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MEXICO “BOXING UP” PUERTO RICAN FIGHTERS

June 26th, 2011 By Manny Caballero

Orlando Salido: Does He Have Juan Ma's Number?

ISLAND NATION ON A BAD SLIDE Caguas P.R- Friday night in the Dade County Auditorium in Miami, FL, Puerto Rican Jesus Pabon (17-2, 11KOs) lost his 140 lb WBO Latin championship to Mexico’s Javier Castro (25-4, 20 KOs) by second round KO. The defeat was like throwing gasoline on a fire as this Island nation been wanting “get back” from the catastrophic month of April, one in which Puerto Rico not only lost three champions, but two challengers came up short. The Friday setback made it four champions from P.R in a three-month span to lose their belts to their arch rivals from Mexico.
TOP RANK, P.R. BOXING AND SHOWTIME LOOKING TO START ROLL
The first one in line to get his get back is Francisco “The” Wizard” Palacios (20-1, 13 KOs) from Bayamon P.R. Palacios just became the mandatory challenger for Krzysztof Wlodarczyk (45-2-1, 32 KOs) WBA 200 lb. title, the same one he went to Poland to try and take from Krzysztof in April. At the end of the fight many, even some Poles, most felt they gave the UD to the wrong guy in Krzysztof.

JUAN MA & JR. CAN THEY GET BACK ON “GOOD FOOT”
The other two are Juan Manuel Lopez (30-1, 27 KOs) who lost his WBO 126lb title via stoppage to Orlando Salido (35-11-2, 23KOs) and Wilfredo Vazquez Jr (20-1-1, 17 KOs), who got mauled, mugged and beaten for his WBO 122 belt Jorge Arce (57-6-2, 44KOs) MEX. They will be fighting on the same card if P.R Boxing, Top Rank and Showtime can get it ready for November, possibly in San Juan.
BUSINESS BEFORE REMATCHES
Orlando “Siri” Salido first has to finish off mandatory challenger Mike Oliver (24-2, 8KOs) before he’ll face Juan Ma, the man he beat via TKO 8. Also, Jorge Arce can opt to defend his 122 lb. belt before he gives Vasquez Jr. a return go, and it just might be against fellow Puerto Rican Jonathan Oquendo. Now the only other P.R. natives waiting for their “get back” are Ivan Calderon (34-2-1, 6 KOs) who lost his WBO flyweight (112) title to Giovani Segura of Mexico (28-1-1, 24 KOs) and Cesar Seda Jr. (20-1, 15 KOs) who came up short trying to strip Omar Narvaez (35-0-2, 19 KOs) of the WBO super flyweight (115) title.
TEAM JUAN MA & VASQUEZ FULL OF CONFIDENCE! IS THAT WISE?
This weekend, I had a chance to talk to my friend Alexander Caraballo, trainer of Juan Manuel Lopez and he assured me that JML is like a double bladed knife and is going to KO who ever prevails in the Salido vs. Oliver encounter on July 25. Same was said by Team Vazquez of Jr. I was also glad to hear that Juan Ma and Vazquez Jr have quashed their cross country feud that’s been going for a month.
Manny Caballero

COMMENTS

1. I think it’s crazy. I’m puerto rican and if I was running boxing in PR I’d have them not fight mexicans for a year!!!!! Lol I think the mexicans are taking out their American frustrations on the PR fighters!!! Where is Tito when u need him!!!!!!!!
     Roberto Rios on June 27th, 2011 at 8:49 AM
2. well puerto rico has lesser number of boxers compared to mexico yet they produce many great champions…
   pugilism pinoy on June 27th, 2011 at 9:26 AM
3. Puerto Rico is a powerhouse! They’ll be back!
     TT on June 27th, 2011 at 4:31 PM
4. CI really believe Calderon must retire, but if he doesn`t he`s got to go back to fighting guys somewhere in the neighbourhood of his own size … which isnt easy when you stopped growing at 14. But they really need to match im more carefully.
   As for Salido vs. Lopez rematch, I think JunMa`s people need to prevail un him to fight a very, very different fight if they ever meet again, otherwise I`m convinced the same thing will happen unless Salido gets old overnight from all t

“MAD MANNY’S” SHOVEL PUNCH ON BOXING

WBA Champ David Haye

NEW RINGTALK.COM FEATURE DEBUTS TODAY Miami, FL- This is going to be a weekly report where we fight aficionados can have a constructive debate about boxing. I’ll talk about up and coming bouts, what’s happening in the world of boxing, and close with a question.

