Texas Boxing

2006-07-12T06:06:00.000-07:00

Knockouts at Coushatta: Marquez KOs Rios

marquez-rios11.07.06 - Christine Maynard @ ringside -- photo gallery by J & P Photos -- The first fight of the night at Coushatta Casino Resort in Kinder, Louisiana was a real crowd pleaser. The Bayou Boxing Promotion event began with Lorissa Rivas from Las Vegas (1-0) fighting Geboria Mayfield, from Mississippi, for Geboria's pro debut. Lorissa entered the ring confidently, her face glistening from Vaseline, sporting a red bandana. She struck her gloves together intimidatingly and looked frighteningly fit. Geboria's only bravado as she approached the ring was Nascar-like; the sound of racing engines. Her slight arms and legs appeared to tremble more, the louder the soundtrack which marked her entrance became. She looked like she'd be scared if Lorissa asked her to play hop scotch. Her apparent vulnerability and femininity made most people cringe, as if Geboria were about to be drawn and quartered instead of knocked out.

Yet, at 1:05 into the first round, Geboria flattened Lorissa. She fell backwards, dazed and shocked. Her eyes were like pin wheels, and the referee sliced the air with his hands, indicating "no mas." Geboria was ebullient, elated beyond measure. Some thought her initial shyness was a ploy to make Lorissa over confident, but I don't buy that. Entering the ring, she looked as if she wanted to take it back, as if she thought she'd made a really bad decision, turning pro. She gave it her best, which was more than enough for this Summertime showdown. The audience was jumpin', and the drama was high..

The second fight featured Brock the Butcher Stodden, 17-13, clearly the opponent, facing the always noble, always triumphant Chris Henry, who is now 15-0 with 14 KO's. Chris is a cruiser weight champion with the potent combination of power, accuracy, and speed. Brock began to brawl with Chris, surprising him, as if it were Ultimate fighting, incorporating a trip, tumble and throw series. Chris was not amused, and he began to take Brock apart with three to the head and then head/body combos. After working him over pretty hard for thirty seconds, he began to really wallop Brock with upper cuts which popped his head back. Two minutes and sixteen seconds into the first, Chris knocked him off of his feet, and the fight was called. The card girls held steady, as no fight had gone into a second round.

Valerie Mahfood from Texas, 19-11 with 2 draws, was an IBA heavyweight champion. "Wolfe" is emblazoned on her shorts, not due to any association with Ann Wolfe. It is her nick name. She had a rooster comb, bright purple mullet, and wore black and white combat camo. She took on Alexandra "Sweet and Sour" Maloy, 2-2, from Tampa Florida. Excellent action ensued from the beginning, with Valerie landing 10 punches to Maloy, and the ref stopping the action to check her out, before allowing the fight to continue. Alexandra appeared more fit, with sinewy legs and less body fat than Valerie. It took her until the third round to establish her rhythm, and she then began to give back, in kind. She laid some good licks on Valerie in round four, even though Valerie's strong suit is her slipping. Maloy's strength is in her combos and her ability to protect herself, chin tucked, fists up, close in. The crowd cheered Valerie on harder, as if they were disappointed that the fight was so close. "Come on, come on, get mad, Valerie," was chanted. The fight went the prescribed six rounds, ending in a draw.

The next fight featured Juan Diaz' brother, Jose, 11-0, pitted against Phillip "Bring the Pain" Payne, an NABA and IBA champion from St. Louis, who is 18-15 with 2 draws. Willie Savannah's wife Clara stole the show ring side, easily the best dressed (chartreuse stylish pant suit with matching sandals) and most passionate person on the sidelines, supporting her "baby" in the ring. She was seated by Timothy Knight, Jose's trainer, but it was Clara whom I heard instructing:

Keep 'em up high
Wear that body out
Let it go
Hands up, baby
Pop that jab out there; there you go!

Diaz' footwork was solid. He kept it slow and low over Hanoi, dropping bomb after bomb on Phillip. Payne's reach is good, and he connected to Jose's jaw and head with some fast punches. In the third round Payne gathered steam- he hit harder, ducked lower and pushed Jose off of him, ready for more. A higher percentage of Diaz' shots missed in the fourth round, but his uppercut continued to be fast and fabulous. He landed them unwaveringly, Mexican never ever quit style. Phillip fired some amazing 180 degree body shots to Diaz, but he appeared to be weakening by the fifth round. The fight went to Jose Diaz by decision, 59-54

Thomas Ried, 34-17 from Tennessee, fought Manu Ntoh, 16-12 from Atlanta. Ried, the winner, was referred to as Chris Henry's next opponent. Ried tore up Manu in the ring, particularly on the ropes. Manu ran at Reid and ended up impaled on Ried's glove. He took punishment. Scores: 77-73 Manu; 80-72 and 79-73 for Ried, Thomas Ried winner by unanimous decision.

In the final bout, Raul Marquez, from Houston, former IBF Light middleweight World Champion and 1992 Olympian ( 36-3 with 25 KO's) fought Sergio Rios from California, 18-4, with 16 KO's. Marquez remarked that he felt very much at home at the Coushatta Casino, particularly as his supporters from across Texas showed up to cheer him on. Sergio Rios' trainer is former world champion Roberto Garcia. Rios entered this ten round fight draped in a traditional Mexican blanket. He has tattoos of Our Lady of Guadaloupe, a Caduceus and a cross. In the first two rounds, Marquez landed a great number of punches, mostly hard connecting jabs to the body. The two fighters appeared very evenly matched at times, as Rios was obviously well prepared. Raul couldn't keep Sergio on the ropes, where he had his clearest advantage. Sergio appeared to have more muscle mass, but he was suffering by the fourth, appearing out of breath and hurting from liver shots. Marquez him him squarely in the solar plexus, and he went down for the count. Marquez, who has fought against Vargas, Mosley and Jermaine Taylor, says a fight with Winky Wright tops his wish list.

4 comments

2005-11-12T16:45:00.000-08:00

Acuna, Mexico- An evening of first round knock outs!
Fights at the Gimnacio Jose de las Fuentes, RDZ, November 4, 2005

A fifteen year old boy braved a 23 year old undefeated champion, and a forty-one year old opponent was KO’d in 20 seconds by a 32-2 superstar, 16 years his junior. Marco Antonio Rubio’s powerful uppercut opened an arroya a fist wide on his victim’s cheek. Anthony Ivory, 31-77, a housing contractor from Chicago, was championed by his disgruntled manager, Aalim Mohammad, who claimed irregularities contractually, weigh in anomalies, and the promotion of incorrect fight records for the event.
The fights were held in a municipal auditorium which looked like a high school gym, in front of a few hundred people. Yet it was televised by Fox Sports en Espanol. Commentators Yolanda Perez, a boxing savvy former fighter, and Carlos Avila, who, at 70 is still as dapper and as energized as he was in his dancing days, lent the event an air of sophistication.
Corona was the sponsor, but Modelas littered the floor. The snack man carried goods on his head. As the first fight commenced the announcer dug down as deeply for his “get ready to rumble” as if he were performing for a crowd of 10,000. Numerous fights ended early in the first round.
The headliner, the fight between Marco Antonio “Veneno” Rubio, 31-2, and Anthony Ivory, 31-77, was a mismatch. It lasted 20 seconds. A freight train right upper cut from Marco knocked the opponent off of his feet and exploded Ivory’s cheek, leaving a fist size opening which caused the fight doctor, Dr. Barrios, to wisely call the fight.
Marco , more than frustrated, sent a Coors can flying back at the audience with a kick. All dressed up and no where to go, Marco’s high voltage, juiced up energy and expectations were thwarted by the stoppage. If he can save and build on that energy, like roll over cell minutes, he’ll be able to bring even more to his December 8th fight in Albuquerque. Fight news had announced the bout between Marco Antonio Rubio vs. Robert Kanya, but the latest information is that he will face Aslanbek Kodzoev.

Fabian Gonzales from Torreon fought Gilberto Garcia…for a short while. The bouncy-trouncy Fabian ran around the ring, when not jumping in place. He landed one soft blow to Garcia’s jaw. He appeared to trip, Garcia caught him with a body shot, and Fabian took a seat and shook his head, “no mas.”
Victory to Garcia, round two.

Daniel “Chato” Noriega, 4-1, also from Torreon, easily defeated Carlos Diaz, 2-3, the second fight lasting no longer than the first.

And undefeated Raul Martinez, with Main Events, KO’d Ruben Badillo in the first round. Raul was disappointed by his last fight in Chicago, when his opponent didn’t get up after a first round blow which Raul thought was a warm up tap. This fight was a repeat, except the blows which stopped this fight were legitimate.
Raul is a clever fighter. He uses his mass to jump forward with accurate jabs, and pops Ruben in the face. Ruben replies with a wild, yet wilting left. It is apparent to all that Ruben can’t fight. Raul leans back on the ropes and puts his hands down, questioning, “Is that all you bring to the fight,” obviously disappointed.
Not wanting to toy with this boy fighter, Raul goes into action to end this affair. He moves, cobra like, slamming a left and a right to the body, and finishing with one big hit to the jaw. Round one KO victory to Raul Martinez.

The first good fight action was between Margarito Espinoza from Jarrel, Texas, and Alberto Marciano. (Margarito and Raul train together under the tutelage of Fernando Castrejon.)
Margarito begins aggressively. His gloves swing wildly with hooks that miss, but his uppercut connects, decidedly. Marciano is bleeding and breathing hard by the end of the first. Margarito settles into the action and becomes more methodical in his approach. He taps at Marciano, remembering his training, being the technician. Margarito pins Alberto on the ropes and effects 7 good hits in to the body.
The audience, the commentators and the fighters all appear happy that this match is, indeed, a match, rather than a lop-sided mis-match. Both men fight competently, and there are some good exchanges. Margarito picks up steam towards the final rounds, with fists flying and connecting with Marciano’s head. Margarito wins by unanimous decision, advancing to 4-0.

Nestor “Baby” Rosas, 1-0, from Eagle Pass, TX., fought Luis “el Terrible” Alonso in a slug fest. Nestor’s left hooks and jabs are like a jack hammer which could break through the most solid of defenses. He was able to get out of binds on the ropes with a vicious upper cut.
He only seemed vulnerable from his own footwork tripping him up, and after throwing errant right hooks; he always missed and almost always took a counterpunch from Alonso when he attempted a right hook.
Both fighters threw some wild punches that connected. The crowd was well pleased, as the fighters showed heart and determination, not backing down.
Chaos broke out in the audience in round four- a skirmish, but with so many smokers and the structure draped in deteriorating blue velvet curtains, I feared it was a fire. The fighters in the ring seemed to sense the diversion and picked up the pace even more, bringing the audience’s attention back to the match at hand.
Round six was explosive; Luis sent rights zinging though the air which landed just where he wanted them. Nestor responded with real punishment to Luis, disassembling him, leaving him stunned. Nestor continued the assault after the bell, and the ref had to physically restrain the angered Luis.
Luis received a cut over his left eye in the 8th, after 6 hard jabs from Nestor. He still managed to clock Nestor with two hard jabs of his own. The victory went to Nestor Rosas.

Antonio “Madasa” Garcia fought Juan “Chango” Hernandez in the best fight action of the evening. They fought a hard first round, but it appeared that Antonio was holding back slightly, not letting his fists fly. He also stood in front of his opponent and allowed himself to take hits that a better slipper would have avoided. Yet, Antonio is strong, and the punches didn’t faze him; if anything, they primed him to fight, as if the first round were a warm up.
Antonio’s father, his trainer, throws exaggerated upper cuts from the floor, imploring Antonio to do the same. Hernandez gets 5 hits in, but none had much force. Antonio took two more shots to the jaw and gave back with resounding slams to the body.
It was in the fifth that Antonio seemed to come alive. From this round on, his fists blasted away, nothing held back, and he seemed to really enjoy being on his power. Juan, on the other hand, appeared to be sapped of his power by Antonio’s well played out battle. Victory to Antonio “Madasa” Garcia.

*Antonio is the elder brother of Julio “Baby Face” Garcia, who recently signed with Luis De Cubas. De Cubas now manages two fighters named Julio Garcia, the other being Julio “the Cuban Lover” Garcia, from Miami.

