Mikey Garcia, Adrien Broner make weight for Saturday’s bout in Brooklyn

Posted on July 28, 2017 by Robert Morales

Mikey Garcia holds up his lightweight championship belt after taking it from Dejan Zlaticanin via third-round knockout in January at MGM Grand in Las Vegas/Getty Images photo by Steve Marcus

Mikey Garcia and Adrien Broner on Friday successfully made weight for their junior welterweight bout Saturday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn (on Showtime).

Broner, who in April 2016 lost his junior welterweight title when he came in overweight for a defense against Ashley Theophane, weighed 138 3/4 pounds, easily making the 140-pound limit. Garcia weighed 139 1/2.

Broner, 28, of Cincinnati, is 33-2 with 24 knockouts. He has won world titles in four weight classes. Garcia, 29, of Moreno Valley via Oxnard, is 36-0 with 30 knockouts and has won titles in three weight classes.

This is a non-title fight.

Actor Victor Ortiz believes he can again become a top welterweight

Posted on July 28, 2017 by Robert Morales

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Victor Ortiz, shown here during his April 2016 loss to Andre Berto, believes he can again become welterweight champion/Associated Press photo by Jae C. Hong

Victor Ortiz has 12 acting credits, according to IMDb, and he claims getting more is no problem. He also wants to fight, and that’s why Sunday he’ll return to the ring after a 14-month layoff to take on Saul Corral in the welterweight main event from Rabobank Theater in Bakersfield (on Fox Sports 1).

This week, from his camp in Ventura, Ortiz at times spoke in bristling tones while discussing the resurrection of a career that has seen him lose four of his past six fights since winning the welterweight world title with a decision over Andre Berto in April 2011.

“I’ve been written off before,” said Ortiz, 30. “People have said I should retire since my first loss. I came back from that loss and became a champion. I don’t care what people have to say about me. I could go act full-time if I wanted, but I truly love this sport.”

One of the reasons why Ortiz has had only six fights in six years is because he was off 19 months after having his jaw broken by Josesito Lopez in a June 2012 fight at Staples Center. Still, Ortiz has not been real busy since losing his title to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in September 2011 via controversial fourth-round knockout.

Ortiz intimated his less-than-flattering five-month reign as champion is another reason why he is continuing his career.

“The hunger is definitely still there inside of me,” he said. “When I became world champion, it was a short-lived experience. I had reached a high pinnacle and lost it in a fashion that I was never satisfied with. I’m blessed to be healthy enough to come back.”

In that loss to Mayweather, Ortiz gave Mayweather one too many hugs after Ortiz was deducted a point for an intentional head-butt, Mayweather knocking out Ortiz with his hands at his sides.

After that loss to Mayweather, Ortiz was stopped by Lopez after the ninth round, then Ortiz was knocked out by Luis Collazo in the second round in January 2014. Ortiz’s next two starts were victories over journeymen in December 2014 and and December 2015, before Ortiz was knocked out by Berto in the fourth round in April 2016.

Yet, Ortiz (31-6-2, 24 KOs) believes he can make another serious run for a major title.

“I still feel like I can be one of the best in the 147-pound division,” Ortiz said. “It’s there for the taking. There are some gifted fighters in there and I respect them, but I believe that I have what it takes to be right up there. I’m a complete fighter.”

Corral, 30, of Mexico, is 25-9 with 16 knockouts. He has a common opponent with Ortiz in Lopez, who defeated Corral via unanimous decision in April.

Robert ‘The Ghost’ Guerrero announces retirement from ring after 16 years

Posted on July 17, 2017 by Robert Morales

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Robert ‘The Ghost’ Guerrero, right, absorbs a punch from Omar Figueroa Jr. during their bout Saturday at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y./Photo by Rich Schultz, Getty Images

Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero on Monday announced his retirement from boxing, two days after he was decked five times by Omar Figueroa Jr., who stopped Guerrero in the third round of their scheduled 10-round welterweight bout at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y.

“First, I want to thank God for allowing me to have a wonderful career,” Guerrero said in a statement. “I’m a kid from a small town in Gilroy, Calif., who made it to the mountaintop of the boxing world. When I was a young kid growing up, I always believed in myself.

“But never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined a small-town kid like myself would be fighting in front of millions of fans.”

Guerrero, 34, compiled a record of 33-6-1 with 18 knockouts with his first bout taking place in April 2001. He went 2-5 in his final seven fights, losing his final three. He won major world titles at featherweight and super featherweight and interim titles at lightweight and welterweight.

Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia weigh in on Errol Spence Jr.-Kell Brook fight

Posted on May 23, 2017 by Robert Morales

Errol Spence Jr

Errol Spence Jr./Photo courtesy of Premier Boxing Champions

There is been a lot of talk about Errol Spence Jr. and how good he might become. The boxing world will find out Saturday if Spence is indeed the real deal when he challenges Kell Brook for his welterweight title at Bramall Lane Football Ground in Brook’s native England (on Showtime).

