DIAZ-MALIGNAGGI II

Saturday, December 12, 2009
UIC PAVILION, Chicago, IL

JUAN DIAZ Houston, TX 138.4 lbs, 35-2 (17 KO’s)
PAULIE MALIGNAGGI Brooklyn, NY 138.6 lbs, 26-3 (5 KO’s)

First things first. . .as far as rematches go, this is a hot one. Their first fight was a candidate for Fight of the Year, and it was in Diaz’s homeown of Houston, TX. Diaz won a close and controversial decision, prompting Malignaggi to spout off about a “home cooking” decision, which he might actually have had a point about. This time they fight for the NABO junior welter title on neutral territory.

The first round was pretty much cat and mouse, with no true aggressor, but Malignaggi had the “crowd advantage” as the cheers of “Paulie, Paulie, Paulie” could be heard throughout the stadium. Diaz also has more than his share of fans here, and the “Diaz, Diaz, Diaz” chants were screamed at the exact same volume. Paulie used his slick boxing skills to take the second round with his uppercuts right through Diaz’s defenses. A cut opened up over the left eye of Diaz, probably the same cut he suffered at the hands of Marquez, which reopened for Malignaggi in their first fight. Rumor has it that it never healed properly. At the end of round three, Diaz lands a couple of left hooks, which Malignaggi shrugs off with a smile. Malignaggi took the fourth round with his accurate jabs and hooks on the outside.

Diaz is more successful in the fifth with his inside hooks to the head and body. Paulie acts as if they don’t bother him, but we’ll see. Paulie comes out and totally dominates the sixth with his accuracy on the outside, even wobbling Diaz towards the end of the round. I can’t help but think, that since styles make fights, these two were absolutely MADE to fight one another. Slick, brash boxer versus forward-moving humble hook-thrower. The seventh wasn’t exactly action-packed, but Paulie’s jab kept Diaz at bay. Eighth round finds Diaz pushing forward, scoring to the body, and winning the round. Diaz took the ninth round too, still by bulling forward, making Paulie circle more than usual, not allowing him to get set and score, himself.

Round ten finds Diaz’s glove
touching after eating a right hook, and it being scored a knockdown. This will be considered controversial, since replays show that Diaz’s hand almost touched, but didn’t. Diaz takes the eleventh. Diaz also takes the twelfth, although just barely. The action in the last round causes the entire UIC Pavilion to get on its feet and cheer on their favorite.


Scores: 116-111 all for Malignaggi, the new NABO junior welterweight championship. Congrats, Paulie. You earned it.

***Special thanks to Golden Boy Promotions, Dibella Promotions, and 8Count Promotions for issuing Bolo Punch the credentials for to cover this event.


Photography by Emil Kegebein LegUpPhotos.com. All photos are the sole property of Bolo Punch, and cannot be used without permission. Ringside report by Chris Guzman. No portion of this report can be used without permission.

Victor Ortiz Stops Antonio Diaz

VICTOR ORTIZ Ventura, CA 144 lbs, 24-2-1 (19 KO’s)

ANTONIO DIAZ Coachella, CA 144 lbs, 45-5-1 (27 KO’s )

After watching the first round of this fight, could probably count the number of combined connections on one hand. Ortiz was tentative, Diaz is a counterpuncher by choice. The fight broke out in the second round, when Ortiz opened up his attack of killer body hooks, and he floored Diaz with a big left hand in the third. Diaz kept fighting back as the fight progressed, but a cut over his left eye seemed to bother him, possibly affecting his vision. After the sixth round, the doctor recommended the fight be stopped, which the referee did, at 0:01 of round 7, officially a TKO victory for Ortiz. Ortiz improves his record to 25-2-1 with 20 KO’s.




***Special thanks to Golden Boy Promotions, Dibella Promotions, and 8Count Promotions for issuing Bolo Punch the credentials for to cover this event.

Photography by Emil Kegebein LegUpPhotos.com. All photos are the sole property of Bolo Punch, and cannot be used without permission. Ringside report by Chris Guzman. No portion of this report can be used without permission.

