Daly City's Julaton Lands in Argentina for March 16 Title Defense

By Ryan Maquiñana
Norcalboxing.net

 

Daly City's Ana "Hurricane" Julaton (10-2-1, 1 KO) will be making the fourth defense of her WBO junior featherweight world title on Friday, March 16, at the Teatro Griego Juan Pablo Segundo in San Martin, Argentina, against hometown challenger Yesica "La Leona" Marcos (18-0-1, 6 KOs).

The bout will be televised by GMA Pinoy TV in America.  However, the actual listing is TBD.

SF's Mayfield Offered Apr. 27 ESPN2 Main Event vs. Brewer

By Ryan Maquiñana
Norcalboxing.net

Mayfield might finally be able to defend his regional belt for the first time in April. (Ethan Barrientos)

San Francisco junior welterweight Karim "Hard Hitta" Mayfield (15-0-1, 9 KOs) has been offered an ESPN2 Friday Night Fights headliner against Prenice "Greatness" Brewer (16-1-1, 6 KOs) to take place on April 27 in Mississippi.

"The contract is in S.F.," Mayfield told Norcalboxing.net via text. He has currently been in Philadelphia sparring former rival Danny Garcia, who is preparing for a world title shot against Erik Morales. "I'll sign it when I get back.  We're still working on the money."

The Landover Arena in Southaven or FitzGerald Casino in Tunica would be the two venues most likely to host the event.

San Leandro's Glenn Donaire Now Facing Salado After Soto Pulls Out

Glenn Donaire has a new opponent on March 16.

San Leandro flyweight Glenn Donaire (18-4-1, 10 KOs) is now facing former two-time world title challenger Omar Salado (24-4-2, 15 KOs) after Omar Soto pulled out.  The fight is still March 16 in Mexico City on Telemundo, except it will be for a minor title at junior bantamweight, so Donaire will ascend three pounds from 112 to 115 for this one.  Source: Fightnews.com.


Check the updated Norcal Pro & Amateur Fight Schedule for this matchup and all other cards relating to our local fighters!

Sacramento's Robb Signs with Goossen, Moves Down to Featherweight

By Ryan Maquiñana
Norcalboxing.net

The electrifying Guy Robb of Sacramento briefly spoke to me about signing with Goossen Tutor Promotions and moving down from 130 to 126 pounds for his next fight.

READ MORE: http://www.boxingscene.com/guy-robb-signs-deal-with-goossen-eight-rounder-next--50321

NorCal Roundup: Miller & Ramirez Win National Titles, Woodland Recap, College Boxers Shine at USF

By Ryan Maquiñana
CSNBayArea.com

Miller and Ramirez represented Region 11 well. (Ben Bautista)

At the link below, you'll find:

-RAQUEL MILLER PUNCHES TICKET TO CHINA

-JOSE RAMIREZ THREE-PEATS, KEEPS OLYMPIC HOPES ALIVE

-NEAR-CLEAN SWEEP FOR NORCAL PROS IN WOODLAND

-RESULTS FROM USF KORET INVITATIONAL

READ MORE: http://www.csnbayarea.com/fight-sports/news/SFs-Miller-wins-National-Title?blockID=663286&feedID=8306

S.F.'s Miller and Avenal's Ramirez Crowned National Champs!

By Ryan Maquiñana
Norcalboxing.net

S.F.'s Raquel Miller captured her first national title Saturday with the aid of trainer Ben Bautista. (SFC Boxing)

S.F.'s Raquel Miller and Avenal's Jose Ramirez took gold in their National Championship bouts, while Pacific Grove's Jamie Mitchell fought valiantly in a decision loss to New York's Christina Cruz, earning silver.

"Hard work pays off," Miller said. "Keep pushing, keep dreaming, and putting God first. Thanks for the love, support, and prayers. They worked."

While Miller captured the 152-pound women's crown by defeating San Diego's Danyelle Wolf on the cards, Ramirez completed a triumphant run through America's 132-pounders with a clear decision win over Cleveland's Raynell Williams in a rematch of their two clashes at last year's Olympic Trials.  Ramirez would make it three wins in three tries, but is aware there is still work to be done.

"I'm right back to the spot I want to be," he told ESPN.com.

Ramirez will move on the Americas Qualifier in May, an international competition where he must finish in the top four to finally punch his ticket to London for the 2012 Olympics.  Although there will be no trip to England for Miller since she did not win the Olympic Trials, her victory Saturday netted her a spot on Team USA for the 2012 World Championships in China.

SATURDAY'S FINAL RESULTS

WOMEN

WOMEN'S BANTAMWEIGHT (119 LBS.)

Click HERE for full bracket

CENTRAL CAL

New York's Christina Cruz dec. Pacific Grove's Jamie Mitchell, 22-7

WOMEN'S WELTERWEIGHT (152 LBS.)

