Ring Tones

27 years ago today, Hagler knocked out "The Beast"

Bernard Hopkins, age 48, won yet another world championship Saturday, easily outpointing Tavoris Cloud for the IBF light heavyweight title. It is the "Executioner's" second championship at 175 pounds.

But Hopkins is more closely associated with the middleweight division, where he made a record 20 title defenses between 1995 and 2005.  He is considered one of the top three 160-pounders of all time, along with Carlos Monzon and Marvelous Marvin Hagler.

Fittingly, it was 27 years ago today - March 10, 1986 - that Hagler won his last fight - an 11th round knockout of Ugandan knockout artist John "The Beast" Mugabi. It was a cold, rainy night outdoors at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. But the heat in the ring was intense, as Hagler and Mugabi engaged in one of 1986's best fights. On the undercard, Thomas Hearns knocked out James Shuler in the first round, seemingly setting up a Hagler-Hearns rematch that never happened.

In his next fight, Hagler lost to Sugar Ray Leonard on April 6, 1987.

Other memorable March dates:

March 1 - Roy Jones Jr.  W 12 John Ruiz (2003)

March 3- John Ruiz W 12 Evander Holyfield (2001)

March 4- Virgil Hill W 12 Bobby Czyz (1989)

March 5- Sumbu Kalambay W 12 Mike McCallum (1988)

March 6- Hector Camacho W 12 Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini (1989)

March 7 - Mike Tyson W 12 James "Bonecrusher" Smith (1987)

March 8- Samuel Peter W 12 Oleg Maskaev (2008)

March 9- Donald Curry KO 2 Eduardo Rodriguez (1986)

March 10- Gaby Canizales KO 7 Richard Sandoval (1986)

March 13- Lennox Lewis D 12 Evander Holyfield (1999)

March 15- Manny Pacquiao W 12 Juan Manuel Marquez (2008)

March 16- Mike Tyson KO 3 Frank Bruno (1996)

March 17- Julio Cesar Chavez KO 12 Meldrick Taylor (1990)

March 18- Mike Tyson KO 7 Razor Ruddock (1991)

March 19- Milton McCrory W 12 Colin Jones (1983)

March 20- Iran Barkley W 12 Thomas Hearns (1992)

March 23- Arturo Gatti KO 6 Wilson Rodriguez (1996)

March 24- Oscar De La Hoya KO 5 Arturo Gatti (2001)

March 25- Michael Nunn KO 1 Sumbu Kalambay (1989)

March 27- Larry Holmes W 12 Lucien Rodriguez (1983)

March 28- Sugar Ray Leonard KO 10 Larry Bonds (1981)

March 30- Marvelous Marvin Hagler KO 10 Juan Roldan (1984)

March 31- Terry Norris KO 1 John Mugabi (1990)

 

Escalante erupts for thrilling 2nd-round KO

Antonio Escalante showed Saturday that he's still exciting, and he still has power. 

The El Paso junior lightweight scored a spectacular second-round knockout of Leonilo Miranda at Illusions Theater in San Antonio to keep his career title hopes intact. Escalante, 28-4 (19 knockouts), has now won four in a row.

After an uneventful first round, Miranda, 32-5 (30 KO's), wobbled Escalante with a big right hand against the ropes. Escalante tried to dance out of trouble, but Miranda was in hot pursuit and seemed on the verge of a knockout win. Then, out of nowhere, Escalante clocked Miranda with a mammoth counter right that put the Mexican on his back.

Miranda hardly stirred as the referee tolled the 10 count. It was a sudden, thrilling win and the San Antonio crowd was riveted by the KO.

The performance was just what the doctor ordered for Escalante, who is on the comeback trail after back-to-back knockout losses in 2010 and 2011. 

 

 

 

Garcia shocks Khan, unifies 140-pound title belts

Three weeks after Josesito Lopez shocked Victor Ortiz, another underdog hit the jackpot Saturday.