DIAZ-MALIGNAGGI II Undercard

Saturday, December 12, 2009
UIC PAVILION, Chicago, IL

Heavyweights - 4 rounds
DARLINGTON AGHA ------------TERRY ADAMS
Sugarland, TX---------------------Huntsville, AL
239 lbs, 1-0 (1 KO)----------------208 lbs, 0-1






In this first fight of the afternoon, Agha avoided the heavily-muscled telegraphed hooks of Adams, who seemed winded after the first round, prompting his corner to stop the fight at 0:01 of round two. Agha improves his professional record to 2-0 with 2 KO’s.






DOMINIC GUINN-------------------- CHARLES DAVIS
Houston, TX--------------------------- Tuscon, AZ
239 lbs, 31-6-1 (21 KO’s)------------ 214 lbs, 19-17-2 (4 KO’s)

At one time, it seemed that at least a portion of America’s heavyweight hopes were pinned on Guinn, who impressed with his power and patience early in his career. That was in 2000, and a lot of time has passed since then. In this six-rounder, Guinn showed that he has just enough left in the tank to escape with scores of 58-56 (twice) and 60-54 against a now 19-18 fighter. Despite the boos from the crowd, Dominic Guinn improves his record to 32-6-1 with 21 KO’s.




OMAR FIGUEROA--------------- ANTHONY WOODS
Welasco, TX----------------------- Nassau, BAH
138.5 lbs, 7-0 (7 KO’s)------------ 137.5 lbs, 6-12 (3 KO’s)



It’s really a joy to see a young, undefeated power-puncher in the lower weights, and Omar Figueroa definitely fit’s the bill. He’s fast, has good power, and he improves to 8-0 with all eight wins coming by way of knockout. Tonight, the Welasco, TX native needed only a round and a half to dispatch of the game and wiry Woods with his accurate jab and relentless two-handed body attack, paired with his strong hooks to the head. The referee was forced to stop the fight at 1:46 of round two for a Figueroa TKO victory. Look for Figueroa to be quite a force in the junior welter or welter divisions in the near future.



RONALD HEARNS--------------- SHADRACK KIPRUTO
Southfield, MI--------------------- Nairobi, KEN
154 lbs, 22-1 (17 KO’s)------------ 154.5 lbs, 10-11 (7 KO’s)



Ronald “The Chosen One” Hearns boxed with his legendary daddy, Tommy “Hitman” Hearns sitting ringside, to the delight of the Chicago crowd. This Hearns is still lanky, and quite powerful, too. Perhaps he’s on the same road that his father paved, but only time will tell. On this night, Hearns sent Kipruto to the canvas in the second with his lightning-quick right hand, which was set up by his “flicker” jab, which kept Kipruto off-balance the whole fight. A perfectly-timed overhand right landed square on the temple of Kipruto, prompting the referee to immediately wave off the fight at 2:33 of round 6, improving Hearns’ record to 23-1 with 18 KO’s.


JERMELL CHARLO--------------- ABDON LOZANO
Houston, TX------------------------ Las Vegas, NV
146.5 lbs, 9-0 (4 KO’s)------------- 146.5 lbs, 6-0 (1 KO)



Now this isn’t something you see everyday. Two young undefeated up-and-comers willing to fight one another, neither of which anywhere near their hometown. Lozano sustained a flash knockdown in the first ten seconds of the fight but recovered nicely, making the first round really exciting. Charlo caught Lozano with a left hook at 2:11, sending him to the canvas, slamming Lozano’s head backwards onto the canvashard enough to keep him down for a full ten-count, ending Lozano‘s undefeated record, and improving Charlo‘s professional record to 10-0 with 5 KO‘s.




RANDALL BAILEY------------- GERMAINE SANDERS
Miami, FL----------------------- Chicago, IL
148 lbs, 39-7 (35 KO’s)--------- 146.5 lbs, 27-7 (17 KO’s)


Randall Bailey is a real “fight fan’s” fighter. He’s quick, he’s strong, and he scores knockouts. After scoring a knockdown late in the first round, Bailey scored another knockdown late in the second. Again in the fifth, Sanders hit the deck, but got up and continued to take more and more punishment at the hands of “The KO King“. Sanders, to his credit, boxed well in the sixth and seventh, possibly getting a second wind. The eighth round was actually give-and-take, but Bailey had done more than enough to secure the victory by unanimous decision, improving to 40-7 with 35 KO’s. Scores were 78-71, 79-70, and 77-72.