FIRST UP JULY’S LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE SCRAP
There are two bouts I would like to talk about, one is Brandon” Bam Bam” Rios (27-0-1, 20 KOs) vs. Urbano Antillon (28-2, 20 KOs) facing off in a matc that has the potential to be a great, maybe even a candidate for ‘fight of the year.’ Both have had memorable encounters, one when Antillon faced Humberto Soto in a fight that turned out to be a 12 round war for the WBC lightweight (135 lbs) title. It was a give and take battle, but at the end Soto kept the belt.

IS RIOS THE “SHOOTING STAR” OF BOXING?
Brandon’s last fight was against Miguel Acosta, then WBA champion, “Bam Bam” imposed his will on Acosta something no one had done for nearly seven years. We got to see what Rios is made of as Acosta was peppering him early but Brandon didn’t stop trying until he finally found his range and was a TKO 10 victor, thus making Rios the new champion. Rios and Antillon is a must see event for the real fight fan. I’m picking Rios here via late round stoppage.

“MOUTH” MEETS ” MEETS “GIANT” WITH SOFT CHIN
Our other featured match has Wladimir Klitschko (55-3, 49 KOs) meeting David Haye (25-1, 23 KOs). All I can say it’s about time we get a heavyweight fight worth watching. I wrote an article a couple of months ago on how the fight game needed an American heavyweight and I still think the same. That being said, I’m hoping Haye might finally break the hold the Klitschko bros. have on the belts. If not, we are going to have to wait until they get older an cannot rely alone on their physical advantages but their hearts, and we all know Wlad don’t have one.

EMANUEL CREATED “SAFETY FIRST” WLAD
Emanuel Steward has shown Wlad to fight tall and use that jab, as he did with Lennox Lewis so I find it hard for Haye getting in and doing damage. For Haye to win he is going to have to make it an ugly fight, he needs to attack at varios angles, as he cannot stand in front of Wlad and hope to break Wlad’s glass jaw. If it goes like Wlad wants, popping his jab and hugging, he should win. I’m hoping, but not betting on a Haye win.

AND THEN THERE IS FLOYD MAYWEATHER
There’s a boxing article going around saying that the fight between Floyd Mayweather (41-0, 25 KOs) and Manny Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KOs) is not going to happen, because the gods have put a kibosh on it. That was what a writer for Examiner.com said was told by a gypsy named Madame Sophia, and that she also said to him Mayweather is going to KO’d by Victor Ortiz.

ZAIRE SCENARIO 37 YEARS LATER?
This remind me when George Foreman (76-5, 68 KOs) went to Africa to defend his title heavyweight Muhammad Ali (56-5, 37 KOs), they also were saying that a Voodoo woman cast a spell on Foreman. We all know what happened in that fight, it wasn’t a spell but Ali using his experience on young George.

PACMAN PULLS “PUNK ASS” MOVE WITH SUIT
The other news going around is Manny Pacquiao taking everybody to court because his feelings got hurt, because Floyd Mayweather, Oscar De La Hoya said he was on something. I heard Golden Boy, or Rahab-Oscar already settled with him. But the point here is that’s a punk move, that’s like picking a street fight and then calling the cops. Floyd is risking his life going in the ring so he has all the right to ask for his opponent be 100% clean. Not to long ago they caught a man putting plaster in his wraps there are other boxer that have been caught using steroids, thus why is it so hard to believe the accusations.

GOING BACK 21 YEARS
Medrick Taylor was urinating pure blood after his initial bout with Julio Cesar Chavez because of the Mexican’s body attack.

WHO THREW THE BEST LIVER SHOT….EVER?
This week question who do you think had the best liver shot past or present? It also know as Mexican liver shot, a punch that in my opinion helpED Mickey Ward (38-13, 27 KOs) win fights. I think one of the best hookers to the liver was Julio Cesar Chavez. Give us your opinion?

