Wilfried Sauerland turns 70

Vazquez Jr. wins WBO 122 lbs with stoppage over Sonsona–WATCH ON GFL

By Alejandro Echevarria

Bayamón, P.R. – History was to be made when “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona of the Philippines fought Bayamón’s own Wilfredo “Papito” Vázquez Jr. for the WBO super bantamweight title. Sonsona was aiming to be the youngest two division champion from the Philippines while Vázquez Jr. was aiming to become part of the first father and son duo from Puerto Rico to be world champions. Apparently the near capacity crowd at the Rubén Rodríguez Coliseum was aware of this as they went crazy when Vazquez Jr. entered the ring flanked by local hip-hop stars and his father, former three division world champion, Wilfredo Vázquez and again when announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr. presented the boxers.

Vázquez jabbed and avoided most of Sonsona’s single shots in the first and both fighters landed their respective straights but neither scored with any significant punches. Vázquez landed a counter right hand off the ropes in the second that appeared to cut Sonona under his left eye and ended the round landing several jabs and powerful right hands. Sonsona seemed distraught by the end of the round. In the third, Sonsona landed a straight left that gave him some confidence as he let his hands go a little more. Still, the Puerto Rican managed to work the body and land rights of his own on the now swelling eye of Sonsona.

Vázquez went after his man in the fourth and pinned him several times against the ropes using his jab and straight right hand until one of those right hands broke through Sonsona’s defense and hurt him. A follow up left hook to the body put Sonsona down for the full count and tonight, it was the Puerto Rican who made history by becoming part of the first ever Puerto Rican father and son duo to win world titles.

With the impressive victory, Vázquez earns his first belt and improves his record to 18-0-1 15KO’s while Sonsona looses his first one and goes to 14-1-1 12KO’s. After the fight, Sonsona told the press he made the mistake of trading with the man he now knows to be a strong puncher. Still he insisted he would remain in the weight class where he says he feels strong.

The newly crowned champion was very thankful to his father Wilfred Vázquez, his promoter Tutico Zabala, to his fans and to God whom he says is the one who deserves the glory. As emotional as he was, he was still very clear in the fact that this is his job and his purpose in boxing is not to be famous but to make a living for his family. Regarding his future plans, he stated that he would most likely oblige with the WBO’s mandatory defense in ninety days.

The night started off with Osenohad “Cano” Vázquez (2-1), 141lbs. of Vega Baja, P.R. taking on Jorge Pérez Adorno (1-2), 140.2lbs. of Bayamón, at the junior welterweight division and set for four rounds. Round one lacked any significant action. The second one saw both fighters let their hands go with Vázquez landing more efficiently with his straight right and left hooks. Pérez Adorno tried to be more active in the third but was persuaded otherwise by several powerful left hooks. The fourth was a more even round where Pérez Adorno managed to make “Cano” fight going backwards at which he was still fairly effective. Scores were 39-37 for Vázquez on all three judge’s cards.

Next up and also set for four rounds was Marcos Adorno (0-2), 155.2lbs. of Vega Alta, P.R. against southpaw Giovanni “Tarantula” Rodríguez (2-0, 2KO’s) 154.8lbs., Trujillo Alto, P.R. Rodríguez quickly got to his over matched and visibly out of shape opponent with several lefts and put him down in the very first. The referee stopped the bout at 1:58 after seeing Adorno wasn’t up for it.

Lightweights Efigenio Pérez (0-1), 145.8lbs. of Aguada, P.R. and Luis Joel González (3-0, 2KO’s) 140.4lbs. of Bayamón were next in a fight originally set for the lightweight limit. Rounds one and two were slow in action and drew boos from the crowd even though González seemed to be boxing well and landing often but refusing to stay in the mix. Pérez managed to land some good shots in the third but not enough to dissuade his opponent who put him down in the fourth with a powerful one-two combination. Pérez got up but the referee stopped it at 2:47 of the final round.

Kicking off the televised portion of the card were José Angel Beranza (32-16-2 25KO’s), 121.4lbs.of Ciudad Mexico, Mexico and Jonathan “Polbo” Oquendo (17-2 11KO’s), 122lbs.from Vega Alta, P.R. fighting for the WBO Super featherweight title. In the first, Oquendo scored a flash knockdown and worked the body well. The second and third saw “Polbo” use good movement to evade Beranza’s punches and one-two’s to set up nice uppercuts.  In the fourth Beranza landed solid counter punches and managed to open a small cut under Oquendo’s right eye.

In the fifth and sixth rounds, Beranza started pressing the action and stalking Oquendo who was breathing through his mouth and seemed tired. Both rounds provided good exchanges but Beranza showed better condition. In the seventh round, Oquendo tried to box a little more but ended up trading rights with his opponent and scoring a dubious knockdown. Going into the eighth, Oquendo seemed gassed but came back with powerfull rights that got the crowd to its feet.

Rounds nine and ten were dictated by Beranza who, even when missing, was pressing the action and stalking a tired Oquendo who seemed content with only landing counter right hands. In the eleventh Beranza tried to take his man down but was caught with several good counters and over hand rights. The final round was definitely a Beranza round as Oquendo didn’t want to trade or take chances and simply survived the round. Scores were 118-108, 114-112 and 117-109 all for Oquendo.

Former Puerto Rican amateur star McJoe Arroyo, 118lbs., of Fajardo made his pro debut against Giovanni Rivera (0-2),118.2lbs. of Arecibo, P.R. in a bout set for four rounds. Southpaw Arroyo made himself felt quickly scoring a knockdown halfway through the round with a solid left hook. After being warned for a borderline low blow Arroyo tried to finish the bout but Rivera’s holding gave him another round. In the second, Rivera tried in vain to run but was again caught by a left hand that ended the bout. Time of stoppage was 0:25 of the second.

Arroyo said he felt comfortable and was ready to go six rounds. He promised his fans he would give his best to please them and thanked the crowd for the massive support they showed. The future hopeful started his career with a sweet stoppage although against an overmatched opponent.