Current welterweight champion Keith “One Time” Thurman and former champion Danny Garcia this week were asked to handicap what figures to be an entertaining bout. They, too, are anxious to see what their fellow American can do in this one.

“This is an interesting fight,” Thurman said. “I have not followed Kell too much, but I have obviously seen Errol fight in the U.S. Errol is a tough, young fighter who is just getting into the public’s eye, and Kell obviously has the strength of the British crowd on his side.

“It should be a tough fight that really speaks to the strength of the welterweight division. Both fighters are men that I would be open to fighting as I continue to unify the division in 2018.”

Thurman in March won a split-decision over Garcia in a title-unification bout at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Garcia believes this fight is a tossup.

“I think this is a 50/50 fight,” he said. “I think the person with the better game plan is going to win. There’s a lot of pressure to go into someone’s backyard like Spence is doing, and he’s never faced a fighter in his prime before like Brook.

“It’s definitely a big test for him and a big step up in competition. If he is ready, he can do it.”

Spence, a southpaw out of Desoto, Texas, is 21-0 with 18 knockouts. Brook is 36-1 with 25 knockouts.

Danny Garcia, Keith Thurman make weight and they can’t wait to rumble

Posted on March 3, 2017 by Robert Morales

Keith Thurman (right) and Shawn Porter (left)

Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman delivers an uppercut to the jaw of Shawn Porter during their fight in June at Barclays Center, won by Thurman/Photo by Ed Mulholland, Getty Images

Danny Garcia and Keith “One Time” Thurman on Friday successfully made weight for their welterweight title-unification bout Saturday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn (on CBS).

Thurman checked in at 146 1/4 quarters, Garcia was 146 1/2.

The fighters can’t wait to get at one another.

“This fight has been brewing for a long time,” said Thurman, of Clearwater, Fla. “Both of us wanted this fight. There’s a reason why this fight is happening. We’re young, we’re hungry and we’re not trying to wait around. It’s time for this to go down.”

Garcia, a former junior welterweight champion, believes he’s been underestimated for this fight and he aims to prove the doubters wrong.

“People say he’s the bigger man because he’s been at this weight longer than me,” said Garcia, of Philadelphia. “I’m taller than him, I’m wider than him and I have a bigger back than him. I feel like I’m the fresher welterweight.”

Thurman is 27-0 with 22 knockouts. Garcia is 33-0 with 19 knockouts.

Danny Garcia, Keith Thurman ready for their special night in Brooklyn

Posted on March 1, 2017 by Robert Morales

Danny Garcia, left, throws a punch at Robert Guerrero during their WBC championship welterweight bout, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Danny Garcia, left, lands a left hook to the jaw of Robert Guerrero in their welterweight title fight in January 2016 at Staples Center. Garcia won a unanimous decision/AP photo by Mark J. Terrill

There have been many high-profile welterweight title fights over the years. From Sugar Ray Robinson-Kid Gavilan (rematch, July 1949) to Jose Napoles-Emile Griffith (October 1969) to Roberto Duran-Sugar Ray Leonard (June 1980) to Leonard-Tommy Hearns (September 1981) to Pernell Whitaker-Julio Cesar Chavez (September 1993), there have been some great ones.

Keith “One Time” Thurman and Danny Garcia on Saturday will square off in a welterweight title-unification bout at Barclays Center in Brooklyn (on CBS). Although they will be hard-pressed to match the terrific action produced in the aforementioned bouts, both seem to realize the significance of this bout in one of boxing’s beloved weight classes.

“When you look at the facts and our records, it doesn’t get bigger than this,” said Thurman, of Clearwater, Fla. “There’s no comparison to my other fights. This is the biggest fight of my career.”

Thurman is 27-0 with 22 knockouts. Garcia, of Philadelphia, is 33-0 with 19 knockouts. It is a momentous fight for him, too.

“There’s always been some tough fights in the legacies of other great fighters,” Garcia said. “Each fight is a learning experience. Everything in my career has led me to this fight.

“People want to see the best fight the best. This is my chance to prove it to the world that I’m one of the best fighters in the world.”

That the bout is being held in Brooklyn makes it even sweeter, said the fighters, both of whom have fought multiple times at Barclays.

“Brooklyn has one of a kind fight fans,” Thurman said. “The history of this city and the history of boxing in this city is exceptional. The appreciation they have for fighters is one of a kind.”

Said Garcia: “The atmosphere at Barclays Center is amazing. I’ve always requested to fight here and I’m glad they accept me.”

This one is tough to pick. But Garcia has no doubt he’ll be the best man.

“I’m definitely a better fighter than Keith Thurman,” he said. “He’s never been in the ring with a guy like me. Saturday night, I’m going to prove it.”

