Boxing Insider Notebook: Hopkins, Diaz, Morales and More….
By: William Holmes
The following is the boxinginsider.com notebook for the week of August 6th to August 13th, covering the comings and goings in the sport of boxing.
Cazares Defeats Diaz
Hugo Fidel Cazares (37-7-2) defeated Daniel Diaz (19-4-1) on Saturday night in Los Mochis, Mexico in the bantamweight division. Cazares won by a wide margin on the scorecards with tallies of 119-110, 118-111, and 118-110. Cazares has recently moved up to the bantamweight division from the junior bantamweight division and has now won three fights in a row.
Victor Terrazas Stops Eduardo Garcia
Guadalajara, Mexico was host to a bout between Victor Terrazas (35-2-1) and Eduardo Garcia (22-9-1) in the junior featherweight division on Saturday night on an Azteca America televised card. Terrazas entered this fight with a nine-fight win streak. He was shocked by Garcia in the fourth round with a left hand that knocked him down, but was able to finish Garcia in the sixth round with a left hand. Garcia took the full count and the fight was called off at 2:59.
Bernard Hopkins Annouced as VIP for August 24th Event
Golden Boy Promotions and Fantasy Springs recently announced that Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins will be a VIP guest on Friday, August 24th for a ShoBox: The New Generation event. The main event will be Randy Caballero vs. Maneul Roman. Hopkins will be on hand to meet fans, sign autographs and take pictures from 7:00pm-8:00pm at the Fantasy Springs Special Events Ceter. Tickets for Saturday’s card can be purchased at www.fantasyspringsresort.com
Figueroa Will Bring the Heat Against Prescott
On Saturday, August 18th, Francisco “Gato” Figueroa (20-4-1) will be taking on the Colombian slugger Breidis Prescott (25-4). The fight will be at the Doubletree Hotel in Miami, Florida.
Figueroa says: “I don’t come to lose. I’m sure Prescott doesn’t care about me. He’s talking about Amir Kahn. But he better be ready because August 18, I’m going to win. Prescott is just super aggressive. Most of his knockouts were in Colombia. It’s a different ball game here. He’s not smart or mobile. He’s a bull. He doesn’t know how to go to his left at all. He throws wide hooks, all power shots. And he gets mad fast. He’s a mad man. But they have it set up for him to win. Eight rounds at 142 lbs. They know he gets tired, so they’re making it an eight-round fight, so he’s going to be able to go harder over the shorter distance. He better be ready when he gets in that ring because I’m very motivated. After I beat Prescott I’m back in the game immediately.”
Tickets can be purchased by calling (954) 985-1155.
Golden Boy Promotions Signs Ivan Morales
Golden Boy Promotions has recently announced that they have signed unbeaten Ivan Morales (17-0). Ivan is the younger brother of legendary and future hall of famer Erik Morales. He is an unbeaten junior bantamweight prospect and will now have Golden Boy Promotions backing him as he chases a world championship.
“Everyone knows that the best fighters in the world are on the Golden Boy team and I’m proud to be associated with them,” said Morales. “It’s an honor and I’m willing to put in the work and fight anyone they put in front of me to get there.”
Joel Diaz Jr. Returns August 18th to Atlantic City
Undefeated prospect Joel Diaz Jr. (10-0) will be making his way back to the ring on Saturday when he faces the Puerto Rica slugger Guillermo Sanchez (13-6-1). The 10-round main event will be taking place at Balls Park Place Hotel and Casino, and is promoted by Pound for Pound Promotions and Boxing 360. Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com
Dustin Dirks Excited to be Fighting in Berlin on Stieglitz vs. Abraham Undercard
Two titles will be on the line at the o2 World Berlin on August 25th as Robert Stieglitz will be fighting Arthur Abraham for the WBO belt and Jack Culcay will be fighting Frederic Serre for the WBA Intercontinental Championship. Dustin Dirks, a local German light heavyweight, will be fighting Sando Siproshvili. Dirks is 24-0 and is looking forward to fighting in his hometown.
“It is amazing to be fighting in my hometown in front of my home crowd,” said the 23-year-old. “The fact that the fight will take place at the o2 World makes it even more special. I have been to the arena on various occasions, but always as a spectator. This time I will be there to box.”
Kevin Mitchell Inspired by Olympia Nicola Adams
WBO World Lightweight title challenger Kevin Mitchell has been inspired by watching Nicola Adams, the first ever female Olympic boxing champion.
“Watching all the lads in action was great and I congratulate Anthony Joshua and Luke Campbell for winning gold, Fred Evans on winning silver and Anthony Ogogo for capturing bronze, but who really made a big impression on me was gold medalist Nicola Adams, I thought she was fantastic.” Said Mitchell.
Donaire-Nishioka and Rios-Alvarado Tickets on Sale
Tickets for Top Rank’s October 13th card featuring Nonito Donaire vs. Toshiaki Nishioka and Brandon Rios vs. Mike Alvarado will be on sale on Thursday, August 16th. The card will be televised from the Home Depot Center in Carson, California and can be purchased online at axs.com
Juan Diaz To Serve As Guest Analyst on ShoBox: The New Generation
Juan Diaz will be serving as a special guest analyst on ShoBox: The New Generation on Friday August 24th. Diaz retired in July 2010 and will join the telecast team for a doubleheader headlined by Randy Caballero against Manuel Roman.
“I am really excited to join Barry Tompkins and Steve Farhood and the entire ShoBox team for this show,” Diaz said, who currently hosts “The Baby Bull Show” a weekly radio program on ESPN Deportes.
“When I was a young fighter coming up, ShoBox represented the first step on the last road toward fulfilling my dream. When you walk out for your first ShoBox fight and you see that the crowd is a bit bigger and more enthusiastic than you’ve seen before, and you know that the entire country is watching on TV, you have a realization that becoming a world champion is now within your grasp.”
Victor Vasquez to Fight Naim Nelson for PA. State Lightweight Title
On September 14th at Harrahs in Chester, PA Victor Vasquez will be fighting Naim Nelson for the PA. State Lightweight title. This card is promoted by Joey Eye Boxing Promotions and David Feldman. Vasquez has a record of 15-6-1. Tickets can be purchased at www.webtix.net
Dionisio Miranda Steps in to Fight Donovan George
The Friday Night Fights 2012 season finale will feature a bout between Dionisio Miranda (21-7-2) and Chicago’s Don “Da Bomb” George (22-2-1) in the 10 round super middleweight co-main event. The bout will be held on August 17 at the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Oklahoma. George’s original opponent, Adonis Stevenson, has been forced to pull out of their 12 round elimination bout.
Full Card Announced for Hitz Boxing on August 18th, 2011
Fres Oquendo (34-7) will be fighting Philadelphia veteran Robert “Big Philly” Hawkins (23-19) in the 10 round main event of Hitz Boxing’s latest fight night at the Horseshow on Saturday, August 18th at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana. The main supporting bout will be between Mike Kurzeja (5-0-1) and Gerald Taylor (5-3-2). Abdullai Amidu (19-0) will be fighting Jermaine White (17-5) in a six round affair. Tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.com