Up next was former Puerto Rican Olympian Carlos Negrón, 186lbs.of Villalba facing Roy Ashworth (5-7, 1KO’s) 185lbs. of Louisiana in a bout set for six rounds. Negrón tagged Ashworth with a right hand and a left hook that sent the American down a minute and fifteen seconds into the fight. With 50 seconds left, Negrón again put his man down with a left to the body that made Asworth spit out his mouthpiece. With several seconds left in the round, two flush lefts to the chin ended the fight in spectacular fashion for the Puerto Rican who moves his record to 8-0 6KO’s. Negrón desperately needs better opposition and agreed with 15rounds.com when asked about it.

Next up was McWilliams Arroyo, 113lbs. brother of McJoe and the other half of the promising duo of amateur boxers from the island. He was set to face Eliecer Sánchez 114.1lbs of Corozal, Puerto Rico also making his pro debut for four rounds. Arroyo stalked Sánchez from the opening bell and eve though he missed several right hands, when two of them landed the bout ended. The referee called it off as soon as Sánchez went down as he appeared seriously hurt. Time was 1:45. Arroyo said he wanted to impress as much as his brother had two fights before and was happy with the outcome.

Jones scores decision over Bruseles in AC; Rosado beats Roman; Kendall Holt gets stopped in an elimination bout

Mike Jones got off to a bit of a slow start but turned up the offense to cruise to a unanimous decision over Henry Brusles in a ten round Welterweight fight in front of a sold out crowd at Ballys in Atlantic City.

It was Bruseles who came out and boxed well in round one as he moved in and out and landed a couple shots to Jones’ 5’11” body. Jones started to get things going a little bit in round two when Jones started to land some quick shots inside. Over the next couple rounds, each man took turns controlling the action with Jones winning his round with the more emphatic punching while Bruseles would squeak by with by getting through using angles and pot shotting.

The fight clearly turned in round seven with Jones landing some quick lefts and then rocking Bruseles with a hard three punch combination. Over the final part of the fight, Jones was in control as he started pumping the jab two and three times to set up quick one-two combination’s and he began to pull away on the cards. Jones was very solid in the fight but probably wasn’t the dominating performance that many of the sold out crowd came to see.

Nonetheless, Jones won by scores of 98-92, 98-92 and 97-93 (same as the 15rounds.com/gofightlive.tv ringside card).

Jones, 146 ¾ lbs of Philadelphia is now 20-0. Bruseles, 147 lbs of Guarbo, Puerto Rico is now 28-4-1.

In the television co-feature, Gabriel Rosado and Saul Roman hooked up in an entertaining ten round Jr. Middleweight clash.

Rosado and Roman fought very hard with Roman coming forward for most of the bout and Rosado doing a tremendous job of countering with the right hand.

The action really picked up over the last half of the fight with Rosado firing off right hands that caused a stream of blood from around the left eye of Roman. For his trouble, Rosado was cut from the forehead. This was a battle of geography as Roman wanted to make this an inside tussle while Rosado wanted and most of the time successfully had his way at distance. In round eight, Rosado landed countless counters to offset a big left hand that Roman got through at the beginning of the round.

The last two rounds did not provide as much action as the previous entertaining eight frames but Rosado’s out was more than enough for Rosado who won the bout by split decision.
Scores were 96-94 on two cards for Rosado (15rounds.com/gofightlive.tv liked the counterpunching Rosado to the tune of 99-91) while a third card read 97-93 for Roman.

Rosado, 155 ½ lbs of Philadelphia is now 14-4. Roman, 155 lbs of Tijuana, Mexico is now 32-6.
The opening bout of the night could have been the end of the line for former WBO Jr. Welterweight champion Kendall Holy as Kaiser Mabuza bludgeoned him over six rounds of their scheduled twelve round IBF Jr. Welterweight elimination bout.

Holt actually had a decent first round as he landed some body shots and combinations. After that it was a downhill freefall for Holt as Mabuza would just walk Holt down and pound away on the ropes for the next five rounds. Holt began to bleed from the nose in round three. If one saw round two, then he saw all rounds after that as Holt did next to nothing basically let Mabuza have his way. The sixth round was a bad round for Holt as he spent nearly the whole round eating punches and swelling around the left eye was starting to form.

Holt’s corner decided to save their man from any more damage and called a halt to the action before round seven could commence.

Mabuza, 140 lbs of Johannesburg, South Africa now awaits the winner of next Saturday’s Juan Urango – Devon Alexander unification battle with a record of 23-6-3 with fourteen knockouts. Holt, 139 ½ lbs of Paterson, NJ is now 25-3.

Ariel Espinal landed two big rights in round three to drop Anthony Pietrantonio and in round four Espinal finished the job by landing four big head shots that forced referee Benji Estevez to call a halt to the action at 1:38 of round four of their scheduled six round Light Heavyweight bout.

Espinal, 181 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is now 7-12-3 with three knockouts. Pietrantonio, 171 lbs of Youngstown, OH is now 6-5.

Local favorite (and 15rounds.com blogger) Troy Maxwell made his large local throng of fans happy by scoring a four round unanimous decision over Todd Erkisson in a Super Middleweight bout.
Maxwell landed some big right hands and kept Eriksson at bay to cruise to the decision via 39-37 on all cards.

Maxwell, 168 lbs of Galloway, NJ is now 2-0. Eriksson, 166 ½ lbs of Dover, NJ is 0-3-1.
Good looking nineteen year-old prospect Glen Tapia scored a vicious knockdown just seconds into his scheduled four round Jr. Middleweight bout with Tyrone Miles and finished him off with a series of power punches that forced Esteves to stop bout just seconds into the fight.

Tapia, 152 lbs of Passaic, NJ is now 4-0 with three knockouts. Miles, 153 lbs of Camden, NJ is now 1-3.

Rugged vet, Ossie Duran scored a four round unanimous decision over Jamaal Davis in a Jr. Middleweight bout.

Scores were 40-36 on all cards for Duran, 155 lbs of Paterson, NJ and is now 24-8-2. Davis, 156 ½ lbs of Philadelphia is now 11-6.

