Inside the Super Six: Predictions from Within

Inside the Super Six: Predictions from Within
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
December 16, 2011

Tomorrow night, the historic, groundbreaking Super Six World Boxing Classic wraps up after beginning more than two years ago when Andre Ward and Carl Froch meet in Atlantic City for the Super Six cup, vacant Ring Magazine 168-pound title, as well as their respective alphabet soup titles.

We were able to speak to a majority of the fighters, promoters, and trainers who took part in the Super Six experience on a variety of subjects related to the tournament, most importantly who they feel will win tomorrow night.

To read the rest, click here...

SoloBoxeo in Woodland

SoloBoxeo in Woodland
Mark E. Ortega
UndisputedFightMag.com
December 16, 2011


For the first time in history, live televised boxing will take place in Woodland, California as Telefutura’s SoloBoxeo comes to town. The card is topped by local attraction Alan Sanchez, who meets Alberto Herrera in an eight-round welterweight bout.

Sanchez [8-2-1, 3 KOs], of nearby Fairfield, California, is riding a three-bout winning streak. All three of those wins took place in Fairfield and were televised on SoloBoxeo. Herrera [8-3-1, 5 KOs], whose brother Mauricio will fight Pier Cote on Showtime in February, is coming off a dominant decision victory over unbeaten Marcus Robinson in October. Prior to that, Herrera lost three fights in a row to fighters with a combined ledger of 31-2-1.

Dyah Times Breed Big 2012 For Davis

Dyah Times Breed Big 2012 For Davis
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
December 7, 2011

 The tail end of 2010 saw the end to a wrenching, multi-generational grudge match spanning decades. Having suffered a defeat at the hands of Aaron Pryor Jr., the future of super middleweight Dyah Davis -- whose father had crossed paths with Pryor's -- remained unclear.

 The Coconut Creek, Fla. native quietly rebounded with an impressive 2011, going 2-0-1 with a signature victory over then unbeaten and highly regarded Marcus “Too Much” Johnson in a ShoBox 10-round headliner in April.

Slated to fight former Kelly Pavlik adversary Alfonso Lopez in the co-featured bout on ESPN Friday Night Fights’ season opener on Jan. 6, Davis is looking to carry his momentum into the new year. His November 2010 meeting with Aaron Pryor Jr. stalled said momentum, if only for a brief moment.

To continue reading, click here...

Dirrell prevails, Avalos derails

Dirrell prevails, Avalos derails

Mark E. Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com
December 2, 2011

Friday night from the Chumash Resort & Casino, WBC #1 super middleweight Anthony Dirrell took one step closer to his aspirations of winning a world title, scoring a fourth round stoppage of #2 rated Renan St Juste of Canada in the twelve-round main event of a ShoBox: The New Generation televised card promoted by Gary Shaw Promotions.

Dirrell [24-0, 21 KOs] more or less controlled the action throughout despite a hesitancy to engage early on. Dirrell worked well in the opening round, landing a few nice combinations behind his jab.

Younger Dirrell steps up

Younger Dirrell steps up competition

Mark E, Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

December 1, 2011

Tomorrow night, unbeaten super middleweight Anthony Dirrell looks to put himself into world title contention as he steps up his competition in fighting Renan St Juste in a 12-round WBC super middleweight title eliminator atop a Showtime televised doubleheader live from the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, California.

The card, promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, will also feature exciting once-beaten bantamweight prospect Chris Avalos against unbeaten Jhonatan Romero in a ten round attraction opening up the televised portion of the broadcast.

Team Tomlinson Talk Broner & Beyond

Team Tomlinson Talk Broner & Beyond

Mark E. Ortega

UndisputedFightMag.com

November 25, 2011

Saturday night, the vacant WBO super featherweight title left behind by Scotsman Ricky Burns will be contested between WBO #1 Adrien Broner [21-0, 17 KOs] and WBO #6 Vicente Rodriguez [34-2-1, 19 KOs] in the opening televised fight on HBO Boxing After Dark's split-site broadcast headlined by Saul Alvarez's WBC 154 pound title defense against Kermit Cintron.

Broner will be heading the portion taking place in his hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio at U.S. Bank Arena against the long-odds underdog Rodriguez, who hails from Argentina.

