Fighters’ Flashbacks of ’08?

As 2008 comes to a close, I think back to the many ways this year was memorable: The courageous comebacks and shocking upsets, the explosive rematches and trilogies, watching new exciting prospects face off against proud but fading champions, and sad passings of legends we’ve lost, gone too soon.

It was a year filled with plenty of pivotal moments, both in and out of the ring, and I was curious to find out what some of the fighters, champions and boxing personalities would name as their favorite highlights of 2008? Some of their responses may surprise you!

What surprised me the most were these unexpected answers I got from those involved in the fight game. For some, top memories chosen were not always the happiest highlights of their year. A handful of replies not as lighthearted as you’d think; many told me about sad and poignant moments of 2008, instead of lighter, jovial times they may have had. A reminder that it’s not always the joyful memories that make the strongest mark on us, it is also the bittersweet times that remain in our hearts and minds the most. Often it is the adversity in our lives that causes the biggest impact.

Boxing News

Miguel Cotto and trainer Evangelista Cotto work the mitts during media day Tuesday in Puerto Rico. Cotto has been training for three weeks and is getting ready to take on Michael Jennings for the vacant WBO welterweight title on February 21 in Top Rank Pay per view card. “I had missed the gym and I was ready to come back and start training,” said Cotto of his return. “I’m looking forward to a great training camp and to a big fight. I feel very confident that I will return to Puerto Rico in February as a world champion,” added the two-time world champion from his hometown gym in Caguas, Puerto Rico.
Photo: by Promociones Miguel Cotto

It was announced today that Golden Boy Promotions prospect Victor Ortiz was named ESPN.com’s Prospect of the Year. The rising star had a spectacular 2008, racking up three wins by knockout in three fights and will set his sights on a world title fight in 2009. Earlier this month, Ortiz was also named Sports Illustrated’s Prospect of the Year.

Boxing Buzz

By: Gabriel F. Cordero: The Puerto Rico Boxing Commission has indefinitely suspended Hector Camacho Jr.  The suspension has to do with the cancellation of a bout between Camacho and Yory Boy Campas in November in Tijuana, Mexico.  Camacho had denied signing for that bout. Reportedly, there could be a fine and the possibility that Camacho would not be able to fight in Mexico, United States and Puerto Rico

By Lee Bates: After hearing of the possibility of Oscar De La Hoya facing Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Floyd Mayweather Sr. shared his thoughts on Oscar’s chances of victory against ‘The Son of the Legend.’ “I can tell you with me in his corner Oscar would beat Chavez Jr. without a doubt.” he proclaimed.  Mayweather Sr. also talked about his battle with sarcoidosis, and how Ricky Hatton would do in a super showdown with Manny Pacquiao. Click here to read full interview.

By Alexey Potapov: IBF/IBO/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (52-3, 46 KOs) may face unbeaten IBF #2 rated Chris Arreola (26-0, 23 KOs) in his next bout in April or May. Fightnews has learned that talks are underway and the fight would most likely take place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. If victorious, the Ukrainian champion is then obliged to fight against IBF mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin (16-0, 12 KOs) by September 13th.

Best of Boxing 2008

Starting December 27th 2008 at 11PM ET/PT

As we approach the New Year, we have to look back and admit that the boxing Santa was very, very good to us in the past year. He showered us with gifts – the Manny Pacquiao/Juan Manuel Marquez rematch, the jaw-dropping third fight between Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez, the unforgettable battle between Antonio Margarito and Miguel Cotto, and of course that most recent shocker, MannyPacquiao’s eight-round destruction of Oscar De La Hoya, an event that promises to be remembered for years to come as a landmark, changing-of-the-guard moment for the sport of boxing. 

HBO will be having a series of their greatest fights of 2008 for airdates for boxing’s best of 2008 visit HBO.com or see the schedule below.Click to Enlarge. Click Here to watch Yearend Promo Video. 

U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada

2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada, arguably one of the most decorated amateur boxers of the 21st century, is in many ways the United States’ top heavyweight hope to bring home a world title belt.

Estrada possesses the quickest hands and feet in the heavyweight division, along with solid “whiskers,” and he has also shown steady improvement in the power game. All told, though, he’s perceived by many promoters, managers and fighters as too risky to fight, largely because he can box the ears off of anybody in the world who weighs 200 pounds or more.

