DANNY GREEN WINS WBA LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE... by Darren Yates from Down Under I am pleased that after so many years of hard work and several big disappointments, Danny Green now holds a legitimate world championship belt, not an interim championship, not a regular championship behind a super championship or Champion Emeritus or any of these other ridiculous belts the sanctioning bodies have recently created. He holds the real thing. How the title was won -or perhaps surrendered- was the most talked about subject after the bout. ALLAN GREEN CRUISES TO WIN OVER RUBIN WILLIAMS... by George Elsasser It was Allan Green by unanimous decision over a tentative Rubin Williams in last night’s ESPN FNF super middleweight mismatch from Oklahoma country.  Green held the strong hand from start to finish as he worked behind a strong left hand jab that dictated the pace - marring the expected action was in seeing both fighters working in counter punch style - so much for styles making fights. LAMONT AND ANTHONY PETERSON WIN EASILY TO REMAIN UNBEATEN... Brothers Lamont and Anthony Peterson of Washington, D.C., kept their undefeated records and hopes for a world title shot in 2008 intact with convincing victories Friday in the co-featured bouts on ShoBox: The New Generation at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. ROSALES STOPS ESALAS; VILORIA DECISIONS BERNAL... by George Elsasser The Telefutura Solo-Boxeo FNF feature attraction delivered an aborted battle for the WBC-Continental  jr. welter strap - ended  with Michele Rosales standing and Dario Jose Esalas resting at the 2:06 mark of stanza two. On paper the Rosales resumé sparkles like fine wine as he now goes to 19-1, 17 by stoppage - The age 24 Mexican is willing, but not exactly impressive in style or technique - the victim, an aging Colombian with 10 reported losses on the job application went quietly after an opening round effort of sorts. MALIGNAGGI -WITH HELP FROM HIS FRIENDS- RETAINS BAUBLE... by George Elsasser Brooklyn’s own charismatic and flashy world champion Paulie Malignaggi won a closely fought junior welterweight bout over Cameroon’s Herman Ngoudjo at Bally’s Atlantic City by unanimous decision. The judges scored the bout  117-111, 116-113 and 115-113. “I thought he was going to be more aggressive but he wasn’t,” the champion continued. “He counterpunched very well, but there were some rounds were he didn’t even touch me.  I felt I won the fight clearly, but it wasn’t one of my better performances.” DOMINICK GUINN: A NORTHERN DISASTER... by Chris Ackerman @ ringside Vancouver, BC, host city of the 2010 Olympics, resumed its place as a burgeoning boxing Mecca this weekend courtesy ESPN’s Friday Night Fights.  Headlining the card was former Olympian and heavyweight contender Dominick “Southern Disaster” Guinn against late sub Robert Hawkins.  After a minor plague of challenges, the promoters salvaged what was intended to be a decent card and put on an event that showed at least some promise.  Unfortunately, ‘upset’ was the term of the night both from a fans perspective and for at least a couple of the combatants. HAWKINS SURPRISES GUINN - SCORES UNANIMOUS DECISION... by George Elsasser The ESPN Friday Night Fights returned with a colossal bomb from “Oh Canada” country of Vancouver, BC - not nearly far enough out of town for favorite Dominick Guinn in quest of regaining the lost luster he had once enjoyed. Ironic indeed that the likable Guinn has continued wearing “The Southern Disaster” sobriquet from his early years of undefeated 24 kept appointments - had earned heavyweight prospect/contender recognition in fight 21 with a TKO7 over then touted contender Michael Grant. CUNNINGHAM STOPS HUCK IN 12... by Per Âke Persson IBF cruiserweight champion Steve "USS" Cunningham stopped brave German challenger Marco Huck in the 12th and final round of this Sauerland Event promotion. Huck was trailing on points going into the last round, took  a lot of chances and walked into a counter. He fell but it was ruled a slip. Cunningham saw the light and followed up forcing Ulli Wegner in Huck's corner to throw in the towel at 1.56. After eleven it was scored 108-101 and 106-103 for Cunningham and 105-104 for Huck. ANTILLON REMAINS UNBEATEN - KOs VALDEZ IN ONE... by George Elsasser Lightweights topped the Telefutura year 2007 finale with undefeated Urbano Antillon facing Adrian Valdez - ends at 1:16 of opening stanza with Antillon standing and Valdez in fetal position.  