Santana set to prove he's no stepping stone

Santana set to prove he's no stepping stone
Mark E. Ortega
Leave-it-in-the-ring.com
October 5, 2011

It wasn't long ago that Santa Barbara, California's Francisco Santana was entering fights as the touted prospect with high expectations. Friday night, he'll step into the ring as the projected stepping stone for undefeated Jermell Charlo of Austin, Texas in the televised opener of ShoBox: The New Generation, a position Santana has found himself in a few times as of late.

After turning pro under the Goossen-Tutor Promotions banner in November of 2005, Santana was being groomed for big things.

“I was supposed to make my pro debut near my home at Chumash with Gary Shaw but the fight fell through,” Santana told Leave It In The Ring in a phone interview on Wednesday.

Bad Officiating Now a Domestic Problem in the US

Bad Officiating Now a Domestic Problem in the US
Mark Ortega 
Undisputed Fight Magazine, September 2011 issue
September 2011

THIS ARTICLE APPEARED IN THE SEPTEMBER 2011 EDITION OF DIGITAL BOXING MAGAZINE, UNDISPUTED FIGHT MAGAZINE.

It wasn't long ago that American fight fans figured bad officiating was a foreign concept.

The popular line “You need a knockout to get a draw over there” is rumored to be founded during the title reign of Sven Ottke of Germany, who saw many an unpopular decision fall his way.

Unfortunately, particularly in the past few years, that ideal has been wiped away by an extraordinary number of bad calls in officiating in the United States just this year.

DiBella, Hearn on Berto-Brook

DiBella, Hearn on Berto-Brook

Mark E. Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

September 9, 2011

As the dust settles on Andre Berto's newly-claimed welterweight crown, Leave It In The Ring speaks to promoters Lou DiBella and [Matchroom Sports’] Eddie Hearn—who represent the latest IBF champion and undefeated Englishman Kell Brook, respectively—on the possibility of a meeting between the two welterweights.

“Well, we are fighting [Rafa] Jackiewicz who has beaten Jan [Zaveck] and Jackiewicz is #5 in the IBF, so when we beat him we will be right there for a shot at Berto,” stated Hearn just days after the enthralling but brief bout between the Haitian-born Berto and Jan Zaveck.

July 2011 Monthly Wrapup

July Monthly Wrapup

Mark E. Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

August 1, 2011

On the first day of each month at Leave it in the Ring, lead writer Mark Ortega will be doing a summing-up of the previous month's action for those that may have missed out on some of it, or just want to relive some of it.

Fighter of the Month – Amir Khan

Though he beat a fighter in Zab Judah who had never won against a marquee name in his entire career [despite getting numerous opportunities], Khan instantly jumped to the top of the Ring Magazine 140 pound rankings with his fifth-round stoppage of Zab. Khan likely put himself in the running for a Floyd Mayweather, Jr. fight should Floyd beat Victor Ortiz like he is supposed to this September.

Lane out, Martinez in for Elegele on Friday

Lane out, Aaron Martinez in for Joseph Elegele this Friday?

Mark E. Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

July 18, 2011

Sometimes in boxing a door closes but a window opens.

That is the case for unbeaten young Joseph Elegele, who was slated to meet once-beaten Lanard Lane this Friday in the co-feature as televised by ESPN Friday Night Fights. Elegele-Lane promised to be an intriguing battle between two young prospects.

Lane's lone loss came against capable junior middleweight Mike Dallas, Jr. on ShoBox but had not fought since, making it over a year of inactivity. He looked to serve as a solid but passable test for Elegele who was being showcased on the Gary Shaw promoted card headlined by Anthony Dirrell against Kevin Engel.

Ramos set for showdown with Shimoda

Ramos set for showdown with Shimoda

Mark E. Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

July 6, 2011

I don't usually like to inject myself into a story of mine, but rules are meant to be broken.

I've seen fifteen of his nineteen professional fights, nine of them in a ringside capacity. That has been no coincidence.

When I first saw unbeaten super bantamweight Rico Ramos turn pro just more than three years ago, I knew I was watching something that had the potential to be very special.

Even at twenty years old and against a non descript opponent, I felt that Ramos had the tools necessary to not only be a world champion, but a future pound-for-pound entrant.

