Kovalev stops Agnew in Round 7

The hard hitting Russian Sergey "Krusher" Kovalev (24-0, 22 KO's) stops former unbeaten Cedric Agnew in Round 7 and retains his light heavy weight title on Saturday night at The Ballroom, Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA.

Kovalev pummelled Agnew with precise hard lefts and rights to the head and body that sent the challenger to the defensive. And in Round 7, Kovalev landed a left jab to the the body that forced Agnew to take a knee, and he was counted out.

In the first round, it is evident that Agnew has big respect for Kovalev's power; keeping high guard and contented only to counter while moving around. But Kovalev's power is just too much that it has telling effects even if it landed on Agnew's gloves.

Prior to the stoppage, in the second Round, Kovalev landed a hard left hook to Agnew's face that sent him (Agnew) to the floor. Although, Agnew also made Kovalev to take a knee but that was because of a low blow. Agnew received several warning from the referee for the same action.

Agnew did a good job in covering up and become the fourth man who went more than 6 Rounds against the Krusher.

With the win Kovalev, has 13 straight victories by way of stoppage. He has now a total of 22 knockout out of 24 wins, with only two foes heard the final bell.

Here are the Kovalev vs. Agnew under-card results:

Thomas Dulorme UD Karim “Hard Hitta” Mayfield

Super lightweight contender and Puerto Rican star, Thomas Dulorme (21-1, 14 KO's), outpoints Karim “Hard Hitta” Mayfield (18-1-1, 11 KO's) for the NABF title. There's more action in the weigh-in if continued for a little more time because it looks like an MMA fight wherein they choked each other. However, in the actual fight Dulurme just did little to get the clear nod from the judges. And he got it. The scores were 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94.

Ismael Garcia UD 6 Dushane Crooks

Local favorite Ismael Garcia (6-0-1, 3 KOs), of Vineland, NJ, wins unanimously against southpaw Dushane Crooks (6-1-0, 4 KOs), of Brooklyn, NY, in over six rounds junior middleweight battle.

Wellington Romero UD 4 Gerald Smith

Wellington Romero now improves his record to 3 wins, 1 by KO, who represented the Dominican Republic in the 2012 Olympics, decisions Gerald Smith (3-0-1, 1 KO), of Philadelphia, PA, in a four-round junior welterweight match.

Kovalev vs. Agnew results from the rest of under-cards

• Radivoje Kalajdzic SD 8 Lionell "Lonnie B." Thompson


• Wilky Campfort SD 8 Khurshid Abdullaev


• Adam Kownacki TKO 2 Excell Holmes


• Mike Mitchell TKO 2 Rafael Jastrzebski 

Kovalev 174.3, Agnew 174.4

All set for tonight's light heavyweight match as unbeaten champion Sergey Kovalev (23-0-1, 21 KO’s), and little known, or shall I say mysterious contender Cedric Agnew (26-0, 13 KO’s) made weight during the weigh-in on Friday afternoon.

Kovalev will defend his title on Saturday at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Kovalev weighted in at 174.3 lbs, and looked in good shape. Agnew weighed 174.4 lbs officially, although his first attempt at the scale showed he was .8 pounds over, which he was given 45 minutes to shave off excess baggage.

Everything was perfectly smooth during the weight-in until choking and ultimately a brawl took place after Karim Mayfield and Thomas Dulorme made the contractual weight.

It started when Dulorme turned around Mayfield's bull cap during the face-off, then I don't know why the hell Mayfield started licking Dulorme's chest. They choked each other and members of each started to get involved.

Before I used to see slapping, spitting, ok... choking or punching during weigh-ins... but licking? This is something new. Anyway its a way to hype the fight whatever it is. Fans would appreciate if they will lick its other with punches inside the ring.

Pacquiao and Bradley 'socks' stories

[caption id="attachment_1808" align="alignnone" width="575"] Photo Credit: Top Rank[/caption]

Undefeated American boxer Timothy "Desert Storm" Bradley told Yahoo Sports that the reason why he injured his feet was because he wasn't wearing socks during the first fight with the Filipino boxing icon Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao. Bradley (31-0, 12 KO's) was on a wheelchair pushed by an assistant when he arrived at the post fight conference. That's how bad the result was, for not wearing socks.