Valdez chose to trade early - and paid for it when caught by a Urbano left hook and is down - then less than a minute later it’s Valdez trapped on the ropes after a  solid right hand, and when caught sitting on lower strand is tagged a second time in coup de grace fashion. End of story when late arrival referee in charge Rockhead Burke gets to the scene to call it no-mas. CLOTTEY BREEZES BY ALVAREZ; FIELDS HALTS KOVAL IN ONE ... by George Elsasser Last nite’s Versus channel twin-bill from Vegas country, saw welterweights Joshua Clottey and Shamone Alvarez in a face-off eliminator - the prize a date with IBF champion Kermit Cintron.  Table setter a heavyweight mismatch that saw Tye “Big Sky” Fields feasting on a hapless Chris “Special K” Koval - for those rushing to the ice box, this one went no longer than 43 seconds mark of the opening stanza. DANNY GREEN WINS WBA LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE... by Darren Yates from Down Under I am pleased that after so many years of hard work and several big disappointments, Danny Green now holds a legitimate world championship belt, not an interim championship, not a regular championship behind a super championship or Champion Emeritus or any of these other ridiculous belts the sanctioning bodies have recently created. He holds the real thing. How the title was won -or perhaps surrendered- was the most talked about subject after the bout. SALIDO STOPS AVILA IN SIX; HUERTAS HALTS ALICEA IN THREE... by George Elsasser The Friday Telefutura Solo-Boxeo card from Cicero, Illinois showcased Mexican favorites Orlando Salido and Miguel Huertas who quickly rewarded the paying clientele with mutual power displays while scoring respective TKO wins.  Show opens with lightweights; Huerta a transplanted Mexican now calling California home facing Puerto Rican native Daniel Alicea. ORNELAS HALTS McKART IN FIVE ... by George Elsasser The Solo-Boxeo FNF feature coughed up an abbreviated barn burner for the NABF bauble - a return affair with Bronco McKart defending against Enrique Ornelas. The first meeting went the distance with McKart nipping Ornelas via split decision - this trip opened with both having knockout on the mind - late in stanza one it’s the portside slinging McKart dropping Ornelas late in the round - then a repeat in stanza two it’s McKart finishing a spirited exchange - Ornelas down but not in trouble. FOREMAN NIPS TSURKAN; MARTINEZ TKO'S JORDAN... by George Elsasser The Thursday nite Versus channel from the Utopian Theater in the Bronx, New York  featured undefeated Yuri Foreman from Brooklyn via Belarus with Andrey Tsurkan a Ukraine transplant now calling Bronx, New York home. The prize up for grabs the NABF super welterweight bauble - what we got was Foreman in role of matador and Tsurkan the bull - after 10 rounds of a difficult one to score, it was Foreman 96-94 on two cards and one judge having it Tsurkan 96-94. SHOWTIME 2007 FINALE FAVORITES SCORE - DONAIR TKO8; FORREST TKO11; TARVER TKO4 ... by George Elsasser Danny Santiago ( 29-4- 1, 19 KO) ~ age 34 - sobriquet “Bronx Bomber” - no Jake LaMotta and that’s for sure. Best advice is return to where them 19 scalps were exhumed if continuing fight career. Final prizes: Win: Nonito Donaire head and shoulders above the field. Place: Vernon Forrest second best performance. Show: Antonio Tarver far from the “Magic Man” that once dethroned Jones. A Chad Dawson meeting has swan song written over it. YORY BOY SCORES TKO; GARCIA-HERNANDEZ RULED 'NO CONTEST' ... by George Elsasser Veteran war horse Yory-Boy Campas of a now 101 kept appointments opened the Solo-Boxeo show in a scheduled ten round s/welter affair with novice Fernando Vela of 6-9-2, 3 KO’s infamy - no big surprise it never made it to the halfway mark.  Was all Campas from the opening bell - a methodic exhibition of assorted combinations going to body and head - the younger Vela tried answering but never had the proverbial prayer. CHAVEZ WINS BY KO In a toe-to-toe war, "Son of the Legend" Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (34-0-1, 27 KOs) scored a very exciting sixth round knockout over game local favorite Ray Sanchez (20-1, 15 KOs) on Saturday night in a super welterweight clash at the Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Both fighters began trading at the opening bell and never stopped; however, Chavez had more firepower and eventually wore down Sanchez, dropping him for the count in round six. Official time was 1:33. BALDOMIR BY DECISION; PACQUIAO VIA TKO... by George Elsasser Feature attraction was worth the peek - not in the positive sense, but perfecto for “future reference”  when the names Carlos Baldomir and Luciano Perez comes to mind. Facts: Baldomir the name in this s/welter pairing - past welter champ with Zab Judah and Arturo Gatti numbered among scalps taken - unfortunately, what followed told rest of the story - losses to Vernon Forrest and Floyd Mayweather.  