensive skills or durability. Manny has been stopped twice and both men that scored the TKOs were under 115 pounds. A 147 pound De La Hoya has one heck of a shot to stop Manny and to do it very early.

James Kirkland Wins by KO Again on ESPN2’s FNF

James Kirkland Wins by KO Again on ESPN2’s FNF
By Antonio Santiago-September 6, 2008

It was slam, bang, thank you man on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights from Austin, Texas, as prospect James Kirkland, 23-0, 20 KO’s, once again raised to expectations as he manhandled game opponent Ricardo Cortes, 22-3-1, 15 KO’s, as part of the network’s 10th anniversary program. ESPN2, which began showing boxing in 1998 after a hiatus by mother ship ESPN, has brought us memorable nights over those ten years, and this one was one of them.

Kirkland, trained by women’s boxing great Anne Wolfe, went after his opponent like a hungry pit-bull from the get go. Cortes, however, made it an exciting fight, not scared at all of the local man. As predicted, the crowd was on Kirkland’s side from the first bell. Not intimidated by his opponent or the crowds, Cortes landed some punches that would have made anyone else backtrack, but Kirkland remained focused on his prime objective of winning, and winning in a strong way to please the fans. Neglecting a body attack, Kirkland went at it like a teenager bent on impressing everyone in high school with a spectacular knockout, and he got his wish.

Cortes was setting a body attack as the fight took its course, but midway through round one, a right to the head by Kirkland stunned him. Not daunted, Cortes kept firing fire with fire, the fight in Austin akin to an old west shoot out the kind of like we have seen in movies like Tombstone and The Quick and the Dead. With about 15 seconds to go in round one, Kirkland had an opening that, had he taken care of it, Cortes would have been sent to France on the spot. Unfortunately, the cameramen gave us fans the angle to see the opening, but Kirkland did not see it, and Cortes survived the round.

Avoiding Punches and Opponents: The Questionable Career of Floyd Mayweather JR

Avoiding Punches and Opponents: The Questionable Career of Floyd Mayweather JR
By Mike Withers-September 6, 2008

The sudden retirement of Floyd Mayweather in June sent shockwaves throughout the boxing world. Mayweather had been the Ring Magazine pound-for-pound champ since the summer of 2005, and appeared to be at the top of his game. Although he had hinted towards retirement on a number of occasions, nobody believed him until he actually did it.

Mayweather had good reasons to want to retire. In his two fights with Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton, he made close to 40 million dollars. Not too shabby for 6-months worth of work. Plus you have to remember that training for a prizefight is tough, extremely tough. With that kind of cash in your bank account, it is easy to see that the motivation he used to have wouldn’t be the same. In addition, Mayweather has complained for years about his hands. The only knockdown of his career was due to a broken left hand against Carlos “Famoso” Hernandez.

I feel that the true reason Mayweather retired is because he did not want to go through the soap opera of facing a fighter that his father was training. Not to mention the fact that the fighter is the most recognizable man in boxing. If Mayweather were fighting De La Hoya this September, the HBO 24/7 machine would already be rolling. Floyd Mayweather, SR., would be saying one incredibly stupid thing after another. You had better believe that Roger Mayweather would be responding with something even more asinine, and Mayweather, JR., would be caught in the middle of this outrageous family feud. You can’t blame him for wanting to avoid such an embarrassing situation, and the rest of his family should thank him for saving them from themselves.

With that being said, we all know that he will be back. First of all, I could almost guarantee that he will run out of money. My only experience with Mayweather was at the 2008 Boxing Writers Association Awards Dinner. Mayweather showed up with an entourage of at least 15 people. Dinner was 200 dollars a plate, they were in the bar all night, plus rooms, flying everyone out, getting them matching tuxedos. I can only guess how much money he spent that night, let alone how much money he spends in a month. Floyd has a couple children, can you imagine what child support is like when you make 40 million dollars in one year? Don’t forget that he literally threw ten grand in cash out to people during a WWE press conference.

Oscar De La Hoya – Manny Pacquiao: Fraud or Superfight?

Oscar De La Hoya – Manny Pacquiao: Fraud or Superfight?
By Gene Ramirez-September 5, 2008

(Managing Editor’s Note: Gene Ramirez is our newest Feature Writer at RSR and I, along with the rest of the team welcome him aboard.)

Well it looks like the contracts have been signed and the date has been set. So what are we going to get on December 6th? Is the fight between, 6-Division Champion Oscar De La Hoya and 5-Division Champ Manny Pacquiao, a Superfight or is it a Fraud?

