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Middleweight: 2013, Dec 9-15

Posted in Middleweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 7, 2014 by danboxing
I’ll take the week’s action in order of importance this week.

 

Saturday in Stuttgart, #3 Darren Barker saw his body betray him, as a lingering hip injury flared up and saw him unable to keep his feet after originally getting caught for a knockdown in the 2nd round.  His opponent, #4 Felix Sturm, showed no visible signs of pity, dropping the wobbly Englishman again a few seconds later, before the corner mercifully threw in the towel and ended it.  

 

Later that night in Atlantic City, former junior middleweight contender James Kirkland returned after about 21 months off, and put a frightful- if initially competitive- beating on unbeaten junior middleweight prospect Glen Tapia, stopping the game Tapia in 6, after Steve Smoger let it go maybe just a little too long.  The fight was contested at a contract weight of 156, which makes it relevant here.

 

On that undercard, #6 Matthew Macklin didn’t look all that spectacular against undefeated prospect Lamar Russ, but still did plenty to win the fight.  I had Macklin winning comfortably at 98-92, but there were a lot of close rounds.  The judges had it 96-94, 98-92, and 97-93, all for Macklin, and all reasonable.

 

On the non-televised portion of the card, undefeated Russian prospect Matt Korobov stopped Derek Edwards in the 9th of a scheduled 10, at a contract weight a few pounds over the limit.  No big deal there, as Edwards was a low-level journeyman.

 

Japanese undefeated prospect and Olympic Champion Ryota Murata was in action this weekend in Tokyo against Dave Peterson of Minnesota, but you’ll have to read my very detailed report on the Super Middleweight update to find out what happened, as Murata (who is ranked there) came in a half-pound over the limit.

 

Barker is very likely to retire, given his chronic catastrophic injuries, but for now we can only take the fight on its own merits.  It doesn’t prove that Sturm is dominant over a #3 contender, though you do have to give him full credit for the first knockdown.  But even if he had absolutely destroyed a healthy Barker, I’m not sure it would have made much difference in his actual ranking.  As for Barker, I am unable to assume that he’ll never fight again, or that he will be compromised if he does.  He’ll maintain his ranking until he proves unworthy of it, or until he retires.  Therefore, Sturm moves up to #3, while Barker swaps with him to #4.  For those that wonder how much pause I was given by the fact that #5 Geale beat Sturm, I can tell you that it wasn’t much.  Geale’s win over Sturm was one of the closest all-around fights I’ve ever seen, and the verdict was debatable.

 

As for Kirkland, he is held back a bit by his loss to Ishida from a couple years ago- especially as compared to undefeated prospects like Meryasev and Chudinov who have succeeeded at a slightly lower level than Tapia, but who have never suffered the appearance of limitation that comes from a loss at essentially the same level as Tapia that Ishida represented.  If there was any doubt as to where to place him in relation to a guy like Chudinov, it was dispelled by the fact that Tapia isn’t a true middleweight and that the fight was only at middleweight because there was not a title on the line.  Accordingly, Kirkland makes his debut in the middleweight rankings at #19, which once again forces out Akio Shibata after a 9-week stint.

 

Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in Current Position-Weeks in Top 10 if applicable-Weeks in Top 20)
Champ: Sergio Martinez (191-191-191)
Last Fight: 4/27/2013- UD12* #9 Martin Murray (Robbery- draw at best)
Next Fight: 6/7/2014- vs. # 8 JMW Miguel Cotto
According to fighthype.com, citing anonymous sources close to Cotto, there is now no doubt that Cotto-Martinez will happen on June 7 in New York. 
1) Martin Murray (33-106-106)
Last Fight: 4/27/2013- L* (UD12) vs. Champ Sergio Martinez (Robbery- D at worst)
Next Fight: 12/14/2013- vs. Sergey Khomitsky (UNR)
Murray’s fight with Khomitsky for the Froch-Groves undercard was cancelled on 3 days’ notice on account of a virus, but has been rescheduled for December 14.
2) Gennady Golovkin (24-67-130)
Last Fight: 11/2/2013- RTD8 #15 Curtis Stevens
Next Fight: 2/1/2014- vs. Osumanu Adama (UNR)
Golovkin returns February 1 in Monte Carlo.  Originally it looked like Murray was the opponent, but he will instead fight former borderline top 10 contender Osumanu Adama, who was removed from a #13 berth in September for failing to make 160 for 18 months.
3) Felix Sturm (1-534-534)
Last Fight: 12/7/2013- TKO2 #3 Darren Barker
Next Fight: Unknown
Sturm got a little help from Barker’s trick hip, but it’s gotta count for something, and he did score the first knockdown on his own.
4) Darren Barker (1-17-113)
Last Fight: 12/7/2013- L (TKO2) vs. #4 Felix Sturm
Next Fight: Unknown
Barker’s body failed him against Sturm, and it’s led to heavy speculation that we may have seen the last of him.  His team has only fueled this speculation further.
5) Daniel Geale (17-234-234)
Last Fight: 8/17/2013- L (SD12) vs. #15 Darren Barker
Next Fight: Unknown
In the wake of Sturm’s victory over the man that beat him, Geale has renewed calls for what would be a very interesting rematch with the German.
6) Matthew Macklin (17-129-220)
Last Fight: 12/7/2013- UD10 Lamar Russ (UNR)
Next Fight: 12/7/2013- vs. Lamar Russ (UNR)
After a legitimate but very unspectacular win over only moderately proven prospect Lamar Russ, Macklin has joined the chorus of quality middleweights looking for a rematch with Sturm.
7) Peter Quillin (33-60-81)
Last Fight: 10/26/2013- TKO10 Gabriel Rosado (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Golden Boy is looking to match Quillin with Danny Jacobs in Brooklyn on February 1.  A recent interview indicates he might prefer to fight some of the top contenders, instead.  Unfortunately most of them fight on HBO in this division, while Quillin’s promoter is tied to Showtime.
8) Sergio Mora (8-24-24)
Last Fight: 11/16/2013- KO5 Milton Nunez (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Mora had hoped to fight Golovkin on February 1, but says he was never offered the fight.
9) Marco Antonio Rubio (8-10-150)
Last Fight: 7/27/2013- KO2 Dionisio Miranda (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Rubio looks poised to take on Sergio if Maravilla’s intended fight with Cotto falls through, though that possibility has begun to look increasingly unlikely.
10) Anthony Mundine (8-8-150)
Last Fight: 11/27/2013- TKO7 #4 WW Shane Mosley (at JMW)
Next Fight: 1/29/2014- vs. Unknown Opponent
In a quick turnaround, Mundine announced that he will headline a January 29 show in Brisbane.  Most likely this will be nothing more than a quick payday, as I’m sure he won’t want to prepare for two big fights that close together.
11) Max Bursak (8-150)
Last Fight: 9/21/2013- UD12 Nick Blackwell (UNR)
Next Fight: 12/14/2013- vs. Gari Abajian (UNR)
Bursak will fight a low-level Georgian journeyman this weekend in a short-notice stay-busy contest.
12) Caleb Truax (8-12)
Last Fight: 9/21/2013- TKO4 Ceresso Fort (UNR)
Next Fight: 1/3/2014- vs. Derek Ennis (UNR)
Truax’s January 3 fight will likely be the first notable fight of the New Year.  He’ll face Derek Ennis.
13) Bryan Vera (8-60)
Last Fight: 9/28/2013- L* (UD10) vs. Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. (UNR) (at LHW)
Next Fight: 3/1/2014- vs. Julio Cesar Chavez (UNR)
Vera-Chavez II now looks likely for March 1 in either Vegas or Texas, after a proposed February date was abandoned over concerns related to Olympic conflicts.
14) Grzegorz Proksa (8-139)
Last Fight: 6/28/2013- L (UD10) vs. Sergio Mora (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Proksa had another hand operation in August, but thinks he’ll be ready to go for a proposed February fight in Poland with undefeated prospect Maciej Suleckim.
15) Curtis Stevens (8-19)
Last Fight: 11/2/2013- L (RTD8) vs. #2 Gennady Golovkin
Next Fight: 1/24/2014- vs. Patrick Majewski (UNR)
Stevens will make a surprisingly quick return from a grueling battle with Golovkin.  His January 24 opponent will be one-loss Polish fringe prospect Patrick Majewski.
16) Andrey Meryasev (5-5)
Last Fight: 11/4/2013- UD10 Sergio Sanders (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
I’ve still yet to see Meryasev in action, but his win over Sanders at this point in his career proves that he’s a real prospect.
17) Danny Jacobs (2-16)
Last Fight: 8/19/2013- TKO3 Giovanni Lorenzo (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Golden Boy is apparently looking to match Jacobs and Quillin on February 1 in Brooklyn.
18) Dmitry Chudinov (2-16)
Last Fight: 9/21/2013- W (PTS8) vs. Max Maxwell (UNR) (at SMW/LHW)
Next Fight: 12/21/2013- vs. Juan Camilo Novoa (UNR)
Chudinov makes his return in Moscow on December 21, taking on mid-level Colombian journeyman Juan Camilo Novoa.
19) James Kirkland (1-1)
Last Fight: 12/7/2013- TKO6 Glen Tapia (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Only time will tell whether Kirkland does any serious campaigning at middleweight in the near future, but even though both men are typically junior middleweights, Tapia was a credible enough opponent at 160 (or 156, as it were) to earn Kirkland a ranking here.
20) Jorge Heiland (1-2)
Last Fight: 11/29/2013- TKO*12 #17 Billi Godoy
Next Fight: Unknown
After two closely-contested battles, there’s already talk of a trilogy with Godoy.