The Idolo Series- road trips with famous Mexican fighters. Part One

2005-11-01T08:59:00.000-08:00

Idolo-The enviable life of Mexican boxer Marco Antonio "Veneno" Rubio
by Christine Maynard
In Mexico, a boxer, while he is winning, is a demi-God. Machismo manifests in its purest form in the boxing gyms, rings, and coliseums where peleadors perform. Marco Antonio Rubio, best known as “Veneno,” (venom,) 31-2 with 29 KO’s, embodies this machismo, and more. He is incredibly gifted and confident, with laser-like focus and an energy level that makes him larger than life.
I joined him on a road trip from Austin, Texas, where he trains with other high ranked Mexican Nationals, (including Jesus Chavez,) to his home town of Torreon, Mexico, where he fought… and won.Traveling with a high-profile hero, from the luxury of elitist country clubs nestled amid mountains, to street corners in Coahuila, with crowds of children clamoring for Veneno’s attention, was quite impressive. His image, along with his opponent, Leon “Ice Cold” Pearson, appeared on huge light emitting diode billboards, reminiscent of Times Square. Marco is fueled by the feedback from his fans, whom he attends graciously.Yet the seminal event was witnessing Marco Antonio Rubio fight.
I learned that fighting is noble. That fighting is real. The appeal is visceral, obviously, but on a more subtle level it touches the spirit.The heart of a true fighter is his strength. This strength is funded by belief, which through osmosis or alchemy becomes every man’s ability to believe. This hope is primed, behind the eyes and in the hearts of the masses, when they watch their fighter. It is magic, unlike any other sport.
A fighter becomes the transformative agent for the people, capable, if he wins, of transmuting despair into hope. This redemptive power of belief in a fighter is enthralling; he is like the Host raised high, bells signaling the change. His presence in the ring creates an incendiary pandemic, spreading startlingly, in which every cell becomes more alive, animated. That’s what boxing is. That’s what boxing is about.
I first met Rubio in Richard Lord’s gym. He had twinkling eyes, with a perpetual smile one couldn’t resist returning. “A world class boxer” those who knew said, as Marco sparred on Saturdays. But there are lots of world class boxers, title holders and champions in the gym. I had no concept of his “idola” status.
On a Tuesday in August, mid-morning, after training, we left Austin, heading west on 90 through the valley. The gorgeous, blue canopy that stretched above the straight west Texas highway was a cross between Wyoming, and an Italian Renaissance painting, in which cherubs are sucked into azure Duomo ceilings, amidst tufts of clouds. I felt as if we were bulging into a bubble of sky.
Trennice Brown, a bad-boy, black boxer from New Orleans by way of Cincinnati, slept in the back seat of Marco’s Chevrolet, as we drove past hunting ranches, with metal cut outs of wild hogs, or ducks in formation above the gates, as advertisements. In Uvalde, we pass the soon–to-open Oasis Outback. Two story palm trees at the entrance are alluring, yet the cultural dissonance of a west Texan Sultan theme fills me with prescience- expect the unexpected on this trip.
Trennice and I had no idea where we were headed, only that I was to act as his corner and that Marco had been instructed to not let us out of his sight. Trennice KO’d Johnny Torres, in 37 second in Houston. He has a fierce left hook and incredible musculature-genetics, not discipline. He is the opponent for “Chloro” Ruben Padilla, on the undercard of Marco’s fight.
A dream catcher hung from the rear view mirror. Conversation was conducted through a translating device, out of necessity. But gestures and expressions worked best for conveying meaning.
Marco showed me photographs on his cell phone of his girlfriend, golfing, a dashing dark-suit-clad Marco speaking at a dinner, and a few pics of gyms at which we would stop, in order to train. What looked like aboriginal drumming was actually boxers with heavy hammers lifted high, then thrust down rhythmically to strengthen the arms.
When we arrived in the city of Acuna, across the border from Del Rio, I couldn’t ignore Marco’s name painted in red- large block letters- above the entrance of the gym, a white metal barn-like building. The bathrooms were stalls facing the ring, with colorful graffiti, and a pre-Jack Lalayne treadmill was missing its conveyor belt- only the wooden cylinders turned. It was easier to envision it as a reflexology device hyped in an in-flight magazine than it was to realize champions have trained on this.
Mosquitoes made speed bag work torturous; they breed in abandoned tires which punctuated the grounds outside the gym. Young boys and men trained with an intensity and seriousness that spoke- “this is the only way out.”
According to Marco’s promoter in Mexico, Hector Sanchez, his move to Austin,Texas, in order to work with Fernando “Flaco” Castrejon, has made him a different fighter. Even better. Jesus Chavez, who also trains under Flaco stated that “Marco is in the place where he needs to be-where his career can progress.”
Hector is a used car salesman who owns a compound of concrete shotgun houses and an SUV. He also promotes Baby Face, Julio Garcia. Julio is a rising star with a 30-2 record and 24 knock outs, He is only eighteen. And he is under the tutelage of Marco. They are friends, gliding through the same swath of illustriousness and paparazzi, Spartan discipline, hard training, and the single-mindedness to place boxing above everything else in the world. Always.
Marco eats organic almonds and baby carrots, snacks I brought. Trennice buys chips, twinkies, a soda and a pack of cigarettes. We stay at a Best Western where Marco is feted, favored, and later we go out for dinner. There are mariachi bands and a synthesizer. The food is good, and Trennice and I order two for one Negro Modellos- it is happy hour.
I awaken at 7:00 a.m. with eyelids swollen from mucho cerveza .The boys call, having finished a morning run, and are ready to roll. I shower, grab coffee and my backpack and we head to Hector’s to pick up his SUV so Baby Face and his father can join us on the road to Torreon.
Hector’s spare is shredded from a blow out. We have no choice except to rouse a tire man. This is tricky, and our departure is delayed. Marco appears edgy, but polite. I only later realize that a media event is scheduled for our arrival, including photo shoots of sparring. We are unable to release the rim from the underbelly of the vehicle. After many attempts, along with unloading and re packing luggage, satin fight robes, bottled waters, and respective CD cases, mandatory boxing equipment, we are cruising.
Conversation becomes more facile. We drive through areas of protected flora and fauna, in the mountains. Trennice has flashbacks from Vision Quest. The counselors told him that if he chose to run away, just over the top of the mountain he’d see Tucson. Trennice and two others left in “boxers,” with no other clothing, not even shoes. They took horse blankets and cut them up for moccasins. They side stepped snakes, jumped ravines, and were exhausted upon reaching the top where they saw mountains as far as the eye revealed, not Tucson.
Marco delights in violin overtures moving his right hand in the air, drawing the bow, when he hears strings. He plays air accordion as well, while we drive. He is an admixture of passion and childlike enthusiasm. He looks like a young Sean Penn.
At the media event, Marco warms up in a hooded windbreaker and work out pants. He shadow boxes, wearing layers in 100 degrees and no AC, alternating high forward kicks while touching his toes, with punches, hooks, jabs. The boxers pose with fists prominently displayed for photographers. Interviews followed.
We leave two hours later and check into the Torreon Best Western, which is very nice, with plenty of amenities and attentive staff. Marco has a tight Achilles tendon on his right leg from a misstep, landing on the outside of his right foot. He skips dinner as weigh in is two days away. We drive around Torreon, making unannounced visits to gyms, and to his home.
His nephew, Jorge, was on the sidewalk, waiting for Marco. He didn’t recognize the car. When Marco rolled down the window, the ten year old was jubilant. His uncle, his father-figure, and his “idolo,” as well as the “idolo” of all his peers, was home.
Marco’s father died when he was only fifteen. His mother, Lupe, died last year. She had been on dialysis, due to diabetes. He keeps a photo of her- sleeping while in the hospital- on his phone, as a screen saver.
He had just signed with Golden Boy Promotions, and was in Hidalgo preparing for a fight, which was to be aired on HBO Latino. His mother died on Sunday. He returned to Torreon for her funeral. On Thursday, he was victorious against Jeffrey Hill.
At the hotel before the fight, Marco appeared relaxed. The electricity and water had gone out an hour before our departure time. Fighters and opponents spoke amiably in the lobby. Once we arrived at the coliseum, the only sign of Marco in the boxer’s dressing room was his red satin robe, hung on a wall, covered in dry cleaning film.
Hours later, after Julio “Baby Face” Garcia’s fight, I found Veneno, dressed, juiced, pumped. Super charged, neck snapping, flashes popping, high voltage electricity surging-it’s source, Marco Antonio Rubio. His potency was palpable. He was on his power. Yet, he continued to quip with reporters and pose with kids.
Nowhere was Marco more amazing than in the ring. He tore his opponent apart with meticulous attention to detail. His method was perfectly orchestrated and executed, like a war theatre. A war theatre with the Marx brothers as alter ego, that is.
When Leon cowered on the ropes, forearms locked in front of his face, his only vestige of defense before the battering ram “Veneno,” Marco interjected humor which made the crowd go wild. At the height of dramatic tension, Marco’s gloved hand hovering, arm cocked, he exaggerated a wind-up, cartoon-like, before sending it home. He played with Leon, a cat dissecting a mouse at its leisure.He thrills his audience. And he knows exactly what he is doing every step of the way. When Leon’s mouthpiece hit the floor, Marco pantomimed surprise, shot down to retrieve it, and popped it in Leon’s mouth like a pacifier. The fans roared
.He KO’d Leon in the fourth round. The crowd pushed into the ring. Leon and his manager, Don Hale, disappeared into a hotel van. Don had mentioned earlier that it could be rough here, recalling another fight in the Expo Gomez Palacio where bottles were thrown, and leaving the stadium was almost impossible.
Marco Antonio Rubio is spectacularly confident, and loves his life. Others love his life- and life force- right along with him. He is a champion, and he is unforgettable. There is a purity about him which makes his essence shine.
He has four boxing championship belts, but he only brought them out after showing me his Our Lady of Guadeloupe string Santos, and pictures of his family.

Kassim Ouma wins in Atlantic City

2005-10-19T12:12:00.000-07:00

Kassim Ouma wins in Atlantic City
By Christine Maynard

I met Kassim Ouma, and his friend and training partner, Musa Bukenya, also from Uganda, on the flight from Houston to Philly. I’d only read the facts about Kassim’s life six hours earlier, an online excerpt of an Esquire article about what happened to Kassim as a child, and what, unfortunately, is still occurring to thousands. Children are kidnapped by rebel armies, forced to be mercenaries, witnessing and partaking in atrocities. In Uganda, the Night Commuters are hordes of children who travel en masse in the evening to “safe” areas, in order to avoid being stolen from their families by rebels.
Envisioning a second grader whose job is to carry and use an AK-47 is an impossible koan; most of us have no reference point. In an interview with Bryant Gumbel, Ouma was repeatedly asked if there was anything he would do differently, upon reflection. It didn’t compute with Gumbel that Ouma was only 5 ½ years old when he was whisked away, along with his class mates, in a garbage truck, and taken into the bush, where he was transformed into a soldier.
The first night, the children were warned not to cry. When they awakened, a trash pile was shown to them, as a lesson. It was a heap of dead bodies of classmates who had whimpered.
I caught a ride with Kassim and Musa from Philly to the Borgata Casino and Hotel in Atlantic City. Ouma’s manager, Tom Moran picked us up. Kassim was gregarious, breezy, filling Tom in on his training, ringing up family and friends on multiple continents. But there is always the subtext, and the past is omnipresent. He was in good form, confident, and ready to show the world that he was back, focused and a champion. Referring to his loss, he stated “I’ve made a mess and I need to clean it up. I’ll let my hands talk for me.”
He had spent one month at Willie Savannah’s gym, with trainer Ronnie Shields. This camp reinforced the importance of eating well, three squares of whole foods, as well as the benefits of staying ultra-hydrated. He commented that the more he ate, including plenty of fruits and vegetables, and the more water he drank, the more he dropped weight, and the better he felt. His running was strong, with plenty of sprint work.
At the pre-fight conference, Bernard Hopkins, representing Golden Boy East, the promoter, along with Peltz Promotions, addressed the fighters and the audience. “Put on a good show. Make yourself proud, make your families proud” was Bernard’s advice for all of the fighters.
Regarding Rock Allen, (Rock Allen vs. Candelario Herrera) Bernard stated “Rock has been to many training camps, and has learned inside and outside of the ring.”
In the Ernesto Zapeda vs. Demetrius Hopkins fight,
a title was no longer on the line, which was a huge disappointment to Demetrius. Ernesto had not been in the country long enough to qualify. Bernard gently, yet firmly, instructed his nephew, Demetrius, to let go of the fact that the match was no longer for a title, assuring him that opportunity would present itself in the imminent future.
Alfredo Cuevas stated, “I’m not as young, (as his opponent) and I stay ready because you never know when an opportunity is going to present itself.” After Ouma said he was going to knock him out, Cuevas responded “It’s kind of hard to do that from the floor looking up.”
Boxing adages and advice continued to flow later, at the Irish Pub, after the press conference, regarding boxing in general. Ouma’s agent, Ron Boddy, from the UK, pithily stated, “ In boxing, you don’t get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate.”
In the ballroom of the Borgata, the ring was assembled by a fighter from Philly and other workers from the gym which loaned the ring. Everything except the royal blue canvas embossed with sponsor’s names was transported from the gym.
The pace quickens. New faces appear. The promoter, Russell Peltz of Peltz Promotions moves rapidly, with hurried speech, utilizing a walkie talkie. Techies look at red markings on crumpled paper, like treasure maps, and discuss ice flow. Metal interlocking gates form a perimeter around the ring. Organza curtains backlit with scarlet lighting accent each side of the ball room. Unlike the MGM, with perfectly cleaned plush black carpets, dated, worn floor coverings are punctuated by errant forks, wine corks and burn marks. The ceiling is lattice, revealing wires, pulleys, condensers, and ductwork. The event is televised by HBO More...Latin America.

Rock Allen TKO’s Candelario Herrera
Rock’s robe is embossed with “ Concrete Jungle.” He is appropriately named, for he is rock hard, and solid. The former Olympian from Philadelphia has a fast jab and goes to the face. Herrera’s best round was the first. The fight was stopped at 2:15 of round 2. Allen is now 3-0.

Alfred Kinsey KO’s Victor Paz
Kinsey dominates with heavy hands. Paz gets a flurry once or twice. The ref continuously breaks them up. Paz is knocked down in the beginning of round four, and appears dizzy upon finishing the count. His mouthpiece flies out twice. And at 2:59 into round 4 of 6 Paz is KO’d, on the canvas, legs at odd angles. Hurt. *Kinsey’s trainer is Bill Johnson, father of recently deceased fighter Leavander Johnson.

Gerado Arcos wins UD over Mike Dargan
In this welterweight fight, Dargan’s corner shouted “Take my angle and blaze! Let it go, Mike!” His left jab was good. And Mike is an acute slipper. Arcos exhibits control, too much, apparently, as his deep voiced corner barks a change in strategy. Arcos is now 2-0, and Dargan is 1-.1

Philip McCants defeats Sheldon Rudolph
Philip won, although he was cut quite badly over one eye. A majority win to McCants, a Jr. Middleweight who is now 5-1. Rudolph is evened up at 3-3.

