Police accuse wife in death of boxing champ Gatti

By TALES AZZONI, Associated Press Writer

SAO PAULO AP)—Brazilian authorities detained the wife of former boxing champion Arturo Gatti and formally accused her Sunday of killing him at a posh seaside tourist resort in Brazil.

Police said 23-year-old Amanda Rodrigues was taken into custody after contradictions in her interrogation and presented a formal accusation against her. Prosecutors will later decide whether she will be charged.

Rodrigues, who denies any involvement in her husband’s death, was the first to find the slain boxer’s body early Saturday inside the vacation apartment they were renting at the Porto de Galinhas resort in northeastern Brazil, police said.

The former junior welterweight champion was apparently strangled with the strap of a purse, which was found at the scene with blood stains, said Milena Saraiva, a spokeswoman for the Pernambuco state civil police. She told The Associated Press that the Canadian also sustained a head injury.

Police said Rodrigues, a Brazilian, could not explain how she spent nearly 10 hours inside the residence without noticing that Gatti was already dead.

Rodrigues told police she had a fight with Gatti after dinner Friday night and he pushed her to the ground during the altercation, causing her to sustain minor injuries to her elbow and chin. She told authorities Gatti was drunk and that a third party likely committed the crime after he went to the apartment by himself.

Witnesses had reported to police that the couple fought and that Gatti was drunk.

Authorities were told the couple was extremely jealous of each other and that Gatti constantly complained about her clothing when she traveled to Brazil, Saraiva said.

Acelino “Popo” Freitas, a four-time world champion Brazilian boxer, told Globo TV’s Web site on Saturday that he was a close friend of Gatti and his wife and that he “knew they were having some sort of problem and were about to separate.”

They had planned to spend one month in Brazil on vacation.

The couple’s 1-year-old son, who was unhurt, was handed to Rodrigues’ sister, Saraiva said.

The 37-year-old Gatti, whose epic trilogy with Micky Ward branded him one of the most exciting fighters of his generation, retired in 2007 with a career record of 40-9 and 31 knockouts.

Known for his straightforward punching and granite-like chin, Gatti captured the super featherweight title in 1995, when he defeated Tracy Harris Patterson in Atlantic City, N.J. He won the junior welterweight title in 2004.

Police detain wife of former boxing champion Gatti

By TALES AZZONI, Associated Press Writer

SAO PAULO (AP)—The wife of former boxing champion Arturo Gatti was detained as a suspect by Brazilian authorities Sunday following his death at a posh seaside resort.

Police said 23-year-old Amanda Rodrigues was taken into custody after contradictions in her interrogation. Gatti’s body was found early Saturday in a hotel room at the Porto de Galinhas resort in northeastern Brazil.

The former junior welterweight champion was apparently strangled with the strap of a purse, which was found at the scene with blood stains, said Milena Saraiva, a spokeswoman for the Pernambuco state civil police. She told The Associated Press that the Canadian also had a head injury.

The investigation was not complete, but Saraiva said authorities were preparing to present a formal accusation against Rodrigues, who denied being involved in her husband’s death.

Police said Rodrigues, a Brazilian, could not explain how she spent nearly 10 hours in the room without noticing that Gatti was already dead.

Police were investigating witness reports that the couple fought and Gatti was drunk when he returned to his room Friday night, Saraiva said, adding that police were told the pair were extremely jealous of each other and that he constantly complained of her clothing when she traveled to Brazil.

Acelino “Popo” Freitas, a four-time world champion Brazilian boxer, told Globo TV’s Web site on Saturday that he was a close friend of Gatti and his wife and that he “knew they were having some sort of problem and were about to separate.”

The couple’s 1-year-old son, who was unhurt, was with Rodrigues’ sister, Saraiva said.

The 37-year-old Gatti, whose epic trilogy with Micky Ward branded him one of the most exciting fighters of his generation, retired in 2007 with a career record of 40-9 and 31 knockouts.

Known for his straightforward punching and granite-like chin, Gatti captured the junior welterweight title in 1995, when he defeated Tracy Harris Patterson in Atlantic City.

STEVENS ANNIHILATES WILCZEWSKI

Star Boxing's Curtis "Showtime" Stevens (21-2, 15) showed why he is one of the most feared super middleweights in the world, with a sensational third round TKO over previously unbeaten Piotr Wilczewski (22-1, 7KO).

