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Heavyweight: 2012-2013, Dec 31- Jan 6

Posted in Heavyweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on December 31, 2012 by danboxing
Former high-ranked contender Oleg Maskaev returned to action on Sunday for the first time since 2009.  Even at the time of his last fight, he was no more than a gatekeeper, but with no other heavyweight fights on the schedule for the week worth mentioning, I figured I’d play the nostalgia angle and mention him.  He beat journeyman Owen Beck in Moscow by 3rd-round TKO, dropping his man twice in the process.  Beck was an undefeated prospect as recently as 2004 and a still-credible top-50-type fighter as recently as 2007, but has lost his last 9 fights now, although most were to undefeated or high-level opponents.  No changes to the rankings.  Happy New Year!

 

Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in current position-weeks in top 10 (if applicable)-weeks in top 20)
Champ: Wladimir Klitschko (184-397-397)
Last Fight: 11/10/2012- UD12 Mariusz Wach (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
It now appears to be a virtual certainty that Wlad and Povetkin will meet in or around March.
1) Vitali Klitschko (221-221-221)
Last Fight: 9/8/2012- TKO4 Manuel Charr (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Vitali originally said he’d decide whether to retire or fight on by December 17, but has now said he won’t decide until 2013.
2) David Haye (25-25-25)
Last Fight: 7/14/2012- TKO5 #6 Dereck Chisora
Next Fight: Unknown
Haye has indicated that a fight with Vitali may be the only fight that would lure him away from re-retiring. 
3) Steve Cunningham (2-2-2)
Last Fight: 12/22/2012- L (SD12) vs. #3 Tomasz Adamek (Robbery)
Next Fight: Unknown
Judges don’t like Steve Cunningham, and he’s the visiting fighter even at home.  I don’t know why.  He makes interesting fights and has been excellent for years.  But he was borderline robbed in his first fight with Hernandez, and now blatantly so against Adamek.
4) Alexander Povetkin (25-271-271)
Last Fight: 9/29/2012- TKO2 Hasim Rahman (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
It now looks like a good bet that Povetkin-Wlad will be made early in 2013.
5) Tomasz Adamek (2-141-141)
Last Fight: 12/22/2012- W (SD12)* vs. CW #4 Steve Cunningham (Robbery)
Next Fight: Unknown
The judges, at first blush, appeared to have helped Adamek.  But what he gets is undeserved public scorn at having won a fight in which he put in an honest effort but clearly lost.  For a bonus, he most likely gets a fight with Kubrat Pulev that he is likely to lose very badly.
6) Tyson Fury (2-76-76)
Last Fight: 12/1/2012- UD12 Kevin Johnson (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Fury’s promoter says that David Price has made a non-serious offer to fight him.  In reality, the money probably doesn’t matter.   Fury could sit around eating Cheetos indefinitely and still get a big-money Klitschko shot in 2013.  The same is not true if he loses to Price.  If he loses to Klitschko, he can probably still fight Price later.
7) Eddie Chambers (2-29-29)
Last Fight: 6/16/2012- L(UD12) vs. #3 Tomasz Adamek
Next Fight: Unknown
After announcing that he’s moving down to cruiserweight, Chambers has a suitor at that weight in #1 Denis Lebedev.  Lebedev would like to come to New York to fight him in March or before.  Chambers has said he wishes to accept the challenge.
8) Kubrat Pulev (2-35-112)
Last Fight: 9/29/2012- KO11 Alexander Ustinov (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
With Wlad likely to take care of his WBA mandatory against Povetkin in March, Pulev appears likely to fight for the IBF mandatory position against Adamek around the same time.
9) Dereck Chisora (2-57-120)
Last Fight: 7/14/2012- L(TKO5) vs. David Haye (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Chisora is in the process of re-applying for his British license, and if successful, may very well fight David Price next.
10) Johnathon Banks (2-7-7)

Last Fight: 11/17/2012- TKO2 #11 Seth Mitchell
Next Fight: 2/16/2013- vs. Seth Mitchell (UNR)
Banks doesn’t get to rest on his laurels for too long, as Mitchell has invoked his rematch clause.  The second helping will be placed on the table on a February 16 Adrien Broner undercard.
11) Odlanier Solis (2-136)
Last Fight: 5/19/2012- UD12 Konstantin Airich (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Solis pulled out of his December 22 fight with Adamek, apparently due to severe differences with his Turkish promoter Ahmet Oner, from whom he is apparently trying to separate himself.  Solis’ scheduling has been notoriously unreliable under Oner ever since he injured his knee against Vitali Klitschko.
12) Marco Huck (2-45)
Last Fight: 11/3/2012- W*(UD12) vs. CW #10 Firat Arslan (Robbery)
Next Fight: Unknown
Huck will be fighting a trilogy with Afolabi, with the last fight being probably in March, when Afolabi is likely to get robbed in Germany.
13) Robert Helenius (2-136)
Last Fight: 11/10/2012- W*(UD10) vs. Sherman Williams (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Helenius will reportedly fight Michael Sprott next, but reports that it was done for March 2 have been vehemently denied by Sauerland.
14) Ruslan Chagaev (2-320)
Last Fight: 9/1/2012- TKO7 Werner Kreiskott (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
An observant commenter pointed out that Chagaev’s last significant win was over Kali Meehan, as opposed to Matt Skelton nearly 5 years ago.  Meehan- despite his last good win being 2 1/2 years old when he fought Chagaev- probably was still at least at the gatekeeper level in fairness.  I still expect that when the Skelton win expires, Chagaev will sink below the top 20, but he might remain in the mix.
15) Alexander Dimitrenko (2-103)
Last Fight: 12/21/2012- UD8 Samir Kurtagic (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Dimitrenko beat the very mediocre Samir Kurtagic, but couldn’t avoid getting dropped late in the contest.
16) Tony Thompson (2-136)
Last Fight: 7/7/2012- L(TKO6) vs. Champ Wladimir Klitschko
Next Fight: 2/23/2013- vs. David Price (UNR)
After failing to take the title from Wlad, Thompson will serve as a stepping stone to a top 10 ranking for sensational English giant David Price in a February fight in Liverpool- or at least he will if he plays along with Price’s plan.
17) Chris Arreola (2-198)
Last Fight: 2/18/2012- KO1 Eric Molina (UNR)
Next Fight: 2/23/2013- vs. Bermane Stiverne (UNR)
The oft-delayed Arreola-Stiverne fight once again has a new date- this time February 23- due to an injury to main event headliner Andre Ward.
18) Denis Boytsov (2-185)
Last Fight: 4/13/2012- UD10 Dominick Guinn (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Boytsov hopes to return February 9, but will have to get past issues with his cash-strapped promoter in order to make that fight a reality.
19) Jean-Marc Mormeck (2-136)
Last Fight: 3/3/2012- L(TKO4) vs. Champ Wladimir Klitschko
Next Fight: 2/2/2013- vs. CW #6 Krzysztof Wlodarczyk (at CW)
The Wlodarczyk fight has a new date of February 2, apparently due to difficulties in negotiating the particulars of the fight.
20) Vyacheslav Glazkov (2-2)
Last Fight: 12/22/2012- RTD4 Tor Hamer (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Glazkov may have had a bit easier a time in dispatching Hamer than you’d like to see, but he deserves plenty of credit for the performance nevertheless.

 

THE WEEK AHEAD: Nothing to report this week, but I hope you have a happy and blessed new year!

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Junior Middleweight: 2011, Oct 17-23

Posted in Junior Middleweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on December 27, 2012 by danboxing
Undefeated Polish prospect Damian Jonak dominated former contender and current journeyman Alex Bunema in Katowice, Poland on Saturday, winning by shutout on 2 of the 3 cards.  Later that evening, welterweight-junior middle tweener and gatekeeper Freddy Hernandez managed to rebound from his recent 1st round knockout loss to Andre Berto with a fight against former fringe contender Luis Collazo on the Hopkins-Dawson undercard in LA, but he didn’t exactly dominate, winning by unanimous scores of 96-93, despite scoring an 8th round knockdown.  No changes to the rankings.