DIMITRENKO STOPS HOFFMAN ... By Per-Åke Persson Dimitrenko floored Hoffmann twice in the fourth but was guilty both times  of pushing and wrestling his opponent off balance before or during his punching. He had previously been ticked off by Belgian referee Andre van Grootenbruel for this but got away with it without points deduction. RAHMAN, SOTO-KARASS PREVAIL... by George Elsasser The Thursday Night Versus twin-bill from Reading, Pennsylvania saw former heavyweight champ Hasim Rahman returning home with the NABF minor league strap following a final stanza ten TKO of short notice Zuri Lawrence - but more on that one later.   While the heavies topped the card in what proved a sloppy affair with neither fighter a legit threat to any of the big division shareholders, the welterweight  semi-final saved the night with a thriller that went the distance. DAVID HAYE RESULTS... David Haye has skyrocketed to the top of the cruiserweight division by knocking out Jean-Marc Mormeck in seven rounds tonight on a Don King Promotion at Palais des Sport Marcel Cerdan in Paris, France to forcefully annex the WBC and WBA world titles. On the undercard, French WBC Light Welter Youth Champion Ali Cheba, 23-0 (17), stopped Brazil's Wellington De Jesus, 11-1 (7), in the third and former WBA Light Welter titlist Souleymane M'baye, 36-2-1 (21), stopped Ameth Diaz, 23-7 (17), in the fourth in a WBC title eliminator. The stoppages continued as European Union titlist Christophe Canclaux, 35-2 (21), finished ex-IBO boss Steve Conway, 34-9 (7), in three and cruiser Francisco Palacios, 13-0 (7), saw off Andrey Zaitsev, 4-8 (3), in four. Light welter Olivier Bonine, 8-1-1 (1), out pointed Nuno Cruz, 4-7 (1), over six rounds. LOPEZ, GONZALEZ BREEZE TO DECISION WINS... by George Elsasser The Telefutura Friday noche Solo-Boxeo attraction from Cicero, Illinois delivered middleweights David Lopez and David Toribio in the feature attraction, and past Bantam champion Jhonny Gonzalez paired with Jose Angel Beranza in the s/bantam co-feature.  Show opens with Gonzalez having all the advantages of height and reach - and once shedding the Penalosa by KO hangover in last outing he would take control in this one with Beranza.  SOLO BOXEO PLAYS THE BRONX: LORENZO, MENDEZ SCORE DECISION WINS... by George Elsasser The Friday Telefutura Solo-Boxeo tour played the Bronx last noche with age 36 Dominican veteran Francisco Lorenzo facing young Mexican hopeful Guadalupe Rosales in the main event. The Paradise Theater was quickly alive with the Dominican-Mexican paying clientele out of their seats as the action heated up round after round - and the scoring judges had no easy task in rendering a decision. RUSTY OUMA RETURN A BUMMER... by George Elsasser It was that kind of fight - the Ouma rust was visible early on and continued pretty much over the full ten rounds - still, it was Ouma the more accurate with pitter-patter scoring at close quarters and Roman with sporadic success that caught the eye but did zero damage. CHAMBERS SURPRISES BROCK VIA SPLIT-DECISION... by George Elsasser In what was billed as an IBF heavyweight eliminator, the Sho-Box 100 anniversary main event saw Calvin Brock paired with rising undefeated heavyweight Eddie Chambers - this one seen more as a Brock stepping stone to IBF champion Wladimir Klitschko.  The pre-fight rap of commentators “Far Out” Farhood and Nickie Charles leaned favorably to the “Boxing Banker” Brock - size advantage of 241 pounds vs. 213 along with “cruiserweight” power vs. major league clout. So much for expert opinion. ROSS PURITY VICTORIOUS AT RUMBLE AT THE ROCK II... by Ed Ludwig A packed house at the River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond B.C., Canada enjoyed a great night of action as the six fight card delivered even with all bouts going the distance. The fight that drew the hardcore boxing fans to the venue was the match up between heavyweight veteran Ross “The Boss” Purity going up against Michigan native Carl Gathright. SEGURA LEFT HAND DROPS VALDEZ FOR THE COUNT; CASTILLO DECISIONS PEREZ... by George Elsasser Last night’s Telefutura offering from Cicero Stadium, Cicero, Illinois advertised a co-feature with s/flyweights Martin Castillo and Jonathon Perez topping the card and flyweights Giovanni Segura - Wilfrido Valdez in semi-final. Once the smoke cleared in the underneath opener, it was Segura quickly improving to undefeated 19-0-1, 15 KO’s... 'MERCILESS' MARY McGEE BECOMES NEW NABC LIGHT WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION In the evening's main event, Gary, Indiana's "Merciless" Mary McGee (12-0, 7) won her first championship bout and the NABC Light Welterweight title with her fifth-round TKO over Tawnyah Freeman (8-5, 3 KOs).   "At first, it was hard for me to settle down," McGee said after the victory.  "But I looked to my corner and my trainer Carlos (Jones) told me to relax and do what we worked on in the gym.  So that's what I did.  When she threw her jab, I moved and then dropped her. I nailed her perfectly," McGee continued.  "Now I want Amy Yuratovac.  I'm tired of hearing her name." WALTERS AND KOLLE LOOK SHARP... by Kenny Perrault @ ringside The Mertz Mortorelli Gym in Superior, Wisconsin hosted the "Superior Jungle Rumble II" this past Saturday night. The main event featured Zach "Jungle Boy" Walters of Duluth, Minnesota, against Chicago, Illinois Ali Supreme.  Both fighters came out working behind their jabs, but it was Walters who saw an opening and took advantage sending Supreme down for the first of three knockdowns. DeJESUS DRILLS SOLIS; MERCEDES LEFT-HOOK A TITLE WINNER... by George Elsasser The Friday noche Telefutura Boxeo series did what comes natural in delivering a twin-bill of fistic action - opens with Super flyweights Juan Mercedes and Jose Bernal in a duel for the WBO Latino bauble, and closes with Alex De Jesus and Bulmaro Solis in hotly contested scheduled ten round main event. YORGEY WINS UNANIMOUS DECISION OVER CLAY AT THE LEGENDARY BLUE HORIZON... “It’s a fight I been waiting for.  I wanted to avenge that draw” said Yorgey.  “I won the first time.  He fights only the best in the world and you have to be prepared to fight him.”   Scores of the bout were 98-92, 98-92 and 96-94. With the win, Yorgey moves his record to 20-0-1 and Clay drops to 12-18-2. GOMEZ QUICK START PREVAILS, DECISIONS TACKIE... by George Elsasser Normally, I avoid anything connected to the kiddie channel doctored version of professional boxing - but with the popular Gomez coming off the Gatti TKO win, and in with legit opponent in Ben Tackie, I watched and took notes. The local favorite was the far quicker out of the gate as he grabbed the opening stanza with assorted combinations -  the ever pressing age 34 Ghanaian much too slow in the reaction department. SOLO BOXEO FRIDAY MAIN EVENT AN OFF-BROADWAY BOMB... by George Elsasser The respective resumé of both transplanted Mexicans, Castaneda of Sacramento, California via Tijuana and Hernandez of Fort Myers, Florida by way of Mexico City left much to be desired - Rogelio at 23-13, 8 KO’s, Ubaldo equally ugly at 22-18, 10 by stoppage. No harm done I thought - seeing both similar in age at 30-31 - the guess was we could expect another competitive affair - but then the amber light - compounding the debits is Castaneda riding a three bout losing streak - and Hernandez losing ten of his last 14. PERRAULT'S WEEKEND REVIEW... by Kenny Perrault Prior to his fight with Manny Pacquiao, Marco Antonio Barrera announced that their showdown would be his last. That having been said, I figured he would come into the fight blazing; I could not have been more wrong. Barrera was in survival mode, to finish the fight would be a moral victory. Well, that's not good enough for me.   MONTIEL RETAINS WBO BAUBLE VIA 12 ROUND TKO... by George Elsasser Who could have imagined these two 114 pounders could match the drama and suspense of the prior week Pavlik-Taylor war - but it did, and a return is in order - if both would want a do over. SHOBOX: YONNHY PEREZ AND MICKEY BEY JR. REMAIN UNBEATEN The talented, undefeated bantamweight with the unusually spelled first name – it is pronounced “Johnny” – improved to 14-0 with 11 knockouts with a dominant, impressive fourth-round stoppage over  comebacking Alexander Fedorov (18-4-1, 10 KOs) Friday on “ShoBox: The New Generation.’’ In the co-feature, former amateur champion and 2004 United States Olympian, promising Mickey Bey Jr. (9-0, six KOs), registered two knockdowns en route to scoring a second-round knockout over Castulo Gonzalez (9-4, three KOs).  DAWSON KO'S MENDOZA IN 4, AGBEKO BEATS PEREZ IN 7 TO CLAIM IBF TITLE Boxing fans were treated to two thrilling and memorable fights on Saturday night as “Bad” Chad Dawson retained his World Boxing Council (WBC) light heavyweight belt with a flawless dismantling of Epifanio “El Diamante” Mendoza Saturday, Sept. 29 on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING from the ARCO Arena.  