Tag Archives: mikkel LesPierre

Posted on 07/02/2020

Jose Pedraza vs Mikkel LesPierre

Jose Pedraza (27-3, 13 KOs) was given an additional two weeks when his original contest against Mikkel LesPierre (22-2-1, 10 KOs) fell through due to a positive COVID-19 test.

The former world champion was not too pleased and took out his aggression tonight at the MGM Grand Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.

From the opening bell Pedraza busted up his man his shots to the head. But it was a shot to the body in that frame which had LesPierre running for the duration of the round.

While clearly trailing on the scorecards, Pedraza made things even more daunting as he scored a fifth round knockdown. From there it was smooth sailing for the former belt holder.

In the tenth and final round, Pedraza added the finishing touches with yet another knockdown. LesPierre proved that he had no quit in him as he staggered back to his feet and fought to the final bell.

His efforts however, were not rewarded as the judges scored the contest in Pedraza’s favor. The final tally of the contest were as followed 100-88 and two scores of 99-89 in favor of Pedraza.

Robeisy Ramirez vs Adan Gonzalez

It was shocking to see two time Olympic gold medal winner Robeisy Ramirez (4-1, 3 KOs) suffer defeat in his pro debut at the hands of Adan Gonzalez (5-3-2, 2 KOs).

Ramirez was dropped in the first round and outworked over the course of the contest. Tonight however, it was an entirely different story.

The two time gold medal winner completely outclassed Gonzalez in their rematch at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. When the final bell rang, Ramirez got exactly what he was looking for as all three judges scored it 60-54 in his favor.

Kingsley Ibeh vs Patrick Mailata

For the second time in one week, Kingsley Ibeh (5-1, 4 KOs) found himself on the winning side of a heavyweight contest. His latest victim, came in the form of Patrick Mailata (4-1, 2 KOs) at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

To start off their contest, both men threw heavy shots and landed as well. As things continued though, they became sloppier and sloppier as they became gassed.

At the end of six grueling rounds, Ibeh was elated when the judges sided with him in his contest against Mailata.

Danny Murray vs Elvis Rodriguez

It was a quick night’s work for Elvis Rodriguez (7-0-1, 7 KOs) as he stopped Danny Murray (5-4) in the very first round.

Murray was barely given a chance to break a sweat as the first punch that landed on his chin sent him down to the canvas. Referee Robert Hoyle began his count but quickly ruled the contest over when he realized how injured Murray was on the ground.

With seven knockouts to go with his seven career victories, hall of fame trainer Freddie Roach seemed pleased with the work of his young prospect.

Posted on 07/02/2020

By: Hans Themistode

It was a feeling of déjà vu when Jose Pedraza and Mikkel LesPierre faced off during yesterday’s weigh-ins. 

Just two weeks prior they stepped onto the scales for a contest that never took place. Now however, their super lightweight matchup will officially go down at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Their contest has had its fair share of storyline twists and turns. For starters, their original date of June 18th, was scrapped when Jose Tavares, the manager of LesPierre, tested positive for COVID-19. The super lightweight contender did not produce any positive test results of his own but was still forced off the card. 

The positive results Tavares may have been a blessing in disguise though. Policies regarding how many personnel are allowed inside the “bubble” was reduced along with a host of other rules. With a two week postponement came another change in the way this matchup will be contested. Originally, the 140 pound limit was the target mark. Now, both men have agreed to a weight limit of 144 pounds. Something they made comfortably during the weigh-ins.

For Pedraza, he’s looking for redemption inside of the ring. He’s lost two of his last three contests and has not held a world title since 2018. LesPierre on the other hand, is simply looking to one day grab a world title of his own. In his first bid to do so against Maurice Hooker in early 2019, he came up woefully short, losing nearly every round on the judges scorecards. 

Joining Pedraza and LesPierre on the card will be one of the biggest upsets of 2019. Robeisy Ramirez came into the sport of boxing with all of the hype in the world. Not only had he won gold in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, but in his latest gold winning effort, he defeated WBO featherweight titlist Shakur Stevenson. 

The bright star that was thought to be Ramirez’s professional career, was quickly dampened when he was dropped and ultimately lost to journeymen Adan Gonzales during his debut. He has since won three contests in a row, all via stoppage. He’ll look to get past his early career stain when the two rematch in the co main event. 

The action kicks off at 8 PM ET tonight on ESPN. For the rest of the card and weigh-in results, scroll down below.

