RSSWelterweight
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Live Blogging: Cotto vs Judah
Starting a little late here but I guess it’s better than nothing at all.
Before I begin let me point out that the Pacquiao in the title isn’t Manny; it’s his brother Bobby. However his fight against Humberto Soto is slated to be extremely entertaining. Yuri Foreman just squeaked out a split decison win over Anthony Thompson a few moments ago. Let’s get started…
Bobby Pacquiao vs Humberto Soto
Pacquiao walks to the ring with Survivor - Eye of the Tiger playing in the background. The music switches to some hip hop once he gets to the ring. Soto walks to the ring to the sound of traditional Spanish music.
Round 1: The round begins with both fighters trying to find their range. Both are throwing left and right combinations. Soto gets Pacquiao up against the ropes and lands a huge body shot. Both going at a quick pace. Soto seems to be the more aggressive fighter. Soto is also landing better. Soto knocks Pacquiao down with a left hook behind the ear but Pacquiao gets back up to his feet, being subject to a six count.
KO Corner scores the round 10-8 for Soto
Round 2: Pacquiao is the more aggressive fighter to start the round. Soto continues to be able to back Pacquiao up against the ropes with flurries. Both are going toe-to-toe with a mix of shots to the head and body. Pacquiao stuns Soto with a right cross against the ropes but Soto has already done enough to win the round.
KO Corner scores the round 10-9 for Soto
Round 3: Slow start to the round. Pacquiao is more defensive this round. Soto is missing with shots from the outside. Soto is warned for punching to the back of the head. Pacquiao is taking control until Soto starts to connect with unanswered shots. Pacquiao is nearly out on his feet to end the round.
KO Corner scores the round 10-9 for Soto
Round 4: Soto is taking it to Pacquiao once again to start the round. Pacquiao has blood coming from his right eye. The referee stops the fight to have the doctor check Pacquiao’s cut. The fight is permitted to continue and Soto continues to connect with body shots. Pacquiao lands a right hook that buckles Soto’s knees. Pacquiao continues to connect with the right hand inside.
KO Corner scores it 10-9 for Pacquiao
Round 5: Both are throwing but not landing anything of note to start the round. Soto continues to find success going against Pacquiao’s body, especially the left side. Soto receives another warning for a punch to the back of the head. Blood streams down Pacquiao’s face. The round slowly creeps to an end with the fighters each jabbing away at each other.
KO Corner scores the round 10-9 for Soto
Round 6: Soto is countering Pacquiao with left-right combinations. Soto is picking Pacquiao apart. Pacquiao’s face is covered in blood and the commentators can’t help but make “The Crimson Mask” reference. The two throw wild punches to end the round.
KO Corner scores the round 10-9 for Soto
Round 7: Lampley and Steward let the audience know that they have Pacquiao’s blood all over their clothes and papers. Pacquiao warned for pushing down on Soto’s head. Soto connects with a big right straight and then knocks Pacquiao down with a body shot. Pacquaio doesn’t get back up.
Winner: Humberto Soto - KO
Grover Wiley vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr
Wiley enters the ring to some Spanish techno music; Chavez Jr to again some traditional Spanish music. Maybe there is some kind of theme tonight that I don’t know about.
The story behind this fight: Wiley knocked out Chavez’s father. Chavez wants revenge.
Round 1: Chavez is throwing and landing more to start the fight. Wiley is trying to get the fight in close and land power shots. Wiley seems to be taking control towards the end of the round. Chavez lands a left hook to the body that hurts Wiley. Chavez lands another and Wiley goes down to his knees. Wiley gets up after an 8 count.
KO Corner scores the round 10-8 for Chavez
Round 2: Chavez continues to go to Wiley’s body with success. Chavez stays on the outside, letting Wiley inside every once in a while only to counter with a left hook to the body. Wiley backs Chavez up against the ropes and lets a nice flurry go before the end of the round.
KO Corner scores the round 10-9 for Chavez
Round 3: Chavez constantly using his jab to start the round. Both are landing solid combos. Chavez connects with another shot to the left side of Wiley’s body. Wiley covers up and Chavez knocks him down with another. Wiley gets back up and takes yet another left hook to the body which knocks him down for good.
Winner: Julio Cesar Chavez Jr - KO
Miguel Cotto vs Zab Judah
I’m thinking that Cotto is going to come out of this fight victorious. I think that Judah may take the lead in the early rounds with his speed but eventually Cotto’s power and the wear and tear Judah’s ribs will take provided Cotto chooses to go to his patented left hook to the body throughout the fight will make the difference in this bout.