Let us first ask the question, what is a superfight? Is it a fight that promises to be great? Is it a fight that promises to get people, who wouldn’t ordinarily watch the sport, to tune in? Is it a fight between two of the best in the sport? Well I think these are the basic questions that come to mind when I think of a superfight. So does the December 6th meeting of The Golden Boy vs. Pac Man measure up to superfight status? Let us examine shall we?

I have been a boxing fan for quite some time so I have to admit that I am one of the few who will basically watch every fight on television, and pay for just about everything as well. And probably like most of you, in retrospect, I have regretted shelling out my hard earned 50 bucks to see something that doesn’t come close to all the hype. The prime example would be De La Hoya’s last “superfight” against then Pound for Pound King, Floyd Mayweather, JR.

The amount of hype that this fight received was ridiculous! From ESPN to HBO’s 24/7 coverage, there was no shortage of hype for the fight. Then after the grand build up to the fight we were left with 12 rounds of “Money” Mayweather running around the ring while stopping here and there to fire accurate shots at the pursuing Golden Boy. The result? A split decision for Mayweather and a record amount of viewers who felt they didn’t get what they paid for.

Juan Diaz and Michael Katsidis Set for War in Houston on HBO’s Boxing After Dark

Juan Diaz and Michael Katsidis Set for War in Houston on HBO’s Boxing After Dark
Article by Daniel “Tex” Cohen
Photographs by Steven Rosenbaum-September 5, 2008

Former Champion Juan “The Baby Bull” Diaz, 33-1,17 KO’s, takes on Former Champion Michael “The Great” Katsidis, 23-1, 20 KO’s, in a bout for the IBO Lightweight Championship at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, this Saturday on HBO’s Boxing After Dark.

The highly anticipated showdown will feature two of the most exciting fighters in today’s fight game in a head to head contest that is sure to be a brawl. While Diaz and Katsidis are far from identical fighters both men commonly love to walk forward, swinging their hands with above average speed, strength and skill. Neither man is afraid to take a punch either, making this bout a sure-shot as an instant classic.

Both fighters were also defeated in their last bouts, making this a pivotal moment in either career. Diaz fell to Nate Campbell by split decision in a one-sided championship fight on March 8th of this year. Katsidis lost a close, hard-fought battle with Joel Casamayor when Casamayor stopped him in the tenth round on March 22nd.

Diaz, the 24-year-od Houstonian, will fight in front of his hometown crowd for the first time since his 2005 defense against Billy Irwin. Since that fight, Diaz has defeated Jose Miguel Cotto, Randy Suico, Fernando Angulo, Acelino Freitas and Julio Diaz.

Antonio’s Reliable Source: Boxing & Entertainment Rolled into One

Antonio’s Reliable Source: Boxing & Entertainment Rolled into One
By Antonio Santiago-September 5, 2008

Ah, the life…the life of the rich, young and famous, or at least, the ones who possess one or two of those virtues. One can’t help but hope that one can be counted among them someday. I mean, imagine yourself flying a helicopter to the Manhattan heliport alongside Donald Trump, boating on the Mediterranean with a babe like Rihanna, playing hoops at Shaquille O’Neal’s mansion or vacationing alongside Pamela Anderson in Rio.

Celebrities, however, have lives that many times are far from perfect and resemble our own lives. Family fights, divorces, illness, drug addiction, self doubts. All those things plague celebrities just like they would you and I. As you see, even if we reached our goals, that does not make us immune to suffering. When I say us, of course, I mean us, as in all human beings, celebrities or not.
So, what are our favorite and not so favorite in some cases, people going through? Let’s read, enjoy and see…

Lindsay Versus Michael, Round One

Lindsay Lohan is angry at her father Michael…very angry. According to Myspace.com, Samantha’s girl has written some “nice” words to her dad on her Myspace account‘s blog. I corroborated the message was there, but it could have been written by someone else on her behalf. Nevertheless, Lohan has drawn out all the guns and wants to silence daddy Lohan. Among the words there, Lohan expresses that “better (if) he just keeps his mouth shut (about Lindsay).”

Now, it’s not like I ever sat down with the Lohans and had dinner with them or played hoops with their kids, but to me, Michael Lohan is using his daughter to make himself famous, now that he is pretty much done using her to make himself rich. Parents like that are just losers. Of course, when their children do something that’s not generally perceived as “correct behavior,” they come out criticizing them in public, because they crave the publicity as well, so, to them, it’s all part of the play.

As far as their relationship, it looks like this is only round one of Lohan versus Lohan. My money is on Lindsay. After all, she became famous at first for making a “Parent Trap!”