In the co-feature, Joseph “King Kong” Agbeko became boxing’s newest champion capturing the International Boxing Federation (IBF) 118-pound crown with a one-sided victory over Luis “El Demoledor” Perez. GREATEST FEMALE BOXER TODAY... by Jackie Kallen Jeannine Garside is without a doubt the best pound-for-pound female fighter out there. She proved that last night in Rochester, Michigan by scoring a TKO against previously unbeaten Brooke Dierdorff. PONCE DE LEON HALTS LOPEZ IN FIVE; ESCOBEDO BY KO IN SIX... by George Elsasser The action was brisk, with Escobedo scoring with flurries and combinations as he darted inside and out - the Colombian, slowed by age, countered with power left hooks and right hands mostly off the target. Over the opening five rounds the picture looked bleak for Mendoza - other than his having the proverbial puncher’s chance - then numero six and it would tumble to no-chance. A NIGHT AT THE OCTAGON... by Martin Wade Yet somehow, I (king of the boxing writers) received an invite to cover a mixed martial arts event on September 15th at the Minneapolis Target Center. The card was aptly titled “Throw down in Downtown” and featured some of the best fighters this area can provide. Now I’ve been to several “smokers” in gyms but this event was a “first” for the Target Center as the WFC is a locally run company. I stared at the email for days (thanks Gina) until finally coming to the conclusion we all come to when trying something new… what the hell, I’ll give it a shot. ARREOLA KO'S HAYES IN THREE - REMAINS UNBEATEN... by George Elsasser Arreola ~ age 26 at 6-4 and some 240 pounds looks fine as wine at the Triple A level of heavyweight boxing. The win sees him WBC Continental Americas champ and a likely spot in its top ten. Has been quoted as looking ahead to becoming first ever Mexican heavyweight champion. Timing ideal today with no less than four available straps at the upper levels. Problem is Arreola not as yet close to being title timber. MIGUEL ESPINO SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS HIS WBC CABOFE TITLE WBC CABOFE middleweight champion Miguel Espino defended his title and extended his winning steak to eight with a dominating performance by way of 5th round TKO over Ray Ortega at the Double Tree Hotel in Bakersfield Ca.  Countering the bull dozing style of Ortega, Espino landed accurate punches that battered the Ortega's body, dominating the bout with a body attack that the fans will remember for years to come.  Espino dropped Ortega with a temple shot early in the 5th round and continued to expose Ortega.  After barrages of punches were taking its toll on Ortega, referee Marcos Rosales stopped the fight with little time left in the round.  Look for Espino to climb up the WBC rankings with the victory.  The bout was brought to you by Cota Boxing Promotions is association with Sigue Corp. TREJO VIA DECISION; RODRIGUEZ SCORES TKO... by George Elsasser The Friday noche September 14 Telefutura show delivered a mixed bag of entertainment, with a Trejo backside roll over rounds five thru nine the margin of victory over Puerto Rico’s Juan Cruz in the main event. Opens with super bantamweight co-feature Francisco Rodriguez vs Ivan Rodriguez - a pairing that went non-stop before aborted by medic in charge end of stanza six with Ivan’s left eye completely shut. HUERTA STOCK RISES; ORTIZ KO WINNER... by George Elsasser Versus channel closed its month of August with mixed bag of entertainment - ring action saw the Miguel Angel Huerta stock rise in a NABF title winning rout of game veteran Efren Hinojosa, and youngster Victor Ortiz stopping Emmanuel Clottey in closing seconds of final round. Entertainment of a whole different kind was provided by (Houston) house hacks in charge of the action, Laurence the connected Cole in the main event, and a faceless incompetent Ronnie Ralston in the co-feature. ZUNIGA HALTS OGANOV - CLAIMS IBO TITLE... by George Elsasser In a Saturday night Sho-Box mega-mismatch for the IBO super middleweight bauble, Colombian Fulgencio Zuniga battered a previously unbeaten, albeit hapless, Victor Oganov over eight stanzas, before closing the show at 1:25 seconds mark of round nine. Equally insulting, the underneath semi-final, a scheduled ten round junior middleweight pairing pitting age 23, hot prospect, power punching southpaw James Kirkland, with stranger Mohammad Said ten years his senior. CAMPAS NIPS BRAVO; VILLA - LIZARRAGA A STANDOFF... by George Elsasser The August 31 Friday noche Telefutura offering featured past champion Yory Boy Campas and journeyman Norberto Bravo in a duel of age 36 seniors - up for grabs the IBA Americas strap. Took no more than three stanzas to see this was no gift for the career crowd pleasing Campas, in kept appointment 100 - and would go to the judges after ten entertaining rounds of competitive action. ALVAREZ DECISIONS SANDERS... by George Elsasser Over the opening five stanzas Alvarez breezed by a defensive minded Sanders - the port side Atlantic City product pressed the action with effective mix of body flurries and