The backstage camera shows Zab Judah and his camp wearing Affliction, the new line of sports wear made popular by fighters in the UFC. Sorry, that’s the MMA on Tap in me…
Judah comes out to a nice little custom DJ entrance and a good ovation. However Judah’s walk to the ring is marred by Cotto chants along the way. Cotto walks to the ring with what kind of music playing? Traditional Spanish music, of course…
The judges for this bout are Nelson Vazquez, Tom Schreck, and John McKaie. The referee will be Arthur Mercanti.
Round 1: Cotto is aggressive from the start. Judah’s shots mostly miss during the middle of the round. Judah catches Cotto with a big uppercut. Judah continues to hammer away at Cotto along the ropes. Cotto knocks Judah down with a low blow and Cotto receives a warning from Mercanti. Judah uses his speed to dodge Cotto’s punches and throw his jab for the rest of the round.
KO Corner scores the round 10-9 for Judah
Round 2: Each landing shots to start the round. Judah is staying on the outside while Cotto is trying to work his way in. Cotto connects with two hard body shots to Judah and backs him up. Judah counters with a straight right that stuns Cotto for a moment.
KO Corner scores the round 10-9 for Cotto
Round 3: The two pick their shots to begin the round, each staying away. Cotto puts Judah down again with a low blow. Mercanti takes a point away from Cotto. Cotto has blood on his chest from his lip. Judah eventually gets back up and pushes the action with counter punches. The pace is really picking up. Judah connects with another big uppercut. The two exchange shots to end the round.
KO Corner scores the round 10-8 for Judah
Round 4: They connect with simultaneous shots to start the round. Seems like both are trying to counter each other and show off their power. Cotto picks up the pace and starts to hammer away at Judah against the ropes. Cotto is picking Judah apart. Judah has nothing to answer the relentless attack with. Big round for Cotto.
KO Corner scores the round 10-9 for Cotto
Round 5: The two are more content to hold onto each other this round compared to earlier. Judah is really staying on the outside now. Cotto is really bringing it with the body punches. Cotto lands a right cross while Judah holds on to him. Mercanti tells Judah that he’s holding and to stop. Cotto continues the pressure. Blood is coming from Judah’s nose now.
KO Corner scores the round 10-9 for Cotto
Round 6: Cotto is continuing to land harder and more frequently. Cotto stuns Judah with a right hand in the corner. Cotto continues to go to the body. Judah shows that he is still the faster fighter but is unable to get away from Cotto’s power shots.
KO Corner scores the round 10-9 for Cotto
Round 7: Cotto still landing shots and Judah paws away with the jab. Judah is wiping away blood from his eye an awful lot. Judah throws a nice flurry that Cotto ducks away from. Cotto catches Judah with a right. Judah responds by connecting with a big flurry of lefts and rights that hurts Cotto for a moment. Judah just can’t take control of the fight with Cotto’s pressure.
KO Corner scores the round 10-9 for Cotto
Round 8: Cotto still connecting with power shots. Judah isn’t listening to his corner, he has to start throwing more. Judah pumps away with the jab. Judah gets scolded by Mercanti for taunting Cotto. Cotto connects with three straight lefts. Cotto hammering Judah with hooks. They tie up to end the round.
KO Corner scores the round 10-9 for Cotto
Round 9: Judah picking up the pace to start the round. Cotto connecting to the body at will. Judah’s right eye is swelling very badly. Cotto landing multiple left hands in a row. Cotto relentless to the body. Judah takes a knee and gets up at the count of 8. Cotto is dominating. Judah lands a hard left in the closing seconds.
KO Corner scores the round 10-8 for Cotto
Round 10: Judah mounting a mini comeback to start the round. Judah’s right eye is nearly closed. Cotto continuing to work the body. Judah returns the favor with a body shot of his own. Cotto picking up the punishment towards the end of the round. It was the last sequence that gave Cotto this round.
KO Corner scores the round 10-9 for Cotto
Round 11: Cotto knocks Judah down with a right hand to start the round. Judah gets back up at a count of 8. Cotto continues to land at will and Mercanti is forced to stop the fight and save Judah from any more punishment.
Winner: Miguel Cotto - TKO
Permalink
Friday, June 08, 2007
Margarito, Williams Predict Cotto-Judah
LOS ANGELES - In a highly anticipated match and can’t miss candidate for Fight of the Year, WBO welterweight champion Antonio Margarito will defend his belt against undefeated, No. 1-ranked and mandatory boxing challenger, Paul “The Punisher” Williams in the main event of “Pride N’ Punishment’’ on Saturday, July 14, in the outdoor tennis stadium at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The 12-round bout, presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions, will be televised on HBO “World Championship Boxing.
At a press conference earlier this week, promoter Dan Goossen said, “The winner of this fight is the preeminent welterweight in the boxing world—and that includes (Miguel) Cotto or anyone else in the 147-pound division.”