"That's what happened in the first fight. I'm going to wear socks in this rematch, I can tell you that." Bradley said.

Bradley said he went without socks while he was training at his gym, and he stuck of doing the same during the fight but said the difference was in the firmness of the mats.

"My ring has a lot harder surface, real firm, and I was able to do it, I was able to do it and it felt really good and I tried it out. It worked. I was able to grab onto the canvas well and it was comfortable for me, so I decided to stick with it during the fight." Bradley said.

Manny Pacquiao (55-5-2, 38 KO's) who will face Bradley in a rematch on April had the same 'socks' story.

On March 2008 Pacquiao scored three knockdowns in the first round against Marquez on their first fight. He think that in the second round if he throw more hard lefts he will finished Marquez. But because he become too impatient and simply throwing lefts; he missed them and made Marquez recuperate.

Pacquiao,  in his HBO, Yahoo! Sports feature special diary revealed that, "Toward the latter rounds, because I was wearing socks that were very thin, I had developed blisters on my feet making it very difficult for me to move as effectively as I had during the earlier rounds."

"I had to fight more flatfooted than we had trained. After the fight, when I took my boots off, my socks were worn through and they were very bloody." said Pacquiao.

Kovalev vs. Agnew: Weigh-in Live Streaming, 3:30 PM/ETD

Live streaming video by Ustream

Boxing results March 18-23: Rodriquez Jr. pummels Merlito Sabillo, captures title; Verdejo wins and more...

[caption id="attachment_1902" align="alignnone" width="640"] Photo Credit: Alvin S. Go[/caption]

Leading up to the big profile fights coming up next month; this week’s matches were more of contenders and upcoming prospects except for a title fight between Merlito Sabillo against Francisco Rodriquez Jr.in the strawweight division.

Francisco Rodriguez Jr. KO10 Merlito Sabillo, Strawweights

In the get-go Mexican challenger Francisco Rodriquez Jr. (14-2, 10 KO's) set the tune of the fight bombarding the previously unbeaten, Merlito Sabillo, now dropped his record to 23 wins 1 loss 1 draw and 12 knockouts, with overwhelming volume of punches to the head and body of the champion.

There's no room for the champion to breath and in the tenth round Sabillo's corner pulled the plug. Trainer Edito Villamor stepped in, which opted referee Eddie Claudio to stopped the contest.

Prior to the stoppage it is evident that an upset is inevitable as Rodriguez scored twin knockdown in the second round, although the second knockdown was ruled out a slip. Sabillo survived the first knockdown and able to beat the count but look fragile as he hit the canvas again.

With Sabillo's defeat, boxing world champions from the Philippines now reduced to two -- Donnie Nietes and John Riel Casimero.

In November, Sabillo escaped a draw and retained his title against Carlos Buitrago of Nicaragua.

Here are the notable fight results this week.

• Anselmo Moreno UD12 Javier Chacon, Bantamweights


• Hugo Ruiz KO1 Ramon Maas, Bantamweights


• Juan Carlos Reveco KO2 Manuel Vides, Flyweights


• Humberto Soto UD10 Juan Carlos Abreu, Junior Welterweights


• Anthony Peterson MD10 Marcos Jimenez, Lightweights


• Felix Verdejo KO3 Juan Santiago, Lightweights


• Luis Cruz UD5 Carlos Velazquez, Lightweights


• Michael Farenas TKO 2 Hector Velazquez, Junior Lightweights


• Tony Thompson SD 12 Odlanier Solis, Heavyweights


• Vanes Martirosyan UD 10 Mario Alberto Lozano, Middleweights


• Vivian Harris MD 10 Jorge Paez Jr., Welterweights


• Teerachai Kratingdaenggym TKO 7 Behzod Nabiev, Welterweights

Do you have something to add? Feel free to add that result in the comment box below.

