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Home , 2005 Boxing World Cup, Aaron Herrera (boxer), Aleksy Kuziemski, Alexander Dimitrenko, Al Davis (boxer), Amateur boxing

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THE BIBLE OF ★ OUR EXCLUSIVE ★ RANKINGS P.40 ★

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#3 #13

#12 #26 #11 #8 #29

SO LONG CANELO BEST I TO A GEM ❤ HBO FACED DAN GOOSSEN WHAT ALVAREZ’S HALL OF FAMER MADE THE BUSINESS ROBERTO DURAN

JANUARY 2015 JANUARY MOVE MEANS FOR MORE FUN P.66 THE FUTURE P.70 REVEALS HIS TOP $8.95 OPPONENTS P.20

JANUARY 2015

70

What will be the impact of Canelo Alvarez’s decision to jump from FEATURES Showtime to HBO?

40 RING 100 76 TO THE POINT #1 #10 #53 #14 #9

THE BIBLE OF BOXING ★ OUR OUR ANNUAL RANKING OF THE REFS MUST BE JUDICIOUS WHEN EXCLUSIVE ★ RANKINGS P.40 WORLD’S BEST BOXERS PENALIZING BOXERS ★

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#3 #13 66 DAN GOOSSEN: 1949-2014 82 TRAGIC TURN THE LATE THE DEMISE OF #12 #26 #11 #8 #29 SO LONG CANELO BEST I TO A GEM ❤ HBO FACED DAN GOOSSEN WHAT ALVAREZ’S HALL OF FAMER MADE THE BUSINESS ROBERTO DURAN DREAMED BIG AND HAD FUN ALEJANDRO LAVORANTE 2015 JANUARY MOVE MEANS FOR MORE FUN P.66 THE FUTURE P.70 REVEALS HIS TOP $8.95 OPPONENTS P.20 By Steve Springer By Randy Roberts COVER PHOTOS: MAYWEATHER: ETHAN MILLER/ GETTY IMAGES; GOLOVKIN: ALEXIS CUAREZMA/GETTY 70 CANELO’S BIG MOVE IMAGES; KHAN/FROCH: SCOTT HEAVEY; ALVAREZ: CHRIS TROTMAN; PACQUIAO: JOHN GURZINSKI; HOW HIS JUMP TO HBO COTTO: RICK SCHULTZ: HOPKINS: ELSA/GOLDEN BOY; WILL IMPACT THE MAIDANA: RONALD MARTINEZ; DANNY GARCIA: AL BELLO; KLITSCHKO: DANIEL ROLAND/AFP/GETTY By Ron Borges IMAGES; BRONER: JEFF BOTTARI DENIS POROY/GETTY IMAGES DENIS POROY/GETTY

1.15 / RINGTV.COM 3 DEPARTMENTS

6 RINGSIDE 7 OPENING SHOTS 12 COME OUT WRITING 15 ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES and Straight Writes by Thomas Hauser 20 BEST I FACED: ROBERTO DURAN By Tom Gray 22 READY TO GRUMBLE By David Greisman 25 OUTSIDE THE ROPES By Brian Harty 27 PERFECT EXECUTION By 32 RING RATINGS PACKAGE 86 LETTERS FROM By Gareth A Davies 90 DOUGIEÕS MAILBAG By Doug 92 NEW FACES: JR. By Keith Idec 94 SWEET SCIENCE By Scott LaFee 96 BOXING By Joe Santoliquito 98 WOMENÕS BOXING By Thomas Gerbasi 102 RINGSIDE REPORTS By Norm Frauenheim 108 WORLDWIDE RESULTS 110 COMING UP 112 FROM THE ARCHIVE 114 AT THE FIGHTS

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VIDEO: ED DERIAN GOLOVKIN-RUBIO DIES AT 77 HANDLERS LAY OUT A TRIBUTE TO GGG’S FUTURE THE VOICE OF GO TO: http://bit.ly/ GO TO: http://bit.ly/ ggg-video ed-derian

DON’T FORGET TO FOLLOW US : 20 WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/RINGTV @RINGMAGAZINE Hall of Famer Roberto THERINGDIGITAL Duran revealed his top opponents in this

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RINGSIDE By Michael Rosenthal BALANCING ACT VOLUME 94, NO. 1 | JANUARY 2015 The top end of our annual (think Mayweather and RING 100 (see Page 40) Pacquiao) and what we see won’t like it does now with our eyes in recent f ghts FOUNDER for much longer. (Walters and Crawford). Nathaniel Fleischer Four of the Top 10 are at One could argue that (1888-1972) least 37 years old: Floyd Golovkin should be higher on EDITOR Mayweather Jr. (37), Juan the list given his dominance Michael Rosenthal Manuel Marquez (41), and 18 consecutive , ASSOCIATE EDITOR (38) and as those who voted in our Douglass Fischer (37). And two more poll seemed to do. One could CONTRIBUTING EDITOR are in their mid-30s, Manny also argue that he must beat a Brian Harty Pacquiao (35) and Guillermo higher-caliber opponent or two Rigondeaux (34). before he is rises to the top. ART DIRECTOR Lamar Clark These f ghters remain No. 10 seemed to be the ideal formidable or they wouldn’t be spot for Golovkin – for now. CONTROLLER in the Top 10 but their days in And, yes, we were dazzled Deborah L. Harrison that position are numbered. by the recent performances CIRCULATION DIRECTOR A new generation of of Walters and Crawford but Kenneth J. Gudaitis talented – and exciting – their spectacular victories ADVERTISING INQUIRIES younger stars is poised to – over and Robert Gasparri supplant their elders in the , respectively 213-233-2952 [email protected] next year or two, fighters – were more a glimpse into the like Canelo Alvarez (24), Kell near future than proof of their SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES Brook (28), ability, although the evidence BACK ISSUES INQUIRIES DIGITAL ORDERS INQUIRIES (26), (28) is building. They’re just getting and Entertainment and (27). started. Publications P.O. BOX 433122 Some might suggest that Thus, Walters and Crawford Palm Coast, Fl 32164-3122 their time is now. After all, landed at Nos. 20 and 21, 800-846-6438 one certainly could argue that respectively, positioning that [email protected] f ghters like Gennday Golovkin acknowledges their recent SEND EDITORIAL (No. 10 on the list and 32 years success but doesn’t push them COMMENTS TO: old), Walters and Crawford are too high too soon. [email protected] or P.O. BOX 251753, better at this moment than, say, This is the balancing act in CA, 90025 Marquez and Froch. which boxing gurus David

Golovkin was the Greisman, Martin Mulcahey THE RING (ISSN: 0035-5410), Vol. 94, NO. 1 (JANUARY 2015), is published monthly by Sports and Entertainment Publications, overwhelming winner of a and Anson Wainwright – with LLC, PO Box 90254 , NY 11209. Periodicals postage paid at Brooklyn, NY 11209 and additional post off ces. Postmasters: recent poll on RingTV.com, in some input from THE RING Send change of address notices to: THE RING, P.O. Box 433122, Palm Coast, FL 32164-3122. Single copy price $8.95 in U.S. and which we asked simply: Who staffers – have been engaged (£4.95 in the UK). Subscription price $58.70 in the U.S., $127.10 in Canada and , $143.70 in remaining countries. Not responsible for the loss or non-return of unsolicited articles is the best f ghter in the world, over the past month or so, or photographs, which will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed envelope bearing the proper amount of ? during which time I believe postage. The entire contents of this magazine are copyright ©2014 Sports and Entertainment Publications, LLC. No part of That conclusion depends they compiled a strong list. this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. All rights reserved. Publisher is not responsible on what criteria you use to That was the process last year. for the accuracy of the content of advertisements appearing in this magazine, nor the delivery or quality of merchandise or compile a list like the RING And it will be the process in the services offered. No endorsement of any such advertisement is intended or implied. Advertisers and agencies assume liability for claims arising from the content of their advertisements. FOR 100, though. Our philosophy is years to come. ADVERTISING INQUIRES AND RATES: (213) 233-2952. U.S. and Canadian distribution by Kable Distribution Services Inc., 14 Wall that we must a balance Only the names on the list Street, Suite 4C, , NY 10022. International distribution by Worldwide Media Service Inc., 115 East 23rd St., New York, between accomplishments change. NY 10010, UK distribution by Comag Tavistock Rd., West Drayton, Middlesex UB77QE, . Printed in U.S.A. NAOKI FUKUDA

6 RINGTV.COM / 1.15 THE LIGHTER SIDE OF A SERIOUS SPORT

Lightweight contender Takahiro Ao keeps his eye on the target, Juan Carlos Salgado, who he outpointed on Oct. 22 in . was supposed to give some resistance but ended up where most of Golovkin’s opponents do. Jonathan Moore/Getty Images 1.15 / RINGTV.COM 9

NAOKI FUKUDA Carson, Calif. Nonito Donaire onOct.18in leap inhiscareer bydestroying Nicholas Walters (right)tookagiant 1.15 / RINGTV.COM 11 COME OUT WRITING

GREAT MAN as well as the awkward and ungainly (8½ years as of our deadline). Right Thank you for publishing the Wladimir Klitschko if you watch behind (13-plus years). article on ’s work tapes of him. Your readers were That is wrong. to free an innocent man who was cheated when you excluded a quarter still holds that distinction. He was wrongfully locked up for 26 years century of great modern-day f ghters. recognized as the champ by your (November 2014). I am a longtime Terry Matzner magazine from 1964-71 (and then subscriber to THE RING and I Cincinnati, again in 1974-78 and 1978-80). He can honestly say this was the best didn’t make defenses from 1968-70 article I have ever read between Editor’s note: The IBHOF but he was still the heavyweight your pages. I always knew Manny announced in October that it has of the world. was considered a patron saint of changed its induction criteria. Allen Morris boxing but this shed new light on his “Modern” f ghters are now those Belle River, Canada character. What spoke volumes to whose last f ght occurred no earlier me was his willingness to continue than 1989. “Old Timer” is now Editor’s note: Ali was stripped of his to support this man even after divided into “Early” (last bout f rst title by the sanctioning bodies being robbed by him. Most of us between 1893 and 1942) and “Late” and a number of state commissions know Manny as a master trainer (last bout between 1943 and 1988). in 1967 for refusing induction into but for me this article adds another the armed services. RING Editor Nat distinguished title to his resume: GOLOVKIN vs. WARD? Fleischer continued to recognize Ali humanitarian. Well done Manny. Tom Loeff er wants Gennady as champion until 1971, when he Rest well, sir. Golovkin to f ght Carl Froch at 168 lost to . Still, Ali doesn’t Matt Hilgeman pounds but backtracks when Andre supplant Klitschko behind Louis Independence, Ky. Ward wants to step up. Tom Loeff er because Borges was referring to wants Floyd Mayweather Jr. (No. 1 single, uninterrupted reigns. Ali’s WHAT IS ‘MODERN’? pound-for-pound) for Gennady but combined reigns totaled 12½ years As a lifelong fan of boxing, I wants nothing to do with the No. 2 if you go by THE RING, about 8½ loved your article in the October f ghter pound-for-pound, Ward. I’d if you go by the sanctioning bodies. issue, “The Best Modern Day like to see someone ask Tom Loeff er Klitschko also has had two reigns, Fighter.” However, I have a problem why is not an option in giving him around 11 years total as with your def nition of what a 2015. a titleholder. modern-day f ghter is. You used the James Ranck same criteria that the International Lahaina, LIKE TUNNEY, LIKE Boxing Hall of Fame uses so my ALGIERI? complaint registers more directly Editor’s note: Someone did ask Former heavyweight champion with the IBHOF. Both of you set the Loeff er about Ward. Golovkin’s was smart, articulate, end of WWII as your benchmark, handler said he wants f ghts at 160 extremely well-versed and, oh that is, to be “modern” a f ghter’s last pounds, Golovkin’s natural weight, yeah, an unbelievably great f ght had to have occurred no earlier for now. If Ward wants to come boxer. So brilliant was Tunney, than 1943. I believe that the modern down to the limit, then in fact, that he solved the riddle age began in the . Whenever a f ght is possible. And, yes, Carl that was on two I view tapes from that era, I see all Froch and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. separate occasions with unanimous f ghters throwing combinations, were f oated as a possible opponents decisions. The same will happen using and moving their for Golovkin because of their when the smart, articulate and heads. What were the f ghters drawing power. Ward isn’t as big an extremely well-versed Chris Algieri after 1943 doing any better or attraction as they are. faces on Nov. 22 different? There were some f ghters in Macau. If I’m wrong, I won’t before the ’20s who fought in a LONGEST REIGNS write you again. Instead, I’ll eat my “modern” fashion but after WWI, all In the November 2013 issue of latest RING Magazine. of them did. They should have been THE RING, Ron Borges wrote that Jake VanderKooy, Ph.D included in your f eld. Heck, even the Wladimir Klitschko had the second York University (Glendon campus) much maligned boxed longest reign in heavyweight history , Canada

WRITE TO THE RING! Come Out Writing, The Ring, P.O. Box 251753, Los Angeles, CA 90025 comeoutwriting@ sepublications.com ★ Emailed letters will include a writer’s email address unless a city and state of origin is provided. Letters may be edited for reasons of space and clarity.

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Michael Buffer’s recurring dream (nightmare?) isn’t based in reality.

JABS & STRAIGHT WRITES BY THOMAS HAUSER READY TO TUMBLE

THINGS DON’T ALWAYS not long ago. “I’ve had it for years. “Not really,” Buffer said. “I GO WELL FOR RING There are variations on the theme, was nervous when I started ring ANNOUNCER MICHAEL but it’s basically the same dream: I announcing but that was a long time BUFFER IN HIS have a show to do and I can’t f nd ago. The closest real-life incident my tuxedo, or I can’t get out of my I’ve had that might relate to the SUBCONSCIOUS hotel room, or the car breaks down dream was before a on the way to the , or I’m up f ght in Atlantic City. I was on the has the easiest in the top seats looking down and elevator at Trump Plaza, wearing job in the word. He puts on a everyone at ringside is looking for a tuxedo, going downstairs for the tuxedo, gets in a , me but I can’t f nd my way down, or f ght. A young woman looked at me says “Let’s get ready to rumble,” I’m at ringside but I left my notes and said, ‘Your tie is crooked. Let announces a few f ghters and some back at the hotel and I don’t know me f x it for you.’ I said OK so she judges’ scorecards, and makes who’s f ghting that night.” leaned forward and started adjusting thousands of dollars for each show. “I still have the dream every my tie. Then the elevator door No pressure at all. month or so that I’m aware of,” opened. And she literally tore the tie Right? Michael continued. “Now if it off me and ran away with it. I had Wrong! wakes me up I can laugh it off. The to go to one of the restaurants and “I have this recurring anxiety f rst few times it wasn’t funny.” get a tie from a waiter so I could do

ED MULHOLLAND/GETTY IMAGES dream,” Buffer told me over lunch Is the dream based on reality? my job that night.”

1.15 / RINGTV.COM 15 ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES

FLAWED BUT ENGAGING time. Herbert Muhammad, who was Elijah Muhammad’s son and served as Ali’s manager from 1966 until the end of his ring career, is never mentioned. Muhammad Ali has inspired an endless stream of Nor is there any mention of Howard Bingham, Ali’s best and documentaries. The latest to hit the screen is “I Am Ali.” most important friend for more than 50 years; Sonji Roi, Ali’s frst Publicity notes describe “I Am Ali” as “an wife; or Lonnie Ali, Muhammad’s current wife, who intimate and heart-warming look at the man has been an important force in shaping his life for the behind the legend as we’ve never seen Ali before” past three decades. Lonnie is referenced only in an and “an extraordinary story told from the inside on-screen crawl at the end of the flm. It’s impossible for the very first time.” As is often the case with to fully explore the personal side of Ali without them. Ali, that’s hyperbole. Also, like many Ali hagiographies, “I Am Ali” The spine of the documentary is a series of presents a sanitized version of Muhammad’s life. Ali’s telephone conversations between Ali and his commitment to equality, dignity and pride for African- daughters that he taped circa 1979. There’s also Americans is forcefully presented. But there’s no some good archival footage that’s welcome because mention of “ are devils” and other less it hasn’t been seen publicly countless times. Former fortunate aspects of Nation of Islam doctrine that great Jim Brown is the flm’s most effective Muhammad publicly espoused for years. Similarly, and authentic voice other than Ali himself. Among the Ali’s courtship of Veronica Porsche, later to be his other talking heads, three of Muhammad’s children third wife, is presented in a disingenuous way that (Maryum, Hana and Muhammad Jr.) are an appealing presence. glosses over the manner in which it humiliated Muhammad’s On the downside, “I Am Ali” – which is presented in rough then-wife, Belinda. chronological order – jumps around at times in an unfocused way. In the end, “I Am Ali” leaves viewers with a fawed but engaging There are some glaring factual errors. Also, Ali vs. is impressionistic portrait of Ali’s charm, charisma, and commitment treated as though it doesn’t exist while Muhammad’s fnal fght, to principle. Enjoy it for what it is. But keep in mind that Ali was far against Trevor Berbick, receives an excessive amount of screen more complex and multifaceted than shown here. H QUICK QUIZ

1. A.J. LIEBLING FREQUENTLY REFERRED TO BOXING AS Joe Louis “THE SWEET SCIENCE.” WHO ORIGINATED THAT PHRASE?

2. TWO OF THE FIRST SIX GLOVED HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONS ( AND TOMMY BURNS) WERE BORN OUTSIDE OF THE . BUT UNTIL 1983, WHEN GERRIE COETZEE CAPTURED A FRACTURED VERSION OF THE HEAVYWEIGHT CROWN, ONLY THREE MORE WERE BORN ON FOREIGN SOIL. WHO WERE THEY?

« 3. JOE LOUIS LOST THREE TIMES IN HIS ILLUSTRIOUS RING CAREER. WHO BEAT

HIM?

October 26, 1951). 26, October (), () and Ingemar Ingemar and (Italy) Carnera Primo (Germany), Schmeling Max bruising.” of science H 2.

Ezzard Charles (by decision on September 27, 1950) and Marciano (KO 8 on on 8 (KO Marciano Rocky and 1950) 27, September on decision (by Charles Ezzard British journalist who wrote frequently about boxing and called the sport “the sweet sweet “the sport the called and boxing about frequently wrote who journalist British

Louis lost to Max Schmeling (KO 12 on June 19, 1936), 1936), 19, June on 12 (KO Schmeling Max to lost Louis (). Johansson The phrase was coined by Pierce Egan (1772-1849), a a (1772-1849), Egan Pierce by coined was phrase The Answers: Quiz Quick H 3. 1.

16 RINGTV.COM / 1.15 JABS & STRAIGHT WRITES ON THE BOOKSHELF

“Rozelle: A Biography” by Jerry Izenberg (University of the NFL. Nebraska Press) is a book that demands attention from • The strategizing and lobbying (an exemption from all segments of the sports world. federal antitrust laws was necessary) that led to Pete Rozelle might have been the most important equalization of television revenue among big- and commissioner in the history of sports. Izenberg, who small-market teams, thus ensuring competitive has spent most of his career with the Newark Star- balance on the feld and the largest TV contract in Ledger, is one of two credentialed writers who have the history of sports. attended every Super Bowl to date. In the eyes of many, • Rozelle’s bitter feud with former AFL commissioner he’s the best sports columnist who ever lived. Fifteen and Oakland Raiders managing partner . years ago, David Maraniss authored “When Pride Still • The unionization of the NFL and the labor battles Mattered,” the defnitive biography of Vince Lombardi. that followed. There’s a telling passage in which Maraniss recounts • Rozelle’s failed effort to hold how Lombardi, a sporting god the line on performance- by then, confronted Izenberg. enhancing drugs. “You don’t know a goddamn • The sputtering rise and thing about football,” hard fall of the upstart Lombardi snapped. United States Football “And you don’t know League. a goddamn thing about • The evolution of the Super journalism,” Izenberg countered. Bowl into a national That tells you two things: 1. celebration. Jerry Izenberg experienced the NFL “up close and personal.” There’s also a detailed look And 2. Izenberg speaks his at Rozelle’s personal life, mind. “Rozelle” benefits from including his disastrous first both. marriage, his role as a devoted Rozelle served as single father with legal commissioner of the National custody of his daughter and Football League from 1960 to his slow, agonizing death from 1989, during which time the brain cancer. NFL expanded from 12 to 28 All of this leads to the teams. Izenberg’s book describes speculation: Suppose Pete in engaging fashion: Rozelle were alive today and applied his considerable talents • The behind-the-scenes to boxing. maneuvering that led to “Things would be completely Rozelle’s improbable election as commissioner. different,” Izenberg told this writer. “The people • Rozelle’s response to the formation of the rival who worked for Rozelle weren’t friends or relatives American Football League, the war between the or political appointees. He sought out the best leagues and their eventual merger. people available and demanded that they do their • Rozelle’s suspension of Paul Hornung, one of the jobs properly. That means, if Rozelle ran a state NFL’s biggest stars, and Alex Karras for betting on athletic commission, the referees and judges would be NFL games. competent and impartial. There would be standards • Rozelle’s decision – a rare misstep – to play a full and accountability. If Rozelle ran a world sanctioning schedule of games during a period of national body, the rankings would be honest. If he ran the sports mourning two days after the assassination of John department at a television network, he’d demand good F. Kennedy. fghts because he understood that, to succeed, the • The forced integration of the product has to be good. He’d never accept the lousy Redskins, who, to protect their southern market, fghts you see so often on television today. Nobody got had stubbornly remained the last all-white team in a free pass from Rozelle.” H

Thomas Hauser can be reached by email at [email protected]. His most recent book (“Thomas Hauser on Boxing: Another Year Inside the Sweet Science”) was published by the University of Press.

1.15 / RINGTV.COM 17 ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES A MONTHLY BOXING LIST This month: One might think of sprinters in track and feld – such as Usain Bolt – when 10 one thinks of athletes from . The Caribbean island has produced a number of accomplished boxers, though. Nicholas Walters, who destroyed Nonito Donaire in October, is only the latest in a long line. Here are 10 more Jamaican warriors.

ALICIA ASHLEY (21-10-1, 3 KOs): Won a (38-3-1, 17 KOs): Won a women’s world title when she was 44. world middleweight title.

O’NEIL BELL GLEN JOHNSON (27-4-1, 25 KOs): Was (54-19-2, 37 KOs): Won one undisputed champ for a world title and contended for 15 years short time. MIKE MCCALLUM TREVOR BERBICK (49-5-1, 36 KOs): The three- (49-11-1, 33 KOs): Mike time titleholder is in the Hall of Fame. Tyson made history by taking his heavyweight title. KEITH MULLINGS (16-8-1, 11 KOs): KO’d Hall of Famer to win a world title. (47-12, 34 KOs): Won three world titles in two divisions. DONOVAN RUDDOCK (38-5-1, 29 KOs): One of the better of the ’90s (42-28-2, 22 KOs): British heavyweight champ KO’d Hall of Famer Note: is of Jamaican . heritage but was born in the U.K. and Nicholas Walters might have the ability fought for Canada in the Olympics. to top this list one day. ADVANCED DEGREES Degrees of separation between fghters of the past and their more contemporary counterparts. This month, we connect Floyd Mayweather Sr. to Floyd Mayweather Jr. We’ve already made that connection, linking Senior to Junior in only fve steps. However, reader Stanley Williams came up with a twist. He connected Senior with Junior but went through Roger and Jeff Mayweather. Here’s what it looks like.

Ç FLOYD MAYWEATHER SR. fought É who fought HECTOR CAMACHO É who fought JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ É who fought ROGER MAYWEATHER É who fought MARCO ANTONIO RAMIREZ É who fought JEFF MAYWEATHER É who fought É who fought FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR. È

18 RINGTV.COM / 1.15 THE BEST AND WORST IN BOXING FROM THE PAST MONTH WHAT BOXERS ARE INTO OUTSIDE THE SPORT

By Michael Rosenthal KRZYSZTOF WLODARCZYK GOOD CRUISERWEIGHT CONTENDER MUSIC: H CAR: The fact is that it’s too early to anoint middleweight “I like hip-hop.” “I have a Mercedes and an Audi Q7.” sensation Gennady Golovkin the best fghter in the world pound H FOOD: “I eat a lot of fsh, pasta, for pound. GGG is on an impressive run – 18 consecutive vegetables.” H TATTOOS: “In general knockouts – but has yet to face a top-level opponent. That will I do not like tattoos.” H ATHLETE come soon. In the meantime, we can marvel at his destructive OUTSIDE BOXING: “I have no favorite ring powers and relish the buzz it is creating. Golovkin flled the athlete outside boxing.” H MOVIE: “I like historical flms.” H StubHub Center arena in Carson, , for his fght VIDEO GAME: “I don’t play video games.” against Marco Antonio Rubio on Oct. 18, drawing a standing- room-only and record 9,323 spectators who were clearly mesmerized by the oh-so-dangerous Kazakhstani. And we CONTENDER learned a few days later that the fght drew 1,304,000 viewers MUSIC: “My favorite music is on HBO, second this year among fghts on premium cable to bachata (Romeo Santos, Prince Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.-Bryan Vera II in March. We all wonder Royce, Aventura, etc.).” H who will take the torch in the post-Mayweather and Pacquiao CAR: “Dodge Charger.” H FOOD: “I era. The crowd at the fght and the TV ratings seem to indicate love every kind of food, especially that Golovkin has that potential. what my dad makes. Best chef alive.” H TATTOOS: “Don’t have any.” H ATHLETE OUTSIDE BOXING: “I would have to say BAD Bryant. Great athlete when he’s on the court.” H MOVIE: “My favorite movie would be ‘Blow.’” H VIDEO GAME: “Playing Shock and then sadness is the natural reaction FIFA on PS3.” when we hear that a fghter is seriously ill, badly injured or has died. And then we might refect on what he did in the ring. CUELLO was shot in the in October and was in STRAWWEIGHT CONTENDER critical condition at our press time. I’ll remember his refusal to MUSIC: “Arnel Pineda, Journey.” quit against Floyd Mayweather Jr., toughness I hope will serve H CAR: “2010 Honda Civic.” H him now. underwent fve operations for a stomach FOOD: “Filipino food like Adobo, problem around the same time and was stable. I’ll always Sinigang and Nilagang Baka.” H smile when I think about his dominance in the 1976 Olympics TATTOOS: “I have a tattoo on my and his upset of Muhammad Ali. Barkley then suffered right shoulder of a dragon.” H a stroke but appeared to be on his way to recovery. I’ll never ATHLETE OUTSIDE BOXING: “My forget his of the great , the highlight favorite athlete is Michael .” H MOVIE: “War and horror of Barkley’s fne career. I bring these fghters’ accomplishments movies.” H VIDEO GAME: “Car racing games.” up because we typically wait until they’re gone to express our — Anson Wainwright admiration. I’d like them to know now that we appreciate what they did. RING POLL THE PERCENTAGES: GENNADY GOLOVKIN A MONTHLY POLL 42.58 WORSE OF OUR RINGTV.COM MANNY PACQUIAO 27.56 F. MAYWEATHER JR. 15.90 I don’t know if ’s journey to winning READERS G. RIGONDEAUX 3.41 another middleweight title is bad or just really weird. The The King is dead, long live former unifed 160-pound champion suffered a brain injury in the King? We asked simply: ANDRE WARD 2.51 his brutal 2009 knockout loss to and many Who is the best fghter WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO 2.24 believed he was fnished, or at least should be. He returned in the world, pound for 0.97 two years later after he was cleared by doctors, won a series of pound? The answer to that 0.96 fghts against nobodies and then somehow got a shot at Sam question is no longer Floyd Soliman’s IBF title. Taylor beat a gimpy Soliman to regain a Mayweather Jr., according ROMAN GONZALEZ 0.87 middleweight title more than fve years after he last held one. to RingTV.com readers. We’ll OTHER 0.87 That is unsettling enough but nothing compared to the other attribute Manny Pacquiao’s J.M. MARQUEZ 0.73 elements of this story. Taylor was charged with two felonies performance in the poll CARL FROCH 0.52 for allegedly his cousin in August. He fought Soliman to his fercely loyal fans. while his legal status was in limbo. Then, shortly before the However, Gennady Golovkin’s CANELO ALVAREZ 0.45 fght, a video showing Taylor fring a gun and saying “I’ll remarkably strong showing is DANNY GARCIA 0.27 never lose to another white boy” circulated on the internet. an eye-opener. Here is how TIM BRADLEY 0.16 Bad. And weird. you voted. Note: 10,477 readers voted WALTERS: ALEXIS CUAREZMA/GETTY IMAGES; MAYWEATHER, SR; THE RING MAGAZINE; MAYWEATHER, JR.: HARRY HOW HARRY JR.: THE RING MAGAZINE; MAYWEATHER, SR; ALEXIS CUAREZMA/GETTY IMAGES; MAYWEATHER, WALTERS:

1.15 / RINGTV.COM 19 ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES BEST I’VE FACED By Tom Gray ROBERTO DURAN

Roberto Duran (left) has respect for the ability of fellow Hall of Famer .

Sitting down with a former world He thrilled legions with a ferocious champion of Roberto Duran’s f ghting style that overwhelmed the caliber is a surreal experience. vast majority of his opponents when Duran was arguably the f nest he was at his best. who has ever lived, won “Manos de Piedra” stopped titles in three more divisions and Hall of Famer Ken Buchanan in 13 was a f rst ballot Hall of Famer. rounds to win the WBA lightweight And he didn’t simply win f ghts. title in 1972 and made 12 successful

20 RINGTV.COM / 1.15 defenses, a run as dominating as any the sport’s greatest fgures, who a rematch. Marvin Hagler, who is a in history. graciously agreed to discuss the best good friend of mine, told Hearns the He then moved up to he faced in 10 key categories. only reason he knocked me out is and stunned the because I wasn’t at my best. great Sugar Ray Leonard by BEST SKILLS taking his WBC belt in 1980. Ken Buchanan: Buchanan FASTEST HANDS He would go on to win titles was one of the great Sugar Ray Leonard: in the junior middleweight and when it came to tactics and skill. He was the fastest fighter I ever middleweight divisions and become His intelligence made him very fought but in the first fight I saw one quarter of the “Four Kings” diffcult to beat even though he everything that was coming at me. – with Leonard, Thomas Hearns wasn’t a very strong opponent. and Marvin Hagler – in their Sugar Ray Leonard was faster FASTEST FEET unforgettable series of fights. and stronger but Buchanan had Buchanan: At lightweight And he fought competitively for tremendous skills. the opponents were much swifter almost all of his remarkable 33-year on their feet and, back then, we career. He competed in fve decades, BEST were boxing in 15-round fights. fnishing with a record of 103-16 Buchanan: He was tall, boxed Buchanan always kept on the (70 knockouts). well and his lateral movement was move but I caught up with him The legendary Panamanian is extremely good. Buchanan’s jab was eventually. That victory means a lot as revered now as he was at the diffcult to deal with because he to me. height of his remarkable career. threw it on the move. During pre-fght pageantry, during SMARTEST which former champions are BEST DEFENSE Leonard: It’s hard to give you introduced prior to title bouts, it is Buchanan: He was hard one name but Leonard stands not unknown for Duran to receive a to hit cleanly. I was very young, out because he made adjustments louder ovation than the participants. lacked experience, and Buchanan during fights. Duran carries himself like a man had been world champion for a who knows exactly what he has long time. A lot of people will STRONGEST achieved. His health has gone up expect me to say Wilfred Benitez or Hagler: It was an extremely and down but, at 63 years of age, he Leonard when it comes to defense close fight but he got me tired late. appears ft and energetic with a zest but I wasn’t prepared properly for Even though I built myself up to for life these days. Benitez or the Leonard rematch. middleweight, Hagler was much A statue of Duran was erected in Davey Moore, who I beat easily, bigger and used his strength on Panama seven years ago and he is knocked Benitez out so there’s no the inside. After making weight, a immensely proud of his country’s comparison there. I was coming fighter rehydrates and there was continued warmth. It could be a into my prime against Buchanan a big difference there. Still, even local buying him a drink or a head and he made me miss often. when I was tired, Hagler couldn’t of state praising him for his many get me down. There was no way I accomplishments, it doesn’t matter; BEST was going to get the decision but being recognized makes him feel Marvelous Marvin some fans and reporters thought good. Hagler: I hit Hagler with a lot I’d done enough. Hagler had big Hollywood has also gotten in on of punches and he just kept coming. American fights pending with the act. I didn’t fnd him as skillful as some Leonard and Hearns so there was a A film titled “Hands of Stone,” of the opponents I faced but he was lot of money at stake. starring Edgar Ramirez, Robert De the toughest. Niro and Usher, will be in theaters BEST OVERALL next year. BEST PUNCHER Leonard: I have to say Sugar “I’m happy that they’re making Esteban De Jesus: De Jesus Ray Leonard because look at what a movie about my life,” said Duran, was the frst opponent to knock me he did in his career after he lost looking a touch embarrassed by the down and he had me down again to me. It takes a lot to come back fuss. “It’s not out for a while, so in the second fght. When I lost to from defeat and Leonard did it. hopefully the people will get more Thomas Hearns I was drained from and more excited as we get closer to losing weight too quickly, and that Special thanks to Jovanna Duran- a release date.” had a bad effect on me. Hearns Orts (translator), Carl Holness and The flm surely will bring back got me with a great but I James Ward for their participation

(INSET) ETHAN MILLER/GETTY IMAGES wonderful memories of one of could have performed far better in in arranging this interview.

1.15 / RINGTV.COM 21 READY TO GRUMBLE By David Greisman MIDDLEWEIGHT PRETENDERS GENNADY GOLOVKIN’S COUNTERPARTS DON’T HAVE THE GUTS TO FIGHT HIM on’t blame he’s already reaped riches from Gennady a potential pay-per-view main D Golovkin for event with Canelo Alvarez. the quality of Sergio Martinez may have been opponents he’s willing but he may never have facing. The only been able. He fought Julio Cesar way he could be avoided any Chavez Jr. on pay-per-view more is if he had Ebola. And as in 2012 just two weeks after Gennady Golovkin is going pitiful as that joke just was, even Golovkin had made his HBO to have to be patient in his worse are the guys who say they debut. It was too early then quest for a truly big fght. are the best in the and it remained too early when world yet aren’t in any rush to Martinez fought next, returning test that claim against GGG. from injury prematurely for his They may say they’re willing 2013 homecoming bout against to face Golovkin but they don’t Martin Murray in . He truly mean it. They’re like little then spent a full year recovering, yappy dogs that know they can coming back for big money and get away with barking at a much what he wrongly presumed was bigger hound until their leashes an easy payday against Cotto. get pulled back. Martinez is probably counting In this case, the leashes his blessings that he took that are held by the managers, route into defeat rather than promoters and trainers whose immediately jumping in with paydays depend on their fghters Golovkin upon his return. continuing to earn money. They And so we’ve gotten need to keep the illusion going Golovkin against the lower tier, that their boxers are among courageous foes who are even the top at 160. They know that braver considering that they the quickest way to dispel that don’t have the same kind of illusion would be to put them talent as those avoiding GGG. in the same ring as the reality The best opponent Golovkin check that comes with getting has faced in the past two years hit by Golovkin’s fsts. has been a former titleholder Peter Quillin’s handlers () rather than any wouldn’t even let him take a current ones. He has also faced big payday for an easier bout a few guys who had challenged with . There’s for belts before and had come no way they would’ve put him up short. in with Golovkin, not when One of them was Marco Quillin could face Antonio Rubio, chosen or Jermain Taylor instead and partially because the interim prolong the charade. Jacobs and WBC bauble he held could be Taylor have the same adviser used by Golovkin as leverage as Quillin. They, like so many against Cotto, the actual WBC other boxers, will say they’re titleholder. Against Golovkin in willing to face anyone but then October, Rubio came in nearly will defer to their teams, passing two pounds overweight and the buck to the people who are didn’t attempt to lose it.

