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By: William Holmes
The following is the Boxing Insider notebook for the week of August 12th to August 19th covering the comings and goings in the sport of boxing that you might have missed.
Juan Diaz Returns With a TKO
Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz (37-4) returned to the ring in his second comeback fight since he ended his retirement against Adailton De Jesus in Laredo, Texas. Diaz was the aggressor in this fight and applied constant pressure on De Jesus. De Jesus’ corner waived the white flag at 1:15 of the fifth round by throwing in the towel.
Prospect Jose Ramirez (5-0) fought on the same card against Mike Maldonado (6-2) in the junior welterweight division. Ramirez scored three knockdowns in the first round before the referee waived off the fight.
Miura Decisions Thompson
Takashi Miura (26-2-2) defeated Sergio Thompson (27-3) by decision on Saturday night in Cancun, Mexico. It was a close fight that went back and forth and featured a second round and sixth round knockdown by Miura. Miura was later knocked down in the eighth round but Miura did enough during the late rounds to win the fight. The final scores were 114-111, 114-110, and 113-112.
The One: Mayweather vs. Canelo Showtime PPV Media Conference Call Undercard Quotes
Ishe Smith
Training is going great. I had put in eight weeks before I suffered the cut to fight July 19 and we took a couple weeks off and got right back in the gym so training has been great. It’s just a fabulous, wonderful opportunity to be fighting on this card; the biggest card of my career. You know I’m not the main event. It’s just an honor. It’s just sometimes I just can’t believe it. It’s taken me 13 years to be on a big card, but I’m truly honored. I’m truly blessed, and I wouldn’t be here without God and just without him placing the right people in my life, like Mayweather Promotions people. It’s been a great ride. It’s been a real good ride.
Carlos Molina
I’m ready. I had a good training. I was ready July 19. We’ve been training all summer long and the best shape of my life. I’m just entering my time in my career. I just turned 30-years-old. I’m feeling great. I’m feeling my best and I am ready for September 14.
Matthysse
I am training very hard. It’s a hard fight but I’m going to give the fans what they want, and I’m going to bring the win to Argentina. I respect Danny as a fighter. He’s a great champion, but I am going to give the fight 100%.
Garcia
You know I really don’t care what the media thinks or who they think is the best because in my heart I know I’m the best, and I hold the titles, and September 14th is going to be another day at work for me, and I’m just going to defend my title. I’m still champion and the people who don’t believe hey that’s their problem. I know in my heart I’m the best 140 pound fighter in the world, and I’m going to show it on September 14.
Book on George “Kid” Lavigne, Boxing’s First Lightweight Champion Recently Finished
The title is Muscle and Mayhem: The Saginaw Kid and the Fistic World of the 1890s. It is the first and only book in existence on Lavigne, universally acknowledged as one of the greatest fighters of all time. The book has a cast of characters that are literally larger-than-life including: the Saginaw Kid, Jim “Iron Bark” Burge, the Australian “Will O’ The Wisp” Young Griffo, “The Barbados Demon” Joe Wolcott, “The Napoleon of the Prize Ring” Jack McAuliffe, Dick “Iron Man” Burge, “Mysterious” Billy Smith, “Terrible” Terry McGovern and “The Boston Strong Boy” John L. Sullivan.
For more information go to www.kidlavigne.com
Emmy-Nominated ‘Being’ Series to Feature Mike Tyson
In Being: Mike Tyson, Fox Sports’ Emmy Award nominated all-access documentary series the former heavyweight champ as he opens his life and very soul, allowing audiences to experience his amazing transformation from world renowned sports superstar to Mr. John Q. Public. The original six part series premieres Sunday, September 22nd on Fox either before or after the local NFL on Fox coverage.
More information can be found at http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/08/19/emmy-nominated-being-series-takes-the-gloves-off-for-six-part-being-mike-tyson/198325/
Golden Boy Promotions and Super Judah Promotions Team Up to Co-Promote Zab Judah
One of the premier boxers of this era, Zab “Super” Judah has won five world titles in two weight divisions, but he still has plenty of goals left, including winning another championship and continuing to give fans more exciting fights. So it is with great pleasure that Golden Boy Promotions is announcing a joint venture with Super Judah Promotions to co-promote Judah and make sure the world continues to see this boxing superstar on the sport’s biggest stages.
“Super Judah Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions working together is phenomenal,” said Judah. “I have been doing business with Golden Boy Promotions for a number of years, working both with them and against them and I know what it’s like to be on both sides. Through those times, I see that we are a perfect fit. This joint venture will give me the experience I need as a promoter and get me the big fights I want at this point of my career.”
“I am very happy to welcome Zab to the Golden Boy team,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “He is without question not only one of the most exciting fighters in boxing, but he also has tremendous name recognition with reaches into the general market. In his thrilling fight against Danny Garcia, Zab showed that he belongs in the absolute top level of the sport. I am looking forward to be working with Zab and his team and have him participate in the biggest fights in the junior welterweight and welterweight divisions.”
Manny Pacquiao Boxing Gym Opens in Davao
A world-class boxing gym named after former world champion, Congressman Emmanuel “Pacman” Pacquiao was opened by himself together with Vice Mayor Pulong Duterte and sportsman-businessman Glenn Escandor last Sunday in Capili Subdivision.
“I hope that this boxing gym can help discover and develop the boxers here in Davao,” said Pacquiao, who also has boxing gyms in General Santos City and Manila.