combos to the head - and the band played on. Sanders gets belated wake up call in six, and again in round seven that whispered in the ear "busy" is the answer - but the age 37 "opponent" wasn’t up to it on this night - altho’ he did grab the closing eleven and twelve stanzas. ESPN FNF A 'NO CONTEST' AFFAIR.. by George Elsasser Last noche’s ESPN FNF production from the Paradise Theater, Bronx, New York bombed like an off Broadway show - feature attraction aborted following stanza two because of meeting of the minds. The Delvin Rodriguez- Keenan Collins welterweight main event opened with Collins nipping the favored Rodriguez, who coming off a KO loss in last outing was playing it cautious. ROSALES BLANKS LICONA... by George Elsasser The Telefutura "Boxeo" Friday night super featherweight offering was a laugher - at least, for the main event winner Guadalupe Rosales, who blanked chosen victim Marcos Licona over  ten one-sided stanzas. Unanimous scoring went 100-90 on all ballots - if not a perfect game it did come close... TUA'S DOUBLE LEFT HOOK KNOCKS OUT MONTANA IN ROUND ONE... by George Elsasser A vintage double left hook to the head gave David “Tuaman” Tua an impressive first round knockout victory against Saul “La Cobra” Montana in tonight’s main event on the Pinnacle FiteNite pay-per-view show, promoted by C.A.M. Boxing, Inc. in association with Sports and Entertainment Media, Inc. and Gotham Boxing, at the South Towne Exposition Center in Sandy, Utah.  LITZAU HALTS LUCERO IN TWO... by George Elsasser The ESPN FNF showcased hot featherweight prospect "American Boy" Jason Litzau and past contender Emmanuel Lucero in its feature attraction - end result a proverbial quickie with Litzau halting Lucero in stanza two... Mismatch opens with the veteran Lucero, handicapping Litzau a physical edge of 5-10 versus 5-4 - and then attempting to make it an outside stick and move adventure - not a chance. SOTO-KARASS CLOCKS OJEDA IN THREE... by George Elsasser The Friday Telefutura "Boxeo" offering from Illinois country featured welterweights  Jesus Soto- Karass and Jose Antonio Ojeda in a battle for the WBC Continental  Americas minor league bauble. Both fighters answered the opening bell in jab and counter style - edge went to Karass on quickness and a better mix of combinations - continues over stanza two with Karass rocking Ojeda with a solid left hook to steal the round. McKART NIPS ORNELAS VIA SPLIT DECISION... by George Elsasser Opens with McKart from the southpaw advantage having the edge in a feeling out start - things would change following a third round that saw Ornelas down courtesy a "Superman" - and isn’t that sobriquet a stretch - right hook at close quarters. CALLOWAY SURPRISES - DROPS SMITH IN DECISION WIN... by George Elsasser Then the opening bell with Calloway showing quicker movement and better skills behind a jab, pop and move approach - Smith slow but willing - and over most stanzas it was Calloway having the edge in scoring department... First of two surprises of the night arrived late in stanza eight - actually no more than a second before the round ending bell... FIELDS 'RETIRES' JENKINS IN SEVEN; CLOTTEY BESTS FLORES BY DECISION... by George Elsasser Show opened with a valid ten round welter pairing with hard-nosed veterans Joshua Clottey and Felix Flores - an action affair from start to finish more deserving the main event stipend gifted  the two hapless behemoths that would follow... What we got in this one, was what was missing from the heavyweights - two visible and valid professionals giving their all. 'MEAN' GREENE REMAINS UNBEATEN - GRABS NABA STRAP... by George Elsasser The ESPN WNF feature went as scripted, as unbeaten young middleweight "Mean" Joe Greene grabbed the NABA club-fight strap with a first round knockout of out gunned Daryl Salmon. GUERRERO VINDICATED - LOSS TO SALIDO OVERTURNED AND RULED: 'NO CONTEST Earlier this week, however, that blemish on Guerrero’s record was expunged when the Nevada State Athletic Commission officially declared his November 4, 2006 loss at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas a “No Contest”.  