James Kirkland and Ricardo Cortes Duke it out in Texas on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights

James Kirkland and Ricardo Cortes Duke it out in Texas on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights
By Antonio Santiago-September 5, 2008

Another very interesting boxing card will take place on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights, as junior middleweight James Kirkland, 22-0, 19 KO’s, will face Ricardo Cortes, 22-2-1, 15 KO’s, in Austin, Texas. A co-main event features lightweights Rolando Reyes, 29-4-2, 19 KO’s, and Jesus Rodriguez, 19-3, 5 KO’s. I for one would not be surprised if they made for an early evening for one of the two contestants in each case, either.

The main event pits Kirkland, who has been one of the up and coming contenders to watch for a long time now, matching Tony Ayala, JR’s record in the same division at that stage, if not Ayala, JR’s talent or fan excitement factor.

Kirkland is a native of Austin, so we can expect a raucous crowd to be backing him in full. It wasn’t long ago that Kirkland opened our eyes wide with his impressive first round knockout over another powerful guy, Allen Conyers. Kirkland’s last three fights have lasted a total of four rounds, against men with a combined, or at least, allegedly combined, record of 54-8-1. Kirkland has the tools, as they would say in baseball, at least that curve, his power, to rattle opponents, that’s for sure. Can he rattle Cortes?

Love MMA and Can Write? RSR Wants You!

Love MMA and Can Write? RSR Wants You!
RSR Press Release-September 5, 2008

RSR is currently seeking writers (2 positions available) to cover the sport of Mixed Martial Arts, conduct interviews, attend live Mixed Martial Arts events, and get their work out to the world. If you are interested in writing about the sport you love, write well, can write on a consistent basis, meeting deadlines, and have the ambition to get right into the MMA world, rubbing elbows with the biggest names in the sport, then this is for you. If you meet the requirements and are interested, please email RSR’s Managing Editor, Geno McGahee, who will go over the specifics of the position and consider you for hire.

To Submit Your Application To Be Reviewed by RSR Management Click Here

Love Football and Can Write? RSR Wants You!

Love Football and Can Write? RSR Wants You!
RSR Press Release-September 5, 2008

RSR is currently seeking writers (2 positions available) to cover the sport of Football, conduct interviews, attend live Football events, and get their work out to the world. If you are interested in writing about the sport you love, write well, can write on a consistent basis, meeting deadlines, and have the ambition to get right into the world of Football, rubbing elbows with the biggest names in the sport, then this is for you. If you meet the requirements and are interested, please email RSR’s Managing Editor, Geno McGahee, who will go over the specifics of the position and consider you for hire.

Submit Your Application Now

Love Movies and Can Write? RSR Wants You!

Love Movies and Can Write? RSR Wants You!
RSR Press Release-September 5, 2008

RSR is currently seeking writers (2 positions available) to cover the film world by doing movie reviews, conduct interviews and get their work out to the world. If you are interested in writing about the movies you love, write well, can write on a consistent basis, meeting deadlines, and have the ambition to get right into the world of music, rubbing elbows with the biggest names in the entertainment world, then this is for you. If you meet the requirements and are interested, please email RSR’s Managing Editor, Geno McGahee, who will go over the specifics of the position and consider you for hire.

Submit Your Application Now

Love Music and Can Write? RSR Wants You!

Love Music and Can Write? RSR Wants You!
RSR Press Release-September 5, 2008

RSR is currently seeking writers (2 positions available) to cover the music world by reviewing CD’s, conducting interviews, attending live concerts, and being able to get your work out to the world. If you are interested in writing about the music you love, write well, can write on a consistent basis, meeting deadlines, and have the ambition to get right into the world of music, rubbing elbows with the biggest names in the entertainment world, then this is for you. If you meet the requirements and are interested, please email RSR’s Managing Editor, Geno McGahee, who will go over the specifics of the position and consider you for hire.

Submit Your Application Now

Floyd Mayweather, SR: Boxing’s Royal Family’s Patriarch Discusses Family Tensions and the Manny Pacquiao Megafight with Oscar De La Hoya

Floyd Mayweather, SR: Boxing’s Royal Family’s Patriarch Discusses Family Tensions and the Manny Pacquiao Megafight with Oscar De La Hoya
Interview by Eileen Teran-September 4, 2008

“They’re always gonna keep calling you back. They do that with all the great fighters. They called Ali back. They called Leonard back. Sometimes they come back too much and they get knocked out. I think Floyd will come back, because he’s only 31 years old.” --Floyd Mayweather, SR.