Danny Garcia - who figured to be too small and too one-dimensional for Amir Khan - scored a shocking fourth-round knockout at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. "Swift" knocked Khan down twice in the third round and three times in the fourth before referee Kenny Bayless abruptly stopped the fight. With the win, the Philadelphian unifies the WBA and WBC junior welterweight title belts.

Khan, whose chin has been exposed as soft in the past, slugged it out with Garcia despite advantages in height and reach. After being in training camp for 14 weeks - he was preparing for Lamont Peterson before Peterson tested positive for steroids - Khan appeared to have little in terms of stamina or strength of chin.

Garcia put Khan down with a sweeping left hook in the third round and Khan never recovered. But the former 2004 Olympic silver medalist showed a ton of heart, firing back with abandon. On this night, however, his aggressive tendencies cost him.

Next for Garcia should be a showdown with Lopez. But, because Lopez has been selected as a sacrifical lamb to the bigger, stronger Saul "Canelo" Alvarez on Sept. 15, Garcia's options may be limited. A fight with Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico would be an interesting alternative.

Khan will have to go back to square and reevaluate his career.

After quitting again, Ortiz should hang 'em up

Well, even though it's just June, we have our "Upset of the Year" for 2012. And Victor Ortiz would be well-advised to find another line of work.

Ortiz, a huge favorite to defeat challenger Josesito Lopez Saturday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, quit on his stool after the 9th round because of a broken jaw. And though he was winning on all three judges' scorecards, it was not the same Ortiz who beat Andre Berto in April 2011. It didn't even seem like the same Ortiz who was knocked out by Floyd Mayweather Jr. in September.

Ortiz seemed hesitant and, again, overwhelmed by the moment. With a multi-million dollar showdown with WBC junior middleweight champ Saul "Canelo" Alvarez hanging in the balance, Ortiz allowed a smaller, less-experienced fighter to hang around too long.

Rather than going for the kill, he appeared tentative. The fire that burnt so bright against Berto was virtually nonexistent. At times, it seemed like Ortiz was just going through the motions.

It seems as though the Californian fights better when there's less expected from him. Because when he's the favorite, he appears unsure of himself. As the underdog, he lets 'er rip.

But more disturbing is Ortiz's penchant for quitting. This is the second time in his career that Ortiz has waved the white flag, the first being in 2009 when he gave up against Marcos Maidana in the 6th round after having Maidana down three times. 

And while Ortiz' jaw indeed looked broken against Lopez - he was spitting out pools of blood and could barely talk afterward - professional fighters are not looked upon favorably when they quit. Fair or not, that is the reality. And the paying public will justifiably have second thoughts about Ortiz when it comes down to plunking down money to watch him again. 

Muhammad Ali fought through enormous pain in 1973 when Ken Norton broke his jaw. So did Arthur Abraham in a 2006 fight with Edison Miranda. So it can be done.

Fighters at Ortiz' level get paid very well to endure pain. No one forces them into this violent profession. But once in it, they should be held to a higher standard. And, if they can't endure it, they should find another line of work.

Which is what Ortiz should do.

"Vicious" Victor has had a hard life and a solid career. But the quitting seems to be a symptom of a bigger problem. There are times it seems Ortiz' heart just isn't in it. And boxing is too dangerous a sport if you are not 100 percent committed to the goal. 

Ortiz should leave the sport now, comfortable in the knowledge that, for a while, he was one of boxing's most exciting performers.

******

Meanwhile, Golden Boy Promotions is left to find Alvarez opponent number four for its Sept. 15 card featuring Alvarez.  

Canelo vs. Paul Williams was signed and sealed for that date but, last month, Williams was involved in a motorcycle accident that left him paralyzed. For a time, James Kirkland was penciled in as Williams' replacement before a bum shoulder took him out. Then  Golden Boy moved on to Ortiz, who seemed to make an attractive opponent for Mexican Independence Day.

Now that Ortiz is out, it's looking more and more like Canelo will not fight on Sept. 15 . That is a relief to boxing fans, who, before Saturday, thought they'd have to choose between Alvarez-Ortiz and Top Rank/Lou DiBella's offering of Sergio Martinez vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.

