Does Shane Mosley Deserve Another Go 'Round?

Does Shane Mosley Deserve Another Go 'Round?
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
December 20, 2012

When it was floated out there that we could potentially be seeing 147-pound titlist Paulie Malignaggi defending his strap against a comebacking Shane Mosley next year at Barclays Center, it was met immediately with complete disdain from the boxing community.

The reaction of this writer was congruent to that at first, but after thinking about it, felt as though it is pretty knee jerk. Yes, Mosley has looked like he has lost a step in his previous four fights since demolishing Antonio Margarito in January 2009, which now seems like a lifetime ago. But take into account that his two losses at 147, where he'd be fighting Malignaggi, came against Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

Against Canelo Alvarez in May, Mosley looked like he couldn't pull the trigger, but that fight took place at 154 where Shane never really was unstoppable, even closer to his prime. Doesn't a warrior like Mosley, who fought everyone, deserve an opportunity to prove he doesn't have it anymore?

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Amir Khan stops Carlos Molina in comeback victory

Amir Khan stops Carlos Molina in comeback victory
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
December 16, 2012


LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Saturday night at the Los Angeles Sports Arena on Showtime Championship Boxing, Carlos Molina fought like a guy in search of that Cinderella moment, similar to the one Josesito Lopez found in his shock victory against Victor Ortiz in June.

Alas, the glass slipper didn't quite fit Molina. With blood seeping into his eye from almost the opening bell, Molina acquitted himself well en route to a 10th round stoppage loss against a comebacking Amir Khan in front of 6,109 fans. With the win, Khan put a stop to his two bout losing streak in his first fight under the guidance of renowned trainer Virgil Hunter.

In the opening round, Khan showed more control than in previous bouts, as he pushed Molina back with combinations but didn't allow himself to be lured into a firefight the way the Khan of old often did. Molina was cut over his left eye in the opening minute of the fight.

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Marquez halts Pacquiao in instant classic

Marquez halts Pacquiao in instant classic
Mark E. Ortega
Martinez News-Gazette
December 10, 2012

LAS VEGAS--Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, the unbelievable run of future boxing Hall of Famer Manny Pacquiao came to a halt, as a devastating right hand from the Filipino Congressman's greatest rival, Juan Manuel Marquez, knocked him unconscious. The end came with one second left in the 6th round and was a shocking end considering the first three fights between the two went the distance.

The fight far exceeded the buzz that was generated beforehand--many boxing scribes had figured the bout would go much like the third one had--a tactical affair with a bit of action sprinkled throughout. Though both fighters were saying before the fight they were gunning for knockouts, many chalked that up to the kind of talk necessary to sell the pay-per-view purchasing public.

Jessie Vargas pounds out decision over Vito Gasparyan

Jessie Vargas pounds out decision over Vito Gasparyan
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
December 8, 2012

LAS VEGAS—In the second night of Top Rank's boxing extravaganza in Las Vegas, local welterweight contender Jessie Vargas pounded out a 10 round unanimous decision over durable Vito Gasparyan of Glendale, Calif. at the Texas Station Gambling Hall on Friday night.

Vargas did a lot of solid work to the body, which helped slow Gasparyan down much earlier than he would have liked. Gasparyan landed, but it was usually arm punches around the guard of Vargas rather than flush shots on the chin.

Vargas opened up early in the fight and allowed Gasparyan catch him with solid counters. Vargas then adjusted his gameplan to fight more on the inside, as he was on Gasparyan's chest for much of the night.

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Raymundo Beltran tops Ji-Hoon Kim, overcoming a knockdown

Raymundo Beltran tops Ji-Hoon Kim, overcoming a knockdown
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
December 7, 2012

LAS VEGAS -- In a topsy-turvy lightweight bout, Raymundo Beltran and Ji-Hoon Kim engaged in an entertaining battle in the 10-round main event at the Mirage Hotel & Casino on a special Thursday edition of ESPN2 Friday Night Fights. It was the first fight at the Mirage in more than 15 years, and Beltran won the unanimous decision.

The opening round was as crowd-pleasing as they come as Beltran was dropped hard in the opening minute but was able to battle back and put Kim on the canvas in the final seconds of the round.

Beltran carried that momentum into the 2nd. He battered Kim for much of the salvo and would have finished the job of he had five more seconds as Kim was out on his feet but was saved by the bell.

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Marquez hoping fourth time the charm against Pacquiao

Marquez hoping fourth time the charm against Pacquiao

Mark E. Ortega
Martinez News-Gazette
December 6, 2012

LAS VEGAS--The fourth time is the charm.

That is the hope of Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez at least, who at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday meets fellow future Hall of Famer Manny Pacquiao for the fourth time in the last eight years, looking to score his first official victory over the Filipino icon during their rivalry.

Many would argue that Marquez has won at least 24 of the 36 rounds the two fighters have fought in their three fights. However, Pacquiao holds the edge in having put Marquez on the canvas four times, including three times in the opening round of their first fight back in May 2004.

West Coast Boxing Report, Dec. 3

West Coast Boxing Report, Dec. 3
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
December 3, 2012

Devon Alexander-Kell Brook Likely Headed for Los Angeles 

Last week, talks began to surface that the Jan. 19 Showtime Championship Boxing card headlined by Devon Alexander (24-1, 13 KOs) of St. Louis and Kell Brook (29-0, 19 KOs) of the United Kingdom was projected to take place in Las Vegas, likely at the MGM Grand. The bout will be for Alexander's IBF 147 pound belt.