Now set to contend for his first world title as he meets WBA 122-pound champion Akifumi Shimoda this Saturday in the opening televised bout of HBO Boxing After, my predictions are at a point where they have a chance of coming true.

Dissecting the Super Six: Part 3

Dissecting the Super Six: Part 3

Mark E. Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

July 3, 2011

With the Super Six World Boxing Classic headed down the final straightaway, Leave it in the Ring lead writer Mark Ortega makes a comprehensive appraisal of the groundbreaking tournament’s unfolding and considers what the future holds following its culmination. Included are insightful takes courtesy of Ken Hershman, vice president of Showtime Sports (the network responsible for producing the round robin), and Goossen-Tutor’s own Dan Goossen, who promotes Super Six finalist Andre Ward.

Here in part three, Ortega explores the possibility of Showtime staging a similarly structured tournament in the future, as well as which weight classes prove attractive for such a venture.

As the end draws near and certain questions are being asked (is the Super Six format friendly to future tournaments? Is Showtime ready for seconds?), it is natural to ponder the prospect of a Super Six sequel.

“I couldn't be happier with the way it played out; I loved doing it, I would do it again in a heartbeat if I had a weight division that could deliver this level of fights for this long of a period and promoters who were willing to participate,” enthused Showtime Sports’ Ken Hershman.

Dissecting the Super Six: Part 2

Dissecting the Super Six: Part 2

Mark E. Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

July 2, 2011

In part two, Ortega examines how Showtime and promoter Goossen-Tutor prepared themselves for the hiccups inevitable to this novel undertaking and also how the Super Six has affected the career trajectories of the participating fighters.

For Ken Hershman, or any diehard fight fan, satisfaction is guaranteed. In addition to two alphabet trinkets (and a big shiny trophy), tournament spoils include the illustrious vacant Ring title plus much-deserved accolades. And had the purpose of the Super Six not written itself, culminating with the a meeting of the division’s true leaders, Showtime had covered their bases by securing a lucrative multi-fight deal with Lucian Bute. So fans of the Romanian kingpin and those dubious about the legitimacy of Andre Ward and/or Carl Froch—poised to meet in Atlantic City on October 29—can breathe a sigh of relief come the inevitable match between Super Six victor and the undefeated IBF champion.

Dissecting the Super Six: Part 1

Dissecting the Super Six: Part 1

Mark E. Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

July 1, 2011

With the Super Six World Boxing Classic headed down the final straightaway, Leave it in the Ring lead writer Mark Ortega makes a comprehensive appraisal of the groundbreaking tournament’s unfolding and considers what the future holds following its culmination. Included are insightful takes courtesy of Ken Hershman, vice president of Showtime Sports (the network responsible for producing the round robin), and Goossen-Tutor’s own Dan Goossen, who promotes Super Six finalist Andre Ward.

In part one, Ortega explores the provenance of the Super Six and all the elements necessary for the execution of such a historic event.

Just shy of two years ago, an announcement was made that would rock the foundations of not only the 168-pound weight class, but of the boxing world. Showtime, the long time runner-up in terms of premium televised boxing coverage in the United States, had announced a six man, abbreviated round robin tournament that would make great strides in determining a true champion for a weight division that had been lacking in prestige.

Top Ten from the outer realm

Top Ten from the Outer Realm

Mark E. Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

June 20, 2011

I've always been one to criticize pound-for-pound lists, as they are as egregious as they are subjective. Lists of any sort are, matter of fact. But here I am putting together a Top Ten of my own, one that features a list of ten pugilists, mostly from outside the United States that have yet to appear on HBO or Showtime television in any format. These are ten fighters I feel that should be taken a close look at by both networks, if not just for tomorrow but for beyond.

"No Doubt" in Trout

"No Doubt" in Trout

Mark E. Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

June 9, 2011

If you asked even the most hardcore of boxing fan what important junior middleweight bout is happening in Mexico this weekend, the likely response would be “The Canelo fight is next weekend I thought?”