HYLON WILLIAMS------------ HUMBERTO T APIA
Houston, TX--------------------- Tijuana, MEX
137 lbs, 11-0 (3 KO’s)----------- 137 lbs, 14-11-1 (7 KO’s)


Now this was an interesting one. . . Tapia is only capable of moving forward, and Williams is a classic counterpuncher. Combining this with the undefeated record of Williams on the line, we had the ingredients for a real barnburner. After a high-spirited first four rounds, the fifth is where the fire started. Tapia walked into a Williams lead right, then ate ten or so unanswered shots to the delight of the Chicago crowd. The hand speed of Williams is the stuff dreams are made of, but he doesn’t use speed as often as he could, or should. Oftentimes, he’s content to sit back and counter with standard uppercuts and hooks. Just imagine what this 19 year old man will be able to accomplish when his skills are complete. After an all-action eighth round where both fighters scored well, the scores were all the same (80-72) in a fight the audience really rose to the occasion for. Williams improves to 12-0 with 3 KO’s.

JIMMY HERRERA------------ GUSTAVO PALACIOS
Chicago, IL--------------------- Chicago, IL
146 lbs, pro debut------------- 148 lbs, 2-6 (1 KO)





Jimmy Herrera needed only 28 seconds to dispatch of durable but overmatched Palacios. Herrera put Palacios on the seat of his pants almost immediately after the bell started the fight, and Palacios struggled to get, but upon getting up, was waved off by the referee. This gives Herrera a professional record of 1-0 with one knockout.







ARGENIS MENDEZ------------- MORRIS CHULE
Brooklyn, NY--------------------- Nairobi, KEN
130 lbs, 14-1 (9 KO’s)------------ 129.5 lbs, 7-7-1 (7 KO’s)


The overhand right and left hook of Mendez controlled the early part of this fight, keeping Chule off-balance and guessing. Chule’s chin is most impressive, as he took plenty of Mendez’s best shots cleanly. This was a long and drawn-out affair, with Mendez doing most of the landing, and Chule doing more than his share of absorbing blows. Chule’s gameness and toughness are admirable, but I doubt he won even a round. 78-74 and 80-72 (twice) sealed the deal to improve Mendez’s professional record to 15-1 with 9 KO’s.





ERISLANDY LARA---------------- LUCIANO PEREZ
Guantanamo, CUB---------------- Chicago, IL
155.5 lbs, 8-0 (5 KO’s)------------ 155.5 lbs, 17-9-1 (15 KO’s)

Lara’s pedigree, along with his former stablemate, Yuriorkis Gamboa, have been tearing up the sport since their recent deportation from their native Cuba. After bloodying Perez’s nose in the first round, Perez basically threw just as many punches as Lara. The big difference was how often Lara was able to connect which was considerably more than Perez. Perez fought gamely, but in the end, was no match for the more polished Lara, who with scores of 100-90 and 99-91 (twice) improved his undefeated record to 9-0.



***Special thanks to Golden Boy Promotions, Dibella Promotions, and 8Count Promotions for issuing Bolo Punch the credentials for to cover this event.

Photography by Emil Kegebein LegUpPhotos.com. All photos are the sole property of Bolo Punch, and cannot be used without permission. Ringside report by Chris Guzman. No portion of this report can be used without permission.

Diaz out to prove win over Malignaggi was no fluke

By DAVE SKRETTA, AP Sports Writer

Juan Diaz sometimes feels as though he should stand up in the middle of a crowded room and remind everyone who actually won his first fight against Paul Malignaggi.

All the talking that Malignaggi has been doing since August, when Diaz won a close unanimous decision in his hometown of Houston, is starting to make some people forget that the Baby Bull was the one whose arm was raised after 12 thrilling rounds.

“It doesn’t matter whether you win by a point or by 10 points, a win is a win,” Diaz said. “He did so much talking that people believed him, he did so much talking.”


Yes, Malignaggi did plenty of talking—so much that he landed an immediate rematch. The two light welterweights will meet again on Saturday at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago.

“He can talk a lot, he can talk a good game, but when it comes down to it, he really doesn’t like to fight,” Diaz said. “He likes to punch and move, punch and move. He doesn’t like to get hit, he avoids any type of confrontation. That’s his whole strategy, to talk a lot and try to win the fight without getting hit.”

