Monthly Archives: January 2017

Leo Santa Cruz Caps off Another Memorable Fight Week in Las Vegas With Majority-decision Victory Over Carl Frampton in Their Rematch

Leo Santa Cruz regained his championship status this past Saturday night (Photo: Premier Boxing Champions)

By Chris Robinson

There was a great buzz throughout Las Vegas this past week, as the city hosted Leo Santa Cruz’s victory over Carl Frampton in their rematch bout inside of the MGM Grand Garden Arena. With over 10,000 people in attendance, Mexico’s Santa Cruz and Belfast, North Ireland’s Frampton gave the fans their money’s worth yet again.

In July, Santa Cruz was upset by Frampton over 12 rounds in Brooklyn via majority-decision, but he turned the tables this past Saturday night, boxing and brawling his way towards a majority-decision victory of his own. The crowd was full of supporters for each man and it was another memorable one for the books.
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Famed Referee Joe Cortez Speaks During FIght Week in Vegas; Confirms he is Advising Cruiserweight Boxer Yahu Blackwell

Referee Joe Cortez in Las Vegas (Photo: Hustle Boss)

By Chris Robinson

In many ways, Joe Cortez is an unassuming man.

The famed referee, who coined the term “Fair but firm” during his officiating days, is somewhat of an icon in the boxing world due to all the memorable championship fights he officiated over the years, including bouts with the likes of Mike Tyson, Oscar De La Hoya, Lennox Lewis, Roberto Duran, and several others. Cortez is a low-key individual, however, and is never one to seek any extra attention when around the fight game.

Whenever he is asked to share a few thoughts on the sport, Cortez has also made time graciously.
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PHOTOS: Behind the Scenes in Las Vegas During Frampton-Santa Cruz II Fight Week

Another fight week has hit Las Vegas (Photo: Hustle Boss)

By Chris Robinson

Later tonight, inside of the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., WBA featherweight champion Carl Frampton will defend his title in a rematch with the man he beat this past July, three-division world champion Leo Santa Cruz.

Each man has their share of supporters in town from Frampton’s native Belfast, North Ireland, as well as plenty of Mexican supporters in town showing love to Santa Cruz. It figures to be a lively one on Saturday night.
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Carl Frampton vs. Leo Santa Cruz II Official Weigh-In from the MGM Grand

Carl Frampton and Leo Santa Cruz will collide again tomorrow night in Las Vegas (Photo: Hustle Boss)

By Chris Robinson

Moments ago, inside of the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., WBA featherweight champion Carl Frampton and former three-division world champion Leo Santa Cruz weighed in ahead of their heavily-anticipated rematch.

The SHOWTIME-televised duel between Frampton (23-0, 14 KO’s) and Santa Cruz (32-1-1, 18 KO’s) figures to be a barnburner once again, as the two men waged a tremendous battle this past July in Brooklyn, New York inside of the Barclays Center, as the Irishman claimed a majority-decision victory.
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Shawn Porter tells the media that he’s fighting Andre Berto in April

Shawn Porter says he’s facing Andre Berto sometime in April (Photo: Hustle Boss)

By Chris Robinson

On Friday, Jan. 27, former IBF welterweight champion “Showtime” Shawn Porter announced to the press inside of the MGM Grand that he will be facing off with former WBC champion Andre Berto sometime in April.

Porter (26-2-1, 16 KO’s) last saw action inside of the ring this past June, as he dropped a razor-thin unanimous decision to WBA champion Keith Thurman over 12 rounds. In his last appearance, Berto (31-4, 24 KO’s) won in emphatic fashion, as he rose from a second-round knockdown to stop his rival Victor Ortiz via knockout in the fourth round.
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VIDEO: Carl Frampton vs. Leo Santa Cruz II Final Presser Highlights from Las Vegas

Carl Frampton faces Leo Santa Cruz in a rematch on Saturday night

By Chris Robinson

On Saturday night, Jan. 28, WBA featherweight champion Carl Frampton will face off with former three-division world champion Leo Santa Cruz in a heavily-anticipated rematch set to take place from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev.