 

The Week Ahead: 
Wednesday
Sam Soliman vs. Les Sherrington; Flemington, Australia; Off TV
Soliman returns from a PED suspension against fellow Australian Les Sherrington, who has been able to rebuild himself to gatekeeper level after breaking his leg in a fight with the awful Kashif Mumtaz.  Soliman might reclaim a ranking with a win, simply by virtue of ending his forced inactivity.

 

Saturday
Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam vs. Anthony Fitzgerald; Barcelona, Spain; Off TV
This is another matchup that has the potential to get an inactive contender back into the rankings.  N’Dam is a shoe-in for a spot, assuming he wins and makes 160.

 

Max Bursak vs. Gari Abajian; Brovari, Ukraine; Off TV
Just a stay-busy fight for Bursak.  Abajian is a l0w-level Georgian journeyman.

 

Martin Murray vs. Sergey Khomitsky; London, England; Sky (UK)
This fight is expected to take place a few pounds over 160, and will likely be treated in more detail at 168.

 

Jermain Taylor vs. J.C. Candelo; San Antonio, Texas; Off TV
Another fight that is basically a middleweight fight, but which is expected to take place at super middle technically.  I haven’t decided which division I will discuss it in next week.
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Middleweight: 2013, Dec 2-8

Posted in Middleweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , , , , on January 29, 2014 by danboxing
Neuquen, Argentina played host on Friday to a rematch between #17 Billi Godoy and gatekeeper Jorge Heiland, both of that country.  I don’t know what kind of buzz the result is generating locally, but for me, it rings a bit controversial.  By my reckoning, Godoy led 105-103 heading into the 12th round (it may have been even, or Godoy may have been up fairly big).  Godoy had scored a flash knockdown in an otherwise close 3rd, and had been dropped himself- and harder- in the 7th.  Heiland, perhaps knowing the outcome was likely in doubt, dropped the favorite hard.  Godoy rose well before the count reached 8, but referee Cesareo Morales stopped it.  The decision was inexplicable from where I was sitting.  Perhaps there was something troubling in the eyes of Godoy that none of the replays showed, but from all the views I saw, the stoppage was unnecessary, and gave Heiland a TKO win where he had thus far only earned a draw by his efforts.

 

On the Stevenson-Bellew undercard in Quebec City on Saturday, fringe contender David Lemieux got a very good win against fringe contender Jose Miguel Torres, dropping the veteran six times in under seven rounds, at which point the fight was mercifully halted.  Torres, in fairness, had more moments than that result might suggest, but simply couldn’t stay on his feet against the heavy-handed power of Lemieux, who dropped his man to both the head and body.  But there’s one catch for Lemieux: the fight was contested a couple pounds over the middleweight limit, and thus he still hasn’t made Middleweight in 2 years.  This makes him ineligible for a ranking that he certainly would have achieved otherwise.

 

#10 Anthony Mundine also fought, but that will be discussed at 154, where it was contested.

 

Regarding Godoy-Heiland, it’s a difficult situation.  First, I’m not ready to go on record and say that the stoppage was definitely wrong.  I think it’s about 90-10 that it was, based on what I saw, but I’m going to give the ref the benefit of that 10.  Furthermore, while I had the fight even after assuming a 10-8 12th, it wouldn’t have been unreasonable for another judge to have seen the knockdown as propelling Heiland to victory, even if the fight had gone the distance.  Finally, there’s no proof, even at that, that Heiland would not have gone on to more conclusively stop Godoy if allowed to continue.  For this reason, I must give Heiland the benefit of the doubt (albeit somewhat marginally), in reshuffling my rankings.  Godoy falls from the top 20 after 15 consecutive weeks in.  Jacobs and Chudinov move up to fill the gap, while Heiland debuts at #19, held back a bit by the awkwardness of the result, and even more so by a handful of losses and draws in his past- some acceptable and some not so much.  Akio Shibata hangs on at #20.

 

Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in Current Position-Weeks in Top 10 if applicable-Weeks in Top 20)
Champ: Sergio Martinez (190-190-190)
Last Fight: 4/27/2013- UD12* #9 Martin Murray (Robbery- draw at best)
Next Fight: Unknown
Martinez wants to fight Miguel Cotto at 158, and considers Marco Antonio Rubio his fallback plan.  Sergio reportedly has a $15 million offer on the table to Cotto, with June 7th being the target.
1) Martin Murray (32-105-105)
Last Fight: 4/27/2013- L* (UD12) vs. Champ Sergio Martinez (Robbery- D at worst)
Next Fight: 12/14/2013- vs. Sergey Khomitsky (UNR)
Murray’s fight with Khomitsky for the Froch-Groves undercard was cancelled on 3 days’ notice on account of a virus, but has been rescheduled for December 14.
2) Gennady Golovkin (23-66-129)
Last Fight: 11/2/2013- RTD8 #15 Curtis Stevens
Next Fight: 2/1/2014- vs. Unknown Opponent
Golovkin returns February 1 in Monte Carlo.  Originally it looked like Murray was the opponent, but that appears to be a no-go.  He says he’s willing to fight Mayweather at 154 or Ward at 168.
3) Darren Barker (16-16-112)
Last Fight: 8/17/2013- W (SD12) vs. #3 Daniel Geale
Next Fight: 12/7/2013- vs. #4 Felix Sturm
Another excellent middleweight match-up in 2013, as Barker will take on Felix Sturm in Germany on December 7.
4) Felix Sturm (23-533-533)
Last Fight: 7/6/2013- TKO4 Predrag Radosevic (UNR)
Next Fight: 12/7/2013- vs. #3 Darren Barker
See Barker’s notes, above.
5) Daniel Geale (16-233-233)
Last Fight: 8/17/2013- L (SD12) vs. #15 Darren Barker
Next Fight: Unknown
Geale wants a rematch, but will probably have to wait until at least 2014, since it appears likely Barker will make a mandatory defense in December against Sturm, instead.  March appears to be the current target.
6) Matthew Macklin (16-128-219)
Last Fight: 6/29/2013- L (KO3) vs. #4 Gennady Golovkin
Next Fight: 12/7/2013- vs. Lamar Russ (UNR)
Macklin’s original 12/7 opponent, Willie Nelson, injured his elbow in sparring, and so far Macklin turned down Matt Korobov and was turned down by Max Bursak.  The new opponent is borderline top 50 undefeated prospect Lamar Russ.
7) Peter Quillin (32-59-80)
Last Fight: 10/26/2013- TKO10 Gabriel Rosado (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Golden Boy is looking to match Quillin with Danny Jacobs in Brooklyn on February 1.  A recent interview indicates he might prefer to fight some of the top contenders, instead.  Unfortunately most of them fight on HBO in this division, while Quillin’s promoter is tied to Showtime.
8) Sergio Mora (7-23-23)
Last Fight: 11/16/2013- KO5 Milton Nunez (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
9) Marco Antonio Rubio (7-9-149)
Last Fight: 7/27/2013- KO2 Dionisio Miranda (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Rubio looks poised to take on Sergio if Maravilla’s intended fight with Cotto falls through.
10) Anthony Mundine (7-7-149)
Last Fight: 11/27/2013- TKO7 #4 WW Shane Mosley (at JMW)
Next Fight: Unknown
Mundine has renewed his familiar call for a shot at Mayweather after beating Mosley.  That’s highly unlikely, given Mundine’s low profile stateside.
11) Max Bursak (7-149)
Last Fight: 9/21/2013- UD12 Nick Blackwell (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Bursak had the opportunity to fill in for Willie Nelson for an HBO date against Matthew Macklin, but turned down that chance.
12) Caleb Truax (7-11)
Last Fight: 9/21/2013- TKO4 Ceresso Fort (UNR)
Next Fight: 1/3/2014- vs. Derek Ennis (UNR)
Truax’s January 3 fight will likely be the first notable fight of the New Year.  He’ll face Derek Ennis.
13) Bryan Vera (7-59)
Last Fight: 9/28/2013- L* (UD10) vs. Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. (UNR) (at LHW)
Next Fight: 3/1/2014- vs. Julio Cesar Chavez (UNR)
Vera-Chavez II now looks likely for March 1 in either Vegas or Texas, after a proposed February date was abandoned over concerns related to Olympic conflicts.
14) Grzegorz Proksa (7-138)
Last Fight: 6/28/2013- L (UD10) vs. Sergio Mora (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Proksa had another hand operation in August, but thinks he’ll be ready to go for a proposed February fight in Poland with undefeated prospect Maciej Suleckim.
15) Curtis Stevens (7-18)
Last Fight: 11/2/2013- L (RTD8) vs. #2 Gennady Golovkin
Next Fight: 1/24/2014- vs. Unknown Opponent
Stevens will make a surprisingly quick return from a grueling battle with Golovkin.
16) Andrey Meryasev (4-4)
Last Fight: 11/4/2013- UD10 Sergio Sanders (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
I’ve still yet to see Meryasev in action, but his win over Sanders at this point in his career proves that he’s a real prospect.
17) Danny Jacobs (1-15)
Last Fight: 8/19/2013- TKO3 Giovanni Lorenzo (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Golden Boy is apparently looking to match Jacobs and Quillin on February 1 in Brooklyn.
18) Dmitry Chudinov (1-15)
Last Fight: 9/21/2013- W (PTS8) vs. Max Maxwell (UNR) (at SMW/LHW)
Next Fight: 12/21/2013- vs. Unknown Opponent
Chudinov makes his return in Moscow on December 21.
19) Jorge Heiland (1-1)
Last Fight: 11/29/2013- TKO*12 #17 Billi Godoy
Next Fight: Unknown
After two closely-contested battles, there’s already talk of a trilogy with Godoy.
20) Akio Shibata (4-9)
Last Fight: 8/25/2013- L (TKO2) vs. Ryoto Murata (UNR) (at SMW)
Next Fight: Unknown

 

The Week Ahead: Friday in Tokyo, ranked Super Middleweight Ryoto Murata- really just a middleweight who fought at a contract weight in his only fight- meets low-level and inactive Minnesota prospect Dave Petersen.

 

Saturday in Stuttgart, Germany, #3 Darren Barker and #4 Felix Sturm meet in a high-stakes battle that figures to be very closely contested.

 

Former junior middleweight contender James Kirkland returns to the ring on Saturday after a long layoff of nearly two years, fighting undefeated power puncher Glen Tapia in Atlantic City.  The fight’s real implications will probably be at 154 in the real world, but it’s being fought at a 156 pound catchweight.

 

On the same card, #6 Matthew Macklin takes on prospect and late replacement Lamar Russ in what could be viewed as a potential crossroads fight.

 

And even deeper on the card, undefeated perennial prospect Matt Korobov continues his largely mediocre diet of competition, taking on somewhat low-level journeyman Derek Edwards.

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Junior Middleweight: 2013, Mar 25-31

Posted in Junior Middleweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on June 20, 2013 by danboxing
#14 Lukas Konecny got a win against a mediocre opponent at 160.  I’ve detailed it in my 160 update.

 

The big news in the division this week comes from the inactivity of #8 James Kirkland.  He hasn’t fought in a year, has nothing scheduled, and seems to be shelved for the foreseeable future due to legal wrangling with his entire team.  With his exit, everyone ranked #9 and below last week moves up, including Gabriel Rosado, who resumed a top 10 spot after a month out.  The vacancy at #20 would have been filled by Roberto Garcia, except that he, too, has been out a year as of this week.  That leaves us with Anthony Mundine, who will be removed in about 3 weeks, himself, if he doesn’t schedule something at 154.

 

Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in Current Position-Weeks in Top 10 if applicable-Weeks in Top 20)
Champ: None
1) Carlos Molina (8-90-105)
Last Fight: 2/1/2013- UD12 #11 Cory Spinks
Next Fight: Unknown
Ishe Smith says he plans to offer Molina a shot at his alphabet belt.
2) Saul Alvarez (8-108-123)
Last Fight: 9/15/2012- TKO5 WW#? Josesito Lopez
Next Fight: 4/20/2013- vs. #3 Austin Trout
Canelo’s fight with Trout has been moved to April 20 after he had a falling out with Floyd over the apparent cancellation of their agreement to fight each other on September 14.  Canelo plans to fight in a September 14 PPV still, but is now looking at Cotto.
3) Austin Trout (5-43-112)
Last Fight: 12/1/2012- UD12 #6 Miguel Cotto
Next Fight: 4/20/2013- vs. #2 Saul Alvarez
See Alvarez’s notes, above.
4) Erislandy Lara (5-90-112)
Last Fight: 11/10/2012- D* (TD9) vs. #15 Vanes Martirosyan (robbery- should be win)
Next Fight: Unknown
Lara has been ordered by the WBC to fight Emanuele Della Rosa in an eliminator, but his side says he may fight that fight, take on Sergey Rabchenko, or may even go direct to a Canelo fight.
5) Ishe Smith (5-5-5)
Last Fight: 2/23/2013- W (MD12) vs. #3 Cornelius Bundrage
Next Fight: Unknown
See Molina’s notes, above.
6) Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (17-47-47)
Last Fight: 5/5/2012- UD12* #4 Miguel Cotto
Next Fight: 5/4/2013- vs. WW #? Robert Guerrero (at WW)
Mayweather will officially be fighting Robert Guerrero on Showtime PPV on May 4.  That’s just a day before the 1-year anniversary of his last fight at 154, and since the fight will be at 147, he will likely be removed the following week.
7) Miguel Cotto (17-147-147)
Last Fight: 12/1/2012- L (UD12) vs. #8 Austin Trout
Next Fight: Unknown
Cotto has laid out the plans for the rest of his career.  He says he’ll fight in October or November, twice in 2014, and then retire.  Canelo wants him in September.
8) Cornelius Bundrage (1-138-138)
Last Fight: 2/23/2013- L (MD12) vs. Ishe Smith (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Bundrage should probably retire after how awful he looked against Smith.
9) Alfredo Angulo (1-183-183)
Last Fight: 12/15/2012- UD10 Jorge Silva (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
10) Gabriel Rosado (1-1-112)
Last Fight: 1/19/2013- L (TKO7) vs. #3 MW Gennady Golovkin (at MW)
Next Fight: 5/4/2013- vs. J’Leon Love (UNR) (at MW)
Rosado will fight undefeated prospect J’Leon Love on the Mayweather-Guerrero undercard on May 4, at 160.
11) Sergey Rabchenko (1-41)
Last Fight: 11/24/2012- W (SD12) vs. Cedric Vitu (UNR)
Next Fight: 3/30/2013- vs. Adriano Nicchi (UNR)
Rabchenko will fight Tuscan journeyman Adriano Nicchi in Monte Carlo on March 30.
12) Delvin Rodriguez (1-89)
Last Fight: 2/15/2013- TKO6 George Tahdooahnippah (UNR) (at MW)
Next Fight: Unknown
Having not come all that close to making 154 against Tahdooahnippah, Rodriguez will need to schedule a fight at 154 before June 2 to maintain his ranking.
13) Lukas Konecny (1-85)
Last Fight: 3/23/2013- W (TD12) vs. Karim Achour (UNR) (at MW)
Next Fight: Unknown
14) Keith Thurman (1-18)
Last Fight: 3/9/2013- UD12 #? WW Jan Zaveck (at WW)
Next Fight: Unknown
Thurman will return on Showtime in June or July.
15) Vanes Martirosyan (1-95)
Last Fight: 11/10/2012- D* (TD9) vs. #6 Erislandy Lara (robbery- should be L)
Next Fight: Unknown
Martirosyan was set to fight Javier Maciel on April 6 in China, but broke his thumb.
16) Yuri Foreman (1-9)
Last Fight: 1/23/2013- UD6 Brandon Baue (UNR)
Next Fight: 4/6/2013- vs. Gundrick King (UNR)
Foreman continues his comeback on April 6 in New York against journeyman Gundrick King, in a 6-rounder.
17) Sechew Powell (1-158)
Last Fight: 6/1/2012- L (TKO9) vs. #10 Gabriel Rosado
Next Fight: Unknown
18) Willie Nelson (1-4)
Last Fight: 3/1/2013- TKO1 Michael Medina (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
After being dropped multiple times in a close decision with fellow prospect Vincent Arroyo at 147, Nelson has gone on quite a hot streak.
19) Michel Soro (1-11)
Last Fight: 1/12/2013- UD12 Kris Carslaw (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown Date- vs. Frederic Serre (UNR)
Soro’s fight with Serre for the French title has been postponed, but I don’t know the new date yet.
20) Anthony Mundine (1-1)
Last Fight: 1/30/2013- L (UD12) vs. #1 MW Daniel Geale
Next Fight: Unknown