Gerald Washington will realize a dream by fighting Wilder for heavyweight title

Posted on February 23, 2017 by Robert Morales

Deontay Wilder, left, and Gerald Washington pose for the camera after Thursday’s news conference in Birmingham, Ala./Photo by Jennifer Hagler, Premier Boxing Champions

Gerald Washington boxed as a kid, but his size took him in a different direction – college football – where he played backup defensive end at USC. Washington couldn’t make it in the pro ranks, so he went back to the sweet science and turned pro at the tender age of 30.

Four years later, Washington (18-0-1, 12 KOs) finds himself in a spotlight he may not have envisioned he would ever experience – he’ll challenge Deontay Wilder (37-0, 36 KOs) for his heavyweight championship on Saturday at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Ala. (on Fox).

“This is a dream come true,” Washington, of Vallejo, said at Thursday’s final news conference. “I started boxing as a kid, but I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I’ve had a long road, but now I’m here fighting for the heavyweight championship of the world. This just means so much to me.”

Sammy Vasquez, Luis Collazo ready to rumble in Thursday in Mississippi

Posted on January 31, 2017 by Robert Morales

Luis Collazo (in the back) looks to be asking referee Vic Drakulich what he did wrong when he landed a low blow that caused Amir Khan to fall to the canvas during their May 2014 fight in Las Vegas won by Khan via decision/Associated Press photo by Isaac Brekken

Former welterweight champion Luis Collazo of Brooklyn is 35, and he’ll be 36 in April, so his career is on the downside. Sammy Vasquez is just 30, and he’s still trying to get a shot at a major title, so he’ll have plenty to lose when he takes on Collazo on Thursday from Horseshoe Casino in Tunica, Miss. (on Fox Sports 1).

Vasquez (21-1, 15 KOs) intimated this will be a difficult bout for him to win.

“Luis Collazo is a really tough opponent,” said Vasquez, of Monessen, Pa. “He’s always game; it doesn’t matter who he fights. I always enjoyed watching him growing up because he’s quick, strong and savvy.”

Vasquez is coming off his only defeat, to Felix Diaz via unanimous decision in July in Birmingham, Ala.

Collazo (36-7, 19 KOs) is hopeful of showing he still has the goods to be competitive against solid opposition.

“I’ve been in this game for 17 years as a pro,” he said. “I’ve seen every type of fighter. We’ll find out Thursday night how much I have left. Sometimes fighters can get counted out, but people don’t understand what’s going on behind the scenes. My preparation for this fight was great and we’ll find out Thursday if it translates to the ring.”

Wales’ Lee Selby stoked to be defending his title in ‘mecca of boxing’

Posted on January 9, 2017 by Robert Morales

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Lee Selby/Photo courtesy of Premier Boxing Champions

All eyes Jan. 28 figure to be on the main event between Leo Santa Cruz of Lincoln Heights and Carl Frampton of Northern Ireland when they square off in a rematch for Frampton’s featherweight world title at MGM Grand in Las Vegas (on Showtime). But there is plenty going on with the undercard, and another featherweight champion – Lee Selby of Wales – is stoked to be part of it.

Selby (23-1, 8 KOs) will defend his title against former champion Jonathan Barros (41-4-1, 22 KOs) of Argentina (on Showtime Extreme).

“It’s been a dream of mine since I was a young kid to box in a world-title fight in Las Vegas, the mecca of boxing,” said the 29-year-old Selby, who will be making his Las Vegas debut and will be fighting in the U.S. for just the second time. “I’ve seen UK fighters like Lennox Lewis, Ricky Hatton, Joe Calzaghe and Amir Khan box in Las Vegas and I always knew that’s where I wanted to fight.”

Barros, 29, plans on spoiling Selby’s fun. Barros said, in part, “Selby has never faced anyone as dangerous as me and I plan on making it a long night for him.”

Santa Cruz (32-1-1, 18 KOs) and Frampton (23-0, 14 KOs) tangled July 30 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, with Frampton winning a majority decision and taking Santa Cruz’s title.

James DeGale stoked to be in title-unification bout with Badou Jack

Posted on December 13, 2016 by Robert Morales

James DeGale

James DeGale/Photo courtesy of Premier Boxing Champions

The first month of 2017 is shaping up nicely. Carl Frampton of Northern Ireland on Jan. 28 will defend his featherweight title against Leo Santa Cruz of Lincoln Heights at MGM Grand in Las Vegas (on Showtime) in a rematch of their fight this past July won by Frampton at Barclays Center.

But two weeks earlier – on Jan. 14 – James DeGale of London will kick things off by taking on Badou Jack (20-1-2, 12 KOs) of Sweden in a super middleweight title-unification bout at Barclays Center (on Showtime).

DeGale loves the idea of fighting a fellow champion.

“Unification fight like this are still rare, never mind the best fighting the best,” he said. “And me and Jack both wanted the fight. We both want to prove who is the best and everyone is in for a treat on Jan. 14.”

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