It's hard to blame any astute fight aficionado for getting it wrong; the WBA junior middleweight title tilt between the defending Austin “No Doubt” Trout [22-0, 13 KOs] of Albuquerque, New Mexico and hard-nosed David “The Destroyer” Lopez [40-12, 23 KOs] of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico has flown under the radar as it won't appear on American television until a week later, which coincides with the HBO broadcast of the WBC junior middleweight title fight between emerging Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Brit Ryan Rhodes in an expected packed house in Jalisco, Mexico.

Ward-Froch for RING title at 168

Ward-Froch for the Ring title!

Mark E. Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

June 8, 2011

Following his Super Six World Boxing Classic semi-final majority decision victory over a rugged Glen Johnson last Saturday in Atlantic City, New Jersey, WBC super middleweight champion Carl Froch has seen himself elevated to the #2 position in the Ring Magazine rankings. This now means that Froch's tournament finale with WBA champion and #1 rated 168 pounder Andre Ward will not only be contested for both fighter's governing body trinkets as well as the Super Six trophy, but now will also be for the vacant RING title as well.

ShoBox tripleheader this Friday from Chumash!

ShoBox tripleheader this Friday from Chumash!

Mark E. Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

June 8, 2011

Friday night, Gary Shaw Productions and ShoBox: The New Generation returns to the Chumash Casino Resort for a televised bill that features three intriguing bouts headlined by Nigerian born cruiserweight prospect Lateef Kayode [15-0, 14 KOs] of Hollywood, California, in his toughest fight to date against former world title challenger Matt Godfrey [20-2, 10 KOs] of Providence, Rhode Island in a ten round bout for the NABA cruiserweight title.

Arrellano: "Opportunity of a lifetime"

Ortiz Manager Arrellano: “Opportunity of a lifetime”

Mark E. Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

June 7, 2011

With the official announcement that Floyd Mayweather, Jr. will be stepping out of a 14 month bout of inactivity to take on reigning WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz on September 17^th, I caught up with Ortiz manager Rolando Arrellano this morning to discuss the fight.

“We agreed to any and all conditions,” stated an elated Arrellano over the phone. “This is Floyd's promotion, he is the man, he has earned his position. We didn't care too much about the gloves, the location, just tell us where and when to show up, it's an opportunity of a lifetime.”

Frampton comes alive!

Frampton comes alive!

Mark E. Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

May 31, 2011

When 24-year old Belfast super bantamweight prospect Carl Frampton operates within a boxing ring, it is with a subtle confidence that is unobjectionable considering the young fighter's smooth combination punching and heavy right hand.

Against Venezuelan Oscar Chacin, Frampton mixed his arsenal to the head and body in a way that would make you believe he has more experience than his 9-0 [6 KOs] record would indicate.

Fellow Northern Ireland natives Brian Magee and Paul McCloskey both recently made unsuccessful bids for world titles, but its no surprise that Frampton already has many in the area already thinking he could be the one to break the recent spell.

Arreola stops Releford in seven

Arreola stops Releford in seven

Mark E. Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

May 27, 2011

Friday night in Reno, Nevada, fighting just two weeks after stopping Nagy Aguilera in three rounds in Carson, California, Chris Arreola assumed a role with more spotlight as he stepped into the ESPN Friday Night Fights main event against Kendrick Releford that was vacated by an intriguing junior welterweight bout between Josesito Lopez and Steve Upsher when Lopez suffered an injury in training.

Arreola [32-2, 28 KOs], who fought off-television two Saturday's ago on fellow Goossen-Tutor stablemate Andre Ward's undercard, weighed in at a trim 236 pounds and worked hard to earn a seventh round stoppage against the durable journeyman Releford [22-15-2, 10 KOs], who had only previously been stopped twice in fourteen losses.

Arreola with weight on his shoulders, not in midsection

Arreola with weight on his shoulders, not in midsection

Mark E. Ortega

May 27, 2011

When Friday night's original main event from the Reno Events Center in Reno, Nevada between Josesito Lopez and Steve Upsher fell apart following a training injury sustained by Lopez a few weeks ago, heavyweight contender Chris Arreola was called upon to step in and headline the ESPN televised Friday Night Fights on short notice. Arreola [31-2, 27 KOs] will be stepping in against journeyman Kendrick Releford just two weeks after scoring a third round stoppage of the game Nagy Aguilera in Carson, California away from the cameras in an off-television appearance.

