RSSJuan Urango
Friday, July 27, 2007
Alvarez Headlines FNF Aug 31
HOLLYWOOD, FL – With his dominant 12 round win over rugged contender Jose Luis Cruz in June, unbeaten Shamone Alvarez showed that he was ready for prime time in the ultra-competitive welterweight division. On Friday, August 31st, ‘The Truth’ will look to build on the biggest win of his career when he defends his NABO title at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
“Shamone Alvarez is a fighter who has paid his dues in this game and now he’s ready to reap the benefits of his hard work by making a run at the world title,” said Leon Margules, Executive Director of Seminole Warriors Boxing. “This should be a great fight for the Atlantic City fans.”
Continue reading "Alvarez Headlines FNF Aug 31"
Monday, February 19, 2007
Hatton-Castillo Officially Announced for June 23
It was officially announced earlier today at a press conference in London that Ricky Hatton will defend his WBO Junior Welterweight belt against Jose Luis Castillo at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on June 23.
Both fighters are coming off of lackluster performances in which they both fought on the same card against Juan Urango and Herman Ngoudjo respectively.
Hatton made it known that he was very much looking forward to this bout:
“A lot has been said about our last performances but when you are involved in so many big fights you raise your game for a challenge—and this is a challenge to say the least,” Hatton said Monday. “When I beat Kostya Tszyu I beat one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world and Jose undoubtedly falls into that category as well,” Hatton said. “You become a great fighter by fighting great fighters and Jose is one of them.”
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Sunday, January 21, 2007
Hatton, Castillo Win in Lackluster Fashion
Both Ricky Hatton and Jose Luis Castillo were victorious on Saturday night but they both backed into their wins, showing rust and a lack of drive on their way towards victory. Despite their sub-par performances, the two will most likely meet each other in a June showdown.
Hatton was easily on all three scorecards to win back the belt he vacated last year when he decided to move up to welterweight for a fight against Luis Collazo. He won in a controversial decision in that fight and wasn’t impressive in this bout. Are people now going to be calling Hatton a fluke?
Hatton did say his performance was his own fault…
“The first six rounds felt too comfortable, maybe I took my foot off the gas,” Hatton said.
How about a little ESPN blow-by-blow action?
Hatton won the fight with one punch, a lead right hand he landed all night. Hatton often followed that by going into a clinch with Urango, then repeating the same scenario when the two were separated.
While Hatton failed most of the time to back up the lead right with any combinations, Urango did even less himself.
There were no knockdowns and neither fighter was in any trouble, but the rounds had such a sameness to them that there was little singing among the normally boisterous British contingent who followed Hatton here for the fight.
Urango apparently thought he was doing better than the judges did, raising his arms in triumph at the end of each round as he went back to his corner. But the rounds went to Hatton, mostly because he was quicker getting off.
Ringside punch stats showed Hatton landing 258 of 755 punches to 153 of 570 for Urango.
Castillo didn’t win his fight as handily, barely escaping with a close split decision over Herman Ngoudjo.
The crowd was obviously for Ngoudjo who booed for almost five minutes straight after the decision was announced. Despite losing, Ngoudjo raised his arms in victory as the bout was obviously at least a moral victory for himself.
“I thought I outworked him on the outside and I roughed him up on the inside,” Ngoudjo said. “I thought I won this fight by four rounds.”
It was obvious that Castilloo hadn’t fought in a while - the ring rust was at an all-time high.
“I did the best I could,” Castillo (55-7-1) said. “I’ve been away from the ring for a long time. It wasn’t one of my greatest performances.”
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EEC - January 20, 2007
Vlad Klitschko and Ray Austin are going to clash on March 10th. Is this fight the beginning of the next wave of heavyweight bout signings? We will find out next week…
News, Notes, and Rumors:
- Is Junior Witter going to stop talking? Honestly, he hasn’t stopped once this week. I normally would go ahead and post away with the gossip but it’s different with Witter. See it’s just like he’s come out of nowhere, trying to steal the spotlight from the other three big fights this weekend.
He’s not even on the same level as the names he is throwing out there and the best thing about this - He has a fight tomorrow night. With his mind elsewhere I hope Witter loses and then cries like a little girl, serves him right for going Hollywood and not focusing on his opponent…
- Joe Frazier’s left hook is still just as fast, I promise…
Smokin’ Joe is still quick with a counterpunch.
Asked if he had any birthday wishes for Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier came right back.
“Whose birthday?” he said.
Never mind that Frazier was appearing at Madison Square Garden to help promote a documentary about the 50 greatest moments in Madison Square Garden history and that his first fight with Ali on March 8, 1971, was listed among the top five.
After good-naturedly pointing out that he also deserved birthday greetings for having turned 63 last Friday, Frazier wished Ali, “Happy birthday.”
