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Bantamweights (118, 115)
1. Tim Austin (25-0-1). If you've never watched the small guys fight, do yourself a favor and watch his fight with Rafael Marquez. Next: Feb. 15 vs. Marquez.
2. Veerapol Sahaprom (39-1-1). 118-pound titlist TKO'd Alex Escaner in October non-title bout. Next: TBA.
3. Rafael Marquez (28-3). Notorious slow starter; can't afford to do that against Austin. Next: Feb. 15 vs. Austin.
4. Johnny Bredahl (53-2). Danish star manhandled Leo Gamez in first 118-pound defense. Next: TBA.
5. Fernando Montiel (24-0-1). 115-pound titlist will have Mexican crowd on his side when he meets an ex-champ. Next: Jan. 18 vs. Adonis Rivas.
6. Alexander Munoz (23-0). Long discussed 115-pound defense vs. Martin Castillo likely in May. Next: TBA.
7. Masamori Tokuyama (28-2-1). Edged Gerry Penalosa on split decision in a rematch every bit as tough as we figured it would be. Next: TBA.
8. Luis Perez (22-1). Nicaraguan slugger claimed a 115-pound title in a war against Felix Machado. Next: TBA.
9. Cruz Carbajal (22-11-1). Owes Pete Frissina a long overdue mandatory fight. Next: TBA.
10. Martin Castillo (22-1). Probably will have tuneup before meeting Munoz for title in spring. Next: TBA.
Others: Felix Machado, Mark Johnson, Eidy Moya.
Featherweights (126, 122)
1. Marco Antonio Barrera (56-3). Penciled in for April HBO PPV fight, but no opponent has been set. Next: TBA.
2. Erik Morales (42-1). Might face Bobby Boy Velardez in next bout, which could be on a De La Hoya undercard. Next: TBA.
3. Juan Manuel Marquez (39-2). Manuel Medina's tricky style could present a problem, at least for a few rounds. Next: Feb. 1 vs. Medina.
4. Naseem Hamed (36-1). If he ever surfaces, it will be to face British countryman Michael Brodie. Next: TBA.
5. Derrick "Smoke" Gainer (38-5-2). Daniel Seda will step aside so Gainer can fight on HBO in April, possibly vs. Manny Pacquiao. Next: TBA.
6 . Manny Pacquiao (35-2-1). If he fights Gainer, winner will truly deserve shot at Barrera. Next: TBA.
7. Paulie Ayala (34-2). He'll either stay at 126 or go back to 122. Depends where the money is. Next: TBA.
8. Manuel Medina (60-12). Veteran warhorse gets yet another shot at a title. Don't underestimate him. Next: Feb. 1 vs. Marquez.
9. Oscar Larios (46-3-1). Favorite to land Barrera fight as long as he wins on the premier of HBO Latino's new series. Next: Jan. 16 vs. Marcos Licona.
10. Johnny Tapia (52-3-2). Could get Gainer fight if Pacquiao can't come to terms. Next: TBA.
Others: Injin Chi, Scott Harrison, Michael Brodie.
Lightweights (135, 130)
1. Floyd Mayweather Jr. (29-0). Could face Leo Dorin in spring unification fight. Next: TBA.
2. Acelino "Popo" Freitas (32-0). Let's hope Gabe Ruelas doesn't get hurt in this epic mismatch. Shame on Showtime. Next: March 15 vs. Ruelas.
3. Jose Luis Castillo (46-6-1). Might move up to 140 to meet Antonio Diaz on spring Top Rank PPV. Wear a raincoat because it could be a bloodbath. Next: TBA.
4. Joel Casamayor (28-1). To nobody's surprise, destroyed sparring partner Yoni Vargas in awful mismatch. Next: Jan. 25 vs. Nate Campbell.
5. Stevie Johnston (34-2-1). Jan. 3 fight fell through so he just sits and continues to die on the vine. Next: TBA.
6. Paul Spadafora (36-0). Got better of Mayweather in well-publicized sparring session, but a real fight would be another story. Next: TBA.
7. Juan Lazcano (31-2-1). Headlines HBO Latino's new series next month. Next: Feb. 13 vs. Courtney Burton.
8. Jesus Chavez (38-2). Thai champ Sirimongkol Singmanassuk probably will fight Chavez in the USA this spring. Next: TBA.
9. Artur Grigorian (35-0). Obviously honoring his New Year's resolution to keep fighting stooges. Next: Jan. 18 vs. Mat Zegan.
10. Phillip N'dou (29-1). South African KO artist must raise competition level to really make an impact. Next: TBA.
Others: Leo Dorin, Steve Forbes, Cassius Baloyi.
Welterweights (147, 140)
1. Vernon Forrest (35-0). Real 147-pound champ can add another belt vs. a dangerous opponent. Next: Jan. 25 vs. Ricardo Mayorga.
2. Kostya Tszyu (29-1-1). 140-pound king should dominate the game, but fights aging James Leija in next week's Australian homecoming. Next: Jan. 18 vs. Leija.
3. Antonio Margarito (27-3). Andrew Lewis fight should be a war, but one Margarito can win. Next: Feb. 8 vs. Lewis.
4. Ricardo Mayorga (24-3-1). No prayer of outboxing Forrest, but he does have a puncher's chance. Next: Jan. 25 vs. Forrest.
5. Zab Judah (28-1). If he can get promotional issues worked out, could fight DeMarcus Corley. Next: TBA.
6. Cory Spinks (30-2). Robbed worse vs. Michele Piccirillo than Giants were vs. 49ers. At least Spinks gets a rematch. Next: March 14 vs. Piccirillo.
7. Andrew "Six Heads" Lewis (22-1-1). Ex-champ needs to guard shaky chin when he fights for Margarito's title. Next: Feb. 8 vs. Margarito.
8. DeMarcus "Chop Chop" Corley (28-1-1). Beat Randall Bailey easily, but did little to impress anyone. Next: TBA.
9. Vivian Harris (22-1-1). Purse bid for mandatory 140-pound defense vs. Frenchman Souleyman Mbaye slated for Jan. 18. Next: TBA vs. Mbaye.
10. Sharmba Mitchell (50-3). How in the world did upcoming match with Carlos Vilches qualify as a Showtime main event? Next: Jan. 25 vs. Vilches.
Middleweights (160, 154)
1. Bernard Hopkins (41-2-1). After a tumultuous year, he's back on HBO fighting for short money. He brought it on himself. Next: March 29 vs. Morrade Hakkar.
2. Oscar De La Hoya (35-2). Let's hope he opts for a May 3 fight because when he's active boxing prospers. Next: TBA.
3. William Joppy (34-2-1). Talk of him fighting Robert Allen is, at this point, exactly that: talk. Next: TBA.
4. Harry Simon (23-0). March fight is off and career probably over after being charged with culpable homicide when car crash left three dead Nov. 21. Next: TBA.
5. Winky Wright (44-3). Could wind up fighting on Ruiz-Jones card, but he deserves a big fight for himself. Next: TBA.
6. Sugar Shane Mosley (38-2). Needs to look sharp against Raul Marquez in 154 debut. Next: Feb. 8 vs. Marquez.
7. Fernando Vargas (22-2). Perhaps "Vargas" is just a shortened version of his real name - Vargasteroid. Next: TBA.
8. Howard Eastman (34-1). After two quick wins in past two months, he's set for European 160-pound title bout. Next: Jan. 28 vs. Erland Bétaré.
9. Daniel Santos (26-2-1). Fighting Wright makes so much sense. Anyone at HBO or Showtime listening? Next: TBA.
10. Bronco McKart (45-4). Climb back to title contention will be tough after hideous DQ loss to Wright. Next: TBA.
Others: Javier Castillejo, Robert Allen, Keith Holmes.