JONATHAN MOORE/GETTY IMAGES actually their employees. Rubio gave up $100,000 Miguel Cotto is the RING in fnes and hoped that the middleweight champion. But additional weight and the the man on the throne is only 20 pounds he gained before as powerful as his reach over fght night would work to the kingdom. Cotto won’t his advantage, just as it had consider facing Golovkin until for against

1.15 / RINGTV.COM 23 READY TO GRUMBLE

Vasyl Lomachenko. It didn’t. in multiple divisions, fought promoters. Golovkin still hurt Rubio with for Gary Shaw and , He ultimately moved to Top an in the second round tried to sign with Golden Boy Rank but largely was spotlighted and dropped him with a well- Promotions and was on the on minor pay-per-view shows, placed left that led to the receiving end of a devastating rather than on Pacquiao’s technical knockout. sixth-round knockout. undercards. It was his bout Golovkin has few good That’s about all he has in with bantamweight titleholder options in his division and common with Manny Pacquiao. in early may be pressured into testing Pacquiao is one of those few 2011 that marked Donaire’s himself against the best at superstars who come along in a HBO debut and served as , where generation. It’s wrong to measure his launching point. Another he’s completely unproven. He Donaire against him but it’s fair highlight-reel left hook landed, shouldn’t have to but he’ll to note that “The Filipino Flash” this one fooring Montiel in the end up being held to a higher could’ve been a bigger star than second round, and the end came standard than all of those he became. soon afterward. middleweights who won’t face Donaire had his frst big win And then Donaire got it into him and are in essence forcing when he stopped his head to try to leave Top Rank him to try out 168. with a perfect counter left hook for Golden Boy, leading to a legal It has nothing to do with in 2007, giving Darchinyan his battle between the promoters Golovkin and Ebola. Rather, it’s frst pro loss. That bout was and a momentum-stalling layoff symptomatic of boxing itself, aired on Showtime back before for the fghter. which remains diseased. the network had built the boxing Donaire remained with Top audience it has today. Beyond Rank and got a bright spotlight H that, Donaire was a fyweight on HBO, putting together a 2012 fghting in America, a country campaign in which he won four Nonito Donaire is a former that doesn’t pay much attention bouts and two world titles at fyweight titleholder from the to the lighter divisions. And he junior . He started with a powerful was with Shaw, not aligned with 2013 with a loss to Guillermo left hand who captured belts either of the two powerhouse Rigondeaux, though, a defeat he blamed on a lingering shoulder injury and his wife being due to give birth. Beyond that, Donaire Nonito Donaire wasn’t often working with probably will have a his trainer, instead more often diffcult time battling staying closer to home. back from his loss to Nicholas Walters. Meanwhile, fghts with several other top names remained unavailable due to the strife between Top Rank and Golden Boy and the competition between HBO and Showtime. He won twice more, adding a world title at 126, his fourth division, before getting stopped by Nicholas Walters this past October. It was a big win for Walters and a signifcant loss for Donaire but it isn’t necessarily the end for him. Still, he’s older and fghting

in heavier divisions than he did ALEXIS CUAREZMA/GETTY IMAGES earlier in his career. It could be harder to battle back toward the top, all the more reason it’s unfortunate that he had so much going for him yet never reached true superstar status. OUTSIDE THE ROPES By Brian Harty

skills only came out when he got clear an unidentifed obstruction in his hammered on rice wine because he intestine. He was in stable condition HARD would sometimes break into a sort of as we went to press. rubbery dance during his fghts. Some called it showboating but in these At the European Youth Boxing LUCK moments of succumbing to the beat Championships in Zagreb, Croatia, of his own drum Augustus achieved home-country Vido some of the strangest and most Loncar lost a bout by stoppage and very time relaxed feats of boxing then lost control, punching the referee E Gennady brilliance you’re ever likely (without gloves) fush in the face and Golovkin to see. In any case, he continuing to pummel him once he fghts we talk entertained. hit the canvas. The Polish offcial about how According to a sustained serious injuries. Loncar, 18, avoidance has friend, the fghter had was banned for life. become such a returned to the town part of boxing. where he grew up only Indian boxer Sarita Devi refused to It would be the a month earlier with accept her at the Asian perfect moment “minimal possessions” and Games in after losing 3-0 to bring up Emanuel was looking for a new start. to local fghter Ji-Na Park, claiming Augustus, who avoided He remained in critical condition at biased judging. Devi later apologized no one. Sadly, when Golovkin beat press time. for the protest/tantrum but she and Marco Antonio Rubio on Oct. 18, her team were suspended indefnitely. Augustus was in his third day of life- This was an unusually unhappy support at a Baton Rouge, , month, beginning with promoter Dan Brothers Sharif Rahman and Hasim hospital after being shot in the back of Goossen, who died of liver cancer Rahman Jr. fled a lawsuit against the head. at the age of 64. A full story can be Mayweather and Showtime in mid- Christopher Stills, 21, was found on Page 66. October, alleging they’d been forced arrested and charged with attempted to endure marathon sessions second-degree murder and Willy Wise, 47, fipped his car while and that footage of those sessions violations. He had allegedly been driving alone on a road was used without their to arguing with his cousin when he fred and had to be airlifted to a hospital promote Mayweather’s rematch the gun and Augustus just happened with broken vertebrae and a severe against . The suit to be walking by at the time. concussion. The highlight of Wise’s claimed one round went 31 minutes Once known as Emanuel Burton, 41-fght career was a 10-round non-stop and that Mayweather Augustus fnished his career in win over Julio wagered “large sums of money” on 2011 with a record of 38-34-6 Cesar Chavez in 1999. the outcome. (20 knockouts). He never fought for a world title but faced plenty Tony Losey, 22, a top-ranked But if all this still isn’t crazy enough, of men who did, including Floyd amateur and Olympic hopeful at there’s always . Mayweather Jr., who told Showtime 152 pounds, was working at a In his latest attempt – yes, there’s a analyst Steve Farhood in a ringside steel-plate manufacturer in Wichita, video – to irritate Wladimir Klitschko interview early this year that his win Kansas, when a six-ton tank he was into giving him a title shot, Briggs over Augustus in 2000 (a ninth-round sandblasting shifted and crushed him rented a boat and circled the champ, stoppage) was the toughest of his to death. who was stand-up paddleboarding in career. Augustus’ battle against Micky , like a verbally abusive shark. Ward in 2001, which Ward won by , 54, suffered a seizure Klitschko was capsized by the boat’s unanimous decision, was THE RING’s and minor stroke at his home in the wake but he made it safely back to Fight of the Year. Bronx, New York, on Oct. 22. The shore. He is reportedly considering a A hard-luck to the former three-division titleholder restraining order. core, Augustus went anywhere, was up and about but remained anytime to face anyone and often hospitalized for observation at Also, Manny Pacquiao made his pro came away with the sense that he’d press time. debut in the Philippines. It been screwed. He was called “The turns out 35-year-old, 5-foot-7 boxers Drunken Master” after a kung-fu Former heavyweight champ Leon with zero experience don’t make the movie character whose preternatural Spinks underwent fve surgeries to best players.

10.141.15 / RINGTV.COM 25

Boxing Lessons From Bernard Hopkins PERFECT EXECUTION

Bernard Hopkins (right) this month demonstrates proper footwork with Maleek Jackson. FOOTWORK

Each month in THE RING ‘YOUR FOOTWORK IS THE FOUNDATION Magazine, Hopkins will OF EVERYTHING’ demonstrate a particular skill and explain how to execute it. Photographs of Hopkins and Good boxing demands good one. To achieve that, one must assistant Maleek Jackson will help technique. A missed step here, an master the fundamentals. you understand the moves. off-balance shot there, and you Perhaps no one today has a Also, for the first time, we will could be looking up from the better understanding of the basics have an accompanying video on our canvas. The sport is as much about than future Hall of Famer Bernard website, RingTV.com, which will foot positioning as it is punching Hopkins, which is why we asked allow you to watch and listen as power. It’s a ballet of fists and feet, him to play the leading role in Hopkins imparts his wisdom.

NICK LAHAM/GETTY IMAGES of the whole body functioning as “Perfect Execution.” This month: footwork. »

1.15 / RINGTV.COM 27 PERFECT EXECUTION

Stage Stage 1A. 1B. Stage Stage 2A. 2B.

Stage 1. ORTHODOX AND SOUTHPAW . This is a Stage matter of being comfortable. It’s the 2C. most basic stance in boxing and it’s all about leverage and balance. See the way my feet are spaced apart so I don’t get off balance and it helps in moving forward and backward. My back foot is more sideways and my front foot pointed forward A . Obviously, the B is the complete opposite. And the benef t of a southpaw stance is that it throws your opponent off from what he might normally do. Most f ghters are used to defending orthodox f ghters. A southpaw comes at you from different angles.

Stage 2. FOOT PLACEMENT. I can direct my opponent with good footwork. I want to get him to come toward me by f rst coming toward him A . And now I have him coming toward me where I can begin picking up openings in his defense B and C . It’s about luring and setting traps. But he won’t come toward you if you don’t put out the bait. And that means f rst stepping

JANISE VALENTIN to him. PERFECT EXECUTION

Stage Stage 3A. 3B.

Stage 3C. JANISE VALENTIN

30 RINGTV.COM / 1.15 Stage 4A. Stage 3. ADVANCING. I see an opening here and I want to take it. You’ll notice A that I’m taking small steps. Now I don’t overstep because that will leave me off balance. So my steps are short and gradually I’m there, now backing him up B . Some f ghters feel uncomfortable backing up. And those are the kind of f ghters you step toward. I use my lead foot as a barrier as you see C . See where my lead leg is positioned.

Stage 4. WHAT NOT TO DO. That’s easy. You want good spacing between your feet. You don’t want to rock on your heels A ; you don’t want your feet that close because

Stage you can get easily knocked down 4B. B . Never get caught with your feet like this C . You’re just asking to be knocked out.

Stage VIDEO 4C. Bernard Hopkins’ popular how-to series on boxing fundamentals appears each month in THE RING. The feature includes a video component. To watch and listen to Hopkins giving instruction, just scan the QR code below or go to http:// bit.ly/perfect-execution-footwork RATINGS PACKAGE THROUGH FIGHTS OF OCT. 19, 2014 FIGHTER OF THE MONTH | RATINGS ANALYSIS | POUND FOR POUND | THE RING RATINGS

FIGHTER OF THE MONTH NICHOLAS WALTERS By Michael Rosenthal

Nicholas Walters didn’t need an axe to chop down Nonito Donaire. POUND FOR POUND: No change. unanimous decision over Willie Nelson, who dropped from No. 7 to No. 10. HEAVYWEIGHTS: No change. (No. 9 last month) and the Charlo twins, Nicholas Walters entered his CRUISERWEIGHTS: Krzysztof Wlodarczyk Jermell (No. 8) and Jermall (No. 10), each fght against Nonito Donaire on Oct. (No. 2 last month) lost his WBC title to moved up a notch in the process. Nelson 18 with a fearsome reputation, as he Grigory Drozd by a unanimous decision then dropped out after had destroyed one opponent after in in his seventh defense. Drozd arrived at No. 9 after taking Carlos Molina’s another. Donaire had shown signs of (No. 5 last month) took the No. 2 spot while IBF title. Molina dropped from No. 3 all the Wlodarczyk fell to No. 4 and (No. decline in recent fghts. way to No. 10 and everyone from Jermall 4 last month) dropped to No. 5. Charlo up to rose a spot. Still, when Walters beat up Donaire LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS: en route to a sixth-round knockout, it Tavoris Cloud (No. : No change. 7 last month) left the ratings after getting took our collective breath away. JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS: KO’d by unrated novice No change. Walters was unbeaten but hadn’t in the Russian’s sixth pro fght. ’s LIGHTWEIGHTS: No change. faced anyone of Donaire’s stature Nadjib Mohammedi entered at No. 10 after JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHTS: Mikey Garcia until they met on the Gennady those below Cloud last month moved up (No. 2 last month) announced that he’d be Golovkin-Marco Antonio Rubio a notch each. The following week Chad moving 10 pounds north. His departure at StubHub Center in Carson, Dawson (No. 5 last month) dropped out meant a promotion for everyone except No. California. He had something after his third loss in four fghts, this one a 1 . Undefeated Mexican to prove. split decision against the unrated Tommy Adrian Estrella took the vacancy at No. 10. And, while Donaire seemed to Karpency. That moved some folks up again : Ronny Rios (No. 8 have lost some of the fre of his peak and left room for old hand Gabriel Campillo at No. 10. last month) dropped out after losing to years, he still commanded respect unrated journeyman Robinson Castellanos SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS: because he was winning fghts. Most (No. and rose from No. 9 to No. 8 conspicuously, he seemed to retain 8 last month) dropped out after losing to after stopping Joel Brunker (unrated) in (No. 6), Thomas Oosthuizen much of his . nine rounds. Marvin Sonsona remained at was demoted from No. 7 to No. 10, Andre That came into play in the fnal No. 10 while once-beaten Argentine Jesus Dirrell rose from No. 10 to No. 8 and Edwin Cuellar moved in at No. 9. Nicholas Walters’ seconds of the second round, when Rodriguez entered the ratings at No. 9. during a wild exchange he hurt emphatic victory over Nonito Donaire then Rodriguez then fought at 175 and departed, triggered a shuffe: Walters (No. 3 last Walters badly. At that moment, elevating Oosthuizen and leaving room month) went to No. 2, Donaire (No. 4 last everyone watching had to wonder (barely) for 168-ish Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. month) dropped to No. 6, at No. 10. whether the Jamaican was up for the fell from No. 2 to No. 3 and Nos. 5 and 6, challenge after all. MIDDLEWEIGHTS: Matthew Macklin (No. Evgeny Gradovich and , Turns out he was. He not only 7 last month) struggled to win an eight- both went up a spot. survived Donaire’s biggest shot, he round over unrated Jose JUNIOR FEATHERWEIGHTS: No change. cut and then put the Filipino down in Yebes and was dropped from the ratings. : third round. From there, the bigger, Those previously below him moved up (No. 1 last month) found himself without a belt stronger and better man pummeled and undefeated Russian Matt Korobov moved in at No. 10. Then Hassan N’Dam for the frst time in six-plus years after his prey until ending matters when a (No. 9 last month) comfortably outpointed unrated Dominican Juan Carlos Payano was hard right sent Donaire to the canvas Curtis Stevens (unrated) in California and awarded a sixth-round technical-decision face-frst. swapped places with No. 8 Martin Murray. victory over him following an accidental A dazed Donaire was able to rise on The week after that a ghost by the name . Payano came in at No. 2, wobbly legs by the count of eight but of Jermain Taylor returned to the ratings (No. 2 last month) was couldn’t continue, prompting referee at No. 9 with a title-winning unanimous elevated to No. 1 and Moreno dropped to Raul Caiz Jr. to end the fght one decision over , who dropped No. 3, which pushed everyone else down a second before the end of Round 6. from No. 5 to No. 10. At the same time Felix notch and bumped off Ryosuke Iwasa. No one could’ve said it better than Sturm, the longest inhabitant of the ratings JUNIOR BANTAMWEIGHTS: No change. at 579 weeks, exited after announcing his Donaire immediately after the fght: : move to 168 pounds. In the shuffe Nos. No change. “He beat the s--t out of me.” 7-10 gained two ranks apiece. Finally, JUNIOR FLYWEIGHTS: No change. Walters had not only beaten a Gennady Golovkin unsurprisingly held his STRAWWEIGHTS: fghter who was on many pound-for- In his ninth pro fght, JONATHAN MOORE/GETTY IMAGES No. 1 spot with a second-round knockout unrated Thai fghter Knockout CP Freshmart pound lists as recently as last year, he of Marco Antonio Rubio (No. 8 last month). closely but unanimously outpointed Carlos had dominated him. He not only took Rubio was dropped and the others climbed Buitrago (No. 5 last month). The fght was again, with New Yorker Daniel Jacobs Donaire’s WBA featherweight title, he in but the scores were legit, so arriving at the bottom. became a force to be reckoned with. Knockout took Buitrago’s spot and pushed For Walters, this is only the JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS: Vanes everyone else down. Carlos Velarde was beginning. Martirosyan remained at No. 6 after a crowded off the list.

1.15 / RINGTV.COM 33 THROUGH FIGHTS OF OCT. 19, 2014 FOR WEEKLY UPDATED RING RATINGS, GO TO RINGTV.COM

Arthur Abraham (left) defeated by a unanimous decision to retain his WBO super middleweight title on Sept. 27 in , Germany.

THE FIGURES UNDER THE FIGHTERS’ NAMES INDICATE: WEEKS IN THE RATINGS • COUNTRY • RECORD

HEAVYWEIGHTS CRUISERWEIGHTS LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS WEIGHT UNLIMITED WEIGHT LIMIT: 200 LBS WEIGHT LIMIT: 175 LBS WEIGHT LIMIT: 168 LBS

C WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO C YOAN PABLO HERNANDEZ C C ANDRE WARD 492 • • 62-3-0 (52 KOs) 160 • • 29-1-0 (14 KOs) 72 • Canada • 24-1-0 (20 KOs) 285• U.S. • 27-0-0 (14 KOs) 1. 1. 1. BERNARD HOPKINS 1. CARL FROCH 158 • • 20-0-0 (11 KOs) 137 • Germany • 38-2-1 (26 KOs) 438 • U.S. • 55-6-2 (32 KOs) 438 • U.K. • 33-2-0 (24 KOs) 2. 2. GRIGORY DROZD 2. SERGEY KOVALEV 2. ARTHUR ABRAHAM 366 • • 27-1-0 (19 KOs) 55 • Russia • 39-1-0 (27 KOs) 92 • Russia • 25-0-1 (23 KOs) 263 • Armenia • 41-4-0 (28 KOs) 3. BERMANE STIVERNE 3. DENIS LEBEDEV 3. JEAN PASCAL 3. ROBERT STIEGLITZ 78 • Canada • 24-1-1 (21 KOs) 247 • Russia • 26-2-0 (20 KOs) 67 • Canada • 29-2-1 (17 KOs) 271 • Russia • 47-4-0 (27 KOs) 4. 4. KRZYSZTOF WLODARCZYK 4. JUERGEN BRAEHMER 4. 140 • U.K. • 22-0-0 (16 KOs) 489 • Poland • 49-3-1 (35 KOs) 121 • Germany • 44-2-0 (32 KOs) 150 • U.K. • 20-2-0 (15 KOs) 5. 5. OLA AFOLABI 5. 5. JAMES DEGALE 31 • U.S. • 19-0-0 (10 KOs) 294 • U.K. • 21-3-4 (10 KOs) 45 • Kaz. • 14-2-0 (9 KOs) 72 • U.K. • 19-1-0 (13 KOs) 6. 6. 6. ISAAC CHILEMBA 6. ANTHONY DIRRELL 48 • U.S. • 32-0-0 (32 KOs) 103 • Germany • 34-8-2 (21 KOs) 130 • Malawi • 23-2-2 (10 KOs) 10 • U.S. • 27-0-1 (22 KOs) MARTIN ROSE/BONGARTS/GETTY IMAGES 7. 7. 7. ELEIDER ALVAREZ 7. GILBERTO RAMIREZ 32 • Ukraine • 18-0-1 (11 KOs) 67 • Congo • 17-1-0 (16 KOs) 32 • • 15-0-0 (8 KOs) 14 • Mexico • 29-0-0 (23 KOs) 8. 8. THABISO MCHUNU 8. ANDRZEJ FONFARA 8. 20 • Cuba • 20-1-1 (12 KOs) 53 • S. Africa • 17-1-0 (11 KOs) 23 • Poland • 25-3-0 (15 KOs) 8 • U.S. • 23-1-0 (16 KOs) 9. 9. 9. NADJIB MOHAMMEDI 9. THOMAS OOSTHUIZEN 59 • U.S. • 35-4-0 (31 KOs) 18 • Congo • 20-1-0 (13 KOs) 4 • France • 35-3-0 (21 KOs) 182 • S. Africa • 22-0-2 (13 KOs) 10. 10. 10. GABRIEL CAMPILLO 10. JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR. 236 • Poland • 49-3-0 (29 KOs) 13 • Russia • 19-1-0 (14 KOs) 3 • Spain • 24-6-1 (11 KOs) 1 • Mexico • 48-1-1 (32 KOs)

34 RINGTV.COM / 1.15 MIDDLEWEIGHTS JR. MIDDLEWEIGHTS WELTERWEIGHTS JR. WELTERWEIGHTS WEIGHT LIMIT: 160 LBS WEIGHT LIMIT: 154 LBS WEIGHT LIMIT: 147 LBS WEIGHT LIMIT: 140 LBS

C MIGUEL COTTO C FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR. C FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR. C DANNY GARCIA 20 • P.R. • 39-4-0 (32 KOs) 129 • U.S. • 47-0-0 (26 KOs) 162 • U.S. • 47-0-0 (26 KOs) 185 • U.S. • 29-0-0 (17 KOs) 1. GENNADY GOLOVKIN 1. CANELO ALVAREZ 1. MANNY PACQUIAO 1. 150 • Kaz. • 31-0-0 (28 KOs) 206 • Mexico • 44-1-1 (31 KOs) 259 • Phil. • 56-5-2 (38 KOs) 185 • Argentina • 36-3-0 (34 KOs) 2. PETER QUILLIN 2. 2. TIM BRADLEY 2. 125 • U.S. • 31-0-0 (22 KOs) 173 • Cuba • 19-2-2 (12 KOs) 124 • U.S. • 31-1-0 (12 KOs) 87 • U.S. • 33-2-1 (17 KOs) 3. SERGIO MARTINEZ 3. AUSTIN TROUT 3. JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ 3. CHRIS ALGIERI 237 • Argentina • 51-3-2 (28 KOs) 125 • U.S. • 27-2-0 (14 KOs) 98 • Mexico • 56-7-1 (40 KOs) 19 • U.S. • 20-0-0 (8 KOs) 4. DANIEL GEALE 4. 4. 4. 280 • • 30-3-0 (16 KOs) 80 • U.S. • 21-0-0 (14 KOs) 183 • U.K. • 33-0-0 (22 KOs) 99 • Russia • 23-2-0 (16 KOs) 5. HASSAN N’DAM 5. 5. MARCOS MAIDANA 5. 40 • Cameroon • 31-1-0 (18 KOs) 255 • U.S. • 35-1-1 (21 KOs) 45 • Argentina • 35-5-0 (31 KOs) 164 • U.S. • 34-3-0 (23 KOs) 6. MARTIN MURRAY 6. 6. 6. 147 • U.K. • 28-1-1 (12 KOs) 50 • U.S. • 24-0-0 (11 KOs) 46 • U.S. • 24-1-1 (15 KOs) 25 • U.S. • 29-1-0 (22 KOs) 7. MATT KOROBOV 7. ISHE SMITH 7. 7. 4 • Russia • 24-0-0 (14 KOs) 87 • U.S. • 26-6-0 (12 KOs) 85 • U.S. • 23-0-0 (21 KOs) 191 • U.S. • 42-9-0 (29 KOs) 8. JERMAIN TAYLOR 8. 8. 8. 2 • U.S. • 33-4-1 (20 KOs) 19 • U.S. • 19-0-0 (15 KOs) 117 • U.S. • 32-2-1 (18 KOs) 28 • U.S. • 25-0-0 (9 KOs) 9. SAM SOLIMAN 9. CORNELIUS BUNDRAGE 9. 9. 21 • Australia • 44-12-0 (18 KOs) 2 • U.S. • 34-5-0 (19 KOs) 25 • U.K. • 29-3-0 (19 KOs) 62 • Ukraine • 26-0-0 (11 KOs) 10. DANIEL JACOBS 10. CARLOS MOLINA 10. 10. KHABIB ALLAKHVERDIEV 1 • U.S. • 28-1-0 (25 KOs) 173 • Mexico • 22-6-2 (6 KOs) 18 • U.S. • 26-2-0 (14 KOs) 121 • Russia • 19-1-0 (9 KOs)

LIGHTWEIGHTS JR. LIGHTWEIGHTS FEATHERWEIGHTS JR. FEATHERWEIGHTS WEIGHT LIMIT: 135 LBS WEIGHT LIMIT: 130 LBS WEIGHT LIMIT: 126 LBS WEIGHT LIMIT: 122 LBS

C (VACANT) C (VACANT) C (VACANT) C 207 • Cuba • 14-0-0 (9 KOs) 1. TERENCE CRAWFORD 1. TAKASHI UCHIYAMA 1. JHONNY GONZALEZ 69 • U.S. • 24-0-0 (17 KOs) 251 • Japan • 21-0-1 (17 KOs) 186 • Mexico • 57-8-0 (48 KOs) 1. 109 • U.K. • 19-0-0 (13 KOs) 2. RAYMUNDO BELTRAN 2. RANCES BARTHELEMY 2. NICHOLAS WALTERS 117 • Mexico • 29-6-1 (17 KOs) 42 • Cuba • 21-0-0 (12 KOs) 98 • Jamaica • 25-0-0 (21 KOs) 2. LEO SANTA CRUZ 77 • U.S. • 28-0-1 (16 KOs) 3. OMAR FIGUEROA 3. 3. ABNER MARES 41 • U.S. • 24-0-1 (18 KOs) 81 • Japan • 27-2-2 (20 KOs) 77 • Mexico • 27-1-1 (14 KOs) 3. 100 • U.K. • 29-0-2 (22 KOs) 4. RICHAR ABRIL 4. 4. EVGENY GRADOVICH 5 • Cuba • 19-3-1 (8 KOs) 154 • Mexico • 30-2-2 (20 KOs) 86 • Russia • 19-0-0 (9 KOs) 4. KIKO MARTINEZ 62 • Spain • 31-5-0 (23 KOs) 5. MICKEY BEY 5. ROMAN MARTINEZ 5. VASYL LOMACHENKO 6 • U.S. • 21-1-1 (10 KOs) 320 • P.R. • 27-2-2 (16 KOs) 25 • Ukraine • 2-1-0 (1 KO)* 5. 65 • Mexico • 50-8-2 (25 KOs) 6. MIGUEL VAZQUEZ 6. 6. NONITO DONAIRE 220 • Mexico • 34-4-0 (13 KOs) 178 • U.S. • 26-1-0 (10 KOs) 43 • Phil. • 33-3-0 (21 KOs) 6. 135 • S. Africa • 27-5-2 (14 KOs) 7. JUAN DIAZ 7. SERGIO THOMPSON 7. 38 • U.S. • 40-4-0 (19 KOs) 33 • Mexico • 30-3-0 (26 KOs) 46 • S. Africa • 26-3-0 (16 KOs) 7. 32 • Phil. • 25-0-0 (11 KOs) 8. DANIEL ESTRADA 8. FRANCISCO VARGAS 8. LEE SELBY 96 • Mexico • 32-3-1 (24 KOs) 15 • Mexico • 20-0-1 (14 KOs) 32 • U.K. • 20-1-0 (8 KOs) 8. CHRIS AVALOS 21 • U.S. • 24-2-0 (18 KOs) 9. 9. ORLANDO SALIDO 9. JESUS CUELLAR 33 • Venezuela • 37-3-0 (24 KOs) 5 • Mexico • 42-12 -2 (29 KOs) 2 • Argentina • 25-1-0 (19 KOs) 9. 10 • U.K. • 18-0-0 (9 KOs) 10. 10. ADRIAN ESTRELLA 10. MARVIN SONSONA 172 • U.K. • 38-2-0 (28 KOs) 1 • Mexico • 19-0-0 (17 KOs) 16 • Phil. • 19-1-1 (15 KOs) 10. ANDRES GUTIERREZ 5 • Mexico • 30-0-1 (22 KOs)

HOW OUR RATINGS ARE COMPILED Championship vacancies can be f lled in the following two ways: 1. THE at his championship weight for 18 months (even if he f ghts at another RING’s Nos. 1 and 2 contenders f ght one another; 2. If the Nos. 1 and 2 weight); 5. The Champion does not schedule a f ght with a Top-5 contend- contenders chose not to f ght one another and either of them f ghts No. 3, er from any for two years; 6. The Champion retires. No. 4 or No. 5, the winner may be awarded THE RING belt if the Editorial THE RING Ratings Chairman Chuck Giampa considers input from the Board deems the contenders worthy. Ratings Panel of boxing journalists from around the world but has f nal A champion can lose his belt in six situations: 1. The Champion loses a say on all changes. That applies to both the pound-for-pound and divi- f ght in the weight class in which he is champion; 2. The Champion moves sional ratings. to another weight class; 3. The Champion does not schedule a f ght in any weight class for 18 months; 4. The Champion does not schedule a f ght Records provided by .com

* The record shown for Vasyl Lomachenko is the one listed by boxrec.com. However, Lomachenko was paid to participate in the six times during 2013, with a record of 6-0.

1.15 / RINGTV.COM 35 BANTAMWEIGHTS JR. BANTAMWEIGHTS FLYWEIGHTS JR. FLYWEIGHTS WEIGHT LIMIT: 118 LBS WEIGHT LIMIT: 115 LBS WEIGHT LIMIT: 112 LBS WEIGHT LIMIT: 108 LBS

C (VACANT) C (VACANT) C ROMAN GONZALEZ C 50 • • 40-0-0 (34 KOs) 159 • Phil. • 33-1-4 (19 KOs) 1. SHINSUKE YAMANAKA 1. OMAR NARVAEZ 155 • Japan • 21-0-2 (16 KOs) 233 • Argentina • 43-1-2 (23 KOs) 1. 1. JOHNRIEL CASIMERO 81 • Mexico • 30-2-0 (22 KOs) 141 • Phil. • 20-2-0 (12 KOs) 2. JUAN CARLOS PAYANO 2. CARLOS CUADRAS 4 • Dom. Rep. • 16-0-0 (8 KOs) 128 • Mexico • 30-0-1 (24 KOs) 2. 2. 172 • U.S. • 34-4-0 (20 KOs) 5 • Japan • 20-4-0 (10 KOs) 3. ANSELMO MORENO 3. 343 • Panama • 35-3-1 (12 KOs) 77 • Thailand • 29-4-1 (26 KOs) 3. EDGAR SOSA 3. MOISES FUENTES 128 • Mexico • 50-8-0 (30 KOs) 86 • Mexico • 19-2-1 (10 KOs) 4. KOKI KAMEDA 4. ZOLANI TETE 201 • Japan • 32-1-0 (17 KOs) 47 • S. Africa • 19-3-0 (16 KOs) 4. 4. 160 • Argentina • 34-1-0 (18 KOs) 61 • Japan • 7-0-0 (6 KOs) 5. MALCOLM TUNACAO 5. JUAN CARLOS SANCHEZ JR. 196 • Phil. • 35-3-3 (20 KOs) 141 • Mexico • 19-3-1 (9 KOs) 5. MORUTI MTHALANE 5. ADRIAN HERNANDEZ 32 • S. Africa • 30-2-0 (20 KOs) 183 • Mexico • 29-3-1 (18 KOs) 6. HUGO RUIZ 6. 131 • Mexico • 34-2-0 (30 KOs) 79 • Phil. • 26-0-0 (14 KOs) 6. AMNAT RUENROENG 6. 24 • Thailand • 14-0-0 (5 KOs) 82 • Mexico • 23-1-1 (15 KOs) 7. JOSEPH AGBEKO 7. OLEYDONG SITHSAMERCHAI 83 • • 29-5-0 (22 KOs) 108 • Thailand • 55-1-1 (21 KOs) 7. MELINDO 7. 19 • Phil. • 31-1-0 (12 KOs) 84 • Nicaragua • 19-2-0 (16 KOs) 8. JAMIE MCDONNELL 8. FELIPE ORUCUTA 77 • U.K. • 24-2-1 (11 KOs) 74 • Mexico • 29-3-0 (24 KOs) 8. 8. ALBERTO ROSSEL 51 • Mexico • 32-4-1 (28 KOs) 78 • Peru • 32-8-0 (13 KOs) 9. 9. MCJOE ARROYO 64 • Japan • 30-0-0 (19 KOs) 19 • P.R. • 15-0-0 (8 KOs) 9. MCWILLIAMS ARROYO 9. RANDY PETALCORIN 7 • P.R. • 15-2-0 (13 KOs) 24 • Phil. • 22-1-1 (17 KOs) 10. JULIO CEJA 10. 109 • Mexico • 27-1-0 (25 KOs) 25 • Japan • 30-8-0 (13 KOs) 10. 10. JAVIER MENDOZA 5 • Japan • 15-1-0 (9 KOs) 5 • Mexico • 22-2-1 (18 KOs)

STRAWWEIGHTS WEIGHT LIMIT: 105 LBS

C (VACANT) 1. FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR. 1. 162 • U.S. • 47-0-0 (26 KOs) 109 • S. Africa • 26-1-0 (9 KOs) Wladimir 2. FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ 2. ANDRE WARD Klitschko 31 • Mexico • 16-2-0 (11 KOs) 185 • U.S. • 27-0-0 (14 KOs) 3. KATSUNARI TAKAYAMA 82 • Japan • 27-7-0 (10 KOs) 3. WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO 220 • Ukraine • 62-3-0 (52 KOs) 4. 175 • Thailand • 35-0-0 (11 KOs) 4. MANNY PACQUIAO 5. KNOCKOUT CP FRESHMART 569 • Phil. • 56-5-2 (38 KOs) 3 • Thailand • 9-0-0 (5 KOs) 5. TIM BRADLEY 6. 215 • U.S. • 31-1-0 (12 KOs) 106 • Nicaragua • 27-1-1 (16 KOs) 7. OSWALDO NOVOA 6. JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ 37 • Mexico • 14-4-1 (9 KOs) 398 • Mexico • 56-7-1 (40 KOs)

8. 7. GUILLERMO RIGONDEAUX 67 • Phil. • 23-1-1 (12 KOs) 61 • Cuba • 14-0-0 (9 KOs) 9. 60 • Japan • 18-0-0 (10 KOs) 8. CARL FROCH 45 • U.K. • 33-2-0 (24 KOs) 10. JESUS SILVESTRE 66 • Mexico • 29-5-0 (21 KOs) 9. ROMAN GONZALEZ 20 • Nicaragua • 40-0-0 (34 KOs)

10. CANELO ALVAREZ 77 • Mexico • 44-1-1 (31 KOs)

THE RING POLICY ON RATED BOXERS WHO TEST tests positive and he waives his right to have the “B” sample tested then the POSITIVE FOR PERFORMANCE-ENHANCING DRUGS boxer shall immediately be removed from the ratings. A boxer whose “A” sample tested positive and is awaiting the results of his THE RING will remove from its ratings any rated boxer — including a cham- “B” sample will not be allowed to f ght for a championship or rise in the ratings. pion — if such boxer at some point undergoes drug testing (Olympic-style or A boxer who is removed because of a positive test will have the opportunity otherwise) and that boxer tests positive for a performance-enhancing drug. to earn his way back into the ratings after any suspension period is completed. In the event that a boxer has undergone testing in which the boxer pro- A boxer who is dropped also may be reinstated if the testing agency vides two samples (“A” and “B”) and the boxer’s “A” and subsequent “B” subsequently reverses its decision or a court of competent jurisdiction f nds samples test positive for a performance-enhancing drug or if his “A” sample that the test result was invalid. 37 JAPAN PHILIPPINES 2 - 4 RINGTV.COM RINGTV.COM RUSSIA / 1.15 AUSTRALIA UKRAINE THAILAND 5 - 9 WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO, HEAVYWEIGHT WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO, KRZYSZTOF WLODARCZYK, CRUISERWEIGHT SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT CARL FROCH, LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT BERNARD HOPKINS, HEAVYWEIGHT ALEXANDER POVETKIN, CRUISERWEIGHTOLA AFOLABI, SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT WARD, ANDRE MIDDLEWEIGHT DANIEL GEALE, SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT STIEGLITZ, ROBERT SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT ABRAHAM, ARTHUR WELTERWEIGHT MANNY PACQUIAO, JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHT UCHIYAMA, TAKASHI CRUISERWEIGHT DENIS LEBEDEV, MIDDLEWEIGHT SERGIO MARTINEZ, TOMASZ ADAMEK, HEAVYWEIGHT ANSELMO MORENO, BANTAMWEIGHT ANSELMO MORENO, JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHT ROMAN MARTINEZ, VANES MARTIROSYAN, JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT MARTIROSYAN, VANES POLAND 263 259 255 251 247 237 236 LONGEVITY Wladimir Klitschko has been among THE Top RING’s 10 heavyweights or for 492 weeks, about 9½ years. These fghters have in a specifcbeen rated division for the most weeks. 492 489 438 438 366 343 320 294 285 280 271 SPAIN CONGO 10 - 19 0 0 0 1 0 1 2 3 3 3 6 2 0 0 0 0 0 21 SOUTH AFRICA GERMANY 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 5 3 1 2 1 0 2 0 0 17 PUERTO CUBA WARM COLD WARM 20 - 29 ARGENTINA MEXICO CANADA NICARAGUA UNITED STATES 30 OR MORE Louisiana, , , , North New Mexico, Nevada, Mississippi, Louisiana, who Viloria, Brian Also, . South Carolina and Carolina, And Floyd Mayweather Jr. was not counted. is from Hawaii, was counted twice because he champion of two divisions. JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHTS FEATHERWEIGHTS JUNIOR FEATHERWEIGHTS BANTAMWEIGHT JUNIOR BANTAMWEIGHTS FLYWEIGHTS JUNIOR FLYWEIGHTS STRAWWEIGHTS TOTAL These are the states traditionally thought to compose Note: , Florida, California, , , the Sun Belt: DIVISION HEAVYWEIGHTS CRUISERWEIGHTS LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS MIDDLEWEIGHTS JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS WELTERWEIGHTS JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS LIGHTWEIGHTS states and those from the rest of the country. states and those from the rest WARM VS. VS. COLD WARM fghters come from warm-weather Do more The tally is close. or colder states in the U.S.? fghters born we compare (or reared Below lives) in the 12 Sun Belt almost their entire 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 None. THROUGH FIGHTS OF OCT. 19, 2014 OCT. OF FIGHTS THROUGH 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 7 6 6 5 4 4 3 3 3 3 10 32 14 11 11 39* France (Nadjib France

Includes two ratings for Floyd Includes VENEZUELA PANAMA PANAMA PERU GHANA JAMAICA MALAWI COLOMBIA REPUBLIC DOMINICAN FRANCE ARMENIA BULGARIA CAMEROON CONGO KAZAKHSTAN SPAIN POLAND AUSTRALIA CANADA CANADA GERMANY NICARAGUA THAILAND RICO PUERTO UKRAINE SOUTH AFRICA SOUTH AFRICA ARGENTINA CUBA PHILIPPINES RUSSIA MEXICO UNITED KINGDOM JAPAN UNITED STATES UNITED STATES Mayweather Jr. (junior middleweight and Mayweather Jr. welterweight). Mohammedi, light heavyweight); Mohammedi, (Juan Carlos bantamweight). Payano, * Countries out (from last month): Countries in:

BY COUNTRY RATED RATED FIGHTERS

KLITSCHKO: (LEFT) ALEXANDER HASSENSTEIN; (RIGHT) MARTIN ROSE THROUGH FIGHTS OF OCT. 19, 2014

FOCUS ON …

JUNIOR FLYWEIGHTS THE RING staff members’ current A breakdown of THE RING Top 10 in one division each month, champions in the original eight plus a list of fghters on the cusp of breaking through. This weight classes. month: the 108-pounders.