[Video] Boxing Tribute: Skyfall

[Video] Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley II: Face Off with Max Kellerman

 

Sacrificial lamb: Danny Garcia vs. Mauricio Herrera preview and prediction

On Saturday night at the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez, Bayamon, Puerto Rico, the 25 year old Danny Garcia will defend his WBO and WBC light welterweight title against Mauricio Herrera. The fight will be Showtime's triple header main event.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="345"] Photo Credit: Showtime[/caption]

Danny Garcia vs. Mauricio Herrera - 12 Rounds,  Junior welterweights

Let me put it like this: plain and simple Herrera (20-3, 7 KO's) is the sacrificial lamb for Danny Garcia. Herrera is there for Garcia to butcher -- that is at least the plan.

This is Garcia's "stay-busy" fight and unlocking the Puerto Rican market. This fight's outcome is anticipated -- Garcia has to win.

Although the outcome of this fight is already anticipated, but let me remind you fight fans that boxing -- is boxing -- you'll never know what will happen in a blink of an eye.

Game changing blows is just a matter of landing at the right spot at the right time. This fight could not be boxing fans "must-see" fight but wait... Herrera might be the perfect spoiler.

Danny Garcia (27-0, 16 KO's) is one of the fast rising star in the business.

At this point in his career, there were already talks that Garcia could be a one of potential opponent of Floyd Mayweather Jr. along with another Garcia. Mikey Garcia. But Danny is more feasible at the time being because he's only a division below Mayweather. Unlike Mikey whose last fight is still at super featherweight. And it's likely that this is Danny Garcia's last fight at 140 division. He will invade the welterweight division, home of boxing's elite cash-cows.

Mayweather has four remaining fights under his Showtime 6-fight mega deal contract. Mayweather's third fight is engaged already against Marcos Maidana on May 3. So the remaining three fights would be Garcia's chance.

With the above said, I'm not taking anything away from Herrera as boxer and as a fighter. But my prediction is that Garcia will knockout Herrera in the sixth round.

Daniel Ponce De Leon vs. Juan Manuel Lopez, 10 Rounds Featherweights rematch

Looks like Daniel Ponce De Leon (45-5, 35 KO's) would like to even the score against Juan Manuel Lopez in this fight. In the first bout Lopez (33-3, 30 KO's) knockout De Leon in the very first round.

Both men were highly regarded knockout artist in 2008 who has a combine knockout ratio of 80%.

I think on the first fight De Leon was just caught up early on and doesn't recovered. He was not able to check Lopez's untested chin yet at that time that Salido did exposed.

So I think the rematch could be a different story. I think De Leon learned his lesson in the first match. And he will try to be cautious early on. He will then focus on Lopez vulnerable chin. I think he'll get his revenge in the seventh round.

Deontay Wilder vs Malik Scott, 10 Rounds, Heavyweights

This will be Deontay Wilder's (30-0, 30 KO's) true test so far in his career. Will Malik Scott stains Wilder's perfect record?Is Wilder the heavyweight that the Americans waiting for? I'll guess yes, at least against Malik Scott. Wilder KO 5 Malik Scott.

'Canelo' vs. Angulo: Saul Alvarez TKO 10 Alfredo 'Perro' Angulo

As most boxing pundits predicted, Saul "Canelo" Alvarez (43-1-1, 31 KO's) stopped Alfredo (22-4, 18 KO's) via technical knockout in Round 10 tonight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada USA for Showtime pay-per-view main event.

In the get-go Canelo was all over Angulo working like I’ve never seen him before in the same work-rate, blitzing Angulo with hard shots that came with great speed. Canelo maintained high level of aggression in the first three rounds and trying to box a bit in the fourth.

This isn't what I expected from Canelo. I thought in my prediction that it will be Angulo – not Canelo – will unleash bombardment early in the fight. But I'm right on the spot that Canelo will stop Angulo in Round 10.

Canelo sustained the pace he started. This answers the question of Canelo’s conditioning, which is a subject to doubt as he tends to fade in the later rounds in his previous fights. Although in Rounds 5 and 6 there was less activity from Canelo. But he still landed the harder shots.

Angulo tried to step-up his offense, but he’s allowing Canelo to escape far too easily – not cutting the ring off effectively, giving more room for Canelo to escape.