The card, which will run against an HBO tripleheader in New York that same night, will instead take place in Los Angeles, according to sources close to the promotion, with an announcement likely being made Wednesday as to the venue and undercard.

Junior welterweight Lucas Matthysse is a name that has been mentioned for the televised undercard, with Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer saying matchmaker Eric Gomez would have an opponent ready for announcement in the matter of a few days. [UPDATE: Golden Boy matchmaker Robert Diaz confirmed via e-mail Tuesday that the card would take place at Nokia Theater in L.A., and that Matthysse would be in the co-main event in a three-bout broadcast.]

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Ten more fights that deserve the HBO Legendary Nights treatment

Ten more fights that deserve the HBO Legendary Nights treatment
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
November 30, 2012

When HBO Sports churned out a series of 30-minute documentaries on twelve of the best fights broadcast on their airwaves, we watched. In 2003, HBO took us inside twelve different rivalries, giving us certain insights that you wouldn't have known unless you were an insider when the fights took place. For some of these fights, there were no message boards. In 2003, there was no YouTube.

But thankfully, with the excellent narrating skills of Liev Schreiber and studio work of Jim Lampley (a much better Lampley than we are seeing on “The Fight Game”), old fans were able to relive, and new fans were introduced to, these twelve matchups: Larry Holmes-Gerry Cooney, Aaron Pryor-Alexis Arguello, Ray Leonard-Thomas Hearns, Marvin Hagler-Thomas Hearns, Marvin Hagler-Ray Leonard, Julio Cesar Chavez-Meldrick Taylor, Mike Tyson-Buster Douglas, Evander Holyfield-Riddick Bowe, Riddick Bowe-Andrew Golota, Michael Moorer-George Foreman, Oscar De La Hoya-Felix Trinidad and Lennox Lewis-Mike Tyson.

As a burgeoning fight fan in 2003, the production value and format of these documentaries helped my interest grow even larger. It made me want to go back and read work from some of the veteran sportswriters that were featured, like the Boston Globe's Ron Borges or Tim Kawakami (then of the Philadelphia Daily News). It made me want to gain access to the footage of these fights, which in 2003 was a ton more difficult than it is today.

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James Page's comeback unsuccessful, stopped in two rounds

James Page's comeback unsuccessful, stopped in two rounds
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
November 19, 2012

NATOMAS, Calif.--Saturday night, on a small club show in Natomas, Calif., former WBA welterweight beltholder James Page returned to the ring for the first time in more than a decade at 41 years of age in the six-round main event at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel against journeyman Rahman Yusubov of Azerbaijan.

In the first 30 seconds, Page (25-5, 19 KOs) nearly made it a triumphant return as he wobbled Yusubov (9-9, 7 KOs) with the first left hook he landed, but due to a deterioration of skills caused by spending 11 years behind bars after being a party to multiple bank robberies, he was unable to land the follow-up barrage that would have ended the night early.

In the closing seconds of the opening round, Yusubov landed some harsh shots with Page on the ropes that rocked the comebacking Pittsburg, Calif. native badly. In the 2nd round, Yusubov would continue his assault, landing tremendous blows that had Page in bad shape from the first moments of the round. Page took shot after shot, somehow remaining upright before Yusubov finally put him down in a heap at the midway point of the round and the referee called the bout off.

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Page comeback derailed

Page comeback derailed

Mark E. Ortega

Martinez News-Gazette

November 19, 2012


NATOMAS, Calif.--Last Saturday night, former WBA welterweight champion James Page did the improbable, returning to the ring for the first time following a 10-and-a-half year prison sentence, fighting rugged journeyman Rahman Yusubov in the six-round main event at the Four Points by Sheraton in Natomas, Calif. Unfortunately for Page and his team, the result wasn't what they were hoping for.

Page had been out of jail since the early part of the year, training at famed King's Gym in Oakland with a number of quality professional fighters, including middleweight prospect Omar Henry and junior middleweight contender Alfredo Angulo. He had worked himself down to 153 pounds for the fight, just one weight class heavier than where he contested most of his bouts in his prime in the late '90s.

Former Titlist James Page Begins His Unlikely Ring Return

Former Titlist James Page Begins His Unlikely Ring Return
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
November 17, 2012

There is an old boxing adage that a fighter's power is usually the last thing to go. Before that, they lose their reflexes, stamina and often their punch resistance.

Saturday night, on a club show in Natomas, Calif. at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, 41-year old former welterweight titleholder James Page of nearby Pittsburg will attempt to prove that old adage correct, as he returns to the ring for the first time in over a decade after spending 11 years behind bars as he served time for multiple bank robberies in the Atlanta area at the early part of the millennium.

Page last saw action as a professional pugilist in 2001, when he was stopped by Andrew Lewis in seven rounds in an HBO Boxing After Dark bout where he was attempting to regain the WBA belt that he'd been stripped of the year before for failing to show up to the weigh-in for the initially scheduled Lewis bout.

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Mares stakes claim to Donaire, tops Moreno

Mares stakes claim to Donaire, tops Moreno
Mark E. Ortega
Martinez News-Gazette
November 13, 2012

LOS ANGELES--Saturday night at Los Angeles' famed Staples Center, Abner Mares added another impressive name to his resume as he outpointed Panamanian slickster Anselmo Moreno over twelve rounds in their super bantamweight scrap.