Click HERE for full bracket

NORCAL

San Francisco's Raquel Miller dec. San Diego's Danyelle Wolf, 10-5

MEN

MEN'S LIGHTWEIGHT (132 LBS.)

Click HERE for full bracket

Avenal's Ramirez celebrated his victory with his team. (Armando Mancinas)

CENTRAL CAL
#1 Avenal's Jose Ramirez dec. Cleveland's Raynell Williams, 19-13


Boxing correspondent Ryan Maquiñana is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and Ring Magazine’s Ratings Advisory Panel. E-mail him at rmaquinana@gmail.com, check out his blog at norcalboxing.net, or follow him on Twitter: @RMaq28.

My College Basketball Debut for Comcast SportsNet Bay Area

Did some college basketball work today for Comcast SportsNet Bay Area! Check out my interviews in the locker room with Cal stars Harper Kamp and Justin Cobbs after they watched UCLA upset Washington, making Sunday's game at Stanford for the Pac-12 conference co-title.



ARTICLE: http://www.csnbayarea.com/ncaa/news/Cal-faces-Stanford-with-share-of-title-o?blockID=662784&feedID=2539

Walnut Creek's Mendez Hopes to Cultivate Dream Saturday (with Video!)

By Ryan Maquiñana
CSNBayArea.com

READ MORE:  http://www.csnbayarea.com/fight-sports/news/Walnut-Creeks-Mendez-hopes-to-cultivate-?blockID=662196&feedID=8306

Here are video interviews of Manuel "Tino" Avila and Paul Mendez along with my take on the Solo Boxeo Tecate card at Woodland this Saturday.

Three Local Fighters in National Finals; L. Mitchell Drops Disputed Decision

By Ryan Maquiñana
Norcalboxing.net

S.F.'s Raquel Miller (in red) has the chance to add a Nationals gold to her Olympic Trials bronze medal on Saturday. (Team Miller)

Two Central California fighters and one from Northern California have advanced to Saturday's last day of competition at the USA Boxing National Championships in Fort Carson, Colo.

Top-ranked lightweight Jose Ramirez and bantamweight Jamie Mitchell of Pacific Grove won their semifinal bouts, as did Olympic Trials bronze medalist Raquel Miller, who moves on to the welterweight final.

Escobedo-Broner Might Be Next if 'Chente' Can Beat Smith

By Ryan Maquiñana
BoxingScene.com

Escobedo might be in line for a title shot at Broner. (Golden Boy)

DIRECT LINK TO ARTICLE: http://www.boxingscene.com/escobedo-mix-adrien-broner-if-he-beats-smith--50131

BoxingScene.com has been advised by sources within Golden Boy that Vicente Escobedo will step to the forefront of viable challengers for Adrien “The Problem” Broner’s next junior lightweight title defense if the former Olympian can get by Lonnie Smith this Saturday on TeleFutura’s “Solo Boxeo” series.

The 30-year-old Escobedo (24-3, 14 KOs) will be fighting in his hometown of Woodland, Calif., for the first time as a pro this weekend.  After losses to former beltholders Michael Katsidis and Robert Guerrero, “Chente” has moved down from lightweight to the junior lightweight division, where he defeated Rocky Juarez last September.

“My body feels a lot more comfortable,” Escobedo said.  “The guys were bigger than me at 135 (pounds), and it’s a new me down here at 130.”

Broner (23-0, 19 KOs), a 22-year-old from Cincinnati who owns a share of the 130-pound crown, impressively stopped previously unbeaten Eloy Perez last Saturday on HBO.  Both Escobedo and Broner are promoted by Golden Boy.

Nationals Day 5: Eight Local Fighters Reach Semifinals

By Ryan Maquiñana
Norcalboxing.net

Fresno's Gary Salazar continued his streak at Nationals with his third straight stoppage. (Team Salazar)

A total of eight local fighters advanced to the 2012 National Championship semifinals in their respective weight classes.

In the early session, Fresno bantamweight Gary Salazar scored his third consecutive stoppage to turn some heads at the Special Events Center in Fort Carson, Colo.  Sacramento light flyweight Marina Ramirez opened her journey with a dominant victory, while fellow Causeway 123-pounder Mario Ayala saw his successful run come to an end.

S.F. Mitchell's Defeats Taylor 13-8, Marches to National Semifinals

By Ryan Maquiñana
Norcalboxing.net

Mitchell moves on to the semifinals with a decision win over Taylor. (USA Boxing)

Super heavyweight LaRon Mitchell inched even closer to his Olympic Team dream with a 13-8 decision win Thursday afternoon over Dallas' Adrian Taylor in the quarterfinals of the 2012 USA Boxing National Championships.

"Taylor's a very good boxer," Mitchell said.  "He was good at hiding his right hand with that awkward stance of his.  He had lost some considerable weight from an old fight of him I had seen on YouTube the night before, so he was moving well."

Overcoming an early 3-2 deficit, the San Francisco southpaw reverted to his boxing skills and cruised to victory in the final two rounds.