In Round 8, the action picked-up again as both men throwing bombs at close quarter taking turns in pounding towards each other. But it’s Canelo who made out the most of it.

The stoppage came in Round 10 as referee Tony Weeks already keeping an eye on Angulo. Canelo landed a big uppercut that prompted Weeks’ to pull the plug. The crowd may not be happy but Weeks had seen enough.

Official time of the stoppage: 0:47's in Round 10

It's an impressive performance for Canelo’s performance tonight.

It seems to me that Angulo has no steam on his punches. Maybe he’s getting himself too drained to make the division limit at 154? Maybe it’s time for him to move up in weight? Not only Angulo should move up, but for sure also Canelo who looked strong and have more stamina at a weight more than the super welterweight limit.

Do you think the weight is the factor tonight for each man performance?

Saul "Canelo" Alvarez vs. Alfredo Angulo Results: Santa Cruz, Linares win unanimous decisions

Prior to the anticipated "Toe-to-Toe" main event of Showtime pay-per-view between fellow Mexican stars, here are the under-card early Saul "Canelo" Alvarez vs. Alfredo Angulo results at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Leo Santa Cruz UD 12 Cristian Mijares, retains title

Leo Santa Cruz retains his WBC super bantamweight title, out-classing and out-witting the savvy veteran opponent to the tune of 120-108, 120-108, and 119-109 from the judges' scorecards.

I scored it 119-109 for Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz (27-0-1, 15 KO's) of Huetamo, Michoacán de Ocampo, Mexico now resides at Rosemead, California, USA is the heavy favorite coming into this fight.

I predicted Santa Cruz to win via knockout.

But tonight it's not the case as Cristian Mijares (49-8-2, 24 KO's) native of Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico was able to handle Santa Cruz power advantage and used angles not to collide Santa Cruz head on. Mijares showed toughness tonight absorbing real hard shots from Santa Cruz.

Jorge Linares UD 10 Nihito Arakawa win title eliminator

Jorge Linares of Venezuela won the WBC title eliminator against as always entertaining to watch Nihito Arakawa (24-4-1, 16 KO's) of Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan.

Linares now improved his record to 36-3-0, 23 KO's will be the challenger for Omar Figueroa's world title. The rounds were competitive but at the end every round you can easily scored it in favor of Linares.

Arakawa seemed landed the same amount of shots as Linares. But Linares landed more telling blows. It boiled down to the quality of punches landed. Arakawa is a pressure fighter -- no question about it, and fans like that kind of style. He's tough and has the heart of a champion.

But the problem is the power that goes with his pressure. There's no sting on his punches. He should work out his power. The scores were 98-92, 100-90 twice. I have it 98-92 for Linares.

[Video] Canelo vs. Angulo: Watch Saul Alvarez and Alfredo 'Perro' previous fights

Tonight Saturday March 8, starting 9 PM ET Showtime Pay-Per-View will bring us Saul "Canelo" Alvarez vs. Alfredo "El Perro" Angulo. An all Mexican bout that will prove both fighters, where they are exactly, at this point in their respective careers. Both men coming out from respective losses will come into the ring to get back to the winning column.

However, only one man will go that way. Who will get back on the winning track? And who will have to accept a heartbreaking two losing-streak? You'll be the judge while the fight still not on. To help you out watch the video of Saul Alvarez and Alfredo "El Perro" previous fights of both men here. And don't forget to leave a reply on who you've got to win tonight.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Saul "Canelo" Alvarez September 14, 2013

Alfredo Angulo vs. Erislandy Lara June 8, 2013

d

Manny Pacquiao for Senator?

[caption id="attachment_1714" align="aligncenter" width="575"] Photo Credit: Ryan Songalia/Rappler[/caption]

Filipino fighting congressman Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao is reportedly already had a place for the senatorial slate of current Vice President Jejomar Binay, according to a report from ABS-CBN TV Patrol, a local TV station in Philippines.

Vice President Binay is very vocal in his intention to run for Philippine presidency in 2016 national election. During the interview he said that "matagal na naming pinag-uusapan yan eh" (We've (Pacquiao) been talking about it for a long time).