Given the significance of Saturday’s world welterweight boxing title fight, Margarito and Williams were asked to “weigh in” with their opinions on Miguel Cotto versus Zab Judah.
Here is what they had to say:
Continue reading "Margarito, Williams Predict Cotto-Judah"
Permalink
Cotto, Judah Both Make Weight
Zab Judah and WBA Welterweight Champion Miguel Cotto have both officially made weight for their scheduled bout tomorrow night at Madison Square Garden on HBO.
Judah weighed in at 145 lbs; Cotto 146 lbs.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Margarito-Williams Quotes
In a highly anticipated match and can’t miss candidate for Fight of the Year, Margarito will defend his 147-pound crown against Williams in the main event of “Pride N’ Punishment’’ on Saturday, July 14, in the outdoor tennis stadium at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The Margarito-Williams 12-rounder, presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions, will be televised on HBO “World Championship Boxing.”
“The winner of this fight is the preeminent welterweight in the world—and that includes (Miguel) Cotto or anyone else in the 147-pound division,” Dan Goossen said.
Continue reading "Margarito-Williams Quotes"
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Williams Seeks to End Margarito’s Reign
LOS ANGELES – In the annals of world history, July 14 is known as Bastille Day. On that fateful date in 1789 the people of France stormed and seized the dreaded Bastille, a prison beset by inhumane conditions in Paris as the first step in the French Revolution, which eventually overthrew the 17-year monarchy of King Louis XVI.
On Saturday, July 14, 2007, in the outdoor tennis stadium at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., undefeated and No. 1-ranked World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight contender Paul “The Punisher” Williams (32-0, 24 KOs) looks to commemorate the holiday of Bastille Day by ending another reign of terror – that of WBO welterweight champion Antonio “The Tijuana Tornado” Margarito (34-4, 1 NC, 24 KOs).
Billed as “Pride N’ Punishment,” the long-awaited, highly anticipated 12-round confrontation between arguably the hardest-punching, most bitter rivals in the 147-pound division is presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions and will be televised on HBO “World Championship Boxing.” The HBO broadcast starts at 9 PM ET/ 11 PM PT.
Margarito, who was born in nearby Torrance, Calif., and currently splits his time between Tijuana, Mexico, and La Habra, Calif., has been the WBO welterweight champion for more than five years. Referred to as “the most feared man in boxing,” Margarito has made seven successful title defenses. He has only lost once in the past 12 years – by technical decision to then-defending WBO light middleweight titleholder Daniel Santos —in a September 2004 battle that was stopped due to a cut on Margarito’s eyebrow caused by an accidental head butt.
Continue reading "Williams Seeks to End Margarito’s Reign"
Friday, May 25, 2007
Margarito-Williams Quotes
In a legitimate Fight of the Year candidate, WBO welterweight champion Antonio “The Tijuana Tornado” Margarito (34-4, 1 NC, 24 KOs) will make his seventh defense when he faces unbeaten, No. 1-ranked contender Paul “The Punisher” Williams (32-0, 24 KOs) in the main event of a stellar fight card Saturday, July 14, 2007, in the outdoor tennis stadium at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
Billed as “Pride N’ Punishment,” the long-awaited, highly anticipated 12-round confrontation between arguably the hardest-punching, most exciting rivals in the 147-pound division is presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions and will be televised on HBO “World Championship Boxing.” The HBO broadcast starts at 8 p.m. ET/11 PM PT.
Continue reading "Margarito-Williams Quotes"
Thursday, May 24, 2007
EEC - May 24, 2007
Just to let everyone know, this me blogging and not my father…
News, Notes, and Rumors:
- Zab Judah is a sly fox…
Judah fooled promoters and media alike yesterday when he allowed his father, Yoel, to replace him on a scheduled conference call. Moments after the 30 minute session was over, multiple writers contacted Top Rank’s Lee Samuels and said that they didn’t think it was Zab on the phone.
“We don’t promote Zab, we promote Cotto,” Samuels said. “So I immediately checked with Judah’s camp and they said it was his father on the conference call.”
“Mea culpa,” Samuels said. “I called Zab’s number 10 minutes ahead to make sure he would be ready and I assumed the person I was talking to was Zab. I’ve been doing conference calls for Top Rank since 1982 and I’ve never been snookered like this before. I would have made a lousy contestant on the game show ‘To Tell The Truth.’ But I do apologize to the media for this.”
Samuels said that he will attempt to schedule a new conference call with Zab before the fight…
- Former WBA Light Middleweight and Middleweight Champion Julian Jackson will be presented with a permanent Middleweight Title on June 18th by the WBC.
