Tag Archives: Philadelphia

Posted on 03/04/2020

By: Hans Themistode

The sport of boxing has a tendency to give all of the spotlight and attention to the big names that are associated with it. Fighters such as Errol Spence Jr, Tyson Fury, Canelo Alvarez and plenty more, all have a ton of star power. 

The fame and recognition that they receive is well deserved, but it can become detrimental to the careers of younger fighters. Simply put, fighters who fly well below the radar aren’t afforded many, if any opportunities at all. 

Helping change that statement is Philadelphia promoter Michelle Rosado, also known as Raging Babe. 

For years now, she has taken up and coming prospects as well as fighters who aren’t exactly household names, and has given them a platform to showcase their skills. On March 27th, at the 2300 Arena, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Lightweight prospect Steven Ortiz and Damon Allen will headline “Philly Special.” 

No you won’t find some of the bigger names in the sport on this card. You also won’t find any recognizable names either, but if you’re looking for an action packed card on a Saturday night, then you’ve come to the right place. To make things even better for every fighter on the card, they will also get the sort of attention that young fighters dream of thanks to a collaboration.

Raging Babe has partnered up with Impact Network to show her March 27th, card live. What makes this partnership so important? Well, Impact Network contains an audience of over 86 million. 

“Impact found room in their schedule to bring Philly Special to its viewers,” said Michelle Rosado. “Lou [DiBella] brought them to the table. I’m grateful that he believed in the show so much. I’m also grateful that he believed in and went to bat for me, and felt so strongly enough it needed to be televised, to make this connection. I think it’s a mutually beneficial opportunity.”

To say that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for every fighter associated on this card would be putting it lightly. Occasions such as these don’t come around very often, but thanks to Raging Babe, it could become a more regular occurrence.

“For some time now, there have been no television platforms for local and regional promoters. Impact is changing that. Promoters and fighters who aren’t getting opportunities on the platforms dominated by big promotional companies will get a shot. They will now be seen in homes across the country. Stevie Ortiz vs. Damon Allen is a tremendous local match-up. Impact Network will give them a chance to show they can fight and move up boxing’s food chain. It’s a win-win for boxing’s middle-class promoters, the ones not supported by hedge funds or by billion dollar television rights fees or streaming services. This is just what boxing needs.”

It comes as no surprise to learn that Lou Di Bella had a helping hand in securing this card on network television. Much like Rosado, Di Bella believes that smaller club shows play a major part in the sport of boxing.

“Philly Special is classic, grassroots, hometown boxing, featuring competitive matchups and world class talent. It deserves a real platform. I’m thrilled that I was able to help secure Impact and its 86 million basic cable homes for my partner Raging Babe,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “It’s been great co-promoting with Michelle, and working with Russell Peltz. I’m thrilled that Steve Marcano and IMPACT shared our enthusiasm about Philly Special. I’m also thrilled that it will be available to virtually all US boxing fans on free TV.”

The excitement for this card stretches far beyond the Rosado, Di Bella, the fighters associated with the card and even the city of Philadelphia. The entire network over at Impact Network shares the same eagerness to get things started.

“What makes Impact special is that it’s so accessible to people,” said Impact Boxing Executive Producer Steven Marcano. ”When DAZN has a card, you have to have a credit card and account to watch. When Showtime has a card, you have to have premium cable to watch.  All you need to watch boxing on Impact is the lowest tier cable package. We are in over 86 million homes. We’re making sure that everyone who has basic cable has access to good programming, good sports, and good boxing.”

There isn’t much that can be said or done to turn down the enthusiasm for this fight card. Yet, if there is one thing that Marcano won’t allow, it is the down playing of this event entirely. It may seem like a small card on the larger scale, but he isn’t buying that nonsense.

“I think calling a show a ‘club show’ is old school. If you take the same show and put it on Showtime, it’s no longer a club show. It’s just a Showtime show. Raging Babe has great fights and an excellent game plan. They just need a little more attention and a platform to showcase their events. It’s a smaller venue with limited distribution. Add television and it’s a sold out show in millions of homes, not a club show.”

Whether you consider it a club show or a full blown a major event, Rosado has seemingly done her job by bringing attention to her shows. If all goes well on March 27th, it seems as though this card be the start of a long standing relationship.

“We’re looking forward to working with Raging Babe on this and future cards. Michelle is thorough, and gets the job done.”

Posted on 02/07/2020

By: Shane Willoughby

Philadelphia has been long regarded as America’s number 1 fight city. The last place on earth for boxing purists; the garden of Eden for boxing. The genesis for all the styles we see in the sport today.

Whether it’s from the countless Rocky movies or the several fighters who have come from the town or the infamous Philly shell. No matter what it is, when you think of the city of Philadelphia, you think of the sport of boxing.

However, the cities reputation has been left to rest on a rocky foundation. No pun intended. This generation of fighters have struggled to live up to their birthright and fulfil their true potential. And the last month has highlighted the cities frailties.

In January we saw 5 of Philadelphia’s most accomplished fighters in recent years perform, and the results were far from pretty. We first saw Jesse Hart take on Joe Smith Jr in what was set to be a real war, Philly style.

Hart came with great confidence and great intent. He took the reputation of Philadelphia and put it on his back; in attempt to get revenge for one of Philly’s most prestigious kings, Bernard Hopkins who was retired by Joe Smith Jr 4 years ago.

Like Adrien Broner, Jesse Hart was “doing this for the whole hood” but unfortunately, like AB, he let the whole hood down. And it was the beginning of a dark page in the cities history books.

Next up was unified champion Julian Jrock Williams. Who had a fairytale 2019, dethroning the division’s number 1 ranked fighter, Jarret Hurd. If there was anybody in recent years who has shown off real Philly heart it was Jrock in that fight.

However, his reign as Champion lasted as long as Apollo Creed vs Ivan Drago. In William’s first title defence, he was defeated. These belts at 154lbs are getting past around faster than Appollo Creed’s entrance to Ivan Drago.

Jeison Rosario absolutely destroyed Jrock in front of the Philly fans. Williams got KO’d in 5 rounds. Looking on the bright side, at least he didn’t have to travel far to get home, and he no longer had the weight of the WBA, IBF and IBO belts and the entire city on his shoulders. Another Philly fail.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. Danny Garcia got a convincing win over Ivan Redcach. Also, Jaron Ennis looks like a real prospect at 147lbs. Great athleticism and skill; showing us what it is to be a real Philly fighter. Let’s just hope his actions outside of the ring is up to the same standard.

We have seen certain east coast fighters tank their career recently, with their actions outside of boxing. Which is a brilliant segway to the next Philadelphian to fall.

Tevin Farmer is a real Philly fighter. He optimised everything Philly stood for, the slick defence, always demonstrating the real Philly shell. He could talk the talk. But more than anything he showed that he could come back from defeat and rise to glory, in typical Rocky fashion.

But he also had to bite the dust. Farmer was looking to defend his IBF super featherweight for the 5th time against JoJo Diaz. Whilst many expected Diaz to put up a good fight. Not much expected Farmer to get bullied and manhandled.

2020 hasn’t gone off to a great start for the city of Philadelphia. However, Farmer, Williams and Hart have had to deal with losses in their career. Also, if there is anything we know about Philly fighters is, when you write them off that’s when they’re most dangerous.

Posted on 10/03/2019

By: Hans Themistode

Do you know how long is 50 years? It’s 5 decades, half a century, or in other words just a really long time. Let’s put it this way. In the early 1900s the life expectancy for a human being was roughly 47 years. In short, 50 years can feel like a life time.

It isn’t easy to do anything for that long of a time period. Let alone being a boxing promoter???

The life of a boxing promoter is a short lived one. Putting on great shows, signing fighters and staying relevant is a difficult thing to do. For promoter Russell Peltz, he has managed to accomplish all of the above. This Friday night on October 4th, 2019, Peltz will be celebrating his 50th year in the sport of boxing with a show in his hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the 2300 arena.

Throughout the career of Peltz he has seen it all. From the most obscure fighters to the most world renowned in Muhammad Ali. Boxing has been apart of Peltz life since he can remember. He has produced more than a thousand shows in his long and illustrious career.

For a man that has been through it all in boxing and has reached the mountain top, Peltz has never forgotten the long road he took to get here. At the age of 72, Peltz can recollect just about everything in his boxing career. Including, when he first fell in love with the sport.