Ward needs a Froch win to legitimize Super Six

Ward need a Froch win to legitimize Super Six

Mark E. Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

May 17, 2011

When the Super Six World Boxing Classic was first conceived at Showtime, the idea behind it was to crown more than just one star, and ultimately build the tournament champion into a crossover star that the network could champion in the coming years.

With last Saturday's lopsided victory over former middleweight kingpin Arthur Abraham in the books, and the second portion of the tournament final on the verge of being determined on June 4^th between WBC champion Carl Froch and 2005 “Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year” Glen Johnson, its an immaculate time to take a look at how things have progressed and where it could lead.

Ward rolls through Abraham into Super Six finale

Ward rolls through Abraham, into Super Six finale

Mark E. Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

May 14, 2011

With a Los Angeles Galaxy soccer game taking place just mere minutes away on the same turf, Saturday night's Super Six World Boxing Classic semi-final bout between WBA champion Andre Ward and former middleweight king Arthur Abraham felt much aligned with the usual pomp and circumstance that accompanies a game of futbol.

At the end of the day, 2004 United States Olympic Gold medalist and WBA super middleweight champion Andre Ward marched to victory after early difficulties, conquering his Armenian born German foe on the hostile field of the Home Depot Center in Carson, California where Abraham enjoyed an awkward home field advantage in front of over 5,000 fans, many of them waving the red, blue, and gold flag of Armenia.

Holt vanquishes Diaz in three

Holt vanquishes Diaz in three!

Mark E. Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

May 13, 2011

In an effort to re-establish legitimacy amongst the top tier in the junior welterweight division, Kendall “Rated R” Holt [27-4, 15 KOs] scored a one shot third round stoppage of former fellow world champion Julio “The Kidd” Diaz [38-7, 27 KOs] in the ESPN Friday Night Fights headlining bout from the Chumash Casino & Resort in Santa Ynez, California.

Diaz-Holt: A potential crossroads classic?

Diaz-Holt: A potential crossroads classic?

Mark E. Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

May 12, 2011

If you looked up the definition of “crossroads fight” in a boxing dictionary, you'd probably find a fight poster of this week's ESPN Friday Night Fights headliner from the Chumash Casino & Resort in Santa Ynez, California, a ten round junior welterweight clash between former world titleholders Kendall Holt and Julio Diaz.

Both fighters showcased have been to the mountaintop more than once and are looking to reclaim the shine that was once theirs. Not only that, they attempt to do it in the weight class where some of the biggest dollars are they to be made. One that features Amir Khan, Zab Judah, Juan Manuel Marquez [potentially], Manny Pacquiao [catchweightedly], Erik Morales, Marcos Maidana, Timothy Bradley, and Devon Alexander as well as a slew of other credentialed contenders just a step below.

Fana-Mendez off! Fana to be stripped?

Fana-Mendez off! Fana to be stripped?

Mark E. Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

May 11, 2011

Wednesday saw news break that the IBF super featherweight clash between South African based defending champion Mzonke Fana [30-4, 12 KOs] and #1 contender Argenis Mendez [18-1, 9 KOs] of Brooklyn, New York has been scrapped from its original date of June 11^th in South Africa's Carnival City due to Fana claiming he does not have a trainer or proper training facilities to be ready for his mandated defense.

Brinkley on the ropes

Brinkley on the ropes

Mark E. Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

April 27, 2011

Friday night, Jesse Brinkley will be an underdog for the third straight bout as he takes on Golden Boy Promotions prospect Peter Quillin in the main event of Telefutura's Solo Boxeo. For the second time in as many years, Brinkley will be enjoying a home-field advantage against his favored opponent as he fights Quillin at the Reno Events Center in Reno, Nevada on a card co-promoted by Golden Boy and Brinkley's Reno-based promoters Terry and Tommy Lane of Let's Get It On Promotions.

From marinated to overcooked: Lopez-Gamboa, Kirkland-Angulo, & Ortiz-Berto

From marinated to overcooked? Lopez-Gamboa, Kirkland-Angulo, & Ortiz-Berto

Mark E. Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

April 18, 2011

In this midweek piece, Leave-it-in-the-ring's Mark Ortega discusses the overcooked bout between Juan Manuel Lopez and Yuriorkis Gamboa that fell to shambles following Lopez' shock loss to Orlando Salido this weekend, and why promoters should put their fighters in tough more often as was the case with Andre Berto and Victor Ortiz the same night, where the loser gained just as much in defeat as he had in winning his first 27 pro fights. As was the case with Tua-Ibeabuchi in '97, no career will be derailed from the great welterweight bout between Berto-Ortiz.