Manny Cabellero

COMMENTS

1. I hope Dave beats Vlad…This is the most boring period of Heavyweight boxing EVER
   Kit Towlson on June 22nd, 2011 at 4:52 AM
2. Nowadays, the guy with the best body-shot in Boxing is Lucien Bute, the real #1 guy at Super-Middleweight.
     the bradguy on June 22nd, 2011 at 7:59 AM
3. I thought Oscar tweeting an apology from rehab was a punk move!
     rio001 on June 22nd, 2011 at 8:57 AM
4. One of the best hookers has to be Holyfield…Boxing has been pimping him out for years
   alberto on June 22nd, 2011 at 9:28 AM
5. To ask for an opponent to be 100 percent clean is different from accusing someone on steroids. Accusing someone on steroids is a punk move.
     Yani on June 22nd, 2011 at 10:10 AM
6. How is Lucian Bute the best guy at 168. I give more weight to guys like Ward or Froch. At least they’ve been fighting the best guys in the division. Bute is impressive, but intil he gets in there with the toop guys it’s hard for him to stake that claim based on potential. Remember his first fight with Andrade?A gift from the referee to help him finish those final seconds. It appears his chin is suspect to me, as Kessler handled Andrade easily when they fought if you want a barometer of where Bute stacks up in the division.
     KP on June 22nd, 2011 at 10:11 AM
7. Smokin’ Joe Frazier
     SCR on June 22nd, 2011 at 11:26 AM

WHAT NEXT RAMBO AWARDED A MILITARY MEDAL?

“MAD MANNY” SAYS STALLONE IN HALL OF FAME IS A JOKE!

WHAT NEXT for RAMBO, A PURPLE HEART?
Miami, FL- My question is what is Rocky Balboa, a fictional character played by Sylvester Stallone, getting inducted last week into the International Boxing Hall of Fame? Don’t get me wrong I love Rocky, and yes I agree his movie helped boxing, but what’s next, Rambo getting an Army medal. Also inducted were Julio Cesar Chavez, Kostza Tsyzu, Mike Tyson, trainer Ignacio Nacho Beristain, referee Joe Cortez. All those men deserve to be in the upstate NY shrine.

ROCKY GOT IT’S AWARD WITH THE OSCAR
Rocky belongs in Hollywood, where the flick garnered an Academy Award. But what make’s matter even worse was this fictional character and being given a statue in Philadelphia instead of the fighter who really represented a Philly as a fighter, 1964 Olympic Gold medalist and former World heavyweight champion “Smokin’ Joe” Frazier.
 
JOE FORGOTTEN IN PHILLY WHILE ROCKY IS NOT?
Smoking Joe relentlessness, his heart and never quit attitude became the symbol of a Philadelphia fighter, a man whose statue is on the step of a Philadelphia museum, not Rocky. Joe trained in north Philly when he shook up the world and beat Muhammad Ali. The Joe Frazier Gym was once a Mecca of boxing now its almost abandoned in a city with rich boxing history. HOPKINS HONORED IN FRONT OF HOLLYWOOD SYMBOL Bernard Hopkins after making history in becoming the oldest to win a title in any weight class, 46, Philly recently honored him in front of the Rocky statue. Hey, Rocky Balboa never laced them up, never threw a real punch or won a title. So if there ought to be a statue representing a Philly fighter it should be “Smokin’ Joe” Frazier.
 
JOE HAD VISION PROBLEMS FOR A LONG TIME
A man who fought almost blind out of one eye threw the second half of his career. We all remember The “Thrilla’ in Manila” where both Frazier and Ali fought to near death in that hot arena in the Philippines. In that fight we got to see the heart of both fighters, an encounter fights Ali said it was the closes thing ever he had experienced to dying, and we also saw what a good corner does to protect their fighter no matter what when Eddie Futch stopped him from coming out for round 14.

HOW ABOUT WINNING “FIGHT OF THE CENTURY?”
Even the first fight between the men, the fight Frazier won, this was aN almost true to life Rocky movie, yet still Philadelphia won’t give Joe any props.

