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.

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.

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.