Shinsuke Yamanaka

MICHAEL ROSENTHAL RING MAGAZINE EDITOR HEAVYWEIGHT: WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT: ANDRE WARD MIDDLEWEIGHT: GENNADY GOLOVKIN WELTERWEIGHT: FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR. LIGHTWEIGHT: TERENCE CRAWFORD FEATHERWEIGHT: GUILLERMO RIGONDEAUX BANTAMWEIGHT: SHINSUKE YAMANAKA : ROMAN GONZALEZ

DOUG FISCHER RINGTV.COM EDITOR HEAVYWEIGHT: WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT: ANDRE WARD MIDDLEWEIGHT: GENNADY GOLOVKIN WELTERWEIGHT: FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR. Naoya Inoue TERENCE CRAWFORD became a world LIGHTWEIGHT: titleholder before FEATHERWEIGHT: GUILLERMO RIGONDEAUX his 21st birthday. BANTAMWEIGHT: SHINSUKE YAMANAKA FLYWEIGHT: ROMAN GONZALEZ MOST WEEKS RATED: ADRIAN HERNANDEZ 183 FEWEST WEEKS RATED: JAVIER MENDOZA, AKIRA YAEGASHI 5 LEM SATTERFIELD RINGTV.COM STAFF WRITER

OLDEST: ALBERTO ROSSELL 36 HEAVYWEIGHT: WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO IMAGES; YAMANAKA:HARA/GETTY INOUE:MASASHI YOSHIKAZU TSUNO YOUNGEST: NAOYA INOUE 21 LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT: ANDRE WARD MOST FIGHTS: ROSSELL 40 MIDDLEWEIGHT: GENNADY GOLOVKIN FEWEST FIGHTS: INOUE 7 WELTERWEIGHT: FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR. HIGHEST WINNING PERCENTAGE: INOUE 100 PERCENT LIGHTWEIGHT: TERENCE CRAWFORD LOWEST WINNING PERCENTAGE: ROSSELL 80 PERCENT FEATHERWEIGHT: GUILLERMO RIGONDEAUX MOST KOS: DONNIE NIETES 19 BANTAMWEIGHT: SHINSUKE YAMANAKA FEWEST KOS: INOUE 6 FLYWEIGHT: ROMAN GONZALEZ LONGEST CURRENT : MENDOZA 9 FIGHTS Note: ON THE POUND-FOR-POUND LIST: NONE This is how the weights break down: Heavy- weight includes cruiserweight, light heavyweight TITLEHOLDERS IN THE TOP 10: INOUE (WBC), MENDOZA (IBF), NIETES (RING, WBO), ROSSELL (WBA) includes super middleweight, all divisions mid- ON THE CUSP (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER): SAUL JUAREZ, PAIPHAROB KOKIETGYM, GANIGAN dleweight through flyweight include the “junior” LOPEZ, REY LORETO, LUIS ALBERTO RIOS versions, and fyweight also includes .

38 RINGTV.COM / 1.15 © HOWARD SCHATZ © HOWARD

December 31, 2015 #1

#26

OUR ANNUAL RANKING #48 OF THE BEST FIGHTERS IN THE WORLD COMPILED BY DAVID GREISMAN, MARTIN MULCAHEY AND ANSON WAINWRIGHT.

#13

#41

#43

40 #9 he beauty of boxing is that one punch T can change an entire f ght. A year’s worth of punching, then, #77 can change the entire outlook of the sport. So much has happened since last we checked in with the annual RING 100. And that goes beyond prospects becoming contenders, contenders earning title belts and titleholders extending their reigns or going down in f ames. There are also the upsets and the surprising upstarts, declines and downfalls, and even a few main-event

#45 mainstays leaving the list after hanging up their gloves. In other words, there are a lot

#52 of moving parts. That’s why we turned once #34 again to boxing writers David Greisman, Martin Mulcahey and WRITTEN BY Anson Wainwright to sort things DAVID GREISMAN out. Of course there was plenty of discussion and debate. After all, it can be hard enough just to get two people to agree on the order of any 10 f ghters. These three scribes, left alone, would have wholly different lists of the top 100 boxers today. And then another week’s worth of f ghts would take place and their lists could change again. Changes were still being made on the weekend when Gennady Golovkin stopped Marco Antonio Rubio and featherweight Nicholas Walters scored the biggest win of his career over Nonito Donaire a day before the cutoff for this year’s RING 100. It’s a subjective list but we #21 feel it’s a good snapshot of the numerous champions, titleholders, contenders and prospects in boxing. There will be places where you think we’re dead-on — and other spots where you believe we’re dead #75 wrong. That’s the nature of rankings. »

1.15 / RINGTV.COM 41 100 THROUGH FIGHTS OF OCT. 19, 2014 1. FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR.

The Rundown: Welterweight/junior middleweight with the RING, WBA and WBC titles at 147 and the RING, WBA and WBC titles at 154 H Record: 47-0 (26 knockouts) H Last year’s ranking: 1

The Reasons: Nobody in boxing today has done it better for as long as Mayweather has. Granted, there have been a few stretches in which he was out of the ring due to retirement, sabbatical or a stint in jail. Those stretches aside, he has been undefeated throughout his 18-year pro career. Mayweather won his frst lineal championship at 130 pounds way back in 1998 and went on to earn title belts in another four divisions and added lineal championships at 135, 147 and 154. Remarkably, he has been a world titleholder for all but a handful of fghts in the past 16 years. And just when age seemed as if it might fnally be catching up with him in his frst bout with Marcos Maidana last May, the 37-year-old showed why he remains the pound-for-pound king, adjusting down the stretch to win a majority decision. Mayweather then took the rematch even more clearly in September, bringing him to 21 wins over current and former world titleholders. Every victory is an additional feather in the cap for a fghter who long ago guaranteed himself a spot in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

The Future: Mayweather has two bouts left on his contract with Showtime, though it was still uncertain who could be the penultimate foe in Floyd’s grand fnale. It’s also unclear whether Canelo Alvarez will be able to follow through on his plan Floyd Mayweather to poach Mayweather’s traditional pay-per- Jr., who turns 38 on view dates on Cinco de Mayo and Mexican Feb. 24, won’t be Independence Day weekends. in this position for much longer but it’s hard to argue he doesn’t still belong here at the moment.

42 RINGTV.COM / 1.15 43 1-5 RINGTV.COM RINGTV.COM / 1.15 Revenge drove Juan Manuel Marquez for years. It It Revenge drove Juan Manuel Marquez for years. For the frst time in two years, there was no controversy there was no controversy the frst time in two years, For The No. 1 guy at 168 pounds and the No. 2 boxer in the in the 2 boxer guy at 1 and the No. 168 pounds The No. Pacquiao’s past two fghts ended much better for him for him past two fghts ended much better Pacquiao’s Nothing is scheduled. This is one big question mark for Ward, whose 2014 brought whose 2014 brought Ward, mark for This is one big question Bradley was scheduled to face Diego Chaves on Dec. 13 in 13 in Bradley was scheduled to face Diego Chaves on Dec. Pacquiao was scheduled to take part in his second main was scheduled to take part in his second main Pacquiao scheduled anything else since. The Future: The Future: . The Reasons: through Marquez pursued Pacquiao has now driven him into relative inactivity. picking up several big wins several weight divisions between their rematches, He was set him back too far. Even the losses didn’t and title belts along the way. and had no chance against Floyd Mayweatherrobbed against Jr. , Once Marquez fghts. decisions in the second and third Pacquiao dropped close he had no desire for out cold in 2012 in their fourth fght, knocked Pacquiao split decision in 2013, Bradley won a close Tim And after a ffth installment. He did stay busy with Marquez only wanted another chance to settle the . hasn’t past May but the 41-year-old Alvarado this a wide decision win over Mike against junior welterweight titleholder Chris Algieri. against junior welterweight titleholder Chris The Reasons: a unanimous decision to as he dropped fghts, at the end of one of Bradley’s April in a rematch of their 2012 bout in which two this past Manny Pacquiao team blamed a calf injury. Bradley’s judges somehow saw Bradley the winner. it was his frst offcial pro defeat after what had been a very Nevertheless, Kendall Alexander, Devon wins over His title reign at 140 included good run. He added a belt at 147 with the infamous Pacquiao Holt and Lamont Peterson. with Ruslan Year of defended it successfully in a brutal and close win, then boxed very a split decision against well to take Juan Manuel Provodnikov, Respect has eluded Bradley but the results are there. Marquez in late 2013. The Reasons: After losing a highly controversial split decision than the two that preceded them. Bradley and then getting fattened with a single shot from Juan Manuel Tim to victory came an easy points First over has righted his ship. Pacquiao Marquez, April brought a decision win in a rematch with Brandon Rios in 2013 and this past While Pacquiao victory over Marquez. close coming off a who himself was Bradley, little shame in losing to a fellow there’s hasn’t avenged the Marquez knockout, if he wants to rebuild to where he was He’ll still need to step back up soon great. when he had won 15 in a row during a seven-year stretch and going into 2012, and 154. 147 140, 135, won world titles at 130, The Future: 22 at a on Nov. event in the Chinese gambling mecca of Macau The Reasons: The Reasons: Boxing World Six since winning the Super maddeningly inactive sport has been Some of that was out in the past three years. fghting just twice Classic in 2011, But the fact surgery given the shoulder in early 2013. he underwent of his control, now has a year after his decision the ring for more than been out of Ward that victory campaign to Rodriguez is solely because of his prolonged over Edwin The away. who recently passed extricate promoter Dan Goossen, himself from victories over the farther off in those impressive longer this goes on, the lower and on and others become, Carl Froch, , could end up dropping. Ward the list The Future: battles but not in the ring. in the courtroom H H H H Record: Record: Last year: 5 Last year: 3 Last year: 6 H H H H 5. JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ The Rundown: Welterweight 56-7-1 (40 Record: KOs) 4. TIM BRADLEY The Rundown: Welterweight (12 31-1 Record: KOs) 3. MANNY PACQUIAO The Rundown: with Welterweight the WBO title (38 56-5-2 Record: KOs) 2. ANDRE WARD The Rundown: Super middleweight with the RING and WBA titles 27-0 (14 KOs) Last year: 2

MAYWEATHER: ETHAN MILLER; WARD: HARRY HOW; PACQUIAO/MARQUEZ: JEFF GROSS; BRADLEY: JEFF BOTTARI 100 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

ROMAN GUILLERMO WLADIMIR CARL GENNADY GONZALEZ RIGONDEAUX KLITSCHKO FROCH GOLOVKIN The Rundown: The Rundown: The Rundown: The Rundown: The Rundown: Flyweight with the Junior Heavyweight with Super Middleweight RING and WBC featherweight with the RING, IBF, WBA middleweight with with the WBA title titles H Record: the RING, WBA and WBO titles H the IBF title H H Record: 31-0 40-0 (34 KOs) H and WBO titles H Record: 62-3 (52 Record: 33-2 (24 (28 KOs) H Last Last year: 13 Record: 14-0 (9 KOs) H Last year: 7 KOs) H Last year: 9 year: 19 H The Reasons: KOs) Last year: 8 The Reasons: The Reasons: The Reasons: Gonzalez was once one The Reasons: It hasn’t often been It’s understandable why Golovkin had looked of boxing’s best-kept Rigondeaux is too good pretty. In fact, it has Froch doesn’t always get as if he had the goods, secrets: a heavy- for his own good. The almost never been so. the credit he deserves particularly with hitter in the lightest of two-time Olympic gold But the way Wladimir but he has earned plenty devastating power divisions, a Nicaraguan medalist won a world Klitschko fghts is the of it. Appearances are that had broken down also making a name title in his ninth bout reason he’s atop the deceiving. He might look or knocked out all but for himself in Japan and soon stepped up heavyweight division limited and beatable yet three of his opponents. and Mexico. The secret in a unifcation match a decade after being continues to get results We weren’t truly sure is getting out: “El in 2013 with the highly written off as lacking against an impressive how good he was, Chocolatito” is one of ranked and highly the chin and stamina slate of opponents. His though, given his level of the best prizefghters regarded Nonito Donaire. necessary for success. only setbacks came opposition. We’re getting in the world. The latest Rigondeaux clearly Klitschko regained a against two of the best a much better idea. He evidence came in his outpointed Donaire, who world title in 2006 and super middleweights: made quick work of September drubbing of just days before had has made 16 successful a close decision in a Matthew Macklin and RING fyweight champion received his award for defenses since, unifying war with Mikkel Kessler took out Curtis Stevens Akira Yaegashi, a nine- being the Boxing Writers belts and being crowned (avenged in a rematch) for his fnal fghts of round beatdown and Association of America’s RING champion. He has and a decision against 2013, stayed busy with yet another impressive 2012 Fighter of the taken on pretty much Andre Ward. In the past Osumanu Adama in early performance from the Year. Donaire was also a everyone he should’ve, six years, Froch has 2014, then spent some undefeated 27-year- darling of Top Rank and plus several others who beaten Jermain Taylor, time away following old. Gonzalez was just HBO. That, combined never stood a chance. Andre Dirrell, Arthur the unexpected death 21 when he captured with Rigondeaux’s He neutralized top Abraham, Glen Johnson of his father. Golovkin his frst title, retiring defense-frst approach, contender Alexander and Lucian Bute, and came back in July with a longtime strawweight didn’t help the Cuban’s Povetkin in late 2013 his last two wins were highlight-reel knockout beltholder Yutaka Niida. cause. He also took the with his height and stoppages of upstart against Daniel Geale, He moved to 108 four blame for a boring win holding, with intelligence challenger George getting hit with a shot years ago, won another in late 2013 over Joseph and skill, and he Groves. Any controversy yet still turning around title and completed his Agbeko, who was so dispatched lower-tier from the frst Groves with his own punch, reign with a decision intimidated by Rigo’s Alex Leapai in April, his bout was dissipated fooring the former in 2012 over Juan skills that he refused to 20th straight victory with Froch’s one-punch 160-pound titleholder. Francisco Estrada, who open up. Rigondeaux’s since that fateful loss knockout this past May That was followed with himself went on to Top Rank contract ended to way in front of a massive a two-round win over big things at 112. It’s on a Macau undercard in back in 2004. crowd at ’s Marco Antonio Rubio in long past time for this July, when he took out The Future: Stadium. October. The power is cult favorite to receive Sod Kokietgym in less real, and the perception Klitschko was scheduled The Future: widespread recognition. than a round. is that the other big to face undefeated Froch, 37, says his names are avoiding him The Future: The Future: mandatory challenger career is winding down. for that reason. No Gonzalez-Estrada II The best boxer at 122 is Kubrat Pulev on Nov. 15 He’s due a mandatory just yet. Gonzalez vs. now looking for the best in , Germany. defense against The Future: Rocky Fuentes was possible deal against domestic challenger Golovkin is scheduled to scheduled for Nov. 22 in the best available foe. James DeGale but meet Martin Murray on Japan. Nothing had been signed also wants Julio Cesar Feb. 21 in Monaco. or set. Chavez Jr. in Las Vegas. GONZALEZ: COURTESY OF SHOWTIME; RIGONDEAUX: AL BELLO; KLITSCHKO: ALEXANDER HASSENSTEIN; FROCH: SCOTT HEAVEY; GOLOVKIN: MIKE STOBE; GARCIA: CHRIS TROTMAN; HOPKINS: MADDIE MEYERS; COTTO: MIKE EHRMAN; ALVAREZ: ED MULHOLLAND ALVAREZ: MIKE EHRMAN; MADDIE MEYERS; COTTO: TROTMAN; HOPKINS: CHRIS MIKE STOBE; GARCIA: GOLOVKIN: SCOTT HEAVEY; ALEXANDER HASSENSTEIN; FROCH: AL BELLO; KLITSCHKO: OF SHOWTIME; RIGONDEAUX: COURTESY GONZALEZ:

44 RINGTV.COM / 1.15 6-15 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.

DANNY BERNARD MIGUEL CANELO ADONIS GARCIA HOPKINS COTTO ALVAREZ STEVENSON The Rundown: The Rundown: The Rundown: The Rundown: The Rundown: Junior Light heavyweight Middleweight with Junior Light heavyweight welterweight with the IBF and the RING and WBC middleweight H with the RING with the RING, WBA titles H titles H Record: Record: 44-1-1 and WBC titles H WBA and WBC Record: 55-6-2 39-4 (32 KOs) H (31 KOs) H Last Record: 24-1 titles H Record: (32 KOs) H Last Last year: 36 year: 25 (20 KOs) H Last H 29-0 (17 KOs) year: 16 The Reasons: The Reasons: year: 28 Last year: 11 The Reasons: 2012 was the year that It can be hard to judge The Reasons: The Reasons: It says something that left some questioning just how good Canelo If boxing fell in love The downside to being Bernard Hopkins has how much Cotto had Alvarez might be or with Adonis Stevenson seen as one of boxing’s once again put himself left, not so much might become, given in 2013, then 2014 best is that people then in position to possibly because of his loss that so many of his is when it began to expect greatness out of become the best light to Floyd Mayweather accomplishments sour on “Superman.” you. Garcia earned his heavyweight in the Jr. but rather due to a can have a “yes, but” He had rocketed into spot at the top, though world. It says something defeat against Austin appended to them by stardom and won the not necessarily with his else that we can see Trout. 2013 was about skeptics who think he’s RING championship at wins over an aged Erik him fnding a way to regaining his footing, overhyped and will 175 with a one-punch Morales, his knockout do it. It was nearly even if his lone bout, someday be exposed. knockout of Chad of Amir Khan and his three years ago that we a quick drubbing of Alvarez feasted on Dawson, battered former battle with a better- thought he was fnally Delvin Rodriguez, was undersized or over- titleholder Tavoris Cloud than-expected Zab done after a no-contest otherwise meaningless. the-hill opponents in and made relatively Judah. Rather, it was with Chad Dawson and Yet June 2014 marked his frst title reign at short work of contender Garcia’s victory in 2013 then an ugly rematch Cotto’s resurgence. 154 before becoming . But rather over Lucas Matthysse loss. Hopkins set a Now he is the RING RING champ with a win than take on fellow that solidifed his status, course for regaining middleweight champion, over Austin Trout, who power-puncher Sergey particularly as Matthysse the throne, though, thanks to a win over himself was stepping Kovalev, Stevenson was coming off a three- showing himself to still Sergio Martinez in up in competition. jumped to Showtime round obliteration of be better than titleholder which he scored three Alvarez was a true star, for a potential match Lamont Peterson. Garcia Tavoris Cloud, defending knockdowns in the frst though, landing a big with Bernard Hopkins. stepped up and won his new belt with a round and dominated payday against Floyd Some of his critics felt clearly in a competitive surprisingly entertaining until Martinez’s corner Mayweather Jr., who joy in seeing him hit the contest. However, that win over Karo Murat ended things later in took a majority (yet canvas against Andrzej meant Garcia’s struggles and then unifying the fght. Some will clear) decision and gave Fonfara in May — with Mauricio Herrera titles against the argue that Martinez was Alvarez his frst loss. Stevenson survived and this past March and his comparatively limited damaged goods going in Canelo punished the won the decision — and mismatch knockout of Beibut Shumenov. With but it was Cotto’s hooks faded in they snickered when Rod Salka in August two belts and his name, that stiffened Sergio’s March, then got a split Hopkins chose to face were held against him. Hopkins ended up in legs and may very well decision in July over Kovalev on HBO instead. We expect better from position to challenge have concussed him Erislandy Lara, who Stevenson remains one Garcia because we one of the other two from the outset. Cotto might’ve won had he not of the three best at believe that’s what top 175-pounders: has benefted under turned the judges off with 175 and it wouldn’t be someone in his position RING champion Adonis a new partnership his surplus of movement surprising to see him get should be capable of. Stevenson or WBO with and lack of offense. the winner of the bout The Future: beltholder Sergey and different training The Future: between the other two. Kovalev. methods. Garcia’s mandatory, An ankle injury The Future: Viktor Postol, was paid The Future: The Future: canceled Alvarez’s fght The repercussions to step aside. We were With no deal made to Cotto’s avoiding with . of Hopkins choosing yet to fnd out who fght Stevenson, Hopkins Gennady Golovkin He’s likely to face Kovalev meant that Danny will face instead. signed to face Kovalev so far, probably for a middleweight champ Stevenson’s next date on Nov. 8 in Atlantic City. blockbuster against Miguel Cotto sometime and opponent were still Canelo Alvarez in 2015. in 2015. being determined.

1.15 / RINGTV.COM 45 46 for Nov. 8in Atlantic City. Hopkins wasscheduled Kovalev’s boutwith The Future: bout. unifcation Bernard Hopkinsina that,at whenhefaces test, andasternone fnally gethisfrsttrue in willAugust andnow intworoundsCaparello Blakean overmatched Kovalev overpowered Kovalev unlikely. So and madeafghtwith bolted forShowtime Adonis Stevenson, opponent, champion plan. Buttheintended Agnew werepartofthat defense-minded Cedric seven-round winovera Ismayl Sillakhanda minute demolitionof would come. A four- his teamwascertain waiting forthebigfght stayed busywhile rounds, Kovalev has to thecornerbetween himback helped carry therefbadly hurtthat Cleverly, whowasso to dethroneNathan to theUnitedKingdom impressed.going After has handsthat heavy done tothemwithhis title butit’s he’s what since winninghisworld top-fight opposition Kovalev hasn’tfaced The Reasons: year: 33 (23 KOs) H with theWBOtitle Light heavyweight The Rundown: KOVALEV SERGEY 16.

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17. remains onthesideline. his prime. Instead, he should beentering December 2014, Garcia With his27thbirthdayin The Future: to movestraight140. 130andisexpectedat recently droppedhistitle helped hisweight. He and theinactivityhasn’t 2014,since January action. Hehasn’tfought some fansbooingthe hadCarlos Burgosthat a decisionoverJuan and defendeditwith RomanMartinezagainst Lopez, 130 wonatitleat JuanManuelbeating on thescalesbefore then, hehaslosthisbelt . Since en routetoatitlewinvia foored OrlandoSalido to thecontenderwho out opponentsonHBO a prospectknocking given histransitionfrom trunks. That’s ashame, thanboxingbriefs rather inlegalare beingwaged Garcia isinvolvedwith means theonlybattles hispromoteragainst prominence. Hislawsuit are venturingtoward with fghtersjustasthey weseeonoccasionthat halt, aself-imposedexile has cometoafrustrating Garcia’s promisingrise The Reasons: year: 15 (28 KOs) Record: 34-0 welterweight Junior The Rundown: GARCIA MIKEY H Last H Nonito Donaire. dazzling victoryover list asaresult ofhis (left) surgedupthis Nicholas Walters

WALTERS/DONAIRE: JONATHAN MOORE/GETTY IMAGES; KOVALEV: SCOTT HEAVEY; GARCIA: TOM PENNINGTON; ESTRADA: AFP; LARA: ELSA; WALTERS: MARYSE ABRAHAM; CRAWFORD JOSH HEDGES 16-21 18. 19. 20. 21.

JUAN ERISLANDY NICHOLAS TERENCE FRANCISCO LARA WALTERS CRAWFORD ESTRADA The Rundown: The Rundown: The Rundown: The Rundown: Junior Featherweight with Lightweight with H H H Flyweight with the middleweight the WBA title the WBO title WBA and WBO Record: 19-2-2 Record: 25-0 Record: 24-0 H H H titles H Record: (12 KOs) Last (21 KOs) Last (17 KOs) Last 30-2 (22 KOs) H year: 42 year: 97 year: 96 Last year: 27 The Reasons: The Reasons: The Reasons: The Reasons: Lara has considerable Walters goes by the Two years ago, Crawford Some guys gain respect talent but has been done nickname “Axe Man” was unranked and and go up in the in by his inconsistent and he continues to largely unknown. Now rankings based on how temperament. He had chop down nearly he is one of boxing’s they look in defeat. Juan an off night in a fght everyone who stands in fastest rising talents, Francisco Estrada has against Carlos Molina front of him. The latest an even more amazing gone far beyond that in 2011 that ended to topple and crash feat when you consider thanks to what he has in a draw and Molina was Nonito Donaire in that he was shot in the accomplished in the two may very well have October, a big win for head before he turned years since his decision deserved the decision. Walters over the now- pro. His rise began loss to the sensational Lara then put on a good former four-division when he stepped in Roman Gonzalez. That performance against titleholder. Walters was on short notice and fght was at 108 and , only able to take some fush up in weight and beat Estrada subsequently to be robbed on the Donaire shots and then on HBO jumped up to 112, scorecards. He had a used his size, power, in 2013, then fought scored a split-decision with timing and intelligence twice more on the win over Brian Viloria Vanes Martirosyan in to exploit Donaire’s network that year. He and took two world 2012, battled it out openings, fooring him traveled to the United titles in the process. with Alfredo Angulo in the third round and Kingdom in March 2014 Successful defenses in 2013 en route then dropping him hard to 135-pound against to a late stoppage at the end of the sixth, titleholder Ricky Burns, and Richie Mepranum win and followed leaving Donaire too then returned to the followed and then that entertaining unsteady for the ref States and American Estrada dominated a performance with a wide to allow it to continue. airwaves to score an good former titleholder but less-than-thrilling Walters also destroyed entertaining stoppage in Giovani Segura this decision over Austin Vic Darchinyan in May. over Yuriorkis Gamboa in past September. His only Trout. And then this past He signed with promoter front of a big hometown other loss came in 2011 July in a big fght with Top Rank last year, a crowd in Omaha, to Juan Carlos Sanchez, Canelo Alvarez, Lara move that led to his Nebraska. Crawford who went on to become shot himself in the foot breakthrough 2014 and seems incredibly low- a titleholder himself, and by moving his feet more could mean even bigger key outside out of the Estrada stopped him in a than his hands, giving things in 2015. ring but is increasingly rematch. judges enough reason The Future: high-profle between the to give Alvarez a split- ropes. The Future: It remains to be seen decision victory. The Future: Estrada is setting his whether Walters will face The Future: sights on Gonzalez, another of Top Rank’s Crawford’s second title who is now the RING Lara’s next fght had not name featherweights or defense was scheduled fyweight champion. His yet been set. someone else next. for another Omaha next bout, however, had show, this one on Nov. not yet been set. 29 against Raymundo Beltran.

1.15 / RINGTV.COM 47 48 Oct. 22in Tokyo. SorRungvisaionSuriyan scheduled toface Yamanaka was The Future: has rightnow. among thebestJapan in nine. Yamanaka is and StephaneJamoye Guevara and Alberto 12, JoseNievesinone, Malcolm Tunacaoin inseven,went down that, TomasRojas Darchinyan. After Vic lasted thedistance, one ofthoseopponents it sixtimessince. Only successfully defended WBC titleandhas 2011towinthelate Christian Esquivelin The 32-year-old stopped 118as at Yamanaka. near asaccomplished neither isanywhere in theUnitedStates, isappearing and now fought alotinMexico is atitleholderwhohas brother TomokiKameda a hugestarthereand While Koki Kamedais bantamweights arefrom. where twoothertop isalso ofJapan country Yamanaka’s home The Reasons: year: 29 (16 KOs) Record: 21-0-2 the WBCtitle Bantamweight with The Rundown: YAMANAKA SHINSUKE 22.

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23. rematch withGarcia. rematch also wantsaMatthysse fght with Adrien Broner. ostensibly tosetupa The winoverOrtizwas The Future: Roberto Ortiz. otherwise unheralded butpreviously unbeaten a second-roundwinover recently, got Matthysse Molina andwon. Most back, tookover, battered camethough Matthysse Molina thispast April, multiple timesbyJohn hurt badlyandfoored gotThen Matthysse welterweight around. tothetopjuniordefeat Garcia,Danny albeita lost aclose decisionto in 2013. And thenhe of LamontPeterson three-round thrashing truly impressedwashis month stretch, butwhat Jr. inaseven- Olusegun Ajose andMike through HumbertoSoto, plowed Matthysse split decisions. 2011, weredebatable in Devon Alexander Zab Judahin2010and His frsttwolosses, to through arealisticlens. so longasit’s seen ofcredit,deserving to behuman. He’s still has sincebeenshown the 140-pounddivision as theboogeymanof The bruiseronceseen The Reasons: year: 20 (34 KOs) Record: 36-3 welterweight Junior The Rundown: MATTHYSSE LUCAS H Last H

24. to wait. Klitschko butmay have champ Wladimir Huck wantsheavyweight The Future: pretty goodrun. division butit’s beena hasn’t cleaned outthe some close callsand Ola Afolabi. Hehashad against wins andadraw Denis Lebedevandtwo including over avictory 12-0-1 indefenses, in 2009andhasgone belt hisown captured in 2007, Hucksoon After losingtotitleholder his accomplishments. withprobably satisfed entire careerandis his tradethere Europe, Huckhasplied has muchtoofferin Although cruiserweight it’s hard toblamehim. andjump onceagain makingthelooking at Povetkin. he’s Now to Alexander decision controversial majority in 2012whenhelosta successful transition Huck nearlymadea bigger opponents. often comeagainst biggerpursesand that to makeweightanymore theywouldn’tneedthat cruiserweights, given forbeen atemptation division haslong The heavyweight Reasons: The year: 24 (26 KOs) Record: 38-2-1 the WBOtitle Cruiserweight with Rundown: The HUCK MARCO H Last H passed throughthe As otherfamiliarfaces The Reasons: year: 30 (17 KOs) H with theWBAtitle Junior lightweight The Rundown: UCHIYAMA TAKASHI 25. Year’s Evecard. his fourthstraight New on Dec. 31inJapan, IsraelPerezbe against only fghtof2014would Uchiyama’s frstand It lookedasif The Future: over DaikiKaneko. en routetoadecision some diffcultmoments and knockdown a late 2013, whenhesurvived since thelastdayof hasn’t beeninthering Vazquez. Uchiyama and contenderBryan titleholder TakashiMiura offuturestoppages Those victoriesincluded result ofaheadbutt. a technicaldraw, the with sevenwinsand and hasdefendedit Juan CarlosSalgado fnal momentsagainst inthefve yearsago his worldtitlenearly been awhile. Hewon again, it’s given that performsee Uchiyama fans arejustwaitingto names fght. those Now see thosenoteworthy wantedtofans have boxingknowledgeable whotheUchiyama recently –it’s been Mikey Garciamore andBroner yearsago division –think Adrien junior lightweight Record: 21-0-1 H Last brawler whoknewhow brawler as crudebutgood, a Maidana waslongseen The Reasons: year: 52 (31 KOs) Record: 35-5 Welterweight The Rundown: MAIDANA MARCOS 26. Nothing isscheduled. The Future: tobe. appeared better thanhehadonce buthe’shis limitations Maidana mightstillhave Maidana intherematch. unanimously outpointed majority decision, then adjusted andtookthe king have. Mayweather the pound-for-pound we’re usedtoseeing tougher momentsthan himearly andgave fght toMayweather Maidana broughtthe Jr. Mayweather Floyd main eventagainst Maidana apay-per-view earneddecision. That took theunanimous and late him again upstart early, foored theoverconfdentdown Maidana knocked win over Adrien Broner. right timewithabig Garcia, the peakingat under trainerRobert And thenhegotbetter back byhislimitations. would otherwisebeheld hewhose lossesshowed handsbutand heavy chinto usehissturdy H Last H

MATTHYSSE: JOE SCARNICI; HUCK: MARTIN ROSE; UCHIYAMA: SANKEI VIA GETTY IMAGES; MAIDANA: ED MULHOLLAND; GONZALEZ:NAOKI FUKUDA; SANTA CRUZ: JEFF BOTTARI/GOLDEN BOY; BRONER: NICK LAHAM; PETERSON: ; NARVAEZ: JOSE LUIS LAZARTE/AFP/GETTY IMAGES 22-31 27. 28. 29. 30. 31.

JHONNY LEO ADRIEN LAMONT OMAR GONZALEZ SANTA BRONER PETERSON NARVAEZ The Rundown: CRUZ The Rundown: The Rundown: The Rundown: Featherweight with The Rundown: Junior Junior Junior the WBC title H welterweight H welterweight with bantamweight with Junior Record: 57-8 Record: 29-1 the IBF title H the WBO title H featherweight with (48 KOs) H Last (22 KOs) H Last Record: 33-2-1 Record: 43-1-2 the WBC title H year: 22 year: 17 (17 KOs) H Last (23 KOs) H Last Record: 28-0-1 year: 62 year: 31 The Reasons: (16 KOs) H Last The Reasons: Gonzalez’s frst-round year: 40 Broner’s fght against The Reasons: The Reasons: destruction of three- The Reasons: Marcos Maidana in Given that Peterson’s Narvaez is 28-1-1 in division titleholder Abner December 2013 was only two losses were to world title fghts in two Santa Cruz earned his Mares should’ve been supposed to mark his in 2009 divisions, a record that frst world title and drew a launching point. It debut as a pay-per-view and Lucas Matthysse in brings the 39-year-old interest thanks to his would’ve helped had headliner, a big platform 2013, it feels weird to about one year’s work sheer activity, given a rematch scheduled for a brash and fashy say that he is fortunate away from matching the the volume of punches for last February not fghter who had quickly to still be a titleholder mark of 31 wins set by he tended to in been canceled after won world titles at 130, at junior welterweight. Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. a round and how often Mares suffered an 135 and 147. Then the Despite that conclusion, However, some contend he fought. He got a injury in . decision was made Peterson belongs near that Narvaez has not bantamweight belt in Instead, Gonzalez to televise the show the top of his division. faced the best-possible June 2012 and defended went on to defend on regular Showtime, He’s a very good boxer opposition during his it successfully three against an unheralded Broner got dropped who just happens to be long runs at 112 and more times for a total featherweight named twice and he lost a a distant third behind 115. He picked up his of fve bouts in a single Clive Atwell whose decision. The cocky kid Matthysse and Danny frst title way back in year. He then moved primary goal seemed who fancied himself as Garcia. Peterson’s 2002, successfully up to 122 in 2013 and to be avoiding (and was being pushed controversial split- defending it 16 times soon had a title there punishment. Gonzalez to become) the future decision win over Amir over a seven-year period as well following a got a technical-decision of boxing suddenly Khan in 2011 came with 15 wins and one third-round stoppage of win after he was cut needed to rebuild just under further scrutiny draw. In 2010, he picked Victor Terrazas. He then by a headbutt. Then to make sure he had when he admitted up his junior fyweight outpointed Cesar Seda came a defense in a present. He spun his to having synthetic belt and has now won in to wrap up 2013. Things October over the very wheels in 2014, getting testosterone in his 11 defenses, including have slowed down a past-his-prime Jorge a workmanlike win over system during the bout, September’s majority bit in 2014. Santa Cruz Arce, whom Gonzalez Carlos Molina and taking which his team claimed decision in a rematch fought just twice, with knocked down multiple a unanimous victory was for legitimate with Felipe Orucuta a wide decision win times but was otherwise (plus some incoming medical reasons. The IBF (Narvaez had beaten over former titleholder carried for much of fre) from Emanuel allowed him to keep its Orucuta by split decision Cristian Mijares and the distance until an Taylor. But he’s settling belt, which he defended in 2013). Narvaez’s a quick obliteration of 11th-round ending. into the 140-pound against , and only loss came when former sparring partner Gonzalez had one division, where he then the Matthysse loss he stepped slightly up Manuel Roman. Santa previous reign at 126 belongs, and is likely came at a contractual in weight and way up Cruz can be considered (with four successful being positioned to face catchweight of 141 in class against then among the top junior defenses) and one title another of the many pounds. Peterson 118-pound titleholder featherweights but stint at 118, where he junior welterweights also returned in 2014 to Nonito Donaire in 2011. hasn’t faced any of the topped Fernando Montiel advised by Al Haymon. dominate a mandatory The Future: and Mark “Too Sharp” others yet. The Future: challenger in Dierry Narvaez’s attempt at title Johnson. The Future: Broner’s next date had Jean and a keep-busy fght win No. 29 had not Santa Cruz’s next fght The Future: not yet been announced. opponent in Edgar yet been scheduled. Nothing is scheduled. had not yet been made. Santana. The Future: Nothing is scheduled.