CURTIS "SHOWTIME" STEVENS W/ PROMOTER JOE DEGUARDIA

Stevens came out in the first round firing, eventually dropping Wilczewski hard with a right uppercut. Luckily for Wilczewski the end of the round was near and he was able to survive.

In the third a huge left uppercut from Stevens dropped Wilczewski hard again. He was able to get to his feet but was visibly still hurt. Stevens seized the opportunity and jumped all over Wilczewski. With Wilczewski being helplessly beaten against the ropes, the referee called a halt to the contest at 1:47 of the third round.

It was a huge win for Stevens as he showed why he is a serious contender in the super middleweight division.
Photo by Star Boxing Photographer Marty Rosengarten

Adamek beats Gunn to defend cruiserweight title

NEWARK, N.J. (AP)—Tomasz Adamek successfully defended his International Boxing Federation cruiserweight world championship Saturday night with a fourth-round technical knockout of Bobby Gunn.

Adamek, a Polish native who now lives in Jersey City, N.J., dominated the fight from the outset and improved his career record to 38-1 with 26 knockouts. Gunn, who hails from Hackensack, N.J., fell to 18-4-1.

Adamek stunned Gunn with a powerful overhand right in the fourth round, buckling the challenger’s knees, but he signaled to Adamek that he was not seriously hurt by shaking his head. Adamek appeared shocked that Gunn didn’t go down, especially after ending the round with a flurry of 17 unanswered punches.

After the bell, referee Earl Brown went to Gunn’s corner and stopped the fight, giving Adamek the victory.

“The doctor looked at the cut (over Gunn’s left eye) and recommended that I should stop it,” Brown said. “I was ready to give him a little longer.”

Gunn believed Brown should have.

“I didn’t even see the blood,” Gunn said. “I couldn’t believe he was stopping it. Honest to God, I wasn’t hurt. I could have gone on.”

Adamek, who was clearly ahead on all three cards, didn’t question Brown’s actions.

“It wasn’t my decision,” Adamek said. “I always believe in going into the ring healthy and leaving healthy. That should work for both of us. Obviously, the fans wanted to see more.”

Adamek used his left jab with ease in the first round, then scored at will in a clearly one-sided second round, hurting the challenger several times with an assortment of powerful right hands.

“My jab is my No. 1 weapon,” Adamek said. “Other than my straight right, I use the jab a lot.”

Although Gunn was the New Jersey native, it was clearly a pro-Adamek crowd, with several of the 7,000 or so fans waving the Polish national flag and chanting “Polska, Polska,” with every Adamek punch. Adamek fought for the third straight time at the Prudential Center and has become a crowd favorite in each of those bouts, all three victories.

Adamek used his left jab with ease in the first round, then scored at will in a clearly one-sided second round, hurting the challenger several times with an assortment of powerful right hands.

The shorter Gunn tried to counter with a left hook that scored a few times, but never really hurt the champion. Adamek displayed a host of combinations in the third round to take firm control of the bout.

“He tried something and it didn’t work,” Adamek said. “I realized what was going on. I’m an experienced fighter and it was a puzzle that was easy to solve. He got hit with a lot of hard shots.”

Agbeko downs Darchinyan to keep bantamweight crown

SUNRISE, Florida (AFP) - Ghana's Jospeh Agbeko retained the International Boxing Federation bantamweight title with a unanimous decision over Australian-based Armenian Vic Darchinyan.

Agbeko overcame a controversial knockdown in the seventh round to improve to 27-1 and denied Darchinyan a world title in his third different weight class, dropping the undisputed super flyweight world champion to 32-2 with one drawn.

"This win means a lot to me," Agbeko said. "This is my time to shine. I prepared very well. I didn't prepare to be a champion for a short time. I want to reign for a long time."

Agbeko made the second successful second defense of the crown he won with a seventh-round stoppage of Nicaraguan Luis Perez in 2007. Agbeko has won six in a row, including a defense last December over Nicaraguan William Gonzalez.

"He's not better than me but he was today," Darchinyan said. "I went for a big punch and I paid for it. It was a close decision. I lost."

Agbeko opened a cut over Darchinyan's left eye in the second round and bloodied the southpaw's nose in the fifth round.

Darchinyan answered in the seventh by pushing Agbeko down to his right knee while landing a left in what was called a knockdown by referee Tommy Kimmons.

Agbeko opened a bloody gash over Darchinyan's right eye in what was ruled an accidental clash of heads. Darchinyan shoved Agbeko to the canvas in the 10th and 11th round but could not send him down with punches that counted.