Frampton (23-0, 14 KO’s) lost a hotly-contested majority-decision to Santa Cruz (32-1-1, 18 KO’s) this past July inside of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, and the second encounter is expected to be just as lively as an affair as the first.
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Fight Week Hits Las Vegas – Carl Frampton vs. Leo Santa Cruz II Goes Down Jan. 28 at the MGM Grand

Robert Garcia and Richard Schaefer in Las Vegas for Fight Week (Photo: Hustle Boss)

By Chris Robinson

It’s another fight week in Las Vegas, as WBA featherweight world champion Carl Frampton will be facing off in a highly-anticipated rematch with former three-division world champion Leo Santa Cruz. Frampton (23-0, 14 KO’s) will faces Santa Cruz (32-1-1, 18 KO’s) inside of the MGM Grand this Saturday, Jan. 28, in a bout that will be televised via SHOWTIME.

In the evening’s co-feature, former two-division champion Mikey Garcia (35-0, 29 KO’s) will face off with WBC lightweight champion Dejan Zlaticanin (22-0, 15 KO’s) from Montenegro in a pivotal matchup. Also appearing on the undercard will be IBF featherweight champion Lee Selby will faces off with Argentina’s Jonathan Victor Barros, while prospects such as super middleweight David Benavidez, Herbert Acevedo, and Leduan Barthelemy will see action.
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PHOTOS: Lively Sparring and Training with Team Salas Inside of City Boxing in Las Vegas

Francisco Esparza, left, sparring Leduan Barthelemy inside of City Boxing in Las Vegas (Photo: 1Tarrell)

By Chris Robinson

On Monday afternoon, Jan. 23, Cuban trainer Ismael Salas oversaw some sparring inside of City Boxing Club in Las Vegas, Nev., between some of his chief fighters and other pugilists.

The first sparring to kick off the sessions was a clash of unbeaten featherweight prospects in Cuba’s Leduan Barthelemy (11-0, 6 KO’s), younger brother of former IBF lightweight champion Rances, and Francisco Esparza (5-0, 2 KO’s). Esparza is trained by former junior middleweight world champion Fernando Vargas, who was present at the session, and he has a throwback, aggressive Mexican style that always see him pushing forward.
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Shawn Porter believes Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. could be dangerous for Canelo Alvarez

Shawn Porter speaking inside of his personal gym in Las Vegas (Photo: Hustle Boss)

By Chris Robinson

On May 6, Mexican superstars Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. will return to the ring against each other at a location to be determined.

The two men are meeting at a catch weight of 164.5 pounds, with Alvarez rising from the junior middleweight class, where he holds the WBO title, and Chavez coming down in weight. Alvarez (48-1-1, 34 KO’s) is expected to be the clear favorite over Chavez (50-2-1, 32 KO’s), who last fought under 167 pounds in Sept. of 2012 when he lost a unanimous decision to then-champion Sergio Martinez.
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PHOTOS: WBA Featherweight Champion Carl Frampton Media Day Ahead of Leo Santa Cruz rematch

Carl Frampton during media day in Las Vegas ahead of his Jan. 28 rematch with Leo Santa Cruz (Photo: 1Tarrell)

By Chris Robinson

On Tuesday, Jan. 17, WBA featherweight champion Carl Frampton shook out for the media ahead of his Jan. 28 rematch with former three-division world champion Leo Santa Cruz. The sequel is set to air on SHOWTIME Championship Boxing from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev.

Frampton (23-1, 14 KO’s) is already in the city, and could be found hosting the press and doing a light workout during media day inside of the Porter Hy-Performance Center just north of the Strip. His first fight with Santa Cruz (32-1-1, 18 KO’s) took place this past July 30 inside of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, as the Northern Ireland native pulled out a majority decision in an excellent scrap over his rugged Mexican foe.
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Contender Denis Douglin eyeing a big 2017 [Training footage from Las Vegas]

Denis Douglin training in Las Vegas with his mother Saphya (Photo: 1Tarrell)

By Chris Robinson

No matter what curveballs the sport of boxing throws him, super middleweight contender Denis “Momma’s Boy” Douglin continues to keep high hopes.

The last time we caught Douglin inside of the boxing ring fighting professionally, he was stopped in the tenth round by rising prospect David Benavidez. That bout saw Douglin’s record move to 20-5 with 13 knockouts, yet he is still as upbeat as ever.
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Badou Jack and James DeGale Fight to a Majority Draw Inside of the Barclays Center

Badou Jack and James DeGale facing off in New York (Photo: Mayweather Promotions)

By Chris Robinson

Moments ago, inside of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, WBC super middleweight champion Badou Jack and IBF super middleweight champion James DeGale fought to a 12-round majority draw in front of a lively crowd.