 

The Week Ahead: Friday in Ghent, Belgium, locally-based Ghanaian gatekeeper Jackson Osei Bonsu takes on French journeyman Frank Haroche Horta.

 

The following night in Monte Carlo, #11 Sergey Rabchenko defends his European belt against Italian journeyman Adriano Nicchi.

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Junior Middleweight: 2012, Dec 24-30

Posted in Junior Middleweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on June 1, 2013 by danboxing
No action of importance to report 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 (34-95-110)
Last Fight: 9/15/2012- TKO5 WW#? Josesito Lopez
Next Fight: Unknown
Despite Golden Boy apparently preferring Cotto, Canelo says he’s leaning toward fighting Trout on May 4, with hopefully a shot at Mayweather to follow.
2) Carlos Molina (34-77-92)
Last Fight: 8/17/2012- UD10 Damian Frias (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
3) Cornelius Bundrage (40-125-125)
Last Fight: 6/30/2012- TKO7 #11 Cory Spinks
Next Fight: 2/23/2013- vs. Ishe Smith (UNR)
K9 returns to action against gatekeeper Ishe Smith on Showtime, February 23.
4) Austin Trout (4-30-99)
Last Fight: 12/1/2012- UD12 #6 Miguel Cotto
Next Fight: Unknown
See Alvarez’s notes, above.
5) Erislandy Lara (4-77-99)
Last Fight: 11/10/2012- D* (TD9) vs. #15 Vanes Martirosyan (should be win)
Next Fight: Unknown
The WBC will order a re-match of the robbery draw that Lara clearly won in his eliminator with Vanes.
6) Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (4-34-34)
Last Fight: 5/5/2012- UD12* #4 Miguel Cotto
Next Fight: Unknown
Mayweather is in discussions to fight Robert Guerrero at welterweight sometime in the first half of 2013.
7) Miguel Cotto (4-134-134)
Last Fight: 12/1/2012- L (UD12) vs. #8 Austin Trout
Next Fight: Unknown
Cotto wants to take a few months off and announce his next fight in 2013.
8) James Kirkland (4-60-60)
Last Fight: 3/24/2012- W*(DQ10) vs. #6 Carlos Molina (Robbery)
Next Fight: Unknown
Kirkland is apparently having managerial problems.
9) Alfredo Angulo (30-170-170)
Last Fight: 12/15/2012- UD10 Jorge Silva (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Angulo proved he can still go to war after gutting out a tough fight with very hungry prospect Jorge Silva.
10) Gabriel Rosado (31-31-99)
Last Fight: 9/21/2012- TKO10 Charles Whittaker (UNR)
Next Fight: 1/19/2013- vs. #3 MW Gennady Golovkin
Rosado is set to fight intimidating middleweight puncher Gennady Golovkin on January 19 in New York.
11) Cory Spinks (28-48)
Last Fight: 6/30/2012- L (TKO7) vs. #3 Cornelius Bundrage
Next Fight: Unknown
Spinks failed to revenge his ugly 2010 TKO loss to Bundrage, but managed to look a little better and capture a round or two this time.
12) Sergey Rabchenko (28-28)
Last Fight: 11/24/2012- W (SD12) vs. Cedric Vitu (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Rabchenko survived a scare against Vitu.
13) Delvin Rodriguez (31-76)
Last Fight: 6/2/2012- L (UD12) vs. #12 Austin Trout
Next Fight: 2/15/2013- vs. George Tahdooahnippah (UNR)
Rodriguez will fight undefeated but totally untested Comanche tribesman George Tahdooahnippah on Friday Night Fights in Uncasville, CT in mid-February.
14) Lukas Konecny (12-72)
Last Fight: 10/6/2012- L* (UD12) vs. Zaurbek Baysangurov (UNR) (Robbery)
Next Fight: Unknown
Konecny all but dominated Baysangurov, but walked away with one of the worst robbery losses I’ve ever seen.
15) Keith Thurman (5-5)
Last Fight: 11/24/2012- TKO4 #16 Carlos Quintana
Next Fight: Unknown
Who knows if he’ll fight at this weight again anytime soon, but it sure suited him.
16) Vanes Martirosyan (5-82)
Last Fight: 11/10/2012- D* (TD9) vs. #6 Erislandy Lara (robbery- should be L)
Next Fight: Unknown
Martirosyan clearly lost to Lara, but will get a second opportunity thanks to the failure of 2 judges.
17) Sechew Powell (16-145)
Last Fight: 6/1/2012- L (TKO9) vs. #10 Gabriel Rosado
Next Fight: Unknown
18) Roberto Garcia (2-29)
Last Fight: 3/23/2012- UD10 Antwone Smith (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
19) Anthony Mundine (2-16)
Last Fight: 7/14/2012- TKO7 Bronco McKart (at MW)
Next Fight: 1/30/2013- vs. #1 MW Daniel Geale (at MW)
Mundine’s next fight will be against top Middleweight contender Daniel Geale on January 30, in Sydney.
20) Brian Rose (2-56)
Last Fight: 12/14/2012- UD12* Sam Webb (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
After securing the Lonsdale Challenge belt by (often shakily) defending his British title three times, Rose would now like a shot at Sergey Rabchenko’s European belt.

 

The Week Ahead: No major fights in the division in the last fulll week of 2012.

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Junior Middleweight: 2012, Oct 29- Nov 4

Posted in Junior Middleweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on May 11, 2013 by danboxing
No action and no changes to report this week.  That’s actually a quote from last week, that applies to this week, as well.