"I knew to watch for head butts. I didn't and I paid for it. I took bad tactics. No excuses. He was great at moving. I couldn't find the right position. I know my mistakes. That's what I will work on."

Darchinyan, the former IBF flyweight king, saw his five-fight unbeaten streak snapped and must decide within 10 days whether or not to defend his undisputed superfly crown or stay at bantamweight, where Agbeko still rules.

"Vic Darchinyan can never stop my dream," Agbeko said. "Ghana is behind me. This was for them. This was the biggest fight of my career. I know nothing can stop me now."

Vetyeka beats Barcelona for vacant bantam title

JOHANNESBURG (AP)—Simphiwe Vetyeka of South Africa won the vacant IBO bantamweight title, beating Eric Barcelona of the Philippines by unanimous decision Saturday.

Vetyeka (21-1) had an advantage in weight, height and reach, and won on all the judges’ cards at Emperor’s Palace: 118-114, 118-110 and 117-111 at Emperor’s Palace. Barcelona fell to 48-16-1.

Both fighters overcame a slippery ring as they tumbled along with Puerto Rican referee Roberto Ramirez at times.

Earlier, South African-born Lovemore N’dou (47-11-1) of Australia won the vacant IBO welterweight title at 37 against Phillip N’dou—no relation—by unanimous decision. It was only the second fight in five years for Phillip N’dou (32-4).

Former boxing champ Gatti found dead in Brazil

By STAN LEHMAN, Associated Press Writer

SAO PAULO (AP)—Former boxing champion Arturo Gatti, one of the most exciting fighters of his generation, was found dead in a hotel room in the posh seaside resort of Porto de Galihnas early Saturday.

Police investigator Edilson Alves told The Associated Press that the body of the former junior welterweight champ was discovered in his hotel room at the tourist resort, where Gatti had arrived on Friday with his Brazilian wife Amanda and 1-year-old son.

Alves said police were investigating and it was unclear how the 37-year-old Canadian died.

“It is still too early to say anything concrete, although it is all very strange,” Alves said.

A spokeswoman for the state public safety department said Gatti’s wife and son were unhurt. The women declined to give a name in keeping with department policy.

“There were no bullet or stab wounds on his body, but police did find blood stains on the floor,” she said.

Gatti first captured the junior welterweight title in 1995, when he defeated Tracy Harris Patterson in Atlantic City, N.J. His brawling style and natural charisma made him a fan favorite, and he became one of New Jersey’s adopted sons while fighting some of his most memorable battles on the Boardwalk.

“His entire boxing career he fought with us, we’ve known him since he was 17,” Kathy Duva of promoter Main Events told The Associated Press. “It’s just an unspeakable tragedy. I can’t even find words. It’s a horror.”

Brazilian boxer and four-time world champion Acelino “Popo” Freitas told the G1 Web site of Brazil’s largest television network Globo that he was a close friend of Gatti and his wife, and that he “knew they were having some sort of problem and were about to separate, but I didn’t know they were in Brazil.”

Francisco Assis, a local police investigator, told G1 that Gatti could have died up to eight hours before his body was found early Saturday.

AP Sports Writer Dave Skretta in New York contributed to this report.

Sturm defends WBA middleweight title

NUERBURG, Germany (AP)—Felix Sturm retained his WBA middleweight title, beating Khoren Gevor in a unanimous decision Saturday at the Ring Arena.

Sturm relied on clean, strong shots that stunned Gevor several times throughout the 12-round fight. But the Armenian challenger was aggressive and tenacious, moving Sturm around the ring and keeping him in a defensive crouch.

All three judges called the fight for Sturm, 115-113 twice and 117-111. Many in the arena were disappointed, including Gevor, who said “no one won that fight.”

Sturm (33-2-1) said he wasn’t as perturbed by Gevor’s dissent as he was by what he said were some dirty moves in the ring.

“He wants to be world champion, like everyone, but you have to do more than push with your head,” Sturm said.

The two fighters, both 30 years old, spent much of the fight locked with their gloves and heads nearly touching. At the close of the third round, Sturm fell to the mat when Gevor (30-4) took a swing while standing on his opponent’s foot.

Sturm, a German, hasn’t lost in his past nine fights, though he only mustered a draw against Randy Griffin in October 2007. He beat Griffin by unanimous decision later that year. His recent fights before Saturday been a string of easy victories.