Floyd Mayweather, SR., was in Atlanta recently doing a live web cast of a KO Kings Promotions boxing card and I had the pleasure of sitting down and asking him a few boxing and family related questions. Imagine my delight when I was able to talk to Oscar De La Hoya’s trainer, two days after De La Hoya’s final fight was announced officially. Mayweather, SR., was a delight to spend some time with and was very gracious in answering all of my questions, even as they were tearing the ring down and turning out the lights.

The war between father and son has been documented by HBO’s program 24/7 and was even considered a major reason for the rematch between Floyd, JR., and Oscar De La Hoya not to come off. Floyd, SR., sits down with RSR and sifts through the rumors and talk to give you, the reader, and accurate picture of what is going on in his life as well as his thoughts concerning the upcoming superfight between his pupil, De La Hoya, and Filipino Superstar, Manny Pacquiao.

Antonio DeMarco and Jose Reyes Scuffle in the Desert on SHOBOX

Antonio DeMarco and Jose Reyes Scuffle in the Desert on SHOBOX
By Eileen Teran-September 4, 2008

This Friday night, on Showtime’s popular boxing series, SHOBOX, Antonio De Marco, 19-1-1, 14 KO’s, will take on Jose Reyes, 23-4, 8 KO’s, in a fight most people are expecting De Marco to win. The fight will take place at Buffalo Bill’s Star Arena, in Primm, Nevada, and it will be televised on Showtime.

De Marco is coming off a big TKO win over previously undefeated Juan Castaneda who he knocked down in the second and third rounds before finishing him in the fifth. This is a kid to watch!

De Marco hails from Tijuana, Mexico, and is making a name for himself at 22 years of age. He is a big, southpaw lightweight, standing 5’10” with a reach of 72 inches, and he fights with the same relaxed self-assurance within the ring of another banger from Tijuana, none other than Welterweight Champion, Antonio Margarito. De Marco had a short amateur career, only fighting 20 times within the amateurs before stepping into the professional ranks, but so far, he’s been fighting his way straight up through the lightweight ranks.

He will be facing Jose Reyes, an experienced and tough 30 year old from Puerto Rico. This fight will be a very big challenge for Reyes, as he’s not a great power puncher, but he does possess good enough defense to have never been stopped in his career thus far.

Ask the Champ (Manny Pacquiao will never beat me!)

Ask the Champ (Manny Pacquiao will never beat me!)
Hosted by Former IBF Welterweight Champion Kermit Cintron-September 3, 2008

Hello fight fans. I realize that there were a few good fights on recently but I missed them. I have been busy putting together my new training team as well as working on some final preparations for my hand. I understand that Nikolay Valuev beat John Ruiz but I did not see it. I don’t mean to be rude, but should anyone care? These types of fights in boxing frustrate me. I am an athlete who happened to land into this wonderful sport. I am grateful for the opportunities that have come my way, and all of the lessons that this game has taught me. Is there any respect for being an athlete in good shape performing your job well? In fights like these, I just don’t get it. I am not in any way disrespecting these guys because they are big heavyweights. I just wish they would appear to be taking “the sport” more seriously. I would love to know what you guys think.

Healing

Hi Kermit,

Has your hand healed yet? I hope it has. The welterweight division has witnessed so many changes lately, and I'm raring to see its heaviest hitter back in the mix. (And I'm not hugging your nuts, it's just a fact -- one that's clearly attested to by your record.)

Given your boxing skills and heavy hands, I'm convinced that you will get a title back. The question is when, and how.

Once your hand heals completely, please consider fighting Berto or Mora, then Clottey. Those fighters are all great, but you're better, and those fights would build back your confidence and get you back in the Championship groove. Then I think you should arrange to get a fight with Williams, before taking on Mosley or Cotto. You will most likely knock out Williams, it's the other two that will present you with real challenges, because both are excellent boxers with good power.

But if you get past those challenges, your profile would be back up there with Margarito, and it would be time to face the biggest challenge of them all once again, the TJ Tornado.

Frankly, I don't know if you will be able to beat him then, because the guy has a hell of a chin, just gets stronger as the fight progresses, and applies constant pressure. But you're already a champion Kermit, and champions always find a way to stretch their limits. I just hope you stretch yours enough to beat him.

All the best to you and yours, Champ!

Fight Fan

Hi Fight Fan,

Thanks for your support. I am on my way back to the title for sure. It does not matter to me which direction I have to take to get there. I will fight any of the opponents you mentioned. I will fight any of the titleholders.

My hand is healing nicely. I don’t like to give any injury like it a 100%, but it feels great and I am able to train now. The doctor tells me that it is healed, but he has said that before...