HOF trainer Angelo Dundee special guest at “Brace For Impact” – March 12 on GFL

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Feb. 18, 2010) – Living legend, Hall of Fame trainer Angelo Dundee will be a special guest at the “Brace For Impact” pro boxing card, presented March 12 by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc. (CES), in Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn.

The 10-round main event is a rematch between heavyweights Tony “TNT” Grano and Mark “Oak Tree” Brown. Brown (15-2, 7 KOs) overcame two knockdowns to stop Grano (16-1-1, 13 KOs), fighting out of Hartford (CT), in the eighth round of their WBF All-Americas title bout Sept. 27, 2008. Grano is the 2005 U.S. National Championships winner and National Golden Gloves Tournament runner-up, and has won two in a row since suffering his lone loss as a pro to Brown, highlighted by a sensational, nationally-televised knockout of previously-undefeated prospect Travis Kaufman (18-0) last September.

Dundee, 88, was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1994. Best known as head trainer for Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard, Dundee also worked the corner for George Foreman, Jose Napoles, Jimmy Ellis, Carmen Basilio and Luis Rodriguez.

“I’m looking forward to being at Foxwoods,” Dundee said. “I go way back with Jimmy Burchfield. When I first go to a city, I always look for a good Italian restaurant, and that’s how I first met Jimmy in Providence at his (former) restaurant (The Classic). I brought Sugar Ray Leonard there. I was in Providence two years ago for an Italian festival and Jimmy brought Vinny Paz and a lot of his good-looking fighters. It takes a lot of guts to promote today and Jimmy Burchfield is the reason boxing is still flourishing up there. He does it the right way with local kids. I’m thrilled to be a guest at his Foxwoods show.”

“My relationship with Angelo goes beyond boxing,” Burchfield noted. “We’re good friends. I don’t know if boxing will ever see anybody like him again in terms of what he did for his fighters. Not only does he know this business inside and out, I think he’s one of the greatest human beings I’ve ever met. My relationship with Sugar Ray Leonard is thanks to Angelo.

“On of my all-time favorite fighters, Willie Pastrano, was trained by Angelo. I’m thrilled to be having my dear friend, Angelo, sitting next to me at ringside on March 12^th. He has been as big a personality as his fighters. Angelo never turns down a request from fans for an autograph, or a favor from promoters. His presence at our show will top off a great night.”

Also slated to be in action on “Brace For Impact” are Hartford super bantamweight “Machine” Mike Oliver (22-2, 7 KOs), reigning New England and EBA champion; Marshfield (MA) super middleweight Manuel Antonio Lopes (5-0-1, 1 KO), Long Island (NY) light heavyweight Joe “The Irish Bomber” Smith Jr. (2-0, 2 KOs), 2008 New York Golden Gloves champion; Brooklyn (NY) welterweight Sadam “World Kid” Ali (5-0, 2 KOs), 2008 U.S. Olympian; and Hartford middleweight David Bauza (3-0, 3 KOs). All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Grano out to avenge only career loss in “Brace For Impact” headliner March 12 at Foxwoods – Live Exclusively on GFL

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Feb. 15, 2010) – Popular heavyweight prospect Tony “TNT” Grano values avenging his lone pro loss more than money and fame, which is precisely why he desperately wanted a rematch against Mark “Oak Tree” Brown, headlining the March 12^th “Brace For Impact” card, presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc. (CES), in Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn.

Grano (16-1-1, 13 KOs), a 2005 U.S. National Championships winner and National Golden Gloves Tournament runner-up, has won two in a row since losing to Brown (15-2, 7 KOs), who overcame two knockdowns to stop Grano in the eighth round of their WBF All-Americas title bout Sept. 27, 2008.

Coming off his sensational, nationally-televised knockout of previously-undefeated prospect Travis Kaufman (18-0) last September, Grano had clearly targeted Brown, rather than a top 20 rated opponent, and CES gave him the opportunity for revenge.

“For me, personally,” Grano explained, “I wanted this rematch more than any fight. Ranking-wise, I don’t need it because I’ve already surpassed him (Brown), and my fight on ShoBox (vs. Kaufman) showed everybody it (fight vs. Brown) was a fluke. No excuses, though, I’m not like that. I had a bad night and he had a good night. Negotiations for bigger fights for me were held – (Brian) Minto, (Hasim) Rahman and (Evander) Holyfield – were mentioned. But beating Brown means a lot to me and after I do, I’ll be looking for a fight against a top 10 guy to get me in position, hopefully, for a world title shot.

“Anybody who has watched me knows I put on exciting fights and a lot of people are coming to watch me fight March 12. I’m not going to brawl; I’m going to show my boxing ability and pick him apart. I won’t be looking for a knockout, but if it comes, it comes. I just want to connect and get in some good hits. He’s tough but I don’t see him going the full 10 rounds. It’s going to be a great fight.”

Grano, who was born in Hebron (CT) and fights out of Hartford, will be fighting in his home state for the 15^th time, his fourth at Foxwoods.

“It’s great fighting in Connecticut and I love fighting at Foxwoods,” Tony added from training camp in Houston. “I have a huge fan-base that we’re trying to build up even more in the Italian-American market. I expect a large crowd at Foxwoods and I’m looking forward to putting on a great display.  I want to get boxing fans excited again.”

Also slated to be in action on “Brace For Impact” are Hartford super bantamweight “Machine” Mike Oliver (22-2, 7 KOs), reigning New England and EBA champion; Marshfield (MA) super middleweight Manuel Antonio Lopes (5-0-1, 1 KO), Long Island (NY) light heavyweight Joe “The Irish Bomber” Smith Jr. (2-0, 2 KOs), 2008 New York Golden Gloves champion; Brooklyn (NY) welterweight Sadam “World Kid” Ali (5-0, 2 KOs), 2008 U.S. Olympian; Hartford middleweight David Bauza (3-0, 3 KOs). All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets for “Brace For Impact,” priced at $40.00, $60.00 and $100.00, are available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254) or Foxwoods (800-200-2882), going online at www.cesboxing.com or www.foxwoods.com, or in person at Foxwood’s box office

Escalante wins action packed decision over Roman

Antonio Escalante scored a ten round unanimous decision over Miguel Roman in a thrilling fight at the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas.