Demetrius Hopkins overwhelms Ernesto Zepeda
Demetrius really worked Zapeda over, and kept attacking. Zapeta, bloodied, came back in the fourth round, getting a good upper cut in to the body, but Demetrius’ heavy hands proved too much. He just kept blasting; two to the face, 4 hits to the body. Zapeda continued to re-engage and liven up, fighting with everything he had, which is the earmark of most Mexican fighters.
In the seventh round, Demetrius comes out jabbing like crazy. Zepeda clocks him and Hopkins actually appears dazed for a second, but recovers his composure immediately. In the 9th round, Zepeda made the count after a formidable flurry by Hopkins, but the fight was wisely called.
Kassim Ouma KO’s Alfredo Cuevas
He takes a good punch, this Cuevas. And he took plenty in this match. Yet, Ouma knocked him down twice before the fourth round stoppage. In the final moments, he was backing up from Ouma, having taken too much punishment. The promoter began yelling “Stop the fight.” Cuevas was supporting himself on one leg and his face was bleeding. The fight was called. It was Cuevas’ first knockout defeat.

The Contender Rematch

2005-10-17T21:49:00.000-07:00

by Christine Maynard

Over ten thousand people turned out for The Contender Re-match, staged in Staples Center, Los Angeles, on Saturday night, October 15th. The bright, Fall L.A. day segued into an even brighter evening, with luminaries such as Sly, Vinny Paz, the CEO of Everlast, stars from Entourage, and Joe Francis of Girls Gone Wild. Mark Taffett with HBO PPV was also on hand for this event, which aired on ESPN. Sugar Ray was not in attendance, as he is in Europe.
Mark Burnett spoke passionately about the show at weigh-in, stating that “These guys you see seated here were the first astronauts. None of us knew exactly what was going to happen. We allowed you, the viewers, to see their families, to get to know them.” When asked what concepts he wanted to keep from the previous season, Burnett responded,“ We will focus less on the challengers, retain the “Adrianne” element, the key to caring, and feature more boxing. Contender II will be based in L.A., and, yes, Rocky VI and Contender will cross promote.”
Burnett is incredibly enthusiastic about his creation, The Contenders, which gleaned a viewing audience last season of over ten million. And it is more than the numbers making him beam like a proud father. It is the boys, their lives, which were broadcast into living rooms around the world, and the synergy created from a concoction which is anything but formulaic. He delights in the midst of the contenders, particularly with Sergio, who reminds him of Steve McQueen. He compares the fighters to the Dirty Dozen. Upon hearing that remark, Sergio questioned “Who’s Steve McQueen.”?
Staples provides a beautiful venue, a Hemingwayesque well lit space in which to view the Sweet Science.The ring, however, was so small that Peter Manfredo described it as a phone booth.
Fighting in the middleweight division, Miguel Espino faced Jonathan “Reid Dog” Reid. Young Miguel’s dream is to make enough money to buy his family a home and get them out of the ghetto. Jonathan, a conservative, bespectacled black man, with many years on Miguel, has enviable musculature- great genetics- and he fought hard until the stop, 2:48 into the fifth round.
It was an interesting fight, with many twists and turns. In the first round, Reid landed numerous hits to Espino’s face and body. He got in Miguel’s space, and fought hard. Espino hit the ground, one knee, then on all fours, by the ropes, in the first round. Intense fighting ensued, which resulted in the ref being hit in the face while breaking them up.
In the next round, Reid nearly hit the mat after missing with a flying fist that his body followed like a boomerang. “He’s too tense” onlookers remarked, about Reid. “He’s not listening, and he seems to be showing a lot of anger… he could get knocked out.” was overheard. Reid doesn’t move around enough, which allowed Espino to get in six hard hits.
The fight momentum picks up, and it isn’t long before Reid looks either tired or vision impaired, in need of his glasses. Espino is advancing, blocking all of his shots and getting him on the ropes, working him over, again and again. Espino throws combos that connect; three, then three again, followed by one walloping, resounding thud. Jonathan is reduced to making wild swings, when he can, in response.
In the fourth round, Reid continues to be battered with 10-12 hits, but he does answer back and makes some impact. The battering continues into the fifth, with Reid taking serious blows to the face, until the ref jumps in and calls it. Espino is ecstatic with his victory.
Two Texans squared off- Jesse Orta faced Juan de la Rosa, the “Gallo Negro.” Jesse was off balance a bit in the opening round. Juan uses his jabs and combos. Orta has a surprise for Jesse, a killer right which he readily deploys. Juan looks momentarily stunned from its effect. Jesse continues with vicious upper cuts and hooks; there is a wild look in his eyes. He has a very unorthodox style, which Juan isn’t in sync with- he isn’t moving his head out of harm’s way. Jesse becomes more confident, and Juan reacts with a three hit to the body combo he will use time and again, successfully, in this fight. Jesse answers with 3 in a row, that count.
Jesse’s left eye is swelling. The two lock up and spend time focusing on body shots. Jesse looks at the ref and sometimes seems distracted. They miss simultaneously and lock up again; more blows to the body ensue.
In the final round, Juan catches Jesse in the face with a damaging blow. Juan advances to 14-0 with this victory in a unanimous decision.
Ishe Smith remarked ”I thought Juan de la Rosa could have edged it out 48 -47 but one judge scoring it 50-45, Wow…. not giving one round to Orta? 3-2 either way, that’s how I saw it. A much closer fight than how the judges saw it.”
. In the Welterweight division, Alfonso Gomez of Guadalajara, Mexico, fought Luciano Perez, from Michoacan, Mexico. Perez has a huge tattoo of hands folded in prayer on his shoulder. Gomez is ebullient, eminently likeable. He has very clear, focused eyes and an easy smile, which he flashes as he enters the ring.
The crowd is appreciative of the fighters- applause is loud, studded by the squeals of girls, reminiscent of Beatles fans. 80% of the tickets sold to Contender in Vegas were to women. The Contender venue brings a new demographic to boxing. These fans are responsive, interactive, and high pitched.
Perez plunges himself, not just a jab or a right, toward Gomez, who answers with jabs. Gomez lands hard hits. They fight closely, with lots of twisting, and barely visible punches due to the proximity of torsos blocking the view.
Perez gets Gomez on the ropes in the second, yet he misses three shots. Perez is very aggressive and serious in his attack. Gomez hits Perez in the face and knocks him back, reeling. In the next round, Perez is knocked down. He gets up, only to receive more hits to the face, with Gomez now chasing him all over the ring. The punishment continues until Gomez plasters Perez with a big upper cut, knocking him backwards a few steps. The ref stops the fight in the fourth, at two minutes twenty seconds into the round. The crowd boos the stoppage.
Later, in the press conference, Perez, speaking through a translator, stated that the stoppage was unfortunate but that considering the tragedies in recent times it was understandable that extra caution would be observed. Victory to Gomez by TKO.
Jesse Brinkley fought Anthony Bonsante, the oldest contender, in the super middleweight division. Brinkley stated in his bio that he would be happy to hunt, fish and drink beer for the rest of his life. Bonsante works hard, holding down a job as the night manager of a K-Mart.
The fans were on the look out for Brinkley’s bold uppercut, and so was Bonsante. Brinkley’s big arms sail around the ring. He catches Bonsante twice in the face. Good fighting ensues with Brinkley’s resounding blows and Bonsante’s responses. They make faces at each other, jeering, taunting. They both take blows to the face. At one point, Bonsante gestures that Brinkley didn’t hurt him. Brinkley retorts, implying, “I’m going to hurt you now.” Brinkley rums to the ropes and leans into them, facing Bonsante, saying “Come and get it.”
After this, Bonsante, was a cyclone of activity, landing many hits to Brinkley’s face. Jesse slapped the air, like a cat playing with a ball of yarn, before attacking. Bonsante’s previous trainer, (some say it was his grandfather,) was lifted onto the skirt, to instruct between rounds, and then returned to his walker. He shouted with as much of a voice as he could muster, desperately wanting to convey a message to Bonsante. The judges gave the win to Brinkley in a unanimous decision.
The fans booed, echoes of boos crashing into fresh boos, and the auditorium was awash with waves of angry disbelief. It grew louder. Stronger. Brinkley was booed, energetically, during his entire victory walk to the dressing room. The camera swept to the elderly gentleman making his way, perilously, from the ring on the walker; he was a Life magazine photo op- dejection, all hope vanquished. A promoter shook as he denounced the officials. Jackie Callan teared up. And Sly verbally accosted the California inspector of boxing. Matters worsened when it was whispered row to row that Teddy Atlas had it 5-0 for Bonsante.
Ishe Smith, previously with The Contenders, stated “Bonsante was totally robbed; judges, they see things we can’t see, but everyone pretty much thought he won and I don’t see how you could possibly score that fight for Brinkley.
Julie is a very respected judge, and so is her father- however, Anthony won that fight. And he surprised me. From the time I fought Bonsante in May, until now, I didn’t think he could do much. In my fifth round he was nearly knocked out. To come back from his two losses and compete and win the fight in many people’s eyes was just tremendous.
He performed well, he adjusted, and that is key.
Sergio has one style. He plays to the crowd. Those guys are good athletes and good sportsmen and they put on a great fight.”
At the press conference, they laughed together, displaying camaraderie , as they leaned respective chairs back to reach each other in a hand shake.
Mora has honored his promise by giving Manfredo Jr. a rematch before looking to take his career in another direction. “After I beat Peter Manfredo, I’m coming after the best in the sport. I’d love to fight the Jermain Taylors and the Bernard Hopkins of this division…you name him, I’ll fight him,” says a confident Mora. “Ideally, I’d first like to take out Oscar De La Hoya and show East LA that it’s out-with-the-old and in-with-the-new,” exclaimed Mora The only thing that has been on his mind these past five months is avenging his loss to Mora, and tonight, he is certain he will do just that. “I’ve trained harder than I’ve ever trained before for this fight,” says Manfredo Jr. He adds, “I’ve studied tape, I’ve brought in the best sparring and I’ve eliminated the distractions that I believe caused me to lose our first bout. I believe this is make-or-break for me and I’m going to do what it takes to win”.
Manfredo Jr. has been working with world renowned trainer Freddie Roach for the past several months to prepare for this bout. Though his father is typically his trainer, for tonight’s bout, Peter Manfredo Sr. will be in his son’s corner to lend his support. According to Manfredo Jr., “Freddie has done a tremendous job. He’s really helped sharpen the skills that my father’s instilled in me and he’s done his best to eliminate my weaknesses. Sergio Mora will see a different Peter Manfredo in this fight. I got someone like Freddie in my corner to teach me a couple of extra small things. I’m ready.”
Peter’s father was hostile and abusive following the announcement of his son’s loss, and, at the press conference, later. The level of vehemence he exhibited was revelatory; his behavior provided insight into what makes Peter the fighter he is.
Sergio did make inflammatory comments in the press conference; “If he didn’t beat me now, he never will. I’ve had the flu and he’s two pounds heavier. I’m at my weakest and he’s at his strongest. Yet, Manfredo didn’t hurt me ever.”
He did arrive last at the press conference, as he had numerous stitches in a wound above his eye, which Sergio insists was from a head butt. He bled profusely, and the injury, received in the first round, kept opening up. Peter’s white satin trunks were pink with Sergio’s blood, diluted with sweat. Sergio said that he felt, from the first round to the last, as if he had vaseline in his eye, and that he couldn’t see, then repeated, “If he couldn’t beat me now, he never will.”
Peter grabbed his mike and interrupted Sergio. He kept saying, “Will you kiss me. Will you kiss me, Sergio.”? When he had everyone’s attention and curiosity, he delivered the punch, “I like to be kissed while I’m being f*****, Sergio. I’m the true champion and everyone knows it.”
The stats certainly support the excellent job Peter did, but as experts pointed out, it is not an amateur match where punches are counted.
In the ring, Sergio did the more masterful job of working the crowd. He looked like a handsome, proud warrior. He exuded confidence. He shined.
Shortly after the opening bell, Sergio is bleeding from a visible gash of puckered flesh. He proceeds to gets Peter on the ropes and won’t let him off, hitting him in the face.
Peter takes his turn, negotiating Sergio toward the ropes, going for the head, for the wound, then hits him after the bell. (The writer next to me insists Sergio first hit Peter after the bell.) They both are giving it their all, the fighting is incredible. Both Peter and Sergio take a reprieve, resting on each other, appearing hurt, exhausted, or both. Everyone is intent on reading the fighters and watching what will next unfold.
In the third, Sergio gets Peter on the ropes and lands sharp hits to the body, repeatedly. Sergio obviously is having difficulties with his vision, and is protecting his face. He is clearly disadvantaged, but continues to fight valiantly. He gets knocked backwards into the ropes, but doesn’t fall.
In this round, Sergio has trouble getting past Peter’s defense, yet he is a solid tryer, never backing down. Freddie repeatedly yells “work the body” to Peter.
In the sixth, Sergio is ducking and slipping well enough to assure the ref that he can see and that he can defend himself. (Twice in the fight the ref calls time to inspect the cut.) Sergio’s strong right connects. Peter goes to the body. Sergio corners him on the ropes, but Peter escapes. Sergio lands power punches. Peter retorts with three or four of his own, to the body.
They both fight well, with heart, effort, skill. It is a great fight. After locking up, when both appeared exhausted, Sergio rallies, lifting one hand above Peter’s shoulder, in a circling motion. The crowd gets it, responding with the impetus Sergio needs to finish the battle. A roar of “Sergio” begins, and he rebounds fighting even harder.
The judges voted Sergio the winner, but the crowd was adamant that Peter was the true champion. Although Peter was booed upon entering the ring, he was cheered as he left the auditorium.
Sergio was asked if he feared that the fight would be stopped due to the severity of the cut. He related a story about going to his corner at the end of the first round, and hearing his trainer, normally understated, say “Oh my God!”
and knowing it was bad. He went on to say that he’d like to fight someone else, outside of the Contender.
Peter was asked if he had regrets about putting his hands up in the air victoriously after having wobbled Sergio, instead of taking better advantage of the opportunity. Sergio stepped in to quickly deny that he was ever wobbled.
At the after party, at the Wilshire Grand, Bonsante got verbal with Julie Lederman regarding her scoring of his fight. Manfredo Sr. was still angry. And Vinny Paz was in his element, happy to be around boxers and boxing.
In August 2005, Mark Burnett Productions and DreamWorks Television announced that the second season of The Contender will begin airing on ESPN in April 2006. The new season promises to captivate audiences once again with compelling human stories and riveting boxing matches.
ABOUT TOURNAMENT OF CONTENDERS, LLC
Tournament of Contenders, LLC (TOC) is the boxing promotional entity for The Contender. TOC is very committed to making the boxers the primary beneficiaries of the sport.