Light heavyweights (175, 168)
1. Roy Jones Jr. (47-1). Getting him to sign contract to fight Ruiz has proven as difficult as actually fighting him. Next: March 1 vs. Ruiz.
2. Dariusz Michalczewski (47-0). Without Jones fight, will always be remembered as second best. Next: TBA.
3. Antonio Tarver (20-1). Big favorite to win a vacant 175-pound belt against Montell Griffin. Next: TBA vs. Griffin.
4. Sven Ottke (29-0). At last a meaningful fight. Set for 168-pound unification bout with Byron Mitchell. Next: March 22 vs. Mitchell.
5. Joe Calzaghe (35-0). Two-round blowout of Tocker Pudwill lasted about a round too long as he continues to face stiff after stiff. Next: April 26 vs. Thomas Tate.
6. Antwun Echols (29-4-1). Huge puncher will get crack at Ottke-Mitchell winner. Next: TBA.
7. Eric Harding (21-2-1). Considering an overseas offer to fight top Australian Paul Briggs. Next: TBA.
8. Julio Gonzalez (31-1). It's time for rematch of epic five-knockdown battle he won vs. Julian Letterlough. Next: TBA.
9. Eric Lucas (36-4-3). 168-pound titlist from Canada has recovered from thyroid problem; faces mandatory fight vs. Markus Beyer in Germany this spring. Next: TBA vs. Beyer.
10. Byron Mitchell (25-1-1 ). The way he can beat Ottke is to pressure him and throw punches. Otherwise, Ottke will toy with him. Next: March 22 vs. Ottke.
Others: Montell Griffin, Reggie Johnson, Bruno Girard.
Top 10 rankings right now
Heavyweights (190 and up)
1. Lennox Lewis (40-2-1). Boxing's biggest mystery: Will he sign with Don King and if he does will he still fight Vitali Klitschko next? Next: TBA.
2. Wladimir Klitschko (40-1). Lewis' heir apparent will bide time waiting for title shot by staying busy in Germany. Next: March 8 vs. TBA.
3. Chris Byrd (36-2). Sharp belt-winning performance vs. Evander Holyfield came as no surprise. Next: TBA.
4. David Tua (42-3). Long-awaited rematch with Hasim Rahman is finally at hand. Next: March 29 vs. Rahman.
5. John Ruiz (38-4-1). Let's get the prediction out of the way early: he beats Roy Jones Jr. Next: March 1 vs. Jones.
6. Evander Holyfield (38-6-2). Torn rotator cuff or not, 40-year-old warrior wasn't going to beat Byrd. Next: TBA.
7. Hasim Rahman (35-4). "Rock" is in a must-win situation against Tua after consecutive losses to Lewis and Holyfield. Next: March 29 vs. Tua.
8. Fres Oquendo (23-1). Stopped George Arias on Byrd-Holyfield undercard but looked abysmal; next bout is on Ruiz-Jones card. Next: March 1 vs. TBA.
9. Kirk Johnson (33-1-1). He's calling out Wladimir Klitschko. Guess he wants to get drilled. Next: TBA.
10. Jameel McCline (28-3-3). After non-effort vs. Wladimir Klitschko, a rematch vs. Michael Grant makes sense. Next: TBA.
Others: Mike Tyson, Vitali Klitschko. Top cruiserweights: Vassiliy Jirov, Wayne Braithwaite, James Toney, Jean-Marc Mormeck, Johnny Nelson.
Tapia's Story Cries for Happier Ending
Albuquerque Journal - January 12, 2003
In the good times, on his better days, Johnny Tapia would talk of a future beyond boxing.
He would raise a family, he said. He would train the stable of fighters his wife, Teresa, managed.
He and Teresa had money in the bank, thanks to the millions Johnny had earned in the ring. They owned several homes. They would grow old together, and life would be fine.
But in the bad times, on his darker days, the Albuquerque native has always seemed hell-bent on seeing to it he had no future at all.
On Saturday -- the worst of times, the darkest of days -- he may finally have succeeded.
Tapia lay in critical condition in a Las Vegas, Nev., hospital room, unable to breathe on his own, after a thus-far unexplained head trauma. He's 35, a month and two days short of his 36th birthday.
It's unclear whether this was a suicide attempt. It's unclear whether drugs were involved. It's unclear whether, or how, it's related to a felony drug paraphernalia charge leveled against him Friday near Kingman, Ariz.
What's clear is that Tapia's future, the one he has mortgaged time and time again, is in deepest peril.
Is this, then, how it ends?
If so, what a hollow and wasteful conclusion to what could have -- should have -- been a story of triumph.
For me, the story began in February 1983. I first laid eyes on Johnny Tapia as, just days after his 16th birthday, he won the New Mexico Golden Gloves title at 106 pounds. One didn't have to be a boxing expert to see this kid was special: fearless, unspeakably quick, deceptively powerful, with a style all his own.
He had a style all his own, for better and for worse, out of the ring, too.
A street kid with little to show for his high school diploma, Tapia was as poorly equipped to deal with real life as anyone I've met. Throughout the 20 years I've known him, he always has relied on others to make his decisions for him.
"He's like a child," Teresa Tapia said in 1995 of her husband, then 28 years old. "That's what he is -- a child."
Yet, like Muhammad Ali -- another great fighter with an allergy to formal education -- Tapia possessed a wit and an intelligence all his own.
That squeaky voice, that lopsided grin, that boundless energy. He could be irresistible.
Yet, the other Johnny was a scofflaw and a hoodlum.
He piled up traffic tickets faster than he did victories. Most of the scars on his face were inflicted by knives, keys and can openers -- not by gloved fists.
There was a wildness within, an angry emptiness that only boxing seemed to cure. And he couldn't box all the time.
Then came the drugs. Cocaine was easier to secure than a boxing match. It provided an even more intense high. He became lost, a slave to his habit.
Then he was found. Tapia's return to boxing in March 1994, after 31/2-year absence, was the stuff of which books are written and movies are made. Indeed, in the wake of his July 1997, victory over fellow Albuquerquean Danny Romero, a movie and a book were contemplated.
The storyline was compelling. The supporting cast was in place.
But the lead character kept losing his.
In 2000, Tapia was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I once chastised him in print for his inability to accept delivery on all the good things he had earned and that his talent had bestowed upon him.
In turn, I was chastised. People familiar with bipolar disorder pointed out that it's a disease and not a character flaw. Tapia wasn't to blame, they said. I understand.
And, yet, this is how I feel: I'm angry. At Johnny or at fate, I'm not sure.
I do know this. Many people, many times, have given of themselves to bring Johnny back from oblivion: Teresa, his wife and manager; the late Paul Chavez, his first pro trainer and manager, who loved him as would a father; his grandparents, Miguel and Esther Tapia; others whom I've forgotten to mention or don't even know.
And now this.
Has Johnny cheated life, or has life cheated him?
Very sad news regarding a great fighter.
Former World Champion in Critical Condition After Fall
Associated Press - January 11, 2003
By TIM DAHLBERG AP Boxing Writer
LAS VEGAS (AP) - Boxer Johnny Tapia was in critical condition at a Las Vegas hospital after falling at his home and losing consciousness early Saturday, hours after he was charged with possessing drug paraphernalia.
The five-time world champion, a former drug addict who has battled personal demons most of his life, had been depressed before the fall, his publicist said.
Tapia was placed on a respirator and was being treated for head trauma, publicist Trayce Zimmerman said.
A spokeswoman at University Medical Center confirmed Tapia's condition but did not provide any more details.