Escalante showed his class throughout as he brawled very nicely against the tough as nails Roman, who kept coming forward.  Escalante consistently landed combinations andwas especilly effective with the left hook.  He mixed up his shots evenly to the head and body.  The two engaged in many exchanges where Roman would come forward winging wide shots and Escalante would get through with crisper punches.

Escalante continued to land flurries and that did not deter Roman from coming forward.  In round eight, Escalante landed a body shot that was followed by a leaping right hand that sent Roman to the canvas which thrilled Escalante’s hometwon fans.  All that work briefly fatigued Escalante because over the next four minutes, Roman had his best output of the fight as his aggressive nature was not met with the same resistance of the previous eight rounds.  The one minute respite in between round’s nine and ten seemed to do the trick for Escalante as he finished strong as he and Roman battled all the way to the bell.

Escalante (Ranked # 8 by 15rounds.com at 122 lbs) 126 lbs of El Paso, Texas won by scores of 97-92, 97-92 and 96-93 to raise his record to 22-2.  Roman, 126 lbs of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico is now 28-7.

Unbeaten Jr. Welterweight prospect Danny Garcia was in with his toughest foe to date and his fight with Ashley Theophane but Garcia hung on to win a split decision in a ten round bout.

This fight was about what the judges liked between Garcia’s punching in and out with some solid counter punching or Theophane’s awkward style.  Garcia was a bit more active and landed the more telling blows and got the nod  despite being docked a potentially critical point in round nine for a low blow and won by scores of 96-94, 95-94 while Theophane took a card 95-94.

Garcia, 141 lbs of Philadelphia is now 16-0.  Theophane, 140 3/4 lbs of London, UK is now 25-4-1.

JOSHUA CLOTTEY CONFERENCE CALL TRANSCRIPT WITHPROMOTER BOB ARUM & MANAGER VINNY SCOLPINO

BOB ARUM: We are a little over two weeks away and we are very excited about the full house we are going to have at Cowboys Stadium with Manny Pacquiao, who is the most exciting fighter in the world today and we couldn’t find a more competitive opponent that Joshua Clottey.  Clottey has a heart like a lion and he is a terrifically balanced fighter who comes and gives it everything.  We think that whoever wins this fight, at the end of the night, they will be saying that this is the best fight that Manny has ever, ever been in.  This is the toughest fighter that Manny Pacquiao, the Fighter of the Decade, has been in the ring with.  There are many experts saying they wouldn’t be surprised if Joshua Clottey won this fight.

VINNY SCALPINO: Joshua has been training very hard and his team around has been reporting wonderful things.  So we are ready to rumble.

JOSHUA CLOTTEY: I would like everybody to know that I have been training very hard and that the owner of the Cowboys and Bob Arum will be very happy and I want to make everyone happy, that’s what I am doing now.  I am training to do my best and to bring my best to the ring.

Can you talk about your confidence level going into this fight?

JOSHUA CLOTTEY: Like I always said, Manny’s a good fighter, he’s the best now.  This is my 40^th fight in the professional ranks and it is the most special and I’m taking it a special way.  I think this is the third time going for the WBO title and my fourth world title overall.  I have had a fight with Cotto and now Manny Pacquiao.  I was so surprised that I had this opportunity to fight against Manny Pacquiao and when Bob Arum and Top Rank called me about this opportunity to fight Manny Pacquiao, I was so happy and I want to win this fight in a big way.

I think you are right. He does throw a lot of punches.  He throws a lot of punches to people when he sees the openings.  He won’t see the openings with me.  When I block the punches it will always make him think.  You see, I have my game plan.  I know what is going to happen in the ring.  I always come to fight and I always see my openings.  My game plan is to chase him, but if he is going to be there, fine.

Do you think you need to throw more punches to win the fight? Against Cotto it seemed as if you needed to throw more…

JOSHUA CLOTTEY: I think you are right.  You know, I’m not a flyweight.  I am not a bantamweight.  I am a welterweight and welterweights only throw punches that connect.  I can throw shots which connect and land and cause damage.  Not throw a lot of punches that he is deflecting and blocking.  If you look at the last fight, I won the last round.  He threw punches and I blocked them and I threw punches and they connected.  I will throw punches that cause damage.

My training is going to show when I get in the ring, but with Manny Pacquiao you don’t have to miss with him.  When he is throwing you have to let him do it.  Like you said, they come from many angles.  I have my plan.

Manny has made tremendous improvement as he has moved up in weight, which has caused suspicion.  Do you have any reason to believe he is doing anything illegal and why aren’t you requiring to take additional tests?

JOSHUA CLOTTEY: I don’t want him to do that because I respect him too much.  He is a very nice guy to be honest with you and I feel comfortable around him.  He is nice and respects everybody and I know where he is from.  I don’t think Manny Pacquiao is doing that thing.  If he is doing that thing, he is killing the sport.  Between he and God, it is going to some day be a problem.  I wouldn’t make him do that steroid thing because I believe in him.  I know he throws a pot of punches.  I respect him for that so I couldn’t ask him to do that.

What would a victory mean to you?

JOSHUA CLOTTEY: A victory would mean very, very more than a lot to me.  That’s why I am so happy about this opportunity.  And second, if I beat Manny Pacquiao I am going to be very much happy, because he is the best fighter out there.  He is the man now and he’s giving me a chance to fight him and if I beat him, I’m going to be on top of the world.  It will be very important to the people in my country and that is very important in life.

What was it like growing up?

JOSHUA CLOTTEY: When I was a young boy growing up I saw the boys in the area and I

said I wanted to fight them.  I fought one and then I wanted to fight again like a revenge.  I beat him and I became a boxer.  My life was not easy for me at all.  I had to go all over the world to become champion.  I came to America after fighting in England where things were very wrong.  Then I came here and things were moving along with Top Rank and Bob Arum and I have to give thanks to them.