The victory helps make a case for Mares being the most likely opponent to give San Leandro's Nonito Donaire his most difficult fight to date. Though Mares is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Donaire by Top Rank, some are optimistic the fight can now be made.

San Francisco's Mayfield makes statement in HBO debut

San Francisco's Mayfield makes statement in HBO debut
Mark E. Ortega
Martinez News-Gazette
October 29, 2013

VERONA, N.Y.—Last Saturday night, San Francisco junior welterweight Karim Mayfield took the biggest step in his career as he outpointed the durable Mauricio Herrera in their HBO televised ten-round attraction at the Turning Stone Casino & Resort in upstate New York. For Mayfield, it was his long-awaited debut on HBO.

Mayfield, 31, was able to outmuscle Herrera for most of the bout, utilizing his strength to back his opponent into the ropes and land vicious overhand rights almost at will. Mayfield was often criticized early in his career for falling in love with his overhand right but was able to work in some effective left hooks and uppercuts on the inside, landing more in combination than he has in previous bouts.

Karim Mayfield perseveres through ups and downs, makes HBO debut

Karim Mayfield perseveres through ups and downs, makes HBO debut
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
October 27, 2012

It has been a long road for San Francisco's Karim Mayfield, but Saturday night, at age 31, the junior welterweight contender makes his HBO debut in an intriguing matchup with fellow Californian Mauricio Herrera of Lake Elsinore in southern California.

The two were initially slated to meet in an ESPN2 televised bout back in mid-August, but injuries to both fighters derailed that fight from taking place in Mayfield's hometown. Herrera was hurting from a back injury, and before a replacement opponent could be found, Mayfield injured his hand, forcing a cancellation of the card.

Though Mayfield is undoubtedly bummed that this fight will take place on the East Coast rather than in front of fans that have been following him since he was a standout amateur, both Mayfield and Herrera will now earn considerably improved upon purses. This is the San Franciscan's second straight fight in New York, having impressively starched a then-unbeaten Raymond Serrano on ESPN2 back in May of this year.

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Seanie Monaghan shuts out Rayco Saunders

Seanie Monaghan shuts out Rayco Saunders
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
October 25, 2012

MANHATTAN, N.Y. -- Wednesday night at the Roseland Ballroom, DiBella Entertainment staged another one of its famed Broadway Boxing cards, headlined by popular undefeated light heavyweight club fighter Seanie Monaghan in his first real fight against battle-tested Rayco Saunders.

Monaghan (16-0, 10 KOs), of Long Island, had no trouble outworking Saunders, who fought from a defensive posture for all 10 rounds, failing to mix it up with his more willing opponent. Monaghan has been a staple of Broadway Boxing as of late, with this unanimous decision victory being his fourth win in his last five fights to take place at the Roseland Ballroom. The official scores were 99-91 twice and 98-92 in favor of Monaghan. Pittsburgh's Saunders (22-18-2, 9 KOs) picked up his fourth straight loss, all against fighters with one loss or less.

In his second fight since suffering a loss to veteran gatekeeper DeMarcus Corley, Brooklyn's Gabriel Bracero pounded out an eight-round unanimous decision victory over Toa Baja, Puerto Rico's Eric Cruz in a welterweight bout.

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Faded legend Morales dealt KO by Garcia

Faded legend Morales dealt KO by Garcia
Mark E. Ortega
Martinez News-Gazette
October 22, 2013

BROOKLYN--Though they went twelve tough rounds the first time, Philadelphia's Danny Garcia (25-0, 16 KOs) whitewashed living legend and future Hall of Famer Erik Morales (52-9, 36 KOs) of Tijuana, Mexico, stopping him with a single counter left hook in the 4th round of their junior welterweight contest. Both fighters were looking to land left hooks but the younger, quicker handed Garcia found the mark with a brutal left hook that turned Morales around like a spinning top in a Knockout of the Year candidate. Morales was badly hurt and one of his cornermen jumped into the ring, forcing referee Benjy Esteves Jr. to halt the bout at the 1:23 mark.

NorCal's Donaire eager to add to résumé

NorCal's Donaire eager to add to résumé

Mark E. Ortega

Martinez News-Gazette

October 18, 2013

CARSON, Calif.--Saturday night at the Home Depot Center, San Leandro's Nonito Donaire added another respectable name to his résumé as he stopped the durable Toshiaki Nishioka of Tokyo, Japan in the 9th round of their HBO televised junior featherweight title fight in front of more than 7,500 fans.

Donaire became the recognized #1 fighter in the division with the victory, though many boxing fans are now hopeful he meets fellow Top Rank promoted fighter Guillermo Rigondeaux of Cuba at some point in the near future. Signs point towards Donaire instead fighting the well-traveled Mexican Jorge Arce, who is years past his best, but would no doubt make it a fight for as long as it lasts.

Former Pittsburg boxing champion tries to turn Page

Former Pittsburg boxing champion tries to turn Page

Mark E. Ortega

Martinez News-Gazette

October 18, 2012

OAKLAND, Calif.—Adoring the walls of King's Gym on 35^th St. in Oakland are legions of fight posters and photographs that likely number in the thousands.

Among the plethora of worn and torn snapshots of history are a handful from the glory days of Pittsburg's James Page, the one-time WBA welterweight champion who held the crown briefly from 1998-1999.

Now, more than a dozen years since he first defeated Andrey Pestryaev of Russia in two rounds for the vacant title, Page has returned to the famed East Bay boxing gym as he readies himself to climb back into the ring for the first time since losing in his attempt to regain his crown against Andrew Lewis in 2001.