Tapia and his cousin were involved in a police standoff at a house near Bullhead City, Arizona, late Friday that ended with the arrest of two men and Tapia being given a citation for possession of drug paraphernalia. Bullhead City is about 90 miles (145 kilometers) from Las Vegas.
Zimmerman said Tapia, 35, returned to his home in Las Vegas several hours after the confrontation with police and was with his wife, Teresa, when he fell.
``She said he felt depressed and then he just fell down and lost consciousness,'' Zimmerman said.
Zimmerman said Teresa Tapia called an ambulance and her husband was taken to the hospital.
Tapia, who only two years ago was hospitalized for a drug overdose after attempting suicide, last fought Nov. 3 when he lost a 12-round decision to bantamweight Marco Antonio Barrera.
Before the fight, he freely admitted to a turbulent past that led him to fight in trunks with the slogan ``Mi Vida Loca,'' or My Crazy Life, emblazoned on them.
As a child, Tapia saw his mother stabbed to death. He was suspended from boxing for three years for cocaine addiction, and nearly died three times from drug overdoses in the early 1990s.
``It's there every day,'' Tapia said before he fought Barrera. ``I've got a lot of problems. I can mess up tonight or tomorrow. It's always there.''
In the standoff with police, detectives went to a home in Golden Valley, Arizona, after getting a tip that Tapia's cousin was there, said Mohave County Sheriff's Office spokesman Jarrod Lyman.
The cousin, 31-year-old Raymond Whiting, was wanted on a warrant for failing to appear on aggravated assault and weapons charges in New Mexico, Lyman said.
Whiting is suspected of trying to slash a woman's throat during a carjacking in Albuquerque last April.
Police said the standoff started when the men refused to leave the home.
After about an hour, police forced open a door to the home and used a public-address system to ask Whiting to come out, Lyman said.
``Fortunately, the situation resolved itself,'' he said.
Whiting was taken into custody. Another man, Walter Joseph Michael Beck, 26, was arrested on a cocaine possession charge. Lyman said Tapia was not arrested but was to be summoned to court on a felony charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.
``He was very cooperative with the detectives,'' Lyman said of Tapia.
Tapia and his cousin have been in legal trouble before. In 1992, Tapia was arrested on charges that he intimidated a witness to a murder committed by Whiting.
Whiting later pleaded guilty, while Tapia was acquitted of the charge against him.
In July 1994, Tapia was charged with attempting to sell imitation crack cocaine to an off-duty police officer. He was acquitted.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
You don't have to refer to me as "coolness."
It's on Showtime!
We've got Kostya Tszyu fighting a week from tomorrow I believe. It will be in Australia, not sure if it is on PPV here.
Foreman, McCallum Newest Boxing Hall of Famers
Associated Press - January 9, 2003
With BC-BOX--Hall of Fame-Glance AP Photos NYKR3, NYKR101
CANASTOTA, N.Y. (AP) - George Foreman leads the International Boxing Hall of Fame's 2003 induction class.
Foreman capped a remarkable comeback to become boxing's oldest heavyweight champion. Joining Foreman for enshrinement June 8 were 15 other boxers, officials and ring personalities, including Mike McCallum, a champion in three divisions; Oscar-winning writer Budd Schulberg; and the late promoter Dan Duva, who joins his father, Lou, a 1998 inductee.
The announcement was made Thursday.
``What a happy moment for me,'' said Foreman, who, along with McCallum, was elected in his first year of eligibility following five years away from the ring.
``It was on my first visit a few years back that I saw the hand wraps of the great Joe Louis. That's when my hopes first started to arise about someday being along the past great boxers.''
``To have my name with the likes of Joe Louis, Jack Dempsey, Jack Johnson and Muhammad Ali, I have made it.''
Foreman won the Olympic gold medal in 1968 and then won his first 37 professional fights, 34 by knockout. He knocked Joe Frazier out on Jan. 22, 1973, to capture the championship, defended the title twice and then lost the crown to Ali on Oct. 30, 1974, in Zaire in one of boxing's biggest upsets.
Foreman continued boxing until March 17, 1977, when he lost a 12-round decision to Jimmy Young. He then retired to become a preacher with his own church and congregation in suburban Houston.
After a 10-year absence, Foreman made an unlikely comeback, eventually earning a title match against Evander Holyfield, which he lost in 12 rounds.
Then, on Nov. 5, 1994, at age 45, he knocked out 26-year-old Michael Moorer in the 10th round to win the WBA and IBF heavyweight titles, becoming boxing's oldest champion. He retired for good in 1997 with a record of 76-5 with 68 KOs.
``George Foreman was menacing in his appearance and menacing in his power,'' Hall of Fame referee Arthur Mercante said. ``He was very focused as a heavyweight, very powerful and very devastating.''
The Jamaica-born McCallum was nicknamed ``The Body Snatcher'' en route to a career record of 49-5-1 with 36 knockouts. During his 15-year career, he held championship belts as a junior middleweight, middleweight and light heavyweight.
An international panel of boxing writers and historians selected Foreman, McCallum and Argentine lightweight champ Nicolino Locche from the modern-era category, along with middleweight champion Fred Apostoli and welterweight champion Curtis Cokes.
The selection panel also picked four fighters in an old-timers category that honors those involved in the sport between 1893-1942 and two boxers in the pioneer class, which recognizes individuals before 1892.
Duva, co-founder of Main Event promotions, and two others were chosen as non-participants, a category for trainers, managers and promoters.
Schulberg, who frequently wrote about boxing and won an Academy Award in 1954 for his screenplay for ``On the Waterfront,'' was selected as one of two observers, a category established last year for journalists and historians.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights
Steroid Use Not Like Vargas
Los Angeles Daily News - January 9, 2003
It's hard to believe Fernando Vargas would knowingly take steroids, an assumption many will make after he tested positive for stanozolol.
For one thing, he seems to be too proud. He couldn't have believed for a second he needed the help of drugs to beat bitter rival Oscar De La Hoya on Sept. 14. He was certain he was the better fighter going in, even if few others agreed with him.
And, while his behavior and choice of words are sometimes objectionable, he's always struck me as an honest guy. I could see him saying in his macho manner, "Only a coward cheats."
Rolando Arellano, his co-manager, called Vargas in Hawaii to tell him the bad news. At first, Arellano said, Vargas thought he was joking.
"He said, 'Steroids my (behind).' I said, 'No, man.' He said, 'I'm not stupid. I know they do testing. I was in the Olympics, they do testing all the time. I know they've randomly tested in Nevada. 'I'm not (expletive) stupid.' And I have to side with him."
So do I, at least to the extent that Vargas isn't stupid. He fully understands he's a valuable commodity without drugs - he'll make $10 million-plus for the De La Hoya fight - and would have to be extremely stupid to jeopardize that.
And those close to Vargas bring up an interesting point. He was taken to a hospital - out of the control of Nevada Athletic Commission officials - after he was knocked out in the 11th round.
If he knew steroids were in his system, why did he choose to stop at a clinic after he left the hospital to provide a urine sample? Why didn't he forsake the $25,000 the commission withholds and go home? Or why didn't he have someone else provide the sample?
One answer is he didn't know, that either a second test will come back clean or he took the steroids thinking they were nutritional supplements.
The supplement theory is plausible. Arellano said Vargas took about 15 pills every day. Someone could've slipped in a steroid or two - knowingly or not - without Vargas' knowledge.
Vargas, believed to be the first boxer to test positive for steroids in the United States, presumably wouldn't know a steroid from a vitamin without some research. Someone could say, "Here, take these," and I could see Vargas doing so without thinking.