“Mad Manny” Cabellero

COMMENTS

1. Manny your absolutly correct and they should show Smokin Joe more Respect and Elect to Erect a Statue of a True fighter And not a Hollywood Man wit’ a Stand In!!!!….Lyrical.
   JON "LYRICAL LIZARD" GUTHRIE on June 16th, 2011 at 3:04 AM
2. I still say Smokin’ Joe won the first two fights with Ali! And one of the things that made Joe so great was you knew what he was going to do, and he just dare you to stop him, and only a couple did!
     Chuck Marbry on June 16th, 2011 at 4:35 AM
3. I agree 100%
     StickItIn on June 16th, 2011 at 8:38 AM
4. I don’t agree at all. Mr. Stallone is being inducted as a non-participant. That means we recognize his accomplishments and contributions to the world of boxing outside of the ring, and those were many. I have no idea how we would begin to estimate how many young kids were inspired to be boxers or to just work out in general. Most boxers I talk to love the rocky movies (must be the montages). Think about the I.B.H.O.F. induction event itself this past weekend. The fact that Stallone attended means that many people came out to the event to see him that otherwise wouldn’t give boxing the time of day, and if we can get more people out to these events that support boxing then more power to us. Nothing in this material world exists without awareness and I want to personally thank the creators of past films and more recent attempts to show the world a glimpse into our boxing world. I hope they keep making more films like “The Fighter”, “Cinderella Man”, and yes the “Rocky” flicks. Look, sometimes they portray the facts incorrecty or over emphasize certain aspects. Hell, sometimes they even portray boxing in a truly negative light, but it doesn’t mean that inteligent poeple won’t soon find out the wonderfull world of boxing if they look a little closer, and if that’s what it takes to spark thier intrest, then so be it. Thanks Rocky
     Dave D on June 16th, 2011 at 11:37 AM
5. Boxing needs all the exposure it can get, so in that light I agree with Dave. However Manny’s right. Why no statue for Frazier but one for Rocky? He’s just a mere fictional character.
     KP on June 16th, 2011 at 12:18 PM
6. I think it would be great to give Joe a statue or some kinda thank you, but I don’t really think he’s at home falling to pieces because he doesn’t get enough props. That’s not his style. Joe knows he’s the man. The kind of recognition Joe deserves, he gets every time we watch one of his fights, and that’s a respect that Stallone will never have.
   Certain all-time great boxers like Joe will NEVER get the recognition they deserve by the mainstream because this kind of sport will never be mainstream, and by staying out of all the bravado and promotion that his rival Ali partook in, he also kept himself from the public eye in terms of popularity, and that’s why he doesn’t get his props. When it comes to boxers and the fans, he gets his due. And sometimes that’s the way it should be.
     Dave D on June 16th, 2011 at 1:09 PM
7. Stallone was elected as a screen writer who help make boxing more popular with his character Rocky Balboa. Was wrong with that? Moreover, Stallone loves the sport and even has a reality show featuring boxer looking for an opportunity to shine. No need to bash the guy.
   Yeah he a steroid taker and all, but he’s no hurting anyone as he is not a real fighter.
     Jesustheprophet on June 16th, 2011 at 1:31 PM
8. It says a lot when the best thing to come out of a city is a cheese steak and a fictional boxing character.
     Alphonso on June 16th, 2011 at 3:21 PM
9. I agree with Manny. Yes Stallone deserves credit for Rocky and creating a great boxing story, but when Rocky came out it wasn’t as if boxing needed his help to make it popular. Boxing was still a phenomenon and was truly an international sport (it’s still an international sport). Also, he’s a proven steroid user, which in my book is a big problem. I understand what they were trying to do and grab a few headlines, but they could have thanked Stallone in a different way.
     Cheesey1 on June 16th, 2011 at 6:22 PM
10. What does a statue in Philly got to do with being inducted in to the hall of fame.Maybe someone should go before the city of Philadelphia and state the case for Smokin Joe… Sly went in as a non participant so i dont see whats the big deal.Two seperate issuse’s I think.
      Rio001 on June 16th, 2011 at 7:30 PM
11. I also Agree with Dave. While Stallone may not have fought professionally, his contributions to the sport of Boxing have been immense. As Dave mentioned, countless individuals have gotten into the sport of boxing in some form or manner because of that movie. I remember Vinny (Paz Man) Pazienza always saying that when he entered the movie theater to see Rocky for the first time, he had absolutely no interest in Boxing, however by the time he exited that theater, he had found his calling to be a Boxer. That sort of inspiration to our beloved sport certainly merits Stallones induction for ‘representing’ Boxing into the Hall of Fame. If Broadcasters and other ‘non-playing’ indivduals can be inducted into Baseballs Hall for their contributions to the sport, then Sly certainly deserves this honor for helping take our sport to another level. Peace.
      Pete the Sneak on June 17th, 2011 at 5:37 AM

POUND FOR POUND THE BEST IN BOXING

NOTES & GREATEST PUERTO RICAN FIGHTERS EVER!

IT WAS A PUERTO RICAN WEEKEND New York, NY- After a weekend where Puerto Rico got a lot of recognition in N.Y, first let me congratulate Joe Cortez, a famous Puerto Rican referee who we all know him by his well-known phrase, “I’m Fair, But I’m Firm” for being inducted to the Hall of Fame that that also they gave fellow Hall of Famer Wilfred Benitez some well deserved recognition. Team P.R. fought Friday and Saturday in NYC’s Roseland Ballroom and finishing with the Puerto Rican day Parade.

