NorCal Boxing Weekend Results: Robb, Esparza Victorious

By Ryan Maquiñana
Norcalboxing.net
 

Robb (right) celebrates with manager Repo Ric.

PRO

• Sacramento featherweight Guy Robb (11-1, 4 KOs) opened his 2013 campaign with an eight-round unanimous decision over John Herrera (4-7-1, 2 KOs) in Phoenix last Friday.  Scores were 60-54 across the board.

• Sacramento light heavyweight Otis Griffin (24-13-2, 10 KOs) dropped an eight-round unanimous nod to Thomas Williams Jr. (14-0, 10 KOs) in Atlantic City on a Showtime Extreme-televised bout.  Scores were 80-72 and 79-73 twice.

AMATEUR

• San Carlos flyweight Marlen Esparza repeated as gold medalist at the 2013 Continental Championships with a 20-11 decision over Brazil's Clelia Marquez in Venezuela on Sunday.

RESULTS: 2013 Region 11 Junior Olympic Finals

By Ryan Maquiñana
Norcalboxing.net

Northern and Central California's best young amateurs faced off in the Region 11 Junior Olympic finals in Redwood Valley last Saturday.  The winners advanced to the National Junior Olympics in Mobile, Ala., from June 26-29.  Special thanks to Lydia Razo and Oscar Ortiz for the results!

SENIORS (15-16)

MEN

106 lbs.: Derek Ochoa (Valley Vipers BC, Clovis) – Unopposed

101 lbs.: Ivan Varela (McDermont BC) def. Christopher Rodriguez (Woodland BC), 5-0

110 lbs.: Jacob Flores (Unattached, Parlier) def. Kevin Montano (Concord CYC), 3-2

114 lbs.: William Young (Unattached, S.F.) def. Pedro Medrano (Backyard BC, Salinas), 4-1

119 lbs.: Ruben Villa (Backyard BC, Salinas) def. Ivan Vergara (Vacaville PAL), 5-0

125 lbs.: Isidro Ochoa (Fresno PAL) def. Uriel Sanchez (Unattached, Santa Rosa), 4-1

132 lbs.: Charlie Sheehy (South S.F. BC) – Unopposed

138 lbs.: Joseph Murrieta (Unattached, Fresno) – Unopposed

145 lbs.: Angel Rios (Unattached, Sacramento) – Unopposed

154 lbs.: Amisael Jimenez (Caballero BC, Sacramento) – Unopposed

WOMEN

101 lbs.: Jackie Corona (La Corona BC, Arbuckle) – Unopposed

110 lbs.: Caroline Rojas (Velarde’s TC, Fresno) – Unopposed

114 lbs.: Odalys Camacho (Unattached, Bakersfield) – Unopposed*

119 lbs.: Katrina Nahe (USF) – Unopposed*

*In a matched exhibition bout, Nahe defeated Camacho, 5-0. 

INTERMEDIATE (13-14) 

MEN

75 lbs.: Kevin Mendoza (Aleman BC, Fresno) - Unopposed

80 lbs.: Jonas Persaud (Concord CYC) def. Elian Lua (Main Events, Fresno) via walkover

85 lbs.: Derry Edwards (Vacaville PAL) - Unopposed

90 lbs.: Angel Cordon (Old School BC, Concord) def. Alexis DeLuna (Bakersfield PAL) via walkover

95 lbs.: Andre Conway (South S.F. BC) def. Israel Murrieta (Velarde's TC, Fresno), 5-0

101 lbs.: Allen Medina Jr. (Fresno PAL) def. Manuel Yama (Unattached, Santa Rosa), 4-1

106 lbs.: Jesus Aguilar (South S.F. BC) - Unopposed

110 lbs.: Ivan Hurtado (Napa SAL) - Unopposed

114 lbs.: Nicholas Bueno (Tulare AC) def. Isaac Rosales (Oakland BC), 3-2

119 lbs.: Cedric Salcedo (Golden State Bloodhounds, Sacramento) - Unopposed

125 lbs.: Thorn Castellon (Golden State BC, Fresno) - Unopposed

WOMEN

90 lbs.: Graciela Ortega (Dogg Pound Boxing, Sacramento) - Unopposed

95 lbs.: Chloe Beardsly (Concord CYC) - Unopposed

Knight Retains Title, Outpoints Soto in Mexico

By Ryan Maquiñana
Norcalboxing.net

Knight (right) was too much for Soto in Mexico. (Pepe Rodriguez)

Reigning world lineal flyweight champion Ava "Lady of Boxing" Knight (11-1-3, 5 KOs) of Chico won a lopsided ten-round unanimous decision over Linda “Muñeca” Soto (5-2, 3 KOs) in Toluca, Mex.