These are both your fighters and it must be difficult for you…how do you see this fight playing out?

BOB ARUM: Of course I have and the more I play it over in my head I realize how competitive this fight is going to be.  Nobody, with any real certainty, can predict this fight.  Everybody knows how Manny Pacquiao fights.  Everybody knows the angles that he throws punches from.  Everybody knows that Joshua Clottey is a tremendous defensive fighter and can put a real hurting on an opponent.  Everybody knows that Clottey is the bigger man and Manny is the smaller man.  People talk about how much Manny has gone up in weight, but he really hasn’t gone up much.  He couldn’t make 130 so he fought at 135 pounds.  He was 138 when he fought Ricky Hatton.  If he gets on the scale now at the weigh-in weighing 142 or 143 that’s because he ate breakfast and lunch on the day of the weigh-in, so if he had to he could still make 135 pounds.  The idea that suddenly Manny Pacquiao has become a big man is just not true.  Joshua has the size and he is a natural welterweight…Manny Pacquiao isn’t and that makes intrigue in the fight.  Even Joshua would admit that Manny is the favorite in the fight because he has such a great resume but I can go either way.

What do you think Manny’s weak spots are?

JOSHUA CLOTTEY: No matter what people are going to talk about him, he is the best now. When he beats guys, like in the Cotto fight, he beats guys that don’t have a good defense.  I have a defense.  I will never say anything bad about the guy because he is the best now.  When I walk in the ring with Manny Pacquiao and I lost, I will tell everybody I lost the fight.  But I keep telling people I didn’t lose the Cotto fight because I don’t feel that I did.  When I walk into the ring, I do what I want to do to win the fight, to do my best.

When I walk into the ring I will know what I need to do to win the fight.

What areas do you need to improve to become great?

JOSHUA CLOTTEY: I trained a lot for this fight.  I trained really hard for this fight.  I trained when I was in Africa.  I run to the beach from my house here and I do everything I can.  That is good for me because I am going to be fighting the best guy out there and if I don’t prepare correctly and he is hitting me with the punches he throws, he is going to hurt me so I am protecting myself at the gym.  So when I get to the ring I will be fine.  I promise everybody a good fight, that’s what I’m telling you.

How surprised were you when this fight came about?

JOSHUA CLOTTEY: I wasn’t really thinking about this fight at all.  But I know I can fight anybody and I know I can beat any boxer.  It looked like somebody didn’t want to fight.  All the guys were talking about Pacquiao vs. Mayweather and it looks like he didn’t want to do it and it’s good for me.  If they didn’t do it, I get in.  I feel like it was a blessing from God.

Bob, can you talk about the venue?

BOB ARUM: As you will see on March 13, there is no stadium or arena in the world like Cowboys Stadium.   It is an architectural marvel – just the paintings alone.  But that is not what makes an exciting event.  What makes the event super exciting is that screen that goes from one 20 yard line to the other and is super high definition.  The screen will be 30 feet above the ring.  Every replay and every punch in the fight will be seen in really high definition.  Indeed, as pretty as the Cowboy Cheerleaders are, wait until you see them on that big screen, it is something really special.  Until you see it and until you’re there, it is very difficult to describe the experience.  I know that they just had the NBA All Star Game and the players were on the bench waiting to get in as the game was going on and many of them were watching the game on the screen rather than right in front of them on the floor.

When I saw the Cowboys-Eagles game sitting in Jerry Jones’ box, I found myself half the time watching the game on the screen than watching the field just because just because the picture is so incredible.  I think that’s what helps make it.  It has lounges, the Patrón Lounge, the concession stands.  Yankee Stadium has a lot of that but it is really an experience to be in the huge arena and watch an event.

What about Margarito, was it a disappointment he not being on the card?

BOB ARUM: We are disappointed.  The Texas Commission said they would have to hold a hearing and if they did we realized we wouldn’t get a result until it was too late.  So instead we did the Humberto Soto/David Diaz lightweight championship in its place.

Did steroid testing come up in the negotiations for this fight?

BOB ARUM: My view is that is not a topic for negotiation.  That is something for the commission to decide.  If a boxer would like more stringent testing than is applicable in that state, he should go before the commission, present his case and let the commission decide.  It is not for a bunch of amateurs to start talking about and start making demands – that is what’s called chaos.  That’s what you have to do and that’s what you have commissions for.  You go before the commission and you tell them I want such-and-such done and you let the commissioners decide – that’s what they are getting paid for – to handle those kind of questions.

VINNY SCOLPINO: I couldn’t agree with Bob more.  If the commission wants to implement other drug testing rules, let them implement them.   We abide by the rules that are set for us then we move forward.  Manny is a super champion and we all hope he is doing the right thing.  If the commission finds it in their drug testing – they find it.  We were going to abide by the rules set by the state.  W are professionals in the sport, Joshua is a professional and if that commission in that state says to do this, we do it.

Is 40,00 people still a target?

BOB ARUM: We didn’t set the stadium up for 40,000, we set it up for 45,000 and we are on our way to selling out.

There are a lot of Hispanics in Dallas.  We are selling a lot of tickets to Hispanics.  On the principal undercard bouts we have Hispanics.  We have Jose Luis Castillo fighting Alfonso Gomez, John Duddy, who is Irish, fighting Michael Medina, a Mexican from Monterey, middleweight, and David Diaz against Humberto Soto for the WBC lightweight title.  On the non-televised portion of the card, it is loaded with Hispanics like Roberto Marroquin of Dallas – the Hispanics and Mexicans will be well-represented.  Manny Pacquiao has fought many Mexicans and when I was down in Mexico identified Manny as a Filipino/Mexican and the Mexicans in California feel that Manny is one of them.

When did you feel it was a reality to be having a fight at Cowboys Stadium?