However, in a separate interview Pacquiao said that he's still "thinking" about it.

If Pacquiao finally decides to run for senator, do you think he has the chance to win in another weight class in the political arena?

Pacquiao is in General Santos preparing for his rematch against Timothy Bradley. And will be going to the US next week to continue another leg of rigorous training at Freddie Roach Wild Card Gym.

Pacquiao lost to Bradley in a highly controversial split decision in June 2012.

Canelo vs. Angulo preview and prediction

Fellow Mexicans Saul "Canelo" Alvarez and Alfredo Angulo will meet in the ring on Saturday night, Mar. 8. Both men coming from defeats from their last fight and wanted to get back to the winning column. The fight will be on Showtime pay-per-view that starts at 9 p.m. ET at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Canelo (42-1-1, 30 KO's) is in a mission to be back in ring to maintain the path where he was before after pound-for-pound kingpin Floyd Mayweather Jr. handed him his first career defeat in September. A fight that turned out to be the highest-grossing pay-per-view fight of all time.

On Mayweather's defeat Canelo said that he learned a lot from fighting Floyd.

"I learned a lot from fighting Floyd, but I'm ready to get back in the ring to maintain the path that I was on before. This is what I love to do. I live to fight and we're ready for Saturday." said Canelo.

It's exciting to see what difference Canelo will bring after a learning experience fighting the world's best -- aka TBE. I think what he learned from Floyd fight is that: he can't out-boxed the best boxer -- maybe he can out-muscle. But that game plan he failed to do.

In the opposite corner Angulo (22-3, 18 KO's) is also coming from a 10th Round TKO defeat against Erislandy Lara in June. Angulo dropped Lara twice before he turned his back on Lara in the middle of a competitive fight. Many debated: as to when it is OK to quit in boxing.

Angulo is confident of winning this fight.

"Everyone can have their own opinion on who will win the fight. My fans know what I do in the ring and they know what to expect on Saturday night.

"My hand will be raised. I'm ready now and I will give the fans my best performance against Canelo. You will see the best Alfredo Angulo on Saturday."

Angulo is a good puncher who comes forward and keeps on throwing till an opponent drops. He's tough as nails (but not if he's hit in the eye) that will keep the pressure right in front of an opponent.

The tale of the tape

[caption id="attachment_1690" align="alignleft" width="396"] Canelo and Angulo tale of the tape[/caption]

Canelo had a clear advantage in experience and age. It's an unusual advantage to come together. At 23 years old, Canelo had compiled already a total 44 fights under his ledger compared to Angulo's 26 fights at age 31.

With regards to height and reach, both men were equal. Angulo is taller man by one inch, but shorter in reach by two inches.

I think the factors that will matter more in this fight will be the experience, and the quality of opponents that they fought.

Canelo just fought the best but lost.

Angulo fought the best fighters but also lost. One thing I'm sure he will be there to give any opponent a fight.

My Preview:

I think in the first half of the fight, Canelo will give up some of the rounds being in the defensive to weather the early onslaught of Angulo. I believed Canelo can fend off most of Angulo's punches but absorb some of them very well. I feel there will be no game changing shots that would happen in the first half.

In the middle rounds as Canelo started to imposed distance with his jab, will stepped up his offense, popping Angulo with crisp left and right combination to the head. Angulo's face that is already swelling and his work-rate fading, in the Round 10 something dramatic will happen.

My final verdict:

In Round 10, with Angulo's right eye nearly shut, Canelo unleashed power combination to the body that forced Angulo to the ropes. Canelo followed up hooks to the head that opted the referee to hopped in to stop the fight. Canelo TKO 10 Angulo.

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. wins, UD 12 over Bryan Vera in Texas

[caption id="attachment_1657" align="alignnone" width="570"] Photo Credit: Chris Farina/Top Rank[/caption]

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. wins UD 12 convincingly – at least – but not at all impressive – over as always game Bryan Vera in Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas.

Chavez was able to fight his fight.

Chavez (48-1-1, 32 KO's) fought effectively from the inside, throwing the heavier blows to the head and body of Vera. Although I’m convinced he won clearly, but he didn't dominate Vera, neither had he impressed the fans. Chavez simply landed more plus the harder blows.

