Monthly Archives: February 2016

PHOTOS: Terence Crawford beats down Hank Lundy in five rounds

Terence Crawford was too much for Hank Lundy on Saturday night (Photo: Naoki Fukuda)

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By Chris Robinson

It was business as usual for WBO junior welterweight champion Terence Crawford this past Saturday night, as he stopped a brave but outgunned Hank Lundy inside of five rounds in front of a sold-out crowd of 5,092 at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York.

On HBO’s airwaves, Crawford was calm and calculated as always, as he brushed off a strong start by Lundy before breaking him down in the fifth with a knockdown and a barrage of punches soon afterwards that prompted referee Steve Willis to call a halt to the action.
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5-year Old Money Prince Duarte continuing his growth in the boxing world out of Las Vegas

Money Prince Duarte works with Roger Mayweather below, inside of the Mayweather Boxing Club

By Chris Robinson

When I first spotted young Money Prince Duarte out here in Las Vegas a few years ago I was instantly taken aback.

Then just three years old at the time, it was easy to tell that the young kid was a natural as he pounded on the heavy bag at the Mayweather Boxing Club. That same day I also broke bread with Prince’s driving force, his father Marcel, and so too was a seed planted.
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Conor McGregor sets his sights on the lightweight division

Conor McGregor is one of sport’s most talked about figures (Photo: Instagram)

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By Kyle Hutchison

A little under three years ago, I was sitting on my porch with my buddy Kevin. While watching UFC highlights on my laptop, He told me to look up “this dude Conor McGregor, he’s this crazy Irish dude who throws ridiculous kicks.” That crazy Irishman will be fighting for the lightweight title on March 5. McGregor’s unprecedented rise to the top of the UFC comes from his outlandish trash talk and his uncanny ability to back it up.

McGregor’s trash talk is legendary. The only other UFC fighters who are even on the same level are Chael Sonnen and Brock Lesnar. He utilizes that trash talk to propel himself into larger fights and draw larger crowds. He is his own perfect PR guy. You can see one of his best moments when he verbally attacks every UFC fighter at a press conference. But, trash talk is nothing unless you can back it up, and McGregor has fulfilled every one of his promises so far.
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Exclusive PHOTOS: Damien ‘Sugar’ Vasquez Helping Top Contender Joebert Alvarez From the Philippines Ahead of his March 19 duel with Jonathan Gonzalez

Joebert Alvarez and Damien Vasquez in Las Vegas following their sparring (Photo: Hustle Boss)

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By Chris Robinson

The rigorous training and  learning lessons continue for Damien “Sugar” Vasquez.

Vasquez last saw action inside of the ring this past October in Glendale, Ariz., where he clearly defeated Javier Lapizco over eight rounds to move to 8-0 with three knockouts. Still just 18 years old, Vasquez has since been honing his skills under the tutelage of respected trainer Nonito Donaire Sr., and it’s evident that he is still very much learning and blossoming as a fighter.
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PHOTOS: Alexis Santiago outduels Erik Ruiz over 10; Lanell Bellows KO’s Aikens and Thompson upset by Parker

Alexis Santiago defeated Erik Ruiz over 10 rounds on Tuesday night (Photo: Al Powers – Premier Boxing Champions)

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By Chris Robinson

WBO #5, IBF #10, WBC #14 bantamweight Alexis “Beaver” Santiago delivered a gritty and exciting performance against tough gatekeeper Erik Ruiz on Tuesday night at Sam’s Town Live in Las Vegas.
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Team Judah respond to reports regarding Zab’s fallout with promoter Greg Cohen

Zab Judah has always been a fan favorite in the Las Vegas area (Photo: Hustle Boss)

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By Chris Robinson

To anyone who has been a fan of two-division world champion Zab “Super” Judah, surely the past few years have been a bit of a waiting game.

Judah (42-9, 29 KO’s) hasn’t fought since his December 2013 unanimous decision loss to Paulie Malignaggi is Brooklyn, New York.