BOB ARUM: Well, you remember back when we were involved in the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight, Jerry had called me at home.  I knew Jerry, he had come to a couple of fights and he said, ‘Bob, we want the fight in Cowboys Stadium.’  We set up a meeting and Mayweather’s guy, Richard Schaefer, canceled the meeting the day before and it was kind of embarrassing for us.  I knew in my mind that Cowboys Stadium would be a great venue for this fight.  When the Mayweather fight fell out and the fight was made with Joshua Clottey, the first call I made was to Jerry Jones.  I told him I want to come out and make a deal with Cowboys Stadium.  He invited me out and it was in conjunction with the Cowboys-Eagles game.  I was there that night and the next day, Jerry, Todd [duBoef] and myself and Jerry’s staff and Steve Jones had a meeting and we made a deal.

Could you get more than 45,000?

BOB ARUM: That’s up to Jerry.  Right now everyone would have a tremendous view of the fight.  We could expand but right now we are on target to sell the 45,000 tickets and we’d be very happy doing that.  I know yesterday we sold 350 tickets and we are on course to do that again today.  By the time the fighters get into town, we would have sold well over 40,000 tickets.  We would then have 3,000 or 4,000 tickets to go and it would be up to Jerry to expand.

Are you worried about the training situation?

VINNY SCOLPINO: I think Lenny [DeJesus] brings a lot of experience, probably over 40 years and he was with Pacquiao during many of his fights.  Lenny has always been more than just a cut-man, he also trains a lot of fighters.  He brings a wealth of experience, he knows the business, he knows what to do in the ring whether he’s a cut man or whether he’s a trainer.  So we are comfortable.  Joshua is comfortable with him and we are ready to rumble.  We feel comfortable coming out of that rind with a victory with what we are doing.  Josh was training in Ghana with another trainer and we tried to get that trainer in but we weren’t sitting on the sidelines hoping and praying that that trainer would get in.  We had plans.  If the trainer joined us from Ghana we would love it.  Right now we are comfortable with what we have and Josh is a true professional.  Josh is so excited to get in that ring with Manny.  We are ready to rumble.  When that bell rings, everything changes.   Right now they are respectful of each other and are true professionals, but when that bell rings, those hats come off.  Fists are going to fly.

Are you disappointed your trainer could not get to the States, there were reports you brodke down and wept, is that true?

JOSHUA CLOTTEY: It is true. We have been together for a very long time.  If he could get his visa, I would fly him here.  They are not going to give him his visa and I can’t wait for him because I have to get ready to fight and my life is on the line.  When I get in the ring my trainer will give me motivation.  I had him in Ghana for weeks and that matters.  In other fights, my cut man, Lenny, was pushing me a lot so I thought I would use him as my trainer.

Are you ready for Manny Pacquiao and how do you plan on beating Manny Pacquiao?

JOSHUA CLOTTEY: I am very much ready for Manny Pacquiao.  I keep telling people that I am going to fight and I know it’s not easy.  It’s not going to be easy for me and it’s not going to be easy for Manny Pacquiao because I am going to fight the guy who the people think is the best.

I have never watched his tapes.  I never sit down and watch him and I never sit down and talk about him.  The only thing I think about is me and what I have to do when I come into the ring.  I have been training very hard for myself to get to the ring and do my best.  When I get to the ring, the fight will start and that’s what I’ll do.

Will your size make a difference in the fight like it did in the Cotto fight?

JOSHUA CLOTTEY: I am not talking about whether I am bigger or stronger than Manny Pacquiao.  I don’t want to talk like that because little guys beat the big guys out there.  I am not thinking about that.  The writers make the story so good.  I know I’m big and I’m strong but I’m not thinking about that.  I just train to get in the ring to do my best.  I just know what kind of  a fighter he is.  I just have to be me.  That is most important to me.

I have known Lenny and he is a very good man.  He was my cut man with Cotto.  So my trainer could not get a visa and I picked him to be my trainer for this fight.  Miguel Diaz used to be my cut man but he will be with Manny Pacquiao for this fight.

Do you feel Pacquiao-Mayweather could be made in the future?

BOB ARUM: Life goes on, that what these boys fight for.   If Joshua beats Manny, who knows? If Mosley beats Mayweather then we do a Mosley-Clottey fight. That’s what makes boxing interesting.  If I did a walkover fight, for example, Pacquiao and Malignaggi, which was at one point bandied about, people would say I was just keeping Pacquiao busy and they would have been right.  But there is danger in Manny losing this fight.  Clottey is a very dangerous fight.  There is also the chance that Mosley goes back to the fountain of youth, which he got for the Margarito fight and if he gets in the ring with Mayweather could very well beat Mayweather – the Mosley that fought Margarito.  If these were walk-over fights, nobody would give a damn.  The fight that everyone wanted to see didn’t happen for one reason or another and I’m not here on this call to cast blame on the other side, but on March 13 we have a really good fight, a competitive fight, a fight that could go either way and a fight that will be Manny Pacquiao’s toughest fight.

Did you say you haven’t watched tape of Manny’s fights?

JOSHUA CLOTTEY: That is right. I never watch tapes of people.  I don’t like watching tapes but I know how he fights.  When I get to the ring I know how he is going to be.

Negotiations to get to this fight?

BOB ARUM: In all the fights that I’ve done, this whole series of fights, the Hatton fight, the De La Hoya fight, the Cotto fight…it was never any kind of serious problems in the negotiations.  There were a couple of problems that went back and forth and the Mayweather negotiations threw me for a loop because they became so acrimonious and so in a lot of ways nonsensical, that it led me to believe rightly or wrongly that the Mayweather side never wanted to do the fight.  Now the negotiations for the Clottey fight took about 24 hours.  They contacted Clottey in Africa and I spoke to Vinny and Pat English the lawyer and we put it together quite promptly.  But that has been that way with every fight, that we can put it together without much back and forth.  Whether it was the presence of Al Haymon because we had problems with the Williams fight with Kelly Pavlik, I don’t really know.  I just know that the Mayweather negotiations were extremely difficult and extremely acrimonious and kept the fight from happening.