The month of April has already seen its fair share of upsets in big time bouts as well as the vanquishing of quite a few future paydays for many fighters on the losing end of them.

Perez dominates Rodriguez

Perez dominates Rodriguez!

Mark E. Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

April 15, 2011

WBO #2 Salinas, Calif.-based super featherweight Eloy “The Prince” Perez [21-0-2, 5 KOs] continued his winning ways, outboxing Alejandro Rodriguez [12-2, 6 KOs] of Guadalajara, Mexico to a unanimous shutout over ten lopsided rounds in defense of his WBO NABO 130-pound title in the televised main event Friday night of Telefutura's Solo Boxeo from Longshoremen's Hall in San Francisco, California. The bout marked the second straight for Perez at the location as he awaits a world title opportunity that based on his recent performances should be around the corner.

Morales a source of dependency for boxing

Morales provides boxing a source of dependency

Mark E. Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

April 12, 2011

It was a fight that, once over, rendered the official verdict meaningless if you were fortunate enough to catch the action and see it for what it was. Sure, ten years down the line, someone who may not know any better might check out Boxrec, see “Marcos Maidana MD12 Erik Morales,” and think nothing of it, but to those lucky enough to count themselves as one of the more than 7,000 in attendance or one of the few hundred thousand that tuned in live, it was an epic night in the storied career of one of boxing's great warriors.

It's entirely possible that Marcos Maidana may never reach the elite level of the sport, but that won't diminish what Morales was able to do against him at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas this past weekend.

Maidana's record improves, Morales' all-time status soars

Maidana's record improves, Morales' all-time great status soars

Mark E. Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

April 9, 2011

In what can be considered one of the more impressive performances by a fighter who is long past his best, Mexican hero Erik “El Terrible” Morales silenced all of his critics as he made it to the finish line against Argentinian heavy hitter Marcos Maidana, losing a hard fought twelve-round unanimous decision victory at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada in a bout that many will tab as a candidate for Fight of the Year.

Morales 140, Maidana 140

Morales, 140, Maidana 140

Mark E. Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

April 8, 2011

The last time Erik “El Terrible” Morales stepped foot into the MGM Grand for a professional prizefight, he scored the most illustrious win of his storied career, a clear cut twelve round unanimous decision victory over Manny Pacquiao, which serves as the last time the Filipino icon suffered defeat.

That bout took place little more than six years ago, and although Morales has slipped a peg or three since, he is obviously still a big enough draw to be headlining tonight's star studded HBO pay-per-view card from Las Vegas and has seen much of the same amount of people show up in support of him than in his heyday.

Harris swan songed by Vargas

Harris swan songed by Vargas

Mark E. Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

April 8, 2011

In the main event of Telefutura's Solo Boxeo Friday night at Buffalo Bill's Casino in Primm, Nevada, undefeated Jessie Vargas [15-0, 8 KOs] may have written the final chapter of former WBA junior welterweight champion Vivian Harris's once promising career, scoring a one-round stoppage when Harris decided he could not come out for the second round after taking a sustained beating over the full three minutes. Harris [29-6-1, 19 KOs], of Brooklyn, New York by way of Guyana, was buzzed more than a handful of times and a knockdown could have been ruled against him at the very end as his knee brushed the ground following a vicious flurry on the ropes. Referee Joe Cortez called off the bout at 3:00 of round one and Vargas, born and raised in Las Vegas, earns the biggest win of his young career.

Vargas 143, Harris 145

Vargas 143, Harris 145

Mark E. Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

April 7, 2011

It took former WBA junior welterweight champion “Vicious” Vivian Harris four tries and an additional hour and a half to make 145 pounds for tonight's Telefutura Solo Boxeo main event, but he may be on his last opportunity to retain relevancy in the boxing landscape as he takes on young undefeated prospect Jessie Vargas in the ten round headliner.