“1959,” said Peltz regarding his love affair with boxing. That is when I first fell in love with boxing. I was 12 years old. It was like love at first sight. Growing up I wanted to be a sports writer so I took journalism in college and began my path to making my dreams come true.”

If anyone has ever chased their dreams, no matter if it is in professional sports or something completely different, then you would understand just how much of a grind it is in order to make those dreams come true. Peltz was no different.

“I remember working at a newspaper named the Bulletin and I did the midnight shift. I would work there from midnight until 8 in the morning and straight from there I would head to school from 9 until 1 in the afternoon. It may seem like a lot of work for some people but I was enjoying what I was doing and I was making pretty good money as well.”

No matter how much we believe we can something, we all have the tendency to change our minds don’t we? What was supposed to be just a career in journalism took a bit of an unexpected turn in the life of Peltz.

“There was a time where I wanted to be the boxing writer for the paper. That was my goal in life but the boxing writer at the time had gotten an extension at a time where I thought he was going to retire and I remember thinking to myself, do I want to sit around and wait until this guy dies? I would just watch the clock while I was working and I thought did I really want to just watch the clock for my entire life? I didn’t. I quit shortly after.”

With the help of his many connections, the life of a boxing promoter began shortly after. To the surprise of many, possibly even Peltz, he enjoyed success at an early age but more than anything, there was a sense of fulfillment in the work he was doing.

“When I started promoting I was 22 and no one was doing that so I got a lot of publicity for it. We had some good fighters coming up in the Philadelphia area. Willie Monroe and Cyclone Hart were big time fighters out here. I ran about 15 shows in 7 and a half months. The money wasn’t great but I was enjoying what I was doing. As long as I was able to support myself and do what I loved to do then I was okay with that.”

Throughout the career of Peltz he has managed to see just about every all-time great fighter. Muhammed Ali, Marvin Hagler and countless others have came across his Philadelphia ring. With so many outstanding fighters in his presence it would be difficult to choose who was the very best wouldn’t it? For most of us, including myself. Ali would immediately come to mind, but not for Peltz.

“Ali was great. He was truly an amazing fighter, he is right up there with the best that I have ever seen but I would have to place him number two behind Carlos Monzon. The guy had almost a hundred fights and only lost three of them. He was one of the best fighters ever and personally, he was the best that I had ever seen up close.”

For Peltz he has been able to see boxers from many generations. A common discussion in the world of boxing is too compare eras. Don’t bring Peltz into that conversation. It is one that he has a difficult time indulging in.

“The eras will always influence how a fighter fights. If you take a guy like Mike Tyson and place him in a different era than he would have fought some what similar to the guys of that era. That’s why it is difficult to compare eras. Some guys look at the old school fighters and think that they wouldn’t be able to compete in certain eras but that isn’t true. Guys just fought differently in the eras that they were apart of. Guys also. fought every month back in the day. Fighters today fight just about twice a year so it’s a difference. Would the guys of today be able to fight as many times as the guys did before them and still be able to hold up physically? That’s the question. Guys are bought up with much easier opposition. The best thing to me is to fight an undefeated fighter because 9 out of 10 times he can’t fight.”

Peltz has nothing against a fighter with an undefeated record but he does believe that it can be a bit over blown. It isn’t simply about the records. It should only be about if the guy can actually fight.

“The TV people don’t want the best fighters,” said Peltz when discussing the issue that certain networks have with a fighter. “They want guys with the best record.”

Even without the backing of certain networks, Peltz has continued to put on shows with the sort of fighters that would fail to get recognition in any other circumstances. For his 50th anniversary show, the main event will feature a fighter with a record of 8 wins against 2 defeats. It will also have plenty of fighters with similar records. To Peltz, it isn’t about the record. He was grown up in a time where non of that really mattered.

“There were so many guys who were great fighters but didn’t have perfect records. Some of them didn’t even have particularly good records but still won at the highest levels. Freddie Pendleton won a piece of the lightweight title and he had over 25 losses in his career. A guy like Buster Drayton had numerous losses but he managed to perceiver and win titles as well. There is just too much of an emphasis placed on the win, loss record. I have a fight on my anniversary show where a guy is 0-2 and the other kid 1-4-1. I know it’s going to be a terrific fight. Those kids deserve a platform because too often they are served up as fodder. They get paid more then they usually would to get destroyed by an up and coming prospect. When that happens enough times they just retire and the talent pool gets even thinner. There has to be a platform for kids who are 8-4 who fights another guy who is 6-3 and it is entertaining fight. There has to be an outlet for those kinds of fighters.”

Peltz has successfully created that platform for these fighters. He doesn’t just want to fixate his attention on the undefeated prospects who are destined for greatness. Instead, he has placed an emphasis on fighters who are constantly overlooked to find a home.

Even with the success that Peltz has enjoyed, he still has his hands in the pot of many other ventures in the boxing world as well.

“I’m advising fighters and match making for shows as well. I just want to make competitive fights so that the people in the audience who are paying outrageous amounts of money to go see a fight get their money’s worth.”

50 years is a long time to be doing anything but let’s all hope that he has at least another 50 years left in him. As a kid, Russell Peltz loved the sport of boxing but what he may not realize is that the sport of boxing loves him as well.

Posted on 08/08/2019

By: William Holmes

On Saturday night Top Rank Promotions will partner with Peltz Boxing Promotions to put on an event at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The main event was originally scheduled to be a featherweight fight between Emmanuel Dominguez and Carl”The Jackal” Frampton, but a freak accident caused a facture in the left hand of Carl Frampton, and that fight had to be scrapped.

The junior lightweight fight between Jason Sosa and Haskell Lydell Rhodes was elevated to main event status and the co-main event will be between Edgar Berlanga and Gregory Trenel in the middleweight division.

Other boxers on the undercard include two time Cuban Olympic Gold Medalist Robeisy Ramirez, as well as prospects Paul Kroll, Donald Smith, and heavyweight Sonny Conto.

The following is a preview of the co-main event and main event of the night.

Edgar Berlanga (11-0) vs. Gregory Trenel (11-4-2); Middleweights

It should probably be noted again that this fight was bumped up to co-main event status after Carl Frampton broke his left hand.

Berlanga is a 6’1 prospect from New York that has stopped every opponent he has faced at this point in his career. He’s a tall middleweight at 6’1 and took second place several times at the National Police Athletic League as an amateur.

Trenel doesn’t have any notable amateur experience. He’s 28 years old and only has three stoppage wins. He has never been stopped in defeat, but has losses to Vincenzo Bevilacqua. Mickael Sanches, Christopher Guedes, and Karim Hayani. None of those boxers are very well known.

Both boxers have been fairly active the past two years. Berlanga fought twice in 2019 and three times in 2018. Trenel fought once in 2019 and three times in 2018. However, Trenel has never fought in the United States before and the combined record of his past two opponents was 13-55-2.

This fight should be a blowout. Anything less than a stoppage victory for Berlanga would be considered disappointing.

Jason Sosa (22-3-4) vs. Haskell Lydell Rhodes (27-3-1); Junior Lightweights

Jason Sosa is a Camden native that formerly held the WBA Super Featherweight Title. He’ll likely have a large contingent of supportive fans in attendance since Camden is a short trip from Philadelphia.

Sosa is the same age as his opponent and will be giving up about two and a half inches in reach but will have an inch height advantage. Both Sosa and Rhodes have not been very active the past two years. Sosa only fought once in 2019 and once in 2018. Rhodes fought three times in 2018, but zero times in 2019 and zero times in 2017.

Neither boxer has an extensive amateur background.

Sosa has gone 2-2 in his past four fights, but two of his losses were to big time opponents. He has losses to Yuriorkis Gamboa and Vasiliy Lomachenko. He also has a loss early in his career to Tre’Sean Wiggins. He has a majority draw with Nicholas Walters and has defeated the likes of Reynaldo Blanco, Stephen Smith, and Javier Fortuna.

Fortuna was the biggest win of his career and he win the WBA Super Featherweight Title in that fight.

Rhodes has losses to Omar Douglas, Edner Cherry, and Sergey Lipinets. His notable wins were against Miguel Huerta, John Nater, and Yakubu Amidu. Rhodes briefly competed in MMA.

Sosa has to be considered a favorite, but Rhodes is a live underdog. The home field advantage should help Sosa on his way to victory.