1.15 / RINGTV.COM 49 50 with theIBFtitle featherweight Junior Avalos inearly2015. Chriscome against cream butwilllikely saidwon’t beagainst Frampton’s nextfght The Future: crop. thecreamof against hopes toprovehisclass Martinez andnow between himselfand the differenceinclass Yet Frampton showed defending ittwice. RomeroandJhonatan previously unbeaten the IBFbeltagainst victories, pickingup scored fourstraight bouts, Martinezhad Between thosetwo ninth-round stoppage. Frampton hadtakenvia frst meeting, which 19 monthsaftertheir came that a rematch September.was This over KikoMartinezin unanimous decision the titlewithawide new belt. Frampton won not justbecauseofhis name inthepictureand Cruz. Butthere’s another and titleholderLeoSanta Guillermo Rigondeaux as RINGchampion 122-pounders such toto giveattention plenty ofreasons Sure, been therehave The Reasons: year: 95 (13 KOs) Record: 19-0 The Rundown: FRAMPTON CARL 32.

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Ola Afolabi on Dec. 6. challenger mandatory to defendagainst Hernandez wasexpected The Future: Germany. cruiserweight-rich fghter competingin heis30,Now aCuban thetime.was just23at in 2003. Hernandez third-round stoppage , via former titleholder, anothercame against loss onhisrecord . The only and thenoutpointed in a2012rematch 2011, wonunanimously technical decisionin Steve Cunninghamby thebeltfromcaptured by Hernandez, who successful titledefense made forthefourth victory Arslan. That former titleholderFirat over the43-year-old a close splitdecision this past August with up that He followed Alexander Alekseev. year andknockedout inthereturned later hand injury, Hernandez of 2013sidelinedbya After spendingmuch 33. The Reasons: Last year:47 29-1 (14KOs) titles the RINGandIBF Cruiserweight with The Rundown: HERNANDEZ YOAN PABLO H Record: H

defense. announced forhis frst hasbeenbut nodate inearly2015fght again Brook believeshewill The Future: healed. timetablewhilehethat vacation, pushing back by amachetewhileon andcutwas attacked Khan. ButthenBrook welterweight Amir Britishwith fellow someday ashowdown the U.K. andperhaps homecoming fghtin things, startingwitha win wouldleadtobig theThe hopewasthat . Alexander anddestroyed dethroned Devon Porter, whohadrecently Shawn against victory with amajority-decision picked upaworldtitle he’s stepped upand that opposition now Brook’s levelof is thecriticismover And alsogoingaway Senchenko.Vyacheslav former titleholder quickly dispatched andthena rematch Jones moreeasilyin He wentontobeat Carson Jonesin2012. hewonoverbattle Brook struggledina cameupwhenthat Gone aretheconcerns the IBFtitle Welterweight with 34. The Reasons: year: 82 (22 KOs) Record: 33-0 The Rundown: BROOK KELL H Last H

Featherweight so muchtogetrespect a fghterwhohaddone It’s towatch frustrating The Reasons: year: 23. (14 KOs) Record: 27-1-1 The Rundown: MARES ABNER 35. been scheduled. Mares’ comebackhadn’t The secondfghtof The Future: Clemente Medina. and hasreturnedto onefghtafter justthat with AndreWard,works Virgil Hunter, whoalso has partedwithtrainer before.beaten he Now those he’dfacedand allcomparetodidn’t at over anopponentwho a lotandgotthewin which Maresclinched Oquendo, in avictory decision overJonathan wasalone appearance canceled andMares’ February 2014was forA plannedrematch round in August 2013. Mares inthefrst Gonzalez stopped Leon. And thenJhonny and DanielPonce De Morel,Moreno Anselmo Agbeko (twice), Eric Vic Darchinyan, Joseph Yonnhy Perez (thedraw), or onceheldworldtitles: guyswhoheldagainst all thosefghtscoming 118,at 122 and126, worldtitlescapturing had gone6-0-1while to regainit. Mares suddenly dosolittle H Last H

36. when hisfourwins 2012,high offagreat Donaire wasriding The Reasons: year: 10 (21 KOs) Record: 33-3 Featherweight The Rundown: DONAIRE NONITO yet. future hadbeenmade but nodecisiononhis to122move backdown Donaire ismullinga The Future: October. by Nicholas Walters in twice andstoppedinsix Donaire wasdropped reign didn’tlastlong: 126),122 andnow the division (112, 118, a worldtitleinfourth a cut. addedWhile that bout cutshortby, well, technical decisionina wasayet eventhat titleholder ChrisJohn, longtime featherweight who hadtopped Simpiwe Vetyeka,over get agoodwininMay faded foe. Donairedid coming backtostophis before Darchinyan with a rematch Vic on thescorecardsin andwasbehind surgery the knifeforshoulder Rigondeaux, wentunder humbled byGuillermo In 2013, though, hewas of America. Association from theBoxing Writers as Fighter ofthe Year earned himrecognition H Last H

FRAMPTON: CHARLES MCQUILLAN;HERNANDEZ: KARINA HESSLAND; BROOK: STEPHEN DUNN; MARES: JOSH HEDGES; DONAIRE: SCOTT HALLERAN; RUENROENG: BUDDHIKA WEERASINGHE 32-37 37.

Carl Frampton (left) made a big statement with a second victory over Kiko Martinez.

AMNAT RUENROENG The Rundown: Flyweight with the IBF title H Record: 14-0 (5 KOs) H Last year: unranked The Reasons: He spent years in prison and didn’t turn pro until he was 32. He was formerly a drug addict. He never completed elementary school. But the former street kid was also a kickboxer who donned the gloves even while behind bars and competed for Thailand in the 2008 Olympics. And in 2014 he reached new heights as a pro prizefghter, outpointing Rocky Fuentes to win a vacant belt, defending it via split decision over rising 105- and 108-pound titleholder Kazuto Ioka and then winning a close split decision against IN AND OUT McWilliams Arroyo. Fighters who entered the RING 100 this year and those ranked last year who departed Ruenroeng was to turn 35 in December 2014 but he’s quickly making 78. Hassan N’Dam 70. Daniel Ponce De Leon IN OUT up for lost time. 81. Rances Barthelemy 72. Ricky Burns (THIS YEAR’S 82. Simpiwe Vetyeka (2013 RANKING) 77. Denis Shafkov The Future: RANKING) 83. Francisco Rodriguez Jr. 12. 78. Ruenroeng’s third title 37. Amnat Ruenroeng 84. Denis Lebedev 18. Chris John 79. Edgar Sosa defense had not yet 43. Chris Algieri 85. Carlos Cuadras 38. Brandon Rios 81. Paulie Malignaggi been scheduled. 45. Shawn Porter 87. Anthony Dirrell 39. Mikkel Kessler 83. Antonio DeMarco 48. Demetrius Andrade 89. James DeGale 43. Mike Alvarado 84. Adrian Hernandez 52. Vasyl Lomachenko 90. Zolani Tete 49. Darren Barker 85. Hernan Marquez 54. Grigory Drozd 91. Jessie Vargas 53. Chad Dawson 87. Argenis Mendez 56. Scott Quigg 93. Mickey Bey 54. 90. Roman Martinez 57. Juan Carlos Payano 95. Viktor Postol 56. Carlos Molina 91. Zab Judah 65. Naoya Inoue 97. Ola Afolabi 61. Robert Stieglitz 92. 69. Bermane Stiverne 65. Juan Carlos 73. Omar Figueroa Sanchez Jr. 76. Mauricio Herrera 67. Edwin Rodriguez 77. George Groves 68. Lucian Bute

1.15 / RINGTV.COM 51 100 38. 39. 40. 41. 42.

KAZUTO AKIRA MIGUEL SERGIO BRIAN IOKA YAEGASHI VAZQUEZ MARTINEZ VILORIA The Rundown: The Rundown: The Rundown: The Rundown: The Rundown: Flyweight H Flyweight H Lightweight H Middleweight H Flyweight H Record: 15-1 Record: 20-4 Record: 34-4 Record: 51-3-2 Record: 34-4 (9 KOs) H Last (10 KOs) H Last (13 KOs) H Last (28 KOs) H Last (20 KOs) H Last year: 21 year: 46 year: 41. year: 4 year: 35 The Reasons: The Reasons: The Reasons: The Reasons: The Reasons: Ioka won a world title Yaegashi’s fght with This will probably be one There are those who Yes, Viloria turned 34 at 105 pounds in his Roman Gonzalez this of those rankings that believe that Martinez in November and is up seventh pro fght, won past September was draws fre, particularly shouldn’t be on this there in age now for another title at 108 highly anticipated, given that the guy list whatsoever, that a boxer in the lighter pounds in his 10th pro pitting the RING who offcially defeated he’s completely done, divisions. Yes, his best fght and had six total champion at 112 against Vazquez and took his a shell of the fghter he days are likely behind successful defenses a highly touted power- world title, Mickey Bey, was while middleweight him. He faded down split between those two puncher who had moved is ranked lower on champion, limited by the stretch in a split- divisions. Among them up after holding titles at this list. But the split- lingering injuries to his decision loss to Juan was a great battle with 105 and 108. It turned decision loss to Bey in that kept him on Francisco Estrada in Akira Yaegashi, won by out to be one-sided, September was one in the shelf for 13 months April 2013. No, he Ioka, and soon Yaegashi with Gonzalez beating which two of the judges and fnished by Miguel hasn’t done much went on to become Yaegashi around the ring may very well have Cotto in a one-sided since besides staying the RING champion at en route to a ninth-round robbed Vazquez. It’s also technical-knockout loss busy against a pair of 112. But when Ioka stoppage. It wasn’t the fair to say that Vazquez upon his return. Yet low-level opponents. tried his own move to frst defeat for Yaegashi might have robbed Martinez’s camp has But consider this: He fyweight this past May, but it was a setback. himself, not only with claimed that the injuries bounced back once from he ended up suffering He had also been a his usual dreadful style had healed, that Cotto losses to Omar Nino and his frst pro defeat, 105-pound titleholder but also with a lack of just caught Sergio early, Edgar Sosa and ended albeit by split decision, once, winning a good activity to help stand out gave him a concussion up with a second title against beltholder Amnat battle over Pornsawan from what little Bey was and left him fghting on reign at 108 pounds. He Ruenroeng. Ioka wants Porpramook and then accomplishing. Vazquez little but instinct and bounced back from a a rematch but in the losing the belt in another had held the belt since guts for the rest of the last-round TKO loss to meantime he bounced battle, this one against 2010 and had made six bout. Consider this a Carlos Tamara, moved back in September with Kazuto Ioka in 2012. successful defenses and placeholder ranking until up to 112 and became a a points victory over an At fyweight, Yaegashi his only previous defeats the truth is revealed. unifed titleholder there, opponent named Pablo beat champion Toshiyuki had been earlier in his Martinez was supposed including stoppages of Carillo. Igarashi and had career, when he was to see medical experts Giovani Segura, Nino The Future: made three successful heavier, against Canelo this fall. No matter what, and Hernan Marquez. Alvarez (twice) and it could be a hard road Ioka’s next fght had not defenses, including a And Estrada has proven Timothy Bradley. back toward the top yet been set. decision over former himself to be one of the 108-pound beltholder The Future: for a 39-year-old who best fyweights. It might Edgar Sosa. Alas, 112 is Vazquez wants a relied on his speed and be too soon to count now Roman’s empire. rematch with Bey, refexes to be a six- Viloria out completely The Future: though nothing had been time defending RING but it’s defnitely time champion. for him to show what he There was no return set and virtually no one has left. date yet for Yaegashi. would want to watch it The Future: anyway. Martinez had not yet The Future: announced whether he Viloria was expected to would be continuing have his third comeback with his career. fght on a Dec. 6 card. IOKA: AFP; VAZQUEZ: MARK RALSTON; MARTINEZ: AL BELLO; VILORIA/NIETES: JAY DIRECTO; ALGIERI: CHINAFOTOPRESS; PROVODNIKOV: DOUG PENSINGER; PORTER: JEFF BOTTARI; QUILLIN: ELSA/GOLDENBOY QUILLIN: JEFF BOTTARI; DOUG PENSINGER; PORTER: CHINAFOTOPRESS; PROVODNIKOV: ALGIERI: DIRECTO; JAY VILORIA/NIETES: AL BELLO; MARK RALSTON; MARTINEZ: VAZQUEZ: AFP; IOKA:

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CHRIS RUSLAN SHAWN DONNIE PETER ALGIERI PROVODNIKOV PORTER NIETES QUILLIN The Rundown: The Rundown: The Rundown: The Rundown: The Rundown: Junior Junior Welterweight H Junior fyweight Middleweight H welterweight with welterweight H Record: 24-1-1 with the RING Record: 31-0 the WBO title H Record: 23-3 (15 KOs) H Last and WBO titles H (22 KOs) H Last Record: 20-0 (16 KOs) H Last year: unranked Record: 33-1-4 year: 48 H H (8 KOs) Last year: 37 The Reasons: (19 KOs) Last The Reasons: year: unranked year: 69 The Reasons: Porter once had The politics of this The Reasons: There are some who appeared to have The Reasons: sport’s promoters and A year ago, it would believe that Provodnikov reached his limit, but It’s been a decade since competition between be hard to blame you should be 3-0 in his last then he made great Nietes’ only loss. He networks have kept for not having heard few outings rather than strides, captured a world has spent the better Quillin from measuring of Algieri. Heck, the the 1-2 that is on his title and obliterated part of the past seven himself against the same could’ve been record. Nevertheless, it the frst man who years holding two world other top middleweights said barely six months was his ridiculous battle tried to take it away titles, beginning with a out there — and even ago when he signed with Timothy Bradley from him. Now some vacant strawweight belt from getting a career- on to challenge Ruslan in March 2013 that of his limitations have picked up in 2007 with high payday against a Provodnikov in what ensured Provodnikov become apparent again. a decision over then- second-tier opponent. would be the frst would be seen in a Nevertheless, Porter is undefeated Pornsawan That bout, against Matt and only defense of bigger spotlight than the more than the prospect Porpramook. He Korobov, was scuttled Provodnikov’s world ESPN2-level shows on once held to a draw by defended it successfully perhaps because title. After all, Algieri’s which he’d previously Julio Diaz in 2012. He four times. A move to Quillin’s advisor, Al career had been limited been featured. It was won a rematch over Diaz 108 came next, with a Haymon, didn’t want to shows in Long almost as if the close in 2013, then followed title win in late 2011 Quillin appearing on a Island, with a handful decision loss to Bradley that with a dethroning and a reign that has card staged by rapper/ of appearances in New didn’t matter. He then of Devon Alexander seen him go 3-0-1 in promoter Jay-Z. Quillin York City. But the former dropped back down to to wrap up the year. defenses. Earlier in had to give up more kickboxer showed his 140 and stopped Mike This past April, Porter 2014 he made up for money than he’d ever skills with a February Alvarado to win a world blasted through Paulie the previous year’s draw earned in a fght while decision over Emmanuel title. In his frst defense Malignaggi in four and with Moises Fuentes also dropping the Taylor on ESPN2, a win he put Chris Algieri may very well have by stopping him in world title he’d held for that preceded Taylor on the foor twice in ended Malignaggi’s nine rounds to win the nearly two years. He taking it to Adrien Broner the opening round but career. That form wasn’t RING championship. It’s might instead end up later on in the year. Algieri got up, boxed apparent against Kell been a good run for the facing Daniel Jacobs Then Algieri got up from well and convinced two Brook in August. Brook’s 32-year-old, who was in 2015. Since scoring a pair of frst-round of the three judges to style, jab, countering and young and in hostile six knockdowns and a knockdowns against give him the win and the clinching troubled Porter, territory back in 2004 unanimous decision over Provodnikov, boxed belt. This loss mattered: who just couldn’t adjust when he came up short Hassan N’Dam, Quillin through a swollen eye, It was Algieri, not and lost via majority against Angky Angkotta, has stopped Fernando moved his feet and Provodnikov, who went decision. That showed who was also six pounds Guerrero and Gabriel hands plenty and got on to get a fght with Brook’s class while overweight. Two of those Rosado before taking the split-decision win, a Manny Pacquiao. also demonstrating that draws came very early a decision over Lukas world title, respect and The Future: Porter still has work in his career while a Konecny in his lone the payday that comes to do. third was a technical appearance in 2014. Instead, Provodnikov’s with being a pay-per- draw from a frst-round next fght was expected The Future: The Future: view B-side. clash of heads. to be against the shell Porter’s next bout had Quillin was spending the The Future: of Jose Luis Castillo on not yet been scheduled. The Future: remainder of 2014 with That main event Nov. 28 in Moscow. Nietes was scheduled his newborn child while was Algieri’s Nov. to defend his belt being coy about what 22 challenge of against Carlos Velarde he’ll do in 2015 to make Manny Pacquiao at a on Nov. 15. skipping the Korobov 144-pound catchweight. payday worthwhile.

1.15 / RINGTV.COM 53 54 on Dec. 13in Las Vegas. prospect JermellCharlo to faceunbeaten Andrade wasscheduled The Future: fght. dividends withhisnext waspaying already that on Showtime, amove he’s signedtoappear working withHBO. Now meanwhile, hadbeen Showtime. Andrade,on were beingfeatured and/or Al Haymonand were withGoldenBoy junior middleweights oftheothertopMany terms ofprovinghimself: big obstacle remainedin challenger, BrianRose. A mandatory mismatched this pastJuneofa then madeeasywork Vanes and Martirosyan a splitdecisionover 154witha worldtitleat after debuting, hewon opposition. Five years which hesteppedupin paceat for theslower took somecriticism potential meanthe and professional pedigreeamateur Olympian whose Andrade isa2008 The Reasons: year: unranked (14 KOs) Record: 21-0 the WBOtitle middleweight with Junior The Rundown: ANDRADE DEMETRIUS 48.

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49. place inLas Vegas. The Khanfghtwilltake The Future: 2012. 147backinmanner at in anuglybutwide topped MarcosMaidana 140and at Matthysse split decisionoverLucas a close and disputed to Tim Bradley. Hehad technical-decision loss defenses beforea included two successful over and began witha2009win 140,reign at onethat He alsohadatitle accomplished.already hehasconsider what amazing whenyou still just27, whichis Karass.is Alexander win overJesusSoto 2014 wasadecision ofother appearance 2013.in late Hisonly Portertitle toShawn welterweight world back fromlosinghis and awaytobounce Amir KhanonDec. 13, stand outwhenhefaces achancetowill have news isthat Alexander lost inthemix. The good division isit’s easytoget fghters inastacked being oneofmany The badnewsabout The Reasons: year: 26 (14 KOs) Record: 26-2 Welterweight The Rundown: ALEXANDER DEVON H Last H 50. and when. next against be matched whom Guerrerowould It remainedtobeseen The Future: them. oneofhimself against opportunity toprove thehe mayhave division, though, and names inGuerrero’s There arenumerous won awidedecision. Jr.,Mayweather who Floyd got himashotat war.an enjoyable That titleholder Andre Bertoin and thentoppedformer Selcuk He beat Aydin jumping directlyto147. 135beforebrief stopat titleholder alsohada 126- and130-pound his effort. The former but entertainuswith welterweightsagainst he’llstruggleand that was youngerandlighter, good ashewaswhen Ghost” isnolongeras “Thethat indicated Kamegai mayalsohave Nevertheless, Guerrero- joint justtogetthewin. think andstinkoutthe thefanslittle aboutwhat than thosewhocare back inJune, rather with YoshihiroKamegai Guerrero didinhisbattle fghts,give usgreat like We praiseboxerswho The Reasons: year: 34 (18 KOs) Record: 32-2-1 Welterweight The Rundown: GUERRERO ROBERT H Last H get knockeddown his recentfghts: He’ll Salido’s careermirrors The Reasons: year: 60 (29 KOs) H with theWBOtitle Junior lightweight The Rundown: SALIDO ORLANDO 51. beltholder. the and isnow “full” Kokietgymtitle against Salido wonaninterim The Future: taken away. timehasup forwhat himtomakeskills allow with histenacityand experience combined than halfhislife. That been fghtingformore win. The 34-year-old has route toan11th-round himselfenknockdowns also scorednumerous Terdsak Kokietgym but multiple timesagainst Salido wentdown At 130inSeptember, most ofhiscareer. where hehadspent up inweightfrom126, victory. Hethenmoved with asplit-decision the boutbutemerged overweight anddirtyin past March. Salidowas Vasyl Lomachenkothis before aboutwith titleonthescalesthat belt andthendropped Cruz towinavacant he stoppedOrlando Mikey Garciain2013, a technicaldecisionto belongs. Sincedropping hestill that and show he’ll dusthimselfoff fnally donebutthen and lookasifhe’s Record: 42-12-2 H Last The Reasons: unranked Boxing the World Seriesof in thepaidranksof with 6otherwins Record: 2-1(1KO), the WBOtitle Featherweight with The Rundown: LOMACHENKO VASYL 52. Pacquiao-Chris Algieri. 22 undercardtoManny ontheNov.Piriyapinyo Chonlatarn against scheduled todefend Lomachenko was The Future: stacked division. inthemixofaalready majority decision. He’s won viaanimpressive RussellJr.,Gary and contender,featherweight took onanother the scales, Lomachenko at With thebeltvacated took thesplitdecision. with spiritbutSalido lot. Lomachenkobattled andfouledarehydrated massively overweight, Orlando Salidocamein shot, thoughnotawin: Next camehistitle in thefourthround. shotstopped byabody Jose Ramirez, whowas faced a25-3foenamed world title. Instead, he true profghttobefora and thenwantedhisfrst World SeriesofBoxing a dozenfghtsinthe gold medalisthadhalf The two-timeOlympic thanhedesired.later came acouplefghts accomplishing; itjust ofand feltcapable quick splashhewanted Lomachenko madethe H Last year: H

ANDRADE: MATTHEW STOCKMAN/GETTY IMAGES; ALEXANDER: AL BELLO; GUERRERO: JEFF BOTTARI; SALIDO/KHAN: ETHAN MILLER; LOMACHENKO: STEPHEN DUNN; KLITSCHKO/PULEV: JOERN POLLEX/BONGARTS/GETTY IMAGES 48-53 53. Wladimir Klitschko (left) is the top heavyweight.

AMIR RING 100 BY DIVISION KHAN The number of ranked f ghters in each of the 17 weight classes The Rundown: Heavyweight Welterweight Junior Welterweight ★ 8. Wladimir Klitschko 1. Floyd Mayweather Jr. featherweight Record: 29-3 66. Kubrat Pulev 3. Manny Pacquiao 7. Guillermo Rigondeaux (19 KOs) ★ Last 69. Bermane Stiverne 4. Timothy Bradley 28. Leo Santa Cruz year: 66 70. Alexander Povetkin 5. Juan Manuel Marquez 32. Carl Frampton 26. Marcos Maidana 56. Scott Quigg The Reasons: Cruiserweight 34. Kell Brook Khan had been holding 24. Marco Huck 45. Shawn Porter Bantamweight out for some time for 33. Yoan Pablo Hernandez 49. Devon Alexander 22. Shinsuke Yamanaka a big f ght with Floyd 54. Grigory Drozd 50. Robert Guerrero 57. Juan Carlos Payano Mayweather Jr., perhaps 67. Krzysztof Wlodarczyk 53. Amir Khan 58. Anselmo Moreno to his detriment. He had 84. Denis Lebedev 55. Keith Thurman 64. Tomoki Kameda been in negotiations 97. Ola Afolabi for a bout with Devon Junior Junior Alexander for much Light heavyweight welterweight bantamweight of 2013, only for that 12. Bernard Hopkins 11. Danny Garcia 31. Omar Narvaez not to happen. And so 15. Adonis Stevenson 17. Mikey Garcia 60. Koki Kameda he was out of the ring 16. Sergey Kovalev 23. Lucas Matthysse 85. Carlos Cuadras for about a year after 74. Jean Pascal 29. Adrien Broner 90. Zolani Tete his shaky April 2013 30. Lamont Peterson 100. Srisaket Sor Rungvisai win over Julio Diaz, Super middleweight 43. Chris Algieri returning in May 2014 2. Andre Ward 44. Ruslan Provodnikov Flyweight to outpoint Luis Collazo. 9. Carl Froch 76. Mauricio Herrera 6. Roman Gonzalez Khan would of course 77. George Groves 91. Jessie Vargas 18. Juan Francisco Estrada still like Mayweather, but 79. 92. Khabib Allakhverdiev 37. Amnat Ruenroeng at least now the former 87. Anthony Dirrell 95. Viktor Postol 38. Kazuto Ioka 140-pound titleholder 89. James DeGale 39. Akira Yaegashi is beginning to build a 96. Arthur Abraham Lightweight 42. Brian Viloria resume at welterweight. 98. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. 21. Terence Crawford 59. Moruti Mthalane Collazo didn’t show 40. Miguel Vazquez 86. Johnriel Casimero much against Khan, but Middleweight 61. Richar Abril he’d just come off a 10. Gennady Golovkin 72. Ray Beltran Junior f yweight knockout of Victor Ortiz. 13. Miguel Cotto 73. Omar Figueroa 46. Donnie Nietes Khan now has additional 41. Sergio Martinez 75. Yuriorkis Gamboa 65. Naoya Inoue weight for his lanky 47. Peter Quillin 93. Mickey Bey 88. Moises Fuentes frame and has a chance 68. Daniel Geale to regain the momentum 78. Hassan N’Dam Junior lightweight Strawweight lost with defeats against 99. Martin Murray 25. Takashi Uchiyama 71. Hekkie Budler Lamont Peterson via 51. Orlando Salido 83. Francisco Rodriguez Jr. controversial split Junior 62. Takashi Miura decision in late 2011 middleweight 75. Yuriorkis Gamboa Note: 102 f ghters are listed and Danny Garcia by 1. Floyd Mayweather Jr. 81. Rances Barthelemy here because two who straddle stoppage in July 2012. 14. Canelo Alvarez two divisions (Floyd Mayweather That starts with his f ght 19. Erislandy Lara Featherweight Jr. and Yuriorkis Gamboa) are against Alexander on 48. Demetrius Andrade 20. Nicholas Walters included in both. Dec. 13 80. Austin Trout 27. Jhonny Gonzalez The Future: 94. Vanes Martirosyan 35. Abner Mares Khan still wants 36. Nonito Donaire Mayweather but this 52. Vasyl Lomachenko time he isn’t waiting on 63. Evgeny Gradovich him. He’ll actually face 82. Simpiwe Vetyka Alexander this time.

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GRIGORY KEITH SCOTT JUAN ANSELMO DROZD THURMAN QUIGG CARLOS MORENO The Rundown: The Rundown: The Rundown: PAYANO The Rundown: Cruiserweight with Bantamweight H Welterweight H Junior The Rundown: the WBC title H featherweight H Record: 35-3-1 Record: 23-0 Bantamweight with Record: 39-1 Record: 29-0-2 (12 KOs) H Last (21 KOs) H Last the WBA title H (27 KOs) H (22 KOs) H Last year: 14 year: 75 Record: 16-0 Last year: year: unranked The Reasons: (8 KOs) H Last The Reasons: unranked The Reasons: Some boxing observers year: unranked The huge Moreno The Reasons: had in experience questioned whether Quigg has moved The Reasons: It took more than 13 himself into a good going into his bout Thurman belonged on Going into his bout with years for Drozd to position in the with 15-0 Juan Carlos the air in his 2012 HBO longtime bantamweight get his frst title shot. 122-pound division. The Payano meant little debut. Since then, he titleholder Anselmo He’d come close once, bauble he holds from given that Payano got has worked hard to Moreno, Payano had facing Firat Arslan in the WBA (a “regular” more work done in a show that he’s not the been in just 15 pro an elimination bout title not recognized by cut-shortened bout. slow slugger he was bouts while Moreno way back in 2006. this magazine) could And so ended a world once believed to be but was a skilled boxer Arslan stopped Drozd be redeemed for a shot title reign that dated is rather an entertaining who had gone 13-1 in in fve rounds. The next at champion Guillermo back to 2008 and lasted scrapper who deserves world title fghts and had eight or so years were Rigondeaux. He fghts for a dozen successful a chance to prove successfully defended spent compiling wins in the United Kingdom, defenses, including a himself in a deep his belt at 118 pounds against largely lower- where fans are willing 2011 decision over Vic welterweight division. 12 times. But Payano’s level opponents and he to support upcoming Darchinyan. Moreno He sent Carlos Quintana punch volume helped had a 20-month layoff stars. And titleholder had traveled around the into retirement, got a him win enough rounds. between 2009 and Carl Frampton hails from globe to fght, winning decision over former Moreno landed some 2011. Drozd stopped , which would in France, Germany and titleholder Jan Zaveck, body shots but his unbeaten Mateusz make for a big domestic Venezuela. He’d also stopped previously lesser output had him Masternak in October clash if their respective tried a step up to 122, unbeaten Diego Chaves behind on the cards. 2013, won another promoters are willing. losing to Abner Mares in and then ended 2013 This worked in Payano’s bout this past March In the meantime, Quigg 2012 and then returning with a thrilling technical favor when a clash of and then stepped into remains undefeated to defend his belt at knockout of Jesus Soto heads that opened a cut the ring in September and has stopped three 118. He’d been seen as Karass. That didn’t lead above his right eye in with titleholder and consecutive opponents one of the better boxers to big things in 2014, the second round and longtime cruiserweight within three rounds. He in the sport. He’ll have though. Thurman stayed brought an end to the fxture Krzysztof has scored knockouts or some work to do in order busy in April against fght after six. Payano Wlodarczyk. Drozd was technical knockouts in to regain that stature. an undersized Julio led on all cards, giving able to capitalize on a 16 of his last 19 outings. Diaz, who didn’t make the 30-year-old from The Future: Wlodarczyk who just The other three ended as it past three, and then the Dominican Republic A win in a Payano didn’t show up on fght one-sided decisions, a “One Time” went on the by far the biggest win rematch would help. night, outworking him, technical draw (against sideline with a shoulder in a career that began Moreno had initially scoring a knockdown , stopped injury. in August 2010, when said he was moving up and winning a in a rematch) and a Moreno was already a to 122, a desire that unanimous decision and The Future: draw with Yoandris handful of defenses into might explain his lack a world title. Thurman is expected to Salinas. face on his reign. of activity in the frst The Future: The Future: bout, but then he said Dec. 13 in Las Vegas. The Future: Wlodarczyk wants a Quigg is scheduled to he wanted another shot Moreno is seeking a rematch and claims he fght Hidenori Otake on at the man who had just rematch with Payano but has a contractual right the Nathan Cleverly-Tony beaten him. Nothing had had been to one. It has not yet Bellew II undercard Nov. been set. made yet by the fghters, been said whether that’s 22 in . their promoters or the indeed what will be next sanctioning body. for Drozd. DROZD: VASILY MAXIMOV/AFP/GETTY IMAGES; THURMAN: NAOKI FUKUDA; QUIGG: CHRIS BRUNSKILL; MORENO: MIGUEL GUTIERREZ CHRIS BRUNSKILL; MORENO: NAOKI FUKUDA; QUIGG: THURMAN: MAXIMOV/AFP/GETTY IMAGES; VASILY DROZD:

56 RINGTV.COM / 1.15 54-63 59. 60. 61. 62. 63.

MORUTI KOKI RICHAR TAKASHI EVGENY MTHALANE KAMEDA ABRIL MIURA GRADOVICH The Rundown: The Rundown: The Rundown: The Rundown: The Rundown: Flyweight H Junior Lightweight with Junior lightweight Featherweight Record: 30-2 bantamweight H the WBA title H with the WBC title with the IBF title H (20 KOs) H Last Record: 32-1 Record: 19-3-1 H Record: 27-2-2 Record: 19-0 year: 59 (17 KOs) H Last (8 KOs) H Last (20 KOs) H Last (9 KOs) H Last The Reasons: year: 51 year: 63 year: 88 year: 80 Mthalane was inactive The Reasons: The Reasons: The Reasons: The Reasons: for a year and a half, Kameda could’ve had Richar Abril doesn’t have Miura is the second-best While so much attention dropping his IBF world a shot at once-top the most fan-friendly 130-pounder named at 126 has gone to guys title because he had bantamweight Anselmo style. He hasn’t been Takashi fghting in such as Nonito Donaire, turned down bouts he Moreno but declined overly active either. Japan. But unless he Vasyl Lomachenko, didn’t feel would pay the opportunity. He then His best foothold in the decides to fght out of Abner Mares and now him enough. Thus, a remained inactive for lightweight division, his home country, and Nicholas Walters, there’s reign that began about some time before it was then, is the world title until he gets a rematch another featherweight a year after Mthalane announced that he had he earned with a March with Takashi Uchiyama, who is hoping to get lost on cuts to then- signed with Al Haymon 2013 victory over Sharif Miura will have to settle his chance. Gradovich fyweight Nonito Donaire (just like his brother Bogere. Unfortunately, for whichever junior popped onto radars with in 2008 ended with Tomoki, an undefeated injury subsequently lightweights are willing his split-decision win a whimper. Mthalane 118-pound titleholder) sidelined Abril and lack to travel overseas. over titleholder Billy Dib had picked up a vacant and would be dropping of demand meant he That excludes a few on ESPN2 in March 2013 belt by outpointing down to 115. That’s wasn’t back in the ring North American names. and then proceeded Julio Cesar Miranda in probably a wise choice until this past September Uchiyama-Miura II would to bide his time with a late 2009, after which for the former three- when he took a majority be worth making; Miura trio of successful title Miranda got a belt of his division titleholder, decision in over scored a knockdown defenses on Top Rank own at 112. Mthalane’s whose frst reign was previously undefeated early in their 2011 undercards in Macau. four defenses included at 108 and who briefy Edis Tatli. All three of the fght but was stopped He outpointed Mauricio stoppages of Zolani Tete was the lineal champ blemishes on his record on a cut. In 2013, he Munoz, dominated and and Johnriel Casimero, at 112 before going were by split decision: picked up a title with a stopped Dib in their who later went on to up to bantamweight, Breidis Prescott in 2008, technical knockout of rematch on the Manny capture titles at 115 where multiple fghts Henry Lundy in 2010 Gamaliel Diaz, traded Pacquiao-Brandon Rios and 108, respectively. ended with Kameda and Brandon Rios in knockdowns with Sergio pay-per-view card and He also traveled to winning narrowly or 2012, with questionable Thompson en route to outpointed Alexander Italy and Panama for controversially. Perhaps judging in the Rios a decision victory and Miskirtchian in May in technical-knockout wins. he’ll be better suited and fght potentially costing wrapped up the year his frst appearance Then came the layoff get better results now at Abril a signifcant win. with a stoppage of Dante of 2014. He has a between September junior bantamweight. Other 135-pounders Jordan. Miura spent great nickname – “The 2012 and March 2014, The Future: have gotten more of a nearly all of 2014 out of Mexican Russian” – and when he fought through Kameda was expected to spotlight over the years. the ring. an enjoyable style, a swollen eye to take a fght on the Nov. 1 card Abril needs to give The Future: which could earn him a split decision over Jether place among the slate in featuring networks a reason to Miura’s frst appearance Oliva. of fresh faces in his numerous other Haymon show him, which means of the year was division. The Future: fghters. he needs to give fans a scheduled for Nov. 22 Mthalane was expected reason to watch. against Edgar Puerta. The Future: to face Odilon Zaleta on The Future: Gradovich was Oct. 26 in South Africa. Abril’s second title scheduled to face defense had not yet Jayson Velez on the been scheduled. Terence Crawford-Ray Beltran card Nov. 29 in Omaha, Nebraska.

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Bermane Stiverne won a portion of the heavyweight title with his victory over Chris Arreola.

TOMOKI NAOYA KAMEDA INOUE The Rundown: The Rundown: Bantamweight with Junior fyweight the WBO title H with the WBC title Record: 30-0 H Record: 7-0 (19 KOs) H Last (6 KOs) H Last year: 98 year: unranked The Reasons: The Reasons: Tomoki is the youngest In an era when Olympic of the three Kameda gold medalists such as brothers and the lone Guillermo Rigondeaux one of the trio left with and Vasyl Lomachenko a world title. He picked are quickly showing up that belt in August their pedigrees in 2013 with a decision the pro ranks, there’s over previously unbeaten another young fghter , impressing very soon defended it successfully after his debut. Inoue at the end of that year didn’t compete in the with a points victory Olympics in 2012 but he over Immanuel Naidjala showed his talent barely and made his U.S. debut a year and a half after with a seventh-round becoming a professional. body-shot knockout Inoue was just 5-0 of Pungluang Sor when he challenged Singyu on the “free” 108-pound titleholder preliminary broadcast Adrian Hernandez in to the pay-per-view April 2014. In terms of card featuring Canelo experience, Hernandez Alvarez vs. Erislandy had been in more title Lara in July 2014. He’s fghts than Inoue had a recent Al Haymon been in pro bouts. In signee and will be back terms of class, it was on American airwaves, Inoue who scored a not that Kameda limited sixth-round technical himself to fghting in knockout. In July, Inoue his home country very defeated Samartlek much before. He largely Kokietgym by technical developed in Mexico, knockout. He’s just where he has had 16 21 years old. Younger fghts. He has had 12 brother bouts in Japan and the turns 19 in December, is Ambunda victory in the 3-0 and is competing at Philippines. fyweight. The Future: The Future: Kameda was expected to Inoue’s second title defend against Alejandro defense had not yet Hernandez on Nov. 1 in been scheduled. Chicago.