NorCal Boxing Report: Aug. 29

NorCal Boxing Report: Aug. 29
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
August 29, 2012

Some notes compiled on different things around the Northern California boxing scene, including Richard Hargraves, potential Jorge Linares fight in the area, Andre Ward-Chad Dawson undercard.

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Alan Sanchez stops Manuel Leyva in 10

Alan Sanchez stops Manuel Leyva in 10
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
August 26, 2012


FAIRFIELD, Calif. -- A day after a club show took place down the road in Sacramento, Golden Boy Promotions in association with Don Chargin Promotions and Paco Presents returned to the Fairfield Sports Complex Saturday as homegrown Alan Sanchez looked to continue forward progress as he took on veteran gatekeeper Manuel Leyva in a 10-round welterweight bout.

Sanchez took a few rounds to get untracked as the pace at the outset of the Sol Boxeo main event was not enthralling. Sanchez and Leyva showed each other too much respect early on, and Sanchez only started getting his offense really moving after Leyva bothered him midway through with some solid body work. Though Leyva may have only won a single round, the 6th being his best far and away, he forced Sanchez to open up a bit more, which lead to some exciting exchanges.

A Leyva from even a few years ago could have given Sanchez a scare on this night, but having been starched in four of his previous six, the29-year old from Downey, Calif. was well on the downside when this fight came together.

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Otis Griffin gets back in win column in Sacramento

Otis Griffin gets back in win column in Sacramento
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
August 25, 2012


SACRAMENTO -- Friday night in Sacramento at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Sacramento favorite and former winner of the boxing reality show “The Next Great Champ” Otis Griffin (24-10-2, 10 KOs) found the win column again as he stopped the tough but inexperienced Adam Collins (11-8, 8 KOs) of Ironton, Ohio. The end came in the 2nd round of their scheduled 10 round over the limit light heavyweight bout and it was Griffin's first fight in Sacramento in nearly three years.

The fight was closely contested in the opening round until a shot near the top of Collins' head put him down in the final seconds of the opening round. Collins was not recovered from that blow as he kept pointing to the back of his head before getting dropped again early in the 2nd. Collins looked as though he rebounded well from the knockdown but Griffin finished him later in the round with a left hook, as referee Dan Stell called the fight. Official time of the stoppage was 1:22 of round 2.

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Nonito Donaire gears up for Toshiaki Nishioka

Nonito Donaire gears up for Toshiaki Nishioka
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
August 24, 2012


Last Friday at the O.co Coliseum in Oakland, Nonito Donaire fired a pitch high but over the plate on Filipino Heritage Night prior to the hometown Athletics' game with the Cleveland Indians.

TQBR spoke to Donaire as he left the field on a variety of topics surrounding his compelling Oct. 13 HBO-televised scrap with longtime junior featherweight force Toshiaki Nishioka in Carson, Calif. at the Home Depot Center.

“It is very exciting for me,” Donaire said. “Like Nishioka said, it is not about the titles, it is not about anything, it is about fighting that guy. I believe that I have a lot to prove with Nishioka and we have great respect for each other. "

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Mia St. John avenges loss to Christy Martin, opportunity to pass the torch exists

Mia St. John avenges loss to Christy Martin, opportunity to pass the torch exists
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
August 17, 2012


Tuesday night in Friant, Calif., a lightly populated central California town, two of the most recognizable names in women's boxing squared off in a rematch ten years removed from an initial battle that took place on pay-per-view.

Now both in their mid 40s, Mia St. John exacted her revenge on Christy Martin in a non-televised clash that, according to the two combatants, signaled the end of their respective professional boxing careers. It also could perhaps signal the end of an era in which women's boxing was treated as a sideshow or an appetizer rather than legitimate competition.

Both Martin and St. John graced the covers of two major publications in their heyday. Martin, who was nicknamed “The Coal Miner's Daughter,” was on the cover of the April 15, 1996 edition of Sports Illustrated. St. John was featured on the cover of the November, 1999 cover of Playboy, showcasing a different set of assets.

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Mares-Moreno tops full Saturday boxing schedule

Mares-Moreno tops full Saturday boxing schedule
Mark E. Ortega
Martinez News-Gazette
November 9, 2012

Saturday night, an important junior featherweight clash takes place at the famed Staples Center as Abner Mares and Anselmo Moreno do battle to determine who might give San Leandro's Nonito Donaire the biggest trouble in a future fight.

It was announced last week that Donaire will return to the ring on Dec. 16 against Mexican fan favorite Jorge Arce, marking the fourth time Donaire will step in the ring in 2012, a remarkable feat in today's game. On that undercard, fellow 122 pounder Guillermo Rigondeaux of Cuba faces his stiffest test as he meets Thailand's Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym.

Golden Boy mostly "ghosts" for Guerrero's win

Golden Boy mostly "ghosts" for Guerrero's win
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
July 30, 2012


When boxing promotional juggernaut Golden Boy Promotions announced their most recent run of major fights, most experts thought if one of the house fighters was going to lose, Gilroy, Calif.'s Robert Guerrero felt the part.

Instead, Golden Boy lost Victor Ortiz to a broken jaw—as well the projected Saul Alvarez pay-per-view showdown that was tied into it. They lost Amir Khan to a figuratively broken chin as he suffered a shock loss to a mostly under-appreciated Danny Garcia.