 

Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in Current Position-Weeks in Top 10 if applicable-Weeks in Top 20)
Champ: None
1) Saul Alvarez (26-87-102)
Last Fight: 9/15/2012- TKO5 WW#? Josesito Lopez
Next Fight: Unknown
After some (literally) light work against Lopez, Canelo is considering Kirkland in December, and hoping for Mayweather or Cotto on May 4.  The WBC plans to make him fight the Vanes vs. Lara winner in 2013.
2) Carlos Molina (26-69-84)
Last Fight: 8/17/2012- UD10 Damian Frias (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
3) Cornelius Bundrage (32-117-117)
Last Fight: 6/30/2012- TKO7 #11 Cory Spinks
Next Fight: Unknown
Bundrage has left Don King and signed with Golden Boy, and now says he wants Angulo and Kirkland.
4) Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (26-26-26)
Last Fight: 5/5/2012- UD12* #4 Miguel Cotto
Next Fight: Unknown
Mayweather says his next fight will be in the first half of 2013.
5) Miguel Cotto (26-126-126)
Last Fight: 5/5/2012- L* (UD12) vs. WW #1 Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Next Fight: 12/1/2012- vs. #8 Austin Trout
Cotto fights Austin Trout December 1 at Madison Square Garden.
6) Erislandy Lara (26-69-91)
Last Fight: 6/30/2012- UD10 Freddy Hernandez (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/10/2012- vs. #15 Vanes Martirosyan
After months of speculation, Lara-Martirosyan is finally on, November 10 in Vegas, with the winner to get a mandatory shot at Canelo.  The fight will be shown on HBO.
7) James Kirkland (26-52-52)
Last Fight: 3/24/2012- W*(DQ10) vs. #6 Carlos Molina (Robbery)
Next Fight: Unknown
Kirkland is apparently having managerial problems, but may be in position for a Canelo fight in December.
8) Austin Trout (22-22-91)
Last Fight: 6/2/2012- UD12 #13 Delvin Rodriguez
Next Fight: 12/1/2012- vs. #5 Miguel Cotto
See Cotto’s notes, above.
9) Alfredo Angulo (22-162-162)
Last Fight: 11/5/2011- L (TKO6) vs. James Kirkland (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/10/2012- vs. Raul Casarez (UNR)
After what must have been a nightmarish 8 months in a detention center for very little reason, Angulo has already got a fight scheduled, against journeyman Raul Casarez on November 10, and he reportedly may hire Virgil Hunter as trainer.
10) Gabriel Rosado (23-23-91)
Last Fight: 9/21/2012- TKO10 Charles Whittaker (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Rosado was briefly scheduled to fight Elvin Ayala on December 8, but quickly withdrew.
11) Cory Spinks (20-40)
Last Fight: 6/30/2012- L (TKO7) vs. #3 Cornelius Bundrage
Next Fight: Unknown
Spinks failed to revenge his ugly 2010 TKO loss to Bundrage, but managed to look a little better and capture a round or two this time.
12) Sergey Rabchenko (20-20)
Last Fight: 6/16/2012- TKO7 #11 Ryan Rhodes
Next Fight: 11/24/2012- vs. Cedric Vitu (UNR)
Rabchenko will fight one-loss French prospect Cedric Vitu on November 24 in Manchester, England.
13) Delvin Rodriguez (23-68)
Last Fight: 6/2/2012- L (UD12) vs. #12 Austin Trout
Next Fight: Unknown
14) Lukas Konecny (4-64)
Last Fight: 10/6/2012- L* (UD12) vs. Zaurbek Baysangurov (UNR) (Robbery)
Next Fight: Unknown
Konecny all but dominated Baysangurov, but walked away with one of the worst robbery losses I’ve ever seen.
15) Vanes Martirosyan (4-74)
Last Fight: 2/4/2012- TKO3 Troy Lowry (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/10/2012- vs. #6 Erislandy Lara
See Lara’s notes, above.
16) Carlos Quintana (21-26)
Last Fight: 5/5/2012- TKO6 Deandre Latimore (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/24/2012- vs. Keith Thurman (UNR)
Quintana will serve as a gatekeeper against typically welterweight top prospect Keith Thurman on November 24.
17) Sechew Powell (8-137)
Last Fight: 6/1/2012- L (TKO9) vs. #10 Gabriel Rosado
Next Fight: Unknown
18) Brian Rose (8-48)
Last Fight: 10/5/2012- KO3 Vivian Harris (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Another very mediocre opponent for Rose, but at least this time he took care of business.
19) Roberto Garcia (8-21)
Last Fight: 3/23/2012- UD10 Antwone Smith (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
20) Anthony Mundine (8-8)
Last Fight: 7/14/2012- TKO7 Bronco McKart (at MW)
Next Fight: Unknown
Mundine’s next fight will be against top Middleweight contender Daniel Geale sometime in January, but no date or venue yet.

 

The Week Ahead: We’re looking at a second third consecutive slow week in the division.

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Junior Middleweight: 2012, Oct 22-28

Posted in Junior Middleweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on May 11, 2013 by danboxing
No action and no changes to report this week.

 

Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in Current Position-Weeks in Top 10 if applicable-Weeks in Top 20)
Champ: None
1) Saul Alvarez (25-86-101)
Last Fight: 9/15/2012- TKO5 WW#? Josesito Lopez
Next Fight: Unknown
After some (literally) light work against Lopez, Canelo is considering Kirkland in December, and hoping for Mayweather or Cotto on May 4.  The WBC plans to make him fight the Vanes vs. Lara winner in 2013.
2) Carlos Molina (25-68-83)
Last Fight: 8/17/2012- UD10 Damian Frias (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
3) Cornelius Bundrage (31-116-116)
Last Fight: 6/30/2012- TKO7 #11 Cory Spinks
Next Fight: Unknown
Bundrage has left Don King and signed with Golden Boy, and now says he wants Angulo and Kirkland.
4) Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (25-25-25)
Last Fight: 5/5/2012- UD12* #4 Miguel Cotto
Next Fight: Unknown
Mayweather says his next fight will be in the first half of 2013.
5) Miguel Cotto (25-125-125)
Last Fight: 5/5/2012- L* (UD12) vs. WW #1 Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Next Fight: 12/1/2012- vs. #8 Austin Trout
Cotto fights Austin Trout December 1 at Madison Square Garden.
6) Erislandy Lara (25-68-90)
Last Fight: 6/30/2012- UD10 Freddy Hernandez (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/10/2012- vs. #15 Vanes Martirosyan
After months of speculation, Lara-Martirosyan is finally on, November 10 in Vegas, with the winner to get a mandatory shot at Canelo.  The fight will be shown on HBO.
7) James Kirkland (25-51-51)
Last Fight: 3/24/2012- W*(DQ10) vs. #6 Carlos Molina (Robbery)
Next Fight: Unknown
Kirkland is apparently having managerial problems, but may be in position for a Canelo fight in December.
8) Austin Trout (21-21-90)
Last Fight: 6/2/2012- UD12 #13 Delvin Rodriguez
Next Fight: 12/1/2012- vs. #5 Miguel Cotto
See Cotto’s notes, above.
9) Alfredo Angulo (21-161-161)
Last Fight: 11/5/2011- L (TKO6) vs. James Kirkland (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/10/2012- vs. Raul Casarez (UNR)
After what must have been a nightmarish 8 months in a detention center for very little reason, Angulo has already got a fight scheduled, against journeyman Raul Casarez on November 10, and he reportedly may hire Virgil Hunter as trainer.
10) Gabriel Rosado (22-22-90)
Last Fight: 9/21/2012- TKO10 Charles Whittaker (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
With Angulo back in action, Rosado may be looking for a rematch.
11) Cory Spinks (19-39)
Last Fight: 6/30/2012- L (TKO7) vs. #3 Cornelius Bundrage
Next Fight: Unknown
Spinks failed to revenge his ugly 2010 TKO loss to Bundrage, but managed to look a little better and capture a round or two this time.
12) Sergey Rabchenko (19-19)
Last Fight: 6/16/2012- TKO7 #11 Ryan Rhodes
Next Fight: 11/24/2012- vs. Cedric Vitu (UNR)
Rabchenko will fight one-loss French prospect Cedric Vitu on November 24 in Manchester, England.
13) Delvin Rodriguez (22-67)
Last Fight: 6/2/2012- L (UD12) vs. #12 Austin Trout
Next Fight: Unknown
14) Lukas Konecny (3-63)
Last Fight: 10/6/2012- L* (UD12) vs. Zaurbek Baysangurov (UNR) (Robbery)
Next Fight: Unknown
Konecny all but dominated Baysangurov, but walked away with one of the worst robbery losses I’ve ever seen.
15) Vanes Martirosyan (3-73)
Last Fight: 2/4/2012- TKO3 Troy Lowry (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/10/2012- vs. #6 Erislandy Lara
See Lara’s notes, above.
16) Carlos Quintana (20-25)
Last Fight: 5/5/2012- TKO6 Deandre Latimore (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/24/2012- vs. Keith Thurman (UNR)
Quintana will serve as a gatekeeper against typically welterweight top prospect Keith Thurman on November 24.
17) Sechew Powell (7-136)
Last Fight: 6/1/2012- L (TKO9) vs. #10 Gabriel Rosado
Next Fight: Unknown
18) Brian Rose (7-47)
Last Fight: 10/5/2012- KO3 Vivian Harris (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Another very mediocre opponent for Rose, but at least this time he took care of business.
19) Roberto Garcia (7-20)
Last Fight: 3/23/2012- UD10 Antwone Smith (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
20) Anthony Mundine (7-7)
Last Fight: 7/14/2012- TKO7 Bronco McKart (at MW)
Next Fight: Unknown
Mundine’s next fight will be against top Middleweight contender Daniel Geale sometime in January, but no date or venue yet.