The MGM Grand, the host of the Alvarez/Golden Boy card, may be out of luck on one of the biggest gambling weekends of the year.

If Alvarez does fight, let's hope it's against an Erislandy Lara and not a Paul Malignaggi. 

It's too bad Alfredo Angulo is still going through major visa problems. Alvarez vs. Angulo would be a perfect matchup for diesiseis de septiembre. 

 

Bradley's gift decision over Pacquiao may be the worst in history

You have to feel for Freddie Roach this morning.

The trainer for Manny Pacquiao boarded a private jet last night from Las Vegas to Canastota, N.Y., where, today, he is being inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. It is an honor that is richly deserved.

But, after Pacquiao lost his WBO welterweight title to Timothy Bradley last night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, the induction is likely the last thing on Roach's mind.

It was, perhaps, the worst decision in boxing history. 

With a sport constantly under fire for its lack of integrity, a lot of people were reminded last night why they ignore boxing. If you gave Bradley more than three rounds, you were in the minority. 

Pacquiao was constantly advancing, landing more blows and landing the harder blows, consistently over 12 rounds. It almost seemed too easy - certainly much easier than most experts predicted. Bradley was wobbled in the fourth, and though he kept trying and put forth an admirable effort, he simply did not have the firepower to bother Pacquiao. So Pacquiao did pretty much as he pleased.

Pacquiao landed 94 more punches than Bradley (253 to 159), with a connect percentage of 34 percent to Bradley's 19 percent. He also landed more power shots, 190 to 108.

How, then, did Nevada State Athletic Commission-appointed judges Duane Ford and C.J. Ross both turn in 115-113 scores for Bradley, essentially giving the Californian seven rounds and ultimately, the fight?

Even judge Jerry Roth's 115-113 tally for Pacquiao seemed too close. In most everyone's opinion, this was a runaway. 

Ford and Roth have been around forever. Yes, they have a ton of big-fight experience.  The also have a lot of big-time experience turning in questionable scorecards.

Brandon Rios received a disgusting gift over Richard Abril in April. Guess who scored it 116-112 for Rios?

Jerry Roth.

Nevada, these guys are tired. They should make like "I'll Have Another" and retire.

And Ross? Even before the fight even started, HBO analyst Emanuel Steward criticized the commission for appointing a novice to such a big fight. 

Ultimately, it's getting harder and harder to defend a sport that constantly makes the paying audience feel like fools. Everyone knows what they saw. It was an easy decision win for Pacqiuao. Nothing more, nothing less.

Meanwhile, all talk of Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather came to a screeching halt and, frankly, we should all be thankful for that one. There was plenty of opportunity to get that made and the two sides just couldn't agree.

Now, that fight has lost its luster forever. Even if the decison for Bradley was the worst the sport has ever seen. 

Off the top of my head, the worst decisons over the last several years:

Felix Trinidad W 12 Oscar De La Hoya (1999)

Lennox Lewis D 12 Evander Holyfield (1999)

Michael Spinks W 15 Larry Holmes (1986)

Pernell Whitaker D 12 Julio Cesar Chavez (1993)

Michael Dokes W 15 Mike Weaver (1983)

Brandon Rios W 12 Richard Abril (2012)

 

 

 

R.I.P. Johnny Lee: Tortured in life, Tapia was masterful in the ring

To appreciate what Johnny Tapia achieved in boxing, you must first consider his childhood.

 His mother was kidnapped, raped and murdered – by way of a screwdriver being plunged into her body over and over and over – when he was all of eight years old. He woke up in time to see her screaming, chained to the back of a pickup. He was ignored when he tried to tell others in the house.

 Tapia’s father? Pretty much nonexistent most of his life.

 The chances of Tapia turning into something meaningful in life were roughly equivalent to winning the Powerball – twice.