"We did it again," Knight said via her Facebook account.  "Soto is a tough girl!  She has my respect."

REWIND: http://www.csnbayarea.com/fight-sports/boxing-notes-knight-running-out-foes

On the same card, Knight's gymmate, Hayward's Aaron "Heavy Metal" Coley (6-0, 4 KOs), knocked out Arnoldo Pacheco (4-18-2, 3 KOs) in the first round.

VIDEO: What's Next for Mayweather, Guerrero?

By Ryan Maquiñana
CSNBayArea.com

Now that the smoke has cleared and Floyd Mayweather has kept his pound-for-pound crown intact with a unanimous decision victory over Gilroy’s Robert Guerrero last Saturday, it’s time to dissect the “May Day” aftermath and what lies ahead for “Money” and “The Ghost,” respectively.

[RELATED: Mayweather outpoints Guerrero in 12-round battle]

GUERRERO

A busy week awaits Guerrero, starting with his upcoming court date next Tuesday in New York to address illegal gun possession charges at JFK Airport.  According to his co-manager Bob Santos, Guerrero’s legal team includes Bruce Zabarauskas, a prominent attorney whose work in the boxing industry includes his successful representation of manager Rolando Arellano in his settlement with former client Victor Ortiz to avoid arbitration.

[REWIND: Guerrero faces jail time after gun arrest]

While the Queens District Attorney’s Office has remained relatively quiet since D.A. Richard Brown’s initial in March hoping that Guerrero “fights better than he thinks,” it’s still anyone’s guess whether the case will actually go to trial or if a plea deal to a lesser charge will be reached to avoid jail time.

Mayweather outpointed Guerrero over 12 rounds. (Isaac Brekken/AP)

READ THE REST: http://www.csnbayarea.com/fight-sports/next-step-guerrero-mayweather

Weights from Toluca, MX: Knight 111.75, Soto 111.75

By Ryan Maquiñana
Norcalboxing.net

Knight and Soto both came in at 111.75 pounds. (Pepe Rodriguez)

Flyweight world champion Ava Knight (11-1-3, 5 KOs) of Chico and her challenger Linda Soto (5-2, 3 KOs) both tipped the scales at 111.75 ahead of their Saturday showdown in Toluca, Mex.

Knight is currently ranked fifth on CSNBayArea.com's Northern California pound-for-pound top 10 regardless of gender: http://www.csnbayarea.com/fight-sports/norcal-pound-pound-top-10-april-2013

Amateur News: Regional Junior Olympics, Results from Ukraine

By Ryan Maquiñana
Norcalboxing.net

Suray Mahmutovic incurred an early exit in Ukraine. (Sheldon Callum)

LOCAL AMATEURS ELIMINATED IN UKRAINE

A trio of Region 11 amateurs represented Team USA at the Victory Day tournament in Uman, Ukraine, this week, with all three eliminated by Ukrainians in the quarterfinals. 

In the 138-pound division, Napa SAL’s Brandon Trejo was stopped on cuts in the second round by Alexander Schet, while Westmoor High’s Suray Mahmutovic (415 BC, S.F.) was outpointed by fellow 178-pounder Richard Gomesh.  110-pounder Evan Sanchez (Fresno PAL) dropped a split decision to Djachenko.

All three boxers are expected to compete at the National Junior Olympics.

REGIONAL JUNIOR OLYMPICS LOOMING

Ruben “Dracula” Villa, Isidro Ochoa, and other future stars compete at the Region 11 Junior Olympic Championships on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Coyote Valley Casino in Redwood Valley. 