 

Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in Current Position-Weeks in Top 10 if applicable-Weeks in Top 20)
Champ: None
1) Saul Alvarez (18-33-48)
Last Fight: 9/17/2011- TKO6 Alfonso Gomez (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/26/2011- vs. Kermit Cintron (UNR)
Canelo will look to take advantage of apparently shot fringe contender Kermit Cintron on November 26 in Mexico.
2) Cornelius Bundrage (18-63-63)
Last Fight: 6/25/2011- UD12 #11 Sechew Powell
Next Fight: Unknown
DeAndre Latimore is K9’s mandatory, but K9 appears to prefer a voluntary next.  He has called out Canelo, Mosley, and Molina, and his promoter Don King is apparently working on a fight with Ricardo Mayorga for January, though the IBF reportedly is not willing to sanction that fight for Bundrage’s title.
3) Erislandy Lara (15-15-37)
Last Fight: 7/9/2011- L*(MD12) vs. #6 Paul Williams
Next Fight: Unknown
With most of the big names at 154 apparently not all that excited about fighting him, Lara recently challenged Dmitry Pirog at middleweight.
4) Alfredo Angulo (15-108-108)
Last Fight: 8/20/2011- KO1 Joe Gomez (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/5/2012- vs. James Kirkland (UNR)
After several weeks of speculation, it’s now set: Angulo will face James Kirkland on November 5 in Cancun, in what appears to be an eliminator for a fight with Canelo.
5) Miguel Cotto (15-72-72)
Last Fight: 3/12/2011- TKO12 Ricardo Mayorga (UNR)
Next Fight: 12/3/2011- vs. #20 Antonio Margarito (UNR)
The Margarito fight will be at a 153-pound catchweight for some reason, and will take place at Madison Square Garden.
6) Carlos Molina (15-15-30)
Last Fight: 7/9/2011- UD10 #7 Kermit Cintron
Next Fight: Unknown
Had absolutely no trouble with the highly-ranked Cintron, and now he or his promoter have challenged basically everybody: Lara, Cotto, Canelo, Trout, K9, Dzinziruk, Paul Williams, and Mike Jones. 
7) Prince Arron (14-23-23)
Last Fight: 5/13/2011- TKO12 #14 Sam Webb
Next Fight: 12/3/2011- vs. Brian Rose (UNR)
Arron takes on one-loss and still relatively untested prospect Brian Rose in Wigan, England in early December.
8) Pawel Wolak (14-32-32)
Last Fight: 7/15/2011- Draw (MD10) vs. Delvin Rodriguez (UNR)
Next Fight: 12/3/2011- vs. #13 Delvin Rodriguez
Wolak will fight Rodriguez on the Cotto-Margarito undercard in a rematch of their fight of the year candidate from July.
9) Ryan Rhodes (14-104-104)
Last Fight: 6/18/2011- L(UD12) vs. #8 Saul Alvarez
Next Fight: Unknown
Rhodes’ stock is significantly diminished after being dominated by Alvarez, but he still has a solid resume and remains in the top 10.
10) Austin Trout (19-19-37)
Last Fight: 6/11/2011- UD12 David Lopez (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/11/2012- vs. Frank LaPorto (UNR)
Trout was briefly set to fight Yuki Nonaka, but a hand injury has led to the essentially lateral move to another solid journeyman in Australia’s Frank LoPorto.  The fight will be televised on ShoBox.
11) Sechew Powell (19-83)
Last Fight: 6/25/2011- L(UD12) vs. #3 Cornelius Bundrage
Next Fight: Unknown
After Latimore turned down an eliminator for a Bundrage shot, Powell will instead be taking on Cory Spinks for that honor, it would appear.  The fight may land on the Mares-Agbeko undercard on December 3.
12) Gabriel Rosado (19-37)
Last Fight: 9/9/2011- UD10 Keenan Collins (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Rosado had little trouble with the low-level challenge of Collins.
13) Delvin Rodriguez (14-14)
Last Fight: 7/15/2011- Draw (MD10) vs. #7 Pawel Wolak
Next Fight: 12/3/2011- vs. #8 Pawel Wolak
See Wolak’s notes, above.
14) Manny Pacquiao (14-37)
Last Fight: 5/7/2011- UD12 #15 Shane Mosley (at WW)
Next Fight: 11/12/2011- vs. LW Champ Juan Manuel Marquez (at WW)
Pacquiao had already nearly finished signing a fight with lightweight champion and rival Juan Manuel Marquez before the Mosley debacle even went down.  Unfortunately the talk is that the fight will be at a 144-pound catchweight.  This fight is a natural for 140 pounds, but Pacquiao wants to drag Marquez up because he has the proven ability to carry the weight better than the lightweight.  It’s a damn shame, because this could have been a good challenge at the right weight.
15) Paul Williams (14-37)
Last Fight: 7/9/2011- W*(MD12) vs. #17 Erislandy Lara (Robbery)
Next Fight: Unknown
Williams’ promoter wants to see him fight an orthodox fighter next, but it’s increasingly likely that won’t be until 2012.
16) Vanes Martirosyan (5-20)
Last Fight: 6/4/2011- TKO7 Saul Roman (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/29/2011- vs. Richard Gutierrez (UNR)
After turning down Angulo, Vanes is set to fight gatekeeper Richard Gutierrez in Thackerville, OK on October 29.
17) Yuri Foreman (5-107)
Last Fight: 3/12/2011- L (RTD6) vs. Pawel Wolak (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Foreman’s career currently hangs in the balance, and he reportedly is not sure whether or not to continue fighting.
18) Lukas Konecny (5-10)
Last Fight: 5/27/2011- UD12 Hussein Bayram (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
With Dzinziruk sidelined with an injury, the WBO is set to order a fight between Konecny and Zaurbek Baysangurov.
19) Deandre Latimore (5-9)
Last Fight: 4/16/2011- UD8 Dennis Sharpe (UNR) (at MW)
Next Fight: Unknown
The IBF proposed an eliminator between Latimore and Sechew Powell, but the former says he has no interest in that fight.
20) Antonio Margarito (5-5)
Last Fight: 11/13/2010- L(UD12) vs. #1 WW Manny Pacquiao
Next Fight: 12/3/2011- vs. #5 Miguel Cotto
Re-match with Miguel Cotto on the horizon.

 

The Week Ahead:  #10 Middleweight Anthony Mundine of Australia drops down a division to fight Mexican fringe contender Rigoberto Alvarez in Newcastle, Australia on Wednesday.

 

Saturday in the boxing Mecca of New Town, South Dakota, Minnesota’s Andy Kolle stays busy against low-level journeyman James Wayka.

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Junior Middleweight: 2011, Oct 10-16

Posted in Junior Middleweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on December 27, 2012 by danboxing
No fights to report on from last week, for the third time in a row.

 

Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in Current Position-Weeks in Top 10 if applicable-Weeks in Top 20)
Champ: None
1) Saul Alvarez (17-32-47)
Last Fight: 9/17/2011- TKO6 Alfonso Gomez (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/26/2011- vs. Kermit Cintron (UNR)
Canelo will look to take advantage of apparently shot fringe contender Kermit Cintron on November 26 in Mexico.
2) Cornelius Bundrage (17-62-62)
Last Fight: 6/25/2011- UD12 #11 Sechew Powell
Next Fight: Unknown
DeAndre Latimore is K9’s mandatory, but K9 appears to prefer a voluntary next.  He has called out Canelo, Mosley, and Molina, and his promoter Don King is apparently working on a fight with Ricardo Mayorga for January, though the IBF reportedly is not willing to sanction that fight for Bundrage’s title.
3) Erislandy Lara (14-14-36)
Last Fight: 7/9/2011- L*(MD12) vs. #6 Paul Williams
Next Fight: Unknown
Lara wrote an open letter offering Williams a rematch, but no word from Paul yet.  Lara has also sought fights with Dzinziruk and Bundrage, neither of whom appear to want the fight.  He also wants Canelo, but believes that Golden Boy will protect their cash cow.
4) Alfredo Angulo (14-107-107)
Last Fight: 8/20/2011- KO1 Joe Gomez (UNR)
Next Fight: 5/5/2012- vs. James Kirkland (UNR)
After several weeks of speculation, it’s now set: Angulo will face James Kirkland on May 5 in Cancun, in what appears to be an eliminator for a fight with Canelo.
5) Miguel Cotto (14-71-71)
Last Fight: 3/12/2011- TKO12 Ricardo Mayorga (UNR)
Next Fight: 12/3/2011- vs. #20 Antonio Margarito (UNR)
The Margarito fight will be at a 153-pound catchweight for some reason, and will take place at Madison Square Garden.
6) Carlos Molina (14-14-29)
Last Fight: 7/9/2011- UD10 #7 Kermit Cintron
Next Fight: Unknown
Had absolutely no trouble with the highly-ranked Cintron, and now he or his promoter have challenged basically everybody: Lara, Cotto, Canelo, Trout, K9, Dzinziruk, Paul Williams, and Mike Jones. 
7) Prince Arron (13-22-22)
Last Fight: 5/13/2011- TKO12 #14 Sam Webb
Next Fight: 12/3/2011- vs. Brian Rose (UNR)
Arron takes on one-loss and still relatively untested prospect Brian Rose in Wigan, England in early December.
8) Pawel Wolak (13-31-31)
Last Fight: 7/15/2011- Draw (MD10) vs. Delvin Rodriguez (UNR)
Next Fight: 12/3/2011- vs. #13 Delvin Rodriguez
Wolak will fight Rodriguez on the Cotto-Margarito undercard in a rematch of their fight of the year candidate from July.
9) Ryan Rhodes (13-103-103)
Last Fight: 6/18/2011- L(UD12) vs. #8 Saul Alvarez
Next Fight: Unknown
Rhodes’ stock is significantly diminished after being dominated by Alvarez, but he still has a solid resume and remains in the top 10.
10) Austin Trout (18-18-36)
Last Fight: 6/11/2011- UD12 David Lopez (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Trout will very likely be fighting Yuki Nonaka November 11 on ShoBox.
11) Sechew Powell (18-82)
Last Fight: 6/25/2011- L(UD12) vs. #3 Cornelius Bundrage
Next Fight: Unknown
The IBF has ordered an eliminator trilogy fight with Latimore, with the winner to face Bundrage for the belt.  But Latimore says he’s not interested.  Theoretically, that should mean that Powell will be able to fight K9 without the eliminator, or else he’ll fight someone else to earn the shot.
12) Gabriel Rosado (18-36)
Last Fight: 9/9/2011- UD10 Keenan Collins (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Rosado had little trouble with the low-level challenge of Collins.
13) Delvin Rodriguez (13-13)
Last Fight: 7/15/2011- Draw (MD10) vs. #7 Pawel Wolak
Next Fight: 12/3/2011- vs. #8 Pawel Wolak
See Wolak’s notes, above.
14) Manny Pacquiao (13-36)
Last Fight: 5/7/2011- UD12 #15 Shane Mosley (at WW)
Next Fight: 11/12/2011- vs. LW Champ Juan Manuel Marquez (at WW)
Pacquiao had already nearly finished signing a fight with lightweight champion and rival Juan Manuel Marquez before the Mosley debacle even went down.  Unfortunately the talk is that the fight will be at a 144-pound catchweight.  This fight is a natural for 140 pounds, but Pacquiao wants to drag Marquez up because he has the proven ability to carry the weight better than the lightweight.  It’s a damn shame, because this could have been a good challenge at the right weight.
15) Paul Williams (13-36)
Last Fight: 7/9/2011- W*(MD12) vs. #17 Erislandy Lara (Robbery)
Next Fight: Unknown
Williams’ promoter wants to see him fight an orthodox fighter next, but it’s increasingly likely that won’t be until 2012.
16) Vanes Martirosyan (4-19)
Last Fight: 6/4/2011- TKO7 Saul Roman (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/29/2011- vs. Richard Gutierrez (UNR)
After turning down Angulo, Vanes is set to fight gatekeeper Richard Gutierrez in Thackerville, OK on October 29.
17) Yuri Foreman (4-106)
Last Fight: 3/12/2011- L (RTD6) vs. Pawel Wolak (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Foreman’s career currently hangs in the balance, and he reportedly is not sure whether or not to continue fighting.
18) Lukas Konecny (4-9)
Last Fight: 5/27/2011- UD12 Hussein Bayram (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
With Dzinziruk sidelined with an injury, the WBO is set to order a fight between Konecny and Zaurbek Baysangurov.
19) Deandre Latimore (4-8)
Last Fight: 4/16/2011- UD8 Dennis Sharpe (UNR) (at MW)
Next Fight: Unknown
The IBF proposed an eliminator between Latimore and Sechew Powell, but the former says he has no interest in that fight.
20) Antonio Margarito (4-4)
Last Fight: 11/13/2010- L(UD12) vs. #1 WW Manny Pacquiao
Next Fight: 12/3/2011- vs. #5 Miguel Cotto
Re-match with Miguel Cotto on the horizon.

 

The Week Ahead:  Two significant fights on Saturday:
 

In Katowice, Poland, undefeated local prospect Damian Jonak battles veteran journeyman Alex Bunema.

 

Later, on the Hopkins-Dawson undercard, gatekeeper Freddy Hernandez meets journeyman and former fringe contender Luis Collazo in Los Angeles.

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Junior Middleweight: 2011, Oct 3-9

Posted in Junior Middleweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on December 27, 2012 by danboxing
No fights to report on from last week again.

 

Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in Current Position-Weeks in Top 10 if applicable-Weeks in Top 20)
Champ: None
1) Saul Alvarez (16-31-46)
Last Fight: 9/17/2011- TKO6 Alfonso Gomez (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/26/2011- vs. Kermit Cintron (UNR)
Canelo will look to take advantage of apparently shot fringe contender Kermit Cintron on November 26 in Mexico.
2) Cornelius Bundrage (16-61-61)
Last Fight: 6/25/2011- UD12 #11 Sechew Powell
Next Fight: Unknown
DeAndre Latimore is K9’s mandatory, but K9 appears to prefer a voluntary next.  He has called out Canelo, Mosley, and Molina, and his promoter Don King is apparently working on a fight with Ricardo Mayorga for January, though the IBF reportedly is not willing to sanction that fight for Bundrage’s title.
3) Erislandy Lara (13-13-35)
Last Fight: 7/9/2011- L*(MD12) vs. #6 Paul Williams
Next Fight: Unknown
Lara wrote an open letter offering Williams a rematch, but no word from Paul yet.  Lara has also sought fights with Dzinziruk and Bundrage, neither of whom appear to want the fight.  He also wants Canelo, but believes that Golden Boy will protect their cash cow.
4) Alfredo Angulo (13-106-106)
Last Fight: 8/20/2011- KO1 Joe Gomez (UNR)
Next Fight: 5/5/2012- vs. James Kirkland (UNR)
After several weeks of speculation, it’s now set: Angulo will face James Kirkland on May 5 in Cancun.
5) Miguel Cotto (13-70-70)
Last Fight: 3/12/2011- TKO12 Ricardo Mayorga (UNR)
Next Fight: 12/3/2011- vs. #20 Antonio Margarito (UNR)
The Margarito fight will be at a 153-pound catchweight for some reason, and will take place at Madison Square Garden.
6) Carlos Molina (13-13-28)
Last Fight: 7/9/2011- UD10 #7 Kermit Cintron
Next Fight: Unknown
Had absolutely no trouble with the highly-ranked Cintron, and now he or his promoter have challenged basically everybody: Lara, Cotto, Canelo, Trout, K9, Dzinziruk, Paul Williams, and Mike Jones. 
7) Prince Arron (12-21-21)
Last Fight: 5/13/2011- TKO12 #14 Sam Webb
Next Fight: 12/3/2011- vs. Brian Rose (UNR)
Arron takes on one-loss and still relatively untested prospect Brian Rose in Wigan, England in early December.
8) Pawel Wolak (12-30-30)
Last Fight: 7/15/2011- Draw (MD10) vs. Delvin Rodriguez (UNR)
Next Fight: 12/3/2011- vs. #13 Delvin Rodriguez
Wolak will fight Rodriguez on the Cotto-Margarito undercard in a rematch of their fight of the year candidate from July.
9) Ryan Rhodes (12-102-102)
Last Fight: 6/18/2011- L(UD12) vs. #8 Saul Alvarez
Next Fight: Unknown
Rhodes’ stock is significantly diminished after being dominated by Alvarez, but he still has a solid resume and remains in the top 10.
10) Austin Trout (17-17-35)
Last Fight: 6/11/2011- UD12 David Lopez (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Appears all but set to fight MW #10 Anthony Mundine, but Mundine has yet to sign.  Vanes Martirosyan is trying to cut in, as well.
11) Sechew Powell (17-81)
Last Fight: 6/25/2011- L(UD12) vs. #3 Cornelius Bundrage
Next Fight: Unknown
The IBF has ordered an eliminator trilogy fight with Latimore, with the winner to face Bundrage for the belt.  But Latimore says he’s not interested.  Theoretically, that should mean that Powell will be able to fight K9 without the eliminator, or else he’ll fight someone else to earn the shot.
12) Gabriel Rosado (17-35)
Last Fight: 9/9/2011- UD10 Keenan Collins (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Rosado had little trouble with the low-level challenge of Collins.
13) Delvin Rodriguez (12-12)
Last Fight: 7/15/2011- Draw (MD10) vs. #7 Pawel Wolak
Next Fight: 12/3/2011- vs. #8 Pawel Wolak
See Wolak’s notes, above.
14) Manny Pacquiao (12-35)
Last Fight: 5/7/2011- UD12 #15 Shane Mosley (at WW)
Next Fight: 11/12/2011- vs. LW Champ Juan Manuel Marquez (at WW)
Pacquiao had already nearly finished signing a fight with lightweight champion and rival Juan Manuel Marquez before the Mosley debacle even went down.  Unfortunately the talk is that the fight will be at a 144-pound catchweight.  This fight is a natural for 140 pounds, but Pacquiao wants to drag Marquez up because he has the proven ability to carry the weight better than the lightweight.  It’s a damn shame, because this could have been a good challenge at the right weight.
15) Paul Williams (12-35)
Last Fight: 7/9/2011- W*(MD12) vs. #17 Erislandy Lara (Robbery)
Next Fight: Unknown
Williams’ promoter wants to see him fight an orthodox fighter next, but it’s increasingly likely that won’t be until 2012.
16) Vanes Martirosyan (3-18)
Last Fight: 6/4/2011- TKO7 Saul Roman (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/29/2011- vs. Richard Gutierrez (UNR)
After turning down Angulo, Vanes is set to fight gatekeeper Richard Gutierrez in Thackerville, OK on October 29.
17) Yuri Foreman (3-105)
Last Fight: 3/12/2011- L (RTD6) vs. Pawel Wolak (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Foreman’s career currently hangs in the balance, and he reportedly is not sure whether or not to continue fighting.
18) Lukas Konecny (3-8)
Last Fight: 5/27/2011- UD12 Hussein Bayram (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
With Dzinziruk sidelined with an injury, the WBO is set to order a fight between Konecny and Zaurbek Baysangurov.
19) Deandre Latimore (3-7)
Last Fight: 4/16/2011- UD8 Dennis Sharpe (UNR) (at MW)
Next Fight: Unknown
The IBF proposed an eliminator between Latimore and Sechew Powell, but the former says he has no interest in that fight.
20) Antonio Margarito (3-3)
Last Fight: 11/13/2010- L(UD12) vs. #1 WW Manny Pacquiao
Next Fight: 12/3/2011- vs. #5 Miguel Cotto
Re-match with Miguel Cotto on the horizon.

