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Jul 24, 2005
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Yuriorkis Gamboa in Play To Be Golden Boy Bound

By Rick Reeno

A few weeks ago, I reported that Ahmet Öner, CEO of Arena Box [based in Germany], broke his ties with promoter Gary Shaw, and pulled his fighters in the process. Without question the most important fighter in the Arena/Shaw deal was featherweight prospect Yuriorkis Gamboa (12-0, 10 KOs). At the time, Öner was pursuing a possible deal with the wily veteran himself, Don King, who Öner felt would help him bring along Gamboa, and more importantly Arena's heavyweight prospect Odlanier Solis (11-0, 7KOs).

According to sources close to the negotiations, the potential Arena-King deal, where King would take over Shaw's role as the American-based promoter, was close to being finalized. As they always say in boxing - nothing is guaranteed. BoxingScene.com has since learned that a few issues came up and talks hit a brick wall. And although there are those who still feel the deal with King will be made, the latest word coming out of Germany is that Öner is also talking to Golden Boy Promotions.

Richard Schaefer, CEO for Golden Boy, confirmed the Arena Box whispers to BoxingScene, and says Golden Boy is obviously interested in picking up a fighter like Gamboa. As to whether or not Golden Boy will actually land Gamboa, that's still up for debate.

"We have had several discussions and we are always interested in signing top talent, but ultimately I can't say for sure that Golden Boy will co-promote Gamboa," Schaefer said
 
Jul 24, 2005
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Zab Judah Reportedly Heading To Square Ring?

By Rick Reeno

BoxingScene.com was informed that former two-division champion Zab "Super" Judah (36-6, 25KOs) is set to become the latest acquisition by Square Ring, the promotional company owned by Roy Jones Jr. It's being said that Judah will appear on the undercard to the Jones-Joe Calzaghe HBO pay-per-view, from New York's Madison Square Garden.

Details of the deal were not disclosed, but according to the word going around, Judah plans to return to 140-pounds. Square Ring recently signed two other New York natives, who are junior welterweights, in Frankie "El Gato" Figueroa and unbeaten Dmitriy Salita. Judah heading over to Square Ring would set up potential future bouts with both of them
 

Tony

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May 15, 2002
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LOL... 2-0-6... man you know I am Holyfield's biggest fan. This is crazy but they called Holyfield out. Holyfield is going to beat this dude... I get to see my favorite fighter of all time fight one more time. Holyfield is G! He is pretty old though... damn near 50. I know he's going to be the underdog but he'll find a way to pull this off. This slow as 7-Footer is the perfect opponent. I am going to be honest but I thought Holyfield won his last fight and I am not being biased.
 
May 13, 2002
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Seattle
www.socialistworld.net
crazy I was just watching the Holyfield/Bowe fights on ESPN last night. What terrific wars they were. AND THAT WAS IN 1993! See that's 15 years after being in horrible wars (and of course he was in many wars after Bowe, like when he lost to Michael Moorer and even suffered a minor STROKE DURING THE FIGHT), Tyson and of course Lennox Lewis. That's the problem with Holyfield being 46 - he's takin waaaay too much punishment. Not like a guy like Bernard Hopkins, who at 43 was never in a war in his life or ever got "beat up," cut or anything else for that matter.

Anyways, I hope Holyfield can win, he'll be the OLDEST heavyweight champ of all time if he does, but he's too old and too small. His last 5 fights were all UNDER 220 pounds. And he's 6′2. Valuev is 320 pounds and 7'1. LOL
 

Tony

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I agree with you 2-06... Holyfield's time is pretty much up but I do think he'll pull off the upset. This big slow as dude is the perfect opponent for Holyfield. He's no threat whats so ever to Holyfield. This is going to be a funny fight. He's going to use this big dude as a punching bag. What if Holyfield knocked him out? We know he will go for it too! Hopefully he retires after becoming the oldest champ in the world. He's going to pull off the upset... here's his last chance to win a belt.

So who are y'all picking if this fight jumps off? I say Holyfield by decision though.
 
May 13, 2002
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Well I really doubt anyone can KO Valuev. He's a freak of nature and I've never seen him hurt. Best chance to "stop him" is by nailing him a bunch of times repeatedly until the ref steps in. Holyfield can't do that at his age.

Valuev is a slow, limited fighter, but his size/strength allows him to win fights. I mean he has beaten John Ruiz (who has a Win over Holyfield), Serguei Lyakhovich, Jameel McCline, Monte Barrett and a lot of other decent opponents.

I think Valuev gets a fairly easy win, in a slow paced, non-exciting fight based on Holyfields age and because of the HUGE size difference (I hope I'm wrong though).

To put the size difference in perspective and since they both fought against John Ruiz, let's compare:

Here is a picture of Holyfield and John Ruiz:



I'm sure we can all agree that Ruiz and Holyfield are pretty evenly matched there, as far as height and build/weight goes.