TOC has also teamed up with ESPN to put on three boxing specials including “The Contender Rematch: Mora vs. Manfredo Jr.” at Staples Center and two other specials to be held in 2006.

Alexis Comacho now 7-0

2005-09-25T23:43:00.000-07:00

Castrejon and Alexis Comacho

Suico vs. Jauregui, Ben Tackie vs. Nito Bravo
Alexis Comacho vs. Francisco Maldonado
Golden Boy Promotions Deportes Telefutura Presents “Solo Boxeo De Miller” September 23rd, Los Angeles, CA
By Christine Maynard

The venue was Southern California University’s first boxing event. Well matched opponents resulted in fights that one attendee, Jack Tiernan, Shane Mosley’s agent, said “You might wait all year to see on HBO.”
Javier Jauregui, 135 pound former IBF Champion, 49-12-2 with 34 KO’s whipped Randy Suico at what was to be Suico’s coming out party. Suico, 23-1, with 20 KO’s, the favorite, from the Philippines, was flanked by Joe Koizumi, manager, matchmaker, and president of Ring Japan. Suico’s quick hands and excellent technical skills were not enough to impact Javier “Chatito” Jauregui, whose signature heavy handed, well directed blows took their toll. In the eighth round of intense fighting, the seasoned, confident Jauregui appeared to be just warming up.
Two years ago, this champion from Guadalajara, Mexico KO’d Leavander Johnson, taking the vacant IBF Lightweight Title. He was defeated by Jesus Chavez in ‘96. On this evening, against Suico, he was awarded his fiftieth victory in a MD, 99-91, 99-91 and 95-95.
In the first round, Javier landed clean, hard punches, including lots of body shots, to Suico. He was on the receiving end of many mostly fast jabs, from Suico.
In the second round, Suico had Javier on the ropes; his gloves flew toward Javier’s face, but Javier, a master of slipping, avoided most of the shots, extricating himself easily. Javier was incredibly facile at ducking, slipping and eluding punches. He can back up from a punch with his upper body, like he’s belly dancing, creating even more momentum for the next volley, as he snaps forward, to strike. Suico kept touching, jabbing, not letting up. Javier’s forceful punches had no apparent deleterious effect. Many combos, and no holds barred boxing and punching ensued.
In the third, Suico once again cornered Javier on the ropes and landed potentially damaging shots. Suico was decidedly on the attack, wanting this win badly. Javier blocked well; his experience showed. He is a seasoned, confident fighter. Suico blocked a searing left hook, and the two boxers continue to exchange blows.
Suico landed a low blow in the beginning of the fifth. He continued to jab consistently, hoping to wear Javier down. After once again being cornering on the ropes, Javier appeared to tire of the “play.” His eyes blazed. He was unscathed by the many shots which had connected, and appeared fresh for battle.
In the sixth, Javier’s entire mass was behind his left hooks; his feet came off the ground following the momentum of his fists. Javier swung a wild right, and was then caught with the same from Suico. He blasted back. Suico matched his intensity and advanced with straight shots that connected.
Javier, in the beginning of the seventh, was effective with five blows in a row, then ended up on the ropes at the receiving end of five shots from Suico. The fight kept the crowd on the edge of their seats; they began chanting for Chatito. After a slight lull in action, the pace once again picked up and the audience witnessed some of the best fighting of the evening- great punching from Suico and amazing uppercuts and combinations from Javier.
Riveting action continued, with Javier dancing around the ring, creating combos that connected, repeatedly,-five lefts punctuated by one right. Some holding occurs, but neither boxer appeared particularly tired; they were both in superior condition.
Round eight found Javier performing fast footwork, loping around the ring, light on his feet, daring. Suico missed some critical opportunities. In round nine, Suico opened up, giving it his all. He fired combos, body shots, then 3 hard blows to Javier’s head. Javier’s retaliation was to pay back, in kind. He was all over the ring, defining the distance and positioning, dictating direction. Suico tapped him, trying to find an opening to land the punch of the night. Javier repeatedly slipped, then laughed, defiantly.
In round ten, Javier continued to elude any damaging shots. He motioned with his hands for Suico to bring it on, knowing he was in control, dismissive of Suico. At that point, Suico brought everything he had to the fight. He caught Javier on the ropes, hitting him ten times before the final bell sounded.
The victory went to Javier. The Mexican National contingency was wildly appreciative of their fighter. To them, he is little Chato, called Chatito, in memory of his older brother, Chato, a boxer who died in his twenties. Javier commented that technique and heart make him a great fighter. When asked who his toughest opponent had been, he stated, “Julio Diaz, in San Diego, for a championship.”
Norberto “Nito” Bravo, 20-10-2 w/ 12 KO’s fought hard against the well trained and well conditioned Ben Tackie, 26-5 w/ 16 KO’s. Nito’s two-and-a-half year winning streak has been interrupted by two consecutive losses (one to Demetrius Hopkins,) and his trainer, Mike Agredano, emphasized that he was more than ready to win tonight’s match.
Ben Tackie has had three shots at a world championship. His trainer is John Jackson, two time title holder as a Junior Middleweight and Middleweight, who is self-described as a defense specialist. Shane Mosley helped coached Ben to the win from the front row, commenting “Work the body first. Stay relaxed. Keep your mind relaxed. Ain’t nothin’ but a thang.”
They each got some good shots in during the first two rounds. Jackson repeatedly told Tackie to slip to the right. Nito held his own, with quick, well targeted shots.
In the beginning of round three, Ben missed some shots, and the ones he landed did not appear to impact Nito, who has a good chin. Nito threw many punches as they fought it out. “You’re the veteran, nice and relaxed,” Shane instructed Ben. “Jab to the body, step in with a hook, set him up.” By the end of the round, Ben had the better end of the exchange.
A head butt caused bleeding from Nito’s hairline in the fourth. They were swinging, giving the audience just what they wanted, and the fans showed their appreciation verbally. A hard left by Nito was answered by a right, which left Ben open for a walloping right to the chin.
Nito worked the body in the fifth, but it was not enough. Ben appeared more experienced, and set up his attacks. “He’s spent his load, jump on him,” emanated from the front row, and it did appear that Nito was tiring out.
The sixth round provided continued great action by both fighters, yet it was in the seventh when Nito really rallied. He connected with body shots, missed a few, then turned his attention to Tackey’s head, with lots of combination punching. Nito showed lots of heart and continued throwing impressive combinations.
In the eighth, after a slight lull in action, Ben went to Nito’s head, and slammed him hard. Two superb lefts from Nito connected, in response. He then began squaring up to Ben, making himself vulnerable to straight shots.
Nito fought his hardest in the ninth. Ben missed at first, then negotiated Nito onto the ropes and worked his body. Ben’s focus on Nito’s body paid off. Nito wasn’t keeping his hands up as well, and the bleeding from his forehead appeared to interfere with his effectiveness.
In the final round it was punch for punch; Nito fought with everything he had, despite the fact that his eye was swelling shut. They tied up and fought hard until the bell. The victory went to Tackie, 95/95, 98/92 and 95/94.
After this fight, a line of “hopefuls” lined up to ask advice from Shane Mosley. He was very generous to his fans; patient, encouraging and kind. College boys asked how long they would have to train to be champions. They walked away, chests extended, as if they already were (champions.)
The first fight of the night featured Alexis Comacho, 6-0 w/ 5 KO’s and Francisco Maldonado, 10-20-2 w/ 2 KO’s. Alexis’ trainer is Fernando Castrejon, who also trains Jesus Chavez, Marco Antonio Rubio, Raul Martinez and Armando Guerrero. Comacho resides in Monterrey, and hails from a family of circus performers- trapeze artists and jugglers. He grew up traveling with them, excelling in gymnastics. For two years he was on the Mexican Olympics team, until a hand injury sidelined him.
Francisco Maldonado from Guadalajara, a junior middleweight, began boxing at 16. His current trainer is Joe Lopez, but his first trainer was Jose Becera, an exceptional fighter considered by many, at one time, to be the best 118 pounder on the planet, with a record of 48-3-1 ,24 KO's, by age 22. He had beaten Jose Medel twice, and KO'ed Kid Irapuato as well as Manuel Armenteros, all world class bantams. “He taught me many things, like how to slip punches very well.” Francisco stated.
The ring at SCU was small, a puncher’s ring. Alexis rushed to meet his opponent and delivered a searing left, continuing with great jabs and combos which knocked Francisco back. Francisco’s first serious attempts were combos that missed. Realigning himself, Francisco connected with head shots, catching Alexis in the face, giving him a mouse below his right eye. Francisco continued with calculated jabs.
Alexis was agile, angular and swift. He moved gracefully and accurately, extended back leg and outstretched arm forming a 45 degree angle as he lunged, with great reach, and momentum.
In the second, Francisco caught Alexis in the jaw with a right, followed by four body shots. Alexis hit back, but Francisco effected an excellent defense against his opponent’s searing upper cut. Alexis was falling for Francisco’s tactics of engaging him in “tying up.” When Alexis boxed and got out, he was clearly the superior fighter.
Round three opened with numerous shots to Alexis’ body. His liver area was a deep red, like a scald mark. Alexis returned the body shots, and cornered Francisco on the ropes. His uppercut connected. Resounding body shots seemed to echo. The referee, exasperated, once again said “Stop when I say stop,” separating the two. Francisco negotiated Alexis back onto the ropes and landed punches to his head.
In the fourth, Francisco begins to throw a lot of loopey punches, but his rights continued to connect. Francisco’s enticement to mix it up kept Alexis vulnerable after each response. “Hit and get out, Alexis” someone shouted. Francisco, a better inside fighter, stalked him and leaned his weight on him, keeping him on the ropes.
In the fifth, Alexis adjusted his tack, stayed off of the ropes, boxing his opponent. And, in the sixth, Alexis knocked Francisco off of his feet. The corner threw the towel without hesitation, and the victory went to Alexis Comacho.
Towels left corners’ hands easily on this fight night. Some teams and fighters remarked, post-fight, that the referee was too quick making the decision to end fights. Everyone was edgy, and preventing injury was tantamount. The tragedy of the loss of Leavander Johnson, and the awareness of injuries that are irrevocable, blanketed the night. Ten seconds of silence were observed in honor of our fallen hero, Leavander Johnson.

2005-09-18T18:44:00.000-07:00

Castrejon, Chavez, La Hoya, Johnson and DiBella at weigh-in

Jesus Chavez wins the IBF Lightweight Championship.
Leavander Johnson suffers brain hemorrhage in battle.

I asked Jesus Chavez, on his final day of sparring at Lord’s gym in Austin, for words I could include in my commentary, post-fight. General comments, who he wanted to thank. That sort of thing. He wouldn’t do it. I pushed; the request was simple, I reasoned, a pat answer, whatever he always said, after winning. His eyes darkened, and he became deadly serious. “I can’t. There’s something different about this fight” he said.
Prescience or a savvy analysis, his intimation was Sybil-like. Leavander Johnson was pummeled in the eleventh round. The fight was halted and he was left with a brain bleed. The situation was life threatening, but the good news is, that the day after surgery, the intracranial pressure numbers are beginning to come down. His family is with him. He is in an induced coma.
At the post-fight conference Jesus was filled with consternation, and he expressed sorrow and deep concern for Leavander, saying “My thoughts and prayers as well as those of all on my team go out to Leavander Johnson and his family.” He was anything but jubilant, even though he had won his second world championship.
Harold Lederman was inconsolably saddened by the tragedy, which he saw as completely unnecessary. “It was all I could do to not jump out of my chair and stop the fight myself” he said. “It never should have gone beyond the tenth round. The referee could have stopped it, the corner or the commission. He was thoroughly beaten. He had no chance to win the fight. You hate to see a guy get hurt like that.” He continued, “Yet, we had the best. Tony Weeks is an extremely competent referee, and Margaret (Goodman) is the most competent MD in boxing.”
Jesus, a crowd favorite, entered the ring accompanied by Mexican music and flags everywhere (Mexican Independence Day was the 16th of September.) Leavander Johnson’s music sounds were gangsta-rap, and he was booed. His home boys, in jeans and white T-shirts, held up the coveted red and gold IBF Lightweight Belt which he had recently captured in Italy. His team’s jackets read “The Time is Now.”
Jesus started out very slowly, cautiously. Lou DiBella, Leavander’s promoter, shouted from the third row “Get that stick out” and Leavander responded with repeated jabs that shot out, straight and hard. Jesus responds with some combos, testing distance, testing Leavander. In round two, the crowd got raucous and wild as real fighting ensued with good punches exchanged. Leavander made hissing sounds with each hard punch. Jesus herded Leavander into the ropes and tied him up for nearly 30 seconds, as the crowd questioned why Leavander wasn’t getting out of there. He took plenty of brutal body shots, and a left hook to the temple.
In the third round, Leavander managed to get some good body shots in on Chavez. They both landed blows to the head, and the crowd roared with enthusiasm for the excellent fighting. The sixth and seventh rounds found Leavander on the ropes, again. And, in the eighth, two resounding right hooks to Leavander’s head brought the fight closer to its final chapter. Yet, Leavander continued, exhibiting real endurance, and utilizing a strong jab he continues to poke at Jesus.
They both came out banging in the tenth. Jesus ran toward his opponent and laid a blow on his upper back. Leavander appeared to be losing strength. Jesus’ combo, 3 lefts, 2 rights were breaking him down.
From my vantage point, Leavander looked alright going into the eleventh round. He’d taken lots of punishment, but nothing compared to the intensity of the barrage Jesus let loose to win the fight. I don’t think anyone could have stopped Jesus Chavez. He’d had Leavander on the ropes long enough to lay twenty or thirty punches on him three times in the fight already. This time, however, the ferocity of the attack was unparalleled. 8 blows, then 12 blows, all connecting, a finishing storm of magnificent combinations. Jesus flew, lunged, 180 degrees from one direction and then the other, into Leavander. The surge of strength and power was fueled by indefatigueable warrior spirit. He was indestructible energy, that burning diamond purity which sometimes we are lucky enough to witness in the ring. And, which Leavander Johnson was unlucky enough to be on the receiving end of. Jesus Chavez is a champion, again. In his closing remarks, he stated that he was surprised by the punching power of Leavander Johnson. Referring to himself and his fight game, he stated “I may be a late bloomer,” intimating that there is even more for fans to look forward to.