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KUBRAT KRZYSZTOF DANIEL BERMANE ALEXANDER PULEV WLODARCZYK GEALE STIVERNE POVETKIN The Rundown: The Rundown: The Rundown: The Rundown: The Rundown: Heavyweight H Cruiserweight H Middleweight H Heavyweight with Heavyweight H Record: 20-0 Record: 49-3-1 Record: 30-3 the WBC title H Record: 27-1 (11 KOs) H Last (35 KOs) H Last (16 KOs) H Last Record: 24-1-1 (19 KOs) H Last year: 76 year: 45 year: 50 (21 KOs) H Last year: 55 year: unranked The Reasons: The Reasons: The Reasons: The Reasons: It doesn’t take much Wlodarczyk had twice Geale’s loss to Darren The Reasons: Povetkin’s lone loss is to get a title shot at been a titleholder in Barker in August 2013 Stiverne is the lone to the best heavyweight Wladimir Klitschko the 200-pound division. was rough enough in heavyweight titleholder in the world, Wladimir these days but at least His latest reign ended that it left him without not named Klitschko, Klitschko. But it was an Pulev has done more in late September a world title thanks to a though his best wins ugly defeat marred by KAMEDA: JIJI PRESS; INOUE: MASASHI HARA; STIVERNE: STEPHEN DUNN; PULEV: BORIS STREUBEL; WLODARCZYK: JANEK SKARZYNSKI; GEALE: FRIEDEMANN VOGEL; POVETKIN: EPSILON than some of the other with a poor effort in single point on a single en route to winning the clinching and holding, designated opponents defeat to Grigory Drozd. judge’s scorecard. But belt were a stoppage and it followed years who have fallen to the Wlodarczyk visited then he learned just of Ray Austin in 2011 in which Povetkin was heavyweight champion. the canvas once and where his place was and a decision over frustratingly stalled In a three-fght span, he dropped a wide decision, in the middleweight Chris Arreola in 2013. out. The Olympic gold scored late stoppages then spoke cryptically division when he Stiverne and Arreola medalist impressed back over fellow prospects a week afterward stepped in with Gennady had a rematch in May in 2007 and 2008 with about needing to make Golovkin this past July. for the title, which wins over and , changes in his life. His Golovkin foored Geale had been left vacant and then outpointed the frst time with a belt had in the second round, after the retirement of in a mini- aged but still capable been brief. He topped then scored a highlight- Vitali Klitschko. Their that earned him a fght . The win Steve Cunningham by reel knockdown in the frst fght had been a with Klitschko. He over Thompson earned a controversial split third. Geale got up clear points win for didn’t take advantage Pulev the Klitschko fght decision in late 2006 and seemed ready to Stiverne. The second of that opportunity and he has not done and lost a majority continue but a shake installment had Stiverne for quite some time, anything to endanger decision six months of the head he said fght through a bit of though. Instead, he the opportunity since, later in the rematch. was out of frustration adversity before scoring spent the next three making easy work of Wlodarczyk then came gave the referee reason a sixth-round stoppage. years fghting six no- lower-tier opponents up just short in a title to stop it. Now Geale He clearly has power, hopers before topping in December challenge against needs to earn his way though it’s unclear just former titleholder Ruslan 2013 and Ivica Perkovic back into contention how talented he will Chagaev in 2011, in April 2014. in May 2009, the bout after holding his belt appear against better winning the WBA’s The Future: ending a draw. He did for a little more than opposition. His lone “regular” title and again two years. His four earning him an eventual Pulev’s challenge of better in their sequel loss, by the way, came successful defenses shot at Klitschko. Klitschko was scheduled a year later, stopping via technical knockout included decisions over Povetkin nearly lost to for Nov. 15. Fragomeni in eight to earlier in his career. win the belt in May Felix Sturm and Anthony The Future: Marco Huck in 2012, 2012. Wlodarczyk Mundine, to whom Geale escaping with a majority Stiverne is expected to defended it successfully had dropped a split decision. After losing in make his frst defense six times, even traveling decision back in 2009. October 2013, Povetkin against mandatory to Australia and Russia returned this past May The Future: challenger Deontay to stop Danny Green and with a knockout of Geale’s next fght had Wilder on a date that then-unbeaten Rakhim Manuel Charr. not yet been set. had not yet been Chakhkiev. announced. The Future: The Future: Povetkin was scheduled Wlodarczyk claimed he to face on had a rematch clause Oct. 24 in Moscow. with Drozd.

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HEKKIE RAY OMAR JEAN YURIORKIS BUDLER BELTRAN FIGUEROA PASCAL GAMBOA The Rundown: The Rundown: The Rundown: The Rundown: The Rundown: Strawweight with Lightweight H Lightweight with Light heavyweight Junior lightweight/ the WBA title H Record: 29-6-1 the WBC title H H Record: 29-2-1 lightweight H Record: 26-1 (17 KOs) H Last Record: 24-0-1 (17 KOs) H Last Record: 23-1 (9 KOs) H Last year: 73 (18 KOs) H Last year: 58 (16 KOs) H Last year: 89 The Reasons: year: unranked The Reasons: year: 44 The Reasons: Beltran never got his The Reasons: Pascal has defeated The Reasons: Fighters who lack power rematch with Ricky One of Figueroa’s frst one fellow Gamboa may go down tend to have uphill Burns after their true tests as a prospect institution but another as another one of battles when it comes to September 2013 fght, was in 2012, when he star at light heavyweight those cautionary tales the judges. Budler has in which Beltran broke stopped fellow up-and- has risen in his city. of talented fghters seen four of his bouts Burns’ jaw, knocked him comer Michael Perez. While Pascal has who fnd ways to end as split decisions down and still only got a After taking publicly taunted Adonis underachieve. The and one as a . He’ll get the next out in less than one Stevenson, he hasn’t former top Cuban decision, though he best thing, though: a title round in April 2013, done much of anything amateur had created came out on top in all shot with the boxer who Figueroa got his best of late to show that buzz during his time but one of those bouts. subsequently dethroned spotlight three months he’s still a deserving in the featherweight His career began in the Burns, Terence later and took advantage contender at 175, division between 2008 108-pound division and Crawford. That’s a big of it, winning a decision though his star power and 2011, including included a pair of wins opportunity for a fghter over may eventually get a stint as unifed over Juanito Rubillar who has improved from in which the wide him the bout. Once a titleholder and wins in 2010. But after two the measuring-stick scorecards were not at 175-pound titleholder, over Orlando Salido and judges gave the edge journeyman whose most all indicative of the Fight Pascal became RING Daniel Ponce De Leon. to Gideon Buthelezi in recent losses were to of the Year candidate. champ in 2010 with His chin could be shaky 2011, Budler dropped Sharif Bogere in 2011 Beating Arakawa got a technical decision but his hands could be down to boxing’s lightest and Luis Ramos Jr. in Figueroa an interim title. over Chad Dawson. electric. Unfortunately, division. It has been a 2012. A sparring partner And when Adrien Broner Months later, he foored his decisions could be good move for him. He to Manny Pacquiao, decided not to return to Bernard Hopkins twice destructive. After losing won a split decision over Beltran went on to top 135, Figueroa became early yet was held to out on a potential bout in June Henry Lundy, Ji-Hoon the “full” beltholder. a draw. Hopkins had with Juan Manuel Lopez 2013 and has gone on to Kim and Alejandro He’s still developing, Pascal fgured out in when Lopez lost to score three consecutive Rodriguez before though, as was evident their rematch, winning Salido, Gamboa pulled knockouts, early nights traveling to Scotland in his frst defense, a a decision. Pascal then out of a clash with against Hugo Verchelli, to challenge Burns. split decision over Jerry dealt with injuries, not Brandon Rios, got into Karluis Diaz and Pigmy Since then, he has had Belmontes in April 2014. fghting again for a a dispute with promoter Kokietgym. The Diaz win a decision win over Figueroa then took out year and a half. He beat Top Rank and ultimately earned Budler a vacant on contender Daniel Estrada Aleksy Kuziemski in had new promoter 50 world title. the undercard of the in nine rounds this past December 2012, stayed Cent buy his contract Pacquiao-Tim Bradley II August. busy with a stoppage out. He fnally returned The Future: pay-per-view card. of George Blades while in late 2012 with a win Budler was expected to The Future: waiting for a bout with over , defend against former The Future: Figueroa had spoken of Lucian Bute and then had a dreary victory over titleholder Xiong Zhao Beltran’s fght with moving up to 140 but it beat Bute by a wide Darlys Perez in June Zhong on Oct. 25 in Crawford was scheduled looks as if he’s staying decision in January 2013 and then lost in Monaco. for Nov. 29 in Omaha, at 135 for now. His next entertaining fashion to Nebraska. defense was not yet 2014. lightweight titleholder scheduled. The Future: Terence Crawford this Pascal is expected to past June. face Donovan George on Dec. 6 in Montreal. The Future: Gamboa will likely drop back down in weight. N”DAM: AL BELLO; BUDLER: AFRICAN RING; BELTRAN: CHRIS FARINA; FIGUEROA: DONALD MIRALLE; PASCAL: RODGERIO BARBOSA; GAMBOA: MARTIN ROSE; HERRERA: JOSH HEDGES; GROVES: SCOTT HEAVEY; STURM: SIMON HOFMANN; TROUT: ELSA TROUT: SIMON HOFMANN; STURM: SCOTT HEAVEY; JOSH HEDGES; GROVES: ROSE; HERRERA: MARTIN RODGERIO BARBOSA; GAMBOA: DONALD MIRALLE; PASCAL: FIGUEROA: CHRIS FARINA; AFRICAN RING; BELTRAN: AL BELLO; BUDLER: N”DAM:

60 RINGTV.COM / 1.15 71-80 76. 77. 78. 79. 80.

MAURICIO GEORGE HASSAN FELIX AUSTIN HERRERA GROVES N’DAM STURM TROUT The Rundown: The Rundown: The Rundown: The Rundown: The Rundown: Junior Super Middleweight H Super Junior welterweight H middleweight H Record: 31-1 middleweight H middleweight H Record: 21-4 Record: 20-2 (18 KOs) H Last Record: 39-4-2 Record: 27-2 (7 KOs) H Last (15 KOs) H Last year: unranked (18 KOs) H Last (14 KOs) H Last year: unranked year: unranked The Reasons: year: 57 year: 32 The Reasons: The Reasons: N’Dam picked himself The Reasons: The Reasons: Herrera appears Groves had back-to- up off the canvas six Sturm was a titleholder When Trout signed to be one of those back stoppage losses times while losing a at 160 pounds four with Al Haymon early hardscrabble fghters against 168-pound middleweight title bout times over the course of in 2012, he was an who suffers setbacks yet titleholder Carl Froch to Peter Quillin two nearly 11 years. His frst undefeated 154-pounder doesn’t give up, steadily yet demonstrated years ago. He still won two stints ended quickly, whose biggest wins had improving until things that he could still fve rounds in that bout with a controversial loss been against Rigoberto begin to click and bouts become a player at and since then he has to Oscar De La Hoya in Alvarez (Canelo’s begin to go better. He super middleweight picked himself up from 2004 (second defense) brother), David Lopez dropped a split decision in the future. His his frst pro loss. After a and a stoppage defeat and Frank LoPorto. to Mike Anchondo in accomplishments pre- 14-month layoff, N’Dam to Javier Castillejo in Then Haymon got Trout 2009 but then he gave Froch included a majority returned in December 2006 (frst defense). on Showtime for a win Ruslan Provodnikov his decision over fellow 2013 and took out three But then Sturm won over Delvin Rodriguez, frst loss in early 2011 up-and-comer James lower-level opponents the Castillejo rematch setting up a fght with and topped prospect DeGale in 2011 and a before stepping in with and went on to go 10- Miguel Cotto. Trout Mike Dallas Jr. later that second-round stoppage the power-punching 0-2 in his successful scored the biggest win year. Then came a pair of Paul Smith later Curtis Stevens this past defenses — including of his career with a of decision defeats in that year, plus a wide October. In a tiny ring, a controversial win wide decision in Cotto’s 2012 to Mike Alvarado decision over a clearly Stevens still couldn’t over Matthew Macklin second home, Madison and Karim Mayfeld and faded Glen Johnson in get at N’Dam, who and a draw against Square Garden, which it appeared as if we had late 2012. In November boxed well en route to Martin Murray — before in turn earned Trout a seen Herrera’s limit. 2013, Groves had Froch a unanimous decision. losing a split decision shot at Canelo in April We learned otherwise down and badly hurt in That victory earned to fellow titleholder 2013. Trout lost that when his style and the opening round, but N’Dam a mandatory Daniel Geale in 2012. fght and then suffered smarts gave RING Froch recovered, came shot at the IBF title He lost again to Sam a second straight defeat 140-pound champion on as he tends to and now held by Jermain Soliman in early 2013 against Erislandy Lara in Danny Garcia fts this scored a controversial Taylor, though there’s no but that was overturned December. Trout came past March. Herrera lost ninth-round stoppage. guarantee N’Dam will due to Soliman’s post- back this past August, the majority decision Their rematch this get Taylor next. fght drug test. Sturm’s getting knocked down but had the edge on past May was less The Future: fnal title win came in twice early by Daniel some observers’ cards. Dawson but rising and contentious; Froch N’Dam’s next fght had December 2013, when He also looked pretty taking the unanimous ended an otherwise not yet been scheduled. he retired Darren Barker, good in taking a majority competitive bout in the who had just beaten decision. His losses decision over Johan eighth round with a one- Geale. In Sturm’s next were to good fghters Perez in July. punch knockout. Groves bout, he lost a wide but he needs to show The Future: came back in September decision to Soliman in he deserves to face that level of opposition once Herrera is scheduled to with a decision over May 2014. again. face Jose Benavidez on Christopher Rebrasse. The Future: Dec. 13 in Las Vegas. The Future: Sturm’s next fght will The Future: The Rebrasse win put be a notable one even Trout’s next fght had not Groves in position to though it’s not for a title: yet been set. challenge for the WBC He was scheduled to title held by Anthony face former 168-pound Dirrell. His next bout had titleholder Robert not yet been set, though. Stieglitz on Nov. 8.

1.15 / RINGTV.COM 61 62 round. The titlewin bell toendthesecond afterthe knockout blows might’vebeen what Barthelemy, hethrew but, for unfortunately pummeling Mendez 2014. Barthelemywas They metinJanuary Mendez.to Argenis challenger mandatory madehimthe that of Fahsai Sakkreerin with aquickknockout Arash Usmaneeandthen a disputeddecisionover 130pounds,at frstwith position foratitleshot 2013 gettinghimselfin Barthelemy spenthis The Reasons: year: unranked (12 KOs) Record: 21-0 with theIBFtitle Junior lightweight The Rundown: BARTHELEMY RANCES defense. Barthelemy’s secondtitle scheduled yetfor Nothing hadbeen The Future: Saucedo. shutout ofFernando in Octoberwithadreary decision. Hedefended time byunanimous triumphed,again this eventful butBarthelemy The boutwasless to becomeatitleholder. and anotheropportunity until Julyforarematch Barthelemy hadtowait became ano-contest. 81.

RINGTV.COM 100 H Last / 1.15 H

not yetbeenscheduled. Vetyeka’s nextbouthad The Future: won. scorecards andDonaire broughtittothe That ref calledtheboutoff. was abouttobegin, the fourth. Then, astheffth inthe a knockdown heads. Donairescored the refruleditaclash of learned though welater from apunchorbutt, clear whetheritcame opening round. Itwasn’t Donaire wascutinthe a controversialending. It wasanuglyfghtwith Donaire thispastMay. where hefoughtNonito South Africa toMacau, jetting fromhisnative frequent fyermilesby Vetyeka thenaddedmore the WBA beltinhand, ended hiscareer. With John’s frstprolossand Western Australia. Itwas titleholder ChrisJohnin knockout oflongtime sixth-round technical in Jakartaandahuge ofDaud stoppage Yordan 2013, a12th-round Indonesian boxersin Vetyeka went2-0against The Reasons: year: unranked (16 KOs) Record: 26-3 Featherweight The Rundown: VETYEKA SIMPIWE 82. H Last H fyweight division. departure forthejunior bout toconfrma yet scheduledanother titleholder andhadnot as the WBO’s 105-pound Rodriguez isstilllisted The Future: decision andtheIBFtitle. withaunanimous leaving Takayama,Katsunari with August, hewenttobattle belt.past the WBO This of MerlitoSabillofor round technicalknockout 2014, scoringa10th- inMarch strawweight Gonzalez. Hedebutedat champ Roman by future112-pound stopped insevenrounds fyweight, wherehewas 2013, Rodriguezwasat far, though. InSeptember successso his greatest That’s wherehefound to105pounds.down who hasdiffcultygetting developing 21-year-old he’sgiven that astill- It’s hard toblamehim, number onthescales. of amovetoheavier with theotherinfavor and maydothesame that, hehasdroppedone division. Yet justlike his secondfghtinthe it withanotherbeltin andunifed strawweight title inhisfrstboutat Rodriguez wonaworld The Reasons: year: unranked (11 KOs) Record: 16-2 the WBOtitle Strawweight with The Rundown: JR. RODRIGUEZ FRANCISCO 83. H Last H transition fromprospect Lebedev beganto The Reasons: year: unranked (20 KOs) Record: 26-2 the WBAtitle Cruiserweight with The Rundown: LEBEDEV DENIS set. defense hadnotyet been Lebedev’s nexttitle The Future: Pawel Kolodziej. of previouslyunbeaten second-round knockout past Septemberwitha a 16-monthlayoffthis Lebedev returnedfrom cameuppositive.again last secondwhenJones the was calledoffat overturned.rematch A but thelosswasn’t substance afterward positive forabanned round. Jonestested brutal fghtinthe11th in May2013, losinga elevated. HemetJones titleholder Lebedevwas WBA belt, the “interim” Jones wasstrippedofhis long-inactive Guillermo .the When Jr. andashutoutof Jones knockout ofRoy celebrities, witha faded American against a “senior tour” ofsorts upby wasfollowed That Huck viasplitdecision. Marco short against the endof2010, falling got hisfrsttitleshotby Alekseev in2010. He and Alexander 2009 Enzo Maccarinelliin made quickworkof to contenderafterhe 84. H Last H Cuadras hadn’tfaced The Reasons: year: unranked (24 KOs) Record: 30-0-1 the WBCtitle bantamweight with Junior The Rundown: CUADRAS CARLOS 85. Washington, D.C. Jaro onNov. 13in Boy champion Sonny pan formerfyweight to facefash-in-the- Cuadras wasscheduled The Future: in September. withJoseSalgado draw a four-round technical Cuadras’ frstdefense, heads alsoshortened a headbutt. A clash of left eye, theresultof a cutaboveCuadras’ in aboutshortenedby round technicaldecision Cuadras tookaneight- Rungvisai thispastMay. titleholder SrisaketSor fght hesteppedinwith and afterakeep-busy to the WBC’s 115 beltat challenger the mandatory Thus, Cuadrasbecame Zaleta.challenger Victor knockout offormertitle his 2013withatechnical December andopenedup Fernando Lumacadthat former fringecontender 2012, outpointed Barrera inSeptember title challengerRonald former 105-pound He thenstopped up intherankings. faced andwasmoving four ofthefrst24he had knockedoutallbut most ofhiscareerbut goodoppositionfor very H Last H

LEBEDEV: BORIS STREUBEL/BONGARTS; DIRRELL: STEPHEN DUNN/GETTY IMAGES; TETE: BUDDHIKA WEERASINGHE/GETTY IMAGES; VETYEKA: ADEK BERRY; DEGALE: DEAN MOUHTAROPOULOS 81-90 86. 87. 88. 89. 90.

JOHNRIEL ANTHONY MOISES JAMES ZOLANI CASIMERO DIRRELL FUENTES DEGALE TETE The Rundown: The Rundown: The Rundown: The Rundown: The Rundown: Flyweight H Super Junior fyweight H Super Junior Record: 20-2 middleweight with Record: 19-2-1 middleweight H bantamweight (12 KOs) H Last the WBC title H (10 KOs) H Last Record: 19-1 with the IBF title H year: 93 Record: 27-0-1 year: 71 (13 KOs) H Last Record: 19-3 (16 H H The Reasons: (22 KOs) Last The Reasons: year: unranked KOs) Last year: year: unranked unranked Casimero has challenged Fuentes was a The Reasons: for a title at 112 pounds The Reasons: 105-pound titleholder DeGale captured Olympic The Reasons: before, getting stopped It’s impressive that Dirrell whose reign began in gold in 2008 and tested Tete embodies the by Moruti Mthalane in is even fghting, never 2011 and included two himself relatively quickly maxim of “if at frst 2011. He will likely be mind that he has a world successful defenses, in the pro ranks. In his you don’t succeed, try returning to that division title at 168 pounds. He ending with a stoppage ninth bout, he faced again.” He was a 13-0 in hopes of contending had been diagnosed with win over Ivan Calderon Paul Smith and scored fyweight when he there, given that his lymphoma, a battle that that sent the longtime a ninth-round stoppage. challenged fellow South reign at 108 recently kept him out of the ring 105- and 108-pound Two bouts later, DeGale African Moruti Mthalane ended after he came in from 2007 into part of titleholder into met fellow prospect for a world title in 2010. fve pounds overweight. 2008. Dirrell got back in retirement. His move to George Groves (12-0 at Tete lost by ffth-round Casimero became an the ring and reeled off 108 was a bold one – he the time) and went 12 stoppage. He then lost “interim” titleholder at a dozen wins through challenged Donnie Nietes rounds, dropping a very an elimination bout at junior fyweight in early 2011. And then he for a belt in March 2013 close majority decision in 115 pounds by majority 2012, scoring a technical crashed his motorcycle, and traveled to Nietes’ which the two deciding decision to Juan Alberto knockout over Luis which sidelined him for home country to do so. judges had only a one- Rosas in 2011, and Lazarte and sparking a all of 2012. Dirrell once Their battle ended in point difference between another one in 2012 by riot among the Argentine again worked to return. a draw and a rematch winner and loser. That split decision to Roberto fans in attendance. He And in 2013 he shook seemed inevitable. was 2011. Since then, Domingo Sosa before was a “full” titleholder rust off with a pair of Fuentes had three bouts DeGale has gone 9-0, knocking out former by the time he won a victories before wrapping before returning to the most recently scoring titleholder Juan Carlos split decision over Pedro up the year with a title Philippines for the sequel. technical knockouts over Sanchez Jr. in November Guevara in August 2012. shot against Sakio Bika. This time, however, previously unbeaten 2013. That earned Tete He successfully defended That bout ended in a Nietes showed himself fghters Gevorg his second title shot and with a decision over Luis draw and so Dirrell’s superior and ended Khatchikian and Brandon he captured a vacant Alberto Rios in March storybook ending had to things in the ninth round. Gonzales. The Gonzales belt this past July with 2013 and a technical wait for this past August, Fuentes’ only other loss win earned DeGale a decision in Japan over knockout of Felipe when he outpointed Bika came via split decision in a shot at the IBF title previously unbeaten Salguero that August. in their rematch. Older 2011. He bounced back presently held by Carl Teiru Kinoshita. He was Casimero, at 113 pounds, brother Andre Dirrell from that defeat pretty Froch, though a bout supposed to defend this needed less than a round has received much quickly. It remains to be with his accomplished fall against Paul Butler, to dispose of 108-pound more attention over the seen how he’ll respond countryman is not at all a former bantamweight challenger Mauricio years but now Anthony to this one. guaranteed. titleholder dropping Fuentes this past May. has fnally staked his The Future: The Future: down a division, but own claim at super Tete injured his hand in The Future: Fuentes’ frst post-Nietes In the interim, DeGale middleweight. training and had to pull The beginning of bout had not yet been was scheduled to face out. Casimero’s latest The Future: scheduled. former title challenger fyweight foray had not Dirrell’s mandatory Marco Antonio Periban on The Future: yet been scheduled. challenger is George Nov. 22 in Liverpool. It’s not yet known how Groves, though it was long Tete will be out uncertain who he will while recovering. face next.

1.15 / RINGTV.COM 63 100 91. 92. 93. 94. 95.

JESSIE KHABIB MICKEY VANES VIKTOR VARGAS ALLAKHVERDIEV BEY MARTIROSYAN POSTOL

The Rundown: The Rundown: The Rundown: The Rundown: The Rundown: Junior Junior Lightweight with Junior Junior H H H H welterweight welterweight the IBF title middleweight H welterweight Record: 25-0 Record: 19-1 Record: 21-1-1 Record: 35-1-1 Record: 26-0 H H H H (9 KOs) Last (9 KOs) Last (10 KOs) Last (21 KOs) H Last (11 KOs) Last year: unranked year: 86 year: unranked year: 94 year: unranked The Reasons: The Reasons: The Reasons: The Reasons: The Reasons: Vargas has been the This past April brought Yes, Bey is near the Martirosyan’s breakout Postol is tall for a benefciary on the the second-worst- bottom of this list while moment still eludes 140-pounder and can judges’ scorecards case scenario for the man he topped for him nearly a decade box, as he showed multiple times in his Allakhverdiev. It would’ve his world title, Miguel into his career, though against Selcuk Aydin home of Las Vegas. been truly rough for him Vazquez, came in at No. he continues to show this past May on HBO. That includes a split had he lost cleanly to 40. That’s because Bey glimpses of promise. The It was only the second decision over Josesito fellow contender Jessie not only took a highly 2004 Olympian topped fght in the United States Lopez in September Vargas on the Manny controversial decision and Joe for the Ukrainian, who 2011. The young fghter’s Pacquiao-Tim Bradley II but he also seemed to Greene in 2010 and beat DeMarcus Corley development continued card. But Allakhverdiev beneft from Vazquez’s then drew with Erislandy and Henry Lundy in his after that with wins lost a controversial usual ugly style working Lara in a 2012 WBC home country in 2012 over fellow prospects unanimous decision against him. It wasn’t so eliminator. Martirosyan and 2013. While not a such as Wale Omotoso, and hasn’t been back much about what Bey got his title shot in 2013, memorable performance also-rans like Lanardo in the ring since. He did against Vazquez, but though, facing fellow overall, Postol ended the Tyner and Ray Narh, and had already been left rather what Vazquez unbeaten contender Aydin bout emphatically faded former titleholders out as the other top didn’t do. Two judges Demetrius Andrade for with a beautiful uppercut such as . 140-pounders faced had it 115-113 going in the vacant WBO belt. in the 11th round. Fans Then he took on a each other. He had done opposite directions, while Martirosyan scored a were left wanting to see good contender named more than had some a third had a ridiculous frst-round knockdown what kind of problems Khabib Allakhverdiev other prospects who get 119-109 for Bey. Plus, but ended up losing a Postol might pose for this past April on the more of a push, having Bey was knocked out split decision. Since then the other top junior Manny Pacquiao-Tim knocked out Kaizer by John Molina three he has won two straight, welterweights. They’ll Bradley II card, winning Mabuza, given Joan fghts earlier. Still, it was including a points win have to wait. He took a unanimous decision. Guzman his frst pro a much-needed win in October over Willie step-aside money from And then in August loss (via split technical for Bey, who in 2013 Nelson. After that Danny Garcia, for whom he outpointed Anton decision) and stopped was in the news for a victory the WBO ranked he was mandatory Novikov. In both cases, Souleymane M’Baye. testosterone ratio that Martirosyan at No. 3. The challenger. There’s no there were observers One other bit of trivia was way, way, way above No. 2 guy, Jermell Charlo, guarantee that Garcia will who felt the bouts about Allakhverdiev: His the legal limit. will get a fght with remain in the division for should’ve been much injury in 2013 allowed The Future: Andrade in December. Postol to face two fghts Terence Crawford to from now. closer. The 25-year-old Bey has at least two take his place against The Future: remains undefeated, suitors: Vazquez The Future: Breidis Prescott on HBO, The next move for though. wants a rematch and Postol’s keep-busy bout the start of Crawford’s Martirosyan was still to The Future: Denis Shafkov is the while he awaits his title ascent. be determined. Vargas was scheduled to mandatory challenger. No shot had not yet been face former lightweight The Future: word yet on what’s next. announced. titleholder Antonio Allakhverdiev’s next fght DeMarco on the had not yet been set. Pacquiao-Chris Algieri card on Nov. 22 in Macau. VARGAS: DAVID BECKER/GETTY IMAGES; POSTOL: JEFF GROSS/GETTY IMAGES; ABRAHAM: AFP; AFOLABI: MIKE STOBE/GETTY IMAGES; CHAVEZ JR.: JEFF GROSS; ALLAKHVERDIEV: VALERY HACHE; BEY: ETHAN MILLER; MARTIROSYAN: AL BELLO; MURRAY: ALEX GRIMM; SOR RUNGVISAI: MUAYSIAM ALEX GRIMM; SOR RUNGVISAI: AL BELLO; MURRAY: ETHAN MILLER; MARTIROSYAN: HACHE; BEY: VALERY ALLAKHVERDIEV: JEFF GROSS; JR.: MIKE STOBE/GETTY IMAGES; CHAVEZ AFOLABI: AFP; ABRAHAM: JEFF GROSS/GETTY IMAGES; BECKER/GETTY IMAGES; POSTOL: DAVID VARGAS:

64 RINGTV.COM / 1.15 91-100 96. 97. 98. 99. 100.

ARTHUR OLA JULIO MARTIN SRISAKET ABRAHAM AFOLABI CESAR MURRAY SOR The Rundown: The Rundown: CHAVEZ The Rundown: RUNGVISAI Super Cruiserweight H Middleweight H JR. The Rundown: middleweight with Record: 21-3-4 Record: 28-1-1 Junior the WBO title H (10 KOs) H Last The Rundown: (12 KOs) H Last bantamweight H Record: 41-4 year: unranked Super year: 64 Record: 29-4-1 (28 KOs) H Last middleweight H The Reasons: The Reasons: (26 KOs) H Last year: 100 Afolabi has always Record: 48-1-1 Murray might get his H year: 99 The Reasons: (32 KOs) Last third title shot years after seemed better than his The Reasons: Just when it looked as results indicate but he year: 74 a pair of close calls. He Sor Rungvisai’s career if Abraham might be hasn’t always shown The Reasons: drew with Felix Sturm in debut came against Akira done, he regained his everything he can do, There was no a bid for the WBA belt in Yaegashi, who later went world title with a split even when it matters controversy in Chavez’s 2011 and lost to RING on to win a world title at decision over Robert most. He was behind rematch with Brian Vera. and WBC champ Sergio 105 and become RING Stieglitz, completing a on the scorecards when This time, he made the Martinez in 2013 in champ at 112. The Thai trilogy that began when he came back to knock original contractual Argentina. With Martinez fghter was actually 1-3- Abraham outpointed out Enzo Maccarinelli weight and took a clear still battling lingering 1 after his frst fve fghts his nemesis in August in March 2009. That unanimous decision injuries, Murray was able and had been knocked 2012 and continued got him a shot at in March, righting to score a knockdown out twice but he wouldn’t with Stieglitz scoring a cruiserweight titleholder both wrongs from and make for a closer lose again for his next fourth-round stoppage Marco Huck; Afolabi their September 2013 fght than the scorecards 26 bouts. Many of those in March 2013. Since lost a close decision. installment. But that was favoring Martinez were against opponents then, Abraham has taken Six fghts later, Afolabi the last we saw of him. otherwise indicated. listed as having losing decisions over Nikola redeemed his WBO Chavez is feuding with Since then, he’s won records and/or little or Sjekloca and Paul Smith, interim belt for a rematch his promoter, Top Rank. three in a row, including no experience but he though he hasn’t at all with “full” titleholder At least in part because a June decision over was good enough to resembled a top super Huck. That 2012 bout of that, he decided not to Max Bursak. With his beat Yota Sato to win a middleweight. Abraham ended in a draw. They face Gennady Golovkin pedigree and a promoter title at 115 pounds. The had a middleweight had a third meeting at super middleweight who likes to stage shows next 10 months brought reign from 2005 13 months later, with this past summer. He in Monaco, a clash with one successful defense through 2009, which Huck taking a majority still has a name and can another 160-pounder and six non-title bouts included 10 successful decision. Afolabi has won make for fun fghts now who fghts there on against no-hopers. This defenses. However, two in a row since then, that he has moved up. occasion, Gennady past May, Sor Rungvisai he then entered the has been competitive The move came once his Golovkin, was inevitable. lost a technical decision Super Six World Boxing with one of the best in brief run at middleweight A late-October matchup to Carlos Cuadras Classic. He knocked his division and might was brought to an end in with after eight rounds and out Jermain Taylor but someday get to leave 2012 by Sergio Martinez. didn’t pose much of a a cut over Cuadras’ was disqualifed against with a title around his He foored Martinez in threat. left eye caused by a Andre Dirrell and lost waist. the 12th but still left with The Future: clash of heads. He has badly to Carl Froch and the loss. Chavez held a The Future: The bout against beaten two designated Andre Ward. title at 160 for 15 months Afolabi does have Golovkin has been opponents since then. The Future: with three successful scheduled for Feb. 21 in another title shot, The Future: The WBO turned down this one against RING defenses. Monte Carlo. Sor Rungvisai has a Smith’s bid at a rematch. champion and IBF The Future: tendency to stay busy so Abraham might end up titleholder Yoan Pablo There’s been no it’s likely he’ll continue returning in February. Hernandez on Dec. 6 in indication of when to do so while awaiting Germany. Chavez will return, even another big fght. though both Carl Froch and Golovkin say they are willing to face him.

1.15 / RINGTV.COM 65 REMEMBERS DAN GOOSSEN: 1949-2014 DREAMS DO COME TRUE

weeks after he was diagnosed with went to work for the Los Angeles PROMOTER liver cancer. Times. After doing a story on DAN GOOSSEN The entire boxing world mourns publicist Bill Caplan, who was then STARTED SMALL his loss but only those closest to also serving as the ring announcer BUT MADE IT BIG him remember the dreamer of three for monthly f ghts at the Country decades ago. Club in Reseda while his wife and AND HAD FUN For the rest, the images that come daughters worked the box off ce, I ALONG THE WAY to mind tell the story of a colorful got a phone call. character who became a successful “You want to do a story on a By Steve Springer promoter, of a man who handled boxing family, you come see me,” some of the biggest f ghters in said the voice on the other end. boxing, some for their entire careers, It was Dan. It was a Wiff e f eld, a others for only a brief time. Over I did indeed go out to see him, patch of grass next to a tract home the years, Goossen worked with meeting him at the Wiff e ball f eld. on a North Hollywood cul-de-sac, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Mike Tyson, Only the Wiff e balls were long gone. part of a suburban neighborhood Bernard Hopkins, Andre Ward, Chris A ring had been set up under a tree indistinguishable from a thousand Arreola, Michael Nunn, Gabe and on the property and it was soon others in the San Fernando Valley Rafael Ruelas, James Toney and surrounded by four walls and topped area of Los Angeles. Terry Norris. by a roof. But for Dan Goossen, it was a f eld The name of his promotional There wasn’t much room to spare of dreams – his dreams. organization changed over in there. The ring nearly took up The year was 1985 and Goossen time from Ten Goose Boxing to the entire space of the one-room, was a telemarketer, an anonymous America Presents to Goossen-Tutor makeshift gym with a heavy bag voice making cold calls from an Promotions and f nally to Goossen tucked in a corner. It was so tight off ce in an industrial park, using Promotions. He also worked for that you couldn’t watch a sparring a canned spiel enlivened with his Arum’s Top Rank Boxing earlier in session without getting some sweat charm and wit to sell stationery his career. and, occasionally, even a few drops supplies to schools and businesses But Goossen himself never of blood on your clothes. around the country. changed. He never stopped wearing With seven brothers and two But Goossen had a much bigger the f amboyant but stylish suits sisters, Goossen had named his goal. He wanted to sell boxing that made it seem as if he had just new enterprise the Ten Goose matches to fans around the world. stepped off the set of . Boxing Club. He wanted to be a promoter, to take He never backed down from a good That didn’t include his father, on and Don King, the two f ght, whether it was in the ring or in Al, a former Los Angeles Police giants of the business in those days. a courtroom. And he never lost that Department detective who had It seemed like an impossible dream. charm and wit that sold everything worked on some legendary cases He had no gym, no equipment, no from pens and paper to, eventually, including the Black Dahlia murder connections to the sport, no one in championship f ghts. investigation in the 1940s. Al would his corner. And the toughest part was But for those who missed the early serve as Ten Goose’s f rst promoter. that he had no f ghters. days in North Hollywood, too bad. Brothers Joe, Greg (a former major Goossen died last month, a few I’m glad I was there. league catcher) and Larry would be

days shy of his 65th birthday, only For me, it began shortly after I the trainers. Other members of the ROSS LAND/GETTY IMAGES

66 RINGTV.COM / 1.15 Dan Goossen’s lighthearted approach to the boxing business – and life – brought smiles to a lot of faces.

1.15 / RINGTV.COM 67 REMEMBERS DAN GOOSSEN: 1949-2014

family, including sister Sandi, would the contract of Harry Kazandjian, an Just entering their teens, the brothers also help out. It was truly a Mom, Armenian lightweight, for $100. were selling candy door to door when Pop and the kids operation. But Kazandjian also had a day job. they knocked on the Ten Goose door. There was only one element still He sold Rolls-Royces. And he soon When Joe answered and they poked missing: a fghter. decided that selling cars could be their heads inside, their eyes grew The frst to put on the gloves for more lucrative, and certainly safer. wide at the sight of the ring. Ten Goose was a guy named Nacho, “You’ve heard of starting at the They asked if they could come in real name long forgotten. His resume bottom,” said Joe of those bleak days. and just watch the sparring. Soon, was brief. He worked in a car wash “We practically started underground. they were helping out in the corners, and he said he wanted to be a fghter. I was the loneliest trainer in town. I then sparring themselves, going on What more did he need? A heart was ready to grab the gardener down to not only become fghters, but would have been helpful. After the the street.” champions. Gabe won the WBC Goossens outftted Nacho with Eventually the gym began to junior lightweight title, Rafael the IBF gloves, trunks and hand wraps, fll up with fghters, some with lightweight crown. brought in a local trainer named actual talent. There was fyweight Nunn became the IBF Sonny Shields to bolster the staff and Alonzo Strongbow, veteran Frankie middleweight champ and the super found some sparring partners, Nacho, Duarte and then, fnally, a trio with middleweight titleholder for the seeing reality in, decided he championship potential, Nunn and WBA. didn’t want to be a fghter after all. the Ruelas brothers. Needing a venue to build his Undaunted, Goossen found a The arrival of the Ruelases fghters’ records, Dan staged monthly second candidate to launch his was typical of Dan’s unorthodox fghts at the Country Club. At a ambitious enterprise. And this time approach. They came to the Ten time when the legendary Olympic it was an actual fghter. He bought Goose gym selling candy. Honestly. Auditorium in downtown L.A. was fading from the fght scene and the main venue was Forum Boxing, Goossen built the Country Club shows into a credible rival, packing the 900-seat building month after month by providing entertaining matches in a nightclub atmosphere, patrons seated at tables with plenty to eat and drink. The man who once drew chuckles when he announced he was going to compete with Arum and King was, by then, sitting at the negotiating table with them and sharing the dais at major fght press conferences. There is usually more mayhem than mirth in the cutthroat . Not a lot of laughs to be found in a sport where pugilistic dementia is a common hazard. Yet despite all the struggles Goossen endured to carve out a spot in the sport, he lost neither his sense of humor nor his determination to have fun along the way. Whenever he would call me (in the days before caller ID), he

Fellow promoter Don King, 83, traveled to California to attend Goossen’s funeral. FRAZER HARRISON/GETTY IMAGES; (ABOVE) STAN HONDA/AFP/GETTY IMAGES and boxingpeople. And theumpire Marotta toallsorts ofmediatypes to broadcasters Al BernsteinandRich from ringannouncerMichael Buffer the Goossensagainsteveryone else Goossen fghtintheL.A. area. Itwas park afewdaysbeforeeverybig were playedinaNorthHollywood the unforgettablesoftballgamesthat was in. lighten uptheseriousbusinesshe really thepoint. Hejustwantedto to thesamegagcalls. Butthatwasn’t any ofmymediacolleaguessubjected boxing.” going tobethenextbigthingin on promoterDanGoossen. He’s the Times). Ineedyoutodoastory Bill Dwyre(thenmysportseditorat muffed voice, saying, “Steve, thisis recognition. Orhemightspeakina obscure countrylookingformedia undiscovered boxingtalentfroman foreign accent, claimingtobean a hottip. Hemightattempta he wasadeep-throatsourcewith He mightwhisperagreetingasif and comeupwithanewroutine. would trytodisguisehisvoice That was also the motivation for That wasalsothemotivationfor Of course, heneverfooledmeor went out barefoot onto the sand went outbarefoot ontothesand down toshorts andt-shirts the fghtwastobestaged. press conferenceinthehotelwhere dressed asalways, hadjustemceed a a Nunnfght. Goossen, impeccably in thelate1980s, severaldays before is ofabeachin Atlantic City. Itwas mind inthedayssinceDan’s passing right now.” sell youNo. 10. It’s notbeingused and whispered, “Tell youwhat. I’ll the 11thGoossen, Patleanedover Pat askedhowIgotthatnickname. past me, referredtomeas “Eleven,” with Dan. When Caplan, walking who wasinthemidstofanastyfeud next toPatGoossen, anolderbrother fght, Iwassittinginthepressroom the true11thGoossen. Marotta werealsoassuredthey 11th GoossenalthoughBernsteinand Goose thatIbecameknownasthe like NunnorDuarte. who wasnotontheupcomingcard, would usuallybeaGoossenfghter One day, priortoanupcoming I spentsomuchtimecovering Ten He, JoeandIthenstripped The scenethathaslingeredinmy When Iexplainedwasknownas return appearance. Wiffe ballfeldhad justmadeabrief having anyideathatthekidfrom the moment, nobodyelseintheroom never leftthebuilding. sponsors and TV people asifhehad hair neatlycombed, meetingwith lobby, therewasDan, suitbackon, back tothehotelshower. Then, coveredinsand, weheaded hour, throwing, catchingandsliding. the otherwithoutgettingtaggedout. attempting togetfromonebase back andforthwiththethirdplayer imaginary baseswhiletossingtheball a playerstraddlingeachofthe drillformanyyoungsters, a gameofpickle. That’s afavorite water’s edgeandproceededtoplay approximately 90feetapartatthe two squaresrepresentingbases with abaseballinhand. We carved James Toney. right) HasimRahman,BobArumand in thebusiness,including(leftto Goossen workedwithheavyweights He wasallbusinessatthat When Icamebackdowntothe We playedforthebetterpartofan 1.15 / RINGTV.COM 69 70 not fatalforShowtime. as goodforHBObut Canelo Alvarez’s move One boxinginsidersaw TUNED RINGTV.COM / 1.15 STAY STAY By MAYWEATHER JR. WITH SHOWDOWN POSSIBLE TV-DATE THAT SETSUPA A BOLDMOVE TO HBOWAS FROM SHOWTIME DEFECTION ALVAREZ’S CANELO RonBorges FLOYD FLOYD

CANELO: JOSH HEDGES/GETTY IMAGES; MAYWEATHER: ETHAN MILLER/GETTY IMAGES Even if you become a big hit, man. At least not when it comes to most important and fastest growing nobody wants to do it on the B-side. boxing’s bottom line. demographic in boxing. For HBO, That, as much as anything, is what As long as Alvarez was at convincing him to return with a fueled the surprising recent move Showtime he was going to remain three-year deal that reportedly of Canelo Alvarez from Showtime behind Floyd Mayweather Jr., guarantees him three fights a year, back to HBO after his promoter boxing’s pay-per-view king and the including at least one NOT on initially seemed to have verbally cable network’s cash cow for at least pay-per-view in an effort to further agreed to keep the 24-year-old junior the next year or two. Had Alvarez build his popularity, was a sound middleweight where he was. beaten Mayweather last year instead business move. This is a familiar song in boxing of losing a majority decision, things For Showtime, judging by the and one Oscar De La Hoya, who might have been different. But he angry reaction of Stephen Espinoza, promotes Alvarez, is familiar with. did not and so he returned to his who runs the network’s boxing When was awarded a previous status as the f stic version of programming and was once De La decision over De La Hoya 14 years the Pips behind Gladys Knight. Hoya’s lawyer, it was a body blow of ago, he thought that would make There is no denying Alvarez is some magnitude. It was not fatal, to him the new Golden Boy at HBO. Mexico’s most popular fighter be sure, but it gave HBO a leg up on It did not because even if you beat and may well hold the same place the next generation of boxing stars the man, that doesn’t make you the among all Latinos, who are the as the older one, led by the soon-to-

1.15 / RINGTV.COM 71 STAY TUNED

be 38-year-old Mayweather, soon-to- in September, as he has in the past. be 36-year-old Manny Pacquiao and If this were to happen and Alvarez THREE SHIP 49-year-old Bernard Hopkins, begins continues to insist he must fght on to fade. those dates as well, it means a cable JUMPERS Espinoza went so far as to call industry showdown that would cost Fighters who jumped recently De La Hoya moving Alvarez to Alvarez, HBO Pay-Per-View and from one premium network to HBO “deceitful” and claimed he’d Showtime Pay-Per-View money while reneged on a promise made with a leaving Mayweather untouched the other. company with which he had been because he’s reportedly guaranteed doing regular business. De La Hoya $32 million a fght even if no one FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR. denies that but the verifable truth is shows up. Showtime had no problem signing How the cable industry would From HBO to Showtime light heavyweight champion Adonis react to such a border war remains Mayweather had fought on HBO Stevenson after he had defected from unclear. In the past such conficts almost his entire career when he HBO after agreeing verbally and in have usually, but not always, been made the surprise announcement in e-mails to a two-fght deal leading avoided. HBO PPV executive Mark February 2013 that he was moving to a unifcation bout with Sergey Taffet alluded to that during a press to rival Showtime for a six-fght pay- Kovalev. Sadly, that is common gathering in New York after Alvarez per-view deal that would close out business practice in boxing, where a offcially signed with HBO in late his career. The last fght is expected handshake agreement often means September, saying any confict would to be in September 2015, although you should check your wrist to be be discussed with the cable operators no one will be surprised if he fghts sure your watch is still there. and accommodations would likely beyond that date. Espinoza knows this, as does be made. Ken Hershman, who runs HBO Perhaps so, but at the same session Sports and who saw Al Haymon Alvarez called those weekends ADONIS STEVENSON and build “Mexican dates” and claimed fght up a number of fghters – including fans wanted to see Mexican fghters From HBO to Showtime Mayweather – on their network and on them rather than Mayweather, THE RING light heavyweight champ then take them across the boulevard who he clearly believes is the farthest had agreed, according to some, to Showtime. thing from a Mexican fghter with his to fght Sergey Kovalev in what Reportedly, part of the problem heavily defensive style and seeming would’ve been a big fght on HBO. with the Showtime deal was that the contentment with winning by taking However, Stevenson, newly guided network refused to guarantee a $4 as few risks as possible. by Al Haymon, decided to switch million licensing fee for Alvarez to To Alvarez, those dates were once to Showtime with the apparent fght Joshua Clottey, a bout HBO the property of De La Hoya and intention of fghting Bernard agreed to televise on Dec. 6 until an Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. and now Hopkins. Surprise! Hopkins decided injury forced Alvarez to go on the rightfully belong to him. HBO to fght Kovalev on HBO. shelf until next year. But the real surely will try its best to make problem was that as long as Alvarez Alvarez into the same magnitude was at Showtime he would be a of star by using its well-established second banana to Mayweather, a role promotional power. CANELO ALVAREZ he refused to play any longer. “Everyone at HBO is excited to From Showtime to HBO One of Alvarez’s chief demands, welcome back Canelo,” HBO Sports in fact, has been that he fght on president Ken Hershman said at Alvarez announced in September both Cinco de Mayo and Mexican the time of the signing. “Canelo has that he was moving to HBO so a Independence Day weekends. already established himself as one larger number of fans could watch Those are two of boxing’s biggest of the boxing world’s stars, and we his fghts. There was more to it dates and Mayweather has claimed look forward to a long and mutually than that, though. He knew he them for himself, going so far as to benefcial relationship as we embark would remain No. 2 at Showtime jokingly refer to May 5 as “Cinco de on this new chapter together.” as long as Mayweather continued Mayweather.” Former HBO Sports executive Lou to fght. Alvarez wanted to reclaim Mayweather continues to insist his DiBella, who left the network after the Mexican holiday dates from next fght will be on that weekend a successful run to become a boxing Mayweather. He fgured this was the next May and he will also fght on promoter himself, looks at the move way to do it. Mexican Independence Day weekend as a good one for HBO but not a

72 RINGTV.COM / 1.15 Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Alvarez could engage in a different type of battle over the Mexican holiday weekends. BRYAN STEFFY/GETTY IMAGES FOR SHOWTIME BRYAN STAY TUNED

fatal one for Showtime. “Canelo is one of the young stars in boxing,” DiBella said. “I don’t think any one fghter is a transformative fgure in the sport today but if you do a deal with a young star and your business is boxing it’s good for your network. “Canelo is someone who can fght, he’s Hispanic and he’s good looking. He’s the young guy I’d most want to have if I was running a network. But if I was at Showtime I wouldn’t be dreading it. Mayweather remains the biggest attraction in the sport and they still have him. Pacquiao is next but going to China to fght won’t increase his popularity. Canelo is next but the real question becomes: Is the industry prepared for life without Mayweather and Pacquiao? “I don’t know the answer but I think the future for boxing is in American fghters. Germany is having a lot of success mostly with German fghters. England is doing well with mostly British kids. In the U.S., there’s a large Latino population and Canelo is the most signifcant fghter to them, but long-term I think there is talent enough to go around if we develop some of these kids by exposing them to the public.” Alvarez was the B-side in his fght with Mayweather, which reportedly did 2.2 million buys and set both a total revenue record ($150 million gross) and produced a record live gate of slightly more than $20 million. It did not break the all- time pay-per-view sales record set by Mayweather and De La Hoya, stars will quickly pay dividends. has been strained for years but however, and when Alvarez was De La Hoya claims he did not has thawed over the past 12 then sent off on his own – at his “bring” Alvarez to HBO but rather months and has led to several insistence – to headline two pay-per- followed orders, noting he worked co-promotional agreements. The view shows for Showtime against for the fghter and not the other way assumption is this will lead next Alfredo Angulo and Erislandy Lara around. Unlike most promoters, De year to a showdown between he produced mixed results (360,000 La Hoya may actually to a degree Alvarez and Miguel Cotto, a buys for Angulo and 325,000 with feel that way since he was once a longtime Arum fighter. the little-known Lara). fghter himself who began to chafe at If that fght were to be made for Those numbers did not dissuade the idea that his then-promoter, Bob Cinco de Mayo, for example, it HBO from signing him. Instead, Arum, was calling the shots. might be diffcult to come up with the network has put its faith in the Eventually De La Hoya left Arum an equally attractive opponent for idea that its larger share of the cable to form his own promotional Mayweather. The leading candidate

market and its own ability to build company. Their relationship is Amir Khan. Pacquiao, an Arum IMAGES DENIS POROY/GETTY

74 RINGTV.COM / 1.15 Alvarez brings a considerable fan following to HBO.

will soon be squaring off, not against each other but against each other’s fights on the two biggest Mexican holidays. If Mayweather sticks to his insistence that he will retire after those fights, the high ground would then belong to Alvarez, assuming he continues to win, but the entire landscape of televised boxing may also soon be changing. Industry insiders believe boxing’s most powerful and respected manager, Al Haymon, has not been stockpiling over 100 fighters for no reason. The belief is he may strike his own deal with an entity not in play, possibly even a streaming video one ‘FOR ALL MY like Netflix, to upend the present CAREER I HAVE pay-per-view model. If he does, there’s no telling what the future WANTED TO FIGHT will hold for any of them except this: Alvarez will still be the most ON HBO FOR ONE popular Latino fighter in the world MAIN REASON: I and he could well end up on a collision course with another HBO BELIEVE IT WILL fighter, middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin. ALLOW MORE OF Golovkin is undefeated and MY FANS TO SEE boasts one of the sport’s best knockout ratios (31 fights, 28 ME IN ACTION.’ KOs). Like Alvarez, he is still looking for his breakthrough – CANELO ALVAREZ moment, the kind of fight that not only fight fans but the more general sporting audience would f ghter, doesn’t appear to be in the and his company will have two embrace. That could end up being picture in spite of never-ending dates (Dec. 6 and Dec. 13) on one with Alvarez. rumors that he might be. HBO, where its f ghters had been If it happened, it would be easy to “For all my career I have wanted to banned since a falling out between promote into a War of the Worlds f ght on HBO for one main reason: I Hershman and former Golden Boy showdown between boxing’s two believe it will allow more of my fans CEO Richard Schaefer. brightest young lights and one HBO to see me in action,” Alvarez said. Schaefer is in a $50 million could make because it has solid Certainly it has allowed Golden arbitration battle with De La Hoya, relationships with both of them. Boy Promotions to get back into who is claiming Schaefer did not Make that match and it would HBO’s good graces. De La Hoya act in his company’s best interest become one of those rare things in brought Hopkins back to HBO to in recent years. That’s a fight that boxing, the kind of thing Canelo face Kovalev in a unif cation f ght will not be on pay-per-view. But Alvarez left Showtime to pursue. when Hopkins could just as easily it seems likely Showtime’s A-side It would be a fight with no B-side have faced Stevenson on Showtime, (Mayweather) and HBO’s (Alvarez) – and no downside.

1.15 / RINGTV.COM 75 76 CONTENTION POINTS OF POINTS OF RINGTV.COM By WEAPON LESTITBACKFIRE HOW THEYUSETHEIR POINT-DEDUCTION REFEREES MUST BE CAREFUL NormFrauenheim / 1.15

JEFF HAYNES/AFP/GETTY IMAGES hey are cops on the beat in T a very tough neighborhood, which means referees have been patrolling that contentious strip of canvas between the ropes for about as long as anybody can remember. Even Wyatt Earp was there. Yeah, that Wyatt Earp. Not long after Earp became the cinematic face of the Old West for his starring role in a shootout at the O.K. Corral, Tombstone’s deputy U.S. marshal was in the ring to work a mythic heavyweight title f ght between Tom Sharkey and Bob Fitzsimmons in 1896 in San Francisco. Details surrounding Marshal Earp’s conduct in Sharkey’s victory over Fitzsimmons are as unclear and ever- changing as the screenplays that have been written about the O.K. Corral. We only can be reasonably certain that a gun was involved. According to newspaper accounts, a police off cer at ringside for the bout conf scated a revolver that was spotted in Earp’s waistband when he took off his coat as he stepped through the ropes. Sharkey and Fitzsimmons must have seen it or

Referee Mills Lane wisely ended a mortifying episode for boxing by quickly disqualifying Mike Tyson after he bit Evander Holyf eld a second time. POINTS OF CONTENTION

at least been told about it. Fans at “If the fighters are fighting a ringside were suspicious that Earp crappy fight, I’ll use my people had another one hidden away, skills to get them through that. If I according to reporters seated in the get involved by taking points, the press section. focus shifts. Instead of the focus For Earp, a feared gunslinger, there staying on two great athletes, I’m was power in the mere threat he suddenly getting booed and boxing could still be armed. It might have gets marred.” been enough for him to exert some In the referee’s handbook, there’s control in the face of an angry crowd a single, overriding philosophy: A and an enraged Fitzsimmons after good night of work is one that ends the well-known lawman disqualifed with nobody noticing the ring’s him in the eighth round for an so-called third man. If fans recall apparent low blow. Earp never issued anything about the lonely offcial in a warning. He never had to unholster that black bow-tie, it’s been a long that verbal weapon. night. On a ref’s report card, “A” Apocryphal or not, the historical stands for Anonymity. anecdote provides a glimpse at how But that’s not always possible. It’s a the toughest job in any sport has fght, after all. Anything can happen evolved and yet stayed the same. and often does. Mills Lane, the Guns these days are with the police retired Hall of Fame referee, didn’t or in the crowd or – some might try to put himself in the headlines for argue – locked away at home. disqualifying Mike Tyson in a 1997 But the power to control a fght rematch with Evander Holyfeld. But rests in referee hands today as frmly Lane had no choice but to DQ Tyson as it ever has. It’s exemplifed by the for a bite that left Tyson with a piece point deduction. of Holyfeld’s ear lodged in his teeth. The when, how and why to use Chaos happens. the penalty can add up to a critical Lane, it turns out, acted almost difference between victory and as if he had been asking himself the defeat for fghters and fans. Safety, very question that defnes Reiss’ fairness, business and entertainment philosophy. What’s the best thing to are just some of the factors that do for boxing? After a bite early in go into a fundamental call. Boxing the third, Lane assessed Tyson a two- is controlled violence but it’s point penalty. Later in the round, only anarchy if the referee isn’t Tyson bit again. Lane answered with exerting control with a judicious a disqualifcation of Tyson before implementation of the deduction. the fourth. The DQ put an end to “I’m not put there to disqualify a notorious exhibition that would people,” said California referee Jack have been far worse for boxing had Reiss, who has worked about 2,000 it continued. fght was the result of two deductions fghts, including more than 40 world But it’s not always so assessed by referee Joe Cooper, who title bouts. “I’m put there for the dramatically clear-cut. Lane took a point in the seventh and again safety of the fghter, to enforce the connected the bites, first and in the 12th for excessive shoving. rules, control the bout and – the last second, to arrive at an inescapable Cooper warned Khan about shoving thing – ensure that the fans get a conclusion. There was still in the sixth. Khan complained. He good fght. controversy but there was closure. shoved, he said, because Peterson “Anytime we get involved and No such luck with a couple of kept dropping his head. Cooper, change the outcome, it mars recent examples – Amir Khan’s split- Khan said, never told Peterson to boxing. It hurts boxing. You decision loss to Lamont Peterson keep his head up. always have to consider: What’s in December 2011 in Washington The two points were decisive. the best thing to do for boxing? D.C. and Diego Chaves’ ninth-round Khan, a 115-110 winner on one My philosophy is: I don’t want to disqualifcation against Brandon Rios card, was a 113-112 loser on the disqualify, for sure. I also want to last August in Las Vegas. other two. Without the deductions,

take as few points as possible. Khan’s loss in a junior welterweight he would have won a unanimous AL BELLO/GETTY IMAGES

78 RINGTV.COM / 1.15 Referee Joe Cooper took two points from Amir Khan for pushing Lamont Peterson. That cost Khan the fght and raised questions.

threaten them with point deductions, threaten them with fnes, coerce them to try and settle down,” Reiss said. “After about four rounds and all that adrenaline is gone, it usually settles into a pretty decent fght.” Timing is critical. It also helps defne a referee’s philosophy about whether to deduct or threaten a deduction. Retired Nevada referee was a proponent of taking control early. The best time to take a point is in the early rounds, Cortez often said. “Once the fghters know you mean business, they’ll respect you,” he said. But it’s a fne line. Point deductions too early in a fght can limit a referee’s options and leave no choice but to deduct late in a close decision. It is part of what some say leads to an escalation of dirty tactics and – in a worst-case scenario – forces the kind of disqualifcation that abruptly brought a messy end to the Chaves- Rios fght on Aug. 2 in Las Vegas. One week after Bryant Jennings won a decision over Mike Perez because of a point taken by referee Harvey Dock in the fnal round of a heavyweight fght in New York, Nevada referee Vic Drakulich was widely criticized for letting things spin out of control before decision. In the wake of the by interventions that determined disqualifying Chaves in the ninth controversial result in Peterson’s the outcome. round. Reasons for the DQ weren’t hometown, there was controversy Yes, Khan was pushing and clear. Rios said he was poked in about a so-called mystery man at holding. Yes, Peterson kept his head the eye but there was never any ringside and an altered scorecard. down in a dubious tactic. But, no, offcial explanation from Drakulich. There were also questions about Cooper never called time-out early He let the Nevada State Athletic whether Cooper erred in ruling that in the fght to issue a stern warning Commission speak for him.“Vic, I Peterson had been knocked down to each fghter that their tactics thought, provided a great deal of only once in the opening round. He were about to cost them a point, patience and attempted to control was on the canvas a second time but maybe two. Threatened sanctions that fght,” Bob Bennett, executive Cooper ruled it a slip. might have been enough to preclude director of the Nevada State Athletic It would have been controversial the further tactics that continued Commission, said during the no matter what. But the deductions throughout the second half of a close post-fght news conference at The turned it into an unresolved mess. fght for two pieces of a world title. Cosmopolitan. A litany of suspicions was spawned “Keep using your people skills, But not everybody was so kind.

1.15 / RINGTV.COM 79 of theaction. never gainedcontrol Diego Chavesbut Rios (pictured) and between Brandon total inthebrawl deducted three points Referee VicDrakulich POINTS OFCONTENTION

CHRIS FARINA / TOP RANK “A horrible, horrible, horrible, the frst point deduction set things horrible job by the referee,” Teddy in motion, especially against Rios, a Atlas said during his ringside volatile brawler whose frst instinct is work as an ESPN analyst. “He lost to retaliate in kind. Tit-for-tat, hold- control over the fight from the for-hold. very beginning. He allowed it to When Reiss talks about people escalate. He allowed Rios to curse skills, he’s also talking about an at Chaves during the breaks. What ability to read personalities. How was going on with that? He didn’t will this fghter and that fghter say anything at all when he was react? Predictions aren’t precise cursing at him. He allowed it to but they might be a referee’s best become a runaway train. It should guide on how to respond. The best have never gotten to a point where hunch, perhaps, was that Rios would a fighter was disqualified.” retaliate regardless of whether the Some doubt about Drakulich’s frst point had been taken from work was even expressed by one Chaves, who was leading by a point Nevada commissioner. on two of the three cards at the time “Vic tried to take control of of the DQ. that fght by deducting the points, Nobody will ever know whether a whether or not you agree that was time-out and a pointed warning to appropriate” Commission Chairman each fghter in the third might have Francisco Aguilar said. “He was prevented an exasperating result trying to get control and as the fght that turns casual fans into ex-fans. went on, he was losing that control. But it might have been worth a “I don’t think either corner had try. By the time Rios retaliated and respect for the authority in that lost a point in the ffth, the tone ring. That is my concern. When he had been set. A war of revenge and went in there to lay down the law, attrition was underway. they were not listening. That fght “You have two highly trained was disintegrating where it could athletes, who are in tip-top condition become dangerous.” and full of adrenaline,” said Reiss, In all, Drakulich deducted three who learned how to read people in points, one from Rios for tackling adverse situations while working as Chaves in the ffth and two from a fre captain in Los Angeles. “And Chaves for holding in the third and then, if they don’t like each other pushing Rios’ face in the eighth or even if they do, they have their before the DQ at 1:26 of the ninth. friends and family who have put all Questions linger about whether of this emotion into it. “No matter what, the frst four rounds are going to be nasty. It’s going to be ugly. Some referees jump ‘[SOME REFEREES] on this stuff right away. They get very heavy-handed early and they GET VERY HEAVY- box themselves into a corner where HANDED EARLY they are almost forcing themselves to take points. AND THEY BOX “I feel that these referees are more THEMSELVES concerned about how that (the early rounds) makes them look, rather INTO A CORNER than staying back and knowing how WHERE THEY ARE to use your people skills.” It’s a skill older than boxing, even ALMOST FORCING older than Wyatt Earp, who knew THEMSELVES TO as a lawman and a referee that the best retain their power to TAKE POINTS.’ control when used primarily as – REFEREE JACK REISS a threat.

1.15 / RINGTV.COM 81 THE DEMISE OF A CONTENDER

THE SHORT n November 1961 Alejandro Lavorante, bare-chested, his f sts up in a f ghter’s pose, appeared on the cover of CAREER OF I THE RING Magazine. He looked as if he was in the ARGENTINE wrong business. With large, dark gentle eyes, stork-like HEAVYWEIGHT limbs, and a trusting manner, he resembled a dancer ALEJANDRO more than a boxer. One reporter thought, “He looked more like a guy who had come to ask the girl of the house to a dance. LAVORANTE You had the feeling he’d pick anybody up he knocked down.” But in the – WHO FACED accompanying feature story, longtime RING Editor Nat Fleischer made him seem like the future of the heavyweight division, comparing the AND CASSIUS CLAY – ENDED TRAGICALLY By Randy Roberts

82 RINGTV.COM / 1.15 6-foot-3-inch Argentine to Luis Angel Firpo, the most famous fghter from that country. Pinky George, his American manager, asserted that the 25-year-old was ready to fght anyone. “This is the year of the astronaut,” he told Fleischer. “Everyone is shooting for the moon. We’re doing the same.” It wasn’t all hype. Lavorante possessed a good left jab and a powerful right. He won 12 of his frst 13 matches and then in May 1961 knocked out highly-rated in seven rounds. In September he jumped to No. 4 in THE RING ratings and George moved quickly to cash in on his contender. While Lavorante was taking English lessons in night school, he fought seven times in a six-month period to close out 1961. It was a staggering number of fghts for a heavyweight contender, a schedule that suggested the incompetence, if not avarice, of his manager. Finally on March 30, 1962, Lavorante was matched with Archie Moore, the popular, experienced and hard-hitting light heavyweight champion, at the Los Angeles Sports Arena. Moore’s exact age had long been a subject of lively debate but he was at least 45 when he entered the ring wearing a silk brocade robe and trunks that reached his knees and were, columnist Jim Murray wrote, “roomy enough to go shoplifting with.” He was also 20 pounds over his best fghting weight and looked as if he planned to become a department store Santa Claus when he retired. But even an old, out- of-shape and oddly attired Moore attracted fans, and 12,500 spectators paid to see the two contenders battle. The contest quickly turned into a rout. A veteran of more than 200 Alejandro professional bouts, Moore’s defense Lavorante fought proved trickier than calculus for only once more Lavorante and the “ageless wonder” after he was knocked out by scored early and often with overhand Cassius Clay, rights and left hooks. Lavorante who later became fought gamely but by the middle Muhammad Ali. rounds he was bleeding heavily from the nose and mouth, and he

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was probably swallowing too much blood. In the later rounds he tired perceptively and though he remained standing he absorbed frightful damage. Finally in the 10th round, to save Lavorante from further punishment, referee Tommy Hart stopped the contest. When the bout ended, Lavorante slumped along the ropes, battered and disoriented. Moore and Hart virtually carried Lavorante to his corner. A photograph that appeared in Boxing Illustrated told the story: Lavorante’s face is a mess, smeared with blood, which had also dripped onto his chest and trunks. And his legs appeared so wobbly that they could not support any weight. Worse, his eyes lacked focus. It was the very image of the phrase “out on his feet.” After examining him in his corner, the ringside physicians called for a stretcher crew to carry Lavorante back to his dressing room, where he soon recovered enough to talk. It was just a case of “temporary exhaustion,” a physician said reassuringly, and there was no need for Alejandro to go to the hospital. Murray wrote, “Despite Lavorante’s theatrical exit, it was no crueler than a small boy’s trip to the wood-shed. … If it weren’t for the blood, it would have been as funny as Laurel and his ranking. For Lavorante, losing THE RING editors seemed to believe Hardy. Every time Alejandro tried to Clay would be more signifcant, that Lavorante had a future in the heavyweight division. something he ended up getting hit in indicating that his career was sinking, the face with it.” and boxing insiders recognized Less than four months after the it. Moore had exposed him and the fght. Asked for a prediction, he beating, Lavorante was back in the it was clear to boxing authorities answered, “Five rounds.” He said that ring against a younger, stronger, that “the tango was over” for him. if an old man like Moore took 10 better-conditioned boxer than “[Lavorante] is going to become,” rounds to defeat Lavorante, a young ancient Archie Moore. Although Murray predicted, “that most man like himself could do the job in the Argentine’s world ranking had pathetic of prize ring objects, the half the time. dropped from No. 3 to No. 10, he human yardstick. Contenders will Clay dominated the bout from the was still a drawing card on the West compare each other by how quickly opening bell. He staggered Lavorante Coast and he remained an important they bullwhip the gaudy gaucho from in the second, opened a cut over his stepping-stone for any rising below the border.” left eye in the fourth and knocked contender. And no heavyweight By the time Clay reached Los him down twice in the ffth. Sprawled contender was rising faster than the Angeles to begin training for the wide-legged on the canvas after the undefeated Cassius Clay, although bout, he was already looking past second knockdown, Lavorante took a the “Louisville Lip” struggled to Lavorante to a match against Moore full 10 count. beat Billy Daniels in May 1962 in but he still scurried around town Lavorante rose slowly but New York. appearing on two or three television recovered before heading back to the Clay looked to the Lavorante shows a night and logging scores dressing room. He was tearful when match to make amends and improve of interviews to drum up interest in he talked with reporters, dejected

84 RINGTV.COM / 1.15 at the downward turn of his career. four-hour operation Dr. J. DeWitt Lavorante, of course, was well Clay was “too fast,” he said. “I Fox removed two blood clots on beyond any thoughts about the knew what was going on after the Lavorante’s brain and relieved a ethical conundrums of boxing. He frst knockdown but not after the massive cerebral edema (swelling of was beyond any thought at all. second.” Sadly he shook his head. His the brain). Later in the day he also Although he was “eating very well manager was also grim. A few days performed a tracheotomy to solve and [was] able to open his eyes,” before the contest, Pinky George had Lavorante’s breathing problems. Dr. Fox reported in May, he was commented that the fght was critical When Lavorante’s condition “still in a mental state of being to his boxer’s plans. “It’s back to the worsened a day later, Fox operated unable to see, think or talk.” Unable minors if we lose,” he predicted. again, cutting out a 3-by-5 inch to wake, he lived a nightmare. His And the minors it was. Two section of skull bone to relieve days in the hospital were marked by months after Clay knocked him out, pressure on the brain. After that growing debts rather than physical Lavorante was back in Los Angeles – procedure, all the medical staff could improvements. Eventually, his this time at the Olympic Auditorium do was administer medication and parents wanted to take him home – to fght Johnny Riggins, a wait for Lavorante to pull out of the to Argentina but he had fnancial preliminary boxer who had lost coma. obligations to fulfll. He owed seven of his previous nine matches. Reports shocked the followers California Lutheran $1,900 and the Riggins had a reputation as a light of boxing. Only six months after United States government $9,798 in puncher and weak craftsman, which Benny “Kid” Paret died as a result back taxes. Finally, in the frst week seemed to be ideal for Alejandro’s of a brutal beating at the hands of of May, his parents gained custody of “comeback.” But after winning the Emile Griffth, the sport faced the his $16,886 bank account, paid his frst fve rounds, Lavorante tired prospect of another death and once bills and few him back to his home. dramatically, seeming to move like again there were calls to ban boxing. His parents remained hopeful that he was slogging uphill in the last Lavorante clung to life, battling their love and care would restore mile of a marathon. Toward the end high temperatures and additional their son to them. But hope had of the ffth he walked into a right complications. His mother, Lidia, deserted Lavorante. He died on hand and came out for the sixth still and brother, Jose, few 20 hours from April Fool’s Day 1964, 19 months dazed and exhausted. Riggins pressed Rosario, Argentina, northwest of after his last boxing match. He had his advantage, backing Lavorante , to be by his bedside. arrived in America just over four into the corner and landing a left When his mother whispered to years before. A manager had flled hook, a few rights to his opponent’s him in Spanish, he thrashed about, his head with dreams of shooting left temple and a perfectly timed clenching his fsts, ficking his eyelids for the moon and appropriately right uppercut. The punches twisted and twisting his mouth as if he were enough the two prize possessions he Lavorante’s brain stem, causing trying to form words. Dr. Fox called acquired in the United States were thread-like veins to hemorrhage. the reaction hopeful. a home movie projector and a flm His head swiveled violently and Of course, a month after the bout, of John Glenn’s orbital fight, which his eyes rolled backward. He did hope for any sort of signifcant he watched repeatedly. His dreams not so much fall as crumble, fnally recovery had long passed. By of the heavyweight boxing title were coming to rest in an awkward sitting January 1963, he could eat and just that – dreams nursed by an position against the lower rope, his even mumbled a few words but he ambitious manager. “He was just a head dropping toward his chest in a remained essentially unconscious, plain impostor in boxing trunks,” sleeping position and his arms falling spending day after day on his back Murray wrote. In the ring, Alejandro lifeless into his lap. The cheers of the in his hospital bed. Jim Murray, who Lavorante was like “a child playing 2,000 spectators became an eerie had once found humor in Moore’s in traffc, a blind man heading for a hush as Dr. Robert Rocke rushed beating of Lavorante, wrote a cliff.” And rather than intervening, into the ring and laid Lavorante column about him after a newspaper “People PAID to see it.” fat on his back. When he could not headline caught his eye: “Lavorante revive him, he called for a stretcher. Able to Blink Eyes, Cough.” “Call Randy Roberts is Distinguished In a very short time, the comatose that a sport?” the writer’s wife asked Professor of History at Purdue fghter was in an ambulance racing him. Murray agreed that it wasn’t University and a prolifc author. toward nearby California Lutheran much of a sport. “It is atavistic, His most-recent books: “Rising Hospital. inhumane. It belongs to the dawn of Tide: Bear Bryant”; “Joe Namath & Then his last fght began. As soon history or the twilight of civilization. Dixie’s Last Quarter”; “A Team for as he arrived at California Lutheran … Alejandro Lavorante probably America: The Army-Navy Game that assistants prepped and wheeled will die. … What did this boy do to Rallied a Nation at War”; and “Joe him into surgery where during a deserve anything like this?” Louis: Hard Times Man.”