That the stanozolol - the steroid for which sprinter Ben Johnson tested positive and lost his 100-meter gold medal in the 1988 Olympics - might've been in a supplement and accidentally given to Vargas seems less plausible.
Several medical officials suggested it can be acquired only by prescription or illegal means, although they agree anything is possible.
That raises the question: Who might've given Vargas the steroids?
Vargas acknowledged in a two-page letter to commission director Marc Ratner he trusted the "professionals" in his training camp to provide guidance on supplements, referring to physical trainer John Philbin and nutritionist Maz Ali.
Arellano said Philbin selected the supplements, a scenario that would seem to put Philbin in an awkward position.
However, I don't believe he would either knowingly or unknowingly provide Vargas with steroids. Philbin, who worked for the Washington Redskins, always struck me as a pro, a bright guy who knows his stuff and is passionate about it.
And, clearly, he values his reputation. To betray Vargas in such a way would seem to be too far out of character for him.
Ali? He vehemently denied providing steroids, saying he had nothing to do with Vargas' supplements. His job, he said, was to prescribe a diet that would produce the most-efficient fighting machine possible.
Philbin, who left the Vargas camp because of differences with Ali, disputed Ali's comments. He told maxboxing.com Ali also gave Vargas supplements, which Philbin couldn't identify.
And the fact Ali is known as a body-building trainer puts him in an awkward position.
In the end, this could all come back to Vargas, whose chiseled body the night of the fight has become particularly interesting.
Maybe the pressure of the biggest fight of his life got to him and he wanted an edge. Maybe someone convinced him he couldn't get caught. Maybe he made a mistake.
It's just so hard to believe. Of course, someone probably found it hard to believe Ben Johnson would take steroids.
De La Hoya to meet Campas on May 3
January 10, 2003 Print it
Associated Press
LAS VEGAS -- Oscar De La Hoya will take a May 3 tuneup fight against veteran Yory Boy Campas rather than wait until September to return to the ring in his rematch with Shane Mosley.
De La Hoya had not planned to fight until his Sept. 13 rematch with Mosley, but decided he would keep busy and fight Campas at the Mandalay Bay hotel-casino in Las Vegas.
The fight with the 31-year-old Campas (80-5, 68 knockouts) tops a Cinco de Mayo weekend card that will include a title defense by World Boxing Council featherweight champion Erik Morales against Bobby Boy Velardez.
De La Hoya (35-2, 28 knockouts) last fought Sept. 14 when he stopped Fernando Vargas in the 11th round to add the WBA 154-pound title to the WBC title he already held. Before that, he had gone 15 months without a fight and had talked of retirement.
Campas is a former IBF 154-pound champion who lost the title on a seventh round knockout to Vargas.
That's the one.
I have an office nearby the venue,
so I'll probably pop in for the weigh-in tomorrow just for the heck of it.
One last one:
Grant Back In The Ring
Heavyweight contender Michael Grant, who's promoted by Cedric Kushner Promotions, now will fight in Jan. 24 in Philadelphia against an opponent to be determined.
JR
Forrest is a good guy.
Forrest to Receive the Munson Award
By Sean Stowell (January 8, 2003)
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World welterweight champion Vernon Forrest will receive the prestigious Thurman Munson Award from the Association for the Help of Retarded Children at the 23rd annual Thurman Munson Awards Dinner on Tuesday night, February 4, 2003 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.
Forrest will be cited for his convincing wins over Shane Mosley and for his renowned work with the mentally handicapped. The Thurman Munson Awards benefit honors the memory of the late, great Yankee catcher who died tragically in 1979. Diana Munson, Thurman's widow, has been involved with the dinner since its inception, assisting AHRC's many programs that enable people with disabilities to lead richer, more productive lives.
Jones, Ruiz on BDSSP
by Doug Fischer (January 8, 2003)
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Yesterday on Fox Sports Net's Best Damn Sports Show Period light heavyweight champ Roy Jones Jr. and WBA heavyweight titlist John Ruiz along with surprise guest IBF heavyweight champ Chris Byrd, and promoter Don King, sat in studio with the BDSSP crew. Here's what they had to say:
* Jones on why he jumped to the heavyweight division: "The bigger question is why not? There is no one in the way. Bernard Hopkins lost his mind a long time ago. So, what do the fans want to see? They want to see a challenge and this is the perfect opportunity."
* Jones on a possible fight with Lennox Lewis: "Lennox Lewis is the heavyweight champion but undisputed, I don't know. It all depends on how I feel after this fight. I am just taking this opportunity (against Ruiz) to take the heavyweight title."
* On the downfall of fighting a much bigger Ruiz: "The obvious is taking a punch from a guy that much bigger than you. It doesn't feel too good. But it doesn't feel so good taking it from someone your own size either."
* Jones on why he decided to unite with Don King: "The finances obviously worked out. Don and I don't have a problem with each other...They (Don King) quickly understood that no one else wants to fight John Ruiz because he has an awkwardly style and is so powerful. It looks like they are beating him but he keeps winning."
* Ruiz on the lack of respect he has gotten: "You have Super Roy Jones, you have the Emperor Lennox Lewis and then you have me, Rodney Dangerfield. What is going on here?"
* Jones on a wager he made regarding his fight with Ruiz: "If I took the challenge to put my life on the line to fight a guy that no one wants to fight...Holyfield fought Mike Tyson twice, Lennox Lewis twice, Ruddick Bowe about three times and George Foreman once. The only ones to knock him down were Ruddick Bowe and Ruiz. Since I took the challenge I am going to put him (King) between a rock and a hard place. I feel like if I beat this man I deserve to cut Don's hair off his head."
Jones-Ruiz, Pay-Per-View Boom or Bust?
By Steve Kim (January 8, 2003) Shot by Chris Wood
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Despite the fact that Roy Jones' last two pay-per-view shows did less than 400,000 buys combined, Mark Taffet, Sr. V.P. of HBO Pay-Per-View is confident that he has himself a marketable and ultimately successful
event when Jones steps up the plate on March 1st and takes on WBA heavyweight titlist John Ruiz.
"I think we got here one of the biggest promotions of the past decade in the sport of boxing," Taffet told MaxBoxing.com after Tuesday's press conference in Los Angeles that featured both fighters and the ever present Don King. "This is the fight that will literally fulfill the dreams and the imaginations of boxing fans around the world. You got the greatest fighter in the world, Roy Jones Jr., trying to fulfill his destiny in taking on a heavyweight champion — a man six inches taller, 50 pounds bigger — to cement Roy's place in history. So I think this promotion will take off."
While it's understandable to see Taffet's optimism from his point of view, the bottom line is that this fight is more of a novelty act or freak show than a classic fight. And it's certainly not a fight that has the interest level of a Oscar De La Hoya-Felix Trinidad, Lennox Lewis-Mike Tyson, De La Hoya-Fernando Vargas or Tyson-Evander Holyfield, all of which did big pay-per-view numbers — anywhere between 900,000 and 1.9 million pay-per-view buys. And Jones has been about as successful a pay-per-view attraction as Madonna has been as an actress. What has changed?
"I can give you numerous instances in pay-per-view where one fighter does a certain number that isn't as great as expectations," explained Taffet. "Then as soon as the match-up becomes magical, you do three or four times the business. Evander Holyfield has fought on pay-per-view and done 250,000 buys and he's fought on pay-per-view and done 1.9 million buys. Lennox Lewis and Oscar De La Hoya, they have done the same. Oscar did 250,000 against Genaro Hernandez and 1.4 million against Trinidad. It's the match-ups that makes the magic of pay-per-view and Roy Jones versus Ruiz is a magical match-up."