Jose Pedraza 143.9 pounds (26-3, 13 KOs) vs Mikkel LesPierre 143.5 pounds (22-1-1, 10 KOs)

Robeisy Ramirez 125.1 pounds (3-1, 3 KOs) vs Adan Gonzales 125.4 pounds (5-2-2, 2 KOs) 

Albert Bell 133 pounds (16-0, 5KOs) vs Mark Bernaldez 132 pounds (20-3, 14KOs)

Carlos Jackson (16-0, 11KOs) 125.1 pounds vs Jose Enrique Durantes Vivas 125.9 pounds 

Elvis Rodriguez 140.2 pounds (6-0-1, 6 KOs) vs Dan Murray 139.2 pounds (5-3) 

Kingsley Ibeh 284.1 pounds (4-1, 4 KOs) vs Patrick Mailata 284 pounds (4-0, 2 KOs)

Posted on 06/24/2020

By: Hans Themistode

The super lightweight contest between former two division world champion Jose Pedraza and contender Mikkel LesPierre has officially found a new date. 

July 2nd, has officially been circled for both fighters to meet in the ring. 

The two were originally supposed to meet on June 18th, as the headliner of Top Rank’s fourth Summer series show. Unfortunately for both men though, their contest was scrapped when LesPierre’s manager, Josie Taveras, contracted the virus. 

Protocols were instantly followed as LesPierre and his team were immediately quarantined and tested. His results were negative, but due to contact tracing, he was not allowed to face Pedraza on the night. 

With their contest slated to take place roughly two weeks from its original date, promoter Bob Arum is satisfied with the outcome for both sides.  

“Mikkel and Jose deserve this opportunity,” said promoter Bob Arum in a recent press release. “I commend both camps for agreeing to reschedule this fight on short notice.” 

Pedraza vs Mikkel wasn’t the only announcement that Arum made on the day. 

Super lightweight contender and former title challenger Alex Saucedo returns to the ring after a seven month layoff. He’ll look to make it two wins in a row when he takes on Sonny Fredrickson in the main event of a June 30th card that will take place at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Arum has always had big expectations for the 26 year old Saucedo. He may have failed during his first bid to win a world title in November of 2018 against Maurice Hooker, but Arum’s enthusiasm hasn’t wavered one bit. 

“Alex Saucedo is destined to be a world champion, but he has an incredibly tall task in Sonny Fredrickson. We have another great week in store at MGM Grand.”

Posted on 06/18/2020

By: Hans Themistode

COVID-19 strikes again. 

This time, to the dismay of Super Lightweight contender Mikkel LesPierre. His time on the big stage was short lived as his upcoming main event on Top Ranks card tonight from the MGM Grand Conference Center, in Las Vegas, Nevada, was cancelled due to LesPierre’s manager, Josie Tavares, testing positive for COVID-19. 

The rest of the card will still go on without them, but will lose most of its star appeal without LesPierre and former world champion Jose Pedraza at the forefront. 

“My manager, Jose Taveras, tested positive for COVID-19,” said LesPierre as first reported by Boxingscene. “Due to the rules and regulations set forth by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, I will be unable to fight tonight as scheduled against Jose Pedraza. I understand the severity of COVID-19. Mostly I have been working on the front lines of helping treat this virus at Mount Sinai Beth Israel—Petrie Division in Manhattan.”

The cancelation of the main event brought about a perplexing feeling to the entire storyline. 

For starters, both Pedraza and LesPierre test results came back negative. Also, in Top Rank’s first fight card back from COVID-19, WBO Featherweight champion Shakur Stevenson was forced to go into his contest against Felix Caraballo without his head trainer. The reason for it was because Stevenson’s trainer is also the assistant man of Featherweight prospect Mikaela Mayer. She, of course, was taken off the card due to a positive test for the disease. Roughly one week later though, she was cleared by her own doctors as Top Ranks testing results were proven to be wrong.  

In that situation, Stevenson was able to participate in his contest. But for LesPierre, he was taken off the card entirely. 

Still, even with his moment in the sun taken away from him, LesPierre has decided to look on the bright side of things. 

“I am devastated. This was my opportunity to showcase my talent to the world, but everything happens for a reason. This is just another roadblock in my story. I apologize to Jose and his team for any inconvenience this caused. He is a great boxer, and I hope we can reschedule the fight as soon as possible.”

As for the safety of Taveras, he’s reassured everyone that he is doing just fine. But with his man losing out on an opportunity, he feels guilty about the part he’s played in everything.

“I apologize for the inconvenience this caused,” said Taveras. “I am not exhibiting any symptoms. But I am looking forward to hopefully rescheduling this fight as soon as possible. I am devastated for Mikkel.”