Richard Lord's Gym- journal entries

2005-09-18T18:37:00.000-07:00

Jesus Chavez, new IBF Lightweight Champion. Congratulations Jesus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jesus sparring sessions-
Richard Lord's gym. Austin Texas. Jesus cutting it up, sparring hard with a tough, younger fighter, Eddie. Eddie was married in the ring last week, waiting for the bell signaling the end of a round before agreeing to matrimony in the minute reprieve. His bride and baby live in the back room of Lord’s gym. As Jesus Gabriel Sandoval Chavez had done a decade ago.Steeping out of the ring, super-saturated, indescribably drenched in sweat, Jesus paused to answer my questions. "How do you feel," I asked. He quipped, without hesitation, grinning, “with my hands.”Gold and black hand wraps festoon the ropes like Mardi Gras beads; the floor is sanctified with sweat. Colorful caricatures of star boxers stud the walls, amidst a mélange of posters advertising now famous fights. The whimsical art is reminiscent of Milanese murals on a traviata wall. Instead of the faces belonging to the restaurant proprietor, his family and employees, it’s the face of the guy showing you footwork, or the woman with whom you shadowbox, or the heat source for this incubator, Richard Lord.A knot of hard bodied young Mexican fighters form around me, hoping for publicity for their prowess. The spokesman is Jose Gonzales, 2-0, boasting 380 amateur fights as a light welterweight. He is 23, and hopeful. Aspiring. It blazes in his eyes, the future, and his breath is erratic as he envisions it, then held, as one does for all things exceedingly pleasurable or painful. His future holds both. As does the future of all real fighters.His peers are Marco Antonio Rubeo, ranked 7th in the world by the WBC as a junior middle weight. 29-2 with 7 KO’s. Julio Garcia, ranked 17th, as a light welterweight. Armando, ranked 10th as a super bantam. And Alexis Camacho and Raul Martinez, who are self-described as “up and coming.” Jesus, stepping out of the ring, absorbed in another conversation, catches this phrase like a hawk beading down on prey, and volleys back, “up and coming” with a hard question mark. The boys, humbled and chastised, tuck their chins and are quiet.Young boys enter the ring to take advantage of the break in sparring.They have shiny hair, slight frames. They are Caucasian boys whose mothers still buy their clothes, and they are in awe. They awkwardly practice the footwork and combinations, with the self-consciousness of adolescence.I feel as “connected” in this environment, as a baby in utero, the organ systems audible, regular, comforting. From an ancient prototype stairmaster squeaking like a porch swing, to the speed bags’ thump and the heavier heartbeat of hits to the big bags, it is a thriving, vibrant system, and I am a part. And perhaps this is the appeal. The three minute bell is startling; the gym’s adrenals. Only the music continues after it sounds. Music and the pulse coursing through, the almost audible hum of hope, anticipation, juices flowing. Fear, maybe.It is nearing 7 p.m. Many boxers have already put in 6 hours. Things are winding down inside. I exit. In the parking lot, down the alley towards the Goodwill, are UT students jumping rope under the mostly full moon, the air cool like silk, carrying no hint of the oppressive heat to come, that unctuous emollient of heavy laden hot that is summer in the deep south. I negotiate a path between 25 college kids jumping rope, ritualistically. Jesus is training for a big fight with Carlos Hernandez in Staples Auditorium- LA. I ask him how badly he wants to win. Serious now, he replies, without reflection. His answer is not what I had overlaid from my belief system of who Jesus was. Sentences wafted up in my psyche, extracts from a book I’d read recently about Jesus, “The bullet meant for me.” He was the man with an “overwhelming need to win,” the gladiator with a joie de vivre and a purity in his love of the sport and his desire to be the best. The beautiful young boy crying as he shadowboxed, taunted by guards, alone in solitary confinement for 3 months. 3 months. He was only 17, serving a sentence at Statesville prison, in Illinois. He shouted back to the guards that he would be the world champion one day. Day 2Linda sparring with Amalia Litras. Richard comments on how pretty her name is. She is pretty. And strong. She ties a hand wrap across a ring, practicing squats on the move in a boxer’s limbo, head ducking on alternate sides as she moves backwards and forwards. She teaches me. She encourages me…to spar. I have a Greenfield filter in my vena cava, which I had assumed would prohibit me from sparring. Yet, I salivate at the thought of putting my conditioning and new skills to the test. She tells me about www.titleboxing.com where I could special order gear that would protect my middle. “We wouldn’t hit you there, anyway, but for your peace of mind, check out what they have.” she says, enthusiastically. A “you can do it” seed planted. She is kind.When she sparred with Linda, she was also brave. Linda is a steam roller, a cyborg programmed “kill.” She has a 10 inch tattoo on the outside of her right calf. A witch with a pointy black hat and a cauldron of swirling red alchemical mist. Watching her advance on Amalia, I see a chimera, a fighting cock with wings spread, before it thrusts dangerous spurs, now a dragon, transforming; that cauldron is cooking eye of newt and more than a sprinkle of opponent’s fear. But Amalia is courageous. She takes what appear to be hard punches to her nose and perseveres. They both have protective gear that scrunches their cheeks toward the center of their faces, so you cant really read expressions.Now Eddie spars. He is Richard’s hopeful. I can tell. He has such quick feet. He is a shock wave of fists, fast hands. He never spars in boxing shoes; only Nike’s. Perhaps they'll be his first sponsor. His stance and his hands, open too wide, purposefully, as a taunt, say “,Bring it on!”“More body shots! Work the angles” Richard admonishes, from the corner. Eddie strikes a low, grounded stance. He leaps into it as if having just pounced from a high place, Ninja-like, and he lets a left upper cut fly. His right hook describes a huge arc, followed by a barrage, a flurry of fists.An ex-fighter shows up with his baby girl asleep on his shoulder. Richard jokes that Ilya has gained weight from too much Stoly, as he gently brushes aside the curls from the sleeping daughter's face, to admire her. He was so tender. A characteristic I find frequently in this gym. Tenderness.He stroked her hair in the middle of a round, for a long time, with patience, fondness and genuine love. The time he devoted to the child was unhurried, unrushed, natural. It was exactly what the moment called for, nothing less. Nothing contrived. Certainly not for show. It was just Richard’s nature or his instinct for...timing. And maybe that, timing, the natural unfolding of abilities and talent, the body revealing what it is capable of as the lessons sink deep in neural pathways, maybe that is what allows life to best articulate itself. At its own pace. An esoteric comprehension of timing may be Richard’s greatest gift and greatest teaching.The father moves on, and Richard grins, as another youth enters the ring. “Now this is what you call hungry.” A kid smiles with duct tape over his teeth. He forgot his mouthpiece and really wanted to spar. A Jr. Olympics silver medalist with a mouthful of tape adhesive because he so badly wants to get in the ring. That’s what boxing does. That’s what boxing is about. By Christine

Sparring partners for Jesus Chavez; Jose Gonzales, Ivan Valle and Jose Luis Soto

2005-09-14T08:22:00.000-07:00

2005-09-12T10:44:00.000-07:00

Jesus Chavez and Raul Martinez
Jose Gonzales
Jesus Chavez
Raul Martinez

Jesus Chavez fights Leavander Johnson September 17th

2005-09-12T10:38:00.000-07:00

Jesus in Lord's gym. Austin, Texas

Fernando Castrejon- it's all about the WIN!

2005-09-11T15:45:00.000-07:00

Trainer Fernando Castrejon

I recently caught up with Fernando Castrejon. If you follow boxing, you've heard his name. He is a no frills, just hard work and discipline kind of guy. Like a Boy Scout, preparedness is his motto. And his fighters are taking the boxing world by storm.
He trained Armando Guerrero, (20-4-6,) who fought valiantly against Israel Vazquez for the IBF Super Bantam Weight Title. (On my card, Armando won.) Teddy Atlas repeatedly commented on Armando's fighting skills, his fortitude, and his trainer, Castrejon. Only two weeks prior, Castrejon's most recognized fighter, Jesus Chavez, commanded attention as he defeated Carlos Hernandez in Staples Auditorium in LA.
The entourage of boxers under his tutelage is an A-List of success stories in the making.
Castrejon puts his all into his boxers. And he expects them to put their all toward the fight. "Everything is toward the win" Castrejon said. "All of the hard work, and the will to overcome contributes to the win. And when they win, I win. They make me feel so proud; it is worth everything."
His training camps do not include courses on macrobiotics. He does not hand out heart monitors, nor does he employ computer generated workout programs. It seems rudimentary, but it works: "running, training, rest, diet and always learning more and more. Plus hope, and a good attitude. Sometimes when one of the fighters is tired, I notice, and I work with them differently. We talk. I feel sometimes a little bit like their father."
He continued, stating that God gives individuals the will and power to accomplish their goals. And, that he thanks the Virgin Mary and Jesus for their blessings.

Castrejon's team:

Jesus Chavez
41-3
WBC Super Featherweight Title
and numerous other championships

Jose Gonzales
4-1 welterweight,with over 380 amateur fights
Jesus Chavez' most recent sparring partner

Raul "the Cobra" Martinez
9-0 with 6 KO's
*Next scheduled fight is with Miguel Martinez, 41-24 on the 16th of September in Chicago

Alexis Comacho
6-0 Light Middleweight

Fernando "el pillo" Trejo
25-10
Won the NABF Lightweight Title, defeating Jose Armando in Houston, August '05

Marco Antonio "Veneno" Rubio
31-2
Four belts-Champion of Coahuila
Mexico National Champion '01
WBC International Champion
WBA Continental Champion

Armando Guerrero
20-4-6

Margarito Espinoza
1-0

Antonio Garcia

Angel Resendiz wins third National Title

2005-09-11T14:39:00.000-07:00

ANGEL RESENDIZ' SPECTACULAR PERFORMANCE
When Angel enters the ring to spar, Richard Lord tells the onlookers to keep their eyes on the tall one, and that Angel, whom he is pointing out, is only fifteen years old. He is a very talented young man, with accuracy and power in his jabs and punches, and a defense that works. He is dedicated. He is disciplined. And he is a winner.
Currently, he holds three National Titles. Fighting at 141 pounds, in the 15-16 year old amateurs, he won the National Summer Boxing Classic. He also won the 2004 World Championship (14-15 year old division,) as well as the Junior Golden Gloves National tournament in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Angel's trainer is Fernando Castrejon, who trains numerous top ranked boxers, title holders and world champions. He is hoping to fight in San Miguel, Mexico on the undercard of the Championship Boxing match for the title of Continental America in the Salón de Alamo on Salida (de Ceylaya.) The match is between Margarito Espinoza and Jessy Espinoza, presented by the Comisión Municipal del Deporte and Atención a la Juventud de San Miguel de Allende. Many other top ranked boxers are slated to fight on the same card, insuring that it will be an exciting and memorable night of fighting. They are Raul Martinez, Armando Guerrero, Jose Gonzales, and Fernando Trejo. (See previous post for more information and photos of these fabulous fighters.)

Manny Morales KO's Desormiers, 11-0, in 24 seconds

2005-09-11T13:29:00.000-07:00

Manny fought Stephane Desormiers in Canada in July, and won. He knocked out his opponent in 24 seconds with a viscious left hook. Desormiers left himself wide open, and was knocked out cold, along with his perfect 11-0 record, and a run of five first round knockouts.
His words after the fight, intimate that he never expected it. "It was the first time in my career, professional or amateur that I went down" Desormiers said (Dave Spencer, FightNews Canada.)
"I'm obviously going to learn from that. I started the fight saying I was going to knock him out, I didn't respect him, I put too much pressure on my shoulders trying to knock him out."
We hear a re-match is slated in the not-too-distant future. Manny is looking sharp in sparring sessions at Richard Lord's gym and is eager to meet Desormiers in the ring again, and win!