What Taffet says is correct. While Holyfield has had varying degrees of pay-per-view success, his biggest bonanzas have come as the proverbial 'side B' to transcendent fighters like Mike Tyson and George Foreman. The De La Hoya-Hernandez fight was early on in the career of 'the Golden Boy' who has clearly become the dominant pay-per-view force below the heavyweight class. And with all respect to Ruiz, isn't this the same guy HBO has spent about six years discrediting and trashing? Now he's the dance partner that Jones needs for box-office success?
"John Ruiz fought 36 rounds with Evander Holyfield," answered Taffet, "and with one right hand, put him down. That is what people will remember when they see Jones versus Ruiz and they make that decision to buy the fight -- can Roy Jones stand up to what Evander Holyfield, for one punch didn't."
One thing that is helping this promotion is the cooperation of the often mercurial Jones. Alongside Ruiz and King, he has been making the media rounds and get this, he's actually showing up to the press conferences on time. (Well, OK, he was a couple hours late for the one in New York, but for him, that's on time).
And the reason for his recent punctuality is very simple according to Taffet.
"First of all, Roy's getting the biggest guarantee in his career -- $10 million. He's respectful and appreciative of that and he knows that he needs to support the people who have put up that money -- HBO, Caesers Palace -- in order to make it a fair investment and a reasonable investment on our parts. Roy's a professional. He's a gentlemen and this is his chance to cement his place in history.
"Let me tell you something, Roy Jones isn't happy settling for $10 million for this fight -- he thinks he can make 15 or 20 million. He knows that it's only through his promotional efforts will he achieve those levels."
OK, so let's put this in perspective, De La Hoya's bout with Shane Mosley in 2000 did around 600,000 buys, his last bout with Vargas did about 900,000 and Lewis-Tyson did nearly 2 million buys. Where does Jones-Ruiz fit in?
"I think this fight if it captures the peoples imaginations, like I think it will, will be one of the biggest pay-per-view fights of the past five years," stated Taffet. "Whether or not it can reach Lewis-Tyson levels remains to be seen but it will be one of the top five pay-per-view fights of the past
few years."
MY GUESTIMATION
I say it does around the same numbers of De La Hoya-Mosley (600,000) and the promoters of this event would be thrilled if it does De La Hoya-Whitaker numbers (750,000). But, that's just my opinion.
Oscar vs Shane is made!
Rematch planned for September 13...
Top Rank president Bob Arum and IMG Senior corporate VP Barry Frank came to terms Monday morning on Oscar de la Hoya vs Shane Mosley II. Contracts still need to be hammered out, but the fight is a go provided Shane wins his February 8 fight with former IBF jr middle champ Raul Marquez. It will be Mosley's first fight at 154 lbs.
Arum told Fightnews that Mosley-De la Hoya will take place September 13 in Las Vegas, "probably at Mandalay Bay." Terms were not disclosed. Mosley defeated The Golden Boy by split decision at Los Angeles in June 2000 for the WBC welter belt. De la Hoya is now the WBC/WBA super welterweight champion.
This is the card your going to eh?
January 11 - At The Dunkin' Donuts Center, Providence, RI
(no U.S TV) Ray Oliveira (43-8-2) vs. Golden Johnson (22-7-2)
(no U.S TV) Gary Balletto (25-1-2) vs. Wilson Galli (31-8)
**NEW** (no U.S TV) Angel Torres (9-2) vs. Jose Ayala (6-2)
(no U.S TV) Bobo Starnino (1-0) vs. Manny Teo (4-10)
(no U.S TV) Joe Spina (6-0) vs. William Bailey (1-3-1)
(no U.S TV) Jaime Clampitt (8-2) vs. TBA
FOR TICKET INFORMATION CALL: 1-401-724-2253
That sounds fun. We don't get any action within many hours of here, lucky for DSS.
I've got some floor seats to a local card next week.
The main event is a twelve rounder between local guy Ray Oliveira v. Golden Johnson of San Antonio. Oliveira is about the best local guy we've got, ranked 14 in the world at Welterweight (43-8-2, 20 KO's). A little over the hill in his early 30's, but impressive in his wins. Most of his losses have come against quality guys, including Vernon Forrest, Ben Tackie, Zack Padilla and Reggie Green.
This fight is probably a warm up to better days, like maybe a rematch against Forrest, or fight against Mickey Ward. His opponent, Johnson (22-7-2, 16 KOs), is the cousin of former light-heavytweight champ Reggie Johnson. Not exactly a tomato can, but clearly an "opponent."
Anyway, I enjoy these local fights and expect to have a great time.
All right!
I think the best of the bunch would be; Kostya Tszyu-Floyd Mayweather
The other divisions are getting a little sparse of quality matchups. When you see stuff like 'thunderbox' coming about it shows how much the quality has started to erode.
JR
Lennox Lewis-Wladimir Klitschko: Lewis never gets me too excited. I expect a Lewis KO before halfway through.
Tyson-Tua I'd rather watch a butterbean fight. Two guys going nowhere. Tyson would end Tua's career, but so what? They're both just too small to match up to today's giants.
Dariusz Michalczewski-Roy Jones: Never going to happen. The Ruiz fight should be interesting, but I'd rather see Jones matched up against Hopkins.
Joe Calzaghe-Bernard Hopkins: I like Calzaghe, but not against Hopkins. I would not miss this one, and would look for a late KO or TKO.
Kostya Tszyu-Floyd Mayweather: Another great matchup. I would take Tszyu by decision.
These matchups would top dandy fight cards in 2003
Contra Costa Times - December 28, 2002
Many of these suggested bouts are in the hands of promoters Boxing notebox
IF THE PROMOTERS somehow could be taken out of the equation, here are some fights that boxing fans would love to see in 2003.
Lennox Lewis-Wladimir Klitschko: In some ways, this kind of reminds me of Gerry Cooney against Larry Holmes, a bout that Holmes won by TKO in 1982. At the time, Holmes was a dominating champion and Cooney was a guy who beat up a bunch of past-their-prime fighters. No one was sure if Cooney was a fraud, even though his power looked devastating at times.
Although Holmes wore down Cooney, the challenger proved he did have some solid skills. It's hard to tell how good Klitschko might be since he hasn't faced a Mike Tyson or an Evander Holyfield. He does have a victory over Chris Byrd, who just made Holyfield look old and slow.
Klitschko is a big fighter (6-foot-6) with long arms and a pretty good jab. He has solid hand quickness but shows little movement with his legs. That might not hurt him too much against Lewis, who is comfortable most of the time walking around with his opponent. Both fighters have power, so the bout probably wouldn't go the distance.
Although Lewis is preparing to fight Klitschko's brother, Vitaly, he has stated that he would like to face Wladimir, the better of the two brothers, before he retires. It could be as early as late 2003, which would make boxing fans giddy.
Tyson-David Tua: These two heavyweight bombers can't handle guys who stick and move anymore, so why not put them together? They could tap gloves in the center of the ring and then batter each other until only one is left standing. If fight fans loved the Micky Ward-Arturo Gatti fights, they would flip over this matchup. Tyson has a very difficult bout against Cliff Etienne scheduled for Feb. 22, and Tua is scheduled to get together with Hasim Rahman on March 8.
Both fighters easily could lose those bouts, but fight fans probably wouldn't care. Tyson-Tua could go pay-per-view and the bet here is that it would rake in the loot. Unfortunately, this bout is probably a long shot for this year. Tyson knows that his reputation can't stand more losing and facing Tua would be a big risk.
Tua probably would be in favor of the bout because he would be paid handsomely, but he also has to consider his ranking if he beats Rahman, a win that could propel him into a mandatory title shot position.