This decision was reached following months of deliberation, as Salido was stripped of the title upon the discovery of steroids in his system detected in a post-fight exam. JOHNSON WIN A SHOBOX SLAPSTICK... by George Elsasser The FNF Sho-Box heavyweight laugher from Augusta, GA was more slapstick than serious future consideration - Kevin Johnson enters at undefeated 15 wins with 6 via knockout - main event opponent Damian Wills coming off loss to Chris Arreola arrives at 22-1, 16 KOs. MERCEDES PREVAILS - CLAIMS IBF LATINO BAUBLE... by George Elsasser Last nite’s Telefutura card from Arcadia, FL spawned a mixed collection of mismatches - feature attraction saw Juan Mercedes all over a no threat  Marino Montiel of 18-10-1, 8 KOs infamy. DAVIS WALKS THROUGH BOBO - TKO 5... by George Elsasser Regardless, what we had was a Davis 40-35 advantage after four - then numero cinco and a combination of Bobo down; then deducted point for holding; Bobo down and through the ropes from combination of punches and pushes; then bell to the rescue. Bobo wisely surrenders on stool between five and six - enters books as Davis by TKO 5 - Davis claims NABO featherweight belt. BERTO BUSTS UP RIVERA IN DECISION WIN... by George Elsasser The ESPN FNF card from Saratoga Springs, New York featured undefeated age 23 power punching Andre Berto, facing veteran Mexican warhorse Cosme Rivera, a today journeyman of 30-11, 22 KO’s - and it pretty much went to form - well, almost. CASTILLO OVER ANDRADE IN A BREEZE... by George Elsasser The Friday night Telefutura Boxeo series tossed up WBA  #1 ranked super flyweight Martin Castillo in a tool sharpening unanimous decision win over yesterday man Oscar Andrade. HOPKINS WINS FOUL FEST IN VEGAS, RETAINS TITLE...  by Pedro Fernandez/RingTalk.com Going into Saturday’s Bernard Hopkins-Winky Wright fight, expectations were so low that the HBO TV crew of Jim Lampley, Max Kellerman, and Emanuel Steward, they were seemingly apologizing in advance. As it usually turns out, “styles make fights,” and the combining of Hopkins and Wright turned out to be so bad that any astute fight fan was reaching for an airsickness bag during the third. OQUENDO OUTWORKS CASTILLO FOR DECISION WIN... by George Elsasser Last noche’s ESPN heavyweight ten rounder with come backing Fres Oquendo and Elieser Castillo went pretty much as expected, with past contender Oquendo outworking a slow moving plodder over ten rounds of sparring. Prime time Oquendo proved a cut below the upper heavyweight echelon with losing outings when paired with the Byrd, Holyfield, Ruiz, Tua clientele - nothing changes off this comeback performance. MTAGWA NIPS VALTIERRA VIA SPLIT DECISION - GRABS NABF STRAP... by George Elsasser The Telefutura Boxeo series continued the magic in its selective viewing - maybe not major title level in skills, but last night’s Mtagwa - Valtierra battle for the NABF trinket was clearly a yesterday club fight throwback in action department. It was Mtagwa nipping Valtierra by split decision to claim the prize in a judges nightmare with most rounds decided by a flip of the coin - both came prepared in a sloppy but gutsy outing - surprise here was seeing Valtierra holding up at a now age 36 over twelve busy stamina testing stanzas. OLIVER BREEZES BY CARBAJAL IN IBF ELIMINATOR... by George Elsasser ESPN WNF offered up a junior featherweight title eliminator that saw undefeated Mike "Machine Gun" Oliver winning in a 12-round breeze over veteran Cruz Carbajal. Oliver a southpaw with good technique and quick movement, proved too much for a slowed version of the Carbajal that sported a rap sheet of 28 wins with 24 by KO - but that was the yesterday younger version.... ALCINE DETHRONES SIMMS FOR WBA STRAP... by George Elsasser Last noche’s Showtime Special from Bridgeport, Connecticut saw both favorites losing respective baubles to its challengers - Nonito Donaire via KO over IBF flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan - then the main event it’s Joachin Alcine besting Travis Simms for the WBA jr. middle title. UFC 73 - STACKED... by David L. Ross Still going strong, we are, we are. Anyone who laughed at me when I started these columns now can…ahem. We are officially mainstream with the UFC, and the sports popularity simply continues to explode all over the place. I actually see that Yahoo and other “major” websites now have features and articles specifically for MMA, in addition to boxing. Amazing, isn’t it?  solid dark matches as well. Let’s take a look at the fights and get these predictions underway… DANNY GREEN HUNTING ANTONIO TARVER AFTER GUNNING DOWN OTIS GRIFFIN One of boxing's biggest pound for pound punchers was back in action Wednesday night in front of 6,000 fans at Challenge Stadium in Perth, Australia as light heavyweight Danny Green introduced former American reality TV star Otis Griffin to the rough and tumble game that is world class boxing. NONITO DONAIRE KO'S DARCHINYAN IN FIVE... by Frank Gonzalez Jr. I thought Donaire was winning every round as he easily out-boxed Darchinyan consistently, landing clean counter shots when the reckless Vic came forward. Darchinyan looked amateurish as he missed most of his punches and could never land anything that would force Donaire to change what he was doing, which