Sugar Ray Leonard & Floyd Mayweather JR: Questionable Careers

Sugar Ray Leonard & Floyd Mayweather JR: Questionable Careers
By Peter “The Emperor” Stitt-September 3, 2008

Sugar Ray Leonard and Floyd Mayweather, JR., are two of a kind in many ways, many negative ways. It is unfortunate that two superb athletes such as this dynamic duo of Olympic graduates will often be more remembered for who they didn’t fight and for their premature, and oft-announced, retirements than they will for their genuinely substantial achievements in the ring and their overall contributions to boxing history.

When asked to consider the possible outcome of a fight between these slicksters with both at the height of their powers, I was concerned that I would linger on the negatives too long and describe a tedious chess match in an article that would put a conference of merchant bankers to sleep after one paragraph. Only after about two months of mulling over the hypothetical clash in my mind did I start to focus on the potential of one of the two protagonists to force such a seemingly uninviting contest to become a “fight for the ages.” Then I simply started to write and didn’t stop until the piece was nailed because I grew more excited by the clash of styles and the psychology involved with these two intriguing personalities as I wrote. This article is obviously, as we are dealing with a hypothetical match-up, purely the opinion of one fan and this is one boxing fan who has never been too impressed by either of these guy’s attitudes to the fans or their opponents.

The first issue to be considered is the weight division these two would meet at. The obvious choice is welterweight given that Ray never fought lower than 147 pounds as a professional and certainly wasn’t ever in a rush to take on the great Aaron Pryor. In the Olympics of 1976 Leonard fought at junior welterweight but he was just an underdeveloped kid then whilst Floyd fought at featherweight in Atlanta in 1996. Ray took gold but Floyd was basically cheated in his semi-final match and ended up with a Bronze Medal.

Whichever way you look at it, Ray would have the size advantage and, given that Floyd started off as a world title holder at super-featherweight, the discrepancy seems to mirror the outrageous one proposed for the possible Oscar-Manny bout which is being roundly condemned by experts throughout the trade.

Looking at the overall career achievements of these two charismatic, if problematic, characters one finds that they both won six world titles at five different weights though Leonard’s 9th round TKO victory over Donny Lalonde in 1988 for both the WBC Super Middleweight and Light Heavyweight Titles maybe puts Jose Sulaiman’s feigned outrage over the Oscar De La Hoya-Manny Pacquiao bout into some perspective. Leonard’s overall career record was 36-3-1, 25 KO’s, and he was stopped in his final ill-advised outing by none other than Hector Camacho. Floyd, meanwhile, has managed to get out with no defeats and sports a perfect record of 39-0, 25 KO’s. As usual with statistics, however, they do not tell the full story.

A Special Experience: Muhammad Ali

A Special Experience: Muhammad Ali
By Mark Buchanan-September 2, 2008

One of my most powerful and pleasant memories is the heavyweight title match between Muhammad Ali and defending Champion, George Foreman in October of 1974.

This memory is powerful because it is the first time I had experienced hard work and faith. I was an avid ten year old fan of “The Greatest” and was afraid that he was going to get hurt and might even get killed. I loved Muhammad Ali, and I was totally convinced that the United States Government made him take the fight because he wouldn’t go fight for them in Vietnam. I had watched every fight that he had that was on television.

I saw him lose to Heavyweight Champion, Joe Frazier, in one of the most brutal bouts I had ever seen in my young life. In that fight, Muhammad Ali got knocked down with a very vicious left hook by Joe Frazier in the 15th round. My hero got up, shook it off, and to me gave Joe Frazier a beating, but lost a decision to him.

I also saw him box Ken Norton. Ken Norton gave Muhammad Ali a very tough fight and broke my hero’s jaw in the bout.

The very first time I saw George Foreman box, he was boxing Joe Frazier. George Foreman beat Joe Frazier from pillar to post. He knocked him down five times, winning the Heavyweight Title.

A few months later, there was a big announcement in the boxing world. Foreman and Ken Norton were going to fight for the World Heavyweight Title!

I was very anxious to see this fight because Ken Norton had beaten my idol, and George Foreman had beaten the man that gave Muhammad Ali all he didn’t want in the ring. When the day of the fight came, I was the one closest to the television set. I was expecting a knock down, drag out fight, but instead I witnessed something that was frightening!

Anthony Greenidge Captures NABC Middleweight Title in Atlanta

Anthony Greenidge Captures NABC Middleweight Title in Atlanta
By Eileen Teran (At Ringside) - September 2, 2008

Thanks to the excellent work by KO Kings Promotions, we were treated to a world class boxing card at the Holiday Inn Select this past Saturday night. There was flashy young talent, a dominant knockout, and the NABC Title belt was awarded on this memorable summer night in downtown Atlanta. The boxing card was webcast live with none other than Atlanta’s favorite son, Vernon Forrest, and Floyd Mayweather, SR., doing the commentary.