The fight has been long-discussed and the anticipation was heavy heading into Saturday night; both men showed great flashes throughout the match in what served as boxing’s first big fight of 2017.
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First Friday Sparring at Johnny Tocco’s Gets Off to a Lively Start in 2017

Prospects Shaun Ross (left) and Joseph Macedo putting in work on Jan. 6 inside of Johnny Tocco’s Ringside Gym (Photo: Hustle B0ss)

By Chris Robinson

I made sure to stop by Johnny Tocco’s Ringside Gym this past Friday night, Jan. 6, to check out some of the action taking place between some of the area’s top amateur and professional prospects and I wasn’t disappointed.

The exhibition sparring series has been taking place on the first Friday of every month inside of Tocco’s in Las Vegas, and it has given both the fighters a chance to shine as well as the spectators a glimpse of some key pieces to boxing’s future.
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Badou Jack vs. James DeGale WEIGH-In and Face Off

James DeGale and Badou Jack weighing in (Photo: Mayweather Promotions)

By Chris Robinson

Earlier today, in New York, WBC super middleweight champion Badou Jack and IBF champion James DeGale weighed in ahead of their unification met on Saturday night from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Jack (20-1-2, 12 KO’s) came in weighing 167.2 pounds while DeGale (23-1, 14 KO’s) hit the scales weighing 166.5 pounds. There was not much room for talk or bravado at Friday’s weigh-in, as each man is obviously fully confident in their skills and belief that they will emerge victorious tomorrow.
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Being Fit is Key to a Healthy Mind and Soul

Being fit is a lifestyle

By Alexandria Cannon

My fitness journey started back in Spring 2012. I was 19 years old and had low self-esteem and I hated the way that I looked. It was one day that I looked in the mirror and I realized that I wanted to change and I did exactly that. It all started one day and I never looked back.

Though I was a collegiate athlete I knew that I had to make some changes to be in good shape. People did not understand why I was working out so much and when they do not understand what you are doing with your life you might have to let them go. In order to get where you want to go one must do things they would not ordinarily do.
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Gervonta Davis downplays Jose Pedraza ahead of first title shot: ‘Who has he beat?’

Gervonta Davis is ready for his first world title shot (Photo: Mayweather Promotions)

By Chris Robinson

On Saturday night, Jan. 14, undefeated junior lightweight contender Gervonta “Tank” Davis (16-0, 15 KO’s) will attempt to win his first world title when he locks horns with the division’s IBF champion, Jose “Sniper” Pedraza (22-0, 12 KO’s).

The bout takes place as a co-feature to the Badou Jack vs. James DeGale super middleweight unification clash, from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
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PHOTOS: Thomas Dulorme puts the finishes touches on his Vegas training camp ahead of 1/14 return

Thomas Dulorme finishing up training camp in Las Vegas ahead of his Jan. 14 return to the ring (Photos: 1Tarrell)

By Chris Robinson

This coming Saturday, Jan. 14, Puerto Rico’s Thomas Dulorme returns to the ring, as he will be facing off with Los Angeles’ Brian Jones in a welterweight attraction set to air on the Badou Jack vs. James DeGale super middleweight unification undercard. The Dulorme-Jones bout will take place from within the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

The bout marks Dulorme’s debut for Mayweather Promotions and he has spent his camp in Las Vegas, training at the Mayweather Boxing Club. Dulorme is working with well-known strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza for this particular fight and he appears to be in great physical shape.
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Undefeated Caleb ‘Sweet Hands’ Plant Training Footage (Mayweather Boxing Club)

Caleb Plant in training at the Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas (Photo: 1Tarrell)

By Chris Robinson

Undefeated super middleweight prospect Caleb “Sweet Hands” Plant is likely in store for a busy 2017 campaign.

Plant (14-0, 10 KO’s), still just 24 years old, is signed with advisor Al Haymon and has shifted his training base to the Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas. Originally from Tennessee, Plant went 3-0 with two knockouts last year and has always stayed close to the gym.
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Raw footage of WBC champion Badou Jack training for James DeGale clash

Badou Jack training for his Jan. 14 clash vs. James DeGale (Photo: 1Tarrell)

By Chris Robinson

Badou Jack is officially a week away from the most important fight of his career.

On Jan. 14, Jack will face off with London’s James DeGale (23-1, 14 KO’s) in one of the biggest and most significant fights that will take place this year. The matchup is set to air on Showtime, from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
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