Diaz said he wants to provide some closure to the first fight, which was thrown into controversy when the scorecards were read. Two judges had it 115-113 and 116-112 for Diaz, reasonable scores for a bout in which there were several close rounds.

The third score, 118-110, prompted Malignaggi to embark on a tirade.

“That one scorecard was what made the rematch possible because it was so out of line, so out of whack,” said Malignaggi, who was still talking about the wide scorecard at a news conference on Thursday.

“I got what I expected from Juan the first time,” the former 140-pound (63 1/2 -kilogram) titleholder said. “He’s an aggressive fighter, and he steals rounds because of those little flurries he throws. It’s a smart tactic when you win rounds doing it that way.”

Malignaggi (26-3) prides himself on being an active fighter, but he doesn’t have much pop, winning only five times by knockout. Even so, the “Magic Man” said he’s not going to change his approach in an attempt to keep three judges seated ringside from deciding another outcome.

“I’m more active than all my opponents, being active is not really the issue. If I fight my fight, I don’t have anything to worry about,” he said.

Even though Diaz (35-2, 17 KOs) is coming off a win, he still believes he’s trying to regain momentum from a pair of tough losses in his last four fights.

The former unified lightweight titleholder dropped a split decision to Nate Campbell in Cancun early last year. After winning a split decision over Michael Katsidis, Ortiz went toe-to-toe with Juan Manuel Marquez until he was stopped in the ninth round.

“A lot of people questioned this last fight, a lot of people,” said Diaz promoter Oscar De La Hoya. “He’s a fighter, and whoever we put in front of him, he’s going to fight.”

QUOTES FROM DIAZ-MALIGNAGGI II

TICKETS ON SALE TODAY!

CHICAGO (November 11, 2009 ) – After controversy, heated conversations and negotiations were settled, former Three-Time Lightweight World Champion Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz and former Junior Welterweight World Champion Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi met face-to-face yesterday to announce the December 12 rematch of their exciting August 22 bout. Diaz and Malignaggi will square off on neutral ground at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois in a12 round junior welterweight bout that will be televised live on HBO’s Boxing After Dark.

Tickets for the highly anticipated rematch go on sale TODAY, November 11 at 10 am CT. They are reasonably priced at $251, $156, $86, $51 and $31 and are available for purchase at ticketmaster.com or by phone at 1-312-226-5800, toll free at 1-800-745-3000 and at the UIC Pavilion Box Office (open Thursday and Friday from 9 am - 4 pm CT).


JUAN DIAZ, Former Three-Time Lightweight World Champion

“I’m very excited to be here in Chicago…all the people here treat me like I’m a real Chicago resident. I decided I liked it so much, I may adopt it as my second hometown.” (Diaz then held up a Chicago Bears jersey.)

“I’m not going to dwell on the past. The past is the past. This time around, it’s a different city and a new and different game plan.”
“To be honest, fighting Paulie after coming off fighting Future Hall of Famer Juan Manuel Marquez, I was not taking Paulie seriously and thought it was just another fight.”

“This time, it’s personal, and on December 12, the whole world will feel my anger.”


PAULIE MALIGNAGGI, Former Junior Welterweight World Champion

“I’m excited to be in Chicago, this city has produced great boxers and great boxing fans.”

“I’m really happy I got the rematch…I made enough of a stink after the first fight to help get me the rematch.”

“The reason this fight is so great is the boxing styles. Juan is a pressure fighter and I’m a defensive boxer, so it makes for a great show where you sit back and wait to see who can execute their game plan better.”

“We are going to clear everything up on December 12.”


DAVID ITSKOWITCH, COO of Golden Boy Promotions

“The fight in August was hotly contested and some times called controversial.”

“Now, you have one guy trying to right a perceived wrong and one guy trying to put an exclamation point on something he already knows.”

“When you have a fight like that, it brings the best out in both fighters.”


LOU DIBELLA, President of DiBella Entertainment

“With an Italian-American and a Mexican-American fighting on the card, you have a recipe for a great night of boxing in Chicago.”

“I know after the first fight I said some things to Juan that were inappropriate because he is a good guy, but I wanted to do everything in my power to get my guy the rematch.”

“Whatever you think about the first fight, it is clear it was a competitive fight and we know it’s going to be again.”