Posted on 03/04/2019

By: Frank Bartolini

Saturday night fights at the opera house does not sound right. Especially when you are speaking about North Philly. That is exactly what happened when Hard Hitting Promotions displayed their wares at “The Met” on north Broad Street. Considered at one time to be in disrepair the former Metropolitan Opera House has been restored down to the final detail of its original luster. . Anyone of the estimated 3,700 fans who entered the venue for the first time were awestruck by the forty five million dollar refurbishing.

Partners Manny Rivera and Will Ruiz of Hard Hitting Promotions staged the event with house promoter Live Nation. Trying to deliver a quality slate Hard Hitting matched their charges Samuel Teah and Jeremy Cuevas in with tough opposition. Both of them lost eight round decisions by wide margins. Each of these forays were for Pennsylvania State Titles.

Photo Credit: Jano Cohen

The main Event saw Steve Ortiz,134.2, drop Jeremy Cueves, 134.1, twice on his way to earning a unanimous eight round. This all Philly encounter pitted two young men with similar undefeated records. Ortiz showed more poise out finessing his hometown adversary. On his way to accumulating Cuevas utilized a in your face steam engine piston firing style . Why for the biggest fight did Cuevas come out imitating Mean Gene the Dance Machine was baffling. This approach diminished Cuevas chances and Ortiz took full advantage of this by pick his spots and settling down and teeing off.

Cuevas is now 11-1 (8 ko’s). Ortiz stays undefeated at 10-0 (3 ko’s)

By picking up this win Ortiz career continues to prosper as his tock rises. Cuevas did suffer a small setback and after a win or two he will return to hot prospect status.

Squaring off for th Pennsylvania Super Lightweight Championship Samuel Teah,139.1, was nearly shutout by Tre’Sean Wiggins,140,.over eight heats. It looked like Teah may have underestimated Wiggins for he did not have a answer for anything thrown at him. Teah slides to 15-3 (7 Ko’s). Wiggins record stands at 11-4-2 (6 Ko’s) . Being a road warrior for most of his career Wiggins has been on the wrong side of a couple bad decisions and a couple of those losses and draws should be w’s.

As usual Baltimore based welterweight Malik Hawkins,144.9. looked good as usual battling Gledwin Ortiz of Bronx, NY. Hawkins won a eight round unanimous over Ortiz,146.3,. Always trying to obtain victory Ortiz pushed Hawkins the entire way. Due to Ortiz effort Hawkins was able to showcase his talented repertoire.

Hawkins remains undefeated at 14-0 (9 Ko’s) . Power punching Ortiz left the ring possessing a slate of 6-3 (5 Ko’s)

When speaking of hot prospects out of the City of Brotherly love and there is a lot of them, Branden Pizarro,138.8, name is one of the last to be mentioned. As a young bad ass out of North Philly Pizzaro may achieve more success than his contemporaries. Physically more mature than his was two years ago when he made his pro debut while still in High School Pizarro exploded on poor Zack Ramsey of Springfield Mass . Poor Ramsey,140.1, took a sound thrashing before succumbing at 1:50 of round one.

Charismatic, exciting with crunching power and fast hands Pizarro is a real “Kid Blast” lifting his record to 14-1 (7 Ko’s). Getting to spend a weekend in Philadelphia Ramsey goes home with some cash while he licks his wounds owning a 8-6 (4Ko’s) mark.

Organically growing Hard Hitting Promotions using their own hands Rivera and Ruiz are now reaping a bountiful harvest with a estimated gross gate of almost a quarter million dollars this evening. Not only have these two young men help maintain the Philly fight scene they have made it thrive. Hard Hitting brings boxing back to The Met on April 26.

Posted on 01/07/2019

By: Ken Hissner

Michelle Rosado, who has been promoting her own boxing cards in
Arizona since 2011 and working behind the scenes on other shows across
the country, is promoting Friday evening, February 8th at the 2300
Arena in South Philadelphia.

Michelle Rosado is a boxing enthusiast, but to say that she’s
passionate would be an understatement. Rosado has channeled that
passion and energy she felt as a fan into a career on the business
side of the Sweet Science.

Now a successful Radio Host, Boxing Promoter and Marketing Consultant,
Rosado has found her niche in excelling at both the entertainment side
of boxing, as well as the event and fighter marketing aspect of the
male-dominate business.

Rosado is the co-founder and former host of “The Morning Punch-In with
RB & Jae”, a groundbreaking Monday morning drive-time broadcast that
featured unconventional fighter interviews and bleeding edge news. The
podcast has drew acclaim throughout the industry, and became a
platform for boxing top talent to showcase its lighter side.

Dubbed the “Raging Babe” by the Phoenix New Times Magazine, Rosado
parlayed the moniker into a successful boxing and lifestyle brand
under the membership of “The First Lady of Boxing,” Jackie Kallen.
Inspired by Kallen, who has managed six world champions, and whose
life story was the basis for the Paramount Movie Against the Ropes,
starring Meg Ryan, Rosado launched her passion project, the Raging
Babe Bruch in 2012. Both a celebration of women in a male-dominated
industry and a valuable networking event, the Bruch has grown from 12
attendees to more than 80, all with prominent roles at networks,
promotional companies, governing bodies and other boxing
organizations. It was around the same time that she launched her
apparel line, which features t-shirts for male boxing fans and the
underserved female boxing fan demographic.

Rosado grew up in the Philadelphia-area watching boxing alongside her
father, not knowing at the time that her boxing career would take her
full circle, and that she would one day be working events in her old
stomping grounds. Rosado gained invaluable experience and notoriety in
promoting several sold-out events in Arizona, along and with Top Rank
Boxing, and is widely credited with revitalizing boxing in the Valley
of the Sun and Tucson. She then went on to work with Mayweather
Promotions and eventually returned to Philadelphia to work with Hall
of Fame Promoter, J Russell Peltz.

For Michelle Rosado, boxing isn’t work. She doesn’t punch the clock at
the end of the day, and vacations and breaks are largely imposed upon
her by her friends and family. She makes it look easy, and like
everything she touches turns to gold. What is unseen is the passion,
hard work, ambition and humility that drive her success. The Raging
Babe story continues…..She was nice enough to entertain some questions
for Brick City Boxing.

KEN HISSNER: What part of the Philadelphia area did you live and
attend high school?

RAGING BABE: I grew up in Bristol Borough, right outside of
Philadelphia. I attended Temple University. GO OWLS!

KEN HISSNER: Like me you first got a glimpse of boxing from watching
TV with your father. Mine was the second Marciano-Walcott fight. Do
you remember who you watched first?

RAGING BABE: My dad liked Sugar Ray Leonard. He would mention Muhammad
Ali’s name and Wilfred Benitez too. I remember he’d watch all the
fights, but I didn’t really understand who was who back then. I was
too young. I really got into it when Mike Tyson hit the scene by
storm. We’d watch all the Tyson fights!

KEN HISSNER: I understand Felix “Tito” Trinidad was one of your
favorite boxers. Are there any other boxers that were are your
favorites?

RAGING BABE: My dad loved Tito so of course, I did too. Tito made me
fall in love with boxing. His pride, heart, will, and charisma were
captivating. The first time I cried over boxing was when he was beat
by Hopkins. I cried when Winky Wright spanked him too. Today, I’m a
huge fan of Terence Crawford. His journey has been amazing, his
accomplishments, remarkable. His entire team is awesome. If you
haven’t been to one of his fights in Omaha, put it on our bucket list!
I’ll admit, I cried when he beat Indongo and became the undisputed
champion of the world. I was glad to be there in that moment and to
witness history. Despite being a part of boxing on the business side,
I find boxers and their accomplishments still stir up my emotions. I
am still deeply passionate about the sport.

KEN HISSNER: I see you have your boxing event coming up at the 2300
Arena on February 8th. On top you have Christian Carto, possibly the
most exciting young boxer in Philly. I guess you know he’s probably
the biggest ticket seller in the city.

RAGING BABE: I knew that, coming into Philly, with all of its history,
the personalities still involved in boxing, I had to bring my A game.
Boxing is serious business here, and I have a lot to prove. I am
thankful that Carto, despite being offered other opportunities is
toppy my first card here. Christian Carto is the “Philly Special” and
he’s an attraction. He’s one of the top prospects in Philly. In my
opinion, the hottest thing coming out of South Philly in many years.
He’s the best bantamweight in Philly since Jeff Chandler. He has a
bright future and his team is an absolute pleasure to work with. It
made great sense for us to work together. The 2300 Arena is in South
Philly and Carto is from South Philly. Welcome to Carto’s House on Feb
8!