 But, along his tortured path, Tapia – who died Sunday in his hometown of Albuquerque - learned to do one thing particularly well, and that was fight. And he honed that talent and harnessed the rage that burned inside him to become a New Mexico boxing icon and one of the greatest fighters of his generation.

 This, despite a profound drug addiction that no doubt originated in his mother’s gut-wrenching screams. 

 MI VIDA LOCA

 Through it all, Tapia, 58-5-2 (30 knockouts), was always happy, warm and downright jovial to friends and complete strangers alike. Once you met him, you were hooked. He had a presence and a spirit about him that was unique – part New Mexico charm, part little-boy mischief. All he wanted to do was hug you – and you back.

 But once in the ring, Tapia wasn’t about hugging or being kind. He was a self-described pit bull who went about his job with a fierce dedication. When he dug that left hook to the body, he did it as though he was exorcising demons – his face etched with determination as he unloaded all of his body weight into the punch. When he fired off those multiple combinations, he was single-minded. And when he sat and sucked air in the corner, he had the look of a man possessed, killing time before he could go out and kill his opponent.

 And though the man who personified the phrase “Mi Vida Loca” loved a brawl, he was an expert stylist and strategist. He could box your ears off, possessing the discipline to fire combinations and use those amazing little legs to effortlessly dart left or right to avoid the counter. His head movement, ring smarts and overall boxing I.Q. were right there with the best of his era. And he never looked better than in his most important fight.

 R.I.P. JOHNNY LEE

 On July 18, 1997, Tapia met New Mexico rival Danny Romero in one of the most anticipated bantamweight fights in boxing history. How big was this fight? Originally to be held in the rivals’ hometown of Albuquerque, there were concerns that the city of more than half-a-million people just wasn’t big enough for this particular fight. So the showdown was temporarily canceled, then moved to Las Vegas in the 11^th hour.

 Albuquerque or Las Vegas, it didn’t matter. Tapia was brilliant that night. He was right in the only place that mattered – his own head. And he thwarted Romero’s every advance to win a unanimous decision. It remains one of the more underrated pure boxing performances in recent memory. Because, make no mistake: Romero was the real deal back then. And Tapia made it look easy.

 It’s sad that we’ll never see that beautiful ability again. Even in his 40s, Tapia was entertaining in the ring. But what’s sadder is that we’ll never see that Tapia smile again. Because as great as he was in the ring, he could be greater outside of it, despite his crazy life.

18 years ago today....Chavez Sr. got lucky against Frankie Randall

It was supposed to be sweet revenge for Julio Cesar Chavez. Instead, it was the continued downward spiral of the greatest Mexican fighter in boxing history 18 years ago today, May 7, 1994, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

After his shocking first defeat to Frankie Randall on Jan. 29, 1994, Chavez vowed to right a wrong. "El Grand Campeon Mexicano" recruited the services of legendary trainer Emanuel Steward and hit the gym with the kind of gusto he hadn't displayed in several fights. He said he'd show off some of his underrated boxing skills and prove that the first fight was a fluke. 

But "The Surgeon" was vastly underrated himself and, emboldened by the upset he recorded four months earlier, he took the fight to Chavez. In the second round, he staggered Chavez with a big right hand. It was an indication that Chavez's skills - and chin - were beginning to erode on him.

Randall continued to have a slight edge through the next four rounds, beating Chavez at his own game. He pounded his body and made him fight backing up. Chavez, the great fighter that he was, fought back hard. But he seemed to be on the losing end of things.

Then, in the 8th round, the two clashed heads. Chavez emerged with a nasty gash on his forehead, and the fight was stopped. In another example of the WBC's ridiculous policymaking, the fighter who produced the gash - even if it was accidental - got a point deducted.

The fight then went to the scorecards, and Chavez got a split decision.

With that, Chavez reclaimed the WBC junior welterweight title. Most people thought boxing politics were at work as the WBC - based in Mexico and governed by the shameless Jose Sulaiman - practically handed the victory over to Chavez. There were also rumors that promoter Don King was eager to match Chavez with old foe Meldrick Taylor - which he did four months later.

