Tag Archives: collazo

Posted on 03/15/2019

By: Sean Crose

When Michael “Mick” Conlon made his professional boxing debut on Saint Patrick’s Day, 2017, it caused quite the to do. Not only had the popular Irish armature been a top find for Bob Arum’s Top Rank Promotions, but Conlon was walked into the ring at Madison Square Garden that night by none other than fellow Irishman Conor McGregor, the enormously popular MMA star who was determined to meet and beat Floyd Mayweather in a boxing ring (he ended up achieving half his goals). The evening, however, was arguably dominated by McGregor, who, true to form, made it all about himself by screaming at ESPNs Dan Rafael.

Conlon, who won his debut that night, went on to fight again at Madison Square Garden the following Saint Patrick’s Day (sans McGregor). Now, with an undefeated 10-0 record, the featherweight will be fighting at the Garden this coming Saint Patrick’s day, as well. There’s little doubt that yearly appearances at the Garden during the world’s most famous Irish holiday are now to be expected. Not that Conlon minds, as Top Rank continues to build on his European and east coast fan base. This year, Conlon will find himself facing the 24-3-2 Ruben Garcia Hernandez of Mexico. Although he hasn’t met any big names while in the pro ranks, the active Conlon has been quite busy building his resume, as well as public awareness.

Yet Conlon isn’t the only name fighter to be plying his trade this weekend. For the 38-7 Luis Collazo will also appear on the Garden card. While Conlon is a fighter on the rise, New York’s Collazo has faced a who’s who of name fighters over the years. Shane Mosley, Ricky Hatton, Andre Berto, Victor Ortiz, Amir Khan, Keith Thurman…all of these men have shared a ring with the 37 year old welterweight. Unlike Conlon, Collazo has also held a major world title, having been in possession of the WBA welterweight strap from 2005-2006. On Sunday, Collazo will be facing the 30-4-2 Samuel Vargas. An experienced vet, Collazo has shown he can be full of surprises.

In 2014, he demolished Victor Ortiz at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn. Then, in 2015, he landed a thunderous body shot while fighting Keith Thurman in Tampa, one that clearly hurt the popular Floridian (though Thurman went on to win the fight). The Madison Square Garden Saint Patrick’s Day card will be streamed live this Sunday, starting at 3 PM, EST on the ESPN+ Streaming Service.

Posted on 02/03/2017

Luis Collazo Stops Sammy Vasquez in Tunica in 6 Thursday!
By: Ken Hissner

It was a show of good fights all in the welterweight division by Premier Boxing Champions at the Horseshoe Casino, MS & Hotel Thursday night over FS-1.

Former WBA world welterweight champion Luis Collazo, out of Queens, NY, may have been behind after five rounds though he scored a knockdown in the third round over Sammy “The Who Can Mexican” Vasquez, 21-2 (15), out of Monessen, PA. In the same round he had a cut over his right eye. A left and a right to the chin floored Vasquez. Vasquez looked to take the first two rounds in this battle of southpaws. After losing the third he came back to take the fourth with the fifth being close though he may have pulled it out.

In the sixth round Collazo landed the same combination as in the third round knockdown. A straight left to the chin followed by a right hook to the chin. Vasquez went down partially on his right side facing the canvas for the full count by referee Bill Clancy at 1:27 of the round. It was the second straight loss for Vasquez after winning first twenty-one for the two tour of Iraq Army Sgt.

In the co-feature Cuban welterweight Yordenis Ugas, 18-3-1 (8), out of Miami, FL, won a hard fought split decision over Levan Ghvamichava, 17-3-1 (13), of GEO, now out of Hayward, CA, over 10 rounds.
Ugas was the harder hitter landing overhand rights to the head of Ghvamichava all night to get past the hands held high of Ghvamichava. He had a strong body attack trying to get the guard down of Ghvamichava.

In the fifth round Ugas landed three or four low blows with only warnings from referee Clancy. It wasn’t until the eighth round a point was finally taken on the second low blow by Clancy.

The scoring was strange with Ghvamichava getting a 95-94 nod while Ugas took a 97-94 which seemed in line while the 99-90 was way off.

Welterweight Eddie “Escorpion” Ramirez, 16-0 (11), out of Aurora, IL, won after nine rounds when Ryan “Cowboy” Karl, 13-1 (9), out of Houston, TX, couldn’t come out for the tenth round. Ramirez looked like he was up 86-85 if not by more. It was give and take the entire fight with Clancy working as the referee.

Welterweight Jose Miguel Barrego, 11-0 (10), out of MEX, scored a first round knockout with a left hook to the liver over Tomas Mendez, 23-9 (16), out of DR, at 2:35 of the round. Barrego came out firing and never stopped throwing punches.