Gatti found dead in Brazil

Posted Jul. 11, 2009

By RingTV.com editors

Arturo Gatti, the thrill-a-minute brawler who engaged in an epic three-fight series with Mickey Ward, was found dead in a hotel room in northeastern Brazil, The Associated Press is reporting. He was 37.
Posted Jul. 11, 2009 at 02:35pm

Gatti’s body was discovered Saturday morning in Porto de Galinhas, a beach resort, AP reported. He arrived there on Friday with his wife and 1-year-old son, neither of whom was harmed.

A public safety spokesman for the region said it was unclear how Gatti died.

"There were no bullet or stab wounds on his body, but police did find blood stains on the floor," said the spokesperson, who declined to be identified.

Gatti, a native of Montreal who lived in Jersey City, N.J., won two major titles. He never had the natural ability of an elite boxer but no one had a superior fighting spirit. His courage and resilience are legendary.

He retired in 2007.

HILTON RYE TOWN HOTEL UNDERCARD ANNOUNCED

On Thursday July 16th, Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing brings live boxing back to Westchester County, when former light heavyweight world title challenger, Port Chester's own David Telesco (29-6-1, 24KO) returns to the ring for the first time since 2005 when he takes on New Jersey's William Gill in the main event bout of the evening. The bout is scheduled for eight rounds in the light heavyweight division, and will take place at the beautiful Hilton Rye Town Hotel in Rye Brook, NY.

"THE NEW" RAY ROBINSON

In the co-feature bout of the evening Star Boxing's hot jr. welterweight prospect, "The New" Ray Robinson (10-0, 4KO) returns to the ring for the first time since his nationally televised (ESPN2 Friday Night Fight) third round TKO over previously unbeaten Darnell Jiles when he takes on game veteran Harrison Cuello (18-10-3, 14KO). The bout is scheduled for six rounds.




PASQUAL "EL TIGRE" ROUSE












In an eight round super featherweight special attraction, Yonkers resident, Pasqual "El Tigre" Rouse (20-13-2, 11KO) takes on Puerto Rico's Juan Nazario (6-1-1, 4KO) in a classic Dominican vs. Puerto Rican showdown. The Dominican native Rouse will surely have the hometown crowd on his side as he looks to add yet another victory to his resume.

YATHOMAS RILEY

Hard hitting light heavyweight Yathomas Riley (5-0, 3KO) looks to stay unbeaten when he battles it out against Philadelphia's Andre Hemphill (8-11-2, 5KO) over six rounds. For the Star Boxing promoted Riley, who hails from Miami, but now resides in the Bronx, it will be the young prospects first scheduled six rounder.

Exciting featherweight prospect, Eilon Kedem (9-2-3, 7KO) looks to get back into the win column when he takes on veteran Robert DaLuz (12-19-2, 9KO) in a six round featherweight contest. The 24-year-old Kedem, who hails from Herzelia Israel, has yet to lose when fighting on U.S. soil.


Rounding out the card is the pro-debut of Stamford, Connecticut's Ahmad Mickens. Mickens is scheduled to take on the Bronx's Phil Hannah (0-2). The bout is scheduled for four rounds in the light heavyweight division.


Doors open at 6:30 PM with the first bout scheduled for 7:30. Tickets can be purchased through the Star Boxing office by calling (718) 823-2000 or by visiting the Star Boxing website ( www.starboxing.com). Tickets are priced at Gold Ringside - $100, Silver Ringside - $60 and reserved seating for $40. The Hilton Rye Town hotel is located at 699 Westchester Avenue, Rye Brook, New York, 10573. There will be free parking for all guests attending the fights that evening.

ABOUT STAR BOXING:

Star Boxing has been in operation since 1992 and has worked to produce some of the most exciting and memorable boxing events in recent history. Star has continued to work with and develop a number of very exciting world champions, world rated contenders and young prospects. Star has consistently brought credibility, integrity, and exciting fights to the boxing industry.
Ray Robinson photo taken by Star Boxing photographer Emily Harney
Star Boxing

"Quezada's has never fought anybody of my caliber"

By Benny Henderson
Doghouseboxing.com


Heavyweight contender Travis Walker 31-2-1 (25) who has earned himself three consecutive knockout wins since losing a heartbreaker to undefeated Chris Arreola in November of 2008, a fight where Walker had Arreola down, is aiming to keep his win streak alive. But before he can take another step in the right direction Walker has to get past Manuel Quezada 27-4 (17), who he will be taking on the sixteenth of this month at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, CA.