KEN HISSNER: I want to thank you

RAGING BABE: Thank you for the opportunity, and for shining a light on
the talent we have coming out of Philly.

Posted on 08/10/2018

By: Ken Hissner

On Friday night at the SugarHouse Casino, Marshall Kauffman’s King’s Promotions brings Tyrone Crawley, Jr., 7-1 (0), of Philadelphia, for the WBF junior welter title, against his toughest opponent to date in Dominican Ricardo Garcia, 14-3 (9), over 8 rounds. The matchmaker is Damian Ramos and PR is Marc Abrams.
Crawley is the son of his now trainer Tyrone “Butterfly” Crawley, Sr., 22-2 (7), who was one of the slickest boxers in Philly’s modern times. After his career ended he became a Philadelphia policeman. He won the NABF title over future champion Charlie “Choo Choo” Brown, defeated unbeaten boxers, Robin Blake, 22-0, Gene Hatcher, 14-0, Edwin Curet, 14-0-1, Pat Jefferson, 6-0, and Hermino Morales, 10-0-1.

I remember when I first saw Crawley, Jr., fight I called him the caterpillar, for he wasn’t quite a “butterfly” like his dad but the future will reveal that. “Seeing Tevin Farmer win the world title last week is an inspiration,” said Crawley.

The card is filled with Philly fighters with the co-main event having always exciting super middle Christopher Brooker, 13-5 (5), coming off a win in his last fight over Philly’s Jamaal Davis in March. Welter Poindexter Knight, 4-0 (2), under management to Dave McWater, super feather Joshafat Ortiz, 4-0 (2), of Reading, welter Rasheed Johnson 3-2 (1), of Willow Grove, Philly’s Paul Kroll former National Golden Glove champion making his debut, along with Rasheem Brown, super welter James Martin, 1-1, son of Jerry “The Bull” Martin, and Jamaican heavyweight Nicoy Clarke, 1-1, from Jersey City, NJ.

Talk about home grown Philly and surrounding area boxers!

Saturday Hard Hitting Promotions under Will Ruiz, Jr. and matchmaker Manny Rivera will be at the 2300 Arena in South Philly off Oregon Ave & Front Street. PR Kurt Wolfheimer.

On top is Glassboro, NJ, super middle Derrick “Take It to The Bank” Webster, 26-1 (13), taking on Australia’s Les Sherrington, 37-10 (21), over 10 rounds. In the co-feature is Philly’s Eric “The Outlaw” Hunter, 21-4 (11), first fight in over two years losing in a IBF World feather title fight in the UK against southpaw Fatiou Fassinou, 28-10-3 (15), of Benin, fighting out of Ft. Washington, MD, over 8 rounds.

On the loaded undercard are Philly’s lightweight Branden “Gifted” Pizarro, 10-1, lightweight Samuel “Tsunami” Teah, 31-2-1, of Liberia, Philly, lightweight Jeremy Cuevas, 9-0, super bantam Romuel Cruz, 2-0, light heavy Benjamin Sinakin making his debut, super feather Seifullah Jihad Wise, 3-5, and cruiser Prince Badi Ajamu, 29-4-1, of Camden, NJ.

Finally, at the PAL Center, in Hockessin, DE, Saturday headlining for matchmaker Rene Aiken will be Philly’s cruiser Dhafir “No Fear” Smith, 27-25-7, out of Upper Darby, heavy Mark “Oak Tree” Brown, 15-7, super feather Donald “No Love” Smith, 7-0, middle Ryan Wilczak, 6-0, of Scranton, Jamaican Anthony Miller, 3-2, of Wilmington, welter Tyrone Shelton, making debut, of Wilmington, and feather Ryshine Collins, of Philly making his debut.

Posted on 06/15/2018

By: Ken Hissner

Philadelphia featherweight Stephen “Scooter” Fulton had an outstanding amateur career. He was a Ringside, National Golden Gloves and Junior National Golden Gloves and Silver Gloves Champion.

Fulton was working out at the James Shuler Memorial Gym in Philly when I approached him about a story. I have seen him box professionally about eight times. His trainer since day one is Hamza Muhammad. He is managed by Al Haymon.

Photo Credit: Stephen Fulton’s Twitter Account

Fulton has had the nickname “Scooter” for some time but on the belt of his trunks you can see “Cool Boy Steph”. He’s been in camp with former WBA Super World Featherweight and now interim WBO World Featherweight champion Carl “The Jackal” Frampton in the UK helping him get ready for his last fight against Nonito Donaire in April of this year.

Fulton is a “classic Philly boxer” who will been turning 24 in July. Of his twelve wins he defeated five unbeaten opponents in his last six fights. His upcoming bout June 16th will be on the undercard of IBF World Welterweight champion Errol Spence, Jr. and Carlos Ocampo at the Ford Center at the Star, in Frisco, Texas, on USA Showtime in Fulton’s first ten round bout.

Fulton’s next opponent will be Mexico’s Jesus “La cobra” Ahumada, 14-1, with 9 stoppages making his US debut. After four bouts at four rounds Fulton had six bouts at six rounds before his last two bouts at eight rounds. He hasn’t fought since December of 2017 in Hialeah, FL, winning a majority decision over Adam “Bluenose” Lopez, then 8-0, who has won two fights since his loss to Fulton.

Fulton also won a majority four round decision over Joshua Greer, Jr., in 2015 and came off the canvas to stop Adalberto Zorrilla, 6-0, in the fourth of a scheduled 6 in 2016. This will be Fulton’s ninth Spanish opponent. In 2017 along with the win over Lopez he defeated Luis Rosario, 8-0-1, over 8 rounds at the Sands Casino in Bethlehem, PA. Nine of his twelve wins have been in PA.

Fulton turned professional in October of 2014 on the undercard of IBF World Super Featherweight champion Rances Bathelemy’s defense against Fernando Saucedo at Foxwoods Resorts, Mashantucket, CT, stopping Issac Badger in two rounds. Fulton had wins in each of the next three months defeating Damen Wood in November, Benjamin Burgos in December and Eric Gotay in January. He had four more fights that year but in 2016 and 2017 he only fought twice each year.

“I could make 122 but it seems I can get more fights at featherweight so I will stay there for now,” said Fulton. He is looking very sharp in the gym and definitely one to “keep an eye on!”

On Saturday Fulton will be seeking his thirteenth win on the undercard of the IBF World welterweight champion Errol Spence, Jr., 23-0 (20), defending his title against Mexican Carlos Ocampo, 22-0 (13) card at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. Fulton will be in his first 10 round bout taking on Jesus “La cobra” Ahumada, 14-1 (9), of Sonorea, MEX, on USA Showtime promoted by Tom Brown’s TGB Promotions.

Posted on 05/10/2018

By: Ken Hissner

When will the PA Boxing Director learn you cannot have two boxing events on the same night like he did December 1st? 2300 Arena in South Philly is sold out per Will Ruiz of Hard Hitting Promotions with co-promoter Greg Cohen Promotions Showtime event Friday at Front & Oregon. At SugarHouse Casino Marshall Kauffman’s Kings Promotions are on 1001 Delaware Avenue.

Photo Credit: Devin Haney Twitter Account

The main event at 2300 has Devin “The Dream” Haney, 18-0 (12), of Las Vegas, NV, taking on Mason “Rock Hard Mighty” Menard, 33-2 (24), of Rayne, LA, for the USBA Lightweight Title over 10 rounds. At the Press Conference Wednesday Haney was there but Menard a no show. Doors open at 6:30 and First Bout at 7:15.

Showtime will have four of the eight bouts aired starting at 9pm. The co-feature has Super Bantamweight Joshua “Don’t Blink” Greer, Jr., 16-1 (8), taking on Glenn Dezurn, Jr., 9-1-1 (6), of Baltimore, MD, in a 10 round bout
Light Heavyweight Alvin “Iron Majik” Varmall 15-0-1 (12), of Catskill, NY,takes on Charles Foster, 15-0 (8), of New Haven, CT, in a 8 round bout. Super Bantamweight Adam “Mantequilla” Lopez, 16-2-2 (8), of San Antonio, TX, takes on Arnold “Ami” Khegai, 11-0-1 (8), of Odessa, UKR, over 8 rounds. They are the four Showtime bouts.