Compare that to:

Valuev against John Ruiz:




That's the size differiencial!

Plus, Valuev will out weigh him by 100 pounds! That's one foot taller and one hundred pounds heavier!
 

Tony

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May 15, 2002
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Wow... this dude is as big as Shaq. Holy knows he has to find someway to pull this one off... Plus Holyfield is an inside fighter. As long as he's not on the outside of Val's punches he'll be alright. Now if he was fighting one of the Klits's brothers or Peter, I'd be extremely worried for Holyfield. He's damn near 50...
 

Tony

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WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev (49-1, 34 KOs) has commented to Fightnews.com on a possible fight against faded former four-time heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield (42-9-2, 27 KOs). "I know nothing and this is the first I've heard about it," said the seven-foot two-time WBA champion. "In general there is an arrangement to fight against Kali Meehan and this fight will take place on December 6th. I'm preparing for this fight. Today I learn that a fight against Holyfield is planned for December 20th. You want me to fight again in two weeks? It's totally ludicrous." Fightnews.com also asked the manager of the Russian Giant Boris Demitrov. "I know nothing about a fight between Nikolai and Holyfield. I talked today with Don King, even he knows nothing about it. Most likely it's an invention," commented Dimitrov.
 

Tony

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Holyfield is one of the candidates

There have been reports in the American media about a potential fight between WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev and Evander Holyfield in Germany in December. However, whether the fight will happen is not certain at all (just like the location and the date). The Russian Giant will make a voluntary title defense before the end of the year. Holyfield as an opponent is just one of several options. Said Wilfried Sauerland: “Evander Holyfield last week approached our American agent to offer himself for the fight. Subsequently, there have been talks between our agent and Holyfield to see whether such a fight would financially be possible in Germany at all. At the same time we are having similar talks with other candidates. Today we sat down with Don King, (Sauerland Event managing director) Chris Meyer and Kalle Sauerland to discuss the issue and minimise the number of potential opponents. There has been no decision yet and it will take at least one week to make one. The potential dates for Nikolai Valuev´s title defence, which will be staged in the German-speaking world, are December 6, 13 and 20.”
 

Tony

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May 15, 2002
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Yeah I see that you had a streak going... I am getting real good at it though. I'll probably be on around 6:00 pacific time. My girl went to sleep on me so I jumped back online (after you sent me that message) but I think you were already gone.
 
Jul 24, 2005
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Vic Darchinyan Promises To Knock Cristian Mijares Out

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

IBF super flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan is confident he will knock out WBA/WBC super flyweight champion Cristian Mijares when they do battle on November 1st at the Home Depot Centre in Carson, California, according to boxing writer and IBF official Ray Wheatley of Australia.

Wheatley quoted Darchinyan as saying "I promise I will knock him out."

The cocky Australian said. "I've said that many times before big fights, [Luis] Maldonado, Irene Pacheco, [Dimitri] Kirilov - I knocked them out. When I promise I will knock someone out, I keep my promise."

But Darchinyan obviously suffered a bout of amnesia because he had vowed to knock out Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire in their July 7, 2007 title fight in Connecticut but instead got nailed with a picture-perfect punch and was knocked out in the fifth round.

In fact, the sensational knockout earned Donaire the award for “Knockout of the Year.”

Darchinyan had also promised to knock out Z “The Dream” Gorres in their IBF title eliminator earlier this year but the bout ended in a controversial draw.

Wheatley quoted Darchinyan as saying, "Of course it was my dream to become undisputed champion. I'm not saying if I win, I'm saying when I win this fight - after that, I will become one of the greatest fighters from Australia . I love that idea, and I want to become one of the greatest fighters in the history of boxing.”

He conceded that Mijares “is a smart fighter, a good fighter, but when I catch him with my punch, it won't be like in his other fights."

Darchinyan won the IBF flyweight title by defeatiing Irene Pacheco and lost it to Donaire and then went on to win the IBF super flyweight crown with a fifth round stoppage of Dimitri Kirilov
 
Jul 24, 2005
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Paul Williams: "De La Hoya Will Stop Pacquiao in Three"

By Mark Vester

WBO welterweight champion Paul Williams is not one of the people who thinks the upcoming fight between Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao will be a competitive one. There has been a lot of critics who feel Pacquiao is too small to do anything to De La Hoya. He moves up from 135-pounds by two divisions to face De La Hoya at the agreed upon weight of 147 on December 6.

Williams says that Pacquiao is not strong enough and not physically big enough to make an impact in the fight.

"Oscar will stop Manny within three rounds," Williams said. "I don't want to take anything away from Pacquiao, but his punches won't hurt De La Hoya. Manny is just too small, and Oscar is just too big. That's why we have the different weight classes. The size and weight difference makes it a bad fight
 
Jul 24, 2005
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David Lopez: Still Winning, Still On The Outside Looking In

By Jake Donovan

It’s become an all-too familiar script for mid-level middleweight contender David “The Destroyer” Lopez in his past several fights.

