ALVIN “BLUE” LEWIS
April 30, 2009
The late 60’s and early 70’s spawned an array of fistic talent in the heavyweight division. From the great champions Patterson, Liston, Ali, Frazier and Foreman along with Ellis and Terrell to the parade of bonafide contenders. Almost always among the top contenders of the day were the names of Chuvalo, Quarry, Bonevena, Norton, Lyle, Shavers, Bugner, Leotis Martin and Henry Clark. Throw in a Mac Foster, Boone Kirkman and Chuck Wepner and you get an idea of the talented mix. Among the elite during this time was a fine fighter out of Michigan named Al “Blue” Lewis. It is conceivable that if “Blue” would have boxed in a different era, he may have become a champion.
Pacquiao vs. Hatton Undercard Presser
April 30, 2009
(From Left to Right) Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar de la Hoya, Top Junior Welterweight Contender Abner Mares and Two-Division World Champion Bernard Hopkins pose on April 30, 2009 at the Press Conference for Mares bout against Jonathan Perez which will appear on the undercard of Pacquiao vs Hatton on May 2, 2009 at MGM Grand Garden Arena and televised live on HBO Pay-Per-View in the United States and Sky Box Office in the United Kingdom.
Junior Middleweight Mathew Hatton (Left) and Ernesto Zepeda (Right)
Undefeated Middleweight Daniel Jacobs (Left) and Michael Walker (Right)
Photos by Tom Hogan – Hoganphotos/GBP
Israel Vazquez Ready to Return to Ring!
April 30, 2009
Leaving a life long routine is difficult so that is why WBC super bantamweight emeritus champion Israel Vazquez counts the days he can return to the gym after surgery on his right eye.
Israel stated via telephone from Los Angeles, CA, “I will continue to fight but I need to do other exams that the California state athletic commission is asking for.”
“In January I was released of my medical leave and every three weeks I go with an eye doctor and get check ups. Right now I have been resting, I haven’t even been running. I am hoping to return in August or September but I need to renew my license,” Vazquez stated of Mexico City but residing Los Angeles.
The California state athletic comission requires for all licensed fighters to have a minimum of 20-60.
Pacquiao Jumps on Bandwagon!
April 30, 2009
Manny Pacquiao is joining the bandwagon of fighters who manage other fighters.
Pacquiao will try to crown his first champion when his countryman Rodel Mayol challenges Puerto Rican Ivan “Iron Boy” Calderon for the WBO jr. flyweight title.
The Mayol-Calderon bout will be part of of the under card of Cotto vs.
Clottey on June 13th from Madison Square Garden.
Mayol of Cebu City, Philippines also trains at the Wild Card gym in Hollywood, CA, by famed trainer Freddy Roach.
Hopkins Ready to Negotiate!
April 30, 2009
Bernard Hopkins has not lost hope that he might face Felix “Tito”
Trinidad for a second time before 2009 is over but he did make clear that he will not be making concessions in the negotiations for the bout.
“Trinidad is a legend, a sure member of the hall of fame and he has made a name for himself in this sport and the possibility of a second fight interests me. Now if Don King and Trinidad are using my name to get another fight, that I don’t know,” Hopkins responded in a phone interview.
The “Executioner” as he is known, stated that he has not been contacted officially by Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, or by Don King to begin negotiations.
“I heard that Trinidad wanted to fight me. This should of happened a long time ago. Although we are not the same as we were eight years ago, I think that it can still be an attractive fight,” Hopkins, 44, added.
Mario Lopez Laces Up!
April 30, 2009
Actor works out with the Burbank Boxing Club
Watch out, Juanma! There’s another Lopez in the ring: It’s actor Mario Lopez–TV host, Broadway star and boxing aficionado!
Clad in a gray shirt and black shorts, the actor sparred for eight three-minute rounds, taking on all-comers last night at the Burbank Boxing Club. A special guest of the club, Mario laced up in an impromptu sparring session with several of the gym’s fighters.
Lopez proved his conditioning was top-notch as he sparred with his friend and club member Adam Seal, who had brought Lopez up for a visit. Seal had invited Mario–a huge boxing enthusiast–to check out the new Club Room the group recently moved into. Inside the ropes, the sturdy Lopez also took on Oscar Portillo, Joe Jacobs, and Armen Grigoryan for some light sparring.
Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton Final Presser
April 29, 2009
Five Division World Champion and Ring Magazine Number One Ranked Pound For Pound Fighter Manny Pacquiao (Left) and IBO and Ring Magazine Junior Welterweight World Champion Ricky Hatton (Right) pose on April 29, 2009 at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada at the final press conference for their May 2, 2009 World Championship fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena which will be televised live on HBO Pay-Per-View in the United States and Sky Box Office in the United Kingdom.
(From Left to Right) Five Division World Champion and Ring Magazine Number One Ranked Pound For Pound Fighter Manny Pacquiao, Top Rank Promotions Chairman Bob Arum, Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar de la Hoya and IBO and Ring Magazine Junior Welterweight World Champion Ricky Hatton pose on April 29, 2009 at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada at the final press conference for Pacquiao and Hatton’s May 2, 2009 World Championship fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena which will be televised live on HBO Pay-Per-View in the United States and Sky Box Office in the United Kingdom.
Let Dormant Dinosaurs Rest!
April 29, 2009
As the “Golden Boy” OScar De La Hoya announced his retirement a couple of weeks ago, I believed that we were ushering in a new era in boxing.
I was wrong.
After the exciting wins this weekend of two relative new comers to the professional ranks and the boxing radar in Juan Manuel Lopez and Carl Froch, two dinosaurs of years past are threatening to lace up the gloves and try to reacapture their now long lost glory and not to mention plenty of sheckles in their coffers.
It has been reported over the internet that former welterweight, super welterweight and middleweight champion Felix “Tito” Trinidad will try to avenge his 2001 loss to former undisputed middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins later this year.
Their first bout was mirred in controversy. Hopkins desecrated the Puerto Rican flag by ripping it from Trinidad’s hands and throwing it on the ground at the actual bout had to be pushed back because of the 9/11 tragedy.
What’s Next For Tim Bradley?
April 29, 2009
Team “Desert Storm” says full steam ahead!
“No one was more proud to wear that illustrious green belt than I,” said Timothy Bradley in a letter to World Boxing Council (WBC) President Jose Sulaiman. As he relinquished his WBC super lightweight title, the unbeaten 25-year-old said he is grateful for all their support.
Bradley, coming off of an April 4 Montreal victory against Kendall Holt, was apparently given a deadline to agree to a bout against mandatory challenger Devon Alexander (18-0, 11 KOs). When that agreement was not reached, reports are that Alexander will now be facing Junior Witter (whom Bradley had previously beaten for the belt) for this newly-vacant title.
First workout in Las Vegas
April 28, 2009
IBO and Ring Magazine Junior Welterweight World Champion Ricky Hatton shadowboxes during a media workout on April 28, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada in preparation for his May 2, 2009 world title defense against Five Division World Champion and Ring Magazine Number One Ranked Pound For Pound Fighter Manny Pacquiao at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas which will be televised live on HBO Pay-Per-View in the United States and Sky Box Office in the United Kingdom. Photo by Gene Blevins/Hogan Photos
After the media frenzy of his grand arrival earlier today at the Mandalay Bay, Manny Pacquiao closed the doors at Tony Rila’s IBA Gym for a quiet, first workout in Las Vegas.
Photo by Chris Cozzone