- It’s offical: Manny Pacquiao will face Injin Chi of South Korea on April 28…
- Reports are saying that the price for the De La Hoya-Mayweather PPV on May 5th may be as much as $54.95.
- Anyone wondering what Hasim Rahman is up to? Here’s the latest…
Former two-time heavyweight champ Hasim Rahman (41-6-2, 33 KOs) will fight once-formidable contender Ray Mercer (34-6-1, 25 KOs) on Feb. 22 (Versus) at Mountaineer Race Track in West Virginia in his first fight since losing his belt via 12th-round knockout to Oleg Maskaev in August. Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said Rahman was going to fight Mercer rather than go to Germany in March for a proposed bout with former title challenger Luan Krasniqi. Arum said the fight in Germany might be made for late spring if Rahman beats Mercer, who hasn’t fought since Shannon Briggs knocked him out in the seventh round in August 2005.
Some Good Reads:
TSS: Is Boxing More Dangerous Than Football?
FOX Sports: Hatton’s Vegas tango with Urango
MaxBoxing: Compubox Analysis - Hatton vs Urango
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Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Urango Means Business in Vegas
On the strip the high rollers are rolling, the tourists are checking out the sights, and fight fans are taking in the big event atmosphere that no other sport can compare to. But for IBF junior welterweight champion Juan Urango, this isn’t a time for partying; it’s time for work as he readies for his first title defense this Saturday night against British superstar Ricky Hatton at the Paris Hotel and Casino.
“I’m here for business,” said Urango (17-0-1, 13 KOs). “The time for relaxing is after the fight. Now, the only thing on my mind is defending my title and beating Ricky Hatton.”
Continue reading "Urango Means Business in Vegas"
EEC - January 17, 2007
I can’t believe it’s only Wednesday. This is the slowest week ever, probably because I’m looking forward to this weekend’s heavyweight title bout. Oh wait, it’s not televised I forgot, rat bastards…
News, Notes, and Rumors:
- Despite his recent arrest that we all know about, HBO has announced that Jim Lampley will be one of the broadcasters for the network’s showing of the Hatton-Urango bout this weekend.
HBO had actually considered taking Lampley off of the show but reconsidered once the media coverage of his arrest died down quite a bit. Lampley didn’t say much to the media about the charges but he did express his excitement about being able to help call the fight on Saturday…
“I am pleased that HBO recognizes there is no reason for me not to be working this weekend,” Lampley said. “This is my job, this is what I do. This is business as usual. I am really looking forward to covering Ricky Hatton’s first fight in Las Vegas and a fight at the Paris for the first time. I feel like even though it’s only been five weeks since I’ve called a fight, it feels like it’s been a long time. It will feel good to be back at ringside calling the fights.”
- The Philippines-Mexico World Cup of Boxing has been postponed to later this year according to promotor Sammy Gello-ani. Gello-ani said that the event was postponed because agreements with the managers of Daniel Ponce De Leon and Johnny Gonzales were unable to reached in time for the original date of March 4th.
The postponement will also allow Oscar De La Hoya to help promote the event since it will not fall during his traning for his fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr.
- Danny Williams will take on British Heavyweight Champion Scott Gammer on March 2nd in very well might be the last bout of his professional career.
Gammer actually turned down an offer to fight Audley Harrison who recently defeated Williams. Gammer rejected the offer because he is hoping to take on the winner of a possible bout between Harrison and Matt Skelton should he defeat Williams in March.
- Calvin Brock unveiled his new online travel agency today.
Seriously, is boxing not paying anymore? Brock starts his own travel agency, Foreman travels around the world to sell his grills, Tyson is willing to do anything in this world to make money, Klitschko ran for mayor… There’s so many things. I’m not taking boredom after retirement as an excuse anymore either. We need to get to the bottom of this…
Anyway Brock said that he learned about the business through a friend and soon decided that it would be an interesting venture for him to start.
“The online travel industry is growing fast,” said Brock. “More people are comfortable booking their own travel and getting cheaper prices than using a traditional travel agency.”
I guess we will find out over the next year how fast the travel industry is growing won’t we Calvin?
- Tomorrow is Muhammad Ali’s 65th Birthday and I’ll be sure to gather up all of the articles and various things being thrown out there in a post tomorrow morning…
Some Good Reads:
ESPN: At 32, Bailey goes back to basics of sweet science
Doghouse Boxing: Is the end drawing near for Urango?
Seconds Out: Ricky Hatton - The Hard Sell
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Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Who Wants To Fight Who?
You guys want your potential matchup gossip? You got it…
Grady Brewer/Stevie Forbes News
Contender 2 winner Grady Brewer is attempting to get into the ring on one of two occasions according to a show executive. The choices apparently are: a show in November or the undercard of the juniors - Roy Jones and Peter Manfredo in January.
Steve Forbes, the guy who came in second place on The Contender for those of that don’t watch the show, has signed with HBO and will fight Demetrius Hopkins on Boxing After Dark on November 25th.
