Monthly Archives: January 2018

Results from The Forum: Fernando Vargas’ Undefeated Prospect Francisco Esparza Stops Tenochtitlan Nava in the Sixth

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Undefeated Francisco Esparza was victorious in Inglewood (Photo: Hustle Boss)

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By Chris Robinson

Earlier tonight, inside of The Forum in Inglewood, Calif., undefeated featherweight prospect Francisco Esparza (7-0-1, 3 KO’s) stopped previously undefeated Tenochtitlan Nava (7-1, 1 KO) in the sixth round. Esparza took a while to get going, but was able to have success in tagging Nava, who became increasingly bloodied via his nose and a cut about his right eye. The end came in the sixth, as referee Thomas Taylor stopped the match at the 1:43 mark after seeing Nava eat a pair of right hands.

Esparza is a familiar face in Las Vegas, as he works under the tutelage of former junior middleweight world champion Fernando Vargas. We caught up with Esparza inside of City Boxing Club in Las Vegas just days before leaving town.
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PHOTOS: Errol Spence Jr. Stops Lamont Peterson After the Seventh Round in Brooklyn

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Errol Spence Jr. defeated Lamont Peterson on Saturday (Photo: Amanda Westcott – SHOWTIME)

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By Chris Robinson

On Saturday night in Brooklyn, New York, former IBF welterweight champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. dominated a very game Lamont Peterson, stopping the rugged former champion after the seventh round inside of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Aired on SHOWTIME, Spence (23-0, 20 KOs) was too skilled, too tough, and too busy and precise for Peterson (35-4-1, 17 KO’s), as he registered a successful first defense of his title.

Spence now sets his sights towards a hopeful showdown with WBA/WBC champion Keith “One Time” Thurman, but it remains to be seen whether we will see that fight anytime soon.
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PHOTOS: Errol Spence vs. Lamont Peterson + Robert Easter vs. Javier Fortuna Final Press Conference

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Errol Spence and Lamont Peterson face off on Saturday night (Photo: Tom Casino – SHOWTIME)

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By Chris Robinson

This weekend, IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. (22-0, 19 KO’s) will face off with former world champion Lamont Peterson (35-3-1, 17 KO’s) inside of the Barclays center in Brooklyn, in a SHOWTIME-televised main event that should deliver in terms of action and suspense. Spence defeated Kell Brook this past May in a thriller and in Peterson he is going up against one of his most experienced and determined foes to date.

In the co-feature, IBF lightweight champion Robert Easter Jr. (20-0, 14 KO’s) faces off with former junior lightweight champion Javier Fortuna (33-1-1, 23 KO’s) in a unique matchup of styles. The action begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m this Saturday, Jan. 20.
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#1 Ranked Devaughn Lucas hits Las Vegas: Sparring with Jacob Cuevas at Johnny Tocco’s

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Devaughn Lucas, center, at Johnny Tocco’s in Las Vegas (Photo: Hustle Boss)

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By Chris Robinson

More First Friday Exhibition Sparring with #1 ranked amateur Devaughn Lucas, as he was visiting from Texas and came to put in some work. In this video, Lucas, still just 14 years old, works with two prospects, including upcoming Jacob Cuevas. Lucas has an aggressive style and is definitely one to keep an eye out for.

Check below for a closer look.
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Pro Boxer Mike ‘Rare Breed’ Williams Goes Behind the Lens

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Mike Williams is making some new moves in Las Vegas (Photo: RBMBehindTheLens)

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By Chris Robinson

Making a successful run in the sport of boxing is never easy, especially when you are going about it yourself. A fighter’s record on Box Rec never truly does justice to the type of struggles and obstacles one must go through to make any kind of significant progress in boxing.