Walker was running at high speed with a twenty-five fight win streak, and ten first round knock outs when he hit a speed bump by the name of TJ Wilson who defeated Travis in twenty-eight seconds of the first round, in what could be argued as a premature stoppage.

Avenging his loss to Wilson via second round TKO, Walker was matched up against another heavyweight hopeful in Chris Arreola. All though Walker had Chris down in the second round, Walker would hit the canvas three times in route to a third round TKO loss. Continue reading..

"Travis Walker will bring the best out of me"

By Benny Henderson
Doghouseboxing.com


Heavyweight contender Manuel Quezada 27-4 (17) faces his toughest task in his eight year career when he takes on power punching Travis Walker 31-2-1 (25) July 16th at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, CA.

Quezada, who has defeated the likes of the 6'9" Rick Dyer (2nd R. KO), Galen Brown (5th R. TKO) and Teke Oruh (UD), is riding a sixteen fight win streak. Holding the WBC CABOFE heavyweight title and top spot in the WBC #11, believes Walker will not only catapult him up the heavyweight ladder, but bring the best out of him come fight night.

In this exclusive interview conducted by Manuel Quezada, he talks about his career, and his upcoming bout against Travis Walker, enjoy.

Benny Henderson Jr.
You have a fight coming up July sixteenth against Travis Walker, give the readers your thoughts on the fight. Continue reading...

Darchinyan, Agbeko ready to put words aside

By DAVE SKRETTA, AP Sports Writer

Vic Darchinyan’s insults sting about as much as his punches, and considering he’s a four-time champion in two weight divisions, Joseph “King Kong” Agbeko wasn’t surprised at what he heard during the run-up to their bantamweight title fight on Saturday night.

“I think after this fight they are going to change my opponent’s name to Joseph ‘Chimpanzee’ Agbeko,” Darchinyan railed on a joint teleconference. “This is going to be the biggest mismatch. Where would you like me to hurt you most, in the body or in the face?”

Darchinyan will be trying to become a three-division champion when he moves up in weight to challenge Agbeko for his IBF title at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla.

Also on the stacked undercard, former cruiserweight champs Steve Cunningham and Wayne Braithwaite will fight for a mandatory chance at current titleholder Tomasz Adamek, and lightweights Tony DeMarco and Agnes Adjaho will be trying for a shot at WBC champion Edwin Valero. Welterweights Ivan Kirpa and Miguel Rodriguez will also be in the ring.

It’s the two colorful characters in the main event that have attracted all the attention, though. Biting barbs have been flying back and forth for weeks.

“Vic is always talking about his power and about how he’s this and that, but I’ve watched his fights and I never saw that power,” said Agbeko, who’s originally from Ghana and now trains in the Bronx. “He’s always fought guys that are afraid of him and he did what he wanted with them. But in this fight, I’m going to do what I want to do.”

Most observers favor Darchinyan, the Armenia-born Australian who’s been ruthlessly knocking out just about everybody he faces lately.

Darchinyan (32-1-1, 26 KOs) became the first junior bantamweight to unify three belts when he stopped Cristian Mijares in the ninth round of a lopsided fight last November. Three months later, the “Raging Bull” was battering former titleholder Jorge Arce when a doctor stopped their fight at the end of the 11th round.

Darchinyan’s only loss was a stunning fifth-round knockout to Filipino sensation Nonito Donaire—a defeat that Agbeko (26-1, 22 KOs) has rifled back against his brash challenger in their constant verbal sparring.

“Why didn’t he talk like this when Nonito Donaire beat him?” Agbeko said, in response to another zinger from Darchinyan. “I wanted him to talk more, and I want him to realize that I’m going to beat him more than Donaire beat him.”

Agbeko certainly represents one of the toughest challenges Darchinyan has faced, regardless of having to move up in weight. Agbeko’s only loss was a controversial decision to Wladimir Sidorenko in 2004 that even Darchinyan believes was wrongly awarded.

Still, promoter Gary Shaw is nearly as confident as Darchinyan that one of his prized assets will win on Saturday night. Shaw even mentioned possible opponents for his next fight, ranging from a rematch against Donaire to challenging someone like Rafael Marquez at 122 pounds.