TEDDY ATLAS ON PUERTO RICAN GREATS
On Friday night, ESPN 2′S Teddy Atlas offered his opinion on the five best five fighters from the island country, which in my opinion was almost perfect as he mentioned Pedro Montanez, AKA “The Champion Without A Belt.” I’ll talk more about him later. Here is Teddy’s list beginning with Carlos Ortiz Pedro Montanez, Wilfredo Gomez, Wilfred Benitez, and Felix Trinidad. Also on Showtime two months ago when Juan Manuel Lopez lost his belt against Orlando Salido they also did a poll which in my opinion was way off in Felix Trinidad, Miguel Cotto, Wilfredo Gomez, Wilfred Benitez, and Carlos Ortiz. All were great but in the wrong order so here is my top-ten list that included one tie.

LARRY MERCHANT CALLED P.R “THE CAPITAL OF BOXING”

1] Wilfredo ”Bazooka” Gomez (44-3-1, 42 KOs) Born in Las Monjas San Juan P.R (he is the island’s second three-time world champion at 122, 126, & 130 lbs., held the super bantamweight (122) title for six years and defended it 17 times, all by knockout which is still (and probably will always be) a record in that weight class. Fatter than two super bantamweights today, Wilfredo is still oved by and idolized by many. When he fought you knew there was going to be action. Biggest moment I thought was his KO 5 of then unbeaten bantamweight (118) champ Carlos Zarate (66-4, 63 KOs), Worst moment was the beating he took from Salvador Sanchez (44-1-1, 32KOs).

2] Carlos Ortiz. Born in Ponce, he went (61-7-1, 30 KOs) in a career that spanned from from 1955-1972. Ortiz was the second island champion in 30 years, the first being Sixto Escobar. He also became the first from P.R to win three titles. He fought all-time greats like Joe Brown (116-47-13, 53 KOs), Ismael Laguna (65-9-1, 37KOs), and Filipino legend Gabriel “Flash” Elorde (89-27-2, 33 KOs).

3] Wilfred “The Radar” Benitez. Born in New York, Wilfred was 53-8-1, 31 KOs). He holds the record for the youngest champion ever at the age of 17, the first three division world title (140, 147, 154) winner, and he accomplished this all by the age of 22. But in the process of making records, today he mentally ill, another of boxing sad stories. Biggest moment winning title at 17 by UD 15 over Antonio “Kid Pambele” Cervantes (91-12-3, 45 KOs). Worst moment was not training (two weeks?) to fight and lose TKO 15 to “Sugar Ray Leonard” (36-3-1, 25 KOs).

4] Felix ‘Tito’ Trinidad was born in Toa Alta (44-3-1, 42 KOs) Champion at 147, 154, & 160. my problem with Tito never got his “groove” back after losing to Bernard Hopkins. After doing some comparing I used to be one who thought Tito should be higher on the list, but he would have had problems with defensive wizard Benitez at 147 or 154.
Gomez and Ortiz after their first loses they got back on top and for me that say a lot of the champion. Biggest Moment 12UD over The Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya (39-6, 30 KOs), Worst Moment getting shutout and then stopped by Bernard Hopkins (52-5-2, 32 KOs)

5] Pedro “The Little Bull Of Cayey” Montanez, (91-8-4, 50KOs) Born in Cayey P.R idied April 1914 and passed in June 1996. Is considered by Ring Magazine as one of history most prolific KO winners, also was featured on a Ring cover in 1937, this in addition to winning 88 fights in a row. Fought for the title three times, twice against Henry Armstrong (149-21-10, 101 KOs) and 1 with Lou Ambers (91-8-7, 28KOs). Much loved here there is a Pedro Montanez Stadium in his hometown.

ON TUESDAY, THE SECOND HALF OF MY TOP TEN!

Manny Caballero

COMMENTS

1. You value what Teddy Atlas says? This guy is a loser! he is a LEGEND in his own MIND. He can’t even pick a winner correctly everytime he annotate fights.
     Benny on June 13th, 2011 at 12:54 AM
2. Good stuff Manny; glad to see you have my all-time favorite ‘El Radar’ Benitez at number three. Looking forward to seeing who rounds out your top ten before making any final comments. Thanks for acknowledging the great champions that have been produced by the tiny, but beautiful island of Puerto Rico.
     Sammy Perez on June 13th, 2011 at 9:03 AM
3. Just because you can’t pick the winner every time doesn’t mean you know nothing about boxing. Teddy Atlas has already forgotten more about the sweet science than you will ever know in your whole life.
   boricua on June 15th, 2011 at 8: