Category Archives: Boxing

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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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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Former champ Demetrius Andrade resurfaces: Fast-paced sparring with undefeated Will Clemons in Las Vegas

Demetrius Andrade seen working with undefeated junior middleweight prospect Will ‘Knockout’ Clemons in Las Vegas this past December

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By Chris Robinson

Not as much has been heard from former WBO junior middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade these days.

Andrade has fought just twice over the past two years, with his recent outing being a second round TKO over Argentina’s Dario Fabian Pucheta this past October in Connecticut.
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J’Leon Love spars Kickboxing champ Nieky Holzken inside of Mayweather Boxing Club

J’Leon Love training inside of the Mayweather Boxing Club (Photo: Hustle Boss)

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By Chris Robinson

2016 should pan out to be a big year for J’Leon Love.

In 2015 Love got his career back on track with three victories, over Scott Sigmon in March, Jason Escalera in June, and Marcus Upshaw in September. Those wins came on the heels of his first career defeat in August of 2014 against Rogelio “Porky” Medina.
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PHOTOS: Danny Garcia gets tough test from Robert Guerrero inside of Staples Center

Danny Garcia overcame Robert Guerrero on Saturday night (Photo: Naoki Fukuda)

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By Chris Robinson

On Saturday night, inside of the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Calif. former junior welterweight champion Danny Garcia overcame a spirited effort from former multi-division titlist Robert Guerrero to capture a unanimous decision victory.

With the victory, which was a Premier Boxing Champions telecast on Fox, Garcia moves to 32-0 with 18 knockouts, while picking up the vacant WBC welterweight title, as Guerrero falls to 33-4-1 with 18 knockouts.
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Ruben Guerrero and Angel Garcia Get Into Heated Exchange and Scuffle at Final Garcia-Guerrero Presser

Danny Garcia faces off with Robert Guerrero on Saturday night (Photo: Instagram)

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By Chris Robinson

On Thursday afternoon, the final press conference was held ahead of this weekend’s Danny Garcia vs. Robert Guerrero showdown. The match, pitting two former world champions vying for the vacant WBC welterweight title, will take place as part of a Premier Boxing Champions telecast on Fox from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Calif.

During his time on the dais, Guerrero’s father and trainer Ruben took a few swipes at Angel Garcia, Danny’s father and trainer. Ruben has been talking quite a bit these past few weeks, partly due to the manner in which Garcia has claimed his Puerto Rican heritage in previous fights, and party because that is simply what he does best.
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PHOTOS: Top-flight amateur sparring inside of the Mayweather Boxing Club with Robert Meriwether, Donte Langhorne, Curmel Moton, Famous Johnson, and others

10-year old amateur Robert Meriwether, right, putting in work inside of the Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas (Photo: Hustle Boss)

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By Chris Robinson

Inside of the Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas this past week, you could spot some of the city’s top amateur prospects getting down to work.

Often as the gym nears its closing towards the late afternoon part of the day, you can swing by and scout some of the area’s best upcoming talent putting their skills on display.
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Damien ‘Sugar’ Vasquez continues to gel with new trainer Nonito Donaire Sr. in Las Vegas

Damien Vasquez with trainer Nonito Donaire Sr. inside of the Pound 4 Pound Boxing Gym in Las Vegas (Hustle Boss)

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By Chris Robinson

Still just 18 year s old, Damien “Sugar” Vasquez has already left an impression during his early run as a professional.

Having turned pro at the age of 16 in August of 2013 down in Cancun, Mexico, Vasquez presently stands at 8-0 with 3 knockouts as a professional. That run included him collecting and defending the NABF junior flyweight belt that he won in just his sixth pro bout.
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PHOTOS: Cuba’s Inocente Fiz crosses paths with Carson Jones for some tough sparring inside of Pound 4 Pound in Las Vegas

Carson Jones and Inocente Fiz getting down to work inside of the Pound 4 Pound Boxing Gym in Las Vegas (Photo: Hustle Boss)

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By Chris Robinson

A few weeks back, when local manager Oscar Vasquez informed me that he had brought in a new prospect, Cuba’s Inocente Fiz, into the Vegas area for training, I knew he would be worth a look.

On Tuesday afternoon I caught up with Fiz inside of the Pound 4 Pound Boxing Gym out here in Las Vegas, as he was in the middle of some intense rounds with top-flight contender Carson Jones. Respected trainer Nonito Donaire Sr. was in Fiz’s corner.
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Ronnie Shields post fight reaction to Deontay Wilder knocking out Artur Szpilka

Ronnie Shields speaking following his fighter Artur Szpilka’s loss to Deontay Wilder 

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By Chris Robinson

On Saturday, Jan. 16, veteran trainer Ronnie Shields saw his fighter Artur Szpilka get stopped in the ninth round in his bid to unseat WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder.

With the win, Wilder sees his record move to 36-0 with 35 knockouts while Szpilka falls to 20-2 with 15 knockouts.
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Sergey Kovalev vs. Jean Pascal II Audio Press Conference feat. Freddie Roach, JDJ [Chris Gunzz Exclusive]

Sergey Kovalev vs. Jean Pascal II goes down Jan. 30 on HBO

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By Chris Robinson

On Jan. 30, WBA/WBO/IBF light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev and former champion Jean Pascal will meet again inside of the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada.

Pascal gave a spirited effort the first time around but was ultimately stopped in the eighth round. Heading into the rematch, Pascal enlisted the services of esteemed trainer Freddie Roach, and is of course full of bravado.
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Exclusive PHOTOS: Flashing back to SNAC’s post-Olympia Party in Las Vegas

Inside of SNAC’s post-Olynpia Party in Las Vegas with Zach Cooper, Victor Conte, and Jessie Vargas (Photo: Hustle Boss)

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By Chris Robinson

Sometimes when you are around the boxing circuit, it’s easy to capture footage that doesn’t always see the light of day.

As is always the case, it was a mobbed scene this past September during the annual Olympia weekend inside of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
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PHOTOS: A closer look at Deontay Wilder’s KO of Artur Szpilka in Brooklyn

Deontay Wilder stopped Artur Szpilka on Saturday night (Photo: Naoki Fukuda)

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By Chris Robinson

Deontay Wilder’s train continues to push forward.

On Saturday night, the brash WBC heavyweight champion from Tuscaloosa, Alabama showcased his craft inside of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, as he registered a ninth-round knockout over gritty Polish challenger Artur Szpilka.
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Exclusive PHOTOS: Back Inside the Pound 4 Pound Boxing Gym in Las Vegas

Inside of Pound 4 Pound Boxing in Las Vegas with 12-year old DJJ Zamora and his family (Photo: Chris Robinson)

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By Chris Robinson

The Barrientes family has always ran a good ship with their Pound 4 Pound Boxing facility out here in Las Vegas.

While not as high-profile as some gyms in the area, Pound 4 Pound is still always busy year round while playing host to some top-notch amateur and professional talent in the city.
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VIDEO: Deontay Wilder defends WBC crown with ninth round knockout over Artur Szpilka

Deontay Wilder overcame Artur Szpilka on Saturday night (Photo: Stephane Trapp)

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By Chris Robinson

On Saturday night, WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder scored the third successful defense of his title with a crushing ninth round knockout over Poland’s Artur Szpilka inside of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

In front of an estimated 12,668 fans and live on SHOWTIME’s airwaves, Wilder again proved his worth.
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