 

The Week Ahead:  A third consecutive dry week in the division.

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Junior Middleweight: 2011, Sep 26- Oct 2

Posted in Junior Middleweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on December 27, 2012 by danboxing
No fights to report on from last week.

 

Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in Current Position-Weeks in Top 10 if applicable-Weeks in Top 20)
Champ: None
1) Saul Alvarez (15-30-45)
Last Fight: 9/17/2011- TKO6 Alfonso Gomez (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Canelo’s trainer and promoter are going back and forth in the media over whether or not the JCC fight is likely to happen.
2) Cornelius Bundrage (15-60-60)
Last Fight: 6/25/2011- UD12 #11 Sechew Powell
Next Fight: Unknown
DeAndre Latimore is K9’s mandatory, but K9 appears to prefer a voluntary next.  He has called out Canelo, Mosley, and Molina, and his promoter Don King is apparently working on a fight with Ricardo Mayorga for January, though the IBF reportedly is not willing to sanction that fight for Bundrage’s title.
3) Erislandy Lara (12-12-34)
Last Fight: 7/9/2011- L*(MD12) vs. #6 Paul Williams
Next Fight: Unknown
Lara wrote an open letter offering Williams a rematch, but no word from Paul yet.  Lara has also sought fights with Dzinziruk and Bundrage, neither of whom appear to want the fight.  He also wants Canelo, but believes that Golden Boy will protect their cash cow.
4) Alfredo Angulo (12-105-105)
Last Fight: 8/20/2011- KO1 Joe Gomez (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
After Vanes Martirosyan turned down a big offer to fight him against his manager’s advice, Angulo now appears likely to fight Kirkland on May 5 in Mexico.
5) Miguel Cotto (12-69-69)
Last Fight: 3/12/2011- TKO12 Ricardo Mayorga (UNR)
Next Fight: 12/3/2011- vs. #20 Antonio Margarito (UNR)
The Margarito fight will be at a 153-pound catchweight for some reason, and will take place at Madison Square Garden.
6) Carlos Molina (12-12-27)
Last Fight: 7/9/2011- UD10 #7 Kermit Cintron
Next Fight: Unknown
Had absolutely no trouble with the highly-ranked Cintron, and now he or his promoter have challenged basically everybody: Lara, Cotto, Canelo, Trout, K9, Dzinziruk, Paul Williams, and Mike Jones. 
7) Prince Arron (11-20-20)
Last Fight: 5/13/2011- TKO12 #14 Sam Webb
Next Fight: Unknown
Arron’s dramatic upset victory earned him the British title and a place in the top 10.
8) Pawel Wolak (11-29-29)
Last Fight: 7/15/2011- Draw (MD10) vs. Delvin Rodriguez (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Wolak is training for an October 1 date, but has no official opponent yet.  He’s hoping for K9 Bundrage, though.
9) Ryan Rhodes (11-101-101)
Last Fight: 6/18/2011- L(UD12) vs. #8 Saul Alvarez
Next Fight: Unknown
Rhodes’ stock is significantly diminished after being dominated by Alvarez, but he still has a solid resume and remains in the top 10.
10) Austin Trout (16-16-34)
Last Fight: 6/11/2011- UD12 David Lopez (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Appears all but set to fight MW #10 Anthony Mundine, but Mundine has yet to sign.  Vanes Martirosyan is trying to cut in, as well.
11) Sechew Powell (16-80)
Last Fight: 6/25/2011- L(UD12) vs. #3 Cornelius Bundrage
Next Fight: Unknown
The IBF has ordered an eliminator trilogy fight with Latimore, with the winner to face Bundrage for the belt.  But Latimore says he’s not interested.  Theoretically, that should mean that Powell will be able to fight K9 without the eliminator, or else he’ll fight someone else to earn the shot.
12) Gabriel Rosado (16-34)
Last Fight: 9/9/2011- UD10 Keenan Collins (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Rosado had little trouble with the low-level challenge of Collins.
13) Delvin Rodriguez (11-11)
Last Fight: 7/15/2011- Draw (MD10) vs. #7 Pawel Wolak
Next Fight: Unknown
Rodriguez outworked and busted up Pawel Wolak, but only managed a draw on the cards.  His effort and the result have earned him a pretty solid debut in the rankings, though.
14) Manny Pacquiao (11-34)
Last Fight: 5/7/2011- UD12 #15 Shane Mosley (at WW)
Next Fight: 11/12/2011- vs. LW Champ Juan Manuel Marquez (at WW)
Pacquiao had already nearly finished signing a fight with lightweight champion and rival Juan Manuel Marquez before the Mosley debacle even went down.  Unfortunately the talk is that the fight will be at a 144-pound catchweight.  This fight is a natural for 140 pounds, but Pacquiao wants to drag Marquez up because he has the proven ability to carry the weight better than the lightweight.  It’s a damn shame, because this could have been a good challenge at the right weight.
15) Paul Williams (11-34)
Last Fight: 7/9/2011- W*(MD12) vs. #17 Erislandy Lara
Next Fight: Unknown
Williams’ promoter wants to see him fight an orthodox fighter next, but it’s increasingly likely that won’t be until 2012.
16) Vanes Martirosyan (2-17)
Last Fight: 6/4/2011- TKO7 Saul Roman (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Vanes turned down an offer to fight Angulo, and his manager was so against that decision that the two have parted ways.
17) Yuri Foreman (2-104)
Last Fight: 3/12/2011- L (RTD6) vs. Pawel Wolak (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Foreman’s career currently hangs in the balance, and he reportedly is not sure whether or not to continue fighting.
18) Lukas Konecny (2-7)
Last Fight: 5/27/2011- UD12 Hussein Bayram (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
With Dzinziruk sidelined with an injury, the WBO is set to order a fight between Konecny and Zaurbek Baysangurov.
19) Deandre Latimore (2-6)
Last Fight: 4/16/2011- UD8 Dennis Sharpe (UNR) (at MW)
Next Fight: Unknown
The IBF proposed an eliminator between Latimore and Sechew Powell, but the former says he has no interest in that fight.
20) Antonio Margarito (2-2)
Last Fight: 11/13/2010- L(UD12) vs. #1 WW Manny Pacquiao
Next Fight: 12/3/2011- vs. #5 Miguel Cotto
Re-match with Miguel Cotto on the horizon.

 

The Week Ahead:  No significant action in the division this week, again.

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Junior Middleweight: 2011, Sep 19-25

Posted in Junior Middleweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on December 27, 2012 by danboxing
We were treated to a bit of a strange contest on Saturday.  Canelo Alvarez dropped solid (but typically welterweight) fringe contender Alfonso Gomez in the opening round, but then basically laid back passively for the next three.  He came back to win the 5th and even the score, and then began putting a real beating on Gomez in the 6th.  Unfortunately, referee Wayne Hedgepeth stopped the fight well before it was really over, as Gomez was still defending himself very competently despite Canelo’s onslaught. 

 

Nevertheless, it did appear that Canelo was probably on his way to a stoppage at some point anyway, so I’m not going to nitpick.  Besides, he’s #1 in the rankings regardless.  Shane Mosley hasn’t fought at 154 in over a year, and is thus removed.  This allows everyone rated #17 and below last week to advance, and makes room for Antonio Margarito to debut at #20.