The Chavez-Randall fight was just one of four outstanding rematches produced by King on a show billed as "Revenge: The Rematches." Terry Norris regained the WBC junior middleweight title from Simon Brown; Gerald McClellan massacred Julian Jackson in the first round to retain the WBC middleweight title; and Jesse James Leija surprised the ageless Azumah Nelson via decison to win the WBC junior lightweight title.

Other May dates to remember:

May 2- Hector Camacho W 12 Howard Davis Jr. (1987)

May 3- Oscar De La Hoya W 12 Stevie Forbes (2008)

May 4- Terry Norris TKO 4 Meldrick Taylor (1992)

May 5- Floyd Mayweather W 12 Oscar De La Hoya (2007)

May 6- Oscar De La Hoya TKO 6 Ricardo Mayorga (2006)

May 8- Lennox Lewis W 12 Tony Tucker (1993)

May 10-James Toney TKO 11 Michael Nunn (1991)

May 11- Sugar Ray Leonard TKO 9 Kevin Howard (1984)

May 12- Felix Trinidad KO 5 William Joppy (2001)

May 13- Julio Cesar Chavez TKO 10 Roger Mayweather (1989)

May 14- Winky Wright W 12 Felix Trinidad (2005)

May 15- Evander Holyfield TKO 3 Rickey Parkey (1987)

May 16-  Andre Ward W 12 Edison Miranda (2009)

May 18- Micky Ward W 10 Arturo Gatti (2002)

May 19- Pernell Whitaker W 12 Azumah Nelson (1990)

May 20- Larry Holmes W 12 Tim Witherspoon (1983)

May 22- Riddick Bowe KO 2 Jesse Ferguson (1993)

May 27- Marvelous Marvin Hagler KO 3 Wilford Scypion (1983)

May 29- Donny LaLonde KO 5 Leslie Stewart (1988)

 

 

 

 

Morales, Kirkland continue comebacks tonight

The comeback. There’s no more compelling storyline in boxing.

Whether it’s a supposedly finished Muhammad Ali rope-a-doping young bomber George Foreman or Sugar Ray Leonard returning from a three-year layoff to dazzle Marvin Hagler. It’s the narrative that never gets old.

Erik Morales has already embarked on a couple that could be described as epic. James Kirkland engineered his own last year that was remarkable.

But, to remain viable, the comebacks must continue.

The legendary Mexican from Tijuana and the power-punching southpaw from Austin, Texas will try to keep their feel-good stories alive when Morales takes on unbeaten Danny Garcia and Kirkland meets veteran Carlos Molina in a doubleheader at Reliant Arena in Houston (8 p.m., today, HBO).

ON A TERROR

It wasn’t that long ago that the very thought of a Morales comeback was a joke. The loser of four straight fights between 2005 and 2007, “El Terrible” retired before coming back in 2010. It wasn’t a popular comeback. Morales had been through a number of wars with the likes of Marco Antonio Barrera and Manny Pacquiao through his 17-year, Hall-of-Fame career and, at age 33, the tank was considered empty.

Nevertheless, Morales fought, and won three straight fights against limited opposition before stepping in the ring with Argentine puncher Marcos Maidana last April.

Like the aforementioned Ali’s challenge of Foreman in 1974, Morales was given virtually no chance against the younger, bigger Maidana.

But the three-division champion fought a splendid fight against one of the most dangerous 140-pounders in the world – counterpunching brilliantly in losing a disputed majority decision.

Five months later, Morales stopped previously undefeated Pablo Cesar Cano in 10 for the vacant WBC junior welterweight title. It was very much a paper title but, officially, it made Morales a four-division world champion.

Morales, 52-7 (35 knockouts), is on a roll.

Garcia, 22-0 (14 KO’s), from Philadelphia, has good power, good boxing skills and is 11 years Morales’s junior at age 24. In his last fight, he outpointed tough veteran Kendall Holt over 12.

