Garcia dominates Salido... By Kenny Perrault

Tonight proved once again that in boxing you never know what to expect. On paper Orlando Salido vs Mikey Garcia looked like a highly 

entertaining fight. I can't say it was a snooze fest but it was one-sided from the opening bell in Garcia's favor. It didn't take long 

for Garcia to jump ahead on the scorecards flooring Salido twice in the first round. and again in rounds three and four. Salido would 

land punches of his own from time to time but offered no real offense that would get him back into the fight. Garcia either has the 

perfect style to defend against the always on coming Salido or Salido simply got old overnight.

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Bernard Hopkins to face IBF champ Tavoris Cloud in March...
Hopkins (52-6-2, 32 KOs) will attempt to break his own record on March 9 when he takes on Tavoris Cloud (24-0, 19 KOs) at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Cloud, of Tallahassee, Fla., will be defending his title for the fifth time.
He also will be bidding to make history - as the first fighter to knock out Hopkins or even to stop him inside the distance.

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Andre Ward set to begin rehabilitation after successful surgery...

"My surgery went very well and I am definitely pleased with the outcome. I had a fantastic team of surgeons overseeing everything on Friday morning and they did a great job of repairing the injury. I am confident that I will return to the ring even better than I was prior to the injury," stated Ward. 

"The doctor said Andre will initially have his arm in a sling where he will be better prepared to give a timeline for Andre's recovery process once the sling is removed," said promoter Dan Goossen. 

"Andre has always surpassed everyone's expectations and I told Dr. Dillingham he can expect the same fire from Andre with his rehabilitation as the fans see when he's in the ring.

The timing is unfortunate for Andre (26-0, 14 KOs), whose fast-track rise to elite status since winning his first world title in 2009 against reigning WBA super middleweight champ Mikkel Kessler -- then capturing the WBC version in late 2011 against brash Briton Carl Froch and, in his most recent domination of current WBC light heavyweight king Chad Dawson -- has vaulted him near the top of the "Pound for Pound" ratings and cemented him as a recognized superstar worldwide.

"I really want to thank everyone for all of the prayers and support that my family and I have received. We truly appreciate it and it has helped throughout this process. I can't wait to get back out there and perform for all my fans and plan to keep everyone updated on my progress. The best is yet to come so stay tuned." 

Below is a link to the photo gallery provided by Squint Photo - http://www.flickr.com/photos/91948583%40N03/sets/72157632460172154/

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Barthelemy decisions Usmanee; Gonzalez by majority over Ennis... by George Elsasser
The ESPN2 FNF offering of January 4th from Miami, Florida saw Rances Barthelemy snatching the IBF #2 Super featherweight  eliminator spot in a spirited duel with game Arash Usmanee in the feature bout of the evening.
The local Miami favorite Barthelemy, a Cuban transplant, answered the opening bell with the height, reach advantage while working behind an impressive left jab that kept the Afghanistan-born Usmanee off to a slow start.
Then ...

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Adamek split decision winner over Cunningham... by George Elsasser
In a return heavyweight main event featuring Tomasz Adamek facing a determined Steve Cunningham, with the winner earning #1 IBF spot on its heavyweight rankings, it would go the full twelve stanzas to a decision.
Unlike their last meeting, with the IBF Cruiserweight belt on the line and a game Cunningham being dropped three times, there would be no knockdowns - but rather a tactical affair with Adamek pressing the action and Cunningham mostly countering behind a stiff left jab.

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Oops! 1st a draw then Adamek gets SD to sink USS Cunningham... by Paul Strauss/ESB
When has Hall of Fame announcer Michael Buffer ever needed a second try to announce the winner of a fight? It just doesn't happen. But, happen it did at the Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem, PA. The main event of NBC's Saturday afternoon telecast featured a rematch of Tomasz Adamek and Steve "USS" Cunningham. The result was first announced as a split decision draw. Hold the phone! Michael Buffer hadn't relinquished the microphone yet. The iconic announcer seemed confused as he was informed there had been a mistake. A mistake? That's putting it lightly. This was a staggering screw up. 

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Donaire retains WBO title via KO3 over Arce... by George Elsasser
It was expected to be a barn burner with WBO Super Bantam title holder Nonito Donaire, defending against past multiple belt holder Jorge Arce - but once the opening bell rang it would be all Donaire in a pugilistic proverbial "wham-bam thank you ma'am" kind of thing.

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CBS return to boxing a Bantamweight title thriller... by George Elsasser

Saturday December 15 saw CBS televised station delivering matinee boxing with unbeaten IBF defending bantamweight champion Leo Santa Cruz in with unbeaten challenger Alberto Guevara in a thriller that would go the twelve round distance.
Guevara opened the better - grabs numbers one and two while displaying an eye-catching exhibition of classic counter punching against the aggressive champion - but...

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Marquez, Pacman declared clean by NSAC ...

Both Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao were declared "clean" by the Nevada State Athletic Commission following their post fight drug tests. Marquez' test was of particular interest as he was ripped like never before and had been working with strength coach and doping expert Angel Heredia prior to the fight.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao was given a mandatory 120-day medical suspension by the NSAC. He is required to have no boxing-related contact workouts for 90 days and before any future fight he will undergo extensive brain exams. September 14th, 2013 has been targeted as a possible return date.

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Jennings retains USBA heavy title... by George Elsasser
NBC Fight night showcased American USBA heavyweight champ Bryant "By-By" Jennings this past Saturday with good intentions of improving the unbeaten Philadelphia power puncher closer to a next step heavy title fight - with one of the Klitschko bros.

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Miguel Cotto: Boxing's "Responsible Grown Up"... by Martin Wade
Boxing is a pyramid scheme, and I say that with the utmost affection with tongue firmly in cheek. If you've followed long enough, the money flows right up to a tiny little capstone populated by few promotional entities, a handful of fighters and trainers and about two networks- and those who enter that top floor do not want to leave. That institutional force resembles chaos but trust me, it isn't. It is an illusion meant to render consumers numb-too numb to do anything constructive enough to force the powerful to organize a rational structure. Fighters are no longer evaluated on who they engage and the willingness to engage...
-Photo Credit: Kenny Perrault/BRC-

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Arturo Gatti is not a Hall of Famer by himself; induct the Gatti vs. Ward Trilogy... by Martin Wade
Accomplishments in the Modern Era are tenuous and murky due to how screwed up the Sport can be at times. I mean if Ricky Hatton adds a USBA strap to his collection or some British "Title" will it enhance his Canastota case? Or will you remember the face first drops he took to the canvas between two of the best fighters of this era; ironically he now holds the distinction as the last guy Boxing's "Big Two" (Mayweather and Pacquiao) KO'd convincingly. Naseem Hamed was more decorated than Gatti and Ward and brought money to the featherweight division but we never saw his heart -but we saw Gatti and Ward's heart every time they crossed paths.

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