 

Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in Current Position-Weeks in Top 10 if applicable-Weeks in Top 20)
Champ: None
1) Saul Alvarez (14-29-44)
Last Fight: 9/17/2011- TKO6 Alfonso Gomez (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Canelo will likely fight December 3 on the Cotto-Margarito undercard, and expects to fight Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. in early 2012.
2) Cornelius Bundrage (14-59-59)
Last Fight: 6/25/2011- UD12 #11 Sechew Powell
Next Fight: Unknown
DeAndre Latimore is K9’s mandatory, but K9 appears to prefer a voluntary next.  He has called out Canelo, Mosley, and Molina, and his promoter Don King is apparently working on a fight with Ricardo Mayorga for January, though the IBF reportedly is not willing to sanction that fight for Bundrage’s title.
3) Erislandy Lara (11-11-33)
Last Fight: 7/9/2011- L*(MD12) vs. #6 Paul Williams
Next Fight: Unknown
Lara wrote an open letter offering Williams a rematch, but no word from Paul yet.  Lara has also sought fights with Dzinziruk and Bundrage, neither of whom appear to want the fight.  He also wants Canelo, but believes that Golden Boy will protect their cash cow.
4) Alfredo Angulo (11-104-104)
Last Fight: 8/20/2011- KO1 Joe Gomez (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
After Vanes Martirosyan turned down a big offer to fight him against his manager’s advice, Angulo now appears likely to fight Kirkland on May 5 in Mexico.
5) Miguel Cotto (11-68-68)
Last Fight: 3/12/2011- TKO12 Ricardo Mayorga (UNR)
Next Fight: 12/3/2011- vs. #20 Antonio Margarito (UNR)
The Margarito fight will be at a 153-pound catchweight for some reason, and will take place at Madison Square Garden.
6) Carlos Molina (11-11-26)
Last Fight: 7/9/2011- UD10 #7 Kermit Cintron
Next Fight: Unknown
Had absolutely no trouble with the highly-ranked Cintron, and now he or his promoter have challenged basically everybody: Lara, Cotto, Canelo, Trout, K9, Dzinziruk, Paul Williams, and Mike Jones. 
7) Prince Arron (10-19-19)
Last Fight: 5/13/2011- TKO12 #14 Sam Webb
Next Fight: Unknown
Arron’s dramatic upset victory earned him the British title and a place in the top 10.
8) Pawel Wolak (10-28-28)
Last Fight: 7/15/2011- Draw (MD10) vs. Delvin Rodriguez (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Wolak is training for an October 1 date, but has no official opponent yet.  He’s hoping for K9 Bundrage, though.
9) Ryan Rhodes (10-100-100)
Last Fight: 6/18/2011- L(UD12) vs. #8 Saul Alvarez
Next Fight: Unknown
Rhodes’ stock is significantly diminished after being dominated by Alvarez, but he still has a solid resume and remains in the top 10.
10) Austin Trout (15-15-33)
Last Fight: 6/11/2011- UD12 David Lopez (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Appears all but set to fight MW #10 Anthony Mundine, but Mundine has yet to sign.  Vanes Martirosyan is trying to cut in, as well.
11) Sechew Powell (15-79)
Last Fight: 6/25/2011- L(UD12) vs. #3 Cornelius Bundrage
Next Fight: Unknown
Powell is sparring with Floyd Mayweather to prepare Floyd for the Victor Ortiz fight.
12) Gabriel Rosado (15-33)
Last Fight: 9/9/2011- UD10 Keenan Collins (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Rosado had little trouble with the low-level challenge of Collins.
13) Delvin Rodriguez (10-10)
Last Fight: 7/15/2011- Draw (MD10) vs. #7 Pawel Wolak
Next Fight: Unknown
Rodriguez outworked and busted up Pawel Wolak, but only managed a draw on the cards.  His effort and the result have earned him a pretty solid debut in the rankings, though.
14) Manny Pacquiao (10-33)
Last Fight: 5/7/2011- UD12 #15 Shane Mosley (at WW)
Next Fight: 11/12/2011- vs. LW Champ Juan Manuel Marquez (at WW)
Pacquiao had already nearly finished signing a fight with lightweight champion and rival Juan Manuel Marquez before the Mosley debacle even went down.  Unfortunately the talk is that the fight will be at a 144-pound catchweight.  This fight is a natural for 140 pounds, but Pacquiao wants to drag Marquez up because he has the proven ability to carry the weight better than the lightweight.  It’s a damn shame, because this could have been a good challenge at the right weight.
15) Paul Williams (10-33)
Last Fight: 7/9/2011- W*(MD12) vs. #17 Erislandy Lara
Next Fight: Unknown
Williams’ promoter wants to see him fight an orthodox fighter next, but it’s increasingly likely that won’t be until 2012.
16) Vanes Martirosyan (1-16)
Last Fight: 6/4/2011- TKO7 Saul Roman (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Vanes turned down an offer to fight Angulo, and his manager was so against that decision that the two have parted ways.
17) Yuri Foreman (1-103)
Last Fight: 3/12/2011- L (RTD6) vs. Pawel Wolak (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Foreman’s career currently hangs in the balance, and he reportedly is not sure whether or not to continue fighting.
18) Lukas Konecny (1-6)
Last Fight: 5/27/2011- UD12 Hussein Bayram (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Dzinziruk came down with an injury and has withdrawn from his fight with Konecny.
19) Deandre Latimore (1-5)
Last Fight: 4/16/2011- UD8 Dennis Sharpe (UNR) (at MW)
Next Fight: Unknown
Latimore has been seriously inactive (especially against decent opposition) since losing a close decision to Sechew Powell last March.  He technically hasn’t made the JMW limit since last July, but since he missed 154 by only 3/4 pound for his last fight, he gets an extra 6 months to schedule a fight at JMW and make the weight.
20) Antonio Margarito (1-1)
Last Fight: 11/13/2010- L(UD12) vs. #1 WW Manny Pacquiao
Next Fight: 12/3/2011- vs. #5 Miguel Cotto
Re-match with Miguel Cotto on the horizon.

 

The Week Ahead:  No significant action in the division this week.

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Junior Middleweight: 2011, Sep 12-18

Posted in Junior Middleweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on December 26, 2012 by danboxing
#12 Gabriel Rosado dominated journeyman Keenan Collins in Philly to win the Pennsylvania state junior middleweight title.

 

No changes to the rankings.

 

Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in Current Position-Weeks in Top 10 if applicable-Weeks in Top 20)
Champ: None
1) Saul Alvarez (13-28-43)
Last Fight: 6/18/2011- UD12 #7 Ryan Rhodes
Next Fight: 9/17/2011- vs. Alfonso Gomez (UNR)
Canelo will return on 9/17, and his opponent has now been confirmed as Alfonso Gomez.  This will likely be the co-feature for the Mayweather-Ortiz PPV.  He will also likely fight on December 3, most likely on the Cotto-Margarito undercard.
2) Cornelius Bundrage (13-58-58)
Last Fight: 6/25/2011- UD12 #11 Sechew Powell
Next Fight: Unknown
DeAndre Latimore is K9’s mandatory, but K9 appears to prefer a voluntary next.  He has called out Canelo, Mosley, and Molina, and his promoter Don King is apparently working on a fight with Ricardo Mayorga, though the IBF reportedly is not willing to sanction that fight for Bundrage’s title.
3) Erislandy Lara (10-10-32)
Last Fight: 7/9/2011- L*(MD12) vs. #6 Paul Williams
Next Fight: Unknown
Lara wrote an open letter offering Williams a rematch, but no word from Paul yet.  Lara has also sought fights with Dzinziruk and Bundrage, neither of whom appear to want the fight.  He also wants Canelo, but believes that Golden Boy will protect their cash cow.
4) Alfredo Angulo (10-103-103)
Last Fight: 8/20/2011- KO1 Joe Gomez (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
After Vanes Martirosyan turned down a big offer to fight him against his manager’s advice, Angulo now appears likely to fight Kirkland on May 5 in Mexico.
5) Miguel Cotto (10-67-67)
Last Fight: 3/12/2011- TKO12 Ricardo Mayorga (UNR)
Next Fight: 12/3/2011- vs. Antonio Margarito (UNR)
The Margarito fight will be at a 153-pound catchweight for some reason, and will take place at Madison Square Garden.
6) Carlos Molina (10-10-25)
Last Fight: 7/9/2011- UD10 #7 Kermit Cintron
Next Fight: Unknown
Had absolutely no trouble with the highly-ranked Cintron, and now he or his promoter have challenged basically everybody: Lara, Cotto, Canelo, Trout, K9, Dzinziruk, Paul Williams, and Mike Jones. 
7) Prince Arron (9-18-18)
Last Fight: 5/13/2011- TKO12 #14 Sam Webb
Next Fight: Unknown
Arron’s dramatic upset victory earned him the British title and a place in the top 10.
8) Pawel Wolak (9-27-27)
Last Fight: 7/15/2011- Draw (MD10) vs. Delvin Rodriguez (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Wolak is training for an October 1 date, but has no official opponent yet.  He’s hoping for K9 Bundrage, though.
9) Ryan Rhodes (9-99-99)
Last Fight: 6/18/2011- L(UD12) vs. #8 Saul Alvarez
Next Fight: Unknown
Rhodes’ stock is significantly diminished after being dominated by Alvarez, but he still has a solid resume and remains in the top 10.
10) Austin Trout (14-14-32)
Last Fight: 6/11/2011- UD12 David Lopez (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Appears all but set to fight MW #10 Anthony Mundine, but Mundine has yet to sign.  Vanes Martirosyan is trying to cut in, as well.
11) Sechew Powell (14-78)
Last Fight: 6/25/2011- L(UD12) vs. #3 Cornelius Bundrage
Next Fight: Unknown
Powell is sparring with Floyd Mayweather to prepare Floyd for the Victor Ortiz fight.
12) Gabriel Rosado (14-32)
Last Fight: 9/9/2011- UD10 Keenan Collins (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Rosado had little trouble with the low-level challenge of Collins.
13) Delvin Rodriguez (9-9)
Last Fight: 7/15/2011- Draw (MD10) vs. #7 Pawel Wolak
Next Fight: Unknown
Rodriguez outworked and busted up Pawel Wolak, but only managed a draw on the cards.  His effort and the result have earned him a pretty solid debut in the rankings, though.
14) Manny Pacquiao (9-32)
Last Fight: 5/7/2011- UD12 #15 Shane Mosley (at WW)
Next Fight: 11/12/2011- vs. LW Champ Juan Manuel Marquez (at WW)
Pacquiao had already nearly finished signing a fight with lightweight champion and rival Juan Manuel Marquez before the Mosley debacle even went down.  Unfortunately the talk is that the fight will be at a 144-pound catchweight.  This fight is a natural for 140 pounds, but Pacquiao wants to drag Marquez up because he has the proven ability to carry the weight better than the lightweight.  It’s a damn shame, because this could have been a good challenge at the right weight.
15) Paul Williams (9-32)
Last Fight: 7/9/2011- W*(MD12) vs. #17 Erislandy Lara
Next Fight: Unknown
Williams’ promoter wants to see him fight an orthodox fighter next, but it’s increasingly likely that won’t be until 2012.
16) Shane Mosley (5-32)
Last Fight: 5/7/2011- L(UD12) vs. #12 Manny Pacquiao (at WW)
Next Fight: Unknown
Mosley hasn’t fought at 154 since a year ago this coming Sunday, and he’ll be removed if he doesn’t schedule a fight in the coming week.
17) Vanes Martirosyan (5-15)
Last Fight: 6/4/2011- TKO7 Saul Roman (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Vanes turned down an offer to fight Angulo, and his manager was so against that decision that the two have parted ways.
18) Yuri Foreman (4-102)
Last Fight: 3/12/2011- L (RTD6) vs. Pawel Wolak (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Foreman’s career currently hangs in the balance, and he reportedly is not sure whether or not to continue fighting.
19) Lukas Konecny (4-5)
Last Fight: 5/27/2011- UD12 Hussein Bayram (UNR)
Next Fight: 9/30/2011- vs. Sergiy Dzinziruk (UNR)
Konecny will fight at home in the Czech Republic against Dzinziruk, who is only unranked because he has not fought under the 154 limit for over a year.  Konecny will likely be a clear underdog in the fight, and rightly so.
20) Deandre Latimore (4-4)
Last Fight: 4/16/2011- UD8 Dennis Sharpe (UNR) (at MW)
Next Fight: Unknown
Latimore has been seriously inactive (especially against decent opposition) since losing a close decision to Sechew Powell last March.  He technically hasn’t made the JMW limit since last July, but since he missed 154 by only 3/4 pound for his last fight, he gets an extra 6 months to schedule a fight at JMW and make the weight.
 
 
 
The Week Ahead:  #1 Saul “Canelo” Alvarez takes on fringe contender Alfonso Gomez, who fluctuates between welterweight and 154, at Staples Center on Saturday.

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Junior Middleweight: 2011, Sep 5-11

Posted in Junior Middleweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on December 26, 2012 by danboxing
Mexican gatekeeper Michel Rosales made good on his homecoming Saturday, winning a 10 round unanimous decision over veteran journeyman Julio Cesar Garcia in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

 

No changes to the rankings.

 

Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in Current Position-Weeks in Top 10 if applicable-Weeks in Top 20)
Champ: None
1) Saul Alvarez (12-27-42)
Last Fight: 6/18/2011- UD12 #7 Ryan Rhodes
Next Fight: 9/17/2011- vs. Alfonso Gomez (UNR)
Canelo will return on 9/17, and his opponent has now been confirmed as Alfonso Gomez.  This will likely be the co-feature for the Mayweather-Ortiz PPV.  He will also likely fight on December 3, most likely on the Cotto-Margarito undercard.
2) Cornelius Bundrage (12-57-57)
Last Fight: 6/25/2011- UD12 #11 Sechew Powell
Next Fight: Unknown
DeAndre Latimore is K9’s mandatory, but K9 appears to prefer a voluntary next.  He has called out Canelo, Mosley, and Molina, and his promoter Don King is apparently working on a fight with Ricardo Mayorga, though the IBF reportedly is not willing to sanction that fight for Bundrage’s title.
3) Erislandy Lara (9-9-31)
Last Fight: 7/9/2011- L*(MD12) vs. #6 Paul Williams
Next Fight: Unknown
Lara wrote an open letter offering Williams a rematch, but no word from Paul yet.  Lara has also sought fights with Dzinziruk and Bundrage, neither of whom appear to want the fight.  He also wants Canelo, but believes that Golden Boy will protect their cash cow.
4) Alfredo Angulo (9-102-102)
Last Fight: 8/20/2011- KO1 Joe Gomez (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Angulo will probably fight Vanes Martirosyan in November or December.
5) Miguel Cotto (9-66-66)
Last Fight: 3/12/2011- TKO12 Ricardo Mayorga (UNR)
Next Fight: 12/3/2011- vs. Antonio Margarito (UNR)
The Margarito fight will be at a 153-pound catchweight for some reason, and will take place at Madison Square Garden.
6) Carlos Molina (9-9-24)
Last Fight: 7/9/2011- UD10 #7 Kermit Cintron
Next Fight: Unknown
Had absolutely no trouble with the highly-ranked Cintron, and now he or his promoter have challenged basically everybody: Lara, Cotto, Canelo, Trout, K9, Dzinziruk, Paul Williams, and Mike Jones. 
7) Prince Arron (8-17-17)
Last Fight: 5/13/2011- TKO12 #14 Sam Webb
Next Fight: Unknown
Arron’s dramatic upset victory earned him the British title and a place in the top 10.
8) Pawel Wolak (8-26-26)
Last Fight: 7/15/2011- Draw (MD10) vs. Delvin Rodriguez (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Wolak is training for an October 1 date, but has no official opponent yet.  He’s hoping for K9 Bundrage, though.
9) Ryan Rhodes (8-98-98)
Last Fight: 6/18/2011- L(UD12) vs. #8 Saul Alvarez
Next Fight: Unknown
Rhodes’ stock is significantly diminished after being dominated by Alvarez, but he still has a noticeably more complete resume than #9 Arron and thus only slides one position after the defeat.
10) Austin Trout (13-13-31)
Last Fight: 6/11/2011- UD12 David Lopez (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Appears all but set to fight MW #10 Anthony Mundine, but Mundine has yet to sign.  Vanes Martirosyan is trying to cut in, as well.
11) Sechew Powell (13-77)
Last Fight: 6/25/2011- L(UD12) vs. #3 Cornelius Bundrage
Next Fight: Unknown
Powell is sparring with Floyd Mayweather to prepare Floyd for the Victor Ortiz fight.
12) Gabriel Rosado (13-31)
Last Fight: 7/15/2011- TKO5 Ayi Bruce (UNR)
Next Fight: 9/9/2011- vs. Keenan Collins (UNR)
Fresh out of jail, Rosado already has a date reserved on September 9 against journeyman Keenan Collins.
13) Delvin Rodriguez (8-8)
Last Fight: 7/15/2011- Draw (MD10) vs. #7 Pawel Wolak
Next Fight: Unknown
Rodriguez outworked and busted up Pawel Wolak, but only managed a draw on the cards.  His effort and the result have earned him a pretty solid debut in the rankings, though.
14) Manny Pacquiao (8-31)
Last Fight: 5/7/2011- UD12 #15 Shane Mosley (at WW)
Next Fight: 11/12/2011- vs. LW Champ Juan Manuel Marquez (at WW)
Pacquiao had already nearly finished signing a fight with lightweight champion and rival Juan Manuel Marquez before the Mosley debacle even went down.  Unfortunately the talk is that the fight will be at a 144-pound catchweight.  This fight is a natural for 140 pounds, but Pacquiao wants to drag Marquez up because he has the proven ability to carry the weight better than the lightweight.  It’s a damn shame, because this could have been a good challenge at the right weight.
15) Paul Williams (8-31)
Last Fight: 7/9/2011- W*(MD12) vs. #17 Erislandy Lara
Next Fight: Unknown
Williams’ promoter wants to see him fight an orthodox fighter next, but it’s increasingly likely that won’t be until 2012.
16) Shane Mosley (4-31)
Last Fight: 5/7/2011- L(UD12) vs. #12 Manny Pacquiao (at WW)
Next Fight: Unknown
Mosley’s trainer wants a Berto fight, and the fighter is sparring with up-and-coming lightweight Mercito Gesta.
17) Vanes Martirosyan (4-14)
Last Fight: 6/4/2011- TKO7 Saul Roman (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Vanes’ proposed fight with Wolak is a no-go, and he now looks likely to fight Angulo in November or December.
18) Yuri Foreman (3-101)
Last Fight: 3/12/2011- L (RTD6) vs. Pawel Wolak (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Foreman’s career currently hangs in the balance, and he reportedly is not sure whether or not to continue fighting.
19) Lukas Konecny (3-4)
Last Fight: 5/27/2011- UD12 Hussein Bayram (UNR)
Next Fight: 9/30/2011- vs. Sergiy Dzinziruk (UNR)
Konecny will fight at home in the Czech Republic against Dzinziruk, who is only unranked because he has not fought under the 154 limit for over a year.  Konecny will likely be a clear underdog in the fight, and rightly so.
20) Deandre Latimore (3-3)
Last Fight: 4/16/2011- UD8 Dennis Sharpe (UNR) (at MW)
Next Fight: Unknown
Latimore has been seriously inactive (especially against decent opposition) since losing a close decision to Sechew Powell last March.  He technically hasn’t made the JMW limit since last July, but since he missed 154 by only 3/4 pound for his last fight, he gets an extra 6 months to schedule a fight at JMW and make the weight.
 