But it appears Morales’s braintrust picked him for a reason.

In a good scrap, Morales will use his experience, toughness and three-inch reach advantage for another solid victory.

El Terrible by unanimous decision.

 

KIRKLAND CONTINUES TOO….

Eleven months ago, Kirkland, 30-1 (27 KO’s), was considered one of the most feared punchers in boxing. A year-long stint in the slammer notwithstanding, Kirkland was marching toward a world title shot.

He entered the ring against powderpuff puncher Nobuhiro Ishida a huge favorite.

But then, Ishida crushed Kirkland in less than a round in one of 2011’s most jaw-dropping upsets. It was as complete as it was unbelievable. 

Enter – or rather, re-enter – trainer Anne Wolfe. The former female fighter was Kirkland’s original coach before a fallout. The Ishida fight happened during their break-up and, once Kirkland asked her to return, things quickly fell in order.

Kirkland rambled to two quick knockouts. Then he was matched with one of the biggest bangers in boxing, Mexico’s Alfredo Angulo in November.

Early on, it appeared it would be Ishida all over again. Angulo dropped Kirkland with a textbook bomb. But, this time, the Texan got up and roared back, taking advantage of Angulo’s exhaustion.

Kirkland registered a sixth-round knockout. He had been on both ends of two huge 2011 upsets.

Chicago’s Molina, 19-4-2 (6 KO’s), is no Angulo. He doesn’t punch all that hard. But what he does is box smart, which helped him earn a draw with Erislandy Lara and beat Kermit Cintron last year.

And while it’s tempting to pick Molina, he just doesn’t have the firepower.

Kirkland by unanimous decision.

Matthew Aguilar may be reached at maguilarnew@yahoo.com

 

 

St. Patrick's Day 1990: Chavez stops Taylor with 2 seconds left

It was St. Patrick's Day 1990 - 22 years ago today - when Julio Cesar Chavez and Meldrick Taylor combined for the most dramatic finish in boxing history.

IBF champion Taylor had built a commanding lead over Chavez in a much-anticipated junior welterweight unification battle at the Las Vegas Hilton. Through 11 rounds, "The Kid" from Philadelphia used his blazing hand and foot speed to befuddle the all-time great WBC champion, who was undefeated at 68-0 but who, on this night, was mostly punching at air and searching for answers. 

As the 11th round ended, it appeared all Taylor - despite taking a severe beating himself - had to do was finish the 12th round on his feet and a decision victory over a legend was assured.

For more than two minutes of the 12th round, Taylor was boxing comfortably. Things looked good.

"Maybe two minutes left in Chavez's historic unbeaten streak," HBO blow-by-blow man Jim Lampley said. "It doesn't appear at this moment that Chavez has the stuff to get it done."

Then, with 24 seconds left, Chavez staggered Taylor with a big right hand. But rather than attack, Chavez - who seemed to know Taylor would get aggressive when hurt - backed into the ropes and let Taylor pursue him.

After a nifty pivot to the left, Chavez connected with another, vicious right hand that splattered all over Taylor's face and knocked him to the canvas. As the HBO clock wound down - 12, 11, 10, 9, 8 seconds - Taylor picked himself up, using his right hand to help bolster himself up.

"If he gets up...he probably wins the fight," HBO analyst Larry Merchant said.

By the count of six, Taylor was on his feet.

But when referee Richard Steele asked Taylor twice - "Are you ok? Are you ok?" Taylor didn't respond. Instead, his eyes shifted to his corner, where trainer Lou Duva was climbing on the ring apron.

Steele - not getting a response of any kind from the wounded fighter after looking fiercely into Taylor's eyes - waved the fight over. The time on the clock: 2:58. Taylor was two seconds away from victory.

At the time of the stoppage, Taylor was winning 108-101 and 107-102 on two of the three scorecards. The third somehow favored Chavez 105-104.

Taylor would have won a split decision. It was not to be.