The winners advance to the National Junior Olympics from June 26-29 in Mobile, Ala.  Here are the current bout sheets for the Seniors (15-16) and Intermediate (13-14) divisions, pitting the NorCal champs (listed first) against their Central Cal counterparts:

SENIORS (15-16)

MEN

106 lbs.: Derek Ochoa (Valley Vipers BC, Clovis) – Unopposed

101 lbs.: Christopher Rodriguez (Woodland BC) vs. Ivan Varela (McDermont BC)

110 lbs.: Kevin Montano (Concord CYC) vs. Jacob Flores (Unattached, Parlier)

114 lbs.: William Young (Unattached, S.F.) vs. TBD

119 lbs.: Ivan Vergara (Vacaville PAL) vs. Ruben Villa (Backyard BC, Salinas)

125 lbs.: Uriel Sanchez (Unattached, Santa Rosa) vs. Isidro Ochoa (Fresno PAL)

132 lbs.: Charlie Sheehy (South S.F. BC) – Unopposed

138 lbs.: Joseph Murrieta (Unattached, Fresno) – Unopposed

145 lbs.: Angel Rios (Unattached, Sacramento) – Unopposed

154 lbs.: Amisael Jimenez (Caballero BC, Sacramento) – Unopposed

WOMEN

101 lbs.: Jackie Corona (La Corona BC, Arbuckle) – Unopposed

110 lbs.: Caroline Rojas (Velarde’s TC, Fresno) – Unopposed

114 lbs.: Odalys Camacho (Unattached, Bakersfield) – Unopposed

119 lbs.: Katrina Nahe (USF) – Unopposed

INTERMEDIATE (13-14)

MEN

75 lbs.: Jonas Persaud (Concord CYC) vs. Elian Lua (Main Events, Fresno)

80 lbs.: Angel Cordon (Old School BC, Concord) vs. Alexis DeLuna (Bakersfield PAL)

85 lbs.: Derry Edwards (Vacaville PAL) - Unopposed

90 lbs.: Angel Cordon (Old School BC, Concord) vs. Alexis DeLuna (Bakersfield PAL)

95 lbs.: Andre Conway (South S.F. BC) vs Israel Murrieta (Velarde's TC, Fresno)

101 lbs.: Manuel Yama (Unattached, Santa Rosa) vs. Allen Medina Jr. (Fresno PAL)

106 lbs.: Jesus Aguilar (South S.F. BC) - Unopposed

110 lbs.: Ivan Hurtado (Napa SAL) - Unopposed

114 lbs.: Isaac Rosales (Oakland BC) vs. Nicholas Bueno (Tulare AC)

119 lbs.: Cedric Salcedo (Golden State Bloodhounds, Sacramento)

125 lbs.: Thorn Castellon (Golden State BC, Fresno) - Unopposed

WOMEN

90 lbs.: Graciela Ortega (Dogg Pound Boxing, Sacramento)

95 lbs.: Chloe Beardsly (Concord CYC)

Ryan Maquiñana is the Boxing Insider at CSNBayArea.com.  Follow him on Twitter @RMaq28.

Where to Watch Mayweather-Guerrero in Northern California

By Ryan Maquiñana
Norcalboxing.net

RELATED: CSNBayArea.com's entire archive of Mayweather-Guerrero articles

RELATED: Weights from Las Vegas: Mayweather 146, Guerrero 147

Mayweather-Guerrero airs on Showtime PPV at 6:00 p.m. PT.  Here's a list of places in Northern California that will be showing the fight card.

MOVIE THEATERS

Bakersfield - Bakersfield Stadium 14
Chico - Cinemark Chico
Daly City - Century Plaza 20 with XD
Dublin - Hacienda Crossing 21 with IMAX
Elk Grove - Laguna 16
Emeryville - Bay Street 16 with IMAX
Folsom - Folsom 14
Fremont - Century Pacific Commons
Fresno - Fresno Stadium 21 with IMAX
Hayward - Century Theatre
Milpitas - Great Mall 20 with XD
Monterey - Monterey 13
Mountain View - Mountain View Cinemas 16
Napa - Century Silverado
Oceanside - Oceanside 16
Pleasant Hill - Pleasant Hill Downtown with XD
Redding - Movies 14 with XD
Redwood City - Century 20 Downtown Redwood City with XD
Roseville - Roseville 14 with XD
Sacramento - Sacramento Stadium 14, Sacramento Greenback Lane 16 with XD
Salinas - Salinas Northridge Mall 14
San Bruno - Century Theatres at Tanforan with XD
San Francisco - San Francisco Centre with XD
San Jose - Eastridge Mall with IMAX, San Jose Oakridge 20 with XD
San Mateo - San Mateo Downtown
Stockton - Stockton City Centre Stadium 16 with IMAX
Tracy - Movies 14
Union City - Union Landing 25 with XD
Vallejo - Vallejo 14
Walnut Creek - Walnut Creek 14 with XD
Yuba City - Yuba City Theater