 
 
The Week Ahead:  #12 Gabriel Rosado stays busy against low-level journeyman Keenan Collins in Philly on Friday.

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Cruiserweight: 2012, Dec 24-30

Posted in Cruiserweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on December 26, 2012 by danboxing
#1 Denis Lebedev knocked out Colombian prospect Santander Silgado in 4 on Monday in Moscow.  On the undercard, #20 Grigory Drozd dominated French journeyman Jean-Marc Monrose, dropping him twice in the 9th en route to a wide 12-round decision.  

 

Several days later on Saturday, fringe contending undefeated Brazilian prospect William Fernando Souza Bezerra knocked out one-loss prospect (and top 50 fighter, give or take) Ricardo Augusto Souza in 4 rounds.  This is an improvement for Ricardo, who was knocked out in round two when he last fought Souza Bezerra in January.

 

Souza Bezerra advanced to probably the first spot out of the rankings, but ultimately his resume falls well short of eclipsing Drozd.  No changes this week.

 

Dan’s Top 20 (weeks in current position-weeks in top 10 (if applicable)-weeks in top 20)
Champ: None
1) Denis Lebedev (15-151-151)
Last Fight: 12/17/2012- KO4 Santander Silgado (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Lebedev is hoping to fight in the first quarter of 2013 at MSG, and is targeting a showdown with Eddie Chambers.
2) Yoan Pablo Hernandez (15-131-131)
Last Fight: 9/15/2012- W*(UD12) vs. #20 Troy Ross
Next Fight: 2/2/2013- vs. Eric Fields (UNR)
Hernandez will step down the ladder a bit after needing a lot of help to get by Troy Ross, as he will fight the rather inactive prospect Eric Fields, who hasn’t fought anyone of consequence in about 18 months.
3) Troy Ross (15-15-47)
Last Fight: 9/15/2012- L*(UD12) vs. #1 Yoan Pablo Hernandez
Next Fight: Unknown
Ross deserved to beat Hernandez.
4) Steve Cunningham (15-445-445)
Last Fight: 12/22/2012- L*(SD12) vs. HW #3 Tomasz Adamek (at HW) (Robbery)
Next Fight: Unknown
Cunningham easily outboxed Adamek, but was blatantly robbed not far from his own hometown.  He now must schedule a cruiserweight fight by February 4 or he will be removed from the 200 lb. rankings.  He’s got a shiny new heavyweight ranking for his trouble, though.
5) Ola Afolabi (8-198-198)
Last Fight: 5/5/2012- Draw* (MD12) vs. #4 Marco Huck
Next Fight: Unknown
There were reports that Huck-Afolabi III would hit Germany on March 2, but Sauerland says that’s absolutely false.
6) Krzysztof Wlodarczyk (8-392-392)
Last Fight: 9/22/2012- UD12 #13 Francisco Palacios
Next Fight: 2/2/2013- vs. HW #19 Jean-Marc Mormeck
Slowed negotiations have led to a new date of 2/2 for Wlodarczyk-Mormeck.
7) Firat Arslan (8-33-76)
Last Fight: 11/3/2012- L*(UD12) vs. #5 Marco Huck (Robbery)
Next Fight: Unknown
A bizarre twist in Arslan’s schedule, as he signed on to save Felix Sturm’s 12/1 show by replacing Ruslan Chagaev as the main support on just 2 days’ notice, but then he mysteriously changed his mind just hours before the bell.
8) Marco Huck (8-316-316)
Last Fight: 11/3/2012- W*(UD12) vs. #10 Firat Arslan (Robbery)
Next Fight: Unknown
See Afolabi’s notes, above.
9) Lateef Kayode (8-30-110)
Last Fight: 6/2/2012- Draw (SD12) vs. ‘Roided up #3 Antonio Tarver
Next Fight: Unknown
After he turned down a fight with Lebedev over insufficient prep time, Kayode is once again indicating that his next fight might be at heavyweight.
10) Danny Green (7-7-160)
Last Fight: 11/21/2012- UD12 Shane Cameron (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
As has been the case after every fight since he had very serious surgery a couple years ago, there is speculation that Green may retire following his win over Shane Cameron.  Green himself remains non-committal.
11) B.J. Flores (7-131)
Last Fight: 10/6/2012- TKO2 David McNemar (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Flores says he’s looking to fight Lebedev or the Huck-Afolabi winner.  I’ll believe it when I see it, as he’s talked about fighting good fighters before recently, only to fight the likes of David McNemar.
12) Giacobbe Fragomeni (7-215)
Last Fight: 12/15/2012- W*(SD12) vs. #13 Silvio Branco
Next Fight: Unknown
You’ve gotta wonder if Fragomeni might consider calling it a career after now twice failing to conclusively beat 46-year old Branco.
13) Silvio Branco (7-41)
Last Fight: 12/15/2012- L*(SD12) vs. #12 Giacobbe Fragomeni
Next Fight: Unknown
Branco can still hang with whippersnappers like 43 year-old countryman Fragomeni, but you’ve gotta think his active days are numbered at 46.
14) Mateusz Masternak (7-39)
Last Fight: 12/15/2012- UD12 Juho Haapoja (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Masternak just put it on cruise control and walked away with a European title belt.
15) Francisco Palacios (7-91)
Last Fight: 9/22/2012- L(UD12) vs. #7 Krzysztof Wlodarczyk
Next Fight: Unknown
Very little of note left on his resume after his should-be win over Wlodarczyk was neutralized by a close but clear loss to same, and with his win over Louis Azille over 5 years old now.
16) Alexander Alekseev (7-102)
Last Fight: 5/11/2012- Draw*(MD12) vs. #19 Firat Arslan (robbery- should have been L)
Next Fight: Unknown
Apparently there are talks underway for Alekseev to fight American fringe contender Garrett Wilson.
17) Thabiso Mchunu (7-7)
Last Fight: 11/10/2012- TKO5 #20 Danie Venter
Next Fight: Unknown
Mchunu is probably ready to take the Chilemba/Oosthuizen journey out of South Africa and into the international scene after conquering the local scene in the form of Venter.  He may have some unfinished business with Zack Mwekassa first, however.
18) Dmitro Kucher (9-26)
Last Fight: 12/22/2012- UD8 Willie Herring (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Kucher snuck in a fight on December 22 that was never on the schedule on Boxrec.  Not that big a deal, anyway. 
19) Enad Licina (9-131)
Last Fight: 11/10/2012- TKO2 Koeksal Orduhan
Next Fight: Unknown
Really, Enad?  He just fought the most obviously terrible opponent I think I’ve ever had to write about on here.  The record of said fighter?  0-15.  No joke.
20) Grigory Drozd (7-7)
Last Fight: 12/17/2012- UD12 Jean-Marc Monrose (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
 

 

THE WEEK AHEAD: Barbados gatekeeper Shawn Cox- known for stopping Wayne Braithwaite’s comeback and for getting destroyed by Denis Lebedev- gets a soft touch on Friday, against Guyana’s Leon Gilkes- a 6-16 bum.