Dariusz Michalczewski-Roy Jones: You've got to feel sorry for Jones, who simply lacks an adequate foil to become cemented in our thoughts as one of the best fighters ever. Instead of facing Michalczewski, who appears to be the only boxer in his division who would test him, Jones has to move to heavyweight to participate in somewhat of a freak show.
Jones is going to face John Ruiz on March 1, probably with the thought that Ruiz isn't the kind of banger who could damage him. If he wins that bout, he will get (float-like-a-butterfly, peck-like a) Byrd later in the year. Unfortunately, Jones' calling should be to become the best light heavyweight or super middleweight we've seen.
He is taking the money instead, presumably to purchase an NBA franchise to enable him to play basketball alongside Jason Richardson. Fight fans should remember that Michael Moorer blew up to heavyweight to chase dollar bills and upset Holyfield to win the title for a brief time.
Unfortunately for Moorer, in the grand scheme of heavyweights, he rates right up there with guys like Tim Witherspoon. That's not to diminish his accomplishment, but the fact is that he could have been the best light heavyweight ever.
Joe Calzaghe-Bernard Hopkins: Calzaghe, the WBO champ from Wales, is somewhat of an unknown fighter in the United States, a guy who has been fed a string of opponents whose only job is to make him look good on cable TV. Still, most boxing publications rate him as the best super middleweight in the world, even above the very talented Eric Lucas, who holds the WBC belt.
Looking around at middleweight, there doesn't seem to be an adequate opponent for Hopkins, who easily should be able to handle a rise in class. The problem here is that Hopkins is a satisfied boxer who doesn't care what people think of him. He understands that boxing is all about money, and that he can make lots of it fighting guys he can handle easily. It would take a major offer to get Hopkins in the ring with Calzaghe.
Kostya Tszyu-Floyd Mayweather: What a wonderful gift this one would be to boxing fans, who would be watching two of the world's top pound-for-pound fighters at their peak. Mayweather is a strong, solidly built fighter who should be able to stand the rise to 140 pounds. Tszyu has proved he has the skills to handle opponents who have tremendous speed (Zab Judah). Lightweights such as Leonard Dorin and Paul Spadafora would claim they can handle Mayweather, but he is truly the class of that division. Let's hope promoter Bob Arum can find a way to pull this one off.
I feel the need to resurrect this board and talk about a little boxing. There are going to be some good fights in 2003 and I think I better prognosticate the winners for everyone.
Any fight fans out there?
JR
Morales had a genuine knockdown <<
wrong, wrong, wrong...
he was on barrera's foot....who's to say? perhaps he would have knocked him down had he not been on barrera's foot, but the referee was correct in his call...it's plainly on the tape for all to see....
>>i think morales stands a pretty good chance of doing well in this fight. dare i say, morales just might knock barrera out.
only a hunch...<<
great hunch....
and he came damn close imo with a devestating blow to barrera's stomach...took the wind out of him and buckled his knees...
only the sheer force of will and athleticism fitting a champion kept barrera in the fight at that point
Morales denied in Vegas
June 23, 2002
SecondsOut.com
By Mark G. Butcher in Las Vegas
Erik Morales was denied a magnificent victory at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday night when the judges awarded arch-rival Marco Antonio Barrera a unanimous decision. Call it atonement for the disputed verdict in their first fight if you like, but the decision was still the wrong one.
Morales had a genuine knockdown inexplicably ignored by referee Jay Nady, no stranger to controversy, in the seventh round. He boxed with style and verve and employed the greater technique, but in the end to no avail.
The scores suggested a different fight. Chuck Giampa’s 116-112 scorecard was mystifying while the other scores 115-113 (twice) were also off-base. Morales right eye was swollen badly at the end of 12 totally absorbing rounds while Barrera was unmarked, but that didn’t tell the story of the fight.
At the post-fight press conference, Morales’ promoter Bob Arum pointed to the knockdown in the seventh round, which would have handed the fight to Morales, and expressed his disappointment at the decision. Arum wasn’t keen on a third fight after the judging, but said the defeat wouldn’t affect Morales’ future.
“I think Morales-Ayala is still the best fight out there,” said Arum. “As far as I’m concerned, Morales won the fight. I had it 7-5 for Morales. I couldn’t see how you cannot give him seven rounds. How can any experienced judge give Barrera the first three rounds? How can that happen?”
Barrera was a mixture of happiness and relief at the conference and most observers seemed to think he had been fortunate to win, especially by such margins.
“I’d like to say Erik Morales is a good fighter,” said Barrera, who claimed he was not legitimately knocked down. “For all those people who want a third fight with Erik Morales, I am ready.”
Afterwards, Morales was subdued, but unbowed by the loss. He felt he had clearly done enough to win.
“I fought an intelligent fight, but I’m not feeling that intelligent about what happened,” said Morales. “I put him under a lot of pressure during the fight, scored a lot of good punches to the body. I think he was hurt. I think when I dropped him it was a legitimate knockdown. I think all the people who follow me and believe in me can be proud because I think Erik Morales won tonight.”
It was a shame for Morales who was written off by almost everyone before this fight, but it had been another bout to remember.
A deafening roar greeted the announcement of both fighters on a fantastic night for Mexico and boxing. The electric tension in the MGM Grand Arena rose during the first round with first Barrera then Morales applying the pressure. A Barrera left hook brought a roar but Morales was looking lean and dangerous, and every time Barrera became complacent he punished him.
Morales dabbed his right eye in the second and both men had their successes, but Erik was looking more like the fighter of old and Barrera was unable to get into gear. Morales raised the tempo in the third and suddenly Barrera didn’t look quite so confident anymore as Morales scored with crisp rights. Morales won these first three rounds clearly, but somehow judge Chuck Giampa gave them all to Barrera.
The unthinkable was happening; Morales was controlling the center of the ring and pushing Barrera backward in the fourth. There was no variety to Barrera who couldn’t match the technique of his Tijuana rival. Three successive rights hurt Barrera in the fifth, but Morales turned his back and Barrera rushed him prompting a furious trade by the ropes as the crowd screamed.
Morales complained that Barrera was hitting him low in the sixth and crowd booed. Barrera was having better luck this round, but still he found Morales able to more than match him on the inside. Barrera was pressuring now and a right hand sent Morales head flying back theatrically, but the plot changed swiftly in the seventh. A right to the body sent Barrera down, but unbelievably it was ruled no knockdown by Jay Nady and this bad call changed the decision in Barrera’s favor.
Morales was pushed down and punched to the canvas by Barrera, who was admonished by referee Nady in the eighth. Barrera drilled Morales to the ropes, but Morales blazed back with gusto.
Erik’s right eye was worsening and Barrera looked stronger in the ninth and he began pushing Morales back with regularity. Still Erik produced right hand cameos, but the ascendancy was with Barrera now.
Morales had a great 10th, peppering Barrera with jabs and switching from head to body with effortless motion. He seemed a different fighter from the man who had laboured against Guty Esapadas and In Jin Chi.
Morales boxed more in the 11th round and made Barrera miss on numerous occasions, but it was Barrera who was forcing the exchanges. Barrera started the 12th very strongly, rocking Morales only to be badly shaken himself moments later. Yet Morales’ right eye was shut and impeding his vision and Barrera won the session with a furious onslaught in the final minute.