Harris looks to right the Vicious Vivian Express

Harris looks to right the Vicious Vivian Express

Mark E. Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

April 6, 2011

It doesn't seem that long ago that “Vicious” Vivian Harris looked to be one of boxing's brightest young emerging talents, having lifted his first world title at just 24 years of age with a resounding second round stoppage of Diosbelys Hurtado to claim the WBA 140-pound championship back in October of 2002. Now Harris [29-5-1, 19 KOs] stands at the crossroads of his career against Golden Boy Promotions prospect Jessie Vargas [14-0, 7 KOs] in the headlining bout of a Telefutura Solo Boxeo televised card from Primm, Nevada this Friday.

Where would a win over Maidana rank for El Terrible?

Where would a win over Maidana rank for El Terrible?

Mark E. Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

April 4, 2011

When Erik “El Terrible” Morales steps into the ring on April 7^th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, he will do so against higher odds than the living legend has ever seen.

What Morales faces is the junior welterweight wrecking machine known as “Chino”, Marcos Rene Maidana of Argentina. Though never a legitimate world champion, Maidana is perhaps the stiffest test the Tijuana native has ever faced, and considering he has been in against names like Pacquiao and Barrera a combined six times, its not on account of a lack of names.

Coronel named as opponent for Zewski

Coronel named as opponent for Zewski

Mark E. Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

April 5, 2011

Undefeated Canadian junior middleweight prospect Mikael Zewski [8-0, 5 KOs] has found an opponent for his spot on the undercard of this Saturday's Erik Morales-Marcos Maidana HBO pay-per-view as he will fight Robert Guerrero sparring partner Clint Coronel [4-1-2, KO] of San Jose, California in a six-round bout.

Ghost Guerrero needs to be more lucid against Katsidis

Ghost Guerrero needs to be more lucid against Katsidis

Mark E. Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

April 4, 2011

He hasn't lost in almost five years, has claimed world titles three times in two different weight classes, has fought on HBO in three of his last four and, at 28 years old, he should be hitting his physical prime. With credentials like those, one must assume the fighter in question is a pound-for-pound entrant that the casual fan is likely aware of.

Unfortunately, the fighter in discussion is Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero, who on April 9^th will meet the always tough Michael Katsidis for the vacant interim WBA and WBO lightweight titles on the undercard of Erik Morales' return to Las Vegas against Marcos Maidana on HBO-PPV. Yes, its a vacant interim unification bout.

The Brothers Morales

The Brothers Morales

Mark E. Ortega (translation done by George Jimenez)

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

April 1, 2011

On April 9^th, the partisan crowd at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada will get a glimpse at the past, present, and future of one of Mexico's most favored fighting families.

Headlining the HBO pay-per-view televised card will be elder statesman Erik “El Terrible” Morales [51-6, 35 KOs] who returns to the big fight limelight for the first time in four years as he takes on Argentina's Marcos Rene Maidana [29-2, 27 KOs], quite possibly the heaviest hitter south of the welterweight division.

Pavlik on the outside looking in

Pavlik on the outside looking in

Mark E. Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

April 1, 2011

It was the middle of July of 2009 and Kelly Pavlik, despite two fights previously where he was battered by Bernard Hopkins, was sitting pretty atop the middleweight division as the unified champion and his sights set on a possible fight with fellow pound-for-pound ranked fighter Paul Williams.

Around the same time, Showtime announced their groundbreaking Super Six World Boxing Classic for the super middleweight division, a shortened round robin style tournament featuring six of the best 168 pounders in the world.

Gonzalez' long flight, fight for redemption

Gonzalez' long flight, fight for redemption

Mark E. Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

March 28, 2011

If you've followed the career of former world bantamweight champion Jhonny Gonzalez, you'd be sure to think that with all he has experienced in the squared circle over the course of his career that he was winding down a professional career and must be in his mid-to-late thirties.

You'd be incorrect. In six months, Gonzalez will be turning thirty years old despite having fought in more than his share of high profile bouts over the last decade. His path has been derailed more than a handful of times, but the Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexican born fighter has always found a way to keep his name in the mix despite his slipups.

Perez starches Escalante in one!

Perez starches Escalante in one!