The NABC World Middleweight Title belt was vacant and up for grabs and Anthony “Ice” Greenidge, 12-1-1, 5 KO’s, and Louis Turner, 12-1, 8 KO’s, fought the best fight of the night to see who would leave it with it. It was a hotly contested eight round match, with the tall, muscular Greenidge throwing good combinations, while Turner landed steady to Greenidge’s body against the ropes.

Both guys showed good defense, and fought toe to toe throughout most of the fight. They both countered well, and timed the other guy well, but in the end it came down to the quickness displayed by Greenidge in his combinations. When he let his hands fly, they were fast and accurate, and ultimately were the difference in the fight. The scorecards had it 79-74, 76-75, and 76-76.

A rising star from Atlanta is Tyrese “Head Honcho” Hendrix, 14-0-1, 6 KO’s, who remained undefeated by topping the rugged Colombian fighter Luis “El Monstruito” Bolano, 41-11, 31 KO’s, in their six round lightweight fight. Hendrix showed world class skills, a good jab, and his reflexes are as sharp as a cat’s, but he was frustrated by the shorter, slower Bolano.

Singer and Songwriter Bertie Higgins Takes the RSR Readers on a Journey from Key Largo to the World of Boxing

Singer and Songwriter Bertie Higgins Takes the RSR Readers on a Journey from Key Largo to the World of Boxing
Exclusive Interview by “Bad” Brad Berkwitt-September 1, 2008

"Fame got a hold of him (Mike Tyson), some drugs and of course, women! We are only men, so what I can say? He may be a has been now, but at least he has been!"--Bertie Higgins

The 1980s was such an amazing era when it came to music and the videos that would accompany them. Being able to grow up in that era that was the “Summer of my Youth,” I was blessed in my mind to have this great music that almost 30 years later, is still as loved as when it first came out. I can remember falling in puppy love or what I thought was at least real love, in the eighth grade. On our local radio station Y100, in North Miami Beach, Florida, a song would come on and was a love song for my crush that I went to school with. That song had a great line that went, “We had it all, just like Bogey and Bacall.” The song was “Key Largo” and the artist whose smooth vocal that came out of the speakers was Bertie Higgins.

The track Key Largo was released on the album Just Another Day in Paradise in 1981 and hit the number #8 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and spent 17 weeks in the Top 40. It also went to number #1 on the Adult Contempary Charts. Bertie Higgins became a household name that year and seemed to be on every show in the US and many around the world performing the song he will forever be linked to and in this exclusive interview, he is very proud of that fact.

The hit song Key Largo has allowed Higgins to travel the world and see things that he is still in awe about and with a deep passion, he wants to impart his wisdom onto a younger generation of musicians. In the music world today, there is a lack of great songs in this interviewer’s opinion for the most part, and Higgins is a welcomed voice.

You will hear Bertie in his own words talk about his journey into the musical world, brush with fame, being a truly a proud Papa, and from there, he breaks out the boxing gloves and talks about boxing, a sport he truly loves….

Ladies and Gentlemen, RSR brings you in his own words, Bertie Higgins…

BB: You just came back from a gig in Las Vegas this past weekend. How did that go? Also, let’s catch up the RSR readers on what you have been up to recently.

The gig was at a place called “Texas Station Casino” and went really well. We are almost finished with a new CD for Toucan Cove and distrubuted by Universal. In addition, we just finished our second feature film called “Poker Run” and we are considering starting another one. We have been playing around the world recently and really enjoying it. During the last year, we came off the road to finish Poker Run which screened at the Cannes Film Festival back in May. It did well and is being repersented by a company out of Toronto, Canada called “Cinema Vault.”

Brian’s Boxing Mailbag (Everybody has a Take on Manny Pacquiao Vs Oscar De La Hoya)

Brian’s Boxing Mailbag (Everybody has a Take on Manny Pacquiao Vs Oscar De La Hoya)
By Brian Wilbur-September 1, 2008

Hello RSR readers, welcome to my mailbag. We had a couple notable title fights over the weekend to end the drought of world class-boxing that has gone on for almost a month now. I guess promoters did not want to compete with the Olympics. The real fun does not start back up until this Saturday when Juan Diaz battles Michael Katsidis in a battle between two crowd-pleasing warriors. I have never seen Diaz or Katsidis in a boring fight and I expect that this one will be dynamite.