Estrada (15-1, 3 KOs, 1 NC) won all five of his 2008 fights against opponents with a combined record of 109-24-4 (67 KOs), including former world title challenger Charles Shufford (20-7-1) and multi-regional title-holder Lance “Mount” Whitaker (32-4-1) by 10-round decisions, as well as Derek “The One Man Riot” Bryant (20-4-1, 17 KOs) and Texas State champ Domonic Jenkins (13-8-1) by 8-round decisions, and Carolina champion Moultrie Witherspoon (14-1) by seventh-round technical knockout.

HENRY CLARK…

There were many who thought he was going to be the next Cassius Clay/Muhammad Ali. He was a tall, smooth boxing heavyweight with a world of potential. His professional career began in 1964 and before long he was mixing it up with some of the best fighters in the world. How’s this for starters? His pro debut was a four round decision loss to the rugged Joey Orbillo!

Less then two months later he pounded out a ten round verdict over future title challenger Manuel Ramos. The following year he whipped tough trial horse George “Scrap iron” Johnson. In 1966 he fought a No Decision bout with Amos “Big Train” Lincoln and he lost a decision to highly regarded Zora Folley. The year 1967 saw Henry establish himself as a force in the heavyweight division by winning on points over Bill McMurray, Steve Grant on two occasions, Fred Lewis, Eddie Machen and Roger Rischer.

Tickets for Darchinyan-Arce

 Seats go on sale Tuesday at 10AM

Gary Shaw Productions and Top Rank announced today that tickets will go on sale Tuesday for the February 7th championship doubleheader featuring the rumble between unified super flyweight champion Vic “Raging Bull” Darchinyan and WBA interim super flyweight champion Jorge “Travieso” Arce, and the NABO lightweight championship battle between top contenders Antonio Demarco and Almazbek “Kid Diamond” Raiymkulov at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. Priced at $250, $125, $90, $60, $45 and $35, tickets go on sale December 30 at 10AM PT, and can be purchased through Ticketmaster (all Ticketmaster outlets), by phone, 714-740-2000, or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets will also be available at the Honda Center box office.

Kenny Weldon on Evander Holyfield

A candid conversation with the Houston trainer

Holy Moly! Unless you’re a member of the Nikolai Valuev Fan Club, the consensus is that Evander Holyfield was robbed in the December 20 fight that took place in Zurich, Switzerland against the seven-foot Valuev.

Everyone’s still up in arms over the outcome of the match since Valuev was far from valiant–but was still given the decision by the judges. “The Russian Giant’s” victory has provided a lot of ammo for boxing fans, critics and pundits–log on to any boxing chat room and you’ll find pages galore with heated discussions of this so-called travesty.

If you love boxing like I do, it consumes you–even during the holidays. So on Christmas Eve, while I should have had sugar plum fairies dancing in my head, I’m compelled to call trainer Kenny Weldon and wish him a Merry Christmas. It’s been a busy week for all and this is the first chance I get to chat with the boxing veteran since last Saturday’s bout.

Michael Katsidis vs Angelo Hugo Ramirez

Michael Katsidis, an Australian boxer of Greek heritage proudly enters the ring wearing his trademark Greek helmet of war, which as earned him the nickname “Katsidis the Great”.

Fight manager Brendon Smith informs that former WBO interim lightweight champion Michael “The Great” Katsidis (23-2, 20 KOs) will return on January 31st against Angelo Hugo Ramirez (19-4-2, 8 KOs). The bout for the vacant WBO Asia Pacific lightweight belt will take place at a site to be named in either Cebu City or Manila. Sammy Gello-ani will promote the event.

Lenny Mancini

 Youngstown great Lenny “Boom Boom” Mancini…

 Although he will be best remembered as the father of Ray Mancini, Lenny was a pretty darn good fighter in his own right.

   Lenny was born in Youngstown, Ohio on July 12, 1919. The city of Youngstown and the surrounding areas produced such outstanding fistic talent in the 1940′s with the likes of Tony Janiro, Tommy Bell and Sonny Horne. Lenny was among the talented Y’town exports.

   Standing at 5′ 2″, Lennny who turned pro in the late 30′s slugged his way to a world ranking during the glorious 40′s.He was an extremely popular attraction in New York as he climbed the ratings ladder. In December of 1939 he lost an eight rounder to tough Johnny Rinaldi.

   Lenny bounced back in 1940 fighting a six round draw with future welterweight king Marty Servo.He kayoed Frankie Terranova and outscored Joey Fontana. He then drew with Jimmy Vaughn and again outpointed Fontana. Lenny then took a tough decision over Carl “Red” Guggino and closed out the year splitting a pair of eight round verdicts with Irving Eldridge.

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