Julio "Baby Face" Garcia - Torreon, Aug. 19, 2005

2005-09-01T17:16:00.000-07:00

Marco Antonio "Veneno" Rubio Aug. 19th Torreon

2005-09-01T15:45:00.000-07:00

Veneno and Baby Face

Marco with nephew, Jorge, after KO of Leon Pearson

2005-09-01T15:36:00.000-07:00

2005-09-01T15:18:00.000-07:00

Idola-

The enviable life of Mexican boxer Marco Antonio Rubio
by Christine Maynard

In Mexico, a boxer, while he is winning, is a demi-God. Machismo manifests in its purest form in the boxing gyms, rings, and coliseums where peleadors perform. Marco Antonio Rubio, best known as “Veneno,” (venom,) 31-2 with 29 KO’s, embodies this machismo, and more. He is incredibly gifted and confident, with laser-like focus and an energy level that makes him larger than life.
I joined him on a road trip from Austin, Texas, where he trains with other high ranked Mexican Nationals, (including Jesus Chavez,) to his home town of Torreon, Mexico, where he fought… and won.
Traveling with a high-profile hero, from the luxury of elitist country clubs nestled amid mountains, to street corners in Coahuila, with crowds of children clamoring for Veneno’s attention, was quite impressive. His image, along with his opponent, Leon “Ice Cold” Pearson, appeared on huge light emitting diode billboards, reminiscent of Times Square. Marco is fueled by the feedback from his fans, whom he attends graciously.
Yet the seminal event was witnessing Marco Antonio Rubio fight. I learned that fighting is noble. That fighting is real. The appeal is visceral, obviously, but on a more subtle level it touches the spirit.
The heart of a true fighter is his strength. This strength is funded by belief, which through osmosis or alchemy becomes every man’s ability to believe. This hope is primed, behind the eyes and in the hearts of the masses, when they watch their fighter. It is magic, unlike any other sport.
A fighter becomes the transformative agent for the people, capable, if he wins, of transmuting despair into hope. This redemptive power of belief in a fighter is enthralling; he is like the Host raised high, bells signaling the change. His presence in the ring creates an incendiary pandemic, spreading startlingly, in which every cell becomes more alive, animated. That’s what boxing is. That’s what boxing is about.

I first met Rubio in Richard Lord’s gym. He had twinkling eyes, with a perpetual smile one couldn’t resist returning. “A world class boxer” those who knew said, as Marco sparred on Saturdays. But there are lots of world class boxers, title holders and champions in the gym. I had no concept of his “idola” status.
On a Tuesday in August, mid-morning, after training, we left Austin, heading west on 90 through the valley. The gorgeous, blue canopy that stretched above the straight west Texas highway was a cross between Wyoming, and an Italian Renaissance painting, in which cherubs are sucked into azure Duomo ceilings, amidst tufts of clouds. I felt as if we were bulging into a bubble of sky.
Trennice Brown, a bad-boy, black boxer from New Orleans by way of Cincinnati, slept in the back seat of Marco’s Chevrolet, as we drove past hunting ranches, with metal cut outs of wild hogs, or ducks in formation above the gates, as advertisements. In Uvalde, we pass the soon–to-open Oasis Outback. Two story palm trees at the entrance are alluring, yet the cultural dissonance of a west Texan Sultan theme fills me with prescience- expect the unexpected on this trip.
Trennice and I had no idea where we were headed, only that I was to act as his corner and that Marco had been instructed to not let us out of his sight. Trennice KO’d Johnny Torres, in 37 second in Houston. He has a fierce left hook and incredible musculature-genetics, not discipline. He is the opponent for “Chloro” Ruben Padilla, on the undercard of Marco’s fight.
A dream catcher hung from the rear view mirror. Conversation was conducted through a translating device, out of necessity. But gestures and expressions worked best for conveying meaning.
Marco showed me photographs on his cell phone of his girlfriend, golfing, a dashing dark-suit-clad Marco speaking at a dinner, and a few pics of gyms at which we would stop, in order to train. What looked like aboriginal drumming was actually boxers with heavy hammers lifted high, then thrust down rhythmically to strengthen the arms.
When we arrived in the city of Acuna, across the border from Del Rio, I couldn’t ignore Marco’s name painted in red- large block letters- above the entrance of the gym, a white metal barn-like building. The bathrooms were stalls facing the ring, with colorful graffiti, and a pre-Jack Lalayne treadmill was missing its conveyor belt- only the wooden cylinders turned. It was easier to envision it as a reflexology device hyped in an in-flight magazine than it was to realize champions have trained on this.
Mosquitoes made speed bag work torturous; they breed in abandoned tires which punctuated the grounds outside the gym. Young boys and men trained with an intensity and seriousness that spoke- “this is the only way out.”
According to Marco’s promoter in Mexico, Hector Sanchez, his move to Austin,Texas, in order to work with Fernando “Flaco” Castrejon, has made him a different fighter. Even better. Jesus Chavez, who also trains under Flaco stated that “Marco is in the place where he needs to be-where his career can progress.”
Hector is a used car salesman who owns a compound of concrete shotgun houses and an SUV. He also promotes Baby Face, Julio Garcia. Julio is a rising star with a 30-2 record and 24 knock outs, He is only eighteen. And he is under the tutelage of Marco. They are friends, gliding through the same swath of illustriousness and paparazzi, Spartan discipline, hard training, and the single-mindedness to place boxing above everything else in the world. Always.
Marco eats organic almonds and baby carrots, snacks I brought. Trennice buys chips, twinkies, a soda and a pack of cigarettes. We stay at a Best Western where Marco is feted, favored, and later we go out for dinner. There are mariachi bands and a synthesizer. The food is good, and Trennice and I order two for one Negro Modellos- it is happy hour.
I awaken at 7:00 a.m. with eyelids swollen from mucho cerveza .The boys call, having finished a morning run, and are ready to roll. I shower, grab coffee and my backpack and we head to Hector’s to pick up his SUV so Baby Face and his father can join us on the road to Torreon.
Hector’s spare is shredded from a blow out. We have no choice except to rouse a tire man. This is tricky, and our departure is delayed. Marco appears edgy, but polite. I only later realize that a media event is scheduled for our arrival, including photo shoots of sparring. We are unable to release the rim from the underbelly of the vehicle. After many attempts, along with unloading and re packing luggage, satin fight robes, bottled waters, and respective CD cases, mandatory boxing equipment, we are cruising.
Conversation becomes more facile. We drive through areas of protected flora and fauna, in the mountains. Trennice has flashbacks from Vision Quest. The counselors told him that if he chose to run away, just over the top of the mountain he’d see Tucson. Trennice and two others left in “boxers,” with no other clothing, not even shoes. They took horse blankets and cut them up for moccasins. They side stepped snakes, jumped ravines, and were exhausted upon reaching the top where they saw mountains as far as the eye revealed, not Tucson.
Marco delights in violin overtures moving his right hand in the air, drawing the bow, when he hears strings. He plays air accordion as well, while we drive. He is an admixture of passion and childlike enthusiasm. He looks like a young Sean Penn.
At the media event, Marco warms up in a hooded windbreaker and work out pants. He shadow boxes, wearing layers in 100 degrees and no AC, alternating high forward kicks while touching his toes, with punches, hooks, jabs. The boxers pose with fists prominently displayed for photographers. Interviews followed.
We leave two hours later and check into the Torreon Best Western, which is very nice, with plenty of amenities and attentive staff. Marco has a tight Achilles tendon on his right leg from a misstep, landing on the outside of his right foot. He asks for a massage and I oblige. He skips dinner as weigh in is two days away. We drive around Torreon, making unannounced visits to gyms, and to his home.
His nephew, Jorge, was on the sidewalk, waiting for Marco. He didn’t recognize the car. When Marco rolled down the window, the ten year old was jubilant. His uncle, his father-figure, and his “idola,” as well as the “idola” of all his peers, was home.
Marco’s father died when he was only fifteen. His mother, Lupe, died last year. She had been on dialysis, due to diabetes. He keeps a photo of her- sleeping while in the hospital- on his phone, as a screen saver.
He had just signed with Golden Boy Promotions, and was in Hidalgo preparing for a fight, which was to be aired on HBO Latino. His mother died on Sunday. He returned to Torreon for her funeral. On Thursday, he was victorious against Jeffrey Hill.
At the hotel before the fight, Marco appeared relaxed. The electricity and water had gone out an hour before our departure time. Fighters and opponents spoke amiably in the lobby. Once we arrived at the coliseum, the only sign of Marco in the boxer’s dressing room was his red satin robe, hung on a wall, covered in dry cleaning film.
Hours later, after Julio “Baby Face” Garcia’s fight, I found Veneno, dressed, juiced, pumped. Super charged, neck snapping, flashes popping, high voltage electricity surging-it’s source, Marco Antonio Rubio. His potency was palpable. He was on his power. Yet, he continued to quip with reporters and pose with kids.
Nowhere was Marco more amazing than in the ring. He tore his opponent apart with meticulous attention to detail. His method was perfectly orchestrated and executed, like a war theatre. A war theatre with the Marx brothers as alter ego, that is. When Leon cowered on the ropes, forearms locked in front of his face, his only vestige of defense before the battering ram “Veneno,” Marco interjected humor which made the crowd go wild. At the height of dramatic tension, Marco’s gloved hand hovering, arm cocked, he exaggerated a wind-up, cartoon-like, before sending it home. He played with Leon, a cat dissecting a mouse at its leisure.
He thrills his audience. And he knows exactly what he is doing every step of the way. When Leon’s mouthpiece hit the floor, Marco pantomimed surprise, shot down to retrieve it, and popped it in Leon’s mouth like a pacifier. The fans roared.
He KO’d Leon in the fourth round. The crowd pushed into the ring. Leon and his manager, Don Hale, disappeared into a hotel van. Don had mentioned earlier that it could be rough here, recalling another fight in the Expo Gomez Palacio where bottles were thrown, and leaving the stadium was almost impossible.
Marco Antonio Rubio is spectacularly confident, and loves his life. Others love his life- and life force- right along with him. He is a champion, and he is unforgettable. There is a purity about him which makes his essence shine.
He has four boxing championship belts, but he only brought them out after showing me his Our Lady of Guadeloupe string Santos, and pictures of his family.

Boxeo de Oro Texas Title Fight in Ft. Worth

2005-07-06T11:48:00.000-07:00

BOXEO DE ORO TEXAS TITLE FIGHT- FT. WORTH, TX

The June 16th fight in Forth Worth, a Golden Boy Promotions event, was sizzling, staged outdoors in Sundance Square, surrounded by blazing hot buildings blocking breeze. The later evening fights included in HBO’s Latino televised Boxeo de Oro, appeared glam and cool juxtaposed to the boiling hot late afternoon venue. Miller Lite was a co-sponsor contributing $20,000 to an educational fund under the auspices of the Texas Title. Lupe Cantreros was the announcer and Judges were Don Griffin, Ray Hawkins and Jesse Reyes.
Alexis Comacho 6-0, ( 146 pounds) fought first against Orlando Cantera, 3-1-1, from Mexico.. Alexis shares the same trainer as Jesus Chavez and Armando Guerrero - Fernando Castrejon.
Alexis displayed his boxing finesse from the first bell. At the end of the round, Fernando focused on breathwork with Alexis, encouraging deep, steady breathing, focusing him. Unattached to a promoter, this was Alexis’ debut for Golden Boy Promotions, although it was an off TV card . His roommates and training partners, seated near the ring, shouted “Jab Alexis!” but it was his right that took down his opponent.
Cantera did catch Alexis with some straight shots, grazing his left cheek, but he wasn’t given time to inflict much more damage. Alexis’ 2nd round KO of Orlando Cantera earned this boxer full marks; his skills were decidedly on display.
Alexis appeared very pleased with his performance. He was surrounded by support- other ranked Mexican nationals ( also under Castrejon’s tutelage,) with whom he lives. They do everything together, from shopping at Hobby Lobby to making weight. When one is preparing to fight, they turn the heat in their apartment up to 90 degrees, cover up in plastic and sweat together, shadowboxing.
. * Trainer Fernando Castrejon was HQ’d at Richard Lord’s gym in Austin where he has been training a handful of young, up and coming fighters, as well as Jesus Chavez. They are Raul Martinez, Julio Garcia, Jose Gonzales, Marco Antonio Rubeo and Armando Guerrero. He has changed locale, and now operates out of Jarrel, Texas, in a new gym (still no AC and yesterday registered 104 Farenheit.)
Jesus Chavez can still be found at Richard’s gym, (although he is currently in Mexico visiting his grandparents) as he seems most comfortable there. It has been his environment for over a decade. His sparring sessions with Francisco Lorenzo, preparing for his fight with Carlos Hernandez, “ El Famoso,” all took place at Richard Lord’s. On Top Rank’s site, Richard is listed as a co-trainer for Jesus, along with Castrejon.