Four Philadelphia boxers in 6 round bouts will fill out the card with Lightweight southpaw Jeremy “King” Cuevas, 8-0 (6), of Philly, taking on Hector Marengo, 7-11-4 (4), of Arecibo, PR. Lightweight Branden “The Gift” Pizarro, 9-1 (4), of Philly, taking on Israel “Isra” Villela, 6-9 (2), of Cancun, MEX. Light Heavyweight David ‘One-Two” Murray, 7-1-1 (6), of Philly, taking on Craig “Danger” Duncan, 10-1-1 (8), of Apopka, FL. Opening the show will be the return of Milton “El Santo” Santiago, 16-0 (3), of Philly, after 18 months taking on Jorge L Munguia, 13-11 (5), of Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

At the press conference were Haney, Greer, Dezurn, Varmall, Lopez, Cuevas, Murray, Duncan and Santiago. “This will be my sixth appearance tying a record on Showtime. Thank God, my team, my dad, Hard Hitting and Greg Cohen. Come Friday I want to show them I’m up there with those at the top,” said Haney. “Thank God, I have a pillow for Dezurn to put him to sleep on,” said Greer. “I want to thank my coach, parents and am looking forward for a great fight and to put another guy to sleep bringing Showtime back to Philly,” said Cuevas.

At the SugarHouse Casino in the main event will be Super Lightweight Mykal “The Professor” Fox, 16-0 (4), of Forestville, MD, taking on Anthony Mercado, 11-3 (10), of Arecibo, PR, over 8 rounds. Eleven Sports will cover the event. There will be seven other bouts with a pair of 6 rounder’s and 6 bouts at 4 rounds.

Returning to the ring after 21 months is “The Fighting Ring Announcer” Super Bantamweight Alex Barbosa, 5-3-1 (1), of Philly. The rest of the undercard has Bantamweight’s Romuel Cruz, Jerrod Miner and Desmond Moore of Philly. Also, Super Featherweight’s Joshafat Ortiz of Reading and Jordan “The Kidd” Peters, of D.C., Heavyweight Michael Polite Coffie, of NY. Lightweight Thomas Mattice, 11-0 (9), of Cleveland, OH, was added this week.

Doors open at 6pm and Starting time for first bout is 7pm.

Posted on 04/18/2018

By: Ken Hissner

We all know there are at least 1500-3000 boxing fans that will attend a boxing event in Philly. Two 1000-1500 facilities can be filled on a given night there. On April 28th the Peltz Boxing promotion at a 5,000 seat facility with a co-feature in itself that would fill one of these small venues like SugarHouse Casino or 2300 Arena, will they fill the Liacouras Center on the Temple University facility?

On December 1st of 2017 Boxing Director Greg Sirb “made the decision” to have two events in Philly on the same night. The writers were wondering “which one should I cover?” I told Marshall Kauffman who was promoting at the 2300 Arena “wherever Christian Carto fights I will be there” knowing both his King’s Promotions and Manny Rivera’s Hard Hitting Promotions who was at the SugarHouse Casino have had Carto on their events. He came back and knowing Carto would be at the SugarHouse said “I’m having “Boots” Ennis on my show, whom I feel is the best prospect out of Philly since 1984 Olympian Meldrick Taylor, I told him it didn’t make a difference. For “Boots” can finish an opponent within 3 minutes whereas Carto wares them down with his boxing ability until he lowers the boom on them while “Boots” is in a hurry to get it over with. So I’d rather see 5-8 rounds of Carto than 3 minutes of Boots even though the latter is a more skilled boxer in my opinion and Carto a more exciting one. Obviously that night I went to the SugarHouse Casino to see Carto.

Now, Hard Hitting co-promoting with Greg Cohen Promotions will be at the 2300 Arena that can’t compare with the SugarHouse Casino for parking or a better area. One of my concerns is that the promoter’s show I don’t go to will not be pleased with me though going to the better overall show comes first. Of course Sirb will be at the 2300 Arena since Showtime will be there and that is also a concern to rather be at the show he isn’t.

Hard Hitting has only had one bad show while having the reputation of competitive fights. Not that King’s doesn’t have competitive shows because they do. Both promotions have good competitive matchmaking.

Both events have out of town main events which will not be known to the average fan. Having just finished an article today on Mykal Fox who will be in the main event at SugarHouse and ring announcer Alex Barbosa “making a comeback” there will influence me, Jeremy Cuevas and David Murray will be at the 2300 Arena which also interests me. Both main events should give the main boxer in Devin Haney and Mykal Fox a challenge if not more.

I’m sure Philadelphia area PA commissioner Rudy Battles doesn’t know about the double in one night show like he didn’t about the December 1st event until I contacted him, why does he allow Sirb to make these decisions knowing he (Battles) doesn’t approve of this? Sirb hates the Press, especially this writer, so he could care less how we feel.

In the meantime Carto will be on the Peltz Boxing show April 28th and who knows where “Boots” will show up after winning his 19th fight in 24 months Saturday in Va? Of Course Chris Middendorf who has promoted his fights along with manager Cameron Dunkin make those decisions. With 2300 Arena having 6 fights and SugarHouse having 7 fights it allows either to add one more fight. If “Boots” ends up anywhere it will probably be the 2300 Arena though the chances of being on Showtime considering the undercard would be of interest since he probably would have his fight shown. But then Middendorf’s Victory Promotions may do a show of their own since Middendorf has just informed this writer “it’s time to step up the competition and get “Boots” into the ratings”. It may not be long before he steals the spotlight from former champion Danny “Swift” Garcia or stable mate “The New” Ray Robinson. But that’s another one of those “wait and see moments!”

Posted on 04/17/2018

By: Ken Hissner

In covering a Marshall Kauffman King’s Promotions show Friday night at the Bethlehem Sands Event Center I met Mykal Fox and unbeaten 6:03½ Super Lightweight with a 16-0 (4), record who will be the Main Event May 11th at the SugarHouse Casino in Philadelphia. King’s Promotions will promote this while in another part of Philadelphia the Boxing Director Greg Sirb did it again! Greg Cohen Promotions and Hard Hitting Promotions will be at the 2300 Arena in South Philly via Showtime with David Haney against Mason Menard in the Main Event. Sirb approved of two shows December 1st at the same two facilities. That was a “writer’s nightmare” because you get one of the promoters upset if you don’t go to their show.

Getting back to Fox he told me “I was 40-60 in the amateurs”. I asked if he meant 40-6? He repeated 40-60. “I wasn’t that dedicated,” he said. No kidding! But, what a turn around. He has another brother that also boxes.

“My dad Troy is my trainer. My brother Alantez (“Sly Aza, 23-1-1 (11), middleweight). Reggie Brown is my cut man,” said Fox. I knew about his brother who has had a good career so far. He lost for the first time in his last fight to Demitrius Andrade, 24-0, in November of 2017, but had him down in the 7th round.

“My brother always was my biggest supporter and my best training partner. We push each other regularly,” said Fox. His brother is 26 while the younger brother is 22. Mykal turned pro in April of 2014 while his older brother turned pro July of 2010. It wasn’t until July 18th in 2015 that they fought on the same show with his brother scoring a 1st round KO and Mykal winning a 6 round decision. It’s been the only time on the same card.

I asked him about some of his tougher opponents.

“Claudinei Lucerda, 16-13-1, who actually fought at 154 and dropped to 140 but his punching power came with him. In the first round he hit me with some hard body shots. Tre’Sean Wiggins, 7-2, was another power puncher but he also had very quick hands.

Alejandro Reyes, 11-3-1, was another. I went up a weight class to face him. He was an aggressive action fighter true to Mexican style. Ricardo Garcia, 14-1, was an awkward fighter and I know I lost the first two rounds against him,” said Fox.

In Fox’s first three years he fought a total of four fights each year. In 2017 he only had three fights. He has one fight this year and the other on May 11th scheduled. Kauffman will keep him busy. On his November 21st fight he won the vacant Universal Boxing Federation (UBF) All America Welterweight title though only weighing 143 which has been his highest weight so far when he defeated Manuel Alejandro Reyes.

Fox will have a tough opponent in his May bout in Anthony Mercado, 11-3 (10), from Arecibo, PR. He won his first 7 fight by KO and followed with three more wins. Then dropped two bouts before winning his most recent one in March when his opponent Tyrone Crawly, Jr., 7-0, hurt his hand and couldn’t come out after 3 rounds.

