Author Archives: hustleboss

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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PHOTOS: Devin Haney putting in work as 2016 draws to a close

“Devin Haney continues to progress in the sport of boxing (Photo: Hustle Boss)

By Chris Robinson

As 2016 comes to a close, it’s hard to think of a more promising prospect than 18-year old Devin “The Dream” Haney.

Possessing an 11-0 record with seven knockouts in the lightweight division, Haney has been making a name for himself dating back to his early days as an amateur, when it was easy to spot his potential.
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Back-and-forth sparring: Alex ‘ATG’ Thiel vs. Eric Walker (13-0, 6 KO’s) at Johnny Tocco’s

Alex Thiel and Eric Walker put on a show recently inside of Johnny Tocco’s (Photo: Ring Dreams)

By Chris Robinson

Some excellent work continues to take place inside of Johnny Tocco’s Ringside Gym in Las Vegas.

Budding amateur Alex Thiel, who has had a stellar 2016 campaign thus far, winning numerous national tournaments, recently got in some work with sharp junior middleweight prospect Eric “Baby-Faced Assassin” Walker (13-0, 6 KO’s) and it was something to watch.
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PHOTOS: Abner Mares drops and defeats Jesus Cuellar via split-decision to become four-time champion

Abner Mares and Jesus Cuellar gave the fans something to remember on Saturday (Photo: Stephanie Trap – Showtime)

By Chris Robinson

On Saturday night, Dec. 10, Abner Mares stamped another mark in his legacy by defeating former champion Jesus Cuellar over twelve rounds inside of the USC Galen Center in Los Angeles, Calif. Mares has won belts in three weight classes and again now in the featherweight division he is a champion, as he adds the WBA featherweight crown to his collection.

Mares (30-2-1, 15 KO’s) used his skills and boxing ability in the face of Cuellar (28-2, 21 KO’s) , who appeared to be the bigger and physically stronger fighter inside of the ropes.
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PHOTOS: Ashley Theophane grabs win #40 in Las Vegas at Sam’s Town

Ashley Theophane scored a unanimous decision victory over Yakubu Amidu on Friday night (Photo: 1Tarell #ClockInNotOut)

By Chris Robison

On Friday night, Dec. 2, former title challenger Ashley “Treasure” Theophane returned to the ring to score his 40th pro victory in besting Ghanaian veteran Yakubu Amidu over ten rounds inside of the Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall in Las Vegas, Nev.

Theophane ups his record to 40-7-1 with 11 knockouts while Amidu drops to 21-9-2 with 19 knockouts. Now working with former champion Lou Del Valle, Theophane was in great shape and boxed well enough to clearly take the fight, winning by scores of 100-90, 97-93, and 96-94.
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PHOTOS: Vasyl Lomachenko outclasses Nicholas Walters in Las Vegas

Vasyl Lomachenko, right, was too much for Nicholas Walters on Saturday night (Photo: Mikey Williams – Top Rank)

By Chris Robinson

On Saturday night, Nov. 26, inside of the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, WBO junior featherweight champion Vasyl “Hi-Tech” Lomachenko won a fairly-easy seventh-round stoppage over former featherweight titlist Nicholas “Axe Man” Walters.

Lomachenko was simply in another league, as his great footwork kept him constantly out of harm’s way, while he tagged and countered an onrushing Walters more and more as the rounds went by. After the seventh round, a stanza in which Walters was battered around the ring, the tough Jamaican elected to stay on his stool instead of coming out for more punishment.
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VIDEO: Vasyl Lomachenko vs. Nicholas Walters Official Weigh-In from the Cosmopolitan

Vasyl Lomachenko and Nicholas Walters face off on Saturday night on HBO (Photo: Mikey Williams – Top Rank)

By Chris Robinson

On Saturday night, Nov. 26, from the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, WBO junior featherweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko (6-1, 4 KO’s) and former featherweight champion Nicholas Walters (26-0-1, 21 KO’s) will face off in an HBO showdown that the boxing world has long been waiting for.

The matchup pits the savvy technique of Lomachenko against the grit and power of Walters. It’s a great clash of styles and not surprisingly, Lomachenko is heavily favored despite the stern task ahead of him.
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Raw Footage of Vasyl Lomachenko Training Days Before Nicholas Walters Fight

Vasyl Lomachenko is ready to defend his belt against Nicholas Walters this Saturday

By Chris Robinson

On Saturday night, Nov. 26, WBO featherweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko (6-1, 4 KO’s) will face off with rugged former world champion Nicholas Walters (26-0, 21 KO’s) inside of the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

The HBO-televised headliner serves as one of the biggest fights of the year and it’s evident how important this matchup is for both men. At Tuesday’s open workout, Lomachenko appeared sharp and relaxed heading into another pivotal showdown in his career.
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Exclusive PHOTOS: Behind the scenes during Andre Ward vs. Sergey Kovalev Fight Week in Las Vegas

Behind the scenes inside of the MGM Grand during the Andre Ward vs. Sergey Kovalev showdown (Photo: Hustle Boss)

By Chris Robinson

Hours from now the boxing world will be witness to a high-stakes clash between former super middleweight champion Andre Ward and WBA/WBO/IBF light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev, from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.

It’s been a busy fight week as usual, with several boxing luminaries on hand due to their involvement in the event, whether they are undercard fighters, managers, trainers, fans, and anything in between.
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