But back to what happened over the weekend, the 7-foot Neanderthal looking Nikolay Valuev won a split decision (then was realized by one of the judges’ that they made a mistake, so the 114-113 card for Ruiz actually went to Valuev giving him a unanimous decision win) over John Ruiz for the WBA Heavyweight belt. The rematch ended up with a very similar result at the first match, and I bet that Ruiz will be upset with the decision just like he was the first time. The win for Valuev is significant because it means that he is a potential Klitschko opponent.

First, Valuev will have to settle the score with “champion in recess” Ruslan Chagaev. If Valuev succeeds in his revenge plot against Chagaev, then the giant would be in prime position to fight one of the Klitschko’s. Valuev would not only be an interesting opponent who could attract attention and fans due to his curiously enormous size, but he has what the Klitschko’s are looking for: a belt.

The Klitschko brothers have a goal of both brothers holding two belts at the same time. Wladimir Klitschko already has two. Vitali has to get by Sam Peter in October for the WBC, and if he does I am sure that he will pursue Valuev and the WBA to attempt to fulfill the lifelong dream of two brother’s holding two belts a piece. Now if Vitali loses to Peter he will most likely retire. That will mean that Wladimir would try to unify all four belts, leading him to Valuev. Whichever scenario comes to pass, Valuev is on a collision course with the Klitschko’s.

The other notable fight over the weekend was Puerto Rico’s tiny Ironman Ivan Calderon. Calderon keeps on winning, this time taking a technical decision over Hugo Cazares. It is too bad that Calderon fights on Pay Per View because fights on PPV have the smallest audience possible. Hardly anybody has ever seen Calderon in action and he is one of the best pound for pound fighters of this generation. Put this guy on HBO or Showtime please! And against a decent opponent if that is not too much to ask.

And we move on to the questions for this week. There are a few questions about the recently confirmed and signed bout between Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao in addition to a few other good questions from the readers. I hope you enjoy.

Pacman vs. Golden Boy

Hi Brian,

This is my first time to write you to ask some questions. What's your take on Pacman vs. Golden Boy fight? What do you think Pacman should do to beat Oscar? What is your prediction on the outcome of this fight?

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions.

-Lan

Lan,

I have covered this in previous mailbags and offered my prediction but I will again because this is a hot topic and I know many are interested in De La Hoya vs. Pacquiao. This is a blockbuster fight between two superstars and since it was officially signed this week, confirming the long-standing rumors, I will revisit this topic.

I look at Manny Pacquiao as a natural 130 pound fighter. He has only one fight at lightweight against a mediocre opponent so I cannot comfortably say that he is fully effective at 135 pounds. I consider Oscar De La Hoya a natural 154 pound fighter. He has spent many years at junior middleweight, had many successful performances. Oscar will need to be in peak physical condition to make the welterweight limit and I think he will be.

So in my eyes, Pacquiao and De La Hoya are separated by four weight classes. Nobody but a small handful of legendary fighters in all of boxing history could cover that kind of weight and be successful on a championship level. Pacquiao vs. De La Hoya is a size mismatch that strongly favors Oscar.

De La Hoya is not what he once was but he is still a very good fighter and can either use his size advantage to box from a distance or use his strength advantage and left hook to bully Manny on the inside.

Some people are saying that Pacquiao’s only chance is to land a huge haymaker, suggesting that his power gives him a puncher’s chance. I don’t think that Pacquiao has a puncher’s chance at all. Manny’s power will not have the same effect at welterweight and De La Hoya has a terrific chin. Pacquiao’s only chance would be to somehow box and move his way to a decision using speed but I think that is unlikely if De La Hoya shows up in any kind of shape.

Now if this were a pound for pound mythical match I would favor Manny Pacquiao because he is in his prime and perhaps the best boxer in the world. But I am picking De La Hoya to win because of the gross size differential.

Mike Tyson & Zab Judah: The Brooklyn Bad Boys

Mike Tyson & Zab Judah: The Brooklyn Bad Boys
By Mike Withers-September 1, 2008

During Zab Judah’s fight with Joshua Clottey, referee Robert Byrd warned Judah about behavior a number of times… before the fight happened! How can you blame him? At this point in his career Judah is known as well for his antics, as for his boxing talents.

Steve Kim from maxboxing.com once told me that “A lot of fighters are misunderstood, and Zab is not one of them.”

During Judah’s fight with Clottey, he did nothing to change his reputation. He complained on a number of occasions to the referee, and once the fight was stopped (by a head butt that never happened) he complained to Max Kellerman and the crowd, that he was robbed of the victory. All in all, it was a pretty tame night for one of Brooklyn’s most notorious bad boys.