Noticeably missing from this past fight week in San Jose were Golden Boy Promotions founder Oscar De La Hoya, CEO Richard Schaefer, as well as main matchmaker Eric Gomez. Both are in London for the Olympics, no doubt working on softening up the American boxing team to turn pro with them, likely dangling the announced deal between CBS and Golden Boy to promote their pro debuts on network television.

It must be noted that Schaefer did in fact call Guerrero immediately following the press conference from London, where it was around 6 a.m.

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Robert Guerrero holds off Selcuk Aydin

Robert Guerrero holds off Selcuk Aydin
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
July 29, 2013


SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Though the Olympics officially kicked off in London Friday with the opening ceremony, Gilory, Calif.'s Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero earned gold for the United States Saturday on Showtime as he outpointed Turkey's Selcuk Aydin by unanimous decision in their 12 round welterweight bout in front of his home crowd at the HP Pavilion. It was Guerrero's first fight in over a year and he jumped two weights in handing his opponent his first career loss.

Both fighters came out at the opening bell looking to do damage but settled in after missing wildly with their first shots. Guerrero landed some nice jabs and countered Aydin's wilder stuff nicely. Aydin landed a few good jabs and moved Guerrero back with a few good power shots.

Aydin didn't do much in the second as Guerrero held whenever he tried getting inside. Guerrero boxed well from the outside and landed a few combinations and the two traded shots after the bell and then smiled at each other.

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Shawn Porter decisions Alfonso Gomez in bloody battle

Shawn Porter decisions Alfonso Gomez in bloody battle
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
July 29, 2012


SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Shawn Porter of Cleveland, Ohio had to work through some difficulties, including cuts near both eyes, in order to notch a unanimous decision Saturday on Showtime over former reality boxing star Alfonso Gomez of Guadalajara, Mexico in their 10 round welterweight bout.

The fight began with some great action in the 1st round as the two fighters got into some nice exchanges. Porter staggered Gomez a bit and did some damage with his opponent on the ropes, but Gomez came back to land some solid shots before the end of the round. Porter suffered a cut on the right eye.

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Robert Guerrero hopes to keep Golden Boy applecart from being overturned

Robert Guerrero hopes to keep Golden Boy applecart from being overturned
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
July 27, 2012


It has been more than a year and a half since a major fight took place in northern California. The region is home to arguably three of the sport's best fighters in the world, with Oakland's Andre Ward, San Leandro's Nonito Donaire and Gilroy's Robert Guerrero all winning their assortment of important bouts over their careers.

Ward returns to Oakland on Sept. 8 after fighting in southern California and Atlantic City in his last two contests. Donaire has not fought once in northern California since bursting on the scene following a devastating KO of Vic Darchinyan five years ago. Guerrero hasn't fought in the area since 2009.

The three fighters have a good rapport with each other and always seem to be trying to one-up each other with each fight. Guerrero has a chance to sway the locals in his favor with a victory over Selcuk Aydin in San Jose on Saturday, televised by Showtime.

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The Sins of Adrien Broner vs. Vicente Escobedo

The Sins of Adrien Broner vs. Vicente Escobedo
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
July 23, 2012


A snapshot into how social media has changed the fight game, and the ongoing saga of the big payday versus more likely longevity.

What was previously disregarded as just another mismatch engineered by adviser Al Haymon atop an HBO televised doubleheader morphed into case studies of a number of contentious topics in the sport by the time fight night rolled up around 8 p.m. PT Saturday evening.

Among them: a canvassing of many of the seven deadly sins that find their way into boxing, as well as the way in which rapid minute-by-minute reporting has perhaps affected boxing more than any other major sport. This, all over a fight that was supposed to take place in a junior lightweight division that many regarded as one of the shallowest stateside. But the result, in which Adrien Broner scored a technical knockout over Vicente Escobedo in five rounds, wasn't the story Saturday night.

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Mauricio Herrera injured, out of Karim Mayfield Aug. 17 fight

Mauricio Herrera injured, out of Karim Mayfield Aug. 17 fight
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
July 21, 2012


Junior welterweight Mauricio Herrera confirmed to TQBR Saturday that he has pulled out of the proposed Aug. 17 main event of ESPN2 Friday Night Fights against San Francisco's Karim Mayfield, citing a back injury. Herrera's move was originally reported by Boxingscene.com's Ernest Gabion earlier Saturday.

TQBR spoke with Herrera about the pull out and he had a few interesting things to say about it.

“Well the back injury was part of it,” Herrera told TQBR on the phone Saturday afternoon. “We hadn't really signed a contract yet, we weren't sure we were gonna take it yet. At the time they called me for Mayfield, it was kind of sketchy. The fight is in San Francisco, where he is from, and then I threw my back out too.”

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Art Hovhannisyan Eeks Out Split Decision Over Miguel Acosta

Art Hovhannisyan Eeks Out Split Decision Over Miguel Acosta
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
July 21, 2012


Though the main event kind of went against the spirit of the ShoBox: The New Generation series, an entertaining battle unfolded between two 30-somethings looking to figure their place in the lightweight division.

Friday night at the Chumash Casino and Resort, Art Hovhannisyan (15-0-2, 8 KOs) had to work harder than he would have liked to eek out a 10 round split-decision win over former lightweight titlist Miguel Acosta (29-6-2, 23 KOs) after dropping him hard in the opening round.