- According to a recent interview ITV did with Bob Arum, Kelly Pavlik is going to be bigger than Oscar De La Hoya:
“It is hard for you to envision now, but he will be much bigger than Oscar De La Hoya ever was. I’m telling you. That is my goal,’’ Arum said.
Permalink
Thursday, May 17, 2007
James Kirkland, Timothy Bradley In Featured Bouts June 1
NEW YORK – Two of boxing’s most-talented, world-ranked, unbeaten prospects look to elevate there status to legitimate world title contenders when James “Mandingo Warrior” Kirkland (18-0, 16 KOs) and Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley (19-0, 11 KOs) co-headline in separate bouts Friday, June 1, on “ShoBox: The New Generation” (Showtime, 11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).
Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, will present the doubleheader from Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif.
Kirkland, the World Boxing Organization (WBO) No. 13 junior middleweight contender, will face Ossie Duran (23-5-1, nine KOs) in the 10-round main event. Duran has never been knocked out.
“This is the right test for Kirkland,” said “ShoBox” announcer Nick Charles. “We saw in his last fight on ‘ShoBox’ that he couldn’t blow out Billy Lyell, so he just pounded away until Lyell split apart at the seams. That’s plan ‘B’ for a puncher.”
Continue reading "James Kirkland, Timothy Bradley In Featured Bouts June 1"
Permalink
Friday, April 27, 2007
Manfredo Returns to Hometown on May 11
PROVIDENCE - World title contender “The Pride of Providence” Peter Manfredo, Jr., bouncing right back from his April 7 loss by controversial stoppage to undefeated WBO super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe, returns to the ring May 11 headlining “The Pride Is Back” against veteran Ted Muller in the 10-round main event at the new Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, Rhode Island.
“The Pride Is Back,” promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc. (CES), is the inaugural show in “The Budweiser Night at the Fights” series, promoted by CES at Twin River.
Manfredo (26-4, 12 KOs), star of The Contender Season One, holds wins against Scott Pemberton, Joey Spina, Grady Brewer, Alfonso Gomez, Anthony Bonsante, Frankie Randall and Sherwin Davis.
Muller (19-10-2, 9 KOs), fighting out of Moline, Illinois, fought a draw against top prospect Carlos De Leon, Jr. in 2005 and has become a gate keeper of the super middleweight division having fought Elvir Muriqi, Bronco McKart, Allan Green and Jerson Ravelo.
Continue reading "Manfredo Returns to Hometown on May 11"
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Welterweight Mania!
Woooooooooooo!
HBO will be televising a split-site tripleheader on July 14th. What? Yeah, I’ve never heard of such a thing either but here goes nothin’...
Three welterweight bouts will be televised on HBO that night:
The opening bout will be Kermit Cintron defending his IBF Welterweight Title for the first time against Walter Matthysse from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ. The second bout will feature the uber-popular Arturo Gatti, fighting for the ninth straight time in Atlantic City, in a 10-round affair against former Contender star Alfonso Gomez.
The final bout of the night will be Antonio Margarito making the 8th straight defense of his WBO Welterweight Title against mandatory challenger Paul Williams. A location for Margarito-Williams has not yet been selected but officials have stated that the possible location has been narrowed down to two sites: The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA or the Gibson Amphitheater in Universal City, CA.
Apparently Gatti’s camp was very picky over who his next opponent would be and it caused quite the delay in getting a deal between HBO and Main Events completed:
HBO and Main Events had spent the last few weeks locked in a disagreement over Gatti’s opponent. The network had pared its wish list down to having Gatti fight either former lightweight titlist Paul Spadafora, who is 2-0 on a comeback, or Steve Forbes, another former “Contender” star and former junior lightweight titlist who lost a highly controversial decision to Demetrius Hopkins last month in an exciting fight.
Gatti’s team didn’t like either style for him and preferred lesser opponents such as Dmitriy Salita or Edgar Santana, neither of whom HBO would approve.
HBO gave Main Events a tentative OK on Gomez earlier this month and it made a deal with his handlers. But a few days later, on April 7, “Contender” first-season runner up Peter Manfredo—who had lost a rematch to Gomez on the series—was wiped out in three rounds by super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe. That loss gave HBO second thoughts about using another untested “Contender” boxer against Gatti in the final fight of his HBO contract.
However, when the Margarito-Williams fight came together and Cintron-Matthysse, another potentially explosive fight, was pitched for the telecast, HBO agreed to take Gomez. With Gatti’s HBO contract coming to an end, Main Events also agreed to give HBO the right of first negotiation and a matching right on his next fight.
I’m not surprised that they were so selective of Gatti’s foe. If he loses one more time, he’s pretty much done fighting-wise and HBO most likely won’t sign him to a new deal.