Fox’s first 10 fights were in Ft. Washington or Washington, MD. On June 28th of 2016 he finally fought out of MD at the Sands Bethlehem Event Center winning all six rounds over Jose M. Valderrama, 5-13. He returned to this facility in November defeated Reyes over 10 rounds and in February defeating Garcia over 8 rounds.

In Fox’s debut he defeated David Ruiz who was also in his debut. In his 5th fight he was in his first 6 rounder defeating Luis Rodriguez, 3-1. He has also defeated Juan Carlos Castillo, 4-2, Adam Mate, 18-6, Sommer Martin, 5-2, Juan Rodriguez, 6-5-1, and Daniel Sostre, 13-12-1, among those opponents with winning records.

It looks like the younger Fox has a bright future though not a real good puncher. But, with that height advantage he should be able to out box his opponents. Mercado will be a good test on May 11th at the SugarHouse Casino in Philadelphia.

Posted on 04/13/2018

By: Ken Hissner

Former Philadelphia WBA World Bantamweight Champion “Joltin” Jeff Chandler was 13-0-1 with 4 knockouts after his first 14 fights. His fourteenth fight was his first 10 rounder.

In comparison Philadelphia’s 21 year-old Christian Carto is 14-0 with 11 knockouts and a former 2014 and 2015 National Golden Gloves Champion. He’s also been the main event boxer on three shows. Starting August 11th, September 29th and March 2nd.

Photo Credit: Darryl Cobb, Jr.

On April 28th he will be fighting for the same promoter Chandler had who is IBHOF promoter J Russell Peltz of Peltz Boxing. The bout will take place at the Liacouras Center in North Philadelphia which is the home base for the Temple University Owls basketball team. It is also where both Peltz and his assistant matchmaker Brittany Rodgers graduated from.

Peltz is known to give the fans what they want and put’s on very competitive fights. Carto’s opponent will not be an exception in Edwin “Puto” Rodriguez, 9-4 (5), of Puerto Rico. He is coming off a win over Juan Carlos Camacho then 6-0 (4) in August by majority decision in Complejo Ferial, Ponce, PR, over 6 rounds. In his previous loss he lost a split decision over 10 rounds to Jose Alfredo Rodriguez, then 31-4 (19), at the ABC Sports Complex in Springfield, VA, to win the UBF All America Super Flyweight title. He has a knockout win over Puerto Rico’s Carlos Rodriguez who was 12-1 at the time for the WBA Fedecentro Super Flyweight title.

Carto is trained by former PA Golden Gloves Champion Mickey Rosati. He trains above Rosati’s Auto Repair Shop in South Philadelphia. Carto’s manager is his brother Frankie Jr. who was a PA Novice champion. In this writer’s conversations with Frankie it’s like talking to an old time manager. For someone so young and inexperienced you would never guess this. Rosati is one of the best young trainers in the business and having his boxing career in Philadelphia following his father’s career has really been a blessing. At the gym today I found out PAB HOF Mickey Sr. fell and fractured his pelvis and broke a hand. He is in the Methodist Hospital in South Philly and “fighting to get back home” with every doctor he encounters.

Carto turned professional on July 2, 2016 stopping Rahkeam Parker at the Santander Arena in Reading, PA. Just 20 days later he was stopping Christopher Nelson who was making his debut at the Claridge Hotel & Casino, in Atlantic City, NJ.

Carto would win 4 more fights in 2016 with 3 at the SugarHouse Casino in Philadelphia and 2 at the Liacouras Center where his next bout will be held. He would have a total of 7 fights at the SugarHouse Casino, 1 each at the Fillmore and 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Tropicana Hotel & Casino as well as the previously mentioned Claridge making it 2 in Atlantic City.

Carto’s last 3 wins have be 8 round decisions over Mexico’s Alonso Melendez, 14-1, Mexico’s Luis Fernando Saavedra, 7-3 and James Smith 12-1 of Detroit, MI. It wasn’t until his last fight against Smith that one of the judges had an opponent winning a round.

KEN HISSNER: Do you know anything about your next opponent Edwin Rodriguez?

CHRISTIAN CARTO & MICKEY ROSATI: We’ve seen several films on him. He looks more like a boxer than a slugger.

FRANKIE CARTO: We have seen enough films on Rodriguez to know that he will be a tough test for Christian even though he is coming up a couple of pounds from his usual weight.

KEN HISSNER: Do you feel you have learned more from winning your last 3 fights by 8 round decisions than your first 11 bouts by stoppages all within 5 rounds?

CHRISTIAN CARTO: I believe I am learning and improving with each fight.

MICKEY ROSATI: We work on new stuff and he adjusts so good it’s amazing how quick he picks things up.

KEN HISSNER: This will be your third time fighting at Temple University’s the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia. Is there much difference than fighting in smaller venues?

CHRISTIAN CARTO: I don’t notice the crowd so the size of the facility or crowd doesn’t matter to me.

KEN HISSNER: You have fought for promoters Hard Hitting Promotions, King’s Promotions and now Peltz Boxing in association with Top Rank Boxing. Do you and your brother Frankie feel it’s good so that you can evaluate them?

CHRISTIAN CARTO: My brother Frankie takes care of all of this.

FRANKIE CARTO: We evaluate them and all have helped Christian’s career which is important in a young career. This keeps him in the gym. He will be having his fifteenth fight next month in twenty-two months since turning professional in July of 2016.

KEN HISSNER: What is the weight set at for the fight with Edwin Rodridguez knowing he is a super flyweight?

CHRISTIAN CARTO: The weight is set at 118 give or take a pound.

KEN HISSNER: Who was your amateur trainer?

CHRISTIAN CARTO: Tony Brisani who also trained Mickey (Rosati) in the beginning. Then Mickey came in from that point and for all my professional fights.

KEN HISSNER: Would you say sparring with Manny Folly also out of Philly who is 10-0 has been as tough as any of your opponents?

CHRISTIAN CARTO: Manny gives me the best sparring I could get and he is as good as my opponents have been.

KEN HISSNER: Who have you sparred with in preparing you for this upcoming fight?

CHRISTIAN CARTO: I just finished sparring with Stephen “Scooter” Felton (12-0 Philly Featherweight).

KEN HISSNER: Have you signed a promotional contract as of yet?

CHRISTIAN CARTO: No.

KEN HISSNER: In your last bout you had your first main event fight. In the one coming up you will be on a card with a world title bout, a pair of 10 rounder’s and be one of the four 8 rounder’s but on a much larger stage and on ESPN. Can you compare the two without yet experiencing it?

CHRISTIAN CARTO: It is exciting on the same card with some good people.

KEN HISSNER: I believe I have covered all your 14 bouts and have to say you are probably the most exciting to watch because you come with the “full package” of boxing skills and punching power. Do you feel the fans expect a knockout since your first eleven fights ended that way?

CHRISTIAN CARTO: I feel I am getting better with each fight. I know it’s a learning process going from the amateurs to the professionals.

KEN HISSNER: I want to thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule preparing for your upcoming fight on April 28th.

CHRISTIAN CARTO: Anytime.

Posted on 04/09/2018

By: Ken Hissner

Philadelphia was a hot bed for boxing back in the 1970’s especially in the middleweight division. Out of own boxers would come in to test the water. Two of them that were schooled in Philly that went onto become world champions were “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler and Eddie Mustapha Muhammad aka then Eddie Gregory.

Let’s start with Hagler, who was 25-0-1, when he came to the city of “Brotherly Shove” at the Spectrum on March 13, 1976, losing a somewhat disputed majority decision to Bobby “Boogaloo” Watts, 27-3-1. All of Hagler’s Philly fights were promoted by J Russell Peltz’s Peltz Boxing.

Several months late on March 9, 1976 Hagler returned to fight a “different” Willie “The Worm” Monroe, 31-3-1, who was then being trained by future IBHOF trainer George Benton for his second fight. Monroe was no longer a runner but stood in front of you like Benton did as a boxer slipping and countering. This writer was in attendance that night and it looked like by the second round Hagler’s nose reminded me if memory serves me right like “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer”. Whether it was broken or not I do not know.

In September 14, 1976, Hagler returned to Philly to face their knockout artists Eugene “Cyclone” Hart, 30-6-1 with 28 knockouts. Hagler was ahead on all three scorecards when Hart was stopped in the eighth round.