As a result of this fight, the multi-talented former 1984 Olympic gold medalist was never the same. He took a horrible physical beating - his eye socket was fractured, his ribs were broken and he was reported to be urinating blood after the fight. He also seemed to lose his swagger. He won another world title, but he was essentially finished.

Chavez went on to win 20 more fights before suffering his first official loss - to Frankie Randall in January 1994.

He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame last year.

Some other memorable March fight dates:

March 1 - Roy Jones Jr. W 12 John Ruiz (2003)

March 3- John Ruiz W 12 Evander Holyfield (2001)

March 6- Hector Camacho W10 Ray Mancini (1989)

March 7- Julio Cesar Chavez D 12 Miguel Angel Gonzalez (1998)

March 8-Joe Frazier W 15 Muhammad Ali (1971)

March 9- Donald Curry KO 2 Eduardo Rodriguez (1986)

March 10- Marvelous Marvin Hagler KO 11 John Mugabi (1986)

March 13- Michael Carbajal KO 7 Chiquita Gonzalez (1993)

March 15- Manny Pacquiao W 12 Juan Manuel Marquez (2008)

March 16- Mike Tyson KO 3 Frank Bruno (1996)

March 17- Juan Manuel Marquez W 12 Marco Antonio Barrera (2007)

March 18- Mike Tyson KO 7 Razor Ruddock (1991)

March 19- Erik Morales W 12 Manny Pacquiao (2005)

March 20- Iran Barkley W 12 Thomas Hearns (1992)

March 23- Arturo Gatti KO 6 Wilson Rodriguez (1996)

March 24- Oscar De La Hoya KO 5 Arturo Gatti (2002)

March 25- Michael Nunn KO 1 Sumbu Kalambay (1989)

March 28- Michael Spinks KO 4 Marvin Johnson (1981)

March 30- Marvelous Marvin Hagler KO 10 Juan Roldan (1984)

March 31- Wilfredo Gomez W 12 Juan LaPorte (1984)

 

 

 

 

Salido beats "JuanMa" again in ferocious battle

In a battle that should be a lock for "Fight of the Year," WBO featherweight champion Orlando Salido repeated his 2011 upset victory over Juan Manuel Lopez, scoring a sensational 10th-round knockout of the Puerto Rican star at Roberto Clemente Stadium in San Juan.

Salido, 38-11-2 (26 knockouts), put Lopez down with a ferocious slew of punches, punctuating the volley with a right-left combination. The Puerto Rican landed hard on his back, but managed to get to his feet. After a long look, referee Roberto Ramirez thought better of it, and correctly stopped the fight - sending the Mexican and his entourage into a wild celebration.

To that point, it had been an incredible brawl, with Salido getting the better of it, but Lopez hanging in there on pure guts. Salido's early-rounds body work paid dividends down the stretch of a grueling affair. 

Despite Salido's dominance, somehow, the official judges had Lopez winning. Michael Pernick and Cesar Ramos had "JuanMa" up 86-84, while Denny Nelson scored it a draw. Luckily, Salido didn't allow it to go to the scorecards, because then it would have taken away from the masterpiece the two warriors had staged over the previous nine-and-a-half rounds.

For four rounds, it was all going Salido's way, as the tough defending champion pressed the action and punished Lopez on the inside. Lopez, 31-2 (28 KO's), looked a shell of his former self. But then, at the end of round five, he connected with a sizzling right hook that dropped Salido, and his confidence returned.

After that, it was a war of attrition, as both guys loaded up and landed their Sunday punches. Still, Salido was landing the greater volume of punches, and the harder shots. Lopez showed unbelievable heart in standing up to Salido's attack.

The 9th round was one for the ages, as both stood and traded - each taking turns hurting the other as the crowd went nuts.

It set up the 10th, which was turning into another epic when Salido landed the coup de grace.It was April 16, 2011, when Salido first beat Lopez, winning by 8th round TKO, also in Puerto Rico.

Next up for Salido could be undefeated Californian Mikey Garcia, who dominated Bernabe Concepcion for a 7th-round TKO on the undercard.