WILLIE SAVANNAH, Manager of Juan Diaz

“Juan and Paulie put on the fight of their lives in August and you can expect the same in December.”
“Juan is in tremendous condition and he honestly looks the best that he ever has.”


DOMINIC PESOLI, President of 8 Count Productions

“Chicago is a great boxing market and we are excited to have a big HBO card like this here for all the great boxing fans.”

“The prices are very reasonable, so you won’t want to miss out on this fight.


RON PUCCILLO, Director of Athletics of the Illinois State Athletic Commission

“We are so proud to have both of these guys fighting in our town.”

“It’s going to be a great night and everyone knows that boxing is much better live in person, and this is a fight you will not want to miss.”

# # #

“By Popular Demand”: Diaz vs. Malignaggi II features former Three-Time Lightweight World Champion Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz taking on former Junior Welterweight World Champion Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi in a 12 round junior welterweight rematch of their exciting August 22, 2009 bout. The co-main event will feature a junior welterweight showdown between top contender “Vicious” Victor Ortiz and former world title challenger Antonio Diaz. The evening of boxing is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and DiBella Entertainment in association with 8 Count Productions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate. The bouts will air live on HBO’s Boxing After Dark beginning at 10:15 pm ET/PT (9:15 pm CT).

A full undercard will be announced shortly. For more information regarding ”By Popular Demand”: Diaz vs. Malignaggi II, please visit http://www.goldenboypromotions.com/, http://www.dbe1.com/ or http://www.8countproductions.com/.
TICKETS ON SALE TODAY!

CHICAGO (November 11, 2009 ) – After controversy, heated conversations and negotiations were settled, former Three-Time Lightweight World Champion Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz and former Junior Welterweight World Champion Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi met face-to-face yesterday to announce the December 12 rematch of their exciting August 22 bout. Diaz and Malignaggi will square off on neutral ground at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois in a12 round junior welterweight bout that will be televised live on HBO’s Boxing After Dark.

Tickets for the highly anticipated rematch go on sale TODAY, November 11 at 10 am CT. They are reasonably priced at $251, $156, $86, $51 and $31 and are available for purchase at ticketmaster.com or by phone at 1-312-226-5800, toll free at 1-800-745-3000 and at the UIC Pavilion Box Office (open Thursday and Friday from 9 am - 4 pm CT).


JUAN DIAZ, Former Three-Time Lightweight World Champion

“I’m very excited to be here in Chicago…all the people here treat me like I’m a real Chicago resident. I decided I liked it so much, I may adopt it as my second hometown.” (Diaz then held up a Chicago Bears jersey.)

“I’m not going to dwell on the past. The past is the past. This time around, it’s a different city and a new and different game plan.”
“To be honest, fighting Paulie after coming off fighting Future Hall of Famer Juan Manuel Marquez, I was not taking Paulie seriously and thought it was just another fight.”

“This time, it’s personal, and on December 12, the whole world will feel my anger.”


PAULIE MALIGNAGGI, Former Junior Welterweight World Champion

“I’m excited to be in Chicago, this city has produced great boxers and great boxing fans.”

“I’m really happy I got the rematch…I made enough of a stink after the first fight to help get me the rematch.”

“The reason this fight is so great is the boxing styles. Juan is a pressure fighter and I’m a defensive boxer, so it makes for a great show where you sit back and wait to see who can execute their game plan better.”

“We are going to clear everything up on December 12.”


DAVID ITSKOWITCH, COO of Golden Boy Promotions

“The fight in August was hotly contested and some times called controversial.”

“Now, you have one guy trying to right a perceived wrong and one guy trying to put an exclamation point on something he already knows.”

“When you have a fight like that, it brings the best out in both fighters.”


LOU DIBELLA, President of DiBella Entertainment

“With an Italian-American and a Mexican-American fighting on the card, you have a recipe for a great night of boxing in Chicago.”

“I know after the first fight I said some things to Juan that were inappropriate because he is a good guy, but I wanted to do everything in my power to get my guy the rematch.”

“Whatever you think about the first fight, it is clear it was a competitive fight and we know it’s going to be again.”


WILLIE SAVANNAH, Manager of Juan Diaz

“Juan and Paulie put on the fight of their lives in August and you can expect the same in December.”
“Juan is in tremendous condition and he honestly looks the best that he ever has.”