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Canned: Timothy Bradley in 2010

Canned: Timothy Bradley in 2010
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
July 18, 2012


Back in 2010, myself as well as Brent Alderson and Otis Griffin hosted an almost every Tuesday Unternet boxing radio show of which there are now many. On the March 9 edition, we had Timothy Bradley as a guest and a yet to appear on HBO version of the fighter showed the personality that existed all along before it was blasted to the masses via HBO's 24/7. Bradley had a number of interesting things to offer his opinion on, including early thoughts on the Pacquiao-Bradley drug testing drama.

Mark Ortega: What are your feelings on Alexander-Urango being for the WBC title that they made you vacate and it being a unification fight? 

Tim Bradley: No feelings whatsoever man. These guys are gonna do whatever they want to do. I still got my WBC title over here. I don't have any quarrels with anyone man. Give me an opportunity to fight for it back. This is the guy they wanted me to face. I didn't think he was worthy at the time, and now he is making noise in the division. Let's make it happen. Boxing is a business as well, man. It's not just to get in there to fight someone, if it don't make dollars it don't make sense. That is the only way I will fight him, if it makes sense to me money wise. Other than that I feel he is the #2 fighter in the division behind myself and I would love to get it on with Devon Alexander.

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Grzegorz Proksa in Talks to Fight Gennady Golovkin

Grzegorz Proksa in Talks to Fight Gennady Golovkin
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
July 12, 2012


When the news broke that Dmitry Pirog would be unable to fight Gennady Golovkin on an Aug. 25 edition of HBO's Boxing After Dark, hardcore boxing fans felt it was a devastating blow as that bout guaranteed action and intrigue.

Fans can hold out hope that Golovkin will indeed be facing a step-up in competition as Matchroom Sport's Eddie Hearn has informed TQBR that they are in discussions to make a fight between Golovkin and Grzegorz Proksa, whose promotional rights Matchroom owns. Proksa is coming off an 8th round technical knockout victory over Kerry Hope which took place just last weekend, avenging a questionable majority decision loss that took place in March, Proksa's only blemish so far in 29 professional contests.

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EPIX's "Moneybox" Strategy

EPIX's "Moneybox" Strategy
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
July 12, 2012


Despite not being available in the same number of households or bringing the same kind of budget, the New York based premium network EPIX has, in a short amount of time, been able to make an impact on the boxing landscape by finding value where the “Big Two,” HBO and Showtime, don't see any.

A comparison could be made to the early 2000s version of Major League Baseball's “Moneyball” Oakland Athletics, of which a major motion picture and book was based on, starring Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill. Call EPIX's strategy “Moneybox.”

“If you say so,” laughed EPIX Executive VP and Chief Creative Officer Travis Pomposello on the analogy in a phone interview with TQBR on Tuesday afternoon. “Just don't make me Jonah Hill, I'd rather be Brad Pitt.”

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Tyson Fury Beats Down Vinny Maddalone Over Five

Tyson Fury Beats Down Vinny Maddalone Over Five
Mark E. Ortega
Boxingscene.com
July 7, 2012


Hand Arena, Clevedon, Somerset - Saturday on terrestrial TV in the UK and in the U.S. on WealthTV (a newcomer to the boxing game), Tyson Fury (19-0, 14 KOs) took a sidestep in his quest to become a legitimate player in the heavyweight division, stopping Vinny Maddalone (35-8, 26 KOs) of Queens, New York, in round five via TKO.

Both fighters started off a bit cautious, but Fury was able to land a number of solid straight rights in the opening frame that highlighted the difference in class between the two. Fury landed the right hand off his jab and Maddalone looked bothered by the Manchester native's power through the next few rounds.

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Tyson Fury Disposes of Vinny Maddalone in Five

Tyson Fury Disposes of Vinny Maddalone in Five
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
July 7, 2012


Saturday on terrestrial TV in the U.K. and in the U.S. on WealthTV (a welcome newcomer to the boxing game), Tyson Fury (19-0, 14 KOs) took a sideways step in his quest to become a legitimate player in the heavyweight division, stopping Vinny Maddalone (35-8, 26 KOs) of Queens, New York in round 5 via technical knockout.

Both fighters started off a bit cautious, but Fury was able to land a number of solid straight rights in the opening frame that highlighted the difference in class between the two. Fury landed the right hand off his jab and Maddalone looked bothered by the Manchester native's power.

Maddalone's face began puffing up a bit in round 2, as more jabs and straight rights found the mark. Fury used the ring well, outmaneuvering Maddalone when he waded forward without his jab.

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Javier Fortuna Aces Cristobal Cruz Test

Javier Fortuna Aces Cristobal Cruz Test
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
July 6, 2012


In an intriguing doubleheader on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights from Las Vegas, we learned a couple of new things about a few young fighters that share the oversight of Sampson Lewkowicz, who manages both A-side fighters in each bout and is largely responsible for their rise.

In the main event, 22-year-old Javier Fortuna of the Dominican Republic gave himself a nine-day early birthday present, starching well-traveled Tijuana-based journeyman Cristobal Cruz inside of two rounds in their scheduled 10-round clash.

Fortuna (20-0, 15 KOs) bothered Cruz with his power early, dropping him with some wide-swining stuff inside of Cruz's slower unorthodox punches early in the round. Cruz used all the veteran tricks he could in order to remain on his feet, pulling Fortuna to the canvas a number of times and falling to the ground at least once on his own.

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Questionable Technical Knockout Remains Unchanged [UPDATE: Since Overturned]

Questionable Technical Knockout Remains Unchanged [UPDATE: Since Overturned]
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
July 6, 2012


On May 12 in Woodland, Calif., San Francisco's Denis Madriz and Fresno's Luis Villagomez were two fighters looking for their first professional victory off-TV on the Solo Boxeo undercard of Vicente Escobedo versus Juan Ruiz.