Having been around the sport for 15+ years, I’ve grown to appreciate the stories of all fighters, whether they are world-class champions or aspiring amateurs pugilists on the come up. It’s always a good idea when stepping inside of a gym, to get to know boxers on all levels, as everyone definitely has something to share.
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PHOTOS: Claressa Shields Defeats Tori Nelson Via Unanimous Decision in Verona; is Christina Hammer Next?

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Claressa Shields, right, lands on Tori Nelson on Friday night (Photo: Stephane Trapp – SHOWTIME)

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By Chris Robinson

On Friday night, Jan. 12, IBF/WBC female super middleweight champion Claressa Shields successfully defended her titles with a dominant 10-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated contender Tori Nelson. The bout took place inside of the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York and was aired on SHOWTIME’s ShoBox: The New Generation series.

Shields was in command from the outset until the final bell, as three 100-90 scorecards were read in her favor as she improves to 5-0 with 2 knockouts. Shields, a 2012 and 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist, outland Nelson 225-81 in total punches and landed at a 44% rate.
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PHOTOS: Errol Spence Hosts Media Day Ahead of Lamont Peterson Showdown

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IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence Trains in Dallas, Texas (Photo: Stacey Verbeek)

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By Chris Robinson

On Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 9, IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence hosted the media ahead of his Jan. 20 fight vs. former world champion Lamont Peterson. Working out inside of the R&R Boxing Gym in Dallas, Tex., Spence (22-0, 19 KO’s) looked sharp and in tremendous shape, with the match being less than a few weeks away.

Peterson (35-3-1, 17 KO’s) is a very experienced and worthy opponent, and any way you break the match down it figures to be entertaining. Spence vs. Peterson will be a Premier Boxing Champions telecast that will air live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
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PHOTOS: Danny Garcia vs. Brandon Rios & David Benavidez vs. Ronald Gavril Los Angeles Press Conference

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Danny Garcia and Brandon Rios in Los Angeles (Photo: Chris Farina – Mayweather Promotions)

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By Chris Robinson

On Tuesday afternoon, inside of the Conga Room at L.A. Live in Los Angeles, two division world champion Danny “Swift” Garcia (33-1, 19 KO’s) came face to face with former world champion Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios (34-3-1, 25 KO’s) for the first time ahead of their scheduled Feb. 17 showdown. Garcia and Rios will square off on SHOWTIME in a Premier Boxing Champions telecast that will take place from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nev.

Also present for the press conference were WBC super middleweight champion David Benavidez (19-0, 17 KO’s) and top contender Ronald Gavril (18-2, 14 KO’s), who will square off in a co-feature rematch of their thrilling world title bout this past September in Las Vegas. Benavidez defeated Gavril by split-decision and it’s a rematch many are clamoring for.
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PHOTOS: Kicking Off 2018 Inside of Johnny Tocco’s in Las Vegas With First Friday Exhibition Sparring

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Sparring inside of Johnny Tocco’s in Las Vegas  as Denis Douglin (left) faces off with Karam Al Mahseri (Photo: Hustle Boss)

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By Chris Robison

Images from Johnny Tocco’s Ringside Gym in Las Vegas, Nev. as another entertaining round of First Friday Exhibition Sparring took place.

The sparring has been taking place since 2014 and there has been some excellent work that has went down. This past Friday, more quality action took place, including seeing super middleweight contender Denis Douglin (20-6, 13 KO’s) in action, as he worked with rising amateur Karam Al Mahseri. National champion Alex “ATG” Thiel was also back in the mix, as well as several other amateurs going at it.
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‘Thunderstorm’ Brewing: Kevin Johnson Looks to Improve on 4-0 Mark as 2018 Begins

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Kevin “Thunderstorm” Johnson inside of the Mayweather Boxing Club a few years ago in Las Vegas (Photo: Hustle Boss)

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By Chris Robinson

When I first started frequenting the Mayweather Boxing Club in 2010, there were several faces that I would come across.

While the gym is known obviously for the body of work that it’s owner, former pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather, put in over all the years, there has always been other stories littered throughout the building.
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