DOMINIC PESOLI, President of 8 Count Productions

“Chicago is a great boxing market and we are excited to have a big HBO card like this here for all the great boxing fans.”

“The prices are very reasonable, so you won’t want to miss out on this fight.


RON PUCCILLO, Director of Athletics of the Illinois State Athletic Commission

“We are so proud to have both of these guys fighting in our town.”

“It’s going to be a great night and everyone knows that boxing is much better live in person, and this is a fight you will not want to miss.”

# # #

“By Popular Demand”: Diaz vs. Malignaggi II features former Three-Time Lightweight World Champion Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz taking on former Junior Welterweight World Champion Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi in a 12 round junior welterweight rematch of their exciting August 22, 2009 bout. The co-main event will feature a junior welterweight showdown between top contender “Vicious” Victor Ortiz and former world title challenger Antonio Diaz. The evening of boxing is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and DiBella Entertainment in association with 8 Count Productions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate. The bouts will air live on HBO’s Boxing After Dark beginning at 10:15 pm ET/PT (9:15 pm CT).

A full undercard will be announced shortly. For more information regarding ”By Popular Demand”: Diaz vs. Malignaggi II, please visit http://www.goldenboypromotions.com/, http://www.dbe1.com/ or http://www.8countproductions.com/.

Capsules of Boxing Hall of Fame inductees

CANASTOTA, New York (AP)—A look at the 13 people to be inducted on June 13 into the International Boxing Hall of Fame:

JUNG-KOO CHANG—Known as the “Korean Hawk” for his relentless fighting style, Chang was born Feb. 4, 1963, in Pusan, South Korea, and turned professional in November 1980 at age 17. He won his first 18 bouts before losing a split decision in 1982 to Hilario Zapata for the WBC flyweight title, then knocked him out in the third round of a rematch six months later. Chang made 15 successful title defenses.

DANNY LOPEZ—Lopez was a hard-hitting featherweight who earned a reputation as one of the most crowd-pleasing fighters of all time. Born July 6, 1952, in Fort Duchesne, Utah, Lopez compiled a 40-7 amateur record. He turned pro in 1971 and posted 23 straight wins before losing in a ninth-round knockout to Bobby Chacon in 1974. Lopez rebounded with wins over Chucho Castillo, Ruben Olivares, Sean O’Grady and Art Hafey before beating Davey Kotey in 1976 in a 15-round decision for the WBC featherweight championship in Kotey’s homeland of Ghana. A string of eight successful title defenses followed before Salvador Sanchez knocked him out twice in 1980, ending his career.

LLOYD MARSHALL—Born June 4, 1914, in Georgia and raised in Cleveland. He won Golden Gloves titles in 1934-35, relocated to the West Coast and turned pro in 1937. In one of his finest bouts, he scored eight knockdowns en route to an eighth-round knockout over Ezzard Charles. Marshall had an impressive string of victories in 1944, defeating Nate Bolden, Jake LaMotta, Holman Williams and Joey Maxim. Died Aug. 11, 1997 in Sacramento.

YOUNG CORBETT II—Born William H. Rothwell on Oct. 4, 1880, in Denver and turned pro in 1896. A win over George Dixon set up a world featherweight title bid against Terry McGovern on Nov. 28, 1901. Corbett, who was known for frustrating opponents with insults, entered McGovern’s dressing room to intimidate the champion. The ploy infuriated McGovern and the two went toe to toe. After two vicious rounds, Corbett scored a knockout and also stopped McGovern in a rematch. They met a third time in 1906 and the fight ended in a no-decision. Corbett died April 10, 1927 in Denver.

ROCKY KANSAS—Born Rocco Tozzo on April 21, 1895, in Buffalo, New York, a former newsboy, he turned professional with a new name in 1911 when the ring announcer mistakenly introduced him as Rocky Kansas. Known as “Little Hercules,” the 5-foot-2 (1.57-meter) Kansas was a powerful brawler. One of the top lightweights of his era, Kansas made his 160th bout memorable, defeating Buffalo’s Jimmy Goodrich for the title in their hometown in 1925. Kansas died in 1954.