If we believe, and I certainly believe that boxing is a big-time sport, boxing is on a crest and boxing isn’t a niche sport or a dying sport, but it’s a big-time sport and putting it in big stadiums like Cowboy Stadium, like Yankees Stadium, like the new stadium in the Meadowlands, proves that point.  Because when you put your product in venues like that, what you’re saying to the world that boxing is a big-time sport and can hold its own past any other sport.  We know what’s happening in Mexico…boxing is getting higher ratings than soccer and certainly any other sport going on regularly on terrestrial TV on a Saturday night.  We know it from Germany where arenas are constantly sold out and the ratings are through the roof, we know if from England and the Philippines and Japan.  We don’t know it yet from the United States but I’m telling you, it’s like the sleeping giant that is there.  Boxing in the U.S. will takes its place the same way that it is doing it in the rest of the world like a big-time sport.  Putting these events in these stadiums will prove that and demonstrate that.

JOSHUA CLOTTEY: I would like to thank the media and all the questions that they ask me and the answers that I put through.  I want to thank God and Bob Arum and the Top Rank crew.  I am very happy that this fight is coming up on the 13^th of March and I’m going to do the best that I can.

BOB ARUM: I am really looking forward to March 13 and this great event in Cowboys Stadium.  The telecast is $49.95.  I have explained the undercard and it will be a great night of boxing.  Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders all over the place, fireworks.  It will be a real event and that’s why we have named it THE EVENT.  More importantly this will be the best fight you have seen.  This will be the toughest for many Pacquiao.  You’ve heard today how determined Joshua Clottey is and you’re going to see fireworks in the ring and that’s what boxing is all about.  Thanks for being on this call and we’ll see you on March 13^th.

*************************************

Video from Clottey’s training camp taken on Thursday.

Clottey Pre-Dawn Beach Run
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaF2siDEW-M

Clottey Pounds the Mitts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3qdT2txavI

Clottey hits the bags
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToOqtukTZWs

Stretching and sit ups…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrdTAXioeBg

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with the Dallas Cowboys, Tecate and MP Promotions, THE EVENT:  PACQUIAO vs. CLOTTEY will take place Saturday, March 13, in Cowboys Stadium, where over 30,000 tickets have already been sold. The $1.2 billion stadium is the largest, most technologically advanced entertainment venue in the world. Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs), boxing’s only seven-division world champion, of General Santos City, Philippines, will be defending the World Boxing Organization welterweight title against Clottey (35-3, 21 KOs), of Accra, Ghana.  THE EVENT will be produced and distributed Live on HBO Pay-Per-View®, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

*******************************************

HBO Sports^® will present “Road to Dallas: Pacquiao vs. Clottey,” a thirty-minute special analyzing the upcoming welterweight title showdown that will mark the first-ever pro boxing event at the landmark $1.2 billion Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Tex.  The special will premiere on HBO Saturday, March 6 at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT immediately following the live presentation of HBO Boxing After Dark®.

Vinan squeaks by Vazquez in Philly

By Marc Abrams (ringside)

Carlos Vinan scored a debatable split decision over local favorite Victor Vazquez in the six round Lightweight main event at The Arena in South Philadelphia.

Vazquez came out early firing some solid combination’s and punctuated round one with a nice uppercut at the bell. Vazquez landed some nice right hands in round two. He was getting through with the over hand right and seemed to be finding a home for that punch. Vinan finally started getting into the fight as he started to be effective with shots to the body. The action really picked in round four as both landed some good shots before a furious final half minute where the two stood toe to toe that delighted the Pro-Vazquez crowd.

Over the last two rounds, Vinan landed several solid straight right hands down the middle as the tough veteran continued to press the action. The rounds were very close and the fight could have gone either way but it felt like Vazquez did a little more for the victory.

When the scores were read, it was surprising to hear that Vinan took two cards by scores of 59-55 and 58-56 while a third card was almost as absurd as it was ruled that Vazquez took every round via a 60-54 tally. 15rounds.com/gofightlive.tv card saw 58-56 for Vazquez.

Vinan of Newark, New Jersey scored his second upset in The Arena (he previously beat undefeated Featherweight Prospect, Eric Hunter in the same venue) and is now 9-8-3. Vazquez of Philadelphia falls to 11-4.
In the co-feature, Kareem “Cool Breeze” Cooley took the decision out the judges hands as he scored a third round stoppage over Sidell Blocker in their scheduled four round Lightweight bout.

Cooley moved well and was effective the right hand. In round three, Cooley landed a perfectly timed counter right over the top that dropped Blocker. Blocker got to his feet but the fight was waved off at 1:12 of round three.

Cooley of Philadelphia, trains out of the Joe Hand Boxing Gym and is now 1-0. Blocker is 0-2.
Juan Rodriguez scored a third round knockdown en route to a four round unanimous decision over Dontre King in a Welterweight bout.

Rodriguez dropped King with a flurry of huge shots to the head and never looked back as he win by scores of 40-35 on all cards.

Rodriguez of Union City, NJ is now 2-0. King of Cumberland, MD is 1-6-1.

In a female four round Featherweight bout, Elizabeth Sherman scored a four round unanimous decision over Karen Dulin.

Sherman, 124 lbs of Philadelphia is 2-0. Dulin, 126 ½ lbs of Mystic, CT is now 1-5.

Anthony Yoder Jr. scored a four round unanimous decision over Francisco Portillo in a Lightweight bout.

Scores were 40-36, 40-36 and 39-37 for Yoder, 134 lbs of Vineland, NJ to win his pro debut. Portillo, 132 lbs of West Virginia is now 0-2.

Bryan Jennings made a successful pro debut by outpointing Zeferino Albino over four rounds in their heavyweight bout.

Scores were 40-36 on all cards for Jennings, 218 lbs of Philadelphia. Albino of Philadelphia is now 3-10-2.

Lavarn Harvell made quick work of Randy Campbell by scoring a first round stoppage in their scheduled four round bout featuring undefeated fighters.

Harvell dropped Campbell early in the round from a straight right hand. Harvell then jumped all over Campbell and landed a barrage of punches that forced referee Blair Talmidge to call of the bout just 1:52 into the fight.

Harvell, 173 lbs of Atlantic City, NJ is now 5-0 with two knockouts. Campbell, 171 lbs of Bowertown, OH is now 3-1.