To Vera’s credit he absorbed everything Chavez landed. He came out well-prepared against a now more focus son of Mexico’s legendary Julio Cesar Chavez Sr.

In Round 8 referee Rico Ramos deducted a point from Vera (23-8, 14 KO's) for pushing down Chaves head. The point deduction didn't matter at all because of the large margin in the judges’ scorecards.

In Round 12, Chavez chose to play it safe and disengage Vera. He moved around toying Vera.

The official scores were 117-110, 117-110, and 114-113.

Chavez's fading stars

Chavez was followed closely to those who still believed he can be an elite fighter. His growing numbers of critics, followed as well, not only by fight night, but also during the weigh in.

Chavez was horrible in the first fight weigh in. He struggled to make weight for the contracted 168 pounds fight and weighted in 186 pounds during fight night.

It is obvious that few fans didn’t bother to spend much of their hard earned bucks as the Alamodome was almost half empty with a reported 7000 plus gate attendance which is fairly low for a Chavez brand.

Do you think Chavez stock will raise again regardless whom he fights with regards to his performance tonight?

Pinoy Pride 24 results: Servania, Pagara and Villanueva win

Pasig City, Manila -- Pinoy Pride 24 results: The successful Pinoy Pride Series returned at the Solaire Resort and Casino. The 24th series dubbed as "THE FUTURE IS NOW", which headlined Genesis Servania against former WBA super flyweight world champion Alexander "El Explosivo" Muñoz of Venezuela, was again another successful event brought to us by ALA Promotions.

[Also: Pinoy Pride 23 Results: Banal, Pagara, Melindo, Sabillo win the distance, Nietes by KO]

Genesis Servania TKO 12 Alexander Muñoz

After searching almost all night long for one lights-out-punch, still undefeated Genesis Servania (24-0, 10 KO's) found it only in the 12th and final round. Servania landed an overhand right that sent Alexander Muñoz crashing to the floor with 38 seconds left in the final round.

Muñoz was able to get up, but referee Tapdasan had seen enough and waived it off to save Muñoz from further beating. The official time of the stoppage: 2:22 in Round 12. Muñoz (36-6, 28 KO's) went down twice. He went down after he was tagged by a stiff right hand in Round 2. And he took a knee after absorbing a cracking left hook to the body in the Round 9.

Prior to that, in Round 8, Servania suffered a deep and nasty cut over the left eye because of accidental head butt. It seemed Munoz is in control of the fight, but the irony is that: in the dying seconds Munoz thought the round was over and touch gloves with Servania. But Servania answered him with left and right to the head that momentarily stunned and somewhat hurt Muñoz as the bell sounded. 

With the win, Servania could be in for a world title shot.

"Prince" Albert Pagara KO 1 Isack Junior

"Prince" Albert Pagara (19-0, 13 KO's), according to fight commentators Ronnie Natanielz and Ed Tolentino, Pagara's "title" could be alleviated from "Prince" to "King" after a stellar performance, knocking out Isack Junior (22-5-2, 8 KO's) of Indonesia, in the very first round. The Indonesian laid flat on his back from a right hand to the body and was counted out by the referee. The official time, 2:41. In an interview with Dyan Castellejo, Pagara said that he "studied" the style of his opponent through "YouTube".

"King" Arthur Villanueva UD 10 Fernando Aguilar

Arthur Villanueva now improved his record to 25-0, 14 KO's, was in a hell of a fight against late substitute Fernando Aguilar of Mexico. Aguilar (9-7-0, 1 KO's) showed the heart of a Mexican warrior giving Villanueva a lot of trouble. After suffering a cut in Round 3, Aguilar went for a broke in Round 4 won that round convincingly. However the controlled and consistent aggression of Villanueva carried the night and won a unanimous decision to the tune of 94-93, 95-92, and 96-91 on the judges' scorecards. 

[caption id="attachment_1644" align="alignleft" width="333"] Roach, Donaire and Pacquiao "look-alike"[/caption]

On another note "look-alike" of Coach Freddie Roach, Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire were at ringside enjoying the action.