More information can be found at http://philboxing.com/news/story-86201.html
Crossroads Fight Awaits Kennedy, Collado on August 24th at Bally’s in Atlantic City
A couple of junior lightweights will put their futures on the line Saturday evening, August 24th, when Teon Kennedy of Philadelphia, PA and Joselito Collado, of Jamaica, Queens, NY collide in the 10 round main event in the Grand Ballroom at Bally’s Atlantic City. The Kennedy-Collado contest tops an eight fight card which can be streamed live on the internet by www.pandafeed.tv. The First fight is at 7:30 p.m.
More information can be found at www.peltzboxing.com
Zou Shiming Celebrates Father’s Day…Again
Two-time Olympic gold medalist ZOU SHIMIING and his wife Ying Ying welcomed their second child into the world today. Baby Ryan, born in Los Angeles, had his first official weigh-in — a strapping six pounds, seven ounces.
“It’s a good omen that Ryan was born under the sign of the president,” said Hall of Fame Promoter Bob Arum. “Today is Top Rank president Todd duBoef’s birthday. Todd has already sent Bruce Trampler over to the nursery to watch him work out. We couldn’t be happier for Shiming and Ying Ying. It’s a wonderful day.”
Zou (2-0), who trains with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Boxing Club, will be traveling to General Santos City in the Philippines to train with Fighter of the Decade Manny Pacquiao. Both will be featured on the same historic card, in separate bouts, Saturday, November 23, at The Venetian Macao. Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Sands China Ltd., MP Promotions and Tecate, Pacquiao will headline the card, facing former world champion Brandon Rios in a 12-round welterweight rumble, which will be produced and distributed live to the U.S. by HBO Pay-Per-View®, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.
One of the most popular Olympic athletes in the People’s Republic of China, Zou was the world’s greatest amateur light flyweight, capturing gold medals in the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympic Games. In the 2005, 2007, and 2011 World Amateur Championships, Zou also brought home gold medals, making him his nation’s first boxing gold medalist in the World Amateur Championships and the Olympics. He became his nation’s first Olympic medalist in boxing when he earned bronze in 2004.
Bernard Hopkins to Face Karo Murat on October 26th
IBF Light Heavyweight Champion Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins will become the oldest fighter in history to make his initial title defense when he faces highest rated light heavyweight challenger Karo Murat in a rescheduled championship event taking place Saturday, October 26 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. The 12-round title fight, which was postponed from July 13 due to visa issues experienced by Murat, will air live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/PT). With those issues cleared up, Murat has his sights set on ending the reign of the 48-year-old future Hall of Famer.
Hopkins vs. Murat, a 12-round bout for Hopkins’ IBF Light Heavyweight World Championship, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Caesars Atlantic City and supported by Golden Boy Promotions sponsors Corona and AT&T. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins live at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is available in Spanish on secondary audio programming (SAP).
Tickets priced at $300, $150, $75, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges, go on sale on Monday, August 19 at noon ET, with a special ticket presale on sale now and lasting through Sunday, August 18 at 11:59pm ET. To order tickets during this presale, enter the code: KNOCKOUT. Tickets can be purchased at the Boardwalk Hall Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, by calling 800-736-1420 or at www.tickermaster.com
“I’m happy this fight is back on,” said Hopkins. “Karo Murat is my mandatory and he is coming here to take down this 48-year-old champion, except he’s coming three months late. He gave me extra time to spend time with my family, stay in the gym longer to get ready for this fight. I’m going to be so physically and mentally prepared come October 26, Murat will know he is facing a great champion regardless of my age. I feel like a fighter in my 20s not my 40s.”
Liakhovich Filing Formal Protest of Wilder Fight Outcome
Former World Boxing Organization (“WBO”) Heavyweight Champion Sergei “The White Wolf” Liakhovich is filing a formal protest, regarding the final outcome of his fight last Friday night against undefeated Deontay Wilder, due to illegal punches that led to him being knocked out at 1:43 of the first round at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California.
Liakhovich’s advisor, Attorney Anthony Cardinale, is preparing the formal protest to file with the California State athletic Commission, seeking the outcome be ruled a “no contest.”
“My goal for going public is to expose Wilder and show people what really happened because it was difficult to clearly see his illegal punches on television due to the camera placement and how quickly it happened,” Liakhovich explained. “I also feel that I disappointed a lot of people who believed in me and I feel it’s important to explain what happened to them. Wilder’s people are sending out press releases to hype him up, even more, so it’s very important for me to expose him for what he is and how he fights.”
Liakhovich’s sparring partner had warned him in advance about Wilder punching behind the head and, in the locker room before the fight, his team asked referee Tom Taylor to closely watch for Wilder throwing illegal punches.
According to Liakhovich, the first illegal punch hit him over the ear, and then a right behind his head wobbled Liakhovich as his equilibrium was thrown completely off balance. Wilder than finished off a defenseless Liakhovich with a left followed by a big right.
“If he had hit me in the face, fair and square,” Liakhovich said, “I would have kept my mouth shut and said he was the better man. Everybody’s going around saying nobody can stand-up to his power, 29 knockouts in 29 fights, but any heavyweight would go down from a punch behind the head. That’s why it’s an illegal punch! There’s nothing you can do when you get hit with a punch like that; your body just goes wobbly with no balance at all.
“If he is allowed to continue throwing illegal punches like the one he hit me with behind my head,” Liakhovich predicted, “somebody is going to get seriously hurt. I can’t allow him to get away with that anymore.”
Liakhovich noted that he has since undergone an MRI and other medical exams, reporting that he is 100-percent healthy. In addition to protest the outcome of this fight, he also wants to expose Wilder for his illegal tactics before a tragedy results.
“I want to thank everybody who contacted me to make sure I was okay and to show their continued support,” Liakhovich concluded. “My career will not end on a fight like this that ended because of illegal punches. I will be back in the gym next week and plan to be fighting again in a few months.”