In an action filled four round Lightweight bout, Angel Ocasio remained perfect on the strength of a second round knockdown to score a unanimous decision over Osnel Charles.

Ocasio dropped Charles in round two from a solid left hook. Charles showed a lot of moxey as he came on strong and was involved in some nice exchanges but Ocasio’s work rate combined with the knockdown were the catalysts for the unanimous decision by scores of 39-36, 39-36 and 38-37.
Ocasio of Philadelphia is 2-0. Charles of Atlantic City is now 1-2.

Boxing returns to Philadelphia on Friday night April 2nd with a big night of action presented by Vernoca L. Michael and Blue Horizon Boxing Inc. at The Legendary Blue Horizon

The following week, Greg Robinson’s Power Productions returns to The Arena on Friday Night April 9th

Unbeaten prospect Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez ready to explode nationally Mar. 19 on ESPN FNF

WORCESTER, Mass. (Feb. 26, 2010) – Highly-touted, undefeated super middleweight prospect Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez is preparing for his nationally televised debut March 19 in an 8-round co-feature against veteran George “The Rooster” Armenta on ESPN Friday Night Fights, live from Choctaw Gaming Center in Durant, Oklahoma.

The Dominican Republic-born Rodriguez (13-0, 9 KOs), fighting out of Worcester (MA), was on most 2010 Prospect Watch lists, based on his perfect 5-0 (4 KOs) record last year, as well as his amateur pedigree that includes gold-medal performances in the 2005 USA Boxing National Championships and 2006 U.S. National Golden Gloves Tournament.

“I’m excited to be in my first nationally televised fight,” Rodriguez said. “It’s certainly more of a challenge and pressure, but I’ve always performed better under pressure. It’s time. I want to be impressive in my first nationally televised fight so fans all over can see what type of fighter I am. It’s a very important fight because it’ll also back-up all of the good things written and said about me as a top prospect. I’m ready for the challenge and plan to show everybody that I’m worth the hype.”

“Edwin has received a lot of accolades for being a top prospect and he was a great amateur,” Rodriguez’ manager Larry Army noted. “But after this fight he won’t be flying under the radar anymore. This is a great opportunity to get him where we want him to be, showcasing his talent, nationally. One of the key reasons we signed with DiBella Entertainment are the great television contacts Lou has and it’s already paying off for us.”

Armenta (13-5, 11 KOs) is battle-tested having knocked out 2000 U.S. Olympian Dante Craig and gone the distance against current WBA light middleweight champion Yuri Foreman and top contender Sechew Powell, who, ironically headlines against Deandre Latimore in a rematch on the Mar. 19^th Lou DiBella promoted card.

“Armenta is a tough fighter who keeps coming forward,” Rodriguez added. “He’ll be in tremendous shape and he throws a lot of punches. His ability will help me look good because he’ll bring the best out of me. I’ll b able to really showcase my talent against a solid opponent. Armenta has never been kayoed, so that’s another challenge for me.”

Go online to www.edwinrodriguezboxing.com for more information about the 24-year-old Rodriguez.

Weights for the “Double Assault” Pay-Per-View Saturday on GFL

FROM BAYAMON, PUERTO RICO

VACANT WBO JUNIOR FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP – MAIN EVENT – 12 ROUNDS

WILFREDO VAZQUEZ, JR. (17-0-1, 14 KOs), Bayamon, Puerto Rico, 121.4 LBS.

vs.

MARVIN SONSONA (14-0-1, 12 KOs), General Santos City, Cotabato del Sur, Philippines, 122 LBS.

6 ROUNDS – CRUISERWEIGHTS

CARLOS NEGRON (7-0, 6 KOs), Villalba, Puerto Rico, 186 LBS.

vs.

RUDY ASHWORTH (5-7, 1 KO), Lake Charles, LA, 185 LBS.

4 ROUNDS – FLYWEIGHTS

McWILLIAMS ARROYO (Pro Debut), Fajardo, Puerto Rico, 113 LBS.

vs.

ELIECER SANCHEZ (Pro Debut), Corozal, Puerto Rico, 114.2 LBS.

4 ROUNDS – BANTAMWEIGHTS

McJOE ARROYO (Pro Debut), Fajardo, Puerto Rico, 118 LBS.

vs.

GIOVANNI RIVERA (0-2), Arecibo, Puerto Rico, 118.2 LBS.

FROM GUADALAJARA, MEXICO

WBC LIGHT FLYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP – MAIN EVENT – 12 ROUNDS

^RODEL MAYOL (26-4-1, 20 KOs), Los Angeles, CA by way of Cebu, Philippines, 107.8 LBS.

vs.

OMAR NINO (28-3-1, 11 KOs), Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, 108 LBS.

WBC YOUTH LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP – 10 ROUNDS

^DANIEL ESTRADA (21-1, 17 KOs), Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico, 135 LBS.

vs.

ANGEL ALIRIO RIVERO (21-7-1, 14 KOs), Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico by way of Argentina, 135 LBS.

^ denotes defending champion

(ALL FIGHTS & FIGHTERS SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

FACT SHEET

WHAT:     “The Double Assault” PPV

WHEN:    Saturday, February 27, 2010 – 9 PM/ET 6 PM/PT

WHERE: Bayamon, Puerto Rico & Guadalajara, Mexico

PROMOTER: In Puerto Rico: PR Best Boxing, in association with All Star Boxing and Sampson Boxing LLC.  In Mexico: Boxeo De Gala

PAY-PER-VIEW INFORMATION: Integrated Sports is distributing “The Double Assault” in the United States and Canada for live viewing at 9 PM/ET – 6 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, TVN, DISH Network, Viewer’s Choice and Shaw PPV for a suggested retail price of only $34.95.

“The Double Assault” PPV is also available on www.GoFightLive.TV outside of the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Philippines.

PAY-PER-VIEW ANNOUNCERS: World Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Col. Bob Sheridan (blow-by-blow) and former NFL player and veteran boxing announcer Benny Ricardo (color analyst).

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