BARS/RESTAURANTS 

(call for cover charge)

SAN FRANCISCO/PENINSULA

Abbey Tavern
4100 Geary Blvd.
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 221-7767

Danny Coyle’s
668 Haight St.
San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 558-8375


SOUTH BAY

Britannia Arms
173 W. Santa Clara St.
San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 278-1400

Axis Nightclub
2909 Lakeside Dr.
Santa Clara, CA 95054

(408) 727-3300

EAST BAY

Ricky's
15028 Hesperian Blvd.
San Leandro, CA 94578

(510) 317-0200


SACRAMENTO



Shenanigans (see above)
705 J St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(510) 317-0200

Does Guerrero Have a "Ghost" of a Chance Against Mayweather?

By Ryan Maquiñana
CSNBayArea.com

Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Robert Guerrero will flaunt a combined 74 professional wins between them heading into next Saturday’s WBC/Ring Magazine welterweight title prizefight in Las Vegas (6 p.m., Showtime PPV).

However, the only blemishes on either record belong to Guerrero (31-1-1, 18 KOs). Nine years ago, the Gilroy native incurred a one-round technical draw when Julian Rodriguez was hit on the break and unable to continue; in 2005, he dropped a shocking 12-round split decision to Gamaliel Diaz that he would later avenge by knockout.

That’s not to say Mayweather (43-0, 26 KOs) has never come close to tasting defeat during a storied 17-year pro career. It’s just that such windows of opportunity have been few and far between for the Las Vegas resident.

With the defensive labyrinth he presents and uncanny ability to strike with venomous counter right hands and accurate left hooks from various linear planes, obtaining the meaning of Stonehenge or proving the Magic Bullet Theory, I’ve heard, carry better odds on the MGM Grand casino floor than a Mayweather loss.

Consequently, any brief flashes of vulnerability he’s shown over time have been magnified and dissected by boxing junkies in hopes of piecing together the ultimate anatomy of an upset.

So what has worked? Befitting his nickname, does Guerrero have a “Ghost” of a chance on Saturday? CSNBayArea.com gathered what little reconnaissance could be found on Floyd’s fallibility and recapitulated it into three key aspects.

1. PERPETUAL PRESSURE

To illustrate Mayweather’s dominance, every single win on his ledger has ended by either knockout or unanimous decision except one—a split decision against Oscar De La Hoya in 2007.

Mayweather ascended from the 147-pound welterweight limit to the 154-pound junior middleweight class for the first time, and the bigger but past-prime De La Hoya took advantage. He pumped left jabs early and often into Mayweather’s face and chest, following them up with nonstop pressure on the ropes.

“The jab is key to unlocking that Mayweather code. I was hitting Floyd with jabs all night,” De La Hoya told Showtime last month. “When you fight Floyd, you must bang the arms. Bang the elbows. Do everything it takes to take Floyd out of his comfort zone.”

Even if most of De La Hoya’s shots failed to land, the activity alone was designed to stunt his foe’s offense and punch output. Right or wrong, the judges rewarded him for it.

In fact, De La Hoya held an 86-85 lead on two of the three official scorecards heading into the 10th round before succumbing to fatigue over the final three frames. Guerrero is cognizant of this fact but has vowed a different outcome.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE: http://www.csnbayarea.com/fight-sports/ghost-chance-against-mayweather

Knight vs. Soto Set for May 11 in Mexico

By Ryan Maquiñana
Norcalboxing.net

World flyweight champion Ava Knight of Chico will defend her title against Linda Soto in the Estado de México in Toluca, Mex., on May 11, according to Mario Cabrera of BeatTheCount.com.

Knight (11-1-3, 5 KOs), coming off a unanimous decision over Susana Vazquez in January, will now face Soto (5-2, 3 KO), who was outpointed by Jolene Blackshear that same month.

Mexican television giant Televisa will broadcast the bout as Knight continues her march toward a megafight with Ana Maria Torres.