Superbantam weight Jose Hernandez, 3-0 from Ft. Worth, beat Miguel Medina (2-5-2) in a six round bout. 60-53 unanimous decision. He went down, but got up to fight again. Overheard, “he does have a lot of heart.”
In the only “Title” fight of the evening, Antonio Escalante, 6-1 from El Paso KO’d Rigoberto Hernandez(4-3-1) of Dallas in the 2nd round. Hernandez was on shaky ground, appearing dazed, when his corner requested that the fight be stopped. Escalante became the Miller Lite Junior Featherweight champion
Treacherous Trennice Brown gave away what could have been an easy win, because he was out of shape. By the end of round one, it was obvious that this fighter was out of steam and winded. When Trennice trains and doesn’t smoke, he is a hell of an opponent and a crowd pleasing, excellent specimen of a fighter. He sent his left hook soaring six times, but his timing was off. Dropping Brown twice, the victory belonged to Bryan Vera, 4-0 from Ft. Worth. The ref stopped the fight although Trennice got up at 8 seconds. Trennice’s humbling experience and deeply cut lower lip should be the impetus to get him back on track at Lord’s gym in Austin, Tx where he has been seen holding his own with Marco Antonio Rubeo, Eddy Villalobos, and other seriously tough sparring partners.
Demetrius Hopkins, 18-0, employed a vicious uppercut to stop Roberto Valenzuela, 31-13-1 w, 28 KO’s, along with some right hooks that honed in on their target. The nephew of Bernard Hopkins fought hard against Valenzuela who was 31-13. Valenzuela didn’t lay down, and kept fighting valiantly even when the crowd could tell he was hurt. His left hooks caught Hopkins over the right eye, and Hopkins’ uppercuts did a number on Valenzuela’s nose. Lots of skill from Hopkins and tenacity from Valnzuela in this 8 round fight. The victory went to Hopkins, unanimous decision.
Abner Mares, 3-1-2 KO’s, fighting for Golden Boy Promotions, KO’d Baladan Treviso 4-8 w/3 KO’s, from Arizona in the 5th. “Lil” Abner, a former Olympian, showed his speed and talent, but also his youth. This young super bantam weight has been referred to as “a work in progress.” He looked good and is progressing. Baladan stood his ground and actually became the aggressor. Abner’s combos finished him off; his opponent appeared very tired, and then after many head shots, hit the floor.
Jhonny Gonzales entered the ring with a prayer. A larger than life googly eyed baby was emblazoned on his chest (T-shirt.) 28-4-0 w/ 25 KO’s and ranked #2 by WBO and #4 by WBC, his great extensions and connects make him a winner. He bounces with springy small steps utilizing traditional “Mexican style” hand positioning (left forearm distanced from the torso the length of the humerus) as well as some of the fencing like footwork. His strong rights go to the middle.
Adelfo Landeros from Mexico went into the fight 14-4-1 with 8 KO’s. He had unique defensive hand movements, like karate kid waxing the car; small concentric circles. Some quick, effective hooks. Good jabs, but combos missed with the right. Sometimes he batted at Gonzales. Landeros couldn’t’ get many punches in as Gonzales blocked with wrist flicks, effectively
. Gonzales’ game plan was to start off slowly. Landeros approach was to press and crowd Gonzales. Throughout the fight, Gonzales displayed great stamina and defense. Gonzales was energetically pivoting in position, even in the tenth round, on his toes. 8th and 9th round shots by Gonzales to Landeros’ head nearly finished him off; he appeared to stumble in the final seconds. He suffered a bloody left eye, a steady nose bleed, and was pretty cut up.

*Jesus Chavez is preparing for the not yet officially announced but “it’s a go” re-match with Carlos Hernandez, whom he recently defeated in a split decision. Perhaps he’ll re-employ Francisco Lorenzo as his sparring partner?

Francisco Lorenzo vs. Nate Campbell

2005-07-06T11:45:00.000-07:00

Francisco “Pancho” Lorenzo vs. Nate Campbell

In his fight with Nate Campbell, which Francisco Lorenzo won in a split decision, he fought and fought and fought. The commentators were quite taken with Lorenzo’s hard work and heart. Teddy Atlas punctuated his coverage with praise for Lorenzo’s relentless punching.
“There is nothing gradual in the body movements of Lorenzo, everything is quick, quantity and in excess” Teddy stated. He was later described as a punching robot, which, coincidentally, is Lorenzo’s favorite self-description. He related the story to me of drowning in a river in the Dominican Republic as a ten-year old. The doctors pronounced him dead. When he came back to life, Lorenzo says he awakened as “a punching robot!” That’s the etymology of his fight moniker “Ahogado,” which means “the drowned one.”
Pancho (Lorenzo’s nickname) fought a hometown favorite, Nate Campbell, in St. Petersburg, Florida. The media highlighted Nate’s history as a hard working family man, a humble box cutter for Winn Dixie. Fans stick by him like Gatti admirers. Nate has been referred to by John David Jackson as the most talented veteran under 135 pounds to not have won a title.
Although Nate was hungry for this win, he couldn’t keep Lorenzo out of the kitchen, or off of his turf. And as Teddy mentioned, Nate didn’t bother charging Lorenzo rent, not even three punches, for moving in on his property.
Lorenzo threw “punches in bunches” in a “punch, move punch move rhythm”. He was so active he tallied over 85 punches in the first round and banged up the punch numbers to over 1000 by the end of the fight.
Perhaps one reason Lorenzo fought so hard was because he had a lot of catching up to do. He had been sidelined for a year because of a misread MRI. The New York Commissioner of Boxing pulled his license. When the mistake was finally realized, he was re-licensed.
At one point, Nate backed away from Lorenzo and turned toward the ropes. Instead of taking advantage of Nate’s vulnerability, the announcers interpreted Pancho’s pause, allowing Nate to recover himself, to gentleman like conduct. Teddy Atlas ascribed the thought process “Hey,this isn’t how boxing works” to Pancho, upon seeing Nate turn his back, and then praised his sportsman like behavior.
Although Pancho left himself open with his helter skelter style, and had a lower percentage of connects than Nate, he won, by never, never stopping. “He even was throwing punches at lunch today” one commentator mentioned.
Nate was not consistent with his jab. Toward the final rounds, it was clear that Nate had underestimated Francisco Lorenzo and the fact that he’d never let up.
Campbell, frustrated, pushed Lorenzo to the ground at the beginning of round 12. He held him on the ropes as well. Lorenzo turned southpaw and kept the intensity going . After the bell, it was evident that Lorenzo felt he had done enough. He looked happy, victorious. He shouted in rapid fire Spanish, “long live the Dominican Republic!” and much more that was unintelligible to this reporter. When the win was official, the parting comments were that Lorenzo sure worked hard for it, and deserved the win.
Jose Risera, out of Newark, N.J.,is the trainer for the very human punching machine, Francisco “Pancho” Lorenzo.
This fighter’s back with a vengeance, and we’re sure to see lots more incredible action from Francisco Lorenzo, the punching robot, with heart!

Interview with Austin's Jesus Chavez

2005-05-27T13:05:00.000-07:00

http://15rounds.com/Columns/mcampbell/Chavez_052305.php

Catching Up with Jesus Chavez

Mike Campbell reporting for 15rounds.com with Jesus "El Matador" Chavez during training at Lord's gym in Austin Texas, while preparing for his fight on May 28th with Carlos "El Famoso" Hernandez at Staples Center in Los Angeles as part of Top Rank's 'Adios' card broadcast on Showtime PPV.

15: Jesus, you are coming off a 14 month layoff since your fight with Erik "El Terrible" Morales. Tell us about your shoulder injury, and the subsequent surgery and recovery period.
JC: Well, the shoulder injury had happened here before the fight, but there was nothing torn or anything, I had an MRI done on that and I was fine. After the Morales fight, (we found that) I'd torn the subscapularous tendon, and it had to be reattached with screws, and then I had to get an arthroscopic surgery on it as well. Also, I had torn my ACL (knee) during the fight, and had both surgeries taken care of at same time. The recovery was hard, but now I feel strong, 100% healed and ready both physically and mentally for this fight.

15: How long were you out of the gym?
JC: Not long, I came back as soon and as frequently as I could right after the surgeries. I kept up with my conditioning. I haven't been laid up for 14 months and have been training much longer than I would normally for a fight.

15: This is a 12 round fight, and an eliminator for Marco Antonio Barrera's WBC Super Featherweight title. Do you have any concerns about going 12 rounds after the layoff? Hernandez has fought twice since your last fight. How much sparring have you put in during this camp?
JC: No, not at all, no concerns. I've put in my share of sparring, I haven't been really been counting, but have had plenty of rounds to give me the confidence that if it goes the distance, I'll be ready.

15: So after 14 months off, do you feel like a caged lion anxious to get in there?
JC: I feel like a bear that's coming out of hibernation.

15: How's your weight?
JC: My weight isn't a problem, it's down and I'll weigh in at 130lbs easily. I'm between 135-140 right now, and actually had to put on a little bit of weight a few weeks ago.

15: Going back to the Erik Morales fight. I think you won much regard from the people who watched that fight, you showed a lot of heart fighting valiantly with one arm. After you injured your shoulder, it seemed like you were throwing maybe 1 right hand per round, just to test it out. Did you try to use it as a decoy after that?
JC One time, if that... Every once in awhile I think I'd try to test it out. It was a decoy all along, really. The Nevada state athletic commission and officials was there and asking me to throw my right hand. My response to them was I was baiting him with not throwing my right, and it worked, because he never really figured out if I was going to bombard him with the right hand at any time or not, since I had already hurt him in the 1st round with it.

15: Did you feel let down afterwards like you were close but missed an opportunity?
JC: No, not at all, I think it was a performance on my part, that hadn't really been done before. And I know that I withheld fighting my best with one hand, and that's a tribute to me, because I feel very priveleged having gone out there and fighting Erik Morales. Carlos Hernandez couldn't do anything with him and he had two hands, and I put a beating to him with only one!

15: Ok, turning to Carlos Hernandez. He's a brawler, likes to come in head first, with gloves up. He likes to headbutt guys and has two Technical Decisions in his last 5 fights, both of which he won. How are you going to combat that style, keep him at distance and avoid getting cut by a headbutt?
JC: I can't tell you exactly how it's going to develop, but I'll do whatever it takes to keep from getting headbutted. It's obviously a concern, I don't appreciate getting butted and have never been cut in a fight before and am going to try to keep it that way for sure.

15: Tell us about Francisco Lorenzo, he's been your primary sparring partner for this fight. I hear you've been getting in good work.
JC: Yeah definitely, Francisco is a good tough kid. I didn't know him before, and then I saw him fight down in San Antonio vs. Ivan Valle. His style is awkward, unorthodox, and mimics the brawling type style of Hernandez. I'll tell you this, if Francisco Lorenzo and Carlos Hernandez were to fight, Lorenzo would beat his ass!

15: You and Hernandez are in very similar positions coming into this fight. Both at similar stages of career, having held and lost major world titles. The winner of this fight is in the position of challenging for another world title, the loser has to keep climbing uphill and could be on cusp of falling backwards to contender/stepping stone status. Where are you finding your motivation for this fight?
JC: I think this fight is taking me back to my roots. Being a matador, fighting as a matador, fighting an aggressive fighter. Not only that, I'm enjoying being back in the gym, just having fun really. I'm going out there to have fun this time. It's not about money at all, I'm just looking to go out and show everyone what I'm about. I think whoever wins and goes on to fight for a championship, that's fine, if it's not me and I have to stay behind, so be it.

15: Filmmaker, Marcy Garriott made a documentary about your life called "Split Decision," which seemed to really focus on your family. Do you feel like family is a big source of where you draw strength?
JC: My family and friends have always been my backbone. And now with a new addition to my family, the most important addition to my family, my wife, I feel even stronger.

15: You have recently gotten married and said that you have a lot to fight for now, a new family and a new desire.
JC: I think that's part of my confidence level right now, being so relaxed. I feel like I'm superior in so many other ways, and that in addition to being superior in boxing, makes me very happy and confident.

15: I understand you got married about a year ago and your wife is now serving our country in Iraq. Will she return for this fight?
JC: Yes she's in Iraq and hopefully can return for the fight. We're not sure yet. But like I said before, my friends and family are my backbone and she's the important piece of the puzzle, and that's why I have my confidence level and am so relaxed. She's a very brave woman.
15: All of us at 15rounds.com thank her and admire her for her courage in serving.

15: Do you feel that your relationship with Bob Arum has really helped your career?
JC: I think that my personal relationship with him, aside from the business relationship is what surprised me. I never would have expected to have established a personal relationship with a big time promoter like Bob Arum. And that's part of the success we've had. I feel very happy, I feel good about being part of Arum's team, and it's definitely a family oriented organization. I think he's the best promoter out there and I am very grateful to Top Rank, because they've put me on the pedestal that I am on now. Even though I am not a champion of the world, I feel like I get a lot of attention, it might even be more than I deserve, I'm just very humble in that way, but Bob and Top Rank has put me in this position.

15: Since this fight is an eliminator for Marco Antonio Barrera's title, are you looking forward to matching up with another Mexican legend?
JC: If I fight Erik Morales for another title fight, I prefer that. It's going to be a great fight regardless, if it's Morales or Barrera. The only thing I want is to regain the championship. I have to regain what I left behind in that fight. I have to prove that I really can beat Erik Morales.

15: What's your relationship with the Marquez brothers?
JC: I used to workout with them when I was living down in Mexico City. They're good people.

15: Did you see Barrios-Anchondo?
JC: No. But that's a possibility for me after this fight. I think I could take that title with only one hand!

15: What did you think of Castillo-Corrales?
JC: Marvelous fight. I would watch that fight 20 times a day if I could.

15: Anything else you'd like to say?
JC: It's going to be a good card, but I still think that my fight is the best fight on the card. I'm very happy about this fight, how and where it's going to happen and my training camp has been at home, very relaxed. I always like to train at home, because my concentration is stronger.

15: You've had a couple of fights in Austin? Is that something you'd like to do again?
JC: Hell yeah. I'd like to bring in an HBO or Showtime level card to our town.

15rounds.com wishes to thank Jesus Chavez for graciously giving us the time for this interview and allowing us to record his sparring with Lorenzo.