As Judah has created incident after incident around himself, he has started to draw comparisons to another “Brooklyn bad boy,” the one and only (and I mean one and only) Mike Tyson. Let’s face the facts; it just doesn’t get any crazier then Iron Mike. Judah has had a few incidents that got him suspended, and has led people, including myself to question his sanity. But Tyson has one-upped him at every step.

Judah has had a few minor scrapes outside of the ring. Whether its getting arrested after a celebrity basketball game, or for getting into fights at nightclubs, Judah is well acquainted with the long arm of the law. And don’t forget that Zab has been the victim of a number of robbery attempts.

As for getting robbed, not even Zab Judah is dumb enough to try and rob Iron Mike. As for legal problems, a brush with the law doesn’t mean squat to Tyson. To be honest, he has never acknowledged that law even affects his train of thought. Rape convictions, DUI’s (yes that’s plural), and a cocaine addiction are at the beginning of the list.

Judah doesn’t really start to come into own until you look at his behavior in the ring, specifically when taking a loss. How could anybody forget when Kostya Tszyu knocked him out so bad that Judah bounced up, said something to referee Jay Nady while doing the chicken dance, and then fell flat on his face? Judah then proceeded to start a minor riot in the ring. He stuck his glove into the neck of Nady, threw a stool into the center of the ring, and had to be restrained on a number of occasions by security from doing more of the same. Judah would be suspended for six months and fined 75,000 dollars for his behavior.

Weekly Message Board Update

Weekly Message Board Update
By Mike “Rubber Warrior” Plunkett-Sept 1, 2008

What is it you expect from a boxing website? Up to the minute fight results and breaking news? RSR delivers! Top-flight articles focused on the past and present state of boxing not to mention fantastic one on one interviews with pugs and world champions from all around the globe? RSR delivers! How about message boards that not only offer a wide variety of discussions about the history of and into the current state of prizefighting, but the opportunity to discuss other key points of interest such as Mixed Martial Arts, entertainment, politics, health and fitness as well as a look at the human condition? RSR delivers! To top it all off, the RSR message boards brings together fans from all over the world, breaking the barriers of time, distance and class category, making our membership collective one of the most knowledgeable and colorful anywhere on the web.

The RSR August Prediction League came to a resounding and competitive end last week. As anticipated, the last six bouts on the roster served to mix matters up where scoring placement had been concerned. At the end of the day, Uppercutter walked away with the victory by the slimmest of margins. Congratulations on a solid showing and a good win! The RSR September Prediction League is now posted and will remain open until Friday September 5th for you to take part to post your predictions. The featured bout of the month will be former three-division king Joan Guzman’s challenge of Nate Campbell for the IBF/WBA/WBO Lightweight Championship. Sign-up and take part today. Membership is free and easy.

To register now, click here: RSR Message Board

Nikolay Valuev Regains Heavyweight Title & Susi Kentikian Retains Her Titles in Germany

Nikolay Valuev Regains Heavyweight Title & Susi Kentikian Retains Her Titles in Germany
By Roger T. Tubajiki (At Ringside)-August 31, 2008

This past weekend, two attractive world championship bouts took place in Germany when, on Friday in the city of Dusseldorf, Susianne Kentikian, 22-0, 16 KO’s, the female WBA/WIBF Flyweight Champion, scored a hard-fought 10-round unanimous decision over Hagar Shmoulefeld Finer,17-7- 3, 4 KO’s, of Israel.

On Saturday in Berlin, Nikolay Valuev, 49-1, 34 KO’s won the vacant WBA Heavyweight Title as he scored a 12-round Unanimous Decision over former 2-Time Heavyweight Champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz, 43-8-1, 29 KO’s.

In Dusseldorf, as stated by Dietmar Poszwa, Susi’s manager, before the fight, the bout would be very engaged, because Hagar Shmoulefeld Finer is durable and combative as well as Susi, which she proved when she fought former WIBF Flyweight Champion, Regina Halmich and Alisa Graf, the current female GBU/WIBF Super Flyweight Champion, in the past.

Also before the fight, referee in charge, Daniel Van De Wiele, who also acted as referee in the bout Hagar Shmoulefeld Finer vs. Regina Halmich, said that the bout would be very competitive because, even if Hagar lost in the past, she is a tough opponent for Susi. “It’s the first time I referee about Susi was in and I will conduct it according to the rules,” stated Van de Wiele to RSR.

In the ring, as Van de Ville put both fighters together, Finer started out pressing the action as many expected and landed some big shots to the head of Susi. Still, Susi was active in those rounds, but hardly found an opening to land the cleaner punches.

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