A Telefutura appearance against whatever opponent Golden Boy Promotions can round up; win fight, and be led to believe that a title shot is right around the corner; weeks pass by as Lopez is once again passed over, but is assured by handlers that they’re next in line.

Rinse and repeat.

So here once again is David Lopez (36-12, 23KO), winner of 12 straight bouts (8 by knockout) since his last loss nearly four years ago, staring at another Telefutura fight while others have jumped the line in the title picture.

A formidable challenge awaits the Mexican southpaw, as he opposes hard-hitting Samuel Miller in the main event, which airs live from Lopez’ home away from home at the Desert Diamond Casino in Tucson, Arizona (Friday, 8PM ET).

A bitter pill to swallow for Lopez is that Marco Antonio Rubio, with whom he’s been trying to secure a fight for the better part of 2008, participates in a title eliminator the following week, on the televised undercard of the Kelly Pavlik-Bernard Hopkins PPV event. Even worse is that Lopez’ opponent is Enrique Ornelas, a Golden Boy fighter.

So much for a promoter having his fighter’s best interests.

But fending for himself is hardly a unique situation for Lopez. Horribly mismanaged in his early years as a pro, the man now known as The Destroyer was watching others destroy his own career. Having turned pro six months shy of his 18th birthday, Lopez repeatedly found himself in fights he had no business taking, staggering out to a 19-11 record before a few breaks would finally go his way.

Having been reduced to journeyman status, Lopez would soon develop a reputation as a major middleweight spoiler beginning in 2003, resulting in a promoter-fighter relationship with Sugar Ray Leonard’s SRL Promotions. Five straight wins came against respectable opposition, including back-to-back upset knockouts over a pair of previously unbeaten middleweights in Lonnie Bradley and Jerson Ravelo.

A shutout win over Kirino Garcia would be Lopez’ last fight with Leonard, who disbanded his company in moving on to The Contender. No big deal for Lopez, who would resurface with Golden Boy Promotions. Only the relationship didn’t get off to the greatest of starts; their first fight together resulted in a heartbreaking 12th round knockout loss to Fulgencio Zuniga.

Sitting at 24-12 (15KO), many wondered whether or not the Mexican slugger could recover, or if he was staring at a future as a high-profile opponent.

Twelve wins later, it’s clear that Lopez has plenty of fight left in him, and plans on sticking around until he receives the title shot that’s long eluded his career, or someone literally beats him out of contention.

The latter will prove to be difficult, since there are so few middleweights willing to share ring space. Not even the aforementioned Rubio, who pulled out of a title eliminator earlier this year in believing his promoter (Top Rank) would instead take him straight to Arum. That never happened, though Rubio is still a lot closer to a title shot than is Lopez.

That could very well change next week, as there is no guarantee that Rubio gets past Enrique Ornelas. Nor is it etched in stone that Lopez breezes past Samuel Miller tonight.

Packaged as a murderous puncher, Miller (18-2, 15KO) was spoon-fed made-to-order competition in the early stages of his career, spent exclusively in his native Colombia before relocating to the states in 2006.

Hooking up with Warriors Promotion, Miller became a crowd favorite at the boxing friendly Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, racking up four straight wins in a span of eight months.
Most notable was his ESPN2-televised points win over Jason Naugler in July 2006. The bout received greater exposure than normal; the evening’s main event between Sultan Ibragimov and Ray Austin made for the network’s highest rated boxing telecast in four years.

The thing about exposure, though, is that others are more inclined to see your next move. Miller’s was disastrous, as he squandered an early lead against middle-aged journeyman Darrell Woods on ESPN2, falling apart down the stretch in suffering the first loss of his career.

Three months later would come his next defeat, also on the Friday Night Fights circuit, though this one was far greater open to debate. Many believed he was robbed of a decision win in a highly entertaining ten-round scrap against Brian Vera.

Non-existent boxing standards in Colombia allowed Miller to return to his native country for a tune-up win over an anonymous and winless opponent earlier this year, juking the stats in snapping a two-fight losing streak.

To his credit, this was a fight Miller could’ve easily avoided but still willingly took. The two were scheduled to throw down on Solo Boxeo in August, only for visa issues to force the Colombian off of the show. Lopez wound up facing Billy Lyell, having little trouble in dispatching the American journeyman inside of five rounds.

As noted earlier, others have discovered loopholes in not just postponing fights with Lopez, but never revisiting. Barring any unforeseen issue between now and the opening bell, Miller will have at least proven to be a cut above the rest in terms of integrity.

But while their bout should prove to be entertaining for however long or short it lasts, a greater question is what awaits the winner.

A win would go a long way in the career of Samuel Miller, whose record for the moment boasts far more gloss than foundation.

A win for David Lopez will most likely lead to another fight like this. But not before he’s told that he’s next in line for a title shot or elimination bout that never pans out