If you didn’t watch the show, read this... (Such shameful plugging…)
Jones/Manfredo Fight On Track For January
By the way John, you gave away the fact that this fight was taking place in the last paragraph. Yes I know self, I’m such a bad blogger. :(
Don’t mind me, I’m in an odd mood…
Anyway, Roy Jones Jr. will take on Peter Manfredo Jr. on January 19 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles if everything goes right - The terms of the contract are still being discussed at this time.
Manfredo is currently scheduled to fight Joey Spina in November and I don’t think that he will get a shot at Roy unless he is victorious against Spina.
Just lay out your plans for the future, it’s apparently the new fad.
According to the UK Mirror, Hatton is attempting to take Mayweather’s title as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world today…
“That’s my aim now, to climb the pound-for-pound ratings and be regarded as the No.1 in the world,” Hatton said. I’m disappointed I won’t fight again this year, but HBO has guaranteed me three fights in 2007.
“I’m going back down to 140 pounds and I don’t think anybody can live with me at that weight from a physical strength point of view. First up is Urango and my old IBF belt. That’s no foregone conclusion and he’s a southpaw, who’s like a mini-Mike Tyson. But I expect to win and should I win, then I’ll make my first defense against Castillo. He’s above me in the pound-for-pound ratings so that would boost me if I could beat him.
“Then the obvious step forward for me will be Mayweather, who is recognized as the best operator in the world pound for pound.” Although I accept that Mayweather is massively talented, he’s never been tested by someone like me,” he said to the Mirror. “If he’s going to beat me, he’s got to have some serious firepower to keep me off and I don’t think he could do that for all his talent. Mayweather wouldn’t like my body shots, no-one in the world does, and they are what I would have to bring into play.
“He’s got some great hand speed and some brilliant combinations, but I stand by my belief that if anyone can beat him, it’s me. He may be ranked by all the best judges as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world, but when I beat him they will have to think again. Maybe it will be the Hitman at the top of the pile!‘’
Hatton better hope that some of these fighters win their upcoming bouts so his plan can work. If Hatton is even able to get past Juan Urango, he has to pray that Luis Castillo beats Vivian Harris in January and that Mayweather can defeat Carlos Baldomir in November, let alone that Floyd will win another fight after that…
B-Hop is serious about this, yo…
In a recent interview with the Philadelphia Daily News, Hopkins confirmed that he is still considering coming out of retirement and challenging WBC Heavyweight Champion Oleg Maskaev.
We already talked about all of this - I just wanted to share my favorite quote from that article:
“I’m going to come in like Apollo Creed, with red, white and blue trunks, red, white and blue shoes and a red, white and blue robe,” Hopkins said to Fernandez. “It’ll be just like ‘Rocky IV,’ with me beating a giant Russian.
Awesome…
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Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Hatton, Wright Find Opponents
The search for a opponent is finally over for Ricky Hatton and Winky Wright…
Both fighters have had a tumultuous last few months: Hatton was robbed while visiting China, was forced to relinquish his WBA Welterweight Title in order to pursue other chances to find an opponent, and had to deal with Luis Collazo asking for a rematch every five minutes.
Wright on the other hand has had opponents dodge him left and right. He sent out open challenges to both Jermain Taylor and Antonio Margarito. What happened? Taylor opted to defend his belts against Kassim Ouma; Margarito and his camp completely ignored Wright, deciding to instead take on Joshua Clottey.
The two have finally found matches however:
Wright will take on the recently victorious Ike Quartey who defeated Vernon Forrest in an extremely controversial decision on August 5th.
Wright hasn’t fought in Florida in four years, so the bout against Quartey will be a homecoming of sorts. “Finally,” Winky told the St. Pete Times, “I get to come home.”
Hatton will be fighting Juan Urango in January of 2007. It was speculated for months that this fight might happen, especially with Hatton dropping his belt so he could move down in weight to try and grab Urango.
“I’ll be fighting Juan Urango on January 13,” Hatton told Sky Sports, “which is a little bit of a disappointment because I was hoping to fight in October or November, but that’s the only date HBO had available.”
The system is keeping Hatton down!
Junior Witter called out Hatton after his victory over DeMarcus Corley this past weekend but Hatton says that there are a few things that need to happen before that becomes a reality…
“I’m contracted to HBO for my next two fights,” said Hatton in response to Junior’s challenge, “and they’re practically done deals now. I don’t see why a little bit further down the line that if Junior makes a couple of defenses I can fight him.
“On the undercard will be Castillo. Should I get past Urango they’re lining up Castillo for me. If Junior can hold onto his belt and make a few defenses the fight against me will be even bigger.”
The consenus is right - It’s good that Hatton is being honest about his contract with HBO and the fact that he can’t take on whoever calls him out because of that. It’s better than lying about it to try and make yourself look better…
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