 

The Week Ahead: We’re looking at a second consecutive slow week in the division.

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Junior Middleweight: 2012, Oct 15-21

Posted in Junior Middleweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on May 11, 2013 by danboxing
Monday in Tokyo, gatekeeper and Japanese champion Akio Shibata defended his title against high-level journeyman Yoshihisa Tonimura, winning by unanimous scores of 97-94.  No changes to the rankings this week.

 

Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in Current Position-Weeks in Top 10 if applicable-Weeks in Top 20)
Champ: None
1) Saul Alvarez (24-85-100)
Last Fight: 9/15/2012- TKO5 WW#? Josesito Lopez
Next Fight: Unknown
After some (literally) light work against Lopez, Canelo is considering Kirkland in December, and hoping for Mayweather or Cotto on May 4.  The WBC plans to make him fight the Vanes vs. Lara winner in 2013.
2) Carlos Molina (24-67-82)
Last Fight: 8/17/2012- UD10 Damian Frias (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
3) Cornelius Bundrage (30-115-115)
Last Fight: 6/30/2012- TKO7 #11 Cory Spinks
Next Fight: Unknown
Bundrage may fight Andre Berto on November 24.
4) Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (24-24-24)
Last Fight: 5/5/2012- UD12* #4 Miguel Cotto
Next Fight: Unknown
Floyd may be looking to fight Pacquiao in April.  But we’ve heard this before, and it wouldn’t even be as enticing this time after his so-so performance against Bradley and robbery win over Marquez.
5) Miguel Cotto (24-124-124)
Last Fight: 5/5/2012- L* (UD12) vs. WW #1 Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Next Fight: 12/1/2012- vs. #8 Austin Trout
Cotto fights Austin Trout December 1 at Madison Square Garden.
6) Erislandy Lara (24-67-89)
Last Fight: 6/30/2012- UD10 Freddy Hernandez (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/10/2012- vs. #15 Vanes Martirosyan
After months of speculation, Lara-Martirosyan is finally on, November 10 in Vegas, with the winner to get a mandatory shot at Canelo.  The fight will be shown on HBO.
7) James Kirkland (24-50-50)
Last Fight: 3/24/2012- W*(DQ10) vs. #6 Carlos Molina (Robbery)
Next Fight: Unknown
Kirkland is apparently having managerial problems, but may be in position for a Canelo fight in December.
8) Austin Trout (20-20-89)
Last Fight: 6/2/2012- UD12 #13 Delvin Rodriguez
Next Fight: 12/1/2012- vs. #5 Miguel Cotto
See Cotto’s notes, above.
9) Alfredo Angulo (20-160-160)
Last Fight: 11/5/2011- L (TKO6) vs. James Kirkland (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/10/2012- vs. Raul Casarez (UNR)
After what must have been a nightmarish 8 months in a detention center for very little reason, Angulo has already got a fight scheduled, against journeyman Raul Casarez on November 10, and he reportedly may hire Virgil Hunter as trainer.
10) Gabriel Rosado (21-21-89)
Last Fight: 9/21/2012- TKO10 Charles Whittaker (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
With Angulo back in action, Rosado may be looking for a rematch.
11) Cory Spinks (18-38)
Last Fight: 6/30/2012- L (TKO7) vs. #3 Cornelius Bundrage
Next Fight: Unknown
Spinks failed to revenge his ugly 2010 TKO loss to Bundrage, but managed to look a little better and capture a round or two this time.
12) Sergey Rabchenko (18-18)
Last Fight: 6/16/2012- TKO7 #11 Ryan Rhodes
Next Fight: 11/24/2012- vs. Cedric Vitu (UNR)
Rabchenko will fight one-loss French prospect Cedric Vitu on November 24 in Manchester, England.
13) Delvin Rodriguez (21-66)
Last Fight: 6/2/2012- L (UD12) vs. #12 Austin Trout
Next Fight: Unknown
14) Lukas Konecny (2-62)
Last Fight: 10/6/2012- L* (UD12) vs. Zaurbek Baysangurov (UNR) (Robbery)
Next Fight: Unknown
Konecny all but dominated Baysangurov, but walked away with one of the worst robbery losses I’ve ever seen.
15) Vanes Martirosyan (2-72)
Last Fight: 2/4/2012- TKO3 Troy Lowry (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/10/2012- vs. #6 Erislandy Lara
See Lara’s notes, above.
16) Carlos Quintana (19-24)
Last Fight: 5/5/2012- TKO6 Deandre Latimore (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Quintana said he wanted Canelo in the immediate aftermath of his upset TKO of Deandre Latimore, and has since expressed interest in Cotto and Trout, as well.
17) Sechew Powell (6-135)
Last Fight: 6/1/2012- L (TKO9) vs. #10 Gabriel Rosado
Next Fight: Unknown
18) Brian Rose (6-46)
Last Fight: 10/5/2012- KO3 Vivian Harris (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Another very mediocre opponent for Rose, but at least this time he took care of business.
19) Roberto Garcia (6-19)
Last Fight: 3/23/2012- UD10 Antwone Smith (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
20) Anthony Mundine (6-6)
Last Fight: 7/14/2012- TKO7 Bronco McKart (at MW)
Next Fight: Unknown

 

The Week Ahead: Nothing to report this week.

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Junior Middleweight: 2012, Sep 3-9

Posted in Junior Middleweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on May 3, 2013 by danboxing
On the Golovkin-Proksa undercard on HBO in Verona, New York, prospect Jonathan Gonzalez embarrassed himself by coming in 9 pounds over the 154 pound limit, which had been agreed to.  Knowing in advance that his opponent was nowhere near the weight, Sergiy Dzinziruk came in a bit over 156.  Despite the surprise weight drama, Dzinziruk still had the opportunity to make some hay at 160 or even 168 with a win, but whether it was due to Gonzalez’s size or not, he laid an egg.  Inside the ropes, Dzinziruk won anywhere between 0 and 3 of the 12 rounds.  I gave him 2.  Wynn Kintz somehow gave him 7!  He gave him all three toss-up rounds, and 4 rounds that he clearly lost.  Don Ackerman was also shameful, only doing one round better than his colleague.  Only Tom Schreck did a decent job, only giving Dzinziruk all the arguable rounds at 117-111.  I know I say this a lot, but Ackerman and Kintz’s scorecards were two of the most inexplicably awful I’ve ever seen.  I guess they just couldn’t see past their hate for Gonzalez and his unprofessional weight management.