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“Jimmy Tibbs: Sparring With Life” is a “riveting read.”

New York Times front page. He also A BOXING LIFE sparred with , the ever- popular English heavyweight. Then, in 1970, came a troubled fercely proud origins, his family time for him. His life changed. He TRAINER JIMMY TIBBS’ working as scrap metal and fsh became embroiled in East End gang AUTOBIOGRAPHY REVEALS merchants. The markets, including wars, family rivalries, which saw him A HARDSCRABBLE, Smithfelds, and the docks, still active, sentenced to 10 years in prison. It had kept the family not wealthy but would have been the end for many FASCINATING LIFE hard-working. but Tibbs used his time behind bars By Gareth A Davies Tibbs, fit as a fiddle at 68 years and his resolve to make something of old, had been inspired in Canning his life to make his family proud. Town by the likes of Terry Spinks For the next 30 years, he became “Jimmy Tibbs: Sparring With Life” and Terry Downes. With an one of the most respected trainers in is an extraordinary autobiography amateur record of 80-6, he joined boxing, working with and guiding lifting the lid on a British boxing the professional ranks at 19. Tibbs’ fghters he knew he understood: legend. Tibbs has been around some father rejected an offer for him , Michael Watson, of the greatest names in British to be managed by the notorious Nigel Benn, Barry McGuigan, and boxing, renowned as a trainer in gangland Kray twins, going in currently, . recent years. And he had been a person to see Reggie Kray to close I’ve watched Tibbs at work for gifted boxer in his early life, brought the issue. Instead, Tibbs fought over 20 years and his patience up in rough, tough, post-World War under the umbrella of Mickey Duff and understanding of the noble II East London. and . art resemble a father caring for a The book was written with author Among highlights in his early son, modestly administering quiet Paul Zanon, who captured Tibbs’ life career, he was a sparring partner advice. He has battled cancer, in all its detail, much of it complex, for Muhammad Ali ahead of the discovered a deep Christian faith gritty and extremely harrowing to Highbury fght with Henry Cooper, and transformed his life. Colin Hart,

read. He came from humble yet Tibbs’ picture ending up on the The the veteran boxing scribe, believes IMAGES SCOTT HEAVEY/GETTY

86 RINGTV.COM / 1.15 Tibbs has an innate understanding enough to bounce back if anything straight-faced. “Two-nil.” of fghters not only technically and does happen. I know in the back of “Yeah, two-nil. And I tip my hat physically but how their hopes and my mind, though, this isn’t going to to you, Carl,” Groves shot back. fears are shaped. be a smooth road.” “Immense respect. A punch from the Hart reckons top-class trainers Rarely do you hear such honesty gods. I’d love to have another crack need to be “psychiatrist, psychologist, from a young fghter on the way up. if you’re up for it, maybe next year. marriage guidance counselor and a Typically, they’re full of braggadocio Who knows? They might have to social worker.” and grand ambitions. It is refreshing, build a new stadium for us.” “Jimmy encapsulates all those then, to know that Joshua, currently “I know,” said Froch. skills, is a great teacher of the noble the eye of an almighty hype storm, Let’s be clear, Groves is in no way art, and that’s why he is one of the is the kind of character who can deserving of or in line for a third very best in the boxing business,” keep his feet frmly on the ground fght with Froch. Not now, anyway. adds Hart. Couldn’t agree more. and accept that troughs often follow Not when he’s coming off two It’s a riveting read, even harrowing peaks. Indeed, he gave himself a defeats to the man. Not at times, as the walls close in on “one” on a scale of one to 10 for without a world title to his name. Tibbs, after which he truly fnds his recent four-minute demolition Nevertheless, there could be no freedom in helping others. of Denis Bakhtov in London. This is ignoring the electricity that surged the heavyweight division, after all. through us all the moment Groves Nothing can be more unpredictable once again engaged Froch post-fght. than that. It acted as a reminder of what had What I like about British passed, a reminder that we may never heavyweight Anthony Joshua is that experience something quite as good he’s not just preparing himself for GEORGE GROVES as that rivalry for some time. Sure, success, riches and world titles. He’s It couldn’t have been easy for if Froch next year decides to fght also honest enough to prepare his George Groves in September. Not fellow Briton and IBF mandatory mind for potential setbacks, defeats only did he have to shake the challenger James DeGale, we could and disappointment. He’s a realist. lingering demons from his knockout be in for another civil war. There’s Mature beyond his 25 years. So defeat to Carl Froch in May, he no love lost between those two. Yet much so that when he spent 10 days also had to win his comeback the more time that passes, the more in training camp with Wladimir fght against France’s Christopher we all begin to appreciate just how Klitschko this summer, Joshua’s focus Rebrasse while his tormentor was on learning how the reigning watched at ringside. world heavyweight champion had In a strange turn of events, rebounded from his three career Froch was positioned alongside defeats. You know, just in case. his promoter, , and U.K. TOP 10 “Wlad was a feared man and clocked Groves’ every move at 1. CARL FROCH then he got beaten and his future . He watched him 2. KELL BROOK opponents suddenly had confdence keep Rebrasse at bay with the jab 3. AMIR KHAN that they could do it,” Joshua told and then sporadically mix it up 4. CARL FRAMPTON me. “He had to gain their respect close and dominate most of the 5. GEORGE GROVES all over again. He explained all that 12 rounds the pair shared. More 6. TYSON FURY stuff he went through and I thought importantly, he saw Groves become 7. SCOTT QUIGG a lot about the ups and downs in his European super middleweight 8. JAMES DEGALE career and how it has all molded him champion and mandatory 9. JAMIE MCDONNELL and made him who he is today. His challenger for WBC titleholder 10. PAUL BUTLER failures shaped him. Anthony Dirrell. “I want to achieve everything he After the fght, Groves, while Five more: Martin has achieved – even the failures. being interviewed by , Murray, Tony Bellew, Those failures show someone’s true couldn’t help but notice Froch at Nathan Cleverly, Billy colors. They show your true colors ringside. “You’ve stopped me twice, Joe Saunders and Kid and they show the true colors of Carl,” he said, “but I still think I can Galahad. those around you. When everything’s beat you. Everyone will laugh, but (Through fghts of Oct. 19, going well, everyone loves a winner. so be it. Maybe we can do it again 2014) But I’d love to see what happens some time.” when I hit a hurdle. I’m strong “Keep dreaming,” replied Froch,

1.15 / RINGTV.COM 87 LETTERS FROM EUROPE

George Groves was able to raise his hand in victory for the frst time since May 2013. special the dynamic created by Froch outcome for me is for the WBO to comparison, has also fought nobody and Groves ended up being. watch the fght, sort the judges out, to suggest he might get the better of get three neutral and competent Groves anytime soon. He has raw judges in, make me mandatory potential, yes, but so too did Groves PAUL SMITH challenger and put the fght up for when he met Froch. Sometimes it Another British super purse bids,” he said. “Let’s do it again pays to take your time. middleweight, Paul Smith, has lost and have an immediate rematch.” to both Groves and DeGale but Poor Paul. Poor Arthur. Once that didn’t stop him venturing to again, the two bravest men in the KID GALAHAD Kiel, Germany, and pushing WBO arena have their fates and futures Brendan Ingle was at The titleholder Arthur Abraham all the decided by three incompetent Savoy Hotel in The Strand, central way in September. The hard-nosed scribblers in suits. London, to witness a young life he Liverpudlian soaked up Abraham’s transformed when Kid Galahad – early , slowed him down with whose real name is Abdul-Bari Awad, body shots and then upped his work- the son of Yemeni parents, raised in rate down the stretch. Many felt he’d Chances are, if it isn’t Paul Sheffeld – collected his “Best Young done enough to win the fght and Smith who becomes world super Boxer of The Year” at the take the title. middleweight champion, it will be his annual dinner of the Boxing Writers’ Alas, the three judges were brother, Callum, who was unbeaten Club in October. blind to this and gave Abraham in 14 professional fghts going into Galahad was a notorious teenage a unanimous decision. Waleska his Nov. 22 meeting with Nikola tear-away 10 years ago, a 14-year-old Roldan and Zoltan Enyedi both Sjekloca and is considered the best of who was expelled from three schools scored the contest 117-111 while a fghting family. Callum is racing up and was banned from the city’s buses Fernando Laguna incredibly posted the WBC rankings and his promoter, and trams. As a teenager, he could a card of 119-109. Cue mass Eddie Hearn, has earmarked next fnd a fght in an empty room. Both outrage. Abraham simply smiled. As summer for a shot at a version of the elder brothers served prison terms. the German-based fghter fghting in 168-pound . He insists boxing saved him from Germany, he knew the score. “I’d put him in with (WBC following in their footsteps, becoming That’s not to say Abraham was an champion) Anthony Dirrell involved in gangs and crime. undeserving winner, though. To his tomorrow,” said Paul, his biggest Awad was introduced to credit, he out-jabbed Smith early and fan. “I boxed (Anthony’s brother) Ingle through the fghter’s idol, arguably got through with the heavier Andre Dirrell in the and . And it was the blows throughout the course of the he’s awkward and tricky to look old trainer who chose the ring fght. If he’d been voted the winner good against. But Callum has sobriquet Kid Galahad — the by a point or two, nobody would the tools to nullify Anthony and eponymous musical flm starring Elvis have kicked up a fuss. He would have override that. I know it’s a bold Presley as a boxer, released in 1962. been praised for prevailing in a close statement, but I think he beats Kid Galahad joined a list of boxers and competitive fght. Dirrell tomorrow. He just needs a to win the Young Boxer award If anything, then, the scorecards little bit more seasoning frst.” that includes Randy Turpin (1951), wound up hurting both champion The fght Hearn really likes for Howard Winstone (1961), Ken and challenger. The champion Smith is one against Groves in 2015 Buchanan (1966), John H. Stracey retained his title under a cloud – should Groves make the most of his (1972), Barry McGuigan (1983), soundtracked by calls of “robbery” WBC mandatory spot and dethrone Frank Bruno (1985), Nigel Benn and “disgrace” – and will likely have Dirrell at some stage. If that were to (1987), Hamed (1995), to go over old ground in the form happen, a fght between Groves and (1996), Amir Khan (2004) and Scott of a rematch. Whereas if the judges Smith works on a number of levels. Quigg (2012). had got it right, calls for a rematch It’s a potential domestic blockbuster Kid Galahad (18-0, 9 knockouts), would have been few and far – London vs. Liverpool – and it also who has won British, European and between. The challenger, meanwhile, offers Callum the chance to avenge Commonwealth hasn’t been given the credit he his brother’s defeat to Groves in titles, is convinced he can beat both deserves for a gutsy showing. On 2011. Story lines aplenty. Quigg and IBF champion Carl paper, it looks like he was on the Just a word of warning on that Frampton. Watch this space on the receiving end of a whitewash. That one, though. Groves, remember, chirpy, cheeky switch-hitter. He’s simply wasn’t the case. learned the hard way when he defnitely one to watch. As for what happens next, the attempted to run before he could WBO insisted they would review the walk. He met a granite-jawed Gareth A Davies is boxing tape and act accordingly. Smith hopes champion in Froch and paid the correspondent for The

SCOTT HEAVEY for an immediate rematch. “The best price. Twice. Smith, by way of Telegraph, London.

1.15 / RINGTV.COM 89 Since 2001, RingTV.com Editor the undefeated WBA middleweight BEST OF Doug Fischer has held an ongoing titleholder some rounds? He also dialog – which occasionally pointed out that he would like to see becomes heated debate – with other high-profle professional boxers DOUGIE’S boxing fans from around the world follow Golovkin’s example by fghting in “Dougie’s Mailbag.” more than twice a year. He says even MAILBAG Excerpts from Fischer’s online in the Pacifc Northwest, “GGG” has column from the previous month captured the attention of casual fans appear in the printed edition of due to his activity and all-action style. EXCERPTS THE RING. The following excerpts FROM THE are from the Oct. 20 edition of the DOUGIE’S REPLY: There’s no doubt Monday mailbag. in my mind that Golovkin’s activity RINGTV.COM is a major factor in his growing EDITOR’S POPULAR popularity. I don’t care how exciting COLUMN BENJAMIN, from Portland, , in the ring or charming out of it asked what 2015 holds for Gennady a fghter may be, he can’t go from JONATHAN MOORE/GETTY IMAGES By Doug Fischer Golovkin, who extended his knockout being a complete unknown to streak to 18 in a row with his drawing 8,000-plus at Madison second-round stoppage of Marco Square Garden and overfowing Antonio Rubio on Oct. 18 in Carson, StubHub Center in just two years California. Benjamin wondered who the way Golovkin has without Fischer thinks can actually take fghting often. Golovkin has fought

90 RINGTV.COM / 1.15 the ring in February, most likely in DOUGIE’S REPLY: Walters just Monaco (where he fought Nobuhiro proved himself at featherweight. Ishida and Osumanu Adama). As big as he is for the 126-pound Golovkin was a royal guest of honor division (and like I told you in a at a boxing event headlined by previous mailbag before the Donaire former two-time middleweight title fght, he’s the biggest featherweight challenger Martin Murray on Oct. I’ve ever seen), it’s too early to 25 in Monte Carlo. Loeffer says predict how he might fare at that Murray, who beat Domenico lightweight and junior welterweight Spada that night, is the front- – especially against skilled runner for Golovkin’s February championship-level boxer-punchers opponent. He also said that HBO like Crawford and Garcia. will defnitely televise Golovkin’s Walters is big, skilled and athletic February return and that GGG’s enough for me to believe that he next U.S. date will be in May. could be a force at 130 pounds right Can Murray give him some now. But why think about junior rounds? Yes, I think so. The British lightweight when the featherweight contender has never been dropped division is so deep? or stopped as a pro and I’ve never I agree that Gradovich’s style is seen him hurt. Of course, I thought tailor-made for the Axe Man but I’d Daniel Geale and Marco Antonio still like to see that fght because I Rubio would take Golovkin into know that the “Mexican Russian” the late rounds so please take will bring it. Gonzalez vs. Walters my opinion with a grain of salt. would likely be for THE RING’s Outside of Murray, the only fghters vacant featherweight championship Doug Fischer wrote that Gennady I think can go the distance with (they are currently rated Nos. 1 Golovkin’s GGG are elite super middleweights and 2 by the magazine) and I can’t willingness to and light heavyweights. think of a more explosive matchup fght often has between tall, rangy boxer-punchers contributed to his popularity. with good technique. DROEKS MALAN, of South Africa, was However, I agree with you that the blown away by Nicholas Walters’ most intriguing matchup that can sixth-round stoppage of Nonito be made at featherweight is Walters- seven times since opening the eyes Donaire, which earned the undefeated Lomachenko. And I agree that of American hardcore fans by boxer-puncher the Filipino star’s WBA Lomachenko is a complete boxer beating down Gregorz Proksa in his featherweight title on the Golovkin- who also has the size and athleticism September 2012 U.S. debut. Rubio undercard. Malan, who thought to compete with Walters. The former American superstars – from Donaire would outclass Walters, amateur star from Ukraine is the Muhammad Ali to Sugar Ray now wants to see the “Axe Man” only 126-pounder I would pick to Leonard to Mike Tyson to Oscar fght fellow 126-pound titleholders beat the Axe Man. De La Hoya – all boosted their Evgeny Gradovich, Jhonny Gonzalez Right now, Lomachenko (who popularity with busy fghting and Vasyl Lomachenko. He thinks was ringside on Saturday) appears schedules (at least early in their Gradovich’s grinding style is tailor- to be the busier, more versatile and careers). Shane Mosley fought fve made for Walters, believes fellow fuid of the two. I also think he has times in 1998, the year he went puncher Gonzalez would make for an better footwork and defense than from unknown IBF lightweight “interesting” shootout and predicts Walters. I think the WBO beltholder beltholder to the BWAA’s Fighter that a showdown with the technically would win a close decision over of the Year and broke into THE superb Lomachenko has “Fight of the Walters. However, Walters could RING’s pound-for-pound rankings. Year” written all over it. improve (or just show us more of What did the Sugar Shane of the late Malan is so high on Walters he his talent) in future bouts, which ’90s have in common with GGG? envisions the giant featherweight might change my prediction on that Tom Loeffer. moving up to lightweight and perhaps particular matchup. We’ll see what Speaking of the managing director even junior welterweight, where happens. But the 126-pound division of K2 Promotions, Loeffer told the showdowns with Terence Crawford or defnitely has a new player and it’s a media that Golovkin will return to Mikey Garcia await. weight class to watch.

1.15 / RINGTV.COM 91 NEW FACES JOSEPH DIAZ JR. 122-POUND PROSPECT IS TAKING HIS OPPONENTS TO SCHOOL

By Keith Idec

Unlike most boxers, Joseph “JoJo” Diaz Jr. doesn’t plan to abandon his education while pursuing riches in the ring. Once the undefeated junior featherweight prospect becomes more established and begins to fight less frequently, he plans to start taking college courses. The 2012 U.S. Olympian would be on track to graduate from college in the spring had he chosen baseball, his first love, over boxing when he was a sophomore at South El Monte (California) High School. Though sidetracked by boxing, Diaz is firmly committed to a seventh-round technical knockout. television-friendly fghter. returning to the classroom. Two-division world champion “We know fans want to see guys “Education is the key,” Diaz, 22, Paulie Malignaggi, who called the get knocked out and guys get hurt,” said. “I’m going back to school fight from ringside for FOX Sports Diaz said. “They don’t want to see once I’m fighting four times a year. 1, complimented Diaz’s patience people running around and fighting I plan to major in business because and noticed a more measured fights just to win. I don’t want I really want to invest my money in approach from him compared to to do that. I want to give people the future.” the Robles bout. exciting fights.” If Diaz continues to progress at his He might look like a little kid, but With his sights set on earning a current rate, he’ll eventually have Diaz doesn’t fght or act like one. world title shot sometime in 2015, plenty of money to invest. A strong, “I’m trying to take my time a little Diaz also wants to continue taking speedy southpaw, Diaz won his frst more and sit down on my punches,” steps up in class of opponents. If 12 pro bouts, eight by knockout. said Diaz, who’s represented by he is to follow De La Hoya’s lead By his 11th professional fght, he Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy and become a world champion already had gone 10 rounds in a Promotions. “Earlier in my career, very early in his career, this poised unanimous-decision victory over I was just throwing left hands and professional realizes he must make Mexico’s Ramiro Robles (12-2-1, 7 just throwing combinations just incremental improvements against knockouts) on July 9 in Las Vegas. to throw them, not throwing hard fghters that’ll challenge him, or risk That impressive victory moved punches to hurt the opponent. But entering a title fght unprepared. Diaz toward his frst televised main now I’ve learned that I can still be “When it’s time to fght for a event on Sept. 29 in Hidalgo, Texas, fast, still be accurate and still land world title, I’ll be ready because in which he made an even more effective shots and hurt the guy.” I’ll have fought all those good emphatic statement by dropping Diaz fully understands the opponents, tough opponents, to get Mexican veteran Raul Hidalgo (22- importance of scoring knockouts me ready,” Diaz said. “I don’t want 12, 16 KOs) four times on his way to as he attempts to mature into a to build my way up against guys

92 RINGTV.COM / 1.15 3 MORE TO WATCH TOKA KAHN-CLARY JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHT This southpaw possesses the type of speed and power that prompts promoter Bob Arum to expect big things from him in the 130-pound division. Kahn-Clary (13-0, 9 KOs) was born in Liberia but the decorated amateur has long THE ESSENTIALS fought out of Providence, Rhode JOSEPH DIAZ JR. Island, where he is trained by Peter Manfredo Sr. Only 22, he has been Age: 22 very active since turning pro in June 2012 and has stepped up his level Weight class: Junior of opposition in his past few fghts. featherweight Height: 5 feet 6 inches Stance: Southpaw Junior featherweight prospect Joseph ANTHONY OGOGO Hometown: South El Monte, Diaz Jr. wants to MIDDLEWEIGHT Calif. accommodate fans who crave knockouts. Golden Boy Promotions executives Record: 12-0 (8 KOs) consider the talented, powerful Biggest strengths: Ogogo (7-0, 4 KOs) a future star, Uses very good hand- particularly in his native England. with bad records and then, when I speed to throw various British fans fgure to take to the fght for a world title, not be ready 26-year-old prospect’s charisma punches accurately and for it because I’ve just been fghting and confdence, similar to the way in combination H Is an tomato cans.” they have with , Amir adept body-puncher who Joseph Diaz Sr., JoJo’s father/ Khan and Carl Froch. He turned pro often fnds ways to sneak in April 2013 but already is well- trainer, frst brought him to the hard body-blows past known in his homeland because he gym when he was an 11-year-old an opponent’s defense won a bronze medal at the 2012 bullying victim. A decade later, JoJo H Possesses plenty of Summer Olympics in London. Diaz is determined to repay his experience. Has more than father, mother, three older sisters, 100 amateur wins and nieces and nephews by making their participated at the 2012 lives a little easier. Summer Olympics in London. CLETUS SELDIN “I want to be successful inside the JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT Biggest question marks: ring,” Diaz said. “But outside the ring Though improving, still I want to make the right investments Promoter Joe DeGuardia is following needs to commit more to with my money, so when I’m done a blueprint that worked wonders for Chris Algieri while developing his power punches and with boxing I can be well off and this New York-based boxer into completely break away from won’t have to worry about it. I can H an attraction on Long Island. amateur habits Must just take care of my parents, my Nicknamed “The Hebrew Hammer,” remain mindful of defense family and live a good life.” Seldin (14-0, 11 KOs) is more in exchanges as he starts puncher than boxer. At 28, he’ll need to face more dangerous Keith Idec covers boxing for The to start facing better opposition if he opponents. Record, of Woodland Park, N.J. He is to make the tough transition from can be reached on prospect to contender while still in his physical prime. ED MULHOLLAND/GOLDEN BOY/GOLDEN BOY VIA GETTY IMAGES BOY ED MULHOLLAND/GOLDEN BOY/GOLDEN @Idecboxing.

1.15 / RINGTV.COM 93 SWEET SCIENCE

but especially powerful strikes that force the head to snap and twist violently, sloshing the brain inside, will cause neural circuits to shear and neurons to die. In the immediate aftermath, the consequence may be a concussion and perhaps mild cognitive injury, both of which might pass with time and recuperation. In the longer term, damage from multiple concussions over a boxing career can accumulate, potentially resulting in dementia pugilistica or what doctors like Marshall call “chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE),” which can lead to memory loss, confusion, aggression, depression and other symptoms of neurodegeneration, possibly even death. One widely cited fgure estimates that 15 to 20 percent of professional boxers will eventually suffer from some variant of CTE if they fght long enough. A paper published in 2007 in the journal Sports Medicine describes a study of British boxers whose One doctor careers spanned the -. It called the options found that 17 percent of the boxers available to protect exhibited clinical evidence of CTE. boxers’ brains “far from perfect.” Many professional sports have taken note of the dangers of brain injury, sometimes voluntarily, sometimes out of legal or political necessity. In hockey and football, for BRAIN POWERLESS example, major initiatives have been launched to fnd new ways to protect athletes from head injuries, from THERE IS ONLY SO MUCH opponent senseless. Whether viewed improved equipment to altered rules. DOCTORS CAN DO TO as brutal or beautiful, that’s the Boxing has also made an effort, nature of the sport. albeit with mixed results. One GAUGE DURING BOUTS “I don’t see any way of changing primary protection is the presence WHETHER BOXERS HAVE that,” said Dr. Lawrence Marshall, of a ringside physician with the SUFFERED BRAIN TRAUMA a neurosurgeon at University of authority (depending upon the California Health System, sanctioning body and locale) to end By Scott LaFee who says he did a little boxing in his a fght to prevent further injury to a youth and still enjoys watching the damaged or helpless fghter. occasional bout. “I cannot think of a But while assessing the severity way to effectively protect a fghter in of a facial cut or swelling over a Only boxing has a the ring.” fghter’s eye is comparatively simple neurodegenerative disease named And that, Marshall says, is and straightforward, it’s fantastically after it – dementia pugilistica – but unfortunate because brain injury in more diffcult to determine whether then only in boxing is victory so boxing is both endemic and inevitable. a fghter has suffered brain trauma often defned by pummeling an Almost any blow to the head, unless he or she has been knocked

94 RINGTV.COM / 1.15 out cold. the National Football League to “First, there’s the problem of time. develop new technologies, such as There is usually about a minute magnetoencephalography (MEG), between rounds and to do a thorough to detect neural damage and neurological assessment requires dysfunction. He says their MEG more than 60 minutes,” said Dr. technique, which maps brain activity Robert Cantu, a clinical professor of based on magnetic felds produced neurosurgery and co-director at the by electrical currents occurring Center for the Study of Traumatic naturally in the brain, can detect mild Encephalopathy at University (TBI) with and a ringside physician for more approximately 85 percent sensitivity. than 20 years. So could MEG be used at fghts? “Second, there’s a lot of noise and The answer is no. The machines commotion going on during a fght, cost millions of dollars. The scanner which makes it diffcult to pick up and its magnetic shielded enclosure on any subtle signs of concussion or weigh more than 20 tons. “It’s not brain injury.” portable,” says Huang, in something Often, said Cantu, the ringside of an understatement. physician must work in a time frame There are portable of seconds, examining a fghter only electroencephalography (EEG) after the referee has summoned the machines, Huang adds, that record doctor to a corner between rounds. electrical activity of the brain along In those few moments, the physician the scalp, but their sensitivity to mild will ask questions of the possibly TBI is just 30 percent. brain-injured boxer: What round is Neither Marshall nor Cantu it? What city? Who is the opponent? see any technological innovations He will watch how the fghter’s coming to the rescue anytime soon. eyes move, track and focus. He will If boxers are to be better protected look to see if there are problems of from brain injuries, they say the balance. “Those are the things you changes will need to be simpler and can do with the biggest bang for the more profound. buck in a quick neurological exam,” Marshall thinks any professional Cantu said. boxer knocked out during a fght But Cantu concedes that the should be prohibited from fghting situation is “far from perfect. There’s again for at least six months. If no doubt many subtle concussions knocked out a second time, they are are missed and boxers are allowed to banned from boxing. “But that’s not continue,” possibly leading to further going to happen,” he says. and more serious injury. No more likely is Cantu’s “And that’s with a neurosurgeon suggestion that doing the exam,” Marshall said. adopt the ethos of mixed , “Most ringside physicians aren’t which does not attach any stigma to neurosurgeons. They’re orthopedists, an MMA fghter tapping out. “Pretty obstetricians, family medicine much all MMA fghters realize doctors. They don’t deal with brain they are not going to go undefeated. injuries very often.” They will have a bad night, face Even experts say it is a better fghter and tapping out is fundamentally diffcult to detect a way to save themselves to fght mild brain injury with something again,” Cantu said. approaching medical certainty. “But that’s not true in boxing. JOHN GICHIGI/ALLSPORT Dr. Mingxiong Huang is a There’s no quitting. There’s no professor of radiology at UC San graceful way to back out unless you Diego’s School of Medicine and have good rapport with your trainer a brain imaging researcher. He and he steps in to stop a fght. Boxers and colleagues have worked with fght until the end.”

Shakur Stevenson (right) seems to be a major amateur star in the making.

MAKING THE GRADE

level, he’s dominating. He went USA BOXING ENDURED 5-0 in the Youth Championships, UPHEAVAL IN 2014 capping the run with a 3-0 shutout over Ukraine’s Ruslan Zabachuk. BUT THE FIGHTERS DID Shakur followed that up with three WELL shutouts in the Youth Olympics, By Joseph Santoliquito beating hometown favorite Ly in the f nal 3-0. Barring injury, expect Stevenson to be in Rio – at 123 Flyweight pounds, not 114. No U.S. male has The United States boxing program Newark, N.J. won an Olympic boxing gold medal endured a great deal in 2014. It Grade: A+ since Andre Ward in 2004. gained a highly respected coach in The amateur boxing world is well Pedro Roque and then lost him. aware of Stevenson; the rest of the It underwent a restructuring in its boxing world is about to discover hierarchy, leaving some questions him. Major promoters are lining up about its stability. trying to sink their teeth into the And through it all one element of 17-year-old, who won’t turn 18 until the organization evolved in a positive June. Stevenson had the best year by way – the f ghters themselves. The far of any U.S. amateur. In April he past year produced some stellar won a gold medal at the 2014 Youth performances from both its stalwarts World Boxing Championships in DARMANI ROCK and newcomers. Sof a, Bulgaria, and then another in Here is our report card on a August at the 2014 Youth Olympics Philadelphia handful of f ghters who could very in Nanjing, China. What’s frightening Grade: B well wind up in Brazil for the 2016 about Stevenson is that he’s not Rock, who will turn 19 in April, Olympics. just winning at the international was the biggest surprise of 2014. He

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A+ A now and appears to be steamrolling now and appears to be steamrolling her way back toward more Olympic success in 2016. gold medalist has picked up where gold medalist has picked up where She won two major she left off. winning in 2014, American Olympic gold in the Pan Boxing National Festival and USA She closed 2014 Championships. by winning the 165-pound division Continental Women’s at the Elite Championships for the second time She smoked Canada’s of her career. nal even Ariane Forti 3-0 in the f She’s after a bout of food poisoning. simply the best in the world right Middleweight Mich. Flint, Grade: The 2012 Olympic middleweight off an impressive 2014, winning winning off an impressive 2014, American Olympic gold at the Pan Boxing National Festival and USA Esparza closed the Championships. Clelia year by shutting out Brazil’s Women’s Costa 3-0 at the Elite Continental Championships in in September. Mexico, , “This is probably the most motivated I’ve been about boxing in some “My one goal is Esparza said. time,” to win the gold in Brazil.” Flyweight Grade: medalist The 2012 Olympic bronze to the is focused on returning is coming Olympics in 2016 and Championships Championships in April. A she knocked out Vietnam’s Trang le le Trang Vietnam’s she knocked out Youth Thi in the second round of the aim obviously is 2016 and I want to aim obviously is 2016 and I want to be as prepared as I can if it happens.” She demonstrated some pop when two years, Rio seems more of a Rio seems more of a two years, “I just want to possibility in 2016. “My Gonzalez said. keep working,” of ’s Ciara Ginty in the Youth Youth Ciara Ginty in the of Ireland’s Her ring maturity belies Olympics. And with the international her age. gained the last experience she’s as an amateur, winning a number winning a number as an amateur, of titles in junior tournaments and capping the year with a 3-0 blanking Shields and Marlen Esparza in the Shields and Marlen Esparza in the The high-school 2016 Olympics. senior is coming off her best year Gonzalez is young – she turns 18 Gonzalez is young – she turns 18 in February – but many believe she could join teammates Claressa Lightweight Calif. Glendora, Grade: JAJAIRA GONZALEZ one glaring difference between them: one glaring difference between them: Rock has been active internationally, has not. Awesome have cared as much about losing about losing have cared as much Rock’s Enough said. a year ago.” amateur main obstacle to Rio is U.S. There’s Awesome. veteran Cam F. got mad. “I know I can beat [Kadiru] I can beat [Kadiru] “I know got mad. to do to beat and I know what I need think I would “I don’t he said. him,” Kadiru 3-0 in the f nal of the Youth Youth nal of the Kadiru 3-0 in the f of getting But instead Olympics. Rock past, as he had in the down, gold at the Youth Championships, Championships, Youth gold at the Peter Kadiru beating Germany’s Rock then lost to nal 2-1. in the f applying himself by the end of the the by the end of applying himself do that. A little success can year. by winning Rock shocked everyone carefree f ghter whose father had to to father had whose ghter f carefree he had subway tokens make sure to get to the gym in his pocket caring and genuinely to actually matured considerably in a year’s a year’s in considerably matured lazy, from a rather He went time.