BILLY MISKE—Born William Arthur Miske on April 12, 1894, in St. Paul, Minnesota. Nicknamed the “St. Paul Thunderbolt,” Miske began boxing as a middleweight in 1913. Competing in the “no-decision” era, he fought Hall of Famers Harry Greb, Tommy Gibbons, Jack Dillon, Battling Levinsky and Kid Norfolk. In 1918, Miske was diagnosed with a kidney ailment known as Bright’s Disease but kept it a secret, even to his family. He fought the only title bout of his career in 1920 and was stopped in three rounds by Jack Dempsey. Despite his poor health, Miske persuaded his manager to secure one last bout so he could provide a final Christmas to his family. He knocked out Bill Brennan on Nov. 7, 1923, and died at age 29 on Jan. 1, 1924.

PADDINGTON TOM JONES—Born in Paddington, London, in 1766, Jones began his career in 1786 and became the first welterweight champion (140 pounds, 63.5 kilograms at that time). Although a welterweight, Jones routinely fought bigger men. In 1799, he lost in 33 minutes to 185-pound (84-kilogram) heavyweight champion Jem Belcher. He died in 1833 at age 67.

SHELLY FINKEL—Born June 27, 1944, in New York City, Finkel was a rock and roll manager before branching out into boxing. He began promoting amateur bouts in 1978 and formed a partnership with Hall of Famer Lou Duva. Among the boxers in his corner were Olympic medalists Pernell Whitaker, Evander Holyfield, Meldrick Taylor, Michael Moorer, Vinny Paz, Mike Tyson and current heavyweight champions Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko. In 1990 and 1993 Finkel was voted the Al Buck Award as manager of the year.

LARRY HAZZARD—Born Dec. 7, 1944, in Newark, New Jersey, the former three-time U.S. Golden Gloves champion began refereeing amateur bouts in 1967 and professional bouts in 1978. He went on to referee more than 40 world title fights. In 1985, he was appointed commissioner of the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board, served until 2007, and was a fervent advocate for boxer safety and health.

WILFRIED SAUERLAND—Born Feb. 29, 1940 in Wuppertal, Germany, he developed a passion for boxing after his father took him to a bout. He promoted his first show in 1978, staged his first promotion in Germany in 1980, and presided over a boxing boom in Germany during the 1990s. Sauerland Event produces 12 boxing shows per year and has a long-term agreement with German TV giant ARD.

BRUCE TRAMPLER—Born Aug. 11, 1949, in Maplewood, New Jersey, Trampler boxed as an amateur and worked as a trainer, promoter, ring announcer, publicist and matchmaker. Beginning in 1971, he spent 15 months in Miami under the guidance of trainer Angelo Dundee and his brother Chris, a promoter. Trampler was later mentored by matchmaker Teddy Brenner, who hired him as an assistant at Madison Square Garden in 1977. Trampler left MSG two years later and joined Bob Arum’s Top Rank in 1981. He was instrumental in the comeback of heavyweight champion George Foreman.

HOWARD COSELL—Born Howard William Cohen on March 25, 1918, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He was admitted to the New York State bar in 1941, and after leaving the U.S. Army in 1946 opened a Manhattan law office. In 1953, Cosell began hosting a Saturday radio show on ABC and by 1956 abandoned his law practice. A member of ABC’s Olympic coverage in the 1960s, Cosell was one of the first sports broadcasters to call Cassius Clay by his new name, Muhammad Ali, and was a staunch supporter of Ali when the future heavyweight champ refused to be inducted into the Army during the Vietnam War. Cosell also covered Floyd Patterson, George Foreman, Joe Frazier, Sugar Ray Leonard and the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. He called his last fight in 1982, a 15-round victory by Larry Holmes over Tex Cobb and retired a decade later. Cosell died in 1995 at age 77.

ED SCHUYLER JR.—Born March 14, 1935, in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania., Schuyler began working for The Associated Press in June 1960 and covered his first boxing match—Rubin Carter vs. Farid Salim—in September 1963. From 1970 until his retirement in 2002, he was AP’s national boxing writer. “Fast Eddie” covered some of boxing’s historic battles, including all three Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier fights, Ali vs. George Foreman in Zaire, and a series of bouts featuring Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran and Thomas Hearns in the 1980s. Schuyler, who staffed boxing at the Olympic Games from 1976-2000, covered fights in 18 countries and Puerto Rico. In 1979, he was awarded the Nat Fleischer Award for Excellence in Boxing Journalism by the Boxing Writers Association of America.

Source: International Boxing Hall of Fame