It didn’t seem as if it would be enough, but it was.
http://www.secondsout.com/usa/news_45599.asp
"I believe Marco is the best featherweight in the world, and I think he will prove that to everybody (tonight), but the one thing I do know is that because of the kind of kids these two are and because of their styles, they can't help but fight the same way they did last time," Barrera promoter John Jackson said.
http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2002/Jun-22-Sat-2002/sports/19031019.html
"He's arrogant, but I'm going to wipe that smirk off his face," said Morales, 41-0 with 31 knockouts. "He thinks he's better than everyone else. Because he's from Mexico City, he thinks he's so much better than everyone else. He's no different than me or any other Mexican. But I'll show him again who is the best (featherweight)."
http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2002/Jun-22-Sat-2002/sports/19031019.html
There’s an old saying, 'Kill someone from the capital, do something for your country.'
- Erik Morales
Arum expects Morales to knock out Barrera
June 21, 2002
By Mark G. Butcher in Las Vegas
SecondsOut.com
Marco Antonio Barrera remains a strong favorite ahead of the featherweight super-bout with Erik Morales at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday, but promoter Bob Arum is in a small minority, along with this writer, who believes Morales will prevail. The form guide would suggest otherwise with Barrera looking masterful in wins over Naseem Hamed and Enrique Sanchez while a listless Morales struggled in decisions over Guty Espadas and In Jin Chi. But discipline and preparation have made Morales a different fighter for the rematch with his bitter rival, according to Arum.
“He’s finally trained for a fight,” said the Hall of Fame promoter. “With Guty Espadas, he came into camp at 160 (pounds). He had some nutty nutritionist, giving him herbs and so forth. He was sick to his stomach two weeks before the fight and he wasn’t in any kind of condition. And he trained for the first time, instead of at altitude, at this Prince Ranch in Las Vegas, which was stupid. Then for In Jin Chi, he figured he was fighting an easy Korean and so he never even got up to train for that fight.”
This time “El Terrible” has embarked on a ferocious training regimen at altitude at the Otomi in the Mexican mountains, about two hours outside Mexico City, and this renewed discipline has paid dividends, insists Arum.
“Morales for the first time, even more than the first Barrera fight, will come in shape and condition. He trained hard for the first Barrera fight, but the problem was he had to make 122 pounds and he was dead at the weight. Remember, we had to carry him out of the weigh-in,” said Arum.
“(The weight) is all the difference. That’s what people are not seeing. That Morales is the natural bigger guy and the extra weight benefits Morales, who really struggled at 122. He said, ‘How could you make me do this?’ He started crying.”
The promoter firmly believes that people are reading far too much into Barrera’s emphatic 12-round pounding of Naseem Hamed in April 2001. “Hamed is mediocre,” he said. “I had a kid called Cesar Soto, who wasn’t much of a fighter, and he was beating Hamed until Hamed fouled him and threw him down. Then Augie Sanchez almost knocked Hamed out and Augie Sanchez can’t spell fight!
“So to beat Hamed is no big deal, to beat Enrique Sanchez is no big deal and to beat Jesus Salud is no big deal,” continued Arum. “I would be terribly disappointed if Morales didn’t knock out Barrera within eight rounds. And my matchmaker feels the same way. If I bet on fights, which I don’t allow myself, a 9-5 touting Barrera is the worst, stupidest overlay I’ve ever seen.”
On Saturday night, the savvy promoter may be vindicated for such faith in his fighter.
http://www.secondsout.com/usa/news_45529.asp
Barrera, Morales seek title, bragging rights
06/19/2002
By Dan Rafael, USA TODAY
LAS VEGAS — There is more on the line for Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales in their rematch than simply earning recognition as the world's best featherweight.
Saturday night's championship fight at the MGM Grand (9 ET, HBO PPV, $39.95) also is the stage for Barrera (No. 1 USA TODAY, 54-3, 39 KOs) or Morales (No. 2, 41-0, 31 KOs) to lay claim as Mexico's best current fighter and cement a place as one of the tradition-rich nation's legendary boxers.
"The winner of this fight will be the next Mexican superstar and close the gap with Julio Cesar Chavez as Mexico's all-time best," Morales' manager, Fernando Beltran, said following Wednesday's final news conference.
Ricardo Jimenez, a former sports editor for Spanish language newspaper La Opinion and now a publicist for Morales promoter Top Rank, said the winner will join a pantheon of Mexican fighters that includes Ruben Olivares, Carlos Zarate, Salvador Sanchez, Ricardo Lopez and Chavez.
"No one is going to beat out Chavez," Jimenez said.
"To get to Chavez's level would take a lot. But whoever wins this is going to be close."
Morales-Barrera II is huge in Mexico and in the USA's Hispanic community, especially now that Mexico is out of soccer's World Cup. The fight leads sports sections and newscasts throughout Mexico and Spanish-language outlets in the USA.
In addition to an expected sellout at the 15,000-seat Grand Garden Arena, HBO PPV executives project the fight to be the highest grossing featherweight bout, surpassing the $13 million generated from 320,000 pay-per-view buys for Barrera's victory against Naseem Hamed in April 2001.
"This is the biggest fight in Mexican history," Jimenez said. "Chavez never fought anyone at his best. He fought Mexicans, but never good Mexicans. These guys are the best two Mexicans fighting each other."
The simmering hostility between Morales and Barrera adds to the already high stakes, but the heated rivalry has far deeper roots than their exciting toe-to-toe battle two years ago, in which Morales claimed a controversial decision.
The rivalry stems from a geographic and cultural difference between them. Morales grew up poor in Tijuana, and Barrera comes from a much wealthier, professional family in Mexico City.
"A lot of people from Mexico City have an attitude of superiority over people from the rest of the country, especially the people from the border towns (such as Tijuana)," Jimenez said. "They believe that if you live outside Mexico City you are not as sophisticated as them or as good as them.
"It's the same with the fighters. Barrera has that kind of attitude. Before the first fight he said things like 'Nothing good ever came out of the border towns. They just come down from the hills. They have no shoes, no nothing.' "
Morales does not hide his dislike for Barrera or for Mexico City.
"People from Mexico City are no doubt the most hated people in Mexico," he said. "They think they are better than everybody. They think they know it all and have it all."
Although Barrera has called Morales an "Indian" and insulted his roots, he tried to downplay that aspect of the rivalry Wednesday.
"This is a big fight, and it means a lot to Mexicans fans," he said. "But this is a fight for all of Mexico. I am fighting for all of Mexico, not just Mexico City."
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/boxing/stories/2002-06-20-usat-barrera-morales.htm
THREE-MINUTE WAR: Fighters recall fierce fifth
Round between Morales, Barrera helped bout become year's top fight
Thursday, June 20, 2002
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
By KEVIN IOLE
REVIEW-JOURNAL
It was three minutes of mayhem, but three of the most memorable minutes in boxing history.
The fifth round between Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Feb. 19, 2000, ranks as one of the best in the sport's history. Morales has watched the tape of that round and always come away with a question.
"I don't know how the fight wasn't stopped," Morales said Wednesday, three days before he meets Barrera again Saturday at the MGM Grand in a featherweight showdown. "I thought he was gone."
Each boxer could have made that claim in the round, which was more back and forth than a sustained rally between two clay-court specialists at the French Open.
The fight was chosen as the 2000 Fight of the Year, but the fifth round stood out from the others that night. The boxers traded punches with a ferocity seldom seen, each moving to the brink of ruin before rallying and getting the other guy in trouble.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, who has seen thousands of fights in more than 30 years in the sport, said he had difficulty naming a better round.
"It was the typical Mexican-style round, both guys flat-footed and standing in front of each other and throwing power punches," Arum said. "They have such great heart, and they each wanted the fight so badly, they were giving everything they had in order to get it."
Barrera scored the first truly significant punch of the round about 30 seconds into it. Up until that point, they had fought at a quick pace and each had landed a few jabs, but neither had gotten a power shot through. But that all changed.