was simple boxing. Donaire used his jab, to control the ring and Darchinyan, who rarely landed anything. SOME THOUGHTS ON ROY JONES JR. ... by Frank Gonzalez Jr. I read a few articles about Jones vs. Hanshaw on the only real place for boxing news—the Internet. What really closed the door of interest about the Jones fight Saturday was that it was on Pay-Per-View. Why on Earth would anyone pay to see Roy Jones Jr. in a potentially boring fight, when they could catch three great fights for the price of subscription to HBO on cable TV? WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO JABS HIS WAY TO VICTORY!... by Elisa Harrison The heavyweight division cleared itself up a little today, thanks to a solid showing by IBF/IBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko,  (49-3, 44 KO's), who decimated former power house/former world champion Lamon Brewster (33-4, 29 KO's) on Saturday night at the Köln Arena in Cologne, Germany.   CAMPBELL KO's ALCORRO - 'KID' DIAZ TITLE TILT NEXT?... George Elsasser Campbell loaded up with right hands from the opening bell and was the aggressor from start to finish - Alcorro did his best to meet the challenge but lacked the tools to become competitive - a southpaw without left hand punching power carries a major albatross - and leaving the right jab at home compounded the problems. WILSON PLAYS CATCH-UP, TAKES NWODO OUT IN 11... by George Elsasser The ESPN kiddie channel played Staten Island, NY for last noche’s FNF - and what better venue for its fistic vaudeville than a 1920s movie theater - still, on paper, cruiserweight Darnell Wilson came out smelling like a rose with a comeback stanza eleven knockout of Nigerian stranger Emmanuel Nwodo. YUSAF MACK RETURN A WINNER... by George Elsasser The ESPN WNF featured line score pretty much went as scripted - Yusaf Mack the returning KO victim and Tessitore tout, paired with one Jose Juan Vasquez, a transplanted Puerto Rican now calling Tijuana, Mexico home. Opens with Vasquez using the height advantage, a s/middleweight at 6-3 and Mack testing the waters as if still hung over from the Berrio KO loss of year ago - then stanza two with Mack early and Vasquez late. SANTANA SUFFERS SHOCKING LOSS! We first and foremost want to congratulate Harrison Cuello on his win. Edgar Santana makes no excuses for his loss, he was full prepared but tonight Harrison Cuello proved to be the better man. While extremely disappointed at the loss we see this as a temporary set back. LIVER SHOT KO'S CASTILLO IN FOUR...by George Elsasser The HBO June 23 After-Dark IBO junior welter title fite from Vegas between England’s "hit-man" Ricky Hatton, and proven tough two time lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo, looked on paper a coin flip for the betting gentry - question to be answered, would it be Castillo early or Hatton late.   RICKY HATTON vs JOSE LUIS CASTILLO... by Gary Todd It's amazing what a couple of years can do for a fighter. If anyone would have told me in 2004, that Ricky Hatton would win the IBF and WBA light welterweight championships of the world, then jump up in weight to win the WBA welterweight world title as well, I would have been a tad surprised at the statement. BROWNING SPANKS 'BABY FACE' GARCIA... by George Elsasser Nate Campbell as studio guest came out smelling like a rose - says here Nate has future in fight commentating once hanging up the spikes. Opinions short, sweet and on the target. Clearly the best of some pretty good past ones sitting in the studio chair.  Brian Kenny fill-in also a step up in quality. KEA BOXING AT THE BIRCHWOOD EVENT... by Ricky Ray Taylor Both guys trade hard through the first minute with clean hooks landing nicely.  Though Valdez has turned up the pressure on the HUNT, his attack is still a step behind on Espinosa's arsenal.  Long hooks are rolled away by Espinosa.  Espinosa boxes nicely and counters a very game Valdez.... CHERRY TOO PHYSICAL FOR FERGUSON - COPS UNANIMOUS DECISION ... by George Elsasser Edner Cherry (22-5-2, 10 KOs) ~ still young at age 24 - tossed in with wolves early on with mixed results, the kid has survived to fight another day. Denied technical skills, that coupled with toughness and durability, might have draped him with prospect possibilities. Still, a draw at the ESPN, ShoBox level. Wes Ferguson (16-2-1, 4 KO) ~ a baby at age 21 - the step up was a test -  showed  good chin and matching courage. Problem was not using the quickness, stick, move and counter skills in hopes of balancing the books versus a slow but strong opponent. His promoter, Floyd Mayweather Jr. has surely taken notes and will help make the adjustments. 6-2007 Brought to you by Saratogamist copyright 2001-2008