 

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) Saul Alvarez (18-79-94)
Last Fight: 5/5/2012- UD12 Shane Mosley (UNR)
Next Fight: 9/15/2012- vs. WW#? Josesito Lopez
Canelo will presumably be paying well for the privilege of making Josesito Lopez- a natural 140 pounder- move up to 154 after he made his bones at 147 with a shocking upset of would-be Alvarez opponent Victor Ortiz.  He is also planning a possible subsequent bout for December 8 already.
2) Carlos Molina (18-61-76)
Last Fight: 8/17/2012- UD10 Damian Frias (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
3) Cornelius Bundrage (24-109-109)
Last Fight: 6/30/2012- TKO7 #11 Cory Spinks
Next Fight: Unknown
Bundrage has replaced Manny Steward as his manager (but not trainer), but has to return to the drawing board on his next fight, as the two guys he was looking to fight or who were looking to fight him opted instead to fight each other- Trout and Cotto.
4) Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (18-18-18)
Last Fight: 5/5/2012- UD12* #4 Miguel Cotto
Next Fight: Unknown
Floyd may be looking to fight Pacquiao in April.  But we’ve heard this before, and it wouldn’t even be as enticing this time after his so-so performance against Bradley and robbery win over Marquez.
5) Miguel Cotto (18-118-118)
Last Fight: 5/5/2012- L* (UD12) vs. WW #1 Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Next Fight: 12/1/2012- vs. #8 Austin Trout
Cotto fights Austin Trout December 1 at Madison Square Garden.
6) Erislandy Lara (18-61-83)
Last Fight: 6/30/2012- UD10 Freddy Hernandez (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/10/2012- vs. #14 Vanes Martirosyan
After months of speculation, Lara-Martirosyan is finally on, November 10 in Vegas, with the winner to get a mandatory shot at Canelo.
7) James Kirkland (18-44-44)
Last Fight: 3/24/2012- W*(DQ10) vs. #6 Carlos Molina (Robbery)
Next Fight: Unknown
Kirkland is apparently having managerial problems, and he has no upcoming fights in the works of any kind, it would appear.
8) Austin Trout (14-14-83)
Last Fight: 6/2/2012- UD12 #13 Delvin Rodriguez
Next Fight: 12/1/2012- vs. #5 Miguel Cotto
See Cotto’s notes, above.
9) Alfredo Angulo (14-154-154)
Last Fight: 11/5/2011- L (TKO6) vs. James Kirkland (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Angulo has finally been released from detention by US immigration authorities after 7 months of chargeless detention for the heinous crime of overstaying his visa.  Absolutely unacceptable.  On the bright side, he’s planning to be back in the ring by the end of the year, and says he would be interested in a Kirkland rematch.
10) Gabriel Rosado (15-15-83)
Last Fight: 6/1/2013- TKO9 #19 Sechew Powell
Next Fight: 9/21/2012- vs. Charles Whittaker (UNR)
Rosado will get gatekeeper Charles Whittaker on September 21 in Bethlehem, PA, and the fight will be televised by NBC Sports.
11) Cory Spinks (12-32)
Last Fight: 6/30/2012- L (TKO7) vs. #3 Cornelius Bundrage
Next Fight: Unknown
Spinks failed to revenge his ugly 2010 TKO loss to Bundrage, but managed to look a little better and capture a round or two this time.
12) Sergey Rabchenko (12-12)
Last Fight: 6/16/2012- TKO7 #11 Ryan Rhodes
Next Fight: Unknown
Rabchenko is likely to defend his European title against France’s Cedric Vitu in his next fight.  Purse bids are due September 26.
13) Delvin Rodriguez (15-60)
Last Fight: 6/2/2012- L (UD12) vs. #12 Austin Trout
Next Fight: Unknown
14) Vanes Martirosyan (13-66)
Last Fight: 2/4/2012- TKO3 Troy Lowry (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/10/2012- vs. #6 Erislandy Lara
See Lara’s notes, above.
15) Lukas Konecny (13-56)
Last Fight: 4/5/2012- TKO7 Salim Larbi (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/27/2012- vs. Zaurbek Baysangurov (UNR)
Konecny-Baysangurov will finally happen- October 27 in Kiev.
16) Carlos Quintana (13-18)
Last Fight: 5/5/2012- TKO6 Deandre Latimore (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Quintana said he wanted Canelo in the immediate aftermath of his upset TKO of Deandre Latimore, and has since expressed interest in Cotto and Trout, as well.
17) Ryan Rhodes (12-150)
Last Fight: 6/16/2012- L (TKO7) vs. Sergey Rabchenko (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Rhodes says he has no plans to retire after losing to Rabchenko.
18) Sechew Powell (12-129)
Last Fight: 6/1/2012- L (TKO9) vs. #10 Gabriel Rosado
Next Fight: Unknown
19) Brian Rose (12-40)
Last Fight: 6/2/2012- W* (UD12) vs. Kris Carslaw (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/5/2012- vs. Vivian Harris (UNR)
Rose will fight former junior welterweight contender and current welterweight journeyman Vivian Harris on October 5 in Blackpool.
20) Roberto Garcia (12-13)
Last Fight: 3/23/2012- UD10 Antwone Smith (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown

 

The Week Ahead: No action scheduled for this week.

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Junior Middleweight: 2012, Aug 20-26

Posted in Junior Middleweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on April 29, 2013 by danboxing
Not really a lot to talk about in the stay-busy fight between #2 Carlos Molina and journeyman Damian Frias on Friday Night Fights.  I gave Frias one round that I thought he clearly won, but the judges didn’t even give him that much credit.  It was basically a dominant effort for Molina, as you’d have expected.  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) Saul Alvarez (16-77-92)
Last Fight: 5/5/2012- UD12 Shane Mosley (UNR)
Next Fight: 9/15/2012- vs. WW#? Josesito Lopez
Canelo will presumably be paying well for the privilege of making Josesito Lopez- a natural 140 pounder- move up to 154 after he made his bones at 147 with a shocking upset of would-be Alvarez opponent Victor Ortiz.  He is also planning a possible subsequent bout for December 8 already.
2) Carlos Molina (16-59-74)
Last Fight: 8/17/2012- UD10 Damian Frias (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
3) Cornelius Bundrage (22-107-107)
Last Fight: 6/30/2012- TKO7 #11 Cory Spinks
Next Fight: Unknown
Bundrage has replaced Manny Steward as his manager (but not trainer), and is hoping to fight Cotto on Cotto’s rumored 12/1 date.
4) Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (16-16-16)
Last Fight: 5/5/2012- UD12* #4 Miguel Cotto
Next Fight: Unknown
Floyd may be looking to fight Pacquiao in April.  But we’ve heard this before, and it wouldn’t even be as enticing this time after his so-so performance against Bradley and robbery win over Marquez.
5) Miguel Cotto (16-116-116)
Last Fight: 5/5/2012- L* (UD12) vs. WW #1 Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Next Fight: Unknown
Cotto will likely fight at MSG on December 1, and he’s said it may be at 160.
6) Erislandy Lara (16-59-81)
Last Fight: 6/30/2012- UD10 Freddy Hernandez (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/10/2012- vs. #14 Vanes Martirosyan
After months of speculation, Lara-Martirosyan is finally on, November 10 in Vegas, with the winner to get a mandatory shot at Canelo.
7) James Kirkland (16-42-42)
Last Fight: 3/24/2012- W*(DQ10) vs. #6 Carlos Molina (Robbery)
Next Fight: Unknown
Kirkland bailed almost immediately on a fight he signed with Canelo, and says he plans to return in October or November.
8) Austin Trout (12-12-81)
Last Fight: 6/2/2012- UD12 #13 Delvin Rodriguez
Next Fight: Unknown
Trout might be looking to fight Roberto Garcia on Showtime in early September.
9) Alfredo Angulo (12-152-152)
Last Fight: 11/5/2011- L (TKO6) vs. James Kirkland (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Angulo has finally been released from detention by US immigration authorities after 7 months of chargeless detention for the heinous crime of overstaying his visa.  Absolutely unacceptable.  On the bright side, he’s planning to be back in the ring by the end of the year.
10) Gabriel Rosado (13-13-81)
Last Fight: 6/1/2013- TKO9 #19 Sechew Powell
Next Fight: 9/21/2012- vs. Charles Whittaker (UNR)
Rosado will get gatekeeper Charles Whittaker on September 21 in Bethlehem, PA, and the fight will be televised by NBC Sports.
11) Cory Spinks (10-30)
Last Fight: 6/30/2012- L (TKO7) vs. #3 Cornelius Bundrage
Next Fight: Unknown
Spinks failed to revenge his ugly 2010 TKO loss to Bundrage, but managed to look a little better and capture a round or two this time.
12) Sergey Rabchenko (10-10)
Last Fight: 6/16/2012- TKO7 #11 Ryan Rhodes
Next Fight: Unknown
Rabchenko is likely to defend his European title against France’s Cedric Vitu in his next fight.
13) Delvin Rodriguez (13-58)
Last Fight: 6/2/2012- L (UD12) vs. #12 Austin Trout
Next Fight: Unknown
14) Vanes Martirosyan (11-64)
Last Fight: 2/4/2012- TKO3 Troy Lowry (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/10/2012- vs. #6 Erislandy Lara
See Lara’s notes, above.
15) Lukas Konecny (11-54)
Last Fight: 4/5/2012- TKO7 Salim Larbi (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/27/2012- vs. Zaurbek Baysangurov (UNR)
Konecny-Baysangurov will finally happen- October 27 in Kiev.
16) Carlos Quintana (11-16)
Last Fight: 5/5/2012- TKO6 Deandre Latimore (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Quintana said he wanted Canelo in the immediate aftermath of his upset TKO of Deandre Latimore, and has since expressed interest in Cotto and Trout, as well.
17) Ryan Rhodes (10-148)
Last Fight: 6/16/2012- L (TKO7) vs. Sergey Rabchenko (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Rhodes says he has no plans to retire after losing to Rabchenko.
18) Sechew Powell (10-127)
Last Fight: 6/1/2012- L (TKO9) vs. #10 Gabriel Rosado
Next Fight: Unknown
19) Brian Rose (10-38)
Last Fight: 6/2/2012- W* (UD12) vs. Kris Carslaw (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/5/2012- vs. Vivian Harris (UNR)
Rose will fight former junior welterweight contender and current welterweight journeyman Vivian Harris on October 5 in Blackpool.
20) Roberto Garcia (10-11)
Last Fight: 3/23/2012- UD10 Antwone Smith (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown

 

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

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Junior Middleweight: 2012, Aug 13-19

Posted in Junior Middleweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on April 27, 2013 by danboxing
Nothing to report 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 (15-76-91)
Last Fight: 5/5/2012- UD12 Shane Mosley (UNR)
Next Fight: 9/15/2012- vs. WW#? Josesito Lopez
Canelo will presumably be paying well for the privilege of making Josesito Lopez- a natural 140 pounder- move up to 154 after he made his bones at 147 with a shocking upset of would-be Alvarez opponent Victor Ortiz.  He is also planning a possible subsequent bout for December 8 already.
2) Carlos Molina (15-58-73)
Last Fight: 3/23/2012- L*(DQ10) vs. #3 James Kirkland (Robbery)
Next Fight: 8/17/2012- vs. Damian Frias (UNR)
Molina will get a little light work in this Friday in Miami, Oklahoma, taking on Miami, FL-based Cuban Damian Frias.
3) Cornelius Bundrage (21-106-106)
Last Fight: 6/30/2012- TKO7 #11 Cory Spinks
Next Fight: Unknown
After removing whatever irrational doubt may have existed by dispatching Cory Spinks for a second time, Bundrage is hoping to secure a fight with Canelo.
4) Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (15-15-15)
Last Fight: 5/5/2012- UD12* #4 Miguel Cotto
Next Fight: Unknown
Floyd may be looking to fight Pacquiao in April.  But we’ve heard this before, and it wouldn’t even be as enticing this time after his so-so performance against Bradley and robbery win over Marquez.
5) Miguel Cotto (15-115-115)
Last Fight: 5/5/2012- L* (UD12) vs. WW #1 Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Next Fight: Unknown
Cotto will likely fight at MSG on December 1, and he’s said it may be at 160.
6) Erislandy Lara (15-58-80)
Last Fight: 6/30/2012- UD10 Freddy Hernandez (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
After Martirosyan originally turned down a shot at Lara, it now looks like that fight will indeed happen.  Vanes says he’s all-in for it now after Canelo went elsewhere.  The fight would serve as an eliminator for a Canelo shot.
7) James Kirkland (15-41-41)
Last Fight: 3/24/2012- W*(DQ10) vs. #6 Carlos Molina (Robbery)
Next Fight: Unknown
Kirkland bailed almost immediately on a fight he signed with Canelo, and says he plans to return in October or November.
8) Austin Trout (11-11-80)
Last Fight: 6/2/2012- UD12 #13 Delvin Rodriguez
Next Fight: Unknown
Trout might be looking to fight Roberto Garcia on Showtime in early September.
9) Alfredo Angulo (11-151-151)
Last Fight: 11/5/2011- L (TKO6) vs. James Kirkland (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Troubling news.  Angulo has been detained by US authorities since at least January.  Apparently his only crime was being here on an expired Visa.  Don’t get me wrong.  I’m in favor of enforcing immigration laws, but to lock a guy up for months on end without so much as a trial?  Awful.  We’re rooting for you, Perro.
10) Gabriel Rosado (12-12-80)
Last Fight: 6/1/2013- TKO9 #19 Sechew Powell
Next Fight: 9/21/2012- vs. Charles Whittaker (UNR)
Rosado will get gatekeeper Charles Whittaker on September 21 in Bethlehem, PA, and the fight will be televised by NBC Sports.
11) Cory Spinks (9-29)
Last Fight: 6/30/2012- L (TKO7) vs. #3 Cornelius Bundrage
Next Fight: Unknown
Spinks failed to revenge his ugly 2010 TKO loss to Bundrage, but managed to look a little better and capture a round or two this time.
12) Sergey Rabchenko (9-9)
Last Fight: 6/16/2012- TKO7 #11 Ryan Rhodes
Next Fight: Unknown
Rabchenko is likely to defend his European title against France’s Cedric Vitu in his next fight.
13) Delvin Rodriguez (12-57)
Last Fight: 6/2/2012- L (UD12) vs. #12 Austin Trout
Next Fight: Unknown
14) Vanes Martirosyan (10-63)
Last Fight: 2/4/2012- TKO3 Troy Lowry (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Martirosyan took the night off after his unworthy opponent Ryan Davis failed the pre-fight physical, and now has agreed to fight Lara- a fight he had previously turned down.  Purse bids are scheduled for 7/27.
15) Lukas Konecny (10-53)
Last Fight: 4/5/2012- TKO7 Salim Larbi (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/27/2012- vs. Zaurbek Baysangurov (UNR)
Konecny-Baysangurov will finally happen- October 27 in Kiev.
16) Carlos Quintana (10-15)
Last Fight: 5/5/2012- TKO6 Deandre Latimore (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Quintana said he wanted Canelo in the immediate aftermath of his upset TKO of Deandre Latimore, and has since expressed interest in Cotto and Trout, as well.
17) Ryan Rhodes (9-147)
Last Fight: 6/16/2012- L (TKO7) vs. Sergey Rabchenko (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Rhodes says he has no plans to retire after losing to Rabchenko.
18) Sechew Powell (9-126)
Last Fight: 6/1/2012- L (TKO9) vs. #10 Gabriel Rosado
Next Fight: Unknown
19) Brian Rose (9-37)
Last Fight: 6/2/2012- W* (UD12) vs. Kris Carslaw (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Rose’s reign as British Champion hasn’t been the greatest- partly due to limited available opposition, and partly due to his own awful performance against Carslaw.
20) Roberto Garcia (9-10)
Last Fight: 3/23/2012- UD10 Antwone Smith (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown

 

The Week Ahead: In a late-breaking Friday Night Fights main event in Miami, Oklahoma, #2 Carlos Molina stays busy against mid-level journeyman Damian Frias of Miami by way of Cuba.

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