Mark E. Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

March 25, 2011

In a shocking upset, Alejandro Perez [15-2-1, 10 KOs] scored an emphatic one round knockout of former contender Antonio Escalante [24-4, 15 KOs], whose career is now in doubt following the starching.

It's not so much the result that was shocking, but the way the fight finished. Most people that pegged Perez as a danger to Escalante figured he would box his way to a victory over Escalante. Instead, with less than thirty seconds in the first round, Perez stuck a jab in the stomach of Escalante and followed it up with a huge overhand right that crushed the favorite and bounced his head off the canvas.

Escalante 130, Perez 130

Escalante 130, Perez 130

Mark E. Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

March 25, 2011

Friday night, Solo Boxeo makes a return to Telefutura following a weekend off with a very competitive super featherweight main event between fringe contenders Antonio Escalante [24-3, 15 KOs] and Alejandro Perez [14-2-1, 9 KOs] in a ten round attraction at the Fairfield Sports Center in Fairfield, California.

The fight may not look like much on paper, but in comparison to the forgettable February the program had that saw numerous mismatches headlining the Friday weekly cards, it looks like a barnburner.

Humbled Kirkland on the rebound

Humbled Kirkland on the rebound

Mark E. Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

March 23, 2011

The last time Austin, Texas' James Kirkland [27-0, 24 KOs] found himself in the midst of a meaningful bout against an able bodied opponent, this writer was ringside.

In a headlining bout as part of HBO's Boxing After Dark in San Jose, California, James Kirkland dismantled a game Joel Julio, ultimately finishing the Colombian in six rounds. It was the kind of performance that, if Kirkland was somehow not on your radar, after that March 2009 performance he most certainly had to be.

Antonio Escalante's return to familiarity

Escalante's return to familiarity

Mark Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

March 22, 2011

This weekend's Telefutura Solo Boxeo main event will see a familiar face to its airwaves, as the always exciting Antonio Escalante [24-3, 15 KOs] returns to the network that helped build him to take on the tough Alejandro Perez [14-2-1, 9 KOs] in a bout scheduled for ten rounds.

Escalante, who last fought on Telefutura against veteran trial horse Edel Ruiz last August, will fight without the benefit of his fanbase in El Paso, Texas as he travels to the west coast and the now Solo Boxeo familiar Fairfield Sports Center in Fairfield, California.

Tough, tough lucked Collazo ready for another opportunity

Tough, tough lucked Collazo ready for another opportunity

Mark E. Ortega

Leave-it-in-the-ring.com

March 21, 2011

Despite being only thirty years of age, former welterweight champion Luis Collazo of Brooklyn, New York has seen his share of big fight opportunities slip through his hands, more often than not the cause being something out of his control. Despite many questions left unanswered over the course of the 30-year old fighter's nearly eleven year professional career, he has found a way to move on and let the past be the past, focusing all of his efforts on a better tomorrow where he hopes another opportunity to showcase his talents at the upper tier will appear soon.

Arum, King reconciliation, hope for current qualms?

Arum, King reconciliation, hope for current qualms?

Mark E. Ortega

UndisputedFightMag.com

March 11, 2011

One of boxing's biggest rivalries is not one that took place between the ropes. It's not one where few, if any blows were exchanged. But it is one that helped fuel the sport for much of the last five decades.

Promoters Bob Arum and Don King, long the sport's most influential promoters worldwide, are winding down their personal careers and therefore have made amends over their tiff that crossed more than five decades.

Griffin and Mack play it to the bone

Griffin and Mack play it to the bone

Mark E. Ortega

UndisputedFightMag.com

January 10, 2011

In boxing, they say friends don't make for good fights.

On February 4^th, light heavyweights Otis “Triple OG” Griffin [23-6-2, 9 KOs] and Yusaf Mack [28-3-2, 17 KOs], friends for a number of years, will be looking across the ring at each other with a IBF world title shot being the spoils to the winner. What makes this fight different from many other clashes amongst friends is that neither man is already at the top of the sport.

Consider this fight a real life version of the 1999 boxing comedy “Play It to the Bone”, which starred Antonio Banderas and Woody Harrelson as fringe contenders who trained out of the same gym and were given the opportunity to fight each other for a shot at the world title.

In that film, Woddy Harrelson as Vince Boudreau said “The worst thing in the ring you wanna feel is compassion.”