RSSBantamweight
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Power, Napa to Rematch in November
Nearly two years to the date after Martin Power claimed a hotly disputed points decision to retain the British title over Ian Napa, he steps back into the fray to try and regain a title he never lost in the square ring on Friday, November 30, at the Newham Leisure Centre in London, England.
This is one of the most eagerly awaited rematches for a British title and continues a line of eagerly contested domestic title fights promoted by Frank Maloney, which has seen fight fans appreciate the return to traditional boxing.
In the last meeting between Power and Napa, held at York Hall in November, 2005, two judges voted 116-113 for Power while one judge saw it 116-113 for Napa.
Since that fight, Napa, 15-6 (1), lost a European title bid on points but then won the British belt in July of this year before claiming his first stoppage win in a 21 fight career against Lee Haskins last month.
Power, 19-2 (8), has had changing fortunes as well, as the previously undefeated Londoner suffered two convincing losses, both stoppages, by the world ranked Commonwealth bantamweight champion Tshifhiwa Munyai, who will also be appearing on the card, looking to push his claim for a world title.
Continue reading "Power, Napa to Rematch in November"
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Borkhorsor and the Bantamweights of the Early 70s
There was a good little southpaw out of Thailand in the early 1970s named Venice Borkhorsor. He won the flyweight title and then met Rafael Herrera for the bantamweight title. It was a war! Borkhorsor built up a big lead but Herrera came on down the stretch to pull out a disputed decision and retain his title. Herrera looked like the loser as his eyes were battered and almost closed. As my friend Ted “The Bull” Sares refers to these kinds of fights… It was a “closet classic”. Borkhorsor would later challenge Rodolfo Martinez who had dethroned Herrera. Venice lost what was considered a close but legitimate decision to the under rated Martinez… Herrera and Martinez were fine fighters who bridged the gap between all time greats Ruben Olivares and Carlos Zarate in the bantamweight division. They are often overlooked historically because of this but they were very capable champions in their own right. In fact Herrera held two wins over the outstanding Olivares. Quite an accomplishment. It’s too bad because of a few year difference we missed potential “Super Bouts” between Olivares and Zarate or could you imagine a prime Ruben versus Wilfredo Gomez? Such a shame…
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Rodriguez Signs With 8 Count
Chicago’s 8 Count Productions has signed bantamweight prospect Francisco Rodriguez to an exclusive promotional contract, it was announced today by Dominic Pesoli, President of 8 Count Productions.
The 23 year old Rodriguez, born and raised in Chicago, sports a record of 8-1 with six knockouts. His illustrious amateur career includes a first place finish at the 2001 National Championships, a third place finish at the 2000 National Championships in addition to being a five time Chicago Golden Gloves Champion.
Said Rodriguez, “I’m very happy to sign with 8 Count. Dominic does a terrific job with his fighters and events and I’m looking forward to getting back in the ring on July 13th.
I want to be a world champion from Chicago like David Diaz and I’m confident 8 Count can help me achieve that. The fans in Chicago have been terrific to me and I’m looking forward to performing in front of them. Although I haven’t fought in a while, I’ve been training diligently over the last five months and I’m in great shape.”
About future opponents, Rodriguez said, “Down the road I’d like to fight Raul Martinez. We missed each other a few times in the amateurs but I look forward to fighting him.”
Said Pesoli, ‘I’m very happy to sign Francisco, he’s a highly skilled fighter with a terrific following here in Chicago. He’s a great addition to the 8 Count roster and I look forward to working with him towards achieving his goal of world champion.”
Rodriguez is trained by his father Evaristo Rodriguez and brother Tito Rodriguez. He is managed by his brother Alex Rodriguez. Rodriguez’s ring walk is amongst the most entertaining in boxing featuring a full percussion band which fills the Chicago arenas he has fought in.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Oliver Returns to Action on May 4
USBA super bantamweight champ Mike “Machine” Oliver (18-0, 7 KO) returns to the ring Friday, May 4, when he headlines Alpha - Omega’s “Battle Zone 3” at the Mohegan Sun Arena, in Uncasville, Connecticut. The bout will be broadcast on the New England Sports Network (NESN), with Oliver’s opponent to be announced in the very near future.
It will be Oliver’s first time climbing back in the ring, since his February 16 unanimous decision victory over then unbeaten Gary Stark Jr.
The bout with Stark, which was a heavily anticipated showdown between two of the super bantamweight division’s most touted prospects, was broadcast live on ShoBox, and ended with an extremely close and controversial decision. Judges at ringside scored the bout 116-112 (twice) and 115-113, all in favor of Oliver.
The decision resulted in Stark’s promoter, Lou Dibella, voicing his disgust, while Rich Cappiello, Oliver’s promoter, boisterously defended the decision. The controversy and attention brought forth by both the fight, and the verbal aftermath, may ultimately result in the two squaring off again in the future.
Continue reading "Oliver Returns to Action on May 4"
Permalink
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Stark, McGirt Headline May 2 Card in NYC
NEW YORK - Staten Island’s Gary “Kid” Stark, Jr. (18-1, 8 KO’s) will take center stage in the main event vs. Miami’s Andres Ledesma (13-5, 8 KO’s) on Wednesday night, May 2, when DiBella Entertainment’s Broadway Boxing Presented by StubHub returns to the Grand Ballroom at Manhattan Center in New York City.
The highly anticipated undercard features DiBella Entertainment rising star James “Buddy” McGirt, Jr. (14-0, 8 KO’s) and Irish standout James Moore (10-0, 8 KO’s).