“I believe I represent a fighter who will go down as one of the greatest boxers to ever fight in the lower weights,” Shaw said. “Vic and (manager) Elias (Nassar) don’t care about weights. They only want the best fighters, and they believe right now that ‘King Kong’ Agbeko is the best fighter at 118 pounds.”

AP Sources: Showtime close to boxing tourney deal

By DAVE SKRETTA, AP Sports Writer

NEW YORK (AP)—Showtime is putting the final touches on a six-man super middleweight round-robin tournament that will include two current champions and three former U.S. Olympians.

Two people with knowledge of the discussions told The Associated Press on Thursday that the details, possibly including sites and dates, are being worked out this week. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because negotiations were ongoing.

The tournament is expected to include WBA champion Mikkel Kessler and WBC champion Carl Froch along with IBF middleweight titleholder Arthur Abraham. The three Europeans will be joined by former U.S. Olympians Jermain Taylor, Andre Ward and Andre Dirrell.

Showtime issued a statement saying all six fighters would be in New York on Monday for a “groundbreaking boxing announcement,” but declined to elaborate. They have a combined record of 161-4-1 with 117 knockouts.

Abraham, Froch, Dirrell and Ward have never been beaten.

Showtime has made a big investment in the 168-pound division, attempting to build name recognition for many of the participants. Froch knocked out Taylor in the 12th round in April, Ward beat Edison Miranda in May, and Abraham beat Mahir Oral last month.

Unlike elimination tournaments, the format would reward fighters with points based on the decision. A victory would earn two points, with a bonus point for a knockout, and a draw would be worth one point. The four fighters with the most points at the end of the round-robin would advance to seeded semifinals.

“I’ve got a lot to say on every subject, (but) give me a few days to give you something to talk about,” said Dan Goossen, who promotes Ward, when asked about the tournament.

The first scheduled fights would pit Dirrell, a 2004 Olympic bronze medalist, against Froch for the WBC title, with Abraham moving up in weight to fight Taylor.

The tournament could be precisely what boxing needs after a summer in which several big fights were postponed, the heavyweight division remained a mess and mixed martial arts kept cutting into the sport’s stagnant fan base.

Showtime’s plan, which had been rumored for weeks, could provide numerous intriguing fights over the next two years in both the United States and Europe.

“If you can pull this off, it’s genius,” Gary Shaw, who promotes Dirrell, told The Associated Press on Thursday. “It’s what boxing needs in every weight class. This is the best trying to fight the best.”

Shaw put together a 168-pound tournament of his own two years ago on Showtime. But that tournament, with a finale between Jean Paul Mendy and Anthony Hanshaw, did not have the star power that Showtime is attempting to put together this time.

There have been other attempts to create boxing tournaments, with mixed results.

In the 1980s, Don King put together a heavyweight tournament that included Michael Spinks, Larry Holmes and Trevor Berbick. It lasted nearly two years and resulted in Mike Tyson defeating Tony Tucker by unanimous decision to become the undisputed champion.

The tournament had ran into problems when Spinks dropped out for a more lucrative fight.

There are plenty of legitimate 168-pounders who could fill in if someone drops out of Showtime’s planned tournament, although it’s not clear what contingencies are in place for such things as failed drug tests or injuries that might shelve a fighter.

Among those who aren’t involved are IBF champ Lucian Bute, who is scheduled to fight Librado Andrade in a mandatory this fall, WBO champion Karoly Balzsay and top contender Allan Green.

“If anyone would get through a tournament like this, you’d have a superstar,” Shaw said, “a new superstar. And that’s important and good for boxing, and maybe they’ll do this at 140, 154 (pounds). There are a lot of great fighters.”

Windy City Fight Night 3

8Count Promotions
Friday, June 26, 2009
UIC Pavilion, Chicago, IL

Never a promotion to disappoint, 8Count served up a scorcher of an event to set the summer off right. What an outstanding array of talent this promotion has, from a seemingly unending stable of fighters from all over the world. They just keep on churning out event after event, each even more competitive than the next, and the Chicago fight fans can’t get enough, as they piled into the UIC Pavilion on this warm June evening.

Achour Esho TKO4 Dontre King
This welterweight fight started the night off, with back and forth action and killer body attacks. Esho owned most of the exchanges, except for in Round Two, where King stepped it up and opened up some effective combinations to the body, that seemed to bother Esho. However, from Round Three on, it was all Esho, who sends King nearly backflipping down to the canvas, as the referee waves the fight off at :41 of the round. Achour Esho of Palatine, IL improves his record to 3-0.



