Monthly Archives: November 2018

PHOTOS: An Early Look Inside of Charn Chai Muay Thai Gym in Pai, Thailand

Trainer ‘Bee’ Monkoldej Sitthepitak, center, trains students inside of Charn Chai Muay Thai Gym (Photo: Hustle Boss)

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By Chris Robinson

Once again, for the third time this year, I find myself in the country of Thailand, getting a bit lost in all that the beautiful land has to offer. But, unlike my first two trips where I stayed in and frequented many areas of Bangkok, I decided to move up north this trip to the small town of Pai.

One of my main goals in the early months up here in Pai, before I likely again head back to Bangkok to finish my trip, was to get familiar with the Charn Chai Muay Thai Gym. Ran by former Lumpinee and Rajadamnern #1 ranked “Bee” Monkoldej Sitthepitak, the gym has a very welcoming atmosphere that suits both professionals and beginners. But make no mistake about it, the work is very intense and you have to be committed to get through each session.
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VIDEO: Undefeated Prospect Darren Cunningham III Putting in Work at City Boxing Club as Devin Haney Watches On

Darren Cunningham III continues to work (Photo: Hustle Boss)

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By Chris Robinson

When we first crossed paths with prospect Darren Cunningham III a few years back, he had yet to make his professional debut in the sport. Fast forward to today, and Cunningham is now officially a professional prospect, carrying a 7-0 record with three knockouts in the junior featherweight division.

Cunningham is actually promoted by his friend and fellow fighter Devin Haney (20-0, 13 KO’s), and last saw action this past September 28 in Temecula, CA, as he won a decision over Saul Eduardo Hernandez. In the main event of that evening, Haney won a 12-round unanimous decision over former world title challenger Juan Carlos Burgos.
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VIDEO: Devin Haney Sparring Undefeated Eryk Apresyan inside City Boxing in Las Vegas

Devin Haney has been staying sharp as his career progresses (Photo: Hustle Boss)

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By Chris Robinson

We recently swung through City Boxing in Las Vegas during our most recent visit back in town.

We were just in time, as 20-year old lightweight contender Devin “The Dream” Haney (20-0, 13 KO’s) sparred some nice rounds with undefeated prospect Eryk Apresyan (1-0, 1 KO) and it was a good look at how far Haney has progressed in his early years as a professional.
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PHOTOS: Juan Manuel Lopez and Yuriorkis Gamboa Score Wins in Miami to Pave Way for 2019 Showdown

Juan Manuel Lopez and Yuriorkis Gamboa may meet in 2019 (Photo: David Martin Warr)

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By Chris Robinson

On Saturday night, in Miami, FL, former world champions Juan Manuel Lopez and Yuriorkis Gamboa won separate bouts to pave the way towards a potential showdown in 2019.

Lopez (36-6, 32 KO’s) dropped Argentina’s Cristian Ruben Mino (19-3, 17 KO’s) four times, as he scored a ten-round unanimous decision. Lopez looked several times like he was going to finish the fight, but his opponent stayed resilient.
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VIDEO: John David Jackson GOES IN on Sergey Kovalev; key details on why their training relationship ended

Former two-time champion John David Jackson speaking in Miami, FL (Photo: Hustle Boss)

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By Chris Robinson

There’s no denying that former light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev had a great run in the sport.  Kovalev, a Russian fighter who burst onto the scene due to his great ability to chop opponents down and register brutal highlight-reel knockouts, captured the IBF, WBA, and WBO titles at light heavyweight during his successful march up boxing’s ranks.

It was only when we saw Kovalev face off with two-division world champion, Andre Ward, who is now retired, that we saw him suffer his first defeat. That took place in November of 2016 in Las Vegas, as Kovalev scored a second-round knockdown, only to see Ward escape with a narrow unanimous decision after rallying over the second half of the fight. The two men rematched immediately after, with Ward scoring an 8th round TKO victory.
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PHOTOS: Reconnecting with ‘Magic’ Marcus Willis inside of Team Willis Boxing and Family Fitness in Fort Myers, FL

Marcus Willis works out inside of Team Willis Boxing and Family Fitness (Photo: Hustle Boss)

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By Chris Robinson

On Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 6, we linked up with junior middleweight veteran “Magic” Marcus Willis inside of his personal gym, Team Willis Boxing and Family Fitness, in Fort Myers, FL. Willis (18-6-2, 5 KO’s) is the type of fighter whose record isn’t truly indicative of the kind of skill and ability he possesses. Several of his losses have been questionable decisions that could easily have went in his favor.

Yet, Willis still continues to fight on and discussed with us what he has been up to. It was about nine years ago when we crossed paths with Willis down in Florida, as we were introduced to him and his brother Quinton, also a fighter, through former lightweight champion Nate “Galaxxy Warrior” Campbell.
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PHOTOS: Miguel Berchelt Stops a Brave Miguel Roman In the Ninth After Three Knockdowns

Miguel Berchelt was too much for Miguel Roman on Saturday night (Photo: Mikey Williams – Top Rank)

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By Chris Robinson

On Saturday night, Nov. 3, inside of the Don Haskins Convention Center in El Paso, TX, WBC junior lightweight champion Miguel Berchelt delivered a brutal beating on worthy but outgunned contender Miguel “Mickey” Roman for a fourth successful defense of his title. Berchelt (34-1, 30 KO’s) scored three knockdowns along the way, two in the sixth, and one three rounds later, before the contest was stopped in round nine.

The all-Mexican showdown, aired on the ESPN + streaming app, delivered as expected, but was a bit more one-sided than one may have liked. Roman (60-13, 47 KO’s) was valiant in the face of such a savage attack, and perhaps the fight could have been stopped a few rounds earlier.
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