Standing in the center of the ring, Barrera landed a jab that seemed to freeze Morales momentarily. Barrera immediately followed the jab with a straight right hand that landed flush on Morales' cheek and sent Morales against the ropes.
At that point, Barrera lived up to his nickname, "The Baby Faced Assassin."
But Morales had a surprise waiting. His back hit the ropes from the force of the solid right hand, but he rebounded with a six-punch combination.
"Everybody tells me it was such a great round," Barrera said, breaking into a grin. "But I don't know why. I was getting hit with too many punches in that round."
He was about to take many more, as was Morales. They fought the remainder of the round at a fever pitch, landing their best shots again and again.
The late Mitch Halpern was the referee that night, and in that round, Halpern had little to do but stay out of the way of the flying fists.
"I wish we could have that in every fight, but it's not reasonable to expect that," said Marc Ratner, the executive director of the Nevada Athletic Commission. "These were two guys at the top of their game putting out maximum effort."
The fans responded after the round by rising to their feet and applauding for the entire rest period. All three judges -- Duane Ford, Carol Castellano and Dalby Shirley -- scored the round for Morales.
Morales, who won a controversial decision that night, wasn't totally pleased despite all he accomplished in that round.
"I just don't know how that fight didn't get stopped then," he said. "I had him. I know I had him."
He will have Barrera for another 12 rounds Saturday in a bout that is expected to not only sell out the MGM Grand but to sell up to 9,000 additional closed-circuit seats in Clark County.
Arum is crossing his fingers that he can reach 500,000 people on pay per view. And though both boxers speak limited English, Arum has an easy way to promote the rematch.
"If people saw the first fight, they'll be back for this, and I'm sure they'll bring a few friends," he said.
http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2002/Jun-20-Thu-2002/sports/19014961.html
HBO's Larry Merchant has been quoted as saying that Morales is being underestimated now, just as Barrera was in February of 2000.
i agree. barrera is being cast as too much of a favorite.
i think morales stands a pretty good chance of doing well in this fight. dare i say, morales just might knock barrera out.
only a hunch...
:)
Etienne-Botha on July 27!
6/20/2002
By Flattop
Contracts will be signed Thursday making the New Orleans Arena in Louisiana the venue for the heavyweight explosion featuring "The Black Rhino" Clifford Etienne (24-1, 17 KOs) against "The White Buffalo" Francois Botha (44-4-1, 28 KOs). The July 27th Showtime boxing event is appropriately named "The Call of the Wild." Next door to the New Orleans Arena is the Superdome where Muhammad Ali made boxing history by recapturing his title from Leon Spinks on September 15, 1978 to become first 3-time world heavyweight champion.
from fightnews.com
Morales looks for respect in rematch
WBC champ to face Barrera at MGM
Tuesday, June 18, 2002
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
By KEVIN IOLE
REVIEW-JOURNAL
HOLLYWOOD -- Erik Morales, the World Boxing Council featherweight champion, is 41-0 with 31 knockouts. Among his victims are six former world champions, three of them by knockout.
Those six men -- Daniel Zaragoza, Wayne McCullough, Kevin Kelley, Junior Jones, Marco Antonio Barrera and Guty Espadas -- make up a who's who of the bantamweight, super bantamweight and featherweight divisions from the last 10 years.
Yet, all Morales hears about these days are his failings. He has been told he was lucky to have beaten Barrera, how he looked lethargic against Espadas and Injin Chi and how he ballooned to 160 pounds before some of his recent fights.
Morales, who will fight Barrera on Saturday at the MGM Grand in a rematch of their 2000 bout that has gone down as one of the most exciting in boxing history, reacts with a bemused grin.
Saturday's fight is, by contract, Barrera-Morales II, instead of Morales-Barrera II. Morales won the first fight and thus should have had his name first in the promotion. But Barrera wouldn't take the fight unless his name appeared first.
And Barrera insisted on choosing the brand of boxing gloves the two will use, another task usually afforded the reigning champion. Barrera issued the ultimate insult when he declined to fight for Morales' WBC title. If Morales wins, he remains the WBC champion; if he loses, the title becomes vacant.
"That's fine that he wants all of that," Morales said quietly Tuesday after a brief workout at a steamy upstairs gym. "I got what I wanted. I've got him in the ring again. That was all I really cared about."
Barrera declined an immediate rematch after their memorable Feb. 19, 2000, fight at Mandalay Bay that won Fight of the Year honors. Marc Ratner, the executive director of the Nevada Athletic Commission, said the fifth round was as good a round as he had seen.
Morales, 25, won the first fight by split decision, with Carol Castellano and Dalby Shirley favoring Morales and Duane Ford siding with Barrera. That sparked outrage by the American media, most of whom thought Barrera won.
Knowing that, Morales offered to fight Barrera again, but Barrera opted to fight Prince Naseem Hamed instead, taking the same amount of money for the Hamed fight that he was offered for a Morales rematch.
"That shows you that he doesn't want to fight Morales, not really," said Fernando Beltran, Morales' manager.
Barrera said his decision had nothing to do with being afraid of Morales. Barrera thought a fight with Hamed would do more for his career.
For now at least, it appears Barrera was right. He won an easy decision against Hamed.
And Morales hasn't been as sharp in his five fights since meeting Barrera. Many thought Morales got a gift when he lifted the World Boxing Council featherweight title from Espadas at the MGM on Feb. 17, 2001.
But Morales said he has a surprise for Barrera on Saturday.
"Morales isn't the kind of guy who is going to do a lot of talking and making predictions," Beltran said. "But he wants this fight so badly he has done everything in camp that he could to get ready. He's never been better. And he is going to show that to you on Saturday night. The people who have doubted him, believe me, they will have their eyes opened after this fight."
http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2002/Jun-18-Tue-2002/sports/18996626.html
Barrera speaks out!
By Francisco Salazar
6/14/2002
Fightnews.com top rated featherweight Marco Antonio Barrera spoke today from his training camp in Big Bear, CA and discussed candidly his rematch with WBC featherweight champion Erik Morales and other intangibles.
On his insistance for a rematch:
I wanted this rematch because the boxing fans wanted this fight to take place. I would hear about when this fight would occur and that is why I wanted this rematch. For the fans.
On the rivalry between Mexico City and Tijuana:
(Barrera is from Mexico City, Morales is from Tijuana)
From my point of view, there is no rivalry. Erik was the one who created the rivalry. He was the one who first spoke negatively about me from the beginning.
On Fernando Beltran's (manager of Erik Morales) comments reported earlier on fightnews about low blows and excess use of vasoline by Barrera:
I do not know what fight he saw. When Erik butted me in the first fight, we did not protest. We knew it was an accident. If he thought these things occurred, so be it. He wants to find ways to cause problems.
On the scuffle that occurred at a press conference in Texas:
"He would make comments about me in the press in Mexico. He would call me 'Mariquita' (sissy). When I saw him in person, I asked him why he was not talking like he did on TV or the papers. He said something to me, then I hit him. I did not him that hard."
from fightnews.com
Lennox Lewis, on an IBF-mandated bout with #1 ranked Chris Byrd:
"There's nothing in it for me to fight Chris Byrd. When you've boxed at this level and reached the purses that you've reached, then all of a sudden they say you have to defend your belt against a bird..."
from fightnews.com
Fran Charles, George Foreman and Larry Merchant will handle announcing duties for HBO's replay of Lewis-Tyson Saturday at 9:45PM. The fight will also airon HBO2 Sunday at 6:30PM and Tuesday at 11:45PM.
from fightnews.com
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