Their scheduled four-round featherweight bout was considered by many in attendance the best fight of the night. Unfortunately, the 4th round stoppage in favor of Madriz was incorrectly ruled as the cut that caused the stoppage came from a head butt and not from a punch and thus should have been ruled a no contest.

According to Frank Aleman, president of Aleman Boxing Fresno where Villagomez trains, he was told by California State Athletic Commission director Che Guevara that if they could obtain a copy of the fight that shows the headbutt clearly caused the cut, that they would change the decision to a no contest.

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Half-Year 25 Favorite Prospects Report Card

Half-Year 25 Favorite Prospects Report Card
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
July 4, 2012


In January, one of my first contributions to TQBR was a list of my 25 favorite prospects to start 2012. Now that we have met the halfway point of the year, compiled here is a report on how those 25 prospects have fared and a grade letter assigned. Over the first six months, prospects were 41-2 with 27 knockouts. Not a bad start.

MAKING THE GRADE 

Eleider Alvarez, light heavyweight, 28, 9-0, 5 KOs (2-0) B+ 
Alvarez didn't sparkle against Rayco Saunders on ESPN2 in April, but returned to the Bell Centre in early June to lay a whooping on once-beaten Shawn Hawk. Alvarez needs to be a little more active at 28, and if he is able to get two fights to close out '12 it will have been a good year for him. Next fight: N/A

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Roy Jones Jr. Decisions Pawel Glazewski

Roy Jones Jr. Decisions Pawel Glazewski
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
June 30, 2012


Twenty years ago, a Roy Jones Jr. fight happening in the afternoon American time would likely be taking place on a major network with a fairly good buzz going. Sadly that was not the case on this day in 2012.

Saturday afternoon U,S. Pacific Time, 43-year old Roy Jones Jr. won a controversial ten-round split decision over previously unbeaten yet unheralded Pawel Glazewski in his native Poland. Jones was a solid 3-to-1 favorite, but fought much like former rival Antonio Tarver did against Lateef Kayode earlier this month. One problem was Jones Jr. didn't turn it up in the second half and it looked as though he was thoroughly outworked. Jones Jr. also suffered a 6th round knockdown off a punch that wasn't quite devastating.

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Nonito Donaire Wraps Up San Carlos Camp

Nonito Donaire Wraps Up San Carlos Camp
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
June 29, 2012


SAN CARLOS, Calif.--Thursday afternoon in San Carlos, Calif., multi-division titlist Nonito Donaire concluded his sparring in preparation for his fight with South African beltholder Jeffrey Mathebula, which takes place in southern California at the Home Depot Center in Carson on July 7, televised by HBO.

Working with Donaire in sparring at Undisputed were a pair of much larger fighters in veteran Gilberto Sanchez Leon and Robert Rodriguez, whom Donaire trainer Robert Garcia brought with him from Oxnard.

“We have good sparring partners. We couldn't find guys that tall at 122 so we had to look for guys that fight at 135,” Garcia told TQBR on Thursday afternoon.

“These guys are well over 140 but that is the best we can do. Gilberto Sanchez Leon is very experienced and has been in there against great names and the experience he brings, the style that he brings is similar to what we will see in our opponent. We also have Robert Rodriguez from Colorado who is also very tall and gives us a lot of pressure and good work.”

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Josesito Lopez and the Eight-Year Plan

Josesito Lopez and the Eight-Year Plan
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
June 28, 2012


Though many memorable moments remain from last Saturday's shocking result at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, one of those moments that stuck with me late into the following week about Josesito Lopez was simply him making his ringwalk. Emblazoned on the right breast of his jacket was a large logo: Thompson Boxing.

Josesito Lopez was the first fighter Thompson Boxing signed to a contract in 2004. Though they cut the opening day ribbon on their company in 2000, Lopez was the first fighter to sign an exclusive deal to be promoted by the Orange County-based outfit.

Both promoter and fighter have ridden through their fair share of bumps in the road, but Lopez's upset win this past Saturday over Victor Ortiz was an unquestionable high point.

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Miguel Acosta-Art Hovhannisyan Tops ShoBox Tripleheader

Miguel Acosta-Art Hovhannisyan Tops ShoBox Card
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
June 27, 2012

On July 20, Gary Shaw Promotions will bring a doubleheader to the esteemed prospect series ShoBox: The New Generation from the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif. as confirmed by matchmaker John Beninati. The card was initially going to air three bouts but one bout fell out, as detailed below.

As has been previously reported, the card will be headlined by a 10-round lightweight bout between unbeaten Artyom Hovhannisyan of Glendale, Calif. by way of Armenia against former titleholder Miguel Acosta of Venezuela. The two televised undercard bouts have not been previously reported anywhere.

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Rico Ramos Beats Efrain Esquivias in Vicious Encounter

Rico Ramos Beats Efrain Esquivias in Vicious Encounter
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
June 24, 2012


Just a few miles down the way from a big time boxing show at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, former junior featherweight beltholder Rico Ramos of Pico Rivera, Calif. got back into the win column with a hard-fought eight-round majority decision win over previously unbeaten Gardena, Calif. resident Efrain Esquivias. It was an an entertaining main event at the Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City in front of a capacity crowd. The bout topped a bill promoted by Goossen-Tutor Promotions and was televised on Telefutura's Solo Boxeo.

