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By: William Holmes
The following is the Boxing Insider notebook for the week of December 15th to December 22nd, covering the comings and goings in the sport of boxing that you might have missed.
Timothy Bradley, Melvina Lathan, and Sadam Ali Honored at Ring 8 Awards Ceremony
The 29th annual Ring 8 Holiday Event and Awards Ceremony was recently held at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York.
Five time, two-division world champion Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley received the Ring 8 Fighter of the Year award. Other 2015 Ring 8 award winners included former New York State Athletic Commission chairperson Melvina Lathan (Womand of the Decade), Sadam “World Kid” Ali (NY Fighter of the Year), Heather Hardy (NY Female Fighter of the Year), John Duddy (Uncrowned Champion), Andre Rozier (Trainer of the Year), and Joe DeGuardia (Promoter of the Year).
“We had 340 people and everybody enjoyed themselves,” reported Ring 8 president Bob Duffy. “Things went very well. There were a few emotional acceptance speeches and some tears shed.
“We donated a table to Wounded Warriors and also presented Keith Sullivan with a special trophy for all the legal work and support he gives Ring 8, New York State Boxing Hall of Fame, Atlas Foundation, Boxing Writers Association of America, and boxing in New York.”
Billy Joe Saunders Fires Back at Andy Lee Comments
WBO World Middleweight title challenger Billy Joe Saunders has fired back at champion Andy Lee who slammed the Hatfield star in an interview.
With the fight closing in fast this Saturday night at the Manchester Arena, the tension is cranking up between both camps who come face-to-face tomorrow for the final press conference.
In an interview in today’s Independent, some of the quotes Lee said about his rival were:
“I don’t think it is going to be my hardest fight.”
“He’s an Olympian but I don’t think he did what I did in the amateurs and he hasn’t fought anybody of real note yet. I have fought in the States, across Europe, have more experience,”
“He has never lost, not even lost many rounds, so I have to let him know from the start, let him taste the punches, taste the jab, nullify the things he wants to do. A bit of doubt will creep in and then he will get desperate.”
“I know what’s coming. He doesn’t. For the first time in his life he is going to find out that attitude alone won’t be enough.”
Unbeaten Saunders, who’s heading into his first world title fight, said, “He’s been in big fights in America, yes, but he’s also lost some big fights there as well, Julio Cesar Chavez and Brian Vera. I’ve not lost yet and I don’t intend on losing,”
“He was getting beat by Matt Korobov until his punch power got him out of trouble and he drew with Peter Quillin which I would have been disgusted with, I go in to win, not draw.
“Saturday night is Lee’s chance to prove if he is a world champion. I’m the undefeated challenger, if he beats me then I’ll be the first to shake his hand, but as I see it right now there’s only winner, me,”
“There are no doubts in my head at all and he knows that I’m mentally strong and that he can’t get into my head,”
“I’ve was an Olympian at 18 and beaten everyone put in front of me to come through. I’ve beaten everyone in Britain and now I just need Andy Lee who’s just another scalp on my record.”
Joseph Diaz Wins NABF Featherweight Crown
Joseph “Jo Jo” Diaz Jr. (19-0) was crowned the new NABF Featherweight Champion after a second round TKO of Hugo Partida (20-7-2) in front of nearly 1,500 fans at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino televised live on Boxeo Estelar on Estrella TV.
“We came with a great game plan to land effective shots right away and to dig to the body and try to hurt him,” said Diaz Jr. “I dug into the body in the first round and had him hurt. And then I put some good powerful shots on top and got him out. He connected with a good shot, but I didn’t feel anything at all. I just acknowledge him for getting a good shot in. I didn’t let it affect me at all. I knew that I had to take care of business and get the win no matter what. I hope to get the top 10 guys in my division, fight on the bigger networks and get a title shot by the end of next year. I feel very strong at this weight, and I make the weight pretty good. I just feel like 126 is going to be my weight.”
Randy Caballero Returns to the Ring on February 5th
Randy “El Matador” Caballero (22-0) will start off 2016 with a bang at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California on Friday, February 5th when he makes his return to the ring in more than a year after undergoing surgery for an injury. He will be fighting Ruben Garcia (15-1-1) of Mexico, City, Mexico in a 10 round super bantamweight bout. This will be televised live on Estrella TV’s Boxeo Estelar.
“I was devastated that I was unable to defend my championship title in Las Vegas on Nov. 21, but I’m determined to come back better than ever in 2016,” said Randy “El Matador” Caballero. “Between injury and the unfortunate way my body responded before the weigh-in in Las Vegas when I was set to defend my title for the first time, I am looking forward to putting 2015 behind me and starting fresh in the New Year. Losing the title was not something I wanted to happen, and I’m motivated more now than ever before to show everyone that I am still a championship fighter in the ring.”
“Golden Boy Promotions is behind Randy Caballero 100 percent, and we are pleased that he will return to the ring on Feb. 5,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “Randy had a rough year in 2015, but I know 2016 will be an opportunity for him to start fresh and remind everyone that he is a talented fighter with a bright future ahead of him in this sport.”
Erkan Teper Fails Drug Test
Erkan Teper, who knocked out David Price earlier this year, has been reported to fail a drug test from this bout. This bout occurred nearly five months ago but the results are only being reported now. Additionally, drugs were allegedly found in an April raid in Teper’s apartment and he was found to have clenbuterol, testosterone, growth hormone, and Methandrostenolone.
Hector “Macho” Camacho Inducted into Hall of Fame
Hector “Macho” Comacho has been elected into this year’s Hall of Fame Class in his first year on the ballot. His official enshrinement will be on June 12th at the annual induction ceremony for the Hall of Fame.
Lupe Pintor and Hilario Zapata will also be inducted with Camacho. Camacho was shot dead in 2012. He is a former three division titleholder.