CHINAFOTOPRESS/CHINAFOTOPRESS WOMEN’S BOXING BRAEKING GOOD

POUND-FOR-POUND QUEEN CECILIA BRAEKHUS HAS ALL FOUR BELTS AND MORE BIG PLANS By Thomas Gerbasi

Life isn’t always sunshine and roses for the f rst woman to hold all four major sanctioning body titles simultaneously. There is the issue of storing all those championship belts. “I actually do have that problem,” laughs Cecilia Braekhus, “and they’re so heavy.” One would say that’s a good problem to have, a sentiment with which the undisputed champion of the welterweight division and the reigning pound-for-pound queen agrees. Undisputed and undefeated has a nice ring to it. The 33-year-old “First Lady” is embracing every minute of her success. “I love it,” she told THE RING. “It’s hard work and there have def nitely been some hard battles inside the ring and outside the ring, but now I’m just really, really enjoying Cecilia Braekhus is the where I’m at now.” undisputed “First Lady” A superstar in her adopted home of , the Colombia- of women’s boxing. born Braekhus experiences a level of fame and notoriety female boxers in the United States probably couldn’t fathom. She said walking on the streets in Bergen, her city in Norway, is nearly impossible. In Germany, where she lives and trains these days, she “can be a little bit anonymous.” But she generally garners considerable attention throughout Europe, and it’s based on her accomplishments rather than her stunning looks. “In my home country I won Athlete of the Year [in 2013] and that was only based on what I was doing in the ring and my sports achievements,” he said. “The respect I’m getting is for the work I’m doing and the f ghts I’m delivering. There are a lot of different ways for girls to promote themselves and they’re not always taken seriously for their sport. That’s not only in boxing. But I’m getting respected very much for my boxing and the work I’m doing in the ring.” That work has helped her f nd success at every level of sports at which she’s participated, from

as a teenager to amateur boxing and now the pro game. LABERGE/GETTY IMAGES ROBERT

98 RINGTV.COM / 1.15

WOMEN’S BOXING WOMEN’S A world champion since 2009, Braekhus was disappointed that TOP 10 when she defeated unbeaten the showdown didn’t happen but Vinni Skovgaard for the vacant still wants to fght again in the WBA and WBC titles, Braekhus U.S. 1. CECILIA has defeated the likes of Mikaela “I would love to box in America Lauren, , again,” she said. “I enjoyed it so BRAEKHUS Jessica Balogun (twice), Anne much the frst time. We tried to Norway • 26-0 (7 KOs) Sophie Mathis, Mia St. John and make a fght with in Welterweight . Las Vegas but that didn’t work In September, she defeated out. I was very, very disappointed 2. JELENA Croatia’s Ivana Habazin to because I had the chance to take possession of her IBF belt. fght with her, not only here in MRDJENOVICH Along with the WBO title she’d Europe, but also to go to America Canada • 33-9-1 (17 KOS) won in 2010 against Victoria and really make something in Featherweight Cisneros, Braekhus’ collection women’s boxing. It would have was complete. been huge. So we just have to 3. YESICA How does she do it? With fast look out for other options.” hands, great footwork and a Braekhus has plenty of other YOLANDA BOPP genius-level fght IQ that gives options. And fans can be assured Argentina • 27-1 (12 KOs), her an uncanny ability to throw of one thing: She won’t be afraid Flyweight the right punch at the right time to push the envelope. with great consistency. And, as “There are different things,” 4. JESSICA CHAVEZ important as anything else, she she said of her plans for 2015. Mexico • 21-3-3 (4 KOs) works very hard. “I’m thinking about changing Junior fyweight “When I’m training, I don’t weight divisions because I’ve have a lot of press there, I don’t beaten everybody in my class 5. make documentaries and people and I’ve beaten the two best U.S. • 12-2-3 (5 KOs) don’t follow me because I’m (Mathis and Lauren) in the so focused on my training, so class above me. So I’m actually Junior fyweight I don’t think people actually thinking about going down a know how hard I’m training,” weight division because there 6. DIANA PRAZAK said Braekhus. “I train extremely are a lot of champions who Australia • 13-2 (9 KOs) hard, the same as the guys. We I haven’t fought. That’s one Junior lightweight do the same things. And I don’t thing we will see about next like to have the press around in year. And also, I may be able to 7. JACKIE NAVA my gym because I am so focused. box in my home country next Mexico • 30-4-3 (13 KOs) That’s one thing. The other thing year. In Norway, professional Junior featherweight is that I’m loving what I’m doing. boxing has been banned since I really love boxing. It doesn’t 1981. The politicians there have matter if I was a star or not, I promised me that next year 8. MARCELA would do this.” I will get to box for the first ELIANA ACUNA About the only thing that hasn’t time there. So there are a lot of Argentina • 42-6-1 (18 happened in Braekhus’ nearly exciting things happening.” KOs) eight-year pro career is a full-on She hasn’t lost sight of the Junior featherweight of the American market. most important thing though: She has fought only once in the staying as hungry with four belts U.S., a six-round decision over as she was when she had none. 9. Nicole Woods in Florida in 2008. You can call her the best in the Belgium • 30-1 (13 KOs) That’s not for lack of trying, as world but she won’t. Lightweight her promoter, Team Sauerland, “I don’t actually think that attempted – but failed – to make way at all,” she said. “When I’m 10. ERICA ANABELLA a superfght with Holly Holm in done with a fght or have won 2013. Holm now competes in something, the day after it’s FARIAS full-time and is behind me. I’m looking forward Argentina • 20-1 (10 KOs) on the UFC roster. to the next big thing.” Lightweight Through fghts of Oct. 19, 2014 100 RINGTV.COM / 1.15 Visit THE RING’s ING C new YouTube channel ... IZ OM AN M G IT R T TheRingDigital O E E S R ( B E ING CO NIZ M A M O X G IT R T C O O E

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“Boxers must be part of the equation.” — BOC Member José Chegüi Torres RINGSIDE REPORTS BY NORM FRAUENHEIM AP PHOTO/SUN HERALD, AMANDA MCCOY AP PHOTO/SUN HERALD, JERMAIN TAYLOR UD 12 SAM SOLIMAN Jermain Taylor (left) regained a middleweight title with a unanimous- Date: Oct. 8 decision victory over Sam Soliman Site: Biloxi, Miss. on Oct. 8. Division: Middleweight Weights: Taylor 159.8 pounds, Soliman 160 Ring rating (going into fght): Taylor not rated, Soliman No. 5 Network: ESPN2

Jermain Taylor has a middleweight title again. It’s just one portion of a crown that he unified a decade ago. All the pieces belonged to him at that time and it looked as if they would be his for as long as he wanted them. But undisputed unity comes, goes and is remembered most vividly by those who have the scar tissue to remind them of what was and who they were. Taylor has the scars, some unseen, yet always there as a source of controversy if not real danger. Taylor beat an aging and hobbled Sam Soliman (44-12, 18 KOs), reclaiming the IBF’s piece of a middleweight championship that he last held in 2005 with the frst of two victories over Bernard Hopkins. Then, the IBF belt was just one in a collection that included the RING, WBO, WBA, WBC and sanctioning fees that added up to a big fraction of his purse. Money appeared to be no object, though. Taylor’s future appeared to be unlimited. But that was before two losses to , by TKO in 2007 and unanimous decision in 2008. And before Taylor was diagnosed with a brain bleed from a brutal beating administered by Arthur Abraham in 2009. It looked as if Taylor’s expectations had been ripped away from him. But he’s back and has been since the Nevada State Athletic Commission licensed him in October 2011 after he got a clean bill of health from the Mayo Clinic and the Clinic’s Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas. A 116-111, 115-109, 116-109 unanimous decision over Soliman was his ffth straight victory since then. But the win streak did not eliminate controversy surrounding his comeback. There was no back-to-the-future in the IBF title. There was only heightened concern about a future further clouded by an arrest on felony charges that he allegedly shot his cousin on August 26 at Taylor’s home in a suburb of Little Rock, Arkansas. In Soliman, he was facing a 40-year-old with little power. There were reports that Soliman aggravated an old injury to his right knee in training. Taylor capitalized, scoring knockdowns in the seventh, eighth, ninth and 11th rounds. “He did the same thing I would have,” Taylor (33-4-1, 20 KOs) said in a post-fght interview. “He kept fghting. He did exactly what I would do.” But that’s exactly what many think Taylor should not do. The IBF’s mandatory challenger is once-beaten Hassan N’Dam. But there’s speculation that Taylor’s next fght will be against unbeaten Peter Quillin, who has 22 knockouts in his 31 bouts. Al Haymon, boxing’s elusive power-broker, advises both. Haymon is also the quiet force behind Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s career. That relationship has spawned inevitable talk about Mayweather vs. Taylor in what would be Mayweather’s easiest path to a 160-pound title. Translation: Taylor’s comeback could become even more controversial. H

1.15 / RINGTV.COM 103 RINGSIDE REPORTS BY NORM FRAUENHEIM

precise right uppercut followed by a left hand for a stoppage at 1:19 of the second round wasn’t a surprise. Rubio (59-7-1, 51 KOs) acted as if he could have continued but it was fair to wonder whether he really wanted to. His fate appeared to be cast when he missed weight by 1.8 pounds and decided not to make a second trip to the scale, for which he was fned $100,000 of his $450,000 purse. Rubio trainer Robert Garcia said there was no chance he could get down to the 160-pound mandatory. It was another way of saying there was also no chance against Golovkin, whose streak of 18 successive stoppages is the longest in middleweight history. If not the second, Golovkin (31-0, 28 KOs) would have fnished it in the third or the fourth. His entrance, a parade around the ring, lasted longer than the fght. It also helped defne what the Southern California bout was all about. In winning over Mexican fans, he increases public pressure on stars Canelo Alvarez and Julio Cesar Chavez Marco Antonio Rubio (right) found himself Jr. to fght him. Chavez said yes to a in an elevated state bout in June but that fell apart because of danger against of contract trouble. Gennady Golovkin on Canelo says he’s interested but frst Oct. 18. he fgures to fght Miguel Cotto, whom Golovkin put at the top of his wish list. Pressure from their fans, however, GENNADY credentials against an acknowledged could fnally push them beyond talk GOLOVKIN threat with proven power. and into the ring against a fghter KO 2 MARCO That threat has yet to step forward. whose supporters wore T-shirts saying ANTONIO RUBIO From Miguel Cotto to Andre Ward, “ For Golovkin.” Date: Oct. 18 there are rumors about who might “Gracias,” Golovkin said. Site: Carson, Calif. be willing. Yet even in the immediate The next time Golovkin fghts, he’ll Division: Middleweight glow of Golovkin’s successful be speaking French. He’s headed to Weights: Golovkin 159 pounds, Rubio campaign stop in front of a record Monte Carlo in February against Martin 161.8 crowd of 9,323 at StubHub Center, Murray, according to Tom Loeffer, RING rating (going into fght): Golovkin there was still only speculation. But managing director of K2 Promotions, No. 1, Rubio No. 5 the momentum was real. which represents Golovkin. Network: HBO In the Kazakhstani’s Los Angeles In the immediate aftermath of the debut, Mexican and Mexican-American victory over Rubio, he was prepared Gennady Golovkin went west fans got an up-close-and-personal to change plans. It was up to Chavez, like a political candidate making a confrmation of what they had heard, Loeffer said. campaign stop. He smiled. He wore read and seen. Against an overweight “If Chavez wants it, we’ll scrap the Dodger . He pressed the flesh. and overmatched Rubio, they were whole Europe thing and go in that Pounded some, too. But that was presented with further evidence of direction,” Loeffer said. almost incidental. Marco Antonio Golovkin’s ability to beat the best at But there was no word from Rubio was simply a prop in Golovkin’s 154, 160 and possibly 168 pounds. His Chavez. No reason to say “gracias” H quest to prove his pound-for-pound dismantling of Rubio with a chillingly again. Not yet anyway. MOORE/GETTY IMAGES JONATHAN

104 RINGTV.COM / 1.15 NICHOLAS After it was over, he was as gentle had no counter for Walters (25-0, WALTERS as a Bob Marley lyric. Say hello to 21 KOs). Donaire said his opponent TKO 6 NONITO the next great Jamaican, mon. possessed an “overwhelming aura” DONAIRE Walters introduced himself to defined by superior size, a stinging Date: Oct. 18 stardom with a stoppage of Nonito jab, a big right and a durable chin. Site: Carson, Calif. Donaire, who had what remained of That chin was a surprise and Division: Featherweight his pound-for-pound credentials beat maybe the reason the fight turned Weights: Walters 125.6 pounds, out of him. in Walters’ favor. In the second Donaire 125.6 Actually, Donaire had another round, Donaire rocked him with his RING rating (going into fght): Walters description for what was beaten out feared left. Walters looked dazed. As No. 3, Donaire No. 4 of him. An honest one, too. the round ended, he stumbled and Network: HBO “He beat the s--t out of me,” said looked around as if he couldn’t find Donaire, who lost his WBA title his corner. Mix power, speed and class. Throw but won appreciation for a clear “I got a little bit confident and he in intimidation, too. Nicholas Walters assessment of what happened. caught me with a good shot. Boom,” was as confident as Usain Bolt. His In the end Donaire (33-3, 21 KOs), Walters said. “I recuperated but it hands were just about as fast, too. a former champion at four weights, was a very good shot.” The left has been Donaire’s best weapon. When Walters withstood it, Donaire’s confidence appeared to crumble. In the third, Walters The Nicholas Walters- Nonito Donaire fght struck, landing a right uppercut that had moments of great dropped Donaire onto one knee. A drama and brutality. further sign of Donaire’s imminent demise appeared in blood from a cut above his right eye and swelling around his left. In the fourth and fifth, Walters targeted the cut with a long, accurate jab. Late in the sixth, the Axe in Walter’s nickname dropped. Donaire missed with a left. Walters followed with a right that bounced off Donaire’s head and bounced him, face-first, onto the canvas. At 2:59 of the round, it was over and Walters was dancing to reggae. “It’s like fishing,” said Walters, who now finds himself in world-class waters full of options, including Vasyl Lomachenko. “I gave him the bait and I reeled him in. But he is a great fighter and a wonderful person.” For Donaire, the loss means he’ll be fishing around for a future. If it’s in the ring, it might lead to a move back down to a weight he ruled in his best days. If not, there’s retirement and perhaps a move into a media that could use his brand of honesty. “We’ll decide,” said Donaire, who plans to talk it over with his wife. “I have to go back to the drawing board. I know I can’t compete with guys like Walters.” H

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JUAN NO. 2 ARTHUR ARTUR NO. 9 NO. 1 CARLOS ABRAHAM BETERBIEV HASSAN JHONNY PAYANO UD 12 PAUL KO 2 NO. 7 N’DAM GONZALEZ TD 6 NO. 1 SMITH TAVORIS UD 12 CURTIS TKO 11 JORGE ANSELMO Sept. 27, Kiel, Germany CLOUD STEVENS ARCE MORENO (Sky Sports) Sept. 27, Montreal (Box Oct. 1, Santa Monica, Calif. Oct. 4, , Sept. 26, Mesquite, Texas Nation) (ESPN2) Mexico (beIN/Televisa) (RPC-TV, Panama) H Arthur Abraham’s victory was expected. H Meet Artur Beterbiev. H Hassan N’Dam is H fought H It appeared to be Controversy was not. Beterbiev crashed called a fringe contender. for fun as much as a stepping-stone for Yet it was there, in the the light heavyweight But there’s no future money. The fun is Anselmo Moreno. cards and loud enough to party by sending Tavoris there. Only futility. gone. The fickering After another defense obscure Abraham’s super Cloud crashing onto the N’Dam’s fight to get fame of Arce’s career of his bantamweight middleweight decision canvas four times in a off that fringe and into appears to have been title, it looked as if the over Paul Smith. sudden stoppage and the middleweight’s extinguished. Panamanian would Smith’s U.K. fans thus added his name to championship mix Arce (64-8-2, 49 KOs) move up in both weight complained that the a division crowded with continued with a talked about retirement and pay. unanimous scores were power and possibilities. thorough 116-111, 119- over the past few But Juan Carlos unanimously too one- Beterbiev’s pro 108, 116-111 victory years. The fve-time, Payano got in the way. sided. It was 117-111, resume (6-0, 6 KOs) over Curtis Stevens. four-division titleholder Hopes of getting into 117-111 and 119-109, is still too thin to N’Dam (31-1, 18 retired for 11 months the junior featherweight all for Abraham (41-4, 28 say he’s ready for KOs) scored an eighth- but couldn’t stay mix with Guillermo KOs). The margin says Bernard Hopkins, round knockdown while away. It looks as if top Rigondeaux, Leo Santa Smith (35-4, 20 KOs) Sergey Kovalev, Adonis keeping the powerful featherweight Jhonny Cruz, Scott Quigg and never had a chance. Stevenson or Jean Stevens (27-5, 20 KOs) at Gonzalez (57-8, 48 KOs) Carl Frampton are on But he did, jabbing Pascal. But the two- a distance for a win that made the decision for hold after Moreno (35- accurately early and time Olympian from set him up as the IBF’s him this time, though, 3-1, 12 KOs) lost his rocking Abraham with Russia has amateur mandatory challenger scoring a TKO that left WBA title in a messy body punches later. credentials that include to Jermain Taylor, who Arce with a fractured technical decision to “No doubt he won,” two victories over seven days later took shoulder, a gaping Payano (16-0, 8 KOs). Abraham promoter Kalle Kovalev. Translation: He the acronym’s version of wound above one eye Payano, a Dominican, Sauerland told Sky knows what he’s doing, the title with a decision and nowhere to go but was cut in the second Sports. oh-so evident in the over Sam Soliman. But the Hall of Fame. round by a headbutt. He Abraham did, mostly way he overwhelmed there was talk that Taylor It was brutal. But continued to score. He with telling blows over Cloud (24-3, 19 KOs), would fight Peter Quillin, Arce saw beauty in the continued to bleed. The the last half of the bout. who was down three instead. For N’Dam, that beating. blood forced the referee But the scorecards failed times in the first round could mean the feared “Most beautiful night to end it after six and to reflect a fight that still and finished at 38 Gennady Golovkin, who of my entire life,” said with Payano leading appeared to be in doubt seconds of the second. was at ringside. Arce, who told Mexican 58-56, 59-55, 58-56 on over the final few rounds. “If the championship “Right now, I want to media he would retire the cards. Payano had “I feel robbed,” said fight was tomorrow, fight the top that boxing after Gonzalez dropped the win. Had the title. Smith, whose frustration I would be ready to has, Gennady Golovkin,” him three times before Moreno had to wait and might include a silver take it,” Beterbiev told said N’Dam, who forgot a stoppage at 2:43 of hope for a rematch. lining. RingTV.com. to be careful about what the 11th. “I went to Could a rematch be in It’s another intriguing he wishes for. war, I took good shots, I the cards? tomorrow in a bright lasted.” 175-pound future full Hopefully, for the last of them. time.

106 RINGTV.COM / 1.15 107 PAWEL PAWEL RINGTV.COM RINGTV.COM / Denis Lebedev Denis Lebedev Against Pawel Against Pawel was finished Kolodziej After the blitz, 1.15 Lebedev quickly began Lebedev quickly began making some defense Roy Jones plans. was mentioned. Jr. So was Krzysztof Lebedev Wlodarczyk. manager Vadim Kornilov told Russian media that he hoped for a title defense in late 2014. he wears a Russian he wears a Russian special forces uniform. accompanied by a He’s wearing the same band, camouflage and playing martial music. however, Kolodziej, there wasn’t much of More like a a battle. Lebedev parade. before he could salute. In his first fight since a loss to in May 2013, 20 KOs) Lebedev (26-2, (33-1, rocked Kolodziej 18 KOs) with a right hand and followed with a crushing left for a knockout at 2:08 of the second round to reclaim cruiserweight the WBA’s belt. NO. 3 DENIS NO. 3 DENIS LEBEDEV KO 2 KOLODZIEJ Moscow 27, Sept. (Integrated Sports PPV) H marches into the ring staging an as if he’s Instead of invasion. the traditional robe, NO. 2 NO. 2 It was called “Night “Night It was called “I am angry “I am angry Krzysztof Wlodarczyk Krzysztof Wlodarczyk The scores – 118- Wlodarczyk looked as he put together a series he put together a series of whiffs that left him frustrated in post-fight interviews with local reporters. said at myself,” who was Wlodarczyk, still confident enough to call out Lebedev. cruised right into an cruised right into an WBC losing his upset, title in a surprisingly one-sided decision to Grigory Drozd on a card that included Drozd stablemate Denis KO of Pawel Lebedev’s Kolodziej. 119-108 and 109, 119-108 – reflected a bout that wasn’t even competitive. 27 KOs) Drozd (39-1, scored repeatedly by outworking Wlodarczyk 35 KOs) and in (49-3-1, the eighth round even scored a knockdown of who fighter, Warsaw the is now 1-1 in Moscow. if he wanted to win with Instead, one big shot. NO. 5 NO. 5 GRIGORY DROZD UD 12 KRZYSZTOF WLODARCZYK Moscow 27, Sept. (Integrated Sports PPV) H of the Cruiserweights.” It was.

Cornelius Bundrage got Bundrage employed a bite and a “A bark, nicknamed The fghter, At 41, Bundrage (34-5, Bundrage (34-5, At 41, “We want Floyd want “We another paycheck in a surprising title defense. 6 KOs), who brought the 6 KOs), fght to Mexico because of immigration issues. a solid jab and mixed in effective body shots. he strong-handed right,” said. celebrated with a K-9, He might get a rhyme. chance to do it again with taking the IBF’s version of taking the IBF’s the 154-pound title with a 117- 116-109, 115-110, 106 decision over Carlos Molina. 19 KOs) probably has a better chance at the lottery than landing a shot Cotto or at Mayweather, he showed he Still, Canelo. had power and overall skill against Molina (22-6-2, Mexico (Box Nation) H He the upset he wanted. left Cancun wanting more. Much more. we want Mayweather, we want Miguel Cotto, Bundrage Canelo Alvarez,” after told RingTV.com the junior middleweight extended his career by CORNELIUS CORNELIUS BUNDRAGE UD 12 NO. 3 CARLOS MOLINA Cancun, 11, Oct.

It was more than just It was more than just Dan Goossen wouldn’t Dan Goossen wouldn’t After a November After a November have had it any other have had it any other way. with him. He won in He won in with him. Then there was January. 13 KOs), Nelson (23-2-1, a junior middleweight Goossen’s contender. death from liver cancer Motivation, was a shock. Martirosyan was too. sharper in stronger, 96-94, scoring a 97-93, 97-93 victory that put him back in line for a title. “Around Round 8, I I “Around Round 8, thought about Dan and he made me fight hard,” 21 Martirosyan (35-1-1, KOs) told ringside media. “This was for Dan.” 2013 loss to Demetrius Rank Top Andrade, dropped Martirosyan. Goossen signed him. trainer Joe brother, Dan’s began working Goossen, Conn. (Showtime) Conn. H It was another fight. a tribute to an absent friend who had faith in Martirosyan when Vanes Martirosyan few did. dedicated the bout to Dan Goossen and followed through with a victory five days after his promoter died. NO. 6 VANES NO. 6 VANES MARTIROSYAN UD 10 NO. 7 WILLIE NELSON Mashantucket, 4, Oct.

The decision was There was never a Despite evident Rances Barthelemy did winning Olympic gold in 2004. whose brother, Yan Yan whose brother, was 12-3 Barthelemy, as a bantamweight after which was left with no reason to take a second look at the Cuban, wanted to end the fght. wanted to end the fght. A stoppage might have awakened a slumbering Showtime audience, chance. There was also never a moment when it looked as if Barthelemy moment when it looked as if Saucedo had a 8 KOs), an overmatched 8 KOs), dance partner from Argentina. amass points with fast hands and quick feet against Saucedo (52-6-3, superiority at the opening Barthelemy (21-0, bell, 12 KOs) was content to lightweight title but did nothing for his drawing power. 108 scorecard shutout of Saucedo in the Fernando frst defense of his junior boredom. the expected with a 120- Conn. (Showtime) Conn. H So was the unanimous. FERNANDO FERNANDO SAUCEDO Mashantucket, 4, Oct. NO. 3 NO. 3 RANCES BARTHELEMY UD 12

ABRAHAM: MARTIN ROSE/BONGARTS/GETTY IMAGES; BETERBIEV: ERIC BOLTE-USA TODAY SPORTS; BARTHELEMY/MARTIROSYAN: COURTESY OF SHOWTIME; DROZD: VIKTOR SOKOLOV FIGHT RESULTS THROUGH OCT. 19, 2014 (CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER)

HEAVYWEIGHTS KO 9 Adnan Redzovic Matias Vidondo TKO 2 Marcelo Dominguez Anthony Joshua TKO 2 Denis Bakhtov UD 10 Steve Cunningham TKO 7 Natu Visinia

CRUISERWEIGHTS Daniel Sanabria SD 12 Alejandro Valori Damir Beljo TKO 5 Alejandro Berrio Roy Jones Jr. KO 1 Hany Atiyo Noel Gevor TKO 7 Tamas Lodi Grigory Drozd UD 12 Krzysztof Wlodarczyk Denis Lebedev KO 2 Pawel Kolodziej Andrey Knyazev TKO 4 Shalva Jomardashvili Kevin Lerena KO 3 Gogita Gorgiladze TKO 7 Daniel Bruwer Krzysztof Glowacki KO 5 Tierry Karl

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS Denis Liebau UD 10 Ericles Torres Marin Artur Beterbiev KO 2 Tavoris Cloud Patrick Bois UD 10 Hakim Zoulikha Tommy Karpency SD 10 Chad Dawson Jef Page Jr. KO 5 Maxell Taylor Edwin Rodriguez UD 10 Azea Augustama

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS Arthur Abraham UD 12 Paul Smith Vincent Feigenbutz TKO 3 Guram Natsulishvili Andre Dirrell TKO 4 Nick Brinson Ezequiel Maderna UD 10 Jose Clavero Zac Dunn TKO 3 Istvan Zeller Bernard Donfack UD 12 Christian Pawlak

MIDDLEWEIGHTS TKO 4 Francisco Villanueva Matthew Macklin MD 8 Jose Yebes Jr. TKO 4 Zachary Briones Hassan N’Dam UD 12 Curtis Stevens Jermain Taylor UD 12 Sam Soliman Danny Butler TKO 3 Jason Ball TKO 5 Teophilus Tetteh Gevorg Khatchikian TKO 12 Ahmed El Ghoulbzouri Abraham Han MD 10 Gennady Golovkin KO 2 Marco Antonio Rubio U.K. heavyweight prospect Anthony Joshua maintained his perfect record, stopping Denis Bakhtov in two rounds on Oct. 11. JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS Joshua has knocked out all nine of his opponents. Jose Paz TKO 4 Juan Pedrozo Charles Hatley UD 10 Richard Gutierrez Ramon Alvarez UD 10 Omar Chavez TKO 4 Donatas Bondorovas Sasha Yengoyan TKO 6 Anderson Clayton Mikael Zewski KO 2 Roberto Ventura Dario Pucheta TKO 8 Bethuel Ushona Marcelo Coceres UD 10 Adonisio Reges Vanes Martirosyan UD 10 Willie Nelson Orlando Fiordigiglio TKO 4 Stefano Castellucci

108 RINGTV.COM / 1.15 Cornelius Bundrage UD 12 Carlos Molina Lorenzo Villanueva TKO 9 Gadwin Tubigon Sirimongkol Singwancha UD 12 Dan Nazareno Jr. Rikki Naito UD 10 Shingo Eto Jan Zaveck TKO 7 Ferenc Hafner FEATHERWEIGHTS WELTERWEIGHTS Romulo Koasicha KO 5 Genaro Camargo Roberto Arriaza TKO 1 Edwin Palacios Jhonny Gonzalez TKO 11 Jorge Arce David Avanesyan UD 10 Ramon de la Cruz Sena TKO 4 Davide Dieli Antonin Decarie TKO 5 Ivan Pereyra Josec Ruiz TKO 8 Jelier Pacheco Tori Nelson SD 10 Rolando Magbanua KO 1 Joel Escol Fredrick Lawson UD 10 Ray Narh Lee Selby TKO 9 Joel Brunker KO 2 Felipe De Teniente Hisashi Amagasa TKO 12 Ryo Takenaka Jorge Paez Jr. D 6 Nicholas Walters TKO 6 Nonito Donaire Pablo Munguia UD 10 Edgar Ortega Viskhan Murzabekov KO 1 Ramadhani Shauri JUNIOR FEATHERWEIGHTS Fabian Orozco MD 10 Leandro Esperante JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS Joseph Diaz TKO 7 Raul Hidalgo Aik Shakhnazaryan UD 10 Sergio Mauricio Gil Luis Cusolito TKO 7 Diego Silva Fidel Maldonado Jr. TKO 8 Nelson Lara Jorge Lara TKO 4 Jovanny Soto Michele Di Rocco UD 12 Ruben Nieto MD 10 Crystal Hoy Sonny Katiandagho UD 10 Allan Tanada Dave Ryan MD 12 BANTAMWEIGHTS UD 8 Steve Forbes Juan Carlos Payano TD 6 Anselmo Moreno Ivan Alvarez TKO 2 Luis Ulloa Panomroonglek Kaiyanghadaogym TKO 7 Junior Bajawa Joe Hughes TKO 10 Philip Bowes Edrin Dapudong TKO 5 Wisanlek Sithsaithong Tyler Goodjohn MD 10 Ricky Boylan John Wayne Hibbert TKO 5 Leonardo Gonzalez JUNIOR BANTAMWEIGHTS Rafk Harutjunjan UD 12 Ilya Prymak Chatpetch Sithmorseng TKO 4 Anis Ceunfn Petchbarngborn Kokietgym KO 3 Ki-chang Kim LIGHTWEIGHTS Daniel Lozano TKO 4 Jonathan Vidal Pablo Barboza UD 10 Sergio Escobar Warlito Parrenas UD 12 Espinos Sabu Fedor Papazov UD 10 Felix Lora Rene Dacquel KO 8 Menard Abila Dierry Jean KO 5 Daniel Ruiz David Carmona UD 10 Martin Casillas Emiliano Marsili UD 12 Gyorgy Mizsei Srisaket Sor Rungvisai KO 6 Boido Simanjuntak Javier Prieto D 12 Ivan Cano Anthony Nelson UD 10 Terry Broadbent Marvin Quintero TKO 2 Carlos Mario Sanchez Rusalee Samor UD 12 Fernando Ocon Reynaldo Ojeda UD 10 Patrick Okine Emmanuel Rodriguez TKO 1 Miguel Cartagena KO 6 Josenilson Dos Santos Felix Verdejo KO 3 Sergio Villanueva FLYWEIGHTS Allan Kamote UD 12 Osgood Kayuni Stamp Kiatniwat UD 12 Samuel Tehuayo Areti Mastrodouka UD 10 Hana Horakova Renan Trongco MD 12 Hayato Yamaguchi Edner Cherry TKO 2 Osumanu Akaba Suguru Muranaka TKO 8 Yusuke Sakashita Ardin Diale TKO 4 Renerio Arizala JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHTS Jether Oliva UD 10 Jemmy Gobel David Browne Jr. UD 12 Rey Las Pinas Nawaphon Por Chokchai KO 4 Donny Mabao Malcolm Klassen TKO 4 Justin Savi Amira Hamzaoui SD 10 Raja Amasheh Ian Bailey TKO 10 Ryan Doyle Denver Cuello TKO 6 Jaipetch Chaiyonggym Troy James SD 10 Ronnie Clark Adrian Estrella UD 12 Celestino Caballero JUNIOR FLYWEIGHTS Argie Toquero KO 1 Takaya Kakutani Palangpol CP Freshmart UD 12 Tommy Seran SCOTT HEAVEY/GETTY IMAGES Rances Barthelemy UD 12 Fernando Saucedo Paipharob Kokietgym UD 12 Mateo Handig Gamalier Rodriguez TKO 2 Martin Cardona Rey Loreto KO 7 Heri Romain Jacob UD 12 Devis Boschiero Robinson Castellanos TKO 5 Ronny Rios STRAWWEIGHTS Rene Alvarado UD 12 Juan Pablo Sanchez Go Odaira UD 10 Hiroya Yamamoto Miguel Berchelt TKO 3 Antonio Escalante Knockout CP Freshmart UD 12 Carlos Buitrago

1.15 / RINGTV.COM 109 PREDICTIONS ARE MADE BY RING STAFF MEMBERS COMING UP MICHAEL ROSENTHAL, DOUG FISCHER AND LEM SATTERFIELD.

NOV.

stars): H H H H H Also fghting: Evgeny Gradovich vs. Jayson Velez, featherweights (for Gradovich’s IBF title) Signifcance: Crawford (24-0, 17 KOs) announced himself as a rising star in June by stopping Yuriorkis Gamboa in nine rounds in his frst title defense. Beltran (29-6-1, 17 KOs) is a tough, blue-collar fghter who can give anyone trouble. He hasn’t lost since January 2012. Prediction: Rosenthal – Crawford UD; Fischer – Crawford UD; Satterfeld – Crawford UD

NOV. 22 – Takashi Miura vs. Edgar Puerta, junior Manny Pacquiao lightweights (for Miura’s WBC (left) faces Chris Algieri on Nov. 22 in title), Tokyo Macau, China, on NOV. 22 – Roman Gonzalez vs. HBO Pay-Per-View. Rocky Fuentes, fyweights (for Gonzalez’s WBC title), Tokyo NOV. 22 – Nathan Cleverly vs. MANNY capable at 35. Algieri (20-0, 8 KOs) and Chisora (20-4, 13 Tony Bellew, cruiserweights, PACQUIAO VS. KOs) won the Pacquiao lottery KOs) aren’t gifted heavyweights Liverpool, England CHRIS ALGIERI with a stunning upset of Ruslan but their brash, sometimes NOV. 22 – Scott Quigg Date: Nov. 22 Provodnikov in June. crude behavior commands vs. Hidenori Otake, junior Location: The Venetian, Macau, Prediction: Rosenthal attention and has made this featherweights, Liverpool, China – Pacquiao UD; Fischer – an important fght in the U.K. England Division: Welterweight (for Pacquiao SD; Satterfeld – Fury outpointed an overweight NOV. 22 – Jamie McDonnell Pacquiao’s WBO title) Pacquiao SD Chisora in their frst fght three vs. Walberto Ramos, TV: HBO Pay-Per-View years ago. bantamweights, Liverpool, Watchability rating (up to fve TYSON FURY Prediction: Rosenthal – England stars): H H H H VS. DERECK Chisora KO 8; Fischer – Fury NOV. 22 – Anthony Joshua vs. Also fghting: Vasyl CHISORA II MD; Satterfeld – Chisora KO 9 , heavyweights,

Lomachenko vs. Chonlatarn Date: Nov. 29 Liverpool, England PACQUIAO: JOE SCARNICI/GETTY IMAGES; CHARLO: PATRICK SMITH Piriyapinyo, featherweights Location: ExCel Arena, London TERENCE NOV. 22 – Callum Smith (for Lomachenko’s WBO title); Division: Heavyweights CRAWFORD VS. vs. Nikola Sjekloca, super vs. Kwanpichit TV: BoxNation in the U.K. RAYMUNDO middleweights, Liverpool, OnesongchaiGym, fyweights; Watchability rating (up to fve BELTRAN England Jessie Vargas vs. Antonio stars): H H H H H Date: Nov. 29 NOV. 22 – James DeGale vs. DeMarco, junior welterweights Also fghting: Billy Joe Location: CenturyLink Center, Marco Antonio Periban, super Signifcance: Pacquiao (56- Saunders vs. Chris Eubank Jr., Omaha, Neb. middleweights, Liverpool, 5-2, 38 KOs) bounced back middleweights; Gary Sykes vs. Division: Lightweights (for England from his KO loss to Juan , junior lightweights; vacant RING championship and NOV. 22 – George Groves vs. Manuel Marquez by easily vs. Bradley Crawford’s WBO title) Denis Douglin, cruiserweights, outpointing Brandon Rios Skeete, welterweights TV: HBO Liverpool, England and Tim Bradley. He remains Signifcance: Fury (22-0, 16 Watchability rating (up to fve

110 RINGTV.COM / 1.15 DEC.

DEVON Charlo (24-0, 11 KOs) is ALEXANDER VS. stepping up in class and will be AMIR KHAN fghting for his frst major belt. Date: Dec. 13 Prediction: Rosenthal – Location: Mandalay Bay, Las Andrade UD; Fischer – Andrade Vegas MD; Satterfeld – Andrade SD Division: Welterweights TV: Showtime TIM BRADLEY VS. Watchability rating (up to fve DIEGO CHAVES stars): H H H H Date: Dec. 13 Also fghting: Keith Location: The Cosmopolitan, Thurman vs. Leonard Bundu, Las Vegas welterweights; Demetrius Division: Welterweights Andrade vs. Jermell Charlo, TV: HBO junior middleweights (for Watchability rating (up to fve Andrade’s WBO title) stars): H H H H Signifcance: Alexander and Also fghting: Matt Korobov Khan are both very good, vs. , middleweights quick-handed boxers who have (for vacant WBO title); Mauricio bounced back from adversity. Herrera vs. Jose Benavidez Jr., Alexander (26-2, 14 KOs) looked junior welterweights sharp in his victory over Jesus Signifcance: Bradley (31-1, Soto Karass after losing his title 12 KOs) is coming off his frst to Shawn Porter. Khan is 3-0 loss, a unanimous decision in since losses to Lamont Peterson his rematch against Manny and Danny Garcia. Pacquiao that cost him his WBO Prediction: Rosenthal – Khan title. Chaves (23-2, 19 KOs) UD; Fischer – Khan MD; was DQ’d for fouling but was Satterfeld – Alexander SD competitive against Brandon Rios in August. The Argentine is DEMETRIUS 1-2 in his last three fghts. ANDRADE Prediction: Rosenthal – Bradley VS. JERMELL UD; Fischer – Bradley UD; CHARLO Satterfeld – Bradley UD Date: Dec. 13 Location: Mandalay Bay, Las DEC. 3 – Daniel Geale vs. Jarrod Vegas Fletcher, middleweights, Moore Division: Junior middleweights Park, Australia (for Andrade’s WBO title) DEC. 6 – vs. TV: Showtime , middleweights, Watchability rating (up to fve Brooklyn, N.Y. (HBO) Jermell Charlo will H H H H stars): DEC. 6 – Jean Pascal vs. challenge WBO junior Also fghting: Devon Alexander Donovan George, titleholder vs. Amir Khan, welterweights; heavyweights, Montreal Demetrius Andrade on Keith Thurman vs. Leonard DEC. 6 – Lucian Bute Dec. 13 in Las Vegas on Showtime. Bundu, welterweights vs. Roberto Bolonti, light Signifcance: This is a heavyweights, Montreal rare matchup of gifted and DEC. 6 – Yoan Pablo Hernandez undefeated young fghters. vs. Ola Afolabi, cruiserweights heavyweights, , DEC. 31 – Kohei Kono vs. Andrade (21-0, 14 KOs) is (for Hernandez’s RING and IBF Germany Norberto Jimenez, junior making the second defense of titles), Oldenburg, Germany DEC. 31 – Takashi Uchiyama vs. bantamweights (for Kono’s WBA the title he won by outpointing DEC. 6 – Juergen Braehmer Israel Perez, junior lightweights title), Tokyo Vanes Martirosyan in 2013. vs. Pawel Glazewski, light (for Uchiyama’s WBA title), Tokyo

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UNCROWNED CHAMPION

The name Joe Jeannette (on the right sparring with fellow heavyweight Jim Stewart in this remarkably crisp photo) might not ring a bell but boxing historians will tell you he was one of the best heavyweights early in the 20th century. Jeannette, 5 feet 10 inches and around 200 pounds at his peak, had the misfortune of fghting during an intolerant time. Because of his skin color, he was barred from sharing the ring with the top white heavyweights of his day, with few exceptions. Even shut out his own people after he became champion. That doesn’t mean Jeannette has a weak resume, though. He faced other great black heavyweights in historic and evenly matched series. He fought 15 times (3-6-2, four no-decisions) during the no-decision era, according to The Boxing Register. He fought Sam McVey fve times (1-1-2, one no-decision). And, before Johnson became champ, Jeannette faced his great rival seven times (1-1, fve no decisions). Johnson dominated Tommy Burns to win the title after following Burns to Australia and luring him into the ring with a fnancial offer he couldn’t refuse. The educated guess here is that any of the above would’ve done the same thing had they caught up to Burns, including Jeannette.

1.15 / RINGTV.COM 113 AT THE FIGHTS 1.

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1. Danny Magallan (right) with heavyweight titleholder Bermane Stiverne at the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Marcos Maidana II weigh-in on Sept. 12 in Las Vegas. 2. Ernesto Castaneda (left) with Bernard Hopkins at the Canelo Alvarez- Erislandy Lara news conference in May in New York. 3. Mary Lou Murray with . 4. Shawn Bradley (left) and Mark Blackburn f ank after Emanuel Steward’s memorial in 2012 in . 5. Ryan Largo (right) with Manny Pacquiao in August in San Francisco. 6. Rolando Valdovinos (right) with Adrien Broner at the Vasyl Lomachenko-Gary Russell Jr. card in June at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. 7. with young amateur Jahmeir Townsend after a tournament in June in Camden, N.J.

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7. WANT TO SEE YOURSELF IN THE RING MAGAZINE? Send us photos of you posing next to a well-known f ghter or other boxing personality and we will consider if for publication in the magazine. Send photos to atthef [email protected]. Make sure to include your name(s), the names of those in the photo, when and where the photo was taken and your contact information. See you at the f ghts!

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