Tommy Atencio UD6 Juan Bailon
Next up were the littler guys with the really big hearts. Atencio, visiting the Chicagoland area tonight from Denver, CO, took a unanimous decision over the now 4-2 Chicago native, Bailon. Atencio floored Bailon with a right uppercut to score the 10-8 in the second round, followed by the last four rounds of apparently razor-thin rounds with the slight advantage going to Atencio. However, the judges saw it 60-53 (twice) and 59-54, where many present ringside saw it just a bit closer. The right fighter won, though, and this Colorado fighter, who has all the tools to be an effective southpaw (but is a naturally orthodox fighter) is going to be a talent worth keeping an eye on in the future. Tommy Atencio improves his record to 4-1.


Tamara Johnson MD8 Rita Figueroa
This is a rematch of these two Chicago ladies’ first fight, which was ruled a draw by the judges. Everyone in the audience was interested to see these two matched up again, since their first bout was such a crowd-pleaser. This one wouldn’t disappoint, although Tamara Johnson clearly was the winner this time. There were tremendous exchanges throughout the fight, and each fighter had their moments, but overall, Johnson simply imposed her will over Figueroa more often. From the beginning of the fight, Johnson’s right hand just couldn’t miss its target. Johnson’s body attacks are brutally accurate, and to her credit, Figueroa didn’t seem fazed by them at all, but the judges saw them as points. Figueroa clearly took the fifth and eighth rounds, but Johnson’s aggression and forward movement kept her in the lead, prompting the judges to score it 76-76 and 78-74 (twice), giving Tamara Johnson the majority decision and improving her record to
4-2-2.



Ryan Smedick UD4 Gabriel Morris
Smedick pulled out a unanimous victory over Morris, but that doesn’t quite explain the real story to this fight. This bout was a real barnburner, complete with fast exchanges and back-and-forth action, with both fighters going toe to toe to obtain the upper hand. Smedick deserved the win, but Morris should keep his head high, because a lesser man would have crumbled under the relentless attack of Smedick, who improves his record to 3-0-1.





Andrzej Fonfara TKO2 Skylar Thompson
This bout was for the WBA International Super-Middleweight Championship, and Fonfara wanted it badly enough to nearly end the fight on the first punch he landed, but Thompson was able to fend off the attack, for the first round, at least. Toward the end of Round Two, Fonfara unleashed a straight right hand “right down the pike”, sending Thompson crashing to the canvas. . . possibly breaking Thompson’s nose, and forcing the referee to stop the fight when Thompson was still wobbly after attempting to fully get up. Fonfara improves his record to 13-2 with this outstanding victory.





Fres Oquendo TKO3 Mark Brown
Former top-ten heavyweight contender Oquendo was matched with late-substitute Mark Brown, who proved to be a really tough challenge for the taller, more experienced Oquendo. It was difficult to land cleanly on Brown, who was content to bull-rush and hold in most of the exchanges, whereas Oquendo tried to actually box. This fight was full of wrestling and takedowns, prompting one ringside spectator to compare it to a mixed martial-arts fight. Always the professional, Oquendo stayed focused, and near the end of the third round, dropped Brown with a beautiful overhand right, prompting the referee to stop the contest at 2:38, improving his professional record to 30-5, with all of his losses coming against top-notch opposition like Chris Byrd and John Ruiz.

Ivan Popoca UD8 Hector Alatorre
Alatorre was NEVER in this fight, which went completely the way that Popoca wanted it to go. Popoca, a Chicago native and one of the most popular of the 8Count stable of talent, outworked, outhustled, and outclassed the Californian from the first round to the last. His bodyshots were killer, his footwork was clean, and his energy didn’t even think of giving out as he dismantled Alatorre in this eight round blowout. With this unanimous victory, Popoca improves his record to 11-0-1, and has been lately fighting better and better opposition, which will make him difficult to ignore in the lightweight/superlightweight rankings in the near future.

Special thanks to Mr. Dominic Pesoli and Mr. Bernie Bahrmasel for issuing Bolo Punch the credentials to report on this stellar event from the UIC Pavilion, Chicago, IL.

**Ringside photography taken by Emil Kegebein, who has been Bolo Punch’s lone photographer since its inception. Ringside report by Chris Guzman, who has hosted The Bolo Punch Boxing Hour since 2002.