The more intimate 1,000 seat venue housed a raucous crowd that was on their feet for nearly the duration of Ramos-Esquivias, which turned out to be a unanticpated barnburner. Though the majority agreed it was a well-matched fight, it was hard to gauge how action-packed the bout would be based on a combination Ramos' poor showing in January against Guillermo Rigondeaux as well as Esquivias' lack of name recognition.

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Family Drama at the Center of Ortiz-Lopez Tonight

Family Drama at the Center of Ortiz-Lopez Tonight
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
June 23, 2012


At Friday's weigh-in for the Victor Ortiz-Josesito Lopez card taking place at Staples Center later Saturday, TQBR had a chance to catch up with Ortiz trainer Danny Garcia afterwards.

In an article posted at TQBR on June 19, Josesito Lopez and his trainer Henry Ramirez were quoted as saying that Garcia's father Eduardo had giving them insight on how to beat Ortiz. Eduardo started out Victor as a fighter.

“I think it is a bunch of bull,” said Danny Garcia when asked what he thought about it. “I think that Josesito's trainer Henry is just trying to play mind games, and even if he did help there is no information that is going to help Josesito Lopez beat Victor tomorrow. Even if my dad was working in their corner, that wouldn't change the outcome of the fight.”

TQBR had a chance to relay Danny Garcia's thoughts to Ramirez earlier Saturday.

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[Mike] Dallas Does Soboba

[Mike] Dallas Does Soboba
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
June 23, 2012


SAN JACINTO, Calif. -- Friday night at the Soboba Casino, junior welterweight contender Mike Dallas, Jr. of Bakersfield, Calif. took another step up the rankings as he vanquished Javier Castro of Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico in the 6th round in perhaps his most impressive performance to date.

Dallas (19-2-1, 8 KOs) edged the opening round of the ESPN2-televised main event as he landed his jab consistently, though Castro got in some solid shots of his own. Castro (27-5, 22 KOs) suffered a cut near his right eye, but things would even out in the round 3 when Dallas' right eye was cut as well. Both cuts were the result of accidental clashes of heads.

The difference in handspeed was eye-opening, as Dallas was able to get in with his punches before Castro had a chance to respond. Castro did his best work when he had Dallas trapped on the ropes, which didn't occur often enough to sway the opinion of the judges prior to the stoppage.

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Goossen-Tutor Brings Boxing Back to Upper Middle Class

Goossen-Tutor Brings Boxing Back to Upper Middle Class
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
June 22, 2012


It has been nearly 15 years since a live boxing card took place at the Reseda Country Club in the San Fernando Valley.

At its peak during the late 80s to early 90s, Dan Goossen's promotional company used the country club as the proving grounds to a number of future world champions, namely Michael Nunn and the Ruelas brothers, Gabriel and Rafael.

Cards were often offered as a midweek special, with many Tuesday and Wednesday dates that you just don't see in American boxing today.

Saturday, Goossen-Tutor Promotions is attempting to recreate the atmosphere from those Reseda club shows when they utilize Studio City's Sportsmen's Lodge as former 122-pound beltholder Rico Ramos (20-1, 11 KOs) meets fellow southern Californian Efrain Esquivias (16-0, 9 KOs) in a very intriguing Solo Boxeo headlining bout.

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Kazuto Ioka Decisions One-Eyed Akira Yaegashi in Minimumweight Title Tilt

Kazuto Ioka Decisions One-Eyed Akira Yaegashi in Minimumweight Title Tilt
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
June 20, 2012


At early morning American time, hardcore boxing fanatics set their alarms in anticipation of catching a stream of the rare minimumweight unification bout between Japanese compatriots Kazuto Ioka and Akira Yaegashi in Osaka, Japan on Wednesday evening.

It would be 23-year old emerging phenom Kazuto Ioka (10-0, 6 KOs) who would unify the two alphabet soup belts that were on the line, though a case could be made for a draw or even a close victory for Yaegashi. The final tally was a split decision verdict, with two 115-113 scores for Ioka overruling the 115-114 scorecard in favor of Yaegashi (15-3, 8 KOs).

The two beltholders fought a more tactical affair than expected, undoubtedly wary of each other's power. Though the consensus pick was Ioka by devastating knockout heading in, it was Yaegashi who showed early flashes of power, buckling Ioka a bit in the 5th round while landing numerous hard shots in the rounds preceding.

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Josesito Looks to Upset the Odds Against Victor Ortiz

Josesito Looks to Upset the Odds Against Victor Ortiz
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
June 19, 2012

There aren't many giving Riverside, Calif.'s Josesito Lopez much of a chance to overturn the already set table of his June 23 opponent Victor Ortiz at the Staples Center in Los Angeles in the Showtime Championship Boxing main event.

Among those is Ortiz's promoter Golden Boy Promotions, who has a tentative date set in September for Ortiz to move up to junior middleweight and take on one of boxing's few box-office beaus Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in a pay-per-view attraction set for the weekend of Mexican Independence Day.

This isn't the first time Ortiz (29-3-2, 22 KOs) has been setup to win at the Staples Center. Almost three years to the day, featherweights Chris John and Rocky Juarez were set to rematch atop a bill that featured Ortiz against the largely unknown Marcos Maidana in the co-feature. John-Juarez II fell out and Ortiz found himself headlining at perhaps the biggest venue in California. Ortiz was being hailed as one of the sport's future stars by all the important outlets.

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