Last year, in August, it was revealed that Judah had signed on with promoter Greg Cohen and there were soon discussions of his imminent return. Judah was slated for a matchup against Columbia’s Hevinson Herrera in September but the fight fell through when the two men got into an altercation at their weigh-in prior to their scheduled bout.

Judah was then scheduled to face former junior lightweight titleholder Juan Carlos Salgado in November in Las Vegas, but the bout was cancelled when Salgado, claiming an ankle injury, dropped out less than a week before the fight.

2015 passed and Judah didn’t perform in the ring. It was reported that he was in line for a February showcase against Virgil Green in Sloane, Iowa, but speculation of that scenario fell apart when it was revealed that Judah and Cohen had parted ways.

There are conflicting reports of why Judan and Cohen went their separate ways.

Hustle Boss caught word, via some feedback from Twitter, that it was reported by ESPN’s Dan Rafael during one of his chats that Judah had taken a $25 thousand dollar signing bonus while turning down numerous fights. It was also reported that Judah was released by Cohen and there was speculation concerning his signing bonus and whether or not it was paid back.

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Team Judah have since reached out to Hustle Boss to give their side of the story, as seen below.

“Zab signed with a promoter who made certain guarantees that were to be fulfilled by December 31st.  It is our belief that the promoter did not fulfill these guarantees, and so the agreement terminated at the end of December by its terms.  Once we sent notice of termination, the promoter attempted to spin the events that took place between the signing and the end of the year.  Although we were not liable to repay the signing bonus, we decided to repay it in exchange for a signed written release to ensure the promoter will not be able to make any false claims that he still promotes Zab.  These funds were received by the promoter within hours after the promoter signed the release.  Any stories out there saying anything different than this are untrue and are a malicious attack on Zab’s integrity.  Also, to all of Zab’s fans, Zab never gave authorization to have his name used to promote a fight in Iowa.  It is our understanding that someone signed a contract promising Zab for this fight without Zab’s knowledge and approval.  As soon as we discovered this, we immediately tried to correct the situation by having Zab’s name removed from all advertising.  If I bought tickets to this fight because I thought Zab was fighting, I would immediately contact the organizers for a refund.  Zab was never scheduled to fight on this date in Iowa.”

Stay tuned for a full interview with Judah to be dropping soon.

Chris Robinson can be reached at CRobinson@hustleboss.com

Exclusive PHOTOS: Back Inside Johnny Tocco’s for First Friday Exhibition Sparring

Amateur prospect Daijon Carter, right, attempts to evade an onrushing Alex Thiel, also amateur, in their matchup this past Friday at Johnny Tocco’s (Photo: Hustle Boss)

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By Chris Robinson

It was great to step back inside of Johnny Tocco’s this past Friday, Feb. 5, for another installment of their First Friday Exhibition Series.

The monthly showcase, which runs in conjunction with the city’s ongoing First Friday Celebrations, has brought out the best in some of the area’s top young prospects.
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Canelo Alvarez vs. Amir Khan Predictions from Las Vegas, Vol. 1

Fighters from the Mayweather Boxing Club speak on the May 7 Canelo Alvarez vs. Amir Khan bout (Photo: Hustle Boss)

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By Chris Robinson

When it was announced that WBC middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez would be defending his title against former junior welterweight champion Amir Khan, it was met with much surprise.

With so much talk talk immediately following the matchup, it was only natural to get some thoughts on the contest.
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A Return to Johnny Tocco’s for First Friday Exhibition Sparring This Coming Friday, Feb. 5

Inside of Johnny Tocco’s in Las Vegas during their First Friday Exhibition Sparring Series (Photos: Hustle Boss)

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By Chris Robinson

When Luis Monda told me in November 2014 that the famed Johnny Tocco’s Boxing Gym was set to embark on a new ritual with their First Friday Exhibition Sparring series, I knew instantly what he had in mind.

I also knew that his idea had a great chance to shine, as Monda, a trainer and manager at Tocco’s, is looking to introduce the talent from his gym by showcasing their sparring against other up-and-comers in the Vegas area.
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