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Middleweight: 2012, Dec 24-30

Posted in Middleweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on December 26, 2012 by danboxing
Billi Godoy won a solid 10-round decision over a fellow Argentine- journeyman Cristian Rios- Friday in Caleta Olivia, Argentina.  This was Godoy’s first fight since an excruciatingly narrow decision loss to Sergio Sanders- the first of his career. 

 

Saturday’s action focused in Morelia, Mexico.  #13 Marco Antonio Rubio headlined the card, dropping quality Mexican journeyman Michel Rosales in the opening round before putting him down for good in the 11th.  On the same card, prospect Marcos Reyes once again struggled with veteran journeyman Julio Cesar Garcia, and was able to scratch out just a majority decision over 8 rounds.  The pair met up in September, with Reyes winning a very close unanimous decision.  In the most recent installment, Reyes actually went down in the second round, but Garcia gave the point back in round 6, when he was deducted for a headbutt.  I can’t find any video of the fight, so I can’t do anything but accept the close result in Reyes’ favor.

 

#14 Osumanu Adama- inactive since March- was scheduled to fight Derrick Findley in Chicago, but that fight was abruptly canceled at the last minute.
 

The biggest event of the week was really a non-event.  #15 Avtandil Khurtsidze has now been inactive for a year and is thus removed.  This allows everyone rated #16 and below last week to advance one spot each, and makes room for a new #20.  That spot was a tricky call.  The three candidates were Garth Wood, Jose Miguel Torres, and Makoto Fuchigami.  Wood has by far the best win of the 3- a knockout of Anthony Mundine from 2010.  But that win was subsequently avenged by Mundine, and Wood went on to lose to a gatekeeper-level Sam Soliman in his last fight which, by the way, was way back in February.  Torres has an unblemished record at 160, having beat a fringe contending (unofficially 24th-ranked) Patrick Majewski a year ago.  But Torres has some losses at junior middleweight and even welterweight that would call his legitimacy at 160 into question despite that win.  Fuchigami is best known outside Japan as a Golovkin knockout victim, but his mastery of an active if unspectacular Japanese scene has had him in or near the top 25 for a while.  His only significant red ink was entirely expected (Golovkin) or subsequently avenged (a 2009 SD loss to Tetsuya Suzuki, whom he later stopped).  Close call to be sure, but I think Fuchigami’s resume looks like that of the presently higher-quality fighter.  He therefore becomes my new #20 contender.

 

Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in Current Position-Weeks in Top 10 if applicable-Weeks in Top 20)
Champ: Sergio Martinez (141-141-141)
Last Fight: 9/15/2012- UD12 #4 Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr.
Next Fight: 4/27/2013- vs. #9 Martin Murray
Martinez will look to come back strong from knee surgery when he takes on Martin Murray in Argentina on April 27.
1) Daniel Geale (79-184-184)
Last Fight: 9/1/2012- W*(SD12) vs. #4 Felix Sturm
Next Fight: 1/30/2013- vs. #11 Anthony Mundine
Geale now has a date and location for the Mundine fight: January 30, in Sidney.
2) Felix Sturm (17-484-484)
Last Fight: 9/1/2012- L*(SD12) vs. #1 Daniel Geale
Next Fight: 2/2/2013- vs. #12 Sam Soliman
Sturm will fight Aussie Sam Soliman in Germany in early February.
3) Gennady Golovkin (17-17-80)
Last Fight: 9/1/2012- TKO5 #3 Grzegorz Proksa
Next Fight: 1/19/2013- vs. JMW #? Gabriel Rosado
Golovkin fights at Madison Square Garden against junior middleweight contender Gabriel Rosado.  The fight will be on HBO, and Golovkin’s trainer says the fight will be at a catchweight of perhaps 158.
4) Matthew Macklin (15-79-170)
Last Fight: 9/15/2012- TKO1 Joachim Alcine (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Andy Lee recently called Macklin out.
5) Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. (15-82-100)
Last Fight: 9/15/2012- L (UD12) vs. Champ Sergio Martinez
Next Fight: Unknown
Chavez is expecting to return in May, and then- provided both men win their spring fights- rematch Martinez in September.
6) Peter Quillin (10-10-31)
Last Fight: 10/20/2012- UD12 #6 Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam
Next Fight: 1/19/2013- vs. Fernando Guerrero (UNR)
After originally being rumored to be working on a fight with Jermain Taylor, Quillin will instead be fighting fringe contending one-loss Dominican Fernando Guerrero on January 19th’s Showtime tripleheader.
7) Dmitry Pirog (34-126-126)
Last Fight: 5/1/2012- UD12 #20 Nobuhiro Ishida
Next Fight: 3/2/2013- vs. Unknown Opponent
Pirog will return to the ring- and the US- fighting an opponent to be announced March 3 on HBO.
8) Grzegorz Proksa (17-89-89)
Last Fight: 9/1/2012- L(TKO5) vs. #13 Gennady Golovkin
Next Fight: Unknown
After a taxing TKO loss to Golovkin (and a fairly busy first 3 quarters of the year), Proksa now says he’ll take a rest until at least January.
9) Martin Murray (17-56-56)
Last Fight: 11/24/2012- TKO6 Jorge Navarro (UNR)
Next Fight: 4/27/2013- vs. Champ Sergio Martinez
Murray will look to prove that he belongs at or above the level he achieved by drawing with Sturm when he fights the Champ in Argentina on April 27.
10) Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam (10-113-113)
Last Fight: 10/20/2012- L (UD12) vs. #20 Peter Quillin

Next Fight: Unknown
As it turns out, N’Dam had a rematch clause in his contract with Quillin, but he also has expressed interest in Golovkin, Geale, Martinez, and Chavez.  Quillin has scheduled a fight with Fernando Guerrero, as well.
11) Anthony Mundine (10-100)
Last Fight: 7/14/2012- TKO7 Bronco McKart (UNR)
Next Fight: 1/30/2013- vs. #1 Daniel Geale
A big opportunity for Mundine in the rematch of his split decision victory over Geale.
12) Sam Soliman (10-45)
Last Fight: 8/24/2012- UD12 Giovanni Lorenzo (UNR)
Next Fight: 2/2/2013- vs. #2 Felix Sturm
Soliman is fighting Sturm all of a sudden.
13) Marco Antonio Rubio (10-100)
Last Fight: 12/22/2012- KO11 Michel Rosales (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
After Rubio’s win over Rosales, he called out Golovkin, Quillin, Martinez, and the field.
14) Osumanu Adama (10-92)
Last Fight: 3/7/2012- L(UD12) vs. #1 Daniel Geale
Next Fight: Unknown
Adama’s scheduled return against Derrick Findley was abruptly canceled at the last moment.  I don’t know why, nor when he might be back again.
15) Max Bursak (1-100)
Last Fight: 7/21/2012- KO1 Sergei Melis (UNR)
Next Fight: 1/26/2013- vs. Julien Marie Sainte (UNR)
Bursak will be fighting for a European title over what should be a pretty easy opponent in Frenchman Julien Marie Sainte- essentially a journeyman.  The one bit of intrigue is that the fight is taking place in France.
16) Demetrius Andrade (1-71)
Last Fight: 9/20/2012- TKO2 Alexis Hloros (UNR)
Next Fight: 1/25/2013- vs. Freddy Hernandez (UNR)
No word on why, but junior middleweight gatekeeper Freddy Hernandez is replacing Javier Maciel in the January 25 fight with Andrade.  The fight will be on ShoBox.
17) Darren Barker (1-63)
Last Fight: 12/8/2012- TKO4 Kerry Hope (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Barker wants Macklin and Murray, although Murray is obviously otherwise occupied for some months to come.
18) Nobuhiro Ishida (1-43)
Last Fight: 5/1/2012- L(UD12) vs. #8 Dmitry Pirog
Next Fight: Unknown
Barely challenged Pirog at all, but has enough mileage left on the Kirkland upset to remain ranked for the moment.
19) Bryan Vera (1-10)
Last Fight: 8/11/2012- W (MD12) vs. Sergio Mora (UNR)
Next Fight: 1/25/2013- vs. Sergei Dzinziruk (UNR)
Vera will get a big opportunity to establish himself as a contender when he fights once very highly ranked contender Sergei Dzinziruk on Friday Night Fights.
20) Makoto Fuchigami (1-1)
Last Fight: 10/12/2012- RTD6 Marlon Alta (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Fuchigami- the Japanese champion- still has yet to conquer any other shores.

 

The Week Ahead: Nothing notable going on in the division this week.

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