Fighting out of Staten Island, Stark has a stellar ring record of 18-1, including 8 wins by way of knockout. Stark’s one career loss was a highly controversial decision coming in his last outing on February 16th. In a USBA Super Bantamweight championship that had high energy and fast-paced action from start to finish in which both boxers fought valiantly, “Kid” lost the most controversial decision of the year to champion Mike Oliver at Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Oklahoma. Prior to the loss, Stark reeled off an impressive 18 consecutive victories.
The evening will also be highlighted by an appearance by DiBella Entertainment’s undefeated super middleweight James “Buddy” McGirt, Jr. (14-0, 8 KO’s) as he takes on Brad Austin (8-1, 5 KO’s). McGirt, the flashy southpaw and rising star, comes into the bout undefeated with six of his last eight victories coming by way of TKO. Most recently, he defeated Anthony Little with an impressive fourth round TKO on the February 17th installment of HBO’s Boxing After Dark.
Continue reading "Stark, McGirt Headline May 2 Card in NYC"
Permalink
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Marquez Stops Vazquez to Capture WBC Title
IBF/IBO bantamweight champion Rafael Marquez captured the WBC super bantamweight title with an exciting seventh-round TKO over defending champion Israel Vazquez. Photo: Tom Casino/Showtime
CARSON, Calif. – After breaking his opponent’s nose in the first round of an electrifying bout, IBF Bantamweight Champion Rafael Marquez captured the World Boxing Council (WBC) super bantamweight title by stopping defending champion Israel Vazquez at the end of the seventh round Saturday on Showtime Championship Boxing.
Vazquez asked his trainer, Freddie Roach, to stop the contest because he was having trouble breathing.
“I was able to breathe through my mouth, but I couldn’t get any air through my nose,” Vazquez said. “I couldn’t breathe. I was taking a lot of shots because of that.”
After rallying from a third-round knockdown, Marquez went toe-to-toe with Vazquez for the remainder of the non-stop action bout that lived up to its billing. At the time of the stoppage, Marquez led the battle of Mexico City, Mexico, natives 67-65 twice and 66 apiece on the scorecards. Discussions for a sequel to the “Fight of the Year” candidate already are underway.
Continue reading "Marquez Stops Vazquez to Capture WBC Title"
Permalink
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Sycuan Ringside Promotions Israel Vazquez Primed for Fight of Life Against Rafael Marquez
Can a little man defeat a naturally bigger boxer, or does the physically larger man have the advantage? Does size matter? Will this eagerly awaited confrontation, as many predicted once contracts were signed, turn out to be the Fight of the Year?
Those questions and more will be answered when Sycuan Ringside Promotions’ Israel Vazquez defends his World Boxing Council and The Ring magazine super bantamweight titles against International Boxing Federation/International Boxing Organization bantamweight champion Rafael Marquez on Saturday, March 3 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
“I think it is definitely going to be a fight of the year and I cannot wait for Saturday to get here,’’ said the exciting, crowd-pleasing Vazquez, who will enter the ring for his third title defense with a record of 41-3 with 31 knockouts. “I am looking forward to March 3. We all are.”
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Marquez-Darchinyan Quotes
IBF/IBO flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan and IBF/IBO bantamweight champion Rafael Marquez. Photo: Joe Miranda
IBF/IBO champions Rafael Marquez (bantamweight) and Vic Darchinyan (flyweight) participated in open media workouts Tuesday as they finalized preparations for their upcoming world title fights Saturday, March 3, at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
In one of the most highly anticipated match-ups in years, Marquez will step up a notch in weight and challenge WBC and The Ring 122-pound champion Israel Vazquez in the main event on Showtime Championship Boxing (9 p.m. ET/PT delayed on the west coast).
The showdown between two of boxing’s most exceptionally talented and exciting warriors at the peaks of their games will be promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, and Romanza Productions, and Sycuan Ringside Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions.
In an excellent co-feature, undefeated hard-hitting Darchinyan defends against former IBF champion and current top contender Victor Burgos.
Continue reading "Marquez-Darchinyan Quotes"
Permalink
Vazquez-Marquez on Showtime - Prediction Poll Results
In a highly anticipated battle of Mexico City-born world champions, Israel Vazquez will defend his World Boxing Council (WBC) and The Ring Magazine super bantamweight titles against International Boxing Federation (IBF)/International Boxing Organization (IBO) Bantamweight Champion Rafael Marquez in the main event on Showtime Championship Boxing (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast) Saturday, March 3, at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
So, who is going to triumph in what many expect to be the “Fight of the Year? Can a little man (Marquez) defeat a naturally bigger boxer, or does the physically larger man (Vazquez) have the advantage? Does size matter?
Of the 27 boxing reporters who participated in a SHOWTIME prediction poll, 16 picked Vazquez, 11 chose Marquez… ALL predict an explosive and dynamic fight.
Here is how they see the 12-round bout.
Continue reading "Vazquez-Marquez on Showtime - Prediction Poll Results"
Permalink
Friday, February 23, 2007
Vazquez-Marquez, Darchinyan-Burgos Quotes
Showtime continues to live up to its billing as America’s No. 1 Boxing Network as it delivers yet another incredibly compelling match-up Saturday, March, 3, 2007. In one of the most highly anticipated fights in years, Israel Vazquez will defend his WBC super bantamweight title against IBF/IBO bantamweight champion Rafael Marquez in the main event on Showtime Championship Boxing (9 p.m. ET/PT delayed on the west coast).
The showdown between two of boxing’s most exceptionally talented and exciting warriors at the peaks of their games will be promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, Sycuan Ringside Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions.
In an excellent co-feature, undefeated hard-hitting IBF/IBO flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan defends against former IBF champion and current top contender Victor Burgos.
Continue reading "Vazquez-Marquez, Darchinyan-Burgos Quotes"