This writer remembers seeing Monroe at a weigh-in with a cast on his I believe left hand sitting there. I asked “I hear you are having a rematch with Hagler in Boston” how come? “I beat him before didn’t I?” Well, like that old saying “watch what you ask for” and Monroe was stopped in the twelfth and final round for the vacant North American title.

Later that year on August 23rd Hagler and Monroe would have their rubber match back at Philly’s Spectrum with Hagler stopping Monroe in the second round.

Almost a year to the day on August 24, 1978, Hagler returned to face “Bad” Bennie Briscoe, 60-16-5, with 50 knockouts. I recall after defeating Briscoe Hagler went onto comment on how tough Briscoe was. It would be a little over two years when Hagler got his first title fight ending in a disputed draw against Vito Antuofermo, 45-3-1, in Las Vegas. A fight he should have gotten the decision. Antuofermo would lose his title in his next back to back fights with Alan Minter.

While Minter and Antuofermo were fighting one another Hagler got a rematch with Watts in Portland, Oregon, stopping Watts in the second round in April of 1980. Two fights later on September 27, 1980, Hagler traveled to the Wembly Stadium, in the UK, to stop Minter on facial cuts in the third round with a riot following the fight.

In Hagler’s second title fight he stopped Antuofermo in June of 1981. Two years after that he stopped “Caveman” Lee from Philly who was a member of the Kronk Team in the first round.

Now, let’s take a look at Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, 6-0, when he made his Philly debut on September 24, 1973 scoring a first round knockout over Philly’s Elwood Townsend, 3-6-2. J Russell Peltz told this writer he promoted the Townsend, Smith and Briscoe fights that Mustafa had in Philly. Almost a year later on August 26, 1974, in New York, he knocked out Hart in 4 rounds.

On January 14, 1975, Mustafa returned to the Spectrum knocking out Philly’s Steven Smith, 15-4, in 4 rounds. On April 28 he returned to the Philly Arena knocking out Don Cobbs, 25-12-1, of St. Louis. On June 16th he stopped Lenny Harden, 14-4, from nearby Philly suburb of Coatesville.

On August 18, 1975, Muhammad took on Briscoe, 51-14-2, at the Spectrum losing by split decision. On July 14, 1976, he returned to Philly’s Convention Hall to stop Lee Barber, 9-3-1, of Detroit in the fourth round.

On March 11, of 1977 Muhammad would take on Philly’s Matthew Saad Muhammad, 13-2-2, at the Philly Arena to take a split decision win. Later that year on November 20th he would get a title fight losing a disputed decision to Victor Galindez, 47-6-4, for his WBA Light Heavyweight title in Italy. He got knocked down in the fifth round which seemed to make the difference in the scoring losing by a point on two cards and by two points on the other. Galindez would lose his title less than a year later to Philly trained Mike “The Jewish Bomber” Rossman from Turnersville, NJ.

Muhammad would go onto win thirteen of his next fourteen fights only losing to James Scott at the Rahway State Prison. On March 31, 1980, he would win the WBA Light Heavyweight title stopping Marvin Johnson. His first defense was against Philly’s Jerry “The Bull” Martin, 19-1, who he stopped in the tenth round.

After Muhammad lost his title to Olympic Gold Medalist Michael Spinks in July of 1981 he would return to Philly one more time defeating Pablo Paul Ramos, 20-3-1, at the Spectrum.

Posted on 04/08/2018

By: Ken Hissner

At the 2300 Arena in South Philly Friday night Marshall Kauffman’s King’s Promotions put Upper Darby (Philly) Super Middleweight Brandon Robinson in his first Main Event against Oscar Rojas, of Monterrey, MEX, with six additional fights on the undercard.

In the Main Event Super Middleweight Brandon Robinson, 10-1 (7), of Upper Darby, PA, defeated southpaw Oscar Rojas, 16-9-1 (5), of Monterrey, MEX, over 8 interesting rounds.

In the first round a right from Robinson on the southpaw Rojas chin dropped him. Referee Dali administered the 8 count. Rojas was up boxing out of trouble. Robinson couldn’t put him away allowing Rojas to get through the round. He was warned in the last ten seconds for throwing Rojas back toward the ropes. In the second round smaller Rojas who was obviously overmatched tried keeping his hands high to avoid the right hand of Robinson. Rojas managed to once again get through the round as Robinson seemed content to just out jabbing his shorter opponent.

In the third round it was Rojas backing up Robinson with a jab and body work. Rojas spread his arms as if to say “is that all you got?” Robinson came in with a solid right to the mid-section of Rojas. Just prior to the bell they clashed heads causing the referee to give them a minute rest with a little more than ten seconds left in the round.

In the fourth round Rojas landed a 3-punch combination while Robinson missed with a countering right. Robinson was warned for a low blow by referee Dali. Rojas landed a lead left to the body followed by a right to the body of Robinson. It looked like Rojas finally won a round. In the fifth round Robinson slipped to the canvas as both fighters tied each other up. Robinson landed a solid right to the chin of Rojas making him stumble back several steps. Rojas came right back with a flurry making Robinson cover up. Once again Rojas taunted Robinson who landed a punch as the bell sounded to the chin of Rojas.

In the sixth round Robinson landed a hard right to the chin of Rojas getting his attention. Again Robinson got in several rights to the chin getting the crowd back into the fight. Rojas stood his ground daring Robinson to come in. Robinson came in landing a good left hook to the head of Rojas. It was a big round for Robinson.

In the seventh round it was Rojas driving Robinson into the ropes only to be rocked with a Robinson left hook to the head. Robinson landed a lead right to the chin of Rojas that seemed to have little effect. Rojas shortly afterwards complaining of Robinson hitting him behind the head. In the eighth and final round Rojas came out looking to pull the fight out being well behind but Robinson was waiting for him hurting Rojas with a right uppercut to the body. Robinson was warned for a low blow by referee Dali. Rojas again was chasing Robinson looking for that one big punch. Robinson was doing little in return until Rojas landed several jabs with Robinson coming back with a right uppercut to the body. Rojas did well going the distance and making things interesting for the crowd.

Judge Hill had it 78-71 while Potaraj and Weissfeld 77-72 as did this writer for the winner.

In the Co-feature Super Bantamweight Marcus Bates, 8-1-1 (7), of Wash. D.C. lost to Raeese Aleem, 11-0 (5), of Las Vegas, NV, over 8 rounds.

In the first round it was Aleem dropping Bates with a combination having referee Shawn Clark administer the 8 count. Aleem hurt Bates again with a right to the chin almost dropping him but Bates survived the round. In the second round Bates worked his way back into the fight holding his own. In the third round Bates switched to southpaw stopping the aggressive punches by Aleem before going back to orthodox. Bates was countering well but Aleem got the better of the exchanges.

In the fourth and fifth rounds Bates fought his way back into the fight but still well behind. In the sixth round Bates hurt Aleem with a solid right to the chin. It was even through the round with Bates finally winning one. In the seventh and eighth rounds both fighters fought tooth and nail with Aleem pulling out a lopsided but interesting win.

Judges Weissfeld and Page had it 79-72 and Poturaj 80-71. This writer had it 79-72.

Heavyweight Colby “Braveheart” Madison, 6-0-2 (4), and Guillermo Del Rio, 2-2-1 (2), of Houston, TX, battled to a majority draw over 6 rounds.

In the first round the much bigger Madison (248 to 198) kept coming forward against the much smaller Del Rio hurting him with a left hook to the head driving him into the ropes. Del Rio held his own in the punch total but the difference was big. In the second round a lead overhand right from Madison rocked Del Rio. Del Rio showed a big heart even taking it to Madison and at the halfway mark landed a right to the head. Then seconds later a left to the head of Del Rio from Madison stunned him in a very good round for the fans.

In the third round it was Madison backing up from body punches from a smaller Del Rio who continued going to the body with a flurry of punches. Del Rio went to the head of Madison with an overhand right. Just prior to the bell Del Rio landed a good left hook to the head of Madison. It was a very good round for Del Rio. In the fourth round it was Del Rio backing up Madison landing overhand rights to the head. Del Rio landed a combination to the body followed by a right to the head of Madison. It was a good round for Del Rio.

In the fifth round Madison came out throwing bombs with a right to the head of Del Rio hurting him. Madison had Del Rio in a neutral corner until a Del Rio left hook stopped Madison in his tracks until the bell. The fans are cheering for the little guy Del Rio who is pushing Madison backwards. Again it was a Del Rio round. In the sixth and final round Del Rio pushed forward out hitting the bigger Madison. Madison finally landed a left hook to the head of Del Rio. Though the bout sheet said it was a 4 rounder the fight was changed to a 6 rounder. Madison is a King’s fighter and was landing well with left hooks hurting Del Rio. When the fight ended it looked like a draw to this writer.

Judge Hill had it 58-56 for Madison while judges Weissfeld and Hill scored it 57-57 as did this writer.

Welterweight Rasheed “Sugar” Johnson, 3-2 (1), of Willow Grove, PA, suffered a mild upset losing a split decision to Denis Okoth, 2-0-1 (1), of Siaya, Kenya, over 4 rounds.

In the first round Okoth was the aggressor as Johnson back pedaled using his long jab. Okoth seemed the much stronger of the two. In the second round Johnson was caught by an Okoth right while Johnson was pulling back with his head up in the air. Johnson landed a combination to the body while they were in the middle of the ring. Johnson had a superior jab that he was using for the most part in the round. In the final ten seconds of the round Johnson landed a good right to the body but was countered by a left hook from Okoth to the chin at the bell. It was a very close round that could have been scored either way.

In the third round Johnson was quite effective landing with the jab but was caught by two rights on the chin from Okoth. Johnson’s jab for the most part was giving Okoth fit’s by the end of the round making him miss more than he was landing. It was a good round for Johnson. In the fourth and final round Okoth pinned Johnson into a neutral corner landing a flurry of punches. Okoth knowing he was the visitor was going for the knockout. With half a minute left in the round a Johnson right on the chin hurt Okoth. It was a close round.

Judge Weissfeld had it 40-36 for Okoth, judge Page 39-37 for Johnson and judge Potaraj had it 39-37 for Okoth. This writer had it 38-38. The referee was Dali and in the corner of Johnson was Rasheem Brown.

In an all Philadelphia bout former National Golden Glove Champion southpaw Welterweight Poindexter “Savage” Knight, 3-0 (2), went the distance for the first time in his young career but was quite impressive in defeating southpaw Vincent Floyd, 3-5-1 (2), winning all 4 rounds despite a fast beginning by Floyd.

In the first round Floyd landed a hard left uppercut hurting Pointdexter making him hold on for the better part of the following 30 seconds. By the midway point of the round it was Pointdexter having Floyd against the ropes in a typical all Philly brawl. Suddenly a left followed by a right and down went Floyd taking the 8 count from referee Shawn Clark. In the second round Pointdexter rushed out attacking Floyd and pinning Floyd against the ropes. The fans were really into this fight from the opening bell with both being from Philly. Pointdexter drew blood from the nose of Floyd by the end of the round.

In the third round Floyd tried working his way back into the fight stalking an elusive Pointdexter who seemed to bait Floyd into a trap countering him well. It was a very close round but Floyd fell short of taking it. In the fourth and final round Floyd sensing he needed a knockout was throwing leather but Pointdexter equaled him punch for punch and putting him against the ropes. Pointdexter proved to be a very smooth defensive boxer making Floyd miss while counter punching making Floyd miss while countering him well.

All three judges Weissfeld, Hill and Poturaj had it 40-35 as did this writer for the winner. Trainer Raul “Chino” Rivas was in the winner’s corner. “He’s working on new stuff and getting better and better. I have high hopes for him,” said manager David McWater. (McWater has become one of the best manager in the country and possibly having the biggest stable of boxers)
Puerto Rico’s Lightweight Joshafat Ortiz, 3-0 (1), of Reading, PA, defeated Bulgaria’s Evgueny Metchenov, 0-2 (0), of Gaithersburg MD, over 4 interesting rounds.

In the first round in the “battle of the beards” Ortiz seemed quicker as both fighters exchanged left hooks to the body. Ortiz landed an overhand right to the side of the head of Metchenov. Carrying his left low Ortiz landed the final punch of the round landing another right to the chin of Metchenov. In the second round Metchenov kept coming forward but was catching punches by the countering Ortiz who was much quicker a hand and foot. Metchenov pinned Ortiz against the ropes landing several rights to the chin of Ortiz. Ortiz came back bloodying the nose of Metchenov winning the round by a wide margin.

In the fourth and final round Ortiz showboated a bit with both hands to his side outworking Metchenov whose face showed the marks of the battle. The fans got into it around the halfway point of the round as both fighters were letting it all hang out.

All three judges Page, Hill and Poturaj had it 40-36 for the winner while this writer had it 39-36 for the winner.

In the opening bout of the night in an all Philadelphia Light Heavyweight bout Kendall Cannida, 2-0 (0), was credited with a knockdown as Carlos Villanueva, 0-1 (0), was sitting on the ropes receiving an 8 count from referee over 4 rounds.

In the opening round it was a feeling out round of jabs until the sound of the ten second warning from the gavel of the timekeeper when both fighters opened up. In the second round the smaller Cannida pressed the action until he ran into a Vellanueva right to the chin. Cannida landed a solid left hook to the chin of Vellanueva while he was against the ropes and followed with a right and left to the head as the round ended.

In the third round Cannida started out southpaw until Villanueva landed a hard jab to the chin that turned him back to orthodox. Cannida pinned Villanueva against the ropes with a solid right to the head. Cannida walked into a left hook to the head and went wild causing swelling under the right eye of Villanueva as the round ended.
In the fourth and final round Villanueva got more aggressive having lost the last two rounds landing a solid combination to the head of Cannida. With about 20 seconds left in the fight Cannida put Villanueva into the ropes forcing referee Dali to administer the standing 8 count angering Villanueva as he tried pushing his way back at Cannida as the bell sounded.
All three judges Weissfeld, Page and Hill along with this writer had it 39-36 for the winner. In the corner for Villanueva were Bill Briscoe and his son Billy Jr. In the other corner was Chuckie Mills with Cannida.

King’s Promotion’s Marshall Kauffman it was announced by always improving young former boxer and now ring announcer Alex Barbosa that in a week they are promoting another event at the Sands Event Center in Bethlehem, PA, featuring Readings Frank DeAlba on the 13th. President of the World Boxing Foundation James Gibbs presented Philly boxer Christopher Brooker with a championship belt from a previous fight in February with Jamaal Davis.

Posted on 04/06/2018

By: Ken Hissner

At the 2300 Arena in South Philly Friday night Marshall Kauffman’s King’s Promotions put Upper Darby (Philly) Super Middleweight Brandon Robinson in his first Main Event when he meets Oscar Riojas, of Monterrey, MEX, with six additional fights on the undercard. King’s will return to Sands Event Center in Bethlehem, PA, on April 13th.

In the Main Event Super Middleweight Brandon Robinson, 9-1 (7), of Upper Darby, PA, at 167.3 lbs meets Oscar Riojas, 16-8-1 (5), of Monterrey, MEX, at 168.8 lbs over 8 rounds.

In the Co-feature Super Bantamweight Marcus Bates, 8-0-1 (7), of Wash. D.C. at 122.9 lbs meets Raeese Aleem, 10-0 (5), of Las Vegas, NV, at 121.9 lbs over 8 rounds.

Heavyweight Colby “Braveheart” Madison, 6-0-1 (4), at 247.9 lbs meets Guillermo Del Rio, 2-2 (2), of Houston, TX, at 198.9 lbs over 4 rounds.

Welterweight Rasheed Johnson, 3-1 (1), of Willow Grove, PA, at 147.3 meets Denis Okoth, 1-0-1 (1), of Siaya, Kenya, at 143.9 over 4 rounds.

In an all Philadelphia bout Welterweight Poindexter Knight, 2-0 (2), 149.3 lbs meets Vincent Floyd, 3-4-1 (2), at 148.3 over 4 rounds.

Puerto Rico’s Lightweight Joshafat Ortiz, 2-0 (1), of Reading, PA, 131.5 lbs meets Bulgaria’s Evgueny Metchenov, 0-1 (0), of Gaithersburg MD, at 130.7 lbs over 4 rounds.

In an all Philadelphia Light Heavyweight bout Kendall Cannida, 1-0 (0), at 178.1 lbs meets Carlos Villenueva, 0-0 (0), at 173.2 lbs over 4 rounds.