"Michael J Campbell"

Jirov fights in Coushatta Grand Casino

2005-05-17T14:41:00.000-07:00

Coushatta Grand Casino
Knock Outs in Coushatta
May 14, 2005
The venue for six fights Saturday, May 14th, was Coushatta Grand Casino, located on Louisiana’s Mason-Dixon line dividing Bible belt, Baptist, north Louisiana piney woods, from the laissez les bon temps rouler Catholic, south Louisiana swamps. Owned by the Coushatta Indian tribe, this once sylvan hunting ground now proffers “bread and circuses,” for the masses. And the boxing entertainment was not a disappointment.
Think Gladiator. Instead of loaves thrown to onlookers in the coliseum, who were hungering for blood rather than bread, card girls in fluorescent pink lycra threw shirts emblazoned “Knock Outs in Coushatta.” The videos projected before each boxer emerged were inflammatory for the crowd and the opponent, like initial spur cuts in a cock fight. The emcee and promoter was Nora Papillon, a heavy set black man coiffed and made up. His theatrics and the drama of the pre-recorded videos set the tone for the fights.
A doctor’s wife seated next to the ring hid her face in her husband’s sports coat when she wasn’t motioning, thespian-like, for the bloodied boxer who’d been downed numerous times to come “off stage.” Her “affect” was juxtaposed to a casino crowd that booed fluidly, in mob mentality waves, when a lull in action occurred, evidently conditioned by the slots.
The first fight was sacrificial, not a chance for Carl “the dog” Pierce, who ran from the lion in the coliseum, Chris Henry. Chris has a flawless record, and has KO’d his past 4 opponents in short order. Carl was 1-4. You could smell the fear. When he fled from Chris, terrified, there were two distinct reactions, which polarized the audience. Some felt compassion and pity; others reviled his apparent cowardice, and booed loudly. One minute and 48 seconds into the fight, Chris’ KO of his opponent was a relief, merciful compared to the abuse 39 year old Carl could have suffered, if the fight had gone on beyond the first round.
“Bad” Chad Broussard was 35-0 in the early 90’s, ranked #1 by the WBF. His impressive career was short circuited by jail time for drug charges and a later parole violation. Broussard says, of his comeback “It’s been a slow and grueling process. It has taken me basically two years to get Chad back to where Chad was.” (Crowley Post Signal, 5-13-2005)
He looked hardened; Bad Chad was tattooed in large, block letters on his tanned, taut stomach, accentuated by his silver sequined black trunks. He disrobed to ”Bad to the bone.” Brad knows how to work the crowd and he had no trouble eliciting a visceral response.
His highly defined legs, huge lats and a thick torso, combined with “attitude” made it appear that he was ready to draw and quarter his opponent, Brad Thompson, of Tuscaloosa, AL. Despite his pallor and the fact that he was sporting sandy blonde braids that look like corn rows, this fighter displayed heart, refusing to stay down. Bleeding from one nostril early on, and taking some serious abuse from Chad, he was downed twice, and both times was saved by the bell. The next time he was felled, a palpable murmur issued from the crowd as he again rose, staggered, hands raised, and no referee nixed his return.
The fight doctor’s wife reached for him, as if he were going to take her hand, assisted like a card girl, and step out of the ring. Chad was an animal, looking too big and bad for Brad, although, in actuality, Brad outweighed him by 3 pounds (150 –153.) 50 seconds into the 4th of 6 rounds, referee Bruce McDaniel declared a TKO taking Bad Chad to 49-4 with 35 KO’s.
Chad’s performance is solid enough to warrant a match in Lafayette, LA between himself and Rodney Wilson on June 17th for the vacant IBU Welterweight title.
Shelby “Showtime” Pudwill from North Dakota (20-2 with 9 KO’s) beat down James “Hurricane” Kitchens, (6-2 with 5 KO’s.) Pudwill’s finesse in the ring was apparent early on, and he easily outboxed Kitchens. Bearing a chest covered in tattoos and a crazed look in his eyes, Kitchens was out pointed and tired early on. He didn’t come up with combos, and Pudwill was able to break him down. A good slipper, Pudwill didn’t take many blows himself. When he did, they were body shots, along with a couple of head butts that the ref noted.
Pudwill was an excellent counter puncher, with good footwork. His glove touched the floor twice but he recovered, a collective breath in, as the growing favorite stumbled. The fight clearly belonged to Pudwill 40-36.

Mary Jo Sanders, 15-0 with 5 KO’s, and the IBA Jr. welterweight champion, is also Ring magazine’s 2004 female fighter of the year. She had a good show, even without an opponent. She is a personable, accomplished boxer with beautifully developed deltoids, biceps and triceps. It is a shame that she didn’t get an opportunity to demonstrate what she is capable of achieving with her musculature and well honed skills.
She was reduced to chasing “Brown Sugar”, Belinda Laracuente, from Florida, around the ring for way too many rounds. Mary Jo aimed at her chest, as Belinda’s head moved like a toy Chihuahua situated below furry dice on a dash. The fight was met by a yawning audience, despite the wet T-shirt effects created by Belinda’s casual “uniform” of a soaked white sheer jog bra and wispy running shorts- no protective gear. Negotiating grey panties into a more comfortable position, she’d head to her corner, unscathed, after each two minutes, as if she and Mary Jo had been playing 4 corners on a school yard. She danced and jived with exaggerated facial expressions and never (maybe once) threw a right jab. Much of her time was spent tucked into her ribcage behind a fortress of forearms, on the ropes.
Mary Jo got her good once. She was wincing, crouching in pain, momentarily stopping her Ali shuffle. 99-91, 98-92, 100-90; the victory went to Mary Jo Sanders.

I spoke to Mary Jo’s intended opponent Lisa Holewyne. She was forced to drop out of the fight because of an injury sustained during sparring. He elbow and forearm were swollen and painful, possibly due to a bone spur. She stated, in a telephone interview, that the injury had limited her range of motion, making it impossible to have any snap in her punch. She mentioned taking it to heart and feeling very emotional about missing the fight and she expressed concern about the real possibility of this injury causing her to retire. As of this read, Holewyne plans a retirement fight in Austin in the Fall, with 5 fights on the undercard. She mentioned that she was the longest reigning female champion in the history of boxing. Holewyne continued, stating that Mary Jo was “a hell of a fighter; faster and younger than me. She is the female fighter of the future.”

Olympics Gold Medalist Vassiliy Jirov defeated southpaw Troy Beets, leaving his worthy opponent with a broken hand. Jirov, 34-3 with 30 KO’s, is Russian. Troy “The Basher” Beets, 15-5 with 8 KO’s is from Ocean Springs Mississippi. Jirov had a point taken in round 8 for low blows. They both appeared beat by round 5 of 10. Vassiliy fought 5 weeks ago, but his movements seemed to be in slow motion. Yet, his facile boxing form, and well orchestrated combinations were, as always, evident. Beets displayed guts and heart, creating a lot of buzz with his bravery in the ring. It was conceivable by round 5 that he could win, if he put on the pressure. But the win went to Vassiliy. The 3 time cruiser weight champion simply outboxed him. Beets knocked him down (pushed) once. The crowd booed during the fight, as well as when the winner was announced. 97-92, 97-93, and 97-92. Unanimous decision.
The fight of the night was JoJo Aiken’s (7-4 6 KO’s ) victory over Will McIntyre (36-3-14KO’s ). Aiken threw volleys of punches and made good use of his long arms. Once he figured out the range he was merciless in delivering punches. However, Will retorted with numerous combos and plenty of solid punches himself. If Jojo hadn’t knocked Will down, he wouldn’t have won. McIntyre should have been creaming him, but Jojo kept it coming. The crowd, initially showing thunderous support for Will, began to favor the underdog for his valiant effort, mid way into the fight. His heart was into it, and his skills took over. He proved a survivor, and was victorious. He sucked it up and dug down deep, finding the reserve to fuel his effort. The crowd read that, and responded. 57-56 three times.

Jesus Chavez sparring session @ Richard Lord's Gym in Austin

2005-05-17T14:07:00.000-07:00

Jesus cutting it up, sparring hard with a tough, younger fighter, Eddie. Eddie was married in the ring last week, waiting for the bell signaling the end of a round before agreeing to matrimony in the minute reprieve. His bride and baby live in the back room of Lord’s gym. As Jesus Gabriel Sandoval Chavez had done a decade ago.

Steeping out of the ring, super-saturated, indescribably drenched in sweat, Jesus paused to answer my questions. "How do you feel," I asked. He quipped, without hesitation, grinning, “with my hands.”

Gold and black hand wraps festoon the ropes like Mardi Gras beads; the floor is sanctified with sweat. Colorful caricatures of star boxers stud the walls, amidst a mélange of posters advertising now famous fights. The whimsical art is reminiscent of Milanese murals on a traviata wall. Instead of the faces belonging to the restaurant proprietor, his family and employees, it’s the face of the guy showing you footwork, or the woman with whom you shadowbox, or the heat source for this incubator, Richard Lord.

A knot of hard bodied young Mexican fighters form around me, hoping for publicity for their prowess. The spokesman is Jose Gonzales, 2-0, boasting 380 amateur fights as a light welterweight. He is 23, and hopeful. Aspiring. It blazes in his eyes, the future, and his breath is erratic as he envisions it, then held, as one does for all things exceedingly pleasurable or painful. His future holds both. As does the future of all real fighters.

His peers are Marco Antonio Rubeo, ranked 7th in the world by the WBC as a junior middle weight. 29-2 with 7 KO’s. Julio Garcia, ranked 17th, as a light welterweight. Armando, ranked 10th as a super bantam. And Alexis Camacho and Raul Martinez, who are self-described as “up and coming.” Jesus, stepping out of the ring, absorbed in another conversation, catches this phrase like a hawk beading down on prey, and volleys back, “up and coming” with a hard question mark. The boys, humbled and chastised, tuck their chins and are quiet.
Young boys enter the ring to take advantage of the break in sparring.They have shiny hair, slight frames. They are Caucasian boys whose mothers still buy their clothes, and they are in awe. They awkwardly practice the footwork and combinations, with the self-consciousness of adolescence.

I feel as “connected” in this environment, as a baby in utero, the organ systems audible, regular, comforting. From an ancient prototype stairmaster squeaking like a porch swing, to the speed bags’ thump and the heavier heartbeat of hits to the big bags, it is a thriving, vibrant system, and I am a part. And perhaps this is the appeal. The three minute bell is startling; the gym’s adrenals. Only the music continues after it sounds. Music and the pulse coursing through, the almost audible hum of hope, anticipation, juices flowing. Fear, maybe.
It is nearing 7 p.m. Many boxers have already put in 6 hours. Things are winding down inside. I exit. In the parking lot, down the alley towards the Goodwill, are UT students jumping rope under the mostly full moon, the air cool like silk, carrying no hint of the oppressive heat to come, that unctuous emollient of heavy laden hot that is summer in the deep south. I negotiate a path between 25 college kids jumping rope, ritualistically.
Jesus is training for a big fight with Carlos Hernandez in Staples Auditorium- LA. I ask him how badly he wants to win. Serious now, he replies, without reflection, “I know I’ll get hurt again, it doesn’t matter.”

Not what I had expected. Not what I had overlaid from my belief system of who Jesus was. Sentences wafted up in my psyche, extracts from a book I’d read recently about Jesus, “The bullet meant for me.” He was the man with an “overwhelming need to win,” the gladiator with a joie de vivre and a purity in his love of the sport and his desire to be the best. The beautiful young boy crying as he shadowboxed, taunted by guards, alone in solitary confinement for 3 months. 3 months. He was only 17, serving a sentence at Statesville prison, in Illinois. He shouted back to the guards that he would be the world champion one day.
Having achieved that, it appears that he now needs fire in his belly, an impetus, from a fresh source. A jaded Jesus won’t do.

Something tells me that's about to change. I want to capture the transformation between now and May 28, when he faces Carlos Hernandez

Day 2

Linda sparring with Amalia Litras. Richard comments on how pretty her name is. She is pretty. And strong. She ties a hand wrap across a ring, practicing squats on the move in a boxer’s limbo, head ducking on alternate sides as she moves backwards and forwards. She teaches me. She encourages me…to spar. I have a Greenfield filter in my vena cava, which I had assumed would prohibit me from sparring. Yet, I salivate at the thought of putting my conditioning and new skills to the test. She tells me about www.titleboxing.com where I could special order gear that would protect my middle. “We wouldn’t hit you there, anyway, but for your peace of mind, check out what they have.” she says, enthusiastically. A “you can do it” seed planted. She is kind.
When she sparred with Linda, she was also brave. Linda is a steam roller, a cyborg programmed “kill.” She has a 10 inch tattoo on the outside of her right calf. A witch with a pointy black hat and a cauldron of swirling red alchemical mist. Watching her advance on Amalia, I see a chimera, a fighting cock with wings spread, before it thrusts dangerous spurs, now a dragon, transforming; that cauldron is cooking eye of newt and more than a sprinkle of opponent’s fear. But Amalia is courageous. She takes what appear to be hard punches to her nose and perseveres. They both have protective gear that scrunches their cheeks toward the center of their faces, so you cant really read expressions.

Now Eddie spars. He is Richard’s hopeful. I can tell. He has such quick feet. He is a shock wave of fists, fast hands. He never spars in boxing shoes; only Nike’s. Perhaps they'll be his first sponsor. His stance and his hands, open too wide, purposefully, as a taunt, say “,Bring it on!”
“More body shots! Work the angles” Richard admonishes, from the corner. Eddie strikes a low, grounded stance. He leaps into it as if having just pounced from a high place, Ninja-like, and he lets a left upper cut fly. His right hook describes a huge arc, followed by a barrage, a flurry of fists.

An ex-fighter shows up with his baby girl asleep on his shoulder. Richard jokes that Ilya has gained weight from too much Stoly, as he gently brushes aside the curls from the sleeping daughter's face, to admire her. He was so tender. A characteristic I find frequently in this gym. Tenderness.

He stroked her hair in the middle of a round, for a long time, with patience, fondness and genuine love. The time he devoted to the child was unhurried, unrushed, natural. It was exactly what the moment called for, nothing less. Nothing contrived. Certainly not for show. It was just Richard’s nature or his instinct for...timing. And maybe that, timing, the natural unfolding of abilities and talent, the body revealing what it is capable of as the lessons sink deep in neural pathways, maybe that is what allows life to best articulate itself. At its own pace. An esoteric comprehension of timing may be Richard’s greatest gift and greatest teaching.

The father moves on, and Richard grins, as another youth enters the ring. “Now this is what you call hungry.” A kid smiles with duct tape over his teeth. He forgot his mouthpiece and really wanted to spar. A Jr. Olympics silver medalist with a mouthful of tape adhesive because he so badly wants to get in the ring. That’s what boxing does. That’s what boxing is about.

By Christine (posted for her while we work out the kinks)

Texas Boxing Blog hits the Net

2005-05-16T16:28:00.000-07:00

Here we go! Day